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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 18, 2020

Registration No. 333-236581

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM F-4

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Switzerland   7374   Not Applicable
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

+41 22 363 77 40

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Cogency Global Inc.

10 E 40th Street, 10th Floor

New York NY 10016

(212) 947-7200

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Howard Kenny

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

101 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10178

(212) 309-6000

 

Michael Wolfson

Kenneth Wallach

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 455-2000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration for the share offering.  ☐

If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)  ☐

Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Emerging growth company  ☒

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

  Amount
to be
registered(1)
 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per unit(2)

 

Proposed

maximum
aggregate

offering price(2)

  Amount of
registration fee(8)

Ordinary Shares(3)(6)

  76,562,500   $10.72   $820,750,000   $106,533.04

Warrants(4)(6)

  30,850,000   $1.97   $60,774,500   $7,888.53

Ordinary Shares issuable on exercise of Warrants(5)(6)

  30,850,000   $11.50   —  (7)   —  

Total

                 $881,524,500   $114,421.88(9)

 

 

(1)

All securities being registered will be issued by Global Blue Group Holding AG, a Swiss stock corporation (“New Global Blue”). In connection with the Business Combination described in this registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus included herein, (a) Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc. (“US Merger Sub”), a newly formed indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue, will be merged with and into Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a publicly traded Delaware corporation (“FPAC”), and the outstanding common stock and warrants of FPAC will become securities of New Global Blue registered hereunder, and (b) the shareholders of Global Blue Group AG, a Swiss stock corporation (“Global Blue”), in private transactions, will exchange 100% of the outstanding share capital of Global Blue for cash and ordinary shares (and under certain circumstances, preferred shares) of New Global Blue (not registered hereunder).

(2)

Based on the market prices on February 18, 2020 of the Class A common stock, par value $.0001 per share (“Class A Common Stock”) and warrants to acquire Class A Common Stock of FPAC (the company to which the Registrant will succeed after the transactions described in this registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus included herein).

(3)

Consists of ordinary shares issuable in exchange for outstanding Class A Common Stock, and Class B common stock, par value $.0001 per share, of FPAC, including shares of Class A Common Stock included in outstanding units of FPAC (“Units”), each Unit consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock and one-third of one warrant. In connection with the completion of the Business Combination described in this registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus included herein, all Units will be separated into their component securities.

(4)

Consists of warrants that will replace outstanding warrants of FPAC, including warrants included in outstanding Units of FPAC, and warrants held by the founder of FPAC.

(5)

Consists of ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of warrants. Each warrant will entitle the warrant holder to purchase one ordinary share of New Global Blue at a price of $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment).

(6)

Pursuant to Rule 416(a), there are also being registered an indeterminable number of additional securities as may be issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

(7)

No separate registration fee is required pursuant to Rule 457(g).

(8)

Computed in accordance with Rule 457(f) of the Securities Act by multiplying the proposed maximum aggregate offering price by 0.00012980.

(9)

Previously paid.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 18, 2020

FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

18 West 18th Street

New York, NY 10011

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON                     , 2020

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of stockholders of Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“FPAC”), will be held at                       eastern time, on                     , 2020, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 101 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10178 (the “Special Meeting”). We intend to hold the Special Meeting in person. However, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Special Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication. You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting, which will be held for the following purposes:

(1) to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), and to approve the business combination contemplated by such agreement (the “Business Combination”), by and among FPAC, SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Globetrotter” and, in its capacity as a representative of Global Blue (as defined below) and its shareholders as of the date of the Merger Agreement and immediately prior to the closing, the “GB Shareholders’ Representative”), Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“New Global Blue”), Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“US Holdco”), Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“US Merger Sub”), Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Holdings”), the individuals named therein (the “Management Sellers” and, together with Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings, the “Seller Parties”), Global Blue Group AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“Global Blue”), Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative (“FPAC Shareholders’ Representative”), solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 thereof, Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Founder”), and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative (“Management Representative”), which, among other things, provides for (a) the Seller Parties undertaking a series of transactions pursuant to which they will sell, exchange and contribute the ordinary shares of Global Blue (the “Global Blue Shares”) for a mix of cash (the “Cash Consideration”) and ordinary shares of New Global Blue (the “New Global Blue Shares”), and in certain circumstances preferred shares (the “Series A Preferred Shares”) of New Global Blue (together, the “Share Consideration”), and (b) US Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue, merging with and into FPAC, with FPAC being the surviving corporation in the Merger—we refer to this proposal as the “Business Combination Proposal” and a copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A; and

(2) to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, FPAC is not authorized to consummate the Business Combination—we refer to this proposal as the “Adjournment Proposal.”

These items of business are described in the attached proxy statement/prospectus, which we encourage you to read in its entirety before voting. Only holders of record of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of FPAC (“FPAC Class A Common Stock”) and Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of FPAC (“FPAC Class B Common Stock” and collectively with FPAC Class A Common Stock, “FPAC Common Stock”)


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at the close of business on                      , 2020 are entitled to notice of the Special Meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the Special Meeting.

After careful consideration, and consultation with its management and outside legal advisers, FPAC’s board of directors has determined that the Business Combination Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal are NOT advisable, or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that you vote or give instruction to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.

Under the Merger Agreement, the approval of the Business Combination Proposal by the requisite vote of FPAC’s stockholders is a condition to the consummation of the Business Combination. If the Business Combination Proposal is not approved by FPAC’s stockholders, the Business Combination will not be consummated.

All FPAC stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting in person. However, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and we are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Special Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication. To ensure your representation at the Special Meeting, however, you are urged to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. If you are a stockholder of record of FPAC Common Stock, you may also cast your vote in person at the Special Meeting (or by remote means of communication, if applicable). If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the Special Meeting and vote in person, you must obtain a proxy from your broker or bank. If you do not vote or do not instruct your broker or bank how to vote, it will have the same effect as voting “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal but will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

A complete list of FPAC stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for ten (10) days before the Special Meeting at the principal executive offices of FPAC (or by remote means of communication, during such meeting, if applicable) for inspection by stockholders during ordinary business hours for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting.

Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether you plan to attend the Special Meeting or not, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible in the envelope provided. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker or bank to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.

Thank you for your participation. We look forward to your continued support.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Thomas W. Farley

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board

IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.

TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS, YOU MUST DEMAND IN WRITING THAT YOUR PUBLIC SHARES ARE REDEEMED FOR A PRO RATA PORTION OF THE FUNDS HELD IN THE TRUST ACCOUNT AND TENDER YOUR SHARES TO OUR TRANSFER AGENT AT LEAST TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE SCHEDULED DATE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING. YOU MAY TENDER YOUR SHARES BY EITHER DELIVERING YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATE TO THE TRANSFER AGENT OR BY DELIVERING YOUR SHARES ELECTRONICALLY USING THE


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DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY’S DWAC (DEPOSIT WITHDRAWAL AT CUSTODIAN) SYSTEM. IF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION IS NOT COMPLETED, THEN THESE SHARES WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU OR YOUR ACCOUNT. IF YOU HOLD THE SHARES IN STREET NAME, YOU WILL NEED TO INSTRUCT THE ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT YOUR BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE TO WITHDRAW THE SHARES FROM YOUR ACCOUNT IN ORDER TO EXERCISE YOUR REDEMPTION RIGHTS. SEE “SPECIAL MEETING OF FPAC STOCKHOLDERS—REDEMPTION RIGHTS” FOR MORE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated,                          , 2020 and is first being mailed to Far Point Acquisition Corporation stockholders on or about                     , 2020.


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The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 18, 2020

PROXY STATEMENT FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

and

PROSPECTUS FOR UP TO 76,562,500 ORDINARY SHARES, 30,850,000 WARRANTS AND 30,850,000

ORDINARY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

OF

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

 

 

This proxy statement/prospectus is being provided to security holders of Far Point Acquisition Corporation, which we refer to as FPAC, in connection with the proposed business combination with Global Blue Group AG, a Swiss stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft), which we refer to as Global Blue. These terms and others used in this introduction are defined in greater detail below in this proxy statement/prospectus under the caption “Frequently Used Terms”.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement described in this proxy statement/prospectus, each of FPAC and Global Blue will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Blue Group Holding AG, a newly formed Swiss stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft), which we refer to as New Global Blue, and New Global Blue will become a new public company owned by the prior stockholders of FPAC, the prior shareholders of Global Blue and the PIPE Investors described below. We refer to this transaction as the Business Combination. The Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A. New Global Blue’s articles of association will be substantially in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B.

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisers, FPAC’s board of directors has determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders. This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. In connection with FPAC’s entry into the Merger Agreement, FPAC’s board of directors had initially unanimously (i) approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) determined that the Business Combination was advisable and fair to and in the best interests of FPAC and its stockholders and (iii) recommended that FPAC’s stockholders approve the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. However, after approval of the Merger Agreement, FPAC management was informed by Global Blue management that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was having a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations. See “Risk Factors–Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial results, as experienced by the broader market, including the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the outbreak and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Other Information About Global Blue.” As a result, after careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisers, FPAC’s board of directors has changed its recommendation for FPAC’s stockholders to vote against the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. See “The Business Combination Proposal – FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to Against the Business Combination.”

New Global Blue will apply for listing, effective upon the closing of the Business Combination, of its ordinary shares and warrants on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbols “GB” and “GB.WS,” respectively.

Global Blue serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international travelers shopping abroad, driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic


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tailwinds. Global Blue established the concept of third-party serviced tax free shopping, or TFS, in Sweden in 1980 and has emerged as both a global leader (based on its share of the TFS segment) and a pioneer in technology for TFS. Global Blue also offers added-value payment solutions, or AVPS, including dynamic currency conversion, or DCC. As of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Global Blue operated across more than 50 countries. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue enabled approximately 29 million international shoppers to claim value added tax (“VAT”) refunds on international shopping or complete international transactions in their home currency.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) the shareholders of Global Blue will receive a mix of cash, referred to as the Cash Consideration, and ordinary shares of New Global Blue, and in certain circumstances, preferred shares of New Global Blue, referred to as the Share Consideration, and (ii) the outstanding shares and warrants of FPAC will become New Global Blue ordinary shares or warrants to purchase such New Global Blue ordinary shares as follows:

 

   

each of FPAC’s 63,250,000 outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (other than those shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock that are redeemed by the holders as described below), and 10,812,500 of the 15,812,500 outstanding shares of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock (being the 15,812,500 outstanding shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock excluding the 2,500,000 Surrendered Shares which are to be surrendered and excluding the 2,500,000 Excluded Founder Shares which will be exchanged for the right to receive the Contingent Shares—each as described below) will become one ordinary share of New Global Blue; and

 

   

each of FPAC’s 30,850,000 outstanding warrants will become one warrant of New Global Blue that will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for $11.50 per share, one ordinary share of New Global Blue in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock.

We refer to New Global Blue’s ordinary shares as the New Global Blue Shares, its preferred shares as the Series A Preferred Shares and its warrants as the New Global Blue Warrants.

The Merger Agreement provides that the Excluded Founder Shares, which are 2,500,000 shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock held by Far Point LLC, FPAC’s Founder, will be contributed to New Global Blue in exchange for 2,500,000 New Global Blue Shares which Far Point LLC will have the right to receive, referred to as the Contingent Shares, upon satisfaction of certain conditions related to the trading price of New Global Blue Shares, as described herein.

Accordingly, this proxy statement/prospectus covers the issuance by New Global Blue of an aggregate of 76,562,500 New Global Blue Shares, 30,850,000 New Global Blue Warrants and 30,850,000 New Global Blue Shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants.

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue, FPAC and certain third-party investors, referred to as the Primary PIPE Investors, entered into share subscription agreements pursuant to which the Primary PIPE Investors have committed to purchase, concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination, which we refer to as the Closing, in the aggregate, 12,500,000 New Global Blue Shares for $10.00 per share, or an aggregate purchase price equal to $125.0 million.

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue and SL Globetrotter, L.P. and Global Blue Holding L.P., referred to as Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings, respectively, which are or will be at the Closing shareholders of Global Blue, entered into certain share purchase and contribution agreements with investors that we refer to as the Secondary PIPE Investors. The Secondary PIPE Investors consist of (i) the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors, which are certain affiliates of Third Point LLC, an affiliate of FPAC, and (ii) Antfin (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, referred to as the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor or Ant Financial. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of their purchase agreements, the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor have committed to purchase, concurrently with the Closing, ordinary shares of Global Blue from Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings for aggregate purchase prices of up to $100.0 million and equal to $125.0 million, respectively, and to immediately contribute such Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue in exchange for the subsequent issue of up to 10,000,000 and equal to


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12,500,000, respectively, New Global Blue Shares at $10.00 per share. The commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors is subject to reduction on a dollar-for-dollar basis to the extent of a draw on the Backstop described below. The agreement with the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor includes an 18-month lock-up transfer restriction on the New Global Blue Shares it acquires.

Prior to the Closing, the Management Sellers will become shareholders of Global Blue through the Management Roll-up, described below.

Prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154.0 million. Pursuant to the proposal sent to FPAC by Globetrotter on May 23, 2020, Globetrotter proposed, among other things, converting the approximately €154 million cash dividend which will be due to the Global Blue shareholders to approximately 16,800,000 New Global Blue Shares. In response to this proposal, management of FPAC proposed certain changes to the Transaction terms that included, among other things, that the pre-Closing Global Blue shareholders would forego the dividend. As of the date of the proxy statement/prospectus, there has been no agreement to alter the Transaction terms. See “The Business Combination Proposal — Background of the Business Combination”.

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, Global Blue’s €630 million Existing Term Loan Facility and its €80 million Existing Revolving Credit Facility will be refinanced pursuant to a new debt facility, referred to as the New Facilities Agreement.

FPAC’s Units (each consisting of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Warrant), FPAC Class A Common Stock and Warrants are currently listed on the NYSE under the symbols “FPAC.UN,” “FPAC” and “FPAC.WS,” respectively. In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, FPAC’s Units will be separated into their component securities and those component securities will be exchanged for corresponding New Global Blue securities.

In connection with the Business Combination, in addition to the Merger Agreement, certain related agreements have been, or will be, entered into on or prior to the Closing Date, including:

 

   

Voting and Support Agreement among FPAC, Global Blue, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, the Founder and Third Point Ventures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of Third Point (together with the Founder, the “FPAC Shareholders”), pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, each FPAC Shareholder has unconditionally and irrevocably agreed, among other things, to vote its shares of FPAC (representing approximately 25% of the outstanding shares), and take certain other actions, in support of the Business Combination;

 

   

Founder Shares Surrender Agreement among FPAC, the Founder, Globetrotter and New Global Blue that provides that the Founder will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, at the Closing irrevocably surrender to New Global Blue, for no consideration and as a deemed contribution to the capital of New Global Blue, 2,500,000 shares of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock (the “Surrendered Shares”) and New Global Blue shall immediately cancel the Surrendered Shares;

 

   

Relationship Agreement among Globetrotter, the Founder and New Global Blue to regulate, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, the relationship among such parties following the Closing. Among other things, the parties have made certain agreements with respect to the designation of board members for New Global Blue;

 

   

Shareholders Agreement among Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter, the Founder and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Global Blue to regulate the relationship among such shareholders following the Closing with respect to each other, in connection with New Global Blue. Among other things, and as described therein, the parties have agreed to certain lock-up transfer restrictions on such parties’ New Global Blue securities for various periods, the longest of which is up to one year from the Closing; and


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Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into at the Closing, by and between New Global Blue and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Global Blue after the Closing, pursuant to which New Global Blue has agreed to grant the other parties thereto registration rights in respect of their New Global Blue Shares and certain other New Global Blue securities.

Each of these related agreements is described in more detail elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. See “The Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements.” Additionally, in connection with the Business Combination, the Management Roll-up, the PIPE Investment and the Refinancing will be completed on or prior to the Closing.

As a result of the Business Combination, assuming: (i) a September 30, 2019 Closing Date; (ii) that no stockholders of FPAC elect to have their shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock issued as part of the Units sold in FPAC’s initial public offering (“Public Shares”) redeemed for cash in connection therewith as permitted by FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “No Redemption Scenario”); and (iii) no adjustments under the Merger Agreement, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $961 million, and the post-Closing share ownership of New Global Blue would be as follows:

 

     New Global Blue Shares (%)(1)  
  

 

 

 

Seller Parties(2)

     88,938,000 (47.2%)  

Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors(3)

     10,000,000 (5.3%)  

Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor

     12,500,000 (6.6%)  

Primary PIPE Investors

     12,500,000 (6.6%)  

Founder/Directors(3)(4)

     10,812,500 (5.7%)  

Former FPAC Public Stockholders(3)(5)

     53,762,500 (28.5%)  
  

 

 

 

Total

     188,513,000 (100%)  

 

(1)

Excludes all 30,850,000 New Global Blue Warrants and 2,500,000 Contingent Shares.

(2)

Includes 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Globetrotter in exchange for 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus–Certain Market Activity.”

(3)

Collectively in the No Redemption Scenario, Third Point would beneficially own 24,692,500 New Global Blue Shares, or 13.1%, consisting of 10,000,000 shares from the PIPE Investment, 10,692,500 shares held by the Founder (as to which Third Point would have beneficial ownership, though Third Point and Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, would each have a pecuniary interest over a portion thereof) and 4,000,000 shares to be received in exchange for 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Third Point in FPAC’s initial public offering.

(4)

Includes 120,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by FPAC’s independent directors.

(5)

Excludes the Founder Shares; includes 4,000,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Third Point and 65,700 New Global Blue Shares to be received by David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director, in exchange for shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased in FPAC’s initial public offering. Excludes 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Globetrotter in exchange for 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus – Certain Market Activity.”

Pursuant to FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in connection with the completion of the Business Combination holders of Public Shares may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share calculated in accordance with FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Payment for such redemptions will come from FPAC’s trust account that holds a portion of the proceeds of FPAC’s initial public offering and the concurrent sale of its private placement Units. To the extent holders of FPAC Public Shares elect to have their shares redeemed, the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration to be paid to the shareholders of Global Blue will vary as described herein.

To the extent holders of Public Shares require FPAC to redeem more than 20,000,000 FPAC Public Shares, Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, a Cayman Islands limited partnership that is the managing member of the Founder and an affiliate of Third Point (the “Backstop Provider”), will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set


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forth in the Forward Purchase Agreement entered into at the time of FPAC’s initial public offering (the “Backstop”), purchase shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at $9.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price equal to the total number of Public Shares in excess of 20,000,000 redeemed, multiplied by $10.00. To the extent the Backstop Provider purchases shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Backstop, the commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors will be reduced dollar-for-dollar. The Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors have also committed to provide equity financing to the Backstop Provider in the event that the Backstop Provider’s obligation to purchase shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock under the Backstop is triggered, and Globetrotter has third party beneficiary rights pursuant to the Third Party Beneficiary Rights Letter to specifically enforce such equity commitment as well as to specifically enforce FPAC’s rights under the Forward Purchase Agreement.

As a result of the Business Combination, assuming (i) a September 30, 2019 Closing Date, (ii) the redemption of all Public Shares, including all 9,487,500 Public Shares purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020 (See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Certain Market Activity”), exclusive of the 4,000,000 shares held by Third Point and the 65,700 shares held by David Bonanno, which Third Point and Mr. Bonanno have agreed not to redeem (the “Maximum Redemption Scenario”), (iii) the Backstop is exercised and (iv) no adjustments under the Merger Agreement, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $647 million and the post-Closing share ownership of New Global Blue would be as follows:

 

     Series A
Preferred Shares
    New Global
Blue Shares(1)
     Combined (%)(2)  

Seller Parties

     22,178,000 (6)      88,656,047        57.7

Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors/Backstop Provider(3)

     —         41,246,632        21.5

Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor

     —         12,500,000        6.5

Primary PIPE Investors

     —         12,500,000        6.5

Founder/Directors(3)(4)

     —         10,812,500        5.6

Former FPAC Stockholders(5)

     —         4,065,700        2.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     22,178,000       169,780,879        100

 

(1)

Excludes all 30,850,000 New Global Blue Warrants and 2,500,000 Contingent Shares.

(2)

Calculated based on the number of New Global Blue Shares plus Series A Preferred Shares on an as converted basis.

(3)

Collectively, in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, Third Point would beneficially own 55,939,132 New Global Blue Shares, or 29.1%, consisting of 41,246,632 shares from the Backstop, 10,692,500 shares held by the Founder (as to which Third Point would have beneficial ownership, though Third Point and Thomas W. Farley would each have a pecuniary interest over a portion thereof) and 4,000,000 shares to be received in exchange for 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Third Point in FPAC’s initial public offering.

(4)

Includes 120,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by FPAC’s independent directors.

(5)

Excludes the Founder Shares; includes 4,000,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Third Point and 65,700 New Global Blue Shares to be received by David W. Bonanno in exchange for shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased in FPAC’s initial public offering.

(6)

To the extent holders of Public Shares elect to redeem more than 5,000,000 Public Shares, Series A Preferred Shares of equal value to the value of the Public Shares redeemed in excess of 5,000,000 Public Shares would be issued to the Seller Parties. Series A Preferred Shares will be convertible into New Global Blue Shares on a one-to-one basis, subject to anti-dilution protections.

Proposals to approve the Merger Agreement and the other matters discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus will be presented at the Special Meeting of stockholders of FPAC scheduled to be held on                          , 2020.

This proxy statement/prospectus provides you with detailed information about the Business Combination and other matters to be considered at the Special Meeting of FPAC’s stockholders. We encourage you to carefully read this entire document. You should also carefully consider the risk factors described in “Risk Factors.”


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These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This proxy statement/prospectus is dated                         , 2020, and is first being mailed to Far Point Acquisition Corporation stockholders on or about                     , 2020.


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     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

     1  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IFRS AND NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

     1  

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

     1  

EXCHANGE RATE PRESENTATION

     2  

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

     2  

FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

     3  

SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

     11  

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

     15  

SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

     27  

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     37  

SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     48  

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

     50  

RISK FACTORS

     52  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     82  

SPECIAL MEETING OF FPAC STOCKHOLDERS

     84  

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

     88  

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     148  

THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

     163  

INFORMATION RELATED TO NEW GLOBAL BLUE

     164  

INFORMATION RELATED TO FPAC

     166  

FPAC’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

     173  

INFORMATION RELATED TO GLOBAL BLUE

     177  

GLOBAL BLUE’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

     226  

MANAGEMENT OF NEW GLOBAL BLUE FOLLOWING THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

     262  

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

     272  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

     276  

DESCRIPTION OF NEW GLOBAL BLUE SECURITIES

     280  

STOCK MARKET AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

     298  

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     299  

ANNUAL MEETING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     299  

OTHER STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

     299  

LEGAL MATTERS

     299  

EXPERTS

     299  

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

     300  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     301  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

ANNEXES

Annex A: Agreement and Plan of Merger

Annex B: Form of Articles of Association of Global Blue Group Holding AG

 

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ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form F-4 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC,” by New Global Blue, constitutes a prospectus of New Global Blue under Section 5 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” with respect to the New Global Blue Shares to be issued to FPAC stockholders, the New Global Blue Warrants to be issued to Warrant holders and the New Global Blue Shares underlying such warrants, if the Business Combination described herein is consummated. This document also constitutes a notice of meeting and a proxy statement under Section 14(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the “Exchange Act”, with respect to the Special Meeting of FPAC stockholders at which FPAC stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Business Combination by the adoption of the Merger Agreement, among other matters.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IFRS AND NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in this proxy statement/prospectus have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as “IFRS.” We refer in various places within this proxy statement/prospectus to non-IFRS financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Sales in Store (“SiS”), Adjusted Net Income (Group Share), Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, Conversion Rate, Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Net Debt and Leverage Ratio, some of which are more fully explained in “Selected Historical Financial Information—Other Financial Data.” The presentation of this non-IFRS information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for Global Blue’s consolidated financial results prepared in accordance with IFRS.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

New Global Blue

New Global Blue was incorporated on December 10, 2019 for the purpose of effectuating the transactions described herein. New Global Blue has no material assets and does not operate any businesses. Accordingly, no financial statements of New Global Blue have been included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The transaction will first be accounted for as a capital reorganization whereby New Global Blue is the successor to its predecessor Global Blue. As a result of the first step described above, the existing shareholders of Global Blue will continue to retain control through their majority ownership of New Global Blue. The capital reorganization will be immediately followed by the acquisition of FPAC, which is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment). The shares issued by New Global Blue are recognized at fair value and recorded as consideration for the acquisition of the public shell company, FPAC.

Global Blue

From April 1, 2018 onward, Global Blue has adopted IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments), IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and IFRS 16 (Leases), selecting the modified retrospective approach. Therefore, Global Blue has not restated the financial information of Global Blue as of and for the financial year ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 or any prior periods for these new standards and, as a result, the information for these periods is not fully comparable to the financial information of Global Blue as of and for the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

Certain financial data of Global Blue presented herein is preliminary. Such preliminary financial data included herein has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of Global Blue. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to such preliminary financial data. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

 

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EXCHANGE RATE PRESENTATION

Certain amounts described herein have been expressed in U.S. dollars for convenience and, when expressed in U.S. dollars in the future, such amounts may be different from those set forth herein due to intervening exchange rate fluctuations.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

In this proxy statement/prospectus, we present industry data, information and statistics regarding the markets in which Global Blue competes as well as Global Blue’s analysis of statistics, data and other information provided by third parties relating to markets, market sizes, market shares, market positions and other industry data pertaining to Global Blue’s business and markets, including information obtained from the OECD, Euromonitor, the World Bank, the International Air Transport Association and Tourism Economics (collectively, “Industry Analysis”). Such information is supplemented where necessary with Global Blue’s own internal estimates and information obtained from discussions with its customers, taking into account publicly available information about other industry participants and Global Blue’s management’s judgment where information is not publicly available. This information appears in “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus,” “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business” and other sections of this proxy statement/prospectus.

Industry publications, research, studies and forecasts generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed. Forecasts and other forward-looking information obtained from these sources are subject to the same qualifications and uncertainties as the other forward-looking statements in this proxy statement/prospectus. These forecasts and forward-looking information are subject to uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described under “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in any forecasts or estimates.

 

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FREQUENTLY USED TERMS

Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Global Blue” refers to Global Blue Group AG, a Swiss stock corporation, the term “FPAC” refers to Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and “New Global Blue” refers to Global Blue Group Holding AG, a newly incorporated Swiss stock corporation.

In addition, in this document:

“2012 GB Acquisition” means the acquisition on August 1, 2012 of Global Blue Luxembourg Holdings S.à r.l. by funds and investment vehicles directly or indirectly managed and/or advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group.

“Acquirer(s)” means a financial institution that processes credit or debit card payments on behalf of a merchant.

“Adjournment Proposal” means the proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting of the stockholders of FPAC to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the Business Combination Proposal.

“Adjusted Net Debt” means the aggregate principal amount of non-current loans and borrowings, current lease liabilities and non-current lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents.

“Adjustment Date” means March 31, 2020.

“Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors” means certain affiliates of Third Point who have committed, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in those certain share purchase and contribution agreements, to purchase Global Blue Shares from Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings and to contribute such Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue in exchange for up to 10,000,000 New Global Blue Shares at $10.00 per share. The commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors is subject to a dollar-for-dollar reduction to the extent the Backstop is drawn upon.

“Amendment Letter” means an amendment letter dated January 14, 2020 amending and restating the New Facilities Agreement entered into by Global Blue with, inter alia, BNP Paribas (Suisse) S.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Designated Activity Company, Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse International and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch, as amendment participating lenders, and RBC Europe Limited, as agent and security agent.

“AML” means anti-money laundering.

“APAC” means the Asia Pacific region.

“ATM” means automated teller machines.

“AVPS” means added-value payment solutions.

“Backstop” means the obligations of the Backstop Provider pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement to purchase, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, newly issued shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at $9.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price equal to the number of Public Shares in excess of 20,000,000 shares redeemed multiplied by $10.00.

“Backstop Provider” means Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, a Cayman Islands limited partnership that is the managing member of the Founder and an affiliate of Third Point.

 

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“Best-rate guarantee” means Global Blue’s best-rate guarantee, which allows an international shopper to be refunded the difference between Global Blue’s transaction fee and that of its issuing bank.

“Brexit” means the United Kingdom leaving the EU.

“Broker Non-Vote” means the failure of an FPAC stockholder, who holds his or her shares in “street name” through a broker or other nominee, to give voting instructions to such broker or other nominee.

“Business Combination Proposal” means the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby.

“CAGR” means compounded annual growth rate.

“Cash Consideration” means the cash portion of the consideration to be received by the Seller Parties pursuant to the Business Combination.

“Cayman Holdings” means Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership.

“CHF” and “Swiss franc” each refer to the legal currency of Switzerland.

“Closing” means the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the PIPE Investment agreements, and “Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing is completed.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Compensation Ordinance” means the Swiss Compensation Ordinance.

“Contingent Shares” means up to 2,500,000 New Global Blue Shares to be delivered to the Founder upon satisfaction of certain conditions related to the trading price of New Global Blue Shares.

“Conversion Agreement” means that certain conversion agreement, dated on or around January 16, 2020, by and among New Global Blue and each of the Seller Parties in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares.

“Currency Select” means Currency Select Pty Limited (previously, Travelex Outsourcing Pty Limited).

“C-PECs” means convertible preferred equity certificates.

“DCC” means dynamic currency conversion.

“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law.

“drive-to-store” means initiatives or solutions to increase international shopper footfall for merchants.

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

“€” means Euro, the legal currency of the European Union.

“eDCC” means e-commerce dynamic currency conversion.

“eligible SiS” means SiS that are eligible for VAT refund.

“EMEA” means Europe, Middle East and Africa.

 

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“eTFS” means electronic TFS.

“EU” means European Union.

“EUR” means Euro, the legal currency of the European Union.

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Excluded Founder Shares” means the 2,500,000 shares of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock to be exchanged by the Founder for the right to receive the Contingent Shares.

“Executive Management” means members of the executive management of Global Blue. See the section entitled “Information Related to Global Blue—Other Information About Global Blue—Global Blue Directors and Senior Management.”

“Existing Facilities” means the Existing Term Loan Facility and the Existing Revolving Credit Facility, each governed by the Existing Facilities Agreement.

“Existing Facilities Agreement” means the senior facilities agreement dated July 26, 2012 (as subsequently amended, re-stated and conformed).

“Existing Revolving Credit Facility” means the existing €80 million revolving credit facility.

“Existing Term Loan Facility” means Global Blue’s existing €630 million term loan facility.

“Forward Purchase Agreement” means that certain Forward Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2018, by and among FPAC and the Backstop Provider, as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and the Third Party Beneficiary Rights Letter.

“Founder” means Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an initial stockholder of FPAC and the primary holder of FPAC Class B Common Stock. Third Point holds a controlling interest and each of Third Point and Thomas W. Farley holds a pecuniary interest in the Founder.

“Founder Shares” means shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock, 15,812,500 of which are currently outstanding and were issued to the Founder prior to the IPO (120,000 of which have been transferred to FPAC’s independent directors).

“Founder Shares Surrender Agreement” means that certain letter agreement made in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among FPAC, the Founder, Globetrotter and New Global Blue, pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, which (a) the Founder shall automatically irrevocably surrender to New Global Blue, for no consideration and as a deemed contribution to the capital of New Global Blue, 2,500,000 shares of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock and (b) New Global Blue shall immediately cancel the Surrendered Shares.

“FPAC Class A Common Stock” means FPAC’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“FPAC Class B Common Stock” means FPAC’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

“FPAC Common Stock” means shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and FPAC Class B Common Stock.

“GDPR” means the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679, as amended.

“Global Blue Shares” means the ordinary shares of Global Blue.

 

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“Globetrotter” means SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership.

“Group” means, where appropriate, Global Blue and its subsidiaries.

“GST” means goods and services tax.

“IAS 34” means the International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

“IFRS” means the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

“Industry Analysis” means Global Blue’s analysis of the sources of statistics, data and other information relating to markets, market sizes, market shares, market positions and other industry data pertaining to Global Blue’s business and markets, including information obtained from the OECD, Euromonitor, the World Bank, the International Air Transport Association and Tourism Economics.

“Initial Business Combination” means a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses and FPAC.

“international shopper” means international travelers shopping abroad.

“IPO” means the initial public offering of Units of FPAC, consummated on June 14, 2018.

“Management Roll-up” means, prior to the Closing, pursuant to the Management Shareholders Agreement dated January 16, 2020, a series of exchange and contribution transactions involving Global Blue and certain of its subsidiaries, through which the Management Sellers will become shareholders of Global Blue.

“Management Sellers” means the individuals who are parties to the Merger Agreement as “Management Sellers”.

“Management Shareholders Agreement” means that certain agreement dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, Mr. Jacques Stern (as management representative) and Partners Group.

“Maximum Redemption Scenario” means that the holders of all Public Shares including all 9,487,500 Public Shares held by Globetrotter (other than the 4,000,000 shares held by Third Point and 65,700 shares held by David W. Bonanno) elect to have such shares redeemed in connection with the Business Combination.

“MCC” means Mobile Customer Care.

“MCP” means multi-currency processing.

“Merger” means the merger of US Merger Sub with and into FPAC, with FPAC surviving such merger. Pursuant to the Merger, FPAC security holders will receive securities of New Global Blue, and FPAC will become a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue.

“Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among FPAC, Globetrotter (both as itself and as the GB Shareholders’ Representative), New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub, Cayman Holdings, the Management Sellers, Global Blue, the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, the Founder, and the Management Representative, as such agreement may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

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“minimum purchase amount” or “MPA” means the minimum transaction size for transactions and goods to be eligible for VAT refunds.

“NC-PEC” means non-convertible preferred equity certificates.

“New Facilities” means the New Term Loan Facility and the New Revolving Credit Facility.

“New Facilities Agreement” means the term and revolving credit facilities agreement dated October 25, 2019 entered into by Global Blue, with, inter alia, Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Designated Activity Company, Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas (Suisse) S.A., J.P. Morgan Securities PLC, Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited and Royal Bank of Canada, as mandated lead arrangers, and RBC Europe Limited, as agent, and as amended and restated by the Amendment Letter.

“New Global Blue Shares” means the ordinary shares, par value CHF 0.01 per share, of New Global Blue.

“New Global Blue Warrants” means warrants that will entitle the holder thereof to purchase for $11.50 per share one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock (subject to adjustment in accordance with the Warrant Agreement).

“New Revolving Credit Facility” means a €100 million revolving credit facility governed by the New Facilities Agreement.

“New Term Loan Facility” means a €630 million term loan facility governed by the New Facilities Agreement.

“No Redemption Scenario” means no holder of Public Shares elects to have such shares redeemed in connection with the Business Combination.

“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

“OECD” means the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

“p.p.” means percentage point(s).

“Partners Group” means Partners Group AG (or its affiliates).

“PCI DSS” means Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard.

“PIPE Investors” means the Primary PIPE Investors and the Secondary PIPE Investors.

“POS” means point-of-sale.

“price differential” means the difference in price between products in destination countries compared to international shoppers’ origin countries.

“Primary PIPE Investors” means certain third-party investors who have committed to purchase, concurrently with the Closing, 12,500,000 New Global Blue Shares for $10.00 per share or an aggregate purchase price equal to $125 million.

“Private Placement Warrants” means the Warrants sold to the Founder in a private placement in connection with the IPO.

“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in the Registration Statements on Form S-1 (Registration Nos. 333-225093 and 333-225565) filed in connection with the IPO with the SEC.

 

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“PSP(s)” means payment services provider.

“Public Shares” means shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock issued as part of the Units sold in the IPO.

“Public Stockholders” means the holders of Public Shares.

“Public Warrants” means Warrants included in Units sold in the IPO.

“redemption” means FPAC’s acquisition of Public Shares in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the right of the holders of FPAC Class A Common Stock to have their shares redeemed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus.

“Refinancing” means the refinancing of Global Blue’s bank indebtedness under the Existing Facilities pursuant to the New Facilities Agreement.

“Relationship Agreement” means that certain agreement made in connection with transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among Globetrotter, the Founder and New Global Blue pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, which such parties regulate their relationship following the Closing.

“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Secondary PIPE Investors” means the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor.

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Seller Parties” means Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers.

“Series A Preferred Shares” means the Series A convertible preferred shares of New Global Blue, which will be included in the Share Consideration if the holders of FPAC Class A Common Stock elect to have more than 5,000,000 shares of such stock redeemed.

“Share Consideration” means the New Global Blue Shares and, if the holders of Public Shares elect to have more than 5,000,000 shares of such stock redeemed, the Series A Preferred Shares to be received by the Seller Parties pursuant to the Business Combination.

“Shareholders Agreement” means that certain agreement made in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter, the Founder and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Global Blue pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, which such parties regulate their relationship with respect to each other following the Closing, in connection with New Global Blue. Among other things, and as described therein, the parties have agreed to certain lock-up transfer restrictions on such parties’ New Global Blue securities for various periods, the longest of which is up to one year from the Closing.

“Silver Lake” means Silver Lake Management Company III, L.L.C. (or its affiliates).

“SiS” means sales in store, a key performance indicator which reflects either (i) the value (including VAT) of goods purchased by the international shopper at the POS in the TFS business or (ii) the value (including VAT) of the payments made by the international shoppers at the POS in the AVPS business.

“SOP” means Global Blue’s employee share option plan.

“Southeast Asia” means Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

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“Special Meeting” means the Special Meeting of the stockholders of FPAC, to be held on             , 2020 at              a.m. eastern time, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, at 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178 (or by remote communication, if applicable).

“Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor” or “Ant Financial” means Antfin (Hong Kong) Holding Limited.

“Surrendered Shares” means the 2,500,000 shares of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock to be surrendered by the Founder to New Global Blue pursuant to the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement.

“TFS” means tax free shopping.

“TFS business” means Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions.

“Third Party Beneficiary Rights Letter” means that certain letter agreement made in relation to the Forward Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among the Backstop Provider, Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P., Third Point Enhanced L.P. and Globetrotter.

“third-party serviced” means VAT refunds conducted by TFS providers, excluding VAT refunds conducted in-house by merchants.

“Third Point” means Third Point LLC and/or its affiliates, as applicable.

“Trading Day” means any day on which the New Global Blue Shares are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which New Global Blue Shares are then traded.

“Transaction” or “Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the PIPE Investment agreements to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing, including the Merger.

“Trust Account” means the trust account that holds a portion of the proceeds of the IPO and the concurrent sale of the Private Placement Units.

“Units” means Units issued in the IPO, each consisting of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Warrant.

“U.S.” means the United States of America.

“U.S. dollar,” “USD,” “US$” and “$” mean the legal currency of the United States.

“U.S. GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

“US Holdco” means Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“US Merger Sub” means Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc.

“VAT” means value added tax.

“Voting and Support Agreement” means that certain agreement made in connection with the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among FPAC, Global Blue, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, the Founder and Third Point (together with the Founder, the “FPAC Shareholders”) pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, each FPAC Shareholder has unconditionally and irrevocably agreed among other things to vote its shares of FPAC (representing approximately 25% of the outstanding shares), and take certain other actions, in support of the Business Combination.

 

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“Voting Shares” means, together, the New Global Blue Shares and the Series A Preferred Shares.

“VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the daily dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (with “Market” function set to “VWAP,” “Currency” function set to “USD,” and “Period” function set to “Daily”; the resulting VWAP is shown next to the “Average” label).

“Warrant Agreement” means that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018, between FPAC and the warrant agent named therein.

“Warrants” means warrants, under the terms of the Warrant Agreement, to purchase FPAC Class A Common Stock issued in the IPO and simultaneous private placements. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share (subject to adjustment in accordance with the Warrant Agreement) and upon the Closing will become a New Global Blue Warrant.

 

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SUMMARY OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

The parties to the Merger Agreement are FPAC, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub, Cayman Holdings, Global Blue, the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and the Management Representative. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (1) the Seller Parties will undertake a series of transactions pursuant to which they will sell, exchange and contribute the Global Blue Shares for a mix of Cash Consideration and Share Consideration; and (2) US Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue, will merge with and into FPAC, with FPAC being the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue following the Merger. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, including the PIPE Investment, New Global Blue will become a publicly traded corporation.

The relative amounts of the Share Consideration and the Cash Consideration will vary depending on certain circumstances. Assuming a Closing Date of September 30, 2019, no adjustments under the Merger Agreement and the No Redemption Scenario, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $961 million and the Share Consideration would represent 42.1% of New Global Blue following the Closing (which percentage does not take into account the 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares that Globetrotter will be entitled to receive in exchange for the 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020). See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal.”

Under the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each share of FPAC Common Stock (except for the Surrendered Shares, and except that the Excluded Founder Shares will be exchanged for the right to receive the Contingent Shares), including those contained in Units of FPAC, will be exchanged for one New Global Blue Share, except that the holders of Public Shares shall be entitled to elect instead to have such shares redeemed and receive a pro rata portion of FPAC’s Trust Account, as provided in FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Additionally, each outstanding FPAC warrant will automatically become a New Global Blue Warrant that entitles the holder to purchase one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock.

In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, the following will occur:

 

   

the Management Sellers will become shareholders of Global Blue through the Management Roll-Up;

 

   

the Founder will surrender the Surrendered Shares;

 

   

the Primary PIPE Investors will subscribe for and purchase 12,500,000 New Global Blue Shares from New Global Blue for $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $125.0 million;

 

   

the Secondary PIPE Investors will purchase Global Blue Shares (subject to reduction on a dollar-for-dollar basis in the case of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors to the extent the Backstop is drawn) from Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings for an aggregate purchase price of up to $225.0 million and immediately contribute such Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue in exchange for the subsequent issue to such investors of up to 22,500,000 New Global Blue Shares at $10.00 per share;

 

   

the proceeds of the New Facilities Agreement will be used to repay the Existing Facilities;

 

   

prior to the Closing, the shareholders of New Global Blue will amend New Global Blue’s articles of association to be substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B;

 

   

prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154.0 million. See “The Business Combination Proposal — Background of the Business Combination”;

 

   

the Shareholders Agreement and the Relationship Agreement will become effective and the Registration Rights Agreement will be entered into; and

 

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to the extent holders of Public Shares require FPAC to redeem more than 20,000,000 Public Shares, the Backstop Provider will, pursuant to the Backstop, purchase shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock, at $9.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price equal to the total number of Public Shares in excess of 20,000,000 shares redeemed multiplied by $10.00. To the extent the Backstop Provider purchases shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Backstop, the commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors will be reduced dollar-for-dollar.

The following table summarizes the sources and uses for funding the Business Combination under both the No Redemption Scenario and the Maximum Redemption Scenario. The table assumes a September 30, 2019 Closing Date, no adjustment to the Share Consideration and the Cash Consideration under the Merger Agreement and an exchange rate of 1.1089 U.S. dollars per Euro. (Numbers may not foot due to rounding.)

 

     No Redemption      Maximum Redemption  
     (in millions)  

Sources

     

Trust Account

   $ 647.3      $ 647.3  

Primary PIPE

     125.0        125.0  

Strategic Secondary PIPE

     125.0        125.0  

Affiliated Secondary PIPE

     100.0        —    

Backstop

     —          391.8  

New Facilities

     698.6        698.6  

Global Blue Cash

     45.8        45.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,741.7      $ 2,033.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Uses

     

Cash Consideration

   $ 960.7      $ 646.9  

Redemptions(1)

     —          605.7  

Refinance Existing Facilities

     698.6        698.6  

Expenses

     82.4        82.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,741.7      $ 2,033.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Based on an assumed redemption value of $10.23 per share as of September 30, 2019.

The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain customary and limited circumstances at any time prior the Closing, including, among other reasons:

 

   

by written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC;

 

   

by written notice by either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative if the Closing has not occurred on or prior to August 31, 2020;

 

   

by written notice by either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative if a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Business Combination, and such order or other action has become final and non-appealable;

 

   

by written notice to FPAC from the GB Shareholders’ Representative for FPAC’s uncured breach, such that the related closing condition would not be satisfied;

 

   

by written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative from FPAC for the uncured breach of the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, such that the related closing condition would not be satisfied; and

 

   

by written notice from either the GB Shareholders’ Representative or FPAC if FPAC holds its stockholder meeting to approve the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination and such approval is not obtained. See the sections entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement—Termination” and “The Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements.”

 

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At the consummation of the Business Combination, the number of directors of New Global Blue will be increased to nine persons, the current directors of New Global Blue will remain as directors, and Thomas W. Farley, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of FPAC, will become Chairman of New Global Blue. FPAC and Globetrotter are finalizing the composition of the board of directors of New Global Blue following the Business Combination. New Global Blue and FPAC expect that the remaining unnamed directors will be considered independent directors under the rules of the NYSE.

Upon completion of the Business Combination, the current officers of Global Blue will remain officers of Global Blue and will become officers of New Global Blue, holding equivalent positions to those held by them with Global Blue. See the section entitled “Management of New Global Blue Following the Business Combination.”

Organizational Structure

The following simplified diagram illustrates the ownership structure of Global Blue and FPAC immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination:

 

 

LOGO

 

*

Nominal assets and no operations.

 

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The following simplified diagram illustrates the ownership structure of New Global Blue immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination:

 

LOGO

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

 

Q. Why am I receiving this proxy statement/ prospectus?    A. FPAC, Global Blue, New Global Blue and other parties have agreed to the Business Combination under the terms of the Merger Agreement that is described in this proxy statement/prospectus. The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, (a) the Merger of US Merger Sub with and into FPAC, with FPAC surviving the Merger and each of the current security holders of FPAC receiving securities of New Global Blue, and (b) the sale, exchange and contribution of 100% of the Global Blue Shares by the holders thereof for the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration. This proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes contain important information about the proposed Business Combination and the other matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. You should read this proxy statement/prospectus and its annexes carefully and in their entirety.
Q. What is being voted on at the Special Meeting?    A. FPAC’s stockholders are being asked to vote to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby. See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal.”
   The stockholders may also be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation and voting of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, FPAC would not have been authorized to consummate the Business Combination. See the section entitled “The Adjournment Proposal.”
   FPAC will hold the Special Meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote upon these proposals. This proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about the proposed Business Combination and the other matters to be acted upon at the Special Meeting. Stockholders should read it carefully.
   The vote of stockholders is important. Stockholders are encouraged to submit their completed proxy card as soon as possible after carefully reviewing this proxy statement/prospectus.
Q. Why is FPAC proposing the Business Combination?   

A. FPAC was organized to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

 

FPAC completed its IPO of Units on June 14, 2018, with each Unit consisting of one share of its FPAC Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50. FPAC also closed on the sale of the Units subject to over-allotment on June 14, 2018, raising total gross proceeds of $632,500,000. Since the IPO, FPAC’s activity has been limited to the evaluation of business combination candidates.

 

Global Blue serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international travelers shopping abroad. As discussed below the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations.

 

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisers, FPAC’s board of directors has determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its

 

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   stockholders. This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. In connection with FPAC’s entry into the Merger Agreement, FPAC’s board of directors had initially unanimously (i) approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) determined that the Business Combination was advisable and fair to and in the best interests of FPAC and its stockholders and (iii) recommended that FPAC’s stockholders approve the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. However, after approval of the Merger Agreement, FPAC management was informed by Global Blue management that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was having a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations. See “Risk Factors–Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial results, as experienced by the broader market, including the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the outbreak and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Other Information About Global Blue.” As a result, after careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisers, FPAC’s board of directors has changed its recommendation for FPAC’s stockholders to vote against the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. See “The Business Combination Proposal – FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to Against the Business Combination.”
Q. What will happen in the Business Combination?    A. At the Closing, US Merger Sub will merge with and into FPAC, with FPAC surviving such merger. Upon consummation of the Merger, FPAC will become a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue and holders of FPAC securities will exchange their FPAC securities for securities of New Global Blue. In particular, (i) each outstanding share of FPAC Class A Common Stock (excluding shares that are redeemed by the holders) and each outstanding share of FPAC Class B Common Stock (except for the Surrendered Shares, and except that the Excluded Founder Shares will be exchanged for the right to receive the Contingent Shares) will be converted into one New Global Blue Share, and (ii) each outstanding Warrant of FPAC will become one New Global Blue Warrant that will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock. Shareholders of Global Blue will sell, exchange and contribute their Global Blue Shares for consideration consisting of the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration, as a result of which Global Blue will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Global Blue.
Q. What will be the relative equity stakes of FPAC’s stockholders, the Seller Parties and the PIPE Investors in New Global Blue upon completion of the Business Combination?    A. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, New Global Blue will become a new public company and each of FPAC and Global Blue will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Global Blue. The former security holders of FPAC and Global Blue (including the Secondary PIPE Investors), and the Primary PIPE Investors will all become security holders of New Global Blue.

 

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Upon consummation of the Business Combination, assuming: (i) a September 30, 2019 Closing Date, (ii) the No Redemption Scenario and (iii) no adjustments under the Merger Agreement, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $961 million, and the post-Closing share ownership of New Global Blue would be as follows:

 

 

     New Global Blue Shares (%)(1)   

Seller Parties(2)

     88,938,000 (47.2%)  

Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors(3)

     10,000,000 (5.3%)  

Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor

     12,500,000 (6.6%)  

Primary PIPE Investors

     12,500,000 (6.6%)  

Founder/Directors(3)(4)

     10,812,500 (5.7%)  

Former FPAC Public Stockholders(3)(5)

     53,762,500 (28.5%)
  

 

 

 

Total

     188,513,000 (100%)  

 

 

  

(1)   Excludes all 30,850,000 New Global Blue Warrants and 2,500,000 Contingent Shares.

(2)   Includes 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Globetrotter in exchange for 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus—Certain Market Activity.”

(3)   Collectively, in the No Redemption Scenario, Third Point would beneficially own 24,692,500 New Global Blue Shares, or 13.1%, consisting of 10,000,000 shares from the PIPE Investment, 10,692,500 shares held by the Founder (as to which Third Point would have beneficial ownership, though Third Point and Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, would each have a pecuniary interest over a portion thereof) and 4,000,000 shares to be received in exchange for 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Third Point in FPAC’s IPO.

(4)   Includes 120,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by FPAC’s independent directors.

(5)   Excludes the Founder Shares; includes 4,000,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Third Point and 65,700 New Global Blue Shares to be received by David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director of FPAC, in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock purchased in FPAC’s IPO. Excludes 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Globetrotter in exchange for 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus—Certain Market Activity.”

 

Pursuant to FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, holders of Public Shares may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share calculated in accordance with FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Payment for such redemptions will come from the Trust Account. To the extent holders of Public Shares elect to have their shares redeemed, the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration to be paid to the shareholders of Global Blue will vary as described herein.

   To the extent holders of Public Shares require FPAC to redeem more than 20,000,000 Public Shares, the Backstop Provider will, pursuant to the Backstop, purchase shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at $9.50 per share, for an aggregate purchase price equal to the total number of Public Shares in excess of 20,000,000 shares redeemed

 

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   multiplied by $10.00. To the extent the Backstop Provider purchases shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Backstop, the commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors will be reduced dollar-for-dollar. The Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors have also committed to provide equity financing to the Backstop Provider in the event that the Backstop Provider’s obligation to purchase shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock under the Backstop is triggered, and Globetrotter has third party beneficiary rights pursuant to the Third Party Beneficiary Rights Letter to specifically enforce such equity commitment as well as to specifically enforce FPAC’s rights under the Forward Purchase Agreement.
  

 

As a result of the Business Combination, assuming (i) a September 30, 2019 Closing Date, (ii) the redemption of all Public Shares, including all 9,487,500 Public Shares purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020 (see “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Certain Market Activity”), exclusive of the 4,000,000 shares held by Third Point and the 65,700 shares held by David Bonanno, which Third Point and Mr. Bonanno have agreed not to redeem, (iii) the Backstop is exercised and (iv) no adjustments under the Merger Agreement, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $647 million and the post-Closing share ownership of New Global Blue would be as follows:

 

 

     Series A
Preferred
Shares
    New Global Blue
Shares(1)
     Combined
(%)(2)
 

Seller Parties

     22,178,000 (6)      88,656,047        57.7

Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors/ Backstop Provider(3)

     —         41,246,632        21.5

Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor

     —         12,500,000        6.5

Primary PIPE Investors

     —         12,500,000        6.5

Founder/Directors(3)(4)

     —         10,812,500        5.6

Former FPAC Stockholders(5)

     —         4,065,700        2.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     22,178,000       169,780,879        100

 

  

(1)   Excludes all 30,850,000 New Global Blue Warrants and 2,500,000 Contingent Shares.

(2)   Calculated based on the number of New Global Blue Shares plus Series A Preferred Shares on an as converted basis.

(3)   Collectively in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, Third Point would beneficially own 55,939,132 New Global Blue Shares, or 29.1%, consisting of

41,246,632 shares from the Backstop, 10,692,500 shares held by the Founder (as to which Third Point would have beneficial ownership, though Third Point and Thomas W. Farley would each have a pecuniary interest over a portion thereof) and 4,000,000 shares to be received in exchange for 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Third Point in FPAC’s IPO.

(4)   Includes 120,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by FPAC’s independent directors.

(5)   Excludes the Founder Shares; includes 4,000,000 New Global Blue Shares to be received by Third Point and 65,700 New Global Blue Shares to be received by David W. Bonanno, in exchange for shares of Class A Common Stock purchased in FPAC’s IPO.

  

(6)   To the extent holders of Public Shares elect to redeem more than 5,000,000 Public Shares, Series A Preferred Shares of equal value to the value of the Public Shares redeemed in excess of 5,000,000 Public Shares would be issued to the Seller Parties. Series A Preferred Shares are convertible into New Global Blue Shares on a one-to-one basis, subject to anti-dilution protections.

 

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Q. What are the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the Business Combination to U.S. holders of FPAC Common Stock and/or Public Warrants?   

A. As described more fully under the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Tax Considerations—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Holders,” subject to the discussions below of FPAC Public Warrants and Section 367(a) of the Code, the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants) and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, taken together with the related transactions, should qualify as a transfer of property to a corporation in exchange for stock qualifying for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section 351(a) of the Code. In addition, the parties expect that Section 367(a) of the Code should not cause New Global Blue to not be treated as a corporation for purposes of non-recognition of gain under Section 351(a) of the Code.

 

Accordingly, the expected U.S. federal income tax treatment of U.S. holders of FPAC Common Stock or Public Warrants is as follows: (1) a U.S. holder that owns only FPAC Common Stock but not Public Warrants and that exchanges such FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares in the Merger and related transactions generally should not recognize gain or loss, (2) a U.S. holder that owns only Public Warrants but not FPAC Common Stock and whose Public Warrants convert into New Global Blue Warrants should recognize gain or loss upon the conversion of Public Warrants into New Global Blue Warrants equal to the difference between the fair market value of the New Global Blue Warrants received and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. holder’s Public Warrants, and (3) a U.S. holder that receives New Global Blue Shares and whose Public Warrants convert into New Global Blue Warrants in the Merger and related transactions should recognize gain (if any) with respect to the shares of FPAC Common Stock and Public Warrants held immediately prior to the Merger in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants received over such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the FPAC Common Stock and Public Warrants or (ii) the fair market value of the New Global Blue Warrants received. Any loss realized by a U.S. holder would not be recognized.

  

If the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants) and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, together with the related transactions, is not treated as a transfer of property to a corporation in exchange for stock qualifying for non- recognition of gain or loss under Section 351(a) of the Code or is treated as a transfer described in Section 351(a) of the Code but it is determined that Section 367(a) of the Code applies to the transfer of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants), then a U.S. holder would generally recognize gain, if any, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the New Global Blue Shares (and if such U.S. holder is also surrendering Public Warrants, New Global Blue Warrants) received over (ii) such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any). This could result in a U.S. holder of FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any) recognizing a greater amount of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes than such holder would have recognized if Section 351(a) of the Code applied or Section 367(a) of the Code did not apply.

   The summary above is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed discussion provided in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Tax Considerations—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

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Q. What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my redemption rights?    A. The receipt of cash by a U.S. holder of FPAC Common Stock in redemption of such shares will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Tax Considerations—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Redemption of FPAC Common Stock” for additional information. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of exercising your redemption rights.
Q. What conditions must be satisfied to complete the Business Combination?   

A. There are a number of closing conditions to the Business Combination, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

•  the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated thereby and related matters by the requisite vote of FPAC’s stockholders;

 

•  obtaining requisite regulatory approvals and specified third party consents;

 

•  no law or order preventing or prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

•  the New Global Blue Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof;

 

•  the articles of association of New Global Blue having been amended in their entirety substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex B;

 

•  the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part; and

 

•  no Material Adverse Effect, (as defined in the Merger Agreement), with respect to Global Blue shall have occurred subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement.

 

For a summary of all of the conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to completion of the Business Combination, see the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement.”

Q. How many votes do I have at the Special Meeting?    A. FPAC stockholders are entitled to one vote at the Special Meeting for each share of FPAC Common Stock held of record as of             , 2020, the record date for the Special Meeting (the “record date”). As of the close of business on the record date, there were 79,062,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock outstanding. This includes 63,250,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and 15,812,500 shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock.
Q. What vote is required to approve the proposals presented at the Special Meeting?    A. The approval of the Business Combination Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock entitled to vote. The approval of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of FPAC Common Stock present and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. A stockholder’s failure to vote by proxy or to vote in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable) at the Special Meeting will have the same effect as voting “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal; but, assuming a quorum is established, will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

 

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Q. What constitutes a quorum at the Special Meeting?    A. Holders of a majority in voting power of FPAC Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum, the chairman of the meeting has power to adjourn the Special Meeting, and FPAC is required to do so under the Merger Agreement. As of the record date, 39,531,251 shares of FPAC Common Stock would be required to achieve a quorum.
Q. How do the insiders of FPAC intend to vote on the proposals?    A. The Founder, the officers and directors of FPAC, and Third Point beneficially own and are entitled to vote an aggregate of approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of FPAC’s Common Stock. These parties are required by certain agreements to vote their securities in favor of the Business Combination Proposal, and in favor of the Adjournment Proposal, if presented at the meeting. These agreements are not altered by the FPAC board’s recommendation AGAINST the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
Q. Do I have redemption rights?    A. Yes. Pursuant to FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, holders of Public Shares may elect to have their shares redeemed for cash at the applicable redemption price per share calculated in accordance with FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. For illustrative purposes, as of March 31, 2020, this would have amounted to approximately $10.31 per share. If a holder exercises its redemption rights, then such holder will be exchanging its Public Shares for cash. Such a holder will be entitled to receive cash for its Public Shares only if it properly demands redemption and delivers its shares (either physically or electronically) to FPAC’s transfer agent prior to the Special Meeting. See the section titled “Special Meeting of FPAC Stockholders—Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to redeem your shares for cash.
Q. Will how I vote affect my ability to exercise redemption rights?    A. No. You may exercise your redemption rights regardless of whether you vote or, if you vote, irrespective of whether you vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal. As a result, the Merger Agreement can be approved by stockholders who will redeem their shares and no longer remain stockholders, leaving stockholders who choose not to redeem their shares holding shares in a company with a potentially less liquid trading market, fewer stockholders, potentially less cash and the potential inability to meet the listing standards of the NYSE.
Q. How do I exercise my redemption rights?    If you are a Public Stockholder and wish to exercise your right to have your Public Shares redeemed, you must:
  

•  submit a written request to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, in which you (i) request that FPAC redeem all or a portion of your Public Shares for cash and (ii) identify yourself as the beneficial holder of the Public Shares and provide your legal name, phone number and address; and

  

•  deliver your Public Shares to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, physically or electronically through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).

   Holders must complete the procedures for electing to redeem their Public Shares in the manner described above prior to 5:00 p.m., eastern time, on                     , 2020 (two (2) business days before the Special Meeting) in order for their shares to be redeemed.

 

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   The address of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, is listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below.
   Holders of Units must elect to separate the Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares. If holders hold their Units in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, holders must notify their broker or bank that they elect to separate the Units into the underlying Public Shares and Public Warrants, or if a holder holds Units registered in its own name, the holder must contact Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, directly and instruct them to do so.
   Public shareholders will be entitled to request that their Public Shares be redeemed for a pro rata portion of the amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to FPAC (net of taxes payable). For illustrative purposes, as of March 31, 2020, this would have amounted to approximately $10.31 per issued and outstanding Public Share. However, the proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of FPAC’s creditors, if any, which would have priority over the claims of FPAC’s Public Stockholders. Therefore, the per share distribution from the Trust Account in such a situation may be less than originally expected due to such claims. It is expected that the funds to be distributed to Public Stockholders electing to redeem their Public Shares will be distributed promptly after the consummation of the Business Combination.
   A holder of Public Shares, together with any affiliate of such holder and any person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), may not seek to have more than 15% of the aggregate Public Shares redeemed without the consent of FPAC.
   Any request for redemption, once made by a holder of Public Shares, may be withdrawn at any time up to the time the vote is taken with respect to the Business Combination Proposal at the Special Meeting, but only with the consent of FPAC. If you deliver your shares for redemption to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, and later decide prior to the Special Meeting not to elect redemption, you may request that FPAC consent to FPAC’s transfer agent returning the shares (physically or electronically) to you. You may make such request by contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at the phone number or address listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below.
   Any corrected or changed written exercise of redemption rights must be received by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, prior to the vote taken on the Business Combination Proposal at the Special Meeting. No request for redemption will be honored unless the holder’s Public Shares have been delivered (either physically or electronically) to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, at least two business days prior to the vote at the Special Meeting.
   If you exercise your redemption rights, then you will be exchanging your shares of FPAC Common Stock for cash and will not be entitled to New Global Blue Shares upon consummation of the Business Combination.
   If you are a holder of Public Shares and you exercise your redemption rights, such exercise will not result in the loss of any Warrants that you may hold.

 

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Q. If I am a Warrant holder, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my Warrants?    A. No. The holders of Warrants have no redemption rights with respect to such securities.
Q. If I am a Unit holder, can I exercise redemption rights with respect to my Units?   

A. No. Holders of outstanding Units must separate the underlying shares of FPAC Common Stock and Public Warrants prior to exercising redemption rights with respect to the Public Shares.

 

If you hold Units registered in your own name, you must deliver the certificate for such Units to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, with written instructions to separate such Units into Public Shares and Public Warrants. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit the mailing of the Public Share certificates back to you so that you may then exercise your redemption rights upon the separation of the Public Shares from the Units. See “How do I exercise my redemption rights?” above. The address of Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company is listed under the question “Who can help answer my questions?” below.

   If a broker, bank, or other nominee holds your Units, you must instruct such broker, bank or nominee to separate your Units. Your nominee must send written instructions by facsimile to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent. Such written instructions must include the number of Units to be split and the nominee holding such Units. Your nominee must also initiate electronically, using DTC’s deposit withdrawal at custodian (DWAC) system, a withdrawal of the relevant Units and a deposit of the number of Public Shares and Public Warrants represented by such Units. This must be completed far enough in advance to permit your nominee to exercise your redemption rights upon the separation of the Public Shares from the Units. While this is typically done electronically the same business day, you should allow at least one full business day to accomplish the separation. If you fail to cause your Public Shares to be separated in a timely manner, you will likely not be able to exercise your redemption rights.
Q. Do I have appraisal rights if I object to the proposed Business Combination?    A. No. Neither FPAC stockholders nor its unit holders or warrant holders have appraisal rights in connection with the Business Combination under the DGCL.
Q. I am an FPAC warrant holder. Why am I receiving this proxy statement/prospectus?    A. As a holder of FPAC Warrants, which will become New Global Blue Warrants, you will be entitled to purchase one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 upon consummation of the Business Combination. This proxy statement/prospectus includes important information about New Global Blue and the business of New Global Blue and its subsidiaries following consummation of the Business Combination. Since holders of FPAC Warrants will become holders of New Global Blue Warrants and may become holders of New Global Blue Shares upon consummation of the Business Combination, we urge you to read the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus carefully.

 

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Q. What happens to the funds deposited in the Trust Account after consummation of the Business Combination?    A. Of the net proceeds of FPAC’s IPO (including the net proceeds of the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option) and simultaneous private placements, a total of $632,500,000 were placed in the Trust Account immediately following the IPO. After consummation of the Business Combination, the funds in the Trust Account will be released to New Global Blue and used by New Global Blue to pay holders of the Public Shares who exercise redemption rights, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination with Global Blue (including fees of an aggregate of approximately $20,737,500 million to certain underwriters in connection with the IPO) and for expenses related to prior proposed business combinations that were not consummated.
Q. What happens if a substantial number of Public Stockholders vote in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and exercise their redemption rights?   

A. FPAC’s Public Stockholders may vote in favor of the Business Combination and exercise their redemption rights. Accordingly, the Business Combination may be consummated even though the funds available from the Trust Account and the number of Public Stockholders are substantially reduced as a result of redemption by Public Stockholders. FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Business Combination will not be consummated if, upon the consummation of the Business Combination, FPAC does not have at least $5,000,001 in net tangible assets after giving effect to the payment of amounts that FPAC will be required to pay to redeeming stockholders upon consummation of the Business Combination. However, Third Point and David Bonanno have agreed not to redeem 4,000,000 and 65,700 shares, respectively, and the Backstop Provider has agreed to purchase and subscribe for shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock in the event the number of redeemed shares exceeds 20,000,000. As a result, the foregoing condition in the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of FPAC will be met. Nonetheless, in the event of significant redemptions, with fewer Public Shares and Public Stockholders, the trading market for New Global Blue Shares may be less liquid than the market for shares of FPAC Common Stock was prior to the Merger. In addition, in the event of significant redemptions, New Global Blue may not be able to meet the listing standards for the NYSE. It is a condition to consummation of the Business Combination in the Merger Agreement that the New Global Blue Shares to be issued in connection with the Business Combination will have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof. New Global Blue, the Company, the Seller Parties and FPAC have certain obligations in the Merger Agreement to use reasonable best efforts in connection with the Business Combination, including with respect to satisfying the NYSE listing condition. Unless waived in accordance with the Merger Agreement, if the NYSE listing condition in the Merger Agreement is not met, the Business Combination will not be consummated.

Q. What happens if the Business Combination is not consummated?    A. If FPAC does not complete the Business Combination with Global Blue (or another Initial Business Combination) by September 14, 2020, FPAC must redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the amount then held in the Trust Account (approximately $10.31 per share as of March 31, 2020).
Q. When do you expect the Business Combination to be completed?    A. The Business Combination will be consummated promptly following the satisfaction, or waiver, of the conditions precedent to Closing set forth in the Merger Agreement, including the approval of the Business Combination Proposal by the holders of FPAC Common Stock. For a description of the conditions for the completion of the Business Combination, see the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing.”

 

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Q. What do I need to do now?    A. FPAC urges you to read carefully and consider the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, including the annexes, and to consider how the Business Combination will affect you as a stockholder and/or warrant holder of FPAC. Stockholders should then vote as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions provided in this proxy statement/prospectus and on the enclosed proxy card.
Q. How do I vote?    A. If you are a holder of record of FPAC Common Stock on the record date, you may vote in person at the Special Meeting or by submitting a proxy for the Special Meeting. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Special Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication. You may submit your proxy by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying pre-addressed postage paid envelope. If you hold your shares in “street name,” which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. In this regard, you must provide the broker, bank or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares or, if you wish to attend the meeting and vote in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable), obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or nominee.
Q. If my shares are held in “street name,” will my broker, bank or nominee automatically vote my shares for me?    A. No. As disclosed in this proxy statement/prospectus, your broker, bank or nominee cannot vote your shares on the Business Combination Proposal unless you provide instructions on how to vote in accordance with the information and procedures provided to you by your broker, bank or nominee. Failure to instruct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, but will not affect the Adjournment Proposal.
Q. May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?    A. Yes. Stockholders may send a later-dated, signed proxy card to FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer at the address set forth below so that it is received by FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer prior to the vote at the Special Meeting or attend the Special Meeting in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable) and vote. Stockholders also may revoke their proxy by sending a notice of revocation to FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, which must be received by FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer prior to the vote at the Special Meeting.
Q. What happens if I fail to take any action with respect to the Special Meeting?    A. If you fail to take any action with respect to the Special Meeting and the Business Combination is approved by stockholders and consummated, you will become a shareholder and/or warrant holder of New Global Blue. If you fail to take any action with respect to the Special Meeting and the Business Combination is not approved, you will continue to be a stockholder and/or warrant holder of FPAC.
Q. What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?    A. Stockholders may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive in order to cast a vote with respect to all of your FPAC Common Stock.

 

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Q. What happens if I sell my FPAC Common Stock before the Special Meeting?    A. The record date for the Special Meeting is earlier than the date of the Special Meeting and earlier than the date the Business Combination is expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares after the applicable record date, but before the Special Meeting date, unless you grant a proxy to the transferee, you will retain your right to vote at the Special Meeting.
Q. Who can help answer my questions?    A. If you have questions about the Business Combination or if you need additional copies of the proxy statement/prospectus or the enclosed proxy card you should contact FPAC’s proxy solicitor as follows:
  

Morrow Sodali LLC

470 West Avenue

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Individuals call toll-free: (800) 662-5200

Banks and Brokerage Firms, please call (203) 658-9400

FPAC.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

   You may also obtain additional information about FPAC from documents filed with the SEC by following the instructions in the section entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” If you are a holder of Public Shares and you intend to seek redemption of your shares, you will need to deliver your stock (either physically or electronically) to FPAC’s transfer agent at the address below at least two (2) business days prior to the Special Meeting. If you have questions regarding the certification of your position or delivery of your stock for redemption, please contact FPAC’s transfer agent as follows:
  

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Attention: Mark Zimkind

1 State Street, 30th Floor

New York, New York 10004

mzimkind@continentalstock.com

 

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SUMMARY OF THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus and does not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the proposals to be submitted for a vote at the Special Meeting, including the Business Combination, you should read this entire document carefully, including the Merger Agreement attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. The Merger Agreement is the legal document that governs the Merger and share exchange and the other transactions that will be undertaken in connection with the Business Combination. It is also described in detail in this proxy statement/prospectus in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement.”

The Parties

Global Blue

Global Blue is a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law and is domiciled in Switzerland. Global Blue was incorporated in Switzerland on March 16, 2018. Prior to such time, Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A., which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Global Blue, had been the holding company of Global Blue since August 1, 2012, when funds and investment vehicles directly or indirectly managed and/or advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group acquired, in aggregate, 100% of the share capital of Global Blue Luxembourg Holdings S.à r.l., the parent company of Global Blue at the time (the “2012 GB Acquisition”).

Global Blue serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international travelers shopping abroad (“international shoppers”), driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic tailwinds. Global Blue established the concept of third-party serviced tax free shopping (“TFS”) in Sweden in 1980 and has emerged as both a global leader (based on its share of the TFS segment) and a pioneer in technology for TFS. Global Blue also offers added-value payment solutions (“AVPS”), including dynamic currency conversion (“DCC”), for which it is a leading provider. As of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Global Blue operated across more than 50 countries. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue enabled approximately 29 million international shoppers to claim value added tax (“VAT”) refunds on international shopping or complete international transactions in their home currency. At its core, Global Blue is a technology platform that serves a network of more than 400,000 merchant stores globally with both TFS and AVPS, facilitating 64 million transactions amounting to €22.6 billion per year (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019) and delivering economic benefits to a complex ecosystem of merchants, international shoppers and customs and tax authorities.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations. See “—Recent Developments” and “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Global Blue.”

The mailing address of Global Blue’s principal executive office is Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland and its telephone number is +41 22 363 77 40.

FPAC

FPAC is a blank check company formed in order to effect a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. FPAC was incorporated under the laws of Delaware on February 23, 2018.

On June 14, 2018, FPAC closed its IPO of 63,250,000 Units (including 8,250,000 Units issued pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option), with each unit consisting of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of FPAC’s Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 upon consummation of an Initial Business Combination. The Units



 

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from the IPO (including the over-allotment option) were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $632,500,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO and the exercise of the

underwriters’ over-allotment option, FPAC consummated the private sale of 9,766,667 Warrants to the Founder, at a price of $1.50 per whole Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $14,650,000. A total of $632,500,000 (including $20,737,500 of deferred underwriting fees payable to the underwriters of the initial public offering upon completion of a business combination) was deposited into the Trust Account and the remaining proceeds became available to be used as working capital to provide for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective business combinations and continuing general and administrative expenses. The IPO was conducted pursuant to registration statements on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-225093 and Reg. No. 333-225565) that became effective on June 11, 2018. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there was approximately $                 million held in the Trust Account.

After consummation of the Business Combination, the funds in the Trust Account will be released to New Global Blue and used to pay the Cash Consideration to the Seller Parties, to pay holders of the Public Shares who exercise redemption rights, to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Business Combination, and for expenses related to prior proposed business combinations that were not consummated.

FPAC Units, FPAC Class A Common Stock and Warrants are listed on the NYSE under the symbols “FPAC.UN,” “FPAC,” and “FPAC.WS,” respectively.

The mailing address of FPAC’s principal executive office is 18 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011. After the consummation of the Business Combination, it will become a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue.

New Global Blue

New Global Blue is considered a foreign private issuer as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. New Global Blue was incorporated under the laws of Switzerland on December 10, 2019 solely for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination described herein. New Global Blue is a subsidiary of Globetrotter, owns no material assets and does not operate any business.

New Global Blue was incorporated with an aggregate share capital of CHF 100,000 divided into 10,000,000 registered shares of CHF 0.01 per share. These shares represent all New Global Blue Shares that are currently issued and outstanding. For descriptions of New Global Blue’s securities, please see the section titled “Description of New Global Blue Securities.

Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the sole shareholder of New Global Blue is Globetrotter. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the directors of New Global Blue are Joseph Osnoss, Marcel Erni, Christian Lucas and Jacques Stern. As of the consummation of the Business Combination, the number of directors of New Global Blue will be increased to nine persons and the current directors of New Global Blue will remain as directors, and Thomas W. Farley, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of FPAC will become Chairman of New Global Blue. FPAC and Globetrotter are finalizing the composition of the board of directors of New Global Blue following the Business Combination. New Global Blue and FPAC expect that the remaining unnamed directors will be considered independent directors under the rules of the NYSE.

The mailing address of New Global Blue’s registered office is Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland. After the consummation of the Business Combination, its principal executive office will be that of Global Blue, located at Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland and its telephone number will be +41 22 363 77 40.



 

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The Business Combination Proposal

On January 16, 2020, FPAC entered into the Merger Agreement with New Global Blue, US Merger Sub, Global Blue, Globetrotter, US Holdco, Cayman Holdings, the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, the Management Representative, the Management Sellers and, solely for the purpose of section 2.20 and 8.01 of the Merger Agreement, the Founder.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, at the Closing, the Seller Parties will undertake a series of transactions pursuant to which they will sell, exchange and contribute the Global Blue Shares for a mix of the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration, and US Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue, will merge with and into FPAC, with FPAC being the surviving corporation in the Merger. The relative amounts of the Share Consideration and the Cash Consideration will vary depending on certain circumstances. Assuming a Closing Date of September 30, 2019, no adjustments under the Merger Agreement and the No Redemption Scenario, the Cash Consideration would be approximately $961 million and the Share Consideration would represent approximately 42.1% of New Global Blue following the Closing (which percentage does not take into account the 9,487,500 New Global Blue Shares that Globetrotter will be entitled to receive in exchange for the 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020). See the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal.”

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Business Combination (i) each of the 63,250,000 outstanding shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock (excluding shares that are redeemed by the holders) and 10,812,500 shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock (being the 15,812,500 outstanding shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock excluding the 2,500,000 Surrendered Shares which are to be surrendered and excluding the 2,500,000 Excluded Founder Shares which are to be exchanged for the right to receive the Contingent Shares) will become one New Global Blue Share, and (ii) each of the 30,850,000 outstanding Warrants of FPAC will become one New Global Blue Warrant that will entitle the holder thereof to purchase for $11.50 one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock.

The Units (consisting of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and one third of one Warrant), FPAC Class A Common Stock and Warrants are currently listed on the NYSE under the symbols “FPAC.UN,” “FPAC” and “FPAC.WS,” respectively. New Global Blue will apply for listing, to be effective at the time of the Closing of the Business Combination, of the New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants on the NYSE under the proposed symbols “GB” and “GB.WS” respectively. In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, FPAC’s Units will be separated into their component securities.

In addition to the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, unless waived by the parties to the Merger Agreement, in accordance with applicable law, the closing of the Business Combination is subject to a number of conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. For more information about the closing conditions to the Business Combination, see the section titled “The Business Combination Proposal—The Merger Agreement—Conditions to Closing.”

In connection with the Business Combination, certain related agreements have been, or will be entered into on or prior to the Closing Date, including:

 

   

The Voting and Support Agreement among FPAC, Global Blue, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, the Founder and Third Point, pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, each FPAC Shareholder has unconditionally and irrevocably agreed among other things to vote its shares of FPAC (representing approximately 25% of the outstanding shares), and take certain other actions, in support of the Business Combination;

 

   

The Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, which provides that the Founder shall, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, automatically irrevocably surrender to New Global Blue, for no consideration and as a deemed contribution to the capital of New Global Blue, the Surrendered Shares and New Global Blue shall immediately cancel the Surrendered Shares;



 

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The Relationship Agreement among Globetrotter, the Founder and New Global Blue, which will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, regulate the relationship among such parties following the Closing. Among other things, the parties have made certain agreements with respect to the designation of board members for New Global Blue;

 

   

The Shareholders Agreement among Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter, the Founder and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Global Blue will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, regulate the relationship among such shareholders following the Closing with respect to each other, in connection with New Global Blue. Among other things, and as described therein, the parties have agreed to certain lock-ups of such parties’ New Global Blue securities for various periods, the longest of which is up to one year from the Closing; and

 

   

The Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into at the Closing by and between New Global Blue and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Global Blue after the Closing pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, which New Global Blue has agreed to grant the other parties thereto registration rights in respect of their New Global Blue Shares and certain other securities.

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue and Globetrotter entered into certain share purchase and contribution agreements with the Secondary PIPE Investors pursuant to which, and on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in those certain share purchase and contribution agreements, (i) the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and (ii) the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor have committed to purchase, concurrently with the Closing, Global Blue Shares from Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings for an aggregate purchase price of up to $100.0 million and equal to $125.0 million, respectively and immediately contribute such Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue in exchange for the subsequent issue of up to 10,000,000 and 12,500,000, respectively, New Global Blue Shares at $10.00 per share. The commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors is subject to reduction as described below in connection with the exercise of the Backstop. The agreement with the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor includes an 18-month lock-up transfer restriction on the New Global Blue Shares to be acquired by it.

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue, FPAC and the Primary PIPE Investors entered into share subscription agreements pursuant to which the Primary PIPE Investors have committed to subscribe for and purchase, concurrently with the Closing, in the aggregate, 12,500,000 New Global Blue Shares for $10.00 per share or an aggregate purchase price equal to $125.0 million.

Prior to the Closing, the Management Sellers will become shareholders of Global Blue through the Management Roll-up.

Prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154.0 million. See “The Business Combination Proposal — Background of the Business Combination”.

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination the €630 million Existing Term Loan Facility and the €80 million Existing Revolving Credit Facility will be refinanced pursuant to the New Facilities Agreement.

The Adjournment Proposal

If, based on the tabulated vote, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to authorize FPAC to consummate the Business Combination, FPAC’s board of directors may (and FPAC is required under the Merger Agreement to) submit a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies. Please see the section entitled “The Adjournment Proposal.”



 

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Date, Time and Place of Special Meeting of FPAC’s Stockholders

The Special Meeting of the stockholders of FPAC will be held at             , eastern time, on                , 2020, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, FPAC’s counsel, at 101 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10178, to consider and vote upon the Business Combination Proposal and if necessary, the Adjournment Proposal. However, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Special Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication.

Voting Power; Record Date

Stockholders will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the Special Meeting if they owned shares of FPAC Common Stock at the close of business on                , 2020, which is the record date for the Special Meeting. Stockholders will have one vote for each share of FPAC Common Stock owned at the close of business on the record date. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker, bank or nominee to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted. Warrants do not have voting rights. On the record date, there were 79,062,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock outstanding, of which 63,250,000 were Public Shares.

Quorum and Vote of FPAC Stockholders

A quorum of FPAC stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. A quorum will be present at the Special Meeting if a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting are represented in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable) or by proxy. Abstentions will count as present for the purposes of establishing a quorum; broker non-votes will not. The proposals presented at the Special Meeting will require the following votes:

 

   

Pursuant to the DGCL, the approval of the Business Combination Proposal will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. There are currently 79,062,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock outstanding, of which 63,250,000 are Public Shares.

 

   

The approval of the Adjournment Proposal if presented will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of FPAC Common Stock present and entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

   

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, but will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

Certain Voting Arrangements

As of                     , 2020, the record date for the Special Meeting, the Founder beneficially owned and was entitled to vote 15,692,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock, FPAC’s officers and directors beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 120,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock, David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director beneficially owned and was entitled to vote 65,700 shares of FPAC Common Stock and Third Point beneficially owned and was entitled to vote 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock. In the aggregate, the foregoing shares represent approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. Each of the foregoing have committed to FPAC to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination. In addition, the Founder and Third Point have entered into the Voting and Support Agreement whereby they have agreed with the Seller Parties to similarly vote their shares in favor of, and take certain other actions in support of, the Business Combination (including causing such shares to be present at the Special Meeting for the purposes of establishing a quorum).



 

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Redemption Rights

Pursuant to FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, a holder of Public Shares may demand that FPAC convert such shares into cash if the Business Combination is consummated. You will be entitled to receive cash for your Public Shares only if you demand that FPAC redeem your shares for cash no later than 5:00 p.m. eastern time on                , 2020 (two (2) business days prior to the Special Meeting) by (A) submitting your redemption request in writing to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, in which you (i) request that FPAC redeem all or a portion of your Public Shares for cash and (ii) identify yourself as the beneficial holder of the Public Shares and provide your legal name, phone number and address; and (B) delivering your stock to FPAC’s transfer agent physically or electronically using DTC’s DWAC (Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian) System. If the Business Combination is not completed, these shares will not be redeemed for cash. In such case, FPAC will promptly return any shares delivered by holders of Public Shares for redemption and such holders may only share in the assets of the Trust Account upon the liquidation of FPAC. This may result in holders receiving less than they would have received if the Business Combination was completed and they had exercised their redemption rights in connection therewith due to potential claims of creditors. If a holder of Public Shares properly demands redemption, FPAC will redeem each Public Share for a full pro rata portion of the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the Business Combination. As of             , 2020, the record date, this would amount to approximately $                per share. If a holder of Public Shares exercises its redemption rights, then it will be exchanging its shares of FPAC Common Stock for cash and will no longer own the shares. See the section entitled “Special Meeting of FPAC Stockholders—Redemption Rights” for a detailed description of the procedures to be followed if you wish to convert your shares of FPAC Common Stock into cash.

Holders of Warrants and Units will not have redemption rights with respect to such securities.

Appraisal Rights

FPAC stockholders (including the initial stockholders) and holders of other FPAC securities do not have appraisal rights in connection with the merger under the DGCL.

Proxy Solicitation

Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone or in person. FPAC has engaged Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies.

If a stockholder grants a proxy, it may still vote its shares in person if it revokes its proxy before the Special Meeting. A stockholder may also change its vote by submitting a later-dated proxy as described in the section entitled “Special Meeting of FPAC Stockholders—Revoking Your Proxy.”

Interests of FPAC’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

When you consider the recommendation of FPAC’s board of directors AGAINST the approval of the Business Combination Proposal, you should keep in mind that FPAC’s initial stockholders, including its directors and executive officers, have interests in such proposal that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of a Public Stockholder or a Warrant holder. These interests include, among other things:

 

   

If the Business Combination with Global Blue or another business combination is not consummated by September 14, 2020, FPAC will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, redeeming 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for cash and, subject to the approval of its remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolving and liquidating. In such event, the 15,812,500 initial shares held by FPAC’s initial stockholders (the Founder and FPAC’s directors), which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 prior to FPAC’s IPO, would be worthless because FPAC’s



 

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initial stockholders are not entitled to participate in any redemption or distribution with respect to such shares. Such shares had an aggregate market value of $         million based upon the closing price of $        per share on the NYSE on            , 2020. This includes shares with a market value of $         held by each of FPAC’s independent directors.

 

   

The Founder purchased an aggregate of 9,766,667 Warrants from FPAC for an aggregate purchase price of $14,650,000 (or $1.50 per Warrant). This purchase took place on a private placement basis simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. All of the proceeds FPAC received from this purchase was placed in the Trust Account. Such Warrants had an aggregate market value of $        million based upon the closing price of $        per unit on the NYSE on             , 2020. The purchasers of the private Units waived the right to participate in any redemption or liquidation distribution with respect to such private Units. Accordingly, FPAC Common Stock and Warrants underlying the private Units will become worthless (as will Warrants held by Public Stockholders) if FPAC does not consummate a business combination by September 14, 2020.

 

   

The market value of each of the FPAC independent directors’ current equity ownership of FPAC Class A Common Stock and Units, based on the closing price of $        per share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and $        per Unit on the NYSE as of            , 2020, is approximately $        million.

 

   

The Merger Agreement provides that Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman will become Chairman of New Global Blue. As such, in the future he may receive any cash fees, stock options or stock awards that the New Global Blue board of directors determines to pay to its Chairman.

 

   

David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and director, has an agreement with the Founder whereby if he remains employed by FPAC as of the Closing Date (or the closing date of another Initial Business Combination), or if his employment were terminated without cause or due to death or disability, he will be entitled to a payment comprised of a portion of the Founder’s New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants with a value determined based on the trading value of New Global Blue Shares following the Closing Date, but in no event in excess of $10.0 million.

 

   

If New Global Blue is unable to complete the Business Combination within the required time period, the Founder will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target business(es) or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by FPAC for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to FPAC, but only if such a vendor or target business has not executed a waiver.

 

   

FPAC’s initial stockholders, including its officers and directors, and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on FPAC’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. However, if FPAC fails to consummate a business combination within the required period, they will not have any claim against the Trust Account for reimbursement. Accordingly, FPAC may not be able to reimburse these expenses if the Business Combination with Global Blue or another business combination, is not completed by September 14, 2020. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, there are no unpaid reimbursable expenses.

 

   

The Merger Agreement provides that New Global Blue will indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of FPAC against any costs or expenses in connection with any action arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing. The Merger Agreement also provides that New Global Blue will maintain for not less than six years from the Closing provisions in its organizational documents regarding the indemnification and exoneration of officers and directors that are no less favorable to such persons than the provisions in such organizational documents in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement.



 

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The Merger Agreement provides that for six years from the Closing, New Global Blue shall or shall cause its subsidiaries to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering persons currently covered by FPAC’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies on terms not less favorable than the terms of such current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

Certain Market Activity

At any time prior to the Special Meeting, during a period when they are not then aware of any material non-public information regarding FPAC or its securities, Global Blue or Global Blue’s shareholders and/or their respective affiliates may purchase Public Shares from institutional and other investors or execute agreements to purchase such shares from such investors in the future, or they may enter into transactions with such investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire shares of FPAC Common Stock or vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood of satisfaction of the requirements that the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting to approve the Business Combination Proposal vote in its favor, where it appears that such requirements would otherwise not be met. While the exact nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against a potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options. Entering into any such arrangements may have a depressive effect on the price of FPAC Common Stock. For example, as a result of these arrangements, an investor or holder may have the ability to effectively purchase FPAC Common Stock at a price lower than market and may therefore be more likely to sell the shares he owns, either prior to or immediately after the Special Meeting.

On May 17, 2020, Globetrotter began acquiring Public Shares from institutional investors with the intention of supporting the Transactions, including by voting the shares of the FPAC Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal at the Special Meeting. As a result of such acquisitions, Globetrotter beneficially owns 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock equaling 12% of the outstanding FPAC Common Stock. See “Beneficial Ownership of Securities”. At any time and from time to time, Globetrotter may acquire additional shares of FPAC Common Stock or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for or into shares of FPAC Common Stock (including FPAC’s warrants), redeem the shares of FPAC Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination or liquidation or dispose of any or all of the shares of FPAC Common Stock (or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for or into shares of FPAC Common Stock) (including, without limitation, distributing or otherwise transferring some or all of such securities to Globetrotter’s members, partners, stockholders or beneficiaries, as applicable, transferring such securities to affiliated or other transferees, or entering into a total return swap, asset swap or repurchase transaction in connection with a financing), depending upon an ongoing evaluation of its investment and the Merger and/or other investment considerations.

The consequence of these transactions could be to cause the Business Combination to be approved in circumstances where such approval could not otherwise be obtained. Purchases of FPAC Common Stock by the persons described above would allow them to exert more influence over the approval of the Business Combination Proposal and would likely increase the chances that such proposal would be approved.

Recommendation to Stockholders

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisors, FPAC’s board of directors:

 

   

has unanimously determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders; and



 

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unanimously recommends that FPAC stockholders vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.

This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. See “The Business Combination Proposal – FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination.”

Conditions to the Closing of the Business Combination

The obligations of each party to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions and Closing deliverables, including:

 

   

the approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and related matters by the requisite vote of FPAC’s stockholders;

 

   

obtaining requisite regulatory approvals and specified third party consents;

 

   

no law or order preventing or prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the New Global Blue Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof;

 

   

the articles of association of New Global Blue having been amended in their entirety;

 

   

the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part; and

 

   

no Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement), with respect to Global Blue shall have occurred subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement.

Anticipated Accounting Treatment

The transaction will first be accounted for as a capital reorganization whereby New Global Blue is the successor to its predecessor Global Blue. As a result of the first step described above, the existing shareholders of Global Blue will continue to retain control through their majority ownership of New Global Blue. The capital reorganization will be immediately followed by the acquisition of FPAC, which is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment). The shares issued by New Global Blue are recognized at fair value and recorded as consideration for the acquisition of the public shell company, FPAC. Under this method of accounting, there is no acquisition accounting and no recognition of goodwill, as a result of FPAC not being recognized as a business as defined by IFRS 3 (Business Combination) given it consists predominantly of cash in the Trust Account. In addition, the following factors were also taken into consideration: (i) the business of Global Blue will comprise the ongoing operations of New Global Blue; (ii) Global Blue’s senior management will comprise the senior management of New Global Blue; (iii) the pre-Business Combination shareholders of Global Blue will have the largest ownership of New Global Blue and the right to appoint the highest number of board members relative to other shareholders; and (iv) the headquarters of Global Blue will be that of New Global Blue.

Regulatory Matters

The Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not subject to any additional federal or state regulatory requirement or approval, except for filings with the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board, the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the European Payment Institution License filing with the Bank of Italy.



 

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Risk Factors

In evaluating the proposals to be presented at the Special Meeting, a stockholder should carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus and especially consider the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

Recent Developments

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19), that was first identified in China in December 2019 and began to receive widespread international coverage in January 2020, has resulted in governments adopting preventative measures, businesses voluntarily choosing or being mandated to temporarily close their operations and limit business-related travel, and individuals deciding to postpone or cancel leisure travel on an unprecedented scale. See in particular “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Other Information About Global Blue” as well as “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—COVID-19” and “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

In March 2020, Moody’s downgraded Global Blue’s corporate family rating to B2 from B1 and placed the rating on negative outlook. In April 2020, S&P Global also downgraded Global Blue’s long-term issuer and senior secured debt ratings to B+ (with a stable outlook) from BB- (with a stable outlook). These rating actions reflect the agencies’ expectations of the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent recovery.



 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FPAC

This section contains the following selected historical financial information to assist you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination: FPAC’s condensed balance sheet information as of March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, as well as FPAC’s condensed statements of operations information for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, and the year ended December 31, 2019 and from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018. The selected historical financial information has been derived from FPAC’s (i) unaudited financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, and (ii) audited financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) to December 31, 2018, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

FPAC’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”).

The information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with FPAC’s financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein. The historical results included below and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus are not indicative of the future performance of FPAC. Certain amounts that appear in this section may not sum due to rounding.

SELECTED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

 

    As of March 31,
2020

(unaudited)
    As of December 31,
2019
    As of December 31,
2018
 
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
 

Assets:

     

Current assets:

     

Cash

    0.7       1.1       1.7  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    0.1       0.1       0.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    0.8       1.2       1.8  

Investments held in Trust Account

    651.9       649.4       639.7  

Other assets

    0       0       0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

    652.7       650.6       641.5  

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

    0.1       0       0  

Accrued expenses

    8.5       2.2       0.6  

Income tax payable

    0.4       0       1.5  

Franchise tax payable

    0.1       0.1       0.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    9.1       2.3       2.2  

Deferred underwriting commissions

    20.7       20.7       20.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    29.8       23.0       22.9  

Commitments

     

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 61,797,692, 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.00 per share at March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively

    618.0       622.6       613.6  


 

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    As of March 31,
2020

(unaudited)
    As of December 31,
2019
    As of December 31,
2018
 
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
    (in millions of US$,
except share and
per share data)
 

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

    —         —         —    

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 1,452,308, 991,181 and 1,891,166 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 61,797,692, 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares subject to possible redemption) at March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

    —         —         —    

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,812,500 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018

    0       0       0  

Additional paid-in capital

    0       0       0.4  

Retained earnings

    5.0       5.0       4.6  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

    5.0       5.0       5.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

    652.7       650.6       641.5  

SELECTED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION

 

    For the
three months ended
March 31, 2020

(unaudited)
    For the
three months ended
March 31, 2019

(unaudited)
    For the
year ended
December 31, 2019
    For the period from
February 23, 2018
(inception) through
December 31, 2018
 
    (in US$ millions,
except share and
per share data)
    (in US$ millions,
except share and
per share data)
    (in US$ millions,
except share and
per share data)
    (in US$ millions,
except share and
per share data)
 

General and administrative costs

    (6.6     (0.3     (2.1     (1.0

Franchise tax expense

    0       (0.1     (0.2     (0.1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

    (6.6     (0.4     (2.3     (1.1

Interest and investment income

    2.5       3.8       14.4       7.2  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income tax expense

    (4.1     3.4       12.1       6.1  

Income tax expense

    (0.5     (0.8     (3.0     (1.5
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    (4.6     2.6       9.1       4.6  

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

    63,250,000       63,250,000       63,250,000       63,250,000  

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A

    0.03       0.05       0.18       0.09  

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

    15,812,500       15,812,500       15,812,500       15,812,500  

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B

    (0.41     (0.02     (0.13     (0.06


 

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Global Blue

This section contains the following selected historical financial information to assist you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination: Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statement data as of and for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, as well as Global Blue’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statement data as of September 30, 2019 and for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statement data has been prepared on a basis consistent with Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statement data. In the opinion of management of Global Blue, such unaudited financial statement data reflects all adjustments consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for these periods. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full financial year or any future period. These are derived from Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”). Global Blue’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34.

The information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with Global Blue’s financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere herein and the discussions under “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.” The historical results included below and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus are not indicative of the future performance of Global Blue. Certain amounts that appear in this section may not sum due to rounding.



 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT DATA

 

     For the Six Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Financial Year Ended March 31,  
           2019                 2018               2019             2018             2017      
     (in € millions, except per
share data)
    (in € millions, except per share data)  

Total revenue

     227.7       210.7       413.0       421.4       417.3  

Operating expenses

     (190.5     (175.8     (354.4     (361.6     (338.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     37.2       34.8       58.5       59.9       78.5  

Finance income

     2.6       2.5       2.8       2.4       6.7  

Finance costs

     (18.8     (18.3     (31.5     (34.5     (41.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

     (16.2     (15.9     (28.7     (32.1     (34.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     21.0       19.0       29.8       27.7       43.7  

Income tax expense

     (9.0     (11.0     (23.0     (8.3     (15.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

     12.0       8.0       6.9       19.5       28.2  

Profit attributable to:

          

Owners of the parent

     8.2       5.0       2.4       15.7       25.3  

Non-controlling interests

     3.8       3.0       4.5       3.8       2.9  

 

Profit for the period

     12.0       8.0       6.9       19.5       28.2  

Shares outstanding

     40,000,000       40,000,000       40,000,000       40,000,000       40,000,000  

 

Basic attributable profit per share

     0.21       0.12       0.06       0.39       0.63  

Diluted attributable profit per share

     0.21       0.12       0.06       0.39       0.63  

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DATA

 

     As of September 30,    

As of March 31,

 
     2019     2019      2018      2017  
     (in € millions, reported)      (in € millions, pro forma)(1)     (in € millions, reported)  

ASSETS

             

Non-current assets

     748.9        748.9       777.8        783.1        847.3  

Current assets

     513.1        513.1       421.3        384.4        396.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,262.0        1,262.0       1,199.2        1,167.6        1,244.0  

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

             

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

     84.5        (69.9     78.5        80.7        188.9  

Non-controlling interests

     7.7        7.7       8.4        8.9        7.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     92.2        (62.2 )      87.0        89.6        196.2  

Liabilities

             

Non-current liabilities

     711.7        711.7       717.8        689.1        713.5  

Current liabilities

     458.1        612.5       394.4        388.8        334.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,169.8        1,324.2       1,112.2        1,078.0        1,047.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

     1,262.0        1,262.0       1,199.2        1,167.6        1,244.0  

 

(1)

Certain financial data of Global Blue presented in this footnote is preliminary. Such preliminary financial data included herein has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of Global Blue. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to such preliminary



 

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  financial data. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154 million, as a result of preliminary cash being €226 million as at March 31, 2020 (Adjustment Date) instead of €75 million implied from the €600 million Adjusted Net Debt. As a result of this being a planned distribution not reflected in the latest balance sheet, despite not yet having been declared, a pro forma balance sheet reflecting the distribution accrual (but not giving effect to the offering proceeds) has been presented alongside the historical balance sheet.

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT DATA

 

     For the Six Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Financial Year Ended
March 31,
 
           2019                 2018               2019             2018             2017      
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2.7       6.2       114.3       85.0       112.0  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (18.6     (19.7     (40.3     (26.8     (72.5

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

     (13.5     41.3       (19.1     (120.0     (25.4

Net foreign exchange differences

     (1.2     (0.2     (0.6     (2.3     (3.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (30.6     27.6       54.4       (63.9     10.7  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     104.1       50.7       50.7       111.7       101.3  

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     75.1       76.1       104.1       50.7       111.7  

Net change in bank overdraft facilities

     1.6       (2.2     (1.0     2.9       (0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (30.6     27.6       54.4       (63.9     10.7  


 

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OTHER FINANCIAL DATA OF GLOBAL BLUE

The table below presents certain financial measures on a consolidated basis, which are not recognized measures of financial performance or liquidity under IFRS, as of and for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and as of September 30, 2019 and for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. These non-IFRS measures are presented because they are used by management to monitor the underlying performance of Global Blue’s business and operations. In addition, these non-IFRS measures presented herein are measures commonly used in Global Blue’s industry and by analysts and investors as supplemental measures of performance. Additionally, these measures, when used in conjunction with related IFRS financial measures, provide investors with an additional financial analytical framework which management uses, in addition to historical operating results, as a basis for financial, operational and planning decisions and present measurements that third parties have indicated are useful in assessing Global Blue and its results. These non-IFRS measures may not be indicative of Global Blue’s historical operating results nor are such measures meant to be predictive of Global Blue’s future results. These non-IFRS measures should be read in conjunction with the discussions under “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.” Not all companies calculate non-IFRS measures in the same manner or on a consistent basis. As a result, these measures and ratios may not be comparable to measures used by other companies under the same or similar names. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on the non-IFRS measures presented below.

 

     As of and for the Six
Months Ended September 30,
    As of and for the Financial
Year Ended March 31,
 
           2019                 2018             2019         2018         2017    
    

(in € millions, except for percentages and ratios)

 

Volume

          

Total SiS

     12,416       11,373       22,598       21,844       20,489  

Profitability

          

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

     101.3       90.8       173.5       171.0       165.7  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)(1)

     44.5     43.1     42.0     40.6     39.7

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)(2)

     47.1       43.5       83.5       94.3       91.4  

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (%)(3)

     24.5     23.0     23.0     22.7     22.9

Cash and Leverage

          

Conversion Rate (%)(4)

     85.8     84.7     80.8     84.4     83.2

Adjusted Free Cash Flow(5)

     47.2       38.3       69.3       89.4       74.5  

Adjusted Net Debt(6)

     600.3       n/a       572.0       579.3       518.3  

Leverage Ratio(6)

     3.3       n/a       3.3       3.4       3.1  

 

(1)

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as profit for the period adjusted to exclude (i) net finance cost, (ii) income tax expense, (iii) depreciation and amortization (including the amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations), and (iv) exceptional items that Global Blue does not consider indicative of its ongoing operating performance. The exceptional items are itemized below. Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenue. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA Margin, you should be aware that in the future Global Blue may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments set forth below. Global Blue’s presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be construed as an inference that its future results will be unaffected by exceptional items. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin have important



 

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  limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider either in isolation, or as a substitute of Global Blue’s results as reported under IFRS. For example, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin do not reflect (i) Global Blue’s capital expenditure or future requirements for capital expenditure, (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, Global Blue’s working capital needs, (iii) the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on Global Blue’s debt, (iv) income tax expense or the cash necessary to pay income taxes, and (v) any cash requirements for the assets being depreciated and amortized that may have to be replaced in the future. Set forth below is a reconciliation of profit for the period to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
     For the Financial Year Ended
March 31,
 
         2019              2018              2019              2018              2017      
     (in € millions)      (in € millions)  

Profit for the period

     12.0        8.0        6.9        19.5        28.2  

Net finance cost

     16.2        15.9        28.7        32.1        34.8  

Income tax expense

     9.0        11.0        23.0        8.3        15.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit

     37.2        34.8        58.5        59.9        78.5  

Depreciation and amortization(a)

     54.9        51.9        105.1        86.7        83.4  

Exceptional items(b)

     9.2        4.1        9.9        24.4        3.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     101.3        90.8        173.5        171.0        165.7  

 

  (a)

Depreciation and amortization consist of (i) amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and (ii) other depreciation and amortization, which have been broken out below. Set forth below is an overview of depreciation and amortization for the periods presented.

 

    For the Six
Months Ended
September 30,
   

For the Financial Year

Ended March 31,

 
      2019         2018         2019         2018         2017    
    (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations(i)

    37.2    

 

37.3

 

    74.6       74.8       74.9  

Other depreciation and amortization

    17.7       14.5       30.5       11.9       8.5  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

    54.9       51.9       105.1       86.7       83.4  

 

  (i)

Represents the amortization of the assets recognized as a result of purchase price allocation from an acquisition. Figures shown predominantly relate to the amortization in connection with the 2012 GB Acquisition.

 

  (b)

Exceptional items consist of items which Global Blue does not consider indicative of its ongoing operating performance, not directly related to ordinary business operations and which are not included in the assessment of management performance. Set forth below is an overview of exceptional items for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Financial Year Ended
March 31,
 
     2019     2018       2019         2018         2017    
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Business restructuring expenses(i)

     (0.9     (0.6     (4.4     (2.6     (1.3

Corporate restructuring expenses(ii)

     (6.3     (0.5     (1.3     (7.1     —    

Monitoring fee(iii)

     (0.4     (0.4     (0.8     (1.0     (0.8

Impairment(iv)

     (0.1     —         —         (2.0     —    

Share-based payments(v)

     (1.2     —         (1.7     (0.7     (0.9

Net sales of assets gain/(loss)(vi)

     (0.2     (1.4     (0.7     (0.0     (0.8

Other exceptional items(vii)

     (0.1     (1.2     (1.0     (11.0     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exceptional items

     (9.2     (4.1     (9.9     (24.4     (3.8


 

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  (i)

Business restructuring expenses correspond to expenses related to replacement of management positions and costs associated with replacing management roles, changing of debt facilities or discontinued operations.

  (ii)

Corporate restructuring expenses correspond to legal, consultancy and advisory expenses associated with historical preparations for the partial exit of the existing shareholders.

  (iii)

Monitoring fee comprises fees payable to Silver Lake and Partners Group in connection with the Monitoring Fee Agreement and related reimbursements. The obligation to pay the monitoring fee will automatically terminate upon Closing. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Global Blue—Monitoring Fee Agreement.

  (iv)

Impairment relates to the impairment of the goodwill of the Malaysian operating subsidiary, in anticipation of the Malaysian government’s decision to abolish its GST.

  (v)

Share-based payments reflect the fair value change in the share-based payment liability according to IFRS 2 (Share-Based Payment). The share-based compensation plan was implemented as part of the 2012 GB Acquisition.

  (vi)

Net sales of assets gain/(loss) comprises gains or losses on sales of property, plant and equipment.

  (vii)

Other exceptional items comprise one-offs, such as the provision associated with the French tax audit in the financial year ended March 31, 2018 or the closing of the Malaysian operating subsidiary in the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

 

(2)

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) is defined as profit attributable to owners of the parent adjusted to exclude (in each case only the share attributable to owners of the parent): (i) exceptional items that Global Blue does not consider indicative of its ongoing operating performance, (ii) amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations, and (iii) tax effects of adjustments. Global Blue’s management believes that Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) is a meaningful measure for investors because it provides a view of Global Blue’s underlying profitability without the impact of non-operating, exceptional expenses and without the accounting effects resulting from amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations. Set forth below is a reconciliation of profit attributable to owners of the parent to Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Financial Year Ended
March 31,
 
     2019     2018       2019         2018         2017    
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

     8.2       5.0       2.4       15.7       25.3  

Exceptional items

     9.2       4.1       9.9       24.4       3.8  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     37.2       37.3       74.6       74.8       74.9  

Tax effect of adjustments(a)

     (7.6     (2.9     (3.4     (20.6     (12.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net income (Group Share)

     47.1       43.5       83.5       94.3       91.4  


 

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  (a)

The exclusion of exceptional items and amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations mechanically implies an increased tax payment. There are certain exceptional income tax expenses, which are not related to the financial year and, as such are excluded. Set forth below is an overview of such expenses for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Financial Year Ended
March 31,
 
       2019          2018         2019         2018         2017    
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Income tax expenses related to amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     (7.5)        (7.5     (15.1     (15.1     (15.1

Tax impact of exceptional items

     (1.1)        (1.4     (2.8     (8.3     (0.6

Exceptional income tax expenses(i)

     1.1        6.1       14.5       2.7       3.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax effect of adjustments

     (7.6)        (2.9 )      (3.4 )      (20.6 )      (12.6 ) 

 

  (i)

Exceptional income tax expenses relate mainly to the tax audit of Global Blue’s Italian Subsidiary. See “Global Blue’s—Business Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, Investigations and Tax Audits—Tax Matters—Italy.”

 

(3)

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate is equal to (a) income tax expense plus the tax effect of adjustments divided by (b) profit before tax plus exceptional items and amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations. Global Blue management believes that Adjusted Effective Tax Rate is a relevant measure and is more representative of the rate implied by income taxes paid. In addition, adjusted tax expenses are more representative of the actual amount of cash taxes paid. Management believes that income tax expense and profit before tax, those being the IFRS line-items used to calculated the Effective Tax Rate, are impacted by items not representative of the operational performance of the business. Set forth below is an overview of the items required to calculate Effective Tax Rate and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
   

For the Financial Year

Ended March 31,

 
             2019                 2018             2019             2018             2017      
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

(i) Income tax expense

     (9.0     (11.0     (23.0     (8.3     (15.5

Tax effect of adjustments(a)

     (7.6     (2.9     (3.4     (20.6     (12.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(ii) Adjusted tax expenses

     (16.5 )      (13.9 )      (26.3 )      (28.9 )      (28.1 ) 

(iii) Profit before tax

     21.0       19.0       29.8       27.7       43.7  

Exceptional items(b)

     9.2       4.1       9.9       24.4       3.8  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     37.2       37.3       74.6       74.8       74.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(iv) Adjusted profit before tax

     67.4       60.4       114.3       127.0       122.5  

(i)/(iii) Effective Tax Rate (%)

     42.7 %      58.0 %      77.2 %      29.8 %      35.4 % 

(ii)/(iv) Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (%)

     24.5     23.0     23.0     22.7     22.9

 

  (a)

Tax effect of adjustments are certain exceptional income tax expenses, which are not related to the financial year. See footnote (2) above for further details on tax effect of adjustments.

  (b)

Exceptional items consist of items which Global Blue does not consider indicative of its ongoing operating performance, not directly related to ordinary business operations and which are not included in the assessment of management performance. See footnote (1)(b) above for further details on exceptional items.



 

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(4)

Global Blue defines Conversion Rate as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditure divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The objective of the metric is to illustrate the percentage of the Adjusted EBITDA available post capital expenditures which would be available to partly satisfy Global Blue’s cash expenditures, such as cash taxes, interest and principal elements of lease payments. Set forth below is an overview of the items required to calculate Conversion Rate for the period presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
 
       2019         2018         2019         2018         2017    
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Adjusted EBITDA(a)

     101.3       90.8       173.5       171.0       165.7  

Capital expenditure(b)

     (14.4)       (13.9     (33.4     (26.6     (27.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA—Capital Expenditure(a)(b)

     86.9       76.9       140.1       144.4       137.9  

Conversion Rate (%)

     85.8     84.7     80.8     84.4     83.2

 

  (a)

For a reconciliation from profit for the period to Adjusted EBITDA, see footnote (1) above.

  (b)

Capital expenditure is defined as purchase of tangible and intangible assets.

 

(5)

Global Blue defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities (i) less capital expenditure, principal elements of lease payments, and dividends paid to non-controlling interests (ii) plus net working capital, exceptional items that Global Blue does not consider indicative of its ongoing operating performance, payment of provisions, other non-cash items, and net deductible financial income / (costs). Global Blue excludes net working capital from Adjusted Free Cash Flow because, while net working capital is structurally neutral (see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Net Working Capital”), due to the volume and timing of refunds year over year, there could be cut-off issues (i.e., large number of TFS transactions issued right before the end of the financial year or vice versa), resulting in the year-end balance being overly positive or negative. Similarly, net working capital follows seasonal trends, since a significant part of the business serves the leisure segment of the travel industry, resulting in quarterly variances. As a result, to improve the analytical value of Adjusted Free Cash Flow, Global Blue management excludes net working capital. Please see the section entitled “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Net Working Capital.” Global Blue excludes exceptional items and payment of provisions because it does not consider these items indicative of its ongoing operating performance. Global Blue excludes other non-cash items and net deductible financial income / (cost) as some of these are non-cash impacts and overall are not considered to be indicative of its ongoing operating performance. Set forth below is a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow for the periods presented.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
 
     2019      2018      2019      2018       2017   
     (in € millions)      (in € millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2.7        6.2        114.3        85.0        112.0  

Capital expenditure

     (14.4      (13.9      (33.4      (26.6      (27.8

Principal elements of lease payments

     (8.1      (7.0      (14.2      —          —    

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     (4.8      (3.6      (3.9      (3.5      (3.6

Net working capital

     64.2        55.4        (3.3      22.6        (11.4

Exceptional items

     9.2        4.1        9.9        24.4        3.8  

Payment of provisions

     —          0.0        0.0        4.5        0.2  

Other non-cash items

     (4.5      (5.0      (1.2      (18.7      41.1  

Net deductible financial income / (costs)

     2.9        2.2        1.1        1.7        (39.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

     47.2        38.3        69.3        89.4        74.5  


 

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(6)

Adjusted Net Debt is defined as (i) the aggregate principal amount of non-current loans and borrowings; current lease liabilities and non-current lease liabilities, less (ii) cash and cash equivalents. Global Blue believes Adjusted Net Debt is a meaningful measure for investors because it provides a view as to Global Blue’s indebtedness. Global Blue defines Leverage Ratio as Adjusted Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA (on a rolling 12-month basis). Global Blue believes Leverage Ratio is a meaningful measure for investors because it provides a view as to Global Blue’s indebtedness relative to the Adjusted EBITDA generated over the last 12 months. Relative to the IFRS definition of net debt, Adjusted Net Debt excludes capitalized financing costs and the IFRS 9 loan modification impact (see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operation—Critical Accounting Policies—Impact of new standards issued”), as these are non-cash elements and are not representative of the cash-based obligation and exclude other bank overdraft, which represents short-term borrowings. Set forth below is a reconciliation to Adjusted Net Debt and an overview of the items required to calculate Leverage Ratio for the periods presented.

 

     As of and for the Six
Months Ended
September 30,
    As of and for the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
 
         2019             2019             2018             2017      
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Principal value of non-current loans and borrowings

     630.0       630.0       630.0       630.0  

Current lease liabilities

     13.7       13.7       —         —    

Non-current lease liabilities

     31.7       32.4       —         —    

Cash and cash equivalents

     (75.1     (104.1     (50.7     (111.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Debt

     600.3       572.0       579.3       518.3  

Adjusted EBITDA (on a rolling 12-month basis)(a)

     182.0       173.5       171.0       165.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Leverage Ratio

     3.3       3.3       3.4       3.1  
        

Adjusted Net Debt

     600.3       572.0       579.3       518.3  

Capitalized financing costs

     (11.6     (13.4     (17.2     (19.5

IFRS 9 loan modification impact

     5.1       5.8       —         —    

Other bank overdraft(b)

     3.8       2.1       3.0       0.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

     597.6       566.6       565.1       499.0  

 

  (a)

Represents Adjusted EBITDA, except for Adjusted EBITDA (on a rolling 12-month basis) for the 12 months ended September 30, 2019 which has been calculated by adding the amounts for Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and the financial year ended March 31, 2019 and deducting the amount for Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended September 30, 2018.

  (b)

Local credit facilities are available in certain jurisdictions. None of these local overdraft facilities were committed in nature.



 

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SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial data (the “Selected Pro Forma Data”) gives effect to the Business Combination and is described in the section entitled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.” Operations prior to the Business Combination are those of Global Blue. The Business Combination is anticipated to be accounted for as a capital reorganization whereby New Global Blue is the continuation of its predecessor Global Blue. The capital reorganization will be immediately followed by the acquisition of FPAC, which is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2.

The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position data as of September 30, 2019 gives effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on September 30, 2019. The summary unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement data for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and twelve months ended March 31, 2019, give effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on April 1, 2018.

The Selected Pro Forma Data has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the more detailed unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of New Global Blue appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying notes to such pro forma financial statements. Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based upon, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements and related notes of Global Blue and FPAC included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The Selected Pro Forma Data has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what New Global Blue’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the Selected Pro Forma Data does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of New Global Blue. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on information currently available. The assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments are described in the notes to the accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed combined financial information. Actual results may differ materially from the assumptions used to present the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Management of Global Blue and FPAC have made significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented. As a result, this should be read in conjunction with the historical financial information included elsewhere in the proxy statement/prospectus.

The Selected Pro Forma Data has been prepared assuming two alternative levels of redemption of FPAC Class A Common Stock into cash and no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement:

 

   

No Redemption: This presentation assumes that no FPAC stockholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their FPAC Class A Common Stock upon consummation of the Business Combination; and



 

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Maximum Redemption: This presentation assumes that FPAC stockholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to 59,184,300 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and such shares are redeemed for their pro rata share ($10.23 / €9.36 per share) of the funds in the Trust Account for aggregate redemption proceeds of $605.7 / €553.9 million. These 59,184,300 shares represent all outstanding shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock, including all 9,487,500 shares held by Globetrotter, other than 4,000,000 shares purchased by Third Point and 65,700 shares purchased by David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director, in the IPO of FPAC. Third Point and Mr. Bonanno have agreed not to redeem such shares in connection with the Business Combination. In addition, this presentation assumes the purchase by the Backstop Provider, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, of 41,246,632 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $9.50 / €8.69 per share for aggregate proceeds of $391.8 / €358.4 million, with a reduction of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment to zero. As a result of the reduction in the Trust Account and Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment, the Seller Parties will end up with a larger number of New Global Blue Shares, and Series A Preferred Shares which are convertible into 22,178,000 New Global Blue Shares.

 

    Assuming No     Assuming Max.  
            Redemptions                     Redemptions          
    (in € millions, except share and per share information)  

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement Data for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Total revenue

    227.7       227.7  

Operating expenses

    (191.3     (191.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    36.4       36.4  

Profit for the half year attributable to owners of the parent

    12.1       12.1  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic

    188,513,000       169,780,879  

Basic attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.07  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted

    188,513,000       191,958,879  

Diluted attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.06  

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement Data for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019

 

Total revenue

    413.0       413.0  

Operating expenses

    (355.6     (355.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    57.4       57.4  

Profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent

    11.4       11.4  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic

    188,513,000       169,780,879  

Basic attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.07  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted

    188,513,000       191,958,879  

Diluted attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.06  

Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position Data as of September 30, 2019

 

Total current assets

    438.3       438.3  

Total assets

    1,187.2       1,187.2  

Total current liabilities

    572.1       572.1  

Total liabilities

    1,278.3       1,278.3  

Total shareholders’ equity

    (91.1     (91.1


 

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COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA

The following table sets forth the historical comparative share information for Global Blue and FPAC on a standalone basis and the unaudited pro forma combined share information for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, after giving effect to the Business Combination, assuming two redemption scenarios and no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement:

 

   

No Redemption: This presentation assumes that no FPAC stockholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their FPAC Class A Common Stock upon consummation of the Business Combination; and

 

   

Maximum Redemption: This presentation assumes that FPAC stockholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to 59,184,300 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock, alongside a purchase of 41,246,632 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, the reduction to zero of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment, and the issuance of Series A Preferred Shares.

The following comparative per share data is only a summary and should be read together with the historical financial information of FPAC and Global Blue as well as the financial statements of FPAC and Global Blue and related notes that are included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The following comparative per share data is derived from, and should also be read in conjunction with, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.



 

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The comparative per share data does not purport to represent the earnings per share which would have occurred had the companies been combined during the periods presented, nor earnings per share for any future date or period. The unaudited pro forma combined book value per share information below does not purport to represent what the value of FPAC or Global Blue would have been had the companies been combined during the period presented.

 

    Historical     Pro Forma Combined  
    Global
Blue(a)
    FPAC     Assuming No
Redemptions
    Assuming
Max.
Redemptions
 
    (in € millions, except share and per share information)  

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

       

Basic Class A

    40,000,000 (a)      63,250,000       188,513,000       169,780,879  

Basic Class B

    n/a       15,812,500       n/a       n/a  

Diluted Class A

    40,000,000 (a)      63,250,000       188,513,000       191,958,879  

Diluted Class B

    n/a       15,812,500       n/a       n/a  

Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

       

Profit for the half year attributable to the owners of the parent

    8.2       4.4       12.1       12.1  

Basic Class A attributable profit per share

    0.21       0.09       0.06       0.07  

Diluted Class A attributable profit per share

    0.21       0.09       0.06       0.06  

Basic Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       (0.07     N/A       N/A  

Diluted Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       (0.07     N/A       N/A  

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

    84.5       4.6       (98.7     (98.7

Basic Class A attributable profit per share

    2.11       0.06       (0.52     (0.58

Diluted Class A attributable profit per share

    2.11       0.06       (0.52     (0.51

Basic Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       0.06       N/A       N/A  

Diluted Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       0.06       N/A       N/A  

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019

       

Profit for the year attributable to the owners of the parent

    2.4       6.2       11.4       11.4  

Basic Class A attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.12       0.06       0.07  

Diluted Class A attributable profit per share

    0.06       0.12       0.06       0.06  

Basic Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       (0.07     N/A       N/A  

Diluted Class B attributable profit per share

    N/A       (0.07     N/A       N/A  

 

(a) 

Prior to the Business Combination, 40,000,000 Global Blue Shares were outstanding. As a result of the contribution to New Global Blue (and giving effect to the Management Roll-Up, which includes the conversion of non-convertible equity certificates and other items), the number of shares will increase.



 

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RISK FACTORS

Stockholders should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this proxy statement/prospectus, before they decide whether to vote or instruct their vote to be cast to approve the proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Risks Relating to Global Blue

Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment

Global Blue is subject to currency exchange rate risk in the conduct of its business, including commercial risk if certain currency zones become less attractive for inbound international shoppers.

Global Blue’s business operates globally and Global Blue is subject to currency exchange rate risk. Global Blue’s main service, Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions (the “TFS business”), exposes it to commercial risks due to changes in relative foreign exchange rates between international shoppers’ origin and destination currencies, which may reduce the purchasing power of international shoppers, and, consequently, may negatively affect transaction volumes, typically for a short period until the relative foreign exchange rates reverse. This in turn could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Such foreign exchange rate fluctuations can be driven by numerous factors, including regulatory decisions, government relations, monetary policy and macroeconomic factors that affect appreciation and depreciation between currencies. For example, in 2017, the depreciation of the Russian ruble against the Euro negatively affected Russian spending in the Eurozone. In addition, during the spring and summer of 2018, the appreciation of the Euro against emerging market currencies dampened the spending of international shoppers in the Eurozone and as a result negatively impacted Global Blue’s revenue growth.

These fluctuations may also impact Global Blue’s AVPS business as movements in relative foreign exchange rates between origin and destination currency pairs may reduce the number of AVPS transactions completed and could therefore have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s business is highly dependent on international travel, which may be adversely affected by regional or global circumstances or travel restrictions.

Global Blue’s business is highly dependent on international travel. Regional or global circumstances affecting international travel, such as airline strikes, natural disasters, international hostilities, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, contagious disease outbreaks or other similar events, could reduce international travel, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. For example, terrorist attacks in recent years in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Sweden, Turkey and other countries have contributed to temporarily depressed levels of tourism growth in Europe and have had an impact on Global Blue’s revenue and exposed Global Blue’s revenue profile to increased volatility. In 2016, for instance, France experienced terrorist attacks in Paris (Bataclan) and Nice, resulting in a temporary decrease in TFS SiS in France. Additionally, in 2018 and 2019, the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) protests in France also caused a short-term decrease in spending in Paris, as the protests discouraged international shoppers from travelling to Paris and the protesters made it difficult for international shoppers to access shops. Moreover, contagious disease outbreaks, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 and MERS in 2015, have historically temporarily curtailed, to varying degrees, the number of arrivals by international shoppers to jurisdictions in which Global Blue operates. More recently, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures adopted by governments, businesses and individuals in response to it, have resulted in significant travel disruption. See “—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted.”

 

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Passenger volumes and international travel may also be affected by travel restrictions. More stringent immigration laws and difficulties in obtaining visas may deter international shoppers and reduce their numbers in countries in which Global Blue operates. In particular, Global Blue’s TFS business provides services to merchants who have a significant number of Chinese international shoppers as customers and would be adversely affected by increased restrictions on Chinese shoppers’ ability to travel internationally. For example, Global Blue’s TFS business was temporarily impacted when the EU introduced new biometric visa requirements in October 2015, which caused a temporary slowdown in visa processing until all new compliant visa centers were fully operational and at full potential for processing visa applications. Any such travel restrictions could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s business is dependent on the overall level of consumer spending, which is affected by general economic conditions and spending patterns.

Global Blue’s management believes that a significant part of Global Blue’s business serves the leisure segment of the travel industry. In addition to the factors listed above in “—Global Blue’s business is highly dependent on international travel, which may be adversely affected by regional or global circumstances or travel restrictions”, leisure travel may also be adversely affected by general economic downturns and conditions. The number of transactions and the amount spent by international shoppers in stores is affected by general economic conditions, particularly those which underpin international travel and shopping across the world. Economic recession and other economic indicators, such as levels of employment, levels of disposable income, inflation, consumer credit availability and interest rates, may also negatively impact spending patterns and can affect all of Global Blue’s business segments. A deterioration of market conditions may also slow down or reverse the growth of the middle class in emerging markets, which could in turn reduce international travel and extra-regional shopping spend. While the ultimate negative impact on Global Blue’s results of operations cannot be accurately and reasonably quantified at this time, the COVID-19 pandemic could result in an economic recession that potentially slows down middle class growth, leisure travel and spending patterns. See “—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted.” A materialization of any of the above would have an adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted.

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19), that was first identified in China in December 2019 and began to receive widespread international coverage in January 2020, has rapidly spread to over 170 countries globally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic.

Governments of many countries, regions, states and cities have taken preventative measures to try to contain the spread of COVID-19. These measures have included imposing restrictions on international travel and closing borders to all non-essential travel, business closures and social distancing protocols. Additionally, many businesses have voluntarily chosen or been mandated to temporarily close their operations and limit business-related travel, and individuals have decided to postpone or cancel leisure travel on an unprecedented scale. Collectively, these measures have severely curtailed international travel and diminished the level of economic activity around the world, including in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related preventative measures, as well as the associated curtailment of international travel and diminished economic activity, have negatively impacted Global Blue’s business and

 

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recent results of operations and financial condition, consistent with the risks discussed under “—Global Blue’s business is highly dependent on international travel, which may be adversely affected by regional or global circumstances or travel restrictions” and “—Global Blue’s business is dependent on the overall level of consumer spending, which is affected by general economic conditions and spending patterns.” Since early March 2020, when government travel restrictions and store closure mandates were generally implemented, the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors have experienced a significant reduction in activity, with Global Blue’s SiS in April and May 2020 totalling single-digit percentages of pre-pandemic levels (i.e., April and May 2019). As of March 31, 2020, in response to the travel restrictions and closure mandates, Global Blue’s broad network of more than 800 refund points was almost entirely closed. Recently, certain destination countries for tax-free shopping have started to formulate plans to ease restrictions, including reopening certain shops and borders, which – if and when implemented and international travel resumes – are expected to begin to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on Global Blue’s financial results.

The discussion of historical performance, as presented under “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation”, is presented up to the six months ended September 30, 2019 and, as a result, does not include any financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the impacts of the pandemic, the SiS, revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA growth for the six months ended September 30, 2019 is not reflective of the annual results for the financial year ended March 31, 2020. Global Blue’s management also expects that the pandemic will have negative consequences on Global Blue’s results of operations for the financial year ending March 31, 2021. However, given the global and evolving nature of the pandemic, its impact on the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, and its impact on consumer spending through any economic recession, the ultimate negative impact and the duration of such negative impact on Global Blue’s results of operations cannot be accurately and reasonably quantified at this time.

Depending on jurisdiction, Global Blue has furloughed staff or has reduced working hours and, in parallel, has applied for employee salary support schemes introduced by certain governments. Such schemes allow companies to place employees on paid leave or on reduced working hours, with the difference to an employee’s ordinary salary being partially reimbursed by the respective government. In countries in which no such employee salary support schemes are available, Global Blue has required personnel to take their (partially paid or unpaid) leave or has reduced its workforce. Moreover, members of senior management have agreed to temporary salary cuts. These personnel decisions vary based on function, country, and seniority. In addition, some governments have also approved tax holidays, allowing companies to postpone certain tax payments. Governments are continuously refining, expanding and/or clarifying their respective schemes, meaning that the exact benefits to the business community, including Global Blue, are evolving. Global Blue will implement extensions of furlough and/or partial employment schemes where longer-term government support are available and a workforce reduction where no meaningful support schemes are available.

In addition to the primary impacts discussed above, the COVID-19 pandemic could have a wide range of negative secondary impacts on Global Blue. For instance, merchants or customs and tax authorities could potentially fail or refuse to pay Global Blue, as discussed under “Global Blue is subject to counterparty risk and credit risk,” which could negatively impact Global Blue’s business, results of operations, and financial condition, although to date, any such impacts have been immaterial in the context of Global Blue’s financial condition. Global Blue only pays the revenue share to merchants after having collected the receivables, thereby reducing the net exposure. Separately, as the pandemic subsides and related preventative measures are lifted, international shoppers’ continuing health concerns could potentially outweigh pent-up travel and shopping demand, which in turn would depress demand for travel and tax free shopping. Similarly, international shoppers’ demand could also be reduced should the number of airlines or operated routes not increase to levels seen before the pandemic. In addition, any economic recession resulting from the pandemic may also result in reduced consumer spending. Such reduced demand from international shoppers could significantly impact Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. Global Blue cannot predict when the impacts of the pandemic will subside or how quickly thereafter international travel, consumer spending and demand for tax free shopping and Global Blue services will return to pre-pandemic levels.

 

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Global Blue’s success is dependent on the skills, experience and efforts of its senior management and key personnel, and any COVID-19 cost saving measures undertaken by Global Blue may negatively impact its business.

Global Blue’s success is dependent on the skills, experience and efforts of Global Blue’s senior management and key personnel that collectively and individually enable Global Blue to operate and manage the business effectively. As described under “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—COVID-19,” and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Blue is assessing and implementing longer-term cost savings initiatives to reduce its monthly cash expenditures. These initiatives include, among others, the continuation of furlough measures or the reduction of employees’ working hours where longer-term government support is available and a workforce reduction where no meaningful support schemes are available.

While management is carefully tailoring the longer-term COVID-19 prompted cost saving measures to ensure retention of the necessary knowledge and expertise to support the business when volumes recover, as a result of these measures, there could be a loss of institutional knowledge, experience, and/or expertise which could limit the ability of Global Blue to manage the business effectively, react to external developments, retain clients and make necessary technological developments. Similarly, these cost saving measures may negatively impact the morale of Global Blue’s workforce, leading to voluntary departures of additional employees. Although Global Blue management expects the roles of its furloughed and former employees to be performed by others, their skill sets may not allow them to perform the work as proficiently or efficiently as others. Accordingly, this could potentially negatively impact Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s net working capital is sensitive to short-term, month-to-month volume growth, and any rapid volume growth associated with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or for any other reason unrelated to the pandemic would lead to a short-term, temporary surge of its net working capital.

In Global Blue’s TFS business, net working capital is primarily driven by the timing of the payments that Global Blue makes to merchants and international shoppers, and the timing of the payments that it receives from merchants and tax authorities, which makes its net working capital sensitive to short-term, month-to-month volume growth. Typically, Global Blue refunds the VAT (net of transaction fees) to the international shoppers, after which it collects the full VAT from the merchant or tax authorities after approximately 30 days on average and pays the merchant the percentage of the transaction fee after approximately 100 days on average.

If Global Blue experiences rapid month-on-month volume growth, for instance assuming a quick recovery in international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, this could lead to a short-term, temporary surge of its net working capital to fund the rapid volume increase in VAT refunds. Very large movements in Global Blue’s net working capital position could have a significant effect on its business and financial condition, if Global Blue is unable to finance, internally or externally, the net working capital needs due to the timing impact of when Global Blue refunds the VAT (net of transaction fees) to the international shopper versus when it collects the VAT from the merchants and tax authorities.

A decrease in VAT rates or changes in VAT or VAT refund policies in countries in which Global Blue operates could negatively affect Global Blue’s business.

Any reduction in VAT rates or adverse changes to VAT policies in Global Blue’s current or potential new markets could have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business and results of operation. For example, effective June 1, 2018, the Malaysian government abolished its goods and services tax (“GST”), which was equivalent to VAT for the supply of goods and services, and, consequently, ended its GST refund scheme. Due to this change, Global Blue ceased Global Blue’s TFS business in Malaysia. Legal and regulatory changes may also restrict Global Blue’s activities, including through nationalization of the VAT refund scheme or by eliminating the availability of VAT refund schemes altogether, limiting the number of TFS providers within those jurisdictions or restricting Global Blue’s ability to process TFS claims on behalf of international shoppers. Changes in laws

 

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and regulations may also place restrictions on Global Blue’s business model, for example by limiting transaction fees that Global Blue charges to international shoppers using Global Blue’s TFS business. Such changes, which are unpredictable and outside of Global Blue’s control, may cause Global Blue to incur higher compliance costs. While VAT rates have historically been increased and many countries have adopted VAT policies in recent years, any such changes to VAT rates or VAT policies could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Certain countries impose restrictions on the transactions and goods that are eligible for VAT refunds, such as MPA or a list of items that are eligible for VAT refunds. An increase in the MPA or a reduction in the list of eligible items would lead to a reduction in the number of transactions that are eligible for VAT refunds. Global Blue believes that in the event there is such a shift in any of the countries in which Global Blue operates, it would have a negative impact on Global Blue’s results of operations.

Changes in the regulatory environment, licensing requirements and government agreements could adversely affect Global Blue’s business.

Global Blue’s operations are subject to risks associated with the prevailing local political climate, particularly where governmental decisions have an impact on Global Blue’s business. For example, the Chinese government is seeking to repatriate luxury spend, which, if successful, could negatively impact Global Blue’s business by slowing growth in Chinese international spending on luxury goods. Such risks could also include, inter alia, increased restrictions on the use of currency abroad, restrictions on transfers of funds, increased enforcement of import duties and restrictions on goods declared at customs, complexity of domestic and international customs and tariffs, as well as transparency of transactions.

Global Blue’s business is also subject to varying levels of supervision and regulation in the territories in which Global Blue’s services are offered. For instance, certain of Global Blue’s operations rely on local licenses, authorizations and government agreements and any adverse changes to such licensing or authorization requirements or government agreements may result in a loss of, or adverse changes to, such operations. Global Blue currently holds licenses or government agreements to operate TFS services in Argentina, the Bahamas, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Latvia, Lebanon, Morocco, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay. Global Blue has also been granted a European Payment Institution License by the Bank of Italy, which has been passported across the EU. In addition, changes to the standards established by payment card industry bodies (specifically the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (the “PCI DSS”)) could entail specific technical requirements and a certification process which could require significant costs to ensure compliance. Failure to obtain or maintain a license, be awarded a government tender in a particular location or comply with industry body standards, could preclude Global Blue from offering its TFS and/or AVPS businesses in that location or subject Global Blue to fines and penalties under local laws.

Global Blue’s costs of compliance would also increase if countries were to adopt legislation requiring Global Blue to obtain licenses or government contracts to conduct TFS services, or if more of the countries in which Global Blue operates were to treat Global Blue’s DCC services as a regulated business and require a license to offer currency conversion. Global Blue has various ongoing compliance and reporting obligations to the Bank of Italy which Global Blue must comply with in order to maintain the European Payment Institution License. Any material increase in the costs associated with obtaining and maintaining licenses or government contracts, or penalties for failure to comply, as a result of a change in law or otherwise, could force Global Blue to leave the relevant jurisdiction or lead to the payment of fines, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue must continually adapt and enhance its existing technology offerings and ensure continued resilience and uptime of its underlying technology platform to remain competitive in its industry.

The TFS segment of the global personal luxury market is subject to ongoing and rapid technological changes in response to the expectations of all stakeholders within the TFS ecosystem. Merchants are increasingly expecting

 

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more insight into international shopper trends from TFS solutions, and deeper integrations between TFS solutions and their payment solutions and IT infrastructure. International shoppers are increasingly expecting greater convenience and personalization in the form of more country-specific refund methods and more immediate refund methods. Customs and authorities expect smoother export validation processes, as well as increased security and compliance.

In order for Global Blue’s business to remain competitive and grow in this rapidly evolving market, Global Blue must continually adapt and enhance its existing technology offerings, as well as develop new products to meet the particular needs of each market and each stakeholder in the TFS ecosystem. To do this, Global Blue needs to anticipate demand in a wide variety of markets and industries and devote appropriate resources, including Global Blue’s resource and development budget, to meeting the expectations of merchants, international shoppers, customs and tax authorities, financial institutions that process credit or debit card payments on behalf of merchants (“Acquirers”) and card schemes. If Global Blue is unable to develop technologies that align with stakeholder expectations, Global Blue may lose market share. Any failure to remain innovative or to introduce new or upgraded technologies that are responsive to changing merchant, international shopper or government requirements may have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s competiveness and could cause Global Blue to lose its market position in core markets.

In addition, efforts to enhance and improve existing products and technologies, as well as develop new ones, involve inherent risks, and Global Blue may not be able to manage these developments and enhancements successfully. Global Blue may also fail to accurately foresee the direction of the TFS and DCC industries, which could lead Global Blue to make investments in technologies and products that do not gain market acceptance and generate insufficient returns.

Any failure to deliver an effective and secure service, or any performance issue that arises with a new or innovative product or service, could result in significant processing errors or other losses. Because of these factors, Global Blue’s development efforts could result in increased costs that could reduce profitability, in addition to a loss of revenue if new products are not delivered in a timely manner or do not perform as indicated. Furthermore, any performance errors in Global Blue’s front-end solutions could result in reputational harm.

Global Blue’s in-house technology platform enables payment processing through three mobile wallets and 10 credit card integrations, transaction processing through 40 payment service providers (“PSP(s)”) and 200 points-of-sale (“POS”) providers and validation through 17 integrations with customs validation export software platforms. The number of existing integrations is also expected to increase as countries move toward digital export validation. As a result, it is critical for Global Blue’s technology solutions to remain operational at all times to service its counterparties. Any failure to deliver an effective and secure service, any performance issue or any downtime could deteriorate Global Blue’s relationships with merchants and customs and tax authorities and could lead to reputational damage that has a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue operates in a competitive market and Global Blue may lose merchant accounts to Global Blue’s competitors.

Global Blue’s business operates in a competitive market. Global Blue’s TFS business competes primarily with other TFS providers, such as Planet and Global Tax Free, and also competes with a limited number of merchants that provide TFS services in-house and governments that insource the TFS process. The number of Global Blue competitors in the TFS segment and the extent of their operations have been increasing in recent years, including a number of mobile app-based providers (i.e., technology start-ups) looking to disrupt the TFS segment, and Global Blue expects them to continue to try to expand their operations. Global Blue’s AVPS business, on the other hand, competes with a wide variety of businesses of varying sizes, including online competitors providing omnichannel payment and currency conversion services to businesses and directly to individuals, often at better rates of exchange.

 

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Actions taken by Global Blue’s competitors, as well as actions taken by Global Blue to maintain its competitiveness, have placed and will continue to place pressure on Global Blue’s pricing, margins and profitability, as well as the availability and attractiveness of key contracts. In particular, certain competitors of Global Blue’s TFS business may offer a higher revenue share to merchants, which may be attractive to some merchants. This may require Global Blue to adjust its percentage of revenue sharing with the merchant or lose merchant relationships. Global Blue’s agreements with merchants do not contain exclusivity clauses, which makes it easier for competitors to establish relationships with the merchants that are part of Global Blue’s network. Global Blue’s agreements with merchants are also generally short- to medium-term contracts, generally lasting three years on average. Upon scheduled renewal of a contract or during the term of a contract, Global Blue may face pressure regarding pricing or other contractual terms, making it more difficult to retain its merchants on favorable terms, or Global Blue may be unable to renew contracts with merchants on satisfactory terms. If Global Blue loses existing merchant relationships or a sufficient number of key merchant partners, or if Global Blue is unable to renew existing contracts upon expiry at attractive terms or at all, this could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s business may be adversely affected by disintermediation of TFS processes.

Disintermediation may happen if certain governments or merchants insource the TFS process partially or entirely. Alternatively, disintermediation of the TFS process could occur if governments amend their VAT regulations to no longer require the merchant to issue tax free forms and/or determine the eligibility of international shoppers for VAT refunds. For example, some jurisdictions have regulations that could provide the opportunity for “business to consumer” players to establish business models that increase the risk of disintermediation. This and other types of disintermediation may have a negative impact on Global Blue’s TFS business, as its business model is reliant upon its merchant partners.

Conversely, certain countries have outsourced the export validation process. Since export validation is typically a free service provided by customs and tax authorities, this type of outsourcing could create additional costs, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Price harmonization or convergence between destination markets and home markets may adversely affect Global Blue’s business.

The level of spend while shopping abroad, and the willingness of international shoppers to spend abroad, are impacted by the favorable pricing of products in destination countries compared to international shoppers’ origin countries (the “price differential”). In particular, the price differential of luxury goods is a significant factor influencing an international shopper’s purchasing decision. If the price differential between various markets is reduced, resulting in price harmonization across destination markets (such as Europe) and home markets (such as Asia Pacific (“APAC”)) due to changes in retail pricing policies, additional online purchasing options and access, macroeconomic factors (such as relative foreign exchange rates) or government policies (such as a reduction in import duties or consumption taxes), this could lead to a decrease in the number or size of TFS transactions, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue is subject to taxation in multiple jurisdictions, which is complex and often requires making subjective determinations subject to scrutiny by, and disagreements with, tax regulators.

Global Blue is subject to many different forms of taxation in each of Global Blue’s countries of operation including, but not limited to, income tax, withholding tax, property tax, VAT, transfer pricing rules, commodity tax and social security and other payroll-related taxes. Tax law and administration is complex, subject to change and varying interpretations and often requires Global Blue to make subjective determinations. In addition, Global Blue takes positions in the course of its business with respect to various tax matters, including in connection with its operations. Tax authorities around the world are increasingly rigorous in their scrutiny of corporate tax

 

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structures and TFS transactions and may not agree with the determinations that are made, or the positions taken, by Global Blue or its commercial partners with respect to the application of tax law, including in relation to issuing tax free forms and the VAT refunding process. Such disagreements could result in lengthy legal disputes, an increased overall tax rate applicable to Global Blue and, ultimately, in the payment of substantial amounts of tax, interest and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue is currently subject to a tax audit in France for the financial years ended March 31, 2014 through 2016 relating to certain information missing on tax free forms, which is mandatory according to VAT refund regulations in France, as well as Global Blue’s VAT refund business, operating transfer pricing policy, IT systems, and interest rates on cash pool balances. In this regard, an accrued liability was booked in the amount of €10.0 million as of March 31, 2018. This accrued liability was reduced to €6.4 million as of March 31, 2019 due to a payment of €1.8 million to the French tax authorities and due to a change in management’s estimate of Global Blue’s exposure. As of September 30, 2019, this accrued liability was unchanged. Additionally, Global Blue is currently subject to a tax audit in Italy for the calendar years 2013 and 2014, as well as for the financial years ended March 31, 2014 through 2015. This tax audit relates to Global Blue’s transfer pricing in respect of its tax model and certain intercompany charges, as well as withholding tax in respect of such intercompany charges. An income tax payable was booked in the amount of €14.1 million as of September 30, 2019. See “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, Investigations and Tax Audits” for more information regarding these tax audits. Additional tax expenses could accrue in relation to previous or subsequent tax assessment periods, which are still subject to a pending tax audit or have not been subject to a tax audit yet, or other countries could open tax audits against Global Blue. Tax authorities in other countries could revise original tax assessments and substantially increase the tax burden (including interest and penalty payments) of the relevant entities. The realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Adverse competition law rulings could restrict Global Blue’s ability to expand or to operate its business as it wishes and could expose Global Blue to fines or other penalties.

Global Blue is a leading global provider of TFS services. Under EU competition laws and the competition laws in other jurisdictions (to the extent such laws exist), Global Blue runs the risk of being investigated for anti-competitive practices and/or deemed a dominant undertaking in certain markets and, therefore, theoretically capable of abusing a dominant position. Accordingly, there is a possibility of future litigation and/or investigations by competition authorities into Global Blue’s behavior in any market, including where it could be considered to hold a dominant position. Private litigants may also seek damages for certain breaches of competition law through civil courts, as provided by EU competition laws and the laws of other jurisdictions. Were any finding or rulings to be made against Global Blue, Global Blue could be required to pay damages and fines, which could be substantial, and/or Global Blue could be required to alter any behavior determined to be abusive or anti-competitive, both of which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operation.

The integrity, reliability and efficiency of Global Blue’s internal controls and procedures may not be guaranteed.

Global Blue’s business relies on internal controls and procedures that govern regulatory compliance, customer and management information, finance, credit exposure, foreign exchange risk and other aspects of its business. With the increasing focus by regulators, the press and Global Blue’s commercial partners on compliance issues, Global Blue’s internal controls and procedures are becoming more important. In particular, compliance with TFS regulation requires that Global Blue’s management and employees are aware of applicable rules and regulations, and that they properly understand and implement them with respect to the issuing, export validating and refunding of TFS transactions. If Global Blue does not inform, train and manage its employees properly, Global Blue may fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, which could lead to adverse regulatory action.

 

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Moreover, the process by or speed with which Global Blue’s internal controls and procedures are implemented or adapted to changing regulatory or commercial requirements may be inadequate to ensure full and immediate compliance, leaving Global Blue vulnerable to inconsistencies and failures that may have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition. Training employees and investing in compliance systems to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations also impose additional costs for the operation of Global Blue’s business. Any of the foregoing could result in a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s TFS business is dependent on its airport concessions and agreements with agents.

As of March 31, 2019, approximately 42% of Global Blue’s TFS refund points were located in airports, and Global Blue has entered into concession agreements with airport authorities for space in on-airport locations. Such agreements typically have terms of three years and do not contain exclusivity provisions. Unlike off-airport locations, where rental space is more freely available, Global Blue’s on-airport refund points cannot move to a nearby location should an airport impose less favorable terms on Global Blue during the renewal process or during the duration of a concession agreement. Any decision by airport authorities to increase rental costs or otherwise modify the economic terms of Global Blue’s concession agreements could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

In certain cases, Global Blue is required to use an agent to offer TFS services. Global Blue’s agents may attempt to modify the economic terms of Global Blue’s arrangements with them, which would have the effect of lowering Global Blue’s margins. Additional airport authorities may also require Global Blue to use agents, thereby lowering Global Blue’s profitability.

Global Blue operates in emerging markets and is exposed to risks associated with operating in such markets.

Global Blue operates in several emerging markets, such as Argentina, China, Morocco, Russia, Turkey and Uruguay, and plans to expand in additional emerging markets in the future. Certain markets in which Global Blue operates or plans to operate have lower levels of economic, political and legal stability compared to Europe. Risks associated with operating in such markets include unexpected changes in regulatory environments, uncertainty in enforcing contracts and intellectual property rights, challenges in obtaining legal redress, difficulties in collecting accounts receivables, foreign exchange controls, as well as bribery and corruption risks, which can all lead to reputational damage and impair Global Blue’s ability to win and retain contracts. In addition, as Global Blue’s relationships with governments in emerging markets are still developing, they can be more sensitive than Global Blue’s relationships with governments in developed countries. For example, the Chinese government has been sensitive to how businesses refer to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan in light of the One-China policy and some companies have come into criticism and negative publicity due to not referring to them correctly, which has harmed their relationship with the Chinese government and other stakeholders. Should one or more of these risks materialize, there could be a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue may be adversely affected by risks associated with strategic arrangements or investments in joint ventures with third parties.

Global Blue has made and continues to make certain strategic arrangements with third parties. For example, in certain countries, such as Japan, Lebanon, Russia and Turkey, Global Blue is required, or Global Blue has determined that it is preferable, to partner with a local counterparty in order to grow its local operations. Local counterparties provide financial, business and public relations expertise and assist Global Blue in developing its merchant and government relationships. These arrangements are and may be developed pursuant to joint venture agreements over which Global Blue only has partial or joint control. The joint venture counterparties may have different business or investment strategies from Global Blue, and Global Blue may have disagreements or disputes with such parties. Global Blue’s partners may be unable, or unwilling, to fulfil their obligations under

 

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the relevant joint venture agreements and shareholder agreements, may seek to use their rights to block decisions on certain matters, such as distribution of cash, or may experience financial or other difficulties that may adversely impact Global Blue’s investment in a particular joint venture, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s business is subject to loss through physical disaster, data security breach, computer malfunction or sabotage.

Global Blue’s business is vulnerable to loss resulting from physical disaster, data security breaches, computer malfunction or sabotage. Most of Global Blue’s business channels rely on computerized networks and systems to process refunds, collect and store personal data relating to international shoppers and perform reconciliations, and rely to a significant degree on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of Global Blue’s various computer and communication systems, including its IT platforms. Any inadequate system design, transition to new systems or any failure of current or future systems could impair Global Blue’s ability to receive, process and reconcile transactions, manage its compliance and risk functions, and conduct other day-to-day operations of its business. In addition, the computer and communications systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including attacks by computer malware, electronic break-ins or cyber-attacks, theft or corruption of confidential data or other unanticipated problems.

Moreover, due to the increasing digitalization of Global Blue’s business model and Global Blue’s growing focus on collecting and monetizing international shopper data, Global Blue is also increasingly exposed to risks associated with the unauthorized use, disclosure, destruction and alteration of personal data. Any significant cyber-attack, unauthorized disclosure of data or any other disruption of Global Blue’s computer or communication systems could significantly affect its ability to manage its information technology systems or lead to recovery costs, damage to its reputation, litigation brought by international shoppers or business partners or a diminished ability to operate the business. In addition, due to the high level of data traffic that Global Blue processes, any disruption in Global Blue’s computerized systems or technological process could in turn have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s AVPS business relies on relationships with Acquirers and on the involvement of card schemes.

Global Blue’s AVPS business relies on relationships with Acquirers, which are financial institutions that process credit or debit card payments on behalf of a merchant, and growth in Global Blue’s AVPS business is derived primarily from establishing new relationships with Acquirers. Global Blue may experience attrition and a consequent decline in the volume of currency conversion transactions it processes as a result of several factors, including transfers of their accounts to Global Blue’s competitors, unsuccessful contract renewal negotiation and account closures. The loss of existing relationships, or a sufficient number of key Acquirers could negatively impact Global Blue’s business. Acquirers involved in Global Blue’s AVPS business may also take advantage of increasing levels of competition to raise their percentage of revenue sharing, thereby reducing Global Blue’s profitability.

Global Blue’s AVPS business also depends on the involvement of card schemes, such as Visa or MasterCard, which act as intermediaries between Acquirers. If there is an increase in the prevalence of foreign exchange cards, which aim to provide currency conversion services at better foreign exchange rates or with lower fees than traditional cards, the number of travelers using Global Blue’s AVPS business could decrease. In addition, the relationship with providers of card schemes is similarly important and any deterioration or termination of such relationships could negatively impact Global Blue’s AVPS business. For example, if card schemes, such as Visa or MasterCard, decided to cease allowing Global Blue’s DCC services, the results of Global Blue’s AVPS business would be adversely affected. An increase in fees charged by card schemes in connection with currency conversion transactions may reduce Global Blue’s margins or compromise Global Blue’s AVPS business model.

In addition, each card scheme may alter rules or policies in a manner that may be detrimental to participants, including Acquirers and issuers that must comply with scheme rules as well as terminal suppliers, e-commerce

 

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merchants and PSPs that must comply with terminal, transaction and card data storage security rules. Moreover, as card schemes become more dependent on proprietary technology and seek to provide value-added services to issuers and merchants, there is heightened risk that rules and standards may be governed by the self-interest of the schemes, or of those with influence over the schemes. Changes in the business models or strategies of card scheme operators, including any resulting changes to their respective card scheme rules, could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s ability to compete and on Global Blue’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Global Blue’s AVPS business may be subject to reputational risks in the event of adverse publicity relating to certain products that Global Blue offers, such as DCC. Further, there is a risk that international shoppers no longer utilize Global Blue’s DCC offerings, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Global Blue is subject to counterparty risk and credit risk.

Global Blue is subject to potential credit risk from merchants and customs and tax authorities. For each TFS transaction, Global Blue is required to remit funds to international shoppers in advance of receipt of funds from merchants or customs and tax authorities. Although Global Blue has in place reserves that it can draw upon to cover any delays in payment, Global Blue’s reserves would be insufficient to fund all of Global Blue’s debts and liabilities. If merchants or customs and authorities were to fail or refuse to pay Global Blue on a widespread and systemic basis over an extended period of time, due to insolvency, bankruptcy, cash management or store closures (including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic) or, in the case of customs and authorities, political motives, Global Blue could default on its debts and liabilities, resulting in financial, reputational or customer loss. While the revenue share with merchants is only paid after Global Blue receives the full VAT payment and the net exposure is consequently lower, any occurrence of payment default or delay could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue is subject to losses from fraud, theft and employee error.

Global Blue’s business is vulnerable to loss resulting from fraud, theft and employee error. In particular, Global Blue is vulnerable to loss from fraud if counterfeit tax forms are presented to Global Blue for refund. Third parties may also collect Global Blue’s tax free forms on behalf of international shoppers and obtain VAT refunds unlawfully.

Additionally, since Global Blue maintains, transports and processes large amounts of currency around the world, Global Blue is vulnerable to losses from theft or fraudulent acts perpetrated by employees or unauthorized individuals who obtain access to Global Blue’s premises or systems. Material occurrences of fraud and theft could damage Global Blue’s reputation or lead to a loss of cash or temporary disruptions to Global Blue’s business. Moreover, the failure to control or reduce fraud or theft in a cost-effective manner could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue may not be able to attract, integrate, manage and retain qualified personnel or key employees.

Global Blue’s success is dependent on the skills, experience and efforts of Global Blue’s senior management and key personnel. In particular, Global Blue depends on certain sales and marketing staff who have established strong relationships with merchants. The loss of services of key members of Global Blue’s sales and marketing team, particularly to a competitor, could lead to a loss of merchant accounts and, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The success of Global Blue’s business also depends on Global Blue’s ability to adapt to rapidly changing technological, social, economic and regulatory developments. This necessitates a range of specialist personnel, particularly in the areas of software development, technical support, finance and control, administration and operations, and requires Global Blue to retain, recruit and develop the necessary personnel who can provide the

 

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needed expertise across the entire spectrum of Global Blue’s business and operations. The market for qualified personnel is competitive and Global Blue may not succeed in recruiting additional personnel in line with the growth of Global Blue’s business, or Global Blue may fail to effectively replace current personnel who depart with qualified or effective successors. Global Blue’s efforts to retain and develop personnel may also result in significant additional expenses, which could adversely affect Global Blue’s profitability.

Global Blue is subject to complex and stringent data protection and privacy laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Global Blue operates.

Global Blue processes significant amounts of personal and financial information on a daily basis, including names, addresses, credit card details and passport numbers. For this reason, Global Blue is subject to data protection legislation that seeks to protect the processing of personal data and imposes restrictions on the collection, use and other forms of processing of personal data. Data protection and privacy laws and regulations are complex and any significant change in the regulatory environment relating to the protection of personal data may also impact Global Blue’s use of international shopper data in Global Blue’s TFS-related and intelligence offerings. Changes to data protection laws and other significant regulatory changes affecting Global Blue’s business activities may also cause Global Blue to revise its strategy or adopt new technologies and procedures.

A breach of data protection laws and regulations could result in substantial fines and/or other sanctions, including criminal sanctions, being levied against Global Blue. If Global Blue were to experience a data breach and be fined, then this could potentially represent a significant cost for Global Blue. Additionally, any breach of data protection could result in proceedings against Global Blue, including class action privacy litigation in certain jurisdictions. Finally, should Global Blue be found to be in breach of applicable data protection and privacy laws and regulation, it could face material damage to its brand and the potential loss of customer trust and confidence, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position.

Global Blue’s business is subject to anti-money laundering, sanctions and anti-bribery regulations and related compliance costs and third-party risks.

Global Blue’s business is subject to anti-money laundering and anti-bribery laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Global Blue operates. In addition, Global Blue is subject to laws and regulations that prohibit Global Blue from transmitting money to specified countries or to or on behalf of prohibited individuals, in particular, the laws and regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the Department of the Treasury in the United States, the United States’ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the United Kingdom and regulations enacted by the EU’s Common Foreign & Security Policy and the United Nations Security Council.

Equivalent or similar legislation exists in other countries where Global Blue conducts business. Fines and penalties, which may include the shutting down of operations or central banks limiting Global Blue’s ability to source currency, could be imposed in the various countries in which Global Blue operates, and more stringent sanctions, anti-bribery or AML legislation, including “know your customer” requirements, could impose considerable obligations on Global Blue, create increased reporting obligations and trigger the need for increased resources devoted to AML or other compliance functions. Global Blue’s internal policies mandate compliance with AML, sanctions and anti-bribery laws, but Global Blue’s compliance policies and training efforts may not always prevent bad acts or errors committed by Global Blue’s employees or joint venture partners and their employees. For example, if one of Global Blue’s joint venture partners or employees were to bribe a government official in connection with any government award of a TFS license or agreement, Global Blue would be in violation of anti-bribery regulations. Additionally, there is a risk that Global Blue could violate AML regulations by allowing fraudulent VAT refunds to be claimed by not sufficiently checking that the tax free form was properly issued or validated or not sufficiently checking that the merchant was a genuinely established enterprise. Any failure, or suspected failure, by Global Blue to comply with its obligations relating to AML, sanctions or anti-bribery, could not only have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition, but could also have a material adverse effect on its reputation and goodwill.

 

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Global Blue is subject to risks relating to intellectual property.

Global Blue’s success depends to a significant degree upon its ability to protect and preserve the proprietary aspects of its services and processes. In certain jurisdictions, such as in APAC, where Global Blue has deployed some of its most advanced digital TFS solutions, Global Blue relies on patent laws in order to protect its intellectual property.

Global Blue may not be successful in the implementation of its patent registration strategies. Global Blue may be unable to secure patents in a timely manner or at all, which could limit its ability to protect the relevant intellectual property rights from competitors. Global Blue’s competitors may also secure patents covering Global Blue’s services and processes, thereby exposing Global Blue to infringement liability or preventing Global Blue from fully executing its business model in the relevant jurisdiction. As a result, Global Blue may find that it is unable to continue to offer the best products to international shoppers, or that it is unable to offer products and services upon which its business depends.

Moreover, third parties may in the future assert claims that Global Blue’s systems or products infringe their proprietary rights. Such infringement claims may cause Global Blue to incur significant costs in defending those claims. As a result of any of these claims, Global Blue may be required to discontinue using any infringing technology and providing any related services, to expend resources to develop non-infringing technology or to purchase licenses or pay royalties for other technology. Should any of these risks materialize, they could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Litigation or investigations involving Global Blue could result in material settlements, fines or penalties.

From time to time, Global Blue is the subject of litigation or investigations related to its business, which may result in fines, penalties, judgments, settlements and litigation expenses. Regulatory and judicial proceedings and potentially adverse developments in connection with ongoing litigation may adversely affect the licenses Global Blue holds as well as Global Blue’s business, financial condition and results of operation. There may also be adverse publicity associated with lawsuits and investigations that could decrease international shoppers’ acceptance of Global Blue’s services. Plaintiffs or regulatory agencies in these lawsuits, actions or investigations may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate amounts, and the magnitude of these actions may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. The cost to defend or settle future lawsuits or investigations may be significant and such costs, or the outcome of such lawsuits or investigations, could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to Financial Matters and New Global Blue’s Capital and Corporate Structure

Failure to comply with the covenants or other obligations contained in Global Blue’s New Facilities Agreement could result in an event of default. Any failure to repay or refinance the outstanding debt under Global Blue’s New Facilities Agreement when due could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue.

Global Blue has incurred substantial indebtedness. As of September 30, 2019, Adjusted Net Debt amounted to €600 million. As described below, Global Blue’s indebtedness under the Existing Facilities will be refinanced in connection with the Merger and related transactions. If there were an event of default under the New Facilities Agreement that is not cured or waived in accordance with the terms of the New Facilities Agreement, the lenders under the New Facilities Agreement could terminate their commitments to lend and cause all amounts outstanding with respect to the loans granted under the New Facilities Agreement to become due and payable immediately and/or exercise their rights and remedies under the security documents. Global Blue’s assets and cash flow may not be sufficient to fully repay Global Blue’s outstanding debt under the New Facilities Agreement when due, whether upon an acceleration of the loans granted under the New Facilities Agreement or on the maturity date of any of the loans granted. Certain assets including the shares and material bank accounts of certain of Global Blue’s material subsidiaries serve as security to secure the obligations under the New Facilities Agreement and, upon an acceleration of the New Facilities Agreement, the secured parties may enforce such

 

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security and exercise rights and remedies under such security documents including to sell, appropriate or otherwise dispose of such assets in order to generate proceeds to repay any outstanding indebtedness under the New Facilities Agreement. Upon an acceleration of the New Facilities Agreement or upon the final maturity date of any of the New Facilities Agreement, there can be no assurance that Global Blue will be able to refinance the New Facilities Agreement or that Global Blue’s assets, including those that serve as security for outstanding indebtedness, would be sufficient to repay that indebtedness in full and allow Global Blue to continue to make the other payments that Global Blue is obliged to make, which would impair Global Blue’s ability to run Global Blue’s business, could result in insolvency proceedings or reorganization and could result in investors losing all or a significant portion of their investment. In addition, a default under the New Facilities Agreement could result in a default under Global Blue’s other financing arrangements and could cause or permit lenders under those other financing arrangements to accelerate such financing arrangements, causing the amounts owed under those arrangements to become immediately due and payable, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. For more information regarding the New Facilities Agreement, see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Banking Facilities and Loans—New Facilities.”

Subject to customary closing conditions, Global Blue expects to use the proceeds of the New Facilities to repay the Existing Facilities. However, before the Existing Facilities are repaid in full with the proceeds of the New Facilities or otherwise, similar risks relating to events of default, acceleration and enforcement, as described above, apply to the Existing Facilities Agreement. Failure to comply with the covenants in or a default under the Existing Facilities Agreement could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. For more information regarding the Existing Facilities Agreement, see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Banking Facilities and Loans—Existing Facilities.”

Global Blue relies on its operating subsidiaries to provide it with funds necessary to meet Global Blue’s financial obligations and New Global Blue’s ability to pay dividends may be constrained.

Global Blue operates through a holding structure. Global Blue is a holding company with no material, direct business operations. Global Blue’s only assets are its direct and indirect equity interests in its operating subsidiaries. As a result, Global Blue is dependent on loans, dividends and other payments from these subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations, including the payment of dividends. The ability of Global Blue’s subsidiaries to make such distributions and other payments depends on their earnings and may be subject to contractual or statutory limitations, such as limitations imposed by Global Blue’s financing facilities to which Global Blue’s subsidiaries are guarantors or the legal requirement of having distributable profit or distributable reserves. See “Stock Market and Dividend Information— Dividend Policy. As an equity investor in Global Blue’s subsidiaries, Global Blue’s right to receive assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization will be effectively subordinated to the claims of such subsidiary’s creditors. To the extent that Global Blue is recognized as a creditor of a subsidiary, its claims may still be subordinated to any security interest in or other lien on such subsidiary’s assets and to any of its debt or other obligations that are senior to Global Blue’s claims.

The actual payment of future dividends on the New Global Blue Shares and the amounts thereof depend on a number of factors, including, inter alia, the amount of distributable profits and reserves, including capital contribution reserves (which can be reduced by losses in a current year or carried forward from previous years), New Global Blue’s capital expenditure and investment plans, revenue, profits, financial condition, New Global Blue’s level of profitability, Leverage Ratio (as defined in this proxy statement/prospectus), applicable restrictions on the payment of dividends under applicable laws, compliance with credit covenants, general economic and market conditions, future prospects and such other factors as the New Global Blue board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. There can be no assurance that the abovementioned factors will facilitate or allow adherence to New Global Blue’s dividend policy. New Global Blue’s ability to pay dividends may be impaired if any of the risks described in this section “Risk Factors” were to occur. As a result, New

 

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Global Blue’s ability to pay dividends in the future may be limited and New Global Blue’s dividend policy may change. New Global Blue’s board of directors will revisit New Global Blue’s dividend policy from time to time.

Global Blue’s indebtedness imposes restrictions on Global Blue’s business and a significant increase in Global Blue’s indebtedness could result in changes to the terms on which credit is extended to it.

The New Facilities Agreement contains covenants and undertakings. These undertakings restrict or limit, inter alia, Global Blue’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, Global Blue’s ability to create security, Global Blue’s ability to dispose of assets and Global Blue’s ability to merge or consolidate with other entities (in each case subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications). If Global Blue breaches any of the covenants with respect to the New Facilities Agreement and Global Blue is unable to cure the breach within any applicable grace period specified in the New Facilities Agreement (to the extent the breach is capable of being cured) or to obtain a waiver from the relevant lenders, Global Blue would be in default under the terms of the relevant New Facilities Agreement. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Indebtedness.”

Since a portion of Global Blue’s cash flow from operations is dedicated to the payment of interest on Global Blue’s indebtedness, these payments reduce the amount of cash Global Blue has available for other purposes, including Global Blue’s working capital needs, capital expenditure, the exploitation of business opportunities and organic growth, future acquisitions and other general corporate needs, as well as dividends. Furthermore, a significant increase in Global Blue’s indebtedness could result in changes to the terms on which banks and other parties are willing to extend credit to it. Any of these events, if they occur, could increase Global Blue’s costs of financing or cause Global Blue to make early repayment on some or all of Global Blue’s indebtedness, either of which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue’s inability to generate sufficient cash flow could affect its ability to execute its strategic plans.

Organic growth opportunities are an important element of Global Blue’s strategy. See “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Strategy”. Global Blue may not generate sufficient cash flow to finance such growth plans. Consequently, the execution of Global Blue’s growth strategy may require access to external sources of capital, which may not be available to Global Blue on acceptable terms, or at all. Limitations on Global Blue’s access to capital, including on Global Blue’s ability to issue additional debt or equity, could result from events or causes beyond Global Blue’s control, and could include, inter alia, decreases in Global Blue’s creditworthiness or profitability, significant increases in interest rates, increases in the risk premium generally required by investors, decreases in the availability of credit or the tightening of terms required by lenders. Any limitations on Global Blue’s ability to secure external capital, continue Global Blue’s existing finance arrangements or refinance existing financing obligations could limit Global Blue’s liquidity, Global Blue’s financial flexibility or Global Blue’s cash flow and affect Global Blue’s ability to execute Global Blue’s strategic plans, which could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Global Blue is exposed to interest rate risks.

Part of Global Blue’s existing and future debt and borrowings carry, or may carry, floating interest rates, including floating interest rates linked to EURIBOR or similar “benchmark” interest rates. As of September 30, 2019, all of Global Blue’s interest-bearing loans carried floating interest rates. As of September 30, 2019, none of these loans were covered by interest rate swaps as the floating rate was below the minimum interest rate floor of 0%, which will also apply to borrowings under the New Facilities. Adverse fluctuations and increases in interest rates, to the extent that they are not hedged, could have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s cash flow and financing costs and, consequently, on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, LIBOR and other “benchmark” interest rates are currently the subject of recent and

 

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ongoing national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform, which may cause such “benchmarks” to perform differently than in the past, or to disappear entirely, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. Any such consequence could result in an increase of the interest payable on any of Global Blue’s debt linked to such a “benchmark.”

Global Blue is exposed to currency translation and transaction risk.

Global Blue is exposed to currency translation risk because its Group consolidated reporting currency is the Euro and hence fluctuations in foreign exchange rates impact the consolidation into Euro of foreign currency-denominated assets, liabilities and earnings. In addition, New Global Blue is exposed to foreign currency movements as a result of its share price being denominated in U.S. dollars versus New Global Blue’s reporting currency in Euro.

Global Blue’s main transaction risks arise from funding activities and transactions between Group entities with different functional currencies. Exposures are in the form of cash pools as well as intra-group trade payables and receivables. Global Blue’s largest exposures for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 were to the British pound, Singapore dollar and Swedish krona. Volatility in these currencies may therefore impact Global Blue’s results of operations if not properly managed. Adverse currency movements could result in a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk—Foreign exchange risk.”

Global Blue’s consolidated financial statements include significant intangible assets which could be impaired.

Global Blue carries significant intangible assets on its balance sheet. As of September 30, 2019, the intangible assets on Global Blue’s balance sheet totaled €663.0 million, including €411.2 million in goodwill and €29.9 million in trademarks and customer relationships relating to the 2012 GB Acquisition. Pursuant to current accounting rules, Global Blue is required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. Impairment indicators include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, a significant decline in share price or market capitalization and negative industry or economic trends. If such events were to occur, the carrying amount of Global Blue’s goodwill may no longer be recoverable and Global Blue may be required to record an impairment charge. Other intangible assets, such as trademarks and customer relationships, are amortized on a yearly basis. However, if impairment indicators are present, Global Blue is required to test such intangible assets for impairment.

Risks Relating to the Business Combination

The Founder, officers and directors, and Third Point have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination, regardless of how FPAC’s Public Stockholders vote.

In connection with the Business Combination, the Founder, officers and directors of FPAC, and Third Point have each agreed to vote their shares of FPAC Common Stock in favor of the Business Combination, and this agreement is not affected by FPAC’s board’s recommendation AGAINST the Business Combination. Currently, the Founder, the officers and directors of FPAC, and Third Point collectively own approximately 25% of the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. Accordingly, it is more likely that the necessary stockholder approval will be received than would be the case if the Founder, the officers and directors of FPAC, and Third Point agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by FPAC’s Public Stockholders.

 

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FPAC may not be able to complete the Business Combination or any other business combination within the prescribed time frame, in which case FPAC would cease all operations, except for the purpose of winding up and FPAC would redeem FPAC’s Public Shares and liquidate.

FPAC must complete an Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020. FPAC may not be able to consummate the Business Combination or any other business combination by such date. If FPAC has not completed any Initial Business Combination by such date, it will: (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable) divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish the Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of FPAC’s remaining stockholders and board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to FPAC’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

FPAC stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against FPAC to the extent of distributions received by them upon redemption of their shares in a liquidation.

If the Business Combination is not completed, then under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The pro rata portion of FPAC’s Trust Account distributed to FPAC’s Public Stockholders upon the redemption of FPAC’s Public Shares in the event FPAC does not complete an Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020 may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If a corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.

Because FPAC may not be complying with Section 280, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires FPAC to adopt a plan, based on facts known to FPAC at such time that will provide for FPAC’s payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against FPAC within the 10 years following FPAC’s dissolution. However, because FPAC is a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and FPAC’s operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from FPAC’s vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers and auditors) or prospective target businesses. If FPAC’s plan of distribution complies with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would likely be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution. FPAC cannot assure you that it will properly assess all claims that may be potentially brought against it. As such, FPAC’s Public Stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of FPAC’s Public Stockholders may extend beyond the third anniversary of such date. Furthermore, if the pro rata portion of our Trust Account distributed to FPAC’s Public Stockholders upon the redemption of its Public Shares in the event FPAC does not complete an Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020 is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution.

 

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FPAC did not obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm, and consequently, you have no assurance from an independent source that the price FPAC is paying in connection with the Business Combination is fair to FPAC from a financial point of view.

FPAC is not required to obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking or accounting firm that the price FPAC is paying in connection with the Business Combination is fair to FPAC from a financial point of view. FPAC’s board of directors did not obtain a third-party valuation or fairness opinion in connection with its initial determination to approve the Business Combination or in connection with its current recommendation AGAINST the Business Combination. Accordingly, investors will be relying solely on the judgment of FPAC’s board of directors in valuing Global Blue’s business, and assuming the risk that the board of directors may not have properly valued the Business Combination.

FPAC’s current directors and executive officers beneficially own shares of FPAC Common Stock and Warrants that will be worthless if the Business Combination is not approved.

FPAC’s officers and directors and/or their affiliates beneficially own or have a pecuniary interest in shares that they purchased prior to, or simultaneously with, FPAC’s IPO. FPAC’s executive officers and directors and their affiliates have no redemption rights with respect to these securities in the event a business combination is not effected in the required time period. Therefore, if the Business Combination with Global Blue or another business combination is not approved within the required time period, such securities held by such persons will be worthless. Such securities had an aggregate market value of approximately $         million based upon the closing prices of the FPAC Class A Common Stock and Units on the NYSE on                      , 2020. Furthermore, FPAC’s officers and directors and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on FPAC’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. If FPAC fails to consummate the Business Combination, they will not have any claim against the Trust Account for repayment or reimbursement. Accordingly, FPAC may not be able to repay or reimburse these amounts if the Business Combination is not completed. See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Interests of FPAC’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination.”

The grant and future exercise of registration rights may adversely affect the market price of New Global Blue Shares upon consummation of the Business Combination.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into in connection with the Business Combination and which is described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, Silver Lake, Third Point and the Founder can each demand that New Global Blue register their registrable securities under certain circumstances and will each also have piggyback registration rights for these securities in connection with certain registrations of securities that New Global Blue undertakes. In addition, following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Global Blue is required to file and maintain an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering such securities and certain other securities of New Global Blue.

The registration of these securities will permit the public sale of such securities. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination.

FPAC has had a limited opportunity to assess the management of Global Blue’s business and, as a result, cannot assure you that Global Blue’s management has all the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company.

FPAC’s ability to assess Global Blue’s management may be limited due to a lack of time, resources or information. FPAC’s assessment of the capabilities of Global Blue’s management, therefore, may prove to be incorrect and Global Blue management may lack the skills, qualifications or abilities that FPAC believed the Global Blue management to have. Should Global Blue’s management not possess the skills, qualifications or abilities necessary to manage a public company, the operations and profitability of New Global Blue or Global

 

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Blue post-Business Combination may be negatively impacted. Accordingly, any stockholders who choose to remain stockholders of New Global Blue following the Business Combination could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares.

If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved, and an insufficient number of votes have been obtained to authorize the consummation of the Business Combination, FPAC’s board of directors will not have the ability to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date in order to solicit further votes, and, therefore, the Business Combination will not be approved.

The Adjournment Proposal seeks approval to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates if, at the Special Meeting, based upon the tabulated votes, there are insufficient votes to approve the consummation of the Business Combination. If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved, FPAC’s board will not have the ability to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date and, therefore, will not have more time to solicit votes to approve the consummation of the Business Combination. In such event, the Business Combination would not be completed.

The exercise of FPAC’s directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the terms of the Business Combination may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes to the terms of the Business Combination or waivers of conditions are appropriate and in FPAC’s stockholders’ best interest.

In the period leading up to the closing of the Business Combination, events may occur that, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, would require FPAC to agree to amend the Merger Agreement, to consent to certain actions taken by Global Blue or to waive rights that FPAC is entitled to under the Merger Agreement. Such events have arisen and could continue to arise because of changes in the course of Global Blue’s business, a request by Global Blue to undertake actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the terms of the Merger Agreement or the occurrence of other events that would have a material adverse effect on Global Blue’s business and would entitle FPAC to terminate the Merger Agreement. In any of such circumstances, FPAC may grant its consent or waive those rights in accordance with the Merger Agreement. FPAC has given its consent, upon request by Global Blue, to certain actions otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Merger Agreement, largely related to measures it has implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The existence of the financial and personal interests of the directors described in the preceding risk factors may result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors between what they may believe is best for FPAC and what they may believe is best for themselves in determining whether or not to take the requested action. While certain changes could be made without further stockholder approval, FPAC will circulate a new or amended proxy statement/prospectus and resolicit FPAC’s stockholders if changes to the terms of the transaction that would have a material impact on its stockholders are required prior to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal.

Activities taken by Global Blue to increase the likelihood of approval of the Business Combination Proposal and other proposals could have a depressive effect on FPAC’s stock.

At any time prior to the Special Meeting, during a period when they are not then aware of any material non-public information regarding FPAC or its securities, Global Blue or Global Blue’s shareholders and/or their respective affiliates may purchase Public Shares from institutional and other investors or execute agreements to purchase such shares from such investors in the future, or they may enter into transactions with such investors and others to provide them with incentives to acquire shares of FPAC Common Stock or vote their shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. The purpose of such share purchases and other transactions would be to increase the likelihood of satisfaction of the requirements that the holders of a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting to approve the Business Combination Proposal vote in its favor, where it appears that such requirements would otherwise not be met. While the exact nature of any such incentives has not been determined as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, they might include, without limitation, arrangements to protect such investors or holders against a potential loss in value of their shares, including the granting of put options. Entering into any such arrangements may have a depressive effect on the

 

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price of FPAC Common Stock. For example, as a result of these arrangements, an investor or holder may have the ability to effectively purchase FPAC Common Stock at a price lower than market and may therefore be more likely to sell the shares he owns, either prior to or immediately after the Special Meeting.

On May 17, 2020, Globetrotter began acquiring Public Shares from institutional investors with the intention of supporting the Transactions, including by voting the shares of the FPAC Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal at the Special Meeting. As a result of such acquisitions, Globetrotter beneficially owns 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock equaling 12% of the outstanding FPAC Common Stock. See “Beneficial Ownership of Securities”.

Risks Related to the U.S. Federal Income Tax treatment of the Business Combination and New Global Blue

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may not agree that New Global Blue should be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a corporation generally will be considered to be a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes only if it is created or organized in the United States or under the law of the United States or of any State. Accordingly, under generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rules, New Global Blue, which is not created or organized in the United States or under the law of the United States or of any State but is instead a Swiss incorporated entity, would generally be classified as a non-U.S. corporation. Section 7874 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, however, contain specific rules that may cause a non-U.S. corporation to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If it were determined that New Global Blue is treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, New Global Blue would be liable for U.S. federal income tax on its income just like any other U.S. corporation and certain distributions made by New Global Blue to non-U.S. holders of New Global Blue securities would be subject to U.S. withholding tax.

As more fully described in “The Business Combination Proposal—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Tax Treatment of New Global Blue—Treatment of New Global Blue as a Non-U.S. Corporation for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes”, New Global Blue believes it should not be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code. However, whether the requirements for such treatment have been satisfied must be finally determined after the completion of the Transaction, by which time there could be adverse changes to the relevant facts and circumstances. Furthermore, the interpretation of Treasury regulations relating to the required ownership of New Global Blue is subject to uncertainty and there is limited guidance regarding their application. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position to those described above or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS in the event of litigation.

The IRS may not agree with the position that Section 367(a) of the Code should not cause New Global Blue not to be treated as a corporation for purposes of non-recognition under Section 351(a) of the Code of gain with respect to the exchange by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger taken together with the related transactions.

The parties expect that the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants) and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, taken together with the related transactions, should qualify as a transfer of property to a corporation in exchange for stock qualifying for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section 351(a) of the Code. In addition, the parties expect that Section 367(a) of the Code should not cause New Global Blue to not be treated as a corporation for purposes of non-recognition of gain under Section 351(a) of the Code. If the IRS successfully determines that the transfer is not a transaction

 

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described in Section 351(a) of the Code, or that the transfer is a transaction described in Section 351(a) of the Code, but that Section 367(a) of the Code applies to the transfer, then a U.S. holder would generally recognize gain, if any, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the New Global Blue Shares (and, if such U.S. holder is also surrendering Public Warrants, New Global Blue Warrants) received over (ii) such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrant, if any). Any such gain would be capital gain and generally would be long-term capital gain if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrant, if any) exceeded one year at the time of the Merger.

U.S. holders of FPAC Common Stock should consult their tax advisors regarding the qualification of the Merger, taken together with the related transactions, as a transfer described in Section 351 of the Code. In addition, U.S. holders are cautioned that the potential application of Section 367(a) of the Code to the Merger and related transactions is complex and depends on factors that cannot be determined until the closing of the Merger. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a position contrary to those described above or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS in the event of litigation. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult with their tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 367(a) of the Code in their particular situation. For additional discussion of material federal U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Merger, please see “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Tax Consideration—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

If a United States person is treated as owning at least 10% of New Global Blue Shares, such person may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.

If a United States person is treated as owning (directly, indirectly or constructively) at least 10% of the value or voting power of New Global Blue Shares, such person may be treated as a “United States shareholder” with respect to each of New Global Blue and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (“New Global Blue Group”) that is a “controlled foreign corporation.” If the New Global Blue Group includes one or more U.S. subsidiaries, under recently-enacted rules, certain of New Global Blue’s non-U.S. subsidiaries could be treated as controlled foreign corporations regardless of whether New Global Blue is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (although there is currently a pending legislative proposal to significantly limit the application of these rules). Immediately following the business combination, the New Global Blue Group will include a U.S. subsidiary.

A United States shareholder of a controlled foreign corporation may be required to report annually and include in its U.S. taxable income its pro rata share of the controlled foreign corporation’s “Subpart F income” and (in computing its “global intangible low-taxed income”) “tested income” and a pro rata share of the amount of U.S. property (including certain stock in U.S. corporations and certain tangible assets located in the United States) held by the controlled foreign corporation regardless of whether such controlled foreign corporation makes any distributions. Failure to comply with these reporting obligations (or related tax payment obligations) may subject such United States shareholder to significant monetary penalties and may prevent the statute of limitations with respect to such United States shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax return for the year for which reporting (or payment of tax) was due from starting. An individual that is a United States shareholder with respect to a controlled foreign corporation generally would not be allowed certain tax deductions or foreign tax credits that would be allowed to a United States shareholder that is a U.S. corporation. New Global Blue cannot provide any assurances that it will assist holders in determining whether any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries are treated as a controlled foreign corporation or whether any holder is treated as a United States shareholder with respect to any of such controlled foreign corporations or furnish to any holder information that may be necessary to comply with reporting and tax paying obligations.

If New Global Blue were a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes for any taxable year, U.S. holders of New Global Blue Shares could be subject to adverse United States federal income tax consequences.

If New Global Blue is or becomes a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC, within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code for any taxable year during which a U.S. holder (as defined in “The Business

 

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Combination Proposal—Material Tax Considerations—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Holders”) holds New Global Blue Shares, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences may apply to such U.S. holder. Global Blue does not believe that it was a PFIC for its prior taxable year and does not expect New Global Blue to be a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the current taxable year or in the foreseeable future. However, PFIC status depends on the composition of a company’s income and assets and the fair market value of its assets from time to time, as well as on the application of complex statutory and regulatory rules that are subject to potentially varying or changing interpretations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that New Global Blue will not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year.

If New Global Blue were treated as a PFIC, a U.S. holder of New Global Blue Shares may be subject to adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences, such as taxation at the highest marginal ordinary income tax rates on capital gains and on certain actual or deemed distributions, interest charges on certain taxes treated as deferred, and additional reporting requirements. See “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Tax Considerations—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Holders—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”

Risks Related to New Global Blue’s Business and Operations Following the Business Combination

Fluctuations in operating results, quarter to quarter earnings and other factors, including incidents involving Global Blue’s customers and negative media coverage, may result in significant decreases or fluctuations in the price of New Global Blue securities post-Business Combination.

The stock markets experience volatility that is often unrelated to operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination and, as a result, there may be significant volatility in the market price of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination. Separately, if New Global Blue is unable to operate as profitably as investors expect, the market price of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination will likely decline when it becomes apparent that the market expectations may not be realized. In addition to operating results, many economic and seasonal factors outside of New Global Blue’s control could have an adverse effect on the price of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination and increase fluctuations in its earnings. These factors include certain of the risks discussed herein, operating results of other companies in the same industry, changes in financial estimates or recommendations of securities analysts post-Business Combination, speculation in the press or investment community, negative media coverage or risk of proceedings or government investigation, change in government regulation, foreign currency fluctuations and uncertainty in tax policies, the possible effects of war, terrorist and other hostilities, other factors affecting travel and traveller shopping (including pandemics), adverse weather conditions, changes in general conditions in the economy or the financial markets or other developments affecting the luxury goods retail industry.

A market for New Global Blue’s securities may not develop, which would adversely affect the liquidity and price of New Global Blue’s securities.

An active trading market for New Global Blue Shares may never develop or, if developed, it may not be sustained. You may be unable to sell your New Global Blue Shares unless a market can be established and sustained. This risk will be exacerbated by a high level of redemptions of FPAC Public Shares in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination, and FPAC expects a significant number of redemptions.

New Global Blue may issue additional New Global Blue Shares or other securities without shareholder approval, which would dilute existing ownership interests and may depress the market price of New Global Blue Shares.

New Global Blue may issue additional New Global Blue Shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, repayment of outstanding indebtedness or New Global Blue’s equity incentive plan, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances.

 

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New Global Blue’s issuance of additional New Global Blue Shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:

 

   

New Global Blue’s existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in New Global Blue may decrease;

 

   

the amount of cash available per share, including for payment of dividends in the future, may decrease;

 

   

the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding New Global Blue Shares may be diminished; and

 

   

the market price of New Global Blue Shares may decline.

Following the Closing, the Seller Parties will be in a position to exert significant influence, and Third Point will also be in a position to exert influence, over New Global Blue. The interests pursued by the Seller Parties and Third Point could differ from the interests of New Global Blue’s other shareholders.

Following the Closing assuming no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement, under the No Redemption Scenario, the Seller Parties will beneficially own approximately 47.2% of the New Global Blue Shares, and under the Maximum Redemption Scenario they will beneficially own approximately 57.7%. Due to their large shareholdings, these shareholders will be in a position to exert significant influence in the general meeting of New Global Blue shareholders and, consequently, on matters decided by the general meeting, including the appointment of members of New Global Blue’s board, the payment of dividends and any proposed capital increase. Similarly and assuming no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Third Point will beneficially own approximately 13.1% of the New Global Blue Shares under the No Redemption Scenario and 29.1% under the Maximum Redemption Scenario and will also be able to exert influence on matters decided at the general meeting of New Global Blue shareholders. See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” for a description of certain arrangements regarding the relationship between New Global Blue, Globetrotter and the Founder.

Reports published by analysts, including projections in those reports that differ from New Global Blue’s actual results, could adversely affect the price and trading volume of New Global Blue Shares.

New Global Blue currently expects that securities research analysts will establish and publish their own periodic projections for New Global Blue’s business. These projections may vary widely and may not accurately predict the results New Global Blue actually achieves. New Global Blue’s share price may decline if actual results do not match the projections of these securities research analysts. Similarly, if one or more of the analysts who write reports downgrades New Global Blue’s stock or publishes inaccurate or unfavorable research about its business, its share price could decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage or fails to publish reports regularly, New Global Blue’s share price or trading volume could decline. While New Global Blue expects research analyst coverage of New Global Blue, if no analysts commence coverage of New Global Blue, the trading price and volume for New Global Blue Shares could be adversely affected.

Future sales of the New Global Blue Shares issued to the Global Blue shareholders and other significant shareholders may cause the market price of New Global Blue Shares to drop significantly, even if New Global Blue’s business is doing well.

Under the Merger Agreement, the Global Blue shareholders will receive, among other things, a significant amount of New Global Blue Shares. Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement, the Global Blue shareholders will be restricted from selling any of the New Global Blue securities that they receive as a result of the share exchange during the six month period after the closing date of the Business Combination, subject to certain exceptions.

Subject to the Shareholders Agreement, the Global Blue shareholders and certain other shareholders party to the Shareholders Agreement may sell New Global Blue securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if

 

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available. In these cases, the resales must meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, including, because FPAC and New Global Blue are currently shell companies, waiting until one year after New Global Blue’s filing with the SEC of a Form 20-F transition report reflecting the Business Combination.

Upon expiration or waiver of the applicable lock-up periods, and upon effectiveness of the registration statement New Global Blue files pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or upon satisfaction of the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Global Blue shareholders and certain other significant shareholders may sell large amounts of New Global Blue securities in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, which could have the effect of increasing the volatility in New Global Blue’s stock price or putting significant downward pressure on the price of the New Global Blue Shares.

If New Global Blue fails to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, it may not be able to accurately report its financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, shareholders could lose confidence in New Global Blue’s financial and other public reporting, which would harm its business and the trading price of the New Global Blue Shares.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for New Global Blue to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause New Global Blue to fail to meet its reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by it conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or any subsequent testing by its independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in New Global Blue’s internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to its financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also subject New Global Blue to regulatory scrutiny and sanctions, impair its ability to raise revenue and cause investors to lose confidence in its reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of New Global Blue Shares.

New Global Blue will be required to disclose changes made in its internal controls and procedures and its management will be required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. However, for as long as New Global Blue is an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, its independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of New Global Blue’s internal controls could detect problems that its management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in New Global Blue’s internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require it to incur the expense of remediation.

New Global Blue will incur higher costs post-Business Combination as a result of being a public company.

New Global Blue will incur additional legal, accounting, insurance and other expenses, including costs associated with public company reporting requirements following completion of the Business Combination. New Global Blue will incur higher costs associated with complying with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), and related rules implemented by the SEC and the NYSE. The expenses incurred by public companies generally for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been increasing. New Global Blue expects these laws and regulations to increase its legal and financial compliance costs after the Business Combination and to render some activities more time-consuming and costly, although New Global Blue is currently unable to estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. New Global Blue may need to hire more employees post-Business Combination or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase its post-Business Combination costs and expenses. These laws and regulations could make it more difficult or costly for New Global Blue to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and New Global Blue may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it more difficult for New Global Blue to attract and retain

 

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qualified persons to serve on New Global Blue board of directors, board committees or as executive officers. Furthermore, if New Global Shares are listed on the NYSE and New Global Blue is unable to satisfy its obligations as a public company, it could be subject to delisting of the New Global Blue Shares, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.

For so long as Global Blue Currency Choice Italia S.r.l. (“GBCCI”) holds a license from the Bank of Italy, acquiring a direct or indirect substantial stake in New Global Blue’s share capital may require the prior consent of, or post-closing notification to, the Bank of Italy and may be subjected to restrictions and other requirements.

The acquisition, alone or together with others, of a direct or indirect substantial stake (or voting rights) in the share capital of New Global Blue, which indirectly controls GBCCI, which is an Italian payment institution supervised by the Bank of Italy, entailing the power to control or exercise a significant influence on the management of New Global Blue (and, in turn, on the management of GBCCI), may be subject to the prior consent of the Bank of Italy or to prescribed post-closing notification duties of the Bank of Italy. In order to determine whether the acquisition of a substantial stake (or voting rights) in the share capital of New Global Blue triggers the need to obtain the prior consent of the Bank of Italy, the relevant threshold in relation to listed entities is generally 10% of a company’s share capital (or voting rights), although a case-by-case assessment of the shareholders’ structure of New Global Blue at the time of an acquisition would be required as the need to obtain prior Bank of Italy consent may also stem from other factors (e.g., commercial or shareholders’ agreements in place entailing or excluding the ability to influence the management of New Global Blue and/or GBCCI). Non-compliance with the requirement to obtain such a prior consent, or to comply with the applicable post-closing notification duties, would violate articles 19 and 114-undecies of Legislative Decree 1 September 1993, No. 385, as amended, and may lead to administrative sanctions, including but not limited to administrative fines. In addition, failure to obtain such a consent or to comply with the prescribed post-closing notification duties may mean that the voting rights or any other rights attached to the stake (or voting rights) in the share capital of New Global Blue acquired by the acquiring entity of such stake may not be exercised, and may result in the annulment of resolutions that have been passed in general meetings of GBCCI where the required majority would not have been reached without the votes attached to the shareholding held by New Global Blue in GBCCI’s share capital. Furthermore, equity stakes purchased in the absence of the required prior consent of the Bank of Italy must be sold within the deadline established by the Bank of Italy. If prior consent is required, the Bank of Italy will grant the same after having verified that the applicant satisfies its requirements for reputation, professionalism and good standing, in order to ensure the sound and prudent management of GBCCI.

Shareholders will have limited ability to bring an action against New Global Blue or against its directors and officers, or to enforce a judgment against New Global Blue or them, because New Global Blue is incorporated in Switzerland, because New Global Blue conducts a majority of its operations outside of the United States and because a majority of New Global Blue’s directors and officers reside outside the United States.

New Global Blue is incorporated in Switzerland and following the Business Combination, will conduct a majority of its operations through its subsidiary, Global Blue, outside the United States. All of New Global Blue’s assets are located outside the United States. A majority of New Global Blue’s officers and directors reside outside the United States and a substantial portion of the assets of those persons are located outside of the United States. As a result, it could be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against New Global Blue or against these individuals outside of the United States in the event that you believe that your rights have been infringed under the applicable securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws outside of the United States could render you unable to enforce a judgment against New Global Blue’s assets or the assets of New Global Blue’s directors and officers.

In addition, the articles of association of New Global Blue will provide for arbitration in Zurich, Switzerland in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce for corporate litigation between New Global Blue and its directors and its shareholders. While arbitration clauses in articles of

 

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association are considered to be valid under Swiss law, it is not settled under Swiss law whether they are also valid in the context of listed companies, which uncertainty could create some delay for shareholders seeking to bring claims against New Global Blue or its directors or officers. Costs in arbitration proceedings can be significantly higher than in proceedings before ordinary Swiss courts. Shareholders initiating arbitration proceedings under the arbitration provision contained in the articles of association will be required to make advance payments to the arbitration court in order to cover the arbitration court’s expenses and these amounts can be materially higher than in a proceeding in an ordinary Swiss court. Similarly, a shareholder will or may be required to make advance payments to cover the counsel cost of the opposing party in the event it does not prevail or only partly prevails, and such reimbursement cost can be significantly higher than in proceedings in ordinary Swiss courts. Also, the ability to obtain evidence and enforce evidence production obligations in an arbitration proceeding can be significantly less effective than in an ordinary Swiss court proceeding. Further, the enforcement of an arbitration award outside of Switzerland may be more difficult and subject to more burdensome requirements than enforcement of a verdict of a Swiss court. In addition, while such arbitration requirements for corporate litigation would not preclude a shareholder from bringing a claim against New Global Blue or its directors or officers in U.S. courts under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, as noted above, shareholders may be unable to enforce a judgment predicated upon such civil liability provisions in Swiss courts.

As a result of all of the above, public shareholders might have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as public shareholders of a U.S. company.

Provisions in New Global Blue’s articles of association and Swiss law may limit the availability of attractive takeover proposals.

New Global Blue’s articles of association will contain provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that shareholders of New Global Blue may consider to be in their best interests. In particular, New Global Blue’s articles of association will contain a provision which requires approval by the majority of votes present at a special meeting of the Series A Preferred Shares where the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares would receive less than $10 per Series A Preferred Share in connection with a merger or public tender offer when shareholder approval is required as a condition to the offer. Other provisions in New Global Blue’s articles of association and Swiss law will include the requirement for the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the represented shares and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares at a general meeting of shareholders to amend provisions therein that affect certain shareholder rights or New Global Blue’s ability to enter into certain transactions. These provisions could limit the price investors might be willing to pay for New Global Blue’s securities.

Certain protections of Swiss law that apply to Swiss domestic listed companies will not apply to New Global Blue.

Due to New Global Blue’s cross-border structure, certain protections of Swiss law that apply to Swiss domestic listed companies will not apply to New Global Blue. In particular, the rules of the Swiss Financial Infrastructure Act on disclosure of shareholdings and tender offer rules, including mandatory tender offer requirements and regulations of voluntary tender offers, which typically apply in relation to Swiss companies listed in Switzerland, will not apply to New Global Blue as it will not be listed in Switzerland.

New Global Blue may not meet the NYSE’s initial listing criteria, and even if it does, the NYSE may not continue to list New Global Blue’s securities on its exchange, which could limit the ability of investors in Global Blue to make transactions in New Global Blue’s securities and subject New Global Blue to additional trading restrictions.

New Global Blue intends to apply to have its securities listed on the NYSE upon the consummation of the Business Combination, and it is a condition to the Closing that such listing be approved. New Global Blue will be

 

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required to meet the NYSE’s initial listing requirements to be listed. Among the conditions requested by the NYSE are requirements of an expected at least $4.00 per share trading price and a minimum “public float” (based on all outstanding New Global Blue Shares except shares held by directors, executive officers and shareholders owning 10% or more of the outstanding shares) of at least $100.0 million.

If New Global Blue Shares are listed on the NYSE upon completion of the Business Combination and New Global Blue fails to continue to meet the listing requirements of the NYSE, the New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants may be delisted, and New Global Blue could face significant material adverse consequences, including:

 

   

limited availability of market quotations for its securities;

 

   

limited amount of news and analyst coverage for New Global Blue; and

 

   

decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future.

This risk will be exacerbated by a high level of redemptions of FPAC Public Shares in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination.

As a “foreign private issuer” under the rules and regulations of the SEC, New Global Blue is permitted to, and may, file less or different information with the SEC than a company incorporated in the United States or otherwise not filing as a “foreign private issuer”, and will follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements applicable to U.S. issuers.

New Global Blue is, and will after the consummation of the Business Combination be, considered a “foreign private issuer” under the Exchange Act and is therefore exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act, including the proxy rules, which impose certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations for U.S. and other issuers. Moreover, New Global Blue is not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or within the same time frames as U.S. companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act. New Global Blue currently prepares its financial statements in accordance with IFRS. New Global Blue will not be required to file financial statements prepared in accordance with or reconciled to U.S. GAAP so long as its financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. New Global Blue is not required to comply with Regulation FD, which imposes restrictions on the selective disclosure of material information to shareholders. In addition, New Global Blue’s officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of New Global Blue’s securities. Accordingly, after the Business Combination, if you continue to hold New Global Blue’s securities, you may receive less or different information about New Global Blue than you currently receive about FPAC or that you would receive about a U.S. domestic public company.

In addition, as a “foreign private issuer” whose New Global Blue Shares are intended to be listed on the NYSE, New Global Blue is permitted to follow certain home country corporate governance practices in lieu of certain NYSE requirements. A foreign private issuer must disclose in its annual reports filed with the SEC each NYSE requirement with which it does not comply, followed by a description of its applicable home country practice. New Global Blue currently intends to follow the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE. However, New Global Blue cannot make any assurances that it will continue to follow such corporate governance requirements in the future, and may therefore in the future, rely on available NYSE exemptions that would allow New Global Blue to follow its home country practice. Unlike the requirements of the NYSE, there are currently no mandatory corporate governance requirements in Switzerland that would require New Global Blue to (i) have a majority of its board of directors be independent, (ii) establish a nominating/governance committee, or (iii) hold regular executive sessions where only independent directors may be present. Such Swiss home country practices may afford less protection to holders of New Global Blue Shares.

New Global Blue could lose its status as a “foreign private issuer” under current SEC rules and regulations if more than 50% of New Global Blue’s outstanding voting securities become directly or indirectly held of record

 

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by U.S. holders and any one of the following is true: (i) the majority of New Global Blue’s directors or executive officers are U.S. citizens or residents; (ii) more than 50% of New Global Blue’s assets are located in the United States; or (iii) New Global Blue’s business is administered principally in the United States. If New Global Blue loses its status as a foreign private issuer in the future, it will no longer be exempt from the rules described above and, among other things, will be required to file periodic reports and annual and quarterly financial statements as if it were a company incorporated in the United States. If this were to happen, New Global Blue would likely incur substantial costs in fulfilling these additional regulatory requirements and members of New Global Blue’s management would likely have to divert time and resources from other responsibilities to ensuring these additional regulatory requirements are fulfilled.

New Global Blue is an “emerging growth company” and as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, its ordinary shares may be less attractive to investors.

New Global Blue is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and it intends to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. New Global Blue cannot predict if investors will find New Global Blue Shares less attractive because it will rely on these exemptions, including delaying adoption of new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. If some investors find New Global Blue Shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market and its stock price may be more volatile. New Global Blue may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until it is no longer an “emerging growth company”. New Global Blue will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year (a) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the FPAC IPO, (b) in which it has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (c) in which it is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of New Global Blue Shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last day of the second fiscal quarter of such fiscal year, and (2) the date on which it has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during the prior three-year period.

New Global Blue may not be able to make dividend distributions or repurchase shares without subjecting shareholders to Swiss withholding tax.

New Global Blue may not be successful in its efforts to make distributions, if any, on a withholding tax-free basis. Distributions made by New Global Blue will generally be subject to a Swiss federal withholding tax at a rate of 35%, except if made out of confirmed capital contribution reserves. However, New Global Blue may be unable to obtain the confirmation by the Swiss tax authorities of the capital contribution reserves in the desired amount. Further, New Global Blue may be unable to make distributions out of confirmed capital contribution reserves for other reasons, such as in case capital contribution reserves were depleted in the context of the redemption of Series A Preference Shares or as a result of other distributions. The withholding tax must be withheld from the gross distribution and paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration. A U.S. holder that qualifies for benefits under the Convention between the United States of America and the Swiss Confederation for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income, which we refer to as the “U.S.-Swiss Treaty,” may apply for a refund of the tax withheld in excess of the 15% treaty rate (or in excess of the 5% reduced treaty rate for qualifying corporate shareholders holding at least 10% of the voting stock of New Global Blue, or for a full refund in the case of qualified pension funds). Payment of a capital distribution in the form of a par value reduction is not subject to Swiss withholding tax. If New Global Blue is unable pay a dividend out of qualifying additional paid-in capital, New Global Blue may not be able to make distributions without subjecting holders to Swiss withholding taxes.

Under present Swiss tax law, repurchases of shares for the purposes of capital reduction are treated as a partial liquidation subject to 35% Swiss withholding tax on the difference between the par value and the repurchase price. Accordingly, New Global Blue may not be able to repurchase shares for the purposes of capital reduction

 

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without subjecting holders to Swiss withholding taxes. See “The Business Combination Proposal—Material Swiss Tax Consequences.”

Shareholder rights will change as a result of the Business Combination.

Because of differences between Swiss law and Delaware law and differences between the governing documents of New Global Blue and FPAC, the rights of shareholders in New Global Blue will be different from the rights of those same shareholders in FPAC if the Business Combination is completed. For example, following the Business Combination, the shareholders of New Global Blue will have the right, subject to statutory limitations, to declare dividends without the approval of the board of directors of New Global Blue, whereas prior to the Business Combination only the board of directors of FPAC has the right, subject to statutory limitations, to declare and pay dividends. As another example, under Swiss law, members of the board of directors of New Global Blue may be removed with or without cause by the shareholders of New Global Blue at a general meeting of the shareholders. In contrast, FPAC’s shareholders may only remove a director for cause. For a description of these and other differences, see “Description of New Global Blue Securities—Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights.

As a result of increased shareholder approval powers, New Global Blue will have less flexibility than FPAC with respect to certain aspects of capital management.

Under Delaware Law, FPAC’s directors may issue, without shareholder approval, any common shares authorized in FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation that are not issued or reserved. Delaware law also provides the board of directors with substantial flexibility in establishing the terms of preferred shares and to repurchase its own shares. In addition, FPAC’s board of directors has the right, subject to statutory limitations, to declare and pay dividends on FPAC Common Stock without a shareholder vote. Swiss law affords shareholders more powers and allows New Global Blue’s shareholders to authorize share capital that can be issued by the board of directors without shareholder approval, but this authorization is limited to 50% of the existing registered share and participation capital and must be renewed by the shareholders every two years. Additionally, subject to specified exceptions described in New Global Blue’s articles of association, Swiss law grants preemptive rights to existing shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares and other securities. Under Swiss law, the shareholders must approve dividends, and New Global Blue may, in general, only acquire its own shares up to 10% of its share capital and to the extent there is freely available equity. Swiss law also does not provide as much flexibility in the various terms that can attach to different classes of shares.

Risks Relating to Redemptions of Public Shares

You will not have any rights or interests in funds from the Trust Account, except under certain limited circumstances. To liquidate your investment, therefore, you may be forced to redeem or sell your Public Shares or Warrants, potentially at a loss.

Public Stockholders will be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only upon the earlier to occur of: (i) FPAC’s completion of the Business Combination, and then only in connection with those shares of FPAC Common Stock that such stockholder properly elected to redeem, subject to the limitations described herein, and (ii) the redemption of FPAC’s Public Shares if FPAC is unable to complete a business combination by September 14, 2020, subject to applicable law and as further described herein. In addition, if FPAC plans to redeem its Public Shares because FPAC is unable to complete a business combination by September 14, 2020, for any reason, compliance with Delaware law may require that FPAC submit a plan of dissolution to FPAC’s then-existing stockholders for approval prior to the distribution of the proceeds held in FPAC’s Trust Account. In that case, Public Stockholders may be forced to wait beyond September 14, 2020, before they receive funds from the Trust Account. In no other circumstances will Public Stockholders have any right or interest of any kind in the Trust Account. Accordingly, to liquidate your investment, you may be forced to sell your Public Shares or Warrants, potentially at a loss.

 

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If FPAC Public Stockholders fail to properly demand redemption of their shares, they will not be entitled to redeem their shares of FPAC Common Stock for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account.

FPAC stockholders holding Public Shares may demand that FPAC redeem their Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the Business Combination. FPAC stockholders who seek to exercise this redemption right must submit a written request and deliver their Public Shares (either physically or electronically) to FPAC’s transfer agent prior to the vote at the Special Meeting. Any FPAC stockholder who fails to properly demand redemption of such stockholder’s Public Shares will not be entitled to convert his or her Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account. See the section entitled “Special Meeting of FPAC Stockholders—Redemption Rights” for the procedures to be followed if you wish to convert your shares to cash.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information in this proxy statement/prospectus constitutes forward-looking statements, including with respect to FPAC’s and Global Blue’s forecast for the financial years ending March 31, 2020 and 2021 and medium-term objectives described under “The Business Combination Proposal—Certain Projected Financial Information.” You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intends,” and “continue” or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:

 

   

discuss future expectations;

 

   

contain projections of future results of operations or financial condition; or

 

   

state other “forward-looking” information.

FPAC and Global Blue believe it is important to communicate expectations to FPAC’s security holders. However, there may be events in the future that FPAC and Global Blue are not able to predict accurately or over which they have no control. The risk factors and cautionary language discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations described by FPAC or Global Blue in such forward-looking statements, including among other things:

 

   

currency exchange rate risk;

 

   

dependence on international travel;

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel or similar health-related travel disruptions;

 

   

dependence on overall level of consumer spending;

 

   

decrease in VAT rates or changes in VAT or VAT refund policies;

 

   

adverse changes to our regulatory environment;

 

   

adaptation and enhancement of our existing technology offerings;

 

   

loss of merchant accounts to our competitors due to the competitive market;

 

   

increased disintermediation of TFS processes;

 

   

price harmonization between destination markets and home markets;

 

   

integrity of Global Blue’s internal controls and procedures;

 

   

incremental costs associated with having securities listed on the NYSE;

 

   

complex taxation;

 

   

adverse competition law rulings;

 

   

dependence on airport concessions and agreements with agents;

 

   

risks associated with operating in emerging markets;

 

   

risks associated with strategic arrangements or joint ventures;

 

   

loss through physical disaster, data security breach, computer malfunction or sabotage;

 

   

reliance on relationships with Acquirers and involvement of card schemes;

 

   

counterparty risk and credit risk;

 

   

losses from fraud, theft and employee error;

 

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inability to attract, integrate, manage and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

stringent data protection and privacy laws;

 

   

AML, sanctions and anti-bribery laws and regulation;

 

   

risks relating to intellectual property;

 

   

litigation, investigations or tax matters involving us;

 

   

the number and percentage of Public Stockholders voting against the Business Combination Proposal and/or seeking redemption;

 

   

the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

New Global Blue’s ability to initially list, and once listed, maintain the listing of its securities on the NYSE following the Business Combination; and

 

   

the result of future financing efforts.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus.

All forward-looking statements included herein attributable to any of FPAC, New Global Blue, Global Blue or any person acting on such party’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Except to the extent required by applicable laws and regulations, FPAC, New Global Blue and Global Blue undertake no obligations to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Before a stockholder grants its proxy, instructs how its vote should be cast or votes on the Business Combination Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal, it should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus may adversely affect FPAC, New Global Blue and/or Global Blue.

 

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SPECIAL MEETING OF FPAC STOCKHOLDERS

General

FPAC is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to FPAC’s stockholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by FPAC’s board of directors for use at the Special Meeting of FPAC stockholders to be held on                     , 2020, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy statement/prospectus provides FPAC’s stockholders with information they need to know to be able to vote or instruct their vote to be cast at the Special Meeting.

Date, Time and Place

The Special Meeting of stockholders will be held on                     , 2020 at                     , eastern time, at the offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, FPAC’s counsel, at 101 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10178. However, we are actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and are sensitive to the public health and travel concerns our stockholders may have and the protocols that federal, state, and local governments may impose. In the event it is not possible or advisable to hold the Special Meeting in person, we will announce alternative arrangements for the meeting as promptly as practicable, which may include holding the meeting solely by means of remote communication.

Purpose of FPAC Special Meeting

At the Special Meeting, FPAC is asking holders of FPAC Common Stock to:

 

   

consider and vote upon the Business Combination Proposal; or

 

   

consider and vote upon the Adjournment Proposal.

Recommendation of FPAC Board of Directors AGAINST the Business Combination

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisors, FPAC’s board of directors:

 

   

has unanimously determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders; and

 

   

unanimously recommends that FPAC stockholders vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal, it presented.

This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. See “The Business Combination Proposal – FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination.”

Record Date; Outstanding Shares; Stockholders Entitled to Vote

FPAC has fixed the close of business on                     , 2020, as the “record date” for determining FPAC stockholders entitled to notice of and to attend and vote at the Special Meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 79,062,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of FPAC Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share at the Special Meeting.

Quorum

The presence, in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable) or by proxy, of a majority of all the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock entitled to vote constitutes a quorum at the Special Meeting.

 

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Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

Proxies that are marked “abstain” will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters. Proxies relating to “street name” shares that are returned to FPAC but marked by brokers as “not voted” will be treated as shares not present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. If a stockholder does not give the broker voting instructions, under NYSE rules, its broker may not vote its shares on “non-routine” proposals, such as the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.

Vote Required

The approval of the Business Combination Proposal will require the affirmative vote by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. The approval of the Adjournment Proposal if presented will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of FPAC Common Stock present and entitled to vote at the meeting. Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, and will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

Voting Your Shares

Each share of FPAC Common Stock that you own in your name entitles you to one vote. Your proxy card shows the number of shares of FPAC Common Stock that you own. If your shares are held in “street name” or are in a margin or similar account, you should contact your broker to ensure that votes related to the shares you beneficially own are properly counted.

There are two ways to vote your shares of FPAC Common Stock at the Special Meeting:

You Can Vote By Signing and Returning the Enclosed Proxy Card. If you vote by proxy card, your “proxy,” whose name is listed on the proxy card, will vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to vote your shares your shares will be voted “FOR” the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal, if presented. Votes received after a matter has been voted upon at the Special Meeting will not be counted.

You Can Attend the Special Meeting and Vote in Person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable). You will receive a ballot when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you must get a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only way FPAC can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not already voted your shares.

Certain Voting Arrangements

As of                     , 2020, the record date for the Special Meeting, the Founder beneficially owned and was entitled to vote 15,692,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock, FPAC’S officers and directors beneficially owned and were entitled to vote 120,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock, David W. Bonanno beneficially owned and was entitled to vote 65,700 shares of FPAC Common Stock and Third Point beneficially owned and was entitled to vote an additional 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock. In the aggregate, the foregoing shares represent approximately 25% of the issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. Each of the foregoing have committed to FPAC to vote such shares in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. In addition, the Founder and Third Point have entered into the Voting and Support Agreement whereby they have agreed with the Seller Parties to similarly vote their shares in favor of, and take certain other actions in support of, the Business Combination (including causing such shares to be present at the Special Meeting for the purposes of establishing a quorum).

Revoking Your Proxy

If you are a stockholder and you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by doing any one of the following:

 

   

you may send another proxy card with a later date;

 

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you may notify FPAC’s secretary, in writing, before the Special Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or

 

   

you may attend the Special Meeting, revoke your proxy, and vote in person (or by remote means of communication, if applicable), as indicated above.

Who Can Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares

If you are a stockholder and have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in respect of your shares of FPAC Common Stock, you may call Morrow Sodali LLC, FPAC’s proxy solicitor, at (800) 662-5200.

Redemption Rights

Holders of Public Shares may seek to have their shares redeemed for cash, regardless of whether they vote or, if they do vote, irrespective of whether they vote for or against the Business Combination Proposal. Any stockholder holding Public Shares as of the record date may demand that FPAC redeem such shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account (which was $         per share as of                     , 2020, the record date), calculated as of two business days prior to the anticipated consummation of the Business Combination. If a holder properly seeks redemption as described in this section and the Business Combination is consummated, FPAC will redeem these shares for a pro rata portion of funds deposited in the Trust Account and the holder will no longer own these shares. A holder of Public Shares, together with any affiliate of such holder and any person with whom such holder is acting in concert or as a “group” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) may not seek to have more than 15% of the aggregate Public Shares redeemed without the consent of FPAC.

The Founder and FPAC’s officers and directors will not have redemption rights with respect to any shares of FPAC Common Stock owned by them, directly or indirectly.

FPAC stockholders who seek to have their Public Shares redeemed are required to (A) submit a redemption request in writing to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, in which (i) they request that FPAC redeems all or a portion of their Public Shares for cash and (ii) identify themselves as the beneficial holders of the Public Shares and provide their legal name, phone number and address, and (B) deliver their stock, either physically or electronically using DTC’s DWAC System, to FPAC’s transfer agent no later than 5:00 pm eastern time on             , 2020 (two (2) business days prior to the Special Meeting). If you hold the shares in street name, you will have to coordinate with your broker to have your shares certificated or delivered electronically. Certificates that have not been tendered (either physically or electronically) in accordance with these procedures will not be converted into cash. There is a nominal cost associated with this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $45 and it would be up to the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting stockholder. In the event the proposed Business Combination is not consummated this may result in an additional cost to stockholders for the return of their shares.

Any request to have Public Shares redeemed, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to the vote on the Business Combination Proposal, but only with the consent of FPAC. If a holder of Public Shares delivers Public Shares for redemption and later decides prior to the Special Meeting not to elect redemption, such holder may request that FPAC consent to the return of such shares to such holder. Such a request must be made by contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, FPAC’s transfer agent, at the phone number or address set out elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

If the Business Combination is not approved or completed for any reason, then Public Stockholders who elected to exercise their redemption rights will not be entitled to have their shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the Trust Account. FPAC will thereafter promptly return any shares delivered by Public Stockholders. In such case, Public Stockholders may only share in the assets of the Trust Account upon the liquidation of FPAC. This may result in Public Stockholders receiving less than they would have received if the Business Combination was completed and they had exercised redemption rights in connection therewith due to potential claims of creditors.

 

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The closing price of FPAC Class A Common Stock on the record date was $        . The cash held in the Trust Account on such date was approximately $         million (approximately $        per public share). Prior to exercising redemption rights, Public Stockholders should verify the market price of FPAC Class A Common Stock as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of their shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock in the public market than from exercising their redemption rights if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price. FPAC cannot assure its stockholders that they will be able to sell their shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock in the open market, even if the market price per share is higher than the redemption price stated above, as there may not be sufficient liquidity in its securities when its stockholders wish to sell their shares.

Appraisal Rights

None of the stockholders, unit holders or warrant holders of FPAC have appraisal rights in connection the Business Combination under the DGCL.

Proxy Solicitation Costs

FPAC is soliciting proxies on behalf of its board of directors. This solicitation is being made by mail but also may be made by telephone or in person. FPAC and its directors, officers and employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by other electronic means. FPAC will bear the cost of the solicitation.

FPAC has hired Morrow Sodali LLC to assist in the proxy solicitation process.

FPAC will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries to forward the proxy materials to their principals and to obtain their authority to execute proxies and voting instructions. FPAC will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses.

 

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THE BUSINESS COMBINATION PROPOSAL

General

Holders of FPAC Common Stock are being asked to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination. FPAC stockholders should read carefully this proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see the section entitled “—The Merger Agreement” below, for additional information and a summary of certain terms of the Merger Agreement. You are urged to read carefully the Merger Agreement in its entirety before voting on this proposal.

FPAC may consummate the Business Combination only if it is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock as of the record date for the Special Meeting.

The Merger Agreement

The subsections that follow this subsection describe the material provisions of the Merger Agreement, but do not purport to describe all of the terms of the Merger Agreement. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A hereto. Public Stockholders and other interested parties are urged to read the Merger Agreement carefully and in its entirety (and, if appropriate, with the advice of financial and legal counsel) because it is the primary legal document that governs the Business Combination.

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates, which may be updated prior to the closing of the Business Combination. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating the Merger Agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement are also modified in important part by the disclosure schedules referred to therein which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to stockholders. The disclosure schedules were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. We do not believe that the disclosure schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.

General Description of the Merger Agreement

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, the parties to the Merger Agreement have agreed that, in connection with the Closing, (i) the Seller Parties will undertake a series of transactions pursuant to which they will sell, exchange and contribute the Global Blue Shares for a mix of cash (“Cash Consideration”) and New Global Blue Shares (and if the holders of FPAC Class A Common Stock elect to have more than 5,000,000 shares of such stock redeemed, Series A Preferred Shares) (“Share Consideration”) and (ii) a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue will merge with and into FPAC, with FPAC being the surviving corporation in the merger and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue. The merger described in clause (ii) is referred to as the “Merger” and together with the transactions described in clause (i) is referred to as the “Business Combination.” Certain terms used in this section are defined below.

As part of the transactions described above, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of New Global Blue, organized as a Swiss GmbH (“New GmbH”) will acquire all of the outstanding Global Blue Shares, either directly from the Seller Parties, or as a contribution from New Global Blue of Global Blue Shares acquired by it, and Global Blue will become a wholly owned subsidiary of New GmbH.

 

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Pursuant to the Merger each share of FPAC Common Stock issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing (other than Excluded Shares) will be exchanged for one New Global Blue Share, and each FPAC Warrant will become a New Global Blue Warrant to acquire one New Global Blue Share on the same terms and conditions.

The total consideration (the “Total Consideration”) payable to the Seller Parties in connection with the Business Combination is based upon an enterprise value of Global Blue post-transaction of €2.3 billion, subject to the following adjustments: (a) decreased by the target Adjusted Net Debt of €600 million; (b) decreased by an amount attributable to Global Blue’s overdraft facilities as of the Adjustment Date; (c) decreased by an amount attributable to certain other assets and liabilities as of the Adjustment Date; (d) decreased by an amount attributable to transaction bonuses under certain circumstances (the “Transaction Bonuses Adjustment”); (e) decreased by the Headline Adjustment; (f) increased or decreased to the extent Global Blue’s working capital as of the Adjustment Date is greater than or less than, respectively, negative €33,296,000; (g) if the Closing Date occurs on or after May 1, 2020, increased by an amount equal to €83,333 per day for each day (including the Closing Date) from May 1, 2020 until the Closing; (h) increased by the amount of certain fees and expenses of Global Blue and Globetrotter (the “Paid Fees Adjustment”). The relative portions of the Total Consideration comprised by the Cash Consideration and the Share Consideration will vary depending on certain circumstances described below. In addition, the Cash Consideration and Share Consideration will be subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

The Cash Consideration to be paid to the Seller Parties will be an amount, in the aggregate, equal to: (a) the amount of FPAC Cash; (b) increased by an aggregate amount of $125,000,000 (such amount being expressed in Euros based on the Exchange Rate) pursuant to the Primary PIPE Investment; (c) increased by an aggregate amount of $225,000,000 (such amount being expressed in Euros based on the Exchange Rate) pursuant to the Secondary PIPE Investment; (d) increased by the Paid Fees Adjustment; (e) decreased by the Redemptions Adjustment; (f) decreased by €33 million; and (g) decreased by an amount attributable to the Transaction Bonuses Adjustment.

The Share Consideration to be issued to the Seller Parties will be in the form of New Global Blue Shares and will be determined by dividing (a) the Total Consideration minus the Cash Consideration by (b) the Value Per New Global Blue Share; provided that, in the event the number of Redeemed Shares exceed 5,000,000 shares, a portion of the Share Consideration equal to the value of the Redeemed Shares in excess of 5,000,000 shares, but not more than €200 million, will be in the form of Series A Preferred Shares.

The Merger Agreement provides that immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, the Founder shall contribute to New Global Blue, in addition to the Surrendered Shares, the Excluded Founder Shares and, in consideration for such contributed Excluded Founder Shares, New Global Blue shall issue to the Founder, and the Founder shall direct New Global Blue to deliver to a nominee to hold on behalf of the Founder, one Contingent Share for each contributed Excluded Founder Share; provided that, (i) if the number of Redeemed Shares exceeds 20,000,000 shares, then the Founder will forfeit the Excluded Founder Shares for no consideration, and (ii) if the number of Redeemed Shares exceeds 5,000,000 shares but is less than or equal 20,000,000 shares, the Founder will forfeit for no consideration a number of Excluded Founder Shares (rounded to the nearest whole number) equal to the product of (i) 2,500,000 multiplied by (ii) (A) the total number of Redeemed Shares minus 5,000,000 divided by (B) 15,000,000. The number of Excluded Founder Shares to be forfeited will correspondingly reduce the maximum number of potential Contingent Shares that may be earned on the First Value Achievement Date and the Second Value Achievement Date, each as defined below.

A nominee agreement to be entered into by and among the GB Shareholders’ Representative, New Global Blue and the Founder shall provide, among other things, that until the First Value Achievement Date and the Second Value Achievement Date with respect to the Contingent Shares released to the Founder on such dates as provided below, the Founder and the nominee shall (i) not vote or transfer any of and (ii) waive any right to dividends with

 

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respect to, in each case, the Contingent Shares. The Founder, with the prior written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative, shall instruct the nominee to release the Contingent Shares as follows:

 

   

if, at any time following the Closing, the VWAP of the New Global Blue Shares is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period (such time when the foregoing is first satisfied, the “First Value Achievement Date”), the nominee shall within fifteen (15) Business Days deliver to the Founder the number of New Global Blue Shares that would have been equivalent in value to 1,250,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock at the time of the Closing; and

 

   

if, at any time following the Closing, the VWAP of New Global Blue Shares is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period (such time when the foregoing is first satisfied, the “Second Value Achievement Date”), the nominee shall within fifteen (15) Business Days deliver to the Founder the number of New Global Blue Shares that would have been equivalent in value to 1,250,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock at the time of the Closing.

Prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154.0 million. See “The Business Combination Proposal — Background of the Business Combination”.

See “Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information” for an illustrative summary of New Global Blue’s pro forma capitalization after giving effect to the Business Combination based on current expectations and certain assumptions.

The following terms used in this description of the Business Combination, have the following meanings:

“Adjustment Date” means March 31, 2020.

“Backstop Subscriber Amount” means an amount equal to the product of (a) the aggregate number of shares of FPAC Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Backstop (if any) and (b) the Value Per New Global Blue Share.

“Exchange Rate” means, for any amounts under the Merger Agreement that need to be converted or expressed as converted from one currency into another currency, the average of the spot exchange rate as at 5:00 pm, New York time, on the five (5) business days ending five (5) business days before the Closing Date, as published by Bloomberg (through its EURUSD CURNCY function), or any other rate as agreed in writing between the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC.

“Excluded Shares” means, without duplications, (a) Shares of FPAC Common Stock (if any), that, at the effective time of the Merger, are held in the treasury of FPAC, (b) the Redeemed Shares, (c) the Surrendered Shares and (d) the Excluded Founder Shares.

“Excluded Founder Shares” means 2,500,000 shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock owned by the Founder, which will be exchanged for Contingent Shares as provided for in the Merger Agreement.

“FPAC Cash” means the amount expressed in Euros equal to the product of (a) the amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of the Closing Date, divided by (b) the Exchange Rate.

“FPAC Interest” means the amount expressed in Euros equal to the product of (a) the amount of interest accrued on the amount on deposit in the Trust Account since the initial public offering of FPAC, multiplied by (b) the Exchange Rate.

“Headline Adjustment” means an amount equal to the sum of (a) the product of (i) the number of shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock of FPAC issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, excluding the Surrendered Shares and the Excluded Founder Shares, multiplied by (ii) the Value Per New Global Blue Share, plus (b) base transaction expenses, minus (c) FPAC Interest.

 

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“Redeemed Shares” means Public Shares which are redeemed in connection with the Business Combination.

“Redemptions Adjustment” means an amount equal to the aggregate amount of (a) the aggregate amount of cash payable to redeem the Redeemed Shares, plus (b) an amount equal to (i) the Backstop Subscriber Amount if the Backstop Subscriber Amount is less than $100,000,000 (expressed in Euros as the Exchange Rate) or (ii) $100,000,000 (expressed in Euros as the Exchange Rate) if the Backstop Subscriber Amount is equal to or greater than $100,000,000 (expressed in Euros as the Exchange Rate), minus (c) the Backstop Subscriber Amount.

“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the PIPE Investment agreements to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing, including the Merger.

“Value Per New Global Blue Share” means $10.00 divided by the Exchange Rate.

Representations and Warranties

The Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of FPAC, Global Blue, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties, made solely for the benefit of (a) in the case of FPAC, Global Blue and the Seller Parties and (b) in the cases of Global Blue, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties, FPAC. The representations and warranties are, in certain cases, subject to specified exceptions and materiality, Material Adverse Effect (see “—Material Adverse Effect” below), knowledge and other qualifications contained in the Merger Agreement and may be further modified and limited by the disclosure schedules to the Merger Agreement or information contained in an electronic data room that the parties to the Merger Agreement shared access to (the “data room”) and, in the case of FPAC, by certain information set forth in the documents required to be filed by FPAC with the SEC since FPAC’s incorporation.

In the Merger Agreement, Global Blue made certain customary representations and warranties to FPAC, including among others, representations and warranties related to the following: corporate matters, including organization, existence and standing; subsidiaries; authority and binding effect relative to execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and other ancillary agreements; no conflict; governmental approvals; capitalization; financial statements; no undisclosed liabilities; litigation and proceedings; compliance with laws; intellectual property; material contracts; employees and labor; pensions; data privacy; taxes; brokers’ and similar fees; insurance; real property; title to and sufficiency of assets; environmental matters; permits and licenses; absence of certain changes; affiliate agreements; information supplied; and no “interested stockholder” status.

In the Merger Agreement, each of New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub made certain customary representations and warranties to FPAC, including, among others, representations and warranties related to the following: corporate matters, including organization, existence and standing; authority and binding effect relative to execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and other ancillary agreements; no conflict; governmental approvals; litigation and proceedings; capitalization; certain business activities; information supplied; brokers’ and similar fees; no “interested stockholder” status; and independent investigation.

In the Merger Agreement, each Seller Party made, on a several and not joint basis, certain customary representations and warranties to FPAC, including, among others, representations and warranties related to the following: corporate matters, including organization, existence and standing; authority (or, in the case of an individual, capacity) and binding effect relative to execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and other ancillary agreements; no conflict; litigation and proceedings; ownership of and title to Global Blue Shares; brokers’ and similar fees; no “interested stockholder” status; information supplied; and independent investigation.

In the Merger Agreement, FPAC made certain customary representations and warranties to Global Blue and the Seller Parties, including, among others, representations and warranties related to the following: corporate matters, including organization, existence and good standing; authority and binding effect relative to execution

 

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and delivery of the Merger Agreement and other ancillary agreements; board approval and required stockholder vote; no conflict; litigation and proceedings; compliance with laws; employee benefit plans; governmental approvals; financial ability and trust account; taxes; brokers’ and similar fees; SEC filings and financial statements; certain business activities and absence of certain changes; interest in competitors; no undisclosed liabilities; absence of changes; information supplied; independent investigation; capitalization; NYSE stock market quotation; material contracts; property and assets; investment company act; affiliate agreements; forward purchase agreement; and takeover statutes.

Material Adverse Effect

“Material Adverse Effect” as used in the Merger Agreement means any event, change, circumstance or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, changes, circumstances or effects, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (a) the assets, business, results of operations or financial condition of Global Blue and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”), taken as a whole; provided, however, that the following (or the effect of any of the following), alone or in combination, shall not be taken into account in determining whether a “Material Adverse Effect” shall have occurred: (i) any change in applicable laws or IFRS or any official interpretation thereof, (ii) any change in currency exchange rates, interest rates or economic, political, business, financial, commodity, currency or market conditions generally, (iii) the announcement or the execution of the Merger Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the Merger or the performance of the Merger Agreement, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, vendors, licensors, partners, providers and employees, (iv) any change generally affecting any of the industries or markets in which the Group operates or the economy as a whole, (v) the compliance with the terms of the Refinancing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or the Merger Agreement or the taking of any action required or contemplated by the Refinancing or the Merger Agreement, any action or failure to act, or other change or event, in each case with the prior written consent of FPAC or at the request of FPAC, (vi) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster, pandemic, weather condition, explosion fire, act of God or other force majeure event, (vii) any national or international political or social conditions in countries in which the Group operates or from or to which the Group’s customers travel, including the engagement in hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military or terrorist attack (including any cyberterrorism), (viii) any conditions affecting the travel or traveller shopping industries generally or in countries in which, or in the proximate geographic region of which, Global Blue or any of its subsidiaries operates or from or to which Global Blue’s or any of its subsidiaries’ customers travel, including labor strikes, civil unrest, hostilities, terrorist attacks, contagious disease outbreaks or other similar events, conditions in the airline industry, reduced access to discount airfares, travel restrictions or any change in currency exchange rates, or (ix) any failure of the Group, taken as a whole, to meet any projections, forecasts or budgets (provided, that the foregoing clause (ix) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change or effect underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts has resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect (to the extent such change or effect is not otherwise excluded from this definition of Material Adverse Effect)), except in the case of foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (vi), (vii) and (viii) to the extent that such event, change, circumstance or effect has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a disproportionate impact on the Group, taken as a whole, as compared to other participants in the industries in which the Group conducts business or (b) the ability of Global Blue to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the agreements entered into by the PIPE Investors in connection with the transactions to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing (including the Merger).

 

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Covenants

Covenants of Global Blue, Seller Parties, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and New Global Blue

Global Blue, the Seller Parties, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and New Global Blue made certain covenants under the Merger Agreement, including, among others, the following:

 

   

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedules, or as applicable, fairly disclosed in the data room, as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or as consented to by FPAC in writing (not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of (x) the Closing or (y) the termination of the Merger Agreement (the “Interim Period”):

 

   

Global Blue has agreed to, and to cause each other member of the Group to (i) conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact the current business organization, material permits and ongoing businesses of the Group, and maintain the existing relations and goodwill of the Group with its customers, suppliers, joint venture partners, distributors and creditors, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to retain the Group’s present officers and other key employees and consultants and (iii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the material insurance policies of the Group or substitutes therefor; and

 

   

New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and Global Blue have agreed not to, and the Seller Parties have agreed to cause New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub not to, and Global Blue has agreed to cause each other member of the Group not to:

 

   

amend the certificate of organization or bylaws (or other comparable governing documents) of any Group member, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub;

 

   

other than in connection with any intra-Group actions, (i) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to any capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub or joint venture partner; (ii) effect any recapitalization, split, combination, reclassification or like change with respect to any capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub; (iii) transfer, issue, sell or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity interests in any member of the Group, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub; or (iv) grant options, restricted stock units, performance stock awards, stock appreciation rights, phantom interests, other equity-based awards, Warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub;

 

   

(i) fail to maintain its existence or merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any person, or (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire (whether by merging or consolidating with or purchasing any equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof;

 

   

adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

   

purchase or otherwise acquire, or lease or license, any assets, properties or business with a value greater than €5,000,000 individually or in the aggregate;

 

   

transfer, sell, lease or license to a third party, abandon, permit to lapse or expire, dedicate to the public, or otherwise dispose of, or agree to transfer, sell, lease or license to a third party, abandon, permit to lapse or expire, dedicate to public, or otherwise dispose of, any portion of

 

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the property or assets of any member of the Group, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

   

make, or enter into any contract (or series of contracts) to make, any capital expenditures or incur, or enter into any contract (or series of contracts) to incur, any commitment or commitments involving any capital expenditures in excess of €5,000,000 in the aggregate, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

   

amend, modify or terminate any material contract except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as specifically contemplated by the Merger Agreement;

 

   

enter into any joint venture with any person;

 

   

(i) amend or modify the terms of Global Blue’s or Global Blue’s subsidiaries’ existing credit facilities, notes and other existing indebtedness or (ii) create, incur or assume any indebtedness of any member of the Group in excess of €5,000,000 (other than borrowings, extensions of credit and other financial accommodations required under Global Blue’s and its subsidiaries’ existing credit facilities, notes and other existing indebtedness);

 

   

make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person;

 

   

other than permitted liens or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, grant any lien on any material property or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of any member of the Group;

 

   

assume, guarantee, indemnify, secure or otherwise incur any indebtedness or financial or other obligations of another person that is not a member of the Group;

 

   

commence any legal action where the amount claimed exceeds €2,000,000;

 

   

release, assign, settle or compromise any legal action pending or threatened against any member of the Group or any of their respective directors or officers (or waive any right in relation thereto) other than any such release, assignment, settlement, compromise or waiver that (i) is for an amount that is not in excess of €2,000,000 and (ii) would not prohibit or restrict any member of the Group from operating its business substantially as currently conducted without the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by any member of the Group or any of its officers or directors;

 

   

other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (i) adopt, enter into, terminate or amend any defined benefit or defined contribution scheme of the Group (“Pension Scheme”), other than as required by applicable law or pursuant to the terms of any Pension Scheme in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement, (ii) recognize any union or employee representative for purposes of collective bargaining or negotiate or enter into any collective bargaining agreement, works council agreement, labor union contract, trade union agreement or other similar contract with any union, works council, trade union or other labor organization other than as required by applicable law, (iii) waive any restrictive covenant obligation of any director or member of the executive committee of the Group, (iv) pay or agree to pay to any current or former director, officer or employee, consultant, agent or individual service provider, whether past or present, any pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit not required by any existing Pension Scheme (or any arrangement that would be a Pension Scheme if in effect as of the date of the Merger Agreement), or (v) take any action to accelerate the vesting, funding or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Pension Scheme;

 

   

other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (i) grant any increase in the compensation, incentives or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of any member of the Group or

 

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any member of the executive committee of the Group as of the date of the Merger Agreement, other than increases in base compensation of employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) enter into any new, or materially amend any existing employment or severance or termination agreement with any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant or member of the executive committee of the Group, (iii) accelerate or commit to accelerate the funding, payment, or vesting of any compensation or benefits to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant or (iv) hire or otherwise enter into any employment or consulting agreement or arrangement with any person or terminate any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant provider whose base salary would exceed, on an annualized basis, €250,000;

 

   

fail to use reasonable best efforts to maintain with financially responsible insurance companies insurance at least in such amounts and against at least such risk and losses as provided by the Group’s material insurance policies;

 

   

enter into, renew, modify or amend any Company Affiliate Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement);

 

   

make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in IFRS or applicable law;

 

   

make, revoke or change any material tax election, adopt or change any material tax accounting method or period, enter into any tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to taxes), file any amendment to a material tax return, settle or compromise any examination in respect of a material amount of taxes, or consent to any waiver or extension of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of a material amount of taxes;

 

   

take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment (as defined in the Merger Agreement);

 

   

manage its working capital (including the timing of collection of accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable and the management of inventory) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or

 

   

authorize or commit or agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

 

   

Global Blue, the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub acknowledged that they have read FPAC’s final prospectus, dated June 11, 2018, and understand that FPAC has established the Trust Account for the benefit of FPAC’s Public Stockholders and that FPAC may disburse monies from the Trust Account only (a) to the redeeming Public Stockholders in the amounts required for the redemptions, (b) to FPAC after, or concurrently with, the consummation of any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination involving FPAC and one or more businesses and (c) in amounts not greater than the interest earned on funds in the Trust Account, to FPAC for certain tax obligations. Global Blue, the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, for each of themselves and their respective affiliates, have agreed to waive all rights, title, interest or claim of any kind to collect from the Trust Account any monies that may be owed to them by FPAC for any reason whatsoever, including for a breach of the Merger Agreement by FPAC or any negotiations, agreements or understandings with FPAC (whether in the past, present or future), and will not seek recourse against the trust account at any time for any reason whatsoever, in each case except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Such waiver will survive the termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason.

 

   

Global Blue will use reasonable best efforts to provide to FPAC, as soon as reasonably practicable, audited financial statements (audited to the standards of the U.S. Public Company Accounting

 

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Oversight Board), including consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of cash flows, and statements of stockholders equity of Global Blue and its subsidiaries as of and for the years ended March 31, 2017, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, in each case, prepared in accordance with IFRS (and not materially different than IFRS) (the “PCAOB Financial Statements”).

 

   

New Global Blue will apply for, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the New Global Blue Shares and Warrants to be issued in connection with the transactions to be approved for, listing on the NYSE as of the Closing Date.

 

   

Prior to the Closing Date, New Global Blue may, with the prior written consent of FPAC and Globetrotter, cause to be adopted a management incentive equity plan.

 

   

The Seller Parties and Global Blue will exercise their reasonable best efforts to effect the Management Rollup on or prior to the Closing.

Covenants of FPAC

FPAC made certain covenants under the Merger Agreement, including, among others, the following:

 

   

During the Interim Period:

 

   

FPAC has agreed to, and to cause its subsidiaries to, conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and

 

   

except as set forth in the disclosure schedules, as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or as consented to by the GB Shareholders’ Representative in writing (not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), FPAC has agreed not to, and to not permit any of its subsidiaries to:

 

   

change, modify or amend the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018, by and between FPAC and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as trustee (the “Trust Agreement”), FPAC’s bylaws or the Certificate of Incorporation (FPAC’s bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation, together, “FPAC’s Organizational Documents”);

 

   

(A) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its outstanding capital stock or other equity interests; (B) split, combine, reclassify or otherwise change any of its capital stock or other equity interests other than as required pursuant to the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement; or (C) other than the redemption of any shares of FPAC Common Stock required by the Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or as otherwise required by FPAC’s Organizational Documents in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, FPAC;

 

   

other than permitted liens, grant any liens on any material property or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of FPAC and its subsidiaries;

 

   

enter into any partnership or joint venture with a third party;

 

   

except as contemplated by the Merger Agreement or the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Merger Agreement), enter into any transactions with any of its affiliates;

 

   

adopt or effect a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of FPAC or its subsidiaries (other than the Transactions as defined and contemplated in the Merger Agreement);

 

   

acquire or dispose of any material assets, properties or business of any person except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

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except in the ordinary course of FPAC’s operations consistent with past practices or as or as specifically contemplated by the Merger Agreement, enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to FPAC or any of its subsidiaries (including Global Blue and its subsidiaries)), terminate (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms), or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, certain material contracts (regardless of whether such material contract is in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement);

 

   

(A) offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, or authorize or propose to offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, FPAC or any of its subsidiaries or any securities convertible into, or any rights, Warrants or options to acquire, any such capital stock or equity interests, other than (i) in connection with the exercise of any FPAC Warrants (as defined in the Merger Agreement) outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement or (ii) the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the transactions contemplated by the Forward Purchase Agreement, the share purchase and contribution agreements with the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement); or (B) amend, modify or waive any of the terms or rights set forth in, any FPAC Warrant or the Warrant Agreement, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein;

 

   

make any capital expenditures;

 

   

make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such persons, or enter into or agree to any guarantee, indemnity or other agreement to secure, or otherwise incur financial or other obligations with respect to, an obligation of any other person;

 

   

commence any action or compromise or settle any action or waive a right in relation to any action;

 

   

(A) adopt or amend any FPAC Benefit Plan (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or enter into any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement; (B) pay any special bonus or special remuneration (including severance or termination payments or benefits) to any director or employee, or increase the salaries or wage rates or fringe benefits (including rights to severance or indemnification) of its directors, officers, employees or consultants; or (C) hire any employee of FPAC or its subsidiaries or any other individual who is providing or will provide services to FPAC or its subsidiaries;

 

   

incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any funded indebtedness;

 

   

other than as set forth in the disclosure schedules, enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any FPAC Affiliate Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (or any contract, that if existing on the date of the Merger agreement, would constitute a FPAC Affiliate Agreement);

 

   

make any change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in U.S. GAAP, including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization, or applicable law;

 

   

voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to FPAC and its subsidiaries and their assets and properties;

 

   

make, revoke or change any material tax election, adopt or change any material tax accounting method or period, enter into any tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any

 

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commercial contract not primarily related to taxes), file any amendment to a material tax return, settle or compromise any examination in respect of taxes, or consent to any waiver or extension of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of taxes;

 

   

take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment; or

 

   

authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing actions.

 

   

Prior to or at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the Closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement) FPAC will make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Trust Agreement.

 

   

Prior to the Closing, FPAC will take all actions necessary to ensure that the Redemption Limitation (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is not exceeded.

 

   

From the date of the Merger Agreement through the Closing, FPAC will (i) use reasonable best efforts to ensure FPAC remains listed as a public company on, and for shares of FPAC Common Stock to be listed on, the NYSE and (ii) keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable securities laws.

 

   

Effective at the Closing, FPAC shall terminate the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 11, 2018 by and among FPAC, the Founder and the other parties thereto.

Joint Covenants

The Merger Agreement also contains certain other covenants and agreements made among the various parties, including, among others, that each of Global Blue, FPAC and the Founder will exercise reasonable best efforts to obtain any required consents or approvals pursuant to any applicable antitrust laws, including any filing or notice required under the Australian Foreign Acquisitions Takeover Act of 1975, as amended.

The Merger Agreement also contains additional other customary covenants and agreements among the various parties pertaining to, among other matters:

 

   

access to information, properties and personnel;

 

   

filing and similar fees payable to governmental authorities;

 

   

the preparation, filing and distribution of this Form F-4 and the proxy/statement prospectus included herein (and any amendments and supplements);

 

   

the Special Meeting and approval of the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal by FPAC’s stockholders, including (a) the ability of FPAC’s board to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify its recommendation (a “Change in Recommendation”) that FPAC’s stockholders approve the proposals if it determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and/or financial advisors, that a failure to make a Change in Recommendation would reasonably be expected to constitute a breach by the FPAC board of its fiduciary obligations to FPAC’s stockholders under applicable law and (b) FPAC’s ability to, subject to certain limitations, make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Special Meeting if, on a date for which the Special Meeting is scheduled, FPAC has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of FPAC common stock to obtain the requisite approval of its stockholders (provided that the Special Meeting (i) is not postponed or adjourned to a date that is more than 45 days after the date for which the Special Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments or postponements required by applicable law) and (ii) is held no later than three business days prior to the Termination Date, as defined below);

 

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exclusivity with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and matters relating to alternative transactions;

 

   

tax matters, including with respect to the Intended Tax Treatment and Intended Swiss Tax Treatment (each as defined in the Merger Agreement);

 

   

confidentiality and public announcements and other communications regarding the Merger Agreement and the transactions and other documents contemplated thereby and related matters;

 

   

termination or assumption of certain agreements;

 

   

representation and warranty insurance and related matters;

 

   

director and officer indemnification;

 

   

post-Closing board composition; and

 

   

financing arrangements and availability of funds.

Conditions to Closing

The obligations of the parties to consummate the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction of the following mutual conditions (in each case, unless waived in writing by all parties):

 

   

receipt, termination or expiration of, as the case may be, all waiting periods or approvals under applicable antitrust laws that are required to be received, terminated or expired prior to the Closing;

 

   

the absence of any law or order enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions;

 

   

the amendment and restatement of the articles of association of New Global Blue;

 

   

the effectiveness of the Form F-4 and the absence of any issued or pending stop order by the SEC;

 

   

receipt of approval for the New Global Blue Shares to be listed on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance;

 

   

approval of the Business Combination Proposal by FPAC stockholders;

 

   

receipt of the proceeds of loans under the financing arrangements in amount which, together with other funds available to Global Blue and other members of the Group for the purpose, is sufficient to repay all amounts due under the Group’s existing credit facility; and

 

   

the election to the board of directors of New Global Blue of each individual specified in the disclosure schedules (unless such individual is unwilling or unable to serve).

Unless waived by the GB Shareholders’ Representative in writing, the obligations of Global Blue, the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Transactions are also subject to the satisfaction of each the following conditions:

 

   

the representations and warranties of FPAC pertaining to corporate organization and due authorization being true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing Date or, to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, as of such earlier date;

 

   

the representations and warranties of FPAC pertaining to capitalization and absence of changes being true and correct in all respects, as of the Closing Date;

 

   

all other representations and warranties made by FPAC being true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date or, to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, as of such earlier date, except to the

 

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extent that the failure of any such representations and warranties to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a material adverse effect;

 

   

each of the covenants of FPAC to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing having been performed or complied with in all material respects;

 

   

delivery by FPAC to Global Blue of a certificate signed by an officer of FPAC, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that certain conditions have been fulfilled;

 

   

delivery by FPAC to Global Blue on or before the Closing Date of a duly executed statement dated as of the Closing Date that certifies, in accordance with Treasury regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3) and Section 1.897-2(h), that FPAC Common Stock is not a United States real property interest within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code; and

 

   

the PIPE Investment Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement) being available at the Closing.

Unless waived by FPAC in writing, the obligations of FPAC to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Transactions are also subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:

 

   

the representations and warranties of (a) Global Blue pertaining to corporate organization and due authorization, (b) New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub pertaining to organization and power and due authorization and (c) the Seller Parties pertaining to organization and power and due authorization being true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing Date or, to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, as of such earlier date;

 

   

the representations and warranties of (a) Global Blue pertaining to capitalization and absence of changes, (b) New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub pertaining to capitalization and (c) the Seller Parties pertaining to shares being true and correct in all respects, as of the Closing Date;

 

   

certain representations and warranties of Global Blue pertaining to capitalization being true and correct other than de minimis inaccuracies as of the Closing Date;

 

   

all other representations and warranties made by Global Blue, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties being true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date, or, to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, as of such earlier date, except to the extent that the failure of any such representations and warranties to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a material adverse effect;

 

   

each of the covenants of the Seller Parties, Global Blue, New Global Blue, US Holdco and US Merger Sub to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing having been performed or complied with in all material respects;

 

   

that subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement and prior to the Closing, no material adverse effect will have occurred; and

 

   

delivery by Global Blue to FPAC of a certificate signed by an officer of Global Blue, dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that certain conditions have been fulfilled.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby abandoned under certain customary and limited circumstances, notwithstanding approval of the Merger Agreement by the stockholders of FPAC or US Merger Sub, as follows:

 

   

by mutual written consent of FPAC and the GB Shareholders’ Representative;

 

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prior to the Closing, by written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative from FPAC if (a) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement on the part of Global Blue, the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub such that the conditions to FPAC’s obligations to consummate the Transactions would not be satisfied at the Closing and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days following delivery by FPAC of written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative of such breach (or such shorter period of time that remains between the date that FPAC provides such notice and the Termination Date) or (b) the Closing has not occurred on or prior to August 31, 2020 (or such later date as FPAC and the GB Shareholders’ Representative may agree in writing) (in either case, the “Termination Date”); provided, that FPAC shall not be entitled to so terminate if, at the time of such termination, FPAC is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in the Merger Agreement in a manner such that the conditions to Closing would not have been satisfied;

 

   

prior to the Closing, by written notice to FPAC from the GB Shareholders’ Representative if (a) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in the Merger Agreement on the part of FPAC such that the conditions to Global Blue’s, the Seller Parties’, New Global Blue’s, US Holdco’s and US Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the Transactions would not be satisfied at the Closing and such breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days following delivery by the GB Shareholders’ Representative of written notice to FPAC of such breach (or such shorter period of time that remains between the date that the GB Shareholders’ Representative provides such notice and the Termination Date) or (b) the Closing has not occurred on or prior to the Termination Date; provided, that the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall not be entitled to so terminate if, at the time of such termination, Global Blue, the Seller Parties, New Global Blue, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in the Merger Agreement in a manner such that the conditions to Closing would not have been satisfied;

 

   

by written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative from FPAC delivered no later than April 15, 2020, if the PCAOB Financial Statements have not been delivered to FPAC on or prior to March 31, 2020;

 

   

by written notice from either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative to the other if a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued an order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Transactions, and such order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided, that such right to terminate shall not be available to either party if any action of such party or failure of such party to fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Termination Date; or

 

   

by written notice from either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative to the other if FPAC Stockholder Approval (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is not obtained at the Special Meeting (subject to any adjournment or postponement thereof); provided that such right to terminate shall not be available if, at the time of such termination, FPAC is in breach of Section 9.02 of the Merger Agreement.

In the event of termination of the Merger Agreement, the Merger Agreement will become void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party thereto or its respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees or stockholders, other than liability of any party thereto for any Willful Breach (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger Agreement by such party prior to such termination; provided, that obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and certain obligations related to the trust account, director and officer indemnification and insurance and certain other provisions required under the Merger Agreement shall, in each case, survive any termination of the Merger Agreement. There are no

 

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termination fees in connection with the termination of the Merger Agreement. The termination right of FPAC with respect to delivery of the PCAOB Financial Statements is no longer available to FPAC.

Specific Performance

Each party is entitled under the Merger Agreement to an injunction, specific performance, or other equitable relief to prevent any other parties from committing a breach of the Merger Agreement or the related documents, or to seek to compel specific performance of the obligations of any other party, without proof of damages in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

No Recourse

All actions that are based upon, arising out of, or related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated therein may be made only against the entities expressly named as parties to the Merger Agreement, and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth therein with respect to such party. Further, unless a named party to the Merger Agreement, and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such named party under the Merger Agreement, no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative, affiliate of a named party to the Merger Agreement or affiliate of any of the foregoing will have any liability for any representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any other party for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby. Nothing in the Merger Agreement is intended to limit any party’s liability for such party’s Fraud (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants

None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in the Merger Agreement, or in any related document or instrument delivered pursuant to the Merger Agreement, will survive the Closing except for (i) any covenants and agreements contained therein that expressly by their terms apply either in part or in whole after the Closing and (ii) the miscellaneous provisions thereof, which include, among others, waiver, notice, assignment, third-party rights, expense allocation, governing law and jurisdiction, severability and enforcement provisions.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

The Merger Agreement is governed by Delaware law. Any action based upon, arising out of or related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby shall be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, solely if the Delaware court declines to exercise jurisdiction, any federal or state court located in New York County, New York. Each party has waived its rights to trial by jury in any action based upon, arising out of or related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.

Related Agreements

This section describes the material provisions of certain additional agreements entered into or to be entered into pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the “Related Agreements”) but does not purport to describe all of the terms thereof. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of each of the Related Agreements, and other interested parties are urged to read such Related Agreements in their entirety.

Voting and Support Agreement

In connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on January 16, 2020, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, FPAC, the Founder and Third Point entered into the Voting and Support Agreement. Pursuant to the Voting and Support Agreement, and on the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein, the

 

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Founder and Third Point have agreed to vote: (1) in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Business Combination and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; (2) against any actions that would result in a breach by FPAC of any representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement; (3) in favor of the proposals set forth in FPAC’s proxy statement/prospectus; (4) for any proposal to adjourn or postpone the applicable special meeting of stockholders to approve matters related to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby to a later date if there are not sufficient votes for approval of such matters; and (5) against (a) any alternative proposals or transactions to the Merger Agreement and approval of the business combination and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (b) any change in the capitalization of FPAC or any amendment to FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (except to the extent expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement), (c) any liquidation, dissolution or other change in FPAC’s corporate structure or business, (d) any action, proposal, transaction or agreement that would result in a material breach of any representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or agreements of, as applicable, Third Point or the Founder, contained in the Voting and Support Agreement or (e) any action or proposal involving FPAC or any of its subsidiaries that is intended, or would reasonably be expected, to prevent, impede, interfere with, delay, postpone or adversely affect the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The Voting and Support Agreement generally prohibits the Founder and Third Point from transferring, or permitting to exist any liens on, any shares of FPAC Common Stock held by such party prior to the termination of such agreement, if such lien would prevent either party from complying with its obligations thereunder. The Voting and Support Agreement will automatically terminate, as to the Founder and Third Point, upon the first to occur of (1) the mutual written consent of Globetrotter and such party thereto, (2) the Closing or (3) the date of termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms.

Founder Shares Surrender Agreement

On January 16, 2020, the Founder, FPAC, Globetrotter and New Global Blue entered into the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement. Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in, the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, the Founder agreed, conditioned and effective upon the Closing, to: (1) surrender and forfeit to New Global Blue, for no consideration and as a deemed contribution to the capital of New Global Blue, 2,500,000 shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock; and (2) irrevocably waive the right to be issued shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock into which such surrendered shares would have converted.

Relationship Agreement

At Closing, the Founder and Globetrotter will become subject to a Relationship Agreement in respect of their shareholdings in New Global Blue.

The Relationship Agreement grants, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein, each of the Founder and Globetrotter board appointment rights for New Global Blue. At Closing, the Founder shall have the right to appoint two persons for nomination to such board, and Globetrotter shall have the right to appoint for nomination to such board three persons on behalf of itself, and one person on behalf of Ant Financial. These board appointment rights taper off as each party’s shareholdings reduce, such that: (i) if Globetrotter’s and Cayman Holding’s combined shareholding falls below 20% of Voting Shares, it shall be entitled to nominate two board members on behalf of themselves; (ii) if either (a) Globetrotter’s and Cayman Holding’s combined holding falls below 10% of Voting Shares, or (b) the Founder’s and Third Point’s combined holding falls below 10% of Voting Shares (and also including for this calculation the New Global Blue Warrants they hold), Globetrotter or the Founder (as applicable) shall only be entitled to nominate one board member; and (iii) if either (a) Globetrotter’s and Cayman Holding’s combined holding falls below 5% of Voting Shares, or (b) the Founder’s and Third Point’s combined holding falls below 5% of the Voting Shares (and also including for this calculation the New Global Blue Warrants they hold), Globetrotter or the Founder (as applicable) shall no longer be entitled to nominate a board member. These reductions in board appointment rights shall not apply to the Founder for the

 

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period of two years after the Closing Date, provided Thomas W. Farley is an appointee of the Founder. These reductions in board appointment rights shall not apply to Globetrotter for the period of two years after the Closing Date, other than the reduction listed in (i), where Globetrotter’s shareholding falls below 20% of Voting Shares. In connection with the foregoing appointment rights, Globetrotter has separately agreed with Partners Group to appoint for nomination to the New Global Blue board a person designated by Partners Group as one of Globetrotter’s nominated board members, for so long as Partners Group maintains a certain level of direct or indirect ownership interest in New Global Blue.

For such time as the board appointment rights apply, if the relevant party has not appointed a board member, it shall be entitled to designate a representative to attend board meetings, and meetings of board committees, as an observer. For such time as the board appointment rights apply to the Founder or Globetrotter, each of the Founder and Globetrotter (as applicable) may appoint an advisor to attend meetings (without participating in decision-making or voting) of the finance and audit committee of New Global Blue.

The Founder and Globetrotter also have certain information rights, through their designated board members, in order to monitor their investment in New Global Blue, and comply with applicable financial, regulatory, and tax obligations. Such information rights include, inter alia, the right to receive a draft operating budget for New Global Blue, and a monthly management information package on New Global Blue. These information rights shall only apply for as long as the Founder and Globetrotter meet certain shareholding requirements. In addition, each institutional shareholder has the right to assign its rights and obligations under the agreement to any of its affiliates (including, with respect to the Founder, to Third Point).

The Relationship Agreement is governed by Swiss law. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the Relationship Agreement is subject to arbitration in Zurich, Switzerland, in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Shareholders Agreement

Concurrently with Closing, certain persons who will become shareholders of New Global Blue will become subject to a Shareholders Agreement regulating the relationship among and between such shareholders.

The parties agreed that, subject to certain exceptions and conditions set forth therein, the post-Closing lock-up applicable to the Founder and Third Point would be one year for the New Global Blue Shares received in respect of Founder Shares and the New Global Blue Warrants received in respect of Private Placement Warrants (and New Global Blue Shares received upon exercise of New Global Blue Warrants), and six months in respect of all other New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants, including those purchased in the open market, acquired by Third Point pursuant to its Secondary PIPE Investment, or in respect of FPAC Common Stock acquired in the IPO or pursuant to the Backstop; a six month lock-up would also apply to the Seller Parties, subject to certain exceptions (the “Lock-up”). The Lock-up would cease to apply if following the VWAP of New Global Blue Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 for 20 Trading Days out of a 30 Trading Day period (after adjustment for share splits, dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, etc.), provided that such period is at least (i) 150 days after the Closing Date with respect to the Founder’s and Third Point’s New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants issued in exchange for the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants (and any New Global Blue Shares underlying the New Global Blue Warrants) and (ii) 60 days after the closing date with respect to any Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants purchased in the open market, initial public offering of FPAC, or by Third Point pursuant to its Secondary PIPE Investment, and certain shares of New Global Blue pursuant to the Backstop, by the Founder or Third Point or any member of its respective group and any Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants (other than the Excluded Institutional Shares and the Excluded Manager Shares) owned by Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter or the Management Sellers. The Lock-up may be terminated early by the mutual consent of the Founder and Globetrotter.

The Lock-up is subject to certain exceptions, and will not restrict the transfer of Voting Shares or New Global Blue Warrants where such transfer is, inter alia: (i) in connection with the acceptance of a public takeover offer,

 

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tender offer, merger, or similar business combination that applies to the holders of all ordinary shares and is recommended by the board; (ii) where required by law or governmental authority; (iii) where an institutional shareholder is transferring its interest to a member of its group; or (iv) in the case of a Management Seller only, to a family member or family trust, provided certain requirements are satisfied in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement.

The shareholders that are party to the Shareholders Agreement may also waive certain lock-up restrictions if due to redemptions the former FPAC stockholders (other than the Founder and Third Point) hold less than 20% of the New Global Blue Shares upon Closing. In this case, the parties (those being Seller Parties, the Founder, and Third Point) may agree to sell New Global Blue Shares until the free float increases to 20%.

Notwithstanding the lock-up arrangements, a transfer under Rule 144 or 145 under the Securities Act by any of the Founder or Third Point will be permitted in each case once they collectively own less than 3% of the Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants (in the aggregate), and prior to Globetrotter effecting a transfer under Rule 144 or 145 it will first permit any of the Founder and Third Point to transfer a pro-rata amount under Rule 144 or 145. If any of the Founder, Third Point, Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings or the Management Sellers transfers a proportion of its Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants in a privately negotiated (off-market) transaction during the restricted period set out above in this paragraph, then the other parties to the Shareholders Agreement shall be permitted to participate in the transfer on a pro rata basis and subject to the same terms.

If Third Point initiates a sale during the first six months following the Closing Date of the New Global Blue Shares issued in exchange for the first 10,000,000 Public Shares purchased pursuant to the Backstop after redeemed shares exceed 32,643,000 Public Shares (for purposes of this description of the Shareholders Agreement, the “Excluded Shares”), as such Excluded Shares are excluded from the lock-up arrangements, the same number of New Global Blue Shares held by Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers may be sold by such parties in aggregate (and between these parties, the number of New Global Blue Shares sold will be pro rata based on the total number of Voting Shares). If Globetrotter or Cayman Holdings initiates a sale of its Voting Shares equal to each of its pro-rata proportion (based on their and the Management Sellers’ respective holdings of Voting Shares) of a number of Voting Shares equal to the Excluded Shares (the “Excluded Institutional Shares”), as such Excluded Institutional Shares are excluded from the lock-up arrangements, (i) the same number of the Excluded Shares may be sold by Third Point; and (ii) a pro-rata amount of the Voting Shares equal to each of Globetrotter’s and Cayman Holdings’ pro-rata proportion (based on their and the Management Sellers’ respective holdings of Voting Shares) of a number of Voting Shares equal to the Excluded Shares (the “Excluded Manager Shares”), as such Excluded Manager Shares are excluded from the lock-up arrangements, may be sold by the Management Sellers.

Furthermore, certain of the shareholders shall be permitted to transfer up to an aggregate of 5% of the Voting Shares, in aggregate, on one occasion only, to a third party that constitutes an eligible strategic investor, and the other parties to the Shareholders Agreement shall be permitted to participate in the transfer on a pro rata basis.

The Shareholders Agreement also includes a voting agreement by the shareholders to vote for directors nominated for appointment by the Founder and Globetrotter and to give effect to the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares.

The Shareholders Agreement is subject to the laws of Delaware. Any disputes arising out of or relating to the Shareholders Agreement shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

Registration Rights Agreement

At the Closing, New Global Blue, Third Point, the Founder, the Seller Parties and certain other parties thereto will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with respect to the New

 

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Global Blue Shares and other New Global Blue securities, including New Global Blue Warrants and Series A Preferred Shares, to be received by such parties in connection with the Business Combination (together with any securities issued in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock dividend, distribution or similar transaction with respect thereto, the “Registrable Securities”). Under the form of Registration Rights Agreement, New Global Blue has agreed to file a shelf-registration statement within forty-five (45) days of the Closing, subject to the ability to delay such filing under certain circumstances. Globetrotter and its affiliates and Far Point and Third Point (collectively, the “Demand Shareholders”) are entitled from time-to-time to deliver to New Global Blue take-down notices under the shelf registration statement stating their intent to sell Registrable Shares (including shares held by the Escrow Agent (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) on behalf of Management Sellers) in an underwritten offering, which may be either a marketed or non-marketed underwritten offering. If New Global Blue fails to file the shelf registration statement or fails to maintain the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement, the Demand Shareholders are also entitled to demand that New Global Blue register Registrable Shares (including shares held by the Escrow Agent) in amounts having an aggregate value equal to or greater than $30 million. The ability of the Demand Shareholders and the other parties to the Registration Rights Agreement to sell Registrable Securities are subject to certain transfer restrictions, including those described above under “—Shareholders Agreement.” Other parties holding Registrable Securities will be entitled to join in underwritten offerings under the shelf registration statement, demand registrations or other registrations by New Global Blue, subject to customary cut-backs. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, New Global Blue will indemnify the holders of Registrable Securities and certain persons or entities related to them, such as their officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives, against any losses or damages resulting from any untrue statement or omission of a material fact in any registration statement or prospectus pursuant to which they sell Registrable Securities, unless such liability arose from their misstatement or omission, and the holders of Registrable Securities, including Registrable Securities in any registration statement or prospectus, will agree to indemnify New Global Blue and certain persons or entities related to New Global Blue, such as its officers and directors and underwriters, against all losses caused by their misstatements or omissions in those documents.

PIPE Subscription Agreements

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue, FPAC and the Primary PIPE Investors entered into share subscription agreements pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, which the Primary PIPE Investors have committed to subscribe for and purchase, concurrently with the Closing, in the aggregate, 12,500,000 New Global Blue Shares for $10.00 per share or an aggregate purchase price equal to $125.0 million.

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, New Global Blue, and Globetrotter entered into certain share purchase and contribution agreements with (i) FPAC and the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and (ii) the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor pursuant to which the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors and the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investors have committed to purchase, concurrently with the Closing, Global Blue Shares from Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings for an aggregate purchase price of up to $100.0 million and equal to $125.0 million, respectively, and immediately contribute such Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue for the subsequent issuance of up to 10,000,000 and equal to 12,500,000, respectively, New Global Blue Shares. The commitment of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investors is subject to a dollar-for-dollar reduction to the extent the Backstop is drawn upon. The agreement with the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor includes an 18-month lock-up transfer restriction on the New Global Blue Shares to be acquired by it.

Refinancing

Global Blue intends to refinance the Existing Facilities in connection with the Business Combination, using a drawdown from the New Facilities (the “Refinancing”). See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Banking Facilities and Loans.”

 

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Management Roll-Up

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the Management Sellers hold ordinary shares and preferred equity certificates of Global Blue Management & Co SCA. Prior to the Closing, the Management Sellers will exchange through a series of transactions all shares and preferred equity certificates they hold in Global Blue Management & Co SCA for New Global Blue Shares.

Management Shareholders Agreement

The Management Shareholders Agreement provides for, among other matters: (i) the calculation of the entitlements of the Management Sellers to receive shares in Global Blue as part of the Management Roll-up; (ii) once such shares in Global Blue are exchanged for cash and Voting Shares (pursuant to the Merger Agreement), restrictions on the managers’ ability to transfer the Voting Shares issued to them, except in specified circumstances (such as in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement or if it is in the context of a manager leaving the employment of the Global Blue group); (iii) following the expiry of the lock-up period described in “Shareholders Agreement”, the managers’ rights to sell a proportion of their Voting Shares alongside Globetrotter when Globetrotter sells Voting Shares, in each case subject to certain qualifications and exceptions; (iv) the repurchase of Voting Shares from managers who cease to be employees in circumstances where they are deemed to be “bad leavers”; and (v) undertakings from each manager to maintain the confidentiality of certain information and not to compete with New Global Blue or solicit its employees, customers or suppliers for a period of 24 months after the cessation of such manager’s employment.

Organizational Structure

The following simplified diagram illustrates the ownership structure of Global Blue and FPAC immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination:

 

 

LOGO

 

*

Nominal assets and no operations.

 

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The following simplified diagram illustrates the ownership structure of New Global Blue immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

 

LOGO

Charter Documents of New Global Blue Following the Business Combination

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the closing of the Business Combination, New Global Blue’s articles of association will be amended. See “Description of New Global Blue Securities,” for a description of New Global Blue’s amended articles of association and a comparison to the provisions of FPAC’s Organizational Documents.

Headquarters; Stock Symbols

After completion of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement:

 

   

the corporate headquarters and principal executive offices of New Global Blue will be located at Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland; and

 

   

New Global Blue expects its ordinary shares and warrants will be traded on the NYSE under the symbols “GB” and “GB.WS,” respectively.

Background of the Business Combination

The following is a discussion of FPAC’s formation, the background of FPAC’s efforts to effect an Initial Business Combination, its negotiations with and evaluation of Global Blue, the Merger Agreement and related matters.

On June 14, 2018, FPAC closed its IPO of 63,250,000 Units (including 8,250,000 units pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option), with each Unit consisting of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Public Warrant. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50. The Units from the IPO (including the over-allotment option) were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating total gross proceeds of $632,500,000. Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO and the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, FPAC consummated the private sale of 9,766,667 Private Warrants to the Founder, at a price of $1.50 per whole

 

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Warrant for an aggregate purchase price of $14,650,000. FPAC funded the Trust Account with $632,500,000 of the cash proceeds from the IPO, including $20,737,500 of deferred underwriter fees, and the related private placement.

Promptly following its IPO, FPAC commenced consideration of potential target businesses with the objective of consummating an Initial Business Combination. FPAC sought out potential target businesses based on internal research and through the networks of relationships of FPAC’s management, board of directors and with the assistance of professional service providers (lawyers, accountants, consultants and investment bankers). FPAC educated these parties on its structure as a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) and its criteria for an acquisition. FPAC also responded to inquiries from investment bankers or other similar professionals who represented companies engaged in a sale or financing process. On a regular basis, FPAC’s directors were updated with respect to the status of the Initial Business Combination search. Input received from FPAC’s directors was material to its management’s evaluation of a potential business combination.

From the closing of FPAC’s IPO through the signing of the letter of intent with Global Blue in November 2019, representatives of FPAC contacted and were contacted by a number of individuals and entities with respect to business combination opportunities and engaged with several possible target businesses in discussions with respect to potential transactions.

During that period, Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, and David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and Director, as well as representatives of their team, identified and evaluated over 125 potential transactions, all with potential targets in the financial technology, or “fintech,” industry.

Based on FPAC’s initial screening efforts and selection criteria, FPAC had substantive discussions with 25 companies that were considered to be appropriate targets. These discussions covered various aspects of potential Initial Business Combinations such as target business operations, potential deal structures and other considerations.

After discussions with these candidates, FPAC advanced to the next phase of the selection process and executed non-disclosure agreements with 19 companies in order for FPAC to receive and evaluate these companies’ financial information, access data rooms containing these companies’ materials and/or review other written and verbal confidential information. After further discussions and consideration of the suitability of each potential target, FPAC ultimately executed non-binding letters of intent with Global Blue (in November 2019) and one other potential target company (earlier in 2019). This other potential target was a privately owned integrated software provider and payments processor specializing in workflow, human resources and scheduling solutions. The transaction was abandoned by the mutual consent of the parties after FPAC’s financial diligence indicated that financial performance would be below FPAC’s expectations.

The following paragraphs contain additional material details of the interactions between representatives of Global Blue, Silver Lake and FPAC.

On July 11, 2018, Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno met with Joseph Osnoss, then Managing Director of Silver Lake, at Silver Lake’s New York offices and discussed among other topics Global Blue’s business and its potential combination with FPAC. This initial meeting was followed up by a meeting on January 23, 2019 and a call on July 23, 2019 to discuss, among other topics, Global Blue’s business and the possibility of a transaction between Global Blue and FPAC. In between the January 2019 meeting and the July 2019 call, Mr. Farley had intermittent contacts with Mr. Osnoss and other representatives of Silver Lake.

On August 9, 2019, FPAC, Silver Lake and Global Blue executed a confidentiality agreement in respect of a possible transaction. From mid to late August 2019, representatives from FPAC and Silver Lake engaged on various preliminary due diligence topics. On August 23, 2019, representatives of FPAC, Global Blue, Silver

 

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Lake, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (“ML”), counsel to FPAC, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (“STB”), counsel to Silver Lake and Global Blue, held a conference call to discuss the overall structure of a potential transaction between FPAC and Global Blue.

On September 9, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Osnoss, Jacques Stern, chief executive officer of Global Blue, and Loïc Jenouvrier, chief financial officer of Global Blue, held an introductory meeting with respect to Global Blue and FPAC over dinner in New York City.

On September 19, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Dan Loeb, chief executive officer of Third Point, and Munib Islam, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Third Point, met in New York City to discuss a potential Global Blue transaction. In addition, during this period, Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno provided various updates to the board of FPAC and its individual members as the parameters of a potential transaction were being refined by the foregoing meetings.

On October 8, 2019, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss participated in a call to discuss the general economic terms of a potential transaction, with various proposals and counter proposals being exchanged. They did not reach an understanding, but they and their respective teams continued to exchange views with each other over the following days.

On October 24, 2019, Mark Murphy, of FTI Consulting (“FTI”), and Mr. Bonanno discussed an overall timeline for due diligence with respect to the possible transaction. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, representatives of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (“Credit Suisse”) and Howard Kenny, a partner at ML, discussed the probable timeline of a potential transaction.

On October 25, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Osnoss, Christian Lucas, Managing Director of Silver Lake, and Mr. Stern discussed the plan to be able to attain a completed transaction, including next steps and a timeline, assuming economic terms could be agreed upon. Mr. Bonanno sent a proposed non-binding term sheet and diligence request list to Mr. Osnoss, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Stern. The initial draft term sheet proposed a combination of FPAC and Global Blue based on a Global Blue enterprise value range and a transaction in which the Global Blue shareholders would receive a combination of cash and ordinary shares of the ongoing business. This was followed on October 28, 2019 by a meeting between Mr. Farley and Mr. Stern to discuss the Global Blue team, strategy and other business matters.

On October 30, 2019, Mr. Farley sent an email update to the FPAC board of directors with respect to the transaction.

On November 3, 2019, Mr. Osnoss sent Mr. Farley proposed term sheet changes. These changes included a proposed enterprise value, the introduction of a pre-deal dividend and target net debt, an approach to transaction fees and expenses, the introduction of the Series A Preferred Shares and the allocation of the Contingent Shares to pre-Business Combination shareholders at certain redemption levels, and a request for a voting and support agreement. From November 3-5, 2019, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss continued discussions regarding the terms of the potential transaction. This included: (1) the introduction of a proposed working capital adjustment, (2) details of the features of the Series A Preferred Shares, (3) a change of the Contingent Shares to the mechanics as currently articulated in the Merger Agreement and (4) a determination of the enterprise value.

On November 5, 2019, Mr. Farley further updated the FPAC board of directors with respect to the potential transaction. Thereafter, on November 6, 2019, Mr. Farley spoke with Mr. Loeb about the potential transaction, and Mr. Loeb indicated to Mr. Farley that Third Point would support FPAC’s pursuit of a transaction with Global Blue.

On November 7, 2019, Ulf Pagenkopf, a Silver Lake executive, sent a revised term sheet to FPAC, reflecting the outcome of the discussions between Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Farley, as well as adding an exclusivity period, closing

 

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conditions and corporate governance terms. On November 8, 2019, the ML team participated in a conference call with Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno to discuss moving forward with term sheet changes. Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss engaged in a call to discuss future Global Blue management team compensation if a transaction would occur.

On November 8, 2019, at FPAC’s regular quarterly board meeting, Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno provided the board with an update of discussions with Global Blue, as well as the status of two potential alternative transactions. These potential alternative transactions involved a privately owned integrated software provider and payments processor focused on the hospitality sector and a privately owned integrated cash management and software solutions provider focused on the gaming industry. These transactions did not progress beyond preliminary discussions and business diligence.

On November 9, 2019, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss engaged in a call to discuss Mr. Stern’s compensation plan and a transaction structure and timeline.

From November 9-13, 2019, the parties and their advisors continued to discuss and exchange revised term sheets. The principal issues included the determination of the enterprise value, the treatment of transaction expenses, the mix of common and preferred equity comprising the Seller Parties’ equity consideration, post-closing share lock-up agreements, corporate governance matters, including consent rights to existing shareholders, and the maximum amount of Series A Preferred Shares that could be issued. During this period, ML also had a call with STB and representatives of Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”) to discuss potential transaction structures. In addition, ML had a call with Bär & Karrer Ltd. (“B&K”), FPAC’s Swiss counsel, to discuss various Swiss law issues.

On November 13, 2019, Mr. Bonanno connected FTI with Global Blue to arrange further due diligence through correspondence with Mr. Stern, Mr. Jenouvrier and Mr. Murphy. An introductory call was organized the following day to discuss next steps.

On November 13, 2019, Mr. Farley updated the FPAC board of directors with respect to the transaction. After which, on November 14, 2019, the non-binding term sheet was executed. The executed non-binding term sheet provided for, among other things: (i) a €2.3 billion enterprise value implied by the agreed framework; (ii) assuming no redemptions, cash consideration to the Seller Parties of €800 million and an approximately 46.2% equity stake in the ongoing business, with provisions for adjustment to the cash/stock consideration based on the level of redemptions and transaction expenses, including the issuance of preferred stock if redemptions exceeded 5.0 million FPAC Public Shares; and (iii) various post-closing lock-ups applicable to the respective parties. In addition, pursuant to the term sheet, the parties agreed to engage in exclusive discussions regarding a potential transaction.

On November 14 and 15, 2019, multiple calls were organized to discuss various topics. ML and STB had a conference call to discuss document lists, work streams and how best to move forward with general due diligence. ML, STB and Deloitte held a call to discuss transaction structures. All parties then engaged in an all hands call with respect to the transaction. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and representatives of Credit Suisse engaged in correspondence with respect to investor presentation projections for recent SPACs. It was agreed that the principals and their advisors would have bi-weekly calls to discuss deal progress.

On November 18, 2019, Mr. Murphy sent an extensive financial due diligence request list. Global Blue addressed these questions and uploaded relevant materials to a virtual dataroom. Several follow-up questions were submitted by FTI over the course of the following two weeks. On November 19, 2019, ML and STB had a call to discuss the signing checklist and other shareholder and company matters and ML sent a follow-up legal diligence list to STB the following date and organized local counsel in various jurisdictions to assist with FPAC’s legal due diligence. ML, Deloitte, STB and B&K held a call discussing transaction structures.

On November 19 and 20, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Kelly Vallante, Vice President of Operations at FPAC, Mr. Stern, Jeremy Henderson-Ross, General Counsel of Global Blue, Tomas Mostany, Senior Vice President of

 

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Global Blue, Fabio Ferreira, CTO of Global Blue, Pier Francesco Nervini, COO of Global Blue, Mr. Pagenkopf and Ahmed Khairat, a Silver Lake executive, met for all-day sessions in London to discuss a wide range of due diligence questions covering Global Blue’s business and technology projects, as well as the content of the investor presentation for future PIPE marketing.

On November 21, 2019, FPAC and Aon Risk Services Northeast, Inc. (“Aon”) executed a mutual confidentiality agreement with respect to obtaining representation and warranty insurance (“RWI”) for the transaction. In addition, ML participated in a call with Mr. Henderson-Ross to discuss due diligence. Separately, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss held a call to discuss Mr. Stern’s compensation.

On November 26, 2019, ML circulated a revised due diligence request list to STB. ML also participated in a call with Italian counsel pertaining to regulatory matters. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and a representative of Credit Suisse exchanged emails regarding potential PIPE investors.

On November 27, 2019, STB circulated the first draft of the Merger Agreement to ML, who then forwarded it on to Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno. The draft largely tracked the term sheet and proposed a structure whereby New Global Blue would be formed to acquire both FPAC and Global Blue. STB, ML and other advisors to FPAC and Global Blue began discussions on the most tax efficient transaction structure, which continued throughout the negotiations. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Pagenkopf, Mr. Khairat, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Henderson-Ross discussed diligence follow-ups.

On November 29, 2019, Credit Suisse was engaged as capital markets advisor to FPAC with respect to the transaction. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and representatives of Credit Suisse participated in a call to introduce the potential Global Blue transaction.

From December 2-6, 2019, Mr. Murphy and the FTI team participated in a diligence trip, which consisted of two days at the Geneva office of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA (“PwC”), Global Blue’s auditor, reviewing Global Blue financial information, as well as meeting members of the PwC Global Blue audit team. The remaining two days consisted of multiple diligence workshops with various senior members of the Global Blue finance team and Mr. Khairat. Following the meeting, the FTI team provided a list of remaining data requests, which were answered by the Global Blue team.

On December 2, 2019, ML participated in a call with Mr. Henderson-Ross to further discuss due diligence, in particular, the new investigation by French antitrust officials. Mr. Farley updated the FPAC board of directors with respect to the transaction.

During the week commencing on December 2, 2019, the parties continued to discuss drafts of the Merger Agreement, with key issues lists per document being circulated between advisors. The principal issues discussed included the transaction structure, the scope of the representations and warranties and related disclosures, and the closing conditions based on regulatory approvals. In addition, separately, STB circulated a draft of the Relationship Agreement and Shareholders Agreement to ML.

From December 3-6, 2019, the parties prepared an investor presentation for the Primary PIPE Investment meetings. The materials were used on December 9, 2019 when Mr. Farley and Mr. Stern conducted investor meetings in New York City with six potential Primary PIPE Investors arranged by Credit Suisse. An additional investor call was conducted by Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Stern on December 16, 2019.

During the week commencing on December 9, 2019, ML circulated a draft of the Primary PIPE Subscription Agreement to STB, as well as to Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Farley. Both parties and their advisors continued to discuss issues and exchange drafts of transaction documents. In addition, FPAC continued its diligence workstream, with (i) a call between ML and Mr. Henderson-Ross to discuss legal due diligence and (ii) a call between Mr. Murphy, Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno regarding financial diligence.

 

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On December 13, 2019, the FPAC board met to discuss the proposed transaction. The FPAC board of directors, Alec Dawson, a partner at ML, and Mr. Murphy participated in the meeting and discussed an update on negotiations, structure issues and legal and financial diligence. Each of Mr. Dawson and Mr. Murphy described to the board his firm’s draft diligence report which had been provided to the directors in advance of the meeting.

On December 14, 2019, STB circulated a revised draft of the Merger Agreement to ML and FPAC, including numerous changes to the representations and warranties and covenants, the inclusion of an adjustment to the value of the Stock Consideration for transaction fees and expenses required to be paid before closing, instead of at closing, and the inclusion of a dispute resolution mechanism for the estimated closing statements.

On December 16, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Osnoss, Mr. Stern and a representative of Credit Suisse participated in a call to discuss the potential PIPE investor list. Mr. Farley gave representatives of Credit Suisse instructions for how to proceed with investors for planned January PIPE investor meetings. This was followed by an update call between Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss on the broader progress made on the transaction.

During the week commencing on December 16, 2019, representatives of FPAC and ML had numerous calls to discuss issues lists pertaining the draft transaction documents. Representatives of FPAC and Silver Lake also discussed various issues on the transaction documents. The issues included transaction structure, the scope of the representations and warranties and related disclosures, as well as changes to the treatment of expenses and the target working capital for the post-closing working capital adjustment. FPAC and Global Blue agreed to the transaction structure reflected in the Merger Agreement, agreed that certain pre closing expenses would count as transaction expenses, and agreed to the post-closing working capital adjustments reflected in the Merger Agreement.

On or around December 18, 2019, ML participated in a call with Australian counsel to discuss potential required antitrust filings. ML also circulated due diligence requests to Mr. Henderson-Ross.

On December 20, 2019, Mr. Henderson-Ross circulated interview information pertaining to the French antitrust investigation to Mr. Farley, which was then forwarded to ML. Mr. Farley and Mr. Henderson-Ross engaged in a call for Mr. Farley to receive an update on how such investigation might affect Global Blue.

In addition, on December 20, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Pagenkopf, Frank Walters, a Silver Lake executive, and Geoff Oltmans, Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets of Silver Lake, held a call to discuss financing.

During the week commencing December 23, 2019, ML circulated a revised draft of the Merger Agreement to STB, Baker & Hostetler LLP (“BH”), counsel to Third Point, Third Point, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Farley. ML provided drafts of the Primary PIPE Subscription Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement, Relationship Agreement, the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, and Voting and Support Agreement to Third Point and BH. ML provided STB’s revised draft of the agreement respecting Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment to BH. On December 30, 2019, BH circulated an issues list for all transaction documents received to date to ML. The principal issues raised by Third Point were with respect to the post-closing lock-up arrangements, and the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, among other things. BH circulated drafts of the Shareholders Agreement, Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and Relationship Agreement to ML and STB. Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss participated in a call to discuss the overall status of the transaction. Furthermore, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss also discussed Third Point’s comments on the Registration Rights Agreement, Relationship Agreement and Shareholders Agreement. The following week, on or around December 31, 2019, BH and ML participated in a conference call to discuss Third Point’s issues with respect to the transaction. B&K and ML exchanged comments on the drafts respecting Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment. ML circulated drafts of the Management Shareholders Agreement and various corporate organizational documents to BH and Third Point.

 

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In addition, during the week, ML and STB participated in several calls to discuss the Merger Agreement, including in particular the representations and warranties. An open issues list with respect to the Merger Agreement was iterated between both parties, following each call.

During the week, Mr. Farley and Mr. Stern discussed Mr. Stern’s employment agreement via email and discussed employment contracts for the management team.

On December 27, 2019, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Stern engaged in a call with a potential strategic investor (other than Ant Financial).

On January 1, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Islam conferred about Third Point’s comments and concerns with respect to the Shareholders Agreement and the Relationship Agreement, and in particular the proposed post-closing share lock-up arrangements. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Islam continued to discuss the Third Point share lock-up proposals over the following days.

On January 2 and 3, 2020, ML circulated a revised draft of the Primary PIPE Subscription Agreement to STB and, separately, to Credit Suisse to provide to potential Primary PIPE Investors. Preceding this circulation, it was agreed that, while Ant Financial’s and Third Point’s PIPE investments would be structured as secondary transactions of existing Global Blue Shares, the other potential investors would invest directly in shares of New Global Blue.

On January 2 and 3, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, and representatives of Credit Suisse discussed investment roadshow preparations. On January 5 and 6, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, and representatives of Credit Suisse shared updates on the investor roadshow, investor wall-crossing, scheduling, comments and edits to the proposed press release announcing the signing and other related matters. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Pagenkopf, Mr. Lucas and Mr. Stern communicated via email about an update on a potential strategic PIPE investor.

On January 6, 2020, ML circulated drafts of various post-closing New Global Blue corporate documents to BH and Third Point. STB sent a revised draft of the Merger Agreement to ML. ML forwarded the document to Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Farley, BH, Third Point and FTI. STB provided drafts of a proposed strategic PIPE investment to ML. ML forwarded the documents to B&K for review and input; ML also forwarded the documents to BH and Third Point. Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Pagenkopf held a call to discuss the timeline for signing and closing and conferred about the wall-crossing script.

From January 6-8, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss continued to communicate about the lock-up period, registration rights, corporate governance and terms of Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment, and elements of the calculation of the total consideration. Specifically, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss agreed on the calculation of total consideration based on an adjustment date of March 31, 2020 and the deduction of an overdraft facility from total consideration.

Also on January 6, 2020, Mr. Kenny and Mr. Dawson corresponded via email with the FPAC board of directors to discuss the transaction; additionally, Ms. Vallante notified the FPAC board of the potential upcoming signing and announcement and to schedule related board meetings. Mr. Farley and Mr. Stern discussed employment contracts, communications plans for announcement, board composition and other related matters.

During the week commencing on January 6, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Stern participated in numerous investor meetings, arranged by the Credit Suisse team. The Credit Suisse team kept all relevant individuals updated, via email communication and calls, as to the investor feedback received.

Also on January 6, 2020, BH distributed revised drafts of the Voting and Support Agreement and Founder Shares Surrender Agreement to STB and ML. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Ms. Vallante, Mr. Stern, and the Credit Suisse team held a call to discuss post-signing investor call logistics. Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss discussed Mr. Stern’s employment agreement via email.

 

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From January 8-9, 2020, STB circulated drafts of various post-closing New Global Blue management compensation documents. ML shared Swiss counsel comments on the various post-closing New Global Blue corporate documents, including New Global Blue’s amended articles of association, with BH and Third Point. ML and STB circulated revised drafts of the Merger Agreement. BH circulated Third Point’s proposal with respect to the agreement respecting Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment, Shareholders Agreement, Relationship Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement, and in particular, the post-closing lock-up periods. The principal issues included the application of lock-up restrictions to shares beneficially owned or to be acquired by Third Point, and the relative rights of Third Point and Silver Lake under the Registration Rights Agreement.

On January 9, 2020, following discussions with Silver Lake, Global Blue decided to move forward with Ant Financial for the Secondary PIPE Investment. Mr. Osnoss, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Stern, Mr. Pagenkopf and representatives of Ant Financial discussed the terms of the Secondary PIPE Investment. STB provided drafts of the agreements regarding the Secondary PIPE Investment with Ant Financial to FPAC and ML. On January 10, 2020, STB also circulated Ant Financial’s executed commitment letter with respect to the Secondary PIPE Investment to ML, who forwarded it to BH and Third Point.

Also on January 9, 2020, Mr. Farley and Nik Deogun, CEO of the Americas and U.S. Senior Partner at Brunswick Group (“Brunswick”), discussed the post-signing communications plan including the press release and media strategy. Over the following days, Mr. Farley and the Brunswick team held a call to discuss the communications and media-oriented plan for announcement. Separately, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Osnoss, Mr. Lucas, Mr. Pagenkopf and Mr. Stern held a call to discuss Global Blue research coverage.

On January 10, 2020, ML and STB participated in a call to discuss the updated checklist in preparation for signing. STB circulated drafts of various post-closing New Global Blue corporate documents to ML. Aon provided ML with an initial draft of the RWI policy they had received from AIG Specialty Insurance Company (“AIG”). ML sent their comments on the Merger Agreement disclosure schedules to Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and the FTI team. Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Pagenkopf, Mr. Khairat and a representative of Credit Suisse discussed various open issues in the Merger Agreement, including transaction steps contemplated by Article II of the Merger Agreement and the calculation of total consideration.

Also on January 10, 2020, FPAC’s board of directors held a meeting to discuss the status of the transaction. Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno provided the board with an update. Mr. Kenny and Robert Robison, a partner at ML, also attended and discussed and answered directors’ questions regarding the deal announcement timing, the communications plan, the PIPE investment, structure and other related matters.

On January 11, 2020, ML circulated an updated report to Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno and a revised draft of the RWI policy with comments to Aon. PJT Partners (“PJT”) circulated a revised draft of an investor presentation for use in post-signing meetings to ML; PJT, ML and STB continued to share comments on the draft amongst themselves. STB shared their revised draft of the Merger Agreement with ML who forwarded the document to Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Third Point and BH. ML sent revised drafts of various post-closing New Global Blue corporate documents to BH and Third Point for review and comment. BH circulated a revised draft of Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment agreement to STB and ML.

In addition, on January 11, 2020, the FPAC, Silver Lake, Global Blue, PJT, Credit Suisse and Brunswick teams held a call to discuss the communications and media plan for the transaction announcement.

On January 12, 2020, ML re-circulated the Merger Agreement Company Disclosure Schedules draft to Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno. Aon circulated its own RWI policy comments to ML who then continued an exchange of comments. ML sent the revised Merger Agreement from STB to FTI. STB shared drafts of various post-closing management compensation documents with ML. Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Pagenkopf discussed representations and warranties issues with respect to the Merger Agreement.

 

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On January 13, 2020, ML and Mr. Bonanno and FTI participated in an underwriting call with Aon, which was required in connection with the RWI policy. ML and STB participated in a call to discuss KYC requests with respect to Primary PIPE Investors. FPAC, Silver Lake, Global Blue, PJT and Brunswick teams exchanged comments and edits on a draft of the announcement press release and discussed the media plan. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Josh Targoff, Partner, COO and General Counsel of Third Point, and Robin Brem, Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Third Point, discussed Third Point’s proposal in an effort to reach an agreement with respect to the transaction.

On January 13, 2020, Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Farley discussed several changes that were reflected in the following circulation of the Merger Agreement including the deduction for other net debt adjustments (and its components) and the addition of a locked box interest ticker (cash flow adjustment) in the calculation of total consideration. They also discussed the level of transaction fees and expenses incurred to date and how these would be funded.

On January 14, 2020, ML and STB held a conference call to discuss the representations and warranties to the Merger Agreement. ML held a call with STB and representatives of Global Blue a potential diligence issue that had come to light in connection with finalization of diligence and disclosure schedules. STB distributed updated drafts of various corporate documents to ML. STB provided ML with initial drafts of the tax disclosure to be included in this proxy statement/prospectus, which ML then forwarded to Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Farley. STB and ML discussed proposed revisions to the Primary PIPE Subscription Agreement in light of comments raised by a potential Primary PIPE Investor. They also exchanged comments on the press release and relevant disclaimers. Aon provided ML with draft No Claims Declarations to be included in the RWI policy. ML circulated their revised draft of the Merger Agreement to STB as well as Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno; STB returned their own revised version of the draft sent by ML, as well as an updated version of the Accounting Principles Annex, including final definitions of all terms used in the Merger Agreement. ML forwarded to Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, BH, Third Point and FTI. ML also circulated a draft of the AIG insurance policy to STB.

Also on January 14, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, and representatives of Credit Suisse discussed PIPE investor allocations. In parallel, Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss discussed the PIPE investor allocations, eventually agreeing to the amount of $125 million from third-party PIPE investors and $100 million from Third Point, which, together with the Ant Financial PIPE, implied ownership for pre-Business Combination shareholders of 42.1% and Cash Consideration of approximately $961 million, in a no redemption case. The agreed cumulative amount of the PIPE Investments of $350 million was in excess of the $250 million contemplated in the executed term sheet. Mr. Farley, Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Stern addressed the diligence discussed above via email. Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno, Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Stern discussed the Merger Agreement representations and warranties and certain regulatory closing requirements. BH circulated revised drafts of the Shareholders Agreement and Relationship Agreement reflecting Third Point’s proposed terms. Mr. Farley, Mr. Loeb, Mr. Targoff and Ms. Brem discussed Silver Lake’s counter proposal to Third Point with respect to the Shareholders Agreement, Relationship Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement, and in particular, the post-closing lock-up periods. Mr. Bonanno, and representatives of Credit Suisse held a call to discuss Merger Agreement mechanics with a potential Primary PIPE Investor. Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss discussed lock-ups and issues with respect to Third Point.

Also on January 14, 2020, FPAC’s board of directors met to discuss the status of the transaction. Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno provided the board with an update, informing them that the parties were close to an agreement and were working towards an announced signing in the coming days. Mr. Farley discussed the economic terms of the Business Combination, which had not changed since prior board meetings. Mr. Dawson and Mr. Kenny also attended the meeting and answered questions. After further discussion, and subject to there being no material changes to the terms of the transaction as outlined to the board by Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno and the form of the draft Merger Agreement provided to the directors in advance of the meeting, the board unanimously determined that the Business Combination was advisable and fair to and in the best interest of FPAC and its stockholders and unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and the Business Combination. The FPAC board also determined that Global Blue would satisfy value requirement under FPAC’s amended and restated certificate

 

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of incorporation that the target of FPAC’s Initial Business Combination have a fair market value of at least 80% of the funds in the Trust Account (with certain exclusions). Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno undertook to keep the board apprised of developments over the ensuing 24-48 hours, and to reconvene a meeting if warranted.

On January 15-16, 2020, STB, ML, Silver Lake, PJT, Global Blue, Niederer Kraft Frey AG, Swiss counsel to Global Blue, B&K, Deloitte, FPAC, BH, Third Point and FTI participated in a series of conference calls to finalize all documentation and discuss signing and public announcement logistics. ML discussed the terms of the Primary PIPE Subscription Agreement with representatives of each of the Primary PIPE Investors and finalized the form of such agreement. B&K provided ML with their comments on the Merger Agreement and ML circulated a revised draft of the Merger Agreement to STB, Mr. Farley, Mr. Bonanno and BH. Aon circulated a draft of the RWI policy to ML who forwarded to Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Farley. ML circulated a substantially final draft of the Disclosure Schedules and Merger Agreement to both Mr. Bonanno and Mr. Farley, as well as Aon, for review.

During the week commencing January 13, 2020, Mr. Farley, Mr. Stern, the Brunswick team and the Credit Suisse team held a call to discuss the post-announcement investor call. Multiple drafts of the announcement press release and FPAC’s Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the transaction were circulated for review and comments.

Also on January 15-16, 2020, FPAC, Third Point, Silver Lake, and respective legal advisors held calls for Third Point and Silver Lake to resolve the remaining open points related to the Shareholders Agreement, Relationship Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement, including in particular, the post-closing lock-up periods, as well as the terms of the Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment. The parties agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, the post-Closing lock-up applicable to the Founder and Third Point would be one year for the New Global Blue Shares received in respect of Founder Shares and the New Global Blue Warrants received in respect of Private Placement Warrants (and New Global Blue Shares received upon exercise of New Global Blue Warrants), and six months in respect of all other New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants, including those purchased in the open market, acquired by Third Point pursuant to its Secondary PIPE Investment, or in respect of FPAC Common Stock acquired in the IPO or pursuant to the Backstop. A six-month lock-up would also apply to the Seller Parties, subject to certain exceptions. All lock-ups would cease to apply if the VWAP of New Global Blue Shares equals or exceeds $12.00 for 20 Trading Days out of a 30 Trading Day period (after adjustment for share splits, dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations, etc.), provided that such period at least (i) 150 days after the Closing Date with respect to the Founder’s and Third Point’s New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants issued in exchange for the Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants (and any New Global Blue Shares underlying the New Global Blue Warrants) and (ii) 60 days after the closing date with respect to any Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants purchased in the open market, initial public offering of FPAC, or by Third Point pursuant to its Secondary PIPE Investment, and certain shares of New Global Blue pursuant to the Backstop, by the Founder or Third Point or any member of its respective group and any Voting Shares and/or New Global Blue Warrants (other than the Excluded Institutional Shares and the Excluded Manager Shares) owned by Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter or the Management Sellers.

On January 15, 2020, each of the Primary PIPE Investors executed and delivered to ML subscription agreements in respect of their PIPE investments, and ML provided copies of the executed agreements to STB. STB provided to ML an executed copy of Ant Financial’s Secondary PIPE Investment agreement.

On January 16, 2020, after relevant comments and updated drafts of the Merger Agreement and other various agreements were shared with and agreed to by the parties, ML, STB and BH circulated the execution versions of the Merger Agreement, including the Disclosure Schedules and all exhibits, the Voting and Support Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Relationship Agreement, Third Point’s Secondary PIPE Investment agreement and various other documents to be delivered concurrently with the signing. ML circulated a final draft of the Merger Agreement to Aon, as well as an executed version of the Merger Agreement. The RWI was confirmed to be in effect on January 16, 2020.

 

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STB, ML and BH released signatures on behalf of their clients early in the morning of January 16, 2020. Prior to the opening of the U.S. capital markets, the press release was released and FPAC’s Current Report on Form 8-K was filed with the SEC. FPAC and Global Blue hosted an investor call to discuss the Business Combination at 9:30 AM EST.

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19), that was first identified in China in the Fall of 2019, began to receive widespread coverage in January 2020, and rapidly spread to over 170 countries globally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized the coronavirus as a pandemic. Since March 2020, most of the key European countries where Global Blue operates closed their borders to non-essential travel and all but essential retail stores have been required to close, although recently certain European countries have begun to permit non-essential retail stores to reopen.

From mid-March through early May, representatives of Global Blue shared information with representatives of FPAC with respect to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic was having on Global Blue. FPAC has given its consent, upon request by Global Blue, to certain actions otherwise restricted by the terms of the Merger Agreement, largely related to measures Global Blue has implemented in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

FPAC’s board of directors met on April 13 and 14, 2020 and FPAC management provided an update on its assessment of the impact of the pandemic on Global Blue. Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno advised the other directors that they continued in discussions with Global Blue to monitor the situation. They noted that Global Blue has advised them that given the global and evolving nature of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, the related negative impact on Global Blue’s expected results of operations could not be accurately or reasonably quantified. At these meetings, Mr. Dawson of ML advised the board with respect to the terms of the Merger Agreement and the related agreements, including, with respect to the board’s ability to change its recommendation of the Business Combination and the closing condition regarding the absence of a “Material Adverse Effect” with respect to Global Blue, as well as the board’s duty of candor to stockholders with respect to such matters. Counsel to the independent directors concurred with his advice. Mr. Dawson also noted the Merger Agreement required FPAC to take all reasonably necessary action to consummate the Business Combination, subject to the express closing conditions, and that FPAC was continuing to abide by such obligations.

Mr. Farley spoke with Mr. Osnoss on April 14, 2020, to advise him that he and Mr. Bonanno were keeping the FPAC board apprised. Mr. Farley noted that the FPAC board would have to consider whether it could still recommend in favor of the Business Combination as of the date that an amended preliminary proxy statement/prospectus was filed with the SEC, and that the lack of forecasts and certain other information made it difficult at that time for the FPAC board to assess the impact of the pandemic on Global Blue. Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Farley discussed the possible timing of a filing of an amended preliminary proxy statement/prospectus in light of Mr. Farley’s statements about the board’s ongoing reconsideration of its recommendation. Mr. Osnoss noted that Global Blue supported the FPAC board taking a limited time for further deliberations, including the evaluation of any newly available information with respect to Global Blue’s business, but requested that any response include any specific changes to the transaction the FPAC board would require to continue to recommend that FPAC stockholders vote for the Business Combination. In addition, Mr. Osnoss offered to meet with the board to listen to their perspectives and address questions they might have. A follow-up conversation on these topics ensued on April 21, 2020.

On April 25, 2020, the FPAC board met and Mr. Farley and Mr. Bonanno presented their assessment of Global Blue’s financial condition as a result of the pandemic under various potential scenarios for a resumption of Global Blue’s business. The assessment had been prepared by FPAC management using a Global Blue future liquidity modelling tool provided to FPAC management by Global Blue and Silver Lake to assist FPAC management in its consideration of future liquidity scenarios for Global Blue, but without specific forecasts from Global Blue as its management continued to inform FPAC that Global Blue was unable to prepare any forecasts. They advised the board that, pro forma for the Closing and the payment of the pre-closing dividend of

 

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approximately €154 million (approximately $168 million) to Global Blue shareholders in cash, in FPAC management’s view New Global Blue would face liquidity issues following Closing. They also advised the board of their view that Global Blue’s value had deteriorated materially and significantly since the Merger Agreement had been signed. Mr. Farley shared with the FPAC board Mr. Osnoss’ request that FPAC state what would be required to retain the board’s recommendation in favor of the Business Combination. Mr. Farley noted that Mr. Osnoss had made no specific proposals but had indicated a willingness to discuss certain aspects of the transaction including future liquidity alternatives for Global Blue and had requested a chance to speak with the board. In response, the FPAC board directed Mr. Farley to contact Silver Lake on its behalf to explore potential changes in the terms of the Business Combination to address short- and longer-term liquidity, capital structure and value concerns. At this meeting, Mr. Dawson again discussed with the board the provisions of the Merger Agreement with respect to a change in the board’s recommendation and the closing condition with respect to a “Material Adverse Effect.”

On April 27, 2020, Mr. Farley spoke with Mr. Osnoss regarding potential changes to the terms of the Business Combination. With respect to liquidity, Mr. Osnoss advised Mr. Farley that the Seller Parties might consider various actions, including a restructuring or delayed payment of a portion of the pre-closing cash dividend, to address liquidity needs of New Global Blue post-Closing. Mr. Farley did not present a specific proposal to Mr. Osnoss, but noted that, even if New Global Blue’s short-term liquidity issues were addressed, FPAC’s board was unlikely to continue to recommend that FPAC stockholders vote for the Business Combination unless the longer-term liquidity issues, capital structure, and valuation issues were also addressed as part of a comprehensive package. Mr. Farley and Mr. Osnoss had a subsequent conversation on this matter on May 2, 2020.

FPAC’s board met again on May 2, 2020. Immediately prior to the meeting, Mr. Dawson of ML received and forwarded to the FPAC directors, a letter from Greg Varallo of Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossman LLP, as a Delaware counsel on behalf of the Seller Parties. The letter commented on the provisions of the Merger Agreement respecting a change in the board’s recommendation and also on FPAC’s continuing obligation to work towards a consummation of the Business Combination. At the meeting, Mr. Farley reported on his conversations with Mr. Osnoss. In addition, Messrs. Farley and Bonanno presented their updated assessment of Global Blue’s financial condition, which was prepared by FPAC management as described above in respect of the April 25, 2020 board meeting. The board also discussed the letter from the Seller Parties’ Delaware counsel, and Mr. Dawson of ML and counsel to the independent directors answered questions from the directors.

On the evenings of May 5 and May 6, 2020, FPAC’s board of directors met again, at which time Messrs. Farley and Bonanno presented a further updated assessment of Global Blue’s financial condition. Representatives of ML and counsel for the independent directors attended. At the May 6, 2020 meeting, the FPAC board unanimously resolved to change its recommendation to FPAC’s stockholders to “AGAINST” the Business Combination. The board based its decision on the reasons described below under “—FPAC’s Board of Directors” Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination.” The board discussed with counsel and approved a form of press release announcing its decision and directing FPAC management to share a draft with STB, consider STB’s comments in good faith and then issue the final press release before stock markets opened on May 7, 2020.

In the early evening of May 6, 2020, ML shared a draft of the press release with STB. After making certain changes in response to STB’s comments, the press release was publicly released by FPAC at 6:00 A.M. on May 7, 2020. Shortly thereafter, Global Blue issued its own press release reacting to the FPAC board’s change of recommendation.

On May 23, 2020, representatives of Globetrotter sent Mr. Farley a memorandum, addressed to the FPAC board, outlining certain proposed changes to the Transaction terms that Globetrotter and the other Global Blue

 

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shareholders were prepared to offer in connection with the Business Combination. In the memorandum, Globetrotter proposed the following (the “Proposed Enhancements”): (i) convert the approximately $168 million cash dividend, which would be due to the pre-Business Combination shareholders of Global Blue pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, to New Global Blue Shares valued at $10.00 per share (which would be approximately 16.8 million New Global Blue Shares, subject to changes in the EUR/USD exchange rate until Closing); (ii) discuss ways to target $1.00+ in value per FPAC Warrant paid in connection with closing of the Business Combination; (iii) the pre-Business Combination Global Blue shareholders matching share-for-share every Founder share (in addition to the 2,500,000 Excluded Founder Shares which Founder had already agreed to surrender for Contingent Shares) that the Founder agrees to convert to an earn-out share that could have vesting conditions to be agreed (but suggested to be split evenly among $12, $13 and $14 per share price vesting conditions), which would accrete further value to the Public Stockholders; and (iv) collaborate with FPAC in an effort to reduce transaction fees and expenses.

In the memorandum to the FPAC board, Globetrotter also informed the FPAC board that it had acquired shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock representing approximately 12% of the total outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock and that it had acquired such shares with the intention of supporting the Business Combination, including by voting the shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock beneficially owned by Globetrotter for the Merger in favor of the Business Combination Proposal. On May 27, 2020, Globetrotter and certain of its affiliates filed a Schedule 13D with the SEC disclosing such acquisition of FPAC Class A Common Stock, as well as filing its memorandum to the FPAC board as an exhibit to the Schedule 13D.

In the memorandum, Globetrotter enumerated various factors to support their continued confidence in Global Blue and why the FPAC stockholders should vote in favor of the Business Combination. These factors and their underlying support included:

 

   

Globetrotter’s continued belief in the long-term value of the Global Blue enterprise—Globetrotter noting, among other things, its beliefs as follows with respect to Global Blue: Global Blue’s history of growth innovation and leadership; most travel related companies have experienced negative results and/or withdrawn public guidance because of the pandemic results, but high quality businesses continue to have significant enterprise value; Global Blue will continue to be well-positioned versus its competitors in a post-COVID-19 world; and recently certain destination countries for tax-free shopping have started to formulate plans to ease the lockdown, including reopening shops and borders.

 

   

Globetrotter’s belief that voting in favor of the Business Combination was in the best interest of the FPAC stockholders—Globetrotter noting, among other things, that stockholders should be empowered to have a choice between participating in the future ownership of New Global Blue or redeeming their shares as part of the transaction for cash in the Trust; a rejection of the Business Combination would likely lead to a liquidation of FPAC beginning on September 14, 2020 according to FPAC’s charter; under the exclusivity terms of the Merger Agreement, neither FPAC nor Third Point may explore an alternative deal while the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement is pending; an improper termination of the Merger Agreement would expose FPAC to liability under the Merger Agreement; and the Warrants would expire worthless in a liquidation.

 

   

Globetrotter’s belief that New Global Blue would have ample liquidity to operate for more than twelve months in a protracted travel restriction scenario—Globetrotter noting, among other things: Moody’s recently noted that Global Blue currently has approximately €300 million in cash on hand; Global Blue’s shareholders were willing to further bolster the New Global Blue balance sheet by converting their cash dividend entitlement of approximately $168 million into approximately 16.8 million New Global Blue Shares; and Global Blue’s estimated pro forma net leverage ratio on normalized metrics was roughly half that of Global Blue’s primary competitor.

 

   

Globetrotter’s belief that the Public Warrants were undervalued by approximately 100% at recent trading levels—based on, among other things, illiquidity, as well as uncertainty whether the Business Combination will be consummated versus the possibility of FPAC being liquidated and the Warrants

 

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expiring worthless; and that there was a potential opportunity to create value for FPAC stockholders and Warrant holders alike, by exploring options employed by prior SPACs such as exchanging shares for warrants, reducing dilution by reducing the warrant conversion ratio in exchange for a cash payment, or purchasing warrants.

On May 24, 2020, FPAC management discussed Globetrotter’s memorandum with ML, and on May 25, 2020, the FPAC board met to discuss the memorandum. The FPAC board directed management to request from Global Blue certain clarifications and further information the FPAC management advised was necessary to enable them to evaluate and respond to the proposal. In addition, it was noted that in order to implement certain parts of the proposal it would be necessary to obtain the consent of both the Founder and Third Point. The board thus directed FPAC management to reach out to Third Point with a view to formulating an acceptable comprehensive response for Globetrotter’s consideration.

ML provided to STB the information requests of FPAC’s management on May 25, 2020 and May 26, 2020. In connection with those requests, ML also informed STB that it and FPAC management had been directed to develop a comprehensive response to the Globetrotter proposal that would be acceptable to Third Point and other FPAC stakeholders, and that would enhance the value of the Transaction to FPAC’s common stockholders, and to present such response to Globetrotter as quickly as possible. Between May 26, 2020 and June 7, 2020, Global Blue provided responses to certain of FPAC management’s information requests.

On May 29, 2020, FPAC management and ML met with representatives of Third Point to discuss the proposal and potential responses. Between May 30, 2020 and June 8, 2020, FPAC management and ML shared information with respect to Global Blue with Third Point and worked with them to formulate a response to Globetrotter. In formulating the response, FPAC management considered changes to the Transaction that were intended to enhance New Global Blue’s position as a public company, address what FPAC management believed to be short- and longer-term liquidity issues for New Global Blue, enhance deal certainty and create value for all stockholders. FPAC management acknowledged, after consulting with Third Point, that in formulating any such response they would have to be willing to accept compromises on various points, including on value.

In a conversation between Mr. Osnoss and Mr. Farley on June 9, 2020, Mr. Farley presented a portion of the proposal to Mr. Osnoss. The response was not fully presented as before all its components could be conveyed it became clear that the framework was not acceptable to Globetrotter. ML then contacted STB to discuss next steps. ML delivered the full proposal in a further conversation between ML and STB on June 12, 2020. FPAC management’s framework consisted of the following elements:

 

   

Global Blue and FPAC would initiate discussions with the lenders under the New Facilities with the goal of modifying the financial covenant contained in the New Facilities when such covenant will first be measured in September 2021.

 

   

The Seller Parties would waive the approximately €154 million (approximately $168 million) cash dividend to which they were entitled under the terms of the Merger Agreement concurrently with the Closing (and not receive any New Global Blue Shares in place of the cash), and FPAC would waive the post-closing working capital adjustment under the Merger Agreement (which FPAC management estimated would be approximately €87 million in FPAC’s favor and would have been settled in the form of New Global Blue Shares valued at $10.00 per share).

 

   

The Seller Parties would agree to a shift of €100.0 million of Cash Consideration to Share Consideration in the form of New Global Blue Shares valued at $10.00 per share.

 

   

The maximum amount of Series A Preferred Shares that could be issued would be reduced from €200.0 million to €100.0 million, with the difference in Share Consideration being delivered to the Seller Parties in the form of New Global Blue Shares.

 

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Globetrotter would agree to not redeem the 9,487,500 shares of FPAC’s Class A Common Stock that it had acquired since May 17, 2020.

 

   

The maximum amount of the Backstop would be reduced to $250.0 million (under the Maximum Redemption Scenario, the Backstop Provider would be obligated to purchase shares of FPAC Class Common Stock for approximately $392.5 million).

 

   

The enterprise value on which the Cash Consideration and Share Consideration was based under the terms of the Merger Agreement would be reduced from €2.3 billion to €1.9 billion and the Cash and Share Consideration would be adjusted accordingly.

 

   

Globetrotter and Founder would each agree to have 1.5 million New Global Blue Shares to be received by them convert to earn-out shares that would have vesting conditions to be agreed.

 

   

The parties would discuss appropriate steps to enhance the value of the New Global Blue Warrants post-Closing.

If implemented, FPAC management’s framework would result, based on FPAC management’s analysis, in the Seller Parties receiving, in the Maximum Redemption Scenario (but excluding the redemption of the 9,487,500 FPAC shares purchased by Globetrotter after announcement of the Transaction), net cash proceeds of approximately €356 million at Closing, consisting of Cash Consideration of approximately €444 million less approximately €88 million, which Globetrotter would forego by not redeeming the 9,487,500 FPAC shares purchased after the announcement of the Transaction. In addition, the Seller Parties would receive an equity interest in New Global Blue of approximately 58.7%, of which €100.0 million would be in the form of Series A Preferred Shares. The equity interest would consist of 52.6% based on the Share Consideration and 6.1% from Globetrotter not redeeming its 9,487,500 FPAC shares purchased after announcement of the Transaction. In addition, if FPAC management’s framework were implemented, following the Closing of the Transaction New Global Blue’s cash would be €254 million higher (and net debt would be lower by the same amount) than under the current terms of the Transaction.

Under the current terms of the Transaction, the Seller Parties would receive, in the Maximum Redemption Scenario (including the 9,487,500 FPAC shares purchased by Globetrotter after announcement of the Transaction), cash proceeds of approximately €738 million at Closing, consisting of Cash Consideration of approximately €584 million plus a cash dividend of approximately €154 million. In addition, the Seller Parties would receive an equity interest in New Global Blue of approximately 55.6% (including estimates of certain closing adjustments under the Merger Agreement), of which €200.0 million would be in the form of Series A Preferred Shares. Also under the current terms, Globetrotter would be entitled to receive an additional approximately €88 million from the redemption of the 9,487,500 FPAC shares purchased by Globetrotter after the announcement of the Transaction, which amount is approximately equal to the purchase price Globetrotter paid for such shares. The Maximum Redemption Scenario assumes Globetrotter redeems such 9,487,500 FPAC shares, which Globetrotter is entitled to do, although Globetrotter has not made a decision whether or not it will redeem such FPAC shares.

On June 13, 2020, the FPAC board met and FPAC management updated them on the discussions with Globetrotter.

As of the date of the proxy statement/prospectus, the parties have not come to any agreement on changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination

After careful consideration and consultation with FPAC’s management and outside legal advisors, on May 6, 2020, FPAC’s board, consisting of two management directors and three independent directors, unanimously

 

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determined that the Business Combination Proposal is not advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders and unanimously changed its previous recommendation and now recommends that FPAC’s stockholders vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal.

The board’s recommendation against the Business Combination Proposal (and the Adjournment Proposal) represents a change from the board’s initial recommendation. On January 14, 2020, prior to the execution, delivery and public announcement of the Merger Agreement, FPAC’s board had unanimously (i) approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) determined that the Business Combination was advisable and fair to and in the best interests of FPAC and its stockholders and (iii) recommended that FPAC’s stockholders approve the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal. However, the Merger Agreement provides that the board may change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify its recommendation (a “Change in Recommendation”) if it determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and/or financial advisors, that a failure to make a Change in Recommendation would reasonably be expected to constitute a breach by FPAC’s board of its fiduciary obligations to FPAC’s stockholders under applicable law. The board unanimously determined that a failure to make a Change in Recommendation would have constituted such a breach.

Prior to the Change in Recommendation, FPAC was informed by Global Blue management that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial condition, revenues and results of operations, the full impact and duration of which they are unable to accurately or reasonably forecast at this time. FPAC’s management has informed the board that it no longer supports the Business Combination.

In evaluating the Business Combination and making these determinations and this Change in Recommendation, FPAC’s board consulted with FPAC’s management and outside legal advisors. FPAC’s board considered a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below. In light of the wide number and complexity of the factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Business Combination, the board did not consider it practicable to, and did not attempt to, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered. The FPAC board views its decision as being based on all of the information available and the factors presented to and considered by it. In addition, individual directors may have given different weight to different factors. This explanation of the FPAC board’s reasons for its Change in Recommendation and all other information presented in this section is forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in light of the factors discussed under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

The FPAC board considered, among others, the following factors supporting its decision for a Change in Recommendation:

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Blue Operations. FPAC has been informed by Global Blue management that, as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related economic impact, Global Blue is experiencing a near-total reduction in transaction volume. During March 2020, most of the key European countries where Global Blue operates closed their borders to non-essential travel and all but essential retail stores were required to close. As a result, there are now only significantly limited TFS transactions in these countries, and this is expected to be the case for so long as such measures substantially in the current form remain in place and are not relaxed. In addition, other countries in Europe and the APAC region in which Global Blue operates, including those without border restrictions, are similarly experiencing significant declines in TFS transactions as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis and actions of governments and others in response to it. As a result, Global Blue’s revenues for April 2020 declined to approximately 4.8% of the revenues for April 2019, and, in the view of FPAC management, no change is expected in the near term.

Further, given the global and evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Blue management informed FPAC management that it could not predict when its impact on Global Blue will subside or how quickly thereafter international travel and demand for TFS, and Global Blue’s business, will return to or approach pre-

 

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outbreak levels. Global Blue’s business depends predominately on cross-border travel and will not benefit materially from any domestic travel recovery in any country. See “Risk Factors–Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue’s financial results, as experienced by the broader market, including the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the outbreak and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Other Information About Global Blue.”

Impact of COVID-19 Crisis on Global Blue Liquidity. FPAC has been informed by Global Blue management that, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the near total reduction in Global Blue’s business as a result of the significant reduction in international travel and shopping, Global Blue has taken a wide range of measures to reduce its cash expenditures while still attempting to maintain core internal functions, serve clients who remain active and preserve the ability to ramp-up operations to capture volume rebound. In accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, FPAC provided its consent to actions specified in several written requests from Global Blue Management. On April 21, 2020, Global Blue had informed FPAC management that as a consequence of these actions, Global Blue’s monthly cash expenditures had been reduced to approximately €13.5 million, which has subsequently been reduced further to €12.0 million as indicated in an update to FPAC management on May 29, 2020, with further potential cost saving measures to be taken. In addition, in March 2020, Global Blue requested FPAC to consent under the terms of the Merger Agreement to Global Blue drawing €79.0 million under its Existing Revolving Credit Facility, which was nearly the full remaining available amount, and FPAC provided such consent. Global Blue management described this drawdown as a precautionary decision to strengthen the balance sheet with no immediate usage of the proceeds planned. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—COVID-19” and “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” FPAC management and the FPAC board considered that these steps to manage liquidity would be offset by Global Blue’s distribution of the cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders to which they are contractually entitled by the Merger Agreement, which will be approximately €154.0 million, or $168 million (the “Cash Dividend”). FPAC management informed the FPAC board of its belief that, notwithstanding the measures taken to preserve liquidity, including the drawdown of the Existing Revolving Credit Facility and Global Blue’s cash position of approximately €300.0 million at March 31, 2020 (pro forma for the aforementioned €79.0 million drawdown under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility), New Global Blue will not have sufficient cash to fund operations in its current financial year, and potentially soon after the Closing. FPAC management is also concerned that New Global Blue will continue to require additional cash to fund operations for a significant period of time, and these liquidity concerns are heightened by the increased working capital needs that would accompany any significant resumption of Global Blue’s business after the effects of the pandemic subside. FPAC’s management estimates that under a range of scenarios it believes are reasonable respecting the timing of any resumption of Global Blue’s business, New Global Blue’s financing needs during the 18 months following a Closing would be significant, and FPAC cannot be certain that New Global Blue would have access to adequate debt or equity financing during this period. Further, absent a significant and rapid recovery of Global Blue’s business, FPAC management believes the aggregate amount of New Global Blue’s indebtedness and the Series A Preferred Shares (which FPAC expects will be fully issued upon a Closing) would be more than Global Blue’s business in its current condition would be able to sustain and may impede access to additional necessary financing. FPAC management also estimates that New Global Blue may have difficulty meeting the financial covenant in the New Facilities when such covenant is first tested in September 2021. Finally, the FPAC board considered that on March 31, 2020, Moody’s Investors Service announced that it had downgraded Global Blue’s investment rating from B2 to B1, with a negative outlook. While this downgrade was not expressly linked to any liquidity concerns, FPAC’s management believes it will nonetheless adversely impact New Global Blue’s ability to secure financing to address its liquidity needs.

As discussed above under “—The Business Combination Proposal – Background to the Business Combination”, subsequent to the FPAC board’s decision to change its recommendation, on May 23, 2020, representatives of

 

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Globetrotter sent Mr. Farley a memorandum, addressed to the FPAC board, outlining certain proposed changes to the Transaction terms that Globetrotter and the other Global Blue shareholders were prepared to offer in connection with the Business Combination and which sought to address, among other things, concerns about Global Blue’s liquidity. On June 9, 2020 and June 12, 2020, FPAC management and ML outlined a counterproposal to Globetrotter and STB that, in FPAC management’s view, would have better addressed what FPAC management views as New Global Blue’s short- and longer- term liquidity issues, would have helped bolster post-Transaction Global Blue’s position as a public company and increase the likelihood of closing the Transaction. FPAC’s management’s counterproposal has not been accepted.

Lack of Meaningful Current Forecasts or Other Information. As discussed below under “—Certain Projected Financial Information”, Global Blue management provided to FPAC and its board of directors, in conjunction with their evaluation of the Business Combination in December 2019 – January 2020, Global Blue management’s internally prepared financial projections, including its forecasts for the financial years ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 as well as medium-term objectives for the following financial years up to March 31, 2024. Such forecasts were prepared by Global Blue management in August 2019 and accordingly could not have taken account of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis on Global Blue. Global Blue management informed FPAC in April 2020 with respect to these forecasts that given the global and evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Blue management could not forecast when the impacts of the pandemic would subside or how quickly thereafter international travel, consumer spending, and demand for TFS and Global Blue services would return to pre-pandemic levels. Since April, Global Blue management has not provided FPAC with any post-COVID-19 revenue forecasts. In addition, Global Blue’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, as revised as of April 14, 2020, include in the notes the statement that “[Global Blue] cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of this pandemic, which could have a significant negative impact on [Global Blue’s] business, results of operations and cash flows in the year ending 31 March 2021.” Global Blue’s independent registered public accounting firm noted this subsequent event disclosure in its audit opinion respecting such financial statements. As a result, FPAC’s management, board of directors and stockholders lack meaningful forecasts or certain other information about Global Blue.

Valuation. In initially approving the Business Combination in January 2020, the board considered that the valuation of Global Blue based on an implied acquisition multiple of 12.1x forecasted Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ending March 31, 2021 represented a discount to a peer group of publicly traded integrated payment networks, payment processors and payment networks that was jointly developed by FPAC management and Global Blue management for valuation purposes. These publicly traded companies consisted of Amadeus IT Group, S.A., Edenred SA, FleetCor Technologies, Inc., Wex Inc., Mastercard Incorporated, Visa Inc., Worldline SA, Fiserv, Inc., Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (FIS), and Global Payments Inc. This same peer group valuation data, in the context of Global Blue’s relative valuation, was used by FPAC management and Global Blue management in marketing the Transaction to the Primary PIPE Investors and in initial meetings with potential investors following the announcement of the Transaction in January 2020. Given the lack of any forecasts provided to FPAC for Global Blue that take into account the impact of the pandemic, the board believes that this valuation is no longer reliable. Based on publicly available information, FPAC management believes that most if not all members of this peer group, while impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, have to date been adversely impacted to a significantly lesser degree than Global Blue and thus does not consider these companies’ current market valuation as an accurate indicator of the value of Global Blue. This is particularly so given FPAC management’s belief that Global Blue, even if the steps identified by Global Blue to mitigate what FPAC management believes to be Global Blue’s short-term liquidity issues were implemented, would have insufficient capital and liquidity to fund its operations following the closing of the Transaction and given FPAC management’s belief as to the premium placed in the current market environment on balance street strength and liquidity to enable companies to ride out the pandemic and the related economic fallout. FPAC management informed the board that management believes the current value of Global Blue is significantly and materially lower than the value contemplated when the Transaction was approved by FPAC’s board. FPAC management also informed the FPAC board that it expects the trading price of the New Global Blue Shares to be significantly

 

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less than $10.00 per share following the Closing, and thus significantly less than the value attributed to FPAC Common Stock under the terms of the Business Combination and significantly less than the cash payment a holder of FPAC Public Shares could receive upon a redemption of such shares or liquidation of FPAC.

Trading Liquidity and NYSE listing. In the event of significant redemptions of Public Shares, the trading market for New Global Blue Shares is highly likely to be significantly illiquid. In addition, even though FPAC and Global Blue are required to use their reasonable best efforts to meet the Merger Agreement closing conditions, including obtaining listing approval from the NYSE, the FPAC board considered that New Global Blue may not be able to meet certain of the NYSE’s quantitative listing standards, which include the requirement of an expected $4.00 per share trading price, a minimum “public float” (based on all shares, except shares held by directors, executive officers and shareholders owning 10% or more of the outstanding shares) of 1.1 million shares with an aggregate value of $100.0 million and a minimum of 400 round lot holders. It is a condition to consummation of the Business Combination in the Merger Agreement that the New Global Blue Shares to be issued in connection with the Business Combination will have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof. FPAC has informed Global Blue that it reserves its rights concerning this condition. Accordingly, even if stockholders approve the Transaction, there is no certainty the Transaction would close on or prior to the August 31, 2020 termination date provided for in the Merger Agreement if the NYSE listing approval is not obtained.

Possible Occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, it is a condition of FPAC’s obligation to close the Business Combination that no “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to Global Blue shall have occurred, subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement and prior to the Closing. The definition of Material Adverse Effect provides that the effects of a pandemic, contagious disease outbreaks and travel restrictions, among other things, shall not be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred, or be reasonably expected to occur, except to the extent the impact of such matters on Global Blue are, or would reasonably be expected to be, disproportionate as compared to other participants in the industries in which Global Blue conducts business. See “–The Merger Agreement – Material Adverse Effect” and “–The Merger Agreement – Conditions to Closing.” FPAC believes it is possible the impact on Global Blue of the COVID-19 health crisis will result in the occurrence of a “Material Adverse Effect” and FPAC has informed Global Blue that it reserves its rights with respect thereto. FPAC will continue to monitor this condition to closing. Accordingly, even if stockholders approve the Transaction, there is no certainty the Transaction would close on or prior to the August 31, 2020 termination date provided for in the Merger Agreement if the FPAC board was unable to determine that all conditions to closing had been met as a result of a Material Adverse Effect having occurred with respect to Global Blue or otherwise.

Effect of Stockholder Vote Against Business Combination. In the event the Business Combination is not approved by the holders of FPAC Common Stock, or the Business Combination is not consummated for any other reason, FPAC will take steps to terminate the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. Following such termination, FPAC’s board of directors would consider the options available to FPAC.

Other Risks. Various other risks associated with the Business Combination, the business of FPAC and the business of Global Blue are described under “Risk Factors.”

In connection with its Change in Recommendation, the board also considered again certain positive factors concerning the Business Combination and Global Blue that it had considered in January at the time of its initial approval and recommendation of the Business Combination. The board determined that such factors should be considered in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic effect’s significant adverse impact on Global Blue’s financial condition and operations, and the lack of a forecast on the recovery of Global Blue’s business. The factors included, but were not limited to, the following:

 

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Macroeconomic Growth Drivers. Global Blue is exposed to multiple macroeconomic growth drivers, namely emerging market wealth growth, VAT dynamics and digitalization of export validation, which will underpin the long-term growth potential of the business when international travel resumes.

Leading Global Player. Global Blue is the global leader in the TFS market with an approximately 70% share of the third-party serviced market segment prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the related economic impact, able to serve clients in more than 40 TFS countries across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.

Access to a Large Transactional Database. As a result of Global Blue’s market position, global presence and tenure in the market, it has collected a meaningful amount of data. As a result, Global Blue has recently launched a new set of solutions (see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Strategy—Management strategy to boost growth of TFS—Increasing TFS segment share by being the leader in product innovation and digitalization”), which the FPAC board believes could represent a new channel for revenue generation once the effects of the pandemic subside.

Consistent Investment in Technology Platform. Global Blue has invested significant amounts in technology in recent years. With multiple large releases for merchants, international shoppers, and customs currently in the early- to mid-adoption curve, there is a growth opportunity once fully rolled-out and the effects of the pandemic subside.

High Quality Portfolio of Brands. Global Blue has longstanding relationships with iconic luxury brands (an average of more than 20 years for the top-20 luxury brands) with low historical churn rates.

Potential Bolt-on Acquisitions. As a result of the depth of the portfolio and the resulting access to the c-suite at the respective brands, the FPAC board perceived there to be an opportunity to cross-sell, over time, new services and solutions to these merchants. The adjacent verticals identified by FPAC and Global Blue management were information services, consumer digital marketing, technology and payments at point-of-sale, and added value payment services.

Unique Shareholder. The opportunity to partner with Ant Financial, amongst the leading global payment firms, represented an opportunity for future accretive commercial collaborations between Global Blue and Ant Financial.

Global Blue’s Experienced and Proven Management Team. The FPAC board’s belief, after discussion with management, that Global Blue’s service management team is talented and experienced, with the ability to effectively execute Global Blue’s strategy.

Other Alternatives. The FPAC board’s belief, after a thorough review of other business combination opportunities reasonably available to FPAC, many of which the board believed were highly attractive, that the proposed Business Combination represented the best potential business combination for FPAC at the time the Merger Agreement was entered into based upon the process utilized to evaluate and assess other potential acquisition targets.

Terms of the Merger Agreement. The FPAC board considered the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination.

The FPAC board also considered a variety of risks if the Business Combination is not consummated and the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms:

Liquidation of FPAC. The risk that FPAC is unlikely to be able to effect an Initial Business Combination with another party by September 14, 2020, forcing FPAC to either (a) seek stockholder approval for an extension of

 

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its time to complete an Initial Business Combination, or (b) liquidate, which would result in the Warrants expiring worthless.

Exclusivity. The fact that the Merger Agreement includes an exclusivity provision that restricts FPAC’s ability to consider other potential business combinations until such time as the Merger Agreement is terminated, which in the event the Business Combination is not completed could result in FPAC being unable to complete an Initial Business Combination prior to September 14, 2020.

Definition of Material Adverse Effect. That the definition of Material Adverse Effect provides that the effects of a pandemic, contagious disease outbreaks and travel restrictions, among other things, shall not be taken into account in determining whether a “material adverse effect” shall have occurred, or be reasonably expected to occur, except to the extent the impact of such matters on Global Blue are, or would reasonably be expected to be, disproportionate as compared to other participants in the industries in which Global Blue conducts business. In the event the Business Combination is approved and FPAC determines not to complete the Transaction on the basis that a “Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with respect to Global Blue shall have occurred, or be reasonably expected to occur, subsequent to the execution of the Merger Agreement and prior to the Closing, it is possible that such action would result in litigation among the parties. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several instances of litigation involving other parties over “material adverse effect” provisions. The results of any such litigation, including with respect to the future of FPAC and the Trust, are impossible to predict at this time.

In addition to considering the factors described above, the board also considered that:

Interests of Certain Persons. The officers, who also comprise two of the directors, of FPAC may have interests in the Business Combination (and its completion or termination) as individuals that are in addition to, and that may be different from, the interests of FPAC’s stockholders (see “— Interests of FPAC’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination” and Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions”). FPAC’s independent directors reviewed and considered these interests during their evaluation of the Business Combination in connection with both its initial approval of the Business Combination in January 2020, and its determination in April 2020 to change its recommendation to “AGAINST” the Business Combination.

The board concluded that the potentially negative factors associated with the Business Combination substantially outweighed the potential benefits that it expected FPAC and its stockholders to achieve as a result of the Business Combination. Accordingly, on May 6, 2020, the board unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Business Combination, were not advisable, fair to, or in the best interests of, FPAC and its stockholders. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by FPAC’s board of directors is not meant to be exhaustive, but includes the material information and factors considered by FPAC’s board of directors.

Certain Projected Financial Information

Prior to entering into the Merger Agreement, Global Blue made available certain financial projections to FPAC and FPAC’s board of directors in connection with their review of the proposed Business Combination in December 2019 – January 2020. These projections were prepared in August 2019 and did not take account of any circumstances or events occurring after such date, including the COVID-19 pandemic which arose after the projections were prepared. In April, 2020, Global Blue advised FPAC with respect to these forecasts that given the global and evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Blue cannot predict when the impacts of the pandemic will subside or how quickly thereafter international travel, consumer spending, and demand for TFS and Global Blue services will return to pre-pandemic levels. As a result, Global Blue cannot accurately and reasonably quantify, at this time, the related financial impact of the pandemic. In connection with the FPAC board’s Change in Recommendation, the FPAC board determined that the previously provided projections should not be considered to be of continued validity and did not rely on them as part of their determination of whether or not to change their recommendation. Accordingly, these projections have not been included in this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

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Satisfaction of 80% Test

It is a requirement under FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation that any business acquired by FPAC have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the Trust Account at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination (excluding the deferred underwriting discount held in, and taxes payable on the income earned on, the Trust Account). This requirement is measured at the time of the execution of the definitive agreement only, and the restated certificate of incorporation does not require or provide for a reevaluation of this after such execution.

As of January 16, 2020, the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement, the balance of the funds in the Trust Account, less the items described above, was approximately $629 million and 80% thereof represents approximately $503 million. In reaching its conclusion on the 80% asset test, FPAC’s board of directors used as a fair market value the €2.3 billion enterprise value for Global Blue, which was implied based on the terms of the Business Combination agreed to by parties in negotiating the Merger Agreement. The parties to the Merger Agreement considered factors such as Global Blue’s historical financial results, the future growth outlook and financial plan, as well as valuations and trading of publicly traded companies in similar and adjacent sectors.

On January 14, 2020, the FPAC board determined that the consideration being paid in the Business Combination, which amount was negotiated at arms-length, appropriately reflected Global Blue’s value as of such date. The FPAC board based this conclusion on a range of qualitative and quantitative factors such as Global Blue’s market position, management experience, and future growth opportunities.

The FPAC board believes that because of the financial skills and background of its directors, it was qualified to conclude that the acquisition of Global Blue met the 80% requirement as of January 16, 2020. Based on the fact that the €2.3 billion fair market value of Global Blue as described above, is in excess of the threshold of approximately $503 million, representing 80% of the balance of the funds in the Trust Account (less the items described above), the FPAC board determined that the fair market value of Global Blue at the time of the execution of the Merger Agreement was substantially in excess of 80% of the funds in the Trust Account and that the 80% test was met.

Interests of FPAC’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination

In considering the recommendation of the board of directors of FPAC to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, stockholders should keep in mind that, whether the Business Combination is consummated or not, FPAC’s initial stockholders, including its directors and executive officers, have interests in such proposal that are different from, or in addition to, those of FPAC stockholders generally. In particular:

 

   

If the Business Combination with Global Blue or another business combination is not consummated by September 14, 2020, FPAC will cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, redeeming 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for cash and, subject to the approval of its remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolving and liquidating. In such event, the 15,812,500 FPAC Class B Common Shares held by FPAC’s initial stockholders (the Founder and FPAC’s independent directors), which were acquired for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 prior to FPAC’s IPO, would be worthless because FPAC’s initial stockholders are not entitled to participate in any redemption or distribution with respect to such shares. Such shares had an aggregate market value of $             million based upon the closing price of $             per share on the NYSE on                 , 2020. This includes shares with a market value of $ held by each of FPAC’s independent directors.

 

   

The Founder purchased an aggregate of 9,766,667 Warrants from FPAC for an aggregate purchase price of $14,650,000 (or $1.50 per Unit). These purchases took place on a private placement basis

 

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simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. All of the proceeds FPAC received from these purchases were placed in the Trust Account. Such Units had an aggregate market value of $             million based upon the closing price of $             per unit on the NYSE on                     , 2020. The purchasers of the private Units waived the right to participate in any redemption or liquidation distribution with respect to such private Units. Accordingly, FPAC Common Stock and Warrants underlying the private Units will become worthless (as will Warrants held by Public Stockholders) if FPAC does not consummate a business combination by September 14, 2020.

 

   

The market value of each of the FPAC independent directors’ current equity ownership in FPAC Class A Common Stock and Units, based on the closing price of $             per share of FPAC Class A Common Stock and $             per unit on the NYSE as of                     , 2020, is approximately $             million.

 

   

The Merger Agreement provides that Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board, will become Chairman of New Global Blue. As such, in the future he could receive cash fees, stock options or stock awards that the New Global Blue board of directors determines to pay to its Chairman.

 

   

David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and director, has an agreement with the Founder whereby if he remains employed by FPAC as of the Closing Date (or the closing date of another Initial Business Combination), or if his employment were terminated without cause or due to death or disability, he will be entitled to a payment comprised of a portion of the Founder’s New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants with a value determined based on the trading value of New Global Blue Shares following the Closing Date, but in no event in excess of $10.0 million.

 

   

If New Global Blue is unable to complete the Business Combination within the required time period, the Founder will be liable to ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target business(es) or claims of vendors or other entities that are owed money by FPAC for services rendered or contracted for or products sold to FPAC, but only if such a vendor or target business has not executed a waiver.

 

   

FPAC’s initial stockholders, including its officers and directors, and their affiliates are entitled to reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with certain activities on FPAC’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business targets and business combinations. However, if FPAC fails to consummate a business combination within the required period, they will not have any claim against the Trust Account for reimbursement. Accordingly, FPAC may not be able to reimburse these expenses if the Business Combination with Global Blue or another business combination, is not completed by September 14, 2020. As of the date of this proxy statement/ prospectus, there are no unpaid reimbursable expenses.

 

   

The Merger Agreement provides that New Global Blue will indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of FPAC against any costs or expenses in connection with any action arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing. The Merger Agreement also provides that New Global Blue will maintain for not less than six years from the Closing provisions in its organization documents regarding the indemnification and exoneration of officers and directors that are no less favorable to such persons than the provisions in such organizational documents in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement.

 

   

The Merger Agreement provides that for six years from the Closing, New Global Blue shall or shall cause its subsidiaries to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering persons currently covered by FPAC’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies on terms not less favorable than the terms of such current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

 

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Recommendation of FPAC’s Board of Directors AGAINST the Business Combination

After careful consideration of the matters described above, FPAC’s board determined unanimously that the Business Combination Proposal, and the Adjournment Proposal (if presented) are not advisable or fair to or in the best interest of FPAC as it stockholders, and FPAC’s board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal (if presented).

Material Tax Considerations

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants (collectively, the “FPAC securities”) of (i) the Merger and related transactions, (ii) electing to have shares of FPAC Common Stock redeemed for cash if the Merger is completed, and (iii) the ownership and disposition of New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants (collectively, the “New Global Blue securities”) acquired pursuant to the Merger and related transactions. This discussion only applies to FPAC securities and New Global Blue securities held as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes and does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of FPAC securities and New Global Blue securities in light of their particular circumstances, including alternative minimum tax and Medicare contribution tax consequences, or holders who are subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

financial institutions or financial services entities;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

government agencies or instrumentalities thereof;

 

   

regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;

 

   

expatriates or former residents of the United States;

 

   

persons that acquired securities pursuant to an exercise of employee share options, in connection with employee incentive plans or otherwise as compensation;

 

   

dealers or traders subject to a mark-to-market method of tax accounting with respect to the FPAC securities or New Global Blue securities;

 

   

persons holding the FPAC securities or New Global Blue securities as part of a “straddle,” hedge, integrated transactions or similar transactions;

 

   

U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or investors in such entities;

 

   

holders that are controlled foreign corporations or passive foreign investment companies;

 

   

a person required to accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to FPAC securities or New Global Blue securities as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement;

 

   

U.S. holders actually or constructively owning 5% or more of the FPAC Common Stock or the New Global Blue Shares;

 

   

a person who owns or is deemed to own 10% or more (by vote or value) of the equity of FPAC or New Global Blue; or

 

   

tax-exempt entities.

This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of entities that are partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons who hold our securities through such entities. If a partnership or

 

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other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes is the beneficial owner of FPAC securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of partners of the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partner and the partnership.

This discussion also does not address or consider the tax treatment of Contingent Shares to be issued to the Founder or its direct or indirect owners. This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus may affect the tax consequences described herein. This discussion does not take into account potential suggested or proposed changes in such tax laws which may impact the discussion below and does not address any aspect of State, local or non-U.S. taxation, or any U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes. Each of the foregoing is subject to change, potentially with retroactive effect. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the application of U.S. federal tax laws to their particular situation, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any State, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction.

Tax Treatment of New Global Blue

Treatment of New Global Blue as a Non-U.S. Corporation for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, a corporation generally will be considered to be a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is created or organized in the United States or under the law of the United States or of any State. Accordingly, under the generally applicable U.S. federal income tax rules, New Global Blue, which is not a corporation created or organized in the U.S. or under the laws of the U.S. or any State but is instead a Swiss incorporated entity, would generally be classified as a non-U.S. corporation. Section 7874 of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, however, contain specific rules (more fully discussed below) that may cause a non-U.S. corporation to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If it were determined that New Global Blue should be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code, New Global Blue would be liable for U.S. federal income tax on its income just like any other U.S. corporation and certain distributions made by New Global Blue to non-U.S. holders of New Global Blue Shares would be subject to U.S. withholding tax.

The Section 7874 rules are complex and require analysis of all relevant facts, and there is limited guidance as to their application. Under Section 7874 of the Code, a corporation created or organized outside the United States (i.e., a non-U.S. corporation) will nevertheless be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and, therefore, be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide income) if (1) the non-U.S. corporation directly or indirectly acquires substantially all of the assets held directly or indirectly by a U.S. corporation (including through the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of the U.S. corporation), (2) the non-U.S. corporation’s “expanded affiliated group” does not have substantial business activities in the non-U.S. corporation’s country of organization or incorporation relative to the expanded affiliated group’s worldwide activities, and (3) the shareholders of the acquired U.S. corporation before the acquisition hold at least 80% (by either vote or value) of the shares of the non-U.S. acquiring corporation after the acquisition by reason of holding shares in the acquired U.S. corporation (the “Ownership Test”).

Based on the complex rules for determining share ownership under Section 7874 of the Code and certain factual assumptions, former FPAC stockholders are expected to be treated as holding less than 80% (by both vote and value) of New Global Blue Shares by reason of their former ownership of FPAC Common Stock, and therefore New Global Blue is not expected to satisfy the Ownership Test. As a result, New Global Blue is not expected to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code. However, whether the Ownership Test has been satisfied must be finally determined after the completion of the Transaction, by which time there could be adverse changes to the relevant facts and circumstances. Furthermore, the interpretation of Treasury regulations relating to the Ownership Test is subject to uncertainty, and there is limited guidance regarding their application. In addition, changes to the rules in Section 7874 of the Code or the

 

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Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, or other changes in law, could adversely affect New Global Blue’s status as a non-U.S. entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position to those described above or that a court will not agree with a contrary position of the IRS in the event of litigation.

U.S. Holders

The discussion set forth below is applicable only to “U.S. holders” (as defined below) (i) who are residents of the U.S. for purposes of the U.S.-Swiss Treaty, (ii) that derive dividends on FPAC Common Stock and New Global Blue Shares that are not, for purposes of the U.S.-Swiss Treaty, effectively connected with a permanent establishment in Switzerland and (iii) who otherwise qualify for the full benefits of the U.S.-Swiss Treaty. A “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of FPAC securities or New Global Blue securities who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S., any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if (1) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

ALL HOLDERS OF FPAC SECURITIES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE TRANSACTIONS TO THEM, INCLUDING THE EFFECTS OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

The Merger

Subject to the discussions below of FPAC Public Warrants and Section 367(a) of the Code, the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants) and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, taken together with the related transactions, should qualify as a transfer of property to a corporation in exchange for stock qualifying for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section 351(a) of the Code (a “Section 351 Exchange”). New Global Blue has received an opinion from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP to the effect that (1) the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, taken together with related transactions, should qualify as a Section 351 Exchange, and (2) Section 367(a) of the Code should not cause New Global Blue not to be treated a corporation for purposes of recognizing gain with respect to the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger. Such opinion is based upon representations, warranties and covenants provided by New Global Blue, FPAC, Global Blue and other relevant parties and certain assumptions, all of which must continue to be true and accurate as of the effective time of the Merger. In addition, the opinion will be subject to certain qualifications and limitations as set forth in the opinion. If any of the assumptions, representations, warranties or covenants upon which the opinion is based are inconsistent with the actual facts, the tax opinion could be invalid. Although Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP intends to deliver an opinion regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger and the related transactions, given the complex nature of the tax rules applicable to the Merger and the related transaction and the absence of authorities directly on point or an advance ruling from the IRS, the conclusions stated in the such opinion are not free from

 

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doubt, and there is a risk that the IRS could take a contrary position to those described in the opinion and that a court will agree with such contrary position in the event of litigation.

U.S. holders exchanging FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares

A U.S. holder that owns only shares of FPAC Common Stock but not FPAC Public Warrants and that exchanges such FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares as a result of the Merger and related transactions generally should not recognize gain or loss. The aggregate tax basis for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the New Global Blue Shares received by such U.S. holder should be the same as the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the FPAC Common Stock surrendered in exchange therefor. For U.S. federal income tax purposes the holding period of the New Global Blue Shares received by such U.S. holder will include the period during which the shares of FPAC Common Stock exchanged therefor were held by such U.S. holder.

U.S. holders whose FPAC Public Warrants become New Global Blue Warrants

A U.S. holder that owns only FPAC Public Warrants but not FPAC Common Stock and whose FPAC Public Warrants convert into New Global Blue Warrants should recognize gain or loss upon conversion of FPAC Public Warrants into New Global Blue Warrants equal to the difference between the fair market value of the New Global Blue Warrants received and such U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. holder’s FPAC Public Warrants. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in New Global Blue Warrants deemed received in the Merger and related transactions will equal the fair market value of such Warrants. A U.S. holder’s holding period in such U.S. holder’s New Global Blue Warrants should begin on the day after the Merger.

U.S. holders exchanging FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants for New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants

A U.S. holder that receives New Global Blue Shares in exchange for such U.S. holder’s FPAC Common Stock and whose FPAC Public Warrants convert to New Global Blue Warrants in the Merger and related transactions should recognize gain (if any) with respect to such shares of FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants held immediately prior to the Merger in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants over such U.S. holder’s tax basis in such FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants or (ii) the fair market value of such New Global Blue Warrants. Any loss realized by a U.S. holder would not be recognized.

Gain, if any, described in the previous paragraph that is recognized by a U.S. holder will generally be long-term capital gain to the extent it is allocated to surrendered FPAC Common Stock or FPAC Public Warrants that were held by such U.S. holder for more than one year at the time of the Merger. A U.S. holder should be able to “tack on” the U.S. holder’s holding period in the surrendered FPAC Common Stock to such U.S. holder’s holding period in its New Global Blue Shares received in exchange therefor. A U.S. holder’s holding period in the New Global Blue Warrants received should begin on the day after the Merger.

Section 367(a)

Section 367(a) of the Code and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder impose certain additional requirements for qualifying under Section 351 of the Code with respect to transactions where a U.S. person transfers stock or securities in a U.S. corporation to a foreign corporation in exchange for stock or securities in a foreign corporation. U.S. holders of FPAC Common Stock will be deemed to transfer shares of such stock to New Global Blue in exchange for New Global Blue Shares, so that these requirements will apply.

In general, for an exchange of FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares by a U.S. holder in the Merger to meet these additional requirements, certain reporting requirements must be satisfied and each of the following conditions must be met: (i) no more than 50% of both the total voting power and the total value of the stock of

 

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New Global Blue is received in the exchange, in the aggregate, by “U.S. transferors” (as defined in the Treasury regulations and computed taking into account direct, indirect and constructive ownership); (ii) no more than 50% of each of the total voting power and the total value of the stock of New Global Blue is owned, in the aggregate, immediately after the exchange by “U.S. persons” (as defined in the Treasury regulations) that are either officers or directors or “five-percent target shareholders” (as defined in the Treasury regulations and computed taking into account direct, indirect and constructive ownership) of FPAC; (iii) either (A) the U.S. holder is not a “five-percent transferee shareholder” (as defined in the Treasury regulations and computed taking into account direct, indirect and constructive ownership) of New Global Blue or (B) the U.S. holder is a “five-percent transferee shareholder” of New Global Blue and enters into an agreement with the IRS to recognize gain on the transferred shares under certain circumstances; and (iv) the “active trade or business test” as defined in Treasury regulation Section 1.367(a)-3(c)(3) is satisfied. The active trade or business test generally requires (A) New Global Blue to be engaged in an “active trade or business” outside of the U.S. for the 36-month period immediately before the transfer and neither the transferors nor New Global Blue to have an intention to substantially dispose of or discontinue such trade or business and (B) the fair market value of New Global Blue to be at least equal to the fair market value of FPAC, as specifically determined for purposes of Section 367 of the Code, at the time of the transfer. It is currently expected that conditions (i), (ii), and (iv) will be met and that, as a result, the Merger and related transactions will not fail to satisfy the applicable requirements under Section 367 of the Code on account of such conditions. It should be noted, however, that there is limited guidance regarding the application of these requirements to facts similar to the Transaction. In addition, the determination of whether Section 367(a) of the Code will apply to FPAC stockholders cannot be made until the Transaction is completed. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that Section 367(a) of the Code will not apply to U.S. holders of FPAC Common Stock that participate in the Merger.

If the surrender by FPAC stockholders of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants) and the acquisition of New Global Blue Shares by FPAC stockholders in exchange therefor resulting from the Merger, taken together with the related transactions, are not treated as a transfer of property to a corporation in exchange for stock qualifying for non-recognition of gain or loss under Section 351(a) of the Code or are treated as a transfer described in Section 351(a) of the Code but it is determined that Section 367(a) of the Code applies to the transfer of FPAC Common Stock (and, if such FPAC stockholders are also surrendering Public Warrants, of Public Warrants), then a U.S. holder would generally recognize gain, if any, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of the New Global Blue Shares (and, if such U.S. holder is also surrendering Public Warrants, New Global Blue Warrants) received over (ii) such holder’s adjusted tax basis in such FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any). Any such gain would be capital gain, and generally would be long-term capital gain if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any) exceeded one year at the time of the Merger. The U.S. holder would not recognize any loss in such holder’s FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any) and would not be permitted to net any such losses against any gain recognized with respect to other shares of FPAC Common Stock (and Public Warrants, if any). The consequences of an exchange of Public Warrants in the Merger by a U.S. holder of Public Warrants that does not also hold FPAC Common Stock will be as described above under “—U.S. holders converting FPAC Warrants for New Global Blue Warrants.”

Redemption of FPAC Common Stock

In the event that a U.S. holder’s shares of FPAC Common Stock are redeemed for cash pursuant to the Transactions, the treatment of the redemption for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of the FPAC Common Stock under Section 302 of the Code. Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of shares of FPAC Common Stock treated as held by the U.S. holder relative to all of the shares of FPAC Common Stock outstanding both before and after the redemption. For this purpose, the shares outstanding after the redemption should take into account shares owned by New Global Blue as a result of the Transaction.

The redemption of FPAC Common Stock generally will be treated as a sale of the FPAC Common Stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if the redemption (i) results in a “complete termination” of the U.S. holder’s

 

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interest in FPAC, (ii) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the U.S. holder or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the U.S. holder. These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the foregoing tests are satisfied, a U.S. holder generally should take into account not only FPAC Common Stock actually owned by the U.S. holder, but also FPAC Common Stock constructively owned by it including, as appropriate, shares owned by New Global Blue after the Transaction. A U.S. holder may constructively own, in addition to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the U.S. holder has an interest or that have an interest in such U.S. holder, as well as any shares the U.S. holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option, which would generally include FPAC Common Stock or New Global Blue Shares which could be directly or constructively acquired pursuant to the exercise of FPAC Public Warrants or New Global Blue Warrants.

There will be a complete termination of a U.S. holder’s interest if either (i) all of the FPAC Common Stock actually and constructively owned by the U.S. holder is redeemed or (ii) all of the FPAC Common Stock actually owned by the U.S. holder is redeemed and the U.S. holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and the U.S. holder does not constructively own any other shares. In order to meet the “substantially disproportionate” test, the percentage of outstanding voting stock actually or constructively owned by a U.S. holder immediately following the redemption generally must be less than 80% of the voting stock actually or constructively owned by such U.S. holder immediately prior to the redemption. The redemption of the FPAC Common Stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if a U.S. holder’s redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in FPAC. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in FPAC will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” U.S. holders should consult with their tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.

If the redemption qualifies as a sale of stock by the U.S. holder under Section 302 of the Code, the U.S. holder would generally be required to recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the tax basis of the FPAC Common Stock redeemed. Such gain or loss generally would be treated as capital gain or loss if such shares were held as a capital asset on the date of the redemption. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in such holder’s FPAC Common Stock generally will equal the cost of such shares.

If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of stock under Section 302 of the Code, then the U.S. holder will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution. Such distribution generally will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will constitute a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such U.S. holder’s FPAC Common Stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the FPAC Common Stock.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

Certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to a U.S. holder if New Global Blue is treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which the U.S. holder holds New Global Blue Shares. A non-U.S. corporation, such as New Global Blue, will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for such year consists of certain types of “passive” income or (ii) 50% or more of the value of its assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) during such year produce or are held for the production of passive income. Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, annuities, net gains from the sale or exchange of property producing such income and net foreign currency gains. For purposes of the PFIC income

 

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test and asset test described above, if New Global Blue owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, New Global Blue will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation.

New Global Blue is not currently expected to be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for the taxable year of the Transaction or for foreseeable future taxable years. This conclusion is a factual determination, however, that must be made annually at the close of each taxable year and, thus, is subject to change. There can be no assurance that New Global Blue will not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year.

If New Global Blue were to be treated as a PFIC, U.S. holders holding New Global Blue Shares could be subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to gain realized on a taxable disposition of such shares (or shares of any New Global Blue subsidiaries that are PFICs) and certain distributions received on such shares (or shares of any New Global Blue subsidiaries that are PFICs). Certain elections (including a mark-to-market election) may be available to U.S. holders to mitigate some of the adverse tax consequences resulting from PFIC treatment. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to their investment in New Global Blue Shares.

Taxation of Distributions

A U.S. holder generally will be required to include in gross income the amount of any cash distribution paid on the New Global Blue Shares treated as a dividend. A cash distribution on such shares generally will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent the distribution is paid out of New Global Blue’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). Such dividends paid by New Global Blue will be taxable to a corporate U.S. holder at regular rates and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to domestic corporations in respect of dividends received from other domestic corporations.

Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. holder’s basis in such holder’s shares (but not below zero), and any excess will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares as described below under “—U.S. Holders—Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants.” It is not expected that New Global Blue will determine earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, U.S. holders should expect that a distribution will generally be treated as a dividend.

Any dividends received by a U.S. holder (including any withheld taxes) will be includable in such U.S. holder’s gross income as ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by such U.S. holder. Such dividends received by a non-corporate U.S. holder will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code. With respect to non-corporate U.S. holders, certain dividends received from a “qualified foreign corporation” may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the United States Treasury Department determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and that includes an exchange of information provision. A foreign corporation is also treated as a “qualified foreign corporation” with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. United States Treasury Department guidance indicates that New Global Blue Shares, which are intended to be listed on the NYSE, will be readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance, however, that New Global Blue Shares will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years or that New Global Blue will be eligible for the benefits of such a treaty. Non-corporate U.S. holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of New Global Blue’s status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition,

 

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the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

Non-corporate U.S. holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from New Global Blue if it is a passive foreign investment company in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year (see “—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules” above).

As described more fully in “—Swiss Tax Consequences—Holding New Global Blue Shares—Swiss Withholding Tax” below, a U.S. holder who is not a resident in Switzerland and who does not hold the New Global Blue Shares as part of a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland may be entitled to a full or partial refund of Swiss withholding tax deducted on dividends. A U.S. holder may be required to properly demonstrate to New Global Blue and the Swiss tax authorities its entitlement to the refund under the U.S.-Swiss Treaty. Subject to certain conditions and limitations (including a minimum holding period requirement), Swiss federal withholding taxes (Verrechnungssteuer) on dividends may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against a U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the New Global Blue Shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute passive category income. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Gain or Loss on Sale, Taxable Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants

Upon a sale or other taxable disposition of New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants and subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants.

Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for the New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants so disposed of exceeds one year. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants so disposed of. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its New Global Blue Shares generally will equal the U.S. holder’s acquisition cost of the FPAC Common Stock or Public Warrants exchanged therefor, reduced by the amount, if any, by which the value of the New Global Blue Warrants received in such exchange exceeds the gain such U.S. holder recognized on such exchange (see “—U.S. Holders—Merger” above) or, as discussed below, the U.S. holder’s initial basis for New Global Blue Shares received upon exercise of New Global Blue Warrants, less, in either case, any prior distributions on the New Global Blue Shares treated as a return of capital. A U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in its New Global Blue Warrants generally will be equal to the fair market value of such Warrants at the time of the Merger.

Exercise or Lapse of a New Global Blue Warrant

Except as discussed below with respect to the cashless exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant, a U.S. holder generally will not recognize gain or loss upon the acquisition of a New Global Blue Share on the exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant for cash. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a New Global Blue Share received upon exercise

 

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of the New Global Blue Warrant generally will be an amount equal to the sum of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the FPAC Warrant exchanged therefor and the exercise price. The U.S. holder’s holding period for a New Global Blue Share received upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrant will begin on the date following the date of exercise (or possibly the date of exercise) of the New Global Blue Warrant and will not include the period during which the U.S. holder held the New Global Blue Warrant. If a New Global Blue Warrant is allowed to lapse unexercised, a U.S. holder generally will recognize a capital loss equal to such holder’s tax basis in such New Global Blue Warrant.

The tax consequences of a cashless exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant are not clear under current tax law. A cashless exercise may be tax-free, either because the exercise is not a gain realization event or because the exercise is treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In either tax-free situation, a U.S. holder’s basis in the New Global Blue Shares received would equal the holder’s basis in the New Global Blue Warrants exercised therefore. If the cashless exercise were treated as not being a gain realization event, a U.S. holder’s holding period in the New Global Blue Shares would be treated as commencing on the date following the date of exercise (or possibly the date of exercise) of the New Global Blue Warrants. If the cashless exercise were treated as a recapitalization, the holding period of the New Global Blue Shares would include the holding period of the New Global Blue Warrants exercised therefore. It is also possible that a cashless exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant could be treated in part as a taxable exchange in which gain or loss would be recognized. In such event, a U.S. holder would recognize gain or loss with respect to the portion of the exercised New Global Blue Warrants treated as surrendered to pay the exercise price of the New Global Blue Warrants (the “surrendered Warrants”). The U.S. holder would recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the surrendered Warrants in an amount generally equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of the New Global Blue Shares that would have been received with respect to the surrendered Warrants in a regular exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants and (ii) the sum of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the surrendered Warrants and the aggregate cash exercise price of such Warrants (if they had been exercised in a regular exercise). In this case, a U.S. holder’s tax basis in the New Global Blue Shares received would equal the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the New Global Blue Warrants exercised plus (or minus) the gain (or loss) recognized with respect to the surrendered Warrants. A U.S. holder’s holding period for the New Global Blue Shares would commence on the date following the date of exercise (or possibly the date of exercise) of the New Global Blue Warrants.

Due to the absence of authority on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless exercise of Warrants, there can be no assurance which, if any, of the alternative tax consequences and holding periods described above would be adopted by the IRS or a court of law. Accordingly, U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of a cashless exercise of New Global Blue Warrants.

Possible Constructive Distributions

The terms of each New Global Blue Warrant provide for an adjustment to the number of New Global Blue Shares for which the New Global Blue Warrant may be exercised or to the exercise price of the New Global Blue Warrant in certain events. An adjustment which has the effect of preventing dilution generally is not taxable. A U.S. holder of a New Global Blue Warrant would, however, be treated as receiving a constructive distribution from New Global Blue if, for example, the adjustment increases the holder’s proportionate interest in New Global Blue’s assets or earnings and profits (e.g., through an increase in the number of New Global Blue Shares that would be obtained upon exercise of such New Global Blue Warrant) as a result of a distribution of cash to the holders of the New Global Blue Shares which is taxable to the U.S. holders of such shares as described under “—Taxation of Distributions” above. Such constructive distribution would be subject to tax as described under that section in the same manner as if the U.S. holder of such New Global Blue Warrant received a cash distribution from New Global Blue equal to the fair market value of such increased interest.

Tax Reporting

Individuals and certain domestic entities that are U.S. holders will be required to report information with respect to such U.S. holder’s investment in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, subject to certain

 

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exceptions. An interest in New Global Blue constitutes a specified foreign financial asset for these purposes. Persons who are required to report specified foreign financial assets and fail to do so may be subject to substantial penalties. U.S. holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the foreign financial asset reporting obligations and their application to New Global Blue securities.

Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to a Non-U.S. holder. A “Non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership or entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of FPAC securities or New Global Blue securities who or that is not a U.S. holder, including:

 

   

a non-resident alien individual, other than certain former citizens and residents of the United States subject to U.S. tax as expatriates;

 

   

a foreign corporation; or

 

   

a foreign estate or trust;

but generally does not include an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition. A holder that is such an individual should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of New Global Blue securities.

The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a non-U.S. holder’s FPAC Common Stock generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption of a U.S. holder’s FPAC Common Stock, as described above. Any redeeming non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized as a result of the redemption or be able to utilize a loss in computing U.S. federal income tax liability unless one of the exceptions described below applies.

Dividends (including constructive dividends) paid or deemed paid to a Non-U.S. holder in respect to New Global Blue Shares generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States). In addition, a Non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain (or be able to utilize for such purpose a loss) attributable to a sale or other disposition of New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants unless such gain (or loss) is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States). In addition, special rules may apply to a Non-U.S. holder that is an individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of such disposition and certain other requirements are met. Holders that are such an individual should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale or other disposition of New Global Blue securities.

Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the same regular U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to a comparable U.S. holder and, in the case of a Non-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, also may be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a Non-U.S. holder’s exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant, or the lapse of a New Global Blue Warrant held by a Non-U.S. holder, generally will correspond to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the exercise or lapse of a Warrant by a U.S. holder, as described under “—U.S. Holders—Exercise or Lapse of a New Global Blue Warrant,” above, however, a Non-U.S. holder will not be able

 

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to utilize a loss recognized upon lapse of a Warrant against the Non-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability unless the loss is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) or is treated as a U.S.-source loss and the Non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met. To the extent a cashless exercise results in a taxable exchange, the consequences would be similar to those described in the preceding paragraphs above for a Non-U.S. holder’s gain on the sale or other disposition of the New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants.

Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividend payments with respect to the New Global Blue Shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of the New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants may be subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes other required certifications, or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding and establishes such exempt status. A Non-U.S. holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly-executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and a holder generally may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.

Material Swiss Tax Consequences

The following summary sets forth the material Swiss tax consequences of receiving, owning and disposing of New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants.

This summary is based upon Swiss tax laws and the practices of the Swiss tax authorities in effect on the date of this proxy statement. Such law and administrative practice is subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. The summary does not constitute tax advice and is intended only as a general guide. It is not exhaustive and shareholders should consult their own tax advisors about the Swiss tax consequences (and tax consequences under the laws of other relevant jurisdictions) of the acquisition, ownership and disposal of New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants.

The Merger

Subject to confirmation in relevant tax rulings, the Merger is regarded as a merger-like combination (Quasifusion) and thus qualifies as a tax-neutral transaction for Swiss tax purposes, including securities transfer tax and stamp issuance duty.

Swiss withholding tax

Subject to confirmation in relevant tax rulings, the Merger will not be subject to Swiss withholding tax.

Swiss Income Taxes

Holders resident outside of Switzerland and not engaged in trade or business in Switzerland

A holder who is not a resident of Switzerland for Swiss tax purposes, and who, during the applicable tax year, has not engaged in a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland for tax purposes, will not be subject to any Swiss federal, cantonal or communal income tax as a result of the Merger.

 

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Swiss resident individual holders holding FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants as private investments

Subject to confirmation in relevant tax rulings, for a holder who is an individual resident in Switzerland for tax purposes and who holds FPAC Common Stock or Public Warrants as a private investment, the exchange of FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares, the cash payments for fractional shares and the exchange of Public Warrants for New Global Blue Warrants are tax neutral for the purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax provided that FPAC is not merged into New Global Blue or liquidated within 5 years after the Business Combination.

FPAC Common Stock and FPAC Public Warrants held as assets of a Swiss business

Subject to confirmation in relevant tax rulings, for a holder who holds FPAC Common Stock as part of a trade or business carried on in Switzerland, the exchange of FPAC Common Stock for New Global Blue Shares is tax neutral for the purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax, provided that the relevant book value of the shares is maintained. Cash payments for fractional shares are included as taxable income in the relevant taxation period for purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income tax. This taxation treatment also applies to Swiss resident private individuals who, for Swiss income tax purposes, qualify as “professional securities dealers” because of, among other things, frequent dealing, or leveraging their investments, in securities.

Holders who hold Public Warrants as part of a trade or business carried on in Switzerland should recognize taxable gain or loss for the purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax to the extent the fair market value of New Global Blue Warrants exceeds or is lower, respectively, than the tax value of Public Warrants. This taxation treatment also applies to Swiss resident private individuals who, for Swiss income tax purposes, qualify as “professional securities dealers” because of, among other things, frequent dealing, or leveraging their investments, in securities.

Swiss securities turnover tax

Subject to confirmation in a relevant tax ruling the issuance of New Global Blue Shares in connection with the Business Combination and the cash payments for fractional shares will not be subject to Swiss securities turnover tax (Umsatzabgabe). The exchange of Public Warrants for New Global Blue Warrants is not subject to Swiss securities turnover tax.

Holding New Global Blue Shares

Swiss withholding tax

Non-taxable and taxable distributions

Dividends and other similar cash or in-kind distributions (including scrip or stock dividends) on New Global Blue Shares made or paid by New Global Blue are subject to Swiss federal withholding tax (Verrechnungssteuer), currently at a rate of 35% (applicable to the gross amount of the taxable distribution). The Swiss withholding tax must be withheld by New Global Blue on the gross amount of the dividend or other distribution and be remitted to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration (Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung).

Dividends on New Global Blue Shares made or paid by New Global Blue out of capital contribution reserves (Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen) confirmed by the Swiss tax authorities and distributions on New Global Blue Shares made or paid by New Global Blue based upon a reduction in the nominal value of New Global Blue Shares (Nennwertherabsetzung) are exempt from Swiss withholding tax.

Provided that New Global Blue is not listed on a Swiss stock exchange, New Global Blue will not be subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends out of capital contribution reserves applicable to Swiss listed companies.

 

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It is at the discretion of New Global Blue to decide whether to distribute a dividend out of capital contributions reserves free of Swiss withholding tax and/or out of profit/retained earnings/non-qualifying reserves subject to Swiss withholding tax.

Capital gains realized on the sale of New Global Blue Shares are not subject to Swiss withholding tax (other than in case of a sale to New Global Blue (i) for cancellation, (ii) if the total of repurchased shares exceeds 10% of New Global Blue share capital or (iii) if the repurchased New Global Blue Shares are not resold within the applicable time period after the repurchase, if and to the extent the redemption price less the nominal value of the redeemed New Global Blue Shares is not booked against confirmed capital contribution reserves).

Refund of Swiss withholding tax on taxable distributions

Swiss resident recipients: The relevant Swiss tax authority will refund or credit the Swiss withholding tax deducted by New Global Blue on dividends or other distributions on the New Global Blue Shares in full to holders of New Global Blue Shares who are individuals resident in Switzerland and to holders who hold the New Global Blue Shares as part of a trade or business in Switzerland, and who, in each case, among other things, are also the beneficial owners of the New Global Blue Shares and the dividends or the other distributions made or paid by New Global Blue on the New Global Blue Shares and who duly report the dividend or other distribution in their income tax return or their statutory financial statements, as applicable, for the relevant tax period.

Non-resident recipients: A shareholder who is not resident in Switzerland and who does not hold the New Global Blue Shares as part of a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland may be entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss withholding tax deducted if the country in which the recipient resides for tax purposes has entered into a bilateral treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Switzerland and the conditions of such treaty are met. A reduction of the Swiss withholding tax at the source is not provided for by Switzerland for portfolio holdings. Holders of New Global Blue Shares should be aware that the procedures for claiming treaty benefits (and the time frame required to obtain a tax refund) may differ from country to country and should consult their own legal, financial or tax advisors regarding the procedures for claiming a refund of the Swiss withholding tax.

Residents of the U.S.: A holder of New Global Blue Shares who is a resident of the U.S. for purposes of the U.S.-Swiss Treaty without a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland to whom the shares are attributable or who is a qualified U.S. pension fund and who, in each case, is also the beneficial owner of the shares and the dividend or other distribution and who meets the conditions of the U.S.-Swiss Treaty, may, if the holder is a qualified U.S. pension fund, apply for a full refund of the Swiss withholding tax, if the holder is a corporation owning at least 10% of New Global Blue voting rights apply for a refund of the Swiss withholding tax withheld in excess of the 5% reduced treaty rate and in all other cases apply, for a refund of the Swiss withholding tax withheld in excess of the 15% treaty rate. The claim for a refund must be filed on Swiss Tax Form 82 (82C for corporations, 82I for individuals, 82E for other entities and 82R for regulated investment companies), which forms, together with the form providing instructions, may be obtained from the Swiss embassy or any Swiss consulate general in the U.S., the Swiss Federal Tax Administration at the address below or may be downloaded from the Swiss Federal tax Administration’s website. Four copies of the form must be duly completed and then signed before a notary public of the U.S. and three of them must then be sent to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, Eigerstrasse 65, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland. The form must be accompanied by suitable evidence demonstrating the deduction of the Swiss withholding tax, such as certificates of deduction, bank vouchers or credit slips. The form must be filed no later than December 31 of the third year following the calendar year in which the dividend subject to the withholding tax became payable.

Swiss Securities Turnover Tax

Secondary market dealings in New Global Blue Shares in which neither a Swiss domestic bank nor a Swiss domestic securities dealer (as defined in the Swiss Federal Stamp Duty Act) is a party or an intermediary to the

 

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transaction are not subject to Swiss securities turnover tax (Umsatzabgabe). For secondary market dealings in New Global Blue Shares in which a Swiss domestic bank or a Swiss domestic securities dealer is a party or an intermediary to the transaction, Swiss securities turnover tax at a rate of 0.15% of the purchase price of the New Global Blue Shares will be payable if none of the exemptions provided for in the Swiss Federal Stamp Duty Act apply. Subject to applicable statutory exemptions in respect of the parties to a transaction, generally half of the tax is charged to each of the parties.

Swiss Income Tax

Holders resident outside of Switzerland and not engaged in trade or business in Switzerland

A holder of New Global Blue Shares who is not a resident of Switzerland for Swiss tax purposes, and who, during the applicable tax year, has not engaged in a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland for tax purposes, is not subject to any Swiss federal, cantonal or communal income tax as a result of the receipt of dividends or other distributions on New Global Blue Shares or in respect of any capital gains realized on the sale of New Global Blue Shares. Refer to “—Swiss withholding tax” above for a summary of the Swiss withholding tax treatment of dividends and other distributions and capital gains on New Global Blue Shares. Refer to “—International automatic exchange of information in tax matters” and “—Swiss facilitation of the implementation of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act below for a summary on the exchange of information in respect of holding New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants in an account or deposit with a financial institution or paying agent in Switzerland.

Swiss resident individuals as holders holding shares as private investments

Dividends and other distributions on New Global Blue Shares made or paid by New Global Blue out of confirmed capital contribution reserves and distributions made or paid by New Global Blue on New Global Blue Shares based upon a capital reduction are exempt from Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax for holders of New Global Blue Shares who are individual residents in Switzerland for Swiss tax purposes and who hold the New Global Blue Shares as private investments. Other dividends and distributions on New Global Blue Shares are included in the Swiss federal, cantonal and communal taxable income for such holders.

A capital gain realized by a holder of New Global Blue Shares who is an individual resident in Switzerland for Swiss tax purposes and who holds the New Global Blue Shares as a private investment classifies as a tax-exempt private capital gain and a capital loss as a non-tax deductible private capital loss for purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal income tax. A capital gain realized on a sale of New Global Blue Shares to New Global Blue (i) for cancellation, (ii) if the total of repurchased shares exceeds 10% of New Global Blue share capital or (iii) if the repurchased New Global Blue Shares are not resold within the applicable time period after the repurchase, if and to the extent the redemption price less the nominal value of the redeemed New Global Blue Shares is not booked against confirmed capital contribution reserves, is included in the Swiss federal, cantonal and communal taxable income.

See “—Shares held as assets of a Swiss business” below for a summary of the taxation treatment of Swiss resident individuals who, for income tax purposes, qualify as “professional securities dealers.”

Shares held as assets of a Swiss business

For a holder who holds New Global Blue Shares as part of a trade or business conducted in Switzerland, dividends and other distributions, including capital repayments or distributions out of capital contribution reserves, made or paid by New Global Blue on New Global Blue Shares, and capital gains or losses realized on the sale of New Global Blue Shares are included in (or deducted from) taxable income in the relevant taxation period for purposes of Swiss federal, cantonal and communal individual or corporate income tax. This taxation treatment also applies to private individuals who are Swiss residents and qualify as “professional securities dealers” for income tax purposes.

 

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A Swiss corporation or co-operative, or a non-Swiss corporation or a non-Swiss co-operative holding New Global Blue Shares as part of a Swiss permanent establishment, may benefit from relief from Swiss taxation of the dividends or other distributions, including capital repayments or distributions out of capital contribution reserves, by way of a participation deduction (Beteiligungsabzug) if the New Global Blue Shares held at the time of the dividend or other distribution have a market value of at least CHF 1 million.

Swiss wealth tax and capital tax

Shares held by holders resident outside of Switzerland and not engaged in trade or business in Switzerland

A holder of New Global Blue Shares who is not a resident of Switzerland for Swiss tax purposes, and who, during the applicable tax year, has not engaged in a trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in Switzerland for tax purposes, is not subject to any cantonal and communal wealth or annual capital tax because of the mere holding of the New Global Blue Shares.

Shares held by holders resident in Switzerland

A Swiss resident individual holder of New Global Blue Shares is required to report New Global Blue Shares as part of private wealth and is subject to cantonal and communal wealth tax.

A holder who holds New Global Blue Shares as part of a trade or business conducted in Switzerland is required to report New Global Blue Shares as part of business wealth or taxable capital, as defined, and is subject to cantonal and communal wealth or annual capital tax.

International automatic exchange of information in tax matters

On November 19, 2014, Switzerland signed the multilateral competent authority agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information, which is intended to ensure the uniform implementation of automatic exchange of information (the “AEOI”). The AEOI is being introduced in Switzerland through bilateral agreements or multilateral agreements. Switzerland has concluded a multilateral agreement with the EU on the AEOI in tax matters (the “AEOI Agreement”). This AEOI Agreement entered into force as of January 1, 2017 and applies to all 28 member states as well as Gibraltar. Furthermore, on January 1, 2017, the multilateral competent authority agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information and, based on such agreement, a number of bilateral AEOI agreements with other jurisdictions entered into force. The Federal Act on the International Automatic Exchange of Information in Tax Matters, which is the primary legal basis for the implementation of the AEOI standard in Switzerland, entered into force on January 1, 2017 as well.

Based on such multilateral agreements and bilateral agreements and the implementing laws of Switzerland, Switzerland collects and exchanges data in respect of financial assets, which may include New Global Blue Shares or New Global Blue Warrants, held in, and income derived thereon and credited to, accounts or deposits with a paying agent in Switzerland for the benefit of individuals resident in an EU Member State or in a treaty state. Switzerland has signed and is expected to sign further bi- or multilateral AEOI in tax matter agreements with other countries. Certain of these agreements entered into force on January 1, 2020 or will enter into force at a later date.

A list of such multilateral agreements and bilateral agreements of Switzerland in effect or signed and becoming effective can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for International Finance (SIF) (www.sif.admin.ch/sif/en/home/themen/internationale-steuerpolitik/automatischer-informationsaustausch.html).

Swiss facilitation of the implementation of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Switzerland has concluded an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to facilitate the implementation of FATCA. The agreement ensures that the accounts held by U.S. persons with Swiss financial institutions are

 

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disclosed to the U.S. tax authorities either with the consent of the account holder or by means of group requests within the scope of administrative assistance. Information will not be transferred automatically in the absence of consent, and instead will be exchanged only within the scope of administrative assistance on the basis of the double taxation agreement between the U.S. and Switzerland. On September 20, 2019, the protocol of amendment to the double taxation treaty between Switzerland and the U.S. entered into force allowing U.S. competent authority in accordance with the information reported in aggregated form to request all the information on U.S. accounts without a declaration of consent and on non-consenting non-participating financial institutions.

On October 8, 2014, the Swiss Federal Council approved a mandate for negotiations with the U.S. on changing the current direct notification-based regime to a regime where the relevant information is sent to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, which in turn provides the information to the U.S. tax authorities.

Anticipated Accounting Treatment

The transaction will first be accounted for as a capital reorganization whereby New Global Blue is the successor to its predecessor Global Blue. As a result of the first step described above, the existing shareholders of Global Blue will continue to retain control through their majority ownership of New Global Blue. The capital reorganization will be immediately followed by the acquisition of FPAC, which is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment). The shares issued by New Global Blue are recognized at fair value and recorded as consideration for the acquisition of the public shell company, FPAC. Under this method of accounting, there is no acquisition accounting and no recognition of goodwill, as a result of FPAC not being recognized as a business as defined by IFRS 3 (Business Combination) given it consists predominantly of cash in the Trust Account. In addition, the following factors were also taken into consideration: (i) the business of Global Blue will comprise the ongoing operations of New Global Blue; (ii) Global Blue’s senior management will comprise the senior management of New Global Blue; (iii) the pre-Business Combination shareholders of Global Blue will have the largest ownership of New Global Blue and the right to appoint the highest number of board members relative to other shareholders; and (iv) the headquarters of Global Blue will be that of New Global Blue.

Regulatory Matters

The Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not subject to any

additional federal or state regulatory requirement or approval, except for filings with the Australian Foreign

Investment Review Board, the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the European Payment Institution License filing with the Bank of Italy.

Required Vote and Recommendation of the Board AGAINST the Business Combination

The approval of the Business Combination Proposal will require the affirmative vote by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock. The approval of the Adjournment Proposal if presented will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of FPAC Common Stock present and entitled to vote at the meeting. Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will have the same effect as votes “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal, and will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal.

The approval of the Business Combination Proposal is a condition to the consummation of the Business Combination.

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisors, FPAC’s board of directors:

 

   

has unanimously determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders; and

 

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unanimously recommends that FPAC stockholders vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.

This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. See “– FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination.”

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Introduction

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is being provided to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination. The following has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of September 30, 2019, gives pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had been consummated as of that date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred as of April 1, 2018. This information should be read in conjunction with FPAC and Global Blue’s respective audited and unaudited financial statements and related notes, Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” FPAC’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” Selected Historical Financial Information,” “The Business Combination Proposal,” and other financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of September 30, 2019 has been prepared using the following:

 

   

Global Blue’s unaudited historical condensed consolidated statement of financial position as of September 30, 2019, as included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus; and

 

   

FPAC’s unaudited historical condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2019.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement for the six months ended September 30, 2019 has been prepared using the following:

 

   

Global Blue’s unaudited historical condensed consolidated income statement for the six months ended September 30, 2019, as included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

   

FPAC’s unaudited historical condensed statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019; and

 

   

FPAC’s unaudited historical condensed statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statement for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 has been prepared using the following:

 

   

Global Blue’s audited historical consolidated income statement for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, as included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

   

FPAC’s audited historical statement of operations for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, as included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus;

 

   

FPAC’s unaudited historical condensed statement of operations for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through March 31, 2018; and

 

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FPAC’s unaudited historical condensed statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what New Global Blue’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination been completed as of the dates indicated. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not purport to project the future financial position or operating results of New Global Blue. The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on information currently available. The assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments are described in the accompanying notes. Actual results may differ materially from the assumptions used to present the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Management of Global Blue and FPAC have made significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented. As a result, this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial information included elsewhere in the proxy statement/prospectus.

Description of the Transaction

On January 16, 2020, FPAC, Globetrotter, New Global Blue, US Holdco, US Merger Sub, Cayman Holdings, Global Blue, the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and the Management Representative entered into the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (1) the Seller Parties will undertake a series of transactions pursuant to which they will sell, exchange and contribute the Global Blue Shares for a mix of Cash Consideration and Share Consideration; and (2) US Merger Sub, a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue, will merge with and into FPAC, with FPAC being the surviving corporation in the Merger and a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of New Global Blue following the Merger. As part of the transactions described above, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary of New Global Blue, organized as a Swiss GmbH (“New GmbH”) will acquire all of the outstanding Global Blue Shares, either directly from the Seller Parties, or as a contribution from New Global Blue of Global Blue Shares acquired by it, and Global Blue will become a wholly owned subsidiary of New GmbH. For more information about the transaction, please see the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal.” A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.

Anticipated Accounting Treatment

The transaction will first be accounted for as a capital reorganization whereby New Global Blue is the successor to its predecessor Global Blue. As a result of the first step described above, the existing shareholders of Global Blue will continue to retain control through their majority ownership of New Global Blue. The capital reorganization will be immediately followed by the acquisition of FPAC, which is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment). The shares issued by New Global Blue are recognized at fair value and recorded as consideration for the acquisition of the public shell company, FPAC. Under this method of accounting, there is no acquisition accounting and no recognition of goodwill, as a result of FPAC not being recognized as a business as defined by IFRS 3 (Business Combination) given it consists predominantly of cash in the Trust Account. In addition, the following factors were also taken into consideration: (i) the business of Global Blue will comprise the ongoing operations of New Global Blue; (ii) Global Blue’s senior management will comprise the senior management of New Global Blue; (iii) the pre-Business Combination shareholders of Global Blue will have the largest ownership of New Global Blue and the right to appoint the highest number of board members relative to other shareholders; and (iv) the headquarters of Global Blue will be that of New Global Blue.

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

The historical financial information has been adjusted to give pro forma effect to events that are directly attributable to the Business Combination, factually supportable and, with regards to the unaudited pro forma

 

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condensed combined income statement, are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of New Global Blue.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may have been different had the companies always been combined for the historical periods presented here. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information as being indicative of future financial position and results that New Global Blue will experience. Global Blue and FPAC have not had any historical relationship prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared assuming two alternative levels of redemption of FPAC Class A Common Stock into cash and no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement:

 

   

No Redemption: This presentation assumes that no FPAC stockholders exercise redemption rights with respect to their FPAC Class A Common Stock upon consummation of the Business Combination; and

 

   

Maximum Redemption: This presentation assumes that FPAC stockholders exercise their redemption rights with respect to 59,184,300 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and such shares are redeemed for their pro rata share ($10.23 / €9.36 per share) of the funds in the Trust Account for aggregate redemption proceeds of $605.7 / €553.9 million. These 59,184,300 shares represent all outstanding shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock, including 9,487,500 shares acquired by Globetrotter, other than 4,000,000 shares purchased by Third Point and 65,700 shares purchased by David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director, in the IPO of FPAC. Third Point and Mr. Bonanno have agreed not to redeem such shares in connection with the Business Combination. In addition, this presentation assumes the purchase by the Backstop Provider, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, of 41,246,632 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $9.50 / €8.69 per share for aggregate proceeds of $391.8 / €358.4 million, with a reduction of the Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment to zero. As a result of the reduction in the Trust Account and Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment, the Seller Parties will end up with a larger number of New Global Blue Shares, and Series A Preferred Shares which are convertible, on a one-for-one basis, into 22,178,000 New Global Blue Shares.

The foregoing scenarios are for illustrative purposes only as FPAC does not have, as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, a meaningful way of providing any certainty regarding the number of redemptions by FPAC’s Public Stockholders that may actually occur.

 

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The following table summarizes the pro forma weighted average number of New Global Blue Shares outstanding under the two alternatives presented above:

 

    Assuming No
Redemptions
    Assuming Max. Redemptions  
    (Shares)     %     (Shares)     %     %(a)  

Seller Parties(b)

    88,938,000       47.2     88,656,047       52.2     46.2

FPAC Class A Common Stock

    53,762,500         53,762,500      

Less: Redeemed Common Stock

    —           (49,696,800    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Former FPAC Stockholders(c)

    53,762,500       28.5     4,065,700       2.4     2.1

Primary PIPE Investors

    12,500,000       6.6     12,500,000       6.6     6.5

Strategic Secondary PIPE Investor

    12,500,000       6.6     12,500,000       6.6     6.5

Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investor/Backstop Provider

    10,000,000       5.3     41,246,632       21.9     21.5

Founder Shares

    10,812,500       5.7     10,812,500       6.4     5.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding

    188,513,000       100.0     169,780,879       100.0     n/a  

Series A Preferred Shares (as converted basis)

    —           22,178,000         11.6
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding(d)

    188,513,000         191,958,879         100.0

 

(a)

Seller Parties’ ownership, based on New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares, equates to 57.7%

(b)

Includes New Global Blue Shares that would be received by Globetrotter in exchange for the 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020, which are assumed to be fully redeemed in the Maximum Redemption scenario. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus Certain Market Activity”.

(c)

Excludes New Global Blue Shares that would be received by Globetrotter in exchange for its 9,487,500 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by Globetrotter since May 17, 2020. See “Summary of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus Certain Market Activity”.

(d)

Excludes the dilutive impact of instruments that are out-of-the-money based on the share price of $10.26 as of June 16, 2020: 2,500,000 Contingent Shares, 21,083,333 Public Warrants, 9,766,667 Private Placement Warrants, and 550,000 shares underlying outstanding options. Further details included in “—Earnings Per Share”

 

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Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

Set forth below is the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of September 30, 2019 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and the six months ended September 30, 2019, based on the historical financial statements of FPAC and Global Blue (as adjusted below).

PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF

SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

(UNAUDITED)

(in EUR thousands unless otherwise denoted)

 

    Global
Blue
(Historical)
    FPAC
(Historical)
    IFRS
Conversion
and
Presentation
Alignment
          Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
 
          U.S. GAAP           FN           FN                 FN        
          USD     EUR(1)                                                  

ASSETS

                     

Non-Current Assets

                     

Property, plant and equipment

    53,763                   53,763           53,763  

Intangible assets

    662,999                   662,999           662,999  

Deferred income tax asset

    13,608                   13,608           13,608  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

    3,104                   3,104           3,104  

Other non-current receivables

    15,383           23       (2 )          15,406           15,406  

Investments held in Trust Account

      647,286       591,940       —           (591,940     (10 )      —             —    

Other non-current assets

      26       23       (23     (2 )          —             —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

    748,857       647,311       591,963       —           (591,940       748,880       —           748,880  

Current Assets

                     

Trade receivables

    377,142                   377,142           377,142  

Other current receivables

    47,810           184       (2 )          47,994           47,994  

Income tax receivables

    1,608                   1,608           1,608  

Prepaid expenses

    11,434           137       (2 )          11,571           11,571  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

      351       321       (321     (2 )          —             —    

Cash and cash equivalents

    75,108       1,056       966       —           114,312       (7 )         
              (1,125     (7 )         
              591,940       (10 )        (553,890     (16 )   
                    358,338       (17 )   
              (673,251     (11 )        195,551       (19 )   
              (67,220     (12 )         
              (18,964     (13 )         
              (14,465     (14 )         
              (800     (15        
              (6,500     (15 )      —             —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

    513,102       1,407       1,287       —           (76,074       438,315       —           438,315  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,261,959       648,719       593,250       —           (668,013       1,187,195       —           1,187,195  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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    Global
Blue
(Historical)
    FPAC
(Historical)
    IFRS
Conversion
and
Presentation
Alignment
          Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
 
          U.S. GAAP           FN           FN                 FN        
          USD     EUR(1)                                                  

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                     

Shareholders’ Equity

                     

Global Blue

                     

Ordinary shares

    341           1       (2 )      (341     (6 )         
          0       (2 )      (1     (8 )         
              (0     (9 )      —          

Share premium

    391,856               (391,856     (6 )      —             —    

Accumulated losses

    (304,321         4,571       (2 )      304,321       (4 )         
              (4,571     (4 )      —          

Other reserves

    (3,343             3,343       (4 )      —         —           —    

FPAC

                     

Class A common stock

      0       0       (0     (2 )          —          

Class B common stock

      2       1       (1     (2 )          —          

Additional paid-in capital

      —         —         —               —             —    

Retained earnings

      4,998       4,571       (4,571     (2 )          —             —    

New Global Blue

                     

Ordinary shares

              5       (5 )         
              934       (6 )         
              115       (7 )         
              582       (8 )        (545     (16 )   
                    380       (17 )   
                    (204     (18 )   
              100       (9 )      1,736           1,366  

Share premium

              4,571       (4 )         
              4,734       (5 )         
              391,856       (6 )         
              (593     (6 )         
              114,197       (7 )         
              (1,125     (7 )         
              567,398       (8 )        (553,345     (16 )   
                    357,959       (17 )   
                    (202,612     (18 )   
              167,747       (9 )        (4,723     (20 )   
              (673,251     (11 )      575,533       195,551       (19 )      368,363  

Accumulated losses

              (304,321     (4 )         
              (167,846     (9 )        4,723       (20 )   
              (154,338     (12 )         
              (14,465     (14 )         
              (25,123     (14 )         
              (6,500     (15 )      (672,642         (667,919

Other reserves

              (3,343     (4 )      (3,343         (3,343

Series A preferred shares

              —           —         202,817       (18 )      202,817  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

    84,533       5,000       4,572       —           (187,822       (98,716     —           (98,716

Non-controlling interests

    7,654                   7,654       —           7,654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

    92,187       5,000       4,572                  (187,822 )        91,062       —           91,062  

 

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Table of Contents
    Global
Blue
(Historical)
    FPAC
(Historical)
    IFRS
Conversion
and
Presentation
Alignment
          Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
 
          U.S. GAAP           FN           FN                 FN        
          USD     EUR(1)                                                  

Commitments and Contingencies

                                      

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

      621,085       567,979       (567,979     (3 )      —           —          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total commitments and contingencies

      621,085       567,979       (567,979       —           —          

Liabilities

                     

Non convertible equity certificates

    4,739               (4,739     (5 )      —          

Loans and borrowings

    623,500           567,979       (3 )      (567,979     (8 )         
              (623,500     (15 )         
              622,700       (15 )      622,700           622,700  

Derivative financial instruments

    475               —           475           475  

Other long term liabilities

    33,817           18,964       (2 )      (18,964     (13 )      33,817           33,817  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    41,795               —           41,795           41,795  

Post-employment benefits

    5,289               —           5,289           5,289  

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

    2,054               —           2,054           2,054  

Deferred underwriting commissions

      20,738       18,964       (18,964     (2 )      —           —          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total non-current Liabilities

    711,669       20,738       18,964       567,979         (592,482       706,130.0       —           706,130.0  

Trade payables

    320,220               —           320,220           320,220  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

      1,813       1,658       (1,658     (2 )      —           —             —    

Other current liabilities

    60,016           —           87,168       (12 )      147,184           147,184  

Accrued liabilities

    41,588           1,658       (2 )      25,123       (14 )      68,369           68,369  

Current income tax liabilities

    32,460           76       (2 )      —           32,535           32,535  

Current franchise tax payable

    —         83       76       (76     (2 )      —           —             —    

Loans and borrowings

    3,819           —           —           3,819           3,819  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    458,103       1,896       1,734       —           25,123         572,127       —           572,127  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,169,772       22,634       20,698       567,979         (567,360       1,278,257                  1,278,257  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

    1,261,959       648,719       593,250       —           (600,793       1,187,195       —           1,187,195  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position

The adjustments included in the unaudited condensed combined statement of financial position as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

Reclassification / Alignment

 

(1)

The historical financial information of FPAC was prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and presented in USD. The historical financial information was translated from USD to EUR using the historical closing exchange rate, as of September 30, 2019, of $1.094 per Euro.

 

(2)

Reflects the reclassification adjustments to align FPAC’s historical financial statement balances with the presentation of Global Blue’s financial statements.

 

(3)

Reflects the U.S. GAAP to IFRS conversion adjustment related to the reclassification of FPAC’s historical mezzanine equity (Class A common stock subject to possible redemption) into Non-current Liabilities (Loans and Borrowings).

Consolidation at New Global Blue, Share Issuances, Consideration Transferred

 

(4)

Pursuant to the Business Combination, Global Blue will be contributed to New Global Blue. The financial statements going forward will be consolidated at the New Global Blue level. As a result, the adjustments reflect the reclassification of certain equity balances: (a) reclassification of Global Blue Accumulated Losses to New Global Blue Accumulated Losses, (b) reclassification of Global Blue Other Reserves to New Global Blue Other Reserves and (c) FPAC Retained Earnings to New Global Blue Share Premium.

 

(5)

Following the Management Roll-up, the non-convertible equity certificates are exchanged for New Global Blue Shares, resulting in the (i) elimination of the relevant liability and (ii) the issuance of new shares, accounted for through the increase of New Global Blue Ordinary Shares (at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share) and the remainder in New Global Blue Share Premium.

 

(6)

In conjunction with items (4) and (5) above, this reflects the contribution of Global Blue to New Global Blue, effected through: (a) the issuance of shares to Global Blue shareholders, post Management Roll-up and post Secondary PIPE Investment, captured in New Global Blue Ordinary Shares (at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share), (b) the reclassification of Global Blue Share Premium into New Global Blue Share Premium, and (c) the reduction in New Global Blue Share Premium equal to the resulting New Global Blue Ordinary Shares (pursuant to (a)) less Global Blue Ordinary Shares.

 

(7)

Reflects the cash received through the primary issuance of 12.5 million New Global Blue Shares to the Primary PIPE Investors pursuant to the Primary PIPE Investment for $10.00 / €9.14 per share. A corresponding increase in New Global Blue Ordinary Shares (at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share), is reflected, with the remainder captured in Share Premium. The issuance cost, payable at Closing, is accounted for through a reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents and a corresponding reduction in New Global Blue Share Premium.

 

(8)

Reflects the reclassification of FPAC Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption from non-current loans and borrowings and of FPAC Class A Common Stock into New Global Blue Ordinary Shares at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share and New Global Blue Share Premium.

 

(9)

The Business Combination is accounted for under IFRS 2. The difference in the fair value of equity instruments held by FPAC stockholders, including the Public Warrants, Private Placement Warrants and Contingent Shares, over the fair value of identifiable net assets of FPAC represents a service for listing of New Global Blue Shares and is accounted for as a share-based payment in accordance with IFRS 2. The cost of the service, which is a non-cash expense, is preliminarily estimated to be €168 million (which also includes the estimated value of the out-of-the-money instruments: Contingent Shares, Public Warrants, and Private Placement Warrants based on a Black Scholes valuation) and would be accounted for as an increase

 

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Table of Contents
  to New Global Blue Accumulated Losses. In addition, the New Global Blue Ordinary Shares increased as a result of the shares issued to the Founder (at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share), with the remainder reflected as an increase in New Global Blue Share Premium, alongside a reduction in the FPAC Class B Common Stock.

 

(10)

Reflects the release of cash held in the Trust Account that becomes available in connection with the Business Combination and, as a result, is classified as Cash and Cash Equivalents.

 

(11)

Reflects the Cash Consideration paid to pre-Business Combination shareholders (Seller Parties), alongside a corresponding reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents and New Global Blue Share Premium. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, this amount will be contingent upon, amongst other items, the amount of funds from the Trust Account that will be used to pay redeeming FPAC stockholders. Cash Consideration excludes the effects of the Secondary PIPE Investment, which generates an incremental €225 million payable to the Seller Parties.

 

(12)

Certain financial data of Global Blue presented in this footnote is preliminary. Such preliminary financial data included herein has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of Global Blue. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to such preliminary financial data. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. Prior to the Closing, as permitted by the Merger Agreement, Global Blue is to distribute a cash dividend to its pre-Business Combination shareholders in an amount such that Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2020, or the Adjustment Date, would have been €600 million on a pro forma basis if the cash dividend had been paid as of March 31, 2020. This dividend will be in the amount of approximately €154 million, as a result of preliminary cash being €226 million as at March 31, 2020 (Adjustment Date) instead of €75 million implied from the €600 million Adjusted Net Debt. This is accounted for through the reduction of Cash and Cash Equivalents and an increase in Other Current Liabilities (as a result of the implied depletion of Cash and Cash Equivalents), alongside an increase in New Global Blue’s Accumulated Losses for the full amount. For a more up to date view on the Cash and Cash Equivalents balance as at 31 March 2020 and the Company’s liquidity position, see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Fees and Refinancing

 

(13)

Reflects the cash payment of FPAC’s deferred underwriters’ commissions incurred as part of the June 14, 2018 IPO of FPAC, payable upon consummation of the Business Combination.

 

(14)

Reflects transaction cost adjustments incurred by FPAC and Global Blue including, but not limited to, advisory fees, legal fees, and registration fees, which are accounted for either as (i) an increase of Accrued Liabilities with a corresponding reduction in Accumulated Losses or (ii) a reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents and a corresponding reduction in Accumulated Losses, if payable upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

(15)

New Global Blue intends to refinance the Existing Facilities in connection with the Business Combination, using a drawdown from the New Facilities. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Banking Facilities and Loans.” The following table illustrates the impact:

 

Line Item

   Historical     Refinancing     Impact  
(EUR thousands)                   

Term Loan (Principal Value)

     630,000       630,000       —    

Capitalized Debt Issuance Cost

     (6,500     (7,300     (800
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans and Borrowings

     623,500       622,700       (800

The Refinancing results in a reduction in the Loans and Borrowings balance due to the increase in capitalized debt issuance costs and a corresponding IFRS 9 impact recognised in New Global Blue

 

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Accumulated Losses. In connection with the refinancing of the existing Global Blue debt with a new third party, an IFRS 9 extinguishment expense of €6.5 million is reflected as a reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents and a corresponding increase in New Global Blue Accumulated Losses. The remaining €0.8 million pro forma adjustment relates to the difference in carrying value of the debt on the historical books as compared to the carrying value of the refinanced debt obligation and is reflected as a reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents and a corresponding reduction in Loans and Borrowings.

Redemption

 

(16)

Reflects the withdrawal of funds from the Trust Account and cash on hand to fund the redemption of 59,184,300 shares of Class A Common Stock at a redemption price per share of $10.23 / €9.36, equating to a $605.7 million / €553.9 million reduction in Cash and Cash Equivalents. This results in a corresponding reduction in New Global Blue Ordinary Share and New Global Blue Share Premium. These 59,184,300 shares represent all outstanding shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock other than 4,000,000 shares purchased by Third Point and 65,700 shares purchased by David W. Bonanno, FPAC’s Chief Financial Officer and a director, in the IPO of FPAC. Third Point and Mr. Bonanno have agreed not to redeem such shares in connection with the Business Combination. The redemption price per share utilized in the above computation is derived from $647.3 million / €591.9 million in the Trust Account per the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position divided by 63,250,000 FPAC Public Shares per the capitalization table herein.

 

(17)

Reflects the purchase by the Backstop Provider, pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, of 41,246,632 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $9.50 / €8.69 per share. This results in an increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents, alongside an increase in New Global Blue Ordinary Shares (at the nominal share value of CHF 0.01 per share) and New Global Blue Share Premium.

 

(18)

As a result of the reduction in Trust Account and Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment, the Seller Parties will end up with a larger number of New Global Blue Shares, and 22,178,000 Series A Preferred Shares which may be converted into New Global Blue Shares, under certain circumstances, on a 1-for-1 basis. The adjustment reflects the recognition of the Preferred Shares, with a corresponding reduction in Share Premium and Ordinary Shares.

 

(19)

As a result of the reduction in the Trust Account and Affiliated Secondary PIPE Investment, the Seller Parties will end up with a larger number of New Global Blue Shares, and Series A Preferred Shares. The adjustment is accounted for via a reduction in Cash Consideration paid to the Seller Parties (see item 11 above) and the resulting change in New Global Blue Share Premium. Cash Consideration excludes the effects of the Secondary PIPE Investment, which generates an incremental €125 million payable to the Seller Parties.

 

(20)

The Business Combination is accounted for under IFRS 2. The adjustments reflect the impact, as detailed in item (9), of the Maximum Redemption Scenario. The FPAC fair value reflects the reduction in number New Global Blue Shares issued and the forfeit of the Contingent Shares (see “The Business Combination Proposal”). The FPAC net asset value reflects the reduction in the Trust Account. The blended effect of the aforementioned, which is a non-cash expense, is an IFRS 2 expense preliminarily estimated at €163 million, which is approximately €5 million less than the expense in a No Redemption Scenario.

 

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PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

(UNAUDITED)

(in EUR thousands unless otherwise denoted)

 

    Global
Blue
(Historical)
          FPAC
(Historical)
          IFRS
Conversion
and
Presentation
Alignment
          Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming

No
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming

No
Redemptions)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments

(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming

Max.
Redemptions)
 
          FN     U.S. GAAP     FN           FN           FN                 FN        
                USD     EUR(A)                                                        

Total Revenue

    227,700         —         —           —           —           227,700       —           227,700  

Operating expenses

    (190,548         —           (1,117     (B)       89       (C)          
                  313       (D)          
                  —         (J)       (191,263     —           (191,263

General and administrative costs

    —           (1,149     (1,028       1,028       (B)       —           —         —           —    

Franchise tax expense

    —           (100     (89       89       (B)       —           —         —           —    
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses

    (190,548       (1,249     (1,117       —           402         (191,263     —           (191,263
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating profit

    37,152         (1,249     (1,117       —           402         36,437       —           36,437  

Interest and investment income

    —           7,828       7,003         (7,003     (B     —           —         —           —    

Finance income

    2,641           —           7,003       (B     (7,003 )      (C     2,641       —           2,641  

Finance costs

    (18,830         —           —           4,818       (E       —           —    
                  84       (F     (13,928     —           (13,928
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net finance costs

    (16,189       7,828       7,003         —           (2,102       (11,287     —           (11,287
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit before tax

    20,963         6,579       5,886         —           (1,699       25,150       —           25,150  

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (8,952       (1,622     (1,451       —           1,145       (G     (9,258         (9,258
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit for the half year

    12,011         4,956       4,435         —           (554       15,892       —           15,892  

Profit attributable to:

                         

Owners of the parent

    8,242         4,956       4,435         —           (554       12,123       —           12,123  

Non-controlling interests

    3,769         —         —           —           —           3,769       —           3,769  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit for the half year

    12,.011         4,956       4,435         —           (554       15,892       —           15,892  

Per Share:

                         

Basic attributable profit per share

  0.21       $ 0.06     0.06               0.06         0.07  

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)

    40,000       (I)       79,063       79,063       (K)               188,513           169,781  

Diluted attributable profit per share

  0.21       0.06     0.06               0.06         0.06  

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)

    40,000         79,063        79,063       (K)               188,513           191,959  

 

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Table of Contents

PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019

(UNAUDITED)

(in EUR thousands unless otherwise denoted)

 

    Global
Blue
(Historical)
          FPAC
(Historical)
          IFRS
Conversion
and
Presentation
Alignment
          Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
No
Redemptions)
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
          Pro Forma
Combined
(Assuming
Max.
Redemptions)
 
                U.S. GAAP     FN           FN           FN                 FN        
                USD     EUR(A)                                                        

Total revenue

    412,956         —         —           —           —           412,956       —           412,956  

Operating expenses

    (354,433         —           (1,282     (B     140       (C       —         (H     —    
                  —         (J        
                  —         (H     (355,575     —           (355,575

General and administrative costs

    —           (1,322     (1,142       1,142       (B     —           —         —           —    

Franchise tax expense

    —           (162     (140       140       (B     —           —         —           —    
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating expenses

    (354,433       (1,484     (1,282       (0       140         (355,575     —           (355,575
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating Profit

    58,523         (1,484     (1,282       (0       140         57,381       —           57,381  

Interest and investment income

    —           11,009       9,513         (9,513     (B     —           —         —           —    

Finance income

    2,825           —           9,513       (B     (9,513 )      (C     2,825       —           2,825  

Finance costs

    (31,505         —           —           10,732       (E       —           —    
                  155       (F     (20,618     —           (20,618
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net finance costs

    (28,680       11,009       9,513         —           1,374         (17,793     —           (17,793
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit before tax

    29,843         9,524       8,231         (0       1,514         39,588       —           39,588  

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (22,956       (2,313     (1,999       —           1,307       (G     (23,648         (23,648
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit for the year

    6,887         7,211       6,232         (0       2,821         15,940       —           15,940  

Profit attributable to:

                         

Owners of the parent

    2,350         7,211       6,232         —           2,821         11,403       —           11,403  

Non-controlling interests

    4,537         —         —           —           —           4,537       —           4,537  
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Profit for the year

    6,887         7,211       6,232         —           2,821         15,940       —           15,940  

Per Share:

                         

Basic attributable profit per share

  0.06       $ 0.09     0.08               0.06         0.07  

Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)

    40,000       (I     79,063       79,063                 188,513           169,781  

Diluted attributable profit per share

  0.06       0.09     0.08               0.06         0.06  

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)

    40,000         79,063        79,063                 188,513           191,959  

 

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Pro Forma Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Income Statement

The adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and the six months ended September 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

(A)

The historical financial information of FPAC was prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and presented in USD. The historical financial information was translated from USD to EUR using the following average historical exchange rates: (i) $1.118 per Euro for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and (ii) $1.157 per Euro for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019.

 

(B)

Reflects the reclassification adjustment to align FPAC’s historical statement of operations with the presentation of Global Blue’s income statement.

 

(C)

Reflects the elimination of FPAC historical Interest and Investment Income and Franchise Tax Expense that would not have been earned or incurred, respectively, had the Business Combination been consummated on April 1, 2018.

 

(D)

Reflects the elimination of FPAC operating expenses and historical transaction costs directly related to the Business Combination, which are non-recurring. This results in a pre-tax impact of zero in the twelve months ended March 31, 2019 and approximately €0.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019.

 

(E)

Reflects the reduction in Net Finance Cost as a result of the Refinancing of the Existing Facility with the New Facility. The impacted lines are as follows, with additional details included in “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Banking Facilities and Loans—New Facilities—Interest.”

 

P&L Line Item

   Historical      Refinancing      Impact  

(Six Months Ended September 30, 2019, in thousands of EUR)

 

     

Term Loan Expense

     (11,331      (6,388      4,944  

Revolving Credit Facility Expense

     (327      (92      235  

Debt Issuance Cost

     (1,100      (1,460      (360
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (12,758      (7,940      4,818  

(Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019, in thousands of EUR)

 

     

Term Loan Expense

     (22,129      (12,775      9,354  

Revolving Credit Facility Expense

     (1,428      (789      639  

Debt Issuance Cost

     (2,200      (1,460      740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     (25,756      (15,024      10,732  

The New Term Loan Facility and the New Revolving Credit Facility provide for a variable interest rate, equal to EURIBOR (with a zero floor) for the period plus a margin. As a result of current negative rates, the zero floor is the binding constraint, meaning a 1/8 percent increase or decrease in EURIBOR would not impact the applicable interest rate.

In addition, concurrent with the Refinancing, New Global Blue will incur debt issuance costs of €7.3 million, which are capitalized and amortized over 5 years as part of Net Finance Cost.

In connection with the Refinancing, a one-time IFRS 9 expense is preliminarily estimated at €6.5 million. No adjustment has been made to the unaudited pro forma income statement for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, due to the fact that the adjustment is non-recurring in nature. No impact would be expected for the six months ended September 30, 2019.

 

(F)

As a result of the conversion of non-convertible equity certificates at the consummation of the Business Combination, the associated interest expense is eliminated.

 

(G)

Reflects the cumulative impact on Income Tax Expense from the above adjustments related to the Business Combination, based on the relevant statutory tax rates.

 

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(H)

The Business Combination is accounted for under IFRS 2, as detailed in items (9) and (20) above. The IFRS 2 expense, which is a non-cash expense, is preliminarily estimated at €168 million or €163 million in a No Redemption or Maximum Redemption Scenario, respectively. No adjustment has been made to the unaudited pro forma income statement for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, due to the fact that the adjustment is non-recurring in nature. No impact would be expected for the six months ended September 30, 2019.

 

(I)

Prior to the Business Combination, 40,000,000 Global Blue Shares were outstanding. As a result of the contribution to New Global Blue (and giving effect to the Management Roll-Up, which will include the conversion of non-convertible equity certificates and other items), the number of shares will increase.

 

(J)

The Operating Expenses include a Global Blue share-based payment expense of €1.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and €1.7 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2019. There are no share-based payment expenses in the FPAC historical condensed income statement. As part of the Business Combination, New Global Blue intends to adopt a management incentive plan (“MIP”), to be administered by the New Global Blue board. This will enable New Global Blue to grant two types of awards: (a) a restricted stock award (an “RSA”) or (b) an award of share options (“Options”). Unless otherwise determined by New Global Blue, the maximum aggregate number of Options under the MIP shall be 8,000,000 in total and the maximum aggregate value of RSAs granted under the MIP shall be €3,100,000 per fiscal year (see “Management of New Global Blue Following The Business Combination —New Global Blue Executive Officer and Director Compensation Following the Business Combination”). The terms of these are subject to ongoing negotiation and are yet to be finalized and approved. Once finalized and approved, this would impact the pro forma financial information herein. However, at this time, this has not been included because the relevant contracts are still being negotiated.

 

(K)

FPAC has historically presented per share metrics for each of the FPAC Class A Common Stock and the FPAC Class B Common Stock, based on the earnings attributable to each class. For the six months ended September 30, 2019, the basic and diluted earnings per share of FPAC Class A Common Stock was $0.09 and the basic and diluted earnings per share of FPAC Class B Common Stock was ($0.07). For the twelve months ended March 31, 2019, the basic and diluted earnings per share of FPAC Class A Common Stock was $0.12 and the basic and diluted earnings per share of FPAC Class B Common Stock was ($0.07).

 

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Earnings per Share

The earnings per share amounts below represent the profit attributable to the owners of the parent for the relevant period on a per share basis calculated using the weighted average shares in issue of New Global Blue, including the issuance of additional New Global Blue Shares in connection with the Business Combination, assuming the New Global Blue Shares were outstanding since April 1, 2018. As the Business Combination, including the related proposed PIPE Investments, is being reflected as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted profit attributable to the owners of the parent for the relevant period on a per share basis assumes that the New Global Blue Shares that would be outstanding pursuant to the No Redemption Scenario and Maximum Redemption Scenario, respectively, in connection with the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented.

 

     Pro Forma Combined  
     Assuming No
Redemptions
     Assuming Max.
Redemptions
 
(in thousands of EUR, except share and per share information)              

Six Months Ended September 30, 2019

     

Profit for the half year attributable to the owners of the parent

     11,289        11,289  

Basic attributable profit per share

   0.06      0.07  

Diluted attributable profit per share

   0.06      0.06  

Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019

     

Profit for the year attributable to the owners of the parent

     12,448        12,448  

Basic attributable profit per share

   0.07      0.07  

Diluted attributable profit per share

   0.07      0.06  

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding

     

Seller Parties

     88,938,000        88,656,047  

PIPE Investors

     35,000,000        66,246,632  

Founders

     10,812,500        10,812,500  

Former FPAC Stockholders

     53,762,500        4,065,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding

     188,513,000        169,780,879  

Series A Preferred Shares (as converted)

     —          22,178,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding

     188,513,000        191,958,879  

As a result of the FPAC share price of $10.26, as of June 16, 2020, the following dilutive instruments were excluded from the diluted pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

   

The 21,083,333 Public Warrants, issued at time of FPAC’s IPO and, as part of the Business Combination, converted into New Global Blue Warrants, are exercisable at $11.50 / €10.51 per share;

 

   

The 9,766,667 Private Placement Warrants, issued at time of FPAC’s IPO and, as part of the Business Combination, converted into New Global Blue Warrants, are exercisable at $11.50 / €10.51 per share;

 

   

The 2,500,000 Contingent Shares convert equally across two tranches, at $12.50 / €11.43 per share and $15.00 / €13.72 per share; and

 

   

The 550,000 shares underlying outstanding options for Global Blue Shares, issued in June 2019 in connection with the existing option plan and, as part of the Business Combination, converted into options for New Global Blue Shares, are exercisable at $10.88 / €9.81.

As part of the Business Combination, Global Blue intends to adopt a management incentive plan (“MIP”), to be administered by the New Global Blue board (see “Management of New Global Blue following The Business Combination—New Global Blue Executive Officer and Director Compensation Following the Business Combination”). The terms of these are subject to ongoing negotiation and are yet to be finalized and approved. Once finalized and approved, this would impact the pro forma financial information herein. However, at this time, this has not been included because that the relevant contracts are still being negotiated.

 

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THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

The Adjournment Proposal allows FPAC’s board of directors to submit a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the consummation of the Business Combination. In no event will FPAC solicit proxies to adjourn the Special Meeting or consummate the Business Combination beyond the date by which it may properly do so under its amended and restated certificate of incorporation and Delaware law. The purpose of the Adjournment Proposal is to provide more time for FPAC’s initial stockholders, Global Blue and the Global Blue shareholders to make purchases of Public Shares or other arrangements that would increase the likelihood of obtaining a favorable vote on the Business Combination Proposal and to meet the requirements that are necessary to consummate the Business Combination. See the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal—Interests of FPAC’s Directors and Officers in the Business Combination.”

In addition to an adjournment of the Special Meeting upon approval of an Adjournment Proposal, the board of directors of FPAC is empowered under Delaware law to postpone the Special Meeting at any time prior to the meeting being called to order. In such event, FPAC will issue a press release and take such other steps as it believes are necessary and practical in the circumstances to inform its stockholders of the postponement.

Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is not Approved

If an Adjournment Proposal is presented to the meeting and is not approved by the stockholders, FPAC’s board of directors may not be able to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date in the event, based on the tabulated votes, there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Special Meeting to approve the consummation of the Business Combination (because either the Business Combination Proposal is not approved or the conditions to consummating the Business Combination have not been met). In such event, the Business Combination would not be completed.

Required Vote and Recommendation of the Board

Adoption of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by holders of shares of FPAC Common Stock represented in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal. Adoption of the Adjournment Proposal is not conditioned upon the adoption of the Business Combination Proposal.

After careful consideration and consultation with its management and outside legal advisors, FPAC’s board of directors:

 

   

has unanimously determined that the Business Combination is NOT advisable or fair to, or in the best interest of, FPAC and its stockholders; and

 

   

unanimously recommends that FPAC stockholders vote or give instructions to vote “AGAINST” the Business Combination Proposal and “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal, if presented.

This constitutes a change from the board’s initial recommendation. See “The Business Combination Proposal – FPAC’s Board of Directors’ Reasons for the Change in Recommendation to AGAINST the Business Combination.”

 

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INFORMATION RELATED TO NEW GLOBAL BLUE

New Global Blue is considered a foreign private issuer as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. New Global Blue was incorporated under the laws of Switzerland on December 10, 2019 solely for the purpose of effectuating the Business Combination described herein. New Global Blue is a subsidiary of Globetrotter, owns no material assets and does not operate any business.

New Global Blue was incorporated with an aggregate share capital of CHF 100,000 divided into 10,000,000 registered shares of CHF 0.01 per share. These shares represent all New Global Blue Shares that are currently issued and outstanding. For descriptions of New Global Blue securities, please see the section titled “Description of New Global Blue Securities.” At incorporation its assets consisted of CHF 100,000 in cash.

New Global Blue’s corporate purpose is to acquire, hold and manage investments in domestic and foreign companies, in particular of controlling investments in companies active in the areas of VAT/GST tax refund, currency conversion, marketing services, point-of-sale technology, retail staff education, and customer intelligence, and the management and sustainable development of these investment companies within a group of companies. It may acquire, mortgage, utilize and sell real estate properties and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad as well as incorporate and finance subsidiaries and branches. Furthermore, New Global Blue may engage in all kinds of commercial and financial transactions that are beneficial for the realization of its purpose, in particular providing and taking out loans, issuing bonds, providing suretyships and guarantees, providing collateral as well as making investments in all marketable investment classes.

Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the sole shareholder of New Global Blue is Globetrotter. Prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, the directors of New Global Blue are Joseph Osnoss, Marcel Erni, Christian Lucas and Jacques Stern. As of the consummation of the Business Combination, the number of directors of New Global Blue will be increased to nine persons and the current directors of New Global Blue will remain as directors, and Thomas W. Farley, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of FPAC will become Chairman of New Global Blue. FPAC and Globetrotter are finalizing the composition of the board of directors of New Global Blue following the Business Combination, and New Global Blue and FPAC expect that the remaining unnamed directors will be considered independent directors under the rules of the NYSE.

The mailing address of New Global Blue’s registered office is Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland. After the consummation of the Business Combination, its principal executive office will be that of Global Blue, located at Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland and its telephone number is +41 22 363 77 40.

New Global Blue’s auditor is PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, Geneva, Switzerland.

Set out below is a short description of each current director’s business experience, education and activities:

Joseph Osnoss has served as a member of Global Blue’s board of directors since 2012. Mr. Osnoss joined Silver Lake in 2002 and is a Managing Partner. From 2010 to 2014, he was based in London, where he helped oversee the firm’s activities in EMEA. Prior to joining Silver Lake, Mr. Osnoss worked in investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he focused on mergers, acquisitions, and financings in the technology and telecommunications industries. Mr. Osnoss is a director of Cegid, Cornerstone OnDemand, EverCommerce, First Advantage, LightBox, and Sabre. He previously served on the boards of Cast & Crew (as Chairman), Instinet, Interactive Data, Mercury Payment Systems, and Virtu Financial. Mr. Osnoss graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with an A.B. in Applied Mathematics and a citation in French Language. He has remained involved in academics, including as a Visiting Professor of Finance at the London School of Economics, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Cabinet at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a participant in The Polsky Center Private Equity Council at the University of Chicago, and a Trustee of Greenwich Academy.

Marcel Erni has served as a member of Global Blue’s board of directors since 2012. In addition to serving on the board, he co-founded Partners Group in 1996, where he is currently a partner. He is also an executive member of

 

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Partners Group Holding AG’s and Partners Group AG’s board of directors. Dr. Erni is a member of Partners Group’s Investment Oversight Committee and Strategy Committee. He previously served as the Chief Investment Officer of Partners Group until June 2017. Dr. Erni is also a member of the boards of directors for Partners Group’s current portfolio companies, AMMEGA and GlobalLogic, as well as for PG3 AG, Switzerland, the family office of the founders of Partners Group. Prior to founding Partners Group, he worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. and McKinsey & Co. He has 27 years of industry experience and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Ph.D. in Finance and Banking from the University of St. Gallen.

Christian Lucas has served as the Chairman of the Global Blue board of directors since 2012. He is also a Managing Director of Silver Lake, which he joined in 2010 as a co-head of the firm’s activities in EMEA. Mr. Lucas began his career in strategic consulting at McKinsey & Company and worked for approximately 16 years as an investment banker focusing on the technology, digital media, and telecommunications industries in Europe. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Lucas was Managing Director and Head of the Technology Group at Morgan Stanley. He is currently Chairman of the board of directors of Global Blue, Vice Chairman of the board at Cegid, and a member of the board at ZPG, having previously served as a board member of Soitec. He has been a French Foreign Trade Advisor in the UK since 2012. Mr. Lucas earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and also graduated from ESSEC Graduate School of Management and from the Paris International Law School at the University Panthéon-Assas, both in France.

Jacques Stern has served as Global Blue’s President and Chief Executive Officer since joining Global Blue in 2015 and has served as a member of the Global Blue board of directors since 2014. He has nearly 30 years of experience in large international companies. He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1988 as an auditor and later joined the Accor Group in 1992, where he held various leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Between 2010 and 2015, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred. Mr. Stern also serves as non-executive director on the boards of Unibail Rodamco Westfield, Perkbox and Voyage Prive. Mr. Stern holds a business degree from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Lille.

 

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INFORMATION RELATED TO FPAC

References in this section to “FPAC,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Introduction

FPAC was incorporated on February 23, 2018 in order to serve as a vehicle for the acquisition of a target business. FPAC’s efforts to identify a prospective target business were not limited to any particular industry or geographic region although it focused its search for target businesses that operated in the technology sector. Prior to executing the Merger Agreement with Global Blue, FPAC’s efforts were limited to organizational activities, completion of its initial public offering and the evaluation of possible Initial Business Combinations.

In March 2018, FPAC issued an aggregate of 11,500,000 shares of its Class B Common Stock to the Founder, for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.002 per share, in connection with its organization. In June 2018, FPAC effected two stock dividends, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 share of Class B Common Stock for each outstanding share of Class B Common Stock, resulting in 15,812,500 Founder Shares outstanding. The Founder Shares included an aggregate of up to 2,062,500 shares which were subject to forfeiture by the Founder to the extent that the underwriters’ over-allotment option was not exercised in full. As a result of the underwriters’ election to exercise their over-allotment option in full on June 14, 2018, 2,062,500 Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.

Initial Public Offering

On June 14, 2018, FPAC closed its IPO of 63,250,000 Units (which includes 8,250,000 Units pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option), with each Unit consisting of one share of its Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Warrant. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a purchase price of $11.50 upon consummation of an Initial Business Combination. The Units from the initial public offering (including the over-allotment option) were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating total gross proceeds of $632,500,000.

Simultaneously with each of the consummation of the initial public offering and the exercise of the over-allotment option, FPAC consummated a private placement of 9,766,667 Warrants to the Founder. The Private Placement Warrants were sold at an offering price of $1.50 per whole warrant, generating gross proceeds of $14,650,000. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Warrants sold in the IPO, except that the Private Placement Warrants are not redeemable and are exercisable on a cashless basis as long as held by the Founder or its permitted transferees. The purchasers have agreed that these Warrants will not be sold or transferred by them (except to certain permitted transferees) until after FPAC has completed an Initial Business Combination.

Offering Proceeds Held in Trust

The net proceeds from the IPO (including the exercise of the over-allotment option), plus the net proceeds from the Private Placement Warrants, or an aggregate of $632,500,000 (including $20,737,500 of deferred underwriter fees payable to the underwriter of the IPO upon completion of an Initial Business Combination), was placed in the Trust Account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to FPAC to pay its tax obligations, the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and concurrent Private Placement will not be released from the Trust Account until the earliest to occur of (a) the completion of an Initial Business Combination, (b) the redemption of any Public Shares properly submitted in connection with a stockholder vote to amend FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (i) to modify the substance or timing of FPAC’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Public Shares if FPAC does not complete an Initial Business

 

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Combination by September 14, 2020, or (ii) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-Initial Business Combination activity, and (c) the redemption of the Public Shares if FPAC is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020, subject to applicable law.

Fair Market Value of Target Business

The target business or businesses that FPAC acquires must collectively have a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance of the funds in the Trust Account at the time of the execution of a definitive agreement for its Initial Business Combination (excluding the deferred underwriting discount held in, and taxes payable on the income earned on, the Trust Account), although FPAC may acquire a target business whose fair market value significantly exceeds 80% of the Trust Account balance. FPAC’s board of directors have determined that this test was met in connection with the proposed Business Combination with Global Blue.

Stockholder Approval of Business Combinations

Under FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, in connection with any proposed business combination, FPAC must seek stockholder approval of an Initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose at which Public Stockholders may request to have their Public Shares redeemed, regardless of whether they vote for or against the proposed business combination, subject to the limitations described in the prospectus for FPAC’s initial public offering. Accordingly, in connection with the Business Combination with Global Blue, FPAC Public Stockholders may request to have their Public Shares redeemed in accordance with the procedures set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Voting Restrictions in Connection with Stockholder Meeting

In connection with any vote for a proposed business combination, including the vote with respect to the Business Combination Proposal, the Founder, as well as all of FPAC’s officers and directors, have agreed to vote all of their shares of FPAC Common Stock acquired in favor of such proposed business combination. David Bonanno holds 65,700 Units purchased in the IPO. No other directors or officers of FPAC have purchased any securities of FPAC in any open market transactions.

Liquidation if No Business Combination

Under FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, if FPAC does not complete the Business Combination with Global Blue or another Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020, FPAC will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares for a pro rata portion of the funds held in the Trust Account (approximately $10.31 per share as of March 31, 2020 without considering additional funds to be deposited in connection with potential extensions) and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of FPAC’s remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to FPAC’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. At such time, the Warrants will expire. Holders of Warrants will receive nothing upon a liquidation with respect to such rights and the Warrants will be worthless.

Each of FPAC’s initial stockholders has agreed to waive its rights to participate in any distribution from FPAC’s Trust Account or other assets with respect to the initial shares and shares underlying the private Units. There will be no distribution from the Trust Account with respect to FPAC’s Warrants, which will expire worthless if FPAC is liquidated.

The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could, however, become subject to the claims of FPAC’s creditors which would be prior to the claims of FPAC Public Stockholders. Although FPAC has obtained waiver

 

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agreements from certain vendors and service providers it has engaged and owes money to, and the prospective target businesses FPAC has negotiated with, whereby such parties have waived any right, title, interest or claim of any kind they may have in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, and although FPAC will seek such waivers from vendors it engages in the future, there is no guarantee that they or other vendors who did not execute such waivers will not seek recourse against the Trust Account notwithstanding such agreements. The Founder has agreed that it will be liable to FPAC if and to the extent any claims by a third party (other than FPAC’s independent auditors) for services rendered or products sold to FPAC, or a prospective target business with which FPAC discussed entering into a transaction agreement, reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.00 per Public Share or (ii) such lesser amount per Public Share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under FPAC’s indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, then the Founder will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claims. FPAC has not independently verified whether the Founder has sufficient funds to satisfy its indemnity obligations and believes that the Founder’s only assets are securities of FPAC. FPAC has not asked the Founder to reserve for such indemnification obligations. Therefore, FPAC can give no assurance that the Founder would be able to satisfy those obligations. As a result, if any such claims were successfully made against the Trust Account, the funds available for redemptions could be reduced to less than $10.00 per Public Share. In such event, holders of Public Shares would receive such lesser amount per share in connection with any redemption. None of FPAC’s officers or directors will indemnify FPAC for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. Additionally, if FPAC is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against it which is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the Trust Account could be subject to applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in FPAC’s bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third parties with priority over the claims of FPAC’s stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy claims deplete the Trust Account, FPAC cannot assure you it will be able to return to Public Stockholders at least $10.00 per share. Public Stockholders are entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only in the event of its failure to complete an Initial Business Combination within the required time periods or if the stockholders properly seek to have FPAC convert their respective shares for cash upon an Initial Business Combination which is actually completed by FPAC. In no other circumstances does a stockholder have any right or interest of any kind to or in the Trust Account.

Under the DGCL, stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against a corporation to the extent of distributions received by them in a dissolution. The portion of FPAC’s Trust Account distributed to FPAC Public Stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of its outstanding Public Shares in the event FPAC does not complete its Initial Business Combination within the required time period may be considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law. If the corporation complies with certain procedures set forth in Section 280 of the DGCL intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision for all claims against it, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidating distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders with respect to a liquidating distribution is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder, and any liability of the stockholder would be barred after the third anniversary of the dissolution.

Furthermore, if the portion of the Trust Account distributed to Public Stockholders upon the redemption of 100% of its Public Shares in the event FPAC does not complete its Initial Business Combination within the required time period is not considered a liquidation distribution under Delaware law and such redemption distribution is deemed to be unlawful, then pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL, the statute of limitations for claims of creditors could then be six years after the unlawful redemption distribution, instead of three years, as in the case of a liquidation distribution. If FPAC is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the prescribed time frame, it will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably

 

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possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem 100% of the outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of FPAC’s remaining stockholders and its board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject (in the case of (ii) and (iii) above) to its obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. Accordingly, if an Initial Business Combination does not occur, it is FPAC’s intention to redeem its Public Shares as soon as reasonably possible following the expiration of the time periods described above and, therefore, FPAC does not intend to comply with the procedures required by Section 280 of the DGCL, which would limit the amount and duration of FPAC’s stockholders’ liability with respect to liquidating distributions as described above. As such, FPAC’s stockholders could potentially be liable for any claims to the extent of distributions received by them (but no more) and any liability of FPAC’s stockholders may extend well beyond the third anniversary of such date.

Because FPAC will not be complying with Section 280 of the DGCL, Section 281(b) of the DGCL requires FPAC to adopt a plan, based on facts known to it at such time that will provide for its payment of all existing and pending claims or claims that may be potentially brought against it within the subsequent 10 years. However, because FPAC is a blank check company, rather than an operating company, and FPAC’s operations will be limited to searching for prospective target businesses to acquire, the only likely claims to arise would be from its vendors (such as lawyers, investment bankers, etc.) or prospective target businesses.

FPAC will pay the costs of any subsequent liquidation from its remaining assets outside of the Trust Account. If such funds are insufficient, each of the executives of FPAC has agreed to pay the funds necessary to complete such liquidation (currently anticipated to be no more than approximately $15,000) and has agreed not to seek repayment for such expenses.

Facilities

FPAC currently maintains its principal executive offices at 18 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011. FPAC considers its current office space, combined with the other office space otherwise available to its executive officers, adequate for its current operations.

Employees

FPAC has two executive officers, and one additional employee. These individuals are not obligated to devote any specific number of hours to FPAC’s matters and intend to devote only as much time as necessary to assist FPAC identify, negotiate and complete a business combination and perform fiduciary duties to FPAC’s stockholders and other obligations of such officers pursuant to applicable legal requirements and FPAC’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws. FPAC does not intend to have any full time employees prior to the consummation of a business combination. FPAC will continue to exist as a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Global Blue for potential business and financing purposes.

Directors and Executive Officers

FPAC’s directors and officers are as follows:

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position

Thomas W. Farley

     44      Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the board

David W. Bonanno

     38      Chief Financial Officer and Director

Stanley A. McChrystal

     65      Director

Nicole Seligman

     63      Director

Laurence A. Tosi

     52      Director

 

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Thomas W. Farley has been our Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board since May 2018. Mr. Farley served as President of the NYSE Group of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (“ICE”) from May 2014 until May 2018. Mr. Farley’s responsibilities included leading all operations for the NYSE and managing a diverse range of equity and equity options exchanges, comprising the largest equities listing and securities trading venue in the world. Mr. Farley joined the NYSE in November 2013 when ICE acquired NYSE Euronext. Prior to becoming President of the NYSE in May 2014, he served as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the NYSE, Mr. Farley served as Senior Vice President of Financial Markets at ICE, where he oversaw the development of several businesses and initiatives across ICE’s markets. Mr. Farley joined ICE in 2007 as the President and Chief Operating Officer of ICE Futures U.S., formerly the New York Board of Trade. He also represented ICE on the Options Clearing Corporation Board of Directors. Prior to joining ICE, Mr. Farley was President of SunGard Kiodex, a risk management technology provider to the derivatives markets and prior thereto served as the business unit’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Farley has also held various positions in investment banking at Montgomery Securities and in private equity at Gryphon Investors. Mr. Farley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Georgetown University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Farley’s qualifications to serve on FPAC’s board include his extensive knowledge and experience in connection with capital markets and with the financial services industry and participants in that industry.

David W. Bonanno has been our Chief Financial Officer and a director since March 2018. Mr. Bonanno is a Managing Director at Third Point where he is responsible for analyzing private investment opportunities across a broad range of industries including Fintech, financial services, telecommunications, energy and real estate. Mr. Bonanno is also responsible for analyzing investment opportunities in public credit and equity markets. Over his nearly ten-year career at Third Point, Mr. Bonanno has been responsible for over $850 million in private equity investments. Mr. Bonanno is the primary investment professional responsible for the Third Point Hellenic Recovery Fund L.P., a $750 million private equity style vehicle exclusively dedicated to illiquid growth investments in Greece and Cyprus. Mr. Bonanno currently serves as a director of Energean Oil & Gas PLC (LSE: ENOG) and Hellenic Bank PCL. Mr. Bonanno previously served on the boards of Neptune Financial, Inc. and Tollerton Investments Limited which held a 51% stake in Play Communications S.A. prior to its public listing on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in July 2017. Mr. Bonanno serves or has served as a director for companies which have collectively issued over $20 billion in debt and more than $2 billion in equity in both public and private markets. Prior to joining Third Point, Mr. Bonanno was a Private Equity Associate at Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. from 2006 to 2008 and an analyst in Restructuring and Reorganization Advisory Group at Rothschild Inc. from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Bonanno graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 2004 with an A.B. in Psychology. Mr. Bonanno’s qualifications to serve on FPAC’s board of directors include his extensive investment experience at Third Point, his current and prior board experiences and his extensive network of contacts in the Fintech sector.

Stanley A. McChrystal has been a director since June 2018. General McChrystal is a retired United States Army general. From June 2009 to June 2010, General McChrystal served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). From August 2008 to June 2009, General McChrystal served as Director, Joint Staff and from 2003 until 2008 as Commander of the Army’s Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). General McChrystal is the founder of the McChrystal Group LLC, a privately held global services and leadership development firm based in Alexandria, VA, and has served as its Managing Member since 2010. He also currently serves as a director of FiscalNote, a privately held legislative and regulatory analytics firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. as well as JetBlue Airlines, and Deutsche Bank US Corporation, both headquartered in New York City. He is also an advisor to General Atomics. Within the last five years, General McChrystal served on the boards of Knowledge International, Navistar International Corp. and Siemens Government Technologies. He also served as chairperson of The Yellow Ribbon Fund, a non-profit organization committed to helping wounded veterans and their families. General McChrystal is a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches a course on Leadership in Operation. He is also the chair of Service Year Alliance, a project of Be The Change and the Aspen Institute, which envisions a future in which a service year is a cultural expectation and common opportunity for every young American.

 

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General McChrystal’s qualifications to serve on FPAC’s board include his significant leadership and management experience.

Nicole Seligman has been a director since June 2018. Since 2019, Ms. Seligman has been a member of the board of MeiraGTx. Since August 2016, Ms. Seligman has been a member of the board of Viacom, Inc. and now Viacom CBS, where she chairs the Nominating and Governance Committee. Since January 2014, Ms. Seligman has been a member of the Board of WPP PLC, where she has served as Senior Independent Director since April 2016. Until March 2016, Ms. Seligman served as the President of Sony Entertainment, Inc. (beginning in 2014) and of Sony Corporation of America (beginning in 2012), and as Senior Legal Counsel of Sony Group (beginning in 2014). Ms. Seligman had previously served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Sony Corporation from 2005 to 2014. She joined Sony in 2001 and served in a variety of other capacities during her tenure. Prior to joining Sony, Ms. Seligman was a partner in the litigation practice at Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C., where she worked on a broad range of complex civil and criminal matters and represented a wide range of clients, including President William Jefferson Clinton. Ms. Seligman joined Williams & Connolly in 1985. She served as law clerk to Justice Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court of the United States from 1984 to 1985 and as law clerk to Judge Harry T. Edwards at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1983 to 1984. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she was a winner of the Sears Prize. Ms. Seligman’s qualifications to serve on FPAC’s board include her independence, her broad experience at a major global public company, her significant contributions to other corporate boards, and her exceptional achievements in the legal profession.

Laurence A. Tosi has been a director since June 2018. Mr. Tosi is the Founder and Managing Partner of Weston Capital Group, LLC, a diversified capital platform with a focus on technology enabled businesses and industries. From 2015 until 2018, Mr. Tosi served as the Chief Financial Officer of Airbnb Inc., a privately held company which operates the world’s largest digital marketplace and hospitality service for alternative accommodations. Mr. Tosi served as the Chief Financial Officer, Senior Managing Director and a member of the Management Committee of The Blackstone Group, L.P. from 2008 to 2015. From 2006 to 2007, Mr. Tosi was a Managing Partner of Merrill Lynch & Co. (now Bank of America Merrill Lynch) where he held several senior operating roles over his 9-year tenure from 1999 to 2008. At Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mr. Tosi served as the Chief Operating Officer of Global Markets & Investment Banking from 2006 to 2008. His operating responsibilities included investment banking, equities, fixed income, private markets, technology and corporate development/strategy. Prior to that role, Mr. Tosi served as the Finance Director, Principal Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the operating businesses of Bank of America Merrill Lynch and of various Merrill Lynch Investment funds. Mr. Tosi holds a J.D. (finance/taxation), a M.B.A. (global finance/economics), and a B.A. (government/theology) from Georgetown University where he currently sits on the board of directors and is a frequent lecturer on entrepreneurship and capital investing. Mr. Tosi’s qualifications to serve on FPAC’s board include his extensive experience in investing and significant responsibilities and experience operating some of the world’s largest financial and ecommerce companies as well as his prolific entrepreneurship founding and early stage investing in some of the most successful and fastest growing companies in financial and technology.

FPAC Executive Officer and Director Compensation

FPAC is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act, and the following is intended to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies. No executive officer or director of FPAC has received any compensation for services rendered to FPAC. No fees of any kind, including finders, consulting or other similar fees, will be paid to any of FPAC’s existing stockholders, including its officers and directors, or any of their respective affiliates, prior to, or for any services they render in order to effectuate, the consummation of the mergers. Since its formation, FPAC has not granted any stock options, stock appreciation rights, or any other equity or equity-based awards under long-term incentive plans to any of its executive officers or directors.

 

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FPAC’s executive officers are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on FPAC’s behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of the expenses by anyone other than FPAC’s board of directors, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged. Because of the foregoing, FPAC generally does not have the benefit of independent directors examining the propriety of expenses incurred on its behalf and subject to reimbursement. As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, all expenses of FPAC officers and directors relating to the Business Combination have been paid by FPAC and there are no unpaid reimbursable expenses.

 

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FPAC’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

References in this section to “FPAC,” “we,” “our,” “us” or “the Company” refer to Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

Overview

We are a blank check company incorporated on February 23, 2018 as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

We consummated our IPO on June 14, 2018. Our amended certificate of incorporation provides that, if we are unable to complete an Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020 we will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us to pay taxes (less up to $100,000 of accrued interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and our board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to our obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law.

Results of Operations

Our entire activity had been related to our formation and the IPO, which was consummated on June 14, 2018, and since the IPO, our activity has been limited to the search for a prospective Initial Business Combination, and we will not be generating any operating revenues until the closing and completion of our Initial Business Combination. We expect to incur increased expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, we had net income (loss) of approximately $(4.6) million, which consisted of approximately $2.5 million in interest and investment income, offset by approximately $6.6 million in general and administrative costs (of which approximately $6.3 million was merger expenses), and approximately $0.5 million in income tax expense.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we had net income of approximately $2.6 million which consisted of approximately $3.8 million in interest and investment income, offset by approximately $0.4 million in general and administrative costs and franchise tax expense, and approximately $0.8 million in income tax expense.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had net income of approximately $9.1 million, which consisted of approximately $14.4 million in interest and investment income, offset by approximately $2.1 million in general and administrative costs, approximately $0.2 million in franchise tax expense, and approximately $3.0 million in income tax expense.

For the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, we had net income of approximately $4.6 million, which consisted of approximately $7.2 million in investment income from the Trust Account, offset by approximately $988,000 in general and administrative costs, approximately $117,000 in franchise tax expense, and approximately $1.5 million in income tax expense.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources—Going Concern Consideration

The accompanying financial statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus have been prepared assuming we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately $0.7 million in our operating bank account and approximately $19.4 million of investment income available in the Trust Account to pay for franchise and income taxes, and a working capital deficit of approximately ($7.8) million (excluding franchise and income tax obligations). Further, we have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of our acquisition plans.

Through March 31, 2020, our liquidity needs have been satisfied through receipt of a $25,000 capital contribution from our Founder in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares to the Founder, $300,000 in note payable and $40,276 in advances from related party, the proceeds from the consummation of the private placement not held in Trust Account of approximately $2.2 million, and investment income withdrawn from the Trust Account of approximately $4.7 million since inception to pay for tax obligations. We fully repaid these borrowings and advances from our Founder and related parties on June 15, 2018.

To finance transaction costs in connection with an Initial Business Combination, the Founder or an affiliate of the Founder, or certain of our officers and directors may, but are not obligated to, loan us working capital loans. If we complete an Initial Business Combination, we would repay the working capital loans out of the proceeds of the Trust Account released to us. Otherwise, the working capital loans would be repaid only out of funds held outside the Trust Account. In the event that an Initial Business Combination is not completed, we may use a portion of proceeds held outside the Trust Account to repay the working capital loans but no proceeds held in the Trust Account would be used to repay the working capital loans. Except for the foregoing, the terms of such working capital loans, if any, have not been determined and no written agreements exist with respect to such loans. The working capital loans would either be repaid upon consummation of an Initial Business Combination, without interest, or, at the lender’s discretion, up to $1.5 million of such working capital loans may be convertible into Warrants of the post-Initial Business Combination entity at a price of $1.50 per warrant. The Warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants. As of December 31, 2019, there were no working capital loans outstanding.

In connection with our assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that the liquidity, the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should we be required to liquidate after September 14, 2020.

Related Party Transactions

See “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—FPAC.”

Commitments and Contingencies

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $11.85 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the IPO. In addition, the underwriters were entitled to a deferred underwriting commission of $0.35 per unit, or approximately $20.7 million in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that we complete an Initial Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The underwriters did not receive, and will not receive, any underwriting discounts on Units purchased, directly or indirectly, by Third Point.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and income and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following as our critical accounting policies:

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

We account for FPAC Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable FPAC Class A Common Stock (including FPAC Class A Common Stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within our control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. FPAC Class A Common Stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of our control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events.

All of the 63,250,000 Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of FPAC Class A Common Stock under our liquidation or tender offer/stockholder approval provisions. In accordance with FASB ASC 480, redemption provisions not solely within our control require the security to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of FASB ASC 480. Although we have not specified a maximum redemption threshold, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that in no event will we redeem our Public Shares in an amount that would cause our net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.

We recognize changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of the security at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock shall be affected by charges against additional paid-in capital or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, retained earnings.

Accordingly, at March 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 61,797,692, 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the accompanying balance sheets, respectively.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

We comply with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods. We have not considered the effect of the Warrants sold in the IPO and private placement to purchase an aggregate of 30,850,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for each periods presented.

Our unaudited condensed statements of operations include a presentation of income per share for common stock subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of income per share. Net income per share, basic and diluted for FPAC Class A Common Stock is calculated by dividing the investment income earned on the Trust Account, net of applicable income and franchise taxes, by the weighted average number of shares of

 

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FPAC Class A Common Stock outstanding for the periods. Net loss per share, basic and diluted for FPAC Class B Common Stock is calculated by dividing the net income, less income attributable to FPAC Class A Common Stock, by the weighted average number of shares of FPAC Class B Common Stock outstanding for the periods.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

As of March 31, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K and did not have any commitments or contractual obligations.

JOBS Act

The JOBS Act contains provisions that, among other things, relax certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. We will qualify as an “emerging growth company” and under the JOBS Act will be allowed to comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements based on the effective date for private (not publicly traded) companies. We are electing to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting standards, and as a result, we may not comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

Additionally, we are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on the other reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, if, as an “emerging growth company,” we choose to rely on such exemptions we may take advantage of relief from certain reporting requirements and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions permit reduced obligations with respect to financial data, including presenting only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of selected financial data, and an exception from compliance with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

In addition, under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. These exemptions will apply for a period of five years following the completion of our IPO or until we are no longer an “emerging growth company,” whichever is earlier. We would cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.07 billion in annual revenue, have more than $700 million in market value of our share capital held by non-affiliates or issue more than $1 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these reduced reporting burdens.

 

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INFORMATION RELATED TO GLOBAL BLUE

In this section, references to “we,” “us,” “Global Blue” and “our” are intended to refer to Global Blue and its subsidiaries, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

GLOBAL BLUE’S INDUSTRY

The following is a description of our industry. Unless otherwise indicated, information used in this section is based on Industry Analysis (as defined under “Industry and Market Data”). Industry publications and market studies generally state that their information is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but that the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed and that the projections they contain are based on a number of significant assumptions. In addition, investors are cautioned that the description of our industry does not reflect the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. See in particular “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Other Information About Global Blue” as well as “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—COVID-19” and “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Overview

VAT overview

VAT is an indirect tax on the domestic consumption of goods and services, except those that are zero-rated (such as food and essential drugs) or are otherwise exempt (such as exports). The key tenet underpinning VAT legislation is the “destination principle” of taxation, which states that goods should be taxed in the country in which they are consumed rather than the country in which they are purchased.

As a result, many countries choose to adopt VAT legislation and VAT refund schemes to increase country attractiveness to international shoppers. International shoppers who are shopping in countries that operate VAT refund schemes are not required to pay VAT in the country of purchase and are able to reclaim VAT on these transactions as they depart the country or region of purchase. As of March 31, 2019, there were 180 countries and territories with VAT legislation, compared to 20 in the financial year ended March 31, 1980. While global adoption of VAT legislation has slowed in recent years, as VAT legislation has reached near global adoption, Global Blue does not believe that this slowdown affects Global Blue’s growth strategy. As of March 31, 2019, 73 countries and territories had adopted VAT refund schemes, meaning that 107 countries and territories have enacted VAT legislation but have not yet adopted a VAT refund scheme. Accordingly, Global Blue believes there is room for growth of the TFS segment, as a result of more countries adopting VAT refund schemes.

 

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Number of Countries and Territories with VAT

 

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Includes territories with different VAT rules than sovereign countries that are counted as separate countries. (Source: OECD (2018), Consumption Tax Trends 2018: VAT/GST and Excise Rates, Trends and Policy Issues; Global Blue.)

Number of Countries with VAT Refund Schemes

 

 

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(Source: OECD (2018), Consumption Tax Trends 2018: VAT/GST and Excise Rates, Trends and Policy Issues; Global Blue.)

The VAT environment is very complex for a multitude of reasons. VAT rates vary across countries (between 15% and 25% in European countries and between 5% and 10% in APAC countries). VAT refund schemes also vary across countries regarding the eligibility of goods, the eligibility of international shoppers (which is typically based on residence rather than citizenship) and the minimum threshold of eligibility for VAT refunds (i.e., minimum purchase amount or MPA).

In the EU, Council Directive 2006/112/EC (the “EU VAT Directive”) harmonizes VAT legislation and VAT refund schemes across the EU and takes precedence over national VAT regulations in the event of any conflict between the two. The EU VAT Directive provides that each EU member state must apply a standard VAT rate of at least 15% and there is no maximum rate. The EU VAT Directive also requires all EU member states to operate a VAT refund scheme for non-EU residents and provides that each EU member state can set the MPA required in order for international shoppers to be eligible for VAT refunds, provided this amount does not exceed €175. Changes to the EU VAT Directive have historically been limited and difficult to agree on. This is largely due to the fact that a unanimous decision from all EU member states is required for any change to the EU VAT

 

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Directive. Outside the EU, VAT requirements are generally defined in local VAT legislation and are regulated by local tax authorities.

Tax free shopping overview

VAT refund is the process through which international shoppers, who are not required to pay VAT in the country or area of purchase, are able to reclaim VAT on goods purchased while abroad. In the vast majority of cases, VAT refunds are processed by a TFS provider, such as ourselves, and in a minority of cases, VAT refunds may be processed in-house by the merchant.

A typical TFS transaction involves three main steps: (i) issuing – issuance of a digital or paper-based tax free form to an international shopper by the merchant; (ii) export validation – validation of the tax free transaction at customs when the international shopper is departing the country or area of purchase; and (iii) refunding – reimbursement of the VAT paid (net of fees and charges) to the international shopper. See “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Services—Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions” for details on the TFS transaction process and payments flow.

The TFS ecosystem consists of multiple parties, including merchants, international shoppers, customs and tax authorities, as well as airports. Global Blue believes that the growing popularity of VAT refund schemes globally is driven by certain advantages that these schemes offer to the relevant industry stakeholders, including:

International shoppers: Ability to reclaim VAT paid, thereby saving on shopping compared to shopping in their home country;

Merchants: Ability to drive incremental sales and profits from international shoppers;

Customs and tax authorities: Ability to attract a greater number of inbound international shoppers, supporting the tourism industry, growing domestic businesses and facilitating growth in the luxury markets; and

Airports: Ability to increase retail spend at the airport.

Size of Tax Free Shopping Volumes

The global personal luxury market is a key driver of the TFS segment, as the majority of TFS purchases are luxury goods. According to Bain & Company (Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study, Spring 2019), the global personal luxury market has a size of €260 billion. Based on management’s estimates and internal data, the global personal luxury market splits into two categories: (i) the domestic luxury market, which accounts for 67% (or €174 billion) of the personal luxury market; and (ii) the extra-regional luxury market (defined as luxury shopping conducted while overseas and not within an international shopper’s origin country), which accounts for the remaining 33% (or €86 billion) of the personal luxury market. Of the €86 billion extra-regional luxury market, approximately 65% (or €56 billion) is eligible for VAT refunds. The extra-regional luxury spend eligible for VAT refunds represents 80% (or €56 billion) of the €70 billion TFS segment. The remaining 20% (or €14 billion) is comprised of extra-regional non-luxury spend eligible for VAT refunds (e.g., fast fashion, electronics, sporting goods and other retail environments).

When estimating the size of the TFS segment, Global Blue’s estimates are limited to transactions that are eligible for VAT refunds (“eligible SiS”) in countries that allow VAT refunds to be processed by third-party providers or merchants. As a result, this definition excludes cross-border refund schemes, government-run schemes (e.g., Australia and Thailand), ineligible transactions that are expected to become eligible (e.g., through a reduction of the MPA), countries without VAT legislation or VAT refund schemes that are considering the implementation of both VAT legislation and a VAT refund scheme and merchants that do not currently offer VAT refund services at all.

 

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Personal Luxury Market and TFS Segment (as of March 31, 2019)

 

 

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(1)

Estimated split, calculated based on split of Global Blue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

(Source: Global Blue.)

The following charts summarize TFS transaction data for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, by reference to the terms below. While these refer to transactions, the terms can also be calculated based on the value of the SiS (as illustrated below).

 

   

Eligible Transactions (“Addressable Segment”): the number of transactions made by international shoppers that are eligible for a VAT refund;

 

   

Issued Transactions: the number of eligible transactions that are issued a tax free form at POS;

 

   

Refunded Transactions: the number of issued transactions that are successfully refunded;

 

   

Success ratio: the percentage of eligible transactions that are issued and refunded, comprised of:

 

   

Issue ratio: the percentage of eligible transactions that are issued a tax free form; and

 

   

Refund ratio: the percentage of transactions for which a tax free form has been issued that are successfully refunded;

 

   

In-House Refunds: the number of transactions refunded in-house by merchants and not refunded by TFS providers;

 

   

Third-Party Serviced Transactions (“Addressed Segment”): the number of transactions that are refunded by TFS providers.

 

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Total eligible transactions to refunded transactions (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, in millions)

 

 

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(Source: Global Blue.)

On a transaction basis, for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, management estimates that only 74 million of the 189 million eligible transactions in the market were successfully issued and refunded, representing a success ratio of 39% (equivalent to a success ratio of 49% on a SiS basis). This relatively low success ratio is a function of multiple factors, including a lack of awareness of the TFS service or of the refund process, or friction along the existing customer journey (e.g., queues for export validation). We believe that these can be addressed by further digitalization of the TFS process.

Total eligible SiS to refunded SiS (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, in € billions)

 

 

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(Source: Global Blue.)

 

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Drivers of Tax Free Shopping Growth

There are three main macroeconomic market drivers underpinning continued growth of the TFS segment: (A) growth in the emerging market middle class, which leads to an increase in travel and, accordingly, an increase in international tourism expenditure, extra-regional luxury spend (as defined above) and eligible SiS; (B) increase in countries adopting VAT refund schemes and an increase in VAT rates leading to an increase in average spend per trip and per shopper; and (C) digitalization of export validation, which supports the improvement of the success ratio, which positively impact SiS. As a result of these drivers, TFS SiS increased at a CAGR of 14% between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019, while the domestic luxury market and the extra-regional luxury market increased at a CAGR of 5% and 10%, respectively. For more information on these drivers, see “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Key Factors Affecting Global Blue’s Business and Results of Operation” and “—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Key Strengths.” In particular, each of these three macroeconomic market drivers are directly tied to the TFS growth equation, as illustrated below.

 

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(1)

All ratios are presented on a transaction basis. The issue, refund and success ratio would be equivalent to 58%, 86% and 49%, respectively, if presented on an SiS basis.

Notwithstanding the long-term tailwinds, there are a number of short-term factors that impact Global Blue’s quarter-on-quarter performance, such as foreign exchange and travel disruptions. Such headwinds have resulted in lower SiS and revenue growth rates for the financial years ended March 31, 2018 and 2019 relative to the overall level of growth Global Blue expected over the long term (i.e., between 2010 and 2019) and the more medium term (i.e., between 2015 and 2019).

Emerging market wealth growth increases the number of people travelling abroad and drives SiS from emerging market international shoppers

International shoppers from emerging markets accounted for 70% of Global Blue’s eligible SiS for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. As a result, Global Blue’s business benefits from growth of the middle class in emerging markets, which has led to an increase in travel and an increase in international tourism expenditure. Between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019, according to Industry Analysis, the middle class grew by approximately 34 million households to 58 million, translating to a CAGR of 10%. This expansion of the middle class in emerging markets has fueled international travel to Global Blue’s TFS destination markets by emerging market travelers, which increased at a CAGR of 11% over the same period, from 49 million to 121 million. Consequently, the number of eligible TFS transactions increased by an estimated 68 million to 189 million during the same period, representing a CAGR of 12%. Illustrative of this relationship, Industry Analysis suggests a 97% correlation between Global Blue’s TFS transactions and arrivals of emerging market international shoppers into markets in which Global Blue has a presence, illustrating the strong relationship between emerging market middle class wealth and TFS transactions.

 

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The propensity of international shoppers from emerging markets to spend while abroad is driven by the following key factors:

 

   

A greater range of products and greater confidence in the authenticity of goods in developed destination markets, compared to shopping in emerging market origin countries;

 

   

A price differential of luxury goods between origin emerging markets and destination markets, even before accounting for the incremental savings generated by the VAT refund; and

 

   

An enhanced shopping experience in flagship stores in destination markets.

The first wave of growth in the TFS industry, which spanned the years preceding the financial year ended March 31, 2010, was driven by emerging market wealth growth in Russia. Thereafter, the second wave, spanning the period of the financial year ended March 31, 2010 to March 31, 2019, was driven by emerging market wealth growth in China. The next wave of TFS industry growth, up until the financial year ending March 31, 2025, is expected to be driven by Chinese international shoppers, as well as those from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (together, “Southeast Asia”) and India. As the middle class and, accordingly, propensity to travel, are expected to continue to grow in the long term, Global Blue believes these three regions will support the next wave of growth in the TFS industry.

Notwithstanding the historical growth, Industry Analysis indicates that the middle class still remains a small percentage of the total population of the emerging markets at only 4%, and we believe that there is significant room for this segment of the population to grow. For example, Chinese outbound trips were taken by approximately 5% of the Chinese population in 2014 and approximately 9% of the Chinese population held a passport in 2018, which compares to the average of developed countries of approximately 54% (based on the latest available data for UK, South Korea, Japan, Canada, USA, and Australia). Industry Analysis suggests that the middle class will continue to increase, resulting in an increase in arrivals from emerging market countries into our destination markets at a CAGR of approximately 9% over the next six years (from 121 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2019 to approximately 199 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2025) and that such potential growth should drive long-term structural growth in the TFS industry.

Global Blue believes that the volume of international travel and TFS transactions has shown resilience and long-term predictability, despite repeated short-term volatility. A wide range of travel disruptions, including foreign exchange fluctuations, geopolitical developments, natural disasters, contagious disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks and economic downturns, can impact month-on-month performance. Such disruptions may cause variations in and serve as headwinds to a TFS provider’s revenue in the short term. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Key Factors Affecting Global Blue’s Business and Results of Operation—External factors—Short-Term external factors—Travel Disruptions.” However, in Global Blue’s experience, these disruptions have typically been short-term and temporary in nature, with their effects eventually subsiding or completely reversing in most instances. In addition, Global Blue believes that TFS providers with a diversified global footprint, such as ours, are better positioned to overcome such temporary travel disruptions, as travelers responding to travel disruptions may simply opt for alternative destination markets, where we are also present.

Increased adoption of VAT refund schemes increases the number of transactions eligible for VAT refunds, with further benefit from higher rates and more favorable eligibility requirements

Between the financial years ended March 31, 1980 and 2019, the number of countries and territories that have adopted VAT legislation has increased from 20 to 180, based on Global Blue internal data and the OECD. Of these 180 countries and territories, only 73 have adopted VAT refund schemes. Accordingly, while the number of countries and territories adopting VAT legislation has slowed down in recent years (as a result of reaching near full adoption), the number of VAT refund schemes (which is well below the number of countries and territories with VAT legislation) is expected to increase over time. Governments are incentivized to introduce VAT refund

 

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schemes, as it increases a country’s attractiveness to international shoppers. Global Blue’s analysis has indicated that, between the financial years ended March 31, 2010 and 2019, countries that have adopted VAT refund schemes have seen luxury retail sales by international shoppers increase by 10%, while countries that have not adopted VAT refund schemes have seen growth of only 7%. Global Blue would expect this growth differential to continue, as a result of the financial incentives created for international shoppers in countries with a VAT refund scheme. Based on Global Blue’s ongoing conversations with customs and tax authorities, Global Blue anticipated (as of March 31, 2019) that at least 10 countries will adopt VAT refund schemes operated by TFS providers in the next five years (depending on whether the relevant regulations are passed). Since then, Serbia and Kazakhstan have adopted VAT refund schemes operated by third-party TFS providers.

In addition to the adoption of VAT refund schemes, there are four other policy levers that impact Global Blue’s business:

 

   

Eligible goods: Broadening the range of goods that are eligible for VAT refunds serves to increase the number of eligible transactions. Currently, some countries have a narrower range of eligible goods than other countries. For example, alcohol or tobacco are not eligible for a VAT refund in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Lithuania, Morocco, Russia, Slovenia and South Korea, while they are eligible in other TFS countries served by Global Blue.

 

   

VAT rate: As a result of a VAT rate increase, the absolute value of VAT refunds increases, thereby increasing Global Blue’s fee for processing these refunds. Additionally, Global Blue’s revenue increases as VAT rates increase, as a higher tax rate incentivizes international shoppers to use Global Blue’s services. Average VAT rates in European countries are approximately 20%, while average VAT rates in APAC are approximately 8%. Historically, 77% of the European OECD members have increased their VAT rates since 2006, and Japan increased its VAT rate from 8% to 10% in October 2019.

 

   

Minimum purchase amount: As the MPA for eligible transactions decreases, there is an increase in the number of eligible transactions. Currently, some countries mandate that only purchases that reach a certain minimum amount are eligible for VAT refunds. For example, historically, in Spain, only transactions over €90 were eligible for VAT refunds. Since this restriction was removed in August 2018, Global Blue’s total eligible SiS has increased.

 

   

Eligible beneficiary: Expanding the travelers that are eligible for VAT refunds increases the number of eligible transactions. Typically, all travelers who are non-residents of the country or region they are visiting are eligible for VAT refunds. However, certain countries have more generous eligibility thresholds, such as Australia and Japan, which also allow their residents to benefit from the VAT refund scheme if they are taking domestic goods abroad.

Digitalization of export validation increases success ratio

VAT is only refunded to an international shopper after their tax free transaction is validated by customs. However, as a result of friction within the export validation process (including, at times, the required queueing), international shoppers either decide not to have a tax free form issued or decide not to seek a refund. These are some of the factors contributing to the low success ratio of 39% on a transaction basis (equivalent to 49% on a SiS basis).

To address this friction, customs and tax authorities have started introducing digital export validation, including self-service validation kiosks and rule-based engines that identify transactions for green channels (which do not require physical verification by customs officers and apply to the majority of transactions) and red channels (which do require physical verification). As of March 31, 2019, 17 countries (including, for example, France and Spain) had adopted digital export validation and, based on Global Blue’s ongoing discussions with customs and tax authorities, approximately eight more countries are expected to adopt this technology by the financial year ended March 31, 2022 (depending on whether the relevant regulations are passed). Additionally, as of March 31,

 

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2019, 54% of Global Blue’s TFS SiS was digitally validated and 89% of Global Blue’s TFS SiS is expected to be digitally validated by the financial year ended March 31, 2022 (depending on whether the relevant regulations are passed). The main benefit of digital export validation is reduced friction within the customer journey, which has a direct positive impact on the success ratio. For example, in France, the success ratio, as measured by Global Blue, increased from 42% for the financial year ended March 31, 2011 to 51% for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, as the export validation process has become increasingly digitalized.

It is expected that the ongoing digitalization of the full customer journey (including issuing and refunding) will drive improvement in success ratio and increase Global Blue’s revenue as friction points are further reduced. Global Blue is well placed to benefit as these processes become more digitalized, as Global Blue has begun to offer digital issuing and refunding solutions to Global Blue’s merchant partners and international shoppers. For merchants, Global Blue offers a wide range of digital issuing solutions, which has led to an increase in Global Blue’s number of digitally issued TFS transactions from 5% to 96% between the financial years ended March 31, 2010 and 2019. For international shoppers, Global Blue offers a wide range of refunding solutions, which has resulted in an increase in Global Blue’s percentage of refund value digitally refunded from 30% to 40% between the financial years ended March 31, 2010 and 2019.

Competitive Environment

From the total eligible SiS of €70 billion, only €35 billion is currently refunded, of which €26 billion is refunded by TFS providers (“third-party serviced”). Of this third-party serviced TFS segment, Global Blue held approximately 70% (based on TFS SiS) as of March 31, 2019. Global Blue’s main competitor in this segment is Planet, which holds approximately 20% share of the third-party serviced TFS segment and is predominantly focused on the European TFS segment. In addition, as of the same date, Global Tax Free, a regional competitor in select APAC countries, held approximately 5% of the TFS segment. Apart from these two key competitors, the remaining 5% of the TFS segment is split amongst approximately 45 TFS competitors, comprised mostly of local players.

A high degree of sophistication and industry know-how is required from TFS providers. We believe that existing TFS providers, such as ourselves, are better positioned to offer higher added-value to TFS stakeholders than a new market entrant could offer. Some of the complexities required of any successful TFS provider include the following, and Global Blue believes Global Blue is well positioned in these areas:

 

   

Fully integrated technology platform: As the TFS industry becomes increasingly digitalized, increased technological integrations and higher frequency of regulatory changes increases merchant focus on the quality of TFS providers and available solutions.

 

   

Longstanding relationships: For international merchants, there is an increased focus on partnering with a one-stop global TFS provider that can roll-out solutions across various geographies. As a result, TFS providers need to have longstanding merchant relationships on a global scale, as well as a global footprint to ensure it is present in each of the merchant’s retail locations.

 

   

Broad physical presence: Broad physical presence of TFS providers is driven by the expectations of all stakeholders in the TFS ecosystem—merchants (e.g., ability to visit retail stores for trainings), international shoppers (e.g., accessibility of refund locations) and customs and tax authorities.

 

   

Multiple-jurisdiction compliance: TFS refund schemes around the world are governed by a diverse and complex set of laws and regulations, consisting of different VAT and customs rules in each country. More broadly, the implementation of VAT refund regulation, even in the EU, is different in each member state and is expected to become even more diverse as countries begin to implement digital export validation. Navigating these complex challenges and adhering to varying regulations requires extensive operational knowledge, as well as regulatory expertise and relationships across many jurisdictions.

 

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International shopper and merchant data: Data is increasingly important for merchants in order to better forecast demand, create targeted marketing campaigns, effectively communicate with international shoppers, and tailor product procurement. As a result, TFS providers with higher transaction volume are more preferred by merchants, as a result of the quality and depth of their dataset on international shoppers.

Payments Industry

Based on Euromonitor International (Consumer Finance Edition 2020) from September 2019, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018, the consumer payments market (as described below) reached approximately $34 trillion and is forecasted to grow to approximately $51 trillion by December 31, 2023, representing an expected CAGR of 9% over the next five years.

The payments industry is experiencing an ongoing shift away from cash and toward non-cash transactions. This shift toward non-cash payments is being driven by a number of factors, including new technology increasing speed and convenience, lower transaction fees and the growing prevalence of online and mobile channels.

For the calendar year ended December 31, 2018, the volume of non-cash card payments reached $23 trillion, representing 69% of total payment volume (compared to 49% for the year ended December 31, 2013), and is forecasted to grow to approximately $42 trillion by December 31, 2023, representing 82% of total payment volume. This represents an expected CAGR of approximately 12% over the next five years. (Source: Euromonitor International, September 2019.)

Consumer Payment Transaction Volume in Key Markets (in $ trillion)(1)

 

 

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Based on China, Japan, Australia, Canada, US, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

(2)

Card transactions include consumer payments from charge cards, credit cards, debit cards and pre-paid cards and excludes electronic direct and automated clearing house transactions.

(3)

Cash transactions include other payment types (e.g., checks).

(Source: Euromonitor International, Consumer Finance Edition 2020 based on estimates from September 2019.)

 

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The DCC Industry

Within Global Blue’s AVPS business, Global Blue’s DCC service allows international shoppers to choose between making payments in their home currency or in the local currency at the POS, automated teller machines (“ATMs”), and while shopping online. When an international shopper chooses to pay in their home currency, the DCC provider confirms the exchange rate applied and the home currency amount to the international shopper before the transaction is processed. This gives the international shopper clarity and certainty about their spending and allows them to track their travel expenses immediately. The alternative would be for the international shopper to pay in local currency and only find out the exchange rate and home currency equivalent weeks later in their bank account statement, which reduces the international shoppers’ visibility regarding their spend.

DCC providers’ main customers are Acquirers, who offer DCC as a value-added service to their merchants. The ability to cross-sell DCC services into their merchant base increases the number of products per merchant, which usually increases merchants’ stickiness. DCC providers, such as Global Blue, charge international shoppers a fee on each transaction. The fee, which is usually approximately 3% per transaction, is then shared broadly equally between the DCC provider, the Acquirer and the merchant. This fee represents a financial incentive to the merchant and the Acquirer; the alternative, where the international shopper pays in the local currency, would see this fee be collected by the issuing bank. See “Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Services—Added-Value Payment Solutions” for an overview of a typical DCC transaction and explanation of the revenue-sharing model with Acquirers and merchants.

Drivers of growth

The growth in Global Blue’s AVPS eligible SiS is a function of the cross-border card spend, as shown by Industry Analysis that has calculated a correlation of 96% between the two. To illustrate this point, the below breaks down the steps between the addressable and addressed spend.

 

 

Addressable cross-border card spend: This represents the value of payments that are eligible for DCC, which itself is a function of three elements:

 

   

Consumer cross-border spend: The value of cross-border spend by consumers

 

   

Percentage of card penetration: The percentage of cross-border spend by consumers conducted via credit or debit cards

 

   

Percentage of addressable cards: The percentage of POS transactions or cash withdrawn from ATMs using a MasterCard- or Visa-branded cards. DCC services can only be used with Visa and MasterCard transactions, because other card schemes act as Acquirers and, therefore, these card schemes already benefit from foreign exchange transaction fees and, as such, have no incentive to utilize DCC

 

 

DCC penetration: The percentage of merchants or ATMs that offer DCC solutions

 

   

Unaddressed DCC Spend: The value of payments that is eligible for DCC, though is unaddressed as a DCC proposition is not available at the merchant or the ATM

 

 

Addressable DCC spend: The value of payments that would be eligible for DCC and where a DCC proposition is available

 

 

Acceptance rate: The percentage of international shoppers that opt to use DCC either at a POS or at an ATM

 

   

Opt-out of DCC: The value of payments for which international shoppers decided not to use DCC

 

 

Addressed DCC spend: The value of payments by international shoppers opting for DCC, on which the above mentioned 3% DCC fee per transaction is charged to the international shopper

 

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To illustrate the above, the following chart summarizes the data for the financial year ended March 31, 2019:

DCC SiS (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, in € billions)

 

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(Source: Global Blue.)

Over the last five financial years to March 31, 2019, Global Blue’s estimates indicate that addressable cross-border card spend has grown at a CAGR of 10% to €455 billion, as a result of increasing consumer cross-border spend and card penetration. The addressable DCC spend was estimated to have increased by a CAGR of 12% over the same period to €85 billion, due to increased penetration of the DCC solution. As a result of either a lack of awareness of the availability of the DCC solution or a limited knowledge of its benefits, the addressed market is only €28 billion. As a result of the meaningfully large unaddressed market totaling €427 billion, Global Blue believes that there is further room for growth within the market as a result of higher penetration rate and acceptance rate, which is in addition to the structural growth from increasing consumer cross-border spend growth and increase percentage of card penetration.

Competitive landscape

The DCC segment mainly consists of nine international DCC providers, as well as a number of local and regional DCC providers. The international DCC providers consist of two foreign exchange specialists offering DCC services (Fexco and Monex), two TFS providers offering DCC services (Global Blue and Planet) and Acquirers offering DCC services. Global Blue estimates that Global Blue is the second largest global DCC provider by revenue, holding approximately 20% of the DCC segment, preceded by Fexco. This implies that Global Blue is the largest TFS provider that also offers DCC services.

Global Blue believes that success in the DCC segment is driven by a multitude of factors:

 

 

Ease of integration: The ability to easily integrated with Acquirers’ and PSP’s software enables faster roll-out to merchants

 

 

Ability to optimize user experience: The ability to (i) optimize user interface with the DCC solution and (ii) enhance in-store sales staff explanation of the solution improves the experience of the process and increase the acceptance rate

 

 

Broad physical presence across multiple geographies: The availability of on-the-ground salesforce and support staff engaging with merchants enables direct support services when necessary (e.g., training)

 

 

Longstanding relationships with merchants: Such relationships allow merchants to consider the DCC provider when making broader payments infrastructure decisions

 

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GLOBAL BLUE’S BUSINESS

Overview

Global Blue serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international shoppers, driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic tailwinds. Global Blue established the concept of TFS in Sweden in 1980 and has emerged as both a global leader (based on its share of the TFS segment) and a pioneer in technology for TFS. Global Blue also offers AVPS, including DCC for which Global Blue is a leading provider. As of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Global Blue operated across more than 50 countries. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue enabled approximately 29 million international shoppers to claim VAT refunds on international shopping or complete international transactions in their home currency. At its core, Global Blue is a technology platform that serves a network of more than 400,000 merchant stores globally through both TFS and AVPS, facilitating 64 million transactions amounting to €22.6 billion per year (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019) and delivering economic benefits to a complex ecosystem of merchants, international shoppers and customs and tax authorities. See “—Other Information About Global BlueCOVID-19” for a summary of the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on Global Blue.

Because of Global Blue’s position at the center of the international shopping TFS ecosystem and its technology platform, Global Blue is able to: (i) offer merchant partners incremental sales from international shoppers, increase merchant brand awareness and add an additional revenue stream; (ii) increase the incremental purchasing power of international shoppers and provide a seamless and personalized shopping experience to them; and (iii) help customs and tax authorities increase country attractiveness and adopt higher security and fully compliant operations through digitalization.

A typical TFS transaction begins with the international shopper purchasing goods from a merchant with VAT included in the price. The international shopper is then issued a tax free form by the merchant, has the tax free transaction validated by customs and tax authorities, and is refunded by a TFS company (either directly or via a third-party refund agent) an amount equal to the VAT, minus the TFS provider’s transaction fees. The transaction fee is then split between the TFS provider and the merchant. The following illustration summarizes this process. For a more detailed explanation of a typical TFS transaction, see “—Global Blue’s Services—Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions” below.

Simplified Overview of the TFS Process(1)

 

 

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This overview is presented for illustrative purposes only and not as a representation of actual amounts involved in the TFS process. Actual amounts may vary depending on a number of factors, including the revenue share split set out in agreements with merchants, country mix (i.e., the number of transactions processed in higher refund ratio countries as compared to lower refund ratio countries) and market trends.

 

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Global Blue’s primary AVPS offering is DCC. Global Blue’s DCC service enables international shoppers to make transactions in their home currency, thereby giving them clarity and confidence about their holiday or business spending. A typical DCC transaction begins with the international shopper being prompted to pay in either local or home currency. The international shopper selects the amount paid in their home currency (including a transaction fee) and the issuing bank debits the international shopper in their home currency. The merchant, the acquiring bank and Global Blue receive a share of the transaction fee. The following illustration summarizes this process. For a more detailed explanation of a typical TFS transaction, see “—Global Blue’s Services—Added-Value Payment Solutions” below.

Simplified Overview of the DCC Process(1)

 

 

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Note: (1) FX fees charged by the issuing bank for the conversion of the £900 purchase amount is equal to or greater than the Global Blue dynamic currency conversion fees.

 

(1)

Graphic is presented for illustrative purposes only and not as a representation of actual amounts involved in the DCC process. Actual amounts may vary depending on a number of factors, including the revenue share split set out in agreements with Acquirer and merchants, expected DCC acceptance rates and market trends.

Global Blue delivers its services to the following stakeholders:

 

   

Merchants: As a “business to business to consumer” (B2B2C) TFS service provider, Global Blue offers merchants a broad range of in-store issuing software solutions tailored to their needs, as well as pre- and post-transaction services to better attract and serve international shoppers. Global Blue has approximately 40 years of experience in TFS and, as of March 31, 2019, Global Blue’s TFS network covered more than 300,000 TFS merchant stores. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue processed approximately 36 million TFS transactions and generated €349.3 million in revenue in its TFS business, or 84.6% of its total revenue. In addition, by leveraging its access to proprietary aggregated data on international shoppers, Global Blue is able to provide merchants with innovative analytics and digital marketing solutions that include: (i) solutions designed to help merchants gain better insights into the operational and financial performance of their business and identify incremental revenue opportunities (i.e., Smart Data & Business Intelligence); and (ii) solutions designed to drive revenue for its merchants, increase awareness of TFS and help merchants improve their knowledge of and ability to engage with international shoppers (i.e., Digital Drive to Store & Marketing). For more than 20 years, Global Blue has also offered AVPS, including POS DCC services for the retail and hospitality sectors, e-commerce dynamic currency conversion (“eDCC”) solutions, services and software for ATM, and multicurrency processing (“MCP”) for online merchants. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue processed 28 million AVPS transactions and generated €63.7 million in revenue in Global Blue’s AVPS business, or 15.4% of Global Blue’s total revenue. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue offered its payment services to international shoppers at more than 150,000 points of interaction across 34 countries.

 

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International shoppers: International shoppers are at the core of both Global Blue’s business and the broader luxury market, representing approximately 20% to 30% of the luxury industry’s worldwide revenue. Global Blue offers international shoppers the ability to: (i) seamlessly reclaim VAT on eligible goods purchased outside their country of origin, increasing their purchasing power; and (ii) pay for goods and services abroad in their home currency through DCC services, giving them clarity and certainty about their travel spending. International shoppers have a financial incentive to use Global Blue’s TFS services, as they have the opportunity to receive a refund equaling approximately 70% of the VAT paid on average. Global Blue’s services not only help international shoppers save on shopping, they also facilitate a tax free journey with a simple and transparent TFS refund process. As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue operated TFS services in more than 40 countries and maintained more than 800 refund points with 10 credit card and three mobile wallet partnerships, allowing Global Blue to offer refunds to international shoppers at a convenient time and using their preferred payment method.

 

   

Customs and tax authorities: Global Blue’s ambition is to help governments drive tourism by increasing the attractiveness of shopping in countries in which Global Blue operates while making international shoppers’ VAT refund schemes more secure. Global Blue works directly with customs and authorities to improve the efficiency and integrity of their TFS refund schemes. Global Blue believes that its digital TFS shopping ecosystem increases traceability and reduces fraud.

Global Blue continually seeks to improve its competitive position by working closely with merchants, customs and tax authorities, related-service providers and other relevant stakeholders to develop business opportunities both in existing and new markets. Since Global Blue provides a seamless service to stakeholders across the value chain, its technology platform and solutions are a key pillar of its business. Over the years, Global Blue has introduced front-end issuing solutions for merchants, communication tools and applications for international shoppers, and export validation software for customs and tax authorities. Global Blue’s in-house, cloud-based technology platform allows it to connect all of the stakeholders in its TFS ecosystem in order to facilitate payments and transaction processing. Global Blue remains dedicated to innovating and further investing in its operations and software solutions to simplify the use of Global Blue’s services by all stakeholders.

History

Global Blue has been a leader in TFS services since it pioneered the concept in 1980 in Sweden, and maintains a large market share in the segment. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Global Blue expanded into 16 new countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and, in 1993, Singapore, which was Global Blue’s first expansion beyond Europe. In 2001, Global Blue launched its DCC service and moved its corporate headquarters to Switzerland from Sweden. During the following decade, Global Blue accelerated its global expansion, with TFS and DCC operations launched in several markets throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, including Argentina and South Korea.

Global Blue was acquired by funds and investment vehicles directly or indirectly managed and/or advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group in 2012.

Over the past few years, Global Blue has continued to grow, launching TFS operations in a number of new markets, including the Bahamas, Japan and Russia. In 2016, Global Blue expanded its DCC business with the acquisition of Currency Select, allowing Global Blue to introduce its business to new markets in APAC, and expand its payments proposition beyond DCC into what is today AVPS.

Global Blue’s Key Strengths

Macroeconomic drivers of growth

Global Blue’s business model is well placed to benefit from three powerful macroeconomic tailwinds that are expected to support the growth of Global Blue’s business. As a result of the drivers described below, Global

 

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Blue’s TFS SiS increased at a CAGR of 14% between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019, while the domestic luxury market and the extra-regional luxury market increased at CAGRs of 5% and 10%, respectively. Additionally, between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019, Global Blue’s AVPS revenue increased at a CAGR of 20%, while the payments market and DCC market (based on DCC POS and ATM addressable spend) have increased at CAGRs of 6% and 12%, respectively. For more information regarding these macroeconomic trends, see “Information Related to Global Blue–Global Blue’s Industry.”

Emerging market wealth growth

International shoppers from emerging markets accounted for 70% of Global Blue’s eligible SiS for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. As a result, Global Blue’s business benefits from growth of the middle class in emerging markets, which has led to an increase in travel and an increase in international tourism expenditure, particularly in the TFS segment. Between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019, a 10% CAGR in the middle class fueled an 11% CAGR in international travel to Global Blue’s TFS destination markets by emerging market travelers, which drove an increase in number of eligible TFS transactions by 11% over the same period.

As detailed further in “Information Related to Global Blue–Global Blue’s Industry—Drivers of Tax Free Shopping Growth—Emerging market wealth growth increases the number of people travelling abroad and drives SiS from emerging market international shoppers,” Global Blue believes that there is significant room for this segment of the population to grow.

Industry Analysis suggests that the middle class will continue to increase, resulting in an increase in arrivals from emerging market countries into Global Blue’s markets at a CAGR of approximately 9% over the next six years and that such potential growth should drive long-term structural growth in the TFS industry.

VAT dynamics

Global Blue’s business benefits from several positive developments in VAT regulation around the world, including a proliferation of VAT refund schemes and increases in VAT rates. VAT refund schemes have become a part of national economic strategies, as they are seen as tools to (i) drive inbound tourism (which, in turn, supports higher luxury sales growth) and (ii) support the segment of the domestic economy that is exposed to international shoppers. Global Blue anticipates that at least 10 countries will adopt VAT refund schemes in the next five years (depending on whether the relevant regulations are passed) and Global Blue believes that it is well-positioned to capture the expected TFS segment growth.

Digitalization of export validation and payments

Global Blue believes that the digitalization trend across Global Blue’s TFS business will support its growth going forward, as digitalization simplifies and streamlines the customer journey, reducing friction throughout the TFS customer journey.

Digital export validation benefits customs and tax authorities by increasing automation of the validation process, which in turn decreases staffing costs and addresses cost inefficiencies. Digital export validation also increases traceability, which in turn decreases instances of fraud and provides more accurate compliance monitoring. The resulting reduction in the number of physical checks required for international shoppers at customs’ exit points improves Global Blue’s success ratio. This is demonstrated by comparing the success ratio in countries with digital export validation to those without digital export validation. Based on Global Blue’s estimates, countries that implemented digital export validation had approximately a two times higher success ratio than countries with non-digital export validation between 2010 and 2019. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, approximately 54% of Global Blue’s SiS was digitally validated (compared to 26% for the financial year ended March 31, 2016) and Global Blue estimates that this could increase to 89% over the next three years.

 

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In addition, management believes that the shift towards digitalization increases Global Blue’s value-add to merchants. Unlike in non-digital countries, where TFS providers only need to be integrated with the POS and the payment provider, digitalization requires that the TFS provider be integrated with the POS, PSP and Acquirer, the customs validation export software and the payment provider. This complex integration requires a reliable and agile TFS system that can adapt to frequent regulatory changes.

Clear market and technology leadership

Global Blue’s competitive differentiation is based on its global reach, its portfolio of iconic luxury brand relationships, its in-house technology platform, its continuous product innovation, and its expertise in compliance.

Global Blue is a leading global provider of TFS services, with approximately 70% share of the third-party serviced segment (as measured by TFS SiS) as of March 31, 2019, which is more than three times the market share of Global Blue’s nearest competitor. Within AVPS, in a market of approximately 10 players, Global Blue is the second largest DCC provider globally by revenue, accounting for approximately 20% of the DCC market for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. With a presence in more than 50 countries (i.e., countries where Global Blue offers TFS, AVPS or both) as of September 30, 2019, Global Blue believes its global geographic coverage compares favorably to its two nearest TFS competitors and enables Global Blue to serve merchants on a global scale. Global Blue is present in the majority of European markets and is further expanding its operations in APAC, where Global Blue was the first company to launch its TFS operations in Singapore in 1993. In addition, Global Blue believes that the diversified nature of its footprint better positions it to capture the growth of international shoppers, even considering travel disruptions and destination trends.

Global Blue’s global footprint and attractive value proposition have enabled it to become a key partner to its merchant network. Global Blue has developed a wide range of long-standing relationships, with the average tenure of its top 20 TFS merchants (based on revenue) being more than 20 years. The breadth of Global Blue’s merchant relationships can be demonstrated by the fact that the highest revenue with a single merchant represented only 5% of Global Blue’s TFS revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019, Global Blue gained on average approximately 1% of Global Blue’s SiS per annum (net of SiS lost) from new merchants. Collectively, across Global Blue’s network, Global Blue served more than 300,000 TFS merchant stores and was present at more than 150,000 points of interaction in the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

Global Blue operates a fully integrated, in-house technology platform that is scalable and highly secure. Global Blue’s single cloud-based technology platform allows it to cater to a wide array of stakeholder needs and enables ease of innovation and fast deployment. Global Blue’s technology platform allows it to facilitate payment processing through its integrations with more than 40 PSP partners and more than 200 POS partners and transaction processing through partnerships with three mobile wallets and 10 credit card providers. Moreover, it provides a validation engine for customs and tax authorities through integrations with 17 customs validation export software platforms. Global Blue also offers issuing solutions software for merchants, export validation software for customs and tax authorities and refund solutions software for refund agents. In parallel, Global Blue offers multiple app-based solutions for international shoppers to facilitate the customer journey. For more information on Global Blue’s technology platform, see “—Global Blue’s technology platform—Key platform principles.”

Global Blue’s technology platform continues to evolve and provides new features. Global Blue is heavily focused on innovation with approximately 20% of its full-time employee base in its product and technology teams, and Global Blue’s annual technology spend (including technology operating expenses and capital expenditure) amounting to an average of 13% of its revenue over the period between April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2019 or €267.1 million in aggregate. Global Blue currently has approximately 50 new products in the pipeline, which Global Blue intends to roll out in the medium term to enhance the experience for all stakeholders. For

 

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more information on Global Blue’s technology services, see “—Global Blue’s technology platform—Key innovative focus areas.”

Global Blue has become the reference point for the TFS segment, advising multiple governments on the benefits of adopting VAT refund schemes and digital export validation. Given Global Blue’s tenure in the TFS ecosystem, it has developed expertise in compliance across over 40 TFS countries. Global Blue has also developed country-by-country relationships enabling Global Blue to adhere to varying customs and authorities requirements, particularly during the ongoing shift to digital export validation.

Business strategy based on creating value

With international shoppers representing 20% to 30% of worldwide luxury retail revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, and up to 50% of luxury retail revenue in countries with VAT refund schemes, Global Blue’s understanding of and its ability to reach international shoppers is highly relevant for merchants focused on capturing the growth of international shoppers. As a result, Global Blue is not simply a technology and payments partner, but aims to be a long-term partner to empower Global Blue’s merchants to capture the growth of international shoppers.

In addition to the three main macroeconomic drivers described above, Global Blue has a strong set of management initiatives across both TFS and AVPS to drive growth and improve volume, alongside a detailed framework to increase merchants’ revenue. Global Blue also believes it has an opportunity to roll-up targets in adjacent sectors to enhance the value proposition to all stakeholders of the TFS ecosystem and generate value to future shareholders.

For further details on Global Blue’s management initiatives to improve volume growth and enhance value for Global Blue’s merchants, see “—Global Blue’s Strategy” below.

Attractive transaction-based business model

Global Blue’s business model leverages the macroeconomic growth drivers underpinning the TFS ecosystem, alongside segment and network leadership. Underlying macroeconomic growth is compounded by management initiatives to further enhance volume growth, as well as a variety of initiatives to generate additional revenue. From the financial year ended March 31, 2010 to the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue’s SiS grew at a CAGR of 15%, with revenue growing, during the same period, at a CAGR of 11%, which is in excess of the growth in the domestic and extra-regional luxury market during the same period.

The meaningful operating leverage in Global Blue’s business has translated this growth into significant Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion from 23% for the financial year ended March 31, 2010 to 42% for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, implying a CAGR of 19% during this period. When looking at the medium-term from the financial year ended March 31, 2015 to the financial year ended March 31, 2019, the EBITDA CAGR was 10%. In addition, Global Blue’s business also benefits from strong cash conversion, with a Conversion Rate of 80% for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Global Blue believes that its cash conversion is sustainable, underpinned by its historically low and predictable capital expenditure to modernize Global Blue’s solutions for all stakeholders in the TFS ecosystem.

International management team with relevant expertise

Global Blue’s senior management team has many decades of relevant business experience and is led by Global Blue’s CEO and CFO who have on average more than 20 years of public company experience. In addition, members of its executive management have on average more than 10 years of experience working with Global Blue. The management team has relevant experience, which has been useful as Global Blue has expanded its TFS business to process transactions globally and expanded its AVPS business beyond its original product, DCC, to

 

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also include financial processing, tokenization and gateway. The long tenure of Global Blue’s management team is one of its critical attributes, particularly given the long-term nature of its business and the importance of continuity when dealing with the decision-makers at its merchant partners. The experience of the management team coupled with Global Blue’s streamlined governance structure has historically allowed it to integrate new acquisitions and forge new strategic partnerships and, going forward, is expected to underpin the successful execution of its business strategy.

Global Blue’s Strategy

Global Blue believes that its competitive strengths and technology leadership have positioned it well to capitalize on the volume and revenue growth opportunities resulting from the underlying macroeconomic drivers. In addition to the three macroeconomic drivers supporting volume growth detailed in “—Global Blue’s Key Strengths— Macroeconomic drivers of growth”, set forth below is Global Blue’s road map to increase volume growth in its TFS and AVPS divisions, as well as its action plan to enhance its value proposition to merchants:

Management strategy to boost growth of TFS

Increasing TFS segment penetration through improvements to the success ratio

For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue’s global success ratio was 39% on a transaction basis (equivalent to a success ratio of 49% on a SiS basis), meaning there is a substantial opportunity for increased penetration, for example, through addressing the lack of awareness or reducing the perceived friction points throughout the customer journey. Global Blue has several process-driven enablers to improve the overall success ratio, including: (i) pre-trip awareness campaigns; (ii) in-store recognition; and (iii) post-purchase improvements of the customer journey toward the refund.

In order to increase awareness of TFS, Global Blue will launch targeted campaigns in specific origin countries where awareness of TFS is low and roll out advertisements on travel portals for early engagement with international shoppers. Within stores, Global Blue aims to continue rolling out issuing solutions with PSP or customer relationship management integration in order to automatically identify international shoppers and prompt the merchant staff to issue a tax free transaction. After the purchase, Global Blue plans to continue to expand the number of physical and digital touchpoints (e.g., Mobile Customer Care (Global Blue’s real time TFS notification system), Global Blue’s Traveler App, VIP lounges and brochures) with the international shopper to guide them through the TFS process and further encourage them to complete the TFS refund process. Global Blue will continue to work closely with all Global Blue’s stakeholders to design the tools and technologies required to improve the overall TFS process and, as a result, drive higher success ratios, which will help enhance Global Blue’s overall growth prospects and value propositions.

Increasing TFS segment share by being the leader in product innovation and digitalization

Global Blue believes there is meaningful scope to increase its revenue within the third-party serviced market, which represents a subset of the broader luxury market, by being the first TFS provider to roll out innovative product solutions for all stakeholders of the TFS ecosystem, as well as the leader in newly digitalized countries.

Global Blue aims to remain at the forefront of product innovation by developing new products, which Global Blue believes will attract and support new merchant relationships. Most recently, Global Blue has introduced new and original products and has improved existing products for each step of the TFS customer journey (i.e., issuing, export validation, refunding, and digital customer journey), which are further detailed in “—Global Blue’s Technology Platform.” These have had a direct impact on the success ratio and revenue over the recent years.

With only 56% of Global Blue’s SiS currently being digitally export validated, Global Blue believes there is potential to increase its TFS segment share by being the first company to offer digitalization in countries that are

 

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transitioning to digitalized processes. The transition to digital expert validation represents an opportunity for customs and tax authorities (e.g., reduced cost, higher compliance and fraud detection) and international shoppers (fewer queues at customs for validation). Global Blue has a clear process focused on: (i) engaging with governments as well as customs and tax authorities to advocate for digital export validation; (ii) engaging with merchant partners to promote and roll-out compliant issuing solutions, and, export validation is implemented and compliant issuing solutions are adopted; and (iii) engaging with merchants to provide them with digital features that optimize their operational efficiency, including POS and PSP integrations, promotion of MCC and Global Blue’s Traveler App, as well as implementation of early in-store refund options. Global Blue executed on this strategy in Spain with the launch of the country’s new digital export validation technology, known as DevolucionIVA, which saw an approximately 10% increase in Global Blue’s share of the third-party serviced segment since 2015.

Expanding eligible TFS segment by advocating to governments and customs and tax authorities

Global Blue plans to continue its dialogue with governments and customs and tax authorities in countries without VAT refund schemes to advocate for their benefits, with the ultimate goal of expanding its global footprint. Global Blue aims to expand the scope of VAT refund schemes, either by advocating for a reduction in minimum purchase amounts (“MPAs”) or an expansion in the scope of eligible goods and shoppers, as these policy changes would increase the attractiveness of the country as a shopping destination. Based on Global Blue’s ongoing discussions with governments, it believes MPAs will gradually be lowered. Global Blue believes its efforts will expand the current perimeter of the eligible market, thereby increasing the number of transactions it processes and directly impacting its results of operations going forward. For example, in July 2018 the Spanish government removed its MPA of €90, which increased the number of transactions Global Blue processed and Global Blue’s revenue in Spain by 43% and 15%, respectively, for the twelve months following the implementation of the removal of the MPA.

Global Blue is also actively monitoring the outcome of the UK’s departure from the European Union, which could potentially result in a new TFS refund corridor between EU member states and the UK after the transition period, which is set to expire on December 31, 2020. Global Blue believes its successful track record of expanding into new markets is a function of its credibility as a leading global TFS provider, its early presence on the ground for negotiation activities and its proactive engagement with relevant local stakeholders.

Management strategy to boost growth of AVPS

Increase DCC penetration by capturing greenfield opportunities

With the acquisition of Currency Select and the new product innovations offered through Global Blue’s AVPS business, Global Blue’s DCC business has evolved from a TFS add-on service to a stand-alone product within Global Blue’s range of AVPS offerings. Global Blue believes that there are meaningful opportunities to grow the DCC business by gaining new Acquirers, cross-selling Global Blue’s products to existing Acquirers, gaining new merchants through existing Acquirers, and increasing international shopper acceptance.

Global Blue aims to gain new Acquirers by capturing greenfield opportunities. These opportunities will most likely come from emerging market countries, as most Acquirers in developed countries already propose DCC.

Global Blue believes there is further room to grow within its existing Acquirer base by cross-selling additional DCC solutions. As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue estimated that only 24% of Acquirers utilized more than one of its DCC solutions (i.e., POS, ATM and e-commerce), highlighting the scope for growth from further cross-selling of its DCC product set.

Global Blue also aims to collaborate with its existing Acquirers to roll out its services to their merchant base. For instance, in Italy, which has one of the highest merchant penetration rates in Global Blue’s network, Global Blue registered a penetration rate of only 47% in 2019, highlighting the opportunity for growth within its own existing base of Acquirers.

 

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Currently, Global Blue’s acceptance rate in its DCC solution is 28% when calculated on a SiS basis. With Global Blue’s acceptance rate for POS and ATM at only 25% and 42%, respectively, Global Blue believes there is headroom for further growth. Global Blue intends to improve the acceptance rate by continuing to improve Global Blue’s DCC offer, including improving the user interface.

Increase customer retention by cross-selling payment solutions

As Global Blue looks to expand the scope of its relationships with its existing Acquirers, Global Blue also plans to roll out its payment solutions, including gateway and financial processing, by leveraging Global Blue’s successful DCC track record. Global Blue currently has multiple ongoing dialogues in this respect and believe that it represents a sizeable growth opportunity.

Management strategy to enhance Global Blue’s value proposition to merchants

As a result of Global Blue’s long history in the TFS ecosystem, its large geographic footprint, and its large share of its market segment it has developed an extensive aggregated dataset on international shoppers, enabling it to demonstrate deep insights into the international shopper opportunity to its merchant partners. Global Blue has recently introduced a broad set of value-enhancing solutions that it is beginning to include in its suite of offerings to benefit its merchant partners, such as: (i) open-eye advisory intelligence solutions to identify opportunities for growth; (ii) data-driven marketing solutions to increase footfall; (iii) techniques and technology to convert footfall into sales and revenue; and (iv) a personalized customer journey to improve customer experience and enhance performance. In parallel, Global Blue has partnered with numerous strategic partners (including Adyen, Cegid, Ctrip, Europass, MasterCard and WeChat) to deliver more advanced solutions to its merchants.

 

   

Intelligence: Global Blue’s intelligence offering operates as an open-eye advisory service, whereby Global Blue utilizes its aggregated dataset from approximately 13 million international shoppers, subject to applicable data protection rules, to assist merchants in understanding the international shopper opportunity and identifying opportunities for growth. The proposition employs Global Blue’s extensive transactional dataset, as a product of its global footprint and transaction volume. Global Blue collects approximately 50 data points per transaction for approximately 30 million TFS transactions for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Relative to other payment providers, Global Blue has a broader and more in-depth view toward capturing useful international shopper statistics, including leveraging data related to passports, purchases and use of TFS services, amongst other data points. Global Blue helps merchants benchmark their TFS solutions performance and provides them with opportunities to capture additional revenue by identifying international shopper traffic, providing international shopper spending analysis and assisting with tactical decisions based on Global Blue’s short-term future outlook. Data collection and business intelligence is a key differentiator for Global Blue’s business, serving to deepen its relationships with merchants and distinguishing it as a strategic partner in assisting with their tactical decision-making.

 

   

Marketing: Global Blue offers data-driven and high-impact marketing solutions to increase brand awareness and increase footfall (“drive-to-store”). Global Blue’s marketing solutions are available both digitally and physically and are highly customizable, enabling Global Blue to target both peer groups, including tour groups and international shoppers in Global Blue’s VIP lounges, as well as individuals. They also allow Global Blue to conduct highly tailored digital marketing campaigns. Global Blue also offers awareness campaigns in countries of origin, promotions and advertising to mobile devices based on known shopping preferences and location, promotions based on country of origin and likely shopping preferences, as well as targeted “extra refund” promotions based on consumer profiles. Global Blue’s main solution, digital drive-to-store, is a targeted, geo-localized, digital coupon offering an “extra-refund” financed by the merchant to specific international shoppers. For instance, Global Blue partnered with Alipay and a British luxury department store in 2019 to offer an 8% extra-refund to Chinese shoppers shopping in London at the department store during Chinese New Year. The promotion led to a 20% uplift in the department store’s SiS from Chinese international shoppers.

 

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Global Blue’s data-driven marketing solutions provide a personalized service to merchants, allowing them to access new markets and increase footfall and revenue.

 

   

Sales: Global Blue offers sales techniques and technology to assist merchants in converting drive-to-store footfall into merchant revenue. Global Blue trains merchant staff to customize their greetings and sales ceremony according to the international shoppers’ nationality and profile, thereby enabling merchants to offer tailored refund services to enable upselling. The ability to recognize and identify international shoppers through Global Blue’s smart technology enables merchant staff to recommend TFS to international shoppers, as well as suggest the appropriate refund technology based on the international shopper’s category, which increases awareness and improves the success ratio. As a strategic partner to merchants, Global Blue enables them to improve operational excellence and increase revenue.

 

   

Experience: Global Blue created a personalized customer journey to improve customer satisfaction and economic performance. By utilizing technology and data collection, Global Blue offers a convenient guide through the TFS journey for international shoppers based on spend, frequency of travel and familiarity with the TFS process. This digital guide allows international shoppers to check the status of refunds, reminds them to claim refunds and offers payment confirmations that link back to transaction details, thereby increasing spend and customer retention and driving success ratio. Through Global Blue’s issuing solutions, Global Blue also has the flexibility to suggest the ideal type of refund service for the international shopper based on their specific profile.

Support growth through acquisitions

Global Blue’s management believes that Global Blue is well-positioned to pursue growth through strategic acquisitions, as a result of the ability to migrate targets onto its integrated in-house technology platform, the availability of publicly traded New Global Blue shares as a result of the Transaction to use as currency to pay for acquisitions, the ability to cross-sell into approximately 400,000 merchant stores and 29 million international shoppers, and the experience in mergers and acquisitions of both its board and management team. In executing Global Blue’s acquisition strategy, management intends to apply a selective and financially disciplined approach. Management’s areas of focus are:

 

   

Information services: Assist merchants with driving additional revenue.

 

   

Consumer digital marketing: Drive consumer footfall to merchant stores.

 

   

Technology and payments at POS: Assist merchants with the digital check-out process.

 

   

Added-value payment solutions: Assist business with managing payment complexity in their environments (e.g. hospitality and retail).

Global Blue’s Services

Global Blue is a global leader in the TFS segment based on its share of the third-party serviced segment. Global Blue’s service offerings comprise its TFS business and its AVPS business, supported by its proprietary, in-house technology platform.

Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions

Global Blue’s TFS business enables international shoppers shopping at Global Blue’s merchant partners to reclaim VAT on goods purchased outside of their origin country. The TFS business generated 84.6% of Global Blue’s revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from approximately 36 million TFS transactions with a value of €18.2 billion (measured by SiS). Over the same period, Global Blue’s TFS business refunded approximately 13 million international shoppers.

 

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Global Blue operates a fully integrated, closed-loop and comprehensive network comprised of merchants, international shoppers and customs and tax authorities. A typical TFS transaction follows seven steps: (1) an international shopper purchases goods from a merchant with the VAT included in the purchase price; (2) the merchant issues a tax free transaction to the international shopper; (3) the international shopper validates the tax free transaction at customs; (4) the international shopper presents their validated tax free form to Global Blue or the refund agent, and the international shopper is refunded an amount equal to the VAT, minus Global Blue’s transaction fees; (5) Global Blue receives all of the VAT back from the merchant; (6) Global Blue shares a portion of the transaction fee with the merchant; and (7) the merchant declares the VAT refund and receives the VAT by making the relevant filings with the customs and tax authorities. The following graphic illustrates these seven steps (fund flows are presented in grey, and process flows are presented in blue) using illustrative economics. Assuming, for illustrative purposes only and not as a precise representation of actual amounts involved in the TFS process, that an international shopper makes a purchase (including VAT) totaling €1,200, of which the VAT amount is €200 (assuming a 20% VAT rate), the international shopper is then refunded 70% of the VAT (net of Global Blue’s transaction fee), or €140, while the merchant’s share of the transaction fee is approximately €30 and Global Blue’s share is €30, which represents revenue for it.

The TFS Process(1)

 

 

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Note: (1) Including VAT.

 

(1)

Graphic is presented for illustrative purposes only and not as a representation of actual amounts involved in the TFS process. Actual amounts may vary depending on a number of factors, including the revenue share split set out in agreements with merchants, country mix (i.e., the number of transactions processed in higher refund ratio countries as compared to lower refund ratio countries) and market trends.

Through Global Blue’s TFS business, it enables merchants to generate incremental sales from international shoppers and increase their brand awareness abroad, while offering them a simplified, user-friendly issuing solution and providing them with an additional revenue stream from transaction fees paid by the international shopper. International shoppers benefit from Global Blue’s services by saving on shopping abroad through VAT refunds, gaining certainty about their refund and having a seamless and highly personalized TFS experience. Customs and tax authorities benefit from Global Blue’s services through increased country attractiveness, higher security and compliance and lower costs, as transactions can be processed with fewer staff and resources.

Global Blue’s end-to-end TFS product offering caters to the entire TFS journey. The objective of Global Blue’s product set is to enhance its success ratio, increase merchants’ operational efficiency, facilitate export validation and improve the international shopper experience. As detailed further below, Global Blue’s products are

 

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categorized alongside the four steps of the TFS journey: (i) issuing; (ii) export validation; (iii) refunding; and (iv) digital customer journey.

Issuing

Global Blue has developed a comprehensive portfolio of digital TFS issuing solutions that allow it to meet the different needs of its more than 300,000 TFS merchants, which range from large department stores with a high volume of transactions, to luxury brands with a global presence requiring the same solution to be implemented across multiple geographies, to small local stores with a low volume of tax free operations.

Global Blue’s merchant partners can be divided into four key segments:

 

   

Global accounts: Global Blue’s global accounts consist of those merchants with a diverse geographical footprint and a large number of transactions. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, global accounts represented 38% of Global Blue’s revenue and included approximately 23,000 stores. For global accounts, Global Blue also offers IC2 Integra and IC2 Source, as well as a broad set of other innovative solutions.

 

   

Department stores: Global Blue’s department store accounts consist of merchants with a large number of transactions and usually tend to have a select number of large stores in a single country. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, department stores represented 20% of Global Blue’s revenue and included approximately 4,000 stores. For department stores, which have multiple tills and centralized issuing counters, Global Blue offers specific POS integrations that allow receipt information to be retrieved in a location other than the issuing location. This can be done at a manned service center with the IC2 Interface, or at self-service kiosk (IC2 Kiosk).

 

   

Key accounts: Global Blue’s key accounts consist of top local merchants with a majority of their business originating from the same region. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, key accounts represented 18% of Global Blue’s revenue and included approximately 58,000 stores. For key accounts, Global Blue offers several POS integration options, including IC2 Integra and IC2 Source. These integrated solutions simplify the TFS process for merchant staff, as all relevant purchase information, as well as international shopper information, is communicated directly to the issuing solution automatically. Global Blue has over 200 of these integrations already deployed with its POS partners, which allows Global Blue to quickly implement POS solutions to other merchants using or migrating to one of its existing POS partners.

 

   

Accounts: Global Blue’s accounts consist of merchants with presence in one country and a limited number of transactions. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, accounts represented 24% of Global Blue’s revenue and included approximately 217,000 stores. For accounts, Global Blue would normally provide stand-alone solutions ranging from a simple web application (IC2 Web), which is accessible through all the major browsers, to installable applications for desktop PCs (IC2 Desktop), mobile tablets and phones (IC2 Mobile) or Android-based payment terminals (IC2 Terminals).

Global Blue’s IC2 solutions are provided through a cloud-based system supporting multiple platforms, which uses a single source code underlying the software and combines the benefits of native apps (dedicated installable shells adapted to the specific hardware to control local devices) and web apps (directly connected to Global Blue’s central host, which pushes updates) with an intuitive user interface that supports mobile devices, including tablets.

Global Blue has also developed a broad range of advanced features intended to simplify the TFS process for merchant staff, thereby optimizing operational efficiency (for example, by reducing each international shoppers’ time at the till). Global Blue’s solutions allow for recognition of international shopper eligibility, capture of purchase data and international shopper information, as well as capture of credit card and mobile wallet details for early refund in store. Full implementation of these features can reduce store check-out time by more than

 

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80%, creating a strong incentive for merchants to deploy these solutions. See “—Global Blue’s Technology Platform” below.

Through Global Blue’s issuing solutions, Global Blue also has the flexibility to suggest the ideal type of refund service for the international shopper based on their specific profile. Global Blue’s data-driven marketing solutions can thereby provide a personalized service to merchants, allowing them to drive revenue for merchants, increase awareness of TFS and help merchants improve their knowledge of and ability to engage with international shoppers:

 

   

Infrequent shoppers: For international shoppers that are not familiar with the TFS process, Global Blue offers a flexible refund service, which allows for digital or cash refunds following export validation. Infrequent shoppers account for 56% of Global Blue’s total SiS and 87% of total international shoppers.

 

   

Frequent shoppers: For international shoppers who take two or more international trips per year and know how the TFS process works, Global Blue offers early refund in-store, which means the international shopper can be refunded digitally in the store (i.e., before export validation) and the refund can be processed on the same credit card through integration with PSP. Frequent shoppers account for 24% of Global Blue’s total SiS and 12% of total international shoppers.

 

   

Elite shoppers: For international shoppers who know how the TFS process works and have spent at least €40,000 on TFS transactions in the past two years, Global Blue offers net-amount in-store refunds, meaning the shopper pays for the purchase amount of the goods net of VAT after commission. Elite shoppers account for 20% of Global Blue’s total SiS and less than 1% of total international shoppers.

Export validation

Global Blue has developed export validation systems (Global Blue’s Customs Approval System (“CAS”) software) to facilitate the execution and handling of TFS claims by customs and tax authorities. This is an open architecture software solution that enables broad integration, connecting with all VAT refund operations in the country. The software includes a risk engine that analyses transactions to determine whether goods require a physical customs check (referred to as the “red channel”) or not (referred to as the “green channel”). The engine increases customs efficiency by reducing the number of unnecessary checks required during export validation and allowing customs and tax authorities to focus physical inspections on meaningful cases. Global Blue also provides customs and tax authorities with self-service devices (e.g., self-service kiosks) that are the primary point of contact for departing international shoppers. Global Blue’s system provides customs and tax authorities with detailed information, including monthly invoices and statements, an audit trail for each tax free form and digital access to documents. Global Blue also uses data analytics to detect and prevent fraudulent activity in the TFS segment and have a dedicated department specialized in detecting fraudulent tax free forms.

Governments can choose to insource the TFS process partially or entirely and certain countries may also streamline the TFS process through digitalized systems. Conversely, certain countries may outsource the export validation process when digitalizing. As of March 31, 2019, eight countries (Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden and Uruguay) used Global Blue’s in-house developed digital CAS software. Of these eight countries, Global Blue also operates a digital export validation process for the Singaporean government and an end-to-end TFS process for the Uruguayan government. Singapore was the first country to adopt digital export validation in 2010 and has now transitioned to a fully paperless system, which includes mandatory in-store passport scanning and a database linked to the immigration database and, by the end of 2019, is expected to provide mobile export validation at airports. Global Blue aims to provide efficient solutions to meet the particular needs of each government.

 

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Refunding

Global Blue’s TFS services are designed to enhance international shoppers’ overall shopping experience with Global Blue’s merchants, and, as such, Global Blue offers the largest variety of refund options to ensure a seamless and personalized TFS journey and a broad network of more than 800 refund points. Global Blue provides software solutions throughout the TFS journey that enable refunds to international shoppers. The percentage of the VAT refunded to the tourist has remained broadly consistent during recent financial years and Global Blue would expect it to remain so going forward.

International shoppers can choose to be refunded in a number of different locations:

 

   

In-store: Global Blue provides in-store early and net amount refunds in certain stores, allowing refunds to the international shopper’s credit card two days after purchase or instantly, respectively. As of March 31, 2019, 10,000 merchant stores in 23 countries offered in-store refund services (representing approximately 17% of stores equipped with in-store refund services) and 7,000 merchant stores net amount refunds (representing 4% of active shops equipped with net amount refunds).

 

   

Downtown: As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue operated more than 300 downtown refund points for international shoppers, allowing international shoppers to receive immediate cash refunds without having to wait until they reach customs, as well as nine VIP lounges, located in Barcelona, Florence, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome and Venice. VIP lounges are dedicated spaces where VIP international shoppers receive their refunds while resting and gaining additional shopping tips and information. In addition, Global Blue’s lounges offer concierge and personal shopping services in town to assist with the TFS process and fast-track export validation services at airports.

 

   

Airports: As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue offered more than 400 refund points in airports, of which more than 125 points were owned by it.

 

   

Home: As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue offered more than 70 refund points in international shoppers’ countries of origin to allow international shoppers to obtain VAT refunds after their trip.

 

   

Mobile: As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue offered mobile refunds to international shoppers, allowing international shoppers to be automatically refunded, post validation, by inputting their account details on the app, instead of visiting a refund booth.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue issued refunds to international shoppers of approximately 200 nationalities in over 80 currencies, amounting to approximately €2 billion. Global Blue is focused on offering a wide range of refund solutions to meet the diverse preferences of the international shoppers that use Global Blue’s services, including through immediate cash refunds in either their home or local currency, credit card refunds, bank transfers and checks and online refunds to a digital wallet (e.g., Alipay, UnionPay and WeChat), which accounted for 60%, 37% and 3% of refunds during the financial year ended March 31, 2019, respectively. Global Blue is constantly evaluating new payment options in order to ensure that it meets the needs of all international shoppers.

Global Blue has partnerships with three digital wallet providers and 10 credit card providers, which has allowed it to roll out alternative, simple refund options, such as real-time refund and early refund. These are typically preferred by Global Blue’s merchants as they increase velocity in stores (allowing for up-sell). For example, in August 2019, Global Blue extended its partnership with UnionPay to offer Chinese international shoppers a seamless refund experience by launching a new instant refund option through the UnionPay app. The roll-out began at more than 400 of Global Blue’s refund points in 27 countries and will be gradually rolled out to all of its refund points that carry a mobile refund option.

Digital customer journey

In order to drive success ratio, Global Blue is focused on improving the digital customer journey through its MCC and Traveler App, which allow Global Blue to interact directly with its international shoppers. MCC was

 

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designed specifically to aid infrequent international shoppers and provides real-time notifications and access to a personalized mobile website to guide international shoppers step-by-step through every stage of the digital customer journey. As the international shopper exits the store, they receive a mobile notification to guide them to the next step of the TFS journey, such as notifications about the specific export validation and refund requirements at the airport from which the international shopper is exiting. One day before exiting the country, MCC sends a refund reminder to the international shopper, reminding them to complete their refund. At the airport, MCC provides the international shopper with an export validation and refund guide to assist the international shopper in successfully validating their tax free transaction. Finally, once the international shopper is in their home country, MCC allows the international shopper to track their refund until completion. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 5 million international shoppers have used MCC since its launch in 2017 and approximately 85,000 merchants have been enrolled in MCC. In addition, for the calendar year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 10 million notifications were sent through MCC.

Alternatively, Global Blue’s Traveler App was designed to aid frequent and elite international shoppers and uses accurate and robust passport scanning technology as part of a quick and frictionless registration process. This, in turn, speeds up and simplifies the issuing and completing of tax free forms, which reduces the risk of forms being completed incorrectly and results in a higher percentage of completed refunds. The Traveler App also allows international shoppers to view successful refunds, get instant refund updates and locate refund points. It also includes information about merchants and gives personalized messages based on the international shopper’s location. These tools benefit both Global Blue’s merchant partners (improving customer satisfactions and overall success ratio) and their international shoppers (simplifying the experience and improving transparency of the refund status). As of December 31, 2019, the Traveler App had been downloaded over 525,000 times globally and it was used by more than 62,000 active users per month on average, with a total of 3.4 million app sessions since launch in 2018.

Added-Value Payment Solutions

Global Blue partners with Acquirers to service merchants and empower them to capture the growth of international shoppers. Global Blue’s relationships with merchants accelerate sales of AVPS to Acquirers. Global Blue’s AVPS business represented 15.4% of Global Blue’s revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, corresponding to approximately 28 million AVPS transactions. Over the same period, Global Blue’s AVPS business was utilized by 16 million international shoppers and generated €4.4 billion in SiS, covering more than 50 Acquirers in 34 countries across 150,000 points of interaction.

Global Blue’s AVPS business comprises the Currency Conversion Solutions division (which represented 57% of AVPS SiS and 40% of AVPS revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019) and the Payment Solutions division (which represented 43% of AVPS SiS and 60% of AVPS revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2019). Within the Currency Conversion Solutions division, Global Blue offers DCC, including POS, eDCC and ATM DCC, and MCP for e-commerce. Within the Payment Solutions division, Global Blue offers POS and e-commerce gateway and tokenization solutions and financial processing via direct links with American Express, MasterCard, UnionPay and Visa.

Historically, Global Blue’s main solution was DCC, which Global Blue offered to its merchants as an add-on feature to its TFS business. Global Blue has since moved from being only a DCC provider to its TFS merchant partners to a multi-channel DCC and added-value multi-currency solution provider. Global Blue first expanded its DCC offering to other POS verticals (e.g., hospitality) and then to new DCC verticals (e.g., ATM and e-commerce). Finally, Global Blue moved beyond DCC to offer the products currently categorized as Payment Solutions through the acquisition of Currency Select. Today, DCC represents 59% of Global Blue’s AVPS revenue, while Global Blue’s other AVPS services represent the remaining 41%.

The foundation of Global Blue’s DCC solutions is easily integrated and reliable technology offered through comprehensive technology solutions, optimization of the user experience to maximize acceptance rate and strong

 

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merchant relationships to provide Acquirers with new revenue opportunities. Together, this forms a comprehensive range of AVPS services that allows Acquirers to successfully compete in the payment ecosystem.

To illustrate the process, a typical DCC transaction follows eight steps: (1) the merchant offers the international shopper the choice of whether to pay in home currency or local currency, and the international shopper chooses the former; (2) the merchant requests the applicable exchange rate from Global Blue; (3) the merchant prints the bill for the international shopper; (4) the issuing bank (i.e., the bank that issued a credit card to the international shopper on behalf of a card scheme) debits the account of the international shopper in home currency; (5) the card scheme (Visa, MasterCard or another network) debits the issuing bank in home currency; (6) the Acquirer (i.e., the financial institution that maintains the merchant’s bank account) debits the card scheme in the international shopper’s home currency; (7) the Acquirer pays Global Blue in the international shopper’s home currency and Global Blue pays a local currency amount to the Acquirer in return; and (8) the Acquirer credits the merchant’s account in local currency. The following graphic illustrates these eight steps using illustrative economics. Assuming, for illustrative purposes only and not as a representation of actual amounts involved in the DCC process, a purchase amount in British pound of £900, which is equivalent to a purchase amount in Euro of €1,000, where the international shopper chooses to pay in their home currency the amount paid (including a 3% fee) is €1,030, each of the Acquirer, the merchant and Global Blue receive a share of the mark-up being €10 each assuming equal revenue sharing amongst them.

The DCC Process(1)

 

 

LOGO

 

(1)

Graphic is presented for illustrative purposes only and not as a representation of actual amounts involved in the DCC process. Actual amounts may vary depending on a number of factors, including the revenue share split set out in agreements with Acquirer and merchants, expected DCC acceptance rates and market trends.

In Global Blue’s DCC business, Global Blue sits at the center of the AVPS ecosystem, comprised of Acquirers, merchants, international shoppers and card schemes. For Acquirers, Global Blue’s DCC services provide an additional revenue stream, as Acquirers receive part of the commission paid by the international shopper. For merchants, in addition to receiving revenue from the commission paid by the international shopper, DCC services enhance the international shopper experience. Finally, international shoppers benefit from DCC services by getting a best-rate guarantee and having the certainty of paying a transparent and known amount in their home currency.

DCC transactions transfer the foreign exchange profit from the issuing bank to Global Blue, the Acquirer and the merchant. Global Blue generates revenue from DCC services through a foreign exchange margin that is split between the merchant, the Acquirer and Global Blue.

 

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Global Blue’s Currency Conversion Solutions services include the following:

 

   

Innovative POS solutions: Global Blue has developed functionality on payment terminals for merchants, allowing international shoppers to view the cost of their transaction in both local and home currencies and to select their preference. Global Blue has also developed touchscreen functionality to better promote the currency offer, as well as the possibility of both contact and contactless payment options for ease of use. Global Blue believes that the simplified and improved international shopper-facing interface enhances the user experience, increases the international shoppers’ propensity to use DCC services and maximizes revenue for the merchants. Global Blue’s POS solutions also include training and educational materials to help merchant staff interact with international shoppers. Global Blue also provides marketing materials to optimize the POS acceptance rate and Global Blue offers a best-rate guarantee. Global Blue has deployed its POS solutions at a large bank in Singapore, leading to an increase of acceptance rate from less than 10% in March 2017 to more than 50% in December 2017. As of March 31, 2019, 90,000 merchant stores in 27 markets were using Global Blue’s POS solutions.

 

   

E-commerce DCC (eDCC) and Multi-Currency Point (MCP): Global Blue has developed eDCC to allow international shoppers making purchases online to choose at the moment of the check-out to pay in their home currency once they have entered their MasterCard or Visa details. MCP allows international shoppers to choose their preferred currency in their shopping cart and the foreign exchange margin can be extracted from multiple payment schemes during the online purchasing process. This process can integrate into any merchant’s shopping cart or payment gateway subject to the participating Acquirer and their PSP. Both solutions offer simplified settlement processes in multicurrency or home currency. Global Blue’s MCP solutions have been implemented by a large travel agency in Japan, allowing customers to choose their preferred payment currency with no additional issuing bank conversion, while Global Blue provides the rate for shopping (including margin) and clear and settle the transaction. This has resulted in a recurring annual revenue stream with low operating cost, as well as the opportunity to cross-sell DCC POS solutions. As of March 31, 2019, approximately 886 e-commerce sites in five markets were using Global Blue’s eDCC and MCP solutions.

 

   

Bank ATM DCC solutions: Global Blue has also developed DCC solutions for ATMs, where local Acquirers offer, and foreign cardholders agree, to convert a cash withdrawal from the Acquirers’ local currency into the cardholder’s billing currency. The DCC solutions provide full disclosure to the cardholder, including a detailed receipt outlining their choice to use the DCC service, the exchange rate used and the amount they will be charged in their home currency. By completing the currency conversion at the ATM, the Acquirer earns a new foreign exchange revenue stream in conjunction with Global Blue, instead of with the card scheme and the issuing bank. Global Blue’s solutions also work to improve acceptance rates by optimizing the user experience and user interface to increase DCC use. Global Blue’s end-to-end transaction capability and direct card scheme end-point connections allow Global Blue to provide solutions for ATM networks and ATM Acquirers to enable DCC service. Global Blue has deployed its user interface and experience enhancement at a large bank in Italy, resulting in an increase in acceptance rate from 22% as of March 31, 2018 to 65% as of March 31, 2019. Additionally, as of March 31, 2019, 64,000 ATMs in nine markets were using Global Blue’s bank ATM DCC solutions.

Global Blue also offers additional Payment Solutions services that allow Global Blue to expand beyond DCC and provide new opportunities for Global Blue’s partners. Global Blue’s Payment Solutions services include the following:

 

   

Gateway and tokenization solutions for hospitality: Global Blue has developed solutions for the hotel and hospitality sector to integrate payment terminals with property management and restaurant POS systems. This integrated system supports multi-channel payment and tokenization integrated with POS and DCC applications. The tokenization of card numbers ensures compliance with PCI DSS standards, and allows hotels to perform “card-not-present” transactions (i.e., online transactions where the

 

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international shopper does not physically present their card) via a virtual terminal interface (thereby reducing the need for physical payment terminals). In addition, Global Blue’s services provide automated key payment processes, including pre-authorization at check-in, top-ups during the stay and express or standard checkout, as well as a consumer interface to support self-service check-in kiosks. In particular, Global Blue has developed a solution for Oracle’s new Oracle Payment Interface, which permits integration with Oracle Hospitality solutions, which has streamlined payment processing across their multiple hospitality outlets. Oracle Hospitality is one of the world’s leading solutions for the hotel and hospitality sector with relationships with leading hotel groups, including Accor, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott. The solution has a generic interface that will also work with other property management system platforms, which support merchants where cross-border transactions take place, and aims to reduce Global Blue’s customers’ costs of operation by eliminating manual processing. Global Blue has implemented the Oracle Payment Interface in the largest independent hotel in Australia, resulting in streamlined payment processing across their multiple hospitality outlets.

 

   

Financial processing: The acquisition of Currency Select added additional capabilities to Global Blue’s AVPS offerings, including the provision of a white label merchant acquiring platform and a PCI DSS-compliant multicurrency financial processing platform. This platform allows Global Blue to connect payment channels, processing platforms and card schemes and gives Global Blue the ability to process cross-border financial transactions. Global Blue has partnered with third-party financial processing services, including American Express, MasterCard, UnionPay and Visa, to provide its Acquirer partners with additional support when they are unable to support dual-currency authorization. Additionally, Global Blue provides third-party financial authorization and clearing services on behalf of its Acquirers. Global Blue recently implemented a financial gateway processing scheme in a large ATM network in Japan, providing end-to-end financial processing for all international cards across the ATM network. In addition, Global Blue developed host-to-host connection to one of the largest central payment switches of the Japanese ATM network to provide multicurrency gateway services. As of March 31, 2019, 14 partners in six markets were using Global Blue’s financial processing solutions.

Global Blue’s technology platform

Global Blue operates a single fully integrated, in-house, cloud-based technology platform that underpins its proposition.

Key platform principles

The breadth of solutions required to address Global Blue’s various stakeholders’ differing needs results in a complex ecosystem. Global Blue’s platform is designed to manage significant complexity in an efficient manner and is predicated on the following principles:

 

   

Scalability: Global Blue’s TFS issuing solutions are fully integrated within a single platform with a single source code underlying the software, a fully virtualized computing environment and a three-tier architecture. Global Blue has adopted a database cluster approach, which is designed to scale with additional computing and storage resources as needed. As a result, Global Blue’s system has been able to successfully handle a CAGR of 15% SiS over the last 10 years and can handle high volumes during peak seasons. Global Blue believes that its technology platform’s architecture and scalability are well-aligned with its long-term growth strategy.

 

   

Agility: Embedded in Global Blue’s technology strategy is a commitment to continuous innovation. The cloud-based nature of Global Blue’s technology platform eases the innovation process and minimizes the time to market. The agility of Global Blue’s platform enables it to easily launch in new countries without major investment, as Global Blue has a centralized platform serving all countries, and enables Global Blue to quickly cope with changes in the industry and in regulatory requirements. In addition, as customs and authorities shift to digital processes, they are prone to more frequent

 

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regulatory shifts. This is because communication of regulatory changes is more cumbersome in non-digital countries, as such changes must be communicated to all customs agents and TFS providers. Global Blue has been able to continuously update the parameters of its system to adapt to the ongoing shift toward digital export validation and subsequent frequent changes in VAT refund requirements by customs and tax authorities.

 

   

Resilience: As Global Blue becomes increasingly integrated with its merchants and their PSPs and POS providers, as well as with the digital export validation systems of customs and tax authorities, its platform’s resilience and reliability becomes paramount. As such, Global Blue’s technology is built with resilience and reliability at its core. Global Blue operates a dual-site (active-active) data center infrastructure, enabling constant redundancy. Both sites provide sufficient resources to host all production environments and, accordingly, qualify for high-availability and disaster recovery purposes. The availability of Global Blue’s issuing solutions has been 99.98% on average during the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

 

   

Security: Security is embedded in all of Global Blue’s applications. Global Blue has prioritized information security and makes design decisions that anticipate and address current and emerging IT risks. Global Blue is required to comply with stringent data security requirements, including PCI DSS and GDPR. Global Blue has dedicated internal processes to ensure the security of personal data, whereby credit card information is tokenized securely and separately stored in a redundant tokenization mechanism.

Technology operating model

Global Blue prioritizes product and service innovation to address the needs of its stakeholders, as reflected by its annual technology spend (including technology operating expenses and capital expenditure) representing an average of 13% of Global Blue’s revenue between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019 or €267.1 million in aggregate.

Global Blue splits its technology spend into three categories: (i) operating expenses (i.e., technology spend included in Global Blue’s operating expenses); (ii) maintenance capital expenditure (i.e., annual capital expenditure to maintain Global Blue’s existing solutions); and (iii) innovation and differentiation capital expenditure (i.e., investment in new solutions). While, on average, Global Blue’s total technology spend has been 13% of Global Blue’s revenue between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019, the mix has considerably changed. Most importantly, innovation and differentiation capital expenditure has increased from 0% in March 31, 2015 to 34% in March 2019. Since the current management team was hired in the financial year ended March 31, 2015, Global Blue’s main projects have included IC2 (Global Blue’s multi-platform cloud solution for merchants with multiple features to optimize operational efficiency), Mobile Customer Care (Global Blue’s real-time TFS notification system, which supports improvement in the success ratio), Global Blue’s Traveler App and investments in infrastructure to support the ongoing shift to end-to-end digital export validation. Set forth below are details regarding Global Blue’s technology spend for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 (with a comparison to Global Blue’s technology spend for the financial year ended March 31, 2015):

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
 
     2019     2015  

Operating expenses

     50     89

Maintenance capital expenditure

     16     11

Innovation and differentiation capital expenditure

     34     0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total technology spend

     100     100

In order to ensure increased speed of innovation while adopting a cost-effective approach, the management team made a strategic decision in the financial year ended March 31, 2015 to internalize Global Blue’s software

 

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engineering team of approximately 120 FTEs thereby shifting away from the more expensive outside consultants and developing internal capabilities through the hiring of new talent. This enabled Global Blue to deliver an increase of more than 25% in terms of work days, while also reducing costs by approximately 30%. More importantly, this enabled Global Blue to retain the knowledge and skillset developed internally, which has resulted in shorter delivery times and higher efficiency going forward. As of March 31, 2019, approximately 20% of Global Blue’s employee base was dedicated to product and technology.

To optimize efficiency, Global Blue has organized these software engineers by grouping them in small teams including technical product management and software engineers, enabling the teams to work with greater agility, achieving an average of 200 releases per annum.

Technology transformation

In the financial year ended March 31, 2008, Global Blue rolled out its first set of digital issuing solutions, including stand-alone solutions (S1, S2 and S3), integrated solutions (I1 and I2), POS solutions (I3) and self-service kiosks (I4). The products were developed on different operating systems and technology platforms, which meant Global Blue’s ability to introduce updates or new features were limited. In the financial year ended March 31, 2017, Global Blue launched the current IC2 suite of solutions (see “Global Blue’s Services—Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions—Issuing” above). IC2 is a cloud solution supporting multiple platforms using a single source code (i.e., programming language) underlying the software, combining the benefits of native apps (device control) and web apps (central updates) with an intuitive user interface with support for mobile devices, including tablets. With Global Blue’s underlying IC2 architecture, Global Blue has been able to improve its time to market, as well as reduce development costs.

As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue has transitioned all of its key merchants to IC2 and aims to reach 100% adoption by 2022. In addition, in the financial year ended March 31, 2019, 52% of the transactions Global Blue processed were issued through POS integrations, meaning Global Blue’s solutions were integrated with the merchants’ POS system.

Key innovation focus areas

Global Blue has nearly 50 new products in the pipeline as of March 31, 2019 to be rolled out in the medium term. The new products cover each step of the TFS journey (issuing, export validation, refunding and digital customer journey) and include enhancements to Global Blue’s existing portfolio of solutions, which aim to increase value for merchants.

Global Blue believes that the following will be the key focus areas for future success:

 

   

Intelligence: Merchants are increasingly focused on data to optimize their forecasting and planning, improve their customer targeting and enhance the impact of their marketing efforts and product set. To help merchants achieve these goals, Global Blue looks to expand and improve upon its intelligence and insight offering.

 

   

Digital Marketing: Global Blue looks to continue rolling out its drive-to-store solution through geo-localized mobile marketing in order to enable merchants to better engage with international shoppers and increase footfall.

 

   

Mobile First Digital Customer Journey: To further enhance the international shopper experience at issuing, export validation, refunding and across the digital customer journey, Global Blue is constantly enhancing its solution set to ensure a seamless experience for the international shopper, while also meeting the diverse needs of the merchants as well as customs and tax authorities. In particular, international shoppers can now enjoy an end-to-end TFS experience via their mobile phone, from issuance of the tax free form at POS, to customs validation at the airport and receipt of the refund to their credit or debit card, or digital wallet.

 

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Global Blue’s constant innovation is an important contributor to its growth strategy. See “—Global Blue’s Strategy—Management strategy to boost growth of TFS.” Global Blue believes that its IT operating model provides it with the flexibility to develop new products and increase the speed of product roll-outs.

Geographic Coverage

As of September 30, 2019, Global Blue provided its services in 50 jurisdictions, including countries in Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Americas and APAC. The following table sets out information relating to Global Blue’s total revenue per geography (based on where the revenue-generating transaction has occurred) for the financial year ended March 31, 2019:

 

     For the Financial Year Ended March 31, 2019  
     Revenue      % of Total Revenue  
     (in € millions)         

Europe(1)

     320.8        77.7

APAC(2)

     88.8        21.5

Rest of the world(3)

     3.3        0.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     413.0        100

 

(1)

Europe includes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

(2)

APAC includes Australia, Brunei, China, the Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and Western Samoa.

(3)

Rest of the world includes Argentina, the Bahamas, Lebanon, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT GLOBAL BLUE

COVID-19

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19), that was first identified in China in December 2019 and began to receive widespread international coverage in January 2020, has rapidly spread to over 170 countries globally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic. The pandemic continues to spread globally, resulting in governments adopting preventative measures, businesses voluntarily choosing or being mandated to temporarily close their operations and limit business-related travel, and individuals deciding to postpone or cancel leisure travel on an unprecedented scale, which has had a material impact on our business operations. See “Risk Factors–Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted.

Global Blue’s management is actively monitoring the situation and its priority has been the safety of Global Blue’s employees. Consistent with current best practices, as of the end of May 2020, the majority of Global Blue employees are working from home, with only a select few essential functions continuing to be administered on site through alternating teams. In addition, Global Blue has adopted a daily health check-in with its employees to ensure the executive management team is aware of any COVID-19 infections within the Group.

From a financial perspective, Global Blue is adopting a wide range of measures to reduce Global Blue’s cash expenditures while still maintaining core internal functions, serving clients who remain active and preserving the ability to ramp-up operations to capture volume rebound. Global Blue’s management team continues to assess its cash expenses in order to optimize the Group’s cash outflow in this period of subdued activity. See “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—COVID-19” and “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Material Agreements

Other than the agreements referred to in “Global Blue’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Indebtedness and Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions—Global Blue”, Global Blue has not entered into any material agreements which contain provisions under which Global Blue has an obligation or entitlement that is material to Global Blue as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. Global Blue does, however, enter into arrangements with merchants in the ordinary course of its TFS business and arrangements with Acquirers in the ordinary course of its DCC business.

Over the years, Global Blue has established a number of relationships with commercial partners. In Global Blue’s TFS business, it serviced more than 300,000 merchant stores as of March 31, 2019. Most of Global Blue’s contracts with key merchants last for three to five years on average, but it has been in continuous relationships with most of its key merchants for well over a decade, with its top 20 merchants (based on revenue) partnering with Global Blue for an average of over 20 years.

Separately, Global Blue has also formed partnerships with digital wallet providers Alipay, UnionPay and WeChat, allowing Global Blue to cater to its international shoppers’ diverse refund needs and offer a broad range of additional services, such as drive-to-store promotional campaigns.

In Global Blue’s AVPS business, Global Blue has relationships with 51 Acquirers as of March 31, 2019. Most of Global Blue’s contracts with key Acquirers last for two to three years, but Global Blue has had relationships with most of these key Acquirers for over a decade.

 

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Agreements with merchants

Global Blue’s agreements with merchants in its TFS business generally provide Global Blue with a non-exclusive right to provide VAT refund services to such merchants and their international shoppers in the territory specified in the agreement. Most merchants are entitled to a proportion of transaction fee generated per transaction, which is set out in the agreement. The level of revenue sharing with merchants is calculated as a percentage of the VAT payable on the goods less the amount refunded to the international shopper. Such revenue sharing is subject to renegotiation should the VAT rate change in the territory. Most payments of revenue sharing are subject to the merchant having paid any outstanding VAT invoices to Global Blue. Certain TFS agreements include a marketing budget provided certain sales targets are met, while under other agreements Global Blue provides incentives to the relevant merchant for promoting TFS services.

The TFS agreements include a license of Global Blue’s software to each merchant which cannot be copied or assigned, and upon termination of the TFS agreement, the merchant is required to uninstall the software. Under certain TFS agreements, Global Blue provides more extensive services, including working with the merchant to develop more sophisticated processes to refund VAT to international shoppers. TFS agreements also generally include provisions relating to Global Blue training merchant staff to ensure the tax free services are carried out correctly.

Most TFS agreements allow for termination if there is a substantial breach, if there is a remediable breach of the agreement which is not remedied within a specified period of time, if a party becomes insolvent or if the party ceases to carry on business, and certain agreements allow for termination by notice given by either party. Generally, TFS agreements are for a fixed term ranging from one to five years and often contain clauses allowing the agreements to continue for consecutive periods of one year or more at the end of the initial term provided the agreement is not terminated.

Agreements with Acquirers

Global Blue’s agreements with Acquirers in its DCC business grant the Acquirer a right to use Global Blue’s DCC services within a specified territory. Global Blue is under an obligation to provide the DCC services in accordance with specific service levels set out in the agreements. The relevant Acquirer is entitled to a fee, which is generally calculated as a percentage of each DCC transaction. Generally, the agreements provide that Global Blue calculates the fee due to the Acquirer and agrees to provide the Acquirer with all information necessary to confirm the calculation.

Certain of the agreements are for a definite term and automatically renew for another definite period at the end of the initial term, whereas others continue indefinitely until terminated by one of the parties. The agreements can be terminated if there is a material breach of the agreement that is not remedied within a specific period of time, in case of insolvency of either party, and certain agreements allow for termination by notice given by either party.

Certain arrangements provide that both Global Blue and the Acquirer will promote the DCC services amongst their client base in the territory specified in the agreement. Global Blue also provides training to merchant staff named by the Acquirer to ensure that sales staff are able to offer the use of DCC to international shoppers.

Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, Investigations and Tax Audits

We are involved in a number of legal and arbitration proceedings as well as investigations and are subject to tax audits, all of which have arisen in the ordinary course of Global Blue’s business. Aside from the tax matters mentioned below, there were no governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which Global Blue is aware) during the 12 months preceding the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on Global Blue’s

 

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financial position or profitability. We maintain outside directors’ and officers’ insurance to protect ourselves against legal claims. See “—Insurance and Indemnification.” Where appropriate, we record a provision for legal and arbitration proceedings when there is a sufficient probability that a dispute or claim will result in a loss and the amount of such loss can be reasonably estimated. As of September 30, 2019, our provisions for legal and arbitration proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of our business, including provisions for related legal costs and expenses, totaled €2.1 million. In addition, an accrued liability of €6.4 million in relation to tax audits in France have been booked in Global Blue’s accounts as of September 30, 2019 (see “—Tax matters—France” below) and an income tax payable of €14.1 million in relation to tax audits in Italy have been booked in the Global Blue’s accounts as of September 30, 2019 (see “—Tax matters—Italy” below).

Investigations

We are the subject of an investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices by the French Competition Authority (“FCA”). As part of the investigation, the FCA conducted dawn raids on November 28, 2019 at Global Blue’s Paris office and certain other companies in the VAT refund sector. Global Blue is cooperating with the investigation. Global Blue has also filed at court a right to appeal the decision by the FCA to launch the investigation and the FCA’s conduct of the dawn raid. If the FCA were to find that Global Blue violated competition laws, it could impose fines and penalties on the Group. The investigation is in its very early stages and so the potential for liability cannot be predicted at this stage with any certainty. However, if Global Blue were to be found liable for competition law violations, this could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows and our consolidated financial position.

Tax matters

France

The French tax authorities opened a tax audit in October 2016 regarding Global Blue France SAS (“Global Blue France”) for the financial years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 with respect to all taxes. The tax audit is focused on Global Blue’s VAT refund business, operating transfer pricing policy, IT systems and interest rates on cash pool balances. In December 2018, the French tax authorities issued a notice of assessment to Global Blue France for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 related to VAT findings for an amount of €6.4 million. The VAT findings relate to certain missing information on tax free forms which are mandatory according to VAT refund regulation in France. As a consequence, the VAT exemption claimed by Global Blue France in relation to these forms was denied by the French Tax Authorities. Global Blue France is waiting for the collection notice from the French tax authorities. An accrued liability of €10.0 million to cover these amounts was booked in Global Blue’s accounts as of March 31, 2018. This accrued liability was reduced to €6.4 million as of March 31, 2019 due to a payment of €1.8 million to the French tax authorities and due to a change in management’s estimate of Global Blue’s exposure. The accrued liability balance was unchanged as of September 30, 2019.

Separately, the tax audit in respect of the transfer pricing policy for financial years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 is ongoing. At this stage the Company has not deemed it necessary to book a provision for the tax audit in respect of the transfer pricing policy.

Italy

The Italian tax authorities opened a tax audit in February 2016 on Global Blue Italia S.r.l. (“Global Blue Italy”): (i) in respect of corporate income tax and regional tax covering the financial years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015; and (ii) in respect of VAT and withholding tax for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. On July 19, 2016, the Italian tax authorities issued the final tax audit report. The report challenged Global Blue’s transfer pricing in respect of the Global Blue’s tax model and certain intercompany charges and asserted that withholding tax should have been paid in respect of certain license fees and interest payments. Based thereon, the Italian tax authorities issued an additional tax assessment in an amount of €7.7 million. Global Blue has challenged the findings and filed an objection letter with the Italian tax authorities in order to defend its tax positions. Global Blue Italy started a formal settlement procedure in 2018. A final settlement with the Italian tax authorities was

 

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reached and paid in April 2019 for an amount of €3.5 million covering the findings on license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 and withholding tax on license fees for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. Discussions with the Italian tax authority are ongoing for the finding on withholding tax on interests for the calendar years 2013 to 2018, as well as the procedure to settle the findings on license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial years ended March 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as withholding tax on license fees for calendar years 2015 to 2018. An income tax payable of €14.1 million covering all findings has been booked in Global Blue’s accounts as of September 30, 2019.

Global Blue Italy received two notices of assessment from the tax authorities of the city of Milan with respect to Global Blue Italy’s treatment of certain merchant invoices issued in 2013 and 2014. Global Blue Italy received these notices in January and December 2019, respectively. Each notice of assessment imposes a penalty of €1.1 million, which represents the total amount of VAT with respect to the invoices issued for the corresponding year. Global Blue Italy filed a defensive deduction procedure with respect to the 2013 notice and plans to file a defensive deduction procedure with respect to the 2014 notice in due course. Global Blue has not deemed it necessary to book a provision with respect to either of the amounts described as at September 30, 2019.

Germany

Global Blue New Holdings Germany GmbH (“GBNHG”), as controlling entity, and Global Blue Deutschland GmbH (“GBD”), as controlled entity, entered into a profit and loss pooling agreement (hereinafter the “PLPA”) dated October 5, 2000, allowing the pooling of income and losses of both entities for corporate income and trade tax purposes. While the provisions of the PLPA allow the utilization of capital reserves built up at the level of GBD during the term of the PLPA for loss compensation (or for the profit transfer to GBNHG), such provisions, in light of a recent court ruling issued in April 2018, may not be permissible under German law. Even though GBD has not utilized any capital reserves as permitted by the PLPA, there is a risk that the tax authorities might challenge the effectiveness of the PLPA and, as a consequence, deny the profit and loss pooling within the German Global Blue group relating to the financial year 2019 and previous tax periods. Based on the opinion of Global Blue’s advisers, Global Blue has recognized an uncertain tax position and estimates the potential liability at €3.7 million. This amount has been booked as a provision in the accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. The accrued liability balance was unchanged as of September 30, 2019. An amended PLPA, from which the provisions in focus were removed, was registered in December 2019; therefore, the risk described above is only related to historical financial years.

 

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Legal and Regulatory Matters

Intellectual property

Global Blue’s success depends on Global Blue’s ability to protect and preserve the proprietary aspects of Global Blue’s services and processes. In certain jurisdictions, particularly in APAC, Global Blue relies on patent laws in order to protect Global Blue’s intellectual property rights. Global Blue holds a number of patents in respect of Global Blue’s TFS business, including patents in respect of a system used to detect TFS eligibility based on an international shopper’s card number, an electronic TFS (“eTFS”) system which enables electronic forms and checks to be issued at Global Blue’s eTFS kiosk. Global Blue also holds a number of patents in respect of Global Blue’s DCC business, including patents relating to methods and related technology used to detect the international shopper’s home currency.

A few times a year, Global Blue conducts assessments to identify any internal proprietary aspects of Global Blue’s services and processes which can and should be protected and to initiate the appropriate action. As part of these assessments, Global Blue also seeks to identify any third-party patent applications which should be opposed in order to protect Global Blue’s business.

Global Blue is the owner of several trademarks, trade names and logos worldwide, including several trademarks for Global Blue, AVPS and Currency Select. Global Blue believes that Global Blue’s core intellectual property rights are adequately protected. Trademarks for the words and the word-and-picture combinations used by Global Blue’s Group companies have been registered, or are in the process of registration, in the countries in which they are used.

Regulation and licensing overview

Global Blue is subject to increasing levels of regulatory or licensing requirements in the countries in which Global Blue operates. Global Blue works with Global Blue’s outside advisers to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory developments. To this end, Global Blue updates Global Blue’s compliance records on a regular basis by seeking advice from regulatory lawyers in the territories where Global Blue does business, where required. Local managers are encouraged to engage local counsel with respect to regulatory issues, although Global Blue’s General Counsel’s office oversees this process to ensure that all developments are being implemented.

The main aspects of the regulatory framework to which Global Blue is subject are:

 

   

TFS regulations and guidelines;

 

   

licensing requirements;

 

   

payment card industry standards;

 

   

data protection;

 

   

AML, bribery and corruption; and

 

   

sanctions.

Licensing requirements

Global Blue’s regulatory environment varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In certain jurisdictions, Global Blue requires local licenses or government agreements to operate its business, while other countries do not impose such a requirement. In every jurisdiction in which Global Blue holds a regulatory license (or in which Global Blue may seek a license in the future), the powers afforded to licensing and regulatory authorities are broad; in particular, as well as being granted a wide range of powers in relation to specific regulatory issues, such authorities are granted non-specific discretionary powers to undertake investigations in relation to any matters arising in connection with the provision of the services being provided by an operator under the terms of its license(s).

 

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As a result, Global Blue is potentially subject to the far-reaching exercise of discretionary powers by regulatory authorities. Licensing and regulatory authorities are granted wide-ranging specific powers requiring, inter alia, the provision of very detailed information covering a licensee’s management, shareholders, investors and financial performance. Relevant authorities also require the ongoing submission of regulatory filings, which could require the provision of detailed information concerning a licensee’s directors, shareholders, investors and key employees, together with its financial performance.

The table below presents the TFS licensing and registration requirements in the markets in which Global Blue operates as of September 30, 2019:

 

Jurisdiction

  

Does Global Blue hold a permit, license, government contract
or consent to provide TFS services?

Argentina    License granted by government tender through the Argentinian National Tax Authority
Australia    None required
Austria    None required for TFS services, but Global Blue carries a bureau de change license (Wechselstube Lizenz) issued by the FMA (Finanzmarktaufsicht) for providing TFS services in currencies other than Euro
Bahamas    Agreement with the Ministry of Finance to act as the TFS Central Refund Agency
Belgium    None required
China    None required
Croatia    None required
Cyprus    License from the Ministry of Finance, combined with a bank guarantee
Czech Republic    None required
Denmark    License from Danish customs to be a TFS provider and to make payments in cash/credit card
Estonia    None required
Finland    Agreement with the Finnish Ministry of Employment and Economy to carry out immediate refunds at EU exit points
France    None required
Germany    None required
Greece    None required
Iceland    License from the Icelandic customs
Italy    None required
Japan    None required for most TFS activities, but in the process of registering with the Japanese National Taxation Agency to operate central issuing and refund counters as a third-party TFS provider
  

 

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Jurisdiction

  

Does Global Blue hold a permit, license, government contract
or consent to provide TFS services?

South Korea    None required
Lebanon    Agreement with the Lebanese Ministry of Finance for the provision of TFS services to visitors to Lebanon exporting goods purchased in Lebanon in their personal luggage
Lithuania    None required
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg    None required
Morocco    Agreement with the Ministry of Finance to operate as a TFS provider
Netherlands    None required
Norway    None required
Poland    Written confirmation from Ministry of Finance confirming that Global Blue fulfils the conditions to be a TFS provider
Portugal    None required
Singapore    Appointment by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore to be the TFS Central Refund Agency and to provide and operate the Central Customs Clearing House for validation of tax free transactions
Slovakia    None required
Slovenia    None required
Spain    License from Fiscal Authorities of the Spanish Government
Sweden    None required
Switzerland    None required
Thailand    Global Blue conducts no TFS activities in Thailand
Turkey    VAT processing license
United Kingdom    None required
Uruguay    Agreement with Ministry of Finance to be the TFS Central Refund Agency

European Payment Institution License

In May 2019, Global Blue (via its Italian subsidiary Global Blue Currency Choice Italia S.r.l.) was granted a Payment Institution License by the Bank of Italy which has also been passported across the EU. The European Payment Institution License provides Global Blue with the option, if Global Blue so chooses in the future, to provide both the “execution” and the “acquiring” of payment transactions services across Europe. The Bank of Italy requires that Global Blue complies with additional minimal compliance and reporting obligations in order to maintain the European Payment Institution License, which only apply if Global Blue decides to provide “execution” and “acquiring” of payment transactions services in the future. However, these obligations do not apply if Global Blue continues with Global Blue’s existing AVPS business. The compliance and reporting

 

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obligations fall primarily into the following four categories: (i) conduct of business requirements (dealing with Global Blue’s rights and obligations toward merchants and the other Group entities to whom Global Blue provides payment services); (ii) complaints handling (which requires Global Blue to have a complaints handling process in place); (iii) reporting to the Bank of Italy (which requires periodic reporting to the Bank of Italy on, inter alia, capital adequacy, fraud statistics, material events impacting Global Blue Currency Choice Italia S.r.l. and provision of financial statements); and (iv) AML (which requires Global Blue to carry out, inter alia, “know your customer” and due diligence processes on Global Blue’s clients).

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council is a global forum for the development of payment card security standards. It is responsible for publishing the PCI DSS. The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council’s five founding global brands (American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, and Visa Inc.) have each incorporated the PCI DSS as the standard of technical requirements for their data security compliance programs. The PCI DSS itself is a proprietary information security standard for organizations that handle cardholder information for the major debit, credit, prepaid, e-wallet, ATM and POS cards. The PCI DSS helps to reduce the risk of theft of international shoppers’ card data through tight controls surrounding the storage, transmission and processing of cardholder data that businesses handle. It also includes standards that promote the detection of fraud and appropriate reactions to security incidents. Version 3.1 of the PCI DSS was released on April 15, 2015 and purports to be effective immediately. All entities that store, process or transmit cardholder data must be PCI DSS compliant. It is not, however, mandatory for all entities to obtain formal validation of PCI DSS compliance, which depends on the payment brand to which the merchant has subscribed or is in agreement. An organization’s compliance with the PCI DSS is validated annually. All of the core payment components that Global Blue operate have been certified as PCI DSS compliant.

Data protection

Global Blue’s activities involve the handling of large amounts of personal data on individuals. For this reason, Global Blue is subject to data protection legislation which seeks to protect the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data and impose restrictions on the collection, use and other forms of processing of personal data.

The primary body of data protection legislation to which Global Blue’s international operations are subject is the European Data Protection Directive, as implemented by each of the 28 EU member states plus the three additional members of the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The European Parliament and Council Directive 1995/46/EC of October 24, 1995, as amended (“Directive 1995/46/EC”) on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data applies to data processed by automated means (e.g., a computer database of customers) and data contained in, or intended to be part of, non-automated filing systems (e.g., traditional paper files). While national implementing legislation in each EEA country ought to fulfil the objectives and comply with the spirit of Directive 1995/46/EC, certain differences can arise in the implementation of such Directive in different member states.

On April 27, 2016, the EU adopted the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679, as amended (the “GDPR”) which came into force on May 25, 2018. Unlike Directive 1995/46/EC, the GDPR, as a regulation, has direct legal effect throughout the EU, enforced by national data protection authorities and courts, without requiring transposition into national legislation.

Global Blue keeps personal data safeguarded from unauthorized use, disclosure, destruction and alteration: (i) through the implementation of physical, technical and organizational security measures required by applicable laws; or (ii) in those jurisdictions where specific regulations do not exist for the obligatory implementation of minimum security measures, through the implementation of such physical, technical and organizational security

 

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measures as Global Blue considers to be appropriate for, and proportionate to, the risks inherent in the processing of such data, such as accidental loss or damage or unauthorized access. Global Blue also provides disclosure to international shoppers on the intended use of personal information in Global Blue’s tax free forms and ensure that international shoppers have granted the necessary consent for the use of personal information.

Anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption

Global Blue’s business is subject to AML and anti-bribery laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which Global Blue operates. Global Blue is in regular contact with local regulators both at a local and a Group level and have instituted systems and staff awareness training programs to detect, prevent, record and report any incidents of corruption or bribery involving local government officials and any attempts or suspected attempts to utilize Global Blue’s products and services to facilitate the movement of criminal funds.

As part of Global Blue’s bribery and anti-corruption policies, Global Blue runs risk assessments in order to analyze global compliance with certain national AML and anti-bribery laws and regulation that have extraterritorial jurisdictions, such as the UK Bribery Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act. This policy is implemented by Global Blue across all jurisdictions in which Global Blue operate.

Global Blue has also developed an AML policy and compliance framework based on the European AML Directives and FATF (Financial Action Task Force) global recommendations. Global Blue’s global policy is to apply the more stringent standards required by either local legislation or Global Blue’s policy.

Sanctions

United Nations economic and trade sanctions are implemented through local legislation and apply in jurisdictions where Global Blue does business. Global Blue is also subject to EU, UK and certain requirements of OFAC, under such economic and trade sanctions. These sanction regimes prohibit Global Blue from transmitting money to specified countries or to or on behalf of prohibited individuals and mainly require entities to check customers’ names, recipients’ names, banks’ names and the purpose of the transactions.

Global Blue may, through Global Blue’s standard operational practices, become directly or indirectly exposed to various activities that could, without care, put Global Blue in breach of sanctions. These include, in particular, various sanctions which prohibit Global Blue from making available (directly or indirectly) funds, financial assets and/or economic resources to sanctioned parties (commonly referred to as “designated persons”). Ensuring compliance with such sanctions can be complex, noting in particular that the imposition of new sanctions can occur with little or no notice and the lists of designated persons and transactions change frequently. Global Blue has developed procedures and controls designed to monitor and address sanctions-related legal and regulatory requirements. Global Blue continuously seeks to update and enhance these procedures and controls and in particular have focused recently on the verification of payment identities and record keeping.

Insurance and Indemnification

We maintain insurance coverage, which we believe is relevant for our businesses and operations. Our insurance program includes commercial crime (covering up to CHF 5 million for employee dishonesty, third-party fraud and extortion), property damage/theft for damage from fire and water flooding, as well as burglary, robbery and malicious acts and general liability insurance, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and business travel insurance, amongst other coverage. We cannot guarantee, however, that we will not incur any losses or be the subject of any claims that exceed the scope of the relevant insurance coverage. We re-assess our insurance structure at each renewal, taking into account both insurance market conditions and the expansion and development of our business.

 

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Certain other persons within Global Blue are provided with directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Moreover, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Global Blue will provide such insurance for all members of the FPAC board. See “Management and Employees” for an overview of our directors’ and officers’ insurance.

In addition to the insurance to be maintained for members of the FPAC board by Global Blue, Global Blue’s board has also enacted an indemnification policy, which provides the members of the board and certain members of the executive management (Gruppengeschäftsleitung) (“Executive Management”) with the ability to obtain cost advances in legal proceedings and be indemnified in certain circumstances.

Organizational Structure

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Global Blue’s Group consists of 82 entities in more than 40 countries. Global Blue continuously reviews Global Blue’s group structure with a view toward simplifying Global Blue’s Group structure and reducing the number of Group companies.

Employees

Global Blue believes that the quality of Global Blue’s employees is key to providing Global Blue’s merchant partners with high-quality services and building long-term relationships with Global Blue’s merchant partners.

Global Blue has a structured, global performance management and talent development process in place that supports Global Blue’s staff in maximizing their performance and achieving their ambitions and lays the groundwork for promotion to Global Blue’s key positions.

As of March 31, 2019, Global Blue employed 2,052 full-time equivalents (“FTEs”) worldwide. The table below shows the number of FTEs per geographical division for the periods indicated:

 

     As of March 31  
     2019      2019 %     2018      2018 %     2017      2017 %  

EMEA(1)

     1,697        82.7     1,602        80.8     1,507        80.7

APAC(2)

     333        16.2     356        18.0     295        18.2

Americas(3)

     23        1.1     24        1.2     19        1.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,052        100     1,982        100     1,820        100

 

(1)

EMEA includes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lebanon, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

(2)

APAC includes Australia, Brunei, China, the Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and Western Samoa.

(3)

Americas includes Argentina, the Bahamas and Uruguay.

Global Blue operates an annual target setting and appraisal cycle supported by clear guidelines for performance indicators and a calibration process that is aimed at monitoring development in fixed and variable pay, ensuring fairness and diversity amongst Global Blue’s employees. Global Blue has a bonus policy, aimed at incentivizing Global Blue’s employees to participate in the success of Global Blue’s business.

In order to safeguard the quality of the people Global Blue hires and Global Blue’s reputation, Global Blue applies strict pre-employment screening measures and use assessment tools in the selection process.

Post-Employment Benefit Plans

Global Blue maintains a number of pension plans, including defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans. A defined contribution plan is a post-employment benefit plan under which an entity pays fixed contributions

 

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into a separate entity and will have no legal or constructive obligation to pay further amounts. A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan obligating an employer to arrange that its employees receive certain pension benefits during their entire pensionable age. In Austria, France, Italy, Norway, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey, Global Blue has a defined benefit plan in place. In all other jurisdictions Global Blue maintain defined contributions plans. As of September 30, 2019, Global Blue had a liability of €5.3 million on Global Blue’s balance sheet for pensions and retirement liabilities.

Employee Representation

Argentina: Approximately 42% of Global Blue’s employees in Argentina are affiliated with the labor union Sindicato de Empleados de Comercio. The relationship between Global Blue and the Sindicato de Empleados de Comercio is constructive and cooperative.

Austria: All employees in Austria are represented by a works council. The relationship between Global Blue and the works council is constructive and cooperative.

France: All employees in France are represented by a works council. The relationship between Global Blue and the works council is constructive and cooperative.

Germany: Employees in Global Blue’s Frankfurt refund operations are represented by a works council. The relationship between Global Blue and the works council is constructive and cooperative.

Italy: Approximately 2.5% of Global Blue’s employees in Italy are affiliated to the Italian General Confederation of Labour (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro). In addition, the employees are represented under the National Collective Bargaining Arrangement for the Tertiary.

Slovakia: All of Global Blue’s employees in Slovakia are represented by the trade union UniJA, even if they are not members of UniJA. The relationship between Global Blue and UniJA is constructive and cooperative.

European Works Council: In June 2017, representatives of the trade union UniJA and the works council in Austria have requested that a European-wide works council be set up, a process which is governed by EU Directive 2009/38/EC. Global Blue is making preparations to set up a European-wide works council which is likely to take up to three years to be established.

 

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GLOBAL BLUE DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Directors and Senior Management

Members of the Board

The table below outlines the name, age, position, committee membership and year of appointment of the members of Global Blue’s board of directors as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus:

 

Name

   Age(1)     

Position

  

Committee

   Year of
Appointment
to the
Board(2)
 

Christian Lucas

     50      Non-Executive Chairman    Nomination and Compensation Committee (Chair)      2018  

Eric Meurice

     63      Independent Non-Executive Director    Finance and Audit Committee; Nomination and Compensation Committee      2018  

Eric Strutz

     54      Independent Non-Executive Director    Finance and Audit Committee (Chair)      2018  

Jacques Stern

     55      President and Chief Executive Officer    N/A      2018  

Joseph Osnoss

     42      Non-Executive Director    N/A      2018  

Katherine Brody

     37      Non-Executive Director    N/A      2019  

Marcel Erni

     54      Non-Executive Director    N/A      2018  

Ulf Pagenkopf

     34      Non-Executive Director    Finance and Audit Committee      2019  

 

(1)

Ages are as of March 31, 2020.

(2)

Global Blue was founded in 2018 and, accordingly, all members of the board were appointed in 2018 or more recently. However, certain members of the board have served as members of the Global Blue board of directors since before 2018. In such cases, this has been specified in the biographies below.

For the purposes of this proxy statement/prospectus, the business address of each member of Global Blue’s board of directors is Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland.

Set out below is a short description of each director’s business experience, education and activities (for the biographies of Jacques Stern, Joseph Osnoss, Marcel Erni, Eric Strutz and Christian Lucas see the section entitled “Information Related to New Global Blue”):

Eric Meurice has served as an independent non-executive director of the Global Blue board since 2018. Prior to joining the board, Mr. Meurice worked at ASML Holding NV as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2004 to 2013 and Chairman from 2013 to 2014. He served as Executive Vice President of Thomson’s TV division from 2001 to 2004 and as Vice President and General Manager (Western, Southern and Eastern Europe) of Dell from 1995 to 2001. Mr. Meurice holds a master’s degree in Engineering from Ecole Centrale (Paris, France), a master’s degree in Economics from Pantheon-Sorbonne University (Paris, France) and an M.B.A. from Stanford University (USA).

 

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Katherine Brody has served as a non-executive director on the Global Blue board since 2019. Ms. Brody joined Silver Lake in 2014 and currently serves as Director, Legal EMEA. Prior to joining Silver Lake, Ms. Brody was a corporate associate at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in its London office, where she focused on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. Ms. Brody holds a B.S. from Tulane University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Ulf Pagenkopf has served as a non-executive director on the Global Blue board since 2019. Mr. Pagenkopf is a Director at Silver Lake, having joined the firm in 2012. Previously, he was employed at Deutsche Bank in the Frankfurt and London offices working in the M&A and Leveraged Debt Capital Markets groups where he was involved in a variety of leveraged buyout, high yield, and mergers and acquisitions transactions. Mr. Pagenkopf graduated from the European Business School, Oestrich-Winkel (Germany) with a B.Sc. in General Management.

Members of Executive Management

The table below outlines the name, age, position, year of appointment to the executive team and year of joining Global Blue of the members of Global Blue’s executive management as of March 31, 2020:

 

Name

   Age(1)     

Position

   Year of
Appointment to the
Executive Team
     Year of Joining
Global Blue(2)
 

Damian Cecchi

     47      Senior Vice President of Added Value Payment Solutions      2017        2004  

Fabio Ferreira

     47      Chief Information Officer      2015        2015  

Greg Gelhaus

     44      Chief Operating Officer – APAC      2014        2014  

Jacques Stern

     55      President and Chief Executive Officer      2015        2015  

Jeremy Henderson-Ross

     42      General Counsel and Company Secretary      2015        2015  

Jeremy Taylor

     44      Senior Vice President Operations      2014        1999  

Jorge Casal

     52      Senior Vice President New Markets, Americas and Public Affairs      2008        1998  

Laurent Delmas

     56      Chief Operating Officer – Europe South      2016        2016  

Loïc Jenouvrier

     52      Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Senior Vice President      2015        2015  

Pier Francesco Nervini

     51      Chief Operating Officer – Europe North, Central and Global Accounts      2014        2003  

Tomas Mostany

     48      Senior Vice President of Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions      2015        2002  

 

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(1)

Ages are as of March 31, 2020.

(2)

Including experience at acquired companies.

Biographical information for Mr. Stern is under “Management of New Global Blue following the Business Combination.” Set out below is a short description of each other member of Global Blue’s executive management’s business experience, education and activities.

Damian Cecchi has served as Global Blue’s Senior Vice President of Added Value Payment Solutions since 2017 and joined Global Blue in 2016 following the acquisition of Currency Select, where he worked as General Manager. He has more than 20 years of experience in the payments industry across different companies, starting in 1995 at Hypercom as Account and Business Development Manager. Prior to joining Currency Select in 2004, he worked at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) as Manager Chip Card and Merchant Services from 2000 to 2002, and at the National Australia Bank (NAB) as Associate Director, Transaction from 2002 to 2004. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business from Monash University and an M.B.A. from the Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong.

Fabio Ferreira has served as Global Blue’s Chief Information Officer since joining Global Blue in 2015. He has more than 20 years of experience in information technology leadership positions, particularly in information technology architecture redesign and management of mission-critical applications. He started his career at Ambev in 1995 and held various leadership positions in Brazilian companies before joining the Accor Group. At Accor Group, he held several positions, including Chief Information Officer Latin America for Accor Hotels. From 2012 to 2015, he held the position of Chief Information Officer Latin America at Edenred. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and an M.B.A. from the University of Sao Paulo.

Greg Gelhaus has served as Global Blue’s Chief Operating Officer – APAC since joining Global Blue in 2014. Prior to joining Global Blue, he worked as Engagement Manager for Marakon from 2005 to 2009 and later joined Alvarez & Marsal as Director of the European Restructuring Group in 2009. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Group Finance and Operations Director at Kirkham. He has an M.B.A. from the Wharton School and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Michigan.

Jeremy Henderson-Ross has served as Global Blue’s General Counsel and Company Secretary since joining Global Blue in 2015. From 2000 to 2005, he worked as a solicitor at Mayer Brown, specializing in corporate and commercial law. In 2005, he joined Loyalty Management Group and, following its buyout by Aimia Inc, held the position of General Counsel, EMEA at Aimia Inc between 2008 and 2015. He has an LL.B. from the University of Reading.

Jeremy Taylor has served as Global Blue’s Senior Vice President Operations since 2014. He joined Global Blue in 1999 as Operations and New Markets Manager and has since held various management positions at Global Blue across different geographies. He recently led the creation of Global Blue’s central operations center in Slovakia.

Jorge Casal has served as Global Blue’s Senior Vice President New Markets, Americas and Public Affairs since 2015. He joined Global Blue in 1999 as Country Manager Argentina and has since held various management positions across different geographies, including Country Manager Spain, Area Manager Iberia, Argentina and Mexico, Vice President Sales UK, Mediterranean & Latin America and, most recently, Senior Vice President Tax Free Shopping from 2008 to 2015. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Buenos Aires.

Laurent Delmas has served as Global Blue’s Chief Operating Officer – Europe South since joining Global Blue in 2016. He started his career in 1986 at Edenred, where he held various management positions, including Managing Director USA, Managing Director United Kingdom and, from 2009 to 2016, Managing Director France. Mr. Delmas holds a business degree from ESSEC Business School.

 

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Loïc Jenouvrier has served as Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Senior Vice President since joining Global Blue in 2015. He started his career in 1990 at the Accor Group, where he held various leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer of Accor Casinos. Between 2004 and 2008, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Management Board of the Lucien Barrière Group. Between 2009 and 2015, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Edenred. Mr. Jenouvrier holds a business degree from the École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Angers.

Pier Francesco Nervini is Global Blue’s Chief Operating Officer – Europe North, Central and Global Accounts, having served in this position since 2014. He joined Global Blue in 2004 as Managing Director for DCC in Italy and later held the positions of Managing Director for Global Blue Italy from 2005 to 2009, Vice President Global Accounts from 2009 to 2014 and Head of Commercial Europe from 2014 to 2015. He started his career in 1995 at Philips and later Dun & Bradstreet, where he held various management positions. Mr. Nervini holds a degree in Marketing from the Università degli Studi di Firenze.

Tomas Mostany joined Global Blue in 2002 and has served as Senior Vice President of Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions and Intelligence since 2015. In the past, he served in several other positions at Global Blue, including Country Manager Argentina, Managing Director of Italy and Regional Manager for Southern Europe. Prior to joining Global Blue, he held various management positions within Kodak and Havas. He has an M.B.A. from the Instituto para el Desarrollo Empresarial de la Argentina and a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires.

Pursuant to the Compensation Ordinance, the maximum notice period (or duration) of the contracts of the members of executive management that contain remuneration provisions is one year.

Compensation of the Board and Executive Management

The Board

According to article 25 of the Global Blue articles of association, certain members of the board may receive an annual retainer. The board may determine that non-executive directors shall have the right to elect that part of their annual retainer be paid in shares, and/or that the retainer be paid in part or in full in the form of blocked shares or equity based instruments.

Executive Management

Article 26 of the Global Blue articles of association sets out the principles for the elements of the compensation of the members of Global Blue’s executive management. According thereto, subject to approval of the shareholders, the compensation for members of executive management may consist of fixed compensation consisting of a base salary, contributions to pension schemes or similar benefits and, where applicable, other benefits in cash or kind. In addition, members of executive management are eligible for performance-based short-term variable compensation awards.

Historic remuneration and other awards

The aggregate compensation paid (including salaries, fees, incentives and other benefits) to the Global Blue board (including Jacques Stern) and the Global Blue executive management team (including Jacques Stern) during the financial year ended March 31, 2020 was €1.1 million and €4.8 million, respectively.

 

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Set out in the table below is the compensation paid and other benefits granted to the individual members of the board during the financial year ended March 31, 2020:

 

Name

   Remuneration
(including bonus) (€)
     Other Benefits (€)  

Christian Lucas

     —          —    

Eric Meurice

     80,000        —    

Eric Strutz

     80,000        —    

Jacques Stern

     751,000        162,000  

Joseph Osnoss

     —          —    

Katherine Brody

     —          —    

Marcel Erni

     —          —    

Ulf Pagenkopf

     —          —    

Incentive Plans

Set out below are the historical incentive plans Global Blue has in place as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus:

2019 Employee share option plan

In June 2019, Global Blue implemented an employee share option plan to encourage the long-term commitment and retention of a limited number of members of its management. Options granted under the option plan, at Closing and assuming no adjustment under the Merger Agreement, will represent options to acquire approximately 550,000 New Global Blue Shares in the aggregate at a strike price of approximately $10.88. The resulting options shall vest in two stages, with 50% vesting on June 25, 2022 and 50% vesting on June 25, 2024.

If an optionholder ceases to be an employee of a member of Global Blue, his or her unvested options will lapse. In addition, all options that are not exercised prior to June 25, 2027 will automatically lapse.

Upon the exercise of the options, New Global Blue shall either issue or transfer New Global Blue Shares to the employee or, at New Global Blue’s sole election, settle the exercised options in cash.

Transaction bonus

In addition, within 30 days from the Closing, a fixed amount of an aggregate of €5 million (plus a variable amount of up to an aggregate of €3 million) will be payable to certain employees and members of Global Blue to acknowledge the time and effort expended in preparation for the Transaction, subject to the board’s consent and the relevant employee or member of management not having given or been given notice of termination of their employment contract with Global Blue.

 

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GLOBAL BLUE’S MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following discussion of Global Blue’s cash position, results of operations and financial condition contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and should be read together with the selected historical financial information to assist you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Business Combination, Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, as well as Global Blue’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements as of September 30, 2019 and for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. These are derived from Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Global Blue has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (as previously filed with the SEC in the draft proxy statement/prospectus dated February 21, 2020). These revisions were made to adjust the timing of revenue recognized on certain unsuccessful transactions, to reflect an uncertain tax position, to enhance disclosure related to certain tax matters and to add subsequent event disclosures. All financial information presented herein was revised to reflect the correction. See “Note 1, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements” of Global Blue’s financial statements, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Global Blue’s audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) (“IFRS”). Global Blue’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34.

Global Blue’s actual results could differ materially from those that Global Blue discusses in these forward-looking statements. Investors should read “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the risks and uncertainties related to those statements. Investors should also read “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain factors that may affect Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Overview

Global Blue serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, allowing Global Blue to benefit from the structural growth of the number of international shoppers, which has been driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic tailwinds. Global Blue established the concept of TFS in Sweden in 1980 and has emerged as both a global leader (based on its share of the TFS segment) and a pioneer in technology for TFS. Global Blue also offers AVPS, including DCC, for which Global Blue is a leading provider. As of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, Global Blue operated across more than 50 countries. For the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue enabled approximately 29 million international shoppers to claim VAT refunds on international shopping or complete international transactions in their home currency. At its core, Global Blue is a technology platform that serves a network of more than 400,000 merchant stores globally through both TFS and AVPS, facilitating 64 million transactions amounting to €22.6 billion per year (for the financial year ended March 31, 2019) and delivering economic benefits to a complex ecosystem of merchants, international shoppers and customs and tax authorities.

COVID-19

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19), that was first identified in China in December 2019 and began to receive widespread international coverage in January 2020, has resulted in governments adopting preventative measures, businesses voluntarily choosing or being mandated to temporarily close their operations and limit business-related travel, and individuals deciding to postpone or cancel leisure travel on an unprecedented scale. See also “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to

 

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Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significantly decreased activity in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors and, as a result, has had a significant negative impact on Global Blue. The effects of COVID-19 are expected to continue to have a negative impact on Global Blue’s business, results of operations and financial condition until the pandemic and health concerns subside and the related preventative measures are lifted.

Since early March 2020, when government travel restrictions and store closure mandates were generally implemented, the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors have experienced a significant reduction in activity, with Global Blue’s SiS in April and May 2020 totalling single-digit percentages of pre-pandemic levels (i.e., April and May 2019). Recently, certain destination countries for tax-free shopping have started to formulate plans to ease restrictions, including reopening certain shops and borders, which – if and when implemented and international travel resumes – are expected to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on Global Blue’s financial results.

The discussion of historical performance, as presented under “Results of Operations” and “Key Performance Indicators,” is presented up to the six months ended September 30, 2019 and, as a result, does not include any financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the impacts of the pandemic, the SiS, revenue, and Adjusted EBITDA growth for the six months ended September 30, 2019 is not reflective of the annual results for the financial year ended March 31, 2020. Global Blue’s management also expects that the pandemic will have negative consequences on Global Blue’s results of operations for the financial year ending March 31, 2021. However, given the global and evolving nature of the pandemic and its impact on the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, and its impact on consumer spending through any economic recession, the ultimate negative impact and the duration of such negative impact on Global Blue’s results of operations cannot be accurately and reasonably quantified at this time.

Previous contagious disease outbreaks, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 and MERS in 2015, have historically temporarily curtailed, to varying degrees, international travel, with growth recovering afterwards to pre-pandemic levels, as a result of a normalization of travel demand and longer-term structural macroeconomic growth tailwinds. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is more significant both in scale and the global preventative response thereto than previous contagious disease outbreaks and other previous travel disruptions, other travel disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest) have negatively impacted Global Blue’s results of operations during the affected period, with the effects subsiding and reversing after the disruptions and their related effects end. Notwithstanding the foregoing, given the global and evolving nature of the pandemic, Global Blue cannot predict when the impacts of the pandemic will subside or how quickly thereafter international travel, consumer spending, and demand for tax free shopping and Global Blue services will return to pre-pandemic levels.

As a consequence, Global Blue has adopted a wide range of short-term measures to reduce its monthly cash expenditures while still maintaining core internal functions, serving clients who remain active and preserving the ability to ramp-up operations to capture volume rebound. These short-term measures include the following impacts to personnel and non-personnel costs:

 

   

Personnel costs: Depending on the jurisdiction, Global Blue has furloughed staff or has reduced working hours and, in parallel, has applied for employee salary support schemes introduced by certain governments. Such schemes allow companies to place employees on paid leave or on reduced working hours, with the difference to an employee’s ordinary salary being partially reimbursed by the respective government. In countries in which no such employee salary support schemes are available, Global Blue has required personnel to take (partially paid or unpaid) leave or is reducing its workforce. These personnel decisions vary based on function, country, and seniority. In addition, members of senior management have agreed to temporary salary cuts.

 

   

Non-personnel costs: Global Blue has renegotiated contracts with business partners, and reduced local-level third-party employment or advisory services. Global Blue has also prohibited any but essential

 

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business-related travel, reduced promotional activities and postponed non-strategic new technology expenditures. In addition, where available, Global Blue has adhered to any tax holidays provided by relevant governments, allowing the Group to postpone certain tax payments.

As of May 31, 2020, management estimates that as a result of these short-term measures, average monthly cash expenditures (comprised of fixed operating expenses, capital expenditure, cash taxes, cash interest, and lease payments) of approximately €20 million were reduced by more than 40% to approximately €12 million since implementation beginning in April.

These short-term measures constitute the first phase of cash expenditure reductions, calibrated for April 2020 through June 2020. The measures take advantage of various government support schemes, which, in most cases, are limited in time and are expected to expire in summer 2020. As a result, Global Blue is implementing the next phase of reductions in cash expenditures, which is expected to supersede the short-term measures in effect today. Management expects these long-term measures to enable the Group to operate longer-term with a materially lower cost structure. These longer-term plans similarly address personnel and non-personnel costs:

 

   

Personnel costs: Global Blue will implement extensions of furlough and/or partial employment schemes where longer-term government support are available and a workforce reduction where no meaningful support schemes are available.

 

   

Non-personnel costs: Global Blue expects to continue its effort to renegotiate contracts with various business partners, and limit the engagement of local-level third-party employment or advisory services. Management also expects to reprioritize planned technology projects to focus on strategic projects.

Ratings Actions

In March 2020, Moody’s downgraded Global Blue’s corporate family rating to B2 from B1 and placed the rating on negative outlook. In April 2020, S&P Global also downgraded Global Blue’s long-term issuer and senior secured debt ratings to B+ (with a stable outlook) from BB- (with a stable outlook). These rating actions reflect the agencies’ expectations of the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent recovery.

Basis of Presentation

Segment reporting

Global Blue separates its business into two segments: TFS and AVPS. Accordingly, its financial statements and other reporting information presented in this prospectus/proxy statement show TFS and AVPS as separate reporting segments, as well as describe the business as a whole.

Key Factors Affecting Global Blue’s Business and Results of Operation

The following factors have contributed, and are expected to continue to contribute, significantly to the development of Global Blue’s business and the results of Global Blue’s operations.

External factors

Long-term external factors

There are three long-term macroeconomic drivers impacting Global Blue’s business that are inherent to Global Blue’s industry. These include: (i) emerging market wealth growth (for more details regarding this trend, see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Industry—Drivers of Tax Free Shopping Growth—Emerging market wealth growth increases the number of people travelling abroad and drives SiS from emerging market international shoppers”); (ii) VAT dynamics (for additional information on Global Blue’s regulatory and

 

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policy environment, see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Industry—Overview—VAT overview” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Key Strengths—VAT dynamics”); and (iii) digitalization of export validation (for further information, see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Industry—Driver of Tax Free Shopping Growth—Digitalization of export validation increases success ratio”).

As a result of these long-term external factors, TFS SiS increased 14% between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2019, while the domestic luxury market and the extra-regional luxury market increased at a CAGR of 5% and 10%, respectively.

Short-term external factors

There are four short-term factors that impact Global Blue’s business: (i) short-term foreign exchange rate fluctuations (for more information regarding this trend, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—Global Blue is subject to currency exchange rate risk in the conduct of Global Blue’s business, including commercial risk if certain currency zones become less attractive for inbound international shoppers”); (ii) travel disruptions (for more information regarding this trend, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—Global Blue’s business is highly dependent on international travel, which may be adversely affected by regional or global circumstances or travel restrictions”); (iii) composition of Global Blue’s growth (mix effects); and (iv) intra-year seasonality.

Short-term foreign exchange rate fluctuations

Historically, foreign exchange rate fluctuations have created short-term volatility in Global Blue’s results of operations, particularly when focusing on shorter periods such as quarterly results. Movements in relative foreign exchange rates between origin and destination currency pairs affect Global Blue’s business by directly influencing the purchasing power of international shoppers, which in turn affects transaction volumes and revenue. As detailed below in “—Results of Operations,” relative foreign exchange rate fluctuations have been both a negative and positive catalyst to the development of Global Blue’s results of operations and the impact on Global Blue’s SiS is instant, as international shoppers adjust their purchase behavior in real time.

Travel disruptions

While international travel has generally increased over the past decade, it can be impacted by macroeconomic conditions, as well as temporary disruptions as a result of natural disasters, contagious disease outbreaks (such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic), civil unrest, international hostilities, terrorist attacks and other incidents. We have found that the well-diversified nature of our business, based on international shopper origins and destinations and merchant store footprint (see tables below), as well as long-term structural growth in the industry, has allowed us to partially mitigate the potential effects of short-term travel disruptions. While natural disasters or other incidents in a specific region of the world inevitably have an impact on our results of operations in that region, the disruptions have historically been mitigated to different degrees by the results of our operations in other parts of the world that are not affected by such disasters. While the exact effect on travel depends on the type of event, our experience suggests that such disruptions are usually temporary in nature.

Global Blue is currently experiencing the impact of a sizeable travel disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While prior disruptions have historically been temporary in nature as outlined above, Global Blue cannot currently predict when the impacts of the pandemic will subside or how quickly thereafter international travel, consumer spending, and demand for tax free shopping and Global Blue services will return to pre-pandemic levels.

 

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The following tables provide more detail regarding international shopper origins and destinations, as well as the locations of our merchant partners and illustrates our diversification along these three dimensions for the periods presented:

 

     For the Six
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
 
     2019              2019                      2018                      2017          
     (% of total)      (% of total)  

International Shopper’s Origin (TFS SiS)

     

China

     37        40        38        36  

Russia

     5        5        6        6  

Southeast Asia & India

     11        11        11        12  

Other emerging markets

     14        14        15        14  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Emerging markets

     68        69        71        69  

United States

     7        6        5        5  

Gulf Cooperation Council countries

     9        8        8        9  

Other developed markets

     16        17        17        17  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Developed markets

     32        31        29        31  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100        100        100        100  

International Shopper’s Destination (TFS SiS)

     

France

     12        14        14        17  

United Kingdom

     14        14        14        15  

Italy

     15        13        14        14  

Germany

     7        7        8        10  

Spain

     8        7        7        6  

Other European countries(a)

     18        17        16        16  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe(a)

     73        72        73        78  

Japan

     16        17        14        10  

Singapore

     8        9        9        9  

Other APAC countries

     3        3        5        3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

APAC

     27        28        27        22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100        100        100        100  

Merchant Base (TFS revenue)

     

Merchant 1

     6        5        3        3  

Merchant 2

     2        2        2        3  

Merchant 3

     2        2        2        2  

Merchant 4

     2        2        2        2  

Merchant 5

     2        2        2        2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Top 5 merchants

     14        14        11        11  

Merchants 6 to 20

     16        15        13        14  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Top 20 merchants

     30        28        24        25  

Other merchants

     70        72        76        75  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     100        100        100        100  
(a)

Includes countries from Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), as well as Latin America.

Composition of Global Blue’s growth (mix effects)

Due to the diverse nature of Global Blue’s global footprint and merchant base, the composition of its growth can have a direct impact on its results of operations. The elements most relevant for our results of operations and that impact the conversion of Global Blue’s SiS to revenue, are country mix, transaction size, and merchant mix:

 

   

Country Mix: The average VAT rate in European countries is approximately 20%, while the average VAT rate in APAC countries is 8%. As a result, the regional composition of Global Blue’s SiS growth directly impacts revenue growth. For example, assuming a purchase price (excluding VAT) of €100 in

 

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both APAC and Europe, the international shopper would pay VAT of €8 or €20, respectively. Assuming 70% of the VAT is refunded (€5.60 and €14.00, respectively) and a 50% revenue share between us and the merchant, our revenue would be €1.20 for the APAC transaction (or 1.1% of SiS), compared to €3.00 for the transaction in Europe (or 2.5% of SiS). This means that should international shoppers travel to APAC, instead of Europe, we are able to capture this growth due to our diverse footprint, but the revenue generated in APAC does not offset the loss of revenue in Europe, due to the different SiS to revenue conversion as a result of the level of VAT rates in each geography. This was particularly apparent in the results for the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

 

   

Transaction Size: The percentage of VAT that is refunded to international shoppers, and therefore not kept by Global Blue or the merchant, depends on the size of the transaction and differs by country and merchant. As transaction size increases, the percentage of the VAT that is refunded to the international shopper also increases, which leads to a relative reduction in revenue on a percentage basis (but not on an absolute basis). In years where transaction sizes were higher than average due to the mix of international shoppers (i.e., more transactions by wealthy international shoppers than middle class international shoppers, or a greater representation of high net worth individuals from Gulf Cooperation Council countries), the average SiS-to-revenue conversion rate has been lower.

 

   

Merchant Mix: The percentage of VAT not refunded to the international shopper is then split between Global Blue and the merchant. The exact split of revenue between Global Blue and merchants is a function of the broader commercial relationship between Global Blue and each individual merchant, differs by merchant, and by country. Larger merchants tend to take a greater portion of the revenue share as compared to the average merchant, as they are able to successfully attract a greater number of international shoppers and are more inclined to negotiate commercial terms. As such, the composition of the merchants drives revenue conversion and the delta between SiS growth and revenue growth.

Intra-year seasonality

Global Blue’s business is subject to predictable seasonality because a significant part of its business serves the leisure segment of the travel industry, which is particularly active during the summer season in the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, Global Blue has a greater need for working capital in the first half of its financial year, during the peak summer season, which is then unwound during the second half of the financial year. See also “—Net Working Capital” below.

Internal factors

Renewal of contracts and new contract wins

Global Blue’s business depends on its ability to renew its contracts and win new contracts, on favorable economic terms. A percentage of revenue generated from TFS and AVPS transactions is paid to merchants or third parties offering AVPS services, which varies according to contractual arrangements and is renegotiated on a periodic basis. For Global Blue’s TFS merchants, Global Blue has had an average annual positive net churn of 0.9% (4.0% SiS gain and 3.1% SiS loss attributable to merchant churn) over the last five years, meaning that, historically, there has been an increase in SiS attributable to merchants that have been gained over merchants that have been lost, which is calculated by identifying merchant wins/losses through a bottom-up process, and identifying the corresponding year-over-year SiS deviations. To arrive at the average annual net churn over the last five years, management sums the SiS relating to gained and lost merchants over the period and divides the result by the total realized SiS over the same period. Global Blue plans to continue to invest in its value proposal offered to merchants to maintain this positive trend going forward.

 

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The following table shows SiS loss/gains attributable to merchants as well as net churn for the periods presented:

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31,
    Average
annual
 
         2019             2018             2017             2016             2015         2015 - 2019  
     (% total)  

SiS loss attributable to merchants

     -3.4     -2.7     -3.9     -2.6     -2.8     -3.1

SiS gains attributable to merchants

     5.1     1.2     2.7     4.5     6.7     4.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net churn

     1.7     -1.5     -1.1     1.9     3.8     0.9

Upon renewal of a contract with an existing partner or when attempting to enter into a contract with a new partner, Global Blue may accept increases to the merchants’ revenue share. As a result of being a transactional business, Global Blue has generally shared a higher percentage of revenue with merchants as volumes have increased over time.

Success ratio

Global Blue’s revenue is affected by its success ratio, meaning the percentage of eligible TFS transactions that are issued and successfully refunded. The success ratio can be driven by improvements in the issue or refund processes. The issuing process is measured by the issue ratio, meaning the percentage of eligible TFS transactions that are issued a tax free transaction. The refund process is measured by the refund ratio, meaning the percentage of transactions for which a tax free transaction has been issued that are successfully refunded. Issue ratio and refund ratio can also be measured on a SiS basis. As the success ratio improves, the number of transactions that Global Blue processes increases.

On a transactional basis, the issue ratio and refund ratio as of March 31, 2019 were 50% and 78%, respectively, resulting in a success ratio of 39% (equivalent to a success ratio of 49% on a SiS basis). This shows that as of March 31, 2019, 61% of the current market was unpenetrated or unaddressed, meaning there is a potential upside on TFS transactions of 2.6 times the current levels. Global Blue seeks to improve the success ratio on the belief that success ratio improvement will be driven by both external industry-wide themes (see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Industry”) and technological innovation and development of innovative products to improve the functionality for merchants (see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s Key Strengths—Clear market and technology leadership” and “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s technology platform—Key innovative focus areas”).

The following table demonstrates Global Blue’s opportunity to increase its success ratio as of March 31, 2019:

 

     Measured by
Number of
Transactions
  Measured by
SiS

Issue ratio

   50%   58%

Refund ratio

   78%   86%

Success ratio

   39%   49%

Implied upside

   2.6x   2.0x

Digital innovation

Our business is dependent on our ability to remain a market leader in the TFS industry and the primary partner of choice for merchants and international shoppers in relation to TFS. This is driven by our ability to consistently address the needs of all our stakeholders.

To achieve this, we focus on technological innovation and functionality for merchants by developing innovative products. Our average technology spend (comprised of technology operating expenses and capital expenditure)

 

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between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2019 amounted to 13% of our revenue and we have spent €267.1 million in aggregate on technology during this period. We have invested in technology at a similar level on an absolute basis even in years with slower top-line growth, such as the financial year ended March 31, 2019. While such an approach has impacted our margins, we believe that such investment decisions place us in a better position to benefit from the eventual rebound in growth.

Operating leverage and scalability

Global Blue’s financial profile benefits from high operating leverage, which is attributable to a large portion of Global Blue’s cost base being fixed, a disciplined approach to cost management and investments in technology incurred at earlier periods. As a result of investments already incurred in improving Global Blue’s processes and technology, Global Blue believes that it has the ability to add significant new transaction volumes at limited incremental cost and without significant additional capital expenditure.

Based on operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization), 59% of Global Blue’s cost base was fixed for the financial years ended March 31, 2019. However, as a result of our costs being fixed, if our growth slows (such as between 2015 and 2019), remains even or declines, our results of operations will be negatively impacted, as we cannot reduce our cost base to the same extent. The remaining 41% of Global Blue’s cost base is variable, though generally linked to SiS performance and not revenue.

Key Performance Indicators

Global Blue regularly monitors the following key performance indicators to evaluate its business and trends, measure its performance, prepare financial projections and make strategic decisions. None of these key performance indicators are measures of financial performance under IFRS. Nevertheless, Global Blue believes that these key performance indicators provide an important indication of trends in its financial performance. There are limitations inherent in key performance indicators. In analyzing Global Blue’s future performance, investors should consider any key performance indicator together with the presentation of Global Blue’s results of operations and financial condition under IFRS, rather than as an alternative to IFRS financial measures.

The key performance indicators presented below have not been audited or reviewed by any auditor or other expert. The information used to calculate these key performance indicators is partly derived from management information systems. As these key performance indicators are defined by Global Blue’s management, they may not be comparable to similar terms used by other companies, which may limit their usefulness as comparative measures. Where possible, the measures are clearly defined and a reconciliations to IFRS measures is provided. Where adjustments or addbacks are included, it should not be construed as an inference that Global Blue’s future results will be unaffected by any of the adjusted items, or that Global Blue’s projections and estimates will be realized in their entirety or at all.

Sales in Store (SiS)

Total SiS represents the sum of TFS SiS and AVPS SiS, which are:

 

   

TFS SiS represents the value (including VAT) of the goods purchased by the international shopper.

 

   

AVPS SiS represents the value (including VAT) of the payments made by the international shopper.

 

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The SiS performance has a direct link to the revenue performance, as detailed below in our results of operations. See “—Results of Operations” for further details. The following table presents TFS SiS, AVPS SiS and total SiS for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and the financial years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

 

     For the Six Months Ended
September 30
     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
     2019      2018      2019      2018      2017  
     (in € billions)      (in € billions)  

TFS SiS

     10.0        9.2        18.2        17.6        16.5  

AVPS SiS

     2.4        2.2        4.4        4.3        4.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total SiS

     12.4        11.4        22.6        21.9        20.5  

TFS SiS

TFS SiS increased by €0.8 billion, or 9.5%, to €10.0 billion for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €9.2 billion for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was mainly driven by European TFS SiS, as growth reverted toward long-term trends supported by continued growth in arrivals. During the six months ended September 30, 2019, there were no significant terrorist attacks and no extended periods of civil unrest that had a material impact on TFS SiS, which increased the attractiveness of Europe compared to other destinations. In addition, the Euro was broadly stable compared to emerging markets currencies during the six months ended September 30, 2019. Global Blue also benefitted from its expansion into Russia in April 2018, though this represented a minimal contribution to TFS SiS. In addition, Global Blue benefitted from a favorable basis of comparison, as its growth during the six months ended September 30, 2018 was lower. However, relative to Europe, growth in APAC decelerated due to the appreciation of the Japanese yen against the Chinese renminbi, which dampened the growth of TFS SiS from Chinese international shoppers in Japan.

TFS SiS increased by €0.6 billion, or 3.7%, to €18.2 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €17.6 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. The increase was driven by continued international shoppers arriving into Global Blue’s markets, underpinned by the structural growth of the middle class in emerging markets. In addition, during the year, Italy, Portugal and Spain began transitioning to digital export validation, which Global Blue expects will impact TFS SiS growth in the next three to five years due to an improvement in success ratio. While the aforementioned factors supported growth during the financial year ended March 31, 2019, there were multiple headwinds that negatively impacted TFS SiS growth. There were two foreign exchange fluctuations that reduced the growth during the period. First, during the first quarter of the financial year ended March 31, 2019, the Euro significantly appreciated against emerging market currencies. Second, in the second and third quarters of the financial year ended March 31, 2019, the Chinese renminbi weakened against the Euro as a result of tension from the US-China trade war. These foreign exchange headwinds reduced the purchasing power of international shoppers from emerging markets and diverted international shoppers from Europe to APAC. In parallel, the yellow vests (gilets jaunes) protests in France from November 2018 onwards resulted in a reduction in growth in France, though some of the demand was captured elsewhere in Europe and in APAC.

TFS SiS increased by €1.1 billion, or 6.7%, to €17.6 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €16.5 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to growth in APAC due to a combination of favorable macroeconomic environmental factors and a significant increase in Chinese international shoppers travelling to Japan. In addition, the United Kingdom witnessed strong growth on the back of the Brexit referendum in June 2016. Specifically, the British pound depreciated against many currencies, including by approximately 18% against the U.S. dollar between June and October 2016. As a result, Global Blue’s SiS in the United Kingdom increased by more than 30% over the previous period. While the aforementioned factors supported growth during the financial year ended March 31, 2018, there were travel and foreign exchange-related headwinds that negatively impacted TFS SiS growth in Europe. For example, there were an unprecedented number of travel disruptions as a result of terrorist attacks in Europe during the financial

 

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year ended March 31, 2018 (e.g., the Barcelona train station attack in August 2017 and the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017) and the financial year ended March 31, 2017 (e.g., the Berlin Christmas Market attack in December 2016 and the Nice attack in July 2016).

AVPS SiS

AVPS SiS increased by €0.2 billion, or 7.8%, to €2.4 billion for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €2.2 billion for the six months ended September 30, 2018. In line with the TFS SiS growth drivers discussed above, AVPS SiS benefitted from a reversion of growth toward long-term trends supported by continued growth in arrivals. In addition, Global Blue rolled out a new ATM DCC interface in Italy, which drove a significant improvement in acceptance rate and SiS. Furthermore, during the six months ended September 30, 2019, Visa changed its policy to allow Acquirers and ATM operators to offer DCC for all international ATM transactions on Visa-branded cards around the world. Previously, Visa offered DCC for global POS transactions and intraregional European ATM transactions only. While Global Blue expects this change will have a positive impact on its business, the change occurred too recently to impact AVPS SiS during the six months ended September 30, 2019.

AVPS SiS increased by €0.1 billion, or 2.5%, to €4.4 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €4.3 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. The slowdown in growth witnessed during the financial year ended March 31, 2019 was due to a decrease of AVPS SiS in Europe caused by the short-term travel disruptions and foreign exchange fluctuations mentioned in “—Key Factors Affecting Global Blue’s Business and Results of Operation—External factors—Near-term external factors.” In addition, Global Blue lost one Acquirer in Europe following its merger with a payment provider with in-house DCC capabilities. This offset the increase in APAC transactions, consistent with the trend of international shoppers opting for APAC instead of Europe, as discussed above.

AVPS SiS increased by €0.3 billion, or 7.9%, to €4.3 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €4.0 billion for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to a new Acquirer and new merchant contracts across POS and ATM DCC verticals, as well as an increase in transactions due to acceptance rate increases, particularly in select APAC countries following the introduction of an improved user interface.

Certain Non-IFRS Measures

Other metrics considered that our management considers regarding our results of operations are Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted Net Income (Group Share), and Adjusted Effective Tax Rate. Other metrics considered, regarding our liquidity, are Conversion Rate and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. See “Important Information about IFRS and Non-IFRS Financial Measures.”

Key Components of Results of Operations

Total revenue

Total revenue represents the fair value of consideration received or receivable from merchants for services provided by Global Blue, net of revenue sharing, VAT and other sales-related taxes, and after eliminating sales within Global Blue. Revenue sharing in the TFS business relates to the revenue sharing with the merchants only, whereas in the DCC business it represents the revenue sharing with merchants and Acquirers.

Specifically, within the TFS business, commission revenue is recognized upon receipt of a validated tax free transaction from the international shopper, which establishes the right to a VAT refund. In certain instances, the payment to the international shopper cannot be completed successfully and the VAT refund remains unclaimed by the international shopper. These unsuccessful transactions represent a small percentage of the large number of VAT refunds processed. The revenue related to such amounts is recognized when the international shopper’s claim against Global Blue expires, which, in certain countries, may be 20 years later.

 

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Operating expenses

Operating expenses comprises employee benefit expenses, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations), agent costs (i.e., variable costs paid to refund agents where Global Blue outsources its refunding operations to a third party and pay the operator a fee equal to a percentage of the VAT refund), technology costs, costs for auditors, lawyers and consultants, advertising and promotion costs, other personnel expenses and exceptional items.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items consist of items which are not considered directly related to ordinary business operations by the board and which are not included in the assessment of management performance. These include:

 

   

business restructuring expenses, including expenses related to replacement of management positions and any costs associated with replacing roles, changing facilities or discontinuing operations;

 

   

corporate restructuring expenses, including legal, consulting and advisory expenses associated with preparing Global Blue for a partial exit that was previously explored by Silver Lake and Partners Group;

 

   

monitoring fees, which are fees charged by Silver Lake and Partners Group, for services rendered by Silver Lake and Partners Group to Global Blue. They cover activities such as advising Global Blue on various topics, including strategy, business plan, budget and capital markets activities; the retention and supervision of independent auditors; and the work performed by third parties, including legal counsel, investment bankers or other financial advisers or consultants;

 

   

impairment of intangible assets;

 

   

gains and losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment;

 

   

share-based payments, which reflect the fair value change in the share-based payment liability (according to IFRS 2 (Share-Based Payment)) related to the management equity plan implemented as part of the 2012 GB Acquisition and dissolved prior to the Business Combination; and

 

   

other exceptional items which could be material.

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations consists of the amortization of the assets recognized in the process of the purchase price allocation during an acquisition. The majority of this amortization relates to the 2012 GB Acquisition, with the remainder attributable to the acquisition of Currency Select in Australia in 2016.

Other depreciation and amortization

Other depreciation and amortization includes deprecation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of customer relationships, customer contracts, trademarks and software and other intangible assets, excluding the amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

Net finance costs

Net finance costs comprise interest receivable on short-term bank deposits, dividend income, foreign exchange gains and gains on hedging instruments that are recognized in the income statement, less interest expense payable on borrowings and non-convertible equity certificates (which are expected to be dissolved prior to the Business Combination), foreign exchange losses, losses on hedging instruments and other finance expenses.

 

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Income tax expense

Income tax expense consists of current and deferred income tax. Income tax is recognized in Global Blue’s income statement except to the extent it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized as equity.

Results of Operations

Comparison of results of operations for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

The following tables and subsequent discussion summarizes our financial performance and certain operating results for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

    For the Six Months
Ended September 30
 
          2019                 2018        
Income Statement Data:   (in € millions)  

Total revenue

    227.7       210.7  

Of which: TFS revenue

    194.7       179.3  

Of which: AVPS revenue

    33.0       31.4  

Operating expenses

    (190.5)       (175.8
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    37.2       34.8  

Finance income

    2.6       2.5  

Finance costs

    (18.8)       (18.3
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

    (16.2)       (15.9
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

    21.0       19.0  

Income tax expense

    (9.0)       (11.0
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

    12.0       8.0  

Total revenue

Our total revenue increased by €17.0 million, or 8.1%, to €227.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €210.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, as a result of the €15.4 million increase in TFS revenue and a €1.6 million increase in AVPS revenue.

The revenue of our TFS reporting segment increased by €15.4 million, or 8.6%, to €194.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €179.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This implies a 0.9 p.p. negative difference between the increase in TFS revenue of 8.6% and the increase in TFS SiS growth of 9.5%. The negative difference between these two figures is narrower than during the prior two financial years, which is a result of favorable country mix effect, with higher-VAT European TFS SiS growth outpacing that in lower-VAT APAC due to strong international travel flows to Europe.

The revenue of our AVPS reporting segment increased by €1.6 million, or 5.1%, to €33.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €31.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This implies a 2.7 p.p. negative difference between the increase in AVPS revenue of 5.1% and the increase in AVPS SiS growth of 7.8%. This increase was primarily due to the strong growth of our Italian ATM business, which generated a lower margin compared to that of the broader AVPS business.

 

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Operating expenses

The table below provides the key breakdown of the operating expenses:

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30
 
           2019                  2018        
     (in € millions)  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

     126.4        119.9  

Exceptional items

     9.2        4.1  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     37.2        37.4  

Other Depreciation and amortization

     17.7        14.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     54.9        51.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     190.5        175.8  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

Our operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) increased by €6.5 million, or 5.4%, to €126.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €119.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was primarily due to increased TFS and AVPS SiS. This 5.4% increase compares to an 9.2% increase in total SiS, which illustrates our operating leverage, as a result of 59% of our costs being fixed.

Specifically, employee benefit expenses increased by €2.5 million, or 4.0%, to €64.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from €61.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, reflecting new hires in the sales and marketing team during the back-end of the six months ended September 30, 2018. In addition, agent costs (i.e., variable costs paid to refund agents where we outsource our refunding operations to a third party and pay the operator a fee equal to a percentage of the VAT refund) increased by €5.1 million, or 13.2%, to €43.7 million from €38.6 million, driven by the increase in SiS and, consequently, the refunds being processed by the agents.

Exceptional items

Our exceptional items increased by €5.1 million to €9.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €4.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was primarily due to accrual of exit-related costs during the six months ended September 30, 2019. See also footnote (1) under “Summary—Selected Historical Financial Information—Global Blue—Other Financial Data of Global Blue” for an overview of items that management considers not to be directly related to the ordinary course of operations of the business and which are not included in management’s assessment the financial performance of Global Blue.

Depreciation and amortization

Our depreciation and amortization increased by €3.0 million, or 5.8%, to €54.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €51.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Our amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations decreased by €0.2 million, or 0.5%, to €37.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €37.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. The amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations is broadly constant year-on-year.

Our other depreciation and amortization increased by €3.2 million, or 22.1%, to €17.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €14.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was primarily due to the increased investment in technology in the prior financial years, consistent with the

 

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management team’s focus on digital innovation. The depreciation of right of use assets as a result of adoption of the accounting treatment of leases (IFRS 16 (Leases)) was unchanged relative to the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Net finance costs

Our net finance costs increased by €0.3 million, or 1.9%, to €16.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €15.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. The net finance cost was broadly consistent year-on-year.

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense decreased by €2.1 million, or 18.7%, to €9.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €11.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to a provision of €3.7 million booked in relation to a tax matter in Germany during the six months ended September 30, 2018. See “Global Blue’s—Business Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, Investigations and Tax Audits—Tax Matters—Germany.” Excluding the impact from the provision, our income tax expense for the six months ended September 30, 2019 slightly increased as a result of a tax reform in Switzerland (which resulted in higher corporate tax rates) and strong relative performance in Japan (where the corporate tax rate is more than 30%).

Non-IFRS Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Our Adjusted EBITDA increased by €10.4 million, or 11.5%, to €101.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €90.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This increase was primarily due to the €17.0 million increase in revenue, partially offset by a €6.6 million increase in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization).

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30
 
           2019                 2018        
     (in € millions)  

Operating profit

     37.2       34.8  

Exceptional items

     9.2       4.1  

Depreciation and amortization

     54.9       51.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     101.3       90.8  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)

     44.5     43.1

For the six months ended 30 September 2019, Adjusted EBITDA for our TFS and AVPS reporting segments was €121.0 million and €19.0 million, respectively. However, this does not take into account an additional €38.7 million of unallocated costs, which were only kept on the group level and not allocated to our two reporting segments.

 

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Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

Our Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) increased by €3.5 million, or 8.1%, to €47.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from €43.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, as a result of preceding movements.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30
 
           2019               2019        
     (in € millions)  

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

     8.2       5.0  

Exceptional items

     9.2       4.1  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     37.2       37.3  

Tax-effect of adjustments

     (7.6     (2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

     47.1       43.5  

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Our Adjusted Effective Tax Rate increased by 1.6% to 24.5.% for the six months ended September 30, 2019, from 23.0% for the six months ended September 30, 2018, due to strong relative performance in Japan (where the corporate tax rate is more than 30%) and the tax reform in Switzerland, which resulted in higher corporate tax rates.

 

     For the Six Months
Ended September 30,
 
           2019                 2018        
     (in € millions)  

(i) Income tax expense

     (9.0     (11.0

Tax effect of adjustments

     (7.6     (2.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(ii) Adjusted tax expenses

     (16.5     (13.9

(iii) Profit before tax

     21.0       19.0  

Exceptional Items

     9.2       4.1  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     37.2       37.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(iv) Adjusted Profit before tax

     67.4       60.4  

(i)/(iii) Effective Tax Rate (%)

     42.7     58.0

(ii)/(iv) Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (%)

     24.5     23.0

 

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Comparison of results of operations for the financial years ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018

The following table and subsequent discussion summarizes our financial performance and certain operating results for the financial years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                 2018        
Income Statement Data:    (in € millions)  

Total revenue

     413.0       421.4  

Of which: TFS revenue

     349.3       360.2  

Of which: AVPS revenue

     63.7       61.2  

Operating expenses

     (354.4     (361.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     58.5       59.9  

Finance income

     2.8       2.4  

Finance costs

     (31.5     (34.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

     (28.7     (32.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     29.8       27.7  

Income tax expense

     (23.0     (8.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

     6.9       19.5  

Total revenue

Our total revenue decreased by €8.5 million, or 2.0%, to €413.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €421.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, as a result of the €11.0 million decrease in TFS revenue, partially offset by a €2.5 million increase in AVPS revenue.

The revenue of our TFS reporting segment decreased by €11.0 million, or 3.0%, to €349.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €360.2 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This implies a 6.7 p.p. negative difference between the decrease in TFS revenue of 3.0% and the increase in TFS SiS growth of 3.7%, two-thirds of which was attributable to the underlying mix of geography and merchant size (but primarily the geographic mix) that comprised the TFS SiS growth and one-third of which was attributable to higher revenue share offered to win new merchants or renew existing contracts. See “—Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Results of Operation—External factors—Short-term external factors—Composition of Global Blue’s growth (mix effects).” Due to the travel disruptions and foreign exchange rate volatility detailed in “—Key Performance Indicators—Sales in Store (SiS)—TFS SiS” above, the growth in TFS SiS was predominantly led by APAC, which resulted in lower conversion to revenue during the financial year ended March 31, 2019, as the average VAT rate is lower in APAC (8%) than in Europe (20%), driving the above-mentioned adverse geographic mix. As a result, the revenue generated in APAC did not offset the decrease in European revenue.

The revenue of our AVPS reporting segment increased by €2.5 million, or 4.1%, to €63.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €61.2 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This increase was primarily due to continued growth of AVPS SiS during the period. The increase in revenue implies a 1.6 p.p. positive difference between the increase in AVPS revenue of 4.1% and the increase in AVPS SiS growth of 2.5%, which was due to continued growth of higher margin AVPS offerings compared to the average margin of the period.

 

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Operating expenses

The table below provides the key breakdown of the operating expenses:

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                  2018        
     (in € millions)  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

     239.4        250.4  

Exceptional items

     9.9        24.4  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.6        74.8  

Other depreciation and amortization

     30.5        11.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     105.1        86.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     354.4        361.6  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

Our operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) decreased by €11.0 million, or 4.4%, to €239.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €250.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) was mainly caused by the transition to IFRS 16 (Leases) accounting, which resulted in a reduction in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) of €15.7 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of IFRS 16 (Leases), operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) increased by €4.7 million, or 1.9%, to €255.1 million from €250.4 million.

The increase was driven by variable costs linked to a 3.5% increase in total SiS, as well as our investment in the sales and marketing team, partially offset by a €3.5 million decrease in management bonus payments compared to the prior financial year. Despite the 2.0% decrease in total revenue, as a result of our cost structure being 59% fixed, and the remaining 40% being driven by SiS (rather than revenue), our operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) did not decrease during the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

Exceptional items

Our exceptional items decreased by €14.5 million, or 59.4%, to €9.9 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €24.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. See also footnote (1) under “Summary—Selected Historical Financial Information—Global Blue—Other Financial Data of Global Blue” for an overview of items that management considers not to be directly related to the ordinary course of operations of the business and which are not included in management’s assessment the financial performance of Global Blue.

Depreciation and amortization

Our depreciation and amortization increased by €18.4 million, or 21.2%, to €105.1 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €86.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018.

Our amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations decreased by €0.2 million, or 0.3%, to €74.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €74.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. The amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations is broadly constant year-on-year.

 

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Our other depreciation and amortization increased by €18.6 million to €30.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €11.9 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. An amount of €15.2 million of the increase was due to the recognition of the right of use assets as a result of adoption of the accounting treatment of leases (IFRS 16 (Leases)) and the resulting annual depreciation associated with the assets. See also “—Critical Accounting Policies—Impact of new standards issued.” The remaining €3.4 million was due to higher depreciation and amortization as a result of increased investment in technology in the prior financial years, consistent with the management team’s focus on digital innovation. See also “—Capital Expenditure” below.

Net finance costs

Our net finance costs decreased by €3.4 million, or 10.6%, to €28.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €32.1 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest costs for a full financial year from the loans under the Existing Facilities Agreement since the re-pricing on October 17, 2017 and lower effective interest rate of those loans due to the adoption of new accounting standards that affect the classification, measurement and de-recognition of financial assets and liabilities and hedging (IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments)). This decrease is partially offset by €1.4 million of additional interest costs from lease liabilities following the adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases) during the financial year ended March 31, 2019. See also “—Critical Accounting Policies—Impact of new standards issued.”

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense increased by €14.7 million to €23.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €8.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This increase was primarily due to the impact of the tax audit in Italy, as we increased the related provision. See also “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, investigations and Tax Audits—Tax matters.”

Non-IFRS Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Our Adjusted EBITDA increased by €2.5 million, or 1.5%, to €173.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €171.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 despite a €8.5 million decrease in revenue, which was offset by a €11.0 million decrease in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization), mainly related to the transition to IFRS 16 (Leases) accounting, as explained above.

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                 2018        
     (in € millions)  

Operating profit

     58.5       59.9  

Exceptional items

     9.9       24.4  

Depreciation and amortization

     105.1       86.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     173.5       171.0  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)

     42.0     40.6

For the financial year ended 31 March 2019, Adjusted EBITDA of our TFS and AVPS reporting segments was €213.1 million and €35.4 million, respectively. However, this does not take into account an additional €74.9 million of unallocated costs, which were only kept on the group level and not allocated to our two reporting segments.

 

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Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

Our Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) decreased by €10.8 million, or 11.5%, to €83.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, from €94.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, as a result of the preceding movements.

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                 2018        
     (in € millions)  

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

     2.4       15.7  

Exceptional items

     9.9       24.4  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.6       74.8  

Tax-effect of adjustments

     (3.4     (20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

     83.5       94.3  

Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Our Adjusted Effective Tax Rate was broadly unchanged at 23.0% for the financial year ended March 31, 2019, relative to 22.7% for the financial year ended March 31, 2018.

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                 2018        
     (in € millions)  

(i) Income tax expense

     (23.0     (8.3

Tax effect of adjustments

     (3.4     (20.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(ii) Adjusted tax expenses

     (26.3 )      (28.9 ) 

(iii) Profit before tax

     29.8       27.7  

Exceptional Items

     9.9       24.4  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.6       74.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(iv) Adjusted Profit before tax

     114.3       127.0  

(i)/(iii) Effective Tax Rate (%)

     77.2     29.8

(ii)/(iv) Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (%)

     23.0     22.7

 

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Comparison of results of operations for the financial years ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017

The following table and subsequent discussion summarize our financial performance and certain operating results for the financial years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2018                 2017        
Income Statement Data:    (in € millions)  

Total revenue

     421.4       417.3  

Of which: TFS revenue

     360.2       361.3  

Of which: AVPS revenue

     61.2       56.0  

Operating expenses

     (361.6     (338.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     59.9       78.5  

Finance income

     2.4       6.7  

Finance costs

     (34.5     (41.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

     (32.1     (34.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

     27.7       43.7  

Income tax expense

     (8.3     (15.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

     19.5       28.2  

Total revenue

Our total revenue increased by €4.1 million, or 1.0%, to €421.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €417.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, as a result of the €1.1 million decrease in TFS revenue, offset by a €5.2 million increase in AVPS revenue.

The revenue of our TFS reporting segment decreased by €1.1 million, or 0.3%, to €360.2 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €361.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This implies a 6.6 p.p. negative difference between the decrease in TFS revenue of 0.3% and the increase in TFS SiS growth of 6.3%, two-thirds of which was attributable to the underlying mix of geography and merchant size (but primarily the geographic mix) that comprised the TFS SiS growth and one-third of which was attributable to higher revenue share offered to win new merchants or renew existing contracts. See “—Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Results of Operation—External factors—Short-term external factors—Composition of Global Blue’s growth (mix effects).” Due to the travel disruptions and foreign exchange rate volatility detailed in “—Key Performance Indicators—Sales in Store (SiS)—TFS SiS” above, the growth in TFS SiS was predominantly led by APAC, which resulted in lower conversion to revenue during the period due to lower average VAT rates in APAC (8%) compared to Europe (20%), driving the above-mentioned adverse geographic mix. As a result of the lower average VAT rates and resulting lower conversion to revenue, the revenue generated in APAC did not offset the decrease in European revenue.

The revenue of our AVPS reporting segment increased by €5.2 million, or 9.3%, to €61.2 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €56.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to positive AVPS SiS growth during the period. There was a 1.4 p.p. positive difference between the increase in AVPS revenue of 9.3% and the increase in AVPS SiS growth of 7.9%. The improved conversion during the financial year ended March 31, 2018 was due to the introduction of higher margin AVPS offerings in Australia.

 

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Operating expenses

The table below provides the key breakdown of the operating expenses:

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2018                  2017        
     (in € millions)  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

     250.4        251.6  

Exceptional items

     24.4        3.8  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.8        74.9  

Other depreciation and amortization

     11.9        8.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     86.7        83.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     361.6        338.8  

Operating expenses (excluding exceptional items and depreciation and amortization)

Our operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) decreased by €1.2 million, or 0.5%, to €250.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €251.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to savings from continued organizational focus on cost discipline, which included a decrease in other personnel expenses (i.e., travel, entertainment and office rentals) by €5.9 million, or 23.3%, to €19.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €25.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This was partially offset by additional strategic investments in our sales organization and refund staff in VIP lounges in key European cities, which resulted in a €7.6 million increase in employee benefit expenses (i.e., salaries, bonuses, pensions and similar employee benefit expenses) to €117.6 million.

Exceptional items

Our exceptional items increased by €20.6 million to €24.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from expenses of €3.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to a €10.0 million provision related to a tax audit in France based on transactions in the financial year ended March 31 2014 (see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings, Investigations and Tax Audits—Tax matters—France”), as well corporate restructuring expenses amounting to €6.5 million, related to preparatory steps for the eventual exit of Silver Lake and Partners Group. See also footnote (1) under “Summary—Selected Historical Financial Information—Global Blue—Other Financial Data of Global Blue” for an overview of items that management considers not to be directly related to the ordinary course of operations of the business and which are not included in management’s assessment the financial performance of Global Blue.

Depreciation and amortization

Our depreciation and amortization increased by €3.3 million, or 4.0%, to €86.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €83.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017.

Our amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations decreased by €0.1 million, or 0.1%, to €74.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €74.9 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. The amount is usually broadly flat year-on-year.

Our other depreciation and amortization increased by €3.4 million, or 40.0%, to €11.9 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €8.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization as a result of increased investment in IT in the prior financial years, consistent with the management team’s focus on digital innovation. See also “—Capital Expenditure” below.

 

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Net finance costs

Our net finance costs decreased by €2.7 million, or 7.8%, to €32.1 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €34.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest costs as a result of a re-pricing of our term loan facility and revolving credit facility on 17 October 2017.

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense decreased by €7.2 million, or 46.6%, to €8.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €15.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to the decline in profit before tax relative to the prior financial year.

Non-IFRS Measures

Adjusted EBITDA

Our Adjusted EBITDA increased by €5.3 million, or 3.2%, to €171.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €165.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the €4.1 million increase in revenue and the €1.2 million decrease in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization).

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2018                 2017        
     (in € millions)  

Operating profit

     59.9       78.5  

Exceptional items

     24.4       3.8  

Depreciation and amortization

     86.7       83.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     171.0       165.7  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)

     40.6     39.7

For the financial year ended 31 March 2018, Adjusted EBITDA of our TFS and AVPS reporting segments was €219.9 million and €34.9 million, respectively. However, this does not take into account an additional €83.8 million of unallocated costs, which were only kept on the group level and not allocated to our two reporting segments.

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

Our Adjusted Net Income (Group Share) increased by €2.9 million, or 3.2%, to €94.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, from €91.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, as a result of the preceding movements.

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2018                 2017        
     (in € millions)  

Profit attributable to owners of the parent

     15.7       25.3  

Exceptional items

     24.4       3.8  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.8       74.9  

Tax-effect of adjustments

     (20.6     (12.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Net Income (Group Share)

     94.3       91.4  

 

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Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

Our Adjusted Effective Tax Rate was broadly unchanged at 22.7% for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, relative to 22.9% for the financial year ended March 31, 2017.

 

     For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2018                 2017        
     (in € millions)  

(i) Income tax expense

     (8.3     (15.5

Tax effect of adjustments

     (20.6     (12.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(ii) Adjusted tax expenses

     (28.9     (28.1

(iii) Profit before tax

     27.7       43.7  

Exceptional Items

     24.4       3.8  

Amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     74.8       74.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(iv) Adjusted Profit before tax

     127.0       122.4  

(i)/(iii) Effective Tax Rate (%)

     29.8     35.4

(ii)/(iv) Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (%)

     22.7     22.9

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity describes the ability of a company to generate sufficient cash flows to meet cash requirements of its business operations, including working capital needs, capital expenditure, debt interest and service, acquisitions, other commitments, and contractual obligations. Our principal sources of liquidity include cash flow provided by operating activities, cash and cash equivalents on our statement of financial position and amounts available under our revolving credit facilities and banks overdraft facilities. We consider liquidity in terms of the sufficiency of these resources to fund our operating, investing, and financing activities for a period of 12 months. The objective of our capital management is to have sufficient liquidity and to stay within financial and maintenance covenants in order to fulfil our obligations to our creditors.

Our cash flow provided by operating activities is generated primarily from revenue from VAT refunds. Revenue is generated when an international shopper is refunded, which triggers a cash outflow. The cash outflow mirrors a subsequent collection of VAT by Global Blue and payment of revenue share by Global Blue to merchants, which can take several weeks and months, respectively, until cash is received. As a result, we experience cash flow seasonality throughout the year, with a larger net working capital need (and corresponding cash outflow) during the summer months, when international shoppers travel more frequently.

In periods of travel disruptions, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Global Blue’s cash generation during the first few months increases as a result of (i) a reduction in cash outflow for VAT refunds to international shoppers and (ii) cash inflow from short-dated VAT receivables from merchants and tax authorities for the full VAT associated with earlier refunded TFS transactions. Assuming a longer travel disruption, the cash balance is expected to gradually decrease as a result of (i) the lack of cash inflow from TFS processing fees due to the lack of new TFS transactions, (ii) cash outflows to settle longer-dated merchant payables and (iii) standard monthly cash expenditures. See “Net Working Capital.”

Once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and international travel and global economic activity resumes, Global Blue might experience rapid volume growth (assuming a quick recovery to pre-pandemic levels), which would lead to a temporary surge of its net working capital and liquidity needs. We expect this would be funded through cash on hand and drawings under the revolving credit facility. Historically, Global Blue has regularly drawn its revolving credit facility, particularly over the summer (being the period with heightened leisure travel and its corresponding tax free shopping demand) to finance net working capital needs. Such drawings have typically been repaid during the months following increased needs for working capital as Global Blue collects VAT

 

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receivables. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment—Global Blue’s net working capital is sensitive to short-term, month-to-month volume growth, and any rapid volume growth associated with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or for any other reason unrelated to the pandemic would lead to a short-term, temporary surge of its net working capital.” Given the global and evolving nature of the pandemic and its impact on the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, and its impact on consumer spending through any economic recession, the level of our working capital needs for the rest of the financial year ending March 31, 2021 cannot be accurately and reasonably quantified at this time.

We require and will need significant cash resources to, among other things, fund our working capital requirements, make capital expenditure, meet debt service requirements and interest payments under the new or future indebtedness, general corporate use, and, in certain cases, expand our business through acquisitions. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, based on our forecasts, we believe that cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities, cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated statement of financial position and amounts available under our revolving credit facilities and banks overdraft facilities will meet liquidity needs and fund necessary capital expenditure for at least the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, such as, the pace at which government policies change (i.e., new TFS countries, reduction in MPA), spending on product roll-out, and changes in consumer demand linked to relative foreign exchange movements. We could be required or could elect, to seek additional funding through public or private equity or debt financings, however additional funds may not be available on terms acceptable to us.

Certain financial data of Global Blue presented in this paragraph is preliminary. Such preliminary financial data included herein has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of Global Blue. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to such preliminary financial data. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers SA does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. As of September 30, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of €75.1 million, which were predominantly held in euro, plus undrawn capacity of €80.0 million under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2020, preliminary cash and cash equivalents increased to €226 million, plus undrawn capacity of €80.0 million under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility, which was subsequently drawn in April 2020 in the amount of €79.0 million as a precautionary measure without specific use of the cash proceeds, which continue to be held on our balance sheet. As of September 30, 2019, we had €627.3 million of interest-bearing loans and borrowings on the statement of financial position, consisting of €623.5 million in long-term financing (including borrowings under the Existing Facilities and taking into account capitalized financing fees), and €3.8 million in other bank overdraft facilities.

Cash flow

The following table shows our consolidated cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the periods presented:

 

     For the Six Months Ended
September 30
    For the Financial Year
Ended March 31
 
           2019                 2018           2019         2018         2017        
     (in € millions)     (in € millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2.7       6.2       114.3       85.0       112.0  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (18.6     (19.7     (40.3     (26.8     (72.5

Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities

     (13.5     41.3       (19.1     (119.8     (25.4

Net foreign exchange differences

     (1.2     (0.2     (0.6     (2.3     (3.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (30.6     27.6       54.4       (63.9     10.7  

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     104.1       50.7       50.7       111.7       101.3  

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     75.1       76.1       104.1       50.7       111.7  

Net change in bank overdraft facilities

     1.6       (2.2     (1.0     2.9       (0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     (30.6     27.6       54.4       (63.9     10.7  

 

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Cash flow provided by operating activities

Net cash provided by operating activities consists of profit before tax, as adjusted for depreciation and amortization, net financial costs, other non-cash items, net deductible financial income/(costs), income tax paid, interest paid, payment of provisions and changes in net working capital.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by €3.5 million to an inflow of €2.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from an inflow of €6.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to a €8.8 million outflow of net working capital (see “—Net Working Capital” below), which was partially offset by a €2.0 million increase in profit before tax and a €3.0 million increase in other depreciation and amortization.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased by €29.3 million to an inflow of €114.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from an inflow of €85.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to changes in net working capital amounting to €25.9 million (see “—Net Working Capital” below).

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by €27.0 million to an inflow of €85.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 from an inflow of €112.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to a larger outflow of net working capital (see “—Net Working Capital” below).

Cash flow used in investing activities

Net cash flow used in investing activities consists of purchases of tangible and intangible assets, acquisitions of subsidiaries (net of cash acquired), as well as acquisitions and divestitures of non-current financial assets.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by €1.1 million to an outflow of €18.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from an outflow of €19.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to a €3.8 million increase in acquisition of non-current financial assets (i.e., investments in the Europass and Cash Paris Tax Refund joint ventures), offset by the absence of acquisitions of subsidiaries during the six months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Net cash used in investing activities increased by €13.5 million to an outflow of €40.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from an outflow of €26.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This was due to increased investments in software development as part of our strategy to focus on innovation, as well as the acquisition of Refund Suisse, a technology start-up focused on cross-border VAT refunds, for €5.5 million.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by €45.7 million to an outflow of €26.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 from an outflow of €72.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to the absence of material acquisitions of subsidiaries and lack of incremental borrowings during the financial year, as compared to the financial year ended March 31, 2017, which included the acquisition of Currency Select for a total of €46.0 million.

Cash flow (used in) / provided by financing activities

Net cash from financing activities consists of proceeds from the issuance of share capital, repurchase of convertible equity certificates (“C-PECs”), acquisition of shares and non-convertible preferred equity certificates (“NC-PECs”) issued by subsidiaries of Global Blue, repayment of loans and borrowings, principal elements of lease payments, proceeds from borrowings and dividends paid to non-controlling interests. While Global Blue has not paid dividends to its shareholders since April 1, 2016, it has repurchased C-PECs, which is economically equivalent to paying dividends. Global Blue repurchased C-PECs in the amount of €55.2 million, €113.8 million, and €0 million in the financial years ended March 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. Global Blue did not repurchase C-PECs in the six months ended September 30, 2019. Acquisition of shares and NC-PECs issued by

 

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subsidiaries of Global Blue represent the net impact of the issuance of shares to new managers and the repurchase of shares held by managers leaving Global Blue. The C-PECs and the NC-PECs are a function of the leveraged buy-out structure put in place in connection with the 2012 GB Acquisition and, before closing of the Business Combination, will be removed from the structure.

Net cash from financing activities increased by €54.8 million to an outflow of €13.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from an inflow of €41.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the absence of drawings under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility during the six months ended September 30, 2019, a €1.2 million increase in dividends paid to non-controlling interests from €3.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 to €4.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 and a €1.1 million increase in the principal elements of lease payments from €7.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018 to €8.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019.

Net cash from financing activities decreased by €100.7 million to an outflow of €19.1 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from an outflow of €119.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. The decrease was mainly due to there being no repurchase of C-PECs during the financial year ended March 31, 2019, relative to the prior financial year. This decrease was also supported by a €1.5 million decrease in the acquisition of shares and NC-PECs issued by subsidiaries of Global Blue from €2.6 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2018 to €1.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019. The decrease was partially offset by the principal elements of lease payments, due to recognition of new finance lease liabilities following the adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases) during the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

Net cash from financing activities increased by €94.4 million to an outflow of €119.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 from an outflow of €25.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. The increase was mainly due to a repurchase of C-PECs by the ultimate shareholders of €113.8 million, which is economically equivalent to a dividend payment, and, relative to the prior financial year, a lack of proceeds from new borrowings (as Global Blue increased generated proceeds from borrowings by €63.0 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2017). This was partially offset by a €12.2 million reduction in the acquisition of shares and NC-PECs issued by subsidiaries of Global Blue from €14.8 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2017 to €2.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018.

Conversion Rate

Conversion Rate increased by 1.1 p.p. to 85.8% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from 84.7% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Conversion Rate decreased by 3.7 p.p. to 80.8% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from 84.4% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures.

Conversion Rate increased by 1.2 p.p. to 84.4% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 from 83.2% conversion from Adjusted EBITDA for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to a decrease in capital expenditure alongside an increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

Adjusted Free Cash Flow increased by €8.9 million to €47.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 from €38.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to higher revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2018.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow decreased by €20.2 million to €69.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 from €89.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and the principal elements of lease payments, as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16 (Leases).

 

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Adjusted Free Cash Flow increased by €15.0 million to €89.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 from €74.5 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to a reduction in interest paid, as a result of a re-pricing of our term loan facility and revolving credit facility on October 17, 2017.

 

     As of and for the Six
Months Ended
September 30,
    As of and for the Financial
Year Ended March 31,
 
         2019             2018         2019     2018     2017  
     (€ millions)     (in € millions)  

Adjusted EBITDA

     101.3       90.8       173.5       171.0       165.7  

Capital expenditure

     (14.4     (13.9     (33.4     (26.6     (27.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA—Capital expenditure

     86.9       76.9       140.1       144.4       137.9  

Conversion Rate (%)

     85.8     84.7     80.8     84.4     83.2

 

     As of and for the Six
Months Ended
September 30,
    As of and for the Financial
Year Ended March 31,
 
     2019     2018     2019     2018     2017  
     (€ millions)     (in € millions)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2.7       6.2       114.3       85.0       112.0  

Capital expenditure

     (14.4     (13.9     (33.4     (26.6     (27.8

Principal elements of lease payments

     (8.1     (7.0     (14.2     —         —    

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     (4.8     (3.6     (3.9     (3.5     (3.6

Net working capital

     64.2       55.4       (3.3     22.6       (11.4

Exceptional items

     9.2       4.1       9.9       24.4       3.8  

Payment of provisions

     –         0.0       0.0       4.5       0.2  

Other non-cash items

     (4.5     (5.0     (1.2     (18.7     41.1  

Net deductible financial income / (costs)

     2.9       2.2       1.1       1.7       (39.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

     47.2       38.3       69.3       89.4       74.5  

Net Working Capital

In Global Blue’s TFS business, its net working capital is driven by the timing of the payments that Global Blue makes to merchants and international shoppers, and the timing of the payments that Global Blue receives from merchants and tax authorities, which makes Global Blue’s net working capital sensitive to short-term, month-to-month volume growth. Unless international shoppers wish to be refunded through a credit card refund or another refund method (such as in-store or downtown refunds), Global Blue typically refunds international shoppers in cash after they have validated their tax free transaction at customs, but before Global Blue receives the VAT back from the merchants, which typically happens approximately 30 days after the VAT refund is collected. Global Blue typically pays the merchant a percentage of the transaction fee only after having received 100% of the VAT back from the merchant, approximately 100 days afterwards.

When Global Blue experiences rapid month-on-month volume growth, for instance assuming a quick recovery in international travel after the COVID-19 pandemic, this could lead to a short-term, temporary surge of its net working capital to fund the rapid volume increase in VAT refunds. Very large movements in Global Blue’s net working capital position could have a significant effect on its business and financial condition, if Global Blue is unable to finance, internally or externally, the net working capital needs due to the timing impact of when Global Blue refunds the VAT (net of transaction fees) to the international shopper versus when it collects the VAT from the merchants and tax authorities. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Global Blue—Risks Related to Global Blue’s Industry, Business and the Regulatory Environment— Global Blue’s net working capital is sensitive to short-term, month-to-month volume growth, and any rapid volume growth associated with the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic or for any other reason unrelated to the pandemic would lead to a short-term, temporary surge of its net working capital.”

 

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Where Global Blue invoices the tax authority directly for the VAT refund, it experiences no credit risk (as the counterparties are governments). Where Global Blue invoices the merchant, however, it is exposed to credit risk for a few days, since it refunds international shoppers first before invoicing the merchant. Nevertheless, given the high-quality credit profile of Global Blue’s portfolio of merchants, the associated credit risk and potential losses have historically been minimal. In addition, due to Global Blue’s simultaneous payables to merchants in relation to the transaction fees, its net exposure to credit risk is further limited.

Global Blue’s change in net working capital, as recorded in the cash flow statement, is usually broadly neutral for the full financial year. The cumulative cash inflow of net working capital from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2019 was €21.4 million, or an average cash inflow of €4.3 million per annum. However, due to the volume and the timing of refunds year over year, there could be cut-off issues (i.e., a large number of TFS transactions issued right before the end of the financial year and only refunded in the following financial year), resulting in the year-end balance being overly positive or negative, which could also impact the year-over-year profile of the cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities. The cumulative outflow of net working capital from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2019 was €7.8 million, or an average outflow of €2.6 million per annum, which is broadly neutral.

While revenue does not significantly fluctuate throughout the year, Global Blue’s net working capital follows seasonal trends, since a significant part of its business serves the leisure segment of the travel industry, which is seasonal in nature. Global Blue’s net working capital increases as business volumes increase, and Global Blue’s net working capital is the highest during the summer season, since passenger volumes tend to increase during the summer holidays in the Northern hemisphere. Conversely, Global Blue’s net working capital decreases rapidly after the summer holidays, as Global Blue releases net working capital that has built up during the summer. For example, for the six months ended September 30, 2017, Global Blue recorded a net working capital outflow of €65.8 million, compared to an inflow of €43.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2018. In addition, for the six months ended September 30, 2018, Global Blue recorded a net working capital outflow of €55.4 million, compared to an inflow of €58.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019.

Global Blue’s net working capital balance is composed of trade receivables, other current receivables and prepaid expenses, less trade payables, other current liabilities, accrued liabilities and current loans and borrowings. Outlined below is the annual change in net working capital, as recognized in the cash flow statement.

Global Blue recorded a net working capital outflow of €64.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2019 compared to an outflow of €55.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018. This change was primarily the result of a higher volume of refunds to international shoppers as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2018, resulting in a higher net working capital. However, as a result of the predictable seasonality of Global Blue’s net working capital, it would expect the year-end position to be broadly neutral, absent any significant change in travel flows. See “—Key Factors Affecting Global Blue’s Business and Operations—External factors—Short-term external factors—Intra-year seasonality.

Global Blue recorded a net working capital inflow of €3.3 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 compared to an outflow of €22.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018. This change was primarily the result of a lower volume of refunds to international shoppers towards the end of the financial year ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the end of the financial year ended March 31, 2018.

Global Blue recorded a net working capital outflow of €22.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 compared to an inflow €11.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017. This change was primarily the result of a higher volume of refunds to international shoppers as compared to the financial year ended March 31, 2017.

Capital Expenditure

Global Blue defines capital expenditure as purchases of property, plant and equipment (such as machinery, equipment and computers) and intangible assets (such as trademarks, customer relationships and software).

 

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Global Blue’s capital expenditure amounted to €33.4 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 (€26.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 and €27.8 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017), of which €26.6 million (€20.6 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 and €22.1 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017) related to investments in intangible assets and €6.8 million (€6.0 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2018 and €5.7 million for the financial year ended March 31, 2017) related to property, plant and equipment.

This represents a step-up from the capital expenditure of €7.3 million and €6.7 million for the financial years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. See also “—Global Blue’s Business—Global Blue’s technology platform.” As a result of this step-up, Global Blue’s other depreciation and amortization (excluding the depreciation associated with the IFRS 16 (Leases) right of use asset) has increased from €5.2 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2015 to €15.3 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

We have made no firm commitments with respect to our principal future investments.

Indebtedness

The following table provides an overview of Global Blue’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings as of the dates indicated:

 

     As of September 30      As of March 31  
     2019      2019      2018      2017  
     (in € millions)      (in € millions)  

Long-term financing—senior term debt(1)

     635.1        635.8        630.0        630.0  

Capitalized financing fees(2)

     (11.6      (13.4      (17.2      (19.5

Other bank overdraft(3)

     3.8        2.1        3.0        0.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest-bearing loans and borrowings

     627.3        624.5        615.8        610.7  

 

(1)

The amount of €635.8 million as of March 31, 2019 includes €5.8 million as a result of the application of IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments). The amount of €635.1 million as of September 30, 2019 includes €5.1 million as a result of the application of IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments). See “—Critical Accounting Policies—Impact of new standards issued.” The principal amount of the Existing Term Loan Facility is €630.0 million for all periods presented.

(2)

Represents costs incurred in relation to the Refinancing. See “—Banking Facilities and Loans—Existing Facilities.

(3)

Consists of local credit facilities available in certain jurisdictions. None of these local overdraft facilities are committed in nature.

Banking Facilities and Loans

We intend to refinance certain existing indebtedness of Global Blue in connection with the Business Combination. We intend to refinance the Existing Facilities (as described below), consisting of a €630 million term loan facility and a €80 million revolving credit facility, concurrently with the Closing of the Business Combination, using a drawdown from the New Facilities (as described below), consisting of a €630 million term loan facility and a €100 million revolving credit facility (the “Refinancing”).

New Facilities

Overview and structure

On October 25, 2019, certain members of Global Blue entered into the New Facilities Agreement, a facilities agreement entered into with, inter alia, Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Designated Activity Company, Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas (Suisse) S.A., J.P. Morgan Securities PLC, Morgan Stanley Bank

 

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International Limited and Royal Bank of Canada, as mandated lead arrangers, and RBC Europe Limited, as agent. On January 14, 2020, the New Facilities Agreement was amended and restated by an amendment letter entered into with, inter alia, BNP Paribas (Suisse) S.A., Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Morgan Stanley Bank International Limited, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Designated Activity Company, Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse International and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., London branch, as amendment participating lenders, and RBC Europe Limited, as agent and security agent. The New Facilities Agreement governs the €630 million New Term Loan Facility and the €100 million New Revolving Credit Facility. The New Revolving Credit Facility includes a swingline sub-facility which allows up to €20 million of the New Revolving Credit Facility to be utilized by way of Euro-denominated swingline loans. The New Facilities are senior secured and governed by English law and are subject to the listing of New Global Blue’s ordinary shares and warrants on the NYSE.

Purpose

Global Blue intends to use the funds obtained by the New Term Loan Facility, together with the available cash to the extent needed, to reimburse the principal amount and the interest accrued but not yet paid on the Existing Facilities, as well as to pay related fees, costs and expenses (including certain of those relating to the Business Combination). The New Revolving Credit Facility may replace and, if any amounts are outstanding thereunder, refinance the Existing Facilities and may be available, inter alia, to finance or refinance working capital and/or for general corporate purposes of Global Blue.

In addition, it should be noted that an intercreditor agreement will also govern the relationships between creditors under the New Facilities Agreement and that the New Facilities will be secured by certain collateral. See “—Collateral” below.

The Refinancing is expected to occur concurrently with Closing of the Business Combination.

Maturity and prepayment

The final repayment date for the New Facilities Agreement is the date falling five years after the first date of funding of the New Term Loan Facility.

The New Facilities Agreement provides for each lender to require a cancellation of its commitments and a prepayment of its loans under the New Facilities in the case of a change of control or a sale of all or substantially all of the businesses and assets of Global Blue to persons who are not members of Global Blue. A change of control will occur if any person or group of persons acting together who do not control Global Blue at such time acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficially more than 50% of the issued voting share capital of Global Blue other than certain permitted holders, including, inter alia, certain existing equity investors of Global Blue.

The New Facilities Agreement also contains a standard mandatory prepayment provision in the event that it becomes illegal for a lender to fulfil any of its obligations under the New Facilities Agreement. The New Facilities Agreement also provides for voluntary prepayment of the New Facilities at any time, with prior notice and without any prepayment penalty.

Interest

The New Term Loan Facility provides for a variable interest rate, equal to EURIBOR for the period (with a zero floor) plus a spread of 2.00% per annum (“TL Margin”), subject to mechanisms of increase or decrease depending on Global Blue’s leverage.

The New Revolving Credit Facility provides for a variable interest rate to be paid on drawings, equal to EURIBOR for the period (with a zero floor) or, with reference to amounts used in currencies other than Euro, to the LIBOR for the period (or other LIBOR replacement rate), plus a spread of 1.75% per annum (“RCF Margin”), subject to mechanisms of increase or decrease depending on Global Blue’s leverage ratio.

 

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The specific level of increase or decrease in the TL Margin and RCF Margin, respectively, depending on Global Blue’s leverage (i.e., the ratio between total net indebtedness and Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA (as described in “—Main undertakings” below)) is shown below:

 

Group’s Leverage

   TL Margin     RCF Margin  

Higher than 4.00:1

     2.75     2.50

Equal to or less than 4.00:1 but higher than 3.50:1

     2.25     2.00

Equal to or less than 3.50:1 but higher than 3.00:1

     2.00     1.75

Equal to or less than 3.00:1 but higher than 2.50:1

     1.75     1.50

Equal to or less than 2.50:1 but higher than 2.00:1

     1.50     1.25

Equal to or less than 2.00:1 but higher than 1.50:1

     1.25     1.00

Equal to or less than 1.50:1

     1.00     0.75

Main undertakings

As is customary for financing transactions of similar complexity and nature, the New Facilities Agreement sets forth covenants which will restrict Global Blue to permitted activities and provide for general and specific information undertakings, which must be reported to the lenders, including, inter alia, with respect to: (i) annual and semi-annual reporting obligations; (ii) semi-annual compliance with a leverage ratio test starting on September 30, 2021 (defined as the ratio between total net indebtedness and Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA and calculated on a rolling 12-month basis) not to exceed 5.00:1 on September 30, 2021 and March 31, 2022, 4.75:1 on September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023, and 4.50:1 on September 30, 2023 and March 31, 2024, 4.25:1 on September 30, 2024 and March 31, 2025, 3.50:1 on September 30, 2025 and each financial half-year ending thereafter; (iii) prohibitions of substantial changes in the business of Global Blue; (iv) compliance with all applicable laws; (v) negative pledge obligations; (vi) prohibition to carry out disposals; (vii) incurrence of indebtedness by non-obligors; and (viii) prohibitions on undertaking any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction (other than the Business Combination).

Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA is economically equivalent to Adjusted EBITDA as defined in this proxy statement/prospectus plus projected synergies and costs savings arising in connection with acquisitions, disposals and other group initiatives which may be added to Adjusted EBITDA by Global Blue under the terms of the New Facilities Agreement.

Representations and warranties

In addition to the undertakings listed above, the New Facilities Agreement provides for representations and warranties with respect to the business, assets, operations, financial condition and prospects of Global Blue and with respect to the New Facilities Agreement and ancillary documents, including, inter alia: (i) the absence of litigation, arbitration and administrative proceedings; (ii) lack of misleading information provided to the lenders; (iii) the correctness and truthfulness of the financial statements; (iv) validity and incorporation of Global Blue; (v) validity and effectiveness of the obligations assumed pursuant to the New Facilities Agreement and ancillary documents; (vi) absence of conflicts between the New Facilities Agreement and ancillary documents and the constitutional documents, laws or other applicable obligations; (vii) absence of any filing requirements or stamp taxes payable in connection with the New Facilities Agreement and ancillary documents; (viii) possession of the necessary powers and authorizations; (ix) choice of the applicable law; (x) absence of defaults; (xi) compliance with anti-corruption laws and sanctions; and (xii) pari passu ranking of the obligations deriving from the financial documents with any other unsecured and unsubordinated debt (present and future).

Guarantees

The New Facilities are guaranteed by guarantees from Global Blue and certain other members of Global Blue, based on a guarantor coverage test. The undertakings of Global Blue and other guarantors pursuant to these

 

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guarantees are joint and several with the other financial counterparties of the New Facilities Agreement (including, inter alia, the agent, the security agent, the mandated lead arrangers, and each of the lenders), to the extent legally permitted and operationally practical.

Collateral

Within 120 days of the initial utilization of the New Term Loan Facility and in accordance with the provisions of the New Facilities Agreement, the New Facilities will be secured by pledges on the assets of certain material subsidiaries of Global Blue at the time of the implementation of the transaction security, to the extent legally permitted and operationally practical on a first priority basis.

Events of default

The New Facilities Agreement also sets forth, in line with market practice, a series of events of default, including, inter alia: (i) payment default of principal and interest; (ii) failure to comply with the semi-annual leverage ratio test described above; (iii) occurrence of certain insolvency events or the commencement of insolvency proceedings; (iv) untruthfulness of any of the representations and warranties in any material adverse respect; and (v) customary cross payment default and cross acceleration provisions.

Existing Facilities

On July 26, 2012, certain members of Global Blue entered into the Existing Facilities Agreement, a senior facilities agreement, which, following a number of amendments and re-statements, consisted of the €630 million Existing Term Loan Facility that was fully drawn in Euro and the €80 million Existing Revolving Credit Facility. Following such re-pricing and refinancing, the Existing Facilities bore interest at EURIBOR for the period (with a zero floor) plus a spread of 3.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2019, the Existing Term Loan Facility was fully drawn, whereas the Existing Revolving Credit Facility was undrawn. The Existing Revolving Credit Facility was subsequently drawn in the amount of €79.0 million in April 2020 as a precautionary measure without specific use of the cash proceeds, which continue to be held on our balance sheet.

First-ranking security was provided in favor of the lenders under the Existing Facilities Agreement. This security included pledges on the assets of all material subsidiaries of Global Blue at the time of the implementation of the transaction security, to the extent legally permitted and operationally practical. All debt issued under the Existing Facilities Agreement rank pari passu.

As an undertaking to the Existing Facilities Agreement lenders, we have been and continue to be required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants. The financial covenant consists of a leverage ratio test and is calculated on a rolling 12-month basis and is reported to the lenders each quarter. Non-financial covenants restrict us to permitted activities and provide for general and specific information undertakings, which must be reported to the lenders.

A breach of the financial covenants constitutes an event of default under the Existing Facilities Agreement, which may result in changes to the existing financing conditions or in certain circumstances the outstanding amounts under the Existing Facilities becoming due for payment immediately.

Bank overdrafts

Local credit facilities are available in certain jurisdictions, and the facilities as of September 30, 2019 were limited to €27 million, of which €3.8 million were drawn as of September 30, 2019. None of these local overdraft facilities are committed in nature.

Contingent Liabilities and Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities

Global Blue is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on Global Blue’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital

 

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expenditure or capital resources, except for certain litigation items. See “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue’s Business—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings and Tax Audits.”

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Global Blue has various contractual obligations and commercial commitments that are recorded as liabilities in its financial statements.

The following table summarizes certain categories of Global Blue’s contractual obligations owed to third parties by period as of September 30, 2019 on a pro forma basis to account for the Business Combination:

 

     Payments Due By Period  
     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1 –3 Years      3 –5 Years      More than
5 Years
 
     (in € millions)  

Long-term debt(1)

     630.0        0.0        0.0        630.0        0.0  

Interest on long-term debt(2)

     63.0        12.6        25.2        25.2        0.0  

Financing fees(3)

     7.3        7.3        0.0        0.0        0.0  

Other bank overdraft

     3.8        3.8        0.0        0.0        0.0  

Lease liability(4)

     45.4        13.7        19.9        8.9        2.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations and commitments

     749.5        37.4        45.1        664.1        2.9  

 

(1)

This reflects the Refinancing and assumes no voluntary pre-payments. This does not reflect the recent drawing of €79.0 million under the Existing Revolving Credit Facility.

(2)

Interest calculated based on the margin of the New Facility as of September 30, 2019, based on the applicable base rates and floor requirement.

(3)

Based on the fees associated with the Refinancing.

(4)

We adopted the new accounting standard for leases, IFRS 16 (Leases), under which operating leases are to be recorded as balance sheet liabilities, with a corresponding right of use assets. See our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Critical Accounting Policies

Except as otherwise indicated, Global Blue’s financial information included in this proxy statement/prospectus has been prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. See “Important Information about IFRS and Non-IFRS Financial Measures. and the notes to Global Blue’s financial statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. In particular, see note 3 (“Significant accounting policies”) to the consolidated financial statements of Global Blue as of and for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 contained in this proxy statement/prospectus.

The preparation of financial statements requires Global Blue’s management to make a number of estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, of revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. All assumptions, expectations and forecasts used as a basis for certain estimates within Global Blue’s financial statements represent good faith assessments of Global Blue’s future performance for which Global Blue’s management believes there is a reasonable basis.

These estimates and assumptions represent Global Blue’s view at the times they are made, and only then. They involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Global Blue’s actual future results, performance and achievements to differ materially from those forecasted. The estimates and assumptions that may have a risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are described below.

Global Blue believes that the following are the most key judgments, assumptions and other estimation uncertainties used in the preparation of the financial statements, where a different opinion or estimate could lead to significant changes to the reported results.

 

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Taxes

Global Blue is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions, and uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of future taxable income. Given the wide range of international business relationships and the long-term nature and complexity of existing contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to tax income and expense already recorded.

Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the timing and the level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies.

Pension benefits

Global Blue makes estimates about the range of long-term trends and market conditions to determine the value of the deficit and surplus on its retirement benefit schemes, based on Global Blue’s expectation of the future and advice from qualified actuaries.

Long-term forecasts and estimates are necessarily highly judgmental and subject to risk that actual events may be significantly different from those forecasted. If actual events deviate from the assumptions made by Global Blue, the reported surplus or deficit in respect of retirement benefits may be materially different.

Development costs

Development costs are capitalized. Initial capitalization of costs is based on management’s judgment that technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model. Assumptions are made regarding the expected future cash generation or future savings of the project, discount rates and expected periods of benefits.

Impact of new standards issued

The International Accounting Standards Board has published new standards relating to the classification, measurement and de-recognition of financial assets and liabilities and hedging (IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments)), revenue recognition (IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers)) and the accounting treatment of leases (IFRS 16 (Leases)). Details on these standards and their impacts are disclosed in detail in Global Blue’s annual consolidated financial statements.

 

   

IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments): In July 2014, the International Accounting Standards Board issued the final version of IFRS 9 based on the modified retrospective approach. IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Global Blue has applied IFRS 9 since April 1, 2018. The transition to IFRS 9 has decreased retained earnings by €7.4 million and increased loans and borrowings by €7.4 million as of April 1, 2018, and has impacted future interests costs as they are amortized.

 

   

IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers): IFRS 15 established a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. It replaced existing revenue recognition guidance, including IAS 18 Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts and IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes. IFRS 15 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. Global Blue chose to adopt the standard on April 1, 2018. Global Blue has analyzed the impact of this standard and have concluded that the transition to IFRS 15 has had no material changes to the recognition of revenue for Global Blue.

 

   

IFRS 16 (Leases): IFRS 16 introduced a single, on-balance sheet lease accounting model for lessees. A lessee recognizes a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a lease

 

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liability representing its obligations to make lease payments. There are optional exemptions for short-term leases and leases of low-value items. The lessor accounting remains similar to the current standard, where lessors continue to classify leases as finance or operating leases. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for entities that apply IFRS 15, which Global Blue has applied from April 1, 2018. Accordingly, this standard was adopted on the same date. The transition to IFRS 16 has resulted in a recognition of lease liability as of April 1, 2018 of €54.3 million and a right of use asset for the same amount. In the financial year ended March 31, 2019, Global Blue recognized a lease liability of €46.1 million, of which: (i) €32.4 million is long-term in nature and, as a result, was recognized in the balance sheet within “Other Long Term Liabilities”; and (ii) €13.7 million is short-term in nature and, as a result, was recognized in the balance sheet within “Other Current Liabilities.” With regard to assets, Global Blue recognized a right of use asset of €45.1 million within “Property, Plant and Equipment” as of March 31, 2019. When calculating Adjusted Net Debt as of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, a total lease liability of €46.1 million and €45.4 million as of March 31, 2019 and September 30, 2019, respectively, was recognized as an additional debt obligation. The impact on Adjusted EBITDA was €15.7 million, which is reflected as a reduction in operating expenses (excluding exceptional items, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and other depreciation and amortization) in the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Other depreciation and amortization was also impacted in an amount of €15.2 million in connection with the recognition of the right of use assets in the financial year ended March 31, 2019. Net finance costs were also impacted in an amount of €1.4 million in the financial year ended March 31, 2019.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Overview

Global Blue’s activities are exposed to a variety of financial risks such as market risk (including currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. To minimize the impact of potential adverse effects of market volatility on financial performance, Global Blue hedges certain market risks via derivative contracts.

For further details, see note 4 (“Financial risk management”) to the audited consolidated financial statements of Global Blue as of and for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 contained in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Interest rate risk

Our interest rate risk arises from our long-term borrowings at floating interest rates. All our borrowings are subject to base interest rates plus a margin. See “—Banking Facilities and Loans—Existing Facilities.” As of March 31, 2019, we had €630.0 million of floating rate debt outstanding (principal value), consisting of borrowings under the Term Loan Facilities for which the base rate of one-month EURIBOR was negative 0.367% (though the facility was subject to a floor of 0%). As a result, none of the borrowings were hedged.

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a change in interest rates on Global Blue’s floating rate indebtedness, relative to the rate at the end of each period. Global Blue’s profit before tax is affected through the impact on floating rate borrowings as noted below:

 

     Increase/decrease in basis points      Effect on profit before tax
per annum (€ in millions)
 

Six months ended September 30, 2019

     100        3.4  

Financial year ended March 31, 2019

     100        4.0  

Financial year ended March 31, 2018

     100        4.0  

Financial year ended March 31, 2017

     100        1.9  

 

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Global Blue believes that a movement in interest rates of 100 basis points gives a reasonable measure of Global Blue’s sensitivity to interest rate risk. The table above demonstrates the sensitivity to a possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, on Global Blue’s profit before tax expressed on annual terms.

Foreign exchange risk

Global Blue is exposed to foreign exchange risk. There are transactional and translation risks that arise from Global Blue’s global presence, as well as commercial risks due to changes in relative foreign exchange rates between international shopper origin and destination currencies, which affect the competitiveness of different currency zones toward inbound international shoppers. Transactional risks arise mainly from intercompany funding in currencies different from the functional currency of the unit, and Global Blue actively manages this risk by entering into foreign exchange derivative contracts. Such hedging includes the use of short-term ordinary derivative products, which are entered into only for non-speculative purposes. As of March 31, 2019, if currency rates on the major currencies had been 2% higher or lower for the intragroup financing, and with all other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 would have been €100,000 lower or higher.

Transactional risks also arise from trade payables and receivables which Global Blue considers non-material.

Global Blue is exposed to translation risk because its Group consolidated reporting currency is the Euro and hence fluctuations in foreign exchange rates impact the consolidation into Euro of foreign currency-denominated assets, liabilities and earnings.

The impact of commercial risks due to changes in foreign exchange rates is mitigated by Global Blue’s global diversification. In addition, the fact that Global Blue operates in many currency zones provides, to some extent, a natural hedge in that changes in travel destinations need not result in an overall loss of business, as long as Global Blue is present in alternative destination markets for international shoppers.

Liquidity and financing risk

Financing risk is the exposure to financial market forces that may change Global Blue’s ability for debt to be re-financed should it not be repaid by its maturity date, resulting in illiquidity and payment obligations potentially becoming no longer serviceable. Global Blue believes that financing and liquidity risks are limited because of Global Blue’s access to the revolving credit facility, the remaining length and terms of the existing and new debt and the highly cash generative nature of the business.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF NEW GLOBAL BLUE FOLLOWING THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the directors are Christian Lucas, Jacques Stern, Joseph Osnoss and Marcel Erni.

At Closing of the Business Combination, the number of directors of New Global Blue will be increased to nine persons. The current directors of New Global Blue will remain as directors, and Thomas W. Farley, FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman will become Chairman of New Global Blue. FPAC and Globetrotter are finalizing the composition of the board of directors of New Global Blue following the Business Combination, and at least three members of the board will be considered independent directors under the rules of the NYSE.

The following sets forth certain information concerning the persons who are expected to serve as New Global Blue’s directors following the consummation of the Business Combination.

 

Directors

  

Age

  

Position

Thomas W. Farley    44    Chairman of the Board
Jacques Stern    55    President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Marcel Erni    54    Director
Christian Lucas    50   

Director

Joseph Osnoss    42   

Director

Angel Ying Zhao    46    Director
Eric Strutz    54    Director

Thomas W. Farley has been FPAC’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board since May 2018. Mr. Farley served as President of the NYSE Group of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (“ICE”) from May 2014 until May 2018. Mr. Farley’s responsibilities included leading all operations for the NYSE and managing a diverse range of equity and equity options exchanges, comprising the largest equities listing and securities trading venue in the world. Mr. Farley joined the NYSE in November 2013 when ICE acquired NYSE Euronext. Prior to becoming President of the NYSE in May 2014, he served as the Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the NYSE, Mr. Farley served as Senior Vice President of Financial Markets at ICE, where he oversaw the development of several businesses and initiatives across ICE’s markets. Mr. Farley joined ICE in 2007 as the President and Chief Operating Officer of ICE Futures U.S., formerly the New York Board of Trade. He also represented ICE on the Options Clearing Corporation Board of Directors. Prior to joining ICE, Mr. Farley was President of SunGard Kiodex, a risk management technology provider to the derivatives markets and prior thereto served as the business unit’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Farley has also held various positions in investment banking at Montgomery Securities and in private equity at Gryphon Investors. Mr. Farley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Georgetown University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Jacques Stern has served as Global Blue’s President and Chief Executive Officer since joining Global Blue in 2015 and has served as a member of the Global Blue board of directors since 2014. He has nearly 30 years of experience in large international companies. He started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1988 as an auditor and later joined the Accor Group in 1992, where he held various leadership positions, including Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Between 2010 and 2015, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edenred. Mr. Stern also serves as non-executive director on the boards of Unibail Rodamco Westfield, Perkbox and Voyage Prive. Mr. Stern holds a business degree from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Lille.

Marcel Erni has served as a member of Global Blue’s board of directors since 2012. In addition to serving on the board, he co-founded Partners Group in 1996, where he is currently a partner. He is also an executive member of Partners Group Holding AG’s and Partners Group AG’s board of directors. Dr. Erni is a member of the Partners

 

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Group’s Investment Oversight Committee and Strategy Committee. He previously served as the Chief Investment Officer of Partners Group until June 2017. Dr. Erni is also a member of the boards of directors for Partners Group’s current portfolio companies, AMMEGA and GlobalLogic, as well as for PG3 AG, Switzerland, the family office of the founders of Partners Group. Prior to founding Partners Group, he worked at Goldman Sachs & Co. and McKinsey & Co. He has 27 years of industry experience and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Ph.D. in Finance and Banking from the University of St. Gallen.

Christian Lucas has served as the Chairman of the Global Blue board of directors since 2012. He is also a Managing Director of Silver Lake, which he joined in 2010 as a co-head of the firm’s activities in EMEA. Mr. Lucas began his career in strategic consulting at McKinsey & Company and worked for approximately 16 years as an investment banker focusing on the technology, digital media, and telecommunications industries in Europe. From 2004 to 2010, Mr. Lucas was Managing Director and Head of the Technology Group at Morgan Stanley. He is currently Chairman of the board of directors of Global Blue, Vice Chairman of the board at Cegid, and a member of the board at ZPG, having previously served as a board member of Soitec. He has been a French Foreign Trade Advisor in the UK since 2012. Mr. Lucas earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and also graduated from ESSEC Graduate School of Management and from the Paris International Law School at the University Panthéon-Assas, both in France.

Joseph Osnoss has served as a member of Global Blue’s board of directors since 2012. Mr. Osnoss joined Silver Lake in 2002 and is a Managing Partner. From 2010 to 2014, he was based in London, where he helped oversee the firm’s activities in EMEA. Prior to joining Silver Lake, Mr. Osnoss worked in investment banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he focused on mergers, acquisitions, and financings in the technology and telecommunications industries. Mr. Osnoss is a director of Cegid, Cornerstone OnDemand, EverCommerce, First Advantage, LightBox, and Sabre. He previously served on the boards of Cast & Crew (as Chairman), Instinet, Interactive Data, Mercury Payment Systems, and Virtu Financial. Mr. Osnoss graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College with an A.B. in Applied Mathematics and a citation in French Language. He has remained involved in academics, including as a Visiting Professor of Finance at the London School of Economics, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Cabinet at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, a participant in The Polsky Center Private Equity Council at the University of Chicago, and a Trustee of Greenwich Academy.

Angel Ying Zhao has been the President of International Business Group, Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. since December 2019. Prior to this, Ms. Zhao held various senior positions in Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. and Alibaba Group since 2005, most recently as the President of Global Business Group, Alibaba Group. Before joining Alibaba Group, Ms. Zhao served as Senior Finance Director of Yahoo China. Ms. Zhao holds an Executive MBA degree from the China Europe International Business School, and a Master degree in Accounting from Tianjin University of Finance and Economics. Ms. Zhao is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Public Valuer.

Eric Strutz has served as an independent non-executive director on the Global Blue board since 2018. In addition to serving on the board, Dr. Strutz is Vice Chairman of the Partners Group Holding AG board of directors and is Chairman of the board of director’s Risk & Audit Committee, as well as member of the board of directors of the firm’s portfolio company, Techem. Furthermore, he is a member of the board of directors and Chairman of the Risk Committee of HSBC Bank PLC and Chairman of the Risk Committee and the Audit Committee of HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG. Dr. Strutz was Chief Financial Officer and a member of the board of Managing Directors of Commerzbank AG until March 2012. Prior to joining Commerzbank AG, Dr. Strutz was employed by the Boston Consulting Group from 1993, where he was Vice President, Director and Partner as from 2000. He studied at the Universities of Erlangen-Nürnberg and St. Gallen and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago (USA), as well as a Doctorate summa cum laude in Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

 

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Independence of Directors

As a result of its common shares being listed on the NYSE following consummation of the Business Combination, New Global Blue will adhere to the rules of the NYSE in determining whether a director is independent. The board of directors of New Global Blue has consulted, and will consult, with its counsel to ensure that the board’s determinations are consistent with those rules and all relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the independence of directors. The NYSE listing standards define an “independent director” as a person, other than an executive officer of a company or any other individual having a relationship which, in the opinion of the issuer’s board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. New Global Blue’s independent directors will have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, Thomas Farley will be appointed as Chairman of the board and Jacques Stern will be appointed Chief Executive Officer of New Global Blue. New Global Blue believes that having Mr. Farley act as Chairman and Mr. Stern act as Chief Executive Officer is most appropriate for New Global Blue at this time because it provides New Global Blue with consistent and efficient leadership, both with respect to New Global Blue’s operations and the leadership of the board.

New Global Blue also believes in the importance of independent oversight. New Global Blue will look to ensure that this oversight is truly independent and effective through a variety of means, including:

 

   

Having a majority of the board be considered independent.

 

   

At each regularly scheduled board meeting, all independent directors will typically be scheduled to meet in a session without the presence of any management directors.

New Global Blue believes that the separate roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, together with the significant responsibilities of New Global Blue’s other independent directors described above, provides an appropriate balance between leadership and independent oversight.

Members of Executive Management

Upon completion of the Business Combination, the current officers of Global Blue will remain officers of Global Blue and will become officers of New Global Blue, holding the equivalent positions as those held with Global Blue.

 

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The table below outlines the name, age and position of the members of New Global Blue’s Executive Management as of March 31, 2020:

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

Damian Cecchi

   47    Senior Vice President of Added Value Payment Solutions

Fabio Ferreira

   47    Chief Information Officer

Greg Gelhaus

   44    Chief Operating Officer – APAC

Jacques Stern

   55    President and Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy Henderson-Ross

   42    General Counsel and Company Secretary

Jeremy Taylor

   44    Senior Vice President Operations

Jorge Casal

   52    Senior Vice President New Markets, Americas and Public Affairs

Laurent Delmas

   56    Chief Operating Officer – Europe South

Loïc Jenouvrier

   52    Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Senior Vice President

Pier Francesco Nervini

   51    Chief Operating Officer – Europe North, Central and Global Accounts

Tomas Mostany

   48    Senior Vice President of Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions

Members of Executive Management

For a short description of each member of New Global Blue’s Executive Management’s business experience, education and activities, please see “Information Related to Global Blue—Global Blue Senior Management—Senior Management—Members of Executive Management.”

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors of New Global Blue

New Global Blue’s board will set up a Finance and Audit Committee and a Nomination and Compensation Committee, which aim to strengthen and support New Global Blue’s corporate governance structure.

Finance and Audit Committee

The Finance and Audit Committee will consist of at least two members of the board, all of which must be non-executive directors. The members of the Finance and Audit Committee are appointed by the board. The term of office of the members of the Finance and Audit Committee is one year. In this context, one year means the time period between one annual shareholders’ meeting and the next or, if a member is elected at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, between such extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Re-election is allowed.

The Finance and Audit Committee will hold meetings as often as required, usually ahead of each ordinary board meeting and at least four times per year.

The Finance and Audit Committee supports the board in monitoring: (i) the integrity of New Global Blue’s financial statements; (ii) the external auditor’s qualification and independence; and (iii) the performance of New Global Blue’s internal audit function and of the external auditor. In particular, the Finance and Audit Committee has the following duties:

 

  (i)

evaluating the external auditors regarding the fulfilment of the necessary qualifications and independence, including considering whether the external auditor’s quality controls are adequate

 

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  and whether the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the external auditor’s independence, taking into account the opinions of management and the internal audit;

 

  (ii)

ensuring rotation of the audit partners of the external auditor as required by law;

 

  (iii)

selecting and nominating the external auditor for election by the general meeting, being directly responsible for the supervision and compensation of the external auditor (including the resolution of any disagreement between management and the external auditor regarding financial reporting) and pre-approving all auditing services, internal control-related services and non-audit services permitted under applicable statutory law, regulations and listing requirements to be performed for New Global Blue by its external auditor;

 

  (iv)

obtaining and reviewing a report from the external auditor at least once per year regarding the external auditor’s internal quality control procedures, any material issues raised by the most recent quality control review (or peer review) of the external auditor, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years with respect to one or more independent audits carried out by the external auditor, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues, and all relationships between the external auditor and New Global Blue;

 

  (v)

discussing with the external auditor the results of its audits and any unusual items or disclosures contained in the audits, as revised, and requesting a formal written statement from the external auditor documenting such discussion;

 

  (vi)

reviewing the major reports prepared by the internal audit to Executive Management, and Executive Management’s responses to such reports, including any supervision toward the remediation of open audit issues;

 

  (vii)

reviewing periodically the adequacy of the organizational structure, budget and appointment or replacement of the senior internal audit executive and discussing with the Chief Finance Officer, as needed, the internal audit department’s responsibilities, staffing and any recommended changes in the planned scope of the internal audits;

 

  (viii)

reviewing and discussing with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Finance Officer, as needed, and the external auditor Global Blue’s and New Global Blue’s annual financial statements to consider significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of Global Blue’s and New Global Blue’s financial statements, including any significant changes in Global Blue’s or New Global Blue’s selection or application of accounting principles;

 

  (ix)

reviewing and discussing where necessary any interim reports;

 

  (x)

reviewing and discussing with Executive Management and the external auditor their assessment of the effectiveness of New Global Blue’s internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures for financial reporting and whether any changes are appropriate in light of such assessment;

 

  (xi)

reviewing and discussing all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect New Global Blue’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data, including any material weaknesses in internal controls, any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in New Global Blue’s internal controls, and any significant changes in internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses;

 

  (xii)

reviewing such other matters in relation to New Global Blue’s accounting, auditing, financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and internal policies;

 

  (xiii)

reviewing significant issues regarding the status of New Global Blue’s material legal matters, as well as material legislative and regulatory developments that may have significant impact on New Global Blue;

 

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  (xiv)

annually reviewing the financial literacy of each committee member to determine whether he/she meets the applicable legal standards and confirming the audit committee financial expert; and

 

  (xv)

performing such additional tasks and responsibilities as delegated by the board from time to time.

Nomination and Compensation Committee

The Nomination and Compensation Committee will consist of at least two members of the board, all of which shall be non-executive directors. The members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee are elected at the general meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the members of the Nomination and Compensation Committee is one year. In this context, a year means the time period between one annual shareholders’ meeting and the next or, if a member is elected at an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting, between such extraordinary shareholders’ meeting and the next annual shareholders’ meeting. Re-election is possible.

The Nomination and Compensation Committee will hold meetings as often as required, but at least three times per year.

The function of the Nomination and Compensation Committee is to support the board concerning: (i) the compensation strategy and policy; (ii) design of the compensation plans; (iii) particular compensation of the Chairman, the directors, the Chief Executive Officer and other members of Executive Management; (iv) the compensation report; and (v) other tasks in relation to compensation and benefits, as may be delegated by the board. In addition, the Nomination and Compensation Committee assists the board in: (i) establishing the principles for the selection of candidates for members of the board and Chief Executive Officer; and (ii) the identification and selection of individuals who are qualified to become (or be re-elected as) members of the board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Nomination and Compensation Committee adheres to the nomination rights granted under the terms of the Relationship Agreement (as defined below). In particular, the Nomination and Compensation Committee has the following duties:

 

  (i)

developing a compensation strategy in line with the principles described in the articles of association and submitting such strategy to the board for approval;

 

  (ii)

supporting the board in preparing the proposals to the general meeting regarding the compensation of the directors and Executive Management;

 

  (iii)

preparing the compensation report and submitting such report to the board for approval;

 

  (iv)

proposing to the board for approval by the general meeting the aggregate maximum compensation of the board and the aggregate maximum compensation of Executive Management;

 

  (v)

proposing to the board the contractual terms (if any) relating to and compensation of the directors (including the Chairman);

 

  (vi)

proposing to the board the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other members of Executive Management within the framework of the aggregate maximum compensation approved by the general meeting;

 

  (vii)

proposing to the board targets and determination of target achievement under the performance-based short-term variable compensation of Executive Management;

 

  (viii)

together with the Finance and Audit Committee, assessing whether New Global Blue’s incentives for employees below the Executive Management level are appropriately aligned to business performance and do not encourage excessive risk-taking;

 

  (ix)

at the end of each performance period, taking into consideration the board’s evaluation of New Global Blue’s performance against targets established at the beginning of the performance period, evaluating individual performance and recommending the amount of compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Management to the board for approval, taking into account the overall performance of the business;

 

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  (x)

periodically assessing the effectiveness of the short-term and long-term incentive plans (if adopted) in relation to New Global Blue’s strategic objectives, values and pay-for-performance principles;

 

  (xi)

annually assessing the level of board compensation and submitting to the board its recommendations for the compensation of directors and the compensation of the Chairman;

 

  (xii)

as directed by the Chairman, overseeing communication and engagement on executive compensation matters with shareholders and their advisers, including shareholder voting on board and Executive Management compensation, and assessing the voting results on executive compensation matters of the most recent general meeting;

 

  (xiii)

considering and approving the policy for and scope of pension arrangements operated by New Global Blue;

 

  (xiv)

annually assessing the engagement and performance of external advisers engaged by the Nomination and Compensation Committee and their independence in relation to any potential conflicts of interest;

 

  (xv)

keeping abreast of regulatory and corporate governance best practice requirements regarding the board, Executive Management and other senior executive compensation, as well as market trends and consideration of external factors that may influence compensation in terms of design, structure, quantum, disclosure, etc.;

 

  (xvi)

preparing and annually reviewing succession plans for the directors and committee members, including the chairpersons and Chief Executive Officer, and making proposals to the board for the election and the re-election of persons for these positions;

 

  (xvii)

with the participation of the Chairman, actively seeking, interviewing and screening individuals qualified to become candidates for director positions, for recommendation to the board;

 

  (xviii)

assessing and recommending to the board whether directors should stand for re-election; and

 

  (xix)

undertaking such further duties and responsibilities as provided for in the articles of association, the Organizational Regulations (as defined below) or applicable law.

Organizational Regulations

New Global Blue will have in place organizational regulations (the “Organizational Regulations”) which will govern organizational matters relating to New Global Blue, including but not limited to (i) certain qualified majority matters which require the approval of a majority of the directors including (for so long as Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings together hold at least 25% of the voting rights in New Global Blue) the vote of at least one director representing Globetrotter, such as certain share or convertible debt issuances and related party transactions; and (ii) certain modified majority matters which require the approval of a majority of the directors including: (a) the vote of at least one director representing Globetrotter (for so long as Globetrotter and/or Cayman Holdings may nominate at least one director pursuant to the Relationship Agreement), and (b) the vote of at least one director representing the Founder (for so long as the Founder may nominate at least one director pursuant to the Relationship Agreement), such as the number of members of the board of directors of New Global Blue and amendments to the Organizational Regulations and articles of association of New Global Blue.

New Global Blue Executive Officer and Director Compensation Following the Business Combination

Overview

Following the Business Combination, New Global Blue’s nomination and compensation committee will be charged with recommending compensation packages for its executive officers to New Global Blue’s board of directors.

 

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The compensation decisions regarding New Global Blue’s executives will be based on New Global Blue’s need to retain those individuals who continue to perform at or above New Global Blue’s expectations and to attract individuals with the skills necessary for New Global Blue to achieve its business plan. New Global Blue intends to be competitive with other similarly situated companies in its industry following completion of the Business Combination.

It is anticipated that performance-based and equity-based compensation will be an important foundation in executive compensation packages. New Global Blue believes that performance-based and equity-based compensation can be an important component of the total executive compensation package for maximizing stockholder value while, at the same time, attracting, motivating and retaining high-quality executives.

New Global Blue’s executive officers will receive a combination of cash and equity compensation. New Global Blue’s nomination and compensation committee will be charged with performing an annual review of New Global Blue’s executive officers’ cash and equity compensation to determine whether they provide adequate incentives and motivation to executive officers and whether they adequately compensate the executive officers relative to comparable officers in other companies. In addition to the guidance provided by its nomination and compensation committee, New Global Blue may utilize the services of third parties from time to time in connection with the hiring and compensation awarded to executive employees. This could include subscriptions to executive compensation surveys and other databases.

Since New Global Blue’s nomination and compensation committee will not be formed until Closing, New Global Blue has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid out compensation, between cash and equity compensation, or among different forms of compensation.

CEO Service agreement

Jacques Stern’s employment with New Global Blue will be governed by a service agreement. Mr. Stern will be subject to customary provisions in relation to his obligations as a senior executive including any fiduciary obligations he may owe to New Global Blue, as well as his obligations in relation to confidentiality and intellectual property. He will also be subject to customary restrictive covenant obligations under Swiss law that prohibit him from competing with New Global Blue or soliciting customers for a period of 24 months after the termination of his employment. Employment may be terminated by either Mr. Stern or New Global Blue on six months’ notice.

Management Incentive Plan

New Global Blue intends to adopt a management incentive plan (“MIP”), to be administered by the New Global Blue board (the “Board”). The purpose of the MIP is to give employees of New Global Blue (including executive and non-executive directors and officers) an opportunity to become shareholders of New Global Blue, and thereby to participate in its future long-term success and prosperity. Under the MIP, New Global Blue may grant two types of awards: (a) a restricted stock award (an “RSA”), or (b) an award of share options (“Options”).

Each award will vest in four equal tranches over a four-year period. 50% of each RSA will not be subject to any performance targets. 50% of each RSA will be subject to performance targets (the relevant criteria will be based on earnings per share growth and total shareholder return as further determined by the New Global Blue board in consultation with the participant). Awards shall be documented in an award certificate that will state, inter alia, the type of award being granted, any performance conditions attached to the award and, if the award is an award of Options, the exercise price. The terms of the MIP applicable to a particular award may be varied in the award certificate.

An award (or any tranche of an award) shall lapse in certain circumstances, including: (i) on the date falling six years after the grant of the award, (ii) if the award holder becomes bankrupt, (iii) if the Board determines that an

 

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applicable performance condition is incapable of being satisfied, (iv) the termination of the award holder’s employment (although the portion of awards that shall lapse in these circumstances shall depend on the reason for such termination of employment), (v) the change of control of New Global Blue (although a pro rata vesting shall be permitted in these circumstances), or (vi) on the application of the clawback provisions in the MIP.

The clawback provisions referred to in (vi) above shall apply in certain circumstances, including fraud, material dishonesty, breaches of employment contract or fiduciary duties, failure to protect New Global Blue’s goodwill, or errors in determining the size, nature or grant of the award.

Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the maximum aggregate number of Options under the MIP shall be 8,000,000 in total and the maximum aggregate value of RSAs granted under the MIP shall be €3,100,000 per fiscal year.

In the case of Jacques Stern (“JS”), he will receive (a) a one-off award of Options at the Closing Date, and (b) an annual RSA valued at €1 million (in each case, on the date that the RSA is granted). Save as set out below, each RSA will vest in four equal tranches over a four-year period and be subject to performance targets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the vesting schedule for the first RSA and the Options shall be amended so that (i) the first tranche (consisting of 37.5% of the relevant award) shall vest 18 months after the grant date, (ii) the second tranche (consisting of 12.5% of the relevant award) shall vest 24 months after the grant date, (iii) the third tranche (consisting of 25% of the relevant award) shall vest 36 months after the grant date, and (iv) the fourth tranche (consisting of 25% of the relevant award) shall vest 48 months after the grant date. Save as set out below, if JS resigns or if his employment is terminated for gross misconduct, any unvested Options or RSAs shall lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if JS resigns before the first tranche of the first RSA or of the Options has vested, such first tranche shall still automatically vest provided that his employment does not actually terminate until at least 18 months after the grant date of the relevant award. The clawback provisions set out above shall not apply to Mr. Stern.

Swiss Ordinance

Upon completion of the Business Combination and the listing at the NYSE, New Global Blue will be subject to the Swiss Compensation Ordinance (the “Compensation Ordinance”).

The Compensation Ordinance contains a “say on pay” approval mechanism for the compensation of the board and executive management pursuant to which the shareholders must vote on the compensation of the board of directors and executive management on an annual basis. In accordance therewith, New Global Blue’s articles of association will provide that each year, beginning at the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2020, the annual general meeting of shareholders must hold separate votes on the proposals of the board of directors regarding the aggregate maximum amount of:

 

  (i)

the compensation for the board of directors for the term of office until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders (i.e., at the annual general meeting of the shareholders in 2020, shareholders will vote on the compensation of the board for the period from the date of that annual general meeting of the shareholders until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders in 2021); and

 

  (ii)

the compensation of executive management for the next financial year (i.e., at the annual general meeting of the shareholders in 2020, shareholders will vote on the compensation of executive management for the following financial year starting April 1, 2021).

 

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The Compensation Ordinance also contains compensation disclosure rules. Pursuant to these rules, New Global Blue will be required to prepare an annual compensation report. The compensation report must be published and made available to shareholders no later than the publication of the invitation to the general meeting. Pursuant to New Global Blue’s articles of association, the compensation report must be presented at the annual general meeting of the shareholders for a non-binding advisory vote. The compensation report will include the compensation of the members of the board of directors and of the members of executive management on an aggregate basis, as well as the amount for the highest paid member of executive management.

The Compensation Ordinance also bans severance payments, payments in advance and commissions for certain mergers and acquisition transactions.

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES

The following table sets forth information regarding (i) the actual beneficial ownership of FPAC ordinary shares as of June 15, 2020 and (ii) the expected beneficial ownership of New Global Blue Shares immediately following consummation of the Business Combination, assuming No Redemptions and Maximum Redemptions by:

 

   

each of the current executive officers and directors of FPAC, and such persons as a group;

 

   

each person who is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of either class of the outstanding FPAC Common Stock;

 

   

each person who will become an executive officer or director of New Global Blue post-Business Combination, and such persons as a group; and

 

   

each person who is expected to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, and includes shares underlying options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

The beneficial ownership of FPAC Common Stock pre-Business Combination is based on 79,062,500 shares of FPAC Common Stock issued and outstanding, which includes an aggregate of 63,250,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock or 15,812,500 shares of Class B Common Stock.

The expected beneficial ownership of shares of New Global Blue Shares post-Business Combination assumes: (1) New Global Blue will issue the Share Consideration to the Seller Parties, (2) 2,500,000 Founder Shares are surrendered pursuant to the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, (3) 2,500,000 Excluded Founder Shares are contributed to New Global Blue in exchange for the right to receive the Contingent Shares, (4) in the No Redemption Scenario, 74,062,500 New Global Blue Shares, and in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, 14,878,200 New Global Blue Shares, are issued to holders of FPAC Common Stock pursuant to the Merger and (5) (i) in the No Redemption Scenario, 35,000,000 New Global Blue Shares are issued to the PIPE Investors, (ii) in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, 25,000,000 New Global Blue Shares are issued to the PIPE Investors and 41,246,632 New Global Blue Shares are issued to the Backstop Provider, and (6) no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Assuming no adjustments to the Cash Consideration or the Share Consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in the No Redemption Scenario, 188,513,000 New Global Blue Shares will be issued and outstanding upon Closing and, in the Maximum Redemption Scenario, 169,780,879 New Global Blue Shares will be issued and outstanding upon Closing and an additional 22,178,000 will be issuable upon conversion of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock. These numbers do not take into account (1) New Global Blue Warrants to purchase 30,850,000 New Global Blue Shares at $11.50 per share that will be outstanding immediately following the Closing or (2) 2,500,000 Contingent Shares.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of FPAC Common Stock beneficially owned, or New Global Blue Shares to be beneficially owned, by them.

 

    Beneficial Ownership Of
FPAC
Common Stock
As of June 15, 2020
    Beneficial Ownership Of
New Global Blue Shares
After Consummation of the
Business Combination
 
                    No Redemption Scenario     Maximum Redemption Scenario  
               

Percentage of

FPAC Common

    Number of
New Global
Blue

Shares
    Percentage of
New Global
Blue

Shares
   

Number of

Series A Preferred

   

Number of
New Global

Blue

   

Percentage of

New Global
Blue Shares

(assuming
conversion of

Series A

 
Name and Address of   Number of Shares  
Beneficial Owner   Class A     Class B     Stock     Shares     Shares     Preferred Stock)  

FPAC Officers, Directors and 5% Holders

               

David W. Bonanno(1)

    65,700         *       65,700       *         65,700       *  

Thomas W. Farley(2)

               

Stanley A. McChrystal(3)

      40,000       *       40,000       *         40,000       *  

Nicole Seligman(3)

      40,000       *       40,000       *         40,000       *  

Laurence A. Tosi(3)

      40,000       *       40,000       *         40,000       *  

All FPAC directors and executive officers as a group (5 individuals)

    65,700       120,000       *       185,700       *         185,700       *  

Third Point LLC(4)

    4,000,000       15,692,500       24.9 %(2)      24,692,500       13.1       55,439,132       29.1

Far Point LLC (the Founder)(4)

      15,692,500       19.8 %(2)      10,692,500       5.7       10,692,500       5.6

Anchorage Capital Group,
L.L.C.(5)

    4,000,000         5.1     4,000,000       2.1      

Sculptor Capital, LP(6)

    4,000,000         5.1     4,000,000       2.1      

Manulife Financial Corporation(7)

    3,299,596         4.2     4,799,596       2.1       1,500,000       *  

BlueCrest Capital Management Ltd(8)

    3,949,188         5.0     3,949,188       1.9      

Glazer Capital, LLC(9)

    8,035,997         10.2     8,035,997       4.3      

New Global Blue Officers, Directors (in addition to Mr. Farley) and 5% Holders (in addition to Third Point and the Founder)

               

Damian Cecchi

          *       *       *       *       *  

Fabio Ferreira

          *       *       *       *       *  

Greg Gelhaus

          *       *       *       *       *  

Jacques Stern

          *       *       *       *       *  

Jeremy Henderson-Ross

          *       *       *       *       *  

Jeremy Taylor

          *       *       *       *       *  

Jorge Casal

          *       *       *       *       *  

Laurent Delmas

          *       *       *       *       *  

Loïc Jenouvrier

          *       *       *       *       *  

Pier Francesco Nervini

          *       *       *       *       *  

Tomas Mostany

          *       *       *       *       *  

Christian Lucas

               

Joseph Osnoss

               

Marcel Erni

               

All New Global Blue directors and executive officers as a group (15 individuals including Mr. Farley)

          2,996,628       1.6     821,164       3,282,607       2.1

Global Blue Holding L.P.(10)

          21,882,838       11.6     6,118,915       24,460,226       15.9

SL Globetrotter, L.P.(11)

    9,487,500         12.0     62,522,720       33.2     14,829,798       59,281,773       38.6

Entities affiliated with Silver Lake(12)

          84,405,558       44.8     20,948,713       83,741,999       54.5

Ant Financial(13)

          12,500,000       6.6       12,500,000       6.5

 

*

Less than 1%.

 

 

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(1)

Based upon the Statement on Schedule 13D filed by Mr. Bonanno on June 25, 2018. Consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock included in units purchased by Mr. Bonanno in the IPO.

(2)

Mr. Farley does not beneficially own any shares of our common stock. However, Mr. Farley has a pecuniary interest in shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock through his ownership of a membership interest in the Founder.

(3)

Interests shown consist solely of Founder Shares.

(4)

Based upon the Statement on Schedule 13D filed on June 25, 2018, as amended. Interests shown consist of Founder Shares, and in the case of Third Point, 4,000,000 shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased in the IPO. The Backstop Provider and Mr. Farley are the members of Far Point LLC. The Backstop Provider is the managing member of the Founder and an affiliate of Third Point. Daniel S. Loeb is the Chief Executive Officer of Third Point. Third Point and Mr. Loeb may be deemed to have indirect voting and dispositive power over the foregoing shares held the Founder. Each of the Backstop Provider, Mr. Loeb and Mr. Farley disclaims beneficial ownership over any securities owned by the Founder in which they do not have any pecuniary interest. The business address of the Founder and Third Point is 390 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.

(5)

Based upon the Statement on Schedule 13G filed by Anchorage Capital Group, L.L.C. (“Capital Group”) on February 14, 2019. Consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock underlying units held for the account of Anchorage Capital Master Offshore, Ltd. (“ACMO”). Capital Group is the investment advisor to ACMO. Anchorage Advisors Management, L.L.C. (“Management”) is the sole managing member of Capital Group. Kevin M. Ulrich is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Group and the senior managing member of Management. Each of Capital Group, Management and Mr. Ulrich may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over such shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock. The business address of each of Capital Group, Management and Mr. Ulrich is 610 Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10012.

(6)

Based upon Amendment No. 2 on Schedule 13G/A filed by Sculptor Capital LP (“Sculptor”) on February 10, 2020. Consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock underlying units held by investment funds and discretionary accounts for which Sculptor is the principal investment manager. Sculptor Capital Holding Corporation (“SCHC”) is the general partner of Sculptor. Sculptor Capital Management, Inc. (“SCU”) is the sole shareholder of SCHC. Each of Sculptor, SCHC and SCU may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over such shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock. The address of the principal business office of each of Sculptor, SCHC and SCU is 9 West 57 Street, 39 Floor, New York, NY 10019. According to such filing, Sculptor Master Fund, Ltd. (“SCMD”) also shares voting and dispositive power with respect to such shares. The address of the principal business office of SCMD is c/o State Street (Cayman) Trust, Limited, P.O. Box 896, Suite 3307, Gardenia Court, 45 Market Street, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands KY1-1103.

(7)

Based upon Amendment No. 1 on Schedule 13G/A filed by Manulife Financial Corporation (“MFC”) on February 12, 2020. Consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock held by Manulife Investment Management Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of MFC (“MIML”) (excluding 1,174,993 shares issuable upon exercise of Public Warrants). New Global Blue Shares following the Business Combination include 1,500,000 shares to be acquired as part of the Primary PIPE Investment by funds managed by MIML. MIML may be deemed to have sole voting and dispositive power over such shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and MFC may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over such shares. The address of the principal business office of each of MFC and MIML is 200 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4W 1E5.

(8)

Based upon Amendment No. 1 on Schedule 13G/A filed by BlueCrest Capital Management Limited (“BlueCrest”) on February 14, 2020. Consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock held for the account of BSMA Limited (the “Fund”). BlueCrest Capital Management Limited (the “Investment Manager”) serves as investment manager to the Fund. Michael Platt serves as principal, director and control person of the Investment Manager. The address of the Investment Manager and Mr. Platt is Ground Floor, Harbour Reach, La Rue de Carteret, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, JE2 4HR.

(9)

Based upon Amendment No. 1 on Schedule 13G/A filed by Glazer Capital, LLC (“Glazer”) and Paul S. Glazer on April 19, 2020, a Form 4 filed by Glazer on May 19, 2020 and a Form 3 filed by Glazer on

 

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  June 1, 2020, consists of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock held by certain funds and managed accounts to which Glazer Capital serves as investment manager. Mr. Glazer serves as Managing Member of Glazer Capital. The address of Glazer Capital and Mr. Glazer is 250 West 55th Street, Suite 30A, New York, New York 10019.
(10)

Reflects securities directly held by Global Blue Holding LP. The business address of Global Blue Holding LP is PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(11)

Reflects securities directly held by SL Globetrotter, L.P. Based upon the Statement on Schedule 13D filed May 27, 2020, consists of FPAC Class A Common Stock purchased by SL Globetrotter, L.P. in privately negotiated transactions dated as of May 17, 2020 and May 19, 2020, respectively. SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd. is the general partner SL Globetrotter, L.P. The sole shareholder of SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd. is Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P. The general partner of Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P. is Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd. Each of the entities identified in this footnote may be deemed to beneficially hold the securities of SL Globetrotter, L.P. The business address of each of the entities listed above is PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Does not include additional Shares of New Global Blue if the pre-Closing Cash dividend is converted to New Global Blue Shares.

(12)

SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd. is the general partner of each of SL Globetrotter, L.P. and Global Blue Holding LP, and therefore, may be deemed to hold the securities for each of SL Globetrotter, L.P. and Global Blue Holding L.P. The sole shareholder of SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd. is Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P. The general partner of Silver Lake Technology Associates III Cayman, L.P. is Silver Lake (Offshore) AIV GP III, Ltd. The address of each of the entities identified in this footnote is PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

(13)

Represents 12,500,000 shares to be acquired by Antfin (Hong Kong) Holding Limited (“Ant Financial”) pursuant to the Strategic Secondary PIPE Investment. Ant Financial is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Ant Small and Micro Financial Services Group Co., Ltd. (“Ant Small and Micro Financial”). Ant Small and Micro Financial may therefore be deemed to be indirect beneficial owner of New Global Blue Shares held by Ant Financial. The address for Ant Financial is 26/F., Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. The address for Ant Small and Micro Financial is Z Space, No. 556 Xixi Road, Hangzhou, China.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions – FPAC

Founder Shares

On March 16, 2018, FPAC issued 11,500,000 Founder Shares to the Founder in exchange for a capital contribution of $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. The number of Founder Shares issued was determined based on the expectation that such Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares upon completion of the IPO. On May 18, 2018, the Founder agreed to transfer 40,000 Founder Shares to each of FPAC’s independent directors. In June 2018, FPAC effected two stock dividends, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 share of FPAC Class B Common Stock for each share of FPAC Class B Common Stock outstanding prior to the initial dividend, resulting in the initial stockholders holding an aggregate of 15,812,500 Founder Shares. Following the stock dividends in June 2018, each of FPAC’s independent directors retransferred the 15,000 shares received pursuant to the dividend to the Founder.

The initial stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares (including any shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock received therefor) until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Initial Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of FPAC Class A Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which FPAC completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property. The forgoing restrictions will apply to New Global Blue Shares received in respect of Founder Shares.

Private Placement Warrants

The Founder purchased 9,766,667 Private Placement Warrants for a purchase price of $1.50 per whole Warrant (an aggregate of $14,650,000) in the Private Placement simultaneously with the closing of the Initial Public Offering. Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at $11.50 per share. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the IPO held in the Trust Account. If an Initial Business Combination is not completed by September 14, 2020, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Founder or its permitted transferees.

The Founder agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination.

Backstop

FPAC has entered into the Forward Purchase Agreement with the Backstop Provider pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of which, it has agreed to purchase the Forward Purchase Shares for $9.50 per share in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of an Initial Business Combination. The actual number of Forward Purchase Shares to be purchased will be a number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) equal to (A) the excess of the number of shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock that are redeemed from holders in connection with the Initial Business Combination (which redemptions are not revoked prior to the date of the Initial Business Combination) over 20,000,000, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is $10.00 and the denominator of which is $9.50. The Forward Purchase Shares are identical to the shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock sold in the IPO, except that the Forward Purchase Shares are subject to transfer restrictions and enjoy certain registration rights. The Founder may, in its discretion, transfer,

 

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directly or indirectly, certain of its Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants to any such permitted transferees, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. The Forward Purchase Agreement also provides that the Backstop Provider and any permitted transferees are entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their Forward Purchase Shares.

Office Space

Third Point, an affiliate of the Founder, provided FPAC office space and general administrative services at no cost until August, 2018. Since August, 2018, FPAC has leased alternative office space from an unaffiliated third party.

Loans and Advances

The Founder agreed to loan FPAC an aggregate of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the IPO pursuant to the terms of the Note. The loan was non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the IPO. In addition to the Note, the Founder and certain of FPAC’s affiliates also paid certain administrative expenses and offering costs of $40,276 on behalf of FPAC. FPAC fully repaid the Note and the advances to the Founder and FPAC’s affiliates on June 15, 2018.

Registration Rights

The holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans (and any shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants and Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and upon conversion of the Founder Shares) will be entitled to customary registration rights pursuant to a registration rights agreement FPAC entered into in connection with the IPO, requiring it to register such securities and any of FPAC’s other equity securities that such persons may hold from time to time (which would include, with respect to Third Point, any shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock or Warrants (including underlying securities) included in Units purchased, directly or indirectly, by funds managed or advised by Third Point in the IPO) for sale (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion to the FPAC Class A Common Stock). FPAC agrees to bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements. Effective at the Closing, FPAC will terminate this registration rights agreement. In addition, the holders of New Global Blue Shares and other New Global Blue securities (together with any securities issued in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock dividend, distribution or similar transaction with respect thereto) to be received by holders of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and Warrants in connection with the Business Combination, will be entitled to certain registration rights pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement. For further details on the Registration Rights Agreement, see “The Business Combination Proposal – Related Agreements – Registration Rights Agreement.”

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that its directors and officers will be indemnified by FPAC to the fullest extent authorized by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended. In addition, FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that its directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages to FPAC or FPAC’s stockholders for breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to FPAC or FPAC’s stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived an improper personal benefit from their actions as directors.

FPAC has entered into agreements with its directors and officers to provide contractual indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided for in FPAC’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. FPAC’s bylaws also permit it to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director or employee for any liability arising out of his or her actions, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit such indemnification. FPAC

 

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has purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures FPAC’s directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances and insures it against its obligations to indemnify FPAC’s directors and officers.

FPAC believes that these provisions, the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and the indemnity agreements are necessary to attract and retain talented and experienced directors and officers.

Related Party Policy

FPAC did not have a formal policy for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions prior to the IPO. Accordingly, the transactions discussed above were not reviewed, approved or ratified in accordance with any such policy.

Upon the completion of the IPO, FPAC adopted a code of ethics requiring it to avoid, wherever possible, all conflicts of interests, except under guidelines or resolutions approved by FPAC’s board of directors (or the appropriate committee of FPAC’s board) or as disclosed in FPAC’s public filings with the SEC. Under FPAC’s code of ethics, conflict of interest situations include any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (including any indebtedness or guarantee of indebtedness) involving FPAC.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions – Global Blue

Monitoring Fee Agreement

On July 31, 2012, members of the Group entered into a monitoring fee agreement (as amended on July 15, 2019, the “Monitoring Fee Agreement”) with Silver Lake and Partners Group, pursuant to which Silver Lake and Partners Group provide Global Blue with certain monitoring, advisory and consulting services as part of their control and ownership of Global Blue. For the financial years ended March 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 and the six months ended September 30, 2019, Silver Lake and Partners Group received an aggregate of €0.8 million, €1.0 million, €0.8 million and €0.4 million, respectively, in monitoring fees and related reimbursements. On May 14, 2020, Silver Lake and Partners Group agreed to waive their respective rights to a monitoring fee for any portion accrued and payable after December 31, 2019. Consequently, Silver Lake and Partners Group were paid out accrued monitoring fees for the period from October 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 in an aggregate amount of €0.1 million. Silver Lake and Partners Group continue to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, financial advisers, legal counsels and other costs relating to Global Blue. The obligation to pay the monitoring fee will automatically terminate upon Closing. The payment of fees and reimbursements related to the Monitoring Fee Agreement does not have an impact on Global Blue’s Adjusted EBITDA.

Other related party transactions

For additional information on related party transactions, see note 42 (“Related party transactions”) to Global Blue’s annual consolidated financial statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus.

Loans Granted to Members of the Board or Executive Management

As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Global Blue has no outstanding loan or guarantee commitments to members of the board or Executive Management.

Policies and Procedures for Related Person transactions

Effective upon the consummation of the Business Combination, New Global Blue’s board of directors will adopt a written related person transaction policy that will set forth the following policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions.

 

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A “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the post-combination company or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “Related Person” means:

 

   

any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of the post-combination company’s executive officers or one of the post-combination company’s directors;

 

   

any person who is known by the post-combination company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Global Blue’s voting stock;

 

   

any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means 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 a director, executive officer or a beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Global Blue’s voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than 5% of New Global Blue’s voting stock; and

 

   

any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 10% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

New Global Blue will have policies and procedures designed to minimize potential conflicts of interest arising from any dealings it may have with its affiliates and to provide appropriate procedures for the disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest that may exist from time to time. Specifically, pursuant to its audit committee charter, the audit committee will have the responsibility to review related party transactions.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF NEW GLOBAL BLUE SECURITIES

The following description of the material terms of the securities of New Global Blue following the Business Combination includes a summary of specified provisions of the proposed articles of association of New Global Blue that will be in effect upon completion of the transactions. This description is qualified by reference to New Global Blue’s articles of association as will be in effect upon completion of the transactions, which will be substantially in the form attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex B and which is incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference. References in this section to “we,” “us” or the “Company” refer to New Global Blue, and references to the articles of association refer to the articles of association of New Global Blue as they will be amended.

Capital Structure of New Global Blue

Issued Share Capital. The share capital of New Global Blue is CHF 100,000 consisting of 10,000,000 fully paid registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.01 each.

In the context of the Business Combination, New Global Blue is expected to increase its share capital as follows:

 

   

An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of New Global Blue will be held on the date of closing to resolve to increase New Global Blue’s share capital by issuing (i) New Global Blue Shares and registered series A convertible preferred shares of CHF 0.01 par value each (“Series A Preferred Shares”) to the Seller Parties against contribution in kind of Global Blue shares which have not been acquired by the Secondary PIPE Investors, (ii) New Global Blue Shares to the Secondary PIPE Investor against a contribution in kind of Global Blue shares, (iii) New Global Blue Shares to the Primary PIPE investors against payment of the subscription price in cash, (iv) New Global Blue Shares to the Founder against a contribution in kind of the Excluded Founder Shares and (v) New Global Blue Shares to the Exchange Agent (acting in its own name but for the account of the holders of FPAC Class A Common Stock and FPAC Class B Common Stock, excluding the Surrendered Shares and Excluded Shares), upon consummation of the Merger against contribution in kind of a pro rata shareholding in US Holdco. In addition, the extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of New Global Blue is expected to resolve to amend the articles of association to include the provisions relating to authorized and conditional share capital and the Series A Preferred Shares effective as of completion of the capital increase.

 

   

The Seller Parties, the Secondary PIPE Investors and the Primary PIPE Investors will each subscribe for the respective portion of New Global Blue Shares (New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares in case of the Seller Parties).

 

   

The Primary PIPE Investors will pay the subscription price in cash for the New Global Blue Shares allocated to them. The Seller Parties and the Secondary PIPE Investors, will each enter into contribution in kind agreements with New Global Blue and transfer ownership and title of their shares in Global Blue to New Global Blue.

 

   

Once Global Blue has become a wholly owned subsidiary of New Global Blue, the Founder will enter into a contribution in kind agreement with New Global Blue and transfer ownership and title in the Excluded Founder Shares to New Global Blue. Upon effectiveness of the Merger, the Exchange Agent will enter into a contribution in kind agreement with New Global Blue and transfer ownership and title of its interest in US Holdco to New Global Blue.

 

   

The board of directors of New Global Blue will issue its board report in relation to the capital increase as required under Swiss law and the auditor of New Global Blue will issue its verification report as required under Swiss law.

 

   

The board of directors of New Global Blue will resolve the ascertainment and execution of the capital increase as required under Swiss law.

 

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The board of directors of New Global Blue will file the capital increase and the documentation required to be filed in connection therewith for approval and registration with the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich.

 

   

Following approval of the capital increase by and its registration with the Commercial Register, the capital increase will have been completed and the New Global Blue Shares and the Series A Preferred Shares, respectively, will have been issued.

Increase of Share Capital. Under Swiss law, New Global Blue may increase its share capital and issue new shares through an ordinary capital increase, an authorized capital increase or a conditional capital increase. In each case, the issue price for each share may not be less than the nominal value of the newly issued share. An ordinary capital increase is approved at a general meeting of shareholders. The required vote is generally the approval of simple majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders. At least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy is required for capital increases against New Global Blue’s equity, against contributions in kind, or for the purposes of acquiring assets or the granting of special benefits, or for capital increases where the preemptive/subscription rights of shareholders are limited or excluded. The amount by which the capital can be increased in an ordinary capital increase is unlimited, provided that sufficient contributions are made to cover the capital increase. An ordinary capital increase that has been approved by the shareholders must be executed within three months of shareholder approval. In an ordinary capital increase, holders of New Global Blue Shares as well as Series A Preferred Shares have preemptive rights to obtain newly issued shares in an amount proportional to the nominal value of the shares they already hold, unless such rights are excluded in accordance with Swiss law. For further details on these circumstances, see “—Preemptive Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”

The shareholders can further authorize the board of directors by way of an amendment of the articles of association to increase the share capital in an amount not to exceed 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register for a period of two years without further shareholder approval. To create authorized capital, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by a supermajority of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy is required. Additional information regarding authorized share capital increases is set forth below under “—Authorized Share Capital.”

Under Swiss law, conditional share capital is used to issue new shares in the context of employee benefit and incentive plans, debt instruments with conversion rights or warrants granted to shareholders. To create conditional capital, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by a supermajority of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy is required. The requirements for a conditional capital increase are set forth below under “—Conditional Share Capital.”

Authorized Share Capital

Immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination, New Global Blue’s articles of association will authorize the board of directors to increase the share capital of New Global Blue and issue new New Global Blue Shares, without further shareholder approval, at any time during a two-year period in an amount to be determined, but which amount will not exceed 50% of the aggregate number of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares issued and registered in the commercial register following completion of the Business Combination; increases by way of underwritten public offerings as well as private placements will be permitted. After the expiration of the initial two-year period, the authorized share capital will be available to the board of directors for the issuance of additional shares only if the shareholders re-approve the authorization. Such authorization is limited to two years in each case under Swiss law as currently in force.

The board of directors will determine the time of issuance, the issue price, the manner in which the new shares will be paid for, the date from which the new shares carry the right to dividends and, subject to the provisions of New Global

 

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Blue’s articles of association, the expiry or allocation of preemptive rights not exercised. The board of directors may allow preemptive rights that are not exercised to expire, or it may sell such rights or shares, the preemptive rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the interest of New Global Blue.

In an authorized capital increase, holders of New Global Blue Shares as well as Series A Preferred Shares would have preemptive rights to obtain newly issued shares in an amount proportional to the nominal value of the shares they already hold. However, the board of directors may exclude or restrict these preemptive rights in certain circumstances as set forth in New Global Blue’s articles of association. For further details on these circumstances, see “—Preemptive Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”

Conditional Share Capital

Immediately following the consummation of the transactions described in this proxy statement/prospectus, New Global Blue’s articles of association will authorize the increase of the share capital of New Global Blue:

 

   

by issuing New Global Blue Shares up to an amount equal to a percentage to be determined at time of Closing of the aggregate number of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares issued and registered in the commercial register following completion of the Business Combination, upon the exercise of options or in connection with other rights regarding shares (including restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or performance stock units (“PSUs”)) granted to officers and employees or directors at all levels of the group as resolved by the board of directors (“Conditional Capital for Employee or Director Participation”);

 

   

by issuing New Global Blue Shares up to an amount equal to a percentage to be determined at time of Closing of the aggregate number of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares issued and registered in the commercial register following completion of the Business Combination by means of the exercise of conversion rights or options in relation with convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing of New Global Blue or of a subsidiary company (“Conditional Capital for Convertible Debt”); or

 

   

by issuing, from time to time, New Global Blue Shares up to an amount equal to a percentage to be determined at the time of Closing of the aggregate number of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares issued and registered in the commercial register following completion of the Business Combination in connection with the exercise of shareholder warrants that have been issued in connection with the listing of the Company to former holders of the Private Warrants of FPAC (“Conditional Capital for Existing Shareholder Warrants”).

Unless determined otherwise, Swiss law grants shareholders advance subscription rights to acquire the instruments that are issued in connection with Conditional Capital in an amount proportional to the nominal value of the shares they hold. However, the advance subscription rights and preemptive rights of shareholders are excluded with respect to Conditional Capital for Employee or Director Participation or Conditional Capital for Existing Shareholder Warrants. In relation to Conditional Capital relating to for Convertible Debt, the board of directors is authorized to exclude or restrict the advance subscription rights of shareholders in certain circumstances. See “—Preemptive Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”

The terms of the instruments relating to Conditional Capital are determined as follows:

 

   

In connection with Conditional Capital for Employee or Director Participation, the board of directors determines the conditions for the allocation and exercise of the options and other rights regarding shares from article 4a of New Global Blue’s articles of association concerning “Conditional Capital – Employee or Director Participation”; the shares may be issued at a price below the market price.

 

   

In connection with Conditional Capital for Existing Shareholder Warrants, the new New Global Blue Shares may be issued at a price equal to or below the current market price; the board of directors will specify the specific conditions of issue including the issue price of the shares in the terms of the shareholder warrants.

 

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In connection with Conditional Capital for Convertible Debt, the board of directors determines the conditions for the granting of the options and conversion rights.

Series A Preferred Shares.

The Series A Preferred Shares have the same dividend (including liquidation dividends), voting and other rights as the New Global Blue Shares. In addition, the Series A Preferred Shares will enjoy preferred dividends (“Preference Dividend”) as follows:

 

   

For dividends resolved for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, and thereafter, an amount equal to 8% per annum (“Percentage”) of $10.00 will be paid ($0.80 per share) under the prerequisite that the general meeting of shareholders resolves a corresponding dividend and that the relevant provisions of the Federal Act on the Amendment of the Swiss Civil Code (Part Five: The Code of Obligations) of March 30, 1911, as amended from time to time (the “Swiss Code”), as well as the other legal requirements applicable to New Global Blue are complied with. No preference dividends will be paid for the financial years ending on or before March 31, 2025.

 

   

The Percentage will increase in each financial year after the financial year ending March 31, 2026 by an additional percentage point (equal to $0.10 per share) per year.

 

   

The general meeting of shareholders may resolve in any given year not to distribute dividends, or to distribute dividends in an amount not covering the full amount of the Preference Dividend; in such cases the respective remaining amount of the Preference Dividend of such year is forfeited at the end of such year, will not be carried forward to the following year(s) and does not increase the basis of the subsequently applicable Percentage.

The regular dividend on the New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares may be resolved once the general meeting of shareholders has approved the payment of the Preference Dividend for the respective year in full.

In connection with a liquidation, each Series A Preferred Share confers the right to receive, after all debts have been satisfied, a priority claim of the liquidation proceeds in an amount equal to $10.00. After the distribution of the liquidation proceeds to the Series A Preferred Shares have been paid, the remainder will be distributed on the New Global Blue Shares.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, New Global Blue is authorized to acquire all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for cash and/or New Global Blue Shares (either treasury shares or shares issued out of authorized share capital) pursuant to a contractual arrangement between New Global Blue and the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares which grants the holders put rights and New Global Blue call rights and redemption rights (“Conversion Agreement”).

According to the articles of association of New Global Blue, the transfer of Series A Preferred Shares, be it for ownership or other purposes, is subject to approval by the board of directors. The board of directors may only refuse such approval, and is obliged to refuse such approval, if the acquirer of the Series A Preferred Shares does not accede to the Conversion Agreement.

The issuance of any preferred shares as well as the modification and cancellation, respectively, of article 3b of New Global Blue’s articles of association concerning “Convertible Series A Preferred Shares” requires the approval of a special meeting of the Series A Preferred Shares, with a majority of the voting rights present at the meeting in person or by proxy (the “Preferred Special Meeting”). In addition, approval at the Preferred Special Meeting is required for (a) the approval of a merger which would result in a holder of a Series A Preferred Share receiving less than $10.00 per Series A Preferred Share, or (b) in case of resolutions by a general meeting of the shareholders being held in the context of a public tender offer for all or part of the New Global Blue Shares, to the extent that a holder of a Series A Preferred Share would receive less than $10.00 per Series A Preferred Share. However, no Preferred Special Meeting will be required for the cancellation of Series A Preferred Shares which are held in treasury by New Global Blue or its subsidiaries.

 

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The Series A Preferred Shares confer the same preemptive rights and advance subscription rights for newly issued New Global Blue Shares as the New Global Blue Shares. The exclusion of preemptive or advance subscription rights for New Global Blue Shares does not require approval by the Preferred Special Meeting.

Other Classes or Series of Shares

Without prior approval of the shareholders, the board of directors may not create shares with increased voting powers (i.e., super voting shares) or another form of preferred shares (Vorzugsaktien). To create super-voting shares or another form of preferred shares (Vorzugsaktien), a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by a qualified majority of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy is required. In addition, if another form of preferred shares (Vorzugsaktien) conferring preferential rights over the existing Series A Preferred Shares shall be issued, the consent of both the Preferred Special Meeting and a special meeting of the other form of preferred share is required.

New Global Blue has not issued any non-voting stock to date (Partizipationsscheine, Genussscheine).

Treasury Shares

Treasury shares held by New Global Blue or any of its subsidiaries may be resold or issued to third parties, such as under an equity-based incentive plan of New Global Blue. These treasury shares will not have any voting or other rights while held by New Global Blue or any of its subsidiaries.

Preemptive Rights and Advance Subscription Rights

Under the Swiss Code, if new shares are being issued, the existing shareholders have preemptive rights in relation to such shares or rights in proportion to the respective nominal values of their holdings. In the context of an ordinary capital increase approved by a general meeting of shareholders, the shareholders may, by a qualified majority of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and a majority of the represented nominal value of the shares represented, resolve to exclude or restrict the preemptive rights for valid reasons (such as a merger, an acquisition or any of the reasons authorizing the board of directors to exclude or restrict the preemptive rights of shareholders in the context of an authorized capital increase as described below).

If a general meeting of shareholders approves the creation of authorized or conditional share capital, it can also delegate the decision whether to exclude or restrict the preemptive rights and advance subscription rights for valid reasons to the board of directors. New Global Blue’s articles of association provide for this delegation with respect to New Global Blue’s authorized share capital and conditional share capital with respect to convertible debt in the circumstances described below under “—Authorized Share Capital” and “—Conditional Share Capital.”

Authorized Share Capital

Under New Global Blue’s articles of association, the board of directors is authorized to exclude or restrict the preemptive rights of the existing shareholders (and to allocate them to third parties):

 

   

in connection with strategic partnering and co-operation transactions;

 

   

in connection with mergers, acquisitions of companies (including takeover), enterprises or parts of enterprises, participations or intellectual property rights or other types of strategic investments as well as financing or refinancing of such transactions;

 

   

for the participation of directors, officers and employees at all levels of New Global Blue and its group companies;

 

   

for the purpose of expanding the shareholder base in connection with the listing of shares on (additional) foreign stock exchanges;

 

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for the exchange and buy-back, respectively, of Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for New Global Blue Shares issued from authorized share capital according to article 3b section 4 of New Global Blue’s articles of association;

 

   

in connection with the exercise of warrants that have been issued to former holders of warrants of FPAC, in connection with the listing of New Global Blue and the creation of corresponding treasury shares;

 

   

in connection with the issuance of New Global Blue Shares to the Founder pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the creation of corresponding treasury shares;

 

   

in connection with the listing of New Global Blue Shares, including in connection with exchanges of loan notes or equity instruments issued by New Global Blue’s subsidiary Global Blue Holding Limited to members of management for New Global Blue Shares; or

 

   

in connection with the issuance of New Global Blue Shares to Globetrotter and other former shareholders of Global Blue in accordance with the price adjustment provisions pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Conditional Share Capital

In connection with Conditional Capital for Convertible Debt, the board of directors is authorized to exclude or restrict shareholders’ advance subscription rights, if the convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing are used (1) if an issue by firm underwriting by a consortium with subsequent offering to the public without advance subscription rights seems to be the most appropriate form of issue at the time, particularly in terms of the conditions for issue, or (2) in connection with the financing or refinancing of the acquisition (including takeover) of companies, enterprises, parts of enterprises, participations or joint ventures or other investments.

To the extent shareholders’ advance subscription rights are excluded, (i) the exercise period for Convertible Debt conversion and option rights granted may not exceed 15 years and seven years, respectively, and (ii) the terms of the relevant Convertible Debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing, including conversion and option terms, should be set taking into consideration the market conditions at the time of their issue.

In connection with Conditional Capital for Employee or Director Participation or Conditional Capital for Existing Shareholder Warrants, shareholders have no advance subscription rights and preemptive rights. See “—Capital Structure of New Global Blue—Conditional Share Capital.”

Dividends

Dividends may be paid only if there are sufficient profits as shown in the balance sheet or distributable reserves to allow the distribution of a dividend, both based on the audited and approved statutory financial statements. In case of holding companies, the general legal reserves (allgemeine gesetzliche Reserven), which include share premiums, are generally considered as distributable to the extent they exceed 20% of the share capital. The payment of interim dividends out of profits of the current business year which are not yet shown in an audited and approved balance sheet is not permitted. New Global Blue is required to retain at least 5% of the annual net profits as general legal reserves for so long as these reserves amount to less than 20% of the paid-up nominal share capital (article 671 of the Swiss Code). Swiss law requires that the declaration of a dividend be approved at a general meeting of shareholders. In addition, New Global Blue’s auditors must confirm that the dividend proposal put forth to the general meeting of shareholders by the board of directors conforms to the relevant statutory requirements and those of the articles of association (article 728a of the Swiss Code).

Dividends are usually due and payable promptly after the shareholders’ resolution relating to the allocation of profits has been passed at a shareholders’ meeting, unless the general meeting of the shareholders resolves otherwise. Under Swiss law and the articles of association of New Global Blue, the statute of limitations with respect to dividend payments is five years. Lapsed dividends will accrue to New Global Blue.

 

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Under Swiss law as it is currently in force, distributable profits and reserves have to be accounted in Swiss francs.

In addition, Swiss law allows the reduction of share capital, which may amongst others, involve a repayment of nominal values or share repurchases. Such reduction is subject to several conditions, which include, amongst others, that the shareholders resolve on such reduction, that the auditor of the company certifies the company’s debts being covered, and that creditors are granted a time period of two months to demand that their claims be satisfied or secured.

Repurchases of Shares

The Swiss Code limits a company’s ability to hold or repurchase its own shares. New Global Blue and its subsidiaries may only repurchase shares if and to the extent that sufficient freely distributable equity (including nominal share capital legal reserves, reserves for New Global Blue’s own shares and special reserves) is available, as described above under “Description of New Global Blue Securities—Dividends.” The aggregate nominal value of all New Global Blue Shares acquired by New Global Blue and its subsidiaries may generally not exceed 10% of the aggregate share capital at any time. Certain exceptions apply, such as in the context of a cancellation of shares through capital reduction approved by shareholders.

Repurchased shares held by New Global Blue or its subsidiaries do not carry any rights to vote at a general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits generally associated with the shares. For more information about Swiss withholding tax and share repurchases, see “The Business Combination Proposal – Material Tax Considerations – Swiss Tax Considerations.”

Form and Transfer of Shares

According to the articles of association of New Global Blue, New Global Blue may issue its New Global Blue Shares in the form of individual certificates, global certificates and/or uncertificated securities and convert one form into another form of New Global Blue Shares at any time and without the approval of the shareholders. A shareholder may not demand a conversion of the form of the New Global Blue Shares or the printing and delivery of share certificates. With the consent of the shareholder, New Global Blue may cancel issued certificates which are returned to it without replacement.

New Global Blue may create intermediated securities for the New Global Blue Shares. The transfer of intermediated securities and furnishing of collateral in intermediated securities must conform with the regulations of the Swiss Federal Act on Intermediated Securities of October 3, 2008, as amended from time to time. New Global Blue may withdraw New Global Blue Shares issued as intermediary-held securities from the respective custody system.

Uncertified securities (Wertrechte) may only be transferred by way of written assignment provided that they are not registered as book-entry securities. In order to be valid, the assignment must be reported to New Global Blue.

All the foregoing paragraphs of this section “Form and Transfer of Shares” apply mutatis mutandis to Series A Preferred Shares.

The articles of association of New Global Blue do not include any transfer restrictions with respect to New Global Blue Shares.

According to the articles of association of New Global Blue, the transfer of Series A Preferred Shares, be it for ownership or other purposes, is subject to the approval by the board of directors. The board of directors may only refuse such approval, and is obliged to refuse such approval, if the acquirer of the Series A Preferred Shares does not accede to the Conversion Agreement.

 

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Where the consent required for transfer of shares is not given, the ownership of the shares and all attendant rights remain with the transferor. However, in the case of acquisition of shares by inheritance, division of estate, matrimonial property law or compulsory execution, ownership and the attendant pecuniary rights pass to the acquirer of the shares immediately, whereas the attendant participation rights pass only when New Global Blue has given its consent. Where New Global Blue fails to refuse the request for consent within three months of receipt or refuses it without just cause, consent is deemed to have been given.

Share Register

Swiss law and the articles of association of New Global Blue require New Global Blue to keep a share register in which the first and last names of individuals (or the company name for legal entities), domicile (or legal domicile for legal entities) and address of the owners and usufructuaries of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares are recorded. Any person registered in the share register of New Global Blue changing its address must inform New Global Blue accordingly. The main function of the share register is to record shareholders entitled to vote and participate in general meetings of shareholders, or to assert or exercise other rights related to voting rights.

In order to register New Global Blue Shares or Series A Preferred Shares in New Global Blue’s share register, a purchaser must file a share registration form with New Global Blue’s Share register, which is expected to be kept by the transfer agent and registrar. Failing such registration, the purchaser may not vote at or participate in general meetings of shareholders.

New Global Blue’s share register will initially be kept by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which will act as transfer agent and registrar. The share register reflects only record owners of New Global Blue Shares and Series A Preferred Shares who own such shares directly (as opposed to beneficially owned shares held in “street name”). Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.

General Meetings of Shareholders

Under Swiss law, an annual ordinary general meeting of shareholders must be held within six months after the end of New Global Blue’s financial year, which is March 31. An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be called as often as necessary. New Global Blue’s board of directors determines the time and location of the general meeting of shareholders.

General meetings of shareholders may be convened by the board of directors of New Global Blue and, if needed, by the auditors, by publishing a notice in the Swiss Official Commercial Gazette (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt) at least twenty days prior to such meeting. The notice must state the day, time and place of the meeting, the agenda, the proposals of New Global Blue’s board of directors and the proposals of the shareholders who have requested the general meeting of shareholders or that an item be included on the agenda. New Global Blue’s board of directors is further required to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if so resolved by a general meeting of shareholders or if so requested by shareholders holding in aggregate at least 10% of New Global Blue’s nominal share capital. Such request must be communicated to New Global Blue’s board of directors in writing and specify the items to be discussed and the proposals to be decided upon.

Shareholders with voting rights individually or jointly representing at least 10% of the share capital of New Global Blue may demand that items be put on the agenda. Such demands have to be submitted to the chairman/chairwoman of the board of directors at least 45 calendar days before the date of the general meeting of shareholders and must be in writing, specifying the item and the proposals.

In a general meeting of shareholders, each New Global Blue Share and each Series A Preferred Share will entitle its registered holder or usufructuary to one vote.

 

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At a general meeting of shareholders, each shareholder may be represented by the independent proxy, or by any other person (who need not be a shareholder). The board of directors issues regulations on the procedures of participation and representation at the general meeting of shareholders. The person chairing the general meeting of shareholders decides whether a proxy is acceptable or not.

The chairman/chairwoman determines the voting procedure. The voting and elections are conducted with electronic voting devices – to the extent that this is possible at the meeting. If not, resolutions or elections will be taken on a show of hands unless a written ballot is held upon resolution of the general meeting of shareholders or if the person chairing the general meeting of shareholders so directs. If the person chairing the general meeting of shareholders doubts the results of the vote, he/she may change the way of voting. In this case, the preceding resolution or election is deemed not to have occurred.

The articles of association of New Global Blue do not require a minimum number of shareholders to be present in order to hold a general meeting of shareholders. A general meeting of shareholders passes its resolutions and carries out its elections with the simple majority of the votes cast, to the extent that neither the law nor the articles of association of New Global Blue provide otherwise. Abstentions, empty votes and invalid votes will not be taken into account for the calculation of the required majority.

The general meeting of shareholders is the supreme corporate body of New Global Blue. It has the following non-transferable powers:

 

   

to adopt and amend the articles of association of New Global Blue;

 

   

to elect and recall the members of the board of directors, the chairman/chairwoman of the board of directors, the members of the compensation committee, the auditors and the independent proxy;

 

   

to approve the management report and the consolidated accounts;

 

   

to approve the annual accounts as well as to pass resolutions regarding the allocation of profits as shown on the balance sheet, in particular to determine the dividends;

 

   

to approve the compensation of the members of the board of directors and the executive management pursuant to articles 8, 27 and 28 of the articles of association of New Global Blue;

 

   

to grant discharge to the members of the board of directors, executive management and the compensation committee;

 

   

to pass resolutions regarding issues which are reserved to the general meeting of shareholders by law or by the articles of association of New Global Blue or which are presented to it by the board of directors;

 

   

approve separately the proposals by the board of directors in relation to the aggregate maximum amount of (a) the compensation of the board of directors for the term of office until the next ordinary general meeting of shareholders, and (b) the compensation of the executive management for the next financial year; and

 

   

hold an advisory non-binding vote on New Global Blue’s compensation report.

Under the articles of association of New Global Blue, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy is required for:

 

   

the introduction, easement or abolition of restrictions of the transferability of registered shares;

 

   

any creation of shares with preferential rights or with privileged voting rights;

 

   

any authorized or conditional capital increases;

 

   

any increase of capital against New Global Blue’s equity, against contributions in kind, or for the purpose of acquiring assets or the granting of special benefits;

 

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any limitation or withdrawal of subscription rights;

 

   

any change of the registered office or corporate name of New Global Blue;

 

   

any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of New Global Blue;

 

   

any merger, demerger or similar reorganization of New Global Blue;

 

   

the liquidation of New Global Blue;

 

   

change of the maximum number of the members of the board of directors;

 

   

any change to article 15 (Qualified majority for important resolutions) of the articles of association of New Global Blue; and

 

   

the other cases listed in article 704 paragraph 1 of the Swiss Code and in the Federal Act on Merger, Demerger, Conversion and Transfer of Assets (Merger Act) dated October 3, 2003 (“Swiss Merger Act”) in the relevant applicable version.

In addition to the items listed above, the Swiss Code further requires a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy for a change of the legal purpose of New Global Blue.

Pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act, an affirmative vote of at least 90% of the outstanding shares is required (i) to approve a squeeze-out merger, in which minority shareholders of the company being acquired are compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company (e.g. through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company), or (ii) to approve an asymmetrical demerger.

Under the Swiss Code, the board of directors has no authority to waive quorum requirements stipulated in the articles of association.

Inspection of Books and Records

Under the Swiss Code, a shareholder registered in the share register of New Global Blue has a right to inspect the share register with regard to his own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect the share register. The books and correspondence of a Swiss company may be inspected with the express authorization of the general meeting of shareholders or by a resolution of the board of directors (or if unlawfully denied, by court order) and subject to the safeguarding of the company’s business secrets. At a general meeting of shareholders, any shareholder registered in New Global Blue’s share register is entitled to request information from the board of directors concerning the affairs of the company. Shareholders registered in New Global Blue’s share register may also ask the auditor questions regarding its audit of the company. The board of directors and the auditor must answer shareholders’ questions to the extent necessary for the exercise of shareholders’ rights and subject to prevailing business secrets or material interests of New Global Blue.

Special Investigation

If the shareholders’ inspection and information rights as outlined above prove to be insufficient, any shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by a special commissioner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, New Global Blue or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request the court at New Global Blue’s registered office to appoint a special commissioner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital or holders of shares in an aggregate nominal value of at least CHF 2 million may request, within three months after the general meeting of

 

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the shareholders, the court to appoint a special commissioner. The court will issue such order if the petitioners can demonstrate that the board of directors, any member of the board of directors or an officer of New Global Blue infringed the law or New Global Blue’s articles of association and thereby damaged the company or the shareholders. If admitted, the costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to New Global Blue and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.

Arbitration

According to the articles of association of New Global Blue, corporate litigation will be resolved by an arbitration court, consisting of three arbitrators, with its seat in Zurich, Switzerland. The arbitration proceedings will be resolved by arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in force on the date on which the request for arbitration is submitted in accordance with these rules. Pursuant to the articles of association of New Global Blue, the arbitration clause is binding on all shareholders of New Global Blue, New Global Blue itself and the corporate bodies of New Global Blue. While arbitration clauses in articles of association are considered to be valid under Swiss law, it is not settled under Swiss law whether they are also valid in the context of listed companies, which uncertainty could create some delay for shareholders seeking to bring claims against New Global Blue or its directors or officers. Costs in arbitration proceedings can be significantly higher than in proceedings before ordinary Swiss courts. Shareholders initiating arbitration proceedings under the arbitration provision contained in the articles of association will be required to make advance payments to the arbitration court in order to cover the arbitration court’s expenses and these amounts can be materially higher than in a proceeding in an ordinary Swiss court. Similarly, a shareholder will or may be required to make advance payments to cover the counsel cost of the opposing party in the event it does not prevail or only partly prevails and such reimbursement cost can be significantly higher than in proceedings in ordinary Swiss courts. Also the ability to obtain evidence and enforce evidence production obligations in an arbitration proceeding can be significantly less effective than in an ordinary Swiss court proceeding. Further, the enforcement of an arbitration award outside of Switzerland may be more difficult and subject to more burdensome requirements than the verdict of a Swiss court. In addition, while such arbitration requirements for corporate litigation would not preclude a shareholder from bringing a claim against New Global Blue or its directors or officers in U.S. courts under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws, as noted above, shareholders may be unable to enforce a judgment predicated upon such civil liability provisions in Swiss courts.

Notices

The publication instrument of New Global Blue is the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt). The board of directors of New Global Blue may designate further means of publication.

Takeover Regulation and Mandatory Bids

Swiss law provides for certain rules and protections of shareholders of domestic listed companies. Due to New Global Blue’s proposed cross-border structure, however, several of these rules do not apply to New Global Blue as if it were a Swiss company listed in Switzerland. In particular, the Swiss rules under the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act on disclosure of shareholdings, and the tender offer rules under the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act, including mandatory tender offer requirements and regulations regarding voluntary tender offers, which are typically available in relation to Swiss listed companies, do not apply to New Global Blue since it will not be listed in Switzerland.

Squeeze-Out

Under Swiss law, the Swiss Merger Act provides a means for squeezing out minority shareholders in the context of a merger. Article 8 section 2 of the Swiss Merger Act stipulates that merging companies can provide in the merger agreement that only cash or other compensation will be paid. Such compensation needs to be adequate and requires an affirmative vote of at least 90% of the outstanding shares.

 

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No squeeze-out mechanism pursuant to the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act is available to an acquirer of New Global Blue following a tender offer.

Duration and Liquidation

The articles of association of New Global Blue do not limit its duration. Under Swiss law, New Global Blue may be dissolved at any time by a resolution adopted at a general meeting of shareholders, which must be passed by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the general meeting of shareholders. Dissolution and liquidation by court order is possible if (1) New Global Blue becomes bankrupt or (2) shareholders holding at least 10% of New Global Blue’s share capital so request for valid reasons. Under Swiss law, any surplus arising out of liquidation (after the settlement of all claims of all creditors) is distributed in proportion to the nominal value of New Global Blue Shares held, but this surplus is subject to Swiss withholding tax at rate of currently 35%. The Series A Preferred Shares carry a liquidation preference.

New Global Blue Warrants

Upon the Closing, each outstanding Warrant will automatically become a New Global Blue Warrant, and represent the right to purchase one New Global Blue Share in lieu of one share of FPAC Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described below. The New Global Blue Warrants will become exercisable thirty (30) days after the Closing and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the Closing at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, or upon an earlier redemption. The New Global Blue Warrants will be governed by the Warrant Agreement, as modified by a Warrant Assumption Agreement to be entered into by New Global Blue and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, in connection with the Closing. You should review a copy of the Warrant Agreement and the form of such Warrant Assumption Agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, for a complete description of the terms and conditions applicable to the New Global Blue Warrants.

Public Warrants

The following description applies to Public Warrants that become New Global Blue Warrants as a result of the Business Combination.

The Warrant Agreement requires New Global Blue, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days after the Closing Date, to use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the New Global Blue Shares issuable upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants, and to use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective, and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the New Global Blue Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a registration statement covering the shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants is not effective within 60 business days following the Closing, holders of New Global Blue Warrants may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when New Global Blue has failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. In such event, each holder would pay the exercise price by surrendering the New Global Blue Warrants for that number of New Global Blue Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of New Global Blue Shares underlying the New Global Blue Warrants held by the holder, multiplied by the excess of the “fair market value” (defined below) over the exercise price of such warrants by (y) the fair market value. The “fair market value” for this purpose will mean the volume weighted average price of New Global Blue Shares as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date notice of exercise is received.

New Global Blue will not be obligated to deliver any New Global Blue Shares pursuant to the exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant and will have no obligation to settle such warrant exercise unless a registration statement

 

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under the Securities Act with respect to the New Global Blue Shares underlying the New Global Blue Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to New Global Blue satisfying its obligations described below with respect to registration. No New Global Blue Warrant will be exercisable and New Global Blue will not be obligated to issue New Global Blue Shares as a result of the exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant unless the New Global Blue Shares issuable upon such warrant exercise have been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the registered holder of the such warrants.

Notwithstanding the above, if New Global Blue Shares are at the time of any exercise of a New Global Blue Warrant not listed on a U.S. national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, New Global Blue may, at its option, require holders of New Global Blue Warrants who exercise such warrants to do so on a “cashless basis” and, in the event New Global Blue so elects, it will not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement, but it will be required to use its best efforts to register or qualify the shares under applicable blue sky laws to the extent an exemption is not available.

The exercise price and number of New Global Blue Shares issuable on exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants will be adjusted in certain circumstances and subject to certain exceptions described in the Warrant Agreement, including in the event of a share dividend, extraordinary dividend or New Global Blue’s recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation.

No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants. If, upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share, New Global Blue will, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of New Global Blue Shares to be issued to the holder.

Once the New Global Blue Warrants become exercisable, New Global Blue may call such warrants for redemption if, and only if, the reported last sale price of the New Global Blue Shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 Trading Days within a 30-Trading Day period ending three business days before New Global Blue sends the notice of redemption to the holders of New Global Blue Warrants. In addition, New Global Blue may only call such New Global Blue Warrants for redemption:

 

   

in whole and not in part;

 

   

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

   

upon not less than 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption to each warrantholder.

If and when the New Global Blue Warrants become redeemable, New Global Blue may not exercise its redemption right if the issuance of New Global Blue Shares upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants is not exempt from registration or qualification under applicable state blue sky laws or New Global Blue is unable to effect such registration or qualification.

If New Global Blue calls the New Global Blue Warrants for redemption as described above, it will have the option to require any holder that wishes to exercise its New Global Blue Warrant prior to such redemption to do so on a “cashless basis.” If New Global Blue takes advantage of this option, the notice of redemption will contain the information necessary to calculate the number of New Global Blue Shares to be received upon exercise of the New Global Blue Warrants, including the “fair market value” in such case.

A holder of a New Global Blue Warrant may notify New Global Blue in writing in the event it elects to be subject to a requirement that such holder will not have the right to exercise such New Global Blue Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the warrant agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (or such other amount as a holder may specify) of the New Global Blue Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.

 

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The Warrant Agreement provides that the terms of the New Global Blue Warrants may be amended without the consent of any holder to cure any ambiguity or correct any defective provision, but requires the approval by the holders of at least 50% of the then outstanding New Global Blue Warrants in respect of Public Warrants to make any change that adversely affects the interests of the registered holders of Public Warrants.

The New Global Blue Warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price (or on a cashless basis, if applicable), by certified or official bank check payable to New Global Blue, for the number of New Global Blue Warrants being exercised. The warrantholders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of New Global Blue Shares or any voting rights until they exercise their New Global Blue Warrants and receive New Global Blue Shares.

Private Placement Warrants

The following description applies to Private Placement Warrants that become New Global Blue Warrants as a result of the Business Combination.

For so long as the New Global Blue Private Placement Warrants are held by the Founder or its permitted transferees, (i) such warrants (and any new Global Blue Shares issuable upon exercise thereof) will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the Closing except in limited circumstances), (ii) such warrants will not be redeemable, and (iii) such warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis. Otherwise, the New Global Blue Private Placement Warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those of the Public Warrants that become New Global Blue Warrants described above, including as to exercise price, exercisability and exercise period, and adjustment. The transferability of such warrants (and any new Global Blue Shares issuable upon exercise thereof) will be further restricted under the Shareholders Agreement. See “The Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements.”

Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights

New Global Blue is a Swiss company. Swiss law and New Global Blue’s articles of association will govern the rights of its shareholders. Swiss law differs in some material respects from laws generally applicable to United States corporations and their stockholders. In addition, the articles of association will differ in certain material respects from the amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws of FPAC. As a result, when you become a shareholder of New Global Blue, your rights will differ in some regards as compared to when you were a stockholder of FPAC. Below is a summary chart outlining important similarities and differences in the corporate governance and stockholder/shareholder rights associated with each of FPAC and New Global Blue according to applicable law and/or the organizational documents of FPAC and New Global Blue. You also should review the form of articles of association of New Global Blue (as they will be amended immediately prior to the Business Combination substantially in such form) attached as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus, as well as the Delaware corporate law and corporate laws of Switzerland, to understand how these laws apply to FPAC and New Global Blue.

 

Provision

 

FPAC
(A Delaware Corporation)

 

New Global Blue
(A Swiss Company)

Applicable corporate law legislation   General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware  

Articles 620-763 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, as amended from time to time; the Swiss Ordinance against Excessive Remuneration in Listed Companies dated November 20, 2014, as amended from time to time; the Swiss Merger Act, as amended from time to time.

 

 

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Provision

 

FPAC
(A Delaware Corporation)

 

New Global Blue
(A Swiss Company)

Special Vote Required for Combinations with Interested Stockholders/Shareholders  

A corporation may not engage in a business combination with an interested stockholder for a period of three years after the time of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder except if (1) the board had approved the business combination prior to consummation of the transaction (2) the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock upon consummation of the acquisition, or (3) the business combination is approved by the board, and by a 2/3 majority vote of the other stockholders in a meeting (i.e., not by written consent).

 

  Generally, no special shareholder vote is required for a business combination with a shareholder only because such shareholder became an interested stockholder. In the context of a capital increase, however, supermajority vote and disclosure requirements may apply if at that time the company intends to acquire assets from a shareholder or related persons.
Appraisal Rights  

A stockholder of a Delaware corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitles to appraisal rights under which the stockholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by that stockholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration the stockholder would otherwise receive in the transaction. Generally, a stockholder of a publicly traded corporation does not have appraisal rights in connection with a merger.

 

  If a squeeze-out merger under the Swiss Merger Act occurs, a minority shareholder subject to the squeeze-out merger could seek to claim, within two months of the publication of the squeeze-out merger, that the consideration offered is “inadequate” and petition a Swiss competent court to determine what “adequate” consideration is.
Mergers and Asset Sales; Amendments to Governing Documents   Stockholder approval of mergers, sales of substantially all of the assets and amendments of constitutional documents require a majority of outstanding shares; most other stockholder approvals require a majority of those present and voting, provided a quorum is present.   Shareholder approval of mergers, sales of all or substantially all of the assets of New Global Blue and the amendment of specific sections listed or referenced in article 15 of the articles of association of New Global Blue require a majority of at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares; other shareholder approvals require a majority of the votes cast, to the extent that neither the law nor the articles of association provide otherwise. Furthermore, under the Swiss Merger Act, an affirmative

 

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Provision

 

FPAC
(A Delaware Corporation)

 

New Global Blue
(A Swiss Company)

   

vote of at least 90% of the outstanding shares is required (i) to approve a squeeze-out merger, in which minority shareholders of the company being acquired are compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company (e.g. through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company), or (ii) to approve an asymmetrical demerger.

 

Quorum   Quorum is set in the constitutional documents, but cannot be less than one-third of outstanding shares.  

Swiss law and the articles of association of New Global Blue do not provide for a quorum requirement.

 

Stockholder/Shareholder Consent to Action Without Meeting  

The certificate of incorporation provides that its stockholders may not act by written consent.

 

  Under Swiss law, shareholders may not act by written consent.
Inspection of Books and Records; Information Requests   Any stockholder may inspect the corporation’s books and records for a proper purpose during the usual hours for business.  

Any shareholder may inspect the company’s books and records if the general meeting of shareholders or the board of directors has granted authorization.

 

At shareholder meetings, any shareholder is entitled to information from the board of directors on the affairs of the company and from the external auditors on the methods and results of their audit, to the extent this is required for the exercise of shareholder rights and subject to New Global Blue’s business secrets or other interests warranting protection.

 

Stockholder/Shareholder Lawsuits for violation of directors’ duties   A stockholder may bring a derivative suit for alleged violation of directors’ duties, subject to procedural requirements.  

A shareholder may bring a lawsuit for alleged violation of directors’ duties, either for damage caused to the shareholder itself or for damage caused to the company, subject to procedural requirements.

 

Shareholders bringing lawsuit before Swiss courts may be obliged to advance, and finally bear, court costs and compensation for the defense.

 

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Provision

 

FPAC
(A Delaware Corporation)

 

New Global Blue
(A Swiss Company)

   

They will generally bear the burden of proof, with no pre-trial discovery or similar procedures being available. If shareholders sue for damage caused to the company, any recovered damages will be paid to the company and not to the shareholder.

 

Election and Removal of Directors; Vacancies  

At any annual or special meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum is present, holders of FPAC Class A Common Stock and FPAC Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person (or remote means of communication, if applicable) or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote. The election need not be written by ballot.

 

Except in the case of a corporation with a classified board or with cumulative voting, any director or the entire board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

The board may increase the size of the board and fill any vacancies.

 

 

The board shall consist of a minimum of three members and maximum of nine members. The term of the members of the board as well of the chairman/chairwoman shall correspond to the legally permitted maximum term of one year and shall end at the end of the next ordinary general meeting of shareholders. Re-election is permitted.

 

Any director or the entire board of directors may be removed with immediate effect, with or without cause, with a majority of the votes cast.

 

The board of directors may not increase the size of the board of directors or fill any vacancies.

Classified or Staggered Boards   Classified boards are permitted, and do prevent the removal of directors with immediate effect.  

Classified boards are not available, as the term of office of directors may not exceed one year and any classification would not limit the ability of shareholders to remove directors.

 

Fiduciary Duties of Directors   Directors must exercise a duty of care and duty of loyalty and good faith to the company and its stockholders.  

Directors must exercise a duty of care and duty of loyalty to the company and adhere to the obligation to treat shareholders equally.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers   A corporation is generally permitted to indemnify its directors and officers acting in good faith.   Under Swiss law, a company may indemnify a director or officer of the company against losses and expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts actually

 

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Provision

 

FPAC
(A Delaware Corporation)

 

New Global Blue
(A Swiss Company)

   

and reasonably incurred in a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of having been the representative of or serving for the company. Certain limits exist, e.g., if such losses and expenses result from a grossly negligent breach of such director’s or officer’s fiduciary or other duties under Swiss law. A Swiss company may also purchase customary directors and officers liability insurance protection, with a view to protect its directors and officers in cases where it cannot or does not indemnify them.

 

Limited Liability of Directors   Permits the limiting or eliminating of the monetary liability of a director to a corporation or its stockholders, except with regard to breaches of duty of loyalty, intentional misconduct, unlawful stock repurchases or dividends, or improper personal benefit.   Directors are personally liable to the company, its shareholders and creditors for damages resulting from an intentional or negligent breach of their duties as directors of the company. If the board has delegated the management of the company to a separate committee, the board’s duties are limited to whether it carefully selected, instructed and supervised the management. However, no limitation or elimination of the monetary liability of a director is possible.

 

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STOCK MARKET AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

Far Point’s Units, Class A Common Stock and Warrants are each traded on the NYSE under the symbols “FPAC.UN,” “FPAC” and “FPAC.WS,” respectively.

The closing price of the FPAC Units, FPAC Class A Common Stock and Public Warrants on January 15, 2020, the last trading day before announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement, was $10.97, $10.57, and $1.40 respectively. As of            , 2020, the record date for the Special Meeting, the most recent closing price for each FPAC Unit, FPAC Class A Common Stock and Public Warrant was $            , $             and $            , respectively.

Holders of the Units, Public Shares and Public Warrants should obtain current market quotations for their securities. The market price of FPAC’s securities could vary at any time before the Business Combination.

New Global Blue has applied to list the New Global Blue Shares and New Global Blue Warrants on the NYSE under the symbols “GB,” and “GB.WS.” It is a condition to consummation of the Business Combination in the Merger Agreement that the New Global Blue Shares to be issued in connection with the Business Combination will have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof. New Global Blue, the Company, the Seller Parties and FPAC have certain obligations in the Merger Agreement to use reasonable best efforts in connection with the Business Combination, including with respect to satisfying the NYSE listing condition. The NYSE listing condition in the Merger Agreement may be waived by the parties to the Merger Agreement.

Holders

As of             , 2020, there was one holder of record of FPAC’s Class A Common Stock and four holders of record of FPAC’s Class B Common Stock, one holder of record of FPAC’s Units and two holders of record of FPAC’s Warrants. See “Beneficial Ownership of Securities.”

Dividend Policy

FPAC has not paid any cash dividends on the FPAC Common Stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the completion of the Business Combination. The payment of any cash dividends after consummation of the Business Combination will be dependent upon the revenue, earnings and financial condition of New Global Blue from time to time. The payment of any dividends subsequent to the Business Combination will be within the discretion of the board of directors of New Global Blue.

 

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APPRAISAL RIGHTS

Neither FPAC stockholders nor FPAC warrantholders have appraisal rights under the DGCL in connection with the Business Combination.

ANNUAL MEETING STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

If the Business Combination is consummated, you will be entitled to attend and participate in New Global Blue’s annual meetings of shareholders. If New Global Blue holds a 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, it will provide notice of or otherwise publicly disclose the date on which the 2021 annual meeting will be held. As a foreign private issuer, New Global Blue will not be subject to the SEC’s proxy rules.

OTHER STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

Stockholders and interested parties may communicate with FPAC’s board of directors, any committee chairperson or the non-management directors as a group by writing to the board or committee chairperson in care of FPAC, c/o 18 West 18th Street New York, NY 10011. Following the Business Combination, such communications should be sent in care of New Global Blue, Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland. Each communication will be forwarded, depending on the subject matter, to the board of directors, the appropriate committee chairperson or all non-management directors.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of New Global Blue Shares and certain matters related to the assumption of the Warrants by New Global Blue will be passed on by Niederer Kraft Frey AG, Swiss counsel to New Global Blue. The validity of New Global Blue Warrants under New York law will be passed on by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, New York counsel to FPAC.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP will opine upon certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. An investment vehicle comprised of certain partners of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, members of their families, related persons and others owns interests representing less than 1% of the capital commitments of certain investment funds affiliated with Silver Lake.

EXPERTS

The financial statements of Global Blue Group AG as of March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2019 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. PricewaterhouseCoopers SA is a member of EXPERTsuisse — Swiss Expert Association for Audit, Tax and Fiduciary.

The financial statements for Far Point Acquisition Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018 appearing in this proxy statement/prospectus have been audited by WithumSmith+Brown, PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report (which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the ability of Far Point Acquisition Corporation to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements) thereon appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, and are included in reliance on such report given on the authority of such firm as an expert in accounting and auditing.

 

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DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO STOCKHOLDERS

Pursuant to the rules of the SEC, FPAC and services that it employs to deliver communications to its stockholders are permitted to deliver to two or more stockholders sharing the same address a single copy of each of FPAC’s annual report to stockholders and FPAC’s proxy statement. Upon written or oral request, FPAC will deliver a separate copy of the annual report to stockholder and/or proxy statement to any stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of each document was delivered and who wishes to receive separate copies of such documents. Stockholders receiving multiple copies of such documents may likewise request that FPAC deliver single copies of such documents in the future. Stockholders receiving multiple copies of such documents may request that FPAC deliver single copies of such documents in the future. Stockholders may notify FPAC of their requests by calling or writing FPAC at its principal executive offices at Far Point Acquisition Corporation, c/o Far Point Acquisition Corporation, 18 West 18th Street New York, NY 10011. Following the Business Combination, such requests should be made by calling +41 22 363 7740 or writing New Global Blue at Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

FPAC files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC as required by the Exchange Act. You may access information on FPAC at the SEC web site containing reports, proxy statements and other information at: http://www.sec.gov.

Information and statements contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or any annex to this proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of the relevant contract or other annex filed as an exhibit to this proxy statement/prospectus.

All information contained in this document relating to FPAC has been supplied by FPAC, and all such information relating to Global Blue has been supplied by Global Blue. Information provided by one entity does not constitute any representation, estimate or projection of the other entity.

If you would like additional copies of this document or if you have questions about the Business Combination, you should contact via phone or in writing:

FPAC:

18 West 18th Street

New York, NY 10011

(212) 715-3880

Proxy Solicitor:

Morrow Sodali LLC

470 West Avenue

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Individuals call toll-free: (800) 662-5200

Banks and Brokerage Firms, please call (203) 658-9400

FPAC.info@investor.morrowsodali.com

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Global Blue Group AG

 

    Page
 No. 
 

Audited Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-2  

Consolidated Income Statement for the periods from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017

    F-5  

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the periods from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017

    F-6  

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2019, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017

    F-7  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the periods from April 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019, April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017

    F-8  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

    F-9  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-12  

Unaudited Financial Statements

 

Condensed Consolidated Income Statement for the half years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

    F-86  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the half years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

    F-87  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2019 and September 30,
2018

    F-88  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the half years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018

    F-89  

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

    F-90  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    F-91  

Far Point Acquisition Corporation

 

    Page
 No. 
 

Audited Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    F-112  

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018

    F-113  

Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018

    F-114  

Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018

    F-115  

Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018

    F-116  

Notes to Financial Statements

    F-117  

Unaudited Financial Statements

 

Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019

    F-130  

Condensed Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019

    F-131  

Condensed Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019

    F-132  

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019

    F-133  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

    F-134  

 

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LOGO

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors of Global Blue Group AG

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Global Blue Group AG and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2019, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2019 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Notes 3 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Subsequent Event

As discussed in Note 44 to the consolidated financial statements, in March 2020 the COVID-19 outbreak was recognized as a pandemic, with governments taking preventative measures, including imposing restrictions on international travel and closure of all non-essential stores. These measures have negatively impacted the Company’s business and recent results of operations and financial condition. At this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of this pandemic, which could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows in the year ending March 31, 2021.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers SA                                             

Geneva, Switzerland

April 14, 2020

We have served as the Company’s or its predecessors’ auditor since 2010.

 

LOGO

 

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Global Blue Group AG

Consolidated Financial Statements

1 April 2017 – 31 March 2019

 

 

 

Zürichstrasse 38.

CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

CHE-218.820.653

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Board of Directors

Christian Lucas

Jacques Stern

Marcel Erni

Joseph Osnoss

Katherine Brody

Eric Meurice

Eric Strutz

Ulf Pagenkopf

Registered office

Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA (CHE-390.062.005), Genève

Owners

The shareholders of Global Blue Group AG - Group are outlined in Note 43

 

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CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes    2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Total revenue

   6      412,956       421,444       417,295  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   7      (354,433     (361,587     (338,806
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Profit

        58,523       59,857       78,489  

Finance income

   11      2,825       2,394       6,684  

Finance costs

   11      (31,505     (34,519     (41,486
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

   11      (28,680     (32,125     (34,802
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

        29,843       27,732       43,687  

Income tax expense

   12      (22,956     (8,254     (15,463
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year

        6,887       19,478       28,224  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

         

Owners of the parent

        2,350       15,683       25,305  

Non-controlling interests

        4,537       3,795       2,919  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year

        6,887       19,478       28,224  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic Profit per share

   15      0.06       0.39       0.63  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Profit per share

   15      0.06       0.39       0.63  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-12 to F-83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes      2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Profit or (loss) for the year

        6,887       19,478       28,224  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

         

Other comprehensive income not be reclassified to profit or loss:

         

Remeasurements on post-employment benefit obligations

     30        428       319       1,353  

Income tax effect

     12        (74     (3     (208
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        354       316       1,145  

Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

         

Currency translation differences

        1,854       (10,027     (164

Cash flow hedges

     24        —         902       1,194  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        1,854       (9,125 )      1,030  

Other comprehensive income / (loss) for the year, net of tax

        2,208       (8,809 )      2,175  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

        9,095       10,669       30,399  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

         

Owners of the parent

        4,502       7,456       27,379  

Non-controlling interest

        4,593       3,213       3,020  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

        9,095       10,669       30,399  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-12 to F-83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes    31 Mar 2019     31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017  

ASSETS

         

Non-current assets

         

Property, plant and equipment

   13,16      56,213       9,854       8,667  

Intangible assets

   17      695,622       750,499       817,750  

Deferred income tax asset

   29      10,864       9,408       3,900  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   41      2,444       —         —    

Other non-current receivables

   18      12,703       13,360       16,987  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        777,846       783,121       847,304  

Current assets

         

Trade receivables

   20      249,331       266,072       227,280  

Other current receivables

   21      49,247       33,563       31,240  

Income tax receivables

        3,612       23,242       21,073  

Prepaid expenses

   22      15,045       10,893       5,375  

Cash and cash equivalents

   23      104,072       50,674       111,687  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        421,307       384,444       396,655  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

        1,199,153       1,167,565       1,243,959  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Notes    31 Mar 2019     31 Mar 2018     31 Mar 2017  

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

         

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

         

Ordinary shares

   24      341       341       1,764  

Share premium

   24      391,856       391,856       91,106  

Other reserves

   24      (1,201     (5,635     293,973  

Accumulated losses

        (312,455     (305,856     (197,976
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        78,541       80,706       188,867  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

   25      8,426       8,905       7,305  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

        86,967       89,611       196,172  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

         

Non-current liabilities

         

Non Convertible Equity Certificates

   26      4,494       1,591       1,983  

Loans and borrowings

   27      622,398       612,793       610,513  

Derivative financial instruments

        176       174       909  

Other long term liabilities

   28      34,498       3,810       8,934  

Deferred income tax liabilities

   29      49,376       63,850       78,642  

Post-employment benefits

   30      5,062       5,407       5,828  

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

   31      1,746       1,485       6,727  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        717,750       689,110       713,536  

Current liabilities

         

Trade payables

   32      263,720       268,388       233,856  

Other current liabilities

   33      58,888       34,072       35,393  

Accrued liabilities

   34      39,970       44,968       30,481  

Current income tax liabilities

        29,757       38,444       34,336  

Loans and borrowings

   27      2,102       2,972       185  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        394,437       388,844       334,251  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        1,112,187       1,077,954       1,047,787  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

        1,199,153       1,167,565       1,243,959  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-12 to F-83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes    2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Profit or (loss) before tax

        29,843       27,732       43,687  

Depreciation and amortisation

   9      105,133       86,719       83,436  

Net financial costs

   11      28,680       32,125       34,802  

Other non cash items

   35      1,205       18,690       (41,108

Net deductible financial income/(costs)

   35      (1,071     (1,673     39,751  

Income tax paid

        (28,292     (24,748     (24,981

Interest paid

        (24,479     (26,759     (34,862

Payment of provisions

   31      (17     (4,517     (178

Changes in working capital

   36      3,338       (22,578     11,436  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in operating activities (A)

        114,341       84,991       111,983  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase of tangible assets

   16      (6,800     (5,950     (5,700

Purchase of intangible assets

   17      (26,615     (20,612     (22,059

Acquisition of subsidaries net of cash acquired

        (5,467     2,312       (34,612

Acquisition of non-current financial assets

   18, 41      (1,541     (2,622     (10,475

Divestiture of non-current financial assets

   18      147       110       338  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in investing activities (B)

        (40,276 )      (26,762 )      (72,508 ) 
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of share capital

   24      —         85       —    

Repurchase of CPECs

   24      —         (113,811     (55,234

Acquisition of shares and NC-PECs issued by subsidaries

        (1,029     (2,557     (14,798

Repayment of loans and borrowings

   27      —         —         (14,756

Principal elements of lease payments

   13      (14,154     —         —    

Proceeds from borrowings

   27      —         —         63,000  

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

   25      (3,881     (3,507     (3,604
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in financing activities (C)

        (19,064 )      (119,790 )      (25,392 ) 
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net foreign exchange difference (D)

        (557     (2,335     (3,341
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (E) = (A) + (B) + (C) + (D)

        54,444       (63,896 )      10,742  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   23      50,674       111,687       101,238  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   23      104,072       50,674       111,687  

Net change in bank overdraft facilities

        (1,046     2,883       (293
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

= NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

        54,444       (63,896 )      10,742  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-12 to F-83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

(€ thousands)

  Notes   Issued
capital
    Share
premium
    Other
reserve
    Cash flow
hedge

reserve
    Foreign
currency

translation
reserve
    Remeasurements
of post
employment
benefit
obligations
    Accumulated
losses
    Total     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

Balance as at 31 March 2018

  24     341       391,856       7,607       —         (12,339     (903     (305,856     80,706       8,905       89,611  

Changes in accounting policies (IFRS 9)

      —         —         —         —         —         —         (7,406     (7,406 )      —         (7,406 ) 

Balance as at 1 April 2018

      341       391,856       7,607       —         (12,339 )      (903 )      (313,262 )      73,300       8,905       82,205  

Profit/(loss) for the year

      —         —         —         —         —         —         2,350       2,350       4,537       6,887  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

  24     —         —         —         —         1,767       384       —         2,151       57       2,208  

Total comprehensive income

      —         —         —         —         1,767       384       2,350       4,501       4,594       9,095  

Issue of share capital

  24     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Conversion of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates into shares

  24     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Redemption of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

  24     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Dividends

  25     —         —         —         —         —         —         (5     (5 )      (3,881 )      (3,886 ) 

Total contribution by and distribution to owners of the parent, recognised directly in Equity

      —         —         —         —         —         —         (5 )      (5 )      (3,881 )      (3,886 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of the capital reorganisation

  24     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Acquisition (-) / Sale (+) of shares from Management

      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Acquisition of non-controlling interest in IRIS Global Blue Malaysia

      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    

Impact from the changes in % held

      —         —         —         —         —         —         456       456       (1,810 )      (1,354 ) 

Increase in scope of consolidation (1)

      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         633       633  

FX effect of the acquisition to be cancelled

      —         —         —         —         —         —         20       20       (15 )      5  

Restatement to hyperinflation (2)

      —         —         2,283       —         —         —         (2,430     (147 )      —         (147 ) 

Other transactions

      —         —         —         —         —         —         415       415       —         415  

Total transactions with owners of the parent, recognised directly in equity

      —         —         2,283       —         —         —         (1,539 )      744       (1,192 )      (448 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2019

  24     341       391,856       9,890       —         (10,572     (519     (312,455     78,541       8,426       86,967  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The effect for the financial year 2018/19 of EUR0.5m and (EUR1.8m at 31 March 2018) (EUR1.0m at 31 March 2017) in the line “Impact from the changes in % held” is a result of the capital decrease and ownership change in IRIS Global Blue Malaysia (Note 38).

(2)

The effect of EUR2.3m in the line “Restatement to hyperinflation” is a result of the hyperinflation in Argentina (Note 24).

As at 31 March 2019 the share capital comprised of 40,000,000 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.009 each.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

(€ thousands)

  Notes   Issued
capital
    Share
premium
    Other
reserve
    Cash flow
hedge
reserve
    Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
    Remeasurements
of post
employment
benefit
obligations
    Accumulated
losses
    Total     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

Balance as at 1 April 2017

  24     1,764       91,106       298,974       (859 )      (2,870 )      (1,272 )      (197,976 )      188,867       7,305       196,172  

Profit/(loss) for the year

      —         —         —         —         —         —         15,683       15,683       3,795       19,478  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

  24     —         —         —         900       (9,449     322       —         (8,227 )      (581 )      (8,808 ) 

Total comprehensive income

      —         —         —         900       (9,449 )      322       15,683       7,456       3,214       10,670  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of share capital

  24     897       76,300       —         —         —         —         —         77,197       —         77,197  

Conversion of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates into shares

  24     —         —         (46,774     —         —         —         (30,423     (77,197 )      —         (77,197 ) 

Redemption of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

  24     —         —         (22,561     —         —         —         (91,250     (113,811 )      —         (113,811 ) 

Dividends

  25     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (3,507 )      (3,507 ) 

Total contribution by and distribution to owners of the parent, recognised directly in Equity

      897       76,300       (69,335 )      —         —         —         (121,673 )      (113,811 )      (3,507 )      (117,318 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of the capital reorganisation

  24     (2,320     224,450       (222,032     —         —         —         —         98       —         98  

Acquisition (-) / Sale (+) of shares from Management

      —         —         —         —         —         —         (1,231     (1,231 )      —         (1,231

Acquisition of non-controlling interest in IRIS Global Blue Malaysia

      —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,221       1,221  

Impact from the changes in % held

      —         —         —         (41     (20     47       (658     (672 )      672       —    

Total transactions with owners of the parent, recognised directly in equity

      —         —         —         (41 )      (20 )      47       (1,889 )      (1,903 )      1,893       (10 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2018

  24     341       391,856       7,607       —         (12,339 )      (903 )      (305,856 )      80,706       8,905       89,611  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018 the share capital comprised of 40,000,000 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.009 each.

 

 

F-10


Table of Contents

(€ thousands)

  Notes   Issued
Capital
    Share
premium
    Other
reserve
    Cash flow
hedge
reserve
    Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
    Remesurements
of post
employment
benefit
obligations
    Accumulated
losses
    Total     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

Balance as at 1 April 2016

  24     1,428       64,322       334,645       (2,044 )      (2,594 )      (2,415 )      (166,620 )      226,722       6,894       233,616  

Profit/(loss) for the year

      —         —         —         —         —         —         25,305       25,305       2,919       28,224  

Other Comprehensive income/(loss)

  24     —         —         —         1,189       (263     1,148       —         2,074       101       2,175  

Total comprehensive income

      —         —         —         1,189       (263 )      1,148       25,305       27,379       3,020       30,399  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issue of share capital

  24     336       26,784       —         —         —         —         —         27,120       —         27,120  

Conversion of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates into shares

  24     —         —         (17,476     —         —         —         (9,644     (27,120     —         (27,120

Redemption of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

  24     —         —         (18,195     —         —         —         (37,039     (55,234     —         (55,234

Dividends

  25     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (3,604     (3,604 ) 

Total conribution by and distribution to owners of the parent, recognised directly in Equity

      336       26,784       (35,671 )      —         —         —         (46,683 )      (55,234 )      (3,604 )      (58,838 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition (-) / Sale (+) of shares from Management

      —         —         —         —         —         —         (9,006     (9,006     —         (9,006

Impact from the changes in % held

      —         —         —         (4     (13     (5     (973     (995 )      995       —    

Total transactions with owners of the parent, recognised directly in equity

      —         —         —         (4 )      (13 )      (5 )      (9,979 )      (10,001 )      995       (9,006 ) 
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2017

  24     1,764       91,106       298,974       (859 )      (2,870 )      (1,272 )      (197,976 )      188,867       7,305       196,172  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2017 the share capital comprised of 17,636,856 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.10 each.

The notes on pages F-12 to F-83 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1

Corporate information

Global Blue Group AG (‘the Company’ or ‘Global Blue’) and its subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’) provide technology-enabled transaction processing services for merchants, banks, governments and travellers. The Group has operating subsidiaries around the world.

The Company is a partnership limited by shares incorporated on 16 March 2018. The registered office is established in 38, Zürichstrasse, CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland under the number CHE-218.820.653 Global Blue Group AG is the ultimate parent of the Group.

These group consolidated financial statements previously issued 19 February 2020 were revised to reflect the matters described below in section “Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements”. These revised financials statements were authorized for issue by the Directors of the Company on 14 April 2020.

The consolidated financial statements of Global Blue Group AG have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and are presented in Thousands of Euros (EURk).

The principal activities of the Group are described in Note 2.

Owners’ structure

Global Blue Group AG is the ultimate holding company for the Group.

Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements (authorized on 19 February 2020) to reflect: (i) an adjustment due to the correction of the statutory life of certain unsuccessful transaction claims and (ii) recognition of an uncertain tax position related to a German tax matter.

 

   

Unsuccessful transaction claims: During the fourth quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the company identified that, while certain European governments had shortened the statutory life of unsuccessful transaction claims (from 10 years or longer to 5 years) before 1 April 2016, the Company was still using the old statutory life, thus resulting in an understatement of revenue in the financial years ending 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018 and an overstatement of revenue in the financial year ending 31 March 2017. The adjustment results in a change in revenue, associated income tax expense, and earnings per share, with a corresponding change in the unsuccessful transaction claims liability (recognized under Trade Payables) and associated deferred tax asset. The opening balances of the unsuccessful transaction liability, deferred tax asset, and retained earnings for the financial year ending 31 March 2017 are adjusted to reflect the impact on prior periods. There is no impact on net cash used in operating activites and the balance of cash and cash equivalents from this revision.

 

   

German tax matter: During the third quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the Company became aware of an April 2018 ruling of the Fiscal Court of Dusseldorf in relation to language included in certain profit and loss pooling agreements (“PLPA”) which raises uncertainty as to whether the German tax authorities will accept the effectiveness of the Company’s fiscal unity for the tax periods beginning in 2014 until 2019. As such, the Company has recognized an uncertain tax position in the financial year ending 31 March 2019. An amended PLPA, from which the provisions in focus were removed, was registered in December 2019; therefore, the risk described above is only related to historical financial years.

In addition, the Company has expanded disclosure related to the French tax matter (Note 10) and Italian tax matter (Note 12), and has provided disclosure on the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 (Note 44).

 

F-12


Table of Contents

The Company evaluated the aggregated effects of the errors to its previously issued consolidated financial statements in accordance with IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Accounting Estimates and Errors (“IAS 8”). Based upon quantitative and qualitative factors, the Company has determined that the errors were not material to the previously issued consolidated financial statements for each of the financial years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, and 31 March 2019. However, the cumulative effect of the errors would be significant to the Company’s financial results for the year ended 31 March 2020, if taken into account for that financial year. Accordingly, the Company has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for the financial years ended 31 March 2017, 31 March 2018, and 31 March 2019.

All financial information presented in the accompanying notes to these consolidated financial statements was revised to reflect the correction of these errors.

The following tables present the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of financial position, consolidated statement of cash flows, and consolidated statement of changes in equity.

 

Revision to Consolidated Income Statement

 

           
    2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Total revenue

    409,037       3,919       412,956       420,024       1,420       421,444       417,851       (556     417,295  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    54,604       3,919       58,523       58,437       1,420       59,857       79,045       (556     78,489  

Profit before tax

    25,924       3,919       29,843       26,312       1,420       27,732       44,243       (556     43,687  

Income tax expense

    (17,992     (4,964     (22,956     (7,800     (454     (8,254     (15,642     179       (15,463
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

    7,932       (1,045     6,887       18,512       966       19,478       28,601       (377     28,224  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

                 

Owners of the parent

    3,395       (1,045     2,350       14,717       966       15,683       25,682       (377     25,305  

Basic profit / (loss) per share

    0.08       (0.02     0.06       0.37       0.02       0.39       0.64       (0.01     0.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted profit /(loss) per share

    0.08       (0.02     0.06       0.37       0.02       0.39       0.64       (0.01     0.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revision to Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

         
    2018/19     2017/18    

 

    2016/17    

 

 
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Profit or (loss) for the year

    7,932       (1,045     6,887       18,512       966       19,478       28,601       (377     28,224  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

    10,140       (1,045     9,095       9,703       966       10,669       30,776       (377     30,399  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

                 

Equity holders of parent

    5,547       (1,045     4,502       6,490       966       7,456       27,756       (377     27,379  

Revision to Statement of Financial Position

 

           
    31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Non-current assets

                 

Deferred income tax asset

    14,020       (3,156     10,864       11,313       (1,905     9,408       5,350       (1,450     3,900  

Total Non-current assets

    781,002       (3,156     777,846       785,026       (1,905     783,121       848,754       (1,450     847,304  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,202,309       (3,156     1,199,153       1,169,470       (1,905     1,167,565       1,245,409       (1,450     1,243,959  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

                 

Accumulated losses

    (315,887     3,432       (312,455     (310,332     4,476       (305,856     (201,487     3,511       (197,976

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent

    75,109       3,432       78,541       76,230       4,476       80,706       185,356       3,511       188,867  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    83,535       3,432       86,967       85,135       4,476       89,611       192,661       3,511       196,172  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

                 

Trade payables

    274,020       (10,300     263,720       274,769       (6,381     268,388       238,817       (4,961     233,856  

Current income tax liabilities

    26,044       3,713       29,757       38,444       —         38,444       34,336       —         34,336  

Total current liabilities

    401,024       (6,587     394,437       395,225       (6,381     388,844       339,212       (4,961     334,251  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,118,774       (6,587     1,112,187       1,084,335       (6,381     1,077,954       1,052,748       (4,961     1,047,787  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

    1,202,309       (3,156     1,199,153       1,169,470       (1,905     1,167,565       1,245,409       (1,450     1,243,959  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revision to Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

         
    2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

(€ thousands)

    As Reported       Adjustments       Revised       As Reported       Adjustments       Revised       As Reported       Adjustments       Revised  

Profit or (loss) before tax

    25,924       3,919       29,843       26,312       1,420       27,732       44,243       (556     43,687  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in working capital

    7,257       (3,919     3,338       (21,158     (1,420     (22,578     10,880       556       11,436  

Net cash used in operating activities

    114,341       —         114,341       84,991       —         84,991       111,983       —         111,983  

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

    54,444       —         54,444       (63,896     —         (63,896     10,742       —         10,742  

 

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Revision to Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

           
    As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  
(€ thousands)   Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
 

Balance as at 31 March 2018

    (310,332     76,230       85,135       4,476       4,476       4,476       (305,856     80,706       89,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 1 April 2018

    (317,738     68,824       77,729       4,476       4,476       4,476       (313,262     73,300       82,205  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the year

    3,395       3,395       7,932       (1,045     (1,045     (1,045     2,350       2,350       6,887  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    3,395       5,546       10,140       (1,045     (1,045     (1,045     2,350       4,501       9,095  

Balance as at 31 March 2019

    (315,887     75,109       83,535       3,432       3,432       3,432       (312,455     78,541       86,967  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

 

    As Reported    

 

   

 

    Adjustments    

 

   

 

    Revised    

 

 
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
 

Balance as at 1 April 2017

    (201,487     185,356       192,661       3,511       3,511       3,511       (197,976     188,867       196,172  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the year

    14,717       14,717       18,512       966       966       966       15,683       15,683       19,478  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    14,717       6,490       9,704       966       966       966       15,683       7,456       10,670  

Balance as at 31 March 2018

    (310,332     76,230       85,135       4,476       4,476       4,476       (305,856     80,706       89,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
 

Balance as at 1 April 2016

    (170,507     222,835       229,729       3,887       3,887       3,887       (166,620     226,722       233,616  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the year

    25,682       25,682       28,601       (377     (377     (377     25,305       25,305       28,224  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    25,682       27,756       30,776       (377     (377     (377     25,305       27,379       30,399  

Balance as at 31 March 2017

    (201,487     185,356       192,661       3,511       3,511       3,511       (197,976     188,867       196,172  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
NOTE 2

General information about the business

Product offering

The Company serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international travellers shopping abroad, driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic tailwinds. The Company offers third-party serviced tax free shopping (TFSS) solutions and offers added-value payment solutions (AVPS), including dynamic currency conversion. At the core, the Company is a technology platform that serves a network of merchant stores globally through both TFSS and AVPS, delivering economic benefits to a complex ecosystem of merchants, international shoppers and customs and authorities.

Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions

Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions (TFSS) is the Group´s principal service. TFSS is value added tax (VAT) refund service, allowing eligible shoppers to reclaim VAT on goods purchased outside of their home country. Merchants benefit from TFSS through increased sales and greater customer satisfaction from their foreign customers.

Global Blue actively seeks to educate merchants and travellers in VAT refund opportunities to increase the proportion of VAT refunds that are issued and successfully refunded. In addition, Global Blue has also simplified the end-to-end refund process for its customers through the development of specific technology and processes.

Intelligence and Marketing services, which are also included in the TFSS product offering, provide merchants multiple channels and services to better target travellers.

Added-Value Payment Solutions

The Group offers Added-Value Payment Solutions (AVPS) through two brands: Currency Choice and Currency Select.

The AVPS services enable customers to pay in their choice of preferred currency, home or destination, at the point of sale when shopping outside of their home country.

 

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Global Blue’s AVPS value proposition to travellers is to provide clarity around the final amount that they will be charged as they are given the option to pay the purchase price in their preferred currency, fixed at the time of purchase. For travellers, it is a convenient and transparent service with competitive FX pricing. For businesses (e.g., merchants and hotels), AVPS generate incremental revenues.

AVPS are designed to integrate with merchants’ point-of-sale hardware and Global Blue has designed the systems workflow to allow the merchants’ business processes to remain largely unchanged.

Global Blue provides the currency conversion service for Point of Sale, eCommerce DCC and DCC at ATMs, as well as Multi-Currency Processing (MCP) for online retailers.

 

NOTE 3

Significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and adopted by the IASB.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared to provide the reader with of a set of financial statements in connection with the preparation for a potential exit of the current shareholders.

The consolidated financial statements include three years of financial information from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019 and have been prepared using the accounting policies as applied in each year.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed in Note 5.

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Global Blue Group AG and its subsidiaries as at 31 March 2019, 2018 and 2017.

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when it has power over that entity, when it is exposed or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with that entity and when it has the ability to use its power over that entity to affect the amount of the returns. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

Inter-company transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Unrealized gains/losses are also eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries are consistent with the policies adopted and selected by the Group.

 

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Transactions and Non-controlling interest

Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions - that is, as transactions with the owners in their capacity as owners. For purchases from non-controlling interests, the difference between fair value of any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gain or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded in equity.

When the Group ceases to have control, any retained interest in the entity is re-measured to its fair value at the date when control is lost, with the change in carrying amount recognized in profit or loss. This fair value is the initial carrying amount for the purposes of subsequently accounting for the retained interest as an associate, joint venture or financial asset. In addition, any amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in respect of that entity are accounted for as if the Group had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. This may mean that amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

Investment in joint ventures

The Group applies IFRS 11 to all joint arrangements. Under IFRS 11, investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint ventures, depending on the contractual rights and obligations of each investor. The Group has assessed the nature of its joint arrangement and determined it to be a joint venture. A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties, with joint control of the arrangement, have the rights to the net assets of the joint venture. The Group exercises joint control over a joint arrangement when decisions relating to the relevant activities of the arrangement require the unanimous consent of the Group and the other parties with whom control is shared.

Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

Under the equity method of accounting, interest in a joint venture is initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognise the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses and movements in other comprehensive income. When the Group’s share of losses in a joint venture equals or exceeds its interests in the joint venture, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture.

Changes in accounting policy

The following new standards have been adopted as of 1 April 2018 and are reflected in the consolidated financial statements:

IFRS 9 - Financial instruments

IFRS 9 addresses the classification, measurement and recognition of financial assets and financial liabilities. The complete version of IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014 with the objective of replacing the guidance in IAS 39 that relates to the classification and measurement of financial instruments. IFRS 9 retained, though in a simplified manner, the mixed measurement model and established three primary measurement categories for financial assets: amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI) and fair value through profit or loss (FVPL). The basis of classification depends on the entity’s business model and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. Investments in equity instruments are required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss, unless the Company makes an irrevocable decision at the initial recognition of the investment, to present the subsequent changes in fair value in OCI. IFRS 9 established a new expected credit losses model that replaced the incurred loss impairment model used previously in IAS 39. With respect to financial liabilities, there were no changes to classification and measurement except for the recognition of

 

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changes in own credit risk in other comprehensive income and for liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss. IFRS 9 relaxed the requirements for hedge effectiveness by replacing the bright line hedge effectiveness tests, which enabled the use of hedge accounting if the hedge was 80%-125% effective. Instead, IFRS 9 requires an economic relationship between the hedged item and hedging instrument, and that the ‘hedged ratio’ is the same as the one management actually use for risk management purposes. Documentation related to hedging is still required, though different to that currently prepared under IAS 39.

In July 2017, the IASB (‘Board’) released the accounting standard for modifications of financial liabilities under IFRS 9. That is, when a financial liability measured at amortised cost is modified without resulting in derecognition, a gain or loss should be recognised in profit or loss. The gain or loss is calculated as the difference between the original contractual cash flows and the modified cash flows discounted at the original effective interest rate.

At 1 April 2018 the IFRS 9 transition has an impact on the retained earnings of EUR7.4m (decrease), loans and borrowings of EUR7.4m (increase), and the future interest costs as they are amortised.

Global Blue adopted the standard as of 1 April 2018 based on the modified retrospective approach.

Global Blue has analysed the impact of the standard and has concluded the following:

 

   

The new hedge requirements have no impact on the financials of Global Blue, as the Company does not apply hedge accounting;

 

   

The financial liabilities are measured at “amortised cost”, which has been reflected in equity as of 1 April 2018;

 

   

The impact of implementing the expected loss model on trade receivables is immaterial. The Group determines at each reporting date the impairment allowances by measuring the expected credit loss, using the lifetime expected loss allowance model, under the simplified approach.

The following table presents the reclassification of financial instruments on adoption of IFRS 9 as at 1 April 2018:

 

    

Measurement category

    

Original (IAS 39)

  

New IFRS 9

Financial assets

     

Other non-current financial receivables

   Loans and receivables/Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Trade receivables

   Loans and receivables/Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Other receivables excluding other non-financial receivables

   Loans and receivables/Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Cash and cash equivalents

   Loans and receivables/Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Financial liabilities

     

Loans and borrowings

   Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Derivative financial instruments

   FVPL    FVPL

Other long term liabilities

   Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Trade payables

   Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Other current liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

   Amortised cost    Amortised cost

Accrued liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

   Amortised cost    Amortised cost

IFRS 15 - Revenue from contracts with customers

IFRS 15 deals with revenue recognition and establishes principles for reporting useful information to users of financial statements about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of a good or service

 

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and thus has the ability to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the good or service. The standard replaces IAS 18 ‘Revenue’ and IAS 11 ‘Construction contracts’ and related interpretations. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 and earlier application is permitted.

Global Blue adopted the standard as of 1 April 2018, based on the modified retrospective approach.

Global Blue has analysed the impact of the standard and has concluded that there are no material changes to the recognition of revenue for the Group. However, the Group has identified the need to change to the current revenue recognition approach in relation to very limited number of advance payments for contracts with select customers, as described in Note 17 and Note 22. These payments for contracts with customers were previously recorded as capitalised intangible assets and were expensed through the income statement over the lifetime of such contracts. With the new standard, the portion of such payments and contracts which is related to the current financial year is recorded as a negative revenue, while the remaining amount is recognized as a prepaid expense.

IFRS 16 - Leases

IFRS 16 replaces IAS 17 and sets out new principles for the recognition, measurement and presentation of leases. The main impact for Global Blue’s financial statements is that IFRS 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model requiring a lessee to recognize lease contracts on balance sheet via right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. In addition, the new standard requires a more extensive level of disclosure for lessees and lessors. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019 and earlier application is permitted.

IFRS 16 Qualification

To qualify as a lease under IFRS 16, an agreement has to transfer the right to control the use of an identified asset - (i.e. direct how and for what purpose the asset is used), throughout the designated period of use, in exchange for consideration, so that the customer has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the identified asset.

The IFRS 16 contains exemptions for certain types of contracts, such as: (i) short term leases where the useful life is less than 12 months, (ii) low value asset leases, and (iii) non-lease components. These contracts are recognized though the income statement, as other expenses, when incurred.

Lease liability

The lease liability represents the net present value of lease payments over the lease term (as detailed below). The interest expense on the lease liability is presented as a component of finance costs. Where these lease agreements do not specify the implicit interest rate and as these subsidiaries are financed internally, Global Blue uses its incremental borrowing rate.

Right of use asset

Right of use assets are capitalised at a value equivalent to the lease obligation at inception and depreciated over the lease term.

At the inception of the lease contract the initial direct costs are capitalised in the value of Right of use asset. Initial direct costs are the incremental costs of obtaining a lease that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been obtained.

Lease term

The lease term corresponds to the non-cancellable period of each contract. Where leases contain an option to either extend or terminate early, the Company is required to make an assessment regarding the likelihood of exercising such option on a lease-by-lease basis.

 

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Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the Group. These terms are used to maximise operational flexibility in terms of managing contracts. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor.

In determining the lease term, management considers all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise a termination option. Extension options (or periods after termination options) are only included in the lease term if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not terminated). If the lessor has a termination option, the lease term is limited to the enforceable lease term.

Implementation date and impact summary

Global Blue adopted the standard as of 1 April 2018 under the cumulative catch-up approach, at which it recognized the Right of use asset in line with the lease liability recognized. As IFRS 15 has been adopted as of 1 April 2018, Global Blue qualified for the early adoption of IFRS 16, alongside the adoption of IFRS 15.

The following table contains the differences between the lease commitments under IAS 17 and the lease liability at the date, as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16:

 

(€ thousands)

                   

Change in accounting policy

   2018/19     2017/18      2016/17  

Operating lease commitments disclosed as at 31 March 2018

     70,138       —          —    

(Less): short-term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense

     (348     —          —    

(Less): low-value leases recognised on a straight-line basis as expense

     (7     —          —    

(Less): contracts reassessed as service agreements

     (1,732     —          —    

Add/(less): adjustments as a result of a different treatment of extension and termination options

     11,259       —          —    

Add/(less): adjustments relating to changes in the index or rate affecting variable payments

     (20,431     —          —    

Discounted using the incremental borrowing rate

     (4,554     —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Lease liability recognised as at 1 April 2018

     54,325       —          —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other changes in accounting policy

New and revised standards will be applied in the financial years 2019/20 and beyond. Global Blue’s assessment is that the standards, amendments and interpretation issued and not yet effective for the financial year 2019/20 will not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statement.

Performance Measures

Amortization of intangible acquired through business combinations

Represents the amortization of the assets recognized in the process of the purchase price allocation during an acquisition. The majority of this amortization relates to the 2012 acquisition of Global Blue by Silver Lake and Partners Group (see below).

Exceptional items

Exceptional items consist of items which the board considers as not directly related to ordinary business operations and which are not included in the assessment of management performance. These include:

 

   

Business restructuring expenses, including expenses related to replacement of management positions and any cost associated with replacing roles, changing of facilities or discontinued operations;

 

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Corporate restructuring expenses, including legal, consultancy and advisory expenses associated with preparing the Group for an exit, which is being explored by GB Shareholders;

 

   

Monitoring fees, which are fees charged by the ultimate owners of the Group, funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group, for services rendered by Silver Lake and Partners Group to Global Blue. They cover activities such as advising the Group on various topics, including strategy, business plan, budget and capital markets activities; the retention and supervision of independent auditors; and the work performed by third parties, including legal counsel, investment bankers, or other financial advisors or consultants (Note 10);

 

   

Impairment of intangible assets, including the discontinuation of an IT project or other intangible assets;

 

   

Gains and losses on disposals of fixed assets;

 

   

Share-based payments, which reflect the fair value change in the share-based payment liability (according to IFRS2) related to the management equity plan implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition;

 

   

Other exceptional items which could be material, are explained in Note 10, if they occur.

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of goods or services and thus has the ability to direct the use and obtain the benefits from the goods or services. Revenue represents the fair value of consideration received or receivable from clients for services provided by the Group, net of discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes, after eliminating sales within the Group.

Revenue from external customers derives from following services:

VAT refund services

Global Blue provides a solution that facilitates the VAT refund process for both merchants and travellers. Specifically, the traveller receives a refund from Global Blue of the total VAT paid, less a commission, which varies based on a number of factors such as the merchant, country and amount of purchase. After processing the refund, Global Blue invoices either the relevant merchant or the government, for the full VAT amount, which is paid to the Group in full. The merchant then reclaims the VAT from the government and invoices Global Blue in turn for their portion of the commission, the rate of which varies according to the contractual agreements with each customer. Whilst the transaction flow involves various parties, Global Blue’s involvement in respect of the tax authorities is considered to be of a pass-through nature, and it is therefore considered to be an agent for this part. The commission received by Global Blue, net of the share paid to the merchant, is recognized as revenue.

Such service is contracted with merchants, who are provided with a license to a specifically designed IT system, related forms to collect the relevant information about the traveller to allow a tax refund and any related training and support required to allow the merchant to make use of Global Blue’s service. These elements are all essential to the provision of VAT refund services and, as a result of their interdependency, and the fact the customer (i.e. merchant) would not be able to make use of such elements on their own, they are considered part of a single performance obligation.

Commission revenue is recognized at a point in time, upon receipt of a validated tax refund transaction from the traveller, which establishes the right to a VAT refund.

In certain instances, the payment to the traveller cannot be completed successfully and the amount due remains unclaimed. These unsuccessful payments represent a very small percentage of the large number of refunds processed. The revenue related to such amounts is recognized when the residual risk of a cash outflow is extinguished.

 

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Service revenues from Intelligence and Marketing are recognized at the point in time the services are performed and delivered. Timing of recognition is made by reference to when there is a right to consideration to the extent of the performance of contractual obligations and the agreed level of fees for the services.

Timing of recognition of revenue is made by reference to the time the advertisements are published on the appropriate medium and based on the agreed level of fees.

Payment and AVPS services

In a Dynamic Currency Choice transaction, a traveller pays for goods or services in their preferred currency, which is fixed at the time of the transaction and at which point the Group earns a commission for the foreign exchange spread for our service, from which fees are paid to both the participating merchant and the acquiring bank.

As the Company is acting only as an agent, revenue is recorded net in the consolidated income statement at the time of the transaction (i.e. at a point in time). The revenue recognised, consists of the total Payments & AVPS commission earned from the traveller (i.e. gross commission) less the amount of commissions paid to participating merchants and acquiring banks.

Global Blue provides other minor services to merchants (e.g., tax audit support to the merchant customers), which represent an insignificant part of the Company’s activities and have therefore not been separately considered for IFRS 15 purposes.

Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker (CODM). The CODM, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Executive Committee (ExCom).

Finance Income / Expense

Interest income is recognized in the income statement as it accrues, using the effective interest method. The interest expense component of lease liability payments is recognized in the income statement using the incremental borrowing rate.

Finance expense consists of interest payable on borrowings calculated using the effective interest rate method and interest payable on lease liabilities using the incremental borrowing rates. The finance income comprises interest receivable on funds invested, foreign exchange gains and losses, and gains and losses on hedging instruments that are recognized in the income statement.

Sales tax

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognized net of the amount of sales taxes / value added taxes except:

 

   

where the sales tax incurred on a purchase of goods and services is not recoverable from the taxation authority, in which case the sales tax is recognized as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of the expense item as applicable; and

 

   

receivables and payables are stated with the amount of sales tax included.

The net amount of sales tax recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is included as part of receivables or payables in the statement of financial position.

 

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Leases

The lease liability resulting from the adoption of IFRS 16 is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments payable over the lease term discounted at the incremental borrowing rate.

The lease liability is subsequently remeasured to reflect changes in:

 

   

the lease term (using a revised discount rate);

 

   

the assessment of a purchase option (using a revised discount rate);

 

   

the amounts expected to be payable under residual value guarantees (using the original discount rate); or

 

   

future lease payments resulting from a change in an index or a rate used to determine those payments (using the original discount rate).

The lease contracts that do not meet the recognition criteria of IFRS 16 or qualify as exceptions, such as low value assets contracts or short-term lease contracts, are expensed through the income statement directly.

The interest expense on the lease liability is presented as a component of finance costs.

Foreign currencies

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the ‘functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in thousands of Euros, which is the Group’s presentation currency.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the income statement.

Group companies

The results and financial position of all the Group entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated into the presentation currency as follows:

 

   

Assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of the statement of financial position;

 

   

Income and expenses for each income statement are translated at average exchange rates or at rates prevailing on the transaction dates (a reasonable approximation of the actual rate being available); and

 

   

All resulting exchange differences are recognized as a separate component of other comprehensive income called “currency translation adjustments”.

On consolidation, exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, and of borrowings and other currency instruments designated as hedges of such investments, are taken to other comprehensive income. When a foreign operation is partially disposed of or sold, exchange differences that were recorded in equity are recognized in the income statement as part of the gain or loss on sale.

Goodwill arising on acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustment arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the closing rate.

 

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Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment, except the Right of use asset, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment consists of the purchase price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into use. Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognized as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial period in which they are incurred.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis, writing down the assets, excluding any estimated residual value, in equal instalments over their estimated useful economic lives as follows:

 

   

Machinery, equipment and computers: 3-5 years

 

   

Leasehold improvements: over the contract period

The residual values and useful economic lives of all Machinery, equipment and computers are reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted, if appropriate, at the end of each financial year. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related asset or to the date of the next leasehold renewal, whichever is sooner.

Gains and losses on disposals are calculated by comparing proceeds with carrying amount and are included as appropriate in “Exceptional items” in the income statement.

The Right of use asset is recognized according to IFRS 16 provisions as follows:

 

   

At the initial recognition of the lease, the Right of use asset is measured at the amount of lease liability plus any initial direct costs incurred by Global Blue and adjustments such as: lease incentives and payments at or prior to commencement;

 

   

Subsequently, the Right of use asset is measured at cost less the accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Right of use asset is tested for impairment according to IAS 36 provisions.

Intangible assets

Goodwill

The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired are recorded as goodwill.

Goodwill is included in “intangible assets” and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of cash-generating units (CGU) that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. The carrying value of CGU is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs of disposal. Any impairment is recognized immediately in the income statement within respective activity in the functional income statement. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

 

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Customer relationships

Acquired customer relationships are recognized at the acquisition date at fair value and amortised over a 9-20.5-year period, reflecting the estimated useful life of these assets.

Customer contracts

Long-term customer contracts include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer and are recognised as assets, as long as a service is being rendered over the contract period.

Trademarks

Trademarks acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value. Trademarks have a finite useful life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost over 20 years, reflecting the estimated useful life of these assets.

Software and other intangible assets

Computer software licenses that do not form an integral part of related hardware are capitalised at cost and amortised over their useful life.

Costs associated with maintaining computer software programs are recognized as an expense as incurred. Costs that are directly associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group that will generate probable economic benefits beyond one year, are recognized as intangible assets. Costs include the software development employee costs and an appropriate portion of relevant overheads. Computer software development costs recognized as an intangible asset are amortised over their useful economic life of 3-5 years.

Impairment of non-financial assets

Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, are not subject to amortization but are tested at least annually for impairment or more frequent if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). Non-financial assets other than goodwill subject to impairments in previous years are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

Financial assets

Classification

The Group classifies its financial assets in the two following categories: “at fair value through profit or loss” and “at amortised cost”. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition as follows:

(a) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets shall be measured at fair value through profit or loss unless they are measured at amortised cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if expected to be settled within 12 months; otherwise, they are classified as non-current.

 

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(b) Financial assets at amortised cost

Financial assets at amortised cost are held in order to collect contractual cash flows paid on specified dates, which solely consist of payment of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. These assets are included in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the end of the reporting period, which are classified as non-current assets. The Group’s Financial assets at amortised cost consist of trade receivables, other current receivables and cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Group does not have financial assets measured at fair value through OCI.

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are amounts due from merchants and tax authorities for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of the TFSS and Intelligence and Marketing businesses. The majority of amounts accounted as trade receivables are related to invoices and accruals for processed TFSS transactions as well as early refunds to tourists and refund agents. If collection is expected in one year or less, they are classified as current assets. If not, they are presented as non-current assets.

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provisions for impairments. A provision for impairment of a trade receivable is established based on the expected credit loss model. The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring the expected credit loss, which uses a lifetime expected loss allowance. To measure the expected credit loss, trade receivables have been grouped by countries, days past due and also by retailers, authorities and others.

The expected credit loss rates are based on the payment profiles of customers over a 12 months period before 31 March 2018 and the corresponding historical credit losses over the analysed period. The historical credit losses are adjusted in order to reflect the current and forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of customers to settle the receivables. The Group has identified that there are not significant macroeconomic factors that are affecting the ability of its customers to settle their receivables. Thus, the Group concluded that there is no significant difference between the historical loss rates and the expected credit loss rates.

The Group applies the following rates:

 

Days past due

   Historical loss rates
(as at 31 March 2018)
    Expected loss rates
(as at 1 April 2018)
 

0 – 3 months

     0     0

3 – 6 months

     25     25

6 – 9 months

     50     50

9 – 12 months

     75     75

>12 months

     100     100

The closing loss allowance of trade receivables as at 31 March 2018 reconciles fully to the opening loss allowance as at 1 April 2018. Therefore, the initial application of IFRS 9 expected credit loss model did not have any impact on retained earnings.

The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recognized in the income statement within “Other operating expenses”. When a trade receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against “Other operating expenses” in the income statement.

 

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Previous accounting policy

As at 31 March 2018, the trade receivables were recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Indicators that the trade receivable might be impaired include when a debtor: (i) faces significant financial difficulties, (ii) is expected to enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization, and (iii) defaults on payments (more than 30 days overdue). The amount of the provision is computed as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate.

Other current receivables

Other current receivables primarily consist of amounts due from customers performed in the ordinary course of the Payments & AVPS business, from input VAT unrelated to the TFSS refunding activities, advances and deposits and tax receivable.

Prepaid expenses

As a result of IFRS 15, a limited set of payments and contracts with customers, previously recognized as capitalised intangible assets and amortised over the life-time of such contract, are being recorded as a negative revenue, for the portion related to the current financial year, and a prepaid expense for the remaining amount. The prepaid expense is recorded under the name “Merchants” in the financial statement. The Group applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to measuring the expected credit losses from contract assets, which uses the lifetime expected loss allowance model.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks and other short term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Drawn bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the statement of financial position.

Share capital

Ordinary and management shares are classified as equity.

Financial liabilities

The Group classifies its financial liabilities in the following categories: “at fair value through profit and loss” or “other financial liabilities at amortised costs”, as appropriate.

All financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value and, in the case of loans and borrowings, less directly attributable transaction costs.

The Group’s financial liabilities include trade creditors, bank overdrafts, interests bearing loans and borrowings, and derivative financial instruments.

(a) Financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss include financial instruments held for trading.

 

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Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. This category includes derivative financial instruments obtained by the Group that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9.

Gains and losses on liabilities held for trading are recognized in the income statement within “net finance costs”.

(b) Non-Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates (“NC-PECs”) issued by Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A.

The NC-PECs which have been issued by an indirect subsidiary of the Company to senior management of the Group are considered as debt. They are recognized initially at fair value net of transaction costs incurred and are subsequently carried at amortised cost. Interest on these NC-PECs is calculated using the effective interest method and is recorded in the consolidated income statement within “finance costs”.

(c) Interest-bearing loans and borrowings

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized in the income statement over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Fees paid on the establishment of loan facilities are recognized as transaction costs of the loan to the extent that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down. In this case, the fee is deferred until the draw-down occurs. To the extent there is no evidence that it is probable that some or all of the facility will be drawn down, the fee is capitalised as a pre-payment for liquidity services and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either:

 

a)

hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or a firm commitment (fair value hedge);

 

b)

hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge);

 

c)

hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge).

The Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. The Group also documents its assessment both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months, and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. Trading derivatives are classified as a current asset or liability.

Cash flow hedge

Global Blue has no cash flow hedges in the financial year ending 31 March 2019.

 

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Upon recalculation of the fair value of the derivative instruments, should a portion of the change adhere to the necessary criteria, then it is designated as an effective cash flow hedge and is recognized in “Other comprehensive income”. Whereas, should a portion of the change be designed as ineffective, the related gain or loss is immediately recognized in the income statement within “Net finance costs”.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the period when the hedged item affects the profit or loss, such as when the forecasted interest payment takes place.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in the income statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss, that was previously reported in equity, is immediately transferred to the income statement within “Net finance costs”.

Certain derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any of these derivative instruments are recognized immediately in the income statement within “Net finance costs”.

Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities

Financial assets are derecognized when the contractual rights to the cash flow have expired or been transferred together with substantially all risks and rewards. Financial liabilities are derecognized when they are extinguished.

Other long-term liabilities

Share-based payments

The Group operates a share-based plan which qualifies as a cash-settled share-based payment in accordance with IFRS 2. The share-based compensation plan was implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition of the Group by funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group. The fair value of the employee’s services received in exchange of the grant of the shares is recognised as an expense. The total amount to be expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the shares granted and is recognised over the vesting period.

At the end of each reporting period, the Group revises its estimates of the fair value of the liability for the share-based payment and the difference is recognised under expenses. As soon as the Group estimates that the payment will happen within the next financial year, the liability is reclassified to the other short-term liabilities.

Current and deferred income tax

The current income tax charge is calculated based on the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date in the countries where the Company’s subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate based on the amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, the deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting, nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized, or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

 

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Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences, and the carry-forward of unused tax losses, can be utilized.

Employee benefits

Defined contribution plans

The Group has insured contributory plans covering substantially all employees. The costs for these plans are accounted for in the income statement within “employee benefit expenses”. Payments to defined contribution plans are charged as an expense as they fall due. Payments made to state plans are dealt with as payments to defined contribution plans where the Group’s obligations under the plans are equivalent to those arising in a defined contribution plan.

Defined benefit plans

The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The discount rate is the yield at the balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have maturity dates approximating to the terms of the Group’s obligations. The calculation is performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method.

Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are charged or credited to equity in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

All past-service costs are recognized immediately in the income statement.

Termination benefits

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Group before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognizes termination benefits when it is demonstrably committed to a termination when the entity has a detailed formal plan to terminate the employment of current employees without possibility of withdrawal. In the case of a voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer.

Provisions

Provisions for legal claims are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably estimated. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, where appropriate, the risks specific to the liability.

Trade payables

Trade payables are obligations to pay for services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from merchants and in-transit payment to tourists. Trade creditors are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less (or in the normal operating cycle of the business if longer). If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

 

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In-transit payments to tourists

In-transit payments to tourists contain liabilities to tourists in connection with non-cash refunds and unsuccessful payments. The policy for non-cash refunds is that payments will be made within three weeks from the day Global Blue receives the refund request. In certain cases, non-cash refunds do not successfully go through, potentially due to incorrect card or bank details being provided by the traveller. These are then recognized as unsuccessful payments and accounted for as trade payables. When the legal expiration period has passed, which varies from 3 to 20 years from country to country, the unclaimed amount is treated as an extinguishment and the financial liability is released.

Trade creditors and other payables are stated at amortised cost.

Other current liabilities

The expected duration of other assets and liabilities is short, and the values are therefore recognized at nominal value without discounting. Other liabilities primarily consist of accounts payables which are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers, VAT not related to the TFSS refunding activities and personnel-related taxes.

Business combinations

A business combination is a transaction or event in which an acquirer obtains control of one or more businesses. The Group uses the acquisition method of accounting to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred, and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.

The excess of the fair value of consideration transferred and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.

 

NOTE 4

Financial risk management

The Group’s activities are exposed to a variety of financial risks such as market risk (including currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

To minimize the impact of potential adverse effects of market volatility on financial performance, the Company hedges certain market risks via derivative contracts with banks. The Company manages financial risks through its central treasury department in compliance with policies approved by the board of directors.

 

(a)

Market risk

 

i)

Foreign exchange risk

Because of the Euro being the presentation currency of the Group and functional currency of the Company, as well as the international coverage of its TFSS and Payments & AVPS business, the Group is exposed to foreign exchange risks.

Foreign exchange risks are mainly due to the funding of entities with non-Euro functional currencies in the form of intra-group loans and cash pools. The largest exposures are GBP, SGD and SEK and volatility in these currencies may therefore impact the Group’s results.

 

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Trade payables and receivables exposed to foreign exchange risks are mainly intra-group and denominated in the respective entity’s functional currency.

A foreign exchange rate sensitivity analysis has been performed on the monetary items exposed to foreign exchange risks in the statement of financial position.

At 31 March 2019, if currency rates on the major currencies had been 2% higher/lower and with all other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for the year would have been EUR0.1m lower/higher.

 

ii)

Interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk arises from the external senior debt structured at floating rates, accompanied by an interest rate floor. A significant increase in interest rates may affect the funding cost of the Company.

If the market interest rate would have been 1% higher/lower on 31 March 2019 and, with all other variables held constant, pre-tax profit for the year would have been EUR4.0m (EUR4.0m in 2017/18) (EUR1.9m in 2016/17) lower/higher as a result of an increase in the borrowing cost of the external senior debt.

 

(b)

Credit risk

Counterparty credit risk is managed at Group level, except for credit risk relating to accounts receivable balances. Each operating entity is responsible for managing and analysing the credit risk for new clients before standard payment terms and conditions are offered.

Credit risk towards banks arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits held with these business partners. The credit risk towards banks is managed by Group treasury in compliance with the Group’s policies that define the corporate instructions in relation to managing counterparty limits. As such, investments of surplus funds can only be done with approved counterparties and any new counterparties are to be confirmed by the CFO of the Group before any cash deposits or financial transactions can be executed with them (see Note 19 for details on the credit risk).

Credit risk from trade receivables and contract assets is managed according to the Group’s policies. Operating entities apply credit risk management procedures in line with these policies. Credit risk is monitored on a country by country basis, considering the aging profile of the customers and historical and forward-looking default indicators. Additionally, the type of counterparty, be it an individual customer or a state authority, is used as a potential class of different risk profiles (refer to Note 20).

Management of operational entities monitors exposure to credit risk on an ongoing basis. The creditworthiness of new customers is assessed before signing trade contracts. Any change request of the already agreed credit conditions is reviewed from a creditworthiness standpoint and approved by the operational entities. The assessment of creditworthiness takes into consideration external ratings and information from relevant institutions.

There are no significant concentrations of credit risk.

 

(c)

Liquidity risk

All operational entities of the Group forecast the cash developments weekly on a rolling basis. These are monitored by Group treasury ensuring that the Group’s liquidity position at all times meets operational cash needs.

Surplus cash held by the operating entities over and above amounts required for working capital management are centralized and managed by Group treasury. Where applicable, surplus cash is invested in instruments with

 

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appropriate maturities to ensure sufficient liquidity headroom. At the reporting date, the Group deposited EUR0.5m (EUR0.6m in 2017/18) (EUR0.1m in 2016/17) with banks and held other liquid assets of EUR104.1m (EUR50.7m in 2017/18) (EUR111.6m in 2016/17).

In addition to actively centralizing excess cash available in the local operations as a primary source of liquidity, Group treasury has access to a revolving credit facility of up to EUR80.0m (EUR80.0m in 2017/18) (EUR80.0m in 2016/17) and a cash pool facility of up to EUR5.0m (EUR5.0m in 2017/18) (EUR5.0m in 2016/17).

The table below analyses the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities and net-settled derivative financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the notional, undiscounted cash flows.

 

As at 31 March 2019

(€ thousands)

   Less than
3 months
     Between
3 months
and 1 year
     Between
1 and 2
years
    Between
2 and 5
years
     Over
5 years
 

Loans and borrowings (1)

     5,497        16,613        22,050       667,998        —    

Other long term liabilities (1)

     —          —          11,434       17,964        7,844  

Derivative financial intruments

     176        —          —         —          —    

Trade payables

     168,020        93,199        534       1,966        —    

Other current liabilities (2)

     36,591        13,974        (557     1,293        56  

Accrued liabilities (3)

     26,412        8,880        264       326        129  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     236,696        132,666        33,725       689,547        8,029  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

   Less than
3 months
     Between
3 months
and 1 year
     Between
1 and 2
years
     Between
2 and 5
years
     Over
5 years
 

Loans and borrowings (1)

     5,497        16,553        22,110        690,048        —    

Other long term liabilities (1)

     —          —          —          —          3,809  

Derivative financial intruments

     174        —          —          —          —    

Trade payables

     208,007        57,699        1,428        1,219        35  

Other current liabilities (2)

     19,463        6,179        —          —          —    

Accrued liabilities (3)

     16,200        13,631        440        50        107  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     249,341        94,062        23,978        691,317        3,951  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2017

(€ thousands)

   Less than
3 months
     Between
3 months
and 1 year
     Between
1 and 2
years
     Between
2 and 5
years
     Over
5 years
 

Non Convertible Equity Certificates incl. accrued interest (1)

     —          —          —          —          141,367  

Loans and borrowings (1)

     7,068        21,282        28,350        85,128        648,952  

Other long term liabilities (1)

     —          —          —          5,484        154,126  

Derivative financial intruments

     232        525        —          —          —    

Trade payables

     174,127        58,767        925        —          37  

Other current liabilities (2)

     20,863        2,643        —          —          —    

Accrued liabilities (3)

     14,853        9,119        2,524        29        102  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     217,143        92,336        31,799        90,641        944,584  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The line items “Loans and borrowings” and “Other long-term liabilities”, as presented in the table above, include future interest payments (capitalised interest in the case of Other long-term liabilities). As at 31 March 2019, the Group does not have any significant outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts.

(2)

For the purposes of this table, items where the counterparty is the tax authority such as “Personnel taxes” and “VAT”, “withholding tax” have been excluded from the line “Other current liabilities”. For further details on these excluded items see Note 33.

 

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(3)

For the purpose of this table, items where the counterparty is the tax authority such as “accrued social charges” have been excluded from the line “Accrued liabilities”. For further details on the excluded items see Note 34.

Net debt reconciliation

This section presents a breakdown of net debt and details the movements in net debt for each of the periods presented:

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Net debt

   Notes      31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Cash and cash equivalents

     23        (104,072     (50,674     (111,687

Bank overdraft

     27        2,102       2,972       185  

Borrowings - repayable after one year

     27        622,398       612,793       610,513  

Lease liabilities - repayable within one year

     13        13,713       —         —    

Lease liabilities - repayable after one year

     13        32,420       —         —    
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

        566,561       565,091       499,011  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Assets     Liabilities from financing activities  

(€ thousands)

  Cash and cash
equivalents
    Bank
overdraft
    Borrowings due
within 1 year
    Borrowings due
after 1 year
    Lease
liabilities
due within
1 year
    Lease
liabilities
due after
1 year
    Total  

Net debt as at 31 March 2018

    (50,673     2,972       —         612,792       —         —         565,091  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in accounting policies IFRS9

    —         —         —         7,406       —         —         7,406  

Changes in accounting policies IFRS16

    —         —         —         —         14,087       40,239       54,325  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt as at 1 April 2018

    (50,673     2,972       —         620,198       14,087       40,239       626,822  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows

    (52,341     (1,045     —         —         (14,154     —         (67,541

Foreign exchange adjustments

    (1,057     175       —         —         6       26       (850

Other changes

    —         —         —         2,199       13,775       (7,845     8,129  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt as at 31 March 2019

    (104,071     2,102       —         622,397       13,714       32,420       566,560  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Assets     Liabilities from financing activities  

(€ thousands)

   Cash and cash
equivalents
    Bank
overdraft
    Borrowings
due within
1 year
     Borrowings
due after
1 year
     Lease
liabilities

due
within

1 year
     Lease
liabilities
due after
1 year
     Total  

Net debt as at 1 April 2017

     (111,687     185       —          610,513        —          —          499,011  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows

     58,821       2,883       —          —          —          —          61,704  

Foreign exchange adjustments

     2,193       (96     —          —          —          —          2,097  

Other changes

     —         —         —          2,279        —          —          2,279  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt as at 31 March 2018

     (50,673     2,972       —          612,792        —          —          565,091  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Assets     Liabilities from financing activities  

(€ thousands)

   cash and
cash equivalents
    Bank
overdraft
    Borrowings due
within 1 year
     Borrowings
due after
1 year
     Lease
liabilities

due
within
1 year
     Lease
liabilities
due after
1 year
     Total  

Net debt as at 1 April 2016

     (101,159     454       —          412,752        —          —          312,047  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows

     (8,925     (293     —          197,761        —          —          188,544  

Foreign exchange adjustments

     (1,382     24       —          —          —          —          (1,358

Other changes

     (221     —         —          —          —          —          (222
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt as at 31 March 2017

     (111,687     185       —          610,513        —          —          499,011  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(d)

Capital risk management

The capital structure of the Group as per 31 March 2019 is composed of consolidated equity of EUR90.0m (EUR89.6m in 2017/18) (EUR196.2m in 2016/17) and senior debt with a carrying value of EUR622.4m (EUR612.8m in 2017/18) (EUR610.5m in 2016/17). This represents an Equity/Capital ratio of 12.3%1 (12.8% in 2017/18) (24.3% in 2016/17). Management is of the opinion that the Company is conservatively capitalised.

 

(e)

Fair value estimation

The table below discloses financial instruments carried at fair value, by valuation method. The different levels have been defined as follows:

 

   

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);

 

   

Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices) (Level 2);

 

1 

Equity/Capital ratio = (Equity)/(Equity + Carrying value senior debt)

 

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Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

 

As at 31 March 2019

(€ thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities

           

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           

- Derivative financial intruments

     —          176        —          176  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     —          176        —          176  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities

           

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           

- Derivative financial intruments

     —          174        —          174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     —          174        —          174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2017

(€ thousands)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Liabilities

           

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

           

- Forward foreign exchange contract - trading derivatives

     —          137        —          137  

- Interest rate swaps

     —          772        —          772  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     —          909        —          909  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example over-the-counter derivatives) is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.

 

NOTE 5

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Critical accounting estimates and judgments

The Group makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Management believes that the following are the key judgments, assumptions and other estimation uncertainties used in the preparation of the financial statements, where a different opinion or estimate could lead to significant changes to the reported results.

Taxes

The Group is subject to income taxes in numerous jurisdictions and uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations and the amount and timing of future taxable income. Given the wide range of international business relationships and the long-term nature and complexity of existing contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to tax income and expense already recorded.

 

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Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognized, based upon the timing and the level of future taxable profits together with future tax planning strategies.

For further details see Notes 12 and 29.

Pension benefits

The Group makes estimates about the range of long-term trends and market conditions to determine the value of the deficit and surplus on its retirement benefit schemes, based on the Group’s expectation of the future and advice from qualified actuaries.

Long term forecasts and estimates are necessarily highly judgmental and subject to risk that actual events may be significantly different to those forecasted. If actual events deviate from the assumptions made by the Group, the reported surplus or deficit in respect to retirement benefits may be materially different.

For further details see Note 30.

Development costs

Development costs are capitalised. Initial capitalization of costs is based on management’s judgment that technological and economic feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model. Assumptions are made regarding the expected future cash generation or future savings of the project, discount rates and expected periods of benefits. Total software development expenditure capitalised for the financial year amounted to EUR23.7m (EUR17.8m in 2017/18) (EUR12.7m in 2016/17) out of to the total development costs incurred of EUR27.7m (EUR30.1m in 2017/18) and (EUR34.2m in 2016/17).

Lease term of lease contracts IFRS 16

The Group has made the following estimates and judgements related to the lease term of lease contracts:

 

a)

Renewal of lease contracts with extension option

All lease contracts with an option to extend or terminate early have been reviewed on an individual basis by Global Blue.

Global Blue classifies the lease contracts into the following asset classes: offices, refund points, cars, IT contracts and others. Leases for offices, refund points and IT contracts have an average remaining lease term of 3 years as at 1 April 2018. For these contracts, where there is an option to extend, Global Blue has considered that for a number of contracts it is reasonably certain that they will be extended. On average, these judgements have increased the overall lease duration by a period of 3 years from the upcoming expiration date. Consequently, the lease term of the renewable contracts in the aforementioned asset classes has been set at minimum 3 years as at 1 April 2018.

Considering the underlying business needs, at the end of the aforementioned contracts, it has been assessed as being reasonably certain that Global Blue will renew these contracts for a similar period of time.

 

b)

Lease term of indefinite period contracts

As at the date of transition to IFRS 16, certain contracts entered by Global Blue are for indefinite periods. Global Blue has the right to exit these contracts on a recurring basis, whereas the counterparties have no substantial

 

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termination rights. Global Blue assessed each contract for how long the underlying asset is expected to be used. Considering the underlying business needs, it has been assessed as being reasonably certain that Global Blue will not exercise its termination rights for the following years (average):

 

   

Offices: 5 years

 

   

Refund points: 5 years

 

   

Cars: 3 years

 

   

IT contracts: 5 years

 

   

Others: 3 years

For further details see Note 13.

 

NOTE 6

Segment information

The Company has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Executive Committee (ExCom) for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. Management considers the business from a product perspective; the performance of the Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions (TFSS), and Added-Value Payment Solutions (AVPS) product groups are separately considered.

The ExCom assesses the performance of the operating segments based on the measures of Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA at both a segment level and a group level (with the Adjusted EBITDA assessed after non-allocated central costs).

The measures used by the ExCom to monitor the performance of the Group’s operating segments do not include all costs in the IFRS consolidated income statement. Marketing, sales, customer service, certain administrative, depreciation, amortization, impairment income / expense, and net finance costs are not allocated to segments. As a result, the ExCom monitors the development of EBITDA presented in the consolidated management accounts.

The segment information provided to the ExCom for the reportable segments is as follows:

 

2018/19

(€ thousands)

   Notes      TFSS     AVPS     Central
costs
    Total  

Revenue

        349,251       63,705       —         412,956  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        (136,187     (28,329     (74,931     (239,447
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

        213,064       35,376       (74,931 )      173,509  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation(1)

     9              (105,133

Exceptional items

     10              (9,853
           

 

 

 

Operating Profit

              58,523  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)

Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

 

2017/18

(€ thousands)

   Notes      TFSS     AVPS     Central
costs
    Total  

Revenue

        360,224       61,220       —         421,444  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        (140,366     (26,297     (83,765     (250,428
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

        219,858       34,923       (83,765 )      171,016  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation(1)

     9              (86,719

Exceptional items

     10              (24,440
           

 

 

 

Operating Profit

              59,857  
           

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

 

2016/17

(€ thousands)

   Notes      TFSS     AVPS     Central
costs
    Total  

Revenue

        361,280       56,015       —         417,295  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        (137,440     (25,550     (88,617     (251,607
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

        223,840       30,465       (88,617 )      165,688  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation(1)

     9              (83,436

Exceptional items

     10              (3,763
           

 

 

 

Operating Profit

              78,489  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)

Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

No measure of assets or liabilities by segment is reported to the ExCom. There are no significant transactions between segments.

Revenue is mainly derived from commissions generated from TFSS and AVPS. A geographical breakdown of revenue by point of sale is provided below:

 

2018/19

(€ thousands)

                    

Revenue by geography and by segment

   TFSS      AVPS      Total  

Europe

     304,156        16,658        320,814  

Asia Pacific

     41,796        47,042        88,838  

Rest of the world

     3,299        5        3,304  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     349,251        63,705        412,956  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2017/18

(€ thousands)

                    

Revenue by geography and by segment

   TFSS      AVPS      Total  

Europe

     314,903        16,815        331,718  

Asia Pacific

     41,722        44,405        86,127  

Rest of the world

     3,599        —          3,599  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     360,224        61,220        421,444  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2016/17

(€ thousands)

                    

Revenue by geography and by segment

   TFSS      AVPS      Total  

Europe

     320,411        16,039        336,450  

Asia Pacific

     37,787        39,976        77,763  

Rest of the world

     3,082        —          3,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     361,280        56,015        417,295  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There is no single external customer which accounts for more than 10% of Global Blue’s revenue, for any of the years presented.

 

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The Company has adopted IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from contracts with customers’ from 1 April 2018 with a simplified transition method which resulted in changes in accounting policies and adjustments to the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

 

NOTE 7

Operating expenses

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Expenses by nature

   Notes      2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Employee benefit expenses

     8        (122,088     (117,583     (110,035

Depreciation and amortisation

     9        (105,133     (86,719     (83,436

Agent costs

        (78,329     (83,187     (82,910

IT costs

        (15,431     (14,949     (15,338

Auditors, lawyers and consultants

        (12,798     (16,084     (9,315

Advertising and promotion

        (8,861     (9,341     (10,933

Travel, entertainment, office and rental cost

        (8,518     (19,394     (25,323

Other operating expenses

        (3,275     (14,330     (1,516
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        (354,433     (361,587     (338,806
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of which exceptional items

     10        (9,853     (24,440     (3,763

 

NOTE 8

Employee benefits expenses

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Employee benefits expenses/ Share-based payments

   Notes      2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Salaries and bonuses

        (95,118     (92,461     (87,168

Social security charges

        (20,398     (19,840     (16,995

Pensions costs

        (2,448     (1,491     (1,505

Defined benefit plans

     30        (652     (1,175     (841

Other personnel expenses

        (3,472     (2,616     (3,526
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        (122,088     (117,583     (110,035
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Key management personnel remuneration, including pension obligations and other remuneration, for the financial year 2018/19 was EUR4.1m (EUR7.2m in 2017/18) (EUR5.2m in 2016/17). The remuneration of the board of directors, including pension obligation for the financial years 2018/19, 2017/18 and 2016/17, was nil. For further detail, please refer to Note 42.

 

NOTE 9

Depreciation and amortization

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Depreciation and amortisation

   Notes      2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     13,16        (19,975     (4,515     (4,294
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortisation of customer relationships

        (70,332     (71,608     (70,758

Amortisation of trademarks

        (2,237     (2,237     (2,237

Amortisation of other intangible assets

        (12,589     (8,359     (6,147
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortisation of intangible assets

     17        (85,158     (82,204     (79,142
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        (105,133     (86,719     (83,436
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of which amortisation of intangible acquired assets through business combinations

        (74,642     (74,817     (74,947

 

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The depreciation of property, plant and equipment of EUR20.0m includes depreciation related to the Right of use asset, as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16. For further details refer to Note 13.

The amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations predominantly relates to the acquisition of Global Blue by Silver Lake and Partners Group in 2012.

 

NOTE 10

Exceptional items

Exceptional items consist of items which the board considers as not directly related to ordinary business operations and which are not included in the assessment of management performance and can be analysed as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Exceptional items

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Business restructuring expenses

     (4,361     (2,621     (1,293

Corporate restructuring expenses

     (1,273     (7,096     —    

Monitoring fee

     (756     (1,003     (847

Impairment

     —         (2,019     —    

Share based payments

     (1,716     (673     (851

Net sales of assets gain/(loss)

     (722     (28     (772

Other exceptional items

     (1,025     (11,000     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (9,853     (24,440     (3,763
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Business restructuring expenses

Business restructuring expenses correspond to expenses related to replacement of management positions and costs associated with replacing roles, changing of facilities or discontinued operations.

Corporate restructuring expenses

Corporate restructuring expenses correspond to legal, consultancy and advisory expenses associated with preparing the Group for an exit, which has begun to be explored by the shareholders of the Group.

Monitoring fee

Monitoring fee corresponds to fees charged by the ultimate owners of the Group, funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group, for services rendered by Silver Lake and Partners Group to Global Blue. They cover activities such as advising the Group on various topics, including strategy, business plan, budget and capital markets activities; the retention and supervision of independent auditors; and the work performed by third parties, including legal counsel, investment bankers, or other financial advisors or consultants.

Share-based payments

Reflecting the fair value change in the share-based payment liability according to IFRS 2. The share-based compensation plan was implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition of the Group by funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group.

Other exceptional items

Refers mainly to the cost related to the VAT audit in France for the financial years 2014-2016.

 

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The French tax authorities opened a tax audit in October 2016 regarding Global Blue France SAS (“Global Blue France”) for the financial years ended 31 March 2014, 2015 and 2016 with respect to all taxes. The tax audit is focused on Global Blue’s VAT refund business, operating transfer pricing policy, IT systems and interest rates on cash pool balances. In December 2018, the French tax authorities issued a notice of assessment to Global Blue France for the financial year ended 31 March 2014 related to VAT findings for an amount of €6.4 million. The VAT findings relate to certain missing information on tax free forms which are mandatory according to VAT refund regulation in France. As a consequence, the VAT exemption claimed by Global Blue France in relation to these forms was denied by the French Tax Authorities. Global Blue France is waiting for the collection notice from the French tax authorities. An accrued liability of €10.0 million to cover these amounts was booked in Global Blue’s accounts as of 31 March 2018. This accrued liability was reduced to €6.4 million as of 31 March 2019 due to a payment of €1.8 million to the French tax authorities and a change in management’s estimate of Global Blue’s exposure. The tax audit in respect of the transfer pricing policy for financial years ended 31 March 2014, 2015 and 2016 is ongoing. At this stage the Company has not deemed it necessary to book a provision for this matter.

Tax effect

Management tracks the tax effects of these exceptional items, alongside exceptional tax items that are further disclosed in Note 12.

 

NOTE 11

Net finance cost

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Finance income

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Interest income on short-term bank deposits

     562        251        586  

Net foreign exchange gains on financing activities

     861        1,241        2,240  

Net foreign exchange gains (1)

     —          —          1,454  

Other finance income

     1,402        902        2,404  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total finance income

     2,825        2,394        6,684  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

                  

Interest expense:

      

- Bank borrowings (including amortization of capitalized financing fees)

     (26,021     (31,159     (37,081

- Lease liabilities interest

     (1,424     —         —    

- Interest expenses on Non-Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates issued to third Parties (Note 26)

     (155     (361     (224

- (Accrual)/Reversal of interest component on long term provisions

     —         —         (197

Fair value loss on financial instruments:

      

- Interest rate swaps: cash flow hedges, transfer from equity

     —         (258     (1,207

Net foreign exchange losses (1)

     (398     (936     —    

Other finance expenses

     (3,507     (1,805     (2,777
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance costs

     (31,505     (34,519     (41,486
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

     (28,680     (32,125     (34,802
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Net foreign exchange gains and losses arising during the period result from the difference between the value originally recorded and the amount actually paid or received, as well as unrealized gains and losses due to the difference between the original value recorded and the value at the balance sheet date.

EUR26.0m (EUR31.2m in 2017/18) (EUR37.1m in 2016/17) finance expenses on bank borrowing includes EUR23.8m (EUR26.7m in 2017/18) (EUR33.5m in 2016/17) interest expenses, EUR3.8m (EUR3.6m in

 

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2017/18) (EUR3.9m in 2016/17) of amortization of capitalised financing fees and EUR(1.6m) (EUR0.9m in 2017/18) (EUR4.3m in 2016/17) amortization of the hedging reserve. For further details, refer to Note 27.

 

NOTE 12

Income tax expense

The below table reconciles the income tax charge at the statutory tax rate to the effective taxes reported in the income statement:

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Income tax

   Notes      2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Income tax charge

        (28,772      (27,733      (26,905

Adjustment in respect of current income tax of previous years

        (10,181      (970      (4,987

Deferred tax

     29        15,997        20,449        16,429  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense reported in the income statement

        (22,956      (8,254      (15,463

Of which income tax expense related to amortization of acquisition related items

        15,066        15,066        15,066  

Of which tax impact on exceptional items

        2,822        8,257        634  

Of which exceptional income tax expense

        (14,526      (2,699      (3,100

 

(€ thousands)

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Profit before tax

     29,843        27,732        43,687  

Effective tax

        

Tax expense calculated at the weighted average expected tax rate of 21.40% (21.40% in FY2017/18 and 23.60% in FY2016/17)

     (6,387      (5,935      (10,310

Adjustment in respect of current income tax of previous years

     (10,181      (970      (4,987

Utilization of tax losses from prior years for which no deferred income tax was recognized

     501        778        2,095  

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

     (18,577      2,542        (2,148

Tax losses not generating deferred tax assets

     (1,017      (5,835      (6,890

Effect of income taxed at different tax rates

     9,970        1,902        301  

Deferred tax asset recognized for previously unrecognized tax loss carry forward

     4,479        1,667        160  

Other tax items

     (1,744      (2,403      6,316  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total reported effective tax expense

     (22,956      (8,254      (15,463
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

“Tax losses not generating deferred tax assets” are related to losses at Global Blue Acquisition B.V., which are not expected to be offset against profits during the upcoming years and therefore do not result in deferred tax.

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Tax items recognized directly in other comprehensive income:

   Notes      2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Tax effect on actuarial gains / losses

     25        (74      (3      (208
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total tax effect

        (74      (3      (208
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exceptional Income Tax Expenses

Italy

The Italian tax authorities opened a tax audit in February 2016 on Global Blue Italia S.r.l. (“Global Blue Italy”): (i) in respect of corporate income tax and regional tax covering the financial years ended 31 March 2014

 

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and 2015; and (ii) in respect of VAT and withholding tax for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. On 19 July 2016, the Italian tax authorities issued the final tax audit report. The report challenged Global Blue’s transfer pricing in respect of Global Blue’s tax model and certain intercompany charges and asserted that withholding tax should have been paid in respect of certain license fees and interest payments. Based thereon, the Italian tax authorities issued an additional tax assessment in an amount of €7.7 million. Global Blue has challenged the findings and filed an objection letter with the Italian tax authorities in order to defend its tax positions. Global Blue Italy started a formal settlement procedure in 2018. Discussions with the Italian tax authority are ongoing for the findings on license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 as well as the finding on withholding tax on license fee for the calendar years 2013 and 2014. As a result of the above, an income tax payable was booked in 31 March 2017 for €3.1 million, 31 March 2018 for €2.7 million, and 31 March 2019 for €10.8 million, equating to a total income tax payable, in the 31 March 2019 financials, of €16.6 million. The income tax payable booked, covered the findings above as well as (i) the finding on withholding tax on interests for the calendar years 2013 to 2018, the findings on (ii) license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial years ended March 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and (iii) withholding tax on license fees for calendar years 2015 to 2018.

Separately, Global Blue Italy received notice of assessment from the tax authorities of the city of Milan with respect to Global Blue Italy’s treatment of certain merchant invoices issued in 2013 and 2014. At this stage the Company has not deemed it necessary to book a provision for this matter.

Germany

Global Blue New Holdings Germany GmbH (“GBNHG”), as controlling entity, and Global Blue Deutschland GmbH (“GBD”), as controlled entity, entered into a profit and loss pooling agreement (hereinafter the “PLPA”) dated October 5, 2000, allowing the pooling of income and losses of both entities for corporate income and trade tax purposes. While the provisions of the PLPA allow the utilization of capital reserves built up at the level of GBD during the term of the PLPA for loss compensation (or for the profit transfer to GBNHG), such provisions, in light of a recent court ruling issued in April 2018, may not be permissible under German law. Even though GBD has not utilized any capital reserves as permitted by the PLPA, there is a risk that the tax authorities might challenge the effectiveness of the PLPA and, as a consequence, deny the profit and loss pooling within the German Global Blue group relating to the financial year 2019 and previous tax periods. Based on the opinion of Global Blue’s advisers, the Company has recognised an uncertain tax position and estimates the potential liability at €3.7 million. This amount has been booked as a provision in the accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2019. An amended PLPA, from which the provisions in focus were removed, was registered in December 2019; therefore, the risk described above is only related to historical financial years.

 

 

NOTE 13

Leases

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet are the following:

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Right of use asset

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Offices

     15,454        —          —    

Refund points

     19,578        —          —    

IT contracts

     7,329        —          —    

Others

     2,717        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Right of use asset

     45,078        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

                    

Movement of Right of use asset

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

     —          —          —    

Adoption of new accounting policy

     54,325        

New contracts

     5,804        —          —    

Modifications

     13        —          —    

Depreciation

     (15,159      —          —    

FX effect

     95        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     45,078        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Lease liability

   Notes      2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Short-term

        13,713        —          —    

Long-term

     28        32,420        —          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Lease liability

        46,133        —          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Movement of Lease liability

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

     —          —          —    

Adoption of new accounting policy

     54,325        

New contracts

     5,800        —          —    

Modifications

     13        —          —    

Cash outflow

     (15,508      —          —    

Interest

     1,424        —          —    

FX effect

     79        —          —    
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     46,133        —          —    
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Contractual maturities of financial liability at 31 March 2019

   Less than 2
years
     Between 2 years
and 5 years
     More than 5 years  

Lease liability

     25,148        17,964        3,021  

(€ thousands)

                    

Contractual maturities of financial liability at 31 March 2018

   Less than 2
years
     Between 2 years
and 5 years
     More than 5 years  

Lease liability

     —          —          —    

(€ thousands)

                    

Contractual maturities of financial liability at 31 March 2017

   Less than 2
years
     Between 2 years
and 5 years
     More than 5 years  

Lease liability

     —          —          —    

Amounts recognised in the income statement are the following:

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Depreciation charge of the right of use asset

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Offices

     3,973        —          —    

Refund points

     7,976        —          —    

IT contracts

     1,893        —          —    

Others

     1,317        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Depreciation charge of right of use asset

     15,159        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

                    

Interest expense

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Interest expense (included in finance cost)

     1,424        —          —    

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Other lease-related expenses

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Expense relating to short-term leases (included in Other expenses)

     4,497        —          —    

Expense relating to leases of low-value assets that are not short-term leases (included in Other expenses)

     14        —          —    

Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in lease liabilities (included in Other expenses)

     5,929        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other lease related expenses

     10,440        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table “Other lease-related expenses” includes expenses from the lease contracts that are not qualified as Right of Use assets according to IFRS 16.

 

NOTE 14

Audit fees

 

(€ thousands)                     

Audit fees

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Audit of the financial statements by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

     1,996        2,222        1,921  

Audit-related services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

     —          —          17  

Tax services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

     —          —          —    

Other services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

     44        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

     2,040        2,222        1,938  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit of the financial statements by other audit firms

     5        18        73  

Audit-related services provided by other audit firms

     30        —          24  

Tax services provided by other audit firms

     334        252        283  

Other services provided by other audit firms

     351        72        12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fees of other auditors

     720        343        392  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total audit fees

     2,760        2,565        2,330  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

NOTE 15

Earnings per share

 

(€ thousands)                            

Earnings per share from continuing operations

   Notes      2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Profit or loss from continuing operations attributable to the owners of the parent

        2,350        15,683        25,305  

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (thousands)

     24        40,000        40,000        40,000  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

        0.06        0.39        0.63  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

        0.06        0.39        0.63  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company had no dilutive potential ordinary shares during the year ended 31 March 2019.

 

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NOTE 16

Property, plant and equipment

The below table is a reconciliation table for Property, plant and equipment. This note excludes the balance sheet impact of the IFRS 16 Right of use asset, which has been presented and detailed in Note 13.

 

(€ thousands)

   Machinery, Equipment
and computers
    Leasehold
Improvements
    Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     23,493       5,030       28,523  

Acquisition of subsidiary

     15       —         15  

Disposal of subsidiary

     (7     —         (7

Purchases

     5,934       866       6,800  

Disposals

     (4,620     (1,852     (6,472

Reclassification

     891       202       1,093  

Exchange differences

     66       63       129  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values at 31 March 2019

     25,772       4,309       30,081  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     (15,443     (3,226     (18,669

Disposal of subsidiary

     7       —         7  

Depreciation charge for the year

     (4,124     (691     (4,815

Disposals

     3,913       1,769       5,682  

Reclassification

     (910     (143     (1,053

Exchange differences

     (41     (57     (98
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment at 31 March 2019

     (16,598     (2,348     (18,946
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book amount at 31 March 2019

     9,174       1,961       11,135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

   Machinery, Equipment
and computers
    Leasehold
Improvements
    Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

     20,370       3,495       23,865  

Acquisition of subsidiary

     143       23       166  

Disposal of subsidiary

     —         —         —    

Purchases

     4,822       1,128       5,950  

Disposals

     (1,338     (74     (1,412

Reclassification

     153       578       731  

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         —    

Exchange differences

     (657     (120     (777
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values at 31 March 2018

     23,493       5,030       28,523  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

     (12,901     (2,297     (15,198

Depreciation charge for the year

     (4,031     (484     (4,515

Disposals

     1,285       41       1,326  

Reclassification

     (153     (563     (716

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         —    

Exchange differences

     357       77       434  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment at 31 March 2018

     (15,443     (3,226     (18,669
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book amount at 31 March 2018

     8,050       1,804       9,854  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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As at 31 March 2017

(€ thousands)

   Machinery, Equipment
and computers
    Leasehold
Improvements
    Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

     17,306       2,905       20,211  

Acquisition of subsidiary

     848       —         848  

Disposal of subsidiary

      

Purchases

     5,210       490       5,700  

Disposals

     (8,808     (19     (8,827

Reclassifications

     5,593       104       5,697  

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

      

Exchange differences

     221       15       236  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     20,370       3,495       23,865  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

     (11,773     (1,944     (13,717

Disposal of subsidiary

      

Depreciation charge for the year

     (3,882     (412     (4,294

Impairment losses

         0  

Disposals

     8,492       148       8,640  

Reclassifications

     (5,618     (79     (5,697

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

         0  

Exchange differences

     (120     (11     (131
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

     (12,901     (2,297     (15,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book amount at 31 March 2017

     7,469       1,198       8,667  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Accumulated acquisition values

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Machinery, Equipment and computers

     25,772        23,493        20,370  

Leasehold Improvements

     4,309        5,030        3,495  

Right of use asset

     60,236        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Accumulated acquisition values

     90,317        28,523        23,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Machinery, Equipment and computers

     (16,598     (15,443     (12,901

Leasehold Improvements

     (2,348     (3,226     (2,297

Right of use asset

     (15,159     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Accumulated depreciation and impairment

     (34,105     (18,669     (15,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Property, plant and equipment

     56,213       9,854       8,667  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 17

Intangible assets

 

(€ thousands)

   Goodwill     Trademarks     Customer
relationships
    Other int.
assets
    Software     Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     405,937       45,926       664,849       7,117       57,432       1,181,261  

Acquisition of subsidiaries

     7,038       —         —         13       52       7,103  

Purchases

     169       —         1,862       862       23,722       26,615  

Disposals

     —         —         —         (569     (434     (1,003

Reclassifications

     —         —         —         458       9       467  

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         1       (6,604     —         —         (6,603

Exchange differences

     355       14       218       118       243       948  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     413,499       45,941       660,325       7,999       81,024       1,208,788  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     —         (12,676     (395,073     (4,912     (14,308     (426,969

Amortisation

     —         (2,237     (70,332     (1,246     (11,343     (85,158

Disposals

     —         —         —         564       73       637  

Reclassifications

     —         —         —         (507     —         (507

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         3,155       —         —         3,155  

Exchange differences

     —         —         (38     (65     (63     (166
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

     —         (14,913     (462,288     (6,166     (25,641     (509,008
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     (2,040     —         —         (498     (1,255     (3,793

Impairment

     —         —         —         —         (296     (296

Exchange differences

     (69     —         —         —         —         (69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment

     (2,109     —         —         (498     (1,551     (4,158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at 31 March 2019

     411,390       31,028       198,037       1,335       53,832       695,622  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

   Goodwill     Trademarks     Customer
relationships
    Other int.
assets
    Software     Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

     406,552       46,102       663,208       6,084       43,106       1,165,052  

Acquisition of subsidiaries

     2,054       —         —         —         33       2,087  

Purchases

     —         —         2,091       747       17,774       20,612  

Disposals

     —         —         —         (6     (468     (474

Reclassifications

         —         537       (9     528  

Exchange differences

     (2,669     (176     (450     (245     (3,004     (6,544
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     405,937       45,926       664,849       7,117       57,432       1,181,261  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

     —         (10,439     (323,500     (3,612     (7,998     (345,549

Amortisation

     —         (2,237     (71,608     (863     (7,496     (82,204

Disposals

     —         —         —         6       452       458  

Reclassifications

       —         —         (537     (6     (543

Exchange differences

     —         —         35       94       740       869  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

     —         (12,676     (395,073     (4,912     (14,308     (426,969
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

     —         —         —         (498     (1,255     (1,753

Impairment

     (2,019     —         —         —         —         (2,019

Exchange differences

     (21     —         —         —         —         (21
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment

     (2,040     —         —         (498     (1,255     (3,793
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at 31 March 2018

     403,897       33,250       269,776       1,707       41,869       750,499  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

   Goodwill      Trademarks     Customer
relationships
    Other int.
assets
    Software     Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

     385,823        44,730       652,052       3,493       11,063       1,097,161  

Acquisition of subsidiaries

     19,574        1,295       2,993       788       17,897       42,547  

Purchases

     —          —         7,993       1,390       12,676       22,059  

Disposals

     —          —         —         (569     7       (576

Reclassifications

     —          —         —         1,023       —         1,023  

Exchange differences

     1,155        77       170       (41     1,477       2,838  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     406,552        46,102       663,208       6,084       43,106       1,165,052  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

     —          (8,202     (252,740     (1,685     (2,967     (265,593

Amortisation

     —          (2,237     (70,758     (1,470     (4,677     (79,142

Disposals

     —          —         —         568       7       575  

Reclassifications

     —          —         —         1,023       —         (1,023

Exchange differences

     —          —         2       (2     362       (366
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

     —          (10,439     (323,500     (3,612     (7,998     (345,549
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

     —          —         —         (498     (1,255     (1,753

Impairment

     —          —         —         —         —         —    

Reversal of impairment

     —          —         —         —         —         —    

Exchange differences

     —          —         —         —         —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment

     —          —         —         (498     (1,255     (1,753
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at 31 March 2017

     406,552        35,663       339,708       1,974       33,853       817,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill

Management reviews the business performance based on a product perspective. TFSS and Payments & AVPS have been identified as the main product groups and the Group’s operating segments. Goodwill is monitored by the management at the operating segment level. The following is a summary of goodwill allocation for each operating segment:

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Goodwill

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

TFS

     360,721        353,700        353,686  

DCC

     50,669        50,197        52,866  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     411,390        403,897        406,552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The acquisition of Refund Suisse (consisting of Refund Suisse AG and RFND Digital GmbH) increased the goodwill value of the TFSS business by EUR7.0m in the year ending 31 March 2019.

The recoverable amount of all Cash Generating Units (CGU) has been determined based on value-in-use calculations. These calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections based on the budget approved in March 2019. Cash flows beyond the 5-years period are extrapolated using an estimated growth rate stated below.

Management determined forecasted revenue based on past performance and their expectations of market development, specifically tourist arrivals (volume). The growth rates used are supported with the forecasts included in tourism industry reports.

The key assumptions used for value-in-use calculations in March 2019 are as follows:

 

   

Discount rate: pre-tax discount rate of 8.78% (7.44% in 2017/18) (8.39% in 2016/17), for both CGUs.

 

   

Average revenue growth for the company over a four-year period is 5.2%.

 

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After the business plan period, we assume a long-term growth rate of 2% (2% in 2017/18) (2% in 2016/17).

Assumptions are the same for the two CGUs and are based on TFSS, the Group’s most significant operating segment.

The calculations and the cash flow projections are stress-tested using a sensitivity analysis. Changes of the parameters did not reveal any risk of impairment given the significant headroom.

Trademarks

Trademarks were classified as intangible assets with a definite useful life. The fair value of trademarks in the PPA is determined by calculating its value-in-use, being “Relief from Royalty” method for the asset. The net book value as of 31 March 2019 was EUR 31.0m (EUR 33.2m as of 31 March 2018) (EUR 35.6m as of 31 March 2017).

No impairment tests have been performed for Trademarks as there were no indications of impairment.

The assets will be fully amortised by July 2032.

Customer Relationships

As part of business combinations in 2013 and 2016 new intangibles were identified and are collectively defined as customer relationship contracts valued at EUR 194.9m (EUR 263.9m as of 31 March 2018) (EUR 333.4m as of 31 March 2017). The customer relationships have been split across the operating segments:

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Customer relationships

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017      PPA
initial valuation
 

TFS

     181,824        246,169        310,513        610,789  

DCC

     13,083        17,776        22,881        44,256  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     194,907        263,945        333,394        655,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

No impairment tests have been performed for Customer Relationships as there were no indications of impairment.

TFSS and AVPS Customer relationships contain different types of customers, categorized based on revenue and footprint or services offered. The expected economic life for the customer relationship contracts is between 9 and 20.5 years, driven by these varying types of customer relationships within the TFSS and AVPS operating segments. These will be fully amortised by September 2036.

The Customer relationships table includes the effects of the implementation of IFRS 15, which has resulted in a decrease in the gross amount of the Customer relationships by EUR6.6m and the associated accumulated amortization by EUR3.2m. These changes are due to the change in revenue recognition approach regarding certain limited payments for contracts with customers detailed in Note 3 and Note 22.

As at 1 April 2018, the application of IFRS 15 did not have any material impact on the opening balance of the retained earnings as the advance payments to customers have been recognized as contract assets.

 

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Other intangible assets

Other intangibles include licenses acquired and software purchased from external parties.

Software

Software consists of IT software internally developed for TFSS and Payments & AVPS businesses and is amortised over a 3-year period. It also includes the platform software, that has been acquired as part of the Currency Select acquisition of 2015/16, with a fair value of EUR17.9m and which will be amortised over a 5-year period.

 

NOTE 18

Other non-current receivables

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Non-current other receivables

   Notes      31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

        13,360       16,987       6,473  

Additions of non-current assets

        1,541       2,622       10,475  

Divestiture of non-current assets

        (147     (110     (338

Market value valuation

        66       (67     61  

(Decrease)/increase in scope of consolidation

        —         (5,568     261  

Group’s share of profit from joint venture

        —         —         50  

Reclassification to Investments in associates and joint ventures

     41        (2,444     —         —    

Foreign exchange effects

        327       (504     5  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

        12,703       13,360       16,987  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EUR2.1m (EUR2.0m as of 31 March 2018) (EUR2.0m as of 31 March 2017) of the other non-current receivables is related to a receivable from an insurance company related to a pension plan in Sweden. This receivable does not meet the definition of a pension plan asset. The pension plan is denominated in SEK. Payments commenced in 2018 with a second payment stream starting in 2023 and lasting for 10 years. This receivable is revalued at market value.

The fair value of other receivables does not differ significantly from the book value. The other major part of the other non-current receivables is related to rental agreements on different facilities and deposits paid.

In the previous financial year, the Investments in associates and joint ventures were presented in the Non-current other receivables. In the current financial year, these are presented in a separate line in the balance sheet and detailed further in Note 41.

 

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NOTE 19

Financial instruments by category

 

As at 31 March 2019

(€ thousands)

                    

Assets as per balance sheet

   Loans and receivables
at amortised cost
     Derivatives valued
at FVTPL
     Total  

Other non-current financial receivables

     26,723        —          26,723  

Trade receivables

     249,331        —          249,331  

Other receivables excluding other non-financial receivables

     23,869        —          23,869  

Cash and cash equivalents

     104,072        —          104,072  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2019

     403,995        —          403,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2019                     

(€ thousands)

                    

Liabilities as per balance sheet

   Other financial liabilities
at amortised cost
     Derivatives
valued at FVTPL
     Total  

Loans and borrowings

     624,500        —          624,500  

Derivative financial instruments

     —          176        176  

Other long term liabilities

     37,241        —          37,241  

Trade payables

     263,720        —          263,720  

Other current liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     51,337        —          51,337  

Accrued liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     36,011        —          36,011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2019

     1,012,809        176        1,012,985  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

                    

Assets as per balance sheet

   Loans and receivables
at amortised cost
     Derivatives valued
at FVTPL
     Total  

Other non-current financial receivables

     23,070        —          23,070  

Trade receivables

     266,072        —          266,072  

Other receivables excluding other non-financial receivables

     14,824        —          14,824  

Cash and cash equivalents

     50,673        —          50,673  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2018

     354,639        —          354,639  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

                    

Liabilities as per balance sheet

   Other financial liabilities
at amortised cost
     Derivatives valued
at FVTPL
     Total  

Loans and borrowings

     615,765        —          615,765  

Derivative financial instruments

     —          174        174  

Other long term liabilities

     3,809        —          3,809  

Trade payables

     271,579        —          271,579  

Other current liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     25,642        —          25,642  

Accrued liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     30,429        —          30,429  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2018

     947,224        174        947,398  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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As at 31 March 2017                     

(€ thousands)

               

Assets as per balance sheet

   Loans and receivables      Derivatives valued at FVTPL      Total  

Other non-current financial receivables

     16,207        —          16,207  

Trade receivables

     227,280        —          227,280  

Other receivables excluding other non-financial receivables

     9,088        —          9,088  

Cash and cash equivalents

     111,687        —          111,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2017

     364,262        —          364,262  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2017                     

(€ thousands)

                    

Liabilities as per balance sheet

   Other financial liabilities
at amortized cost
     Derivatives valued at FVTPL      Total  

Non-Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

     1,983        —          1,983  

Loans and borrowings

     610,698        —          610,698  

Derivative financial instruments

     —          909        909  

Other long term liabilities

     8,934        —          8,934  

Trade payables

     233,856        —          233,856  

Other current liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     23,506        —          23,506  

Accrued liabilities excluding non-financial liabilities

     26,624        —          26,624  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at 31 March 2017

     905,601        909        906,510  
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit risk

The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions, foreign exchange transactions and other financial instruments.

 

   

Trade receivables

 

   

Customer risk is managed by each business unit subject to the Group’s established policy. Credit quality of a customer is assessed based on an extensive credit rating scorecard and individual credit limits are defined in accordance with this assessment. Outstanding customer receivables are regularly monitored by country managers.

 

   

As disclosed in Note 20, as at 31 March 2019, 83.6% of total trade receivables are not yet due.

 

   

An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date on an individual basis.

 

   

The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to trade receivables as low, as its customers are located in several jurisdictions and operate in largely independent market.

 

   

Financial instruments and cash deposits

 

   

The Group’s approval policy over banks and financial institutions ensures that consistent and efficient cash management structures are implemented to enable a sound level of cash concentration in the Group. Local Management is required to request written approval to the Group treasury department prior to initiating new bank relationships or financial services or before amending existing relationships or banking setups. In compliance with the Senior Facilities Agreement (SFA), a number of obligors’ bank accounts are pledged and subject to close monitoring by the Group’s treasury department (Note 27).

 

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According to the Group’s policy over cash deposits and financial instruments, the counterparty credit quality is measured by the long-term issue credit ratings of S&P and Moody’s and should be minimum A for financial institutions (cash deposits) and A-1 or P-1 for Money Market Funds. Counterparty credit ratings are closely monitored and may be updated throughout the year subject to approval of the Group’s CFO. Counterparty credit limits are set to minimise the concentration of risks and therefore mitigate financial loss through a counterparty’s potential failure to make payments.

 

NOTE 20

Trade receivables

 

As at 31 March 2019                          

(€ thousands)

                         

Trade receivables, net

   Retailers     Authorities      Other     Total  

Nominal value of outstanding trade receivables

     186,083       42,745        24,078       252,906  

Less: Loss allowance

     (2,874     —          (701     (3,575
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     183,209       42,745        23,377       249,331  
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Age analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

Trade receivables not yet due

     156,481        40,773        11,140        208,394  

Trade receivables past due:

           

Up to 3 months

     23,033        1,933        8,422        33,388  

3 months - 6 months

     3,419        39        2,323        5,781  

More than 6 months

     276        —          1,492        1,768  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     183,209        42,745        23,377        249,331  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Currency analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

EUR

     134,117        12,132        5,508        151,757  

GBP

     25,356        5,417        962        31,735  

SGD

     19        19,513        877        20,409  

Other

     23,717        5,683        16,030        45,430  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     183,209        42,745        23,377        249,331  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of trade receivables does not differ from the carrying amount.

Trade receivables past due relate to a number of independent customers for whom there is no recent history and forward-looking information of default.

As at 1 April 2018, the application of IFRS 9 did not have any material impact. Trade receivables have been measured before and after 1 April 2018 at amortised cost.

 

As at 31 March 2018
(€ thousands)

                         

Trade receivables, net

   Retailers     Authorities      Other     Total  

Nominal value of outstanding trade receivables

     190,274       58,948        20,204       269,426  

Less: Bad debt provision

     (2,969     —          (385     (3,354
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     187,305       58,948        19,819       266,072  
     

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

                           

Age analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

Trade receivables not yet due

     162,000        54,367        9,585        225,952  

Trade receivables past due:

           

Up to 3 months

     21,796        4,442        6,355        32,593  

3 months - 6 months

     1,704        136        1,732        3,572  

More than 6 months

     1,805        3        2,147        3,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     187,305        58,948        19,819        266,072  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Currency analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

EUR

     140,973        14,956        8,650        164,579  

GBP

     27,817        4,786        595        33,198  

SGD

     171        26,767        424        27,362  

Other

     18,344        12,439        10,150        40,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     187,305        58,948        19,819        266,072  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

             

Movements of the provision for the impairment of trade receivables

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018  

Opening balance at 1 April

     (3,354      (3,885

Charged for the year

     (1,970      (964

Utilised

     390        623  

Unused amounts reversed

     1,309        771  

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     50        101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     (3,575      (3,354
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2017
(€ thousands)

                           

Trade receivables, net

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

Nominal value of outstanding trade receivables

     180,523        47,768        2,874        231,165  

Less: Bad debt provision

     (3,546      —          (339      (3,885
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     176,977        47,768        2,535        227,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Age analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

Trade receivables not yet due

     151,572        47,165        945        199,682  

Trade receivables past due:

           

Up to 3 months

     23,351        407        934        24,692  

3 months - 6 months

     1,800        73        567        2,440  

More than 6 months

     254        123        89        466  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     176,977        47,768        2,535        227,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

                           

Currency analysis of net trade receivables per class

   Retailers      Authorities      Other      Total  

EUR

     131,154        15,076        779        147,009  

GBP

     24,468        5,577        481        30,526  

SGD

     689        18,405        536        19,630  

Other

     20,666        8,710        739        30,115  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     176,977        47,768        2,535        227,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Movements of the provision for the impairment of trade receivables

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

     (3,354     (3,885     (3,315

Charged for the year

     (1,970     (964     (1,707

Utilised

     390       623       38  

Unused amounts reversed

     1,309       771       1,112  

Effect of movements in foreign exchange

     50       101       (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     (3,575     (3,354     (3,885
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The creation and release of provision for impaired trade receivables have been included in “operating expenses”. Amounts charged to the allowance account are generally written off when there is no expectation of recovering additional cash. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables.

 

NOTE 21

Other current receivables

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Other current receivables

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Input VAT

     22,961        14,958        19,042  

Payments & DCC receivables

     20,312        11,103        5,758  

Advances and deposits

     2,877        2,587        2,227  

Withholding taxes

     2,415        3,781        3,107  

Other current receivables

     682        1,134        1,106  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     49,247        33,563        31,240  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

NOTE 22

Prepaid expenses

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Prepaid expenses

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Insurance

     1,978        2,891        465  

Office and IT-related expenses

     4,904        5,568        2,832  

Accrued income

     2,037        2,037        783  

Merchants

     5,219        —          —    

Other prepaid expenses

     907        397        1,295  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     15,045        10,893        5,375  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As a result of IFRS 15, a limited set of advance payments for contracts with customers is being recorded as a prepaid expense under the name “Merchants” in the financial statement, as presented in the table above.

The EUR5.2m prepaid expenses to merchants, as at 31 March 2019, is predominantly expected to be settled within next the 12 months as a reduction in revenue. The part to be settled beyond 12 months is assessed as not being material to the Group and thus is presented as Current assets.

 

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NOTE 23

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and bank accounts and are payable on demand. The bank accounts earn interest at various rates which differ by account. The deposits consist of highly liquid money market instruments, with withdrawals periods of up to 3 months.

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Deposits

     3,476        1,172        63  

Cash and bank balances

     100,596        49,502        111,624  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     104,072        50,674        111,687  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For business purposes, some external refunding agents have the authority to withdraw cash up to certain limits, on a short-term basis from specific Global Blue bank accounts to be able to refund travellers on the Group’s behalf. In cash and bank balances there are EUR0.1m (EUR0.2m at 31 March 2018) (EUR0.2m at 31 March 2017) available for such purposes. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is EUR 104.1m (EUR50.7m at 31 March 2018) (EUR111.7m at 31 March 2017).

Please refer to Note 27 related to the pledge of cash in hand.

 

NOTE 24

Issued capital and reserves

In March 2018 a capital reorganisation took place within the Group. A new holding company - Global Blue Group AG - was incorporated on 16 March 2018 with a share capital of EUR0.085m divided into 10,000,000 shares. This Company became the ultimate parent of the Group. During the re-organization, an additional 30,000,000 shares were issued with the increase of the share premium.

 

     31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Number of shares (authorized and issued)

     40,000,000        40,000,000        17,636,856  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total number of shares

     40,000,000        40,000,000        17,636,856  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Opening balance at 1 April

     392,197        92,870        65,750  

Issue of share capital

     —          897        336  

Share premium contribution

     —          76,300        26,784  

Effects of the capital reorganisation

     —          222,130        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     392,197        392,197        92,870  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The Other reserves within Equity attributable to owners of the parent consist of the following positions:

 

As at 31 March 2019

(€ thousands)

   Notes      Other      Foreign currency
translation
reserve
    Cash Flow hedge
reserve
     Remeasurements of
post employment
benefit obligations
    Net other reserves  

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

        7,607        (12,339     —          (903     (5,635

Tax effect

     12        —          —         —          (83     (83

Currency translation difference

        —          1,767       —          —         1,767  

Actuarial gain on post-employment benefit obligations

     30        —          —         —          467       467  

Restatement of hyperinflation (1)

        2,283        —         —          —         2,283  
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March 2019

        9,890        (10,572     —          (519     (1,201
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

   Notes     Other reserve (2)     Foreign currency
translation
reserve
    Cash Flow hedge
reserve
    Remeasurements of
post employment
benefit obligations
    Net other reserves  

Opening balance at 1 April 2017

       298,974       (2,870     (859     (1,272     293,973  

Conversion of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

       (46,774     —         —         —         (46,774

Redemption of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

       (22,561     —         —         —         (22,561

Effects of the capital reorganisation

       (222,032     —         —         —         (222,032

Change in cash flow hedge reserve

       —         —         900       —         900  

Tax effect

     12       —         —         —         (5     (5

Currency translation difference

       —         (9,449     —         —         (9,449

Actuarial gain on post-employment benefit obligations

     30       —         —         —         327       327  

Impact of changes in percentage held

       —         (20     (41     47       (14
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March 2018

       7,607       (12,339     —         (903     (5,635
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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As at 31 March 2017

(€ thousands)

   Notes     Other reserve     Foreign currency
translation
reserve
    Cash Flow hedge
reserve
    Remeasurements of
post employment
benefit obligations
    Net other reserves  

Opening balance at 1 April 2016

       334,645       (2,594     (2,044     (2,415     327,592  

Conversion of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

       (17,476     —         —         —         (17,476

Redemption of Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates

       (18,195     —         —         —         (18,195

Change in cash flow hedge reserve

       —         —         1,189       —         1,189  

Tax effect

     12       —         —         —         (208     (208

Currency translation difference

       —         (263     —         —         (263

Actuarial gain on post-employment benefit obligations

     30       —         —         —         1,356       1,356  

Impact of changes in percentage held

       —         (13     (4     (5     (22
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March 2017

       298,974       (2,870     (859     (1,272     293,973  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In the table above, at 31 March 2019, EUR2.3m Restatement due to hyperinflation represents the revaluation reserve as result of applying IAS29 in Argentina, which is considered to be a hyperinflationary economy starting 1 July 2018. The revaluation reserve covers full year transactions since 1 April 2018.

(2)

In the table above, at 31 March 2018, EUR7.6m Other reserve represents the reorganization reserve as result of the capital reorganization that took place in March 2018, and is computed as difference between the cost of the transaction and the carrying value of the net assets at the moment of reorganization.

Movements before the capital reorganisation

On May 16, 2017 the previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) increased its share capital by an amount of EUR0.4m to EUR2.198m and issued 4,345,302 fully paid ordinary shares of different classes (class A-J) with a nominal value of EUR0.10 under its authorised unissued share capital, for a total issue price of EUR35.9m to the subscriber through the conversion of 22,641,308 CPECs issued by the previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) for a total conversion value of EUR35.9m. An amount equal to the nominal value of the shares issued of EUR0.4 has been allocated to the subscribed capital and the balance of EUR35.4m has been allocated to the freely available share premium.

The previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) further increased its share capital on March 16, 2018 by an amount of EUR0.5m to EUR2.661m and issued 4,631,666 fully paid ordinary shares of different classes (class A-J) with a nominal value of EUR 0.10 under its authorised unissued share capital, for a total issue price of EUR41.4m to the subscriber through the conversion of 24,133,419 CPECs issued by the previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) for a total conversion value of EUR41.4m. An amount equal to the nominal value of the shares issued of EUR0.5m has been allocated to the subscribed capital and the balance of EUR40.9m has been allocated to the freely available share premium.

During the financial year 2017/18 the previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) repurchased on May 16, 2017 14,904,731 CPECs for a total repurchase price of EUR59.4m and in addition the previous ultimate parent of the Group (Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) repurchased on March 16, 2018 7,655,952 CPECs for a total repurchase price of EUR54.4m (18,195,272 CPECs in 2016/17 for a total repurchase price of EUR55.2m).

 

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Movements after the capital reorganisation

As a result of the reorganisation, on 22 March, 2018 the CPECs became inter-company positions and are eliminated as of the end of the reporting period.

Any differences related to the capital reorganisation between the cost of the transaction and the carrying value of the net assets is recorded in other reserves.

The effects of the capital reorganisation are the following:

 

As at 31 March 2018

(€ thousands)

   Share capital     Share premium     Other reserves     Retained Earnings     Total  

Reorganisation of Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.

     (2,661     (167,406     (229,639     399,706       —    

Reorganisation of Global Blue Investment GP

     —         —         —         13       13  

Issue of share capital GB Group AG

     85       —         —         —         85  

Incorporation and capital contribution GB Group AG

     256       391,856       7,607       (399,719     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of the capital reorganisation

     (2,320     224,450       (222,032     —         98  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Silver Lake and Partners Group formed a new Limited Partnership (“Global Blue Holding L.P.”), and a new company (“Global Blue Holding Limited”).

Global Blue Holding L.P. then established a new Swiss incorporated company (“Global Blue Group AG”). Global Blue Investment GP S.à r.l distributed the shares of Global Blue Management GP S.à r.l (along with any other assets that it holds other than shares of Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.) to Silver Lake in settlement of a loan owed to Silver Lake.

The shares of the previous ultimate parent, Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A., CPECs held by Silver Lake and Partners Group, and the shares of Global Blue Investment GP S.à r.l were transferred to Global Blue Holding Limited in exchange for the issuance of new shares.

These shares held in Global Blue Holding Limited by Silver Lake and Partners Group were then transferred to Global Blue Holding L.P. The Global Blue Holding Limited shares held by Global Blue Holding L.P. were then transferred to Global Blue Holding SA in exchange for the issuance of new shares - Global Blue Holding SA became the ultimate parent of the Group.

 

NOTE 25

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests represent the participating interests of third parties in the Group’s equity and are comprised of the following Group entities:

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Non-controlling interests

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Global Blue TFS Japan Co Ltd

     4,524       4,048       3,705  

Global Blue Lebanon SAL

     944       1,125       1,543  

IRIS Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

     —         1,702       —    

Global Blue Touristik Hizmetler A.Ş.

     2,573       2,403       2,871  

Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A.

     (433     (373     (814

Global Blue Russia AO

     218       —         —    

Global Blue Russia Holdings B.V.

     326       —         —    

Global Blue Cross Border SA

     274       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Non-controlling interests

     8,426       8,905       7,305  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests amount to EUR3.9m for 2018/19 (EUR3.5m for 2017/18) (EUR3.6m for 2016/17) and relate to Global Blue Touristik Hizmetler A.Ş., Global Blue TFSS Japan Co Ltd and Global Blue Lebanon SAL.

Summarized financial information on Subsidiaries with material non-controlling interest

Set out below is the summarized financial information for each subsidiary that has non-controlling interest that is material for the Group.

 

    Global Blue
TFS Japan Co. Ltd.
    Global Blue
Lebanon SAL
    IRIS Global Blue
TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
    Global Blue Turistik
Hizmetler A.Ş.
 

(€ thousands)

  31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
 

Current

                       

Assets

    11,984       7,520       8,855       5,241       3,990       4,050       —         8,025       —         6,173       3,859       3,759  

Liabilities

    17,536       12,116       6,927       3,981       2,812       2,293       —         1,348       —         4,535       3,258       3,089  

Total current net assets (liabilities)

    (5,552     (4,596     1,928       1,260       1,178       1,757       —         6,677       —         1,638       601       670  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

                       

Assets

    14,786       12,857       5,634       202       97       87       —         443       —         1,165       765       711  

Liabilities

    3       —         —         248       112       125       —         —         —         501       171       185  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current net assets (liabilities)

    14,783       12,857       5,634       (46     (15     (38     —         443       —         664       594       526  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets

    9,231       8,261       7,562       1,214       1,163       1,719       —         7,120       —         2,302       1,195       1,196  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Global Blue
TFS Japan Co. Ltd.
    Global Blue
Lebanon SAL
    IRIS Global Blue
TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
    Global Blue Turistik
Hizmetler A.Ş.
 

(€ thousands)

  2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Revenue

    18,773       15,631       11,442       2,729       2,351       2,350       —         4,510       —         5,808       4,525       4,571  

Operating expenses

    (7,071     (4,671     (2,120     (1,711     (1,480     (1,493     —         (2,322     —         (2,878     (2,668     (3,149

Depreciation and amortisation

    (578     (397     (272     (70     (42     (39     —         (157     —         (395     (226     (58

Net Financial (costs) income

    10       (24     51       (279     (106     (41     —         (10     —         699       79       292  

Other income and expenses

    28       (78     (175     (10     (7     7       —         (7     —         4       (13     (10

Income tax expense

    (3,810     (3,674     (3,003     (114     (116     (115     —         (9     —         (580     (332     (290
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the year from continuing operations

    7,352       6,787       5,923       545       600       669       —         2,005       —         2,658       1,365       1,356  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

  Global Blue
TFS Japan Co. Ltd.
    Global Blue
Lebanon SAL
    IRIS Global Blue
TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
    Global Blue Turistik
Hizmetler A.Ş.
 
  2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

    8,433       10,257       3,217       725       (89     974       —         (1,049     —         2,062       1,510       2,571  

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

    (1,040     (1,144     (404     (164     (64     (24     —         2,266       —         (346     (419     (328

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

    (7,779     (12,465     (8,946     (268     243       (1,361     —         (7     —         (441     (931     (2,430
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (386     (3,352     (6,133     293       90       (411     —         1,210       —         1,275       160       (188
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(€ thousands)

  Global Blue Management
& Co S.C.A.
    Global Blue Russia AO     Global Blue Russia
Holdings B.V.
    Global Blue Cross
Border SA
 
  31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
    31 March
2019
    31 March
2018
    31 March
2017
 

Current

                       

Assets

    29       72       81       5,524       —         —         14       —         —         84       —         —    

Liabilities

    215,623       4,974       81       4,684       —         —         24       —         —         66       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current net assets (liabilities)

    (215,594     (4,902     —         840       —         —         (10     —         —         18       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

                       

Assets

    437,657       400,781       481,892       446       —         —         753       —         —         895       —         —    

Liabilities

    246,571       415,116       491,794       49       —         —         26       —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current net assets (liabilities)

    191,086       (14,335     (9,902     397       —         —         727       —         —         895       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets (liabilities)

    (24,508     (19,237     (9,902     1,237       —         —         718       —         —         913       —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

  Global Blue Management
& Co S.C.A.
    Global Blue Russia AO     Global Blue Russia
Holdings B.V.
    Global Blue Cross
Border SA
 
  2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Revenue

    —         —         —         1,803       —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (Loss) for the year from continuing operations

    (5,270     (86,534     (31,068     652       —         —         34.99       —         —         (69     0       0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

  Global Blue Management
& Co S.C.A.
    Global Blue Russia AO     Global Blue Russia
Holdings B.V.
    Global Blue Cross
Border SA
 
  2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (43     20       (97     657       —         —         (380     —         —         (888     —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 26

Non-Convertible Equity Certificates

NC-PECs direct investment

The Company’s indirect subsidiary Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. issued on August 1, 2012 Non- Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates (“NC-PECs”) with a par value of EUR1.00 and a maximum amount of EUR500m. As at 31 March 2019, the nominal value of NC-PECS, including accrued interest, was EUR1.8m.

The NC-PECs bear interest with a rate of 10% per annum calculated on the par value of the NC-PECs outstanding and the accrued and unpaid yield of prior periods. The mandatory redemption date of the NC-PECs is 26 July 2061. At any time, Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. may repurchase any or all of the NC-PECs at a repurchase price, which is equal to the par value of each NC-PEC plus accrued but unpaid yield on such NC-PEC for the NC-PECs repurchased.

The NC-PECs rank prior to all subordinated securities (current and future), but the NC-PECs shall be subordinated to all other creditors of the previous ultimate parent of the Group (current and future).

 

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The NC-PECs can be summarized as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

                   

NC-PECs

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Nominal value including accrued interest on NC-PECs issued at the beginning of the year

     1,591        1,983       6,305  

Additions/ Disposals (nominal value including accrued interest on NC-PECs)

     —          (566     (4,546

Accrued interests on NC-PECs

     159        174       224  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total value of NC-PECs direct investment

     1,750        1,591       1,983  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest bearing obligations towards senior management of Global Blue Group

     2,744        0       0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total value of NC-PECs including accrued interest

     4,494        1,591       1,983  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The fair value of the NC-PECs as of 31 March 2019 approximates its carrying value.

Interest bearing obligations toward senior management of Global Blue

The liability towards senior management of the Group of EUR2.7m (EUR1.8m as of 31 March 2018) (EUR4.7m as of 31 March 2017) relates to obligation of the Global Blue Management Equity Plan (MEP). The fair value of the interest-bearing liability towards senior management of Global Blue Group is assessed to be equal to the carrying value. The applicable interest rate of the instrument equals 10% per annum and computed on a 365-/366-day year basis and the actual number of days elapsed.

In the prior financial years of 2016/17 and 2017/18, the Interest-bearing obligations towards senior management of Global Blue Group were presented as Other long-term liabilities (see Note 28).

 

NOTE 27

Loans and borrowings

 

(€ thousands)

                         

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings from credit institutions

   Note      31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Long-term financing - Senior term debt (1)

        635,839       630,000       630,000  

Capitalized financing fees

        (13,441     (17,207     (19,487

Other bank overdraft

        2,102       2,972       185  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     19        624,500       615,765       610,698  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term portion as at closing date (presented under current liabilities)

        2,102       2,972       185  

Long-term portion as at closing date

        622,398       612,793       610,513  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     19        624,500       615,765       610,698  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The amount of EUR635.8m, as at 31 March 2019, includes EUR5.8m as a result of the application of IFRS 9.

 

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Table of Contents

(€ thousands)

  31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  
  Carrying
value
    Fair
value
    Effective
interest
    Carrying
value
    Fair
value
    Effective
interest
    Carrying
value
    Fair
value
    Effective
interest
 

Senior term debt

    623,831       593,452       3.84     614,746       613,220       4.14     612,986       613,193       5.15

Capitalized financing fees - RCF

    (1,433     (1,433     n.a.       (1,953     (1,953     n.a.       (2,473     (2,473     n.a.  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current

    622,398       592,019         612,793       611,267         610,513       610,720    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other bank overdraft

    2,102       2,102       n.a.       2,972       2,972       n.a.       185       185       n.a.  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current

    2,102       2,102         2,972       2,972         185       185    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    624,500       594,121         615,765       614,239         610,698       610,905    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The fair value of Senior term debt has been estimated by discounting future cash flows using the effective interest rate of the Senior term loan as at inception, on 16 October 2017. The fair value has been measured using observable input (level 2) in line with the fair value hierarchy.

The effective interest rate of the Senior term debt comprises of the amortization of debt costs, effects of IFRS 9 and the nominal interest rate of the debt, being 3.842% (margin included) as at 31 March 2019.

Financing

The finance structure, as at 31 March 2019, consists of one Senior term loan and an RCF. The fully drawn Senior term loan amounts to EUR630.0m with a maturity date of 12 December 2022. The undrawn RCF amounts to EUR80.0m with a maturity date of 10 December 2021.

As at 31 March 2019, the RCF bears interest at EURIBOR +3.25% and 0.0% (“Floor”) and the Senior term loan bears interest at the higher of EURIBOR and 0.0% (“Floor”) + 3.50%.

Senior term loans are due in full at maturity.

In relation to the refinancing on 31 July 2012 as well as various amendments of the SFA in 2013, 2015, and 2017, the Company incurred costs equal to EUR46.0m. Of this amount, EUR13.4m (EUR17.2m in 2017/18) (EUR19.5m in 2016/17) are unamortised as at 31 March 2019 and have been allocated to the loans as follows during the year:

 

(€ thousands)

      

Revolving Credit Facility (RCF)

     (1,433

Senior term debt

     (12,008
  

 

 

 

Total

     (13,441
  

 

 

 

During the year EUR3.8m (EUR3.6m in 2017/18) (EUR3.9m in 2016/17) of these debt costs were amortised as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

      

Revolving Credit Facility (RCF)

     (520

Senior term debt

     (3,247
  

 

 

 

Total

     (3,767
  

 

 

 

 

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Security

First-ranking security is provided in favour of the lenders under the Senior Facilities Agreement (SFA). This security includes pledges on the assets of all material subsidiaries of the Company at the time of the implementation of the transaction security, to the extent legally permitted and operationally practical. All debt being issued under the SFA ranks pari-passu.

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Security

   Notes      31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Pledge of shares of consolidated companies (net equity in subsidiaries)

        118,262        94,441        243,172  

Pledge of trade receivables, other current receivables, prepaid expenses and income tax receivable

     20, 21, 22        162,110        184,255        243,547  

Pledge of cash in hand

     23        73,493        22,492        93,741  

Pledge of pension plan assets

     30        —          —          1,537  

Covenants

As an undertaking to the SFA that the Company entered into on 26 July 2012 and amended and restated on various occasions, the Group has been and continues to be required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants.

The financial covenant consists of the Leverage ratio (Net debt divided by EBITDA) which is calculated on a twelve-month rolling basis and is reported to the lenders each calendar quarter. Non-financial covenants restrict the Group to permitted activities and set reporting of general and specific information undertakings which must be reported to the lenders.

A breach of the Financial Covenants constitutes an Event of Default under the SFA, which may result in changes to the existing financing conditions or in the worst-case scenario the outstanding amounts under the SFA becoming due for payment immediately. At the end of the financial year the Company complied to all financial covenants with sufficient headroom on all covenants and Management is of the opinion that the Group will be able to meet all requirements therewith in the foreseeable future.

Interest Rate Swaps

As 31 March 2019, there were no interest rate swaps outstanding.

Bank overdrafts

Local credit facilities are available in certain jurisdictions and the facilities as per the end of the financial year are limited to EUR12.6m. None of these local overdraft facilities were committed in nature.

The total drawings under the RCF as at the end of the financial year were EUR1.1m and were entirely related to guarantees issued for commercial and financial reasons, leaving the Group with EUR78.9m undrawn capacity. The RCF capacity does not qualify as cash and cash equivalents.

 

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NOTE 28

Other long-term liabilities

Other long-term liabilities can be summarized as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Other long term liabilities

   Notes      31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Value of the share based payment obligation

        —          —          4,681  

Interest bearing obligations towards senior management of Global Blue Group

        —          1,795        2,171  

Other long-term liabilities

        2,078        2,015        2,082  

Lease liabilities long-term

     13        32,420        —          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

        34,498        3,810        8,934  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Interest-bearing obligations towards senior management of Global Blue Group have been presented in the financial year 2018/19 as Non-Convertible Equity Certificates (see Note 26).

 

NOTE 29

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Net movement on the deferred tax account

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

     (54,442     (74,742     (89,848

Acquisition of subsidiary

     —         —         (1,132

Income statement credit

     15,997       20,449       16,429  

Tax charge relating to components of other comprehensive income

     74       3       208  

Exchange differences

     (141     (150     (400
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     (38,512 )      (54,442 )      (74,742 ) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(€ thousands)

 

Deferred tax

Deferred tax relates to the
following:

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  
   Assets      Liabilities     Net     Assets      Liabilities     Net     Assets      Liabilities     Net  

Tax charged to income statement

     —          —           —          —           —          —      

Trade Receivables

     843        (23     820       232        (1     231       371        (60     311  

Property, plant and equipment

     578        (1,018     (440     479        (249     230       267        (302     (35

Intangible assets

     344        (1,085     (741     90        (846     (756     176        (753     (577

Current liabilities

     2,825        (88     2,737       5,406        (264     5,142       1,389        (131     1,258  

Other items

     1,282        (88     1,194       753        (350     403       668        (190     478  

Tax value of loss carry-forwards recognized

     4,645        —         4,645       2,175        —         2,175       759        —         759  

Tax recognised in other comprehensive income

     —          —         —         —          —         —         —          —         —    

Retirement benefit obligations

     347        —         347       273        —         273       270        —         270  

Deferred tax related to acquired intangibles in business combination

     —          —         —         —          —         —         —          —         —    

Intangible assets TFS

     —          (22,360     (22,360     —          (29,068     (29,068     —          (65,737     (65,737

Intangible assets TFS KA’s and NA’s

     —          (16,133     (16,133     —          (23,047     (23,047     —          —         —    

Intangible assets DCC Acquirers

     —          (2,261     (2,261     —          (3,232     (3,232     —          (4,203     (4,203

Intangible assets Global Blue Trademark

     —          (6,320     (6,320     —          (6,793     (6,793     —          (7,266     (7,266
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10,864        (49,376 )      (38,512 )      9,408        (63,850 )      (54,442 )      3,900        (78,642 )      (74,742 ) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Deferred tax recoverable

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Deferred tax assets to be recovered after more than 12 months

     8,424        5,266        3,631  

Deferred tax assets to be recovered within 12 months

     2,441        4,142        269  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

     10,864        9,408        3,900  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities to be recovered after more than 12 months

     48,317        48,692        78,840  

Deferred tax liabilities to be recovered within 12 months

     1,059        15,158        (198
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     49,376        63,850        78,642  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Deferred tax liabilities amount to EUR49.4m (EUR63.8m as at 31 March 2018) (EUR78.6m as at 31 March 2017) and consist mainly of liabilities attributable to capitalised intangible assets in the purchase price allocation. The intangible assets will be amortised, whereupon the deferred tax liability will decrease.

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Expiry of total tax loss carried forward

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Expiry within 1 year

     1,286        1,486        319  

Expiry 1-2 years

     2,365        2,376        213  

Expiry 2-5 years

     72,129        73,779        4,386  

Expiry after 5 years

     88,818        78,840        83,349  

No expiration

     50,439        47,153        63,340  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     215,037        203,634        151,607  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Out of the EUR215.0m (EUR203.6m in 2017/18) (EUR151.6m in 2016/17) total tax loss carried forward, EUR21.6m (EUR8.8m in 2017/18) (EUR2.3m in 2016/17) has been recognized as a deferred tax asset, while EUR193.5m (EUR194.9m in 2017/18) (EUR149.3m in 2016/17) has not been recognized as it is not probable that future taxable profits which the Group can utilize the benefits from will be available. The unrecognized tax loss carry forwards are mainly a result of interest expenses and revaluation effects. An expiry date schedule of the unrecognized tax loss carried forward is provided below:

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Tax loss carried forward for unrecognized deferred tax asset expiring by:

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Expiry within 1 year

     195        398        319  

Expiry 1-2 years

     97        197        213  

Expiry 2-5 years

     68,737        70,387        4,386  

Expiry after 5 years

     82,615        76,867        81,134  

No expiration

     41,840        47,014        63,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     193,484        194,863        149,332  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A large part of the tax loss carried forward for which no deferred tax has been recognized either expires after 2 years or has no expiration.

The total tax loss carried forward, at 31 March 2019, of EUR21.6m has resulted in the deferred tax receivables of EUR4.6m (EUR2.2m as at 31 March 2018) (EUR0.8m as at 31 March 2017). The legal entities are allowed to carry these losses forward and deduct them against future taxable profits.

 

NOTE 30

Post-employment benefits

The Group offers its employees pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans. The specific features of these plans (benefit formulas, fund investment policy and fund assets held) vary depending on the applicable laws and regulations in each country where the employees work. The employee benefits are accounted for in accordance with the revised IAS 19.

 

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Commitments regarding retirement pension and family pension for employees in Switzerland and Norway are secured externally through a defined benefit plan and accounted for accordingly. For employees in Austria, Korea, Italy, Turkey and France the commitment regards a severance benefit paid at retirement, governed by local law.

 

(€ thousands)

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Balance sheet obligations for:

      

Pension benefits liability

     5,062       5,407       5,828  

Income statement (credit) charge for:

      

Pension benefits

     (312     1,585       1,195  

Other comprehensive income:

      

Remeasurements of post employment benefit obligations

     (428     (319     (1,353

The table below reconciles the net obligation in respect of the Group’s pension plans and other post-employment benefit plans with the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligation

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Defined benefit obligation at 1 April

     12,620       12,805       19,361  

Current service cost

     1,224       1,293       2,069  

Net interest expense

     128       122       172  

Contributions by employees

     1,101       899       1,678  

(Gain)/loss from change in demographic assumptions

     43       (40     (440

(Gain)/loss from change in financial assumptions

     (362     (425     (198

Experience (gains)/loss

     (44     99       (644

Past service cost and gains and losses on settlements

     —         (73     (1,229

Benefits paid

     (1,036     (1,003     (8,336

Settlements

     (1,206     (40     1  

Exchange differences

     354       (1,017     371  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net defined benefit obligation 31 March

     12,822       12,620       12,805  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Changes in the fair value of plan assets

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Opening balance fair value of plan assets

     7,213       6,977       11,818  

Net interest income (expense)

     (24     55       105  

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest expense)

     65       (47     58  

Contributions by employer

     717       732       951  

Contributions by employees

     1,101       899       1,678  

Benefits paid

     (919     (785     (7,887

Settlements

     (668     (5     —    

Exchange differences

     275       (613     254  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance fair value of plan assets 31 March

     7,760       7,213       6,977  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(€ thousands)

                  

Amounts recognized in the income statement

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Current service cost

     1,224       1,293       2,069  

Interest cost

     104       177       277  

Administrative cost

     (667     (5     0  

Past service cost

     —         —         —    

Effect of any curtailments/
settlements (+/-)

     (1,206     (113     (1,228

Unrealized FX impact

     233       233       77  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net periodic cost (income)

     (312     1,585       1,195  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The expected charge to the income statement relating to post-employment plans for the year ending 31 March 2019 amounts to EUR1.2m.

Actuarial valuations of the Group’s benefit obligations were computed by the Group with assistance from external actuaries as of 31 March 2019, 2018 and 2017. These calculations were based on the following financial and demographic assumptions:

 

(%)

   2018/19  
     Austria     Switzerland     France     Italy     Korea     Norway      Turkey  

Discount rate

     1.75     0.90     1.75     1.60     2.30     —          16.00

Inflation rate

     —         1.00     —         1.50     —         —          —    

Future salary increases

     3.00     1.50     2.00     —         2.00     —          15.00

Future pension increases

     —         —         —         —         —         —          —    

 

(%)

   2017/18  
     Austria     Switzerland     France     Italy     Korea     Norway     Turkey  

Discount rate

     1.50     0.70     1.50     1.30     2.80     2.70     11.50

Inflation rate

     —         1.00     —         1.50     —         —         —    

Future salary increases

     3.00     1.50     2.00     —         2.00     —         6.00

Future pension increases

     —         —         —         —         —         2.50     —    

 

(%)

   2016/17  
     Austria     Switzerland     France     Italy     Korea     Norway     Turkey  

Discount rate

     0.85     0.60     1.50     1.50     2.47     2.80     11.00

Inflation rate

     —         1.00     —         1.50     —         —         —    

Future salary increases

     3.00     1.50     2.00     —         2.00     —         6.00

Future pension increases

     —         —         —         —         —         2.50     —    

Assumptions regarding future mortality experience are set based on actuarial advice in accordance with published statistics and experience in each territory. Mortality assumptions for Group´s the most important country, Switzerland, are based on the mortality table BVG 2015 as of financial year ended 31 March 2019 for future and current retirees.

 

(Retirement age)

   2018/19  
     Austria      Switzerland      France      Italy      Korea      Norway      Turkey  

Retirement age:

                    

- Male

     62        65        64        67        60        —          Individual  

- Female

     62        64        62        67        60        —          Individual  

 

Maturity profile of the post-employment benefit plan

   Austria      Switzerland      France      Italy      Korea      Turkey      Norway  

Duration in years

     13.80        19.90        16.40        9.50        13.20        10.50        —    

Expected contributions 2019/20 in € thousands

     —          699        —          —          —          —          —    

 

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The table below shows the fair value of plan assets relating to the Group’s pension and other post-employment plans, split by asset category:

 

(€ thousands)

   2018/19             2017/18             2016/17  

Plan assets are comprised as follows:

   Value      %             Value      %             Value      %  

Equity instruments

     62        0.7%                    69        1.0%                    47        0.7%  

Debt instruments

     116        1.4%           148        2.1%           93        1.3%  

Euroland bonds

     61        0.7%           84        1.2%           237        3.4%  

Hold to maturity bonds

     149        1.8%           172        2.4%           162        2.3%  

Property

     44        0.5%           63        0.9%           68        1.0%  

Other assets

     54        0.6%           97        1.3%           159        2.3%  

Alternative investments

     —          —             —          0.0%           6        0.1%  

Insurance contracts

     7,843        94.2%           6,579        91.2%           6,205        88.9%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8,329        100%           7,212        100%           6,977        100%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below summarizes the percentage change in the Net defined benefit obligation as at 31 March 2019 as a result of sensitizing each of the metrics (discount rate, salary growth rate, and actuarial basis (mortality)) on a country-level:

 

(%)

   2018/19  

Sensitivity analysis

   Austria     Switzerland     France     Italy     Korea     Norway      Turkey  

Discount rate - decrease by 0.50%

     +7,2     +10,6     +8,5     +4,9     +6,8     —          +4,7

Discount rate - increase by 0.50%

     -6,7     -9,1     -7,7     -4,5     -6,2     —          -4,4

Salary growth rate - decrease by 0.50%

     -6,6     -1,4     -7,7     -4,3     -6,1     —          -4,4

Salary growth rate - increase by 0.50%

     +7,1     +1,5     +8,4     +4,6     +6,6     —          +4,7

Actuarial basis (mortality) -10.00%

     —         +1,4     —         —         —         —          —    

Actuarial basis (mortality) +10.00%

     —         -1,2     —         —         —         —          —    

The employer contributions to post-employment benefit plans for the financial year ending 31 March 2019 are EUR0.7m (EUR0.7m as at 31 March 2018) (EUR1.0m as at 31 March 2017).

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Position of the post-employment benefit plan

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Present value of defined benefit obligation

     12,822        12,620        12,805  

Fair value of plan assets

     (7,760      (7,213      (6,977

Deficit in the plan

     5,062        5,407        5,828  

Experience adjustments on defined benefit obligation

     44        (99      644  

Commitments regarding retirement pension and family pension for employees in Sweden are secured through an insurance policy with Alecta. This is a defined benefit plan that includes several employers. The pension plan according to the supplementary pensions for salaried employees, ITP (industrins tilläggspension) which is secured by insurance policies with Alecta, is reported as a defined contribution plan. Please note that the related liabilities amounting to EUR2.0m are presented under “Other long-term liabilities” (Note 28).

Other pension provisions are related to pension plans for senior management. The plans have been treated as defined contribution plans. Commitments regarding endowment insurances were secured through three insurance policies with Danica, Skandia and SEB. Please note that the receivables related to these insurance policies are presented under “Other non-current receivables” (Note 18).

 

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As at March 2019, the DBN defined benefit pension plan in Norway was terminated, meaning the Group bears no further risk associated to the plan.

 

NOTE 31

Provision for other liabilities and charges

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Legal claims

   31 March 2019     31 March 2018     31 March 2017  

Opening balance at 1 April

     1,485       6,727       8,992  

Additional provisions

     278       297       956  

Amounts utilized during the year

     (17     (4,517     (178

Not utilized amounts which have been reversed during the year

     —         (687     (3,232

Translation differences for the financial year

     —         (335     189  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 31 March

     1,746       1,485       6,727  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current

     1,746       653       5,815  

Current

     —         832       912  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Provisions

     1,746       1,485       6,727  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amounts represent provisions for certain legal claims brought against the Group. The provision charge is recognized in profit and loss within “Exceptional items” and in “Net finance costs”.

 

NOTE 32

Trade payables

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Trade payables

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Merchants

     124,008        99,878        94,995  

Tourists

     91,735        88,930        88,525  

Agents

     19,566        53,091        23,313  

Other trade payables

     28,411        26,489        27,023  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     263,720        268,388        233,856  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other trade payables mainly consist of immediate refunds.

The carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value of the trade payables.

 

NOTE 33

Other current liabilities

 

(€ thousands)

                           

Other current liabilities

   Notes      31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Account payables - Non trade

        10,690        12,012        11,966  

Input VAT, withholding tax

        4,238        5,522        9,043  

Personnel taxes

        3,313        3,324        2,842  

Share-based payment obligation

        6,161        5,474        —    

Lease liability short-term

     13        13,713        —          —    

DCC liabilities

        19,820        7,116        7,058  

Other current liabilities

        953        624        4,484  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        58,888        34,072        35,393  
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Other current liabilities of EUR1.0m (EUR0.6m as at 31 March 2018) (EUR4.5m as at 31 March 2017) mainly consist of currency trading activities.

Share-based payment obligation

The first level management (“Executive Committee”) and selected first and second level management (“Senior Management”) of the Group are offered to participate in management share plans, allowing the members of these plans to invest in the equity of the Group. The first level managers are offered to invest into Global Blue Management and Co S.C.A. The senior managers are offered to invest through the Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust (‘the Trust’). Under both plans, the price paid for the shares equals the grant date fair value of the share. At a specified exit event (e.g. a listing or 3rd party sale), the members will sell back the shares to the Trust at fair value. The Managers are restricted from transferring or selling their shares before an exit event. This share-based compensation plan was implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition of the Group by funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group.

The managers’ share plans are cash-settled share-based payment arrangements in the scope of IFRS 2 “Share-based payment” due to the terms and conditions of the plan. The fair value is recalculated on each reporting date and any change in the fair value of the obligation is recognised (pro rata temporis) under expenses.

For the calculation of the fair value of the share-based payment the board of management of the General Partner takes into consideration the estimated enterprise value (based on the valuation received from a third party valuer employing the market approach), net of the financial debt as of the reporting date as well as proportion of shares held by the Trust and first level management. The value gets discounted with the percentage of the cost of debt considering the estimated exit date. The prorated value of the obligation is considered as the fair value of the liability as at the reporting date. The cash-settled share-based payment liability was valued as of 31 March 2019 at EUR6.1m (EUR5.5m as of 31 March 2018) (EUR3.0m as of 31 March 2017) and the liability is reclassified to short-term liabilities.

Total number of shares held by senior management and the trust is 480,473 which is 0.59% (480,473 which is 0.59% as of 31 March 2018) (720,657 which is 1.24% as of March 2017) of the total shares issued by Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A.

During the period, no new equity instruments were added to the plan.

 

NOTE 34

Accrued liabilities

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Accrued liabilities

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Salaries and related items

     19,341        22,215        19,878  

Interest on external loans

     124        162        —    

Auditors, lawyers and consultants

     3,702        5,516        3,074  

Advertising and promotion

     864        2,012        1,075  

Rent

     1,377        1,202        1,415  

IT

     1,465        1,063        1,762  

Other accrued liabilities

     13,069        11,991        2,631  

Restructuring costs related to employees

     28        807        646  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     39,970        44,968        30,481  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities include mainly accruals for taxes and the contingent consideration coming from the Fair Value of the future earn out payments in the Refund Suisse acquisition.

 

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NOTE 35

Adjustments to cash from operating activities

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Net deductible financial income (cost)

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Net change in capitalized financing costs (excl. yearly amortization)

     —         (1,356     35,615  

Net change in interests payable

     3       (1     9  

Net foreign exchange gains on financing activities

     861       1,241       2,240  

Net foreign exchange gains/(losses)

     (399     (897     1,454  

Other finance income

     1,403       902       2,404  

Interest received

     562       248       586  

Other finance expenses

     (3,501     (1,810     (2,557
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (1,071     (1,673     39,751  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                  

Elimination of non-cash revenue and expenses included in Profit before tax

   2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Change in provisions

     277       (390     (2,276

Changes in the value of cash flow hedges

     —         902       1,195  

Change in the value of retirement benefit obligation

     (712     (662     (1,663

Impairment financial assets

     101       2,019       —    

Fair value (gain)/loss on derivative financial instruments

     1       (1,637     (40,183

Corporate restructuring

     —         5,477       —    

Other

     1,538       12,981       1,819  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1,205       18,690       (41,108
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 36

Cash flows from changes in working capital

 

(€ thousands)

                  
     2018/19     2017/18     2016/17  

Trade receivables

     20,792       (39,673     (37,053

Other current receivables

     (15,579     (2,983     (1,474

Prepaid expenses

     (540     (5,682     (645
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Increase) / Decrease in operating receivables

     4,673       (48,338     (39,172
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trade payables

     (7,040     36,561       39,321  

Other current liabilities

     10,888       (10,668     15,130  

Accrued liabilities

     (5,183     (133     (3,843
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase / (decrease) in operating payables

     (1,335     25,760       50,608  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows used in changes in working capital

     3,338       (22,578     11,436  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 37

Contingent liabilities and litigations

Litigations

The Group has not been involved in any legal or arbitration proceedings which may have, or have had, a significant effect on the Group’s financial position during the last 12 months preceding the date of this document. For more information see Note 31.

No contingent liabilities were identified by the Group.

 

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NOTE 38

Business combinations

Transactions related to 2018/19

Refund Suisse

On 28 September 2018 Global Blue SA acquired Refund Suisse (Refund Suisse AG and RFND Digital GmbH) for EUR5.4m and a contingent consideration with a fair value of EUR1.6m. Global Blue has full ownership of these entities and, as such, they have been fully consolidated as of 31 March 2019.

The fair value of net assets acquired in respect of the acquisition of Refund Suisse were as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

      

Net assets acquired and consideration paid

   Refund Suisse AG  

Software

     53  

Property, plant and equipment

     13  

Long-term receivables

     19  

Trade and other receivables

     224  

Current tax assets

     7  

Cash

     14  

Trade and other payables

     (291

Long-term payables

     (58

Fair value of assets and liabilities

     (20

Goodwill arising on acquisition

     7,038  

Non-controlling interests

     —    

Consideration payable

     7,018  

Satisfied by:

  

Cash consideration paid

     5,467  

Cash acquired

     —    

FV of the contingent consideration

     1,551  
  

 

 

 

Total consideration

     7,018  
  

 

 

 

Iris Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

On 29 March 2019, there was a EUR7.8m capital decrease in IRIS Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. EUR5.7m of share value was returned to the owners and EUR2.1m of share value was cancelled. As a result of this transaction Global Blue SA became the full owner of the entity (before the capital decrease the non-controlling interest was 23.9%.) After the capital decrease, the remaining non-controlling interest of EUR0.3m was moved from the non-controlling interest to the Retained earnings due to the ownership change.

 

NOTE 39

Transactions with non-controlling interests

a) Acquisition and sale of shares and Non-Convertible Equity Certificates

The indirect subsidiary Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. has issued shares and NC-PECs to first level management of the Group.

During the financial year Global Blue Employee Trust acquired or (sold) no shares and MI NC-PECs from or to first level management (EUR1.3m acquired in 2017/18) (EUR12.8m acquired in 2016/17) (reference is made to Note 26).

 

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b) Establishment of Global Blue Russia Holding B.V

On 12 April 2018, Global Blue Holland B.V established Global Blue Russia Holding B.V of which it owned 51% with the remaining 49% recognized as Non-controlling interest. On 30 June 2018 the newly established Global

Blue Russia Holding B.V purchased the shares of Global Blue Russia AO from Global Blue SA and Global Blue Holland B.V. After the transaction, Global Blue Russia Holding B.V became the 100% owner of Global Blue Russia AO. As a result of the transaction the Group owns 51% in Global Blue Russia Holding B.V and there is an indirect Non-controlling interest in Global Blue Russia AO of 49%.

c) Acquisition of Global Blue Cross Border SA

On 28 September 2018 Global Blue SA established Global Blue Cross Border SA. The ownership of the Group in Global Blue Cross Border SA is 70% with 30% recognized as Non-controlling interest. The share capital of the entity is EUR1.0m with EUR0.7m contribution from Global Blue. Global Blue Cross Border SA has been consolidated fully as at 31 March 2019.

d) IRIS Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd capital reorganization

On 29 March 2019, there was a capital decrease in IRIS Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. As a result of this transaction the ownership structure of the entity also changed. Global Blue SA became the full owner of the entity, whereas before the capital decrease, there was a non-controlling interest of 23.9%. Please find more details in Note 38.

 

NOTE 40

List of Global Blue entities

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Global Blue Group AG based in Brüttisellen, Switzerland, and its subsidiaries at 31 March 2019.

Global Blue Acquisition B.V. acts as a holding company for Global Blue Holland B.V. and as the finance centre for the Group.

 

Name

   Country of incorporation and
place of business address
  

Nature of business

   Proportion of ordinary
shares held by the
group
 

Global Blue Argentina S.A.

   Buenos Aires    Argentina    Tax free Shopping      99.85

Global Blue Austria GmbH

   Vienna    Austria    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Service Company Austria GmbH

   Vienna    Austria    Service Provider      99.86

Global Blue Australia Pty Ltd

   Sydney    Australia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Currency Choice Australia Pty Ltd

   Sydney    Australia    Currency Choice      99.86

Currency Select Pty Limited

   Sydney    Australia    Currency Choice      99.86

Currency Select Gateway Services Pty Ltd

   Sydney    Australia    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Belgium

   Brussel    Belgium    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Bahamas Ltd

   Nassau    Bahamas    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Schweiz AG

   Brüttisellen    Switzerland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue SA

   Eysins    Switzerland    Head office company      99.86

 

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Name

   Country of incorporation and
place of business address
  

Nature of business

   Proportion of ordinary
shares held by the
group
 

Global Blue Service Company Suisse SA

   Eysins    Switzerland    Service provider      99.86

Refund Suisse AG

   Bottighofen    Switzerland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Cross Border SA

   Eysins    Switzerland    Tax free Shopping      69.90

Global Blue Currency Choice Schweiz AG

   Brüttisellen    Switzerland    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Holding Limited

   George Town    Cayman Islands    Holding Unit      100.00

Global Blue Commercial Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.

   Shanghai    China    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Commercial Consulting (Beijing) Co Ltd

   Beijing    China    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Gu Rui Commercial and Technical Consulting Shanghai Co., Ltd

   Shanghai    China    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Cyprus Ltd

   Larnaca    Cyprus    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Czech Republic, s.r.o.

   Prague    Czech Republic    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Deutschland GmbH

   Düsseldorf    Germany    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue New Holdings Germany GmbH

   Düsseldorf    Germany    Holding Unit      99.86

RFND Digital GmbH

   Konstanz    Germany    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Danmark A/S

   Copenhagen    Denmark    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Eesti OÜ

   Tallinn    Estonia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

G. Blue España SA

   Madrid    Spain    Holding unit      99.86

Global Blue España SA

   Madrid    Spain    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Acquisition España S.A.U

   Madrid    Spain    Holding unit      99.86

Global Blue Finland Oy

   Helsinki    Finland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Administration Center North Oy

   Helsinki    Finland    Service Provider      99.86

Global Blue France

   Paris    France    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Holding

   Paris    France    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Cash Paris Tax Refund

   Paris    France    Tax free Shopping      59.92

Global Blue (UK) Ltd

   London    United Kingdom    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Service Company UK Limited

   London    United Kingdom    Service provider      99.86

Global Blue New Holdings UK Ltd

   London    United Kingdom    Holding company      99.86

Global Blue Marketing Services Limited

   London    United Kingdom    Marketing Business      99.86

Global Blue Hellas SA

   Athens    Greece    Tax free Shopping      99.86

First Currency Choice Hong Kong Limited

   Hong Kong    Hong Kong    Currency Choice      99.86

 

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Name

   Country of incorporation and
place of business address
  

Nature of business

   Proportion of ordinary
shares held by the
group
 

Global Blue Croatia, trgovina i turizam d.o.o.

   Zagreb    Croatia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Tax Free Ireland Limited

   Dublin    Ireland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Refund India Private Limited

   Mumbai    India    Dormant      50.93

Global Blue á Íslandi hf

   Reykjavik    Iceland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Italia S.r.l.

   Milan    Italy    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Service Company Italy SRL

   Milan    Italy    Sevice Provider      99.86

Global Blue Currency Choice Italia S.r.l

   Milan    Italy    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Japan Co., Ltd.

   Tokyo    Japan    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue TFS Japan Co., Ltd.

   Tokyo    Japan    Tax free Shopping      50.93

Estera Trust Limited

   St. Helier    Jersey, Channel Islands    Management Trust      100.00

Global Blue Korea Co Ltd

   Seoul    Korea    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Currency Choice Korea Co Ltd

   Seoul    Korea    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Lebanon SAL

   Metn    Lebanon    Tax free Shopping      60.91

UAB Global Blue Lietuva

   Vilnius    Lithuania    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Finance S.à r.l.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Holding Unit      99.86

Global Blue Luxembourg S.A.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Holding Unit      99.86

Global Blue Investment GP S.à r.l.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Holding Unit      100.00

Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Holding Unit      100.00

Global Blue Midco S.à r.l.

   Luxembourg    Luxembourg    Holding Unit      99.86

Global Blue Latvija SIA

   Riga    Latvia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Maroc SA

   Casablanca    Morocco    Tax free Shopping      99.86

IRIS Global Blue TRS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

   Kuala Lumpur    Malaysia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Bl

ue Holland BV

   Amsterdam    Netherlands    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Holding B.V.

   Amsterdam    Netherlands    Holding unit      99.86

Global Blue Acquisition B.V.

   Amsterdam    Netherlands    Finance company      99.86

Global Blue Russia Holdings B.V.

   Amsterdam    Netherlands    Holding company      50.93

Global Blue Norge AS

   Baerum    Norway    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Currency Select New Zealand Pty Ltd

   Auckland    New Zealand    Currency Choice      99.86

 

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Name

   Country of incorporation and
place of business address
  

Nature of business

   Proportion of ordinary
shares held by the
group
 

Global Blue Polska Sp. Zo.o.

   Warsaw    Poland    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Refund Portugal - Prestação de Serviços Fiscais, Lda.

   Lisbon    Portugal    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Russia AO

   Moscow    Russia    Tax free Shopping      50.93

Global Blue Sverige AB

   Stockholm    Sweden    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Sweden Holdings AB

   Stockholm    Sweden    Holding unit      99.86

Global Blue Service AB

   Stockholm    Sweden    Service provider      99.86

Global Blue Holdings AB

   Stockholm    Sweden    Holding company      99.86

Global Blue Currency Choice Service Europe AB

   Stockholm    Sweden    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Singapore Pte Ltd

   Singapore    Singapore    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Jeriston Pte Ltd

   Singapore    Singapore    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Service Company Singapore Pte Ltd

   Singapore    Singapore    Service provider      99.86

Global Blue Currency Choice Singapore Pte Ltd

   Singapore    Singapore    Currency Choice      99.86

Taravilla Pte Ltd

   Singapore    Singapore    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue trgovina in turizem d.o.o.

   Ljubljana    Slovenia    Tax free Shopping      99.86

Global Blue Slovakia s.r.o.

   Bratislava    Slovakia    Service provider      99.86

Marketing and Management Limited

   Bangkok    Thailand    Currency Choice      97.86

Global Blue (Thailand) Co. Limited

   Bangkok    Thailand    Currency Choice      99.86

Global Blue Turistik Hizmetler AŞ

   Istanbul    Turkey    Tax free Shopping      59.92

Global Blue Argentina S.A. Sucursal Uruguay (Branch)

   Montevideo    Uruguay    Tax free Shopping      99.86

The Group does not hold any preference shares.

 

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NOTE 41

Interest in associates and joint ventures

From fiscal year 2018/19, the Group has a 60% interest in Cash Paris Tax Refund, a joint venture involved in the TFSS business in France. The Group’s interest in Cash Paris Tax Refund is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements, given there is joint control requiring unanimous consent of both parties over the decisions about the relevant activities over the entity.

 

(€ thousands)

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Current assets, incl. cash and cash equivalents (EUR 1,400k)

     1,400        —          —    

Non-current assets

     —          —          —    

Current liabilities

     —          —          —    

Non-current liabilities

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity

     1,400        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Group’s carrying amount of the investment

     840        —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Group has the following investment in associates and joint ventures as at 31 March 2019:

 

(€ thousands)

                                

Name of the entity

   Country of incorporation      % of ownership interest     Nature of relationship     Measurement method      Amount  

Europass S.A.S.

     France        17     Associate (1)       Equity method        1,600  

Visitoslo AS

     Norway        1.55     Associate (1)       Equity method        4  

Cash Paris Tax Refund

     France        60     Joint venture       Equity method        840  
            

 

 

 

Total

               2,444  
            

 

 

 

 

(1)

In the previous fiscal year´s annual report, the investments in associates were presented within Other non-current receivables (Note 18).

For the definition of the term “joint venture”, refer to Note 3.

 

NOTE 42

Related party transactions

Global Blue Group AG is controlled by funds managed by Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

During the financial year, there were no transactions with related parties other than disclosed below.

Remuneration to key management personnel

The remuneration to the board of directors and the Executive Committee members, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Remuneration to key management personnel

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Short-term employee benefits

     3,855        6,797        4,648  

Post-employment benefits

     216        355        524  

Other remuneration

     —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,071        7,152        5,172  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Purchase of services from related parties

Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group charge an annual monitoring fee of EUR0.7m to the Group. The Group also reimburses Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group for out of pocket expenses, financial advisors, legal counsels, and other costs related to the Group.

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Purchases of services from related parties

   2018/19      2017/18      2016/17  

Monitoring fee

     700        847        869  

Reimbursements

     76        145        27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     776        992        896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

First level management of Global Blue Group have invested EUR1.8m (EUR1.6m at 31 March 2018) (EUR2.0m at 31 March 2017) including accrued interest in NC-PECs (reference is made to note 26). A further liability of EUR2.7m (EUR1.8m at 31 March 2018) relates to obligation of the Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust towards senior management of the Group (reference is made to note 26).

 

(€ thousands)

Liabilities to related parties

   31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Liabilities to key management personnel:

        

Pension liability

     145        335        1,655  

NC-PECs held by first level management

     —          1,591        1,983  

Liability of Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust towards senior management

     —          1,795        2,171  

Share-based payment liability

     6,160        5,474        4,681  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance for the year

     6,305        9,195        10,490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Related to the MEP implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition by funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group, the Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust (‘the Trust’) repurchased equity from leaving managers, as approved by the Board of Managers of the General Partner of Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. in each case. The Board of Managers has the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase any securities issued by Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. from leaving managers. The Trust holds the remaining shares as a trustee on behalf of the beneficiaries of the Trust.

The first level management (“Executive Committee”) and selected first and second level management (“Senior Management”) of the Group are offered to participate in the Management Equity Plan (MEP), allowing the members of these plans to invest in the equity of the Group. The first level managers are offered to invest into Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. The senior managers are offered to invest through the Trust which is consolidated in the financial statements of the Company. Under both plans, the price paid for the shares equals the grant date fair value of the share. At a specified exit event (e.g. a listing or 3rd party sale), the members will sell back the shares to the Trust at fair value. The Managers are restricted from transferring or selling their shares before an exit event.

The managers share plans are cash-settled share-based payment arrangements in the scope of IFRS 2 “Share-based payment” due to the terms and conditions of the plan. The portion of the fair value of cash-settled share-based payment is recognised as an expense under functional costs items and is also reported as a liability. The fair value is recalculated on each reporting date until the end of the performance period. Any change in the fair value of the obligation is recognised (pro rata temporis) under “Exceptional items” (reference is made to Notes 10, 26 and 33).

 

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NOTE 43

Shareholders of Global Blue Group AG

 

     Shareholders of Global Blue
Group AG
     Shareholders of Global Blue
Group AG
     Shareholders of Global Blue
Investment & CO SCA
 
     31 March 2019      31 March 2018      31 March 2017  

Number of

   Ordinary
shares
     Management
share
     Ordinary
shares
     Management
share
     Ordinary
shares
     Management
share
 

Global Blue Holding LP

     40,000,000        —          40,000,000        —          17,636,855                1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     40,000,000        —          40,000,000        —          17,636,855        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

NOTE 44

Events after the reporting period

Merger Update

On 16 January, 2020 Global Blue announced it will become a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with Far Point Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: FPAC), a special purpose acquisition company co-sponsored by the institutional asset manager Third Point LLC and former NYSE President Thomas W. Farley. The new public company will be incorporated in Switzerland and will trade as Global Blue under ticker symbol NYSE: “GB” upon closing. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2020 and is subject to approval by Far Point stockholders and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals

In the case the contemplated transaction closes as planned, the MEP (referred to in Note 26) will cease to exist. Instead, management will receive loan notes in Global Blue Investment and Co S.C.A. in exchange for all of their shares and NC-PECs. These loan notes will be contributed through the chain of holding companies, until management ultimately receive shares in Global Blue Group AG. At which point, a portion will be acquired by a third-party for cash and the remainder will remain, reflecting management’s direct ownership in Global Blue Group AG.

COVID-19 Update

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19) was recognized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. In response, governments have taken preventative measures (e.g., imposing restrictions on international travel and closure of all non-essential stores) and businesses and individuals have decided to postpone travel. Collectively, these measures have severely curtailed international travel and diminished the level of economic activity around the world, including in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, which has negatively impacted Global Blue’s business and recent results of operations and financial condition.

During March 2020, most of the key European countries where Global Blue operates closed their borders to non-essential travel and all but essential retail stores have been required to close. As a result, and so long as such measures in their current form remain in place and are not relaxed, there are no TFSS transactions in these countries. In addition, other countries in Europe and the APAC region in which Global Blue operates, including those currently without border restrictions, are similarly experiencing significant declines in TFSS transactions as a result of the COVID-19. At this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of this pandemic, which could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows in the year ending 31 March 2021.

It is worth noting that previous contagious disease outbreaks such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 or MERS in 2015 have historically temporarily curtailed, to varying degrees, international travel, with growth recovering afterwards to pre-outbreak levels, as a result of a normalization of travel demand and longer-term structural macroeconomic growth tailwinds. Although not fully comparable to COVID-19 due to its magnitude, other travel disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest) have negatively impacted Global Blue’s results of operations during the affected period, with the effects subsiding and reversing after the disruptions.

 

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Zürich, 14 April 2020

Board of Directors:

 

Christian Lucas

   Jacques Stern

Marcel Erni

   Joseph Osnoss

Katherine Brody

   Eric Meurice

Eric Strutz

   Ulf Pagenkopf

 

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Global Blue Group AG

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

1 April 2019 – 30 September 2019

 

 

 

Zürichstrasse 38.

CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

CHE-218.820.653

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Board of Directors

Christian Lucas

Jacques Stern

Marcel Erni

Joseph Osnoss

Katherine Brody

Eric Meurice

Eric Strutz

Ulf Pagenkopf

Registered office

Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA (CHE-390.062.005), Genève

Owners

The shareholders of Global Blue Group AG - Group are outlined in Note 15

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes    Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Total revenue

   5      227,700       210,695  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   6      (190,548     (175,846
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Profit

        37,152       34,849  

Finance income

   6      2,641       2,468  

Finance costs

   6      (18,830     (18,344
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

   6      (16,189     (15,876
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax

        20,963       18,973  

Income tax expense

   6      (8,952     (11,004
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

        12,011       7,968  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

       

Owners of the parent

        8,242       4,979  

Non-controlling interests

        3,769       2,989  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

        12,011       7,968  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic Profit per share

   7      0.21       0.12  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted Profit per share

   7      0.21       0.12  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-91 to F-111 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(€ thousands)

   Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Profit for the period

     12,011       7,968  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

    

Currency translation differences

     (1,854     (1,707
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (1,854     (1,707
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax

     (1,854     (1,707
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     10,157       6,261  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

    

Owners of the parent

     6,076       3,649  

Non-controlling interest

     4,081       2,612  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

     10,157       6,261  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-91 to F-111 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes      30 Sep 2019     31 Mar 2019  

ASSETS

       

Non-current assets

       

Property, plant and equipment

     8,16        53,763       56,213  

Intangible assets

     9        662,999       695,622  

Deferred income tax asset

        13,608       10,864  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

     17        3,104       2,444  

Other non-current receivables

        15,383       12,703  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        748,857       777,846  

Current assets

       

Trade receivables

        377,142       249,331  

Other current receivables

        47,810       49,247  

Income tax receivables

        1,608       3,612  

Prepaid expenses

        11,434       15,045  

Cash and cash equivalents

        75,108       104,072  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        513,102       421,307  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

        1,261,959       1,199,153  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

       

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

       

Ordinary shares

        341       341  

Share premium

        391,856       391,856  

Other reserves

        (3,343     (1,201

Accumulated losses

        (304,321     (312,455
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        84,533       78,541  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

        7,654       8,426  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

        92,187       86,967  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Non-current liabilities

       

Non convertible equity certificates

     11        4,739       4,494  

Loans and borrowings

     10        623,500       622,398  

Derivative financial instruments

        475       176  

Other long term liabilities

        33,817       34,498  

Deferred income tax liabilities

        41,795       49,376  

Post-employment benefits

        5,289       5,062  

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

     12        2,054       1,746  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        711,669       717,750  

Current liabilities

       

Trade payables

        320,220       263,720  

Other current liabilities

        60,016       58,888  

Accrued liabilities

        41,588       39,970  

Current income tax liabilities

        32,460       29,757  

Loans and borrowings

     10        3,819       2,102  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        458,103       394,437  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        1,169,772       1,112,187  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

        1,261,959       1,199,153  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-91 to F-111 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

(€ thousands)

   Notes      Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Profit before tax

        20,963       18,973  

Depreciation and amortisation

        54,921       51,915  

Net financial costs

     6        16,189       15,877  

Other non cash items

        4,477       5,028  

Net deductible financial costs

        (2,870     (2,213

Income tax paid

        (14,695     (15,630

Interest paid

        (12,117     (12,351

Payment of provisions

        —         (3

Changes in working capital

        (64,155     (55,360
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in operating activities (A)

        2,713       6,236  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase of tangible assets

     8        (2,001     (2,355

Purchase of intangible assets

     9        (12,439     (11,560

Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash acquired

        —         (5,467

Acquisition of non-current financial assets

        (4,204     (444

Divestiture of non-current financial assets

        81       111  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in investing activities (B)

        (18,563     (19,715
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition of shares and NC-PECs issued by subsidiaries

        (669     (1,029

Principal elements of lease payments

     16        (8,059     (7,030

Net change in revolving credit facilities

        —         53,000  

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

        (4,798     (3,635
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net cash used in financing activities (C)

        (13,526     41,306  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net foreign exchange difference (D)

        (1,233     (206
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

= Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (E) = (A) + (B) + (C) + (D)

        (30,609     27,621  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

        104,072       50,674  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

        75,108       76,095  

Net change in bank overdraft facilities

        1,645       (2,200
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

= NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

        (30,609     27,621  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notes on pages F-91 to F-111 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

(€ thousands)

  Issued
capital
    Share
premium
    Other
reserve
    Cash flow
hedge
reserve
    Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
    Remeasurements
of post
employment
benefit obligations
    Accumulated
losses
    Total     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

Balance as at 1 April 2019

    341       391,856       9,890       —         (10,572     (519     (312,455     78,541       8,426       86,967  

Profit/(loss) for the period

    —         —         —         —         —         —         8,242       8,242       3,769       12,011  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    —         —         —         —         (2,166     —         —         (2,166     312       (1,854

Total comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         (2,166     —         8,242       6,076       4,081       10,157  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (64     (64     (4,798     (4,862

Total contribution by and distribution to owners of the parent, recognised directly in Equity

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (64     (64     (4,798     (4,862
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of the capital reorganisation

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other transactions

    —         —         24       —         —         —         (44     (20     (55     (75

Total transactions with owners of the parent, recognised directly in equity

    —         —         24       —         —         —         (44     (20     (55     (75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 30 September 2019

    341       391,856       9,914       —         (12,738     (519     (304,321     84,533       7,654       92,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2019 the share capital comprises of 40,000,000 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.009 each.

 

(€ thousands)

  Issued
capital
    Share
premium
    Other
reserve
    Cash flow
hedge

reserve
    Foreign
currency
translation
reserve
    Remeasurements
of post
employment
benefit obligations
    Accumulated
losses
    Total     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

Balance as at 31 March 2018

    341       391,856       7,607       —         (12,339     (903     (305,856     80,706       8,905       89,611  

Changes in accounting policies
(IFRS 9)

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (7,406     (7,406     —         (7,406

Balance as at 1 April 2018

    341       391,856       7,607       —         (12,339     (903     (313,262     73,300       8,905       82,205  

Profit/(loss) for the period

    —         —         —         —         —         —         4,979       4,979       2,989       7,968  

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    —         —         —         —         (1,330     —         —         (1,330     (377     (1,707

Total comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         (1,330     —         4,979       3,649       2,612       6,261  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (3,635     (3,635

Total contribution by and distribution to owners of the parent, recognised directly in Equity

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (3,635     (3,635
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effects of the capital reorganisation

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impact from the changes in % held

    —         —         —         —         —         —         110       110       (110     —    

Increase in scope of consolidation

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         343       343  

FX effect of the acquisition to be cancelled

    —         —         —         —         —         —         18       18       (20     (2

Total transactions with owners of the parent, recognised directly in equity

    —         —         —         —         —         —         128       128       213       341  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 30 September 2018

    341       391,856       7,607       —         (13,669     (903     (308,154     77,078       8,095       85,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2018 the share capital comprises of 40,000,000 shares with a nominal value of EUR0.009 each.

The notes on pages F-91 to F-111 are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1

Corporate information

Global Blue Group AG (‘the Company’ or ‘Global Blue’) and its subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’) provide technology-enabled transaction processing services for merchants, banks, governments and travellers. The Group has operating subsidiaries in multiple countries globally.

The Company is a partnership limited by shares incorporated on 16 March 2018. The registered office is established in 38, Zürichstrasse, CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland under the number CHE-218.820.653. Global Blue Group AG is the ultimate parent of the Group.

These group condensed consolidated financial statements previously issued 19 February 2020 were revised to reflect the matters described below in the section “Revision of Previously Issued Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”. These revised financials statements were authorized for issue by the Directors of the Company on 14 April 2020.

The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Global Blue Group AG have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and are presented in Thousands of Euros (EURk).

The principal activities of the Group are described in Note 2.

Owners’ structure

Global Blue Group AG is the ultimate holding company for the Group.

Revision of Previously Issued Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has revised its previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements (authorized on 19 February 2020) to reflect: (i) an adjustment on revenue due to the correction of the statutory life of unsuccessful transaction claims and (ii) recognition of an uncertain tax position related to a German tax matter.

 

   

Unsuccessful transaction claims: During the fourth quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the company identified that, while certain European governments had shortened the statutory life of unsuccessful transaction claims (from 10 or more years to 5 years) before 1 April 2016 the Company was still using the old statutory life, thus resulting in an understatement of revenue in the six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019. The adjustment results in a change in revenue, associated income tax expense, and earnings per share, with a corresponding change in the unsuccessful transaction claims liability (recognized under Trade Payables) and associated deferred tax asset. There is no impact on net cash used in operating activities and the balance of cash and cash equivalents from this revision.

 

   

German tax matter: During the third quarter of the financial year ending 31 March 2020, the Company became aware of an April 2018 ruling of the Fiscal Court of Dusseldorf in relation to language included in certain profit and loss pooling agreements (“PLPA”) which raises uncertainty as to whether the German tax authorities will accept the effectiveness of the Company’s fiscal unity for the tax periods beginning in 2014 until 2019. As such, the Company has recognized an uncertain tax position in the financial year ending 31 March 2019. An amended PLPA, from which the provisions in focus were removed, was registered in December 2019; therefore, the risk described above is only related to historical financial years.

 

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In addition, the Company has expanded disclosure related to the French and Italian tax matters (Notes 6 and 18), and has provided disclosure on the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 (Note 19).

The Company evaluated the aggregated effects of the errors to its previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with IAS 8 – Accounting Policies, Accounting Estimates and Errors (“IAS 8”). Based upon quantitative and qualitative factors, the Company has determined that the errors were not material to the previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for each of the six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019. However, the cumulative effect of the errors would be significant to the Company’s financial results for the year ended 31 March 2020, if it were take into account for that financial year. Accordingly, the Company has revised its previously issued consolidated financial statements for each of the six months ended 30 September 2018 and 30 September 2019.

All financial information presented in the accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements was revised to reflect the correction of these errors.

The following tables present the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s condensed consolidated income statement, condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of financial position, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows, and condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity.

Revision to Condensed Consolidated Income Statement

 

    Half Year 2019/20     Half Year 2018/19  
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Total revenue

    226,489       1,211       227,700       208,735       1,960       210,695  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

    35,941       1,211       37,152       32,889       1,960       34,849  

Profit before tax

    19,752       1,211       20,963       17,013       1,960       18,973  

Income tax expense

    (8,574     (378     (8,952     (6,666     (4,338     (11,004
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit for the period

    11,178       833       12,011       10,347       (2,379     7,968  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit attributable to:

           

Owners of the parent

    7,409       833       8,242       7,358       (2,379     4,979  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic profit / (loss) per share

    0.19       0.02       0.21       0.18       (0.06     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted profit / (loss) per share

    0.19       0.02       0.21       0.18       (0.06     0.12  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revision to Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

    Half Year 2019/20     Half Year 2018/19  
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Profit or (loss) for the year

    11,178       833       12,011       10,347       (2,379     7,968  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

    9,324       833       10,157       8,640       (2,379     6,261  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributable to:

           

Equity holders of parent

    5,243       833       6,076       6,028       (2,379     3,649  

 

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Revision to Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

 

    30 Sep 2019     31 March 2019  
(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Non-current assets

           

Deferred income tax asset

    17,141       (3,533     13,608       14,020       (3,156     10,864  

Total Non-current assets

    752,390       (3,533     748,857       781,002       (3,156     777,846  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,265,492       (3,533     1,261,959       1,202,309       (3,156     1,199,153  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

           

Accumulated losses

    (308,586     4,265       (304,321     (315,887     3,432       (312,455

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent

    80,268       4,265       84,533       75,109       3,432       78,541  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    87,922       4,265       92,187       83,535       3,432       86,967  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

           

Trade payables

    331,731       (11,511     320,220       274,020       (10,300     263,720  

Current income tax liabilities

    28,747       3,713       32,460       26,044       3,713       29,757  

Total current liabilities

    465,901       (7,798     458,103       401,024       (6,587     394,437  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,177,570       (7,798     1,169,772       1,118,774       (6,587     1,112,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity and liabilities

    1,265,492       (3,533     1,261,959       1,202,309       (3,156     1,199,153  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revision to Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

     Half Year 2019/20     Half Year 2018/19  
(€ thousands)    As Reported     Adjustments     Revised     As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  

Profit or (loss) before tax

     19,752       1,211       20,963       17,013       1,960       18,973  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in working capital

     (62,944     (1,211     (64,155     (53,400     (1,960     (55,360

Net cash used in operating activities

     2,713       —         2,713       6,236       —         6,236  

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (30,609     —         (30,609     27,621       —         27,621  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Revision to Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
 

Balance as at 1 April 2019

    (315,887     75,109       83,535       3,432       3,432       3,432       (312,455     78,541       86,967  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the year

    7,409       7,409       11,178       833       833       833       8,242       8,242       12,011  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    7,409       5,243       9,324       833       833       833       8,242       6,076       10,157  

Balance as at 30 September 2019

    (308,586     80,268       87,922       4,265       4,265       4,265       (304,321     84,533       92,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)   As Reported     Adjustments     Revised  
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
    Accumulated
losses
    Total
(pre-NCI)
    Total
(post-NCI)
 

Balance as at 31 March 2018

    (310,332     76,230       85,135       4,476       4,476       4,476       (305,856     80,706       89,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at 1 April 2018

    (317,738     68,824       77,729       4,476       4,476       4,476       (313,262     73,300       82,205  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) for the period

    7,358       7,358       10,347       (2,379     (2,379     (2,379     4,979       4,979       7,968  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    7,358       6,028       8,640       (2,379     (2,379     (2,379     4,979       3,649       6,261  

Balance as at 30 September 2018

    (310,252     74,980       83,075       2,098       2,098       2,098       (308,154     77,078       85,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NOTE 2

General information about the business

Product offering

The Company serves as a strategic technology and payments partner to merchants, empowering them to capture the structural growth of international travellers shopping abroad, driven by multiple long-term macroeconomic tailwinds. The Company offers third-party serviced tax free shopping (TFSS) solutions and offers added-value payment solutions (AVPS), including dynamic currency conversion. At the core, the Company is a technology platform that serves a network of merchant stores globally through both TFSS and AVPS, delivering economic benefits to a complex ecosystem of merchants, international shoppers and customs and authorities.

 

NOTE 3

Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The Group’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the half-year reporting period ended 30 September 2019 have been prepared in accordance with IAS34 ‘Interim financial reporting’.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments that have been measured at fair value.

The primary financial statements are presented in a format consistent with the consolidated financial statements presented in the 2019 Annual Financial Report under IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, but this interim

 

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financial report contains condensed financial statements prepared in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim financial reporting’, in that it does not include all of the notes that would be required in a complete set of financial statements. This interim financial report must be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2019.

The accounting policies are those applied in the annual financial statements, except for income tax.

Taxation

Income tax is recognised based on the best estimate of the weighted average effective annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year. The tax charge for the period ended 30 September 2019 consisted of tax on profits, withholding taxes and deferred tax movements.

The effective tax rate increased due to strong relative performance in Japan and the tax reform in Switzerland, which resulted in higher corporate tax rates.

Pension benefits

As at 30 September 2019, the Group has updated this significant estimate and re-estimated the value of the pension plan benefits. There have been no significant changes to the methodology nor to the value of the pension liability since the prior year.

Changes in accounting policy

New and revised standards will be applied in the financial years 2019/20 and beyond. Global Blue’s assessment is that the standards, amendments and interpretation issued and not yet effective for the financial year 2019/20 will not have a significant impact on the condensed consolidated financial statement.

 

NOTE 4

Significant changes in current reporting period

Information about the business

During the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Company has not gained or lost any material merchants or acquirers. Similarly, during the same period, there have been no changes in the list of countries in which the company operates, nor in the list of business entities.

Seasonality

Our TFSS business is subject to predictable seasonality because a significant part of our business serves the leisure segment of the travel industry, which is particularly active during the summer holiday season for Chinese, Russian and US tourists. In addition, during recent years, this has also coincided with post-Ramadan travel by Gulf Cooperation Council shoppers. The second half of Global Blue’s financial year sees upticks in travel and shopping due to specific events that are more dispersed, such as the Chinese National Day (“Golden Week”) in October, Christmas / New Year in December, and Chinese New Year in February.

All in all, this drives a degree of seasonality in our net working capital need, with a greater outflow during the first half of our financial year, which typically is recovered in the second half.

The AVPS business, which serves both seasonal shoppers and regular travellers, is more protected from the seasonal variations driven by traditional holiday periods and as a result does not have a distinct seasonality profile.

 

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NOTE 5

Segment information

The Company has determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Executive Committee (ExCom) for the purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. Management considers the business from a product perspective; the performance of the Tax Free Shopping Technology Solutions (TFSS) and Added-Value Payment Solutions (AVPS) product groups are separately considered.

The ExCom assesses the performance of the operating segments based on the measures of Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA at both a segment level and a group level (with the Adjusted EBITDA assessed after non-allocated central costs).

The measures used by the ExCom to monitor the performance of the Group’s operating segments do not include all costs in the IFRS consolidated income statement. Marketing, sales, customer service, certain administration services, depreciation, amortisation, impairment income / expense, and net finance costs are not allocated to segments. As a result, the ExCom monitors the development of EBITDA presented in the consolidated management accounts.

The segment information provided to the ExCom for the reportable segments is as follows:

 

Half year 2019/20

(€ thousands)

   Notes      TFSS     AVPS     Central
costs
    Total  

Revenue

        194,711       32,989       —         227,700  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        (73,699     (14,028     (38,702     (126,429
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

        121,012       18,961       (38,702     101,271  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation(1)

     6              (54,921

Exceptional items

     6              (9,198
           

 

 

 

Operating Profit

              37,152  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)

Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

 

Half year 2018/19

(€ thousands)

   Notes      TFSS     AVPS     Central
costs
    Total  

Revenue

        179,328       31,367       —         210,695  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses

        (68,393     (12,593     (38,871     (119,857
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

        110,935       18,774       (38,871     90,838  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortisation(1)

     6              (51,916

Exceptional items

     6              (4,073
           

 

 

 

Operating Profit

              34,849  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)

Depreciation and amortization includes amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations.

No measure of assets or liabilities by segment is reported to the ExCom. There are no significant transactions between segments.

 

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Revenue is mainly derived from commissions generated from TFSS and AVPS. A geographical breakdown of revenue by point of sale is provided below:

 

Half year 2019/20

(€ thousands)

                    

Revenue by geography and by segment

   TFSS      AVPS      Total  

Europe

     172,681        9,267        181,948  

Asia Pacific

     20,677        23,719        44,396  

Rest of the world

     1,353        3        1,356  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     194,711        32,989        227,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Half year 2018/19

(€ thousands)

                    

Revenue by geography and by segment

   TFSS      AVPS      Total  

Europe

     157,812        9,471        167,283  

Asia Pacific

     20,283        21,894        42,177  

Rest of the world

     1,233        2        1,235  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     179,328        31,367        210,695  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There is no single external customer which accounts for more than 10% of Global Blue’s revenue, for any of the half year reporting period presented.

 

NOTE 6

Profit and loss information

 

(€ thousands)

            

Expenses by nature

   Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Employee benefit expenses

     (64,428     (61,853

Depreciation and amortisation

     (54,921     (51,916

Agent costs

     (43,704     (38,568

IT costs

     (7,410     (7,255

Auditors, lawyers and consultants

     (10,423     (5,165

Advertising and promotion

     (4,762     (3,971

Travel, entertainment, office and rental cost

     (3,564     (5,657

Other operating expenses

     (1,336     (1,461
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (190,548     (175,846
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of which exceptional items

     (9,198     (4,073

 

(€ thousands)

            

Depreciation and amortisation

   Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

     (10,701     (9,797
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortisation of customer relationships

     (35,175     (35,127

Amortisation of trademarks

     (1,118     (1,118

Amortisation of other intangible assets

     (7,928     (5,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortisation of intangible assets

     (44,220     (42,119
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (54,921     (51,916
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Of which amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations

     (37,219     (37,326

 

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The depreciation of property, plant and equipment of EUR10.7m (EUR9.8m as at September 2018) includes depreciation related to the Right of use asset, as a result of the adoption of IFRS 16. For further details refer to Note 16.

The amortisation of intangible assets acquired through business combinations predominantly relates to the acquisition of Global Blue by Silver Lake and Partners Group in 2012.

 

(€ thousands)

            

Finance income

   Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Interest income on short-term bank deposits

     233       81  

Net foreign exchange gains on financing activities

     1,801       751  

Other finance income

     607       1,636  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance income

     2,641       2,468  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance costs

            

Interest expense:

    

- Bank borrowings (including amortization of capitalized financing fees)

     (12,933     (12,887

- Lease liabilities interest

     (552     (699

- Interest expenses on Non-Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates issued to third Parties

     (84     (77

Net foreign exchange losses (1)

     (1,179     (2,468

Other finance expenses

     (4,082     (2,213
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total finance costs

     (18,830     (18,344
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net finance costs

     (16,189     (15,876
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Net foreign exchange gains and losses arising during the period result from the difference between the value originally recorded and the amount actually paid or received, as well as unrealized gains and losses due to the difference between the original value recorded and the value at the balance sheet date.

 

(€ thousands)

  

  

   

  

 

Income tax

   Half year
2019/20
    Half year
2018/19
 

Income tax charge

     (18,396     (16,807

Adjustment in respect of current income tax of previous years

     (435     (409

Deferred tax

     9,879       6,211  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense reported in the income statement

     (8,952     (11,004

Of which income tax expense related to amortization of intangible acquired through business combination

     7,533       7,533  

Of which tax impact on exceptional items

     1,123       1,411  

Of which exceptional income tax expense

     (1,058     (6,090

Exceptional Income Tax Expense

Italy

As a result of the settlement procedure initiated in 2018, a formal settlement was reached with the Italian tax authorities in April 2019. The settlement covers the findings on license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial year ended 31 March 2014 and 2015 as well as the finding on withholding tax on license fee for the calendar year 2013 and 2014 for a total amount of €3.6 million which was paid in April 2019. Discussions are ongoing with the Italian tax authorities for the finding on withholding tax on interests for the calendar years 2013

 

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to 2018, as well as the findings on (ii) license fees and intercompany interest rate for the financial years ended 31 March 2016, 2017 and 2018, and (iii) withholding tax on license fees for calendar years 2015 to 2018. During the six months ended 30 September 2019, the Company booked an additional income tax payable of €1.1 million. As a result of the settlement and the additional accrual, the income tax payable relating to Italy was €14.1 million, as at 30 September 2019.

Germany

Global Blue New Holdings Germany GmbH (“GBNHG”), as controlling entity, and Global Blue Deutschland GmbH (“GBD”), as controlled entity, entered into a profit and loss pooling agreement (hereinafter the “PLPA”) dated 5 October 2000, allowing the pooling of income and losses of both entities for corporate income and trade tax purposes. While the provisions of the PLPA allow the utilization of capital reserves built up at the level of GBD during the term of the PLPA for loss compensation (or for the profit transfer to GBNHG), such provisions, in light of a recent court ruling issued in April 2018, may not be permissible under German law. Even though GBD has not utilized any capital reserves as permitted by the PLPA, there is a risk that the tax authorities might challenge the effectiveness of the PLPA and, as a consequence, deny the profit and loss pooling within the German Global Blue group relating to the financial year 2019 and previous tax periods. Based on the opinion of Global Blue´s advisers, the Company has recognised an uncertain tax position and estimates the potential liability at €3.7 million. This amount has been booked as a provision in the financial year ending 31 March 2019. An amended PLPA, from which the provisions in focus were removed, was registered in December 2019; therefore, the risk described above is only related to historical financial years.

 

NOTE 7

Earnings per share

 

(€ thousands)

             

Earnings per share

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Profit or loss from continuing operations attributable to the owners of the parent

     8,242        4,979  

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (thousands)

     40,000        40,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

     0.21        0.12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

     0.21        0.12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of parent (i.e. equity shareholders of the Company) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. The Company had no dilutive potential ordinary shares during the period ended 30 September 2019.

 

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NOTE 8

Property, plant and equipment

 

(€ thousands)

            

Accumulated acquisition values

   30 Sep 2019     31 Mar 2019  

Machinery, equipment and computers

     27,239       25,773  

Leasehold improvements

     5,127       4,309  

Right of use asset

     64,858       60,236  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated acquisition values

     97,224       90,318  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

   30 Sep 2019     31 Mar 2019  

Machinery, equipment and computers

     (18,907     (16,598

Leasehold improvements

     (3,178     (2,348

Right of use asset

     (21,376     (15,159
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated depreciation and impairment

     (43,461     (34,105
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Property, plant and equipment

     53,763       56,213  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 9

Intangible assets

 

As at 30 September 2019

(€ thousands)

   Goodwill     Trademarks     Customer
relationships
    Other int.
assets
    Software     Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2019

     413,499       45,941       660,325       7,999       81,024       1,208,788  

Purchases

     —         —         150       973       11,314       12,437  

Disposals

     —         —         —         (3     (420     (423

Reclassifications

     —         —         —         17       (3     14  

Exchange differences

     (220     (25     (81     58       (414     (682
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     413,279       45,916       660,394       9,044       91,501       1,220,134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2019

     —         (14,913     (462,288     (6,166     (25,641     (509,008

Amortisation

     —         (1,120     (35,170     (549     (7,376     (44,215

Disposals

     —         —         —         2       44       46  

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         (2     —         —         (2

Exchange differences

     —         —         10       (42     228       196  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

     —         (16,033     (497,450     (6,755     (32,745     (552,983
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2019

     (2,109     —         —         (498     (1,551     (4,158

Exchange differences

     6       —         —         —         —         6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment

     (2,103     —         —         (498     (1,551     (4,152
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at 30 September 2019

     411,176       29,883       162,944       1,791       57,205       662,999  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

As at 30 September 2018

(€ thousands)

   Goodwill     Trademarks     Customer
relationships
    Other int.
assets
    Software     Total  

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     405,937       45,926       664,849       7,117       57,432       1,181,261  

Acquisition of subsidiaries

     5,641       —         —         —         —         5,641  

Purchases

     —         —         660       366       10,359       11,385  

Disposals

     —         —         —         (1     (37     (38

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         —         (50     9       (41

Reclassifications

     —         —         (6,600     —         —         (6,600

Exchange differences

     (225     (12     (21     (30     (362     (650
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated acquisition values

     411,353       45,914       658,888       7,402       67,401       1,190,958  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     —         (12,676     (395,073     (4,912     (14,308     (426,969

Amortisation

     —         (1,118     (35,124     (482     (5,392     (42,116

Disposals

     —         —         —         1       4       5  

Adjustments due to changes in accounting policies

     —         —         3,142       —         —         3,142  

Exchange differences

     —         —         1       17       157       175  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated amortization

     —         (13,794     (427,054     (5,376     (19,539     (465,763
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Opening balance at 1 April 2018

     (2,040     —         —         (498     (1,255     (3,793

Exchange differences

     42       —         —         —         —         42  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment

     (1,998     —         —         (498     (1,255     (3,751
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net book value at 30 September 2018

     409,355       32,120       231,834       1,528       46,607       721,444  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Goodwill

Management reviews the business performance based on a product perspective. TFSS and AVPS have been identified as the main product groups and the Group’s operating segments. Goodwill is monitored by the management at the operating segment level. The following is a summary of goodwill allocation for each operating segment:

 

(€ thousands)

             

Goodwill

   30 Sep 2019      31 Mar 2019  

TFSS

     360,721        360,721  

AVPS

     50,455        50,669  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     411,176        411,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As there were no indicators for impairment of any CGUs, management has not updated the impairment calculations since the annual test performed at 31 March 2019.

 

NOTE 10

Loans and borrowings

 

(€ thousands)

            

Interest-bearing loans and borrowings from credit institutions

   30 Sep 2019     31 Mar 2019  

Long-term financing - Senior term debt (1)

     635,053       635,839  

Capitalized financing fees

     (11,553     (13,441

Other bank overdraft

     3,819       2,102  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     627,319       624,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term portion as at closing date (presented under current liabilities)

     3,819       2,102  

Long-term portion as at closing date

     623,500       622,398  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     627,319       624,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The amount of EUR635.1m, as at 30 September 2019 (EUR635.8m as at 31 March 2019), includes EUR5.1m (EUR5.8m as at 31 March 2019) as a result of the application of IFRS 9.

 

     30 Sep 2019     31 Mar 2019  

(€ thousands)

   Carrying
value
    Fair
value
    Effective
interest
    Carrying
value
    Fair
value
    Effective
interest
 

Senior term debt

     624,673       593,284       3.85     623,831       593,452       3.84

Capitalized financing fees - RCF

     (1,173     (1,173     n.a.       (1,433     (1,433     n.a.  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current

     623,500       592,111         622,398       592,019    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Other bank overdraft

     3,819       3,819       n.a.       2,102       2,102       n.a.  

Total current

     3,819       3,819         2,102       2,102    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

     627,319       595,930         624,500       594,121    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

The fair value of Senior term debt has been estimated by discounting future cash flows using the effective interest rate of the Senior term loan as at inception, on 16 October 2017. The fair value has been measured using observable input (level 2) in line with the fair value hierarchy.

The effective interest rate of the Senior term debt comprises of the amortisation of debt costs, effects of IFRS 9 and the nominal interest rate of the debt, being 3.845% (margin included) as at 30 September 2019.

 

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Financing

There is no change in the conditions of the Senior term loan amounts, more information can be found in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2019.

Security

First-ranking security is provided in favour of the lenders under the Senior Facilities Agreement (SFA). This security includes pledges on the assets of all material subsidiaries of the Company at the time of the implementation of the transaction security, to the extent legally permitted and operationally practical. All debt being issued under the SFA ranks pari-passu.

 

(€ thousands)

             

Security

   30 Sep 2019      31 Mar 2019  

Pledge of shares of consolidated companies (net equity in subsidiaries)

     88,895        118,262  

Pledge of trade receivables, other current receivables, prepaid expenses and income tax receivable

     263,984        162,110  

Pledge of cash in hand

     37,314        73,493  

Interest Rate Swaps

As 30 September 2019, there were no interest rate swaps outstanding (same status as at 31 March 2019).

Bank overdrafts

Local credit facilities are available in certain jurisdictions and the facilities as per the end of the period ending 30 September 2019 are limited to EUR28.5m (EUR12.6m as of 31 March 2019). None of these local overdraft facilities were committed in nature.

The total drawings under the RCF as at the end of the period ending 30 September 2019 were EUR1.1m (EUR1.1m as of 31 March 2019) and were entirely related to non-cash guarantees issued for commercial and financial reasons, leaving the Group with EUR78.9m (EUR78.9m as of 31 March 2019) undrawn capacity. There was no cash drawing under the RCF. The RCF capacity does not qualify as cash and cash equivalents.

 

NOTE 11

Non-Convertible Equity Certificates

NC-PECs direct investment

The Company’s indirect subsidiary Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. issued on August 1, 2012 Non- Convertible Preferred Equity Certificates (“NC-PECs”) with a par value of EUR1.00 and a maximum amount of EUR500m. As at 30 September 2019, the nominal value of NC-PECS, including accrued interest, was EUR1.8m.

The NC-PECs bear interest with a rate of 10% per annum calculated on the par value of the NC-PECs outstanding and the accrued and unpaid yield of prior periods. The mandatory redemption date of the NC-PECs is 26 July 2061. At any time, Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. may repurchase any or all of the NC-PECs at a repurchase price, which is equal to the par value of each NC-PEC plus accrued but unpaid yield on such NC-PEC for the NC-PECs repurchased.

The NC-PECs rank prior to all subordinated securities (current and future), but the NC-PECs shall be subordinated to all other creditors of the previous ultimate parent of the Group (current and future).

 

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The NC-PECs can be summarized as follows:

 

(€ thousands)

             

NC-PECs

   30 Sep 2019      30 Sep 2018  

Nominal value including accrued interest on NC-PECs issued at the beginning of the period

     1,750        1,591  

Additions/ Disposals (nominal value including accrued interest on NC-PECs)

     —          —    

Accrued interests on NC-PECs

     89        80  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total value of NC-PECs direct investment

     1,839        1,671  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest bearing obligations towards senior management of Global Blue Group

     2,900        1,880  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total value of NC-PECs including accrued interest

     4,739        3,551  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(Thousand of units)

             

NC-PECs

   30 Sep 2019      30 Sep 2018  

NC-PECs issued at the beginning of the year

     927        927  

Issuance of NC-PECs

     —          —    

Additions/ Disposals

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Number of NC-PECs issued

     927        927  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair value of the NC-PECs as of 30 September 2019 approximates its carrying value.

Interest bearing obligations toward senior management of Global Blue

The liability towards senior management of the Group of EUR2.9m (EUR2.7m as of 31 March 2019) relates to obligation of the Global Blue Management Equity Plan (MEP). The fair value of the interest-bearing liability towards senior management of Global Blue Group is assessed to be equal to the carrying value. The applicable interest rate of the instrument equals 10% per annum and computed on a 365-/366-day year basis and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

NOTE 12

Provisions for other liabilities and charges

 

(€ thousands)

             

Legal claims

   30 Sep 2019      30 Sep 2018  

Opening balance at 1 April

     1,746        1,485  

Additional provisions

     303        11  

Amounts utilized during the year

     —          (3

Translation differences for the financial year

     5        1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance at 30 September

     2,054        1,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     2,054        1,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Provisions

     2,054        1,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amounts represent provisions for certain legal claims brought against the Group. The provision charge is recognized in profit and loss within “Operating expenses” and in “Net finance costs”.

 

NOTE 13

Business combinations

There were no new business combinations and no adjustments regarding the prior period business combinations.

 

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NOTE 14

Related party transactions

Global Blue Group AG is controlled by funds managed by Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group.

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.

The related party transactions as at 30 September 2019 are as follows:

Remuneration to key management personnel

The remuneration to the board of directors and the Executive Committee members, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures.

 

(€ thousands)

             

Remuneration to key management personnel

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Short-term employee benefits

     2,361        3,151  

Post-employment benefits

     189        194  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     2,550        3,345  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchase of services from related parties

Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group charge a monitoring fee to the Group (EUR0.2m for the first half of 2019/20). The Group also reimburses Silver Lake Partners and Partners Group for out of pocket expenses, financial advisors, legal counsel, and other costs related to the Group.

 

(€ thousands)

             

Purchases of services from related parties

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Monitoring fee

     233        350  

Reimbursements

     186        91  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     419        441  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

First level management of Global Blue Group have invested EUR1.8m (EUR1.8m at 31 March 2019) including accrued interest in NC-PECs (reference is made to Note 11). A further liability of EUR2.9m (EUR2.7m at 31 March 2019) relates to obligation of the Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust towards senior management of the Group (reference is made to Note 11).

 

(€ thousands)

             

Liabilities to related parties

   30 Sep 2019      31 March 2019  

Liabilities to key management personnel:

     

Pension liability

     165        145  

NC-PECs held by first level management

     1,839        1,750  

Liability of Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust towards senior management

     2,900        2,744  

Share-based payment liability

     6,659        6,160  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance for the period

     11,563        10,799  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Related to the MEP implemented as part of the 2012 acquisition by funds advised by Silver Lake and Partners Group, the Global Blue Equity Plan Employee Trust (‘the Trust’) repurchased equity from leaving managers, as

 

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approved by the Board of Managers of the General Partner of Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. in each case. The Board of Managers has the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase any securities issued by Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. from leaving managers. The Trust holds the remaining shares as a trustee on behalf of the beneficiaries of the Trust.

The first level management (“Executive Committee”) and selected first and second level management (“Senior Management”) of the Group are offered to participate in the management Equity Plan (MEP), allowing the members of these plans to invest in the equity of the Group. The first level managers are offered to invest into Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. The senior managers are offered to invest through the Trust which is consolidated in the financial statements of the Company. Under both plans, the price paid for the shares equals the grant date fair value of the share. At a specified exit event (e.g. a listing or 3rd party sale), the members will sell back the shares to the Trust at fair value. The Managers are restricted from transferring or selling their shares before an exit event.

The managers share plans are cash-settled share-based payment arrangements in the scope of IFRS 2 “Share-based payment” due to the terms and conditions of the plan. The portion of the fair value of cash-settled share-based payment is recognised as an expense under functional costs and is also reported as a liability. The fair value is recalculated on each reporting date until the end of the performance period. Any change in the fair value of the obligation is recognised (pro rata temporis) under “Exceptional Items” (reference is made to Notes 6 and 11).

In the event of an IPO the shares under the Management Equity Plan will be converted into a single class of shares and be reclassified to equity.

 

NOTE 15

Shareholders of Global Blue Group AG

 

     Shareholders of Global Blue Group AG  

Number of

   30 Sep 2019 Ordinary
shares
     31 Mar 2019 Ordinary
shares
 

Global Blue Holding LP

     40,000,000        40,000,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     40,000,000        40,000,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 16

Leases

Amounts recognised in the balance sheet are the following:

 

(€ thousands)

             

Right of use asset

   30 Sep 2019      31 Mar 2019  

Offices

     18,130        15,454  

Refund points

     16,411        19,578  

IT contracts

     6,340        7,329  

Others

     2,601        2,717  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Right of use asset

     43,482        45,078  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

            

Movement of Right of use asset

   30 Sep 2019     30 Sep 2018  

Opening balance at 1 April

     45,078       —    

Adoption of new accounting policy

     —         54,325  

New contracts and modifications

     6,665       6,700  

Depreciation

     (7,974     (7,461

FX effect

     (287     (121
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 30 September

     43,482       53,442  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

             

Lease liability

   30 Sep 2019      31 Mar 2019  

Short-term

     13,698        13,713  

Long-term

     31,707        32,420  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Lease liability

     45,405        46,133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

            

Movement of Lease liability

   30 Sep 2019     30 Sep 2018  

Opening balance at 1 April

     46,133       —    

Adoption of new accounting policy

     —         54,325  

New contracts and modifications

     6,806       6,016  

Cash outflow

     (8,059     (7,030

Interest

     552       699  

FX effect

     (27     (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance at 30 September

     45,405       53,871  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Contractual maturities of financial liability at 30 September 2019

   Less than 2 years      Between 2
years and 5
years
     More than 5 years  

Lease liability

     25,156        17,288        2,961  

 

(€ thousands)

                    

Contractual maturities of financial liability at 31 March 2019

   Less than 2 years      Between 2
years and 5
years
     More than 5 years  

Lease liability

     25,148        17,964        3,021  

 

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Amounts recognised in the income statement are the following:

 

(€ thousands)

             

Depreciation charge of the right of use asset

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Offices

     2,303        1,955  

Refund points

     4,013        3,925  

IT contracts

     926        931  

Others

     732        648  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Depreciation charge of right of use asset

     7,974        7,459  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(€ thousands)

             

Interest expense

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Interest expense (included in finance cost)

         552            699  

 

(€ thousands)

             

Other lease-related expenses

   Half year
2019/20
     Half year
2018/19
 

Expense relating to short-term leases (included in Operating expenses)

     1,366        2,248  

Expense relating to leases of low-value assets that are not short-term leases (included in Operating expenses)

     36        7  

Expense relating to variable lease payments not included in lease liabilities (included in Operating expenses)

     4,191        3,007  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Other lease related expenses

     5,593        5,262  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table “Other lease-related expenses” includes expenses from the lease contracts that are not qualified as Right of Use assets according to IFRS 16.

 

NOTE 17

Interest in associates and joint venture

From fiscal year 2018/19, the Group has a 60% interest in Cash Paris Tax Refund, a joint venture involved in the TFSS business in France. The Group’s interest in Cash Paris Tax Refund is accounted for using the equity method in the consolidated financial statements given there is joint control requiring unanimous consent of both parties over the decisions about the relevant activities over the entity.

 

(€ thousands)

   30 Sep 2019     31 March 2019  

Opening carrying amount of the investment

     840       840  

Reclassification

     (600     —    

Group’s share of profit/(loss)

     (240     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Group’s carrying amount of the investment

     —         840  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The amount of EUR0.6m represents reclassification of the other financial interests in the associate to Other long-term receivables.

Summarized statement of profit or loss of the Cash Paris Tax Refund:

 

     30 Sep 2019     30 Sep 2018  

Revenue

     4,280       —    

Operating expenses

     (5,402     —    

Depreciation and amortisation

     (256     —    

Profit/(loss) for the year from continuing operations

     (1,378     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Group’s share of profit/(loss)

     (827     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustment in the Company’s equity investment in Cash Paris Tax Refund

     (240     —    

Adjustment in the Company’s other non-current receivables extended to Cash Paris Tax Refund

     (587     —    

The Group has the following investment in associates and joint ventures as at 30 September 2019 and as at 31 March 2019, respectively:

 

As at September 30, 2019

(€ thousands)

                           

Name of the entity

  

Country of
incorporation

   % of
ownership interest
   

Nature
of relationship

  

Measurement method

   Amount  

Europass S.A.S.

   France      27.24   Associate    Equity method      3,100  

Visitoslo AS

   Norway      1.55   Financial asset    Amortised cost      4  

Cash Paris Tax Refund

   France      60.00   Joint venture    Equity method      —    
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Total

                3,104  
             

 

 

 

 

As at March 31, 2019

(€ thousands)

                           

Name of the entity

  

Country of
incorporation

   % of
ownership interest
   

Nature of
relationship

  

Measurement method

   Amount  

Europass S.A.S.

   France      17.00   Financial asset    Amortised cost      1,600  

Visitoslo AS

   Norway      1.55   Financial asset    Amortised cost      4  

Cash Paris Tax Refund

   France      60.00   Joint venture    Equity method      840  
  

 

  

 

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

Total

                2,444  
             

 

 

 

The Group investment in Europass increased during the period and as a result Europass became an associate (from 17.00% as at 31 March 2019 to 27.24% as at 30 September 2019).

 

NOTE 18

Fair value of the Financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value

In case of the following short-term financial instruments the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value:

 

   

Trade receivables

 

   

Other current receivables

 

   

Income tax receivables

 

   

Prepaid expenses

 

   

Trade payables

 

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Other current liabilities

 

   

Accrued liabilities

 

   

Current income tax liabilities

 

   

Loans and borrowings.

The fair value of the non-current other receivables does not differ significantly from the book value. The other major part of the non-current other receivables is related to rental agreements on different facilities and deposits paid.

Non-current loans and borrowings include the Senior term debt of which the fair value is disclosed in Note 10.

Additional details are included in the results for the financial year ended 31 March 2019, including full disclosure related to the liabilities booked regarding the French and Italian tax matters.

 

NOTE 19

Events after the reporting period

Merger Update

On 16 January, 2020 Global Blue announced it will become a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange through a merger with Far Point Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: FPAC), a special purpose acquisition company co-sponsored by the institutional asset manager Third Point LLC and former NYSE President Thomas W. Farley. The new public company will be incorporated in Switzerland and will trade as Global Blue under ticker symbol NYSE: “GB” upon closing. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2020 and is subject to approval by Far Point stockholders and other customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals

In the case the contemplated transaction closes as planned, the MEP (referred to in Note 11) will cease to exist. Instead, management will receive loan notes in Global Blue Investment and Co S.C.A. in exchange for all of their shares and NC-PECs. These loan notes will be contributed through the chain of holding companies, until management ultimately receive shares in Global Blue Group AG. At which point, a portion will be acquired by a third-party for cash and the remainder will remain, reflecting management’s direct ownership in Global Blue Group AG.

COVID-19 Update

A novel strain of coronavirus (with the resulting illness referred to as COVID-19) was recognized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. In response, governments have taken preventative measures (e.g., imposing restrictions on international travel and closure of all non-essential stores) and businesses and individuals have decided to postpone travel. Collectively, these measures have severely curtailed international travel and diminished the level of economic activity around the world, including in the international travel and extra-regional shopping sectors, which has negatively impacted Global Blue’s business and recent results of operations and financial condition.

During March 2020, most of the key European countries where Global Blue operates closed their borders to non-essential travel and all but essential retail stores have been required to close. As a result, and so long as such measures in their current form remain in place and are not relaxed, there are no TFSS transactions in these countries. In addition, other countries in Europe and the APAC region in which Global Blue operates, including those currently without border restrictions, are similarly experiencing significant declines in TFSS transactions as a result of the COVID-19. At this point, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the duration and severity of this pandemic, which could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows in the year ending 31 March 2021.

 

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It is worth noting that previous contagious disease outbreaks such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 or MERS in 2015 have historically temporarily curtailed, to varying degrees, international travel, with growth recovering afterwards to pre-outbreak levels, as a result of a normalization of travel demand and longer-term structural macroeconomic growth tailwinds. Although not fully comparable to COVID-19 due to its magnitude, other travel disruptions (e.g., natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and civil unrest) have negatively impacted Global Blue’s results of operations during the affected period, with the effects subsiding and reversing after the disruptions.

Zurich, 14 April 2020

Board of Directors:

 

Christian Lucas

   Jacques Stern

Marcel Erni

   Joseph Osnoss

Katherine Brody

   Eric Meurice

Eric Strutz

   Ulf Pagenkopf

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of

Far Point Acquisition Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Far Point Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, if the Company is unable to raise additional funds to alleviate liquidity needs as well as complete a Business Combination by the close of business on September 14, 2020, then the Company will cease all operations except for the purpose of liquidating. The liquidity condition and date for mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.

New York, New York

March 12, 2020

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2018  

Assets:

     

Current assets:

     

Cash

   $ 1,051,725      $ 1,666,639  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     157,646        157,616  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,209,371        1,824,255  

Investments held in Trust Account

     649,394,916        639,719,665  

Other assets

     25,525        25,525  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 650,629,812      $ 641,569,445  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 2,193,441      $ 635,139  

Income tax payable

     —          1,491,470  

Franchise tax payable

     110,678        116,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,304,119        2,243,603  

Deferred underwriting commissions

     20,737,500        20,737,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     23,041,619        22,981,103  

Commitments

     

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.00 per share at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

     622,588,190        613,588,340  

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: 1,000,000 shares authorized: none issued and outstanding

     —          —    

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 991,181 and 1,891,166 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares subject to possible redemption) at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

     99        189  

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,812,500 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018

     1,581        1,581  

Additional paid-in capital

     —          375,406  

Retained earnings

     4,998,323        4,622,826  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     5,000,003        5,000,002  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 650,629,812      $ 641,569,445  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the year ended
December 31, 2019
    For the period from
February 23, 2018
(inception) through
December 31, 2018
 

General and administrative costs

   $ 2,116,043     $ 988,375  

Franchise tax expense

     195,241       116,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (2,311,284     (1,105,369

Interest and investment income

     14,377,603       7,219,665  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

     12,066,319       6,114,296  

Income tax expense

     3,019,314       1,491,470  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 9,047,005     $ 4,622,826  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

     63,250,000       63,250,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A

   $ 0.18     $ 0.09  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

     15,812,500       15,812,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B

   $ (0.13   $ (0.06
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
    Class A     Class B  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Balance—February 23, 2018 (inception)

    —       $ —         —       $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor (1)

    —         —         15,812,500       1,581       23,419       —         25,000  

Sale of units in initial public offering

    63,250,000       6,325       —         —         632,493,675       —         632,500,000  

Offering costs

    —         —         —         —         (33,209,484     —         (33,209,484

Sale of private placement warrants to Sponsor in private placement

    —         —         —         —         14,650,000       —         14,650,000  

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

    (61,358,834     (6,136     —         —         (613,582,204     —         (613,588,340

Net income

    —         —         —         —         —         4,622,826       4,622,826  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance—December 31, 2018

    1,891,166     $ 189       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $ 375,406     $ 4,622,826     $ 5,000,002  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted offering costs in connection with the Initial Public Offering

    —         —         —         —         (47,153     —         (47,153

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

    (899,985     (90     —         —         (328,253     (8,671,508     (8,999,851

Net income

    —         —         —         —         —         9,047,005       9,047,005  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance—December 31, 2019

    991,181     $ 99       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $ —       $ 4,998,323     $ 5,000,003  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the year ended
December 31, 2019
    For the period from
February 23, 2018
(inception) through
December 31, 2018
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 9,047,005     $ 4,622,826  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

General and administrative expenses paid on behalf of the Company

     —         21,541  

Income earned on investments held in Trust Account

     (14,377,163     (7,219,665

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (30     (140,628

Other assets

     —         (1,825

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,511,149       635,139  

Income tax payable

     (1,491,470     1,491,470  

Franchise tax payable

     (6,316     116,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in Operating activities

     (5,316,825     (474,148
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Investment income released from Trust Account

     4,701,911       —    

Cash deposited in Trust Account

     —         (632,500,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     4,701,911       (632,500,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of Class B common stock to Sponsor

     —         25,000  

Proceeds received from initial public offering

     —         632,500,000  

Payment of offering costs

     —         (12,193,937

Proceeds received from private placement

     —         14,650,000  

Repayment of note payable and advances to related parties

     —         (340,276
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     —         634,640,787  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     (614,914     1,666,639  

Cash—beginning of the period

     1,666,639       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash—end of the period

   $ 1,051,725     $ 1,666,639  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:

    

Offering costs included in accounts payable

   $ 47,153     $ —    

Offering costs paid by related parties under note payable and advances

   $ —       $ 278,047  

Prepaid expenses and other assets paid by related parties under note payable and advances

   $ —       $ 40,688  

Deferred underwriting commissions charged to additional paid-in capital in connection with the initial public offering

   $ —       $ 20,737,500  

Change in value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

   $ 8,999,850     $ 613,588,340  

Supplemental cash flow data:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 4,612,289     $ —    

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Description of Organization and Business Operations

Organization and General

Far Point Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on February 23, 2018. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Initial Business Combination”). The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).

At December 31, 2019, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2019 had been related to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”) described below, and since the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective Initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of its Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of income earned on investments on cash and cash equivalents in the Trust Account (as defined below).

Sponsor and Financing

The Company’s Sponsor is Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). On May 11, 2018, the Sponsor changed its name from FPAC Sponsor LLC to Far Point LLC. The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). on June 11, 2018. On June 14, 2018, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 63,250,000 units (each, a “Unit” and collectively, the “Units”), including 8,250,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $632.5 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $33.2 million, inclusive of $20.7 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 3). The Company intends to finance its Initial Business Combination with the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and a $14.65 million private placement of warrants (Note 4). Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the private placement, $632.5 million was held in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) (discussed below).

Trust Account

The proceeds held in the Trust Account was invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred eighty (180) days or less or in money market funds that meet certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Initial Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account proceeds as described below. The remaining proceeds outside the Trust Account may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and general and administrative expenses.

The Company’s amended certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of its Initial Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of any shares of Class A common stock included in the Units (the “Public Shares”) sold in the Initial Public Offering that have been properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of its obligation to redeem 100% of such shares of Class A common stock if the Company does not complete its Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020 (since the Company has executed a

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination by June 14, 2020 but may not have completed the Initial Business Combination by such date) (the “Combination Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights for pre-Initial Business Combination activities; and (iii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering if the Company is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, subject to the requirements of law. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Company’s public stockholders.

Initial Business Combination

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating an Initial Business Combination. The Initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Initial Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect an Initial Business Combination.

The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination, will either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Initial Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their Public Shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of the Initial Business Combination or will allow stockholders to sell their Public Shares in a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval, unless a vote is required by law or under NYSE rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it will complete its Initial Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the Initial Business Combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of the Initial Business Combination. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its Public Shares and the related Initial Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Initial Business Combination.

If the Company holds a stockholder vote or there is a tender offer for shares in connection with an Initial Business Combination, a public stockholder will have the right to redeem its shares for an amount in cash equal to its pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes. As a result, such shares of Class A common stock have been recorded as temporary equity in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Pursuant to the Company’s amended certificate of incorporation, if the Company is unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes (less $100,000 of accrued interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and officers have entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares (as defined below) held by them if the Company fails to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or any of the Company’s directors, officers or affiliates acquires shares of Class A common stock in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such shares if the Company fails to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company after an Initial Business Combination, the Company’s stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. The Company’s stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, except that the Company will provide its stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, upon the completion of the Initial Business Combination, subject to the limitations described herein.

On January 16, 2020, as disclosed in Form 8-K/A, as amended on January 21, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Globetrotter”), Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, 38-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“New Global Blue”), Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“US Holdco”), Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“US Merger Sub”), Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Holdings”), the individuals whose names appear on the signature pages thereof under the heading “Management Sellers” (the “Management Sellers” and, together with Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings, the “Seller Parties”), Global Blue Group AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, 38-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“Global Blue”), Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative (“FPAC Shareholders’ Representative”), solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 thereof, Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Founder”), and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative (“Management Representative”).

Going Concern Consideration

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

normal course of business. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $1.1 million in its operating bank account, approximately $17 million of investment income available in the Trust Account to pay for franchise and income taxes, and a working capital deficit of approximately $984,000 (excluding franchise and income tax obligations). Further, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans.

Through December 31, 2019, the Company’s liquidity needs have been satisfied through receipt of a $25,000 capital contribution from the Sponsor in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares (Note 4) to the Sponsor, $300,000 in note payable and $40,276 in advances from related party, the proceeds from the consummation of the private placement not held in Trust Account of approximately $2.2 million, and investment income withdrawn from the Trust Account of approximately $4.0 million since inception to pay for tax obligations. The Company fully repaid these borrowings and advances from the Sponsor and related parties on June 15, 2018.

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that the liquidity, the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after September 14, 2020 (since the Company has executed a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination by June 14, 2020 but may not have completed the Initial Business Combination by such date).

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and private placement to purchase an aggregate of 30,850,000 shares of Class A common stock in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for each period presented.

The Company’s statements of operations include a presentation of income per share for common stock subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of income per share. Net income per share, basic and diluted for Class A common stock, for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, is calculated by dividing the investment income earned on the Trust Account of approximately $14.4 million and approximately $7.2 million, net of applicable income and franchise taxes of approximately $3,215,000 and approximately $1,608,000, resulted to a total of approximately $11.1 million and approximately $5.6 million, respectively, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding of 63,250,000 for the periods. Net loss per share, basic and diluted for Class B common stock, for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, is calculated by dividing the net income of approximately $9.0 million and approximately $4.6 million, less income attributable to Class A common stock, resulted to a net loss of approximately $2.1 million and approximately $988,000, respectively, by the weighted average number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding of 15,812,500 for the periods.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation coverage of $250,000. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

 

   

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

 

   

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual result could differ from those estimates.

Offering Costs

The Company complies with the requirements of the FASB ASC 340-10-S99-1 and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5A—“Expenses of Offering.” Offering costs consist of costs incurred in connection with formation and preparation for the Initial Public Offering. These costs, together with the underwriting discount, were charged to additional paid-in capital upon completion of the Initial Public Offering.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events.

As discussed in Note 1, all of the 63,250,000 Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of Class A common stock under the Company’s liquidation or tender offer/stockholder approval provisions. In accordance with FASB ASC 480, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require the security to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

of FASB ASC 480. Although the Company has not specified a maximum redemption threshold, its amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of the security at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable shares of Class A common stock shall be affected by charges against additional paid-in capital or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, retained earnings.

Accordingly, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have an effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Note 3—Initial Public Offering

On June 14, 2018, the Company sold 63,250,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, including 8,250,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

Funds managed or advised by Third Point, LLC (“Third Point”) directly or indirectly purchased an aggregate of 4,000,000 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the public offering price.

Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one-third of one warrant (each, a “Public Warrant” and, collectively, the “Public Warrants”). Each whole Public

 

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share (see Note 6). No fractional shares will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade.

Note 4—Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

On March 16, 2018, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”) for an aggregate price of $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. In June 2018, the Company effected two stock dividends, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 share of Class B common stock for each outstanding share of Class B common stock, resulting in 15,812,500 Founder Shares outstanding. On May 18, 2018, the Sponsor transferred 40,000 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s independent director nominees, at the original per share purchase price. Following the stock dividends in June 2018, each of the independent director nominees transferred 15,000 shares back to the Sponsor. As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, “Founder Shares” shall be deemed to include the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion thereof. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering except that the Founder Shares automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of the Company’s Initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustments and certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below. Holders of Founder Shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time. The Sponsor had agreed to forfeit up to 2,062,500 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters. On June 14, 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, hence, these Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.

The Company’s initial stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Initial Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Private Placement

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 9,766,667 whole warrants at a price of $1.50 per whole warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants”) ($14.65 million in the aggregate) in a private placement. Each whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole share of the Company’s Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Initial Business Combination is not completed within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Forward Purchase Agreement

On May 18, 2018, Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, the managing member of the Sponsor and an affiliate of Third Point, (the “Forward Purchaser”), entered into a forward purchase agreement (“Forward Purchase Agreement”) with the Company that provides for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock for $9.50 per share in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s Initial Business Combination (“Forward Purchase Shares”). The actual number of Forward Purchase Shares to be purchased will be a number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) equal to (A) the excess of the number of shares of Class A common stock that are redeemed from holders in connection with the Company’s Initial Business Combination (which redemptions are not revoked prior to the date of the Company’s Initial Business Combination) over 20,000,000, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is $10.00 and the denominator of which is $9.50. The Forward Purchase Shares will be identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Forward Purchase Shares will be subject to transfer restrictions and certain registration rights. The Forward Purchaser has the right to transfer a portion of its obligation to purchase the Forward Purchase Shares to permitted transferees, and the Sponsor may, in its discretion, transfer, directly or indirectly, certain of its Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants to any such permitted transferees, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. The Forward Purchase Agreement also provides that the Forward Purchaser and any permitted transferees are entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their Forward Purchase Shares.

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, will be entitled to registration rights (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion of such shares to shares of Class A common stock) pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated as of June 11, 2018. These holders are entitled to certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period for the securities to be registered. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Related Party Loans and Advances

The Company’s Sponsor had agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. In addition to the fully outstanding Note, the Sponsor and certain affiliates of the Company also paid certain administrative expenses and offering costs of $40,276 on behalf of the Company. These advances were due on demand and were non-interest bearing. The Company fully repaid the Note and advances to the Sponsor and affiliates on June 15, 2018.

Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $11.85 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters were entitled to a deferred underwriting commission of $0.35 per unit, or approximately $20.7 million in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an Initial Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The underwriters did not receive, and will not receive, any underwriting discounts on Units purchased, directly or indirectly, by Third Point.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

On June 11, 2018, the Company amended and restated the certificate of incorporation, which increased the authorized common stock of the Company to include up to 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock. If the Company enters into an Initial Business Combination, it may (depending on the terms of such an Initial Business Combination) be required to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock which the Company is authorized to issue at the same time as the Company’s stockholders vote on the Initial Business Combination to the extent the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with the Initial Business Combination. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock. The Company effectuated two stock dividends paid in June 2018, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 shares of Class B common stock for each outstanding share of Class B common stock outstanding prior to the initial dividend. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were 63,250,000 and 15,812,500 shares of Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively. Of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock, 62,258,819 and 61,358,834 shares of Class A common stock were subject to possible redemption at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Warrants

The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering; provided in each case that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act). The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the closing of an Initial Business Combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Public Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) day after the closing of the Initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of an Initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or such purchasers’

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

The Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption (except with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

 

   

in whole and not in part;

 

   

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

   

upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

 

   

if, and only if, the last reported closing price of the shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement.

Note 7—Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques that the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

December 31, 2019

 

Description

   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Investments held in Trust Account

   $ 649,394,916      $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

Description

   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Investments held in Trust Account

   $ 639,719,665      $ —      $ —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the investments held in the Trust Account were held in marketable securities.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 8—Income Taxes

The income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2018  

Current

     

Federal

   $ 3,019,314      $ 1,491,470  

State

     —          —    

Deferred

     

Federal

     484,405        207,377  

State

     —          —    

Change in valuation allowance

     (484,405      (207,377
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax provision expense

   $ 3,019,314      $ 1,491,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s net deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2018  

Deferred tax asset

     

Startup/Organizational Costs

   $ 691,782      $ 207,377  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     691,782        207,377  

Valuation Allowance

     (691,782      (207,377
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset, net of allowance

   $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences representing net future deductible amounts become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax assets, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. After consideration of all of the information available, management believes that significant uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of the deferred tax assets and has therefore established a full valuation allowance. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance was approximately $692,000 and $207,000, respectively.

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate (benefit) to the Company’s effective tax rate (benefit) is as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2019     2018  

Statutory federal income tax rate

     21.0     21.0

State taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     0.0     0.0

Valuation allowance

     4.0     3.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax provision expense

     25.0     24.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 9—Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were available to be issued, and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to the disclosures in the financial statements, except as disclosed in Note 1.

 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     March 31, 2020      December 31, 2019  
     (Unaudited)         

Assets:

     

Current assets:

     

Cash

   $ 710,358      $ 1,051,725  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     131,032        157,646  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     841,390        1,209,371  

Investments held in Trust Account

     651,906,798        649,394,916  

Other assets

     25,525        25,525  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $  652,773,713      $ 650,629,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 109,165      $ 1,978  

Accrued expenses

     8,484,556        2,191,463  

Income tax payable

     415,566        —    

Franchise tax payable

     50,000        110,678  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     9,059,287        2,304,119  

Deferred underwriting commissions

     20,737,500        20,737,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     29,796,787        23,041,619  

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 61,797,692 and 62,258,819 shares subject to possible redemption at $10.00 per share at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively

     617,976,920        622,588,190  

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

     —          —    

Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 1,452,308 and 991,181 shares issued and outstanding (excluding 61,797,692 and 62,258,819 shares subject to possible redemption) at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

     145        99  

Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,812,500 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019

     1,581        1,581  

Additional paid-in capital

     —          —    

Retained earnings

     4,998,280        4,998,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     5,000,006        5,000,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 652,773,713      $ 650,629,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
             2020                     2019          

General and administrative costs

   $ 6,556,526     $ 334,396  

Franchise tax expense

     49,663       45,241  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (6,606,189     (379,637

Interest and investment income

     2,511,993       3,788,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income tax expense

     (4,094,196     3,409,212  

Income tax expense

     517,071       821,913  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,611,267   $ 2,587,299  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock

     63,250,000       63,250,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per share, Class A

   $ 0.03     $ 0.05  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class B common stock

     15,812,500       15,812,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share, Class B

   $ (0.41   $ (0.02
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     For the three months ended March 31, 2020  
     Common Stock                 Total  
     Class A     Class B     Additional Paid-In     Retained     Stockholders’  
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Equity  

Balance - December 31, 2019

     991,181     $ 99       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $ —       $ 4,998,323     $ 5,000,003  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

     461,127       46       —         —         —         4,611,224       4,611,270  

Net loss

     —         —         —         —         —         (4,611,267     (4,611,267
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance - March 31, 2020 (unaudited)

     1,452,308     $ 145       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $       —       $ 4,998,280     $ 5,000,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     For the three months ended March 31, 2019  
     Common Stock                 Total  
     Class A     Class B     Additional Paid-In     Retained     Stockholders’  
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Equity  

Balance - December 31, 2018

     1,891,166     $ 189       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $ 375,406     $ 4,622,826     $ 5,000,002  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common stock subject to possible redemption

     (258,730     (26     —         —         (375,406     (2,211,868     (2,587,300

Net income

     —         —         —         —         —         2,587,299       2,587,299  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance - March 31, 2019 (unaudited)

     1,632,436     $ 163       15,812,500     $ 1,581     $ —       $ 4,998,257     $ 5,000,001  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2020     2019  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (4,611,267   $ 2,587,299  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Income earned on investments held in Trust Account

     (2,511,882     (3,788,849

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     26,614       (24,129

Accounts payable

     107,187       27,104  

Accrued expenses

     6,293,093       172,699  

Income tax payable

     415,566       (705,353

Franchise tax payable

     (60,678     (66,944
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (341,367     (1,798,173
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Investment income released from Trust Account

     —         1,527,516  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     —         1,527,516  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     (341,367     (270,657

Cash - beginning of the period

     1,051,725       1,666,639  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash - end of the period

   $ 710,358     $ 1,395,982  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:

    

Change in value of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

   $ 4,611,270     $ 2,587,300  

Supplemental cash flow data:

    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ —       $ 1,527,266  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Description of Organization and Business Operations

Organization and General

Far Point Acquisition Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on February 23, 2018. The Company was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses (the “Initial Business Combination”). The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”).

At March 31, 2020, the Company had not commenced any operations. All activity for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through March 31, 2020 had been related to the Company’s formation and the initial public offering (“Initial Public Offering”) described below, and since the Initial Public Offering, the search for a prospective Initial Business Combination. The Company will not generate any operating revenues until after completion of its Initial Business Combination, at the earliest. The Company will generate non-operating income in the form of income earned on investments on cash and cash equivalents in the Trust Account (as defined below).

Sponsor and Financing

The Company’s Sponsor is Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”). On May 11, 2018, the Sponsor changed its name from FPAC Sponsor LLC to Far Point LLC. The registration statement for the Company’s Initial Public Offering was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). on June 11, 2018. On June 14, 2018, the Company consummated its Initial Public Offering of 63,250,000 units (each, a “Unit” and collectively, the “Units”), including 8,250,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, at $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $632.5 million, and incurring offering costs of approximately $33.2 million, inclusive of $20.7 million in deferred underwriting commissions (Note 3). The Company intends to finance its Initial Business Combination with the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering and a $14.65 million private placement of warrants (Note 4). Upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering and the private placement, $632.5 million was held in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) (discussed below).

Trust Account

The proceeds held in the Trust Account was invested only in U.S. government treasury bills with a maturity of one hundred eighty (180) days or less or in money market funds that meet certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that invest only in direct U.S. government obligations. Funds will remain in the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the consummation of the Initial Business Combination or (ii) the distribution of the Trust Account proceeds as described below. The remaining proceeds outside the Trust Account may be used to pay for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective acquisitions and general and administrative expenses.

The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, other than the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes, if any, none of the funds held in the Trust Account will be released until the earlier of: (i) the completion of its Initial Business Combination; (ii) the redemption of any shares of Class A common stock included in the Units (the “Public Shares”) sold in the Initial Public Offering that have been properly tendered in connection with a stockholder vote to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of its obligation to redeem 100% of such shares of Class A common stock if the Company does not complete its Initial Business Combination by September 14, 2020 (since the Company has executed a

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination by June 14, 2020 but may not have completed the Initial Business Combination by such date) (the “Combination Period”) or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights for pre-Initial Business Combination activities; and (iii) the redemption of 100% of the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering if the Company is unable to complete an Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, subject to the requirements of law. The proceeds deposited in the Trust Account could become subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors, if any, which could have priority over the claims of the Company’s public stockholders.

Initial Business Combination

The Company’s management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Initial Public Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating an Initial Business Combination. The Initial Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have an aggregate fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the amount of any deferred underwriting discount held in the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Initial Business Combination. Furthermore, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect an Initial Business Combination.

The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination, will either (i) seek stockholder approval of the Initial Business Combination at a meeting called for such purpose in connection with which stockholders may seek to redeem their shares, regardless of whether they vote for or against the Initial Business Combination, for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes, or (ii) provide stockholders with the opportunity to sell their Public Shares to the Company by means of a tender offer (and thereby avoid the need for a stockholder vote) for an amount in cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes. The decision as to whether the Company will seek stockholder approval of the Initial Business Combination or will allow stockholders to sell their Public Shares in a tender offer will be made by the Company, solely in its discretion, and will be based on a variety of factors, such as the timing of the transaction and whether the terms of the transaction would otherwise require the Company to seek stockholder approval, unless a vote is required by law or under NYSE rules. If the Company seeks stockholder approval, it will complete its Initial Business Combination only if a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voted are voted in favor of the Initial Business Combination. However, in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001 upon consummation of the Initial Business Combination. In such case, the Company would not proceed with the redemption of its Public Shares and the related Initial Business Combination, and instead may search for an alternate Initial Business Combination.

If the Company holds a stockholder vote or there is a tender offer for shares in connection with an Initial Business Combination, a public stockholder will have the right to redeem its shares for an amount in cash equal to its pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the Initial Business Combination, including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes. As a result, such shares of Class A common stock have been recorded as temporary equity in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.”

 

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Pursuant to the Company’s amended certificate of incorporation, if the Company is unable to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period, the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but no more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the Public Shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay the Company’s taxes (less $100,000 of accrued interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding Public Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. The Sponsor and the Company’s directors and officers have entered into a letter agreement with the Company, pursuant to which they agreed to waive their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares (as defined below) held by them if the Company fails to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period. However, if the Sponsor or any of the Company’s directors, officers or affiliates acquires shares of Class A common stock in or after the Initial Public Offering, they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to such shares if the Company fails to complete the Initial Business Combination within the Combination Period.

In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company after an Initial Business Combination, the Company’s stockholders are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. The Company’s stockholders have no preemptive or other subscription rights. There are no sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock, except that the Company will provide its stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their Public Shares for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, upon the completion of the Initial Business Combination, subject to the limitations described herein.

Merger Agreement

On January 16, 2020, as disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 16, 2020, as amended on January 21, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Globetrotter”), Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, 38-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“New Global Blue”), Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation, Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Holdings”), the individuals whose names appear on the signature pages thereof under the heading “Management Sellers” (the “Management Sellers” and, together with Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings, the “Seller Parties”), Global Blue Group AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, 38-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“Global Blue”), Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 thereof, Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Founder”), and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative. The total consideration payable to the Seller Parties in connection with the Business Combination is based upon an enterprise value of Global Blue post-transaction of €2.3 billion (subject to adjustments based on indebtedness and other factors as more fully described in the Merger Agreement), a portion of which will be paid in cash and the remainder of which will be paid in shares of the surviving company.

 

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Going Concern Consideration

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $710,000 in its operating bank account, approximately $19.4 million of investment income available in the Trust Account to pay for franchise and income taxes, and a working capital deficit of approximately $7.8 million (excluding franchise and income tax obligations). Further, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur significant costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans.

Through March 31, 2020, the Company’s liquidity needs have been satisfied through receipt of a $25,000 capital contribution from the Sponsor in exchange for the issuance of the Founder Shares (Note 4) to the Sponsor, $300,000 in note payable and $40,276 in advances from related party, the proceeds from the consummation of the private placement not held in Trust Account of approximately $2.2 million, and investment income withdrawn from the Trust Account of approximately $4.7 million since inception to pay for tax obligations. The Company fully repaid these borrowings and advances from the Sponsor and related parties on June 15, 2018.

Management is currently evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry and has concluded that while it is reasonably possible that the virus could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, results of its operations and/or search for a target company, the specific impact is not readily determinable as of the date of these financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

In connection with the Company’s assessment of going concern considerations in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” management has determined that the liquidity, the mandatory liquidation and subsequent dissolution raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. No adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities should the Company be required to liquidate after September 14, 2020 (since the Company has executed a definitive agreement for an Initial Business Combination by June 14, 2020 but may not have completed the Initial Business Combination by such date).

Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the balances and results for the periods presented. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected through December 31, 2020. These accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC on March 12, 2020.

Emerging Growth Company

The Company is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act, as modified by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and it may take advantage of

 

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certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the independent registered public accounting firm attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in its periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

Further, Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard.

This may make comparison of the Company’s financial statements with another public company that is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging growth company that has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company complies with accounting and disclosure requirements of FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Net income per share is computed by dividing net income applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the periods. The Company has not considered the effect of the warrants sold in the Initial Public Offering and private placement to purchase an aggregate of 30,850,000 shares of Class A common stock in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, since their inclusion would be anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. As a result, diluted earnings per share is the same as basic earnings per share for each period presented.

The Company’s statements of operations include a presentation of income per share for common stock subject to redemption in a manner similar to the two-class method of income per share. Net income per share, basic and diluted for Class A common stock, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is calculated by dividing the investment income earned on the Trust Account of approximately $2.5 million and approximately $3.8 million, net of applicable income and franchise taxes of approximately $567,000 and approximately $867,000, resulting in total net income of approximately $1.9 million and approximately $2.9 million, respectively, by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding of 63,250,000 for the periods. Net loss per share, basic and diluted for Class B common stock, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is calculated by dividing the net loss of approximately $4.6 million and net income of approximately $2.6 million, less income attributable to Class A common stock of approximately $1.9 million and approximately $2.9 million, resulted to a net loss of approximately $6.6 million and approximately $334,000, respectively, by the weighted average number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding of 15,812,500 for the periods.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which, at times, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

 

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coverage of $250,000. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company has not experienced losses on these accounts and management believes the Company is not exposed to significant risks on such accounts.

Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under the FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” approximates the carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for sale of an asset or paid for transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). These tiers include:

 

   

Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and

 

   

Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions, such as valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

In some circumstances, the inputs used to measure fair value might be categorized within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In those instances, the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual result could differ from those estimates.

Class A Common Stock Subject to Possible Redemption

The Company accounts for its Class A common stock subject to possible redemption in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 480 “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity.” Shares of Class A common stock subject to mandatory redemption (if any) are classified as liability instruments and are measured at fair value. Shares of conditionally redeemable Class A common stock (including Class A common stock that feature redemption rights that are either within the control of the holder or subject to redemption upon the occurrence of uncertain events not solely within the Company’s control) are classified as temporary equity. At all other times, shares of Class A common stock are classified as stockholders’ equity. The Company’s Class A common stock features certain redemption rights that are considered to be outside of the Company’s control and subject to the occurrence of uncertain future events.

 

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As discussed in Note 1, all of the 63,250,000 Public Shares contain a redemption feature which allows for the redemption of Class A common stock under the Company’s liquidation or tender offer/stockholder approval provisions. In accordance with FASB ASC 480, redemption provisions not solely within the control of the Company require the security to be classified outside of permanent equity. Ordinary liquidation events, which involve the redemption and liquidation of all of the entity’s equity instruments, are excluded from the provisions of FASB ASC 480. Although the Company has not specified a maximum redemption threshold, its amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that in no event will the Company redeem its Public Shares in an amount that would cause its net tangible assets to be less than $5,000,001.

The Company recognizes changes in redemption value immediately as they occur and will adjust the carrying value of the security at the end of each reporting period. Increases or decreases in the carrying amount of redeemable shares of Class A common stock shall be affected by charges against additional paid-in capital or in the absence of additional paid-in capital, retained earnings.

Accordingly, at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 61,797,692 and 62,258,819 shares of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption are presented as temporary equity, outside of the stockholders’ equity section of the Company’s balance sheets, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes under FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

FASB ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. No amounts were accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. The Company is currently not aware of any issues under review that could result in significant payments, accruals or material deviation from its position. The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities since inception.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if currently adopted, would have an effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Note 3—Initial Public Offering

On June 14, 2018, the Company sold 63,250,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit, including 8,250,000 Units issued pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

 

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Funds managed or advised by Third Point, LLC (“Third Point”) directly or indirectly purchased an aggregate of 4,000,000 Units in the Initial Public Offering at the public offering price.

Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one-third of one warrant (each, a “Public Warrant” and, collectively, the “Public Warrants”). Each whole Public Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share (see Note 6). No fractional shares will be issued upon separation of the Units and only whole Public Warrants will trade.

Note 4—Related Party Transactions

Founder Shares

On March 16, 2018, the Sponsor purchased 11,500,000 shares of Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”) for an aggregate price of $25,000, or approximately $0.002 per share. In June 2018, the Company effected two stock dividends, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 share of Class B common stock for each outstanding share of Class B common stock, resulting in 15,812,500 Founder Shares outstanding. On May 18, 2018, the Sponsor transferred 40,000 Founder Shares to each of the Company’s independent director nominees, at the original per share purchase price. Following the stock dividends in June 2018, each of the independent director nominees transferred 15,000 shares back to the Sponsor. As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, “Founder Shares” shall be deemed to include the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion thereof. The Founder Shares are identical to the Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering except that the Founder Shares automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock at the time of the Company’s Initial Business Combination on a one-for-one basis, subject to adjustments and certain transfer restrictions, as described in more detail below. Holders of Founder Shares may also elect to convert their shares of Class B common stock into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, subject to adjustment as provided above, at any time. The Sponsor had agreed to forfeit up to 2,062,500 Founder Shares to the extent that the over-allotment option was not exercised in full by the underwriters. On June 14, 2018, the underwriters exercised their over-allotment option in full, hence, these Founder Shares were no longer subject to forfeiture.

The Company’s initial stockholders agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Founder Shares until the earlier to occur of: (A) one year after the completion of the Initial Business Combination or (B) subsequent to the Initial Business Combination, (x) if the last sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Initial Business Combination, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property.

Private Placement

Concurrently with the closing of the Initial Public Offering, the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 9,766,667 whole warrants at a price of $1.50 per whole warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants”) ($14.65 million in the aggregate) in a private placement. Each whole Private Placement Warrant is exercisable for one whole share of the Company’s Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. A portion of the purchase price of the Private Placement Warrants was added to the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering held in the Trust Account. If the Initial Business Combination is not completed within the Combination Period, the proceeds from the sale of the Private Placement Warrants held in the Trust Account will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law) and the Private Placement

 

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Warrants will expire worthless. The Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable and exercisable on a cashless basis so long as they are held by the Sponsor or its permitted transferees.

The Sponsor and the Company’s officers and directors agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to transfer, assign or sell any of their Private Placement Warrants until 30 days after the completion of the Initial Business Combination.

Forward Purchase Agreement

On May 18, 2018, Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, the managing member of the Sponsor and an affiliate of Third Point, (the “Forward Purchaser”), entered into a forward purchase agreement (“Forward Purchase Agreement”) with the Company that provides for the purchase of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock for $9.50 per share in a private placement that will close simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s Initial Business Combination (“Forward Purchase Shares”). The actual number of Forward Purchase Shares to be purchased will be a number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) equal to (A) the excess of the number of shares of Class A common stock that are redeemed from holders in connection with the Company’s Initial Business Combination (which redemptions are not revoked prior to the date of the Company’s Initial Business Combination) over 20,000,000, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is $10.00 and the denominator of which is $9.50. The Forward Purchase Shares will be identical to the shares of Class A common stock included in the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Forward Purchase Shares will be subject to transfer restrictions and certain registration rights. The Forward Purchaser has the right to transfer a portion of its obligation to purchase the Forward Purchase Shares to permitted transferees, and the Sponsor may, in its discretion, transfer, directly or indirectly, certain of its Founder Shares and Private Placement Warrants to any such permitted transferees, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. The Forward Purchase Agreement also provides that the Forward Purchaser and any permitted transferees are entitled to certain registration rights with respect to their Forward Purchase Shares.

Registration Rights

The holders of Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans, if any, will be entitled to registration rights (in the case of the Founder Shares, only after conversion of such shares to shares of Class A common stock) pursuant to a registration rights agreement dated as of June 11, 2018. These holders are entitled to certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. However, the registration rights agreement provides that the Company will not permit any registration statement filed under the Securities Act to become effective until termination of the applicable lock-up period for the securities to be registered. The Company will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.

Related Party Loans and Advances

The Company’s Sponsor had agreed to loan the Company an aggregate of $300,000 to cover expenses related to the Initial Public Offering pursuant to a promissory note (the “Note”). This loan was non-interest bearing and payable upon the completion of the Initial Public Offering. In addition to the fully outstanding Note, the Sponsor and certain affiliates of the Company also paid certain administrative expenses and offering costs of $40,276 on behalf of the Company. These advances were due on demand and were non-interest bearing. The Company fully repaid the Note and advances to the Sponsor and affiliates on June 15, 2018.

 

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Note 5—Commitments and Contingencies

Underwriting Agreement

The underwriters were entitled to an underwriting discount of $0.20 per unit, or $11.85 million in the aggregate, paid upon the closing of the Initial Public Offering. In addition, the underwriters were entitled to a deferred underwriting commission of $0.35 per unit, or approximately $20.7 million in the aggregate. The deferred fee will become payable to the underwriters from the amounts held in the Trust Account solely in the event that the Company completes an Initial Business Combination, subject to the terms of the underwriting agreement. The underwriters did not receive, and will not receive, any underwriting discounts on Units purchased, directly or indirectly, by Third Point.

Note 6—Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

On June 11, 2018, the Company amended and restated the certificate of incorporation, which increased the authorized common stock of the Company to include up to 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock. If the Company enters into an Initial Business Combination, it may (depending on the terms of such an Initial Business Combination) be required to increase the number of shares of Class A common stock which the Company is authorized to issue at the same time as the Company’s stockholders vote on the Initial Business Combination to the extent the Company seeks stockholder approval in connection with the Initial Business Combination. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock. The Company effectuated two stock dividends paid in June 2018, the first for 0.25 share per share, and the second for 0.1 share per share, aggregating 0.375 shares of Class B common stock for each outstanding share of Class B common stock outstanding prior to the initial dividend. At March 31, 2020 and 2018, there were 63,250,000 and 15,812,500 shares of Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively. Of the outstanding shares of Class A common stock, 61,797,692 and 62,258,819 shares of Class A common stock were subject to possible redemption at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Company’s board of directors. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

Warrants

The Public Warrants will become exercisable on the later of (a) 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination or (b) 12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering; provided in each case that the Company has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available (or the Company permits holders to exercise their Public Warrants on a cashless basis and such cashless exercise is exempt from registration under the Securities Act). The Company has agreed that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 15 business days, after the closing of an Initial Business Combination, the Company will use its best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrants. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Public Warrants in accordance with the provisions of the warrant agreement. If a registration statement covering the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

warrants is not effective by the sixtieth (60th) day after the closing of the Initial Business Combination, warrant holders may, until such time as there is an effective registration statement and during any period when the Company will have failed to maintain an effective registration statement, exercise warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of an Initial Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants underlying the Units sold in the Initial Public Offering, except that the Private Placement Warrants and the Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants will not be transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of an Initial Business Combination, subject to certain limited exceptions. Additionally, the Private Placement Warrants will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the initial purchasers or such purchasers’ permitted transferees. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by someone other than the initial purchasers or their permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by such holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

The Company may call the Public Warrants for redemption (except with respect to the Private Placement Warrants):

 

   

in whole and not in part;

 

   

at a price of $0.01 per warrant;

 

   

upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption; and

 

   

if, and only if, the last reported closing price of the shares equals or exceeds $18.00 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders.

If the Company calls the Public Warrants for redemption, management will have the option to require all holders that wish to exercise the Public Warrants to do so on a “cashless basis,” as described in the warrant agreement.

Note 7—Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets that are measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques that the Company utilized to determine such fair value:

March 31, 2020

 

Description

   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Investments held in Trust Account

   $ 651,906,798      $ —      $ —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

December 31, 2019

 

Description

   Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
(Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant Other
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Investments held in Trust Account

   $ 649,394,916      $ —      $ —  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the investments held in the Trust Account were comprised of U.S. treasury bills and investments in money market funds.

Note 8—Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated subsequent events and transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date up to the date that the financial statements were available to be issued, and determined that there have been no events that have occurred that would require adjustments to the disclosures in the financial statements.

 

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Annex A

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

dated as of

January 16, 2020

by and among

SL GLOBETROTTER, L.P.

(in its capacity as a Seller Party and as the GB Shareholders’ Representative)

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

GLOBAL BLUE US HOLDCO LLC

GLOBAL BLUE US MERGER SUB INC.

GLOBAL BLUE HOLDING L.P.

THE MANAGEMENT SELLERS

FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP AG

THOMAS W. FARLEY

(solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative)

FAR POINT LLC

(solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 hereof)

and

JACQUES STERN

(solely in his capacity as the Management Representative)

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     A-4  

1.01

  Definitions      A-4  

1.02

  Construction      A-19  

1.03

  Knowledge      A-20  

1.04

  Equitable Adjustments      A-20  

ARTICLE II CONTRIBUTION; THE MERGER; CLOSING

     A-20  

2.01

  Contribution of Company Shares to New Topco      A-20  

2.02

  Issuance of New Topco Shares      A-21  

2.03

  Merger      A-21  

2.04

  Effects of the Merger      A-22  

2.05

  Contribution to New GmbH      A-22  

2.06

  Liquidation of US Holdco      A-22  

2.07

  Payment of Outstanding Consideration      A-22  

2.08

  Closing      A-22  

2.09

  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Delaware Company      A-22  

2.10

  Directors and Officers of the Surviving Delaware Company      A-23  

2.11

  Conversion of Shares of FPAC Common Stock and US Merger Sub Stock      A-23  

2.12

  Delivery of Per Share Merger Consideration      A-23  

2.13

  Lost Certificate      A-24  

2.14

  FPAC Warrants      A-25  

2.15

  Fractional Shares      A-25  

2.16

  Payments at Closing      A-25  

2.17

  Closing Deliverables      A-25  

2.18

  Estimated Closing Statement      A-25  

2.19

  Post-Closing Determination of Adjustment Amount      A-26  

2.20

  Founder Contingent Shares      A-28  

2.21

  PIPE Investment Amount      A-29  

2.22

  Withholding      A-29  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     A-30  

3.01

  Corporate Organization      A-30  

3.02

  Subsidiaries      A-30  

3.03

  Due Authorization      A-30  

3.04

  No Conflict      A-31  

3.05

  Governmental Authorities; Consents      A-31  

 

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         Page  

3.06

  Capitalization      A-31  

3.07

  Financial Statements      A-32  

3.08

  Undisclosed Liabilities      A-33  

3.09

  Litigation and Proceedings      A-33  

3.10

  Compliance with Laws      A-33  

3.11

  Intellectual Property      A-34  

3.12

  Contracts; No Defaults      A-37  

3.13

  Employees and Labor      A-38  

3.14

  Pensions.      A-39  

3.15

  Data Privacy      A-40  

3.16

  Taxes      A-40  

3.17

  Brokers’ Fees      A-41  

3.18

  Insurance      A-41  

3.19

  Real Property; Assets      A-42  

3.20

  Environmental Matters      A-43  

3.21

  Absence of Changes      A-43  

3.22

  Affiliate Agreements      A-44  

3.23

  Proxy Statement/Prospectus      A-44  

3.24

  Independent Investigation      A-44  

3.25

  Stock Ownership      A-45  

3.26

  No Additional Representations and Warranties      A-45  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NEW TOPCO, US HOLDCO AND US MERGER SUB

     A-45  

4.01

  Organization and Power      A-45  

4.02

  Due Authorization      A-45  

4.03

  No Conflict      A-46  

4.04

  Governmental Authorities; Consents      A-46  

4.05

  Litigation and Proceedings      A-46  

4.06

  Capitalization      A-46  

4.07

  Certain Business Activities      A-47  

4.08

  Proxy Statement/Prospectus      A-48  

4.09

  Brokers’ Fees      A-48  

4.10

  Stock Ownership      A-48  

4.11

  Independent Investigation      A-48  

4.12

  No Additional Representations and Warranties      A-48  

 

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         Page  

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPAC

     A-49  

5.01

  Corporate Organization      A-49  

5.02

  Due Authorization      A-49  

5.03

  No Conflict      A-50  

5.04

  Litigation and Proceedings      A-50  

5.05

  Compliance with Laws      A-50  

5.06

  Employee Benefit Plans      A-51  

5.07

  Governmental Authorities; Consents      A-51  

5.08

  Financial Ability; Trust Account      A-51  

5.09

  Taxes      A-52  

5.10

  Brokers’ Fees      A-53  

5.11

  FPAC SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act      A-53  

5.12

  Business Activities; Absence of Changes      A-54  

5.13

  Interest in Competitors      A-54  

5.14

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      A-54  

5.15

  Absence of Changes      A-54  

5.16

  Form F-4 and Proxy Statement/Prospectus      A-54  

5.17

  Independent Investigation      A-55  

5.18

  Capitalization      A-55  

5.19

  NYSE Stock Market Quotation      A-56  

5.20

  Contracts; No Defaults      A-56  

5.21

  Title to Property      A-56  

5.22

  Investment Company Act      A-57  

5.23

  Affiliate Agreements      A-57  

5.24

  Forward Purchase Agreement      A-57  

5.25

  Takeover Statute      A-57  

5.26

  No Additional Representations and Warranties      A-57  

ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER PARTIES

     A-58  

6.01

  Organization and Power      A-58  

6.02

  Due Authorization      A-58  

6.03

  No Conflict      A-58  

6.04

  Litigation and Proceedings      A-58  

6.05

  Shares      A-59  

6.06

  Brokers’ Fees      A-59  

6.07

  Stock Ownership      A-59  

6.08

  Proxy Statement/Prospectus      A-59  

 

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         Page  

6.09

  Independent Investigation      A-59  

6.10

  No Additional Representations and Warranties      A-59  

ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, SELLER PARTIES, US HOLDCO, US MERGER SUB AND NEW TOPCO

     A-60  

7.01

  Conduct of Business      A-60  

7.02

  Access      A-62  

7.03

  Regulatory Approvals      A-63  

7.04

  Termination of Certain Agreements      A-64  

7.05

  No Claim Against the Trust Account      A-64  

7.06

  Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions      A-64  

7.07

  Financing Agreement      A-64  

7.08

  New Topco NYSE Listing      A-65  

7.09

  Incentive Equity Plan      A-65  

7.10

  Management Rollup      A-65  

ARTICLE VIII COVENANTS OF FPAC

     A-65  

8.01

  Regulatory Approvals      A-65  

8.02

  Conduct of FPAC During the Interim Period      A-66  

8.03

  Trust Account      A-68  

8.04

  Access      A-68  

8.05

  FPAC NYSE Listing      A-69  

8.06

  FPAC Public Filings      A-69  

8.07

  Forward Purchase Agreement      A-69  

8.08

  Termination of FPAC Affiliate Agreements      A-69  

8.09

  Management Shareholders Agreement      A-69  

8.10

  FPAC Registration Rights Agreement      A-69  

ARTICLE IX JOINT COVENANTS

     A-69  

9.01

  Support of Transaction      A-69  

9.02

  Preparation of Form F-4 and Proxy Statement; Special Meeting      A-70  

9.03

  Exclusivity      A-71  

9.04

  Tax Matters      A-72  

9.05

  Confidentiality; Publicity      A-72  

9.06

  Director Appointments      A-73  

9.07

  Indemnification and Insurance      A-73  

9.08

  R&W Policy      A-74  

9.09

  Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances      A-74  

9.10

  Registration Rights Agreement      A-74  

 

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         Page  

ARTICLE X CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

     A-74  

10.01

  Conditions to Obligations of All Parties      A-74  

10.02

  Additional Conditions to Obligations of FPAC      A-75  

10.03

  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub      A-76  

10.04

  Frustration of Closing Conditions      A-77  

ARTICLE XI TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

     A-77  

11.01

  Termination      A-77  

11.02

  Effect of Termination      A-78  

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

     A-78  

12.01

  Waiver      A-78  

12.02

  Notices      A-79  

12.03

  Assignment      A-80  

12.04

  Rights of Third Parties      A-80  

12.05

  Expenses      A-81  

12.06

  Governing Law      A-81  

12.07

  Captions; Counterparts      A-81  

12.08

  Schedules and Exhibits      A-81  

12.09

  Entire Agreement      A-81  

12.10

  Amendments      A-81  

12.11

  Severability      A-81  

12.12

  Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY      A-81  

12.13

  Enforcement      A-82  

12.14

  Non-Recourse      A-82  

12.15

  Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants      A-83  

12.16

  GB Shareholders’ Representative      A-83  

12.17

  FPAC Shareholders’ Representative      A-84  

12.18

  Management Representative      A-84  

Annex A – Accounting Principles, Policies and Procedures*

Exhibit A - Conversion Agreement

Exhibit B - Swiss Step Plan for Per Share Merger Consideration

Exhibit C - Form of Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit D - New Topco Amended and Restated Articles of Association**

 

  *

Omitted

**

See Annex B

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 16, 2020, is entered into by and among SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Globetrotter” and, in its capacity as a representative of the Company and its shareholders on the date hereof and immediately prior to the Closing, the “GB Shareholders’ Representative”), Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (“New Topco”), Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“US Holdco”), Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation (“US Merger Sub”), Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“Cayman Holdings”), the individuals listed on Section 1.01(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules (the “Management Sellers” and, together with Globetrotter and Cayman Holdings, the “Seller Parties”), Global Blue Group AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in 38, Zürichstrasse, CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland (the “Company”), Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“FPAC”), Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative (“FPAC Shareholders’ Representative”), solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 hereof, Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Founder”), and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative (“Management Representative”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

RECITALS

 

  1.

FPAC is a blank check company incorporated to acquire one or more operating businesses through a Business Combination;

 

  2.

New Topco is a newly formed entity, wholly owned by Globetrotter, and was formed for the purpose of the Transactions, including to act as the publicly traded holding company for the Group and its businesses after the Closing;

 

  3.

US Holdco is a newly formed, wholly-owned, direct subsidiary of New Topco, and US Merger Sub is a newly formed, wholly-owned direct subsidiary of US Holdco, and each of them was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger;

 

  4.

Prior to the Closing, New Topco will form a new, wholly-owned Subsidiary under the laws of Switzerland as a GmbH (“New GmbH”);

 

  5.

On the date hereof, Cayman Holdings holds 40,000,000 Company Shares and, immediately prior to the Closing, shall distribute to Globetrotter its pro rata share of the Company Shares held by Cayman Holdings as of the date hereof (the “Globetrotter Distribution”);

 

  6.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, New Topco, FPAC and certain third-party investors (the “Primary PIPE Investors”) have entered into certain share subscription agreements, dated on or around the date hereof (as amended or modified from time to time, the “Primary PIPE Agreements”), pursuant to which the Primary PIPE Investors have committed (the “Primary PIPE Investment”), on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Primary PIPE Agreements, to subscribe for and purchase 12,500,000 New Topco Shares from New Topco for consideration in an aggregate amount of $125,000,000 (such amount, as expressed in Euros based on the Exchange Rate, the “Primary PIPE Investment Amount”);

 

  7.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, New Topco and certain third-party investors (the “Secondary PIPE Investors” and, together with the Primary PIPE Investors, the “PIPE Investors”) have entered into certain share purchase and contribution agreements, dated on or around the date hereof (as amended or modified from time to time, the “Secondary PIPE Agreements” and, together with the Primary PIPE Agreements, the “PIPE Agreements”), pursuant to which the Secondary PIPE Investors have committed, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Secondary PIPE Agreements, to purchase a certain amount of Company Shares from Globetrotter (and from Cayman Holdings to the

 

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  extent Globetrotter assigns and delegates its rights and obligations under the Secondary PIPE Agreements to Cayman Holdings or enters into its own Secondary PIPE Agreements) for consideration in an aggregate amount of $225,000,000 (such amount, as expressed in Euros based on the Exchange Rate, the “Secondary PIPE Investment Amount” and, together with the Primary PIPE Investment Amount, the “PIPE Investment Amount”) and to immediately contribute pursuant to the terms of contribution in kind agreements under Swiss law and approved as to form by the Commercial Register (the “Contribution Agreements”), to be entered into between each contributor and New Topco, such Company Shares to New Topco for the subsequent issue of New Topco Shares in accordance with Swiss law requirements (together (including such contribution), the “Secondary PIPE Investment” and, together with the Primary PIPE Investment, the “PIPE Investment”);

 

  8.

Prior to the Closing, pursuant to the Management Shareholders Agreement, the Management Sellers will become shareholders of the Company through a series of exchange and contribution transactions involving Subsidiaries of the Company (the “Management Rollup”);

 

  9.

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, prior to the Merger Effective Time, (i) concurrently with the closing of the PIPE Investment pursuant to the PIPE Agreements and the Contribution Agreements, each of Globetrotter (and from Cayman Holdings to the extent Globetrotter assigns and delegates its rights and obligations under the Secondary PIPE Agreements to Cayman Holdings or enters into its own Secondary PIPE Agreements) and the Management Sellers will contribute pursuant to the Contribution Agreements a portion (determined as provided herein) of the Company Shares that each respectively owns to New Topco, in exchange for New Topco Shares and the Convertible Preferred Shares; (ii) immediately following the consummation of the transactions in the foregoing clause (i), New Topco will use the Primary PIPE Investment Amount to purchase a portion of the issued and outstanding Company Shares held by Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers; and (iii) immediately following the consummation of the transactions in the foregoing clause (ii), New GmbH and New Topco will acquire the remaining issued and outstanding Company Shares held by Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers, with the consideration to be paid to Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers as described in recital 13 below (the “Outstanding Consideration”);

 

  10.

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at the Merger Effective Time, and following the consummation of the transactions in the foregoing recital 9, US Merger Sub will merge with and into FPAC pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), with FPAC surviving as the surviving corporation and upon consummation of the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive New Topco Shares, other than certain shares held by the Founder, which will be exchanged for FPAC Founder Contingent Shares;

 

  11.

Following the Merger, New Topco will contribute the Company Shares acquired in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of recital 9 to New GmbH, and the Company will become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of New GmbH (the transactions described in this recital 11 and clauses (i) through (iii) of recital 9, the “Restructuring”);

 

  12.

Following the consummation of the Merger, US Holdco will liquidate;

 

  13.

Immediately following the liquidation described in recital 12 above, (i) FPAC (as the surviving corporation) will enter into a loan agreement with New GmbH, pursuant to which New GmbH will borrow funds from FPAC; (ii) FPAC will make a cash distribution to New Topco; and (iii) immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), using the proceeds received thereunder, New GmbH and New Topco will pay the Outstanding Consideration to Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Sellers;

 

  14.

Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (the “Backstop Subscriber”), is a party to the Forward Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which it has agreed to purchase and subscribe for shares of FPAC Common Stock in connection with a Business Combination

 

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  Closing (as defined in the Forward Purchase Agreement) and, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, the Backstop Subscriber, Third Point, the GB Shareholders’ Representative and New Topco have entered into that certain letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as amended or modified from time to time, the “Third-Party Beneficiary Letter Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Backstop Subscriber has made the GB Shareholders’ Representative a third party beneficiary of its obligations under the Forward Purchase Agreement and agreed that the Transactions are a Business Combination (as defined in the Forward Purchase Agreement) for purposes thereof and the Third Point have made the GB Shareholders’ Representative a third party beneficiary of their obligations under the equity commitment letter dated January 16, 2020 (the “TP ECL”) between Third Point and the Backstop Subscriber;

 

  15.

In connection with the Transactions, the Company has entered into the Financing Agreement;

 

  16.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, the Company, Globetrotter, New Topco, FPAC, the Backstop Subscriber and the Founder have entered into one or more Voting and Support Agreements, dated as of the date hereof (each a “Voting and Support Agreement”);

 

  17.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, New Topco and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Topco after Closing have entered into that certain Relationship Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Relationship Agreement”), to be effective upon the Closing;

 

  18.

Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, New Topco and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Topco after Closing have entered into that certain Shareholders Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Shareholders Agreement”), to be effective upon the Closing;

 

  19.

Pursuant to the FPAC Organizational Documents, FPAC shall provide an opportunity to its stockholders to have their FPAC Common Stock redeemed for the consideration, and on the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations, set forth in this Agreement, the FPAC Organizational Documents, the Trust Agreement and the Proxy Statement in conjunction with, among other things, obtaining approval from the stockholders of FPAC for the Business Combination (the “Offer”);

 

  20.

In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Founder and FPAC have entered into a letter agreement with Globetrotter and New Topco (the “Founder Shares Surrender Agreement”) pursuant to which Founder, for the purpose of funding the equity incentive arrangements to be made available to management and certain key employees of New Topco and/or its Subsidiaries, agreed, effective upon the Closing, to surrender to New Topco, for no consideration and as a contribution to the capital of New Topco, 2.5 million shares of FPAC Class B common stock as set forth therein (the “Surrendered Shares”);

 

  21.

In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company intends to make a distribution to the Company Shareholders prior to the Closing such that the Net Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing will be an amount no greater than the Target Net Debt Amount; and

 

  22.

Each of the parties intend that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the transactions described in clauses (i)-(iii) of recital 9 (except to the extent Company Shares are acquired by New GmbH) and recitals 12 and 13(iii) (except to the extent of payment by New GmbH), and the contributions by the Primary PIPE Investors described in recital 6 above, together with the Merger, shall qualify as a transaction under Section 351 of the Code and shall not subject shareholders of FPAC or of the Company to tax under Section 367 of the Code (subject to the entry into gain recognition agreements by any such shareholders required to enter into such agreements to preserve tax-free treatment under Section 367 of the Code) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”).

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.01 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Accounting Firm” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(b).

Accounting Principles Annex” means Annex A hereto, which includes the accounting principles, policies and procedures to be used for purposes of certain determinations hereunder.

Acquisition Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 9.03(a).

Action” means any claim, action, suit, assessment, arbitration or proceeding, in each case that is by or before any Governmental Authority.

Additional Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(c).

Adjustment Cash” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(i).

Adjustment Date” means March 31, 2020.

“Adjustment Shares for Consideration Adjustment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(ii).

Adjustment Shares for Net Debt Adjustment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(i).

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such specified Person, through one or more intermediaries or otherwise.

Agreed Exchange Rate” means, for the relevant amounts specified herein that need to be converted or expressed as converted from Euro to Dollars or vice versa, the exchange rate equal to $1.1089/Euro.

Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Allocable Share” means, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms and conditions of that certain Management Shareholders Agreement to be entered into at Closing, for each Company Shareholder at any time, (a) the number of Company Shares held by such Company Shareholder divided by (b) the number of Company Shares issued and outstanding at such time. For the avoidance of doubt, except as expressly provided otherwise herein, the Allocable Share for each Company Shareholder shall be determined prior to giving effect to the Secondary PIPE Investment and after giving effect to the Management Rollup and the Globetrotter Distribution.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(d).

Antitrust Law” means any applicable antitrust Laws and all other applicable Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

Articles of Association” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b).

Backstop Subscriber” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Backstop Subscriber Amount” means the aggregate amount payable in cash by the Backstop Subscriber to purchase shares of FPAC Common Stock under the Forward Purchase Agreement as a result of the number of Redeemed Shares being in excess of 20,000,000, which aggregate amount payable by the Backstop Subscriber shall be expressed in Euros in an amount equal to the product of (i) the aggregate number of shares of FPAC Common Stock purchased under the Forward Purchase Agreement multiplied by (ii) the Value Per New Topco Share.

 

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Base Transaction Expenses means an amount equal to €33,000,000.

Business Combination” means any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination involving FPAC and one or more businesses.

Business Combination Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(b).

Business Day” means any day of the year on which national banking institutions in New York, New York, London, England, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg and Zurich, Switzerland are open to the public for conducting business and are not required or authorized to be closed.

Capital Contribution Reserves” means capital contribution reserves (Kapitaleinlagereserven) within the meaning of Article 20 Section 3 of the Federal Law on Direct Taxes (Bundesgesetz über die direkten Steuern, DGB) and Article 5 Section 1bis of the Federal Law on Withholding Tax (Verrechnungssteuergesetz, VStG).

Cash” means, as of the Adjustment Date, all cash and cash equivalents of the Group (including marketable securities and short term investments able to be converted to cash within 90 days, issued but uncleared checks made to the account of the Group as of such time, bank deposits and deposits in transit), in each case determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles Annex and on a pro-forma basis as if the Pre-Deal Dividend had been paid as of the Adjustment Date.

Cash Consideration” means an amount equal to the sum of (a) FPAC Cash, plus (b) the Primary PIPE Investment Amount, plus (c) the Secondary PIPE Investment Amount, plus (d) the Paid Fees Adjustment, plus (e) the Redemptions Adjustment, minus (f) the Base Transaction Expenses, minus (g), if applicable, the Transaction Bonuses Adjustment.

Cash Flow Adjustment” means, (i) if the Closing Date occurs on or prior to April 30, 2020, then an amount equal to €0 or (ii) if the Closing Date occurs on or after May 1, 2020, then an amount equal to €83,333 per day for each day (including the Closing Date) from May 1, 2020 until the Closing occurs pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

Cayman Holdings” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Certificate of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of FPAC, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 11, 2018.

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

Certificates” means any and all certificates representing FPAC Common Stock.

Change in Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(d).

CHF” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

Claim” means any demand, claim, action, legal, judicial or administrative proceeding (whether at law or in equity) or arbitration.

Closing” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.

Closing Company Transaction Expenses” means, as of 12:01 a.m. Swiss time on the Closing Date, the Company Transaction Expenses.

Closing Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.

Closing Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Commercial Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).

Communications Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 9.05(b).

 

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Company” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Company Affiliate Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 3.22.

Company Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(a).

Company Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01(b).

Company Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries delivered to FPAC in connection with this Agreement.

Company Equity Value Per Share” means (a) the Total Consideration, divided by (b) the number of Company Shares issued and outstanding, at 12:01 a.m. Swiss time on the Closing Date. For the avoidance of doubt, except as expressly provided otherwise herein, the Company Equity Value Per Share shall be determined prior to giving effect to the PIPE Investment and after giving effect to the Management Rollup.

Company Intellectual Property” means Owned Intellectual Property and Company Licensed Intellectual Property.

Company Licensed Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property licensed to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

Company Product(s)” means any and all products and service offerings of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that exist as of the date hereof, including Software of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

Company Registered Intellectual Property” means all Owned Intellectual Property that is registered, filed, issued or granted under the authority of, with or by, any Governmental Authority (or registrar in the case of domain names), including all issued patents, registered copyrights, registered trademarks, domain names and all pending applications for any of the foregoing.

Company Share Capital Increase” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).

Company Shareholders” means (a) prior to the Closing, the shareholders of the Company and (b) following the Closing, the holders of New Topco Shares issued as Stock Consideration at Closing.

Company Shares” means the ordinary shares of the Company.

Company Source Code” means any human readable Software source code, or any material portion or aspect of the Software source code, in each case for any Company Product.

Company Subsidiaries” means the Subsidiaries of the Company.

Company Transaction Expenses” means (other than Paid Company Transaction Expenses) without duplication, the aggregate amount of all legal, accounting, broker’s, financial advisory and any other advisory, transaction or consulting fees and expenses incurred and/or payable by the Group Companies, the Seller Parties or the Company Shareholders (or any of their respective Affiliates) (but, with respect to the Seller Parties or the Company Shareholders (or any of their respective Affiliates), only to the extent a Group Company is obligated to pay or pays or reimburses such fees or expenses) arising out of or in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or any sale process and/or initial public offering conducted prior to pursuing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether accrued for or not, financing fees, costs and expenses and the Transaction Bonuses. Notwithstanding measurement of Closing Company Transaction Expenses as of immediately prior to Closing, such computations shall include any of the foregoing to the extent triggered, in whole or in part, by consummation of the Closing.

Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 12.09.

Consideration Adjustment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(d)(ii).

Contracts” means any legally binding written contracts, agreements, subcontracts, leases, and purchase orders.

 

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Contribution Agreements” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Control” means the power to direct the management and policies of a specified Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.

Conversion Agreement” means the conversion agreement in the form of Exhibit A to be entered into prior to the issuance of Convertible Preferred Shares between New Topco, Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter and those holders (as defined therein) who execute a joinder agreement thereto as set out in Schedule 1 of the Conversion Agreement.

Convertible Preferred Shares” means convertible preferred shares of New Topco, having the terms set forth in the organizational documents of New Topco and the Conversion Agreement, calculated as (a) the Convertible Preferred Shares Value divided by (b) the Value Per New Topco Share.

Convertible Preferred Shares Maximum” means €200,000,000.

Convertible Preferred Shares Value” means the product of (i) the number of Redeemed Shares in excess of 5,000,000 (if any) multiplied by (ii) the Redemption Price Value; provided that the Convertible Preferred Shares Value shall not exceed the Convertible Preferred Shares Maximum.

Credit Facility” means the €710,000,000 senior facilities agreement dated 26 July 2012 (as amended and restated on 16 October 2017) between, inter alia, Global Blue Finance S.à r.l., as parent, Global Blue Acquisition B.V., as a borrower, and RBC Europe Limited, as agent and as security agent.

D&O Indemnified Party” has the meaning specified in Section 9.07(a).

Data Protection Legislation” has the meaning specified in Section 3.15(a).

Data Room” means the on-line data room virtually held by Merrill Corp. and entitled “Project Globetrotter”, an electronic copy of which has been provided to FPAC on a CD/DVD or USB Thumb Drive prior to the date hereof, which includes only the information in the Data Room as of 6:00 pm EST on January 14, 2020.

DGCL” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Disclosed Material” means (a) with respect to the Seller Parties, New Topco and the Company (i) the materials and information available to FPAC and its Representatives in the Data Room as of 6:00 pm EST on January 14, 2020, (ii) the materials and information in or annexed to the Schedules, including any general or deemed disclosures, and (iii) the contents of the Transaction Documents, and (b) with respect to FPAC (i) in the FPAC SEC Reports filed or furnished by FPAC prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures in such FPAC SEC Reports under the headings “Risk Factors” or “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and other disclosures that are predictive, cautionary or forward looking in nature), (ii) the materials and information in or annexed to the Schedules, including any general or deemed disclosures, and (iii) the contents of the Transaction Documents.

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws in force or enacted as of the date hereof or which were in force at an earlier date, are no longer in force but under which a Group member still has obligations and liabilities, and which relate to the protection of the environment or to environmental matters, including the generation, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, distribution, use, treatment, removal, transport, disposal, release, spillage, deposit or discharge of Hazardous Substances, but excluding Laws relating to town and country planning or zoning.

Environmental Permits” means all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations and other similar consents issued by or obtained from a Governmental Authority in relation to the environment or to environmental matters, including the generation, manufacture, processing, handling, storage, distribution, use, treatment, removal, transport, disposal, release, spillage, deposit or discharge of Hazardous Substances, but excluding those in relation to town and country planning or zoning,

 

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in each case which is materially necessary for the lawful operation of the business of any Group member, the ownership, possession, occupation or use of any asset of any Group member.

Equity Investments” means €3,500,000.

Estimated Closing Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18.

Estimated Net Debt Difference” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18.

Euro” or “” means the lawful currency of certain participating member states of the European Union.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exchange Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

Exchange Rate” means, for any amounts under this Agreement that need to be converted or expressed as converted from one currency into another currency, the average of the spot exchange rate as at 5:00 pm, New York time, on the five (5) Business Days ending five (5) Business Days before the Closing Date, as published by Bloomberg (through its EURUSD CURNCY function), or any other rate as agreed in writing between the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC.

Excluded Founder Shares” means 2,500,000 shares of FPAC Class B common stock owned by the Founder, which will be exchanged for FPAC Founder Contingent Shares pursuant to Section 2.20(a).

Excluded Shares” means, without duplication, (a) shares of FPAC Common Stock (if any), that, at the Merger Effective Time, are held in the treasury of FPAC, (b) the Redeemed Shares, (c) the Surrendered Shares and (d) the Excluded Founder Shares.

Fairly Disclosed” means, in respect of any fact, matter or circumstance, that it is fairly and reasonably disclosed (whether disclosed as a Disclosed Material or under this Agreement (including any Schedules, Exhibits or appendices hereto)) with sufficient detail to allow a reasonable party to identify the existence and nature of a risk and to make a reasonable assessment of the magnitude of any such risk.

FATA” mean the Australia Foreign Acquisitions Takeover Act of 1975, as amended.

Final Closing Statement” means the Closing Statement as determined in accordance with Section 2.19(c).

Final Net Debt Difference” means the Net Debt Difference as determined in accordance with Section 2.18(a).

Final Total Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

Financing Agreement” means the €730,000,000 IPO Facilities Agreement dated 25 October 2019 (as amended and restated on each of the Effective Date and the Second Effective Date by an amendment letter dated January 14, 2020) between the Company and, inter alia, the mandated lead arrangers named therein and RBC Europe Limited as agent.

First Value Achievement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(b)(i).

Form F-4” means the registration statement on Form F-4 of New Topco with respect to the registration of the New Topco Shares to be issued in connection with the Transactions.

Forward Purchase Agreement” means that certain Forward Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2018, by and among FPAC and the Backstop Subscriber, as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with the Third-Party Beneficiary Letter Agreement.

Founder” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Founder Shares” means the shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of FPAC owned by the Founder other than the Surrendered Shares.

Founder Shares Surrender Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

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FPAC” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

FPAC Affiliate Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.23.

FPAC Benefit Plans” has the meaning specified in Section 5.06.

FPAC Board” means the board of directors of FPAC.

FPAC Board Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(d).

FPAC Cash” means the amount expressed in Euros equal to the product of (a) the amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of the Closing Date, divided by (b) the Exchange Rate.

FPAC Common Share” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).

FPAC Common Stock” means the Class A common stock and Class B common stock, each of par value $0.0001 per share, of FPAC.

FPAC Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01(c).

FPAC Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of FPAC delivered to the Company in connection with this Agreement.

FPAC Exchange Fund” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(a).

FPAC Financing” means the equity financing to be provided pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement.

FPAC Founder Contingent Share” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

FPAC Interest” means the amount expressed in Euros equal to the product of (a) the amount of interest accrued on the amount on deposit in the Trust Account since the initial public offering of FPAC, divided by (b) the Exchange Rate.

FPAC Organizational Documents” means the Certificate of Incorporation and FPAC’s bylaws.

FPAC SEC Reports” has the meaning specified in Section 5.11(a).

FPAC Shareholders’ Representative” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

FPAC Stockholder” means a holder of FPAC Common Stock.

FPAC Stockholder Approval” has the meaning specified in Section 5.02(b).

FPAC Transaction Expenses” means (in each case, to the extent not paid at or prior to the Closing), without duplication, the aggregate amount of all legal, accounting, broker’s, financial advisory and any other advisory, transaction or consulting fees and expenses incurred and/or payable by FPAC or its Affiliates or the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, in each case, incurred prior to and through the Closing Date. Notwithstanding measurement of FPAC Transaction Expenses as of immediately prior to Closing, such computations shall include any of the foregoing to the extent triggered, in whole or in part, by consummation of the Closing.

FPAC Warrant” means a warrant issued pursuant to the Warrant Agreement entitling the holder to purchase one share of FPAC Common Stock per warrant.

Fraud” means fraud in the making of a representation or warranty contained in Article III, Article IV, Article V or Article VI of this Agreement or any “bringdown” or other confirmation with respect to any such representation or warranty, and requires that: (i) a party to this Agreement made a false representation of material fact in Article III, Article IV, Article V or Article VI of this Agreement or in any “bringdown” or other confirmation with respect to any such representation or warranty; (ii) such party had actual knowledge that such representation was false when made and acted with scienter; (iii) the false representation caused the party to whom it was made, in justifiable reliance upon such false representation and with ignorance as

 

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to the falsity of such representation, to take or refrain from taking action; and (iv) the party to whom the false representation was made suffered damage by reason of such reliance. “Fraud” expressly excludes legal theories such as equitable fraud, promissory fraud, unfair dealings fraud, negligent or reckless misrepresentation, and other fraud-based claims.

GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

GB Shareholders’ Representative” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Globetrotter” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Globetrotter Distribution” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency or authority, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, arbitrator, court or tribunal.

Governmental Order” means any order, judgment, notice, decision, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

Group” means, collectively, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

Hazardous Substance” means any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous wastes”, “hazardous materials”, “extremely hazardous wastes”, “restricted hazardous wastes”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, or words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any relevant Governmental Authority.

Headline Adjustment means an amount equal to the sum of (a) the product of (i) the number of shares of Class B common stock of FPAC issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, excluding the Surrendered Shares and the FPAC Founder Contingent Shares, multiplied by (ii) the Value Per New Topco Share, plus (b) Base Transaction Expenses, minus (c) the FPAC Interest. For purposes of solely calculating the Headline Adjustment, all components of the Headline Adjustment shall be calculated in Euros at the Agreed Exchange Rate; provided that such components for all other purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in Euros at the Exchange Rate.

Headline Enterprise Value means €2,300,000,000.

HMT” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(e).

IFRS” means International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and adopted by the European Union.

Indebtedness” means (a) the unpaid principal and accrued interest with respect to the indebtedness of the Group for borrowed money (excluding intercompany balances), (b) all obligations of any member of the Group evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar debt instruments and (c) all obligations under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with IFRS, in each case as determined in a manner consistent with the Company Audited Financial Statements and the Accounting Principles Annex.

Indebtedness at Adjustment Date” means, as of the Adjustment Date, the Indebtedness of the Group, determined on a pro-forma basis as if the Pre-Deal Dividend had been paid as of the Adjustment Date.

Information or Document Request” means any request or demand for the production, delivery or disclosure of documents or other evidence, or any request or demand for the production of witnesses for interviews or depositions or other oral or written testimony, by any Regulatory Consent Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby or by any third party challenging the transactions contemplated hereby.

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all good will of the business appurtenant thereto), domain names, moral rights, confidential information, know how, trade secrets and other rights of the same or similar effect as any of the foregoing anywhere in the world, in each case whether registered or not, including pending applications for registration of such rights.

Intended Swiss Tax Treatment” means that the transactions contemplated under this Agreement (with the exception of the Primary PIPE Investment) shall (i) qualify as a quasi-merger under Article 6 Section 1 Sub-Section. abis of the Federal Law on Stamp Duty (Bundesgesetz über die Stempelabgaben, StG) and shall not be subject to the Swiss stamp issuance duty, (ii) shall not trigger Swiss withholding tax under the Federal Law on Withholding Tax (Verrechnungssteuergesetz, VStG), (iii) and shall not lead to the creation or increase of a latent Swiss withholding tax liability on any future dividend distributions by the Company or its Affiliates.

Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Interim Period” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

IT Systems” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(e).

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, directive, common law or civil code or Governmental Order of any Governmental Authority.

Lease” means all leases, subleases, licenses and other occupancy agreements relating to real property to which any member of the Group is a party as lessee, sublessee, licensee or occupant.

Leased Real Property” means all real property leased, subleased, licensed or otherwise occupied by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries under a Material Lease.

Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning specified in Section 2.12(b).

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, easement, right of way, purchase option, right of first refusal, covenant, restriction, security interest, title defect, encroachment or other survey defect, or other lien or encumbrance of any kind, except for any restrictions arising under any applicable Securities Laws.

Management Representative” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Management Rollup” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Management Sellers” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Management Shareholders Agreement” means the Management Shareholders Agreement dated as of the date hereof among Cayman Holdings, Globetrotter, the Management Representative, New Topco, Partners Group Private Equity (Master Fund), LLC, Partners Group Barrier Reef, L.P. and Partners Group Client Access 5, L.P. Inc.

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, circumstance or effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other events, changes, circumstances or effects, has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (a) the assets, business, results of operations or financial condition of the Group, taken as a whole; provided, however, that the following (or the effect of any of the following), alone or in combination, shall not be taken into account in determining whether a “Material Adverse Effect” shall have occurred: (i) any change in applicable Laws or IFRS or any official interpretation thereof, (ii) any change in currency exchange rates, interest rates or economic, political, business, financial, commodity, currency or market conditions generally, (iii) the announcement or the execution of this Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the Merger or the performance of this Agreement, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, vendors, licensors, partners, providers and employees, (iv) any change generally affecting any of the industries or markets in which the Group operates or the economy as a whole, (v) the compliance with the terms of the Refinancing or this Agreement or the taking of any action required or contemplated by the Refinancing or this Agreement, any action or

 

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failure to act, or other change or event, in each case with the prior written consent of FPAC or at the request of FPAC, (vi) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster, pandemic, weather condition, explosion fire, act of God or other force majeure event, (vii) any national or international political or social conditions in countries in which the Group operates or from or to which the Group’s customers travel, including the engagement in hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence or the escalation of any military or terrorist attack (including any cyberterrorism), (viii) any conditions affecting the travel or traveller shopping industries generally or in countries in which, or in the proximate geographic region of which, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries operates or from or to which the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ customers travel, including labor strikes, civil unrest, hostilities, terrorist attacks, contagious disease outbreaks or other similar events, conditions in the airline industry, reduced access to discount airfares, travel restrictions or any change in currency exchange rates, or (ix) any failure of the Group, taken as a whole, to meet any projections, forecasts or budgets (provided, that this clause (ix) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change or effect underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts has resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect (to the extent such change or effect is not otherwise excluded from this definition of Material Adverse Effect)), except in the case of foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iv), (vi), (vii) and (viii) to the extent that such event, change, circumstance or effect has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, a disproportionate impact on the Group, taken as a whole, as compared to other participants in the industries in which the Group conducts business or (b) the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions.

Material Contracts” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12(a).

Material Lease” has the meaning specified in Section 3.19(d).

Material Permits” means any material license, sub-license, certificate, permit, consent, order, approval or other authorization granted by or obtained from any Governmental Authority.

Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

Merger Effective Time” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

Net Adjustment Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(e).

Net Debt” means, as of the Adjustment Date, an amount equal to (i) Indebtedness at Adjustment Date minus (ii) Cash.

Net Debt Adjustment Amount” has the meaning specified Section 2.19(d)(i).

Net Debt Difference” means Net Debt minus the Target Net Debt Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, the Net Debt Difference can be a positive number (Net Debt is greater than the Target Net Debt Amount) or a negative number (Net Debt is less than the Target Net Debt Amount).

New GmbH” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

New Topco” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

New Topco Formation Expenses” means all fees, costs and expenses, and an initial share capital contribution in the amount of CHF 100,000, paid by Globetrotter or its Affiliates (other than the Group) in connection with the formation of New Topco.

New Topco Share” means a registered common share of CHF 0.01 of New Topco.

Nominal Capital Expenses” means an aggregate amount equal to the aggregate nominal amount of the New Topco Shares to be issued to the Primary Pipe Investors, but only to the extent such amount was paid by Globetrotter or an Affiliate prior to the Closing Date.

Nominee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(b).

Nominee Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(b).

 

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Non-Third Point PIPE” means the PIPE Investment Amount to be funded by PIPE Investors pursuant to the PIPE Agreements, other than from Third Point.

Notice of Disagreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(a).

NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.

OFAC” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(e).

Offer” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Open Source Software” means any Software that contains, or is derived in any manner (in whole or in part) from, any Software that is distributed as free Software, open source Software or other similar licensing or distribution models, including Software licensed or distributed under any of the licenses or distribution models identified by the Open Source Initiative at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/alphabetical, or any similar license or distribution model.

Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person that is not an individual, the articles or certificate of incorporation or organization, bylaws, articles and memorandum of association, limited partnership agreement, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, shareholders agreement and other similar organizational documents of such Person.

Other Condition Satisfaction Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.

Other Net Debt Adjustments” means, as detailed in the Accounting Principles Annex and determined as of the Adjustment Date, (a) provisions related to the French and Italian tax audits determined in a manner consistent with the Company Audited Financial Statements, minus (b) any management reserves in an amount equal to (i) the provisions related to the French and Italian tax audits (pursuant to clause (a) of this definition) minus (ii) management’s good faith estimate of the expected payment amount to the French and Italian tax authorities as at the Closing Date, minus (c) the tax value of the loss carry-forwards recognized, minus (d) the Equity Investments.

Outstanding Consideration” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto. For the avoidance of doubt, Outstanding Consideration shall equal Cash Consideration minus PIPE Investment Amount.

Overdraft Facility” means any other bank overdraft facility determined as of the Adjustment Date and in a manner consistent with the Company Audited Financial Statements and as detailed in the Accounting Principles Annex.

Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property used or held for use by any of the Group members and owned or purported to be owned by any of the Group members.

Paid Company Transaction Expenses” means (to the extent paid before the Closing) without duplication, the aggregate amount of all legal, accounting, broker’s, financial advisory, and any other advisory, regulatory filing, transaction or consulting fees and expenses incurred by the Group Companies, the Seller Parties or the Company Shareholders (or any of their respective Affiliates) (but, with respect to the Seller Parties or the Company Shareholders (or any of their respective Affiliates), only to the extent a Group Company was obligated to pay or reimburse such fees or expenses) arising out of or in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or any sale process and/or initial public offering conducted prior to pursuing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether accrued for or not.

Paid Fees Adjustment” means the Paid Company Transaction Expenses (expressed as a positive number), the New Topco Formation Expenses (expressed as a positive number) and the Nominal Capital Expenses (expressed as a positive number).

Payoff Amount” means the amount necessary at the Closing to fully discharge the Indebtedness under the Credit Facility outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, as set forth in payoff letters obtained by the Company from the lenders thereto prior to the Closing.

 

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PCAOB Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.06.

Pension Scheme” means each defined benefit and defined contribution scheme of the Group.

Per Share Merger Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).

Permitted Financing” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01(j)

Permitted Liens” means (a) statutory or common law Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, landlords, carriers, repairmen, construction contractors and other similar Liens that arise in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, that relate to amounts not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions, in each case, for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with IFRS; (b) Liens arising under original purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (c) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions, in each case, for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with IFRS; (d) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances and restrictions on real property (including easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that do not materially interfere with the present uses of such real property; (e) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (f) Liens that secure obligations that are reflected as liabilities on the balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements or Liens the existence of which is referred to in the notes to the balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements; (g) in the case of Leased Real Property, matters that would be disclosed by a current, accurate survey; (h) requirements and restrictions of zoning, building and other applicable Laws and municipal by-laws, and development, site plan, subdivision or other agreements with municipalities; (i) statutory Liens of landlords for amounts not due and payable, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or may thereafter be paid without penalty; (j) Liens arising under the Credit Facility, which Liens will be released in connection with the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and (k) Liens described in Section 1.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules.

Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority or instrumentality or other entity of any kind.

Personal Information” means any information that specifically identifies any individual.

PIPE Agreements” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

PIPE Investment” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

PIPE Investment Amount” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

PIPE Investors” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Planning Acts” means applicable Law governing or regulating the use of and/or the development of real property applicable in the jurisdiction in which the relevant real property is located.

Policies” has the meaning specified in Section 3.18.

Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18.

Pre-Deal Dividend” means the cash dividend determined as at the Adjustment Date (and independent of the Closing Date) to be distributed by the Company upon approval by the general meeting to the Company Shareholders with effect before 12:01 a.m. Swiss Time on the Closing Date, the intent of which is to achieve the Target Net Debt Amount on the Company’s balance sheet on a pro-forma basis after giving effect to such cash dividend as if it had been paid as at the Adjustment Date.

Predecessor” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(a).

Predecessor Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(a).

 

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Preferred Stock” has the meaning specified in Section 5.18(a).

Primary PIPE Agreements” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Primary PIPE Investment” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Primary PIPE Investment Amount” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Primary PIPE Investors” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Proceedings” has the meaning specified in Section 3.13(d).

Proposals” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(c).

Proprietary Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11(d).

Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement filed by FPAC on Schedule 14A with respect to the Special Meeting to approve the Proposals.

Proxy Statement/Prospectus” means the proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form F-4, including the Proxy Statement, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which shall constitute a proxy statement of FPAC to be used for the Special Meeting to approve the Proposals (which shall also provide the FPAC Stockholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of FPAC Common Stock in conjunction with a stockholder vote on the Business Combination) and a prospectus with respect to the New Topco Shares to be offered and issued to the FPAC Stockholders and the effect of the Transactions on the FPAC Warrants, in all cases in accordance with and as required by the FPAC Organizational Documents, applicable Law, and the rules and regulations of the NYSE.

R&W Policy” means the Buyer-Side Representations and Warranties Insurance Policy (including any declarations, exhibits, attachments or endorsements attached thereto) issued by AIG Specialty Insurance Company.

Redeemed Share Amount” means the aggregate amount in cash payable to redeem the Redeemed Shares, which aggregate amount shall be expressed in Euros in the amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Redeemed Shares multiplied by (b) the Redemption Price Value.

Redeemed Shares” means all shares of FPAC Common Stock which FPAC Stockholders properly demand to be redeemed, and which are redeemed, pursuant to the Offer.

Redeeming Stockholder” means a FPAC Stockholder who demands that FPAC redeem its FPAC Common Stock for cash in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and in accordance with the FPAC Organizational Documents.

Redemption Limitation” means the failure to have net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act or any successor rule) in excess of $5 million.

Redemption Price Value” means the amount equal to (a) FPAC Cash divided by (b) total number of issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Common Stock.

Redemptions Adjustment” means the amount (expressed as a negative number) equal to the aggregate amount of (a) the Redeemed Share Amount plus (b) the Third Point PIPE Reduction minus (c) the Backstop Subscriber Amount.

Refinancing” means the refinancing of the Credit Facilities pursuant to the Financing Agreements.

Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 9.10.

Regulatory Consent Authorities” means the Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over enforcement of any applicable Antitrust Law.

Related Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 3.24.

Relationship Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

 

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Release” means any release, pumping, pouring, emptying, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, dumping, seepage, spill, leak, flow, discharge, disposal or emission.

Relevant Employee” has the meaning specified in Section 3.14(a).

Representative” means, as to any Person, any of the officers, directors, managers, employees, counsel, accountants, financial advisors, lenders, debt financing sources and consultants of such Person.

Restructuring” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Sanctioned Country” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(e).

Sanctions” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(e).

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Schedules” means, collectively, the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Seller Disclosure Schedules, the FPAC Disclosure Schedules and the other Schedules to this Agreement referred to herein.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC Clearance Date” means the date on which the SEC has declared the Form F-4 effective and has confirmed that it has no further comments on the Proxy Statement.

Secondary PIPE Agreements” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Secondary PIPE Investment” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Secondary PIPE Investment Amount” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Secondary PIPE Investors” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Second Value Achievement Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(b)(ii).

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Securities Laws” means the securities laws of any state, federal or foreign entity and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Seller Disclosure Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub delivered to FPAC in connection with this Agreement.

Seller Parties” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Shareholders Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Silver Lake” has the meaning specified in Section 7.03(d).

Software” means computer programs, operating systems, applications, firmware, and other code, including all source code, object code, application programming interfaces, data files, databases, data, protocols, specifications, development tools, design tools, algorithms, user interfaces and other documentation thereof.

Special Meeting” means a meeting of the holders of FPAC Common Stock to be held for the purpose of approving the Proposals.

Specified Condition” has the meaning specified in Section 2.08.

Stock Consideration” means the number (rounded to the nearest whole number) of New Topco Shares equal to (a) the Stock Consideration Value divided by (b) the Value Per New Topco Share.

Stock Consideration Value” means (a) Total Consideration, minus (b) Cash Consideration, minus (c) Convertible Preferred Shares Value.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person, any other Person, of which such Person directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms voting power

 

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to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such Person or any organization of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

Surrendered Shares” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Surviving Delaware Company” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

Surviving Provisions” has the meaning specified in Section 11.02.

Target Net Debt Amount” means €600,000,000.

Target Working Capital Amount” means negative €33,296,000, based on the definition of Working Capital articulated in the Accounting Principles Annex.

Tax” means any (a) federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, foreign and other net income, alternative or add-on minimum, franchise, gross income, adjusted gross income or gross receipts, employment, withholding, payroll, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, license, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, personal property, real property, capital stock, profits, disability, registration, value added, estimated, customs duties, sales, use, net wealth, capital, social security or other tax, governmental fee or other assessment, duty, levy, impost or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto by a Governmental Authority, and (b) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) as a result of being a member of any affiliated, combined, consolidated or unitary group with another Person for any period, or being a transferee or successor of another Person for any period.

Tax Return” means any return, report, statement, refund, claim, declaration, information return, statement, estimate or other document required to be filed with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any amendments thereof.

Taxing Authority” means any taxing or other authority (in any jurisdiction) competent to impose any Tax liability or assess or collect any Tax.

Terminating Company Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01(b).

Terminating FPAC Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01(c).

Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 11.01(b).

Third-Party Beneficiary Letter Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Third Point” means, collectively, Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P. and Third Point Enhanced L.P.

Third Point Commitment Agreement” means the PIPE Agreement executed and delivered by Third Point.

Third Point PIPE (Pre-Backstop) means an amount equal to (a) $100,000,000 divided by (b) the Exchange Rate.

Third Point PIPE Reduction” means (a) if the Third Point PIPE (Pre-Backstop) is greater than or equal to the Backstop Subscriber Amount, then an amount equal to the Backstop Subscriber Amount or (b) if the Third Point PIPE (Pre-Backstop) is less than the Backstop Subscriber Amount, then an amount equal to the Third Point PIPE (Pre-Backstop).

Total Consideration” means (a) the Headline Enterprise Value, minus (b) the Target Net Debt, minus (c) the Overdraft Facility, minus (d) the Other Net Debt Adjustments, minus (e) the Transaction Bonuses Adjustment minus (f) the Headline Adjustment, plus (g) the Working Capital Adjustment, plus (h) the Cash Flow Adjustment, plus (i) the Paid Fees Adjustment. For the avoidance of doubt, Total Consideration shall equal the sum of Cash Consideration, plus the Stock Consideration Value, plus the Convertible Preferred Shares Value.

 

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TP ECL” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

Trading Day” means any day on which New Topco Shares are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which New Topco Shares are then traded.

Transaction Bonuses” means the amount of transaction bonuses (expressed as a positive number), determined in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth on Section 1.01(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, that are payable by the Company to the individuals recommended by the chief executive officer of the Company to Globetrotter and FPAC, and approved in writing by Globetrotter and FPAC.

Transaction Bonuses Adjustment” has the meaning specified in Section 1.01(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules (expressed as a positive number).

Transaction Documents” means the Certificate of Merger, the PIPE Agreements, the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Relationship Agreement, the Shareholders Agreement, the Third-Party Beneficiary Letter Agreement, the Voting and Support Agreement and such other agreements and documents contemplated by this Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

Transaction Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 9.02(c).

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the PIPE Agreements to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing, including the Merger.

Transfer Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 9.04(a).

Transferred Company Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).

Transferred Portion Company Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b).

Transferred Remaining Company Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(c).

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.

Trust Account” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

Trust Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

Trustee” has the meaning specified in Section 5.08(a).

Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07(a).

UNSC” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10(e).

Updated Allocable Share” means, with respect to any Person, the Allocable Share such Person would have had if the Final Total Consideration had been known immediately before the Management Rollup, as will be set forth in the Updated Allocable Share Notice.

Updated Allocable Share Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.19(f).

US Holdco” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

US Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Value Per New Topco Share” means the amount expressed in Euros equal to the product of (i) $10.00 divided by (ii) the Exchange Rate.

VAT” means value-added tax.

Voting and Support Agreement” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereto.

VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the daily dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded

 

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during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (with “Market” function set to “VWAP”, “Currency” function set to “USD”, and “Period” function set to “Daily”; the resulting VWAP is shown next to the “Average” label).

Warrant Agreement” means that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018.

Willful Breach” means, with respect to any agreement, a party’s knowing and intentional material breach of any of its representations or warranties as set forth in such agreement, or such party’s material breach of any of its covenants or other agreements set forth in such agreement, which material breach constitutes, or is a consequence of, a purposeful act or failure to act by such party with the knowledge that the taking of such act or failure to take such act would cause a material breach of such agreement.

Working Capital” means the consolidated current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries minus the consolidated current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles Annex. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Working Capital” shall not include any amounts reflected in Cash, Indebtedness, Company Transaction Expenses or Transfer Taxes.

Working Capital Adjustment” means either (a) the amount (if any) by which the Working Capital as of the Adjustment Date exceeds the Target Working Capital Amount (expressed as a positive number) or (b) the amount (if any) by which the Target Working Capital Amount exceeds the Working Capital as of the Adjustment Date (expressed as a negative number).

1.02 Construction.

(a) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender, (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (iv) the terms “Article”, “Section”, “Schedule”, “Exhibit” and “Annex” refer to the specified Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit or Annex of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (v) the word “including” shall mean “including without limitation” and (vi) the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive.

(b) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to agreements and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto.

(c) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

(d) The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

(e) Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action may be deferred until the next Business Day.

(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under IFRS.

(g) The phrases “provided to,” “furnished to,” “made available” and phrases of similar import when used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, means that a copy of the information or material referred to has been provided no later than one calendar day prior to the date of this Agreement to the party to which such information or material is to be provided or furnished (i) in the Data Room or (ii) by delivery to such party or its legal counsel via electronic mail or hard copy form.

 

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(h) The phrase “nationally recognized” when used herein, unless otherwise specified, means nationally recognized in the United States.

1.03 Knowledge. As used herein, the phrase “to the knowledge” (and similar phrases) shall mean the actual knowledge (after due inquiry) of, (a) in the case of the Company, Jacques Stern, Loic Jenouvrier and Jeremy Henderson-Ross, (b) in the case of the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, Christian Lucas, Joseph Osnoss and Ulf Pagenkopf, and (c) in the case of FPAC, Thomas Farley and David Bonanno.

1.04 Equitable Adjustments. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, the outstanding New Topco Shares, Company Shares or shares of FPAC Common Stock shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares, or any similar event shall have occurred, then any number, value (including Dollar or Euro value, but excluding changes in value as a result of exchange rate movements) or amount contained herein which is based upon the number of New Topco Shares, Company Shares or shares of FPAC Common Stock will be appropriately adjusted to provide to the holders of Company Shares and the holders of FPAC Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event; provided, however, that this Section 1.04 shall not be construed to permit FPAC, New Topco, the Company, US Holdco or US Merger Sub to take any action with respect to their respective securities that is prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

ARTICLE II

CONTRIBUTION; THE MERGER; CLOSING

2.01 Contribution of Company Shares to New Topco.

(a) Contribution and Exchange of Company Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, prior to the Merger Effective Time and substantially concurrently with the closing of the Secondary PIPE Investment pursuant to the Secondary PIPE Agreements and the Contribution Agreements, each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Representative, on behalf of all Management Sellers, shall contribute to New Topco, free and clear of all Liens (other than general restrictions on transfer under applicable securities laws and Liens granted by the Company to any lender at the Closing in connection with any financing by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby), all right, title and interest of such Company Shareholder in and attaching to an aggregate number of issued and outstanding Company Shares owned by such Company Shareholder (for all such Company Shareholders, the “Transferred Company Shares”) equal to (i) such Company Shareholder’s Allocable Share of the Stock Consideration Value divided by the Company Equity Value Per Share plus (ii) such Company Shareholder’s Allocable Share of the Convertible Preferred Shares Value divided by the Company Equity Value Per Share. In particular each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Representative, on behalf of all Management Sellers, agrees to (i) subscribe for its Allocable Share of the Stock Consideration and Convertible Preferred Shares, (ii) enter into a Contribution Agreement with New Topco regarding the contribution of its Transferred Company Shares in exchange for the issuance of its Allocable Share of the Stock Consideration and Convertible Preferred Shares and (iii) undertake all such further steps as are necessary to effect the transfer of ownership of the Transferred Company Shares to New Topco and the valid issuance of the Stock Consideration and the Convertible Preferred Shares, respectively. New Topco shall undertake all corporate steps required to increase its share capital to reflect the issuance of the Stock Consideration and Convertible Preferred Shares (the “Company Share Capital Increase”) and to register the Company Share Capital Increase in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (“Commercial Register”). Promptly upon registration of the Company Share Capital Increase in the Commercial Register pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) at the Closing, New Topco shall issue and allot to each Company Shareholder its Allocable Share of the Stock Consideration, the number of shares of which are subject to post-Closing adjustment pursuant to Section 2.19, and of the Convertible Preferred Shares.

 

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(b) Sale of a Portion of Company Shares. Immediately following the consummation of the contribution and exchange of the Transferred Company Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Representative, on behalf of all Management Sellers, shall sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to New Topco, free and clear of all Liens (other than general restrictions on transfer under applicable securities laws and Liens granted by the Company to any lender at the Closing in connection with any financing by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby), all right, title and interest of such Company Shareholder in and attaching to an aggregate number of issued and outstanding Company Shares owned by such Company Shareholder (for all such Company Shareholders, the “Transferred Portion Company Shares”) equal to such Company Shareholder’s Allocable Share of the Primary PIPE Investment Amount divided by the Company Equity Value Per Share. In exchange for the sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery of the Transferred Portion Company Shares by the Company Shareholders pursuant to this Section 2.01(b), at the Closing, New Topco shall pay to each Company Shareholder the amount equal to its Allocable Share (for purposes of this Section 2.01(b), Allocable Share shall be determined after giving effect to the provisions of Section 2.01(a) and excluding Transferred Company Shares held by New Topco) of the product of the Primary PIPE Investment Amount multiplied by the Exchange Rate. Such amount shall be paid in Dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts specified in writing by the GB Shareholders’ Representative to New Topco, which specified account information shall be delivered no later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date.

(c) Sale of Remaining Company Shares. Immediately following the consummation of the sale of the Transferred Portion Company Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing, each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Representative, on behalf of all Management Sellers, shall sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to New GmbH and New Topco (in each case as specified pursuant to the notice referred to below in this Section 2.01(c)), free and clear of all Liens (other than general restrictions on transfer under applicable securities laws and Liens granted by the Company to any lender at the Closing in connection with any financing by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby), all right, title and interest of such Company Shareholder in and attaching to the remaining issued and outstanding Company Shares owned by such Company Shareholder (for all such Company Shareholders, the “Transferred Remaining Company Shares”). In exchange for the sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment and delivery of the Transferred Remaining Company Shares by the Company Shareholders pursuant to this Section 2.01(c), at the Closing, New Topco shall pay and / or cause New GmbH to pay to each Company Shareholder in accordance with Section 2.07 the amount equal to such Company’s Shareholder’s Allocable Share (for purposes of this Section 2.01(c), Allocable Share shall be determined after giving effect to the provisions of Section 2.01(a) and excluding Transferred Company Shares held by New Topco) of the product of the Outstanding Consideration multiplied by the Exchange Rate. No later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall provide written notice to Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Management Representative specifying the number of Transferred Remaining Company Shares to be transferred to each of New GmbH (which amount shall be determined by reference to the amount of a loan to be made by FPAC to New GmbH, which loan amount shall be mutually agreed between FPAC and the GB Shareholders’ Representative no later than the time of delivery of such notice) and New Topco.

2.02 Issuance of New Topco Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the board of directors of New Topco following the Closing, all New Topco Shares shall be uncertificated, with record ownership reflected on the books and records of New Topco.

2.03 Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing and following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by Section 2.01, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub shall cause US Merger Sub to be merged with and into FPAC (the “Merger”), with FPAC being the surviving corporation (which is sometimes hereinafter referred to for the periods at and after the Merger Effective Time as the “Surviving Delaware Company”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of US Holdco following the Merger and the separate corporate existence of US Merger Sub shall cease. The Merger shall be consummated in accordance with this Agreement and the DGCL and evidenced by a Certificate of Merger

 

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between US Merger Sub and FPAC (the “Certificate of Merger”), such Merger to be consummated immediately upon filing of the Certificate of Merger or at such later time as may be agreed by FPAC and the Company in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the “Merger Effective Time”).

2.04 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Merger Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of US Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Delaware Company, and all debts, liabilities and duties of US Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Delaware Company.

2.05 Contribution to New GmbH. Following the Merger, New Topco shall contribute to New GmbH all right, title and interest of New Topco in and attaching to the aggregate amount of issued and outstanding Transferred Company Shares, Transferred Portion Company Shares and Transferred Remaining Company Shares owned by New Topco.

2.06 Liquidation of US Holdco. Following the Merger, US Holdco shall liquidate.

2.07 Payment of Outstanding Consideration. Following the liquidation of US Holdco, (i) New GmbH shall borrow a certain amount of funds from the Surviving Delaware Corporation, (ii) the Surviving Delaware Corporation will distribute a certain amount of funds to New Topco, and (iii) immediately following (i) and (ii) New GmbH and New Topco will pay the Outstanding Consideration to the Company Shareholders in accordance with Section 2.01(c) (such amount shall be paid in Dollars by wire transfer of immediately available funds).

2.08 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing (the “Closing”) of the transactions contemplated by Section 2.01 and Section 2.03, including the Merger, shall take place electronically through the exchange of documents via e-mail on the date which is four (4) Business Days after the date on which all conditions set forth in Article X shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof) or such other time and place as FPAC and the GB Shareholders’ Representative may mutually agree in writing. If all conditions set forth in Article X shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing), except for the condition in Section 10.01(a) with respect only to the approval set forth in Section 10.01(a)(ii)(1) of the Company Disclosure Schedules (the “Specified Condition” and the date when all such conditions have been satisfied or waived (other than the Specified Condition) the “Other Condition Satisfaction Date”), then at any time after the later of (i) May 30, 2020 and (ii) the date that is one (1) month after the Other Condition Satisfaction Date, either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative may waive the Specified Condition by written notice to the other; provided that, if the Other Condition Satisfaction Date is on or after July 31, then either FPAC or the GB Shareholders’ Representative may waive the Specified Condition by written notice to the other on or before August 21, 2020. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.” Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article X, and provided this Agreement has not theretofore been terminated pursuant to its terms, on the Closing Date, the Company and US Merger Sub shall cause the Certificate of Merger to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Sections 251 and 103 of the DGCL. At and in anticipation of the Closing, the parties shall cooperate to effectuate the transactions set forth on Exhibit B consistent with the timeframe set forth on  Exhibit B.

2.09 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Delaware Company. At the Merger Effective Time, (i) the certificate of incorporation of FPAC as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be amended and restated as set forth in the Certificate of Merger, until thereafter amended in accordance with its terms and as provided by the DGCL, and (ii) the bylaws of FPAC as in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall be amended and restated to be in the form of the bylaws of US Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (with such changes thereto as may be agreed upon by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC), except that references to the name of US Merger Sub shall be replaced with references to the name of FPAC, until thereafter amended as provided therein or by the DGCL.

 

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2.10 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Delaware Company. Immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub shall cause the individuals set forth on Schedule 2.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedules (provided, that, with respect to each such individual, he or she is capable of serving) to be designated or appointed as the directors and officers of US Merger Sub immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, and such individuals shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Delaware Company until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.

2.11 Conversion of Shares of FPAC Common Stock and US Merger Sub Stock.

(a) At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any FPAC Stockholder, each share of FPAC Common Stock (an “FPAC Common Share”) that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (other than any Excluded Shares, which shall not constitute “FPAC Common Shares” hereunder), shall thereupon be converted into, and the holder of such FPAC Common Share shall be entitled to receive from the Exchange Agent (who shall act on behalf of the holders of FPAC Common Shares entitled to the Per Share Merger Consideration), for each share of FPAC Common Share, one New Topco Share (the “Per Share Merger Consideration”). All of the shares of FPAC Common Stock converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration pursuant to this Section 2.11(a) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a Certificate previously representing any such shares of FPAC Common Stock shall thereafter cease to have any rights with respect to such securities, except the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration into which such shares of FPAC Common Stock shall have been converted in the Merger.

(b) At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of US Merger Sub shall no longer be outstanding and shall thereupon be converted into and become one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Delaware Company.

(c) At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of Excluded Shares (other than Excluded Founder Shares), each Excluded Share (other than Excluded Founder Shares) shall be surrendered and cancelled and shall cease to exist and no consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor.

(d) At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Founder, each Excluded Founder Share shall thereupon be converted into and become one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Delaware Company. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.11(d) shall occur after transfer and contribution in kind of the Excluded Founder Shares to New Topco as set forth in Section  2.20(a).

2.12 Delivery of Per Share Merger Consideration.

(a) Prior to the Merger Effective Time, New Topco and FPAC shall appoint a Person authorized to act as exchange agent in connection with the Transactions, which Person shall be selected by New Topco and FPAC (the “Exchange Agent”) and shall act on behalf of the holders of FPAC Common Shares entitled to the Per Share Merger Consideration, and enter into an exchange agent agreement with the Exchange Agent reasonably acceptable to New Topco and the FPAC for the purpose of (i) exchanging Certificates (if any) or uncertificated shares for the Per Share Merger Consideration payable in respect of the FPAC Common Shares and (ii) effecting the contribution in kind of newly issued membership interests of US Holdco to New Topco against the issuance of New Topco Shares, as contemplated by Exhibit B. As of the Merger Effective Time and, subject to and in accordance with the completion of the steps contemplated in Exhibit B, New Topco shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the FPAC Common Shares, as consideration for the deliveries by the Exchange Agent pursuant to Exhibit B, and for exchange in accordance with this Section 2.12 through the

 

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Exchange Agent, New Topco Shares issued pursuant to Section 2.11(a). All New Topco Shares deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be referred to as the “FPAC Exchange Fund”.

(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Merger Effective Time, the Exchange Agent shall mail or otherwise deliver to each holder of record of FPAC Common Shares who has the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration hereunder: (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form to be approved by New Topco and FPAC (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed) prior to the Closing (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which shall specify that, in respect of any Certificate, risk of loss and title shall pass only upon receipt thereof (or of an affidavit of loss in lieu thereof) by the Exchange Agent or, in the case of uncertificated FPAC Common Shares, upon adherence to the procedures set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, and shall be in such form and have such other customary provisions as New Topco and FPAC may reasonably specify and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates held by any holder of FPAC Common Shares represented by Certificates. In the event a holder of FPAC Common Shares does not deliver to the Exchange Agent a duly executed and completed Letter of Transmittal or does not deliver the Certificate(s) (or an affidavit of loss in lieu thereof), where applicable, such Person shall not be entitled to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration relating to such Certificate or uncertificated FPAC Common Share unless and until such Person delivers a duly executed and completed Letter of Transmittal and Certificate(s) (or an affidavit loss in lieu thereof), as applicable, to the Exchange Agent. Each Certificate or uncertificated FPAC Common Share shall at any time after the Merger Effective Time represent only the right to receive, upon compliance with these requirements, the Per Share Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 2.11 and this Section 2.12. The delivery of a duly completed and validly executed Letter of Transmittal is a condition to each holder of FPAC Common Shares receiving any portion of the Per Share Merger Consideration.

(c) Upon receipt of a Letter of Transmittal (accompanied with all Certificates representing FPAC Common Shares of the holder of such FPAC Common Shares, to the extent such FPAC Common Shares are certificated (or an affidavit of loss in lieu thereof)) duly, completely and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by New Topco, the holder of such FPAC Common Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Per Share Merger Consideration into which such FPAC Common Shares have been converted pursuant to Section 2.11(a) in book-entry from. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.12(c), each FPAC Common Share shall be deemed at any time from and after the Merger Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Per Share Merger Consideration which the holders of FPAC Common Shares were entitled to receive in respect of such shares pursuant to this Section 2.12(c).

(d) Concurrently with the Closing, without any action of the FPAC Stockholders, New Topco and FPAC shall cause the Exchange Agent to deliver to the transfer agent the New Topco Shares and The Depository Trust Company book-entry shares representing the New Topco Shares issued to the FPAC Stockholders entitled to the Per Share Merger Consideration.

(e) All New Topco Shares delivered upon the surrender of FPAC Common Stock in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been exchanged and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the securities represented by such FPAC Common Stock and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of FPAC of the shares of FPAC Common Stock that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time. From and after the Merger Effective Time, holders of FPAC Common Stock shall cease to have any rights as stockholders of FPAC, except as provided in this Agreement or by applicable Law.

2.13 Lost Certificate. In the event any Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by New Topco, the provision by such Person of a customary indemnity against any claim that may be made against New Topco with respect to such Certificate, in each case in a form approved by New Topco, and New Topco shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Per Share Merger Consideration, deliverable in respect thereof as determined in accordance with this Article II.

 

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2.14 FPAC Warrants. At the Merger Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of FPAC Warrants, each FPAC Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time shall, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement, automatically and irrevocably be modified to provide that such FPAC Warrant shall no longer entitle the holder thereof to purchase the amount of share(s) of FPAC Common Stock set forth therein and in substitution thereof such FPAC Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire such number of New Topco Shares per FPAC Warrant, subject to adjustments as provided in Section 4 and the last sentence of Section 3.1 of the Warrant Agreement, that such holder was entitled to acquire pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement if the FPAC Warrant was exercised prior to the Transactions. The parties shall cause the Warrant Agreement to be amended or exchanged as of immediately prior the Merger Effective Time to the extent necessary to give effect to this Section 2.14, including adding New Topco as a party thereto, with the effect that FPAC Warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time will be exchanged for warrants to purchase ordinary shares of New Topco.

2.15 Fractional Shares. No certificate or scrip representing fractional New Topco Shares shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of FPAC Common Stock, and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder of New Topco.

2.16 Payments at Closing. At the Closing, New Topco will pay (or cause to be paid) by wire transfer of immediately available funds:

(a) on behalf of the Company, pay or cause to be paid the Payoff Amount to such account or accounts as the Company specifies to New Topco and FPAC in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

(b) on behalf of the Company, pay or cause to be paid to such account or accounts as the Company specifies to New Topco and FPAC in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Closing Company Transaction Expenses;

(c) to Globetrotter or its Affiliate to such account or accounts as Globetrotter specifies to New Topco and the Company in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, an aggregate amount equal to the New Topco Formation Expenses and the Nominal Capital Expenses, provided that prior to New Topco paying Globetrotter or its Affiliate the Nominal Capital Expenses pursuant to this Section 2.16(c), FPAC shall have paid to New Topco and New Topco shall have received an aggregate amount equal to the Nominal Capital Expenses; and

(d) on behalf of FPAC, pay or cause to be paid to such account or accounts as FPAC specifies to New Topco and the Company in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the FPAC Transaction Expenses.

2.17 Closing Deliverables.

(a) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to FPAC a certificate, executed by an officer of the Company and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 10.02(a), 10.02(b) and 10.02(c) have been fulfilled.

(b) At the Closing, FPAC shall deliver or cause to be delivered a certificate, executed by an officer of FPAC and dated as of the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 10.03(a) and 10.03(b) have been fulfilled.

2.18 Estimated Closing Statement. No later than the fourth (4th) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall prepare in good faith and deliver to the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC

 

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Shareholders’ Representative a statement (the “Estimated Closing Statement”) setting forth the Company’s good faith estimates of (i) the Net Debt Difference (the “Estimated Net Debt Difference”), (ii) Total Consideration (such amount, the “Estimated Total Consideration”) and (iii) the Pre-Deal Dividend, including estimates of each component as set forth in their respective definitions together with reasonably detailed supporting documentation. If the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative in good faith disagrees with any portion of the Estimated Closing Statement, then the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, until the second (2nd) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, may deliver a notice of such disagreement to the GB Shareholders’ Representative (the “Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement”). The FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified in the Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement, and in the event of any such resolution, the Estimated Closing Statement shall be prepared in accordance with such agreement of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and the GB Shareholders’ Representative. In the event of any failure by the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative to deliver any Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement or the failure of the parties to resolve any differences with respect to matters specified in the Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement such failure shall not affect, condition or delay the Closing and the Closing shall occur based upon the Company’s estimated amounts set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement as modified by the Pre-Closing Notice of Disagreement, as applicable.

2.19 Post-Closing Determination of Adjustment Amount.

(a) Within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, New Topco shall prepare and deliver to the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative a statement (the “Closing Statement”), which sets forth New Topco’s good faith calculations of (i) the Net Debt Difference and (ii) Total Consideration, including each component as set forth in their respective definitions, along with reasonable supporting detail to evidence such calculations and explanations and assumptions for the calculation of such amounts. The Closing Statement and the definitions contained in this Agreement that relate to items presented on the Closing Statement shall be prepared on a basis consistent with the Accounting Principles Annex and IFRS consistently applied. When the Final Closing Statement is determined, the amount of the Net Debt Difference and the Total Consideration set forth therein will be the “Final Net Debt Difference” and the “Final Total Consideration”, respectively, and each component of Final Net Debt Difference and Final Total Consideration as set forth in their respective definitions shall also be final. The FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall have a period of forty-five (45) days after the date it receives the Closing Statement from New Topco to deliver to the GB Shareholders’ Representative written notice of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative’s disagreement with any item contained in the Closing Statement, which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such disagreement and any proposed adjustment to such item (a “Notice of Disagreement”). During the forty-five (45) day period following the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative’s receipt of the Closing Statement, New Topco shall (i) permit the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and its accountants and legal counsel to consult with the officers, employees, accountants and legal counsel of New Topco and/or its Subsidiaries as reasonable, and (ii) provide to the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and its accountants and legal counsel reasonable access during normal business hours and under reasonable circumstances to all relevant books and records and any work papers (including those of New Topco’s accountants and auditors, subject to the execution of appropriate access letters and similar agreements with New Topco’s accountants and auditors) relating to the preparation of the Closing Statement. If a Notice of Disagreement is received by the GB Shareholders’ Representative, then the Closing Statement (as revised in accordance with clauses (A) or (B) below) shall become the Final Closing Statement and become final and binding upon the parties on the earlier of the date (A) on which the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and the GB Shareholders’ Representative resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified in the Notice of Disagreement, and (B) all matters in dispute are finally resolved in writing by the Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 2.19(b). During the thirty (30) days following the GB Shareholders’ Representative’s receipt of a Notice of Disagreement, the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified in the Notice of Disagreement,

 

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and upon such resolution, the Final Closing Statement shall be prepared in accordance with the agreement of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative.

(b) If the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative are unable to resolve the disputed items set forth in the Notice of Disagreement within thirty (30) days following the GB Shareholders’ Representative’s receipt of such Notice of Disagreement (or such longer period as the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative may mutually agree in writing), such dispute shall be submitted to, and all issues having a bearing on such dispute shall be resolved by, (i) KPMG, or (ii) in the event KPMG is (x) unable or unwilling to take such assignment or (y) not independent, the dispute resolution group of a nationally recognized independent accounting firm promptly and mutually agreed upon by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative or, if the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative cannot promptly agree on an accounting firm within forty-five (45) days after timely delivery of a Notice of Disagreement, each of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall promptly select a nationally recognized accounting firm and such two (2) accounting firms shall designate the dispute resolution group of a third nationally recognized accounting firm that is not presently engaged on material matters by either party or any of their respective Affiliates (which term for this purpose shall not include any portfolio company (as that term is generally understood in the private equity industry) of Globetrotter or its Affiliates). The “Accounting Firm” means either (x) KPMG, (y) the accounting firm so agreed to by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, or (z) the third accounting firm so selected by the two (2) accounting firms, in each case in accordance with this Section 2.19(b). The GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall submit to the Accounting Firm, as experts and not as arbitrators, for review and resolution all matters (but only such matters) that are set forth in the Notice of Disagreement which remain in dispute. The GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall instruct the Accounting Firm to select one (1) of its partners experienced in purchase price adjustment disputes to make a final determination of the Net Debt Difference and Total Consideration, including in each case each component of the Net Debt Difference and the Total Consideration as set forth in their respective definitions, calculated with reference to the items that are in dispute as set forth in the Notice of Disagreement. The GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall instruct the Accounting Firm that, in resolving items in the Notice of Disagreement that are still in dispute and in determining the Net Debt Difference and Total Consideration, including in each case each component of the Net Debt Difference and the Total Consideration as set forth in their respective definitions, the Accounting Firm shall (i) not assign to any item in dispute a value that is (A) greater than the greatest value for such item assigned by the GB Shareholders’ Representative, on the one hand, or the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, on the other hand, or (B) less than the smallest value for such item assigned by the GB Shareholders’ Representative, on the one hand, or the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, on the other hand, (ii) make its determination in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set forth in this Agreement and a single written presentation submitted by each of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and a single written response of each of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative to each such presentation so submitted, (iii) render a final resolution in writing to the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative (which final resolution shall be requested by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative to be delivered not more than thirty (30) days following the initial submission of such disputed matters to the Accounting Firm), which, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties with respect to the Net Debt Difference and Total Consideration, including in each case each component of the Net Debt Difference and the Total Consideration as set forth in their respective definitions, and (iv) provide a written report to the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, if requested by either of them, which sets forth in reasonable detail the basis for the Accounting Firm’s final determination. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne by New Topco or a Subsidiary.

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the (i) failure of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative to notify the GB Shareholders’ Representative of a dispute within forty-five (45) days after the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative receives the Closing Statement, (ii) resolution of all disputes, pursuant to Section 2.19(b), and (iii) resolution of all disputes, pursuant to Section 2.19(b), by the Accounting Firm.

(d) The Net Debt Adjustment Amount and the Consideration Adjustment Amount shall be determined as follows, in each case, within five (5) Business Days following the determination of the Final Closing Statement, in accordance with Section 2.19(b) or Section 2.19(c), as applicable:

(i) The “Net Debt Adjustment Amount” shall be equal to the Final Net Debt Difference, if any, and shall be settled in either cash (“Adjustment Cash”) or New Topco Shares (“Adjustment Shares for Net Debt Adjustment”), as detailed herein. If the Net Debt Adjustment Amount is a negative number, then New Topco shall pay or issue to Company Shareholders, as determined solely by the GB Shareholders’ Representative, an amount equal to the Net Debt Difference in either of (a) Adjustment Cash (expressed as a positive) or (b) Adjustment Shares for Net Debt Adjustment (expressed as a positive). If the Net Debt Adjustment Amount is a positive number, then New Topco shall redeem, and the Company Shareholders shall transfer, a corresponding amount of Adjustment Shares for Net Debt Adjustment (expressed as a negative).

(ii) The “Consideration Adjustment Amount” shall be an amount, if any, equal to the Final Total Consideration minus the Estimated Total Consideration and shall be settled in New Topco Shares (“Adjustment Shares for Consideration Adjustment”). If the Consideration Adjustment Amount is positive, then New Topco shall issue a corresponding amount of Adjustment Shares for Consideration Adjustment (expressed as a positive). If the Consideration Adjustment Amount is negative number, then New Topco shall redeem, and the Company Shareholders shall transfer, a corresponding amount of Adjustment Shares for Consideration Adjustment (expressed as a negative).

(e) When giving effect to (i) and (ii) of Section 2.19(d), New Topco shall consider the impact in the aggregate of such issuance and / or redemption, in which case the sum of Adjustment Shares for Net Debt Adjustment and Adjustment Shares for Consideration Adjustment shall represent the “Net Adjustment Shares”. If Net Adjustment Shares is (i) positive, then New Topco shall issue New Topco Shares to Company Shareholders subject to Section 2.19(g) or (ii) if Net Adjustment Shares is negative, then New Topco shall redeem, and the Company Shareholders shall transfer, for no consideration, New Topco Shares from Company Shareholders, in each case of (i) and (ii), in an amount equal to the Updated Allocable Share of Net Adjustment Shares and after having delivered to the Company Shareholders evidence that such issuances or redemptions, as applicable, have been reflected on the books and records of New Topco.

(f) The GB Shareholders’ Representative shall determine the Updated Allocable Share in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Management Shareholders Agreement and provide written notice (the “Updated Allocable Share Notice”) thereof to New Topco.

(g) For purposes of this Section 2.19, if Net Adjustment Shares is positive, then it shall be a condition to each Company Shareholder receiving its Updated Allocable Share of the Net Adjustment Shares that such Company Shareholder (i) execute and provide an original of a subscription form as required under Swiss law and (ii) pay to New Topco the nominal value (CHF 0.01) of each Net Adjustment Share to be issued and received by such Company Shareholder.

2.20 Founder Contingent Shares.

(a) At the Closing, immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, and after the consummation of (i) the contribution of Transferred Company Shares per Section 2.01(a), (ii) the contribution of Transferred Portion Company Shares per Section 2.01(b), and (iii) the contribution of Transferred Remaining Company Shares per Section 2.01(c), the Founder shall contribute to New Topco the Excluded Founder Shares that are

 

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issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time and, in consideration for such contributed Excluded Founder Shares, New Topco shall issue to Founder, and Founder shall direct New Topco to deliver such newly issued New Topco Shares to the Nominee (as defined below), to hold on behalf of the Founder, one New Topco Share for each contributed Excluded Founder Share (each share, the “FPAC Founder Contingent Share”); provided that, if the number of Redeemed Shares exceeds 20,000,000, then the Founder will forfeit the Excluded Founder Shares for no consideration, provided further, that if the number of Redeemed Shares exceeds 5,000,000 but is less than 20,000,000, the Founder will forfeit for no consideration a number of Excluded Founder Shares (rounded to the nearest whole number) equal to the product of (i) 2,500,000 multiplied by (ii) (A) the total number of Redeemed Shares minus 5,000,000 divided by (B) 15,000,000. The number of Founder Shares to be forfeited will correspondingly reduce the maximum number of potential FPAC Founder Contingent Shares that may be earned on the First Value Achievement Date and the Second Value Achievement Date.

(b) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof and in any event prior to the Closing, the GB Shareholders’ Representative, New Topco and the Founder shall reasonably cooperate to agree to and enter into a nominee agreement (the “Nominee Agreement”) with an independent nominee, which shall be a Swiss entity mutually agreed by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the Founder (the “Nominee”). At the Closing, New Topco shall deliver the FPAC Founder Contingent Shares to the Nominee. The Nominee Agreement shall provide, among other things, that until the First Value Achievement Date and the Second Value Achievement Date with respect to the FPAC Founder Contingent Shares delivered to Founder on such dates as provided below, the Founder and the Nominee shall (i) not vote or transfer any of and (ii) waive any right to dividends with respect to, in each case, the FPAC Founder Contingent Shares. The Founder, with the prior written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative, shall instruct the Nominee to release the FPAC Founder Contingent Shares as follows:

(i) if, at any time following the Closing, the VWAP of New Topco Shares is greater than or equal to $12.50 for any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period (such time when the foregoing is first satisfied, the “First Value Achievement Date”), the Nominee shall within fifteen (15) Business Days deliver to the Founder the number of New Topco Shares that would have been equivalent in value to 1,250,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock at the time of the Closing; and

(ii) if, at any time following the Closing, the VWAP of New Topco Shares is greater than or equal to $15.00 for any twenty (20) Trading Days within any thirty (30) Trading Day period (such time when the foregoing is first satisfied, the “Second Value Achievement Date”), the Nominee shall within fifteen (15) Business Days deliver to the Founder the number of New Topco Shares that would have been equivalent in value to 1,250,000 shares of FPAC Common Stock at the time of the Closing.

The New Topco Share price targets set forth in Section 2.20(b)(i) and Section 2.20(b)(ii) and the number of shares to be issued pursuant to Section 2.20(b)(i) and Section 2.20(b)(ii) shall be equitably adjusted for any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares, or any similar event affecting New Topco Shares after the date of this Agreement.

2.21 PIPE Investment Amount. The parties agree that no PIPE Agreement will be executed and delivered to the extent that the PIPE Investment Amount would exceed €250 million if the PIPE Investment thereunder were consummated, except with the prior written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC.

2.22 Withholding. Each of FPAC, New Topco, the Company, the Surviving Delaware Company and their respective Affiliates shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any cash amounts otherwise deliverable under this Agreement, and from any other consideration otherwise paid or delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such amounts that any such Persons are required to deduct and withhold with respect to any of the deliveries and payments contemplated by this Agreement under the Code or any other applicable Law. FPAC shall give the Company at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice of any anticipated deduction or withholding (together with any legal basis therefor) to provide the Company with sufficient opportunity to provide any forms or other documentation from the applicable equity holders or take such other

 

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steps in order to avoid such deduction or withholding and shall reasonably consult and cooperate with the Company in good faith to attempt to reduce or eliminate any amounts that would otherwise be deducted or withheld pursuant to this Section 2.22. To the extent that FPAC, New Topco, the Company, the Surviving Delaware Company or their respective Affiliates withholds such amounts with respect to any Person and properly remits such withheld amounts to the applicable Governmental Authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated as having been paid to or on behalf of such Person. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Affiliates prior to the Merger treated as compensation, the parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s or its Subsidiary’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding..

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company represents and warrants to FPAC, as of the date hereof and, on the occurrence of the Closing, as of the Closing Date, as follows:

3.01 Corporate Organization. The Company (i) is duly incorporated, (ii) is validly existing as a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) under the laws of Switzerland, (iii) is in good standing (or has the equivalent status under the laws of Switzerland) and (iv) has all power and authority necessary to own, lease or operate its assets and property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The Company is lawfully qualified or licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction in which business is conducted by it, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole. True, correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of the Company are contained in Folder 1.1 of the Data Room.

3.02 Subsidiaries.

(a) Section 3.02(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true, correct and complete list of the Company Subsidiaries. Each Company Subsidiary (i) is duly organized, (ii) is validly existing as a legal entity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (iii) is in good standing (or has the equivalent status under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization) and (iv) has all power and authority necessary to own, lease or operate its assets and its property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, in each case, in all material respects. Each Company Subsidiary is lawfully qualified or licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property require such qualification or license, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole. True, correct and complete copies of the Organizational Documents of each Company Subsidiary are contained in Folders 1.1 and 7.1 of the Data Room.

(b) As of the date hereof, except for any ownership interest in another member of the Group, no Group member owns any capital stock or any other equity interests in any other Person or has any right, option, warrant, conversion right, stock appreciation right, redemption right, repurchase right, agreement, arrangement or commitment of any character under which a Person is or may become obligated to issue or sell, or give any right to subscribe for or acquire, or in any way dispose of, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, or any securities or obligations exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, of such Person.

3.03 Due Authorization. The Company has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and all actions required to be taken for the due and proper authorization and execution by it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly taken or, with respect to actions required to be taken for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will have been duly and validly taken by the Closing. Each Group

 

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member has full power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder, and all actions required to be taken for the due and proper authorization and execution by such Group member of each such Transaction Document and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly taken or, with respect to actions required to be taken for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by each such Transaction Document, will have been duly and validly taken by the Closing. Assuming due authorization and execution by each other party to this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, this Agreement and the Transaction Documents constitute, or will constitute, as applicable, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Group member party thereto, enforceable against each such Group member in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

3.04 No Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 3.05 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, this Agreement and the execution and delivery by each Group member of, and the performance by each Group member of its obligations under, each Transaction Document to which such Group member is a party will not (i) result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of Association or other Organizational Documents of any Group member, (ii) materially conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property, right or asset of any Group member pursuant to, any Material Contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is bound, or (iii) result in the material violation of any applicable Law or regulation or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, governmental or regulatory authority or agency or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries.

3.05 Governmental Authorities; Consents. No consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers, orders, registrations, clearances, endorsements, permits, qualifications or filings are required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority or other action with any Governmental Authority required to be made by the Company for the execution and performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except (a) as set forth in Section 3.05 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (b) as required pursuant to any applicable Antitrust Law and (c) any consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers, orders, registrations, clearances, endorsements, permits, qualifications or filings, the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.06 Capitalization.

(a) The issued share capital of the Company consists of CHF 100,000. Section 3.06(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date hereof, the number and class of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, the record and beneficial owners thereof and the number and class of shares of capital stock held by each such record and beneficial owner, and, in the case of incentive equity awards outstanding as of the date hereof, on an individual by individual and grant by grant basis, the date of grant, number of awards granted, exercise price, purchase price or similar pricing (if applicable), vesting requirements, current vested/unvested status, and treatment in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except with respect to the PIPE Investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, upon completion of the Management Rollup and the Restructuring, no Person other than the Seller Parties will own any of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company. Based on the assumptions and qualifications set forth in Section 3.06(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, Section 3.06(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth the number of shares of capital stock of the Company that would have been issued and outstanding immediately following the Management Rollup (and before the Restructuring or any other transactions contemplated hereby) if the Management Rollup had been completed on the date specified

 

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therein. All outstanding and issued shares or other equity interests of each Group member (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Law; and (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights or Contract. Except as set forth in Section 3.06(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company is the direct or indirect owner of, and has good and marketable direct or indirect title to, all the issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests of each Company Subsidiary free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens.

(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.06(b)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, there are no outstanding securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, or warrants, restricted stock units, performance stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, calls, rights or options, or agreements to grant warrants, restricted stock units, performance stock units, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, calls, rights or options, to purchase, or obligations or commitments of any member of the Group to create, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities (or any such shares, warrants, rights, options or obligations) of any member of the Group. Except as set forth in Section 3.06(b)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (i) there are no Contracts, rights issues, bonus issues of exchangeable or convertible bonds or bonds with warrants or other similar arrangements approved by any Group member’s board (or other governing body) or the shareholders of any Group member or issued by any Group member providing for the purchase or subscription of shares or other equity interests (or rights or securities exchangeable into shares or other equity interests) in any Group member; and (ii) there are no restrictions upon the voting rights or transfer of any of the shares or other equity interests in any Group member pursuant to applicable Law, any Group member’s Organizational Documents (including the Company’s articles of association (the “Articles of Association”)), organizational regulations, or other governing documents or any agreement or other instrument to which any Group member is a party or by which it may be bound.

3.07 Financial Statements.

(a) The audited consolidated special purpose financial statements (including the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, cash flows and changes in equity) for the year ended March 31, 2019 and containing the financial information for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (the “Company Audited Financial Statements”) of the Company, the audited consolidated financial statements (including the audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income, cash flows and changes in equity) as of and for the year ended March 31, 2017 (the “Predecessor Audited Financial Statements”) of Global Blue Investment & Co S.C.A. (the “Predecessor”) and the reviewed consolidated interim financial statements as of and for the six months ended September 30, 2019 (the “Unaudited Financial Statements”) of the Company, together with related notes, have been prepared in accordance with IFRS on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as disclosed therein, and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholder equity of the Company and the Predecessor, as applicable, and their respective consolidated Subsidiaries, on the basis stated therein at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply and were derived from, and accurately reflect in all material respects, the books and records of the Company and the Predecessor, as applicable, and their respective consolidated Subsidiaries (in the case of operating data). True, correct and complete copies of the Company Audited Financial Statements, the Predecessor Audited Financial Statements and the Unaudited Financial Statements are contained in Folder 2.2 of the Data Room.

(b) The books of account and other financial records of the Group have been kept accurately in all material respects in the ordinary course operation of the business of the Group, the transactions entered therein represent bona fide transactions, and the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of the Group have been properly recorded therein in all material respects. The Group has established and maintains a system of internal accounting controls which is intended to provide, in all material respects, reasonable assurance: (i) that transactions, receipts and expenditures of the Group are being executed and made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations of management of the Company, (ii) that transactions are recorded as necessary to

 

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permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain accountability for assets, (iii) regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of the Group, (iv) that the amount recorded for assets on the books and records of the Group is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any difference and (v) that accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately. Since March 31, 2019, no member of the Group has received from its independent auditors any written notification of any (x) “significant deficiency” in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group, (y) “material weakness” in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group or (z) fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of the Group who have a significant role in the internal controls over financial reporting of the Group.

(c) Except as set forth in Folder 2.1 of the Data Room, no Group member is party to any Contract (including any material amendments or modifications thereof) with respect to any material Indebtedness.

3.08 Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no material liability, debt or obligation against any Group member that would be required to be set forth or reserved for on a balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries (and the notes thereto) prepared in accordance with IFRS consistently applied and in accordance with past practice, except for liabilities and obligations (a) reflected or reserved for in the Unaudited Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto, (b) that have arisen since September 30, 2019 in the ordinary course of the operation of business of the Group consistent with past practice, (c) arising under this Agreement and/or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder or (d) that would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Group, taken as a whole.

3.09 Litigation and Proceedings. Except as set forth in Section 3.09 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (a) no Group member is a party to any litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution process, or administrative or criminal proceedings which, if successful, is likely to result in a cost, fine, benefit or value to the Group of €1,000,000 or more and (b) no litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution process or administrative or criminal proceedings which, if successful, is likely to result in a cost, fine, benefit or value to the Group of €1,000,000 or more is threatened by or, to the knowledge of the Company, against any Group member.

3.10 Compliance with Laws.

(a) Except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole, in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries, has taken any action or omitted to take any action which is a contravention of any Law, regulation or the requirements of any Governmental Authority, or any of its posted policies or contractual obligations applicable to Personal Information, which continues to give rise to any fine, penalty, other liability or sanction on the part of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries and no unresolved written complaints have been received in respect of such matters.

(b) Except where the failure to be, or to have been, in compliance with such Laws would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole, neither the Company, any Company Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers, employees or associated persons (as defined in the UK Bribery Act 2010, or any equivalent under other legislation) has, in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, engaged in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the UK Bribery Act 2010, the applicable provisions of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1976 or equivalent legislation in any jurisdiction in which any Group member operates.

(c) In the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has received any written notices stating that it is the subject of any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings by any Governmental Authority or any customer regarding any

 

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material offence or alleged offence under any Law, including under, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the applicable provisions of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1976 or any equivalent anti-bribery or anti-corruption legislation in any jurisdictions in which any Group member operates.

(d) The operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are and, in the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries operates and which are applicable to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental or regulatory agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(e) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any directors, officers or employee or agent is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions as applicable to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries administered or enforced by the US Government (including the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country, region or territory that is the subject of Sanctions, including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”). In the two (2) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country, in each case in violation of Sanctions applicable to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries.

(f) The Group holds all Material Permits necessary or required by applicable Law for or in connection with the ownership or lease of any Group member’s material properties or the carrying on of its business, and, to the knowledge of the Company, all officers and representatives of the Group, and any other person employed in a capacity that involves them performing a regulated function on behalf of the Group in any jurisdiction in which the Group operates, hold all Material Permits necessary or required by applicable Law for or in connection with the carrying on of those roles.

(g) No member of the Group has received written notice of any proceedings pending and, to the knowledge of the Company, no proceeding is threatened that is reasonably likely to result in the revocation, cancellation or suspension, or any adverse modification, of any Material Permit held by a member of the Group or, to the knowledge of the Company, any officer or representative of the Group or any other person employed in a capacity that involves them performing a regulated function on behalf of the Group in any jurisdiction in which the Group operates.

(h) The Group’s anti-money laundering and sanctions policy, anti-bribery and corruption policy, competition law policy and whistleblowing policy are contained in Folder 10 of the Data Room and each member of the Group has duly implemented all such policies.

3.11 Intellectual Property.

(a) Section 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Company Registered Intellectual Property including details of all registrations and pending applications of Intellectual Property for which a Group member is an owner, purported owner, registered owner, beneficial

 

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owner, or an applicant for registration. All Company Registered Intellectual Property is subsisting and unexpired, and to the knowledge of the Company, valid and enforceable in all material respects. The owner of record of each item of Company Registered Intellectual Property is the entity identified as the current assignee and owner thereof in Section 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules. As of the date hereof, all necessary documents and certificates in connection with the Company Registered Intellectual Property have been filed with the relevant patent, copyright, trademark or other authorities in applicable jurisdictions, as the case may be, for the purposes of maintaining such Company Registered Intellectual Property in their respective jurisdictions.

(b) To the knowledge of the Company, (i) no third party has infringed, misappropriated otherwise violated or is now infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any rights relating to the Owned Intellectual Property in any material respect; and (ii) there has been no inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure of any material confidential or non-public information included in the Company Intellectual Property. Neither the conduct of the business as presently conducted, nor the exploitation by the Group of the Company Owned Intellectual Property infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates the Intellectual Property rights of a third party in any material respect. No Group member has received a written notice alleging that the activities of the Group infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property of any third party, or has been involved in any dispute or proceeding relating to Intellectual Property or has received any offer in writing to license any third party Intellectual Property, in each case that has not since been resolved without any material obligations for the Group. The Owned Intellectual Property has not been and is not the subject of any outstanding injunction, judgement, order, decree, ruling, settlement or disposition of any dispute. To the knowledge of the Company, there exist no facts or circumstances which could reasonably provide the basis for any claim or assertion adversely affecting the ownership, use, right to use, enforceability or scope of any Owned Intellectual Property.

(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Group (i) owns all right, title and interest in and to the Owned Intellectual Property, free and clear of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) or other material right of a third Person in respect of the Owned Intellectual Property and (ii) has a valid right to use all other Company Intellectual Property as currently used by the Group (provided that the foregoing representation will not be read as a representation of non-infringement). The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not directly impair or result in (i) the loss of any of the members’ rights in any material Owned Intellectual Property or (ii) FPAC or the Group being obligated to pay any royalties or other amounts to any Person in excess of those payable to them in the absence of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. None of the Owned Intellectual Property nor, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company Intellectual Property that is licensed to the Group, was developed by or on behalf of, or using grants or any other subsidies of any Governmental Authority.

(d) The Company has taken commercially reasonable actions intended to maintain and protect the confidentiality of any material confidential information and trade secret included in the Owned Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in Section 3.11(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each former and current employee, officer, consultant or contractor of the Company or a Company Subsidiary who was involved in the creation or development of any material Owned Intellectual Property has executed a valid and enforceable agreement pursuant to which such Person has presently assigned to the Company all of such Person’s rights, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property rights created or developed for Company or a Company Subsidiary and has agreed to waive and did waive all moral rights such person may have in any work in which copyright subsists of which such person is or was the creator or an author (“Proprietary Rights Agreement”), except where such an assignment or waiver is deemed to have occurred by operation of Law or, in the case of a lack of such express assignment, waiver or operation of Law, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. No former or current employee, officer, consultant, or contractor of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or entity engaged in development of Intellectual Property with the Company or any Company Subsidiary (i) has breached or has threatened to breach such Proprietary Rights Agreement in any material respect or (ii) has expressly excluded material works, inventions or any other Intellectual Property made prior to his, her or its employment, engagement or association with the Company or any Company Subsidiary

 

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from his, her or its assignment of Intellectual Property to the Company or any Company Subsidiary pursuant to a Proprietary Rights Agreement except in respect of a joint development agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business, wherein the parties to such agreement have agreed to not assign or transfer previously created background Intellectual Property and/or to jointly own Intellectual Property created pursuant to the joint development agreement wherein neither the withholding of background Intellectual Property from the Company nor the restrictions on the use of jointly developed Intellectual Property by the Company would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, in the three (3) year period prior to the date hereof, (i) to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no material unauthorized access to or breaches of the information technology or computer systems (including all networks, platforms, Software, hardware, equipment, databases and data stored thereon, communications infrastructure and related systems and services used for the transmission, storage, maintenance, organization, presentation, generation, processing or analysis of electronic or other data and information and functions) used in or necessary for the business of the Group (the “IT Systems”), other than any such incidents that were resolved without material cost, liability or the duty to notify any Person; (ii) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to protect the security of their material IT Systems; (iii) the Company owns or has a valid right to access all material IT Systems; and (iv) the IT Systems operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operations of the business of the Company as currently conducted and do not, to the knowledge of the Company, contain any “viruses,” “worms,” “trojan horses,” “bugs,” “faults” or other routines, devices, errors, contaminants, effects or routines, in each case intended to disrupt, impair, or disable such IT systems. The Company has established, implemented and tested backup and disaster recovery policies, procedures and systems to reasonably prevent any material disruption or interruption to the conduct of the business of the Group.

(f) All Open Source Software used by the Company or a Company Subsidiary is set forth in Section 3.11(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not used Open Source Software in any manner that (i) requires the disclosure or distribution of any source code of any of the Group’s proprietary Software, (ii) requires the licensing of any Intellectual Property for the purpose of making derivative works or any other purpose, (iii) imposes any restriction on the consideration to be charged for the distribution of any Intellectual Property, (iv) creates, or purports to create, obligations on the Group with respect to any Intellectual Property or grants, or purports to grant, to any third party any rights or immunities under any Intellectual Property or (v) imposes any other material limitation, restriction, or condition on the right of the Group to use or distribute any Intellectual Property (other than notice restrictions and customary covenants in such Open Source Software licenses). With respect to any Open Source Software that is or has been used by the Group in any way in the operation of its business, each applicable Group member has been and is in material compliance with all applicable licenses with respect thereto.

(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.11(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries has disclosed or delivered to any third party, or permitted the disclosure or delivery to any escrow agent or other party of, any Company Source Code. No event has occurred, and no circumstances or condition exists, that (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) shall, or would reasonably be expected to, require the disclosure or delivery by the Company, any Company Subsidiary or any other party acting on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to any third party of any Company Source Code (other than to any escrow agent). The Company and the Company Subsidiaries do not currently have on deposit, are not (and are not subject to an obligation by which they would be) required to deposit, with an escrow agent or other third party, any Company Source Code. Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, would reasonably be expected to result in the release of any Company Source Code from escrow.

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Intellectual Property, the Company owns all right, title and interest in and to the Company Products, including all Company Source Code, free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to ensure that all Software and Company Products are free of intentional defects or intentionally created contaminants, and to the knowledge of the Company, there are no material errors in any documentation associated with the proprietary Software owned by the Group or the Company Products.

3.12 Contracts; No Defaults.

(a) Section 3.12(a)of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists each of the following Contracts including any amendments thereto (x) to which any member of the Group is a party as of the date of this Agreement or (y) by which any member of the Group or any of their respective properties or assets are bound as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, together with any Contract required to be listed on Section 3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the “Material Contracts”):

(i) material Contracts that restrict or limit the ability of any member of the Group to engage in any line of business in any geographic area or to compete with any Person;

(ii) material Contracts that grant to any Person, other than a member of the Group, (A) most favored pricing provisions or (B) any exclusive rights, rights of first refusal, rights of first negotiation or other similar rights;

(iii) Contracts relating to stock purchases, stock options or similar plans (including any similar such plans relating to the equity securities of a Person that is a not a corporation);

(iv) Contracts under which any member of the Group has borrowed any money or incurred any Indebtedness from, or issued any note, bond, debenture or other evidence of Indebtedness to, or guaranteed Indebtedness of, any Person (other than any member of the Group), in any such case of which the outstanding principal balance or amount is in excess of €3,000,000 individually or €5,000,000 in the aggregate;

(v) Contracts that require the future acquisition from another Person or future disposition to another Person of assets, properties or capital stock or other equity interest of another Person and other Contracts that relate to an acquisition or similar transaction which contain “earn-out” or other continuing obligations with respect to any member of the Group, in any such case, that would reasonably be expected to result in payments in excess of €500,000 individually or €1,000,000 in the aggregate after the date of this Agreement or any merger or business combination with respect to any member of the Group (other than the Merger and other than purchases of equipment and inventory in the ordinary course of the business);

(vi) Contracts relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership, limited liability company or joint venture (other than organizational documents of any Group member);

(vii) the (A) top twenty (20), by revenue, global accounts, merchants and department store agreement Contracts; (B) top five (5), by revenue, currency choice acquirer agreement Contracts; and (C) top ten (10), by cost, airport or refund agent agreement Contracts;

(viii) Contracts for the employment of, or the provision of services by, any officer, individual employee or other natural Person on a full time, part-time or other basis providing base salary in excess of €200,000, other than Contracts that are terminable on thirty (30) days’ or less notice without penalty or that do not provide severance or other obligations in connection with any termination;

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(x) Contracts that generate (or are anticipated to generate) an annual net revenue or cost to the Group of €3,000,000 or more and would entitle any party thereto to terminate such Contract as a result of the execution or the performance of this Agreement;

(xi) Contracts requiring or providing for any capital expenditure in excess of €2,000,000 other than capital expenditures made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(xii) material interest rate, currency, or other hedging Contracts of a speculative nature;

(xiii) settlement, conciliation or similar Contract entered into by any member of the Group in the last twelve (12) months providing for payment by any member of the Group in excess of €3,000,000 individually or imposing any material non-monetary obligations on any member of the Group;

(xiv) Contracts providing for indemnification by any member of the Group, except for any such Contract that is entered into in the ordinary course of business and is not material to the Group taken as a whole;

(xv) Contracts with any Governmental Authority;

(xvi) Company Affiliate Agreements; and

(xvii) Contracts relating to Company Intellectual Property that are subject to a restriction on a Group member’s exploitation of such Company Intellectual Property; in each case other than (a) non-exclusive licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business and (b) standard license and service agreements for commercially available software.

(b) Except for any Material Contract that has terminated or will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term therein prior to the Closing Date, each Material Contract is a valid and binding agreement of the applicable member of the Group in all material respects and, to the knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at Law). The applicable Group member(s) and, to the knowledge of the Company, each other party to each Material Contract have performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under such Material Contract, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event or circumstance has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would materially violate, materially conflict with or result in a material breach of or default under, or give rise to any right of termination, modification, amendment, cancellation or acceleration under, any Material Contract. As of the date of this Agreement, no Group member or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in or has received written notice of any material breach or default under any such Material Contract.

3.13 Employees and Labor.

(a) Folder 14 of the Data Room contains: (i) a summary of the current material terms of all current recognition, procedural, collective or other agreements between the Group and any trade union, works council or other body representing the employees (or any of them); and (ii) a summary of the maximum awards which may be awarded under all general bonus schemes applicable to any employees/consultants and for which any Group member is required to provide. Folder 14 of the Data Room contains the employment agreements used by the Group for employees who are participants in the management equity incentive plan.

(b) No Group member has, in the one year immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, been a party to, or has been obliged to be a party to, any consultation in relation to any collective redundancies made pursuant to section 188 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 of the United Kingdom (or under any equivalent or analogous legislation in any other jurisdiction).

(c) No Group member recognizes any trade union or other body representing the Group’s employees for the purpose of collective bargaining or other negotiating purposes.

 

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(d) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, no member of the Group has, in the two (2) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, been a party to any disputes, claims, legal proceedings, or complaints under any applicable employment legislation or otherwise (collectively, “Proceedings”) between any Group member and any employees of the Group (or any trade union or appropriate representatives), and to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances, which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Proceedings.

(e) No Group member has made any loan or advance to any employee or past or prospective employee in excess of €500,000 which remains outstanding as at the date of this Agreement.

(f) No Group member has, in the one year immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, been a party to a relevant transfer (as defined in the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 of the United Kingdom) (or any similar arrangement under any equivalent or analogous legislation in any other jurisdiction).

(g) The consummation of the Merger shall not entitle any employee or individual engaged by any member of the Group to terminate his or her employment or engagement or receive any payment or other benefit (except for the Transaction Bonuses).

3.14 Pensions.

(a) Except as set forth on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is not in operation, and no proposal has been announced to enter into or establish, any agreement or arrangement for the payment by a member of the Group of, or payment by a member of the Group of a contribution towards, a pension, allowance or lump sum on retirement or death for the benefit of a Relevant Employee or a Relevant Employee’s dependents, For the purposes of this paragraph, “Relevant Employee” means a director, manager, employee, or former director, manager or employee, of a member of the Group.

(b) Each member of the Group has paid all material contributions which have fallen due for payment by such company under each Pension Scheme in accordance with regulatory requirements, and no material amount due from a member of the Group to a Pension Scheme is unpaid.

(c) Each member of the Group has paid any insurance premiums which have fallen due for payment by it to any life assurance schemes.

(d) No assurance, promise or guarantee has been made or given to any individual of a particular level or amount of benefits to be provided for or in respect of him under any Pension Scheme on retirement, death or leaving employment (other than insured lump sum death benefits).

(e) No member of the Group has, in the one year preceding the date of this Agreement, received any written notice alleging that it is not in material compliance with all applicable Laws, regulations and government taxation and funding requirements relating to each Pension Scheme. There are no material legal proceedings or other dispute pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened concerning the Pension Schemes.

(f) Each Pension Scheme is provided for and funded in accordance with local accounting practice and principles applicable to it and no member of the Group participates in or has ever participated in any pension scheme with an unfunded pension liability.

(g) Each member of the Group has materially complied with the employer obligations under any applicable automatic enrolment requirements in respect of any pensions schemes as required by Law.

 

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3.15 Data Privacy.

(a) Each member of the Group has complied in all material respects with all applicable data privacy and data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018 (or under any equivalent or analogous legislation in any other jurisdiction) (“Data Protection Legislation”) relating to or pertaining to data security, including maintaining all necessary notifications and registrations, and paying all applicable data protection fees.

(b) No Group member has been, and each Group member is not currently, in breach in any material respect of any data security reporting or notification requirements under any law, regulation or mandatory code, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or matters which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such breach.

(c) No Group member has received any written notice alleging non-compliance with any Data Protection Legislation and no order against any Group member for the rectification, blocking, erasure or destruction of any data under any Data Protection Legislation has been received by any Group member.

3.16 Taxes. Except as set forth in Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedules:

(a) All material Tax Returns required by Law to be filed by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries have been duly and timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions of time in which to make such filings) and are true, complete and correct in all material respects.

(b) All material amounts of Taxes shown due on any Tax Returns of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and all other material amounts of Taxes owed by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have been duly and timely paid. The Company and each Company Subsidiary has adequately provided for, in its books of account and related records, all liabilities for all material unpaid Taxes (such unpaid Taxes consisting solely of current Taxes not yet due and payable) to the extent required by IFRS. There are no material Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the stock, assets or properties of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, in each case, with respect to Taxes.

(c) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has (i) withheld all material amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party, (ii) maintained all required records with respect thereto, and (iii) remitted such amounts required to have been remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority within the time and manner prescribed by Law.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is currently engaged in any audit, administrative or judicial proceeding with a taxing authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes and there are no administrative or judicial proceedings currently pending with respect to any such Taxes. Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has received any written notice from a taxing authority of a proposed deficiency of a material amount of Taxes, other than any such deficiencies that have since been resolved. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries files Tax Returns that any such entity is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes, which claim has not been resolved. There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, Taxes of either the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

(e) To the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts, circumstances or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

 

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(f) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is party to or bound by (i) any Tax sharing, Tax allocation, Tax indemnification or similar Contract or arrangement that is currently in effect, or (ii) any Contract or arrangement under which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is liable for any Taxes of another Person, except, in each case, for any such Contracts that are commercial contracts not primarily relating to Taxes.

(g) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any of the following that occurred or exists on or prior to the Closing Date (i) a binding agreement with a Taxing Authority or with any Governmental Authority in respect of Taxes, (ii) an installment sale or open transaction, (iii) a prepaid amount, or (iv) a change in the accounting method of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries.

(h) All material related party transactions involving the Company or any Company Subsidiary are in material compliance with the arm’s length standards of applicable Tax Laws.

(i) Assuming that (i) the Management Rollup is executed as of April 30, 2020, at an assumed sum of Pre-Deal Dividend and Total Consideration equal to €1,650 million, (ii) the gains realized by Management Sellers on the disposal of their shares are taxed at capital gain tax rates and are not requalified and taxed as employment income, and (iii) the shares allocated to the Management Sellers from the employee benefit trust will be subject to tax at the highest marginal rates, the social security payable by the Global Blue Group in relation to the Management Rollup is estimated to be around €750,000.

(j) The Company’s Capital Contribution Reserves at December 31, 2019 equaled CHF 460,000,000. This amount will be reduced as a result of the dividend that is expected to be paid by the Company prior to Closing. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company expects that immediately after Closing the Capital Contribution Reserve of New Topco will be not less than the Capital Contribution Reserve of the Company immediately prior to Closing, but the final amount of Capital Contribution Reserve at the level of New Topco is subject to confirmation from the Swiss federal Tax authorities which will be applied for by way of a tax ruling sought with Swiss federal Tax authorities prior to Closing, and the actual level of New Topco’s Capital Contribution Reserve may therefore ultimately be lower.

(k) This Section 3.16 contains the exclusive representations and warranties of the Company with respect to Tax matters. Nothing in this Section 3.16 shall be construed as providing a representation or warranty with respect to (i) any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning following the Closing Date (other than with respect to Sections 3.16(f) and 3.16(g)) or (ii) the existence, amount, expiration date or limitations on (or availability of) any Tax attribute.

3.17 Brokers Fees. Except as set forth in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by the Company, the Company Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates for which the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries has or, upon the Closing, would have, any obligation.

3.18 Insurance. Folder 11 of the Data Room contains true, correct and complete copies of all material insurance policies to the Group, taken as a whole (collectively, the “Policies”). Each Policy is in full force and effect, except for expirations in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to the Closing will be paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and, except as Fairly Disclosed in Folder 11 of the Data Room, (a) there is no material claim pending under any of such insurance policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed, in each case, in writing by the underwriters of such Policies, (b) no member of the Group has received written notice of cancellation, termination, material reduction in coverage or disallowance or material increase in premium (other than with respect to directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in connection with the

 

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Transactions or ordinary course increases that are not material to the Group taken as a whole) of any insurance policy that is held by, or for the benefit of, any member of the Group, (c) no member of the Group is in default under any Policy, or to the knowledge of the Company, has taken any action or failed to take any action that would constitute a breach or default (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time or both) under such Policy and (d) all claims under any Policy have been timely filed.

3.19 Real Property; Assets.

(a) The Leased Real Properties comprise all the material land and buildings leased, occupied or used by the Group or in respect of which any Group member has any interest, right or liability. No Group member owns any real property.

(b) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole, (i) no Person other than a Group member occupies or uses, or has a right to occupy or use, any of the Leased Real Properties, (ii) no one is in adverse possession of any of the Leased Real Properties, (iii) in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, no Group member has received written notice (which notice is still outstanding) of any breach of any covenant, restriction, stipulation or other encumbrance condition or obligation (whether statutory or otherwise) affecting any Leased Real Properties, (iv) no Group member has, in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, received any written notice (including statutory notice) of any dispute, liabilities, claims or demands relating to or in respect of any Leased Real Properties or its use, and (v) the current use of each of the Leased Real Properties is permitted under all applicable Planning Acts (and relevant Material Leases) and appurtenant to each of the Leased Real Properties are all rights and easements necessary for their current use and enjoyment (without restriction as to time or otherwise).

(c) None of the Leased Real Properties is subject to the payment of outgoings in excess of €1,000,000 per annum other than rent, insurance rent and service charges reserved or payable under each relevant Material Lease and, except as Fairly Disclosed, all have been paid when due and none is disputed.

(d) All rent and other sums payable by each Group member that is a tenant, licensee or occupier under a Lease of a corporate office (other than Leases involving airport relationships) in Austria, Singapore, Eysins (Switzerland), and Bratislava (each, a “Material Lease”) have been paid as and when due and none has been commuted, waived or paid in advance of the due date for payment and there is no rent review pending in respect of any Material Lease.

(e) Except as Fairly Disclosed, no default or breach by any Group member or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, presently exists under any Material Lease. No member of the Group has, in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, received any written notice alleging a breach of any Material Lease that has not been resolved.

(f) Each Material Lease is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Group member party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other parties thereto, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

(g) Folder 9 of the Data Room contains true, correct and complete copies of all Material Leases (including all modifications and amendments thereto and guaranties and renewals thereof). Each Material Lease is in full force and effect and none have been amended, modified, supplemented, terminated or cancelled except to the extent that such amendments, modifications, supplements, terminations or cancellations are Fairly Disclosed by the copies of same contained in Folder 9 of the Data Room.

(h) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has any actual material residual or contingent liability in respect of any land, buildings or property that it may have previously owned, occupied, or used or in respect of which it has acted as guarantor or provided an indemnity.

 

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(i) The Group has good and valid title to, or, in the case of leased or licensed properties and assets, valid leasehold or license interests in, all of the material items of tangible and intangible assets that are purported to be owned, leased or licensed by the Group, in each case free and clear of any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). All such items of tangible and intangible assets that are material to the operation of the Group’s business are in reasonably good condition and in a state of reasonably good maintenance and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and are suitable and fit for the purposes used.

(j) The tangible and intangible assets owned, leased or licensed by the Group constitute all of the material assets (a) necessary for the Group to carry on its business as currently conducted and (b) immediately after the Closing, necessary for the Group to continue to operate and conduct its business in the manner and to the extent currently conducted.

3.20 Environmental Matters.

(a) Each Group member is, and at all times during the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, has been in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole.

(b) Except as Fairly Disclosed in the Data Room, there is no litigation or proceedings arising under, pursuant to, or related to any Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any member of the Group, and in the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, no Group member has received any written notices stating that any is pending or has been threatened, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Group, taken as a whole.

(c) In the three (3) years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, no Group member has received any written notice or other written communication alleging or specifying any material breach of, or material liability under, any Environmental Laws relating to the Group that has not been resolved.

(d) All material Environmental Permits required for the activities and operations of each Group member have been obtained and are being complied with in all material respects and, to the extent applicable, applications to renew such material Environmental Permits have been timely filed.

(e) No member of the Group has assumed, undertaken, provided an indemnity with respect to, or otherwise become subject to, any material liabilities of any other Person arising under Environmental Law.

(f) There has been no treatment, storage, disposal of, arrangement for or permission to dispose of, transportation, handling, Release or threatened Release of, exposure of any Person to, any Hazardous Substances by any member of the Group, or by any other Person at, on, under, from or through any property currently or formerly owned, leased, occupied or operated by any member of the Group or any of their predecessors in interest, in each case so as to result in any material liability of the Group under Environmental Law.

(g) Section 3.20(g) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth all environmental assessments, reports, audits and other material environmental documents, if any, relating to any member of the Group, any property currently or formerly owned, leased, occupied or operated by any member of the Group, in each case, to the extent such materials are in the possession, custody or control of any member of the Group.

3.21 Absence of Changes.

(a) Since September 30, 2019, there has not been any change, development, condition, occurrence, event or effect relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitutes a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Since September 30, 2019, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have, in all material respects, conducted their business and operated their properties in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

(c) Since September 30, 2019, except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, (i) no Group member has declared, authorized, paid or made any dividend or other distribution of capital or income to any person who is not a member of the Group or a joint venture partner nor has any Group member reduced its paid-up share capital, (ii) no Group member has issued (or agreed to issue) any share or loan capital to any Person who is not a Group member, (iii) no resolution has been passed by the shareholders of any Group member (except for those representing the ordinary business of an annual general meeting or approving customary powers of attorney), (iv) no Group member has in any material respect changed its policies as to collection of trade creditors or payment of trade debtors, (v) other than in respect of any Permitted Financing, no Group member has incurred any material Indebtedness or repaid any material Indebtedness in advance of its stated maturity (in each case except to another Group member), and (vi) no Group member has made, or agreed to make, capital expenditures exceeding, or agreed to incur, any commitments involving capital expenditure exceeding in aggregate €1,000,000 (exclusive of VAT).

3.22 Affiliate Agreements. Except as Fairly Disclosed in Folder 3 of the Data Room, none of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries is a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (a) present or former executive officer or director of any Group member (other than employment agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); (b) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of any Group member; or (c) Affiliate (other than transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings exclusively between or among members of the Group), “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing, a “Company Affiliate Agreement”). All Company Affiliate Agreements are on terms and conditions that approximate those terms and conditions had such arrangements been negotiated on an arm’s-length basis.

3.23 Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information relating to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries supplied by the Company, or by any other Person acting on behalf of the Company, in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, including for the avoidance of doubt the PCAOB Financial Statements, will, as of the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the FPAC Stockholders, at the time of the Special Meeting or at the Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.23, no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that were not supplied by or on behalf of the Company for use therein.

3.24 Independent Investigation. The Company has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company, together with its direct and indirect shareholders, has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and based thereon has formed an independent judgment concerning, the assets, liabilities, condition, operations and prospects of the business of FPAC. In entering into this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to which it is a party, the Company relied solely upon its own review and analysis and the specific representations and warranties of FPAC expressly set forth in Article V and not on any representations, warranties, statements or omissions by any Person other than those specific representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V. The Company acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V none of FPAC, its Affiliates nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, stockholders, partners, members or representatives (each a “Related Party” and collectively, the “Related Parties”) has made or makes, and the Company has not relied on and is not relying on, any representation, warranty or statement, either express or implied, (a) as to the accuracy or completeness of any of

 

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the information delivered or made available to the Company or any of its Related Parties and (b) with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the business of FPAC delivered or made available to the Company or any of its Related Parties or lenders. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees to the representation and warranty of FPAC set out in Section 5.26.

3.25 Stock Ownership. The Company is not an “interested stockholder” as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.

3.26 No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article III, the Company expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, as to the condition, value or quality of the Company or the Company’s assets, and the Company specifically disclaims any representation or warranty of merchantability, usage, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to the Company’s assets, or as to the workmanship thereof, or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent, it being understood that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article III, the condition of the assets, properties and rights of the Group shall be “as is, where is”. None of the Company’s Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to FPAC or its Affiliates, and no such Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to FPAC or its Affiliates.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NEW TOPCO, US HOLDCO AND US MERGER SUB

Except as set forth in the Seller Disclosure Schedules, each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, represents and warrants to FPAC, as of the date hereof and, on the occurrence of the Closing, as of the Closing Date, as follows:

4.01 Organization and Power. New Topco (a) is duly incorporated; (b) is validly existing as a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) in good standing under the laws of Switzerland; (c) is not in liquidation or receivership and (d) has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. Each of US Holdco and US Merger Sub (a) is duly formed or incorporated, as applicable; (b) is validly existing as a limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of Delaware; (c) is not in liquidation or receivership; and (d) has the power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub is lawfully qualified or licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction in which business is conducted by it, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, taken as a whole. The organizational documents of each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub Fairly Disclosed in Folders 1.1.15 to and including 1.1.18 of the Data Room are true, correct and complete and are in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

4.02 Due Authorization. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all actions required to be taken for the due and proper authorization and execution by each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly taken or, with respect to actions required to be taken for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will have been duly and validly taken by the Closing. Assuming the due authorization and execution by each other party to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, this Agreement and the other Transaction Document to which New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is or will be a party constitutes, or will constitute, as applicable, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of New Topco,

 

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US Holdco and US Merger Sub, enforceable against each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

4.03 No Conflict. The execution and delivery by each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which any of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is a party, and the performance by each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub of its obligations under this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which any of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is a party, will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the provisions of New Topco’s, US Holdco’s and US Merger Sub’s respective organizational documents or similar constitutional documents; (b) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property, right or asset of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is a party or by which any property or asset of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is bound; or (c) result in the material violation of any applicable Law or regulation or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, governmental or regulatory authority or agency or court having jurisdiction over New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, except (in the case of clause (b) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, taken as a whole.

4.04 Governmental Authorities; Consents. No consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers, orders, registrations, clearances, endorsements, permits, qualifications or filings are required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority or other action with any Governmental Authority required to be made by New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub for the execution and performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except (a) as set forth in Section 4.04 of the Seller Disclosure Schedules; (b) as required pursuant to any applicable Antitrust Law and (c) any consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers, orders, registrations, clearances, endorsements, permits, qualifications or filings, the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, taken as a whole.

4.05 Litigation and Proceedings. Except as Fairly Disclosed in the Data Room, there are no pending or, to the knowledge of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, respectively, threatened Actions and there are no pending or, to the knowledge or New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, respectively, threatened investigations, in each case, against New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, or otherwise affecting New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub, that (a) could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the ability of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents; or (b) challenge or that could reasonably be expected to prevent, impede, hinder, delay, make illegal, impose limitations or conditions on, or otherwise interfere with, any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents. None of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is subject to any Action that relates to the business of, or any assets owned or used by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

4.06 Capitalization.

(a) As of the date hereof, New Topco’s issued share capital consists of 10,000,000 New Topco Shares. All of the issued and outstanding New Topco Shares (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Securities Laws; and (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract. US Holdco and US Merger Sub are the only Subsidiaries of New Topco. New Topco is the direct owner of, and has good and marketable direct title to, all the membership interests or other equity interests of US Holdco free and clear of

 

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any Liens other than Permitted Liens. All of the membership interests in US Holdco (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Securities Laws; and (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract. US Merger Sub is the only subsidiary of US Holdco. US Holdco is the direct owner of, and has good and marketable direct title to, all the issued and outstanding shares or other equity interests of US Merger Sub free and clear of any Liens other than Permitted Liens. As of the date hereof, US Merger Sub’s authorized share capital consists of 10,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. All of the issued and outstanding shares in US Merger Sub (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; (ii) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Securities Laws; and (iii) were not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract. US Merger Sub has no Subsidiaries. Section 4.06(a) of the Seller Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date hereof, the number and class of issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub.

(b) Except as will arise pursuant to this Agreement, there are no outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or warrants, rights or options, or agreements to grant warrants, rights or options, to purchase, or obligations or commitments of New Topco to create, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities (or any such shares, warrants, rights, options or obligations) of New Topco. Except as set forth in Section 4.06(b) of the Seller Disclosure Schedules, (i) there are no rights issues, bonus issues of exchangeable or convertible bonds or bonds with warrants or other similar arrangements approved by New Topco’s board or the shareholders of New Topco or issued by New Topco providing for the purchase or subscription of New Topco Shares; and (ii) there are no restrictions upon the voting rights or transfer of any of the New Topco Shares pursuant to Swiss law or New Topco’s organizational documents, organizational regulations or other governing documents or any agreement or other instrument to which New Topco is a party or by which it may be bound. There are no outstanding securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or warrants, rights or options, or agreements to grant warrants, rights or options, to purchase, or obligations or commitments of either US Holdco or US Merger Sub to create, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities (or any such shares, warrants, rights, options or obligations) of either US Holdco or US Merger Sub, as applicable. There are no (i) rights issues, bonus issues of exchangeable or convertible bonds or bonds with warrants or other similar arrangements approved by either US Holdco’s or US Merger Sub’s board or the shareholders of either US Holdco or US Merger Sub or issued by either US Holdco or US Merger Sub providing for the purchase or subscription of either US Holdco or US Merger Sub Shares, as applicable; and (ii) restrictions upon the voting rights or transfer of either US Holdco or US Merger Sub pursuant to Delaware law or either US Holdco or US Merger Sub’s organizational documents, organizational regulations or other governing documents or any agreement or other instrument to which either US Holdco or US Merger Sub, as applicable, is a party or by which it may be bound.

4.07 Certain Business Activities.

(a) Except as set forth in their respective organizational documents, there is no agreement, commitment or Governmental Order binding upon New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub or to which New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub or any acquisition of property by New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub or the conduct of business by New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing.

(b) Except for US Holdco, US Merger Sub and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each of New Topco and US Holdco, as applicable, does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business trust or other entity. US Merger Sub does not have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity.

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connection with the Transactions and has no, and at all times prior to the Merger Effective Time, except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.

4.08 Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information relating to New Topco or its Affiliates supplied by New Topco or its Affiliates (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries), or by any other Person acting on behalf of New Topco, in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, as of the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the FPAC Stockholders, at the time of the Special Meeting or at the Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08, no representation or warranty is made by New Topco with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that were not supplied by or on behalf of New Topco for use therein.

4.09 Brokers Fees. Except as described in Section 4.09 of the Seller Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by New Topco or any of its Affiliates (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries) for which New Topco, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries has any obligation.

4.10 Stock Ownership. None of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is an “interested stockholder” as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.

4.11 Independent Investigation. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and based thereon has formed an independent judgment concerning, the assets, liabilities, condition, operations and prospects of the business of FPAC. In entering into this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to which it is a party, each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub relied solely upon its own review and analysis and the specific representations and warranties of FPAC expressly set forth in Article V and not on any representations, warranties, statements or omissions by any Person other than those specific representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V, none of FPAC, its Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made or makes, and none of New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub has relied on or is relying on, any representation, warranty or statement, either express or implied, (a) as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information delivered or made available to it or any of its Related Parties and (b) with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the business of FPAC delivered or made available to it or any of its Related Parties or lenders. Each of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub hereby acknowledges and agrees to the representation and warranty of FPAC set out in Section 5.26.

4.12 No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article IV, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, as to the condition, value or quality of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub or any of such parties assets, and New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub specifically disclaims any representation or warranty of merchantability, usage, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect to the Company’s, New Topco’s, US Holdco’s and US Merger Sub’s assets, or as to the workmanship thereof, or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent, it being understood

 

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that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article IV, the condition of the assets, properties and rights of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub shall be “as is, where is”. None of any of New Topco’s, US Holdco’s and US Merger Sub’s Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to FPAC or its Affiliates, and no such Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to FPAC or its Affiliates.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPAC

Except as set forth in the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, FPAC represents and warrants to each of the Company and the Seller Parties, as of the date hereof and, on the occurrence of the Closing, as of the Closing Date, as follows:

5.01 Corporate Organization. FPAC (a) is duly incorporated, (b) is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the Laws of Delaware, (c) is not in liquidation or receivership and (d) has the corporate power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. FPAC is lawfully qualified or licensed to transact business in each jurisdiction in which business is conducted by it, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to FPAC. The organizational documents of FPAC Fairly Disclosed by FPAC to the Company are true, correct and complete and are in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

5.02 Due Authorization.

(a) FPAC has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all actions required to be taken for the due and proper authorization and execution by it of this Agreement and, subject to receipt of the FPAC Stockholder Approval and assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.25, Section 4.10 and Section 6.07, the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly taken or, with respect to actions required to be taken for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will have been duly and validly taken by the Closing. Assuming due authorization and execution by each other party to this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which FPAC is or will be a party constitute, or will constitute, as applicable, a legal, valid and binding obligation of FPAC, enforceable against FPAC in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

(b) The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of FPAC Class A Common Stock and FPAC Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, that are voted at the Special Meeting, is the only vote of the holders of FPAC’s capital stock required to approve the Transaction Proposal, assuming a quorum is present (the “FPAC Stockholder Approval”). Approval of the Proposals are the only votes of any of FPAC’s capital stock necessary in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Closing.

(c) At a meeting duly called and held, the FPAC Board has, as of the date of this Agreement, unanimously: (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of FPAC’s stockholders; (ii) determined that the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least 80% of the amount held in the Trust Account (less any deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) as of the date hereof; (iii) approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as a Business Combination and (iv) resolved to recommend to the stockholders of FPAC approval of each of the matters requiring FPAC Stockholder approval.

 

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5.03 No Conflict. The execution by FPAC of, and the performance by FPAC of its obligations under, this Agreement and each Transaction Document will not (a) result in any violation of the provisions of its organizational documents or similar constitutional documents, (b) conflict with or result in a material breach or violation of any of the terms or provision of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property, right or asset of FPAC pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which FPAC is a party or by which any property or asset of FPAC is bound or (c) result in the material violation of any applicable Law or regulation or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, governmental or regulatory authority or agency or court having jurisdiction over FPAC, except (in the case of clause (b) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the ability of FPAC to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.04 Litigation and Proceedings. Except as Fairly Disclosed, (a) FPAC is not a party to any pending or, to the knowledge of FPAC, threatened, material litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution process, or administrative or criminal proceedings which, if successful, is likely to result in a cost, fine, benefit or value to FPAC of €250,000 or more and (b) to the knowledge of FPAC, no litigation, arbitration, or other dispute resolution process or administrative or criminal proceedings is threatened which, if successful, is likely to result in a cost, fine, benefit or value to FPAC of €250,000 or more.

5.05 Compliance with Laws.

(a) Except where the failure to be in compliance with such Laws would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to FPAC, FPAC has not taken any action or omitted to take any action which is a contravention of any Law, regulation or the requirements of any Governmental Authority which continues to give rise to any fine, penalty, other liability or sanction on the part of FPAC and no unresolved written complaints have been received in respect of such matters.

(b) Except where the failure to be in compliance with such Laws would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to FPAC, neither FPAC nor any of its officers, employees or associated persons (as defined in the Bribery Act 2010, or any equivalent under other legislation) has engaged in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the UK Bribery Act 2010, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1976 or equivalent legislation in any jurisdiction in which FPAC operates. To the knowledge of FPAC, FPAC has not received any written notices stating that it is the subject of any investigation, inquiry or enforcement proceedings by any Governmental Authority or any customer regarding any offence or alleged offence under any Law, including under the UK Bribery Act 2010, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1976 or any equivalent anti-bribery or anti-corruption legislation in any jurisdictions in which FPAC operates.

(c) The operations of FPAC are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental or regulatory agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving FPAC with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of FPAC, threatened.

(d) Neither the directors or officers of FPAC, nor, to the knowledge of FPAC, any employee or agent, is currently the subject or the target of any Sanctions, nor is FPAC nor any of its Subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country, region or territory that is the subject or the target of Sanctions, including a Sanctioned Country. FPAC and its Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country, in each case in violation of Sanctions applicable to FPAC or its Subsidiaries.

 

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5.06 Employee Benefit Plans. Except as Fairly Disclosed, neither FPAC nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or has any obligation or liability, or would reasonably be expected to have any obligation or liability, under, any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA or any other material, written plan, policy, program, arrangement or agreement (other than standard employment agreements that can be terminated at any time without severance or termination pay and upon notice of not more than 60 days or such longer period as may be required by applicable Law) providing compensation or benefits to any current or former director, officer, employee, independent contractor or other service provider, including all incentive, bonus, deferred compensation, vacation, holiday, cafeteria, medical, disability, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation, phantom stock, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation plans, policies, programs, practices or arrangements, but not including any plan, policy, program, arrangement or agreement that covers only former directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and service providers and with respect to which FPAC or any of its Subsidiaries have no remaining obligations or liabilities (collectively, the “FPAC Benefit Plans”) and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination with another event) will (a) result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any shareholder, director, officer or employee of FPAC or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) will result in the acceleration, vesting or creation of any rights of any shareholder, director, officer or employee of FPAC or any of its Subsidiaries to payments or benefits or increases in any existing payments or benefits or any loan forgiveness.

5.07 Governmental Authorities; Consents.

(a) No consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required on the part of FPAC with respect to FPAC’s execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for applicable requirements any applicable Antitrust Law, Securities Laws and the NYSE.

(b) FPAC does not own interests in any Person and is not aware of any facts or circumstances (including any possible other transaction pending or under consideration by FPAC or any of its Affiliates) which (i) reasonably would be expected to prohibit or materially impair or delay the ability of FPAC to obtain the consents, authorizations, orders or approvals of the applicable Regulatory Consent Authorities without any structural or conduct relief or (ii) would cause a Governmental Authority to seek to prohibit or materially delay consummation of the Transactions or impose a condition or conditions that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.08 Financial Ability; Trust Account.

(a) As of the date hereof, FPAC has at least $646,000,000 in the account established by FPAC for the benefit of its public shareholders (the “Trust Account”), with such funds invested in United States Government securities or money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act and held in trust by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”) pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2018, by and between FPAC and the Trustee (the “Trust Agreement”). The Trust Agreement is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of FPAC and, to the knowledge of FPAC, the Trustee, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. The Trust Agreement has not been terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended or supplemented or modified, in any respect, and no such termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated. Except as Fairly Disclosed, there are no side letters and there are no agreements, Contracts, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, with the Trustee or any other Person that would (i) cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the FPAC SEC Reports to be inaccurate or (ii) entitle any Person (other than any FPAC Stockholder who is a Redeeming Stockholder) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior

 

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to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except in accordance with the Trust Agreement, FPAC Organizational Documents and FPAC’s final prospectus dated June 11, 2018. FPAC has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in material default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. Since December 31, 2018, FPAC has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than to pay income taxes from interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Trust Agreement). Effective upon the Closing, the obligations of FPAC to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the FPAC Organizational Documents shall terminate, and, effective upon the Closing, FPAC shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to the FPAC Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of FPAC by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Prior to the Closing, no FPAC Stockholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such FPAC Stockholder is a Redeeming Stockholder. There are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of FPAC, threatened with respect to the Trust Account.

(b) As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company, the Seller Parties and New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub herein and the compliance by the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub with their respective obligations hereunder, FPAC has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to FPAC on the Closing Date.

5.09 Taxes.

(a) All material Tax Returns required by Law to be filed by FPAC have been duly and timely filed (after giving effect to any valid extensions of time in which to make such filings) and are true, complete and correct in all material respects.

(b) All material amounts of Taxes shown due on any Tax Returns of FPAC and all other material amounts of Taxes owed by FPAC have been duly and timely paid. FPAC has adequately provided for, in its books of account and related records, all liabilities for all material unpaid Taxes (such unpaid Taxes consisting solely of current Taxes not yet due and payable) to the extent required by GAAP. There are no material Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the stock, assets or properties of FPAC with respect to Taxes.

(c) FPAC has (i) withheld all material amounts of Taxes required to have been withheld by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or any other third party, and (ii) remitted such amounts required to have been remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority.

(d) FPAC is not currently engaged in any material audit, administrative or judicial proceeding with a taxing authority with respect to Taxes and there are no administrative or judicial proceedings currently pending with respect to any such Taxes. FPAC has not received any written notice from a taxing authority of a proposed deficiency of a material amount of Taxes, other than any such deficiencies that have since been resolved. No written claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where FPAC does not file a Tax Return that such entity is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction in respect of Taxes that would be the subject of such Tax Return, which claim has not been resolved. There are no outstanding agreements extending or waiving the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim for, or the period for the collection or assessment or reassessment of, material Taxes of FPAC, and no written request for any such waiver or extension is currently pending.

(e) FPAC has not constituted either a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution of stock qualifying for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code in the prior two years.

(f) FPAC has not been a party to any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).

 

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(g) FPAC is not party to, or bound by, or have any obligation to, any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Tax allocation, Tax sharing or Tax indemnification or similar Contract or arrangement that is currently in effect or any Contract or arrangement under which FPAC is liable for Taxes of another Person, except for any such Contracts that are commercial contracts not primarily relating to Taxes.

(h) FPAC will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any of the following that occurred or exists on or prior to the Closing Date: (i) a binding agreement with a Tax Authority or with any Governmental Authority in respect of Taxes, (ii) an installment sale or open transaction, (iii) a prepaid amount, or (iv) a change in the accounting method of FPAC.

(i) To the knowledge of FPAC, there are no facts, circumstances or plans that, either alone or in combination, could reasonably be expected to prevent the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

5.10 Brokers Fees. Except for fees described in Section 5.10 of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by FPAC or any of its Affiliates.

5.11 FPAC SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(a) FPAC has filed in a timely manner all required registration statements, reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since FPAC’s incorporation (collectively, as they have been amended since the time of their filing and including all exhibits thereto, the “FPAC SEC Reports”). None of the FPAC SEC Reports, as of their respective dates (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, then on the date of such filing), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements (including, in each case, the notes and schedules thereto) included in the FPAC SEC Reports complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements included therein, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes) in all material respects the financial position of FPAC as of the respective dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended.

(b) FPAC has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed by FPAC in the reports and other documents that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to FPAC’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(c) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by FPAC to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of FPAC. FPAC has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

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SEC Reports filed on or prior to the date hereof is subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof.

(e) Neither FPAC (including any employee thereof) nor FPAC’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by FPAC, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves FPAC’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by FPAC or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

5.12 Business Activities; Absence of Changes.

(a) Since its incorporation, FPAC has not conducted any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment of a Business Combination. Except as set forth in the FPAC Organizational Documents, there is no agreement, commitment or Governmental Order binding upon FPAC or to which FPAC is a party which has had or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of FPAC or any acquisition of property by FPAC or the conduct of business by FPAC as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of FPAC to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) FPAC does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity. Except for this Agreement and the Transactions, FPAC has no interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or could reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a Business Combination.

5.13 Interest in Competitors. FPAC does not own any interest, nor do any of its respective Affiliates insofar as such Affiliate-owned interests would be attributed to FPAC under any Antitrust Law, in any entity or Person that derives revenues from any lines of products, services or business within any of the Company’s lines of products, services or business.

5.14 No Undisclosed Liabilities. There is no liability, debt or obligation against FPAC or its Subsidiaries, except for liabilities and obligations (i) reflected or reserved for on FPAC’s consolidated balance sheet for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019 or disclosed in the notes thereto (other than any such liabilities not reflected, reserved or disclosed as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to FPAC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole), (ii) that have arisen since the date of FPAC’s consolidated balance sheet for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019 in the ordinary course of the operation of business of FPAC and its Subsidiaries (other than any such liabilities as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to FPAC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) or (iii) disclosed in Section  5.14 of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules.

5.15 Absence of Changes. Except as set forth in this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, since the date of FPAC’s formation, (a) there has not been any change, development, condition, occurrence, event or effect relating to FPAC or its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a material adverse effect on the ability of FPAC to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) FPAC and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action that (i) would require the consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative pursuant to Section 8.02 if such action had been taken after the date hereof and (ii) is material to FPAC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

5.16 Form F-4 and Proxy Statement/Prospectus. On the effective date of the Form F-4, the Form F-4, and when first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and/or filed pursuant to Section 14A, the Proxy Statement/

 

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Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), shall comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. On the effective date of the Form F-4, the Form F-4 will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. On the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b), the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is first mailed to FPAC Stockholders, and at the time of the Special Meeting, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (together with any amendments or supplements thereto) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that FPAC makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Form F-4 or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to FPAC by or on behalf of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub specifically for inclusion in the F-4 or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

5.17 Independent Investigation. FPAC has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. FPAC has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and based thereon has formed an independent judgment concerning, the assets, liabilities, condition, operations and prospects of the business of the Group. In entering into this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to which it is a party, FPAC relied solely upon its own review and analysis and the specific representations and warranties of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties expressly set forth in Article III, Article IV and Article VI, respectively, and not on any representations, warranties, statements or omissions by any Person other than those specific representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III, Article IV and Article VI. FPAC acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III, Article IV and Article VI, none of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub nor any Seller Party, nor any of their respective Affiliates or any of their respective Related Parties has made or makes, and FPAC has not relied on and is not relying on, any representation, warranty or statement, either express or implied, (a) as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information delivered or made available to FPAC or any of its Related Parties and (b) with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the business of the Group delivered or made available to FPAC or any of its Related Parties or lenders. FPAC hereby acknowledges and agrees to the representations and warranties of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties set out in Section 3.26, Section 4.12 and Section 6.10, as applicable.

5.18 Capitalization.

(a) As of the date hereof and without taking into effect the PIPE Investment, the authorized capital stock of FPAC consists of (i) 400,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (iii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”). All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of FPAC have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable under applicable Law and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights.

(b) As of the date hereof, FPAC has issued 30,850,000 warrants that entitle the holder thereof to purchase Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “FPAC Warrants”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the applicable warrant agreement. Immediately prior to the Merger, FPAC will have 30,850,000 FPAC Warrants issued and outstanding, of which 9,766,667 are issued to the Founder. As of the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the date hereof, FPAC has 63,250,000 shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding, 15,812,500 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding and no Preferred Stock issued or outstanding (without taking into effect the Surrendered Shares or the PIPE Investment). Immediately prior to the execution of the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, except as provided above, the Founder does not own any equity interests of FPAC.

 

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(c) Except for the FPAC Warrants, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding (i) securities convertible into or exchangeable for the capital stock of FPAC, (ii) options, warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or subscribe for capital stock of FPAC or (iii) contracts of any kind (other than the Forward Purchase Agreement) to which FPAC is subject or bound requiring the issuance after the date of this Agreement of (A) any capital stock of FPAC, (B) any convertible or exchangeable security of the type referred to in clause (i) or (C) any options, warrants, calls or rights of the type referred to in clause (ii).

(d) Except as set forth in Section 5.18(d) of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to which FPAC is bound with respect to voting of any shares of capital stock or any other equity interest of FPAC.

5.19 NYSE Stock Market Quotation. The issued and outstanding shares of FPAC Class A common stock are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “FPAC”. The issued and outstanding FPAC Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “FPAC.WS”. Except as Fairly Disclosed, FPAC is in compliance in all material respects with the rules of the NYSE and there is no action or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of FPAC, threatened against FPAC by the NYSE, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the FPAC Class A common stock or FPAC Warrants or terminate the listing of FPAC Class A common stock or FPAC Warrants on the NYSE. None of FPAC or its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the FPAC Class A common stock or FPAC Warrants under the Exchange Act.

5.20 Contracts; No Defaults.

(a) All material Contracts (other than confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, this Agreement and the Forward Purchase Agreement) to which, as of the date of this Agreement, FPAC or one or more of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets are bound have been Fairly Disclosed.

(b) Except for any material Contract that has terminated or will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term thereof prior to the Closing Date, with respect to any material Contract of the type described in Section 5.20(a), (i) such material Contracts are in full force and effect and represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of FPAC and, to the knowledge of FPAC, represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, and, to the knowledge of FPAC, are enforceable by FPAC to the extent a party thereto in accordance with their terms, subject in all respects to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). FPAC has not received written notice that it is in material default under any material Contract of the type described as having been Fairly Disclosed in Section 5.20(a) to which it is a party in the one year immediately preceding the date of this Agreement which notice of default is still outstanding at the date of this Agreement. No party with whom FPAC has entered into a material Contract of the type described as having been Fairly Disclosed in Section 5.20(a) has, in the one year immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, given written notice of its intention to terminate, repudiate or disclaim all or a substantial part of such material Contract of the type described as having been Fairly Disclosed in Section 5.20(a).

5.21 Title to Property. Neither FPAC nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) owns or leases any real or personal property or (b) is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property or other material interest therein. Subject to the restrictions on use of the Trust Account set forth in the Trust Agreement, FPAC owns good and marketable title to, or holds a valid leasehold interest in, or a valid license to use, all of the assets used by FPAC in the operation of its business and which are material to FPAC, in each case, free and clear of any Liens (other than Permitted Liens).

 

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5.22 Investment Company Act. Neither FPAC nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a Person directly or indirectly “controlled” by or acting on behalf of an “investment company”, in each case within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

5.23 Affiliate Agreements. Except as set forth in Section 5.23 of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, and other than the private placement of securities in connection with FPAC’s initial public offering, none of FPAC or its Subsidiaries is a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (i) present or former executive officer or director of any of FPAC or its Subsidiaries, (ii) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of any of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (iii) Affiliate, “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing, an “FPAC Affiliate Agreement”). FPAC has made available to the Company true, correct and complete copies of each Contract or other relevant documentation (including any amendments or modifications thereto) available as of the date of this Agreement with respect to any FPAC Affiliate Agreement.

5.24 Forward Purchase Agreement. FPAC has Fairly Disclosed a true, correct and complete copy of the Forward Purchase Agreement. The Forward Purchase Agreement is in full force and effect and is legal, valid and binding upon FPAC and, to the knowledge of FPAC, the Backstop Subscriber, enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Forward Purchase Agreement has not been withdrawn, terminated, amended or modified since the date of execution and prior to the execution of this Agreement, and as of the date of this Agreement no such withdrawal, termination, amendment or modification is contemplated, and as of the date of this Agreement the commitments contained in the Forward Purchase Agreement have not been withdrawn, terminated or rescinded by the Backstop Subscriber in any respect. FPAC has fully paid any and all commitment fees or other fees required in connection with the Forward Purchase Agreement that are payable on or prior to the date hereof and will pay any and all such fees when and as the same become due and payable after the date hereof pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement. FPAC has, and to the knowledge of FPAC, each other party to the Forward Purchase Agreement has, complied with all of its obligations under the Forward Purchase Agreement. There are no conditions precedent or, to the knowledge of FPAC, other contingencies related to FPAC Financing, other than as expressly set forth in the Forward Purchase Agreement. As of the date hereof, no event has occurred which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would or would reasonably be expected to (i) constitute a default or breach on the part of FPAC or, to the knowledge of FPAC, any Backstop Subscriber, (ii) assuming the conditions set forth in Section 10.01 and Section 10.02 will be satisfied, constitute a failure to satisfy a condition on the part of FPAC or any Backstop Subscriber or (iii) assuming the conditions set forth in Section 10.01 and Section 10.02 will be satisfied, to the knowledge of FPAC, result in any portion of the amounts to be paid by the Backstop Subscribers in accordance with the Forward Purchase Agreement being unavailable on the Closing Date. As of the date hereof, assuming the conditions set forth in Section 10.01 and Section 10.02 will be satisfied, FPAC has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the consummation of the purchases under the Forward Purchase Agreement will not be satisfied, and, as of the date hereof, FPAC is not aware of the existence of any fact or event that would or would reasonably be expected to cause such conditions not to be satisfied.

5.25 Takeover Statute. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 3.25, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub in Section 4.10 and each Seller Party in Section 6.07, the board of directors of FPAC has taken or shall have taken all action prior to the Closing to ensure that no restrictions included in any “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other similar antitakeover statute or regulation (including Section 203 of the DGCL) enacted under state or federal Law or contained in the Certificate of Incorporation are applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.26 No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article V, FPAC expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, as to the condition, value or quality of FPAC or FPAC’s assets, and FPAC specifically disclaims any representation or warranty of merchantability, usage, suitability or fitness for any particular purpose with respect

 

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to FPAC’s assets, or as to the workmanship thereof, or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent, it being understood that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article V, the condition of the assets, properties and rights of FPAC shall be “as is, where is”. None of the FPAC’s Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, and no such Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates.

ARTICLE VI

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER PARTIES

Except as set forth in the Seller Disclosure Schedules, each Seller Party hereby severally, but not jointly, and as to itself only, represents and warrants to FPAC, as of the date hereof and, on the occurrence of the Closing, as of the Closing Date, as follows as follows:

6.01 Organization and Power. Such Seller Party, if an entity, (a) is duly organized; (b) is validly existing; (c) is not in liquidation or receivership and (d) has the requisite power and authority to own its property and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted.

6.02 Due Authorization. Such Seller Party has full power and authority or, in the case of an individual, capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all actions required to be taken for the due and proper authorization and execution by such Seller Party of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly taken or, with respect to actions required to be taken for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will have been duly and validly taken by the Closing. Assuming the due authorization and execution by each other party of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, this Agreement and the other Transaction Document to which such Seller Party is or will be a party constitutes, or will constitute, as applicable, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Seller Party, enforceable against such Seller Party in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.

6.03 No Conflict. Subject to the receipt of the consents, approvals, authorizations and other requirements set forth in Section 3.05 or in Section 3.05 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the execution and delivery by such Seller Party of this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party, and the performance by such Seller Party of its obligations under this Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party, will not (a) result in any violation of the provisions of such Seller Party’s organizational documents or similar constitutional documents, if any; (b) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property, right or asset of such Seller Party pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such Seller Party is a party or by which any property or asset of such Seller Party is bound; or (c) result in the material violation of any applicable Law or regulation or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court, arbitrator, governmental or regulatory authority or agency or court having jurisdiction over such Seller Party, except (in the case of clause (b) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Seller Party to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.04 Litigation and Proceedings. Except as Fairly Disclosed in the Data Room, such Seller Party is not a party to any pending or, to the knowledge of such Seller Party, threatened material litigation, arbitration or other dispute resolution process, or administrative or criminal proceedings which, if successful, would reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the ability of such Seller Party to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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6.05 Shares. Such Seller Party is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good, valid and marketable title to, the Company Shares set forth next to such Seller Party’s name on Section 6.05 of the Seller Disclosure Schedules, free and clear of any Lien other than restrictions arising under applicable securities Laws. Such Seller Party is not a party to, and the Company Shares owned by such Seller Party are not subject to, any stockholder agreement, investor right agreement, registration rights agreement, voting agreement or trust, proxy or other Contract that could require such Seller Party to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any Company Shares (other than pursuant to this Agreement). There are no limitations or restrictions on such Seller Party’s right to transfer the Company Shares pursuant to this Agreement.

6.06 Brokers Fees. Except as described in Section 6.06 of the Seller Disclosure Schedules, no broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders’ fee or other commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by such Seller Party or any of its Affiliates.

6.07 Stock Ownership. Such Seller Party is not an “interested stockholder” as such term is defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.

6.08 Proxy Statement/Prospectus. None of the information relating to such Seller Party or its Affiliates (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries) supplied by such Seller Party or its Affiliates (excluding the Company and its Subsidiaries), or by any other Person acting on behalf of such Seller Party, in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus will, as of the date the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) is first mailed to the FPAC Stockholders, at the time of the Special Meeting or at the Merger Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.08, no representation or warranty is made by such Seller Party with respect to information or statements made or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus that were not supplied by or on behalf of such Seller Party for use therein.

6.09 Independent Investigation. Such Seller Party has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its participation in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such Seller Party has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and based thereon has formed an independent judgment concerning, the assets, liabilities, condition, operations and prospects of the business of FPAC. In entering into this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to which it is a party, such Seller Party relied solely upon its own review and analysis and the specific representations and warranties of FPAC expressly set forth in Article V and not on any representations, warranties, statements or omissions by any Person other than those specific representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V. Such Seller Party acknowledges that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article V none of FPAC, its Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made or makes, and such Seller Party has not relied on and is not relying on, any representation, warranty or statement, either express or implied, (a) as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information delivered or made available to it or any of its Related Parties and (b) with respect to any projections, forecasts, estimates, plans or budgets of future revenues, expenses or expenditures, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows (or any component thereof) or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the business of FPAC delivered or made available to it or any of its Related Parties or lenders. Such Seller Party hereby acknowledges and agrees to the representation and warranty of FPAC set out in Section 5.26.

6.10 No Additional Representations and Warranties. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article VI, each of the Seller Parties expressly disclaims any representations or warranties of any kind or nature, express or implied, as to the condition, value or quality of the Company or any of its assets, and each of the Seller Parties specifically disclaims any representation or warranty of merchantability, usage, suitability or

 

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fitness for any particular purpose with respect to the Company’s assets, or as to the workmanship thereof, or the absence of any defects therein, whether latent or patent, it being understood that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Article VI, the condition of the assets, properties and rights of the Company shall be “as is, where is.” None of any of the Seller Parties’ Affiliates nor any of their respective Related Parties has made, or is making, any representation or warranty whatsoever to FPAC or its Affiliates, and no such Person shall be liable in respect of the accuracy or completeness of any information provided to FPAC or its Affiliates.

ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, SELLER PARTIES, US HOLDCO, US MERGER

SUB AND NEW TOPCO

7.01 Conduct of Business. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (x) the Closing or (y) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article XI (the “Interim Period”), the Company shall, and shall cause each other member of the Group to, except as set forth in Section 7.01(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement (including the Management Rollup, the Restructuring and the Pre-Deal Dividend), as consented to by FPAC in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), (i) conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and use reasonable best efforts to preserve intact the current business organization, Material Permits and ongoing businesses of the Group, and maintain the existing relations and goodwill of the Group with its customers, suppliers, joint venture partners, distributors and creditors, (ii) use reasonable best efforts to retain the Group’s present officers and other key employees and consultants and (iii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain the Policies or substitutes therefor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth in Section 7.01(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement (including the Management Rollup, the Restructuring and the Pre-Deal Dividend) or as consented to by FPAC in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub and the Company shall not, the Seller Parties shall cause New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub not to, and the Company shall cause each other member of the Group not to, during the Interim Period:

(a) amend the certificate of organization or bylaws (or other comparable governing documents) of any Group member, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub;

(b) other than in connection with any intra-Group actions taken by a member of the Group to or with another Group member, (i) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to any capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub or joint venture partner; (ii) effect any recapitalization, split, combination, reclassification or like change with respect to any capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub; (iii) transfer, issue, sell or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity interests in any member of the Group, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub; or (iv) grant options, restricted stock units, performance stock awards, stock appreciation rights, phantom interests, other equity-based awards, warrants, calls or other rights to purchase or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests in any Group member, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub;

(c) (i) fail to maintain its existence or merge, consolidate, combine or amalgamate with any Person, or (ii) purchase or otherwise acquire (whether by merging or consolidating with or purchasing any equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of) any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof;

(d) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization other than (A) the Transactions as contemplated by this Agreement and (B) the continuation of the liquidation of Gu Rui Commercial Technical and Consulting Shanghai Co Ltd and Global Blue Service Company Suisse SA;

 

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(e) purchase or otherwise acquire, or lease or license, any assets, properties or business with a value greater than €5,000,000 individually or in the aggregate;

(f) transfer, sell, lease or license to a third party, abandon, permit to lapse or expire, dedicate to the public, or otherwise dispose of, or agree to transfer, sell, lease or license to a third party, abandon, permit to lapse or expire, dedicate to public, or otherwise dispose of, any portion of the property or assets of any member of the Group, other than any sale, lease, license, abandonment, lapse, expiration, dedication or disposition in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(g) make, or enter into any Contract (or series of Contracts) to make, any capital expenditures or incur, or enter into any Contract (or series of Contracts) to incur, any commitment or commitments involving any capital expenditures in excess of €5,000,000 in the aggregate, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(h) amend, modify or terminate any Material Contract except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or as specifically contemplated by this Agreement;

(i) enter into any joint venture with any Person;

(j) (i) amend or modify the terms of the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ existing credit facilities, notes and other existing Indebtedness or (ii) create, incur or assume any Indebtedness of any member of the Group in excess of €5,000,000 (other than borrowings, extensions of credit and other financial accommodations required under the Company’s and the Company Subsidiaries’ existing credit facilities, notes and other existing Indebtedness (“Permitted Financing”));

(k) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person;

(l) other than Permitted Liens or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, grant any Lien on any material property or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of any member of the Group;

(m) assume, guarantee, indemnify, secure or otherwise incur any Indebtedness or financial or other obligations of another Person that is not a member of the Group;

(n) commence any Action where the amount claimed exceeds €2,000,000;

(o) release, assign, settle or compromise any Action pending or threatened against any member of the Group or any of their respective directors or officers (or waive any right in relation thereto) other than any such release, assignment, settlement, compromise or waiver that (i) is for an amount that is not in excess of €2,000,000 and (ii) would not prohibit or restrict any member of the Group from operating its business substantially as currently conducted without the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by any member of the Group or any of its officers or directors;

(p) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (i) adopt, enter into, terminate or amend any Pension Scheme other than as required by applicable Law or pursuant to the terms of any Pension Scheme in effect as of the date of this Agreement and contained in the Data Room, (ii) recognize any union or employee representative for purposes of collective bargaining or negotiate or enter into any collective bargaining agreement, works council agreement, labor union Contract, trade union agreement or other similar Contract with any union, works council, trade union or other labor organization other than as required by applicable Law, (iii) waive any restrictive covenant obligation of any director or member of the executive committee of the Group, (iv) pay or agree to pay to any current or former director, officer or employee, consultant, agent or individual service provider, whether past or present, any pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit not required by any existing Pension Scheme (or any arrangement that would be a Pension Scheme if in effect as of the date hereof), or (v) take any action to accelerate the vesting, funding or payment of any compensation or benefits under any Pension Scheme;

 

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(q) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (i) grant any increase in the compensation, incentives or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of any member of the Group or any member of the executive committee of the Group as of the date of this Agreement, other than increases in base compensation of employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) enter into any new, or materially amend any existing employment or severance or termination agreement with any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant or member of the executive committee of the Group, (iii) accelerate or commit to accelerate the funding, payment, or vesting of any compensation or benefits to any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant or (iv) hire or otherwise enter into any employment or consulting agreement or arrangement with any person or terminate any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant provider whose base salary would exceed, on an annualized basis, €250,000;

(r) fail to use reasonable best efforts to maintain with financially responsible insurance companies insurance at least in such amounts and against at least such risk and losses as provided by the Policies;

(s) enter into, renew, modify or amend any Company Affiliate Agreement;

(t) make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in IFRS or applicable Law;

(u) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to Taxes), file any amendment to a material Tax Return, settle or compromise any examination in respect of a material amount of Taxes, or consent to any waiver or extension of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of a material amount of Taxes;

(v) take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment;

(w) manage its working capital (including the timing of collection of accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable and the management of inventory) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or

(x) authorize or commit or agree to take any of the foregoing actions.

7.02 Access. Solely for purposes of implementing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries by third parties that may be in the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ possession from time to time, and except for any information which (a) relates to interactions with prospective buyers of the Company or the negotiation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) is prohibited from being disclosed by a Contract in effect as of the date of this Agreement or applicable Law or would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege, work-product or other privilege, the Company shall, and shall cause the Company Subsidiaries to, afford to FPAC and its Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, in such manner as to not interfere with the normal operation of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, to all of their respective properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax Returns, records, commitments, analyses and appropriate officers and employees of the Group and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that are in the possession of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries as such Representatives may reasonably request. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by FPAC and its Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Closing.

 

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7.03 Regulatory Approvals.

(a) In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall as promptly as practicable make or cause its Affiliates to make any filing or notice required under FATA and any Antitrust Law in the jurisdictions listed in Section 7.03 of the Company Disclosure Schedules applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall furnish to FPAC as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing to be made by FPAC under FATA. The Company shall substantially comply with any Information or Document Requests.

(b) The Company shall exercise its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain any required consents or approvals pursuant to any applicable Antitrust Laws, (ii) prevent the entry in any Action brought by a Regulatory Consent Authority or any other Person of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) if any such Governmental Order is issued in any such Action, cause such Governmental Order to be lifted.

(c) The Company and its Subsidiaries shall cooperate in good faith with the Regulatory Consent Authorities and exercise its reasonable best efforts to undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable (but in any event prior to the Termination Date) and any and all action necessary or advisable to avoid, prevent, eliminate or remove any impediment under Antitrust Law or the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding in any forum by or on behalf of any Regulatory Consent Authority or the issuance of any Governmental Order that would delay, enjoin, prevent, restrain or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the Merger.

(d) The Company shall promptly notify FPAC of any substantive communication with, and furnish to FPAC copies of any notices or written communications received by, the Company or any of its Affiliates and any third party or any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company shall permit external counsel to FPAC an opportunity to review in advance, and the Company shall consider in good faith the views of such counsel in connection with, any proposed written communications by the Company and/or its Affiliates to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that the Company shall not extend any waiting period or comparable period under any Antitrust Law or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority without the written consent of FPAC. The Company agrees to provide, to the extent permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority, FPAC and its counsel the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between the Company and/or any of its Affiliates, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Any materials exchanged in connection with this Section 7.03 may be redacted or withheld as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns, and to remove references concerning the valuation of the Company or other competitively sensitive material; provided, that the Company may, as it deems advisable and necessary, designate any materials provided to FPAC under this Section 7.03 as “outside counsel only.” Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.03 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate the Company or any of its Affiliates (including Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C. (“Silver Lake”) and any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, Silver Lake or any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of Silver Lake or of any such investment fund or investment vehicle) to agree or otherwise be required to, take any action with respect to the Company, or any of the Company Subsidiaries or such Affiliates (including for the avoidance of doubt, Silver Lake and its Affiliates), including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect its freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or such Affiliates (including for the avoidance of doubt, Silver Lake and its Affiliates), or any interest therein.

 

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7.04 Termination of Certain Agreements. On and as of the Closing, the Seller Parties and the Company shall take all actions necessary to cause the Contracts (a) listed on Section 7.04(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules to be terminated without any further force and effect and without any further liability or obligations (except as otherwise Fairly Disclosed on Section 7.04(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules); and (b) listed on Section 7.04(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules to be expressly assumed by New Topco. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.04 shall only apply to a Seller Party if a Seller Party or an Affiliate of such Seller Party is a party to a Contract listed on Section 7.04(a) or (b)  of the Company Disclosure Schedules.

7.05 No Claim Against the Trust Account. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub acknowledge that they have read FPAC’s final prospectus, dated June 11, 2018, and understand that FPAC has established the Trust Account for the benefit of FPAC’s public shareholders and that FPAC may disburse monies from the Trust Account only (a) to the Redeeming Stockholders in the amounts required for the redemptions, (b) to FPAC after, or concurrently with, the consummation of a Business Combination and (c) in amounts not greater than the interest earned on funds in the Trust Account, to FPAC for certain Tax obligations specified in the Trust Agreement. All liabilities and obligations of FPAC due and owing or incurred at or prior to the Closing shall be paid as and when due. The Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub further acknowledge that, if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (or, upon termination of this Agreement, another Business Combination) are not consummated by September 14, 2020, FPAC will be obligated to return to its shareholders the amounts being held in the Trust Account, unless such date is otherwise extended pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation. Upon the Closing, FPAC shall cause the Trust Account to be disbursed to FPAC and as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement. Accordingly, the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub, for each of themselves and their respective Affiliates, hereby waive all rights, title, interest or claim of any kind to collect from the Trust Account any monies that may be owed to them by FPAC for any reason whatsoever, including for a breach of this Agreement by FPAC or any negotiations, agreements or understandings with FPAC (whether in the past, present or future), and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account at any time for any reason whatsoever, in each case except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement. This Section 7.05 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

7.06 Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions. The Company agrees to use reasonable best efforts to provide FPAC, as soon as reasonably practicable, audited financial statements (audited to the standards of the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board), including consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of cash flows, and statements of stockholders equity of the Company and Company Subsidiaries as of and for the years ended March 31, 2017, March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2019, in each case, prepared in accordance with IFRS (and not materially different than IFRS) (the “PCAOB Financial Statements”). The Company shall be available to, and the Company and Company Subsidiaries shall use reasonable best efforts to make their officers and employees available to, in each case, upon reasonable advanced notice, FPAC and its counsel in connection with (i) the drafting of the Form F-4 and (ii) responding in a timely manner to comments on the Form F-4 from the SEC. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with FPAC in connection with FPAC’s preparation for inclusion in the Form F-4 of pro forma financial statements that comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the rules and regulations of the SEC (as interpreted by the staff of the SEC) to the extent such pro forma financial statements are required by Form F-4.

7.07 Financing Agreement.

(a) The Company shall maintain the Financing Agreement and, until the Closing, the Credit Facility, in full force and effect and shall ensure that no amendment, modification, termination, replacement, restatement, cancellation or other change is made to the Financing Agreement or, until the Closing, the Credit Facility, that would adversely affect the ability of the Company and its Affiliates to consummate the debt financing contemplated by the Financing Agreement at the Closing and shall not take any action or omit to take any action

 

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that would in any way: (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the debt facilities committed and available to be drawn by the Company or its Affiliates thereunder; (ii) reduce the period of time for which debt facilities are available to be drawn by the Company or its Affiliates; and (iii) otherwise adversely affect the ability of the Company or its Affiliates to draw funds thereunder on the Closing Date sufficient to enable the Company to pay the Payoff Amount.

(b) The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that (i) all conditions precedent to drawdown of all debt financing to be provided to the Company under the Financing Agreement have been satisfied (except for those conditions precedents which the Company, Globetrotter, New Topco and FPAC have agreed in writing to remain outstanding as at the Closing) and (ii) there are no continuing events of default under the Financing Agreement or the Credit Facility.

(c) In connection with the Closing, (i) the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to satisfy the outstanding conditions precedent under the Financing Agreement, (ii) the Company shall take all actions in its power to draw down loans under the Financing Agreement that are sufficient to repay all amounts due under the Credit Facility and (iii) the Company shall use the proceeds of such loans received by the Company, and other cash available to the Company and other members of the Group, to repay all amounts due under the Credit Facility.

(d) To the extent that funds under the Financing Agreement are not capable of being drawn as a result of a failure of one or more lenders to perform its obligations under the Financing Agreement, the Company shall take all such actions (or procure that such action is taken) as is necessary to enforce its or any of its Affiliate’s rights against such lender(s) under the relevant Financing Agreement.

7.08 New Topco NYSE Listing. New Topco shall apply for, and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the New Topco Shares and warrants to be issued in connection with the Transactions to be approved for, listing on the NYSE as of the Closing Date.

7.09 Incentive Equity Plan. Prior to the Closing Date, New Topco may cause to be adopted a management incentive equity plan; provided, however, no such plan shall be implemented without the prior written consent of FPAC and Globetrotter.

7.10 Management Rollup. The Seller Parties and the Company shall exercise their reasonable best efforts to effect the Management Rollup in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement on or prior to the Closing.

ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS OF FPAC

8.01 Regulatory Approvals.

(a) In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each of FPAC and Founder shall as promptly as practicable make or cause its Affiliates to make any filing or notice required under FATA applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of FPAC and Founder shall furnish to the Company as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing to be made by the Company under FATA. Each of FPAC and Founder shall substantially comply with any Information or Document Requests.

(b) Each of FPAC and Founder shall exercise its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain any required consents or approvals pursuant to any applicable Antitrust Laws, (ii) prevent the entry in any Action brought by a Regulatory Consent Authority or any other Person of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) if any such Governmental Order is issued in any such Action, cause such Governmental Order to be lifted.

 

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(c) Each of FPAC and Founder shall cooperate in good faith with the Regulatory Consent Authorities and exercise each of their reasonable best efforts to undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable (but in any event prior to the Termination Date) and any and all action necessary or advisable to avoid, prevent, eliminate or remove any impediment under Antitrust Law or the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding in any forum by or on behalf of any Regulatory Consent Authority or the issuance of any Governmental Order that would delay, enjoin, prevent, restrain or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the Merger. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of FPAC and Founder shall, and shall cause their Subsidiaries to (i) propose, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate orders or otherwise, the sale, divesture, disposition, or license of any investments, assets, properties, products, rights, services or businesses of FPAC, Founder or such Subsidiaries, or any interest therein, and (ii) otherwise take or commit to take any actions that would limit FPAC’s, Founder’s or such Subsidiaries’ freedom of action with respect to, or its or their ability to retain any assets, properties, products, rights, services or businesses of FPAC, Founder or such Subsidiaries, or any interest or interests therein; provided, that any such action contemplated by this Section 8.01 is conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger.

(d) Each of FPAC and Founder shall promptly notify the Company of any substantive communication with, and furnish to the Company copies of any notices or written communications received by FPAC or Founder from, any third party or any Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and FPAC and Founder shall permit external counsel to the Company an opportunity to review in advance, and FPAC and Founder shall consider in good faith the views of such counsel in connection with, any proposed written communications by FPAC and Founder to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that FPAC and Founder shall not extend any waiting period or comparable period under any Antitrust Law or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority without the written consent of the Company. FPAC and Founder agree to provide, to extent permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority, the Company and its counsel the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between FPAC and Founder, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Any materials exchanged in connection with this Section 8.01 may be redacted or withheld as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns, and to remove references concerning the valuation of FPAC, Founder or other competitively sensitive material; provided, that FPAC and Founder may, as each deems advisable and necessary, designate any materials provided to the Company under this Section 8.01 as “outside counsel only.” Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 8.01 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate any of FPAC’s and Founder’s (other than Subsidiaries of each of FPAC and Founder) Affiliates (including any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, any of their respective Affiliates or any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of such Affiliates or of any such investment fund or investment vehicle) to agree or otherwise be required to, take any action with respect to any of FPAC’s and Founder’s Affiliates, including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect such Affiliate’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of such Affiliate, or any interest therein.

8.02 Conduct of FPAC During the Interim Period.

(a) During the Interim Period, except as set forth on Section 8.02 of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to by the GB Shareholders’ Representative in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), FPAC shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

(i) change, modify or amend the Trust Agreement or the FPAC Organizational Documents;

(ii) (A) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its outstanding capital stock or other equity interests;

 

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(B) split, combine, reclassify or otherwise change any of its capital stock or other equity interests other than as required pursuant to the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement; or (C) other than the redemption of any shares of FPAC Common Stock required by the Offer or as otherwise required by FPAC’s Organizational Documents in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, FPAC;

(iii) other than Permitted Liens, grant any Liens on any material property or assets (whether tangible or intangible) of FPAC and its Subsidiaries;

(iv) enter into any partnership or joint venture with a third party;

(v) except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, enter into any transactions with any of its Affiliates;

(vi) adopt or effect a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of FPAC or its Subsidiaries (other than the Transactions as contemplated by this Agreement);

(vii) acquire or dispose of any material assets, properties or business of any Person except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(viii) except in the ordinary course of FPAC’s operations consistent with past practices or as or as specifically contemplated by this Agreement, enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to FPAC or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Company and its Subsidiaries)), terminate (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms), or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, any material Contract of a type described as having been Fairly Disclosed in Section 5.20(a) (regardless of whether such material Contract is in existence on the date hereof);

(ix) (A) offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, or authorize or propose to offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, FPAC or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such capital stock or equity interests, other than (i) in connection with the exercise of any FPAC Warrants outstanding on the date hereof or (ii) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the transactions contemplated by the Forward Purchase Agreement, the Third Point Commitment Agreement and the Founder Shares Surrender Agreement); or (B) amend, modify or waive any of the terms or rights set forth in, any FPAC Warrant or the Warrant Agreement, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein;

(x) make any capital expenditures;

(xi) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into or agree to any guarantee, indemnity or other agreement to secure, or otherwise incur financial or other obligations with respect to, an obligation of any other Person;

(xii) commence any Action or compromise or settle any Action or waive a right in relation to any Action;

(xiii) (A) adopt or amend any FPAC Benefit Plan, or enter into any employment contract or collective bargaining agreement; (B) pay any special bonus or special remuneration (including severance or termination payments or benefits) to any director or employee, or increase the salaries or wage rates or fringe benefits (including rights to severance or indemnification) of its directors, officers, employees or consultants; or (C) hire any employee of FPAC or its Subsidiaries or any other individual who is providing or will provide services to FPAC or its Subsidiaries;

 

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(xiv) incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any funded indebtedness;

(xv) other than as set forth on Section 8.02(a)(xv) of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules, enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any FPAC Affiliate Agreement (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would constitute a FPAC Affiliate Agreement);

(xvi) make any change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP, including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization, or applicable Law;

(xvii) voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to FPAC and its Subsidiaries and their assets and properties;

(xviii) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, enter into any Tax sharing or similar agreement (excluding any commercial contract not primarily related to Taxes), file any amendment to a material Tax Return, settle or compromise any examination in respect of Taxes, or consent to any waiver or extension of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes;

(xix) take any action or knowingly fail to take any action, which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Transactions from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment; or

(xx) authorize, or commit or agree to take, any of the foregoing actions.

(b) During the Interim Period, FPAC shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

8.03 Trust Account.

(a) Prior to or at the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article X), FPAC shall make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Trust Agreement for the following: (i) the redemption of any shares of FPAC Common Stock in connection with the Offer; (ii) the payment of the Company Transaction Expenses and FPAC Transaction Expenses; and (iii) the balance of the assets in the Trust Account, if any, after payment of the amounts required under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), to be disbursed to FPAC.

(b) Prior to the Closing, FPAC shall take all actions necessary to ensure that the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.

8.04 Access. Subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to FPAC or its Subsidiaries by third parties that may be in FPAC’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession from time to time, and except for any information the disclosure of which is prohibited by a Contract in effect as of the date of this Agreement or applicable Law or would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege, work-product or other privilege, FPAC shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, afford to the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, in such manner as to not interfere with the normal operation of FPAC and its Subsidiaries, to all of their respective properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax Returns, records, commitments, analyses and appropriate officers and employees of FPAC and its Subsidiaries and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of FPAC and its Subsidiaries that are in the possession of FPAC or its Subsidiaries as such Representatives may reasonably request. The parties shall use reasonable best efforts to

 

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make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Closing.

8.05 FPAC NYSE Listing. From the date hereof through the Closing, FPAC shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure FPAC remains listed as a public company on, and for shares of FPAC Common Stock to be listed on, the NYSE.

8.06 FPAC Public Filings. From the date hereof through the Closing, FPAC will keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable Securities Laws.

8.07 Forward Purchase Agreement. FPAC shall take, or cause to be taken, as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary (including enforcing its rights under the Forward Purchase Agreement), on or prior to the Closing Date, to consummate the FPAC Financing (if required) on the terms and conditions described in or contemplated by the Forward Purchase Agreement. FPAC shall deliver all notices it is required to deliver under the Forward Purchase Agreement on a timely basis in order to cause the Backstop Subscriber to consummate the FPAC Financing concurrently with the Closing.

8.08 Termination of FPAC Affiliate Agreements. On and as of the Closing, FPAC shall take all actions necessary to cause all FPAC Affiliate Agreements other than those set forth in Section 8.08 of the FPAC Disclosure Schedules to be terminated without any further force and effect and without any cost or other liability or obligation to FPAC or its Subsidiaries (including and the Company and its Subsidiaries), and there shall be no further obligations of any of the relevant parties thereunder following the Closing.

8.09 Management Shareholders Agreement. FPAC has received and reviewed the Management Shareholders Agreement. FPAC hereby acknowledges and accepts the terms and other provisions of the Management Shareholders Agreement.

8.10 FPAC Registration Rights Agreement. Effective at the Closing, FPAC shall terminate the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June  11, 2018 by and among FPAC, Founder and the other parties thereto.

ARTICLE IX

JOINT COVENANTS

9.01 Support of Transaction. Without limiting any covenant contained in Article VII or Article VIII, including the obligations of the Company, the Seller Parties and FPAC with respect to the notifications, filings, reaffirmations and applications described in Section 7.03 and Section 8.01, respectively, which obligations shall control to the extent of any conflict with the succeeding provisions of this Section 9.01, the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco and FPAC shall each, and shall each cause their respective Subsidiaries to: (a) use reasonable best efforts to assemble, prepare and file any information (and, as needed, to supplement such information) as may be reasonably necessary to obtain as promptly as practicable all governmental and regulatory consents required to be obtained in connection with the Transactions, including with respect to the matter set forth on Schedule 9.01(a); (b) use reasonable best efforts to obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco and FPAC or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the Transactions, including any required approvals of parties to material Contracts with the Company or the Company Subsidiaries; and (c) take such other action as may reasonably be necessary or as another party may reasonably request to satisfy the conditions of Article X or otherwise to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any party or its Subsidiaries be obligated to bear any expense or pay any fee or grant any concession in connection with obtaining any consents, authorizations or approvals pursuant to the terms of any Contract to

 

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which the Company or the Company Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the Transactions, other than filing and similar fees payable to Governmental Authorities, which shall be borne by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries.

9.02 Preparation of Form F-4 and Proxy Statement; Special Meeting.

(a) As promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to prepare, and New Topco shall file with the SEC, the Form F-4 in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the New Topco Shares to be issued under this Agreement, which Form F-4 will also contain the Proxy Statement/Prospectus which will be included therein as a prospectus and which will be used as a proxy statement for the Special Meeting with respect to the Proposals (as defined below). Each of FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Form F-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Form F-4 effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Transactions. Each of FPAC, on the one hand, and the Company and New Topco, on the other hand, shall furnish all information concerning it as may reasonably be requested by the other party in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Promptly after Form F-4 is declared effective under the Securities Act, FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be mailed to stockholders of FPAC.

(b) Each of FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any amendment to the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed in response thereto. If FPAC, the Company or New Topco becomes aware that any information contained in the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall have become false or misleading in any material respect or that the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is required to be amended in order to comply with applicable Law, then (i) such party shall promptly inform the other parties and (ii) FPAC, on the one hand, and the Company and New Topco, on the other hand, shall cooperate fully and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) an amendment or supplement to the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to the holders of shares of FPAC Common Stock, as applicable, in each case pursuant to applicable Law and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the FPAC Organizational Documents. Each of the Company, New Topco and FPAC shall provide the other parties with copies of any written comments, and shall inform such other parties of any oral comments, that such party receives from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Form F-4 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall give the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any proposed written or oral responses to such comments prior to responding to the SEC or its staff. FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Form F-4 to be declared effective as promptly as practicable after it is filed with the SEC and to keep the Form F-4 effective through the Closing in order to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) FPAC shall file the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act. FPAC agrees to include provisions in the Proxy Statement and to take reasonable action related thereto, with respect to (i) approval of the Business Combination (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation) (the “Transaction Proposal”) and (ii) and approval of any other proposals reasonably agreed by FPAC and the Company to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby (the “Additional Proposal” and, together with the Transaction Proposal, the “Proposals”). Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Proposals shall be the only matters (other than procedural matters) which FPAC shall propose to be acted on by FPAC’s stockholders at the Special Meeting.

 

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(d) New Topco shall file the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424. FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable (and in any event, within seven Business Days after the SEC Clearance Date), (i) establish the record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL for a date no later than 30 days following the SEC Clearance Date, (ii) cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be disseminated to FPAC’s stockholders in compliance with applicable Law and (iii) solicit proxies from the holders of FPAC Common Stock to vote in favor of each of the Proposals. FPAC shall, through the FPAC Board, recommend to its stockholders that they approve the Proposals (the “FPAC Board Recommendation”) and shall include the FPAC Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus; provided, however, that the FPAC Board may change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify its recommendation (a “Change in Recommendation”) if it determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and/or financial advisors, that a failure to make a Change in Recommendation would reasonably be expected to constitute a breach by the FPAC Board of its fiduciary obligations to FPAC’s stockholders under applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.02(d), if on a date for which the Special Meeting is scheduled, FPAC has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares of FPAC Common Stock to obtain the FPAC Stockholder Approval, whether or not a quorum is present, FPAC shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Special Meeting; provided, that the Special Meeting (i) is not postponed or adjourned to a date that is more than 45 days after the date for which the Special Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments or postponements required by applicable Law) and (ii) is held no later than three Business Days prior to the Termination Date.

9.03 Exclusivity.

(a) During the Interim Period, the Seller Parties and the Company shall not take, nor shall the Company’s shareholders or any of its Affiliates or Representatives take, whether directly or indirectly, any action to solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any Person (other than FPAC and/or any of its Affiliates or Representatives) concerning, relating to or which is intended or is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in any purchase of any of equity securities of, or membership interests in, or the issuance and sale of any equity securities of, or membership interests in, the Company or the Company Subsidiaries (other than any purchases of equity securities by the Company from employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries) or any merger or sale of substantial assets involving the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, in each case, other than the Transactions or as provided in this Agreement (any such purchase, issuance, sale or merger, an “Acquisition Transaction”). If any Seller Party or the Company or any of the Company’s shareholders or any of its Affiliates or Representatives receives any inquiry or proposal regarding an Acquisition Transaction at any time prior to the Closing, then the Company shall promptly notify such Person indicating only that it is subject to an exclusivity agreement that prohibits providing any information related to or entertaining any proposals or offers or engaging in any negotiations or discussions concerning any Acquisition Transaction and, in such event, the Company shall also promptly notify FPAC of such facts and circumstances. The Company shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, an Acquisition Transaction. During the Interim Period, the Seller Parties shall not, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement (including the Management Rollup, the Restructuring and the Pre-Deal Dividend), directly or indirectly transfer any interest (direct or indirect, record, beneficial, economic voting or otherwise) in the Company Shares, whether by sale or exchange, by gift, by operation of law, by pledge or encumbrance or otherwise.

(b) During the Interim Period, FPAC shall not take, nor shall any of its Affiliates or Representatives take, whether directly or indirectly, any action to solicit, initiate, continue or engage in discussions or negotiations with, or enter into any agreement with, or encourage, respond, provide information to or commence due diligence with respect to, any Person (other than the Company, its shareholders and/or any of their Affiliates

 

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or Representatives), concerning, relating to or which is intended or is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, any offer, inquiry, proposal or indication of interest, written or oral relating to any Business Combination (a “Business Combination Proposal”) other than with the Company, its shareholders and their respective Affiliates and Representatives. If FPAC or any of its Affiliates or Representatives receives any inquiry or proposal regarding a Business Combination Proposal at any time prior to the Closing, then FPAC shall promptly notify such Person indicating only that it is subject to an exclusivity agreement that prohibits them from providing any information considering such inquiry or proposal and, in such event, FPAC shall also promptly notify the GB Shareholders’ Representative of such facts and circumstances. FPAC shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, a Business Combination Proposal.

9.04 Tax Matters.

(a) Transfer Taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, New Topco shall pay or cause to be paid all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added or other similar Taxes incurred in connection with the Transactions (the “Transfer Taxes”). New Topco or its Affiliates, as appropriate, shall, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns with respect to all such Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, FPAC will join in the execution of any such Tax Returns.

(b) Tax Treatment. New Topco, FPAC, US Merger Sub and the Company intend that the Transactions shall qualify for the Intended Tax Treatment and for the Intended Swiss Tax Treatment. None of the parties or their respective Affiliates shall knowingly take or cause to be taken, or knowingly fail to take or knowingly cause to be failed to be taken, any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent qualification for such Intended Tax Treatment or such Intended Swiss Tax Treatment or the confirmation of the Capital Contribution Reserves of New Topco as provided for in Section 3.16(j). Each party shall, unless otherwise required by a final determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar state, local or non-U.S. final determination) or a change in applicable Law, or based on a change in the facts and circumstances underlying the Transactions from the terms described in this Agreement, cause all Tax Returns to be filed on a basis of treating the Merger as a transaction that qualifies under Section 351 of the Code and that does not subject shareholders of FPAC and the Company to tax under Section 367 of the Code (subject to the entry into gain recognition agreements by any such shareholders required to enter into such agreements to preserve tax-free treatment under Section 367 of the Code). Each of the parties agrees to use reasonable best efforts to promptly notify all other parties of any challenge to the Intended Tax Treatment, the Intended Swiss Tax Treatment or the confirmation of the Capital Contribution Reserves of New Topco as provided for in Section 3.16(j) by any Governmental Authority. Each of FPAC, the Company and New Topco shall execute and deliver officer’s certificates containing customary representations at such time or times as may be reasonably requested by counsel to the Company in connection with the delivery of any opinion by such counsel to the Company with respect to the tax treatment of the Transactions. Prior to Closing, New Topco and the Company shall, in close consultation with FPAC and its tax advisors, use reasonable efforts to prepare and obtain customary Tax rulings with the Swiss Tax authorities confirming the Intended Swiss Tax Treatment and the confirmation of the Capital Contribution Reserves of New Topco as provided for in Section 3.16(j) and the Parties shall cooperate in good faith to mitigate any negative Tax consequences if the Intended Swiss Tax Treatment cannot be fully achieved.

9.05 Confidentiality; Publicity.

(a) FPAC acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference. Effective upon the Closing, the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate with respect to information relating to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) The GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC shall reasonably cooperate to (a) prepare and make a public announcement regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the date hereof and (b) create and implement a communications plan regarding the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Communications Plan”) promptly following the date hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the parties hereto will make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or any matter related to the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative, in the case of a public announcement by FPAC, or FPAC, in the case of a public announcement by any other party hereto (such consents, in either case, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except (i) if such announcement or other communication is required by applicable Law (including pursuant to Securities Laws or the rules of any national securities exchange), in which case the disclosing party shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, first allow such other parties to review such announcement or communication and the opportunity to comment thereon and the disclosing party shall consider such comments in good faith, (ii) in the case of Globetrotter, FPAC and their respective Affiliates, if such announcement or other communication is made in connection with fundraising or other investment related activities and is made to such Person’s direct and indirect investors or potential investors or financing sources subject to an obligation of confidentiality, (iii) to the extent provided for in the Communications Plan, internal announcements to employees of the Company, (iv) to the extent such announcements or other communications contain only information previously disclosed in a public statement, press release or other communication previously approved in accordance with this Section 9.05(b), and (v) announcements and communications to Governmental Authorities in connection with filings or permits relating to the transactions contemplated hereby required to be made under this Agreement.

9.06 Director Appointments. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC prior to the Closing, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, subject to any limitation imposed under applicable Laws and NYSE listing requirements, each of the Company, New Topco and FPAC shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to cause (a) the number of directors constituting the board of directors of New Topco to be such number as is specified in Schedule 9.06 and (b) the individuals set forth in Schedule 9.06 (together with any other individuals mutually agreed in writing between the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC period to Closing) to be elected as members of the board of directors of New Topco, effective as of the Closing. On the Closing Date, New Topco shall enter into customary indemnification agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC, with the individuals who will be directors of New Topco, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective following the Closing in accordance with their terms.

9.07 Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) From and after the Closing, New Topco shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of each of FPAC and the Company and each of the Company Subsidiaries (each, a “D&O Indemnified Party”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred (including the advancing of expenses as incurred) in connection with any Action, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Closing, to the fullest extent that FPAC or the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, as the case may be, would have been permitted under applicable Law and their respective certificates of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents in effect as of the date of this Agreement to indemnify such Person. Without limiting the foregoing, New Topco shall, (i) maintain for a period of not less than six (6) years from the Closing provisions in its certificate of incorporation (if applicable), bylaws and other organizational documents concerning the indemnification and exoneration (including provisions relating to expense advancement) of officers and directors that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions in such certificates of incorporation, bylaws and other organizational documents in effect as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) not amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law.

 

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(b) For a period of six (6) years from the Closing, New Topco shall, or shall cause one or more of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering those Persons who are currently covered by FPAC’s, the Company’s or the Company Subsidiaries’ directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies on terms not less favorable than the terms of such current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies; provided that (i) FPAC or the Company, as applicable, shall cause coverage to be extended under the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies by obtaining a six (6) year “tail” policy on terms not less favorable than the terms of such current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies with respect to claims existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing and (ii) if any claim is asserted or made within such six (6) year period, such insurance shall be continued in respect of such claim until the final disposition thereof. All costs associated with such “tail policies” shall be borne by the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 9.07 shall survive the consummation of the Closing indefinitely and shall be binding, jointly and severally, on New Topco and all successors and assigns of New Topco. In the event that New Topco or any of their respective successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, New Topco shall ensure that proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of New Topco, as the case may be, shall succeed to and assume the obligations set forth in this Section 9.07. The obligations of New Topco under this Section 9.07 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party without such D&O Indemnified Party’s consent.

(d) With respect to any indemnification obligations of New Topco pursuant to this Section 9.07, New Topco shall be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to all indemnification obligations of New Topco pursuant to this Section 9.07 (i.e., its obligations to an applicable D&O Indemnified Party are primary and any obligation of any other Person to advance expenses or to provide indemnification and/or insurance for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such D&O Indemnified Party are secondary) and New Topco irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any such other Person from any and all claims for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof.

9.08 R&W Policy. During the policy period of the R&W Policy, the Company and New Topco shall not, and shall not permit any of their Affiliates to, amend, modify or waive the subrogation provisions of the R&W Policy in a manner that is adverse to the Company Shareholders or any of their Affiliates without the prior written consent of each of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative.

9.09 Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each party shall, on the request of any other party, execute such further documents, and perform such further acts, as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to give full effect to the allocation of rights, benefits, obligations and liabilities contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

9.10 Registration Rights Agreement. At the Closing, New Topco and certain persons who will be shareholders of New Topco after Closing shall have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

ARTICLE X

CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

10.01 Conditions to Obligations of All Parties. The obligations of the parties hereto to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived (if legally permitted) in writing by all of such parties:

(a) Regulatory Approvals. All waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) or approvals under any Antitrust Laws in the jurisdictions listed in Schedule 10.01(a)(i) that are required to be terminated, expired or

 

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been received prior to the Closing shall have terminated, expired or been received and all approvals listed in Schedule 10.01(a)(ii) shall have been obtained, or deemed to have been obtained.

(b) No Prohibition. There shall not have been enacted or promulgated any Governmental Order, Law, statute, rule or regulation enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions.

(c) Amended and Restated Organizational Documents. The articles of association of New Topco shall have been amended and restated in their entirety in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

(d) Form F-4. The Form F-4 shall have become effective in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, no stop order shall have been issued by the SEC which remains in effect with respect to the Form F-4, and no proceeding seeking such a stop order shall have been threatened or initiated by the SEC which remains pending.

(e) NYSE. The New Topco Shares to be issued in connection with the Transactions shall have been approved for listing on NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof.

(f) Stockholder Approval. The FPAC Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained.

(g) Funding Under Financing Agreement. The Company or another member of the Group shall have received or shall receive concurrently with the consummation of the Closing the proceeds of loans under the Financing Agreement in an amount which, together with other funds available to the Company and other members of the Group for the purpose, is sufficient to repay all amounts due under the Credit Facility.

(h) Appointment of the New Topco Board. The individuals set forth on Schedule 9.06 shall have been elected as members of the board of directors of New Topco, unless, with respect to any one or more of such individuals, he or she is unwilling or unable to serve on the board of directors.

10.02 Additional Conditions to Obligations of FPAC. The obligations of FPAC to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by FPAC:

(a) Representations and Warranties.

(i) Each of the representations and warranties (A) of the Company contained in the first sentence of Section 3.01 (Corporate Organization) and Section 3.03 (Due Authorization), (B) of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub contained in Section 4.01 (Organization and Power) and Section 4.02 (Due Authorization) and (C) of the Seller Parties contained in Section 6.01 (Organization and Power) and Section 6.02 (Due Authorization), in each case shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date).

(ii) The representations and warranties (A) of the Company contained in Section 3.06(a) (Capitalization) (except the last sentence of such section), Section 3.21(a) (Absence of Changes), (B) of New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub contained in Section 4.06(a) (Capitalization) and (C) of the Seller Parties contained in Section 6.05 (Shares), in each case shall be true and correct in all respects as of Closing Date, as if made anew at and as of that time.

(iii) The representations and warranties of the Company contained in the last sentence of Section 3.06(a) (Capitalization) shall be true and correct other than de minimis inaccuracies as of Closing Date, as if made anew at and as of that time.

 

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(iv) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties contained in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties of the Company, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub and the Seller Parties described in Section 10.02(a)(i), Section 10.02(a)(ii) and Section 10.02(a)(iii)), shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date), except, in either case, where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of the Seller Parties, the Company, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

(c) No MAE. Subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the Closing, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Officers Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to FPAC a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Section 10.02(a), Section 10.02(b) and Section 10.02(c) have been fulfilled.

10.03 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub. The obligations of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by the GB Shareholders’ Representative:

(a) Representations and Warranties.

(i) Each of the representations and warranties of FPAC contained in the first sentence of Section 5.01 (Corporate Organization) and Section 5.02(a) (Due Authorization) shall be true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, “material adverse effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) in all material respects as of the Closing Date, as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date).

(ii) The representations and warranties of FPAC contained in Section 5.18 (Capitalization) and Section 5.15 (Absence of Changes) shall in each case be true and correct in all respects, as of the Closing Date, as if made anew at and as of that time.

(iii) Each of the representations and warranties of FPAC contained in this Agreement (other than the representations and warranties of FPAC described in Section 10.03(a)(i) and Section 10.03(a)(ii)), shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date as though then made (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, and in such case, shall be true and correct on and as of such earlier date), except, in either case, where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a material adverse effect.

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of FPAC to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

(c) Officers Certificate. FPAC shall have delivered to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of FPAC, dated the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Section 10.03(a) and Section 10.03(b) have been fulfilled.

 

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(d) FIRPTA Certificate. On or before the Closing Date, the FPAC shall provide the Company with a duly executed statement dated as of the Closing Date that certifies, in accordance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3) and Section 1.897-2(h), that the FPAC Common Stock is not a United States real property interest within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code.

(e) PIPE Investments. The PIPE Investment Amount shall be available at the Closing; provided, that, if this condition is waived by the GB Shareholders’ Representative, then, without prejudice to the rights of any party to a PIPE Agreement, the Stock Consideration shall be increased and the Cash Consideration shall be decreased each by an amount equal to (x) the PIPE Investment Amount that was required to be funded by the applicable PIPE Agreement minus (y) the amount, if any, that was actually funded by the relevant PIPE Investor at the closing of the PIPE Investment.

10.04 Frustration of Closing Conditions. None of FPAC, the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this Article X to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such party’s failure to act in good faith or to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Closing to occur, as required by Section 9.01.

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

11.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned, notwithstanding approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of FPAC or US Merger Sub:

(a) by written consent of the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC;

(b) prior to the Closing, by written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative from FPAC if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement, such that the conditions specified in Section 10.02(a) or Section 10.02(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating Company Breach”), except that, if such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco and US Merger Sub through the exercise of its reasonable best efforts, then, for a period of up to thirty (30) days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date FPAC provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by the GB Shareholders’ Representative of notice from FPAC of such breach (the “Company Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Company Breach is not cured within the Company Cure Period or (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before August 31, 2020 (or such later date as agreed to in writing between the GB Shareholders’ Representative and FPAC) (in either case, the “Termination Date”); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.01(b) shall not be available if, at the time of such termination, FPAC is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement such that the conditions specified in Section 10.03(a) or Section 10.03(b) would not have been satisfied;

(c) prior to the Closing, by written notice to FPAC from the GB Shareholders’ Representative if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of FPAC set forth in this Agreement, such that the conditions specified in Section 10.03(a) or Section 10.03(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating FPAC Breach”), except that, if any such Terminating FPAC Breach is curable by FPAC through the exercise of its reasonable best efforts, then, for a period of up to thirty (30) days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date the GB Shareholders’ Representative provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by FPAC of notice from the GB Shareholders’ Representative of such breach (the “FPAC Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating FPAC Breach is not cured within the FPAC

 

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Cure Period or (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before the Termination Date; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.01(c) shall not be available if, at the time of such termination, the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco or US Merger Sub is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement such that the conditions specified in Section 10.02(a), Section 10.02(b) or Section 10.02(c) would not have been satisfied;

(d) by written notice to the GB Shareholders’ Representative from FPAC delivered no later than April 15, 2020, if the PCAOB Financial Statements have not been delivered to FPAC on or prior to March 31, 2020;

(e) by written notice from either the GB Shareholders’ Representative or FPAC to the other if the consummation of the Transactions is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable Governmental Order or a statute, rule or regulation; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.01(e) shall not be available to such party if any action of such party or failure of such party to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before the Termination Date; or

(f) by written notice from either the GB Shareholders’ Representative or FPAC to the other if the FPAC Stockholder Approval is not obtained at the Special Meeting (subject to any adjournment or postponement of the meeting); provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 11.01(f) shall not be available if, at the time of such termination, FPAC is in breach of Section 9.02.

11.02 Effect of Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 11.02, in the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party hereto or its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or stockholders, other than liability of any party hereto for any Willful Breach of this Agreement by such party occurring prior to such termination (subject to Section 7.05). The provisions of Sections 7.05, 9.07, 11.02 and Article XII (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) and the Confidentiality Agreement, and any other Section or Article of this Agreement referenced in the Surviving Provisions, which are required to survive in order to give appropriate effect to the Surviving Provisions, shall in each case survive any termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE XII

MISCELLANEOUS

12.01 Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be waived unless such waiver is in writing and signed by or on behalf of the party or parties granting such waiver. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.

 

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12.02 Notices. All notices and other communications among the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) when delivered by FedEx or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service) or (iv) when e-mailed, addressed as follows:

 

  (a)

If to FPAC, to:

18 West 18th Street

New York, NY 10011

Attn:        Thomas Farley

        David Bonanno

E-mail:    thomas.farley@farpoint.ventures

        david.bonanno@farpoint.ventures

with a copy to:

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

101 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10178-0060

Attn:        R. Alec Dawson

        Robert G. Robison

        Howard A. Kenny

E-mail:    alec.dawson@morganlewis.com

        robert.robison@morganlewis.com

        howard.kenny@morganlewis.com

 

  (b)

If to the Company, Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, New Topco, US

Holdco or US Merger Sub to:

c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

Attention:    Legal Depart

Email:          LegalStaff-UK@silverlake.com

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

c/o Silver Lake Europe LLP

Broadbent House, 65 Grosvenor Street,

London W1K 3LH

Attention:    Legal Depart

Email:          LegalStaff-UK@silverlake.com

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn:         Michael O. Wolfson

E-mail:     MWolfson@stblaw.com

 

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and a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

CityPoint

One Ropemaker Street

London EC2Y 9HU

Attn:        Clare G. Gaskell

E-mail:    CGaskell@stblaw.com

 

  (c)

If to the Management Representative, on behalf of the Management Sellers, to:

Global Blue SA

Route de Crassier 7

1262 Eysins Switzerland

Attn:        Jeremy Henderson-Ross

E-mail:    jhendersonross@globalblue.com

with a copy to:

Baker & McKenzie LLP

100 New Bridge Street

London EC4V 6JA

Attn:        David Allen

E-mail:    david.allen@bakermckenzie.com

and a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn:        Michael O. Wolfson

E-mail:    MWolfson@stblaw.com

and a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

CityPoint

One Ropemaker Street

London EC2Y 9HU

Attn:        Clare G. Gaskell

E-mail:    CGaskell@stblaw.com

or to such other address or addresses as the parties may from time to time designate in writing.

12.03 Assignment. No party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of the terms of this Section 12.03 shall be null and void, ab initio.

12.04 Rights of Third Parties. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing (a) in the event the Closing occurs, the present and former officers and directors of the Company and FPAC (and their successors, heirs and representatives) are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 9.07 and (b) the past, present and future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, members, partners, stockholders, Affiliates, agents, attorneys, advisors and representatives of the parties, and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (and their successors, heirs and representatives), are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 12.14.

 

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12.05 Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement (including Section 9.01 and Section 9.04(a)), each party hereto shall be responsible for and pay their own fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; provided that if the Closing occurs, (a) the FPAC Transaction Expenses shall be paid by New Topco and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries at or promptly following the Closing and (b) the Company Transaction Expenses shall be paid by New Topco and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries at or promptly following the Closing.

12.06 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction.

12.07 Captions; Counterparts. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

12.08 Schedules and Exhibits. Any disclosure made by a party in the Schedules with reference to any section or schedule of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a disclosure with respect to all other sections or schedules to which such disclosure may apply solely to the extent the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure in such Schedule. Certain information set forth in the Schedules is included solely for informational purposes.

12.09 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement), the Transaction Documents and that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2019, between Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C., the Company and FPAC (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the parties hereto or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. No representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, agreements, oral or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement exist between the parties except as expressly set forth or referenced in this Agreement (together with the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement), the Transaction Documents and the Confidentiality Agreement.

12.10 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing executed in the same manner as this Agreement and which makes reference to this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of any of the parties shall not restrict the ability of the board of directors of any of the parties to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.01 or to cause such party to enter into an amendment to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.10.

12.11 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the parties.

12.12 Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. Any Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of

 

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Delaware or, solely if such court declines to exercise jurisdiction, any federal or state court located in New York County, New York, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, agrees that service of process upon such party in any such Action shall be effective if given in accordance with Section 12.02 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Law, and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law, or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action brought pursuant to this Section 12.12. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

12.13 Enforcement.

(a) The parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the parties do not perform their obligations under the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction, specific performance, or other equitable relief, to prevent breaches of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, without proof of damages, prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.01, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement, each of which remedies (including under this Section 12.13) may be pursued simultaneously, and (b) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and without that right, none of the parties would have entered into this Agreement. Each party agrees that it will not oppose the granting of specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at Law or that an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity. The parties acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement or any Transaction Document and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement or any Transaction Document in accordance with this Section 12.13 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such injunction.

(b) Each party further agrees that (i) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 12.13, a party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to such party under this Agreement or any Transaction Document in the event that this Agreement has been terminated or in the event that the remedies provided for in this Section 12.13 are not available or otherwise are not granted, and (ii) nothing set forth in this Section 12.13 shall require any party to institute any action or proceeding for (or limit any party’s right to institute any Action or proceeding for) specific performance under this Section 12.13 prior to or as a condition to exercising any termination right under Section 11.01, nor shall the commencement of any Action or proceeding pursuant to this Section 12.13 or anything set forth in this Section 12.13 restrict or limit any party’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms of Section 11.01 or to pursue any other remedies under this Agreement or any Transaction Document that may be available then or thereafter.

12.14 Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may only be brought against, the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto, and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such party. Except to the extent a named party to this Agreement (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such named party in this Agreement), (a) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent,

 

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attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any named party to this Agreement and (b) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any of the foregoing shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any one or more of the Company, the Seller Parties, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub or FPAC under this Agreement of or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

12.15 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing and (b) this Article  XII. Nothing herein is intended to limit any party’s liability for such party’s Fraud.

12.16 GB Shareholders Representative.

(a) By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, including by way of mutually executed counterparts hereof, each of the Company and its shareholders hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Globetrotter as the GB Shareholders’ Representative and as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of each of the Company and its shareholders with full powers of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of the Company and its shareholders with respect to the performance on behalf of the Company and its shareholders under the terms and provisions hereof and to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents, as the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with any transaction hereunder, which such appointment shall include the full power and authority to:

(i) amend or waive any provision hereof (including any condition to Closing) in any manner that does not differentiate among the Company and its shareholders; and

(ii) to enforce and protect the rights and interests of the Company and its shareholders arising out of or under or in any manner relating to this Agreement and, in connection therewith, to (a) resolve all questions, disputes, conflicts and controversies arising hereunder, (b) employ, obtain and rely upon the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the GB Shareholders’ Representative, in the sole discretion thereof, deems necessary or advisable, (c) assert or institute any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, (d) investigate, defend, contest, litigate and receive process in any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, and (e) settle or compromise any claims asserted under this Agreement.

(b) The appointment of the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any action of the GB Shareholders’ Representative as the act of each of the Company and its shareholders, as applicable, in all matters referred to herein. The GB Shareholders’ Representative shall act for each of the Company and its shareholders on all matters set forth herein in the manner the GB Shareholders’ Representative believes to be in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, collectively, but the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall not be responsible to any of the Company or any of its shareholders for any loss or damage any of the Company or any of its shareholders may suffer by reason of the performance by the GB Shareholders’ Representative of such GB Shareholders’ Representative’s duties hereunder.

(c) Each of the Company and its shareholders hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that the GB Shareholders’ Representative is authorized to act on behalf of the Company and its shareholders notwithstanding any dispute or disagreement among the Company and its shareholders, and that any Person shall be entitled to

 

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rely on any and all action taken by the GB Shareholders Representative hereunder without liability to, or obligation to inquire of, the Company or its shareholders. In the event the GB Shareholders’ Representative resigns or ceases to function in such capacity for any reason whatsoever, then the successor of the GB Shareholders’ Representative shall be the Person, if any, the Company and its shareholders unanimously approve and appoint.

12.17 FPAC Shareholders Representative.

(a) The FPAC Board irrevocably constituted and appointed Thomas Farley as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative and as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of each of FPAC and its shareholders with full powers of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of FPAC and its shareholders with respect to the performance on behalf of FPAC and its shareholders under the terms and provisions hereof and to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents, as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with any transaction hereunder, which such appointment shall include the full power and authority to:

(i) amend or waive any provision hereof (including any condition to Closing) in any manner that does not differentiate among FPAC and its shareholders; and

(ii) to enforce and protect the rights and interests of FPAC and its shareholders arising out of or under or in any manner relating to this Agreement and, in connection therewith, to (a) resolve all questions, disputes, conflicts and controversies arising hereunder, (b) employ, obtain and rely upon the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, in the sole discretion thereof, deems necessary or advisable, (c) assert or institute any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, (d) investigate, defend, contest, litigate and receive process in any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, and (e) settle or compromise any claims asserted under this Agreement.

(b) The appointment of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any action of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative as the act of each of FPAC and its shareholders, as applicable, in all matters referred to herein. The FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall act for each of FPAC and its shareholders on all matters set forth herein in the manner the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative believes to be in the best interest of FPAC and its shareholders, collectively, but the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall not be responsible to any of FPAC or any of its shareholders for any loss or damage any of FPAC or any of its shareholders may suffer by reason of the performance by the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative of such FPAC Shareholders’ Representative’s duties hereunder.

(c) FPAC, as authorized by the FPAC Board and on behalf of FPAC’s shareholders, hereby expressly acknowledges and agrees that the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative is authorized to act on behalf of FPAC and its shareholders notwithstanding any dispute or disagreement among FPAC and its shareholders, and that any Person shall be entitled to rely on any and all action taken by the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative hereunder without liability to, or obligation to inquire of, FPAC or its shareholders. In the event the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative resigns or ceases to function in such capacity for any reason whatsoever, then the successor of the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative shall be the Person, if any, the FPAC Board unanimously approves and appoints.

12.18 Management Representative.

(a) By the execution and delivery of individual power of attorney forms, each of the Management Sellers irrevocably constituted and appointed Jacques Stern as the Management Representative and as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of each of the Management Sellers with full powers of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of each of the Management Sellers with respect to the performance on behalf of the

 

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Management Sellers under the terms and provisions hereof and to do or refrain from doing all such further acts and things, and to execute all such documents, as the Management Sellers shall deem necessary or appropriate in connection with any transaction hereunder, which such appointment shall include the full power and authority to:

(i) amend or waive any provision hereof (including any condition to Closing) in any manner that does not differentiate among the Management Sellers; and

(ii) to enforce and protect the rights and interests of the Management Sellers arising out of or under or in any manner relating to this Agreement and, in connection therewith, to (a) resolve all questions, disputes, conflicts and controversies arising hereunder, (b) employ, obtain and rely upon the advice of legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors as the Management Representative, in his sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable, (c) assert or institute any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, (d) investigate, defend, contest, litigate and receive process in any claim, action, proceeding or investigation, and (e) settle or compromise any claims asserted under this Agreement.

(b) The appointment of the Management Representative shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and any other Person may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry, upon any action of the Management Representative as the act of each of the Management Sellers in all matters referred to herein. The Management Representative shall act for each of the Management Sellers on all matters set forth herein in the manner the Management Representative believes to be in the best interest of the Management Sellers, collectively, but the Management Representative shall not be responsible to any of the Management Sellers for any loss or damage any of the Management Sellers may suffer by reason of the performance by the Management Representative of such Management Representative’s duties hereunder.

(c) Each of the Management Sellers expressly acknowledged and agreed that the Management Representative is authorized to act on behalf of the Management Sellers notwithstanding any dispute or disagreement among the Management Sellers, and that any Person shall be entitled to rely on any and all action taken by the Management Representative hereunder without liability to, or obligation to inquire of, the Management Sellers. In the event the Management Representative resigns or ceases to function in such capacity for any reason whatsoever, then the successor of the Management Representative shall be the Person, if any, the Management Sellers unanimously approve and appoint.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Management Sellers, the Company, New Topco, US Holdco, US Merger Sub, FPAC, the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 hereof, Founder, and the Management Representative have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

SL GLOBETROTTER, L.P., in its capacity as a Seller Party and the GB Shareholders’ Representative
By: SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Joseph Osnoss

  Name: Joseph Osnoss
  Title: Managing Director
GLOBAL BLUE GROUP AG
By:  

/s/ Jacques Stern

  Name: Jacques Stern
  Title: President and CEO
GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG
By:  

/s/ Joseph Osnoss

  Name: Joseph Osnoss
  Title: Director
GLOBAL BLUE US HOLDCO LLC
By: Global Blue Group Holding AG, its managing member
By:  

/s/ Joseph Osnoss

  Name: Joseph Osnoss
  Title: President and Secretary

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

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GLOBAL BLUE US MERGER SUB INC.
By:  

/s/ Joseph Osnoss

  Name: Joseph Osnoss
  Title: President and Secretary
GLOBAL BLUE HOLDING L.P.

By:

  SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Joseph Osnoss

  Name: Joseph Osnoss
  Title: Managing Director
FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Farley

  Name: Thomas W. Farley
  Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
THOMAS W. FARLEY, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Farley

  Name: Thomas W. Farley
FAR POINT LLC, solely for purposes of Sections 2.19 and 8.01
By:   Third Point LLC, investment manager of Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, its managing member
By:  

/s/ Josh Targoff

  Name: Josh Targoff
  Title: COO & General Counsel
JACQUES STERN, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative
By:  

/s/ Jacques Stern

  Name: Jacques Stern

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

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Exhibit A

CONVERSION AGREEMENT

This CONVERSION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of [●] 2020 by and between (i) Global Blue Group Holding AG, a Swiss corporation (the “Company”), (ii) Global Blue Holding LP, an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands and registered in the Cayman Islands General Registry under number 95120 (the “PG Shareholder”), (iii) SL Globetrotter L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands and registered in the Cayman Islands General Registry under number 95120 (the “SL Shareholder” and, together with the PG Shareholder, the “SL/PG Shareholders”) and (iv) the several persons whose names and addresses are set out in each of his/her respective joinder agreements in a form substantively the same as that set out in Schedule 1 (each a “Manager” and, together, the “Managers”, and together with the SL/PG Shareholders, the “Holders”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, following the closing of a merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among, inter alia, the Company and the Seller Parties (as defined therein), entered into on or around the date hereof, the Company will own the business known as ‘Global Blue’ and the Common Shares (as defined below) of the Company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”).

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company will issue certain Common Shares and Series A Preferred Shares (as defined below) to certain shareholders of the Company (including the Holders);

WHEREAS, the Holders may receive a preferred dividend (the “Preferred Dividend”) in accordance with the articles of association of the Company, as amended from time to time (the “Articles”); and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to provide for the issuance and delivery of Common Shares in exchange for Series A Preferred Shares from the Holders in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

WHEREAS, it is the Company’s intention that Series A Preferred Shares acquired by the Company from the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Agreement are subsequently cancelled in accordance with Swiss law.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises and agreements, the parties agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Defined Terms

1.1 Certain capitalized terms are used in this Agreement with the meanings set forth below in this Clause 1:

Affiliate” means with respect to a person (the “First Person”):

 

  (i)

another person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls, or is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the First Person;

 

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  (ii)

a pooled investment vehicle organised by the First Person (or an Affiliate thereof) the investments of which are directed by the First Person (or an Affiliate thereof);

 

  (iii)

a fund organised by the First Person for the benefit of the First Person’s (or any of its Affiliates’) partners, officers or employees or their dependants; or

 

  (iv)

a successor trustee or nominee for, or a successor by reorganisation of, a qualified trust (being a tax advantaged fiduciary relationship between an employer and an employee in which the employee beneficiary may use his life expectancy to determine required minimum distribution amounts),

but shall, where applicable, exclude portfolio companies controlled by funds managed directly or indirectly by Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C. or Partners Group or any of their respective Affiliates.

Articles” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

As-Converted Basis” means a calculation of the Series A Preferred Shares owned by the Holders assuming that all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares that are exchangeable for Common Shares in accordance with the Conversion Ratio pursuant to this Agreement are so exchanged (and, for the avoidance of doubt, without giving effect to any contractual or other limitation on the exchange of such Series A Preferred Shares that may be in effect from time to time).

Business Day” means the days on which commercial banks are generally open for business in both Zurich and in New York.

Closing” means the Closing as defined in the Merger Agreement.

Closing Date” means the date on which Closing actually occurs.

Common Shares” means the registered common shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.01 each of the Company (or any successor of the Company by combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization) and any shares into which any such Common Shares shall have been changed or any shares resulting from any reclassification of any such Common Shares.

Control” means, with respect to a Person (other than an individual) (a) direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the voting securities of such Person, (b) the right to appoint, or cause the appointment of, more than 50% of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person or (c) the right to manage, or direct the management of, on a discretionary basis, the assets of such Person, and, for the avoidance of doubt, a general partner is deemed to Control a limited partnership and, solely for the purposes of this Agreement, a fund advised or managed directly or indirectly by a Person shall also be deemed to be Controlled by such Person (and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing).

Conversion Ratio” means the exchange of Series A Preferred Shares for Common Shares on a one-for-one basis, subject to any adjustments pursuant to Clause 11.

Effective Time” means any of the Put Effective Time, Call Effective Time, Redemption Effective Time and the date of a Call Transfer Notice, as the case may be.

Exchange” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Global Blue Group” means the Company, its group companies and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.

Governmental Entity” shall mean any national, federal, state, or local, domestic or foreign, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, branch, agency or commission or any court, tribunal or judicial body in Switzerland, the United States or elsewhere.

 

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Indebtedness” means (a) the unpaid principal and accrued interest with respect to the indebtedness of the Group for borrowed money (excluding intercompany balances), (b) all obligations of any member of the Group evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar debt instruments and (c) all obligations under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with IFRS, in each case as determined in a manner consistent with the Company Audited Financial Statements (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Indebtedness Ratio” shall mean an amount equal to (i) Indebtedness divided by (ii) EBITDA (as set forth in the most recent audited financial statements of the Company from time to time).

Management Representative” means the person designated as the “Management Representative” in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement.

Management Shareholders Agreement” means the management shareholders agreement dated on or around the date hereof by and among the SL/PG Shareholders, the Managers and the Company.

Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Partners Group” means Partners Group Client Access 5, L.P. Inc., Partners Group Private Equity (Master Fund), LLC, and Partners Group Barrier Reef, L.P..

Person” means any individual, company, corporation, firm, partnership, limited liability company, trust or any other business, entity or person, whether or not recognized as constituting a separate legal entity.

Preferred Dividend” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Preferred Holder Majority” has the meaning set forth in Clause 6.1.

Registration Rights Agreement” means the registration rights agreement dated on or around the date hereof by and among the Company, Global Blue Holding LP, SL Globetrotter, L.P., Far Point LLC, Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P. and Third Point Enhanced L.P..

Series A Preferred Shares” means the registered series A convertible preferred shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.01 each of the Company (or any successor of the Company by combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization) and any share into which any such Series A Preferred Shares shall have been changed or any shares resulting from any reclassification of any such Series A Preferred Shares.

Shareholder Re-Authorization” has the meaning set forth in Clause 4.

Shareholders Agreement” means the shareholders agreement dated on or around the date hereof by and among SL Globetrotter, L.P., Global Blue Holding LP and Far Point LLC (among other Shareholders as defined therein).

Silver Lake” means SL Globetrotter L.P., a limited partnership formed in the Cayman Islands with its registered office at Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Shares are actually traded on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Shares are then traded.

Transfer Notice” means any of the Put Transfer Notice, Call Transfer Notice and the Redemption Notice, as the case may be.

Value” means the value of a security based on its VWAP for the 30 trading days prior to the Effective Time.

 

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VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the daily dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (with “Market” function set to “VWAP”, “Currency” function set to “USD”, and “Period” function set to “Daily”; the resulting VWAP is shown next to the “Average” label).

2. Conditionality

2.1 This Agreement is conditional upon Closing occurring and shall become effective upon Closing and shall thereafter continue to be effective until terminated in accordance with Clause 17.

2.2 If the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms without Closing occurring, this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further effect.

3. Maintenance of Treasury Shares.

The Company agrees that from and after the date of this Agreement it will, subject to all applicable laws and regulations, use reasonable best efforts to take all actions required to maintain and reserve at all times a number of Common Shares in the Company’s treasury (from time to time) (“Treasury Shares”) sufficient from time to time to permit the issuance and delivery of such number of Common Shares as may be required to satisfy the transactions contemplated herein (including the Conversion Ratio from time to time) except to the extent the Company is able to satisfy its obligations hereunder through its existing authorized capital. If there are insufficient Treasury Shares to effect any of the transactions contemplated herein (including the Conversion Ratio from time to time), then the Company undertakes, (i) subject to applicable law (including without limitation the requirements of Art. 659 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations), to acquire Common Shares on the Exchange or (ii) following receipt of a Put Transfer Notice or Call Transfer Notice (as defined below), to cause a subsidiary to subscribe for a sufficient number of newly issued Common Shares at a price of CHF 0.01 per Common Share, in each case only as and when required to be delivered to the converting Holder.

4. Maintenance of Authorized Share Capital.

The Company agrees that from and after the date of this Agreement, to procure that its board of directors will use reasonable best efforts to take all actions required to maintain and reserve at all times sufficient authorized share capital to permit the issuance and delivery of Common Shares in connection with an exchange for all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares pursuant to any Transfer Notice, including by proposing to increase the authorized share capital concurrently with any upward adjustment of the number of Common Shares issuable in connection with a Transfer Notice. In furtherance of the foregoing covenant, and to the extent required taking into account the Treasury Shares, the Company undertakes that its board of directors will timely propose at every second annual general meeting of shareholders (or, if a longer maximum term is permitted by any change in law, at such annual general meeting before the applicable term expires) to renew and/or increase the authorized share capital provision in its Articles for the statutory maximum term, which is currently two years (any such approval by the shareholders, a “Shareholder Re-Authorization”), so that the authorized share capital of the Company is sufficient to satisfy the covenant set forth in the first sentence or, if required, to convene and propose at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to renew and/or increase the authorized share capital provision in its Articles, prior to the expiry of its term, so that the authorized share capital of the Company is sufficient to satisfy the covenant set forth in the first sentence.

5. Grant of Put Option

5.1 Each Holder shall, at least twenty (20) Business Days following and within sixty (60) Business Days following, a Put Transfer Indication (as defined below), have the right (subject to the terms of the Management Shareholders Agreement) to issue a notice to the Company specifying the date and time on which the Put Option (as defined below) is to be exercised (the “Put Transfer Notice”), which shall be a date at least five (5) Business Days after the date on which such Put Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company, or such other date and time as such Holder and the Company may agree (the “Put Effective Time”).

 

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5.2 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company hereby grants each Holder the right to deliver to the Company all or part of its Series A Preferred Shares at any time in a cashless exchange for delivery of Common Shares (the “Put Option”) in accordance with the Conversion Ratio and pursuant to the Put Transfer Notice delivered by such Holder.

5.3 Each Holder shall, at all times, have the right to issue a revocable notice to the Company that it intends to issue a Put Transfer Notice (the “Put Transfer Indication”). The Company shall use the period from (i) receipt of the Put Transfer Indication to (ii) receipt of the Put Transfer Notice, to prepare any actions and steps that may be required to allow it to satisfy an exercise of the Put Option pursuant to a Put Transfer Notice in the timeframes set out in Clause 5.1. There shall be no limit on the number of Put Transfer Indications that a Holder is permitted to issue per calendar year but no such notice shall be issued within 60 Business Days of a previous Put Transfer Indication unless approved by the Company (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

6. Grant of Call Option

6.1 Upon satisfaction of the conditions in Clause 6.2, the Company shall have the right to issue a notice to the Holders specifying the date and time on which the Call Option (as defined below) is to be exercised (the “Call Transfer Notice”), which shall be a date at least twenty (20) days after the date on which such Call Transfer Notice is delivered to the Holders, or such other date and time as the Holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Shares from time to time (the “Preferred Holder Majority”) and the Company may agree (the “Call Effective Time”).

6.2 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Holders hereby grant the Company the right to require the Holders to deliver all or part of their Series A Preferred Shares (pro-rata among all Holders to their then holding of Series A Preferred Shares) in a cashless exchange for delivery of Common Shares (the “Call Option”) in accordance with the Conversion Ratio and pursuant to the Call Transfer Notice delivered by the Company, provided that:

(a) such Holder is not at the Call Effective Time restricted from making a Transfer (as defined in the Shareholders Agreement) pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Shareholders Agreement;

(b) the Call Effective Time is not in a Blackout Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement); and

(c) the Value of the Common Shares at the date of the Call Transfer Notice equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like).

7. Redemption

7.1 Subject to this Agreement and mandatory Swiss law, including without limitation, Article 659 et seq. Swiss Code of Obligations, and provided that (i) no Put Option or Call Option has been exercised in accordance with a Put Transfer Notice or Call Transfer Notice (as applicable) in respect of the relevant Series A Preferred Shares, (ii) there are sufficient capital contribution reserves of the Company so that the payment of the redemption consideration is not a distribution subject to Swiss Federal Withholding Tax (the “Capital Contribution Reserves”) available to effect the redemption (as set out in Clause 7.2 below) (or alternatively, the Company has obtained a tax ruling from the Swiss Federal Tax Authority that the redemption is not a payment or distribution subject to Swiss taxes including but not limited to Swiss Federal Withholding, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Holders of a majority of Series A Preferred Shares, for other reasons including without limitation where Swiss Federal Withholding tax has been abolished), and (iii) the Value of each Series A Preferred Shares on an As-Converted Basis is equal to or greater than $10.00, the Company shall have the right but not the obligation to issue a preliminary notice to the Holders of its potential intention to redeem some or all

 

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of the Series A Preferred Shares (pro-rata among all Holders to their then holding of Series A Preferred Shares) following the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date or, if earlier, upon a change of control of the Company which would result in the Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares receiving an amount equal to or greater than $10.00 per Series A Preferred Share (the “Redemption Transfer Intention”). After thirty (30) calendar days following but within 45 days following the Redemption Transfer Intention, the Company shall have the right to issue an irrevocable notice of its intention to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares which were the subject of the Redemption Transfer Intention (the “Redemption Transfer Notice”) provided the VWAP of the Series A Preferred Shares on an As-Converted Basis on the trading day prior to the Redemption Transfer Notice is equal to or greater than $10.00. The Redemption Transfer Notice shall specify the date and time on which the Redemption (as defined below) is to be completed, which shall be no later than two (2) Business Days following the date of the Redemption Transfer Notice (the “Redemption Effective Time”). There shall be no limit on the number of Redemption Transfer Intentions that the Company is permitted to issue per calendar year but no such notice shall be issued within 60 Business Days of a previous Redemption Transfer Intention unless approved by the Preferred Holder Majority (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

7.2 Following issue of a valid Redemption Transfer Notice in accordance with Clause 7.1, the Company may redeem some or all of the Series A Preferred Shares (pro-rata among all Holders) (the “Redemption”) at the Redemption Effective Time for the VWAP of the Series A Preferred Shares on an As-Converted Basis on the trading day prior to the Redemption Effective Time on an As-Converted Basis, payable in cash or Common Shares (at the Company’s election) (such amount being the “Redemption Amount”).

7.3 If the conditions in Clause 7.1(i) are satisfied but Clause 7.1(ii) is not satisfied because there are insufficient Capital Contribution Reserves to effect the Redemption (but all other mandatory Swiss law requirements, including Article 659 et seq. Swiss Code of Obligations, are complied with), the Company shall still have the right to issue a Redemption Transfer Notice specifying the Redemption Effective Time, which shall in this case be a date at least forty (40) calendar days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Holders or such other date and time as the Preferred Holder Majority and the Company may agree. Such Redemption Transfer Notice shall also provide each Holder with the right to exercise the Put Option (in substitution for the Redemption, which would no longer occur), provided that such Holder delivers a Put Transfer Notice in accordance with Clause 5.1 above and so long as the Put Transfer Notice is delivered to the Company on a date at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the Redemption Effective Time.

8. Transfer Procedures.

8.1 Issuance and Delivery of Common Shares.

(a) If the Holder(s) and/or a Preferred Holder Majority (as applicable) validly deliver a Transfer Notice to the Company or the Company validly delivers a Transfer Notice to the Holder(s), and the Holder(s) surrender to the Company on or before the Effective Time the Series A Preferred Shares subject to such Transfer Notice, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered immediately following the Effective Time to the Holder(s) certificates (or book-entry shares) representing Common Shares in respect to the Series A Preferred Shares subject to such Transfer Notice.

(a) From and after the Effective Time, the relevant Holders shall cease to be entitled to any rights or privileges attached to the Series A Preferred Shares that are subject to the relevant Transfer Notice. The Company shall hold such Series A Preferred Shares in treasury, propose at the next ordinary general meeting of shareholders their cancellation and implement such resolution in accordance with Swiss law.

8.2 Conditions.

(a) The obligations of the relevant Holder to consummate the transactions at the Effective Time shall be subject to the satisfaction at the Effective Time of the following condition, which may be waived, in writing,

 

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exclusively by the Preferred Holder Majority or such Holder (as applicable): the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of (i) the Closing Date, as if made on and as of the Closing Date, and (ii) the Effective Time, as if made on and as of the Effective Time.

(b) The obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions at the Effective Time shall be subject to the satisfaction at the Effective Time of the following conditions, which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by the Company: the representations and warranties of the relevant Holder contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Effective Time, as if made on and as of the Effective Time.

9. Representations and Warranties of the Company.

9.1 The Company represents and warrants to the Holder as of the Closing Date and the Effective Time as follows:

(a) Organization and Qualification. The Company is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of Switzerland.

(b) Power and Authority. As of the date hereof, the Company has the power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out the terms of this Agreement provided for herein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action and are not prohibited by the organizational instruments of the Company.

(c) Binding Obligation. This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

(d) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement does not and will not: (i) violate any provision of law applicable to the Company, the organizational documents of the Company, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on the Company; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any contract or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its respective property is bound; (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company; or (iv) require any approval or consent of the Company under any contract or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company or its respective property is bound.

10. Representations and Warranties of the Holder.

10.1 Each Holder represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Effective Time as follows with respect to itself only:

(a) Organization and Qualification. The Holder, where not a natural person, is duly organized and in good standing under the laws of its place of establishment.

(b) Power and Authority. As of the date hereof, the Holder has the power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out the terms of this Agreement provided for herein, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary action and, where the Holder is not a natural person, are not prohibited by the organizational instruments of the Holder.

(c) Binding Obligation. This Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute the valid and legally binding obligation of the Holder, enforceable against the holder in accordance with its terms, as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

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(d) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the Holder of this Agreement does not and will not: (i) violate any provision of law applicable to the Holder, any organizational documents of the Holder, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on the Company; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any contract or agreement to which the Holder is a party or by which the Holder or its respective property is bound; (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Holder; or (iv) require any approval or consent of the Holder under any contract or agreement to which the Holder is a party or by which the Holder or its respective property is bound.

(e) No Encumbrance: the Holder has not (i) granted to any Person (other than an Affiliate) any option, warrant or other rights to purchase or subscribe for any of such Series A Preferred Shares; or (ii) otherwise entered into any contract, commitment, agreement, understandings or arrangements providing for the sale or transfer of any of such Series A Preferred Shares, excluding in each case any arrangement that may be disclosed in a pending Transfer Notice. Subject to any rights of any proposed transferee referenced in a pending Transfer Notice, each Holder has good and marketable title to the Series A Preferred Shares, free and clear of any and all liens.

11. Anti-dilution

11.1 If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Clause 13.3 below, the number of outstanding Common Shares is increased by a split-up of Common Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such split-up or similar event, the number of Common Shares issuable on the exchange of each Series A Preferred Share shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding Common Shares.

11.2 If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Clause 13.3 hereof, the number of outstanding Common Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse share split or reclassification of Common Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse share split, reclassification or similar event, the number of Common Shares issuable on the exchange of each Series A Preferred Share shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Common Shares.

11.3 If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this Agreement, a Holder would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Series A Preferred Share, to receive a fractional interest in a Common Share, the Company shall, upon such exchange, round to the nearest whole number for the number of Common Shares to be issued to such Holder.

12. Class Consent

If the Company intends to incur or increase Indebtedness and: (i) such Indebtedness would result in the Indebtedness Ratio being greater than five (5); and (ii) at the time of the proposed increase of such Indebtedness there would be at least EUR €25,000,000 of Series A Preferred Shares (based on a value of $10.00 per Series A Preferred Share and the average of the spot exchange rate as at 5:00 pm, New York time, on the five (5) Business Days ending five (5) Business Days before the Closing Date, as published by Bloomberg) outstanding, the proposed increase will require the prior written approval of the Preferred Holder Majority prior to such increase.

13. Waiver of right to board representative.

Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the Articles do not provide for a board representative of holders of Series A Preferred Shares, and hereby waives the right for such board representative solely as a result of its holding of Series A Preferred Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall have the effect of limiting or waiving any right that a Holder may have to nominate a board representative under any other agreement, arrangement or otherwise.

 

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14. Registration and Voting Limitations.

Each Holder acknowledges that the Common Shares to be delivered to any Holder under this Agreement will be subject to Swiss law and the Articles as in effect from time to time including the generally applicable shareholder registration and voting limitations as may be set out in the Articles from time to time.

15. Assignment.

The Holders may transfer Series A Preferred Shares and assign their rights under this Agreement, subject only to the Articles and conditional upon to such transferee or assignee executing a Joinder Agreement in the form attached as Schedule 2 on or prior to such transfer.

16. Termination of Agreement.

This Agreement shall be terminated upon mutual written agreement of hereto or when no Series A Preferred Shares are held by any Holder provided that nothing herein shall relieve any party hereto from any liability or damages resulting from any breach of its obligations under this Agreement prior to termination. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Clauses 16 to 25.1(a) (inclusive) shall survive any termination of any provisions of this Agreement.

17. No Waiver of Rights.

No delay or failure on the part of the Company or any Holder, to exercise any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right, or be deemed to establish a custom or course of dealing or performance between the parties hereto. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. No notice to or demand on the Company or any Holder in any case shall entitle such Person to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstance.

18. Fees and Expenses.

Any applicable Swiss Securities Transfer Tax (Umsatzabgabe) shall be paid and borne by the Company.

19. Modification.

The terms of this Agreement may be waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the party (which, in the case of any Manager, may be executed and delivered by the Management Representative) against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. No amendment, modification, waiver or other change of any of the terms of this Agreement shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Company and the SL/PG Shareholders (and, if the amendment or modification would have a material and disproportionate adverse effect on the Managers, then such instrument in writing shall be signed by the Management Representative as well).

20. Severability.

In the event that any part of this Agreement is declared by any court or other judicial or administrative body to be null, void or unenforceable, said provision shall survive to the extent it is not so declared, and all of the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect only if, after excluding the portion deemed to be unenforceable, the remaining terms shall provide for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby in substantially the same manner as originally set forth at the later of the date this Agreement was executed or last amended.

 

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21. Notices.

All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) when delivered personally, (b) when sent by reputable overnight courier service or (c) when telecopied or emailed (which is confirmed by copy sent within one business day by a reputable overnight courier service) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

If to the Company:

Jeremy Henderson-Ross

General Counsel

Global Blue Group AG

Route de Crassier 7

1262 Eysins

Switzerland

If to the SL Shareholder:

c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

Attention: Legal Depart.

Email: LegalStaff-UK@silverlake.com

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

c/o Silver Lake Europe LLP

Broadbent House, 65 Grosvenor Street,

London W1K 3LH

Attention: Legal Depart.

Email: LegalStaff-UK@silverlake.com

and

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Citypoint, One Ropemaker Street

London EC2Y 9HU

Attention: Clare Gaskell

Email: cgaskell@stblaw.com

If to the PG Shareholder:

c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited

PO Box 309, Ugland House

Grand Cayman, KY1-1104

Cayman Islands

Email: pgadmin@partnersgroup.com

If to any Manager:

such notice shall be addressed or sent to the relevant

Manager at the address set out in his/her Joinder Agreement,

or to such other address or to such other Person as any party shall have last designated by such notice to the other parties.

22. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of

 

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Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction.

Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its conclusion, existence, validity, invalidity, breach, amendment or termination (each, a “Dispute”), shall be finally resolved by arbitration under Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) in force at the time of such submission (the “Rules”). The Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Agreement except: (i) that any provision of such Rules relating to the appointment of an emergency arbitrator shall be excluded in its entirety; and (ii) as may be agreed by the Parties.

The number of arbitrators shall be three. The Claimant(s) shall nominate one arbitrator in the Request for Arbitration. The Respondent(s) shall nominate one arbitrator in the Answer to the Request. The two party-nominated arbitrators will then attempt to agree for a period of 30 days, in consultation with the parties to the arbitration, upon the nomination of a third arbitrator to act as president of the tribunal, barring which the International Court of Arbitration of the ICC shall select the third arbitrator (or any arbitrator that Claimant(s) or Respondent(s) shall fail to nominate in accordance with the foregoing).

The seat of arbitration shall be Zurich, Switzerland. The language of the arbitration shall be English.

The arbitral proceedings shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 12 of the Swiss Private International Act, to the exclusion of the Third Part of the Swiss Code of Civil Procedure.

The Parties shall maintain strict confidentiality with respect to all aspects of the arbitration and shall not disclose the existence of the arbitration, the arbitral proceedings, the submissions or the decisions made by the arbitral tribunal, including its awards to any non-parties or non-participants without the prior written consent of all parties to the arbitration, except to the extent: (i) required by law and applicable internal reporting requirements; or (ii) necessary to recognize, confirm or enforce the final award in the arbitration.

The Parties hereby agree that, in the event of a dispute relating to any matter contained both in this Agreement and in the Articles, the provisions of this Agreement will prevail and, in particular, the provisions of this Clause 22 shall take precedence over the dispute resolution provisions in the Articles.

23. Remedies; Specific Performance.

The parties to this Agreement agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed by the Company in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that prior to the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Clause 17, the Company will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any competent court of jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

24. No Recourse.

This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or cause of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the parties that are expressly identified as parties hereto and no other past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, general or limited partner, shareholder, controlling person, fiduciary, agent, attorney or representative of any party hereto, or any other past, present or future Affiliate, director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, general or limited partner, shareholder, controlling person, fiduciary, agent, attorney or representative of any of the foregoing shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party (other than a Manager) shall be entitled to enforce this clause against any other party on behalf of a person referred to in this clause.

 

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25. Accounting Treatment

The parties hereby agree that, as of the date hereof, the intention is for the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement to enable the instrument to be characterized as an equity instrument in the Company’s accounts.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

By:

                                                                                             
Name:  
Title:  

 

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GLOBAL BLUE HOLDING LP
By its general partner:
SL GLOBETROTTER GP, LTD
By:                                                                                              
Name:  
Title:  

 

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Schedule 1

FORM OF JOINDER AGREEMENT

The undersigned is executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement pursuant to that certain Conversion Agreement, dated as of [●] 2020 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Conversion Agreement”) by and between (i) Global Blue Group Holding AG, a Swiss corporation (the “Company”), (ii) Global Blue Holding LP, an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands and registered in the Cayman Islands General Registry under number 95120 (the “PG Shareholder”), (iii) SL Globetrotter L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, having its registered office at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands and registered in the Cayman Islands General Registry under number 95120 (the “SL Shareholder” and, together with the PG Shareholder, the “SL/PG Shareholders”) and (iv) the several persons whose names and addresses are set out in each of his/her respective Joinder Agreements (each a “Manager” and, together, the “Managers”, and together with the SL/PG Shareholders, the “Holders”), and any other Persons who become a party thereto in accordance with the terms thereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Joinder Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Conversion Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder Agreement to the Conversion Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Conversion Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to the undersigned’s becoming the beneficial owner and/or transferee of certain Series A Preferred Shares, to become a party as a “Holder” and to be bound by and comply with the provisions of, the Conversion Agreement applicable to the such assigning Holder, in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Conversion Agreement.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that Clauses 16 to (a) of the Conversion Agreement is incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis.

Accordingly, Jacques Stern as duly appointed attorney of [MANAGER] has executed and delivered this Joinder Agreement as of                      2020

 

 

(Signature)  
Address:                                                                            
                                                                           
                                                                           

Email address:

                                                                           

 

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Exhibit B

Delivery of Per Share Merger Consideration – Step Plan

 

1.

Extraordinary General Meeting of New Topco to resolve in the presence of a notary to increase the share capital of New Topco (ordinary capital increase) by issuing to the Exchange Agent new registered shares of CHF 0.01 nominal value each in an amount equal to Per Share Merger Consideration payable in respect of the FPAC Common Shares (in this Exhibit B, the “New Topco Shares”);

 

2.

The Exchange Agent (acting in its name but for the account of the holders of the FPAC Shares) signs the subscription form for the New Topco Shares.

 

3.

The Merger Effective Time occurs and FPAC becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of US Holdco by operation of Delaware law and the Agreement.

 

4.

Exchange Agent to receive new membership interests in US Holdco and become a member of US Holdco (“New US Holdco Interests”). These New US Holdco Interests will be contributed to New Topco for the New Topco Shares.

 

5.

Exchange Agent (acting in its name but for the account of the holders of the FPAC Common Shares) enters into a contribution in kind agreement as required under Swiss law with New Topco regarding issuance of the New Topco Shares against contribution in kind of the New US Holdco Interests.

 

6.

Exchange Agent (acting in its name but for the account of the holders of the FPAC Shares) transfers title and ownership in the New US Holdco Interests to New TopCo and New Topco becomes the holder of such New US Holdco Interests.

 

7.

The board of directors of New Topco shall issue the report regarding the capital increase as required under Swiss law.

 

8.

The auditor of New Topco shall issue its verification report to New Topco as required under Swiss law.

 

9.

The board of directors of New Topco shall take the resolutions on the ascertainment and the execution of the capital increase, as well as the corresponding amendments to New Topco’s Articles of Association in the presence of a notary as required under Swiss law.

 

10.

Immediately upon completion of the above steps, New Topco shall file the duly signed application (incl. enclosures) regarding the capital increase with the commercial register.

 

11.

New Topco shall as soon as the capital increase is approved by and registered with the commercial register deliver the New Topco Shares to the Exchange Agent for delivery in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

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Exhibit C

 

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

Dated as of [●], 2020

 

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I REGISTRATION

     A-106  

1.1.

  Demand Registrations      A-106  

1.2.

  Piggyback Registrations      A-108  

1.3.

  Shelf Registration Statement      A-110  

1.4.

  Withdrawal Rights      A-112  

1.5.

  Underwriter Lock-up Agreements      A-112  

1.6.

  Registration Procedures      A-113  

1.7.

  Registration Expenses      A-117  

1.8.

  Miscellaneous      A-117  

1.9.

  Registration Indemnification      A-118  

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS

     A-120  

2.1.

  Defined Terms      A-120  

2.2.

  Interpretation      A-123  

ARTICLE III MISCELLANEOUS

     A-124  

3.1.

  Term      A-124  

3.2.

  Notices      A-124  

3.3.

  Amendments and Waivers      A-124  

3.4.

  Successors and Assigns and Transferees      A-124  

3.5.

  Severability      A-125  

3.6.

  Counterparts      A-125  

3.7.

  Entire Agreement      A-125  

3.8.

  APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION OF DISPUTES      A-125  

3.9.

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      A-126  

3.10.

  Specific Performance      A-126  

3.11.

  No Third Party Beneficiaries      A-126  

3.12.

  No Recourse      A-126  

3.13.

  Other Agreements      A-126  

3.14.

  Other Registration Rights      A-127  

 

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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of [●], 2020 (this “Agreement”), among (i) Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in [Wangen-Brüttisellen, Switzerland] (the “Company”), (ii) Global Blue Holding LP, an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“GB Holding”), (iii) SL Globetrotter, L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Globetrotter”), (iv) Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Far Point”), (v) Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Third Point Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Third Point Enhanced L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands, Third Point Ventures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (collectively, “Third Point”), and each of the persons whose name appears on the signature pages hereto or becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.4.

R E C I T A L S:

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in Article II of this Agreement.

WHEREAS, this Agreement is being entered into in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January [●], 2020, by and among the Company, Fair Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Globetrotter, and the other parties thereto (the “Merger Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to grant the other parties hereto registration rights in respect of the ordinary shares, nominal value CHF 0.01 per share (the “Company Ordinary Shares”), warrants to acquire Company Ordinary Shares (the “Warrants”) and [insert title per New Topco articles] (the “Convertible Preferred Shares” and, together with the Company Ordinary Shares and the Warrants, the “Company Shares”) of the Company held by them, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

REGISTRATION

1.1. Demand Registrations.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, solely if the Company has failed to file the Shelf Registration Statement or maintain its effectiveness as provided in Section 1.3, any Demand Shareholders (“Requesting Shareholders”) shall be entitled to make written requests of the Company (each, a “Demand”) for registration under the Securities Act of an amount of Registrable Securities then held by such Requesting Shareholders (such amount, in the case where SL Sponsor is a Requesting Shareholder, to include a number of Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent determined pursuant to the Management Shareholders Agreement) that equals or is greater than the Registrable Amount (a “Demand Registration”). Thereupon the Company will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, use its reasonable best efforts to effect the registration as promptly as practicable under the Securities Act of:

(i) the Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register by the Requesting Shareholders for disposition in accordance with the intended method of disposition stated in such Demand;

 

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(ii) all other Registrable Securities which the Company has been requested to register pursuant to Section 1.1(b), but subject to Section 1.1(h); and

(iii) all Company Shares which the Company may elect to register in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.1, but subject to Section 1.1(h),

all to the extent necessary to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended methods thereof) of the Registrable Securities and the additional Company Shares, if any, to be so registered.

(b) A Demand shall specify (i) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such Demand Registration, (ii) the intended method of disposition in connection with such Demand Registration, to the extent then known and (iii) the identity of the Requesting Shareholder(s). Within three (3) Business Days after receipt of a Demand, the Company shall give written notice of such Demand to all Other Holders of Registrable Securities. The Company shall include (but only on a pro rata basis among the Requesting Shareholder and the Other Holders that have requested to participate in such Demand Registration based upon the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Requesting Shareholder and Other Holders) in the Demand Registration covered by such Demand all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein from the Other Holders thereof within five (5) days after the Company’s notice required by this paragraph has been given, subject to Section 1.1(h). Each such written request shall comply with the requirements of a Demand as set forth in this Section 1.1(b).

(c) During each fiscal year of the Company, SL Sponsor shall have the right to request up to nine (9) Demand Registrations and/or deliver Take-Down Notices pursuant to Section 1.3, in the aggregate, and FP/TP Sponsor shall have the right to request up to three (3) Demand Registrations and/or deliver Take-Down Notices pursuant to Section 1.3, in the aggregate (of which only two (2) Take-Down Notices may be for Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offerings). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the FP/TP Sponsor shall not be entitled to request a Demand Registration, deliver a Take-Down Notice or a Piggyback Notice or sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement, at any time when the SL Sponsor is restricted from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to Clause 6.2 or Clause 6.9 of the Management Shareholders Agreement; provided, however, that this sentence shall not be applicable in so far as it relates to Clause 6.9 of the Management Shareholders Agreement if the FP/TP Sponsor (or Far Point or Third Point individually if it is requesting a Demand Registration, delivering a Take-Down Notice or otherwise selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement that in each case would not involve sales by the other) does not possess material nonpublic information with respect to the Company or its securities and has no representative on the Company Board. A Demand Registration shall not be deemed to have been effected and shall not count as a Demand Registration (A) unless a registration statement with respect thereto has become effective and has remained effective for a period of at least one hundred eighty (180) days or such shorter period in which all Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration have actually been sold thereunder (provided that such period shall be extended for a period of time equal to the period the Holder of Registrable Securities refrains from selling any securities included in such registration statement at the request of the Company or the lead managing underwriter(s) pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement) or (B) if, after it has become effective, such Demand Registration becomes subject, prior to one hundred eighty (180) days after effectiveness, to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other Governmental Authority, other than by reason of any act or omission by the applicable Selling Stockholders.

(d) Demand Registrations shall be on Form F-1 or Form F-3 if the Company is eligible under Applicable Law to register Registrable Securities on Form F-3 or, if the Company reasonably believes another registration form of the Commission would be more appropriate, such other appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall be selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Requesting Shareholders.

(e) The Company shall not be obligated to (i) subject to Section 1.1(c), maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Act filed pursuant to a Demand Registration for a period longer than

 

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one hundred eighty (180) days or (ii) effect any Demand Registration (A) within forty-five (45) days of a “firm commitment” Underwritten Offering in which all Demand Shareholders were offered “piggyback” rights pursuant to Section 1.2 (subject to Section 1.2(b)) and at least 90% of the number of Registrable Securities requested by such Demand Shareholders to be included in such Underwritten Offering were included and sold or (B) during the first year after the Closing Date, within three (3) months of the completion of any other Demand Registration.

(f) The Company shall be entitled to postpone (upon written notice to the Requesting Shareholders and any Other Holders whose Registrable Securities are covered by such Demand pursuant to Section 1.1(b)) the filing or the effectiveness of a registration statement for any Demand Registration in the event of a Blackout Period until the expiration of the applicable Blackout Period. In the event of a Blackout Period, the Company shall deliver to the Requesting Shareholders requesting registration and any Other Holders whose Registrable Securities are covered by such Demand pursuant to Section 1.1(b) a certificate signed by either the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company certifying that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the conditions described in the definition of Blackout Period are met.

(g) If the Majority in Interest of the Requesting Shareholders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Requesting Shareholder or Other Holders that have requested to include Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Requesting Shareholder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Requesting Shareholder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein (for the avoidance of doubt, in the event that SL Sponsor acts as Requesting Shareholder on behalf of the Escrow Agent, including the Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent and included in the Underwritten Offering in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement). All such Requesting Shareholders and Other Holders (including the Escrow Agent and, if required, Management Shareholders) proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this Section 1.1(g) shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 1.1(i).

(h) If, in connection with a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering that involves an Underwritten Offering, the lead managing underwriter(s) advise(s) the Company that, in its (their) opinion, the inclusion of all of the securities sought to be registered in connection with such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering would adversely affect the success thereof, then the Company shall include in such registration statement only such securities as the Company is advised by such lead managing underwriter(s) can be sold without such adverse effect as follows and in the following order of priority: (i) first pro rata among the Holders that have requested to participate in such Demand Registration or Shelf Offering based on the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Holder (including, in the event that SL Sponsor has included Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent, such Registrable Shares, as if they were held by SL Sponsor); (ii) second, other securities of the Company duly requested to be included in such registration statement by other persons, pro rata on the basis of the amount of such other securities requested to be included or such other allocation method determined by the Company; and (iii) third, securities the Company proposes to sell.

(i) Any time that a Demand Registration or Shelf Offering involves an Underwritten Offering, the Majority in Interest of the Requesting Shareholders shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) that will serve as managing underwriters (including which of such managing underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead) and underwriters and their respective economics with respect to the offering of such Registrable Securities; provided that such investment banker(s) and manager(s) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

1.2. Piggyback Registrations.

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, whenever the Company proposes to register any Company Ordinary Shares under the Securities Act for its own account or for the account of other persons who are not

 

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Demand Shareholders (other than the PIPE Registration Statement or a registration by the Company (i) on Form F-4 or any successor form thereto, (ii) on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto, or (iii) pursuant to Section 1.1) (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company shall give all Holders prompt written notice thereof (but not less than ten (10) days prior to the filing by the Company with the Commission of any registration statement with respect thereto). Such notice (a “Piggyback Notice”) shall specify the number of Company Shares proposed to be registered, the proposed date of filing of such registration statement with the Commission, the proposed means of distribution, the proposed managing underwriter(s) (if any) and a good faith estimate by the Company of the proposed minimum offering price of such Company Ordinary Shares, in each case to the extent then known. Subject to Sections 1.1 (b) and 1.2(b), the Company shall include in each such Piggyback Registration all Registrable Securities held by Holders (a “Piggyback Seller”) with respect to which the Company has received written requests (which written requests shall specify the number of Registrable Securities requested to be disposed of by such Piggyback Seller) for inclusion therein within ten (10) days after such Piggyback Notice is received by such Piggyback Seller.

(b) If, in connection with a Piggyback Registration that involves an Underwritten Offering, the lead managing underwriter(s) advises the Company that, in its opinion, the inclusion of all the Company Ordinary Shares sought to be included in such Piggyback Registration by (i) the Company, (ii) other Persons who have sought to have Company Ordinary Shares registered in such Piggyback Registration pursuant to rights to demand (other than pursuant to so-called “piggyback” or other incidental or participation registration rights) such registration pursuant to agreements entered into by the Company in accordance with Section 3.14 (such Persons, if any, being “Other Demanding Sellers”), (iii) the Piggyback Sellers and (iv) any other proposed sellers of Company Ordinary Shares (such Persons being “Other Proposed Sellers”), as the case may be, would adversely affect the success thereof, then the Company shall include in the registration statement applicable to such Piggyback Registration only such Company Ordinary Shares as the Company is so advised by such lead managing underwriter(s) can be sold without such an effect, as follows and in the following order of priority:

(i) if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of Company Ordinary Shares to be sold by the Company as the Company, in its reasonable judgment and acting in good faith and in accordance with sound financial practice, shall have determined, (B) second, Registrable Securities of Piggyback Sellers, pro rata based on the number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Piggyback Seller (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Shares held by the Escrow Agent and included with SL Sponsor’s Registrable Shares as if they were held by SL Sponsor), (C) third, Company Ordinary Shares sought to be registered by Other Demanding Sellers, pro rata on the basis of the number of Company Ordinary Shares proposed to be sold by such Other Demanding Sellers and (D) fourth, other Company Ordinary Shares proposed to be sold by any Other Proposed Sellers; or

(ii) if the Piggyback Registration relates to an offering other than for the Company’s own account, then (A) first, such number of Company Ordinary Shares sought to be registered by each Other Demanding Seller and Piggyback Seller pro rata based on the number of Registrable Shares then held by all such Other Demanding Sellers and Piggyback Sellers (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Shares held by the Escrow Agent and included with SL Sponsor’s Registrable Shares as if they were held by SL Sponsor), (B) second, Company Ordinary Shares to be sold by the Company and (C) third, other Company Ordinary Shares proposed to be sold by any Other Proposed Sellers.

(c) For clarity, in connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Section 1.2 that is initiated by the Company, the Company shall not be required to include the Registrable Securities of a Piggyback Seller in the Underwritten Offering unless such Piggyback Seller accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s); in connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Section 1.2 that is not initiated by the Company, the Company shall not be required to include the Registrable Securities of a Piggyback Seller in the Underwritten Offering unless such Piggyback Seller accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Majority in Interest of the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in such offering and the lead managing underwriter(s).

 

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(d) If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any Company Ordinary Shares as set forth in this Section 1.2 and prior to the time the registration statement filed in connection with such Piggyback Registration is declared effective, the Company shall determine for any reason not to register such Company Ordinary Shares, the Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Piggyback Sellers within five (5) Business Days thereof and thereupon shall be relieved of its obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such particular withdrawn or abandoned Piggyback Registration; provided that Demand Shareholders may continue the registration as a Demand Registration pursuant to the terms of Section 1.1.

(e) Any time that a Piggyback Registration involves an Underwritten Offering that is initiated by the Company, the Company shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) that will serve as managing underwriters (including which of such managing underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead) and underwriters with respect to the offering of such Registrable Securities and their respective economics; in the event that a Piggyback Registration involves an Underwritten Offering that is not initiated by the Company, the Majority in Interest of the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in such offering shall select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) that will serve as managing underwriters (including which of such managing underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead) and underwriters with respect to the offering of such Registrable Securities and their respective economics; provided that such investment banker(s) and manager(s) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

1.3. Shelf Registration Statement.

(a) Promptly, but in any event within forty-five (45) days from the date hereof, the Company shall file a registration statement on Form F-1 or any successor form thereto to register all of the Registrable Securities of the Holders (which registration statement shall be amended, converted or replaced, as provided in the following sentence, with a registration statement on Form F-3 or any successor form thereto (“Form F-3”)) providing for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the “Shelf Registration Statement”); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to delay the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement until such time as any financial statements required by Applicable Law are available for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be amended and/or converted to, or replaced with, a registration on Form F-3 as promptly as reasonably practicable after the Company becomes eligible to use Form F-3 under Applicable Law. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after such filing date, the Shelf Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale, from time to time, of an amount of Registrable Securities then held and specified by such Demand Shareholders (and including Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent) that equals or is greater than the Registrable Amount and including a plan and method of distribution substantially in the form of Exhibit A or as otherwise specified.

(b) Subject to Section 1.3(c), the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to keep a Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold thereunder in accordance with the plan and method of distribution disclosed in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement, or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities; and (ii) the date on which this Agreement terminates pursuant to Section 3.1.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, from time to time, by providing written notice to the Holders whose Registrable Securities are registered under the Shelf Registration Statement, to require such Holders to suspend the use of the prospectus for sales of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement during any Blackout Period. In the event of a Blackout Period, the Company shall deliver to such Holders a certificate signed by either the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Company certifying that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, the conditions described in the definition of Blackout Period are met. After the expiration of any Blackout Period, the Company shall deliver a notice of such expiration to Holders of Registrable Securities and without

 

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any further request from a Holder of Registrable Securities, the Company to the extent necessary shall as promptly as reasonably practicable prepare a post-effective amendment or supplement to the Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus, or any document incorporated therein by reference, or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities included therein, the prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) If one or more Demand Shareholders deliver a notice to the Company (a “Take-Down Notice”) stating that such Demand Shareholder(s) intend to sell at least a Registrable Amount of Registrable Securities on the Shelf Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering (a “Shelf Offering”), the Company shall promptly, and in a manner reasonably agreed with such Demand Shareholder(s) amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be distributed pursuant to the Shelf Offering. The Demand Shareholders shall have the right to request the number of Shelf Offerings provided for in Section 1.1(c). In connection with any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering and where the plan of distribution set forth in the applicable Take-Down Notice includes a customary “road show” (including an “electronic road show”) or other substantial marketing effort by the Company and the underwriters (a “Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering”), unless the Take-Down Notice is executed by or on behalf of all the Demand Shareholders (even if all the Demand Shareholders are not participating in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering), the Company shall forward the Take-Down Notice to all other Demand Shareholders whose Registrable Securities are included on the Shelf Registration Statement and the Company and such proposing Demand Shareholder(s) shall permit each such other Demand Shareholder to include (but only on a pro rata basis with the proposing Demand Shareholder based on the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Demand Shareholder) its Registrable Securities (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent in an amount determined in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement) included on the Shelf Registration Statement in the Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering if such other Demand Shareholder notifies the proposing Demand Shareholder(s) and the Company within two (2) days after delivery of the Take-Down Notice to such other Demand Shareholder.

In connection with any Shelf Offering that is an Underwritten Offering but is not a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering (a “Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering”), the Company shall forward the Take-Down Notice to all other Demand Shareholders whose Registrable Securities are included on the Shelf Registration Statement and the Company and such proposing Demand Shareholder(s) shall permit each such other Demand Shareholder to include (but only on a pro rata basis with the proposing Demand Shareholder based on the relative number of Registrable Shares then held by each such Demand Shareholder) its Registrable Securities (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent in an amount determined in accordance with the Management Shareholders Agreement) included on the Shelf Registration Statement in the Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering if such other Demand Shareholder notifies the proposing Demand Shareholder(s) and the Company within 24 hours of receiving the Take-Down Notice.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, no Other Holders (except the Escrow Agent on behalf of the Management Shareholders as provided herein and, for the avoidance of doubt, except a non-proposing Demand Shareholder in accordance with Section 1.1(e)) will be entitled to participate in Shelf Offerings unless SL Sponsor determines otherwise in a written notice delivered to the Company and such Other Holders (in which case such Other Holders shall be treated the same as a non-proposing Demand Shareholder with respect to such Shelf Offerings).

(f) For the avoidance of doubt, any Shelf Offering will be subject to Sections 1.1(h) and (i).

(g) Upon the written request of any Demand Shareholder, the Company will file and seek the effectiveness of a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to register additional Registrable Securities that would have been included in the Shelf Registration Statement had they been owned by such Demand Shareholder on the date hereof (or, if such additional Registrable Securities cannot be registered pursuant to a post-effective amendment under Applicable Law, an additional shelf registration statement); provided that when

 

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the Company effects a Demand Shareholder request to file such a post-effective amendment (or additional shelf registration statement), it shall notify the other Holders and provide such other Holders a reasonable opportunity to include additional Registrable Securities in such amendment (or additional shelf registration statement).

1.4. Withdrawal Rights. Any Demand Shareholder having notified or directed the Company to include any or all of its Registrable Securities in a registration statement under the Securities Act shall have the right to withdraw any such notice or direction with respect to any or all of the Registrable Securities designated by it for registration by giving written notice to such effect to the Company prior to the effective date of such registration statement. In the event of any such withdrawal, the Company shall not include such Registrable Securities in the applicable registration and such Registrable Securities shall continue to be Registrable Securities for all purposes of this Agreement (subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement). No such withdrawal shall affect the obligations of the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities not so withdrawn if any other Demand Shareholder has requested that Registrable Securities be included in such registration; provided, however, that in the case of a Demand Registration, if such withdrawal shall reduce the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included in such registration below the Registrable Amount, then the Company shall as promptly as practicable give each Demand Shareholder seeking to register Registrable Securities notice to such effect and, within ten (10) days following the mailing of such notice, such Demand Shareholders still seeking registration shall, by written notice to the Company, elect to register additional Registrable Securities to satisfy the Registrable Amount or elect that such registration statement not be filed or, if theretofore filed, be withdrawn. During such ten (10) day period, the Company shall not file such registration statement if not theretofore filed or, if such registration statement has been theretofore filed, the Company shall not seek, and shall use reasonable best efforts to prevent, the effectiveness thereof.

1.5. Underwriter Lock-up Agreements. (a) In connection with any Underwritten Offering in which a Holder participates pursuant to Section 1.2, each such Holder agrees to enter into customary agreements, including such customary carve-outs and limitations as any such Holder may reasonably request, restricting the public sale or distribution of equity securities of the Company (including sales pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act) to the extent requested in writing by the lead managing underwriter(s) with respect to an applicable Underwritten Offering during the period commencing on the date of the “pricing” of such Underwritten Offering) and continuing for not more than the lesser of (i) the period to which the Company (subject to customary carve-outs and limitations) is restricted and (ii) ninety (90) days for the first offering of Company Shares after the Closing Date and forty-five (45) days thereafter, in each case, after the date of the “final” prospectus (or “final” prospectus supplement if the Underwritten Offering is made pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement), pursuant to which such Underwritten Offering shall be made, or such other period as is required by the lead managing underwriter(s). Any discretionary waiver or termination of the requirements under the foregoing provisions made by the Company or applicable lead managing underwriter(s) shall apply to each Holder on a pro rata basis.

(b) If any Demand Registration involves an Underwritten Offering or in the event of a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, the Company will not effect any public sale or distribution of any ordinary share capital (or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for ordinary share capital) (other than a registration statement on Form F-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto) for its own account, within ninety (90) days, after the date of such Underwritten Offering or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, as applicable, except as may otherwise be agreed between the Company and the lead managing underwriter(s) of such Underwritten Offering or Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering, as applicable.

 

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1.6. Registration Procedures.

(a) If and whenever the Company is required to use reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and/or offering of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in Section 1.1, Section 1.2 or Section 1.3, the Company shall as expeditiously as reasonably practicable:

(i) prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement to effect such registration in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution of such securities and thereafter use reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Article I; provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of its securities which are not Registrable Securities at any time prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating thereto; provided, further, that before filing such registration statement or any amendments thereto, the Company will furnish to the Holders which are including Registrable Securities in such registration (“Selling Stockholders”), their counsel and the lead managing underwriter(s) and their counsel, if any, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed, which documents will be subject to the review and reasonable comment of such counsel, and other documents reasonably requested by such counsel, including any comment letter from the Commission, and, if requested by such counsel, provide such counsel a reasonable opportunity to participate in the preparation of such registration statement and each prospectus included therein. The Company shall not file any such registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto with respect to a Demand Registration to which the Holders of a majority of Registrable Securities held by the Selling Stockholder(s), their counsel or the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object, in writing, on a timely basis, unless, in the opinion of the Company, such filing is necessary to comply with Applicable Law;

(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective pursuant to the terms of this Article I, and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;

(iii) if requested by the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, or the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities being sold in connection with an Underwritten Offering, promptly include in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the lead managing underwriter(s), if any, and such Holders may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 1.6(a)(iii) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with Applicable Law;

(iv) furnish to the Selling Stockholders and each underwriter, if any, of the securities being sold by such Selling Stockholders such number of conformed copies of such registration statement and of each amendment and supplement thereto, such number of copies of the prospectus contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus) and each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) (a “Free Writing Prospectus”) utilized in connection therewith and any other prospectus filed under Rule 424 under the Securities Act, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as such Selling Stockholders and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Stockholders;

(v) use reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Selling Stockholders, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities laws or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Stockholders and any underwriter of the securities being sold by such Selling Stockholders shall reasonably request, and to keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the

 

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period such registration statement is required to be kept effective and take any other action which may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Selling Stockholders and underwriters to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such Selling Stockholders, except that the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (v) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

(vi) use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed and, if no such securities are so listed, use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market;

(vii) use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Selling Stockholder(s) thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(viii) use reasonable best efforts to provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(ix) in an Underwritten Offering, enter into an underwriting agreement in form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings and in connection therewith, (A) make representations and warranties to the Holders of such Registrable Securities and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the registration statement, prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, (B) include in the underwriting agreement indemnification provisions and procedures substantially to the effect set forth in Section 1.9 hereof with respect to the underwriter and all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section except as otherwise agreed by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold and (C) deliver such documents and certificates as are reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold, their counsel and the lead managing underwriters(s), if any, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to sub-clause (A) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement;

(x) in connection with an Underwritten Offering, use reasonable best efforts to obtain (A) for the underwriter(s) opinions of counsel for the Company, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such underwriters and (B) for the Selling Stockholders and underwriter(s) “comfort” letters and updates thereof (or, in the case of any such Person which does not satisfy the conditions for receipt of a “comfort” letter specified in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72, an “agreed upon procedures” letter to the extent deliverable in accordance with the policies of such accountants) signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Company’s financial statements and, to the extent required, any other financial statements included in such registration statement, covering the matters customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings;

(xi) make available for inspection by the Selling Stockholders, any underwriter participating in any offering pursuant to any registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent or representative retained in connection with such offering by such Selling Stockholders or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), such financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably necessary, or as shall otherwise be reasonably requested, to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its auditors) to

 

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participate in customary due diligence calls and to supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, attorney, agent or accountant in connection with such registration statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide any information under this clause (xi) if (A) the Company reasonably believes, after consultation with counsel for the Company, that to do so would cause the Company to forfeit an attorney-client privilege that was applicable to such information or (B) if either (1) the Company has requested and been granted from the Commission confidential treatment of such information contained in any filing with the Commission or documents provided supplementally or otherwise or (2) the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Records are confidential and so notifies the Inspectors in writing; unless prior to furnishing any such information with respect to clause (1) or (2) such Selling Stockholder requesting such information enters into, and causes each of its Inspectors to enter into, a confidentiality agreement on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to the Company; provided, further, that each Selling Stockholder agrees that it will, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction or by another Governmental Authority, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action seeking to prevent disclosure of the Records deemed confidential;

(xii) as promptly as practicable notify in writing the Selling Stockholders and the underwriters, if any, of the following events: (A) the filing of the registration statement, any amendment thereto, the prospectus or any prospectus supplement related thereto or post-effective amendment to the registration statement or any Free Writing Prospectus utilized in connection therewith, and, with respect to the registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; (B) any request by the Commission or any other U.S. or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the registration statement or the prospectus or for additional information; (C) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings by any Person for that purpose; (D) the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction or the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose; (E) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any underwriting agreement contemplated by Section 1.6(a)(ix) cease to be true and correct in any material respect; and (F) subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating to a Blackout Period, upon the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such registration statement or related prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such registration statement, prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the registration statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, at the request of any Selling Stockholder, promptly prepare and furnish to such Selling Stockholder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such registration statement or prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(xiii) use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement, or the lifting of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction at the earliest reasonably practicable date, except that, subject to the requirements of Section 1.6(a)(v), the Company shall not for any such purpose be required to (A) qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the requirements of this clause (xiii) be obligated to be so qualified, (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

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(xiv) cooperate with the Selling Stockholders and the lead managing underwriter(s) to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless required under Applicable Law) representing securities sold under any registration statement, and enable such securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the lead managing underwriter(s) or such Selling Stockholders may request and keep available and make available to the Company’s transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such registration statement a supply of such certificates;

(xv) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and

(xvi) have appropriate officers of the Company prepare and make presentations at a reasonable number of “road shows” and before analysts, as the case may be, and other information meetings reasonably organized by the underwriters and otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the Selling Stockholders and the underwriters in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable Securities.

(b) The Company may require each Selling Stockholder and each underwriter, if any, to furnish the Company in writing such information regarding each Selling Stockholder or underwriter and the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing to complete or amend the information required by such registration statement.

(c) Each Selling Stockholder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in clauses (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) of Section 1.6(a)(xii), such Selling Stockholder shall forthwith discontinue such Selling Stockholder’s disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the applicable registration statement and prospectus relating thereto until such Selling Stockholder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 1.6(a)(xii), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus; provided, that the amount of time the Holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities shall not exceed thirty (30) days; provided, further, that the Company shall extend the time periods under Section 1.1(c) with respect to the length of time that the effectiveness of a registration statement must be maintained by the amount of time the Holder is required to discontinue disposition of such securities.

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent are being registered and sold in connection with a Demand Registration or a Piggyback Registration, SL Sponsor shall be entitled to act on behalf of the Escrow Agent as Holder on behalf of the Management Shareholders in accordance with its obligations under the Management Shareholders Agreement and the Escrow Agreement to include such Registrable Securities as if they were held by SL Sponsor in any action taken by SL Sponsor; provided that the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to receive notices directly from the Company pursuant to Section 1.1(b) and Section 1.2(a) in its capacity as Other Holders holding Registrable Securities on behalf of Management Shareholders.

(e) With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and any other rule or regulation of the Commission that may at any time permit a Holder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration , the Company shall:

(i) use reasonable best efforts to make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

(ii) use reasonable best efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act, at any time when the Company is subject to such reporting requirements;

 

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(iii) furnish to any Holder, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and of the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed or furnished by the Company with the Commission as such Holder may reasonably request in connection with the sale of Registrable Securities without registration (in each case to the extent not readily publicly available); and

(iv) otherwise provide such Holder with such customary assistance as is reasonably requested.

1.7. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Article I, including (a) all registration and filing fees, including all fees and expenses of compliance with securities and “blue sky” laws (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.6(a)(v)) and all fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with FINRA (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” as such term is defined in FINRA Rule 5121), (b) all printer, printing (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by a Demand Shareholder) and copying expenses, (c) all messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (d) all fees and expenses of the Company’s independent certified public accountants and counsel (including with respect to “comfort” letters and opinions), (e) expenses incurred in connection with any “road show” and (f) reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel (together with one local counsel) for all Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement, which counsel shall be selected by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Securities held by the Escrow Agent) being sold in connection therewith, shall be borne solely by the Company whether or not any registration statement is filed or becomes effective or any offering is completed. In connection with the Company’s performance of its obligations under this Article I, the Company will pay its internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties and the expense of any annual audit) and the expenses and fees for listing the securities to be registered on each securities exchange and included in each established over-the-counter market on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed or traded. Each Selling Stockholder shall pay its portion of all underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale of such Selling Stockholder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to any registration.

1.8. Miscellaneous.

(a) Except with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement, ot less than two (2) days (and in the case of Section 1.3(d), 24 hours) before the expected filing date of each registration statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall notify each Holder of Registrable Securities who has timely provided the requisite notice hereunder entitling such Holder to register Registrable Securities in such registration statement of the information, documents and instruments from such Holder that any underwriter reasonably requests in connection with such registration statement, including, to the extent applicable, a questionnaire, custody agreement, power of attorney, lock-up letter (not to exceed a sixty (60) days lock-up period) and underwriting agreement (the “Requested Information”). If the Company has not received, on or before the day before the expected filing date, the Requested Information from such Holder, the Company may file the registration statement without including Registrable Securities of such Holder. The failure to so include in any registration statement the Registrable Securities of a Holder of Registrable Securities (with regard to that registration statement) shall not result in any liability on the part of the Company to such Holder.

(b) The Company shall not grant any demand, piggyback or shelf registration rights, the terms of which are senior to or conflict with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder to any other Person, or enter into any other agreements that conflict with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities under this Agreement (except to the extent contemplated under the definition of Blackout Period),

 

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without the prior written consent of Demand Shareholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities then held by all Demand Shareholders. The foregoing shall not apply to the PIPE Registration.

(c) The Company will cooperate with the Holders and the managing underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book entries (which, in either case, shall not bear any restrictive legends) representing shares to be sold by any Holder pursuant to any registration statement or sold pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act, and enable such shares to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the selling Holders or managing underwriter(s) may request.

1.9. Registration Indemnification.

(a) The Company agrees, without limitation as to time, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, each Selling Stockholder and its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) such Selling Stockholder or such other indemnified Person and the officers, directors, members, shareholders, employees, managers, partners, accountants, attorneys and agents of each such controlling Person, from and against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and amounts paid in settlement (collectively, the “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, preliminary prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by any information furnished in writing to the Company by any Selling Stockholder expressly for use therein.

(b) In connection with any registration statement in which a Selling Stockholder is participating, without limitation as to time, each such Selling Stockholder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors, officers, stockholders, employees, managers, partners and agents, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of, caused by, resulting from or relating to any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any omission (or alleged omission) of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, preliminary prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, in each case solely to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is made in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Selling Stockholder furnished to the Company by such Selling Stockholder expressly for inclusion in such registration statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Stockholder shall be liable under this Section 1.9(b) for amounts in excess of the net proceeds received by such Holder in the offering giving rise to such liability.

(c) Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided, however, the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been actually and materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice on a timely basis.

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and, to the extent that it may wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and acknowledging the obligations of the indemnifying party with respect to such proceeding, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof (unless (i) such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there are defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party, (ii) a conflict of interest exists between the interests of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and the indemnified party is or would reasonably be expected to be materially prejudiced by such delay, in either of which events the indemnified party shall be promptly reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with retaining one separate legal counsel (for the avoidance of doubt, for all indemnified parties in connection therewith) plus one local counsel or (iv) such indemnifying party otherwise so agrees). For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding any such assumption by an indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such matter and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party except as provided in the previous sentence. An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim effected without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). No matter shall be settled by an indemnifying party without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), unless such settlement (x) includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation, (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party and (z) is settled solely for cash for which the indemnified party would be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

(e) The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement shall survive the sale of the Registrable Securities and the termination of this Agreement.

(f) If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons other than as specified therein, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, the Persons’ relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Selling Stockholder shall be required to make a contribution in excess of the net proceeds received by such Selling Stockholder from its sale of Registrable Securities in connection with the offering that gave rise to the contribution obligation.

 

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ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

2.1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms when used in this Agreement have the following meanings:

Adjusted Warrants” means, as of any date of calculation, the number of Warrants equal to ((a – b) / a) * c, where

a = the VWAP of the Company Ordinary Shares for the 15 trading days prior to the date of calculation;

b = the average exercise price of the Warrants held by an applicable Holder; and

c = the number of Warrants held by an applicable Holder.

Affiliate” means, (a) any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person (for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise), (b) for the avoidance of doubt, if such specified Person is an investment fund, any other investment fund, the primary investment advisor to which is the primary investment advisor to such specified Person or an Affiliate thereof, and (c) if such specified Person is a natural Person, any family member of such natural Person. “Controlled” and “controlling” shall be construed accordingly. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for all purposes of this Agreement, in no event shall an Affiliate of any Sponsor include any “portfolio company” (as such term is customarily used among institutional investors) of any Person..

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, any Law applicable to such Person, its assets, properties, operations or business.

Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficially Own” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, and a Person’s beneficial ownership of securities shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule (in each case, irrespective of whether or not such Rule is actually applicable in such circumstance).

Blackout Period” means in the event that the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith that the registration or sale of Registrable Securities would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect or materially interfere with any bona fide material financing of the Company or any material transaction under consideration by the Company or would require disclosure of information that has not been, and is not otherwise required to be, disclosed to the public, the premature disclosure of which would materially adversely affect the Company, a period of up to thirty (30) days; provided that a Blackout Period may not occur more than twice in any period of 12 consecutive months and no more than thirty (30) days in a 180 day period.

Business Day” means a day on which banks are generally open for normal business in New York, New York, which day is not a Saturday or a Sunday.

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency administering the Securities Act.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Company Ordinary Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

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Convertible Preferred Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Company Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Demand” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

Demand Shareholder” means any Sponsor that holds Registrable Securities.

Escrow Agent” means [●].

Escrow Agreement” means the escrow agreement dated as of [●], 2020 entered into by and among SL Sponsor, the Management Shareholders and the Escrow Agent.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Far Point” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Form F-3” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

FP/TP Sponsor” means, collectively, (i) Far Point and (ii) Third Point.

Free Writing Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(iv).

GB Holding” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Globetrotter” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Governmental Authority” means any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or applicable exchange or self-regulatory organization, including FINRA.

Holder” means each holder of Registrable Securities that is a party to this Agreement.

Inspectors” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(xi).

Law” means any federal, state, provincial, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational or other order, judgment, decree, constitution, law, ordinance, regulation, statute, treaty, code, rule, by-law, writ, injunction, decision, arbitration award, franchise, license, agency requirement, permit or other award of any Governmental Authority, or any policy, guideline, notice or protocol, in each case, to the extent that it has the force of law.

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.9(a).

Majority in Interest” means holders of the majority of the Registrable Shares held by the relevant Holders (including, in the case of SL Sponsor, Registrable Shares held by the Escrow Agent).

Management Shareholders” means the managers of the Company who are or become parties to the Management Shareholders Agreement.

 

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Management Shareholders Agreement” means the management shareholders agreement dated as of [•], 2020, entered into by and among GB Holding, Globetrotter, the management representative named therein, the Company, Partners Group Private Equity (Master Fund), LLC, Partners Group Barrier Reef, L.P. and Partners Group Client Access 5, L.P. Inc. .

Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(e).

Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Non-Marketed Underwritten Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(e).

Other Demanding Sellers” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).

Other Holder” means each Holder other than, in the case of a Demand, the Requesting Shareholder that delivers a Demand pursuant to Section 1.1 and, in the case of a Shelf Offering, the Demand Shareholder that delivers a Shelf Notice or Take-Down Notice pursuant to Section 1.3.

Other Proposed Sellers” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b).

Person” means any natural person or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including any Governmental Authority.

Piggyback Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

Piggyback Seller” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a).

PIPE Registration” means the registration rights granted to certain investors in the Company pursuant to certain PIPE Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Records” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(xi).

Registrable Amount” means an amount of Registrable Securities having an aggregate value of at least $30 million, based on the anticipated offering price (as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company), without regard to any brokers’ fees, or underwriting discount or commission.

Registrable Securities” means any Company Shares or any other shares received in respect of the shares in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock dividend, distribution or similar transaction; provided that, any such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest of (i) when they are sold by a Holder pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) when they have been sold by a Holder pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act, and (iii) when they shall have ceased to be outstanding.

Registrable Shares” means any Company Ordinary Shares, Company Preferred Shares (on an as converted basis), Adjusted Warrants or any other shares received in respect of the foregoing shares in connection with any stock split or subdivision, stock dividend, distribution or similar transaction; provided that, any such securities shall cease to be Registrable Shares upon the earliest of (i) when they are sold by a Holder pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) when they have been sold by a Holder pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act, and (iii) when they shall have ceased to be outstanding.

Requested Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.8(a).

 

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Requesting Shareholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(a).

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Selling Stockholders” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.6(a)(i).

Shareholders Agreement” means the shareholders agreement dated as of January [●], 2020 relating to the Company, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Shelf Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(d).

Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(a).

SL Sponsor” means (a) all Silver Lake (as defined in the Merger Agreement]) entities and Affiliates of such entities that hold Registrable Securities, (b) any transferee of any of the Persons referenced in clause (a) to which shares are transferred by such Person referenced in clause (a) and that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.4 and (c) any transferee of any of the Persons included in clause (b) of this definition to which shares are transferred by such Person and that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 3.4; provided that at such time, if any, as GB Holding ceases to be an Affiliate of Silver Lake or transfers all Registrable Securities held by it to its limited partners, GB Holding or such limited partners, as the case may be, shall no longer be “SL Sponsor” under this Agreement.

Sponsors” means the SL Sponsor and FP/TP Sponsor.

Take-Down Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3(d).

Third Point” has the meaning set forth in the preamble

Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer, or entry into any Agreement with respect to any sale, assignment, encumbrance, pledge, hypothecation, disposition, loan or other transfer, excluding entry into this Agreement and the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Underwritten Offering” means a sale of securities of the Company to an underwriter or underwriters for reoffering to the public.

VWAP” means, for any security as of any date(s), the daily dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “HP” function (with “Market” function set to “VWAP”, “Currency” function set to “USD”, and “Period” function set to “Daily”; the resulting VWAP is shown next to the “Average” label).

2.2. Interpretation. Whenever used herein, the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, and the words “hereof” and “herein” and similar words shall be construed as references to this Agreement as a whole and not limited to the particular Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule in which the reference appears. Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein: (x) to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules mean the Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules attached to, this Agreement; (y) to an agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof; and (z) to a statute means such statute as amended from time to time and includes any successor legislation thereto and any regulations promulgated thereunder. References to “$” or “dollars” means

 

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United States dollars. Any reference in this Agreement to any gender shall include all genders. The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. The Exhibits and Schedules referred to herein shall be construed with, and as an integral part of, this Agreement to the same extent as if they were set forth verbatim herein. The headings of the Articles and Sections are for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof. If, and as often as, there is any change in the outstanding Company Shares by reason of stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, spin-offs, split-ups, mergers, reclassifications, reorganizations, recapitalizations, combinations or exchanges of shares and the like, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement so as to fairly and equitably preserve, as far as practicable, the rights and obligations set forth herein that continue to be applicable on the date of such change. No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties advised by counsel.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

3.1. Term. This Agreement will be effective as of the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and shall terminate, with respect to any Holder: (i) on the date when such Holder (together with its Affiliates) Beneficially Owns in the aggregate shares constituting less than three (3)% of the outstanding Company Shares and can sell such shares pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act without restriction, or (ii) at any time by written notice by such Holder to the Company; provided that in the event of any termination pursuant to this Section 3.1, any such Holder shall not sell any shares during any Blackout Period pending at the time of such termination. Section 1.9 and Articles II and III shall survive any termination.

3.2. Notices. All notices, consents and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by hand delivery, by prepaid overnight courier (providing written proof of delivery), by confirmed email transmission or by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested and first class postage prepaid), addressed as follows:

(a) If to any Holder, to such Holder at the address indicated on Schedule A hereto.

(b) if to the Company, to:

[                ]

[                    ]

[                             ]

Facsimile: [●]

E-mail: [●]

Attention: [●]

3.3. Amendments and Waivers. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is in writing and signed by (i) the Company and (ii) Holders Beneficially Owning a majority of the Registrable Securities then Beneficially Owned by all Holders. In addition, any amendment or modification to this Agreement that would in any material respect have a disproportionately adverse effect on any Holder’s rights hereunder shall require the prior written consent of a Majority in Interest of the Holders whose rights are disproportionately adversely affected. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by Applicable Law.

3.4. Successors and Assigns and Transferees. SL Sponsor may assign all or a portion of its rights hereunder to any of its transferees to which SL Sponsor transfers all or any of its Registrable Securities in accordance with

 

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the Shareholders Agreement; provided that such transferee shall only be admitted as a party hereunder and assume SL Sponsor’s rights and obligations under this Agreement upon its, his or her execution and delivery of a joinder agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if such person were a Holder party hereto; whereupon such Person will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement, with the same rights, benefits and obligations hereunder as SL Sponsor with respect to the transferred Registrable Securities. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, neither this Agreement not any of the rights or obligations hereunder shall be transferred or assigned by any of the parties hereto. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 3.4 shall be void.

3.5. Severability. It is the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under Applicable Law and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. If any particular provision or portion of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision or portion thereof shall be deemed amended to the minimum extent necessary to render such provision or portion valid and enforceable, and such amendment will apply only with respect to the operation of such provision or portion in the particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.

3.6. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart.

3.7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents and the instruments referred to in this Agreement), together with the Merger Agreement, the Support and Standstill Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement (each as defined in the Merger Agreement), constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

3.8. APPLICABLE LAW; JURISDICTION OF DISPUTES. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL LITIGATION, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, SUITS, HEARINGS OR PROCEEDINGS (WHETHER CIVIL, CRIMINAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AND WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY OR THE SPONSORS IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OR CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY (A) EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (PROVIDED THAT IF JURISDICTION IS NOT THEN AVAILABLE IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER DELAWARE STATE COURT) IN THE EVENT ANY DISPUTE ARISES OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, (B) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO DENY OR DEFEAT SUCH PERSONAL JURISDICTION BY MOTION OR OTHER REQUEST FOR LEAVE FROM ANY SUCH COURT AND (C) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY ACTION RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (PROVIDED THAT IF JURISDICTION IS NOT THEN AVAILABLE IN THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, SUCH

 

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ACTION MAY BE BROUGHT ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER DELAWARE STATE COURT); PROVIDED THAT EACH OF THE PARTIES SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGMENT ENTERED BY ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY DELAWARE STATE COURT IN ANY OTHER COURT OR JURISDICTION. PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHETHER WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EACH PARTY AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS ON SUCH PARTY AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 3.2 SHALL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF PROCESS ON SUCH PARTY.

3.9. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE SPONSORS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY OR THE SPONSORS IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

3.10. Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms. It is expressly agreed that the parties hereto shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance of the terms hereof, this being in addition to any other remedies to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

3.11. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer any rights upon any Person other than the parties hereto and each such party’s respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns; provided that the Persons indemnified under Section 1.9 are intended third party beneficiaries of Section 1.9.

3.12. No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, and notwithstanding the fact that any party hereto may be a partnership or limited liability company, each party hereto, by its acceptance of the benefits of this Agreement, covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Persons other than the named parties hereto shall have any obligation hereunder and that it has no rights of recovery hereunder against, and no recourse hereunder or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith shall be had against, any former, current or future director, officer, agent, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative or employee of any Sponsor (or any of their heirs, successors or permitted assigns), or against any former, current or future director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate, manager, assignee, incorporator, controlling Person, fiduciary, representative, general or limited partner, stockholder, manager or member of any of the foregoing Persons, but in each case not including the named parties hereto (each, a “Non-Liable Person”), whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, by or through a claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) by or on behalf of such party against any Non-Liable Person, by the enforcement of any assignment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other Applicable Law or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any Non-Liable Person, as such, for any obligations of the applicable party under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to have been made in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.

3.13. Other Agreements. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or affect any other agreement to which any Holder is or may be a party, including any PIPE Agreement or Shareholders Agreement (as such terms are defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

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3.14. Other Registration Rights. The Company shall not grant any registration rights with respect to any securities of the Company, other than the rights agreed to hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Sponsors. The foregoing shall not apply to the PIPE Registration.

[The remainder of this page left intentionally blank.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

SL SPONSOR
SL GLOBETROTTER, L.P.
By:   SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
GLOBAL BLUE HOLDING L.P.
By:   SL Globetrotter GP, Ltd., its general partner
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
FP/TP SPONSOR
FAR POINT LLC
By: Third Point LLC, investment manager of Cloudbreak Aggregator LP, its managing member
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:

 

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THIRD POINT OFFSHORE MASTER FUND, L.P.
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
THIRD POINT ULTRA MASTER FUND L.P.
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
THIRD POINT PARTNERS QUALIFIED L.P.
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
THIRD POINT PARTNERS L.P.
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:
THIRD POINT ENHANCED L.P.
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:

 

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CLOUDBREAK AGGREGATOR LP
By:   Third Point LLC, its investment manager
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:

 

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THIRD POINT VENTURES LLC, as nominee for funds managed and/or advised by Third Point LLC
By:   Third Point LLC, its Attorney-in-Fact
By:  

             

  Name:
  Title:

Third Point Ventures LLC executes this signature page as nominee for funds managed and/or advised by Third Point LLC and not in its individual capacity. All information and representations and warranties of Third Point Ventures LLC herein are provided by and with respect to such funds.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement by their authorized representatives as of the date first above written.

 

OTHER HOLDERS
By:  

             

  Name: Stanley McChrystal
By:  

             

  Name: Nicole Seligman
By:  

             

  Name: Laurence A. Tosi
By:  

             

  Name: David Bonanno
By:  

             

  Name: Kelly Vallante

 

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Articles of Association NYSE Listing Global Blue Group Holding AG   

Annex B

 

STATUTEN

 

der

 

Global Blue Group Holding AG
(Global Blue Group Holding SA)
(Global Blue Group Holding Ltd)

 

                                                                              

  

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

 

of

 

Global Blue Group Holding AG
(Global Blue Group Holding SA)
(Global Blue Group Holding Ltd)

 

                                                                              

 

I.   GRUNDLAGEN

 

Artikel 1: Firma, Sitz

 

Unter der Firma

 

Global Blue Group Holding AG
(Global Blue Group Holding SA)
(Global Blue Group Holding Ltd)

 

besteht eine Aktiengesellschaft gemäss Artikel 620 ff. OR mit Sitz in Wangen-Brüttisellen. Die Dauer der Gesellschaft ist unbeschränkt.

  

 

I.   GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 1: Corporate Name, Registered Office

 

Under the corporate name

 

Global Blue Group Holding AG
(Global Blue Group Holding SA)
(Global Blue Group Holding Ltd)

 

a Company exists pursuant to Articles 620 et seq. of the Swiss Code of Obligations (“CO”) having its registered office in Wangen-Brüttisellen. The duration of the Company is unlimited.

 

Artikel 2: Zweck

 

Der Zweck der Gesellschaft ist der Erwerb und die Verwaltung von Beteiligungen an in- und ausländischen Unternehmungen, insbesondere von beherrschenden Beteiligungen an Gesellschaften, welche im Bereich MwSt Rückerstattung, Fremdwährungstausch, Marketingdienstleistungen, Verkaufsstellen-Technologie, Ausbildung von Verkaufspersonal und Kundeninformationen tätig sind, die Führung und nachhaltige Entwicklung dieser Beteiligungsgesellschaften im Rahmen einer Unternehmensgruppe sowie die Bereitstellung der finanziellen und organisatorischen Voraussetzungen für die Führung einer Unternehmensgruppe.

  

Article 2: Purpose

 

The purpose of the Company is to acquire, hold and manage investments in domestic and foreign companies, in particular of controlling investments in companies active in the areas of VAT/GST tax refund, currency conversion, marketing services, point-of-sale technology, retail staff education, and customer intelligence, the management and sustainable development of these investment companies within a group of companies as well as the provision of financial and organizational means for the management of a group of companies.

Die Gesellschaft kann im In- und Ausland Liegenschaften und Immaterialgüterrechte erwerben, belasten, verwerten und verkaufen sowie Tochtergesellschaften und Zweigniederlassungen errichten und finanzieren.    The Company may acquire, mortgage, utilize and sell real estate properties and intellectual property rights in Switzerland and abroad as well as incorporate and finance subsidiaries and branches.
Die Gesellschaft kann alle der Verwirklichung ihres Zweckes förderlichen kommerziellen und finanziellen Transaktionen durchführen, insbesondere Kredite gewähren und aufnehmen, Obligationenanleihen    The Company may engage in all kinds of commercial and financial transactions that are beneficial for the realisation of its purpose, in particular provide and take out loans, issue bonds, provide suretyships and

 

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ausgeben, Bürgschaften und Garantien abgeben, Sicherheiten stellen sowie Anlagen in allen marktgängigen Anlagemedien vornehmen.    guarantees, provide collateral as well as make investments in all marketable investment classes.

 

II.   KAPITAL

 

Artikel 3a: Aktienkapital

 

Das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft beträgt CHF [●] und ist eingeteilt in [●] auf den Namen lautendende Stammaktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF [●0.01] und [●] wandelbare auf den Namen lautende Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A mit einem Nennwert von je CHF [●0.01] (“Vorzugsaktie der Kategorie A”). Die Aktien sind vollständig liberiert.

  

II.   CAPITAL

 

Article 3a: Share Capital

 

The share capital of the Company amounts to CHF [●] and is divided into [●] registered common shares with a nominal value of CHF [●] each and [●] registered series A convertible preferred shares with a nominal value of CHF [●] each (“Series A Preferred Shares”). The share capital is fully paid-up.

Artikel 3b: Wandelbare Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A

 

1.  Die Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A haben dieselben Rechte wie die Stammaktien, einschliesslich des Rechts auf Dividenden (einschliesslich Liquidationsdividende) und Stimm- und Mitwirkungsrechte.

  

Article 3b: Convertible Series A Preferred Shares

 

1.  The Series A Preferred Shares have the same dividend (including liquidation dividends), voting and other rights as common shares.

2.  Jede Vorzugsaktie der Kategorie A verleiht ein Recht auf eine (zusätzliche) Vorzugsdividende (“Vorzugsdividende”).

  

2.  Each Series A Preferred Share confers an (additional) preference dividend (“Preference Dividend”) as follows:

a.   Für die für das Geschäftsjahr 2025/2026 (d.h. erstmals an der ordentlichen Generalversammlung 2026) und danach beschlossenen Dividendenbeschlüsse (einschliesslich Beschlüsse betreffend ausschüttbare Reserven) ein Betrag entsprechend 8% p.a. (“Prozentsatz”) von USD 10, unter der Voraussetzung, dass die Generalversammlung eine entsprechende Dividende beschliesst und die einschlägigen Bestimmungen des Schweizerischen Obligationenrechts sowie sonstige für die Gesellschaft geltende rechtliche Vorschriften eingehalten werden. Insbesondere darf keine Vorzugsdividende ausgerichtet werden, insoweit kein Bilanzgewinn oder ausschüttbare Reserven bestehen.

  

a.   For dividends resolved (including resolutions regarding distributable reserves) for the financial year 2025/2026 (i.e. the first time at the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders 2026) and thereafter an amount equal to 8% per annum (“Percentage”) of USD 10, under the prerequisite that the General Meeting of Shareholders resolves a corresponding dividend and that the relevant provisions of the CO, as well as the other legal requirements applicable to the Company are complied with. In particular no Preference Dividend may be distributed to the extent no balance sheet profit or distributable reserves are available for distribution.

 

b.  Der Prozentsatz erhöht sich in jedem auf das Geschäftsjahr 2025/2026 folgenden Geschäftsjahr jeweils um einen weiteren Prozentpunkt p.a.

  

b.  The Percentage shall increase in each financial year after 2025/2026 by an additional one percentage point per annum.

 

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c.   Die Generalversammlung kann beschliessen, in einem Geschäftsjahr keine Dividende auszuschütten, oder eine Dividende auszuschütten, welche zur vollständigen Zahlung einer Vorzugsdividende nicht ausreicht; diesfalls verfällt am Ende dieses Jahres der entsprechende restliche Betrag der Vorzugsdividende für dieses Geschäftsjahr, dieser Betrag wird nicht auf das nächste Geschäftsjahr vorgetragen und erhöht den auf der Basis des künftig anwendbaren Prozentsatzes nicht.

  

c.   The General Meeting of Shareholders may resolve in any given year not to distribute dividends, or to distribute dividends in an amount not covering the full amount of the Preference Dividend; in such cases the respective remaining amount of the Preference Dividend of such year is forfeited at the end of such year, shall not be carried forward to the following year(s) and does not increase the basis of the subsequently applicable Percentage.

Die ordentliche Dividende für die Stamm- und Vorzugaktien der Kategorie A kann beschlossen werden, nachdem die Generalversammlung die Bezahlung der Vorzugsdividende für das betreffende Jahr vollumfänglich beschlossen hat.

  

The regular dividend on the common shares and Series A Preferred Shares can be resolved once the General Meeting of Shareholders has approved the payment of the Preference Dividend for the respective year in full.

3.  Die Inhaber der Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A haben ein Recht auf einen Vorweganteil am Liquidationsergebnis nach Tilgung der Schulden, wobei der Betrag pro Vorzugsaktie 10 (zehn) USD (United States Dollars) entspricht. Nach Auszahlung des Vorzugsanteils am Liquidationsergebnis an die Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A, ist das restliche Liquidationsergebnis unter den Stammaktien zu verteilen.

  

3.  Each Series A Preferred Share confers the right to receive after all debts have been satisfied a priority share of the liquidation proceeds in an amount equal to 10 (ten) USD (United States Dollars). After distribution of the liquidations proceeds to the Series A Preferred Shares, the remainder shall be distributed on the common shares.

 

4.  Die Gesellschaft ist im Rahmen des gesetzlich Zulässigen ermächtigt, alle oder einen Teil der Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A gegen Bargeld und/oder Stammaktien (aus dem Eigenbestand oder Stammaktien aus genehmigtem Kapital) auf der Basis einer Vereinbarung mit den Vorzugsaktionären, welche den Vorzugsaktionären Andienungsrechte und der Gesellschaft Erwerbs- und Rückkaufsrechte einräumt, zu vereinbaren (die “Eintauschvereinbarung”).

  

4.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to acquire all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for cash and/or common shares (sourced, in particular, from treasury shares or shares issued out of authorized share capital) pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the Company and the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares which grants the holders put rights and the Company call rights and redemption rights (the “Conversion Agreement”).

5.  Die Ausgabe neuer Vorzugsaktien und die Abänderung bzw. Aufhebung dieses Artikels 3b bedarf der Zustimmung einer Sonderversammlung der Inhaber der Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A mit der Mehrheit der anwesenden Stimmen (die “Sonderversammlung”). [•German translation to be included once English version agreed] Für die Vernichtung von Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A,

  

5.  The issuance of any preferred shares as well as the modification and cancellation, respectively, of this Article 3b requires the approval of a special meeting of the Series A Preferred Shares with a majority of the votes present at the meeting (the “Special Meeting”). In addition, approval by the Special Meeting is required for (a) the approval of a merger which would result in a holder of a Series A Preferred Share

 

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welche im Eigenbestand der Gesellschaft oder ihrer Tochtergesellschaften gehalten werden.

  

receiving less than 10 (ten) USD (United States Dollars) per Series A Preferred Share or (b) in case of resolutions by a General Meeting of Shareholders being held in the context of a public tender offer for all or part of the shares of the company, to the extent that a holder of a Series A Preferred Share would receive less than 10 (ten) USD (United States Dollars) per Series A Preferred Share. However, no Special Meeting is required for the cancellation of Series A Preferred Shares which are held in treasury by the Company or its subsidiaries.

6.  Im Falle der Ausgabe von neuen Stammaktien haben die Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A dieselben Bezugs- und Vorwegzeichnungsrechte wie die Stammaktien. Der Ausschluss von Bezugs- und Vorwegzeichnungsrechte auf Stammaktien bedarf keiner Zustimmung der Sonderversammlung.

  

6.  The Series A Preferred Shares confer the same pre-emptive rights and advance subscription rights for newly issued common shares as the common shares. The exclusion of pre-emptive or advance subscription rights for common shares does not require approval by the Special Meeting.

 

Artikel 4a: Bedingtes Kapital – Mitarbeiterbeteiligung

  

Article 4a: Conditional Capital – Employee or Director Participation

1.  Das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft wird im Maximalbetrag von CHF [●] durch Ausgabe von höchstens [●] vollständig zu liberierenden Stammaktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF [●0.01] bei Ausübung von Optionsrechten oder im Zusammenhang mit anderen Rechten auf Aktien (einschliesslich sog. Restricted Stock Units (RSU) oder sog. Performance Stock Units (PSU)) erhöht, welche Organmitgliedern und Mitarbeitern oder Verwaltungsräte aller Stufen der Gesellschaft und der Gruppengesellschaften gemäss den entsprechenden Reglementen und Beschlüssen des Verwaltungsrats zustehen. Das Bezugsrecht und das Vorwegzeichnungsrecht der Aktionäre sind ausgeschlossen.

  

1.  The share capital of the Company may be increased by up to CHF [●] by issuing up to [●] fully paid-in common shares with a nominal value of CHF [●0.01] each, upon the exercise of option rights or in connection with other rights regarding shares (including restricted stock units (RSU) or Performance Stock Units (PSU)) granted to officers and employees or directors at all levels of the Company and its group companies according to respective regulations and resolutions of the Board of Directors. The pre-emptive rights and the advance subscription rights of the shareholders are excluded.

2.  Die Bedingungen zur Zuweisung und Ausübung der Optionsrechte und anderer Rechte auf Aktien aus diesem Artikel 4a sind vom Verwaltungsrat festzulegen. Die Ausgabe von Aktien unter dem Marktpreis ist zulässig.

  

2.  The conditions for the allocation and exercise of the option rights and other rights regarding shares from this Article 4a are determined by the Board of Directors. The shares may be issued at a price below the market price.

 

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Artikel 4b: Bedingtes Kapital – Wandelanleihen    Article 4b: Conditional Capital – Convertible Debt

1.  Das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft wird durch die Ausgabe von höchstens [●] voll zu liberierenden Stammaktien von je CHF [●0.01] Nennwert im Nominalbetrag von höchstens CHF [●] erhöht durch Ausübung von Wandel- oder Optionsrechten, welche im Zusammenhang mit Wandelanleihen, Anleihen, Wandeldarlehen und ähnlichen Finanzierungsformen der Gesellschaft oder einer ihrer Tochtergesellschaften eingeräumt worden sind.

  

1.  The share capital of the Company shall be increased in an amount of not more than CHF [●] by issuance of not more than [●] fully paid-in common shares with a nominal value of CHF [●0.01] each by means of the exercise of conversion rights or options in relation with convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing of the Company or of a subsidiary company.

 

2.  Die Ausgabebedingungen für die Options- und Wandelrechte werden durch den Verwaltungsrat festgelegt. Der Verwaltungsrat ist ermächtigt, das Vorwegzeichnungsrecht der Aktionäre aufzuheben oder einzuschränken, sofern die Wandelanleihen, Anleihen, Wandeldarlehen und ähnliche Finanzierungsformen verwendet werden (i) falls die Emission auf dem Weg der Festübernahme durch ein Konsortium mit anschliessender Platzierung im Publikum ohne Vorwegzeichnungsrecht im betreffenden Zeitpunkt, insbesondere hinsichtlich der Emissionskonditionen, als die geeignetste Emissionsform erscheint, oder (ii) im Zusammenhang mit der Finanzierung oder Refinanzierung des Erwerbs (einschliesslich Übernahme) von Gesellschaften, Unternehmen, Unternehmensteilen, Beteiligungen oder Kooperationen oder anderer Investitionen.

  

2.  The conditions for the granting of the option rights and conversion rights shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to exclude or restrict shareholders’ advance subscription rights, if the convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing are used, (i) if an issue by firm underwriting by a consortium with subsequent offering to the public without advance subscription rights seems to be the most appropriate form of issue at the time, particularly in terms of the conditions for issue, or (ii) in connection with the financing or refinancing of the acquisition (including takeover) of companies, enterprises, parts of enterprises, participations or joint ventures or other investments.

3.  Soweit das Vorwegzeichnungsrecht ausgeschlossen ist, (i) beträgt die Ausübungsfrist für Wandelrechte höchstens 15 Jahre und für Optionsrechte höchstens 7 Jahre und (ii) und die Bedingungen solcher Wandelanleihen, Anleihen, Wandeldarlehen und ähnliche Finanzierungsformen, einschliesslich Options- und Wandelbedingungen, sind unter Berücksichtigung der Marktverhältnisse zum Zeitpunkt von deren Ausgabe festzulegen.

  

3.  To the extent shareholders’ advance subscription rights are excluded, (i) the exercise period for conversion and option rights granted shall not exceed 15 years and 7 years, respectively, and (ii) the terms of the relevant convertible debt instruments, bonds, loans and similar forms of financing, including conversion and option terms, shall be set taking into consideration the market conditions at the time of their issue.

 

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Artikel 4c: Bedingtes Kapital – Bestehende Aktionärsoptionen    Article 4c: Conditional Share Capital – Existing Shareholder Warrants

1.  Das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft wird im Maximalbetrag von CHF [●] durch Ausgabe von höchstens [●] vollständig zu liberierenden Stammaktien mit einem Nennwert von CHF [●0.01] je Aktie erhöht bei und im Umfang der Ausübung von Aktionärsoptionen, welche im Rahmen der Kotierung an vormalige Inhaber von Optionen der Far Point Acquisition Corporation ausgegeben worden sind.

  

1.  The share capital of the Company shall be increased by an amount not exceeding CHF [●], through the issue from time to time of a maximum of [●] fully paid-in common shares with a par value of CHF [●0.01] each, in connection with the exercise of shareholder warrants that have been issued in connection with the listing of the Company to former holders of the warrants of Far Point Acquisition Corporation.

 

2.  Das Bezugsrecht der Aktionäre ist ausgeschlossen. Die neuen Stammaktien können zum oder unter dem aktuellen Marktpreis ausgegeben werden. Der Verwaltungsrat bestimmt bei einer solchen Emission die spezifischen Ausgabekonditionen, inklusive den Ausgabepreis der Aktien in den Bedingungen der Aktionärsoptionen.

  

2.  The pre-emptive rights of the shareholders are excluded. The new common shares may be issued at a price equal to or below the current market price. The Board of Directors shall specify the specific conditions of issue including the issue price of the shares in the terms of the shareholder warrants.

Artikel 4d: Genehmigtes Kapital    Article 4d: Authorized capital

Der Verwaltungsrat ist ermächtigt, das Aktienkapital jederzeit bis zum [●insert date] 2022 um höchstens CHF [●] durch Ausgabe von bis zu [●] vollständig zu liberierenden Stammaktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF [●0.01] zu erhöhen. Erhöhung auf dem Wege der Festübernahme und in Teilbeträgen ist zulässig. Der Verwaltungsrat bestimmt den Ausgabepreis, die Art der zu leistenden Einlage, den Beginn der Dividendenberechtigung und die Verwendung von zugeteilten aber nicht ausgeübten Bezugsrechten.

  

The Board of Directors is authorized to increase the share capital of the Company at any time until [●insert date] 2022, by an amount not exceeding CHF [●] through the issuance of up to [●] fully paid-in common shares with a nominal value of CHF [●0.01] each. Increases by way of underwriting as well as partial increases are permitted. Issue price, type of contribution, start of dividend entitlement as well as the expiry or allocation of pre-emptive rights not exercised shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Der Verwaltungsrat ist ermächtigt, das Bezugsrecht der Aktionäre ganz oder teilweise aufzuheben oder zu beschränken:    The Board of Directors is authorized to exclude or restrict the pre-emptive rights of the existing shareholders:

1.  im Zusammenhang mit strategischen Partnertransaktionen und Kooperationen;

  

1.  in connection with strategic partnering and co-operation transactions;

2.  im Zusammenhang mit Fusionen sowie mit dem Erwerb (einschliesslich Übernahmen) von Gesellschaften, Unternehmen oder Unternehmensteilen, Beteiligungen oder Immaterialgüterrechten oder anderen Investitionen von strategischer Bedeutung und die Finanzierung oder Refinanzierung solcher Transaktionen;

  

2.  in connection with mergers, acquisitions (including take-over) of companies, enterprises or parts of enterprises, participations or intellectual property rights or other types of strategic investments as well as financing or refinancing of such transactions;

 

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3.  für die Beteiligung von Organmitgliedern und Mitarbeitern aller Stufen der Gesellschaft und deren Gruppengesellschaften;

  

3.  for the participation of directors, officers and employees at all levels of the Company and its group companies;

4.  zum Zwecke der Erweiterung des Aktionariats im Zusammenhang mit der Kotierung von Aktien an (zusätzlichen) ausländischen Börsen;

  

4.  for the purpose of expanding the shareholder base in connection with the listing of shares on (additional) foreign stock exchanges.

5.  zum Umtausch bzw. Rückkauf von Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A gegen Stammaktien aus genehmigtem Kapital gemäss Artikel 3b Ziffer 4 der Statuten;

  

5.  for the exchange and buy-back, respectively, of Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for common shares issued from authorized share capital according to Article 3b Section 4 of the Articles of Association;

6.  im Zusammenhang mit der Ausübung von Optionen, welche im Rahmen der Kotierung der Gesellschaft an vormalige Optionsinhaber der Far Point Acquisition Corporation, [ ], ausgegeben worden sind, bzw. der Schaffung von entsprechenden eignen Aktien;

  

6.  in connection with the exercise of warrants that have been issued to former holders of warrants of Far Point Acquisition Corporation, [ ], in connection with the listing of the Company and the creation of corresponding treasury shares, respectively;

7.  im Zusammenhang mit der Ausgabe von Stammaktien an Far Point LLC, [●] in ihrer Eigenschaft als Gründerin der Far Point Acquisition Corporation gemäss den Bestimmungen des Agreement and Plan of Merger, datiert per [●] 2020 zwischen [●], wie von Zeit zu Zeit geändert (die “Fusionsvereinbarung”) bzw. der Schaffung von entsprechenden eigenen Aktien;

  

7.  in connection with the issue of common shares to Far Point LLC, [●] in its capacity as founder of Far Point Acquisition Corporation pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [●] 2020 among [●], as amended from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”) and the creation of corresponding treasury shares, respectively;

8.  im Zusammenhang mit der Kotierung, einschliesslich im Zusammenhang mit dem der Ausgabe von Stammaktien an Mitglieder des Managements im Austausch für Darlehensschuldscheine bzw. Beteiligungsrechte, welche durch eine Tochtergesellschaft, Global Blue Holding Limited, begeben worden sind; oder

  

8.  in connection with the listing of the Company, including in connection with exchanges of loan notes or equity instruments issued by the Company’s subsidiary Global Blue Holding Limited to members of management for common shares of the Company; or

 

9.  im Zusammenhang mit der Ausgabe von Stammaktien an S.L. Globetrotter L.P. (Cayman Island) und andere ehemalige Aktionäre der Global Blue Group AG gemäss den Bestimmungen über Preisanpassungen der Fusionsvereinbarung.

  

9.  in connection with the issuance of common shares to S.L. Globetrotter L.P. (Cayman Island) and other former shareholders of Global Blue Group AG in accordance with the price adjustment provisions pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Artikel 5: Form der Aktien

 

Die Gesellschaft kann ihre Stammaktien in der Form von Einzelurkunden, Globalurkunden oder Wertrechte ausgeben und jederzeit ohne Genehmigung der Aktionäre eine bestehende Form in eine andere Form von Stammaktien umwandeln. Ein Aktionär oder eine

  

Article 5: Form of shares

 

The Company may issue its common shares in the form of individual certificates, global certificates and/or uncertificated securities and convert one form into another form of common shares at any time and without the approval of the shareholders. A

 

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Aktionärin hat keinen Anspruch auf Umwandlung seiner oder ihrer Stammaktien in eine andere Form oder auf Druck und Auslieferung von Urkunden. Mit der Zustimmung des Aktionärs oder der Aktionärin kann die Gesellschaft ausgestellte Urkunden, die bei ihr eingeliefert werden, ersatzlos annullieren. Jeder Aktionär und jede Aktionärin können jedoch von der Gesellschaft jederzeit die Ausstellung einer Bescheinigung über die von ihm oder ihr gemäss Aktienregister gehaltenen Stammaktien verlangen.    shareholder has no entitlement to demand a conversion of the form of the common shares or the printing and delivery of share certificates. With the consent of the shareholder, the Company may cancel issued certificates which are returned to it without replacement. Each shareholder may, however, at any time request a written confirmation from the Company of the common shares held by such shareholder, as reflected in the share register of the Company.
Die Gesellschaft kann für die Stammaktien Bucheffekten schaffen. Die Übertragung von Bucheffekten und die Bestellung von Sicherheiten an Bucheffekten richten sich nach den Bestimmungen des Bucheffektengesetzes. Die Gesellschaft kann als Bucheffekten ausgestaltete Stammaktien aus dem entsprechenden Verwahrungssystem zurückziehen.    The Company may create intermediated securities for the common shares. The transfer of intermediated securities and furnishing of collateral in intermediated securities must conform with the regulations of the Intermediary-Held Securities Act. The Company may withdraw common shares issued as intermediary-held securities from the respective custody system.
Wertrechte können, sofern keine Bucheffekten geschaffen wurden, nur durch Zession übertragen werden. Die Zession bedarf zur Gültigkeit der Anzeige an die Gesellschaft.    Uncertified securities (Wertrechte) may only be transferred by way of assignment provided that they are not registered as book-entry securities. In order to be valid, the assignment must be reported to the Company.
Für den Fall, dass die Gesellschaft Aktienzertifikate druckt und ausgibt, müssen die Aktienzertifikate die Unterschrift von mindestens einem zeichnungsberechtigten Verwaltungsrat enthalten. Faksimile-Unterschriften sind erlaubt.    If the Company prints and issues share certificates, such share certificates shall bear the signature of at least one member of the Board of Directors who is authorized to sign. The signatures may be facsimile signatures.
Die vorstehenden Bestimmungen dieses Artikels 5 der Statuten gelten mutatis mutandis auch für die Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A.    The foregoing provisions of this Article 5 of the Articles of Association apply mutatis mutandis to Series A Preferred Shares.

Artikel 6: Aktienbuch und Beschränkung der Übertragbarkeit von Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A

 

Für die Stamm- und Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie wird ein Aktienbuch geführt. Darin werden die Eigentümer und Nutzniesser mit Namen und Vornamen (bei juristischen Personen die Firma), Wohnort (bei juristischen Personen der Sitz) und Adresse eingetragen. Wechselt eine im Aktienbuch eingetragene Person ihre Adresse, so hat sie dies der Gesellschaft mitzuteilen.

  

Article 6: Share register and Transfer Restrictions for Series A Preferred Shares

 

The identity of the owners/usufructuaries of common shares and Series A Preferred Shares shall be entered in the share register stating first/last name (for legal entities the company name), domicile (for legal entities the legal domicile) and address. Any person registered in the share register changing its address, must inform the Company accordingly.

Die Übertragung von Vorzugsaktien der Kategorie A, ob zu Eigentum oder zu Nutzniessung, bedarf in jedem Falle der Genehmigung durch den Verwaltungsrat. Die Zustimmung kann nur verweigert werden bzw. der Verwaltungsrat ist verpflichtet, die Zustimmung zu    The transfer of Series A Preferred Shares, be it for ownership or usufruct purposes, is in any case subject to the approval by the Board of Directors. The approval can only be refused and the Board of Directors is obliged to refuse approval, respectively,

 

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verweigern, falls der Erwerber der Eintauschvereinbarung nicht beitritt.    if the acquirer does not accede to the Conversion Agreement.

 

III. ORGANISATION

 

A. Generalversammlung

 

Artikel 7: Befugnisse

 

Oberstes Organ der Gesellschaft ist die Generalversammlung. Ihr stehen folgende unübertragbare Befugnisse zu:

  

III. ORGANISATION

 

A. General Meeting of Shareholders

 

Article 7: Authorities

 

The General Meeting of Shareholders is the supreme corporate body of the Company. It has the following non-transferable powers:

1.  Festsetzung und Änderung der Statuten;

  

1.  to adopt and amend the Articles of Association;

2.  Wahl und Abberufung der Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats, des/der Präsidenten/in des Verwaltungsrats, der Mitglieder des Vergütungsausschusses, der Revisionsstelle und des unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreters;

  

2.  to elect and recall the members of the Board of Directors, the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, the members of the Compensation Committee, the Auditors and the Independent Proxy;

3.  Genehmigung des Lageberichts und der Konzernrechnung;

  

3.  to approve the management report and the consolidated accounts;

4.  Genehmigung der Jahresrechnung sowie Beschlussfassung über die Verwendung des Bilanzgewinns, insbesondere die Festsetzung der Dividende;

  

4.  to approve the annual accounts as well as to pass resolutions regarding the allocation of profits as shown on the balance sheet, in particular to determine the dividends;

5.  Genehmigung der Vergütungen des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung gemäss den Artikeln 8, 27 und 28;

  

5.  to approve the compensation of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management pursuant to Articles 8, 27 and 28;

6.  Entlastung der Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats der Geschäftsleitung und des Vergütungsausschusses;

  

6.  to grant discharge to the members of the Board of Directors Executive Management and the Compensation Committee;

7.  Beschlussfassung über die Gegenstände, die der Generalversammlung durch das Gesetz oder die Statuten vorbehalten sind oder ihr durch den Verwaltungsrat vorgelegt werden.

  

7.  to pass resolutions regarding issues which are reserved to the General Meeting of Shareholders by law or by the Articles of Association or which are presented to it by the Board of Directors.

 

Artikel 8: Beschlüsse betreffend Vergütungen

 

Die ordentliche Generalversammlung genehmigt jedes Jahr gesondert die Anträge des Verwaltungsrates in Bezug auf:

  

Article 8: Resolutions on compensation

 

Each year, the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall approve separately the proposals by the Board of Directors in relation to the aggregate maximum amount of:

a.   den maximalen Gesamtbetrag der Vergütung des Verwaltungsrats für die Dauer bis zur nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung; und

  

a.   the compensation of the Board of Directors for the term of office until the next ordinary Meeting of the Shareholders; and

 

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b.  den maximalen Gesamtbetrag der Vergütung der Geschäftsleitung für das folgende Geschäftsjahr.

  

b.  the compensation of the Executive Management for the next financial year.

Lehnt die Generalversammlung einen beantragten Vergütungsbetrag ab, kann der Verwaltungsrat unter Berücksichtigung aller relevanten Umstände einen maximalen Gesamtbetrag festlegen und diesen einer neuen Generalversammlung zur Genehmigung unterbreiten. Diesfalls können die Gesellschaft oder von ihr kontrollierte Gesellschaften, unter Vorbehalt einer späteren Genehmigung durch die Generalversammlung, bereits vorgängig Vergütungen ausrichten.    If the General Meeting of Shareholders does not approve the proposed compensation amount, the Board of Directors may determine the aggregate maximum compensation amount, taking into consideration all relevant circumstances and submit such amount to a new General Meeting of Shareholders for approval. In this case, the Company or companies controlled by it may pay compensation prior to such General Meeting of Shareholders, subject to its subsequent approval.
Die ordentliche Generalversammlung stimmt jedes Jahr konsultativ über den Vergütungsbericht der Gesellschaft ab.    Each year, the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall hold a consultative vote on the Company’s compensation report.
Eine Überschreitung der genehmigten maximalen Gesamtbeträge aufgrund von Wechselkursschwankungen ist unbeachtlich.    Any excess of the approved maximum aggregate amounts, which results from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations shall be disregarded.

 

Artikel 9: Zusätzlicher Vergütungsbetrag für neue Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung

 

Werden Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung während einer Vergütungsperiode neu ernannt bzw. Mitglieder befördert, für welche die Generalversammlung den maximalen Gesamtbetrag bereits genehmigt hat, und reicht dieser maximale Gesamtbetrag nicht aus, um die Vergütungen dieser Mitglieder zu decken, sind die Gesellschaft und von ihr kontrollierte Gesellschaften ermächtigt, einen Zusatzbetrag auszurichten. Der Zusatzbetrag (einschliesslich allfälliger Antrittsprämien) darf pro Vergütungsperiode und Mitglied fünfunddreissig Prozent der jeweils letzten genehmigten (maximalen) Gesamtvergütung der Geschäftsleitung nicht übersteigen.

  

Article 9: Supplementary compensation amount for new members of the Executive Management

 

In the event that members of Executive Management are newly appointed, or members of the Executive Management are promoted during a compensation period for which the General Meeting of Shareholders has already voted upon and the aggregate maximum compensation approved for such period is not sufficient to cover the compensation of these appointees, the Company or companies controlled by it are authorized to pay or award supplementary compensation. The supplementary amount (including sign-on bonuses, if any) shall, per compensation period and member, not exceed thirty-five percent of the aggregate (maximum) compensation amount for Executive Management last approved.

 

Artikel 10: Versammlungen

 

Die ordentliche Generalversammlung findet jedes Jahr innerhalb von sechs Monaten nach Abschluss des Geschäftsjahres statt. Zeitpunkt und Ort werden durch den Verwaltungsrat bestimmt.

  

 

Article 10: Meetings

 

The ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be held annually within six months after the close of the business year. The Board of Directors determines the time and location of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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Ausserordentliche Generalversammlungen werden einberufen, so oft es notwendig ist, insbesondere in den vom Gesetz vorgesehenen Fällen.    Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders shall be called as often as necessary, in particular, in all cases required by law.
Zu ausserordentlichen Generalversammlungen hat der Verwaltungsrat einzuladen, wenn eine Generalversammlung dies beschliesst oder Aktionäre, die mindestens zehn Prozent des Aktienkapitals vertreten, schriftlich und unter Angabe der Verhandlungsgegenstände und der Anträge eine Einberufung verlangen.    Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders shall be convened by the Board of Directors upon a resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders or if shareholders representing at least ten percent of the share capital request such meeting in writing, setting forth the items to be discussed and the proposals to be decided upon.

 

Artikel 11: Einberufung

 

Die Generalversammlung wird durch den Verwaltungsrat, nötigenfalls durch die Revisionsstelle einberufen.

  

Article 11: Notice

 

General Meetings of Shareholders shall be convened by the Board of Directors and, if need be, by the Auditors.

Die Einladung erfolgt mindestens 20 Kalendertage vor der Versammlung durch Publikation im Schweizerischen Handelsamtsblatt. In der Einladung sind neben Tag, Zeit und Ort der Versammlung die Verhandlungsgegenstände sowie die Anträge des Verwaltungsrats und der Aktionäre, welche die Durchführung einer Generalversammlung oder die Traktandierung eines Verhandlungsgegenstandes verlangt haben, bekanntzugeben.    Notice of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be given by publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce at least 20 calendar days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall state the day, time and place of the meeting, the agenda, the proposals of the Board of Directors and the proposals of the shareholders who have requested the General Meeting of Shareholders or that an item be included on the agenda
Die Eigentümer, Nutzniesser oder Vertreter sämtlicher Aktien können, falls kein Widerspruch erhoben wird, eine Generalversammlung ohne Einhaltung der für die Einberufung vorgeschriebenen Formvorschriften abhalten (Universalversammlung). Solange die Eigentümer oder Vertreter sämtlicher Aktien anwesend sind, kann in dieser Versammlung über alle in den Geschäftskreis der Generalversammlung fallenden Gegenstände verhandelt und gültig Beschluss gefasst werden.    The owners, usufructuaries or representatives of all the shares may, if no objection is raised, hold a General Meeting of Shareholders without observing the formal requirements for the convening of the General Meeting of Shareholders (Universal Shareholders Meeting). As long as the owners or representatives of all the shares are present, all subjects falling within the scope of business of the Shareholders Meeting may be validly discussed and decided upon at such meeting.
Spätestens 20 Kalendertage vor der ordentlichen Generalversammlung sind der Geschäftsbericht, der Revisionsbericht und der Vergütungsbericht am Sitz der Gesellschaft zur Einsicht der Aktionäre aufzulegen. In der Einberufung zur Generalversammlung ist auf diese Auflegung und auf das Recht der Aktionäre hinzuweisen, die Zustellung dieser Unterlagen verlangen zu können.    The annual business report, the Auditors’ report and the Compensation Report must be submitted for examination by the shareholders at the registered office of the Company at least 20 calendar days prior to the date of the ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Reference to such submission and to the shareholders’ right to request the conveying of these documents to them shall be included in the notice to the General Meeting of Shareholders.

 

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Artikel 12: Traktanden

 

Der Verwaltungsrat nimmt die Traktandierung der Verhandlungsgegenstände vor.

  

Article 12: Agenda

 

The Board of Directors shall state the items on the agenda.

Aktionäre, die einzeln oder zusammen mindestens zehn Prozent des Aktienkapitals der Gesellschaft vertreten, können vom Verwaltungsrat die Traktandierung eines Verhandlungsgegenstands verlangen. Das Begehren um Traktandierung ist mindestens 45 Kalendertage vor der Generalversammlung schriftlich unter Angabe des Verhandlungsgegenstands und der Anträge an den/die Präsidenten/in des Verwaltungsrats einzureichen.    Shareholders with voting rights individually or jointly representing at least ten percent of the share capital of the Company may demand that items be put on the agenda. Such demands have to be submitted to the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Directors at least 45 calendar days before the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders and shall be in writing, specifying the item and the proposals.

 

Über Anträge zu nicht gehörig angekündigten Verhandlungsgegenständen, welche auch nicht im Zusammenhang mit einem gehörig traktandierten Verhandlungsgegenstand stehen, können keine Beschlüsse gefasst werden, ausser in den gesetzlich vorgesehenen Fällen.    No resolution shall be passed on items proposed only at the General Meeting and which have no bearing on any of the proposed items of the agenda, apart from those exceptions permitted by law.

Artikel 13: Vorsitz, Protokolle

 

Den Vorsitz der Generalversammlung führt der/die Präsident/in des Verwaltungsrats, bei dessen/deren Verhinderung ein/e Vizepräsident/in des Verwaltungsrats oder ein anderes durch den Verwaltungsrat bestimmtes Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats (der/die “Vorsitzende”).

  

Article 13: Chair, minutes

 

The General Meeting of Shareholders shall be chaired by the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, or, in his/her absence, by a Vice-Chairman/Vice-Chairwoman of the Board of Directors or another member of the Board of Directors selected by the Board of Directors (“Chairman/Chairwoman”).

Der/die Vorsitzende bezeichnet den/die Sekretär/in, der/die nicht Aktionär/in sein muss.    The Chairman/Chairwoman designates a Secretary who does not need to be shareholder.
Der Verwaltungsrat sorgt für die Führung der Protokolle, die vom/von der Vorsitzende/n und vom/von der Sekretär/in zu unterzeichnen sind.    The Board of Directors is responsible for the keeping of the minutes, which are to be signed by the Chairman/Chairwoman and by the Secretary.

Artikel 14: Beschlussfassung

 

Jede Aktie berechtigt, unter Vorbehalt von Artikel 6, zu einer Stimme.

  

Article 14: Resolutions

 

Subject to Article 6, each share entitles to one vote.

Jede/r Aktionär/in kann sich vom unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreter oder von einer anderen Person, die kein(e) Aktionär/in sein muss, vertreten lassen. Der Verwaltungsrat erlässt die Verfahrensvorschriften über die Teilnahme und Vertretung an der Generalversammlung. Über die Anerkennung der Vollmacht entscheidet der/die Vorsitzende.    Each shareholder may be represented by the Independent Proxy or any other person who needs not to be a shareholder. The Board of Directors issues regulations on the procedures of participation and representation at the General Meeting of Shareholders. The Person chairing the General Meeting of Shareholders decides whether a proxy is acceptable or not.

 

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Soweit nicht das Gesetz oder die Statuten abweichende Bestimmungen enthalten, fasst die Generalversammlung ihre Beschlüsse und vollzieht ihre Wahlen mit der einfachen Mehrheit der abgegebenen Stimmen, wobei Enthaltungen, leer eingelegte Stimmen und ungültige Stimmen bei der Berechnung des Mehrs nicht berücksichtigt werden.    The General Meeting shall pass its resolutions and carry out its elections with the simple majority of the votes cast, to the extent that neither the law nor the Articles of Association provide otherwise. Abstentions, empty votes and invalid votes will not be taken into account for the calculation of the required majority.
Die Wahlen von Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrats und des Vergütungsausschusses erfolgen jeweils einzeln.    The members of the Board of the Directors and the members of the Compensation Committee are elected individually.
Der/die Vorsitzende bestimmt das Abstimmungsverfahren. Die Abstimmungen und Wahlen erfolgen – sofern an der Versammlung möglich – mit elektronischen Abstimmungsgeräten. Andernfalls finden Abstimmungen und Wahlen offen statt, es sei denn, dass die Generalversammlung eine schriftliche Durchführung beschliesst oder der/die Vorsitzende sie anordnet.    The Chairman/Chairwoman shall determine the voting procedure. The voting and elections shall be conducted by with electronic voting devices– to the extent that this is possible at the Meeting. If not, resolutions or elections will be taken on a show of hands unless a written ballot is held upon resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders or if the person chairing the General Meeting of Shareholders so directs.
Der/die Vorsitzende kann, sofern seiner/ihrer Meinung nach Zweifel am Abstimmungs- respektive Wahlergebnis bestehen, die Art der Abstimmung oder Wahl ändern. In diesem Fall gilt die vorausgegangene Abstimmung oder Wahl als nicht geschehen.    If the person chairing the General Meeting doubts the results of the vote, he/ she may change the way of voting. In this case, the preceding resolution or election is deemed not to have occurred

Artikel 15: Qualifiziertes Mehr für wichtige Beschlüsse

 

Ein Beschluss der Generalversammlung, der mindestens zwei Drittel der vertretenen Aktienstimmen und die absolute Mehrheit der vertretenen Aktiennennwerte auf sich vereinigt, ist erforderlich für:

  

Article 15: Qualified majority for important resolutions

 

A resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders passed by at least two thirds of the represented share votes and the absolute majority of the represented nominal value of the shares is required for:

1.  die Einführung, Erleichterung oder Aufhebung der Beschränkung der Übertragbarkeit von Namenaktien;

  

1.  the introduction, easement or abolition of restrictions of the transferability of registered shares;

2.  die Einführung von Vorzugs- oder Stimmrechtsaktien;

  

2.  any creation of shares with preferential rights or with privileged voting rights;

 

3.  genehmigte oder bedingte Kapitalerhöhungen;

  

3.  any authorized or conditional capital increases;

4.  Kapitalerhöhung aus Eigenkapital, gegen Sacheinlage oder zwecks Sachübernahme und die Gewährung von besonderen Vorteilen;

  

4.  any increase of capital against the Company’s equity, against contributions in kind, or for the purpose of acquiring assets or the granting of special benefits;

 

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5.  Einschränkung oder Aufhebung des Bezugsrechts;

  

5.  any limitation or withdrawal of subscription rights;

6.  Verlegung des Sitzes oder Änderung der Firma der Gesellschaft;

  

6.  any change of the registered office or corporate name of the Company;

7.  Veräusserung des ganzen Vermögens der Gesellschaft oder im Wesentlichen aller Teile davon;

  

7.  any sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;

8.  Fusion, Spaltung oder eine ähnliche Reorganisation der Gesellschaft;

  

8.  any merger, demerger or similar reorganization of the Company;

9.  Liquidation der Gesellschaft;

  

9.  the liquidation of the Company;

10.  Änderung der Maximalzahl der Verwaltungsräte;

  

10.  change of the maximum number of Directors;

11.  eine Änderung dieses Artikels 15; und

  

11.  any change to this Article 15; and

12.  die weiteren in Artikel 704 Abs. 1 OR sowie im Bundesgesetz über Fusion, Spaltung, Umwandlung und Vermögensübertragung (Fusionsgesetz) vom 3. Oktober 2003 in der jeweils gültigen Fassung genannten Fälle

  

12.  the other cases listed in Article 704 para. 1 CO and in the Federal Act on Merger, Demerger, Conversion and Transfer of Assets (Merger Act) dated 3 October 2003 in the relevant applicable version

 

Artikel 16: Unabhängiger Stimmrechtsvertreter

 

Die Generalversammlung wählt einen unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreter. Wählbar sind natürliche oder juristische Personen und Personengesellschaften.

  

Article 16: Independent proxy

 

The General Meeting elects an independent proxy. Natural persons as well as legal entities and partnerships are eligible for election.

Die Amtsdauer des unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreters endet mit Abschluss der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung. Wiederwahl ist zulässig. Seine Pflichten richten sich nach den anwendbaren gesetzlichen Bestimmungen.    The term of office of the Independent Proxy ends with the conclusion of the next ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Re-election is permitted. The duties of the Independent Proxy are governed by the relevant statutory provisions.

B. Verwaltungsrat

 

Artikel 17: Wahl, Amtsdauer, Konstituierung

 

Der Verwaltungsrat besteht aus mindestens 3, jedoch nicht mehr als 9 Mitgliedern. Die Amtsdauer der Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats sowie des/der Präsidenten/in entspricht der gesetzlich zulässigen Maximaldauer von einem Jahr und endet mit Abschluss der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung. Wiederwahl ist zulässig.

  

B. Board of Directors

 

Article 17: Election, term of office, constitution

 

The Board of Directors shall consist of a minimum of 3 members and maximum of 9 members. The term of the members of the Board of Directors as well of the Chairman/Chairwoman shall correspond to the legally permitted maximum term of one year and shall end at the end of the next ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Re-election is permitted.

Abgesehen von der Wahl des/der Verwaltungsratspräsidenten/in und der Mitglieder des    Except for the election of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and the members of the

 

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Vergütungsausschusses konstituiert sich der Verwaltungsrat selbst.    Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors constitutes itself.
Der Verwaltungsrat bezeichnet den/die Sekretär/in, der/die weder Aktionär/in noch Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats sein muss.    The Board of Directors appoints the Secretary who does not need to be a shareholder or a member of the Board of Directors.

Artikel 18: Oberleitung, Delegation

 

Dem Verwaltungsrat obliegt die oberste Leitung der Gesellschaft und die Überwachung der Geschäftsführung. Er vertritt die Gesellschaft nach aussen und besorgt alle Angelegenheiten, die nicht nach Gesetz, Statuten oder Reglement einem anderen Organ der Gesellschaft übertragen sind.

  

Article 18: Ultimate direction, delegation

 

The Board of Directors is entrusted with the ultimate direction of the Company as well as the supervision of the management. It represents the Company towards third parties and attends to all matters which are not delegated to or reserved for another corporate body of the Company by law, the Articles of Association or the regulations.

 

Der Verwaltungsrat kann die Geschäftsführung oder einzelne Teile derselben sowie die Vertretung der Gesellschaft, an eine oder mehrere natürliche Personen oder Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats übertragen. Er erlässt das Organisationsreglement und ordnet die entsprechenden Vertragsverhältnisse    The Board of Directors may delegate the management and the representation of the Company wholly or in part to one or several natural persons or members of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall enact the organizational regulations and arrange for the respective contractual relationships.

Artikel 19: Aufgaben

 

Der Verwaltungsrat entscheidet über alle Angelegenheiten, die nicht durch Gesetz, Statuten oder Reglemente einem anderen Organ der Gesellschaft vorbehalten oder übertragen sind.

  

Article 19: Duties

 

The Board of Directors is authorized to pass resolutions regarding all matters which are not reserved to another governing body of the Company by law, these Articles of Association or any regulations.

Der Verwaltungsrat hat folgende unübertragbare und unentziehbare Aufgaben:    The Board of Directors has the following non-transferable and irrevocable duties:

1.  Oberleitung der Gesellschaft und Erteilung der nötigen Weisungen;

  

1.  to ultimately direct the Company and issue the necessary directives;

2.  Festlegung der Organisation;

  

2.  to determine the organization;

3.  Ausgestaltung des Rechnungswesens, des internen Kontrollsystems (IKS), der Finanzkontrolle und der Finanzplanung sowie die Durchführung einer Risikobeurteilung;

  

3.  to organize the accounting, the internal control system (ICS), the financial control and the financial planning as well as to perform a risk assessment;

4.  Ernennung und Abberufung der mit der Geschäftsführung und der Vertretung betrauten Personen und Regelung der Zeichnungsberechtigung;

  

4.  to appoint and recall the persons entrusted with the management and representation of the Company and to grant signatory power;

 

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5.  Oberaufsicht über die mit der Geschäftsführung betrauten Personen, namentlich im Hinblick auf die Befolgung der Gesetze, Statuten, Reglemente und Weisungen;

  

5.  to ultimately supervise the persons entrusted with the management, in particular with respect to compliance with the law, the Articles of Association, regulations and directives;

 

6.  Erstellung des Geschäftsberichts sowie Vorbereitung der Generalversammlung und Ausführung ihrer Beschlüsse;

  

6.  to prepare the business report, as well as the General Meeting and to implement the latter’s resolutions;

7.  Erstellung des Vergütungsberichts;

  

7.  to prepare the compensation report;

8.  Benachrichtigung des Richters im Falle der Überschuldung;

  

8.  to inform the judge in the event of over-indebtedness;

9.  Beschlussfassung über die nachträgliche Leistung von Einlagen auf nicht vollständig liberierte Aktien und daraus folgenden Statutenänderungen;

  

9.  to pass resolutions regarding the subsequent payment of capital with respect to non-fully paid-in shares and regarding the amendments to the Articles of Association entailed thereby;

10.  Beschlussfassung über die Feststellung von Kapitalerhöhungen, die Erstellung des Kapitalerhöhungsberichts und daraus folgende Statutenänderungen;

  

10.  to pass resolutions confirming increases in share capital, regarding the preparation of the capital increase report and regarding the amendments to the Articles of Association entailed thereby;

11.  Prüfung der Einhaltung der gesetzlichen Bestimmungen betreffend Einsetzung, Wahl und fachliche Voraussetzungen der Revisionsstelle;

  

11.  to examine compliance with the legal requirements regarding the appointment, election and the professional qualifications of the Auditors;

12.  Abschluss von Verträgen gemäss Artikel 12, 36 und 70 des Fusionsgesetzes

  

12.  to execute the agreements pursuant to Articles 12, 36 and 70 of the Merger Act.

Ist das Amt des/der Präsidenten/in des Verwaltungsrats vakant, ist der Vergütungsausschuss nicht vollständig besetzt oder hat die Gesellschaft keinen unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreter, so ernennt der Verwaltungsrat jeweils für die Dauer bis zum Abschluss der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung einen Ersatz, welcher – mit Ausnahme des unabhängigen Stimmrechtsvertreters – ein Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats sein muss.    If the office of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Directors is vacant, the Compensation Committee is not complete or the Company does not have an Independent Proxy, the Board of Directors shall appoint a substitute for the time period until the conclusion of the next ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders that must be – with the exception of the Independent Proxy – a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Artikel 20: Organisation, Protokolle

 

Sitzungsordnung, Beschlussfähigkeit (Präsenz) und Beschlussfassung des Verwaltungsrats richten sich nach dem Organisationsreglement. Beschlüsse können auch auf dem Zirkulationsweg per Briefpost, Telefax oder E-Mail gefasst werden, sofern nicht ein Mitglied die mündliche Beratung verlangt. Details regelt das Organisationsreglement.

  

Article 20: Organization, minutes

 

The organization of the meetings, the presence quorum and the passing of resolutions of the Board of Directors shall be in compliance with the organizational regulations. Resolutions can be made by circulation by mail, telefax or e-mail, unless a member requests oral deliberation. The organizational regulations govern the details.

 

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Der/die Vorsitzende hat keinen Stichentscheid.    The Chairman/Chairwoman shall have no casting vote.
Über die Verhandlungen und Beschlüsse des Verwaltungsrats ist ein Protokoll zu führen. Das Protokoll ist vom/von der Vorsitzende/n und vom/von der Sekretär/in des Verwaltungsrats zu unterzeichnen.    Minutes shall be kept of the deliberations and resolutions of the Board of Directors. The minutes shall be signed by the Chairman/Chairwoman and the Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Artikel 21: Vergütungsausschuss

 

Die Generalversammlung wählt mindestens zwei Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats in den Vergütungsausschuss. Die Amtsdauer endet mit Abschluss der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung. Wiederwahl ist zulässig.

  

Article 21: Compensation committee

 

The Meeting of Shareholders elects at least two members of the Board of Directors as members of the Compensation Committee. The term of office ends with the conclusion of the next ordinary Meeting of the Shareholders. Re-election is permitted.

Der Vergütungsausschuss unterstützt den Verwaltungsrat in der Überprüfung und Festlegung der Vergütungsstrategie und -politik der Gesellschaft und hat die folgenden Grundaufgaben und Zuständigkeiten im Zusammenhang mit der Vergütung des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung:    The Compensation Committee shall support the Board of Directors in reviewing and establishing the Company’s compensation strategy and policy and shall have the following basic tasks and responsibilities in relation to the compensation of the Board of Directors and Executive Management:

1.  Anträge zuhanden des Verwaltungsrats betreffend die maximalen Gesamtbeträge der Vergütungen des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung, welche der Generalversammlung zur Abstimmung unterbreitet werden sollen;

  

1.  to propose to the Board of Directors for approval by the General Meeting of the Shareholders the aggregate maximum compensation of the Board of Directors and the aggregate maximum compensation of the Executive Management;

 

2.  Antrag zuhanden des Verwaltungsrats betreffend die Zuteilung des von der Generalversammlung genehmigten maximalen Gesamtbetrags der Vergütungen an den Verwaltungsrat;

  

2.  to propose to the Board of Directors the allocation of the aggregate Board compensation approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders;

3.  Antrag zuhanden des Verwaltungsrats betreffend Festsetzung der Vergütung des Chief Executive Officers der übrigen Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung im Rahmen des von der Generalversammlung genehmigten maximalen Gesamtbetrags;

  

3.  to propose to the Board of Directors the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other members of the Executive Management within the framework of the aggregate maximum compensation approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders;

4.  Antrag zuhanden des Verwaltungsrats betreffend Festlegung der Ziele und Bestimmung der Zielerreichung im Rahmen der leistungsabhängigen kurzfristigen variablen Vergütung der Geschäftsleitung;

  

4.  to propose to the Board of Directors targets and determination of target achievement under the performance-based short-term variable compensation of the Executive Management;

5.  Antrag zuhanden des Verwaltungsrats betreffend Änderung der Statuten mit Bezug auf das

  

5.  to propose to the Board of Directors modifications to the Articles of Association

 

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Vergütungssystem des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung.

  

regarding the compensation system for the Board of Directors and Executive Management.

Der Verwaltungsrat regelt die weiteren Aufgaben und Zuständigkeiten des Vergütungsausschusses im Organisationsreglement und im Reglement des Vergütungsausschusses.    The Board of Directors will provide for further duties and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee in the organizational regulations and the regulations of the Compensation Committee.

 

C. Revisionsstelle

 

Artikel 22: Revisionspflicht, Wahl und Einsetzung der Revisionsstelle und ihre Aufgaben

 

Die Generalversammlung wählt eine Revisionsstelle gemäss den Bestimmungen dieses Artikels 22. Die Revisionsstelle ist in das Handelsregister einzutragen.

  

C. Auditors

 

Article 22: Duty of audit, election, appointment and duties of auditors

 

The General Meeting of Shareholders shall elect the Auditors pursuant to the provisions of this Article 22. The Auditors must be registered in the Commercial Register.

Die Gesellschaft hat ihre Jahresrechnung durch eine Revisionsstelle ordentlich prüfen zu lassen.    The Auditors shall perform a regular audit of the Company’s annual financial statements.
Die Amtsdauer der Revisionsstelle beträgt ein Jahr. Ihr Amt endet mit der Abnahme der letzten Jahresrechnung. Wiederwahl und Abberufung sind jederzeit möglich.    The Auditors’ term of office shall be one year. It shall end with the approval of the last annual financial accounts. Re-election and revocation are possible at any time.
Die Revisionsstelle hat die Rechte und Pflichten gemäss Artikel 728 ff. OR.    The Auditors’ rights and obligations are those provided for in Articles 728 et seq. CO.

IV.  RECHNUNGSLEGUNG

 

Artikel 23: Jahresrechnung und Konzernrechnung

 

Die Gesellschaft erstellt ihren Geschäftsbericht einschliesslich Jahresrechnung (Einzelabschluss) und Konzernrechnung gemäss den anwendbaren gesetzlichen Vorschriften.

  

IV.  ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

 

Article 23: Annual accounts and consolidated financial statements

 

The Company prepares its annual report including annual accounts (statutory financial statements) and consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable law.

Das Geschäftsjahr beginnt am 1. April und endet am 31. März (mit Ausnahme des ersten Geschäftsjahrs, welches am 31. März 2021 endet).    The financial year starts on April 1 and ends on March 31 (except for the first financial year which ends on March 31, 2021).

 

Artikel 24: Gewinnverteilung

 

Unter Vorbehalt der gesetzlichen Vorschriften über die Gewinnverteilung, insbesondere Artikel 671 ff. OR, steht der Bilanzgewinn zur Verfügung der Generalversammlung.

  

Article 24: Distribution of profits

 

Subject to the statutory provisions regarding the distribution of profits, in particular Articles 671 et seq. CO, the profits as shown on the balance sheet may be allocated by the General Meeting of Shareholders at its discretion.

 

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Die Dividende darf erst festgesetzt werden, nachdem die dem Gesetz entsprechenden Zuweisungen an die gesetzlichen Reserven abgezogen worden sind. Alle Dividenden, welche innerhalb von fünf Jahren nach ihrer Fälligkeit nicht bezogen worden sind, verfallen zugunsten der Gesellschaft.    The dividend may only be determined after the transfers prescribed by law to the legal reserve funds have been deducted. All dividends unclaimed within a period of five years after their due date shall be forfeited to the Company.

V. VERGÜTUNGEN UND DAMIT ZUSAMMENHÄNGENDE BESTIMMUNGEN

 

Artikel 25: Zulässige weitere Tätigkeiten

 

Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats, welche nicht gleichzeitig in der Geschäftsleitung tätig sind, können bis zu vier zusätzliche Mandate (gemäss untenstehender Definition) in börsenkotierten Unternehmen bzw. bis zu zehn Mandate in nicht börsenkotierten Unternehmen wahrnehmen.

  

V. COMPENSATION AND RELATED PROVISIONS

 

Article 25: Permitted additional activities

 

The non-executive members of the Board of Directors can have up to four additional Mandates (as defined below) in listed companies and up to ten additional in non-listed companies, respectively.

Die Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung können, mit vorheriger Zustimmung des Verwaltungsrats, bis zu vier weitere Mandate (gemäss untenstehender Definition), davon zwei in börsenkotierten Unternehmen, wahrnehmen.    The members of the Executive Management may upon prior approval by the Board of Directors have up to four additional Mandates (as defined below), two of which can be in listed companies.
Die folgenden Funktionen unterliegen im Rahmen dieses Art. 25 nicht den obenstehenden Beschränkungen:    For the purposes of this Article 25 the following functions do not fall under the above restrictions:

1.  Mandate in von der Gesellschaft beherrschten Unternehmen;

  

1.  Mandates in entities controlled by the Company;

2.  Mandate, die Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats oder der Geschäftsleitung auf Anordnung der Gesellschaft wahrnehmen. Kein Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats oder der Geschäftsleitung kann mehr als fünf solche Mandate wahrnehmen; und

  

2.  Mandates a member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Management assumes upon request by the Company, provided that no member of the Board of Directors or Executive Management may hold more than five of such Mandates; and

 

3.  Mandate in Vereinen, Stiftungen, gemeinnützigen Organisationen, Trusts, Personalfürsorgestiftungen oder ähnlichen Institutionen. Kein Mitglied des Verwaltungsrats oder der Geschäftsleitung kann mehr als zehn solche Mandate wahrnehmen.

  

3.  Mandates in associations, foundations, charitable organisations, trusts, employee welfare foundations or other comparable structures, provided that no member of the Board of Directors or the Executive Management may hold more than ten Mandates in such organizations.

Als “Mandate” im Sinne dieses Art. 25 gelten Mitgliedschaften in höheren Management- oder Aufsichtsgremien von rechtlichen Einheiten, die zur Eintragung im Schweizerischen Handelsregister oder    “Mandate” as used in this Article 25 means memberships in the senior management or oversight bodies of legal units obliged to register themselves in a Swiss commercial register or a foreign equivalent

 

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einem gleichwertigen ausländischen Register verpflichtet sind. Mehrere Mandate in rechtlichen Einheiten, die demselben Konzern angehören bzw. Portfoliogesellschaften (einschliesslich börsenkotierte Unternehmen) einer Private Equity Gruppe (einschliesslich Fonds geführt, beraten oder auf andere Weise kontrolliert durch diese Gruppe) sind, gelten, zusammen mit den Mandaten in rechtlichen Einheiten, (einschliesslich Fonds geführt, beraten oder auf andere Weise kontrolliert durch diese Einheiten), welche dieser Private Equity Gruppe angehören, als ein Mandat. Eine kurzfristige Überschreitung der in diesem Artikel geregelten Begrenzungen ist zulässig.    thereof. Several Mandates in legal units belonging to the same consolidated group of companies or several Mandates in legal units constituting portfolio companies (including listed companies) of a private equity investor group (including funds managed, advised or otherwise controlled by such group) are deemed, together with mandates in legal units (including funds managed, advised or otherwise controlled by such units) constituting that private equity investor group, one Mandate. It is admissible to exceed the limitations set forth in this article for a short period of time.

Artikel 26: Verträge, die den Vergütungen für Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats und der Geschäftsleitung zugrunde liegen

 

Die Vereinbarungen mit den Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrats dauern von der Wahl bis zum Abschluss der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung. Vorbehalten bleiben Rücktritt und Abberufung.

  

Article 26: Agreements related to the Compensation for Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management

 

The agreements of the members of the Board of Directors shall have a term from election until the conclusion of the next ordinary Meeting of the Shareholders. Resignation or dismissal remains reserved.

Die Arbeitsverträge mit den Mitgliedern der Geschäftsleitung sind in der Regel unbefristet. Die maximale Kündigungsfrist beträgt zwölf Monate. Kommt der Verwaltungsrat oder ein Ausschuss des Verwaltungsrats zum Schluss, dass befristete Verträge eingegangen werden sollen, beträgt die Vertragsdauer höchstens ein Jahr. Erneuerung ist zulässig.    The employment agreements of the members of the Executive Management shall in principle be concluded for an indefinite period. With respect to employment agreements entered into for an indefinite period, the maximum notice period must not exceed 12 months. If the Board of Directors considers a fixed term appropriate, such fixed term shall not exceed one year. Renewal is possible.

 

Für den Fall, dass das Arbeitsverhältnis beendet wird, kann die Gesellschaft das Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung während der laufenden Kündigungsfrist freistellen oder mit diesem eine Aufhebungsvereinbarung abschliessen.    In the event of termination of the employment agreement, the Company can relieve the member of Executive Management from his/her duties during the notice period or enter into a termination agreement.
Die Gesellschaft oder von ihr kontrollierte Gesellschaften können mit den Mitgliedern der Geschäftsleitung Konkurrenzverbote ab Beendigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses vereinbaren. Die gesamte Abgeltung während der Dauer des Konkurrenzverbots darf den Betrag von einem Jahresgehalt (entsprechend dem Durchschnitt des bzw. der während der drei Jahre vor Beendigung des Arbeitsverhältnisses bezahlten Grundgehalts und variablen kurzfristigen Vergütung) nicht übersteigen.    The Company or companies controlled by it may enter into non-competition agreements with members of the Executive Management after termination of employment. The total compensation payable during the term of the non-competition agreement shall not exceed the amount of one annual salary (which is equal to the average base and short term variable compensation paid in the three years prior to the termination of employment).

 

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Artikel 27: Grundsätze der Vergütungen für die Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats    Article 27: Principles relating to the compensation of the members of the Board of Directors
Die Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats erhalten jährlich ein vom Verwaltungsrat auf Empfehlung des Vergütungsausschusses festgesetztes und von der Generalversammlung vorgängig im Rahmen des maximalen Gesamtbetrags genehmigtes Pauschalhonorar.    The members of the Board of Directors shall receive an annual retainer as determined by the Board of Directors upon recommendation by the Compensation Committee, subject to prior approval by the Meeting of the Shareholders.
Der Verwaltungsrat kann bestimmen, dass nicht geschäftsführende Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats verlangen können, dass ihnen ein Teil ihres Pauschalhonorars in Aktien ausbezahlt wird. Zudem kann der Verwaltungsrat bestimmen, dass das Pauschalhonorar ganz oder teilweise in gesperrten Aktien oder aktienbasierten Instrumenten ausgerichtet wird. In diesem Fall legt er deren Bedingungen einschliesslich betreffend Wartefrist, Ausübung und Verwirkung fest. Der Verwaltungsrat kann auch die Verlängerung, die Verkürzung oder den Wegfall von Ausübungs- und Vesting-Voraussetzungen als Folge gewisser vordefinierter Ereignisse vorsehen.    The Board of Directors may determine that non-executive members of the Board of Directors shall have the right to elect that part of their annual retainer be paid in shares, and/or the retainer be in whole or in part paid in the form of blocked shares or equity based instruments, in which case it shall determine the conditions, including blocking periods, exercise and forfeiture conditions. The Board may provide for extension, acceleration or removal of vesting and exercise conditions in case of certain predefined events.
Vergütungen können durch die Gesellschaft oder durch von ihr kontrollierte Gesellschaften ausgerichtet werden.    Compensation may be paid by the Company or companies controlled by it.

Artikel 28: Grundsätze der Vergütungen für die Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung

 

Die Geschäftsleitungsmitglieder erhalten eine fixe Vergütung bestehend aus Grundgehalt, Beiträgen an Vorsorgeeinrichtungen oder ähnlichen Leistungen sowie gegebenenfalls andere Bar- oder Sachleistungen. Zudem können die Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung leistungsabhängige kurz- und langfristige variable Vergütungen erhalten.

  

Article 28: Principles of compensation relating to the members of the Executive Management

 

Members of the Executive Management shall receive a fixed compensation consisting of a base salary, contributions to pension schemes or similar benefits and, where applicable, other benefits in cash or kind. In addition, members of Executive Management are eligible for performance based short-term variable compensation and long-term variable compensation.

Die kurzfristige variable Vergütung basiert auf der Erreichung von Leistungszielen, die üblicherweise über eine Jahresfrist gemessen werden. Die Leistungsziele beruhen auf Unternehmens- und Geschäftsbereichszielen, funktionalen Zielen und individuellen Zielen. Die jährliche Zielgrösse der variablen Vergütung wird als Prozentsatz des Grundgehalts festgelegt. Abhängig von der Zielerreichung kann die kurzfristige variable Vergütung einen vordefinierten Multiplikator der Zielgrösse betragen. Die kurzfristige variable Vergütung kann in bar ausgerichtet werden.    The short-term variable compensation shall be based on the achievement of performance targets which are generally measured over a one-year period. Performance targets are based on enterprise and business unit, functional and individual goals. The annual target level shall be determined as a percentage of the base salary. Depending on achieved performance, the compensation may amount up to a pre-determined multiplier of target level. Short-term variable compensation can be awarded in cash.

 

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[●]    [●]
Vergütungen können durch die Gesellschaft oder durch von ihr kontrollierte Gesellschaften ausgerichtet werden.    Compensation may be paid by the Company or companies controlled by it.

 

Artikel 29: Kredite und Vorsorgepläne

 

Es werden keine Darlehen oder Kredite an Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats oder der Geschäftsleitung gewährt.

  

Article 29: Credit and pension schemes

 

No loans or credits shall be granted to the members of the Board of Directors or Executive Management.

Die Verwaltungsratsmitglieder, die nicht auch Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung sind, nehmen nicht an den Vorsorgeeinrichtungen der Gesellschaft teil. Die Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung sind berechtigt, an den Vorsorge- und Pensionsplänen teilzunehmen.    The members of the Board of Directors not serving in the Executive Management shall not participate in the Company’s pension and retirement plans. The members of the Executive Management are eligible to participate in the Company’s retirement and pension schemes.

VI.  BEENDIGUNG

 

Artikel 30: Auflösung und Liquidation

 

Die Generalversammlung kann jederzeit die Auflösung und Liquidation der Gesellschaft nach Massgabe der gesetzlichen und statutarischen Vorschriften beschliessen.

  

VI.  LIQUIDATION

 

Article 30: Dissolution and liquidation

 

The General Meeting of Shareholders may at any time resolve the dissolution and liquidation of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the law and of the Articles of Association.

Die Liquidation wird durch den Verwaltungsrat durchgeführt, sofern sie nicht durch die Generalversammlung anderen Personen übertragen wird.    The liquidation shall be carried out by the Board of Directors to the extent that the General Meeting of Shareholders has not entrusted the same to other persons.
Die Liquidation der Gesellschaft erfolgt nach Massgabe der Artikel 742 ff. OR. Die Liquidatoren sind ermächtigt, Aktiven (Grundstücke eingeschlossen) auch freihändig zu verkaufen.    The liquidation of the Company shall take place in accordance with Articles 742 et seq. CO. The liquidators are authorized to dispose of the assets (including real estate) by way of private contract.
Nach erfolgter Tilgung der Schulden wird das Vermögen unter die Aktionäre nach Massgabe der eingezahlten Beträge verteilt.    After all debts have been satisfied, the net proceeds shall be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to the amounts paid-in.

 

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VII. BENACHRICHTIGUNGEN, SPRACHE DER STATUTEN, RECHTSKOSTEN UND SCHIEDSGERICHT

 

Artikel 31: Mitteilungen und Bekanntmachungen

 

Publikationsorgan der Gesellschaft ist das Schweizerische Handelsamtsblatt. Der Verwaltungsrat kann weitere Publikationsorgane bestimmen.

 

Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft an die Aktionäre sowie andere Bekanntmachungen erfolgen durch Publikation im Schweizerischen Handelsamtsblatt.

  

VII. INFORMATION, LANGUAGE OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, LEGAL COST AND ARBITRATION

 

Article 31: Notices and announcements

 

The publication instrument of the Company is the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. The Board of Directors may designate further means of publication.

 

Notices by the Company to the shareholders and other announcements shall be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce.

Artikel 32: Sprache der Statuten

 

Im Falle eines Widerspruchs zwischen der deutschen und jeder anderen Fassung dieser Statuten ist die deutsche Fassung massgeblich.

  

Article 32: Language of the Articles of Association

 

In the event of deviations between the German version of these Articles of Association and any version in another language, the German authentic text prevails.

Artikel 33: Kosten in Rechtsverfahren

 

Die Gesellschaft kann Verwaltungsrats- und Geschäftsleitungsmitglieder für Kosten, die im Zusammenhang mit rechtlichen, regulatorischen oder ähnlichen Verfahren entstehen, ihnen entsprechende Vorschüsse leisten.

  

Article 33: Costs in legal proceedings

 

The Company may grant advances to members of the Board of Directors and Executive Management for costs incurred in connection with legal, regulatory or similar proceedings.

Die Gesellschaft kann die Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrats sowie der Geschäftsleitung aus dem Gesellschaftsvermögen im Rahmen des gesetzlich Zulässigen schadlos halten für Forderungen, Kosten, Verluste, Schäden, Bussen, und sonstige Auslagen, welche ihnen im Zusammenhang mit ihrer Tätigkeit für die Gesellschaft entstehen bzw. gegen diese erhoben werden.    The Company is authorized to indemnify and hold harmless to the extent permitted by applicable law each of the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management out of the assets of the Company from and against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them may incur or sustain in connection with their service on behalf of the Company.

Artikel 34: Schiedsklausel

 

Gesellschaftsrechtliche Streitigkeiten werden durch ein Schiedsgericht mit Sitz in Zürich, Schweiz, beurteilt. Das Schiedsgericht besteht aus drei Schiedsrichtern. Das Schiedsverfahren wird in Englisch durchgeführt.

 

Diese Schiedsklausel ist gegenüber allen Aktionären, der Gesellschaft und den Organen der Gesellschaft verbindlich.

  

Article 34: Arbitration

 

Corporate litigations shall be resolved by an arbitration court with its seat in Zurich, Switzerland. The number of arbitrators shall be three. The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in English.

 

This arbitration clause shall be binding on all shareholders of the Company, the Company itself and the corporate bodies of the Company.

 

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Das Schiedsverfahren unterliegt den Vorschriften der Schiedsgerichtsordnung der Internationalen Handelskammer (ICC), die am Datum der Einreichung des Schiedsantrages gemäss der vorgenannten Schiedsordnung in Kraft sind.

  

 

The arbitration proceedings shall be resolved by arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in force on the date on which the request for arbitration is submitted in accordance with these rules.

VIII.  ÜBERGANGSBESTIMMUNGEN

 

Artikel 35: Sacheinlagen

 

[●]

  

VIII. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 35: Contributions in Kind

 

[will include Swiss law mandatory disclosure regarding issue of common and preference shares against contribution in kind in connection with (a) management rollup into TopCo, (b) rollup of SL/PG into TopCo and (c) roll up of Sponsor and SPAC investors into TopCo; i.e. name of contributor/new shareholder, nature and value of contribution in kind consideration and no of shares issued to contributor/new shareholder]

Zürich, [●] 2020    Zurich, [●], 2020

 

 

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Under Swiss law, directors and senior officers acting in violation of their statutory duties—whether dealing with bona fide third parties or performing any other acts on behalf of the corporation—may become liable to the corporation, its shareholders and (in bankruptcy) its creditors for damages. The directors’ liability is joint and several but only to the extent the damage is attributable to each director based on willful or negligent violation of duty. If the board of directors lawfully delegated the power to carry out day-to-day management to a different corporate body, such as the executive board, the board of directors is not vicariously liable for the acts of the members of the executive board. Instead, the directors can be held liable for their failure to properly select, instruct or supervise the executive board members. If directors and officers enter into a transaction on behalf of the corporation with bona fide third parties in violation of their statutory duties, the transaction is, as a general rule, valid as long as it is not excluded by the corporation’s business purpose.

Under Swiss law, a company may indemnify a director or officer of the company against losses and expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts actually and reasonably incurred in a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of having been the representative of or serving for the company. Certain limits exist, e.g., if such losses and expenses result from a grossly negligent breach of such director’s or officer’s fiduciary or other duties under Swiss law.

Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

   2.1-    Merger Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and among the Far Point Acquisition Corporation, SL Globetrotter, L.P., Global Blue Group Holding AG, Global Blue US Holdco LLC, Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., Global Blue Holding L.P., Global Blue Group AG, Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 thereof, Far Point LLC and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
   3.1    Articles of Association of Global Blue Group Holding AG.*
   3.2    Form of Articles of Association of Global Blue Group Holding AG, as they will be in effect prior to Closing.*
   3.3-    Form of Organizational Regulations of the Board of Directors of Global Blue Group Holding AG.*
   4.1    Specimen ordinary share certificate of Global Blue Group Holding AG.**
   4.2    Specimen warrant certificate of Global Blue Group Holding AG.**
   4.3    Warrant Agreement, dated June 11, 2018, by and between Far Point Acquisition Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer  & Trust Company, as warrant agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 2018 (file no. 001-38521)).
   4.4    Form of Warrant Assumption Agreement among Far Point Acquisition Corporation, Global Blue Holding AG and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant agent.**
   5.1    Opinion of Niederer Kraft Frey AG as to validity of ordinary shares and warrants of Global Blue Group Holding AG.**
   5.2    Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP as to the warrants of Global Blue Group AG.**
   8.1    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP regarding certain U.S. income tax matters.†

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 10.1    Form of Share Subscription Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.2    Share Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and among Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P. and Third Point Enhanced L.P., Global Blue Group Holding AG, Global Blue Holding L.P. and Far Point Acquisition Corporation (solely for purposes of Section 7 and Sections 14.a, 14.d, and 14.m therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.3    Share Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P. and Third Point Enhanced L.P., Global Blue Group Holding AG, SL Globetrotter, L.P., and Far Point Acquisition Corporation (solely for purposes of Section 7 and Sections 14.a, 14.d, and 14.m therein).*
 10.4    Share Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of January  15, 2020, by and among Antfin (Hong Kong) Holding Limited, Global Blue Group Holding AG, a Swiss corporation and SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.5    Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and among Far Point Acquisition Corporation, Global Blue Group AG, SL Globetrotter, L.P., Global Blue Group Holding AG, Far Point LLC and Third Point Ventures LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.6    Founder Shares Surrender Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and between Far Point Acquisition Corporation and Far Point LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.7-    Shareholders Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and among Global Blue Holding L.P., SL Globetrotter L.P., Far Point LLC, certain affiliates of Third Point LLC and other persons thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.8    Relationship Agreement, dated as of January  16, 2020, by and among Global Blue Group Holding AG, SL Globetrotter L.P. and Far Point LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed January 21, 2020 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.9    Forward Purchase Agreement, dated May  18, 2018, by and between Far Point Acquisition Corporation and Cloudbreak Aggregator LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by Far Point Acquisition Corporation on May 22, 2018 (file no. 333-225093)).
 10.10    Letter Agreement, dated June  11, 2018, by and among Far Point Acquisition Corporation, its officers, directors and Third Point LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June  15, 2018 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.11    Equity Participation Agreement, dated June  11, 2018, by and between Far Point Acquisition Corporation and Third Point LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 2018 (file no. 001-38521)).
 10.12    Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated June  11, 2018, by and between Far Point Acquisition Corporation and Continental Stock Transfer  & Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 15, 2018 (file no. 001-38521)).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 10.13    Form of Registration Rights Agreement among Global Blue Group Holding AG and the shareholders named therein.*
 10.14   

Form of Second Amended IPO Facility Agreement among Global Blue Group AG and banks named therein.**

 10.15    Form of Service Agreement between Jacques Stern and Global Blue Group Holding AG.**
 10.16    Management Shareholders Agreement, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among Global Blue Holding LP, SL Globetrotter, L.P., Jacques Stern, as Management Representative, Global Blue Group Holding AG, with respect to Clause 7, Partners Group Private Equity (Master Fund), LLC, Partners Group Barrier Reef, L.P. and Partners Group Client Access 5, L.P. Inc.*
 21.1    List of subsidiaries of New Global Blue.*
 23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers SA.**
 23.2    Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC.**
 23.3    Consent of Niederer Kraft Frey AG (included in Exhibit 5.1).**
 23.4    Consent of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (included in Exhibit 5.2).**
 23.5    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1).†
 24.1    Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages of original filing).*
 99.1    Form of Proxy.**
 99.2    Item 8.A.4 Representation Letter.*
 99.3    Consent of Thomas W. Farley to be named as a director.*
 99.4    Consent of Angel Ying Zhao to be named as a director.**
 99.5    Consent of Eric Strutz to be named as a director.**

 

*

Previously filed

**

Filed herewith

To be filed by amendment.

 

-

Schedules and annexes have been omitted.

Item 22. 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 of 1933;

 

  ii.

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the 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 the 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 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

 

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  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.

 

  (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.

 

  (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.

 

  (4)

To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering.

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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

The registrant undertakes that every prospectus: (1) that is filed pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, or (2) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes 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.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this amendment No. 1 to registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Zürich, Switzerland, on June 18, 2020.

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG
By:  

/s/ Jacques Stern

  Jacques Stern

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment No. 1 to registration statement has been signed by the following on June 18, 2020 in the capacities indicated.

 

Name    Title

/s/ Jacques Stern

Jacques Stern

   Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

*

Loïc Jenouvrier

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)

*

Joseph Howard Osnoss

   Director (Chairman)

*

Christian Lucas

   Director

*

Marcel Emi

   Director

 

*By:   /s/ Jacques Stern
  Attorney-in-fact

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly undersigned representative in the United States of Global Blue Group Holding AG, has signed this amendment No. 1 to registration statement in the City of New York, State of New York, on June 18, 2020.

 

COGENCY GLOBAL INC.
By:  

/s/ Colleen A. De Vries

Name:   Colleen A. De Vries
Title:   Senior Vice President on behalf of Cogency Global Inc.

 

II-5

Exhibit 4.1

 

LOGO


GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

SWITZERLAND

The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests a copy of the provisions setting forth the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of share or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Any such requests may be addressed to the principal office of the Company or to the Transfer Agent named on the face hereof. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Articles of Association and all amendments thereto and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of shares of preferred shares (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM—as tenants in common

  

TEN ENT—as tenants by the entireties

  

JT TEN—as joint tenants with right of survivorship

                 and not as tenants in common

  
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT—                Custodian                    

                     (Cust)                        (Minor)

  

                     under Uniform Gifts to Minors

  

                     Act                                                     

  

                                 (State)

  

Additional Abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

  
For value received, ____________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE   
                                                                                         
                                                                                         
      
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
                                                          ordinary shares represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint                                                                                                    Attorney to transfer the said share on the books of the within named Company will full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated                                                                                               NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15).

Exhibit 4.2

[Form of Warrant Certificate]

[FACE]

Number

Warrants

THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO

THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR

IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG

Incorporated Under the Laws of Switzerland

CUSIP [•]

Warrant Certificate

This Warrant Certificate certifies that                 , or registered assigns, is the registered holder of             warrant(s) evidenced hereby (the “Warrants and each, a “Warrant) to purchase ordinary shares, CHF 0.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”), of Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law (the “Company”). Each Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Each Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

The initial Exercise Price per share of Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement.


This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG
By:  
Name:  
Title:  

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
By:  
Name:  
Title:  


[Form of Warrant Certificate]

[Reverse]

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive                  shares of Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of June 11, 2018 (the “Original Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by Far Point Acquisition Corporation (“FPAC”) to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”) and a Warrant Assumption Agreement dated as of     , 2020 by and among the Company, FPAC and the Warrant Agent (the “Warrant Assumption Agreement,” and collectively with the Original Warrant Agreement, the “Warrant Agreement”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders or “holder meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of election to purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Exercise Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.

Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the shares of Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.

The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a stockholder of the Company.


Election to Purchase

(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive shares of Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such shares of Common Stock to the order of Global Blue Group Holding AG (the “Company”) in the amount of $                 in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of    , whose address is                 and that such shares of Common Stock be delivered to                 whose address is                 . If said number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                 , whose address is                 and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to                 , whose address is                 .

In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6 of the Warrant Agreement and the Company has required cashless exercise pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(b) and Section 6.3 of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant is a Private Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following: The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Common Stock. If said number of shares is less than all of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of                 , whose address is                 and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to                 , whose address is                 .

[Signature Page Follows]

Date:    , 20

 

 

(Signature)
 

 

(Address)
 

 

(Tax Identification Number)

Signature Guaranteed:                                                                                                                           

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 (OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE)).

Exhibit 4.4

WARRANT ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This Warrant Assumption Agreement (this “Warrant Assumption Agreement”) is entered into as of [•], 2020, by and among Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law (“New Topco”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Warrant Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Warrant Agent are parties to that certain Warrant Agreement dated as of June 11, 2018 (the “Warrant Agreement”; capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below));

WHEREAS, New Topco, Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of New Topco (“Merger Sub”), and the Company are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 16, 2020 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving corporation and a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of New Topco (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and conditions of each of the Warrant Agreement and the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder of FPAC Warrants, each FPAC Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be assumed by New Topco and will automatically and irrevocably be modified to provide that such FPAC Warrant shall no longer entitle the holder thereof to purchase the amount of share(s) of FPAC Common Stock set forth therein and in substitution therefor such FPAC Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire such number of New Topco Shares per FPAC Warrant, subject to adjustments as provided in the Warrant Agreement, that such holder would have received pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement if the FPAC Warrant had been exercised immediately prior to the Transactions; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this Warrant Assumption Agreement, each FPAC Warrant will be exchanged for a warrant to purchase New Topco Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company, New Topco and the Warrant Agent hereby agree as follows:

1.    Assignment and Assumption.

(a)    Upon and subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time, the Company hereby assigns, and New Topco hereby assumes, the rights and obligations of the Company under the Warrant Agreement and the FPAC Warrants, including the obligation to issue New Topco Shares upon the exercise of the FPAC Warrants, and New Topco hereby agrees to faithfully perform, satisfy and discharge when due, the liabilities and obligations of the Company under the Warrant Agreement and the FPAC Warrants. As a result of the preceding sentence, upon and subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time, each FPAC Warrant will be exchanged for a warrant to purchase New Topco Shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Warrant Agreement.

(b)    New Topco acknowledges and agrees that, subject to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the FPAC Warrants and this Warrant Assumption Agreement, the Warrant Agreement and the FPAC Warrants shall continue in full force and effect and that all of the Company’s obligations thereunder shall be valid and enforceable as against New Topco upon consummation of the Merger and shall not be impaired or limited by the execution or effectiveness of this Warrant Assumption Agreement.

(c)    This Warrant Assumption Agreement is being executed and delivered pursuant and subject to the Warrant Agreement. Nothing in this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall, or shall be deemed to, defeat, limit, alter, impair, enhance or enlarge any right, obligation, claim or remedy created by the Warrant Agreement or any other document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with it.

 

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(d)    Notwithstanding the arbitration provision set forth in New Topco’s Articles of Association, the choice of law and jurisdiction provisions set forth in the Warrant Agreement and this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall continue to govern the rights and obligations of the Parties to the Warrant Agreement and this Warrant Assumption Agreement in all respects. New Topco hereby waives any objection to the jurisdiction provision governing the terms of the Warrant Agreement and this Warrant Assumption Agreement.

2.    Miscellaneous.

(a)    Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. New Topco hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the City of New York, County of New York, State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. New Topco hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon New Topco may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to [NAME OF PROCESS AGENT] it at the address set forth below:

[Process Agent]

With a copy to:

Global Blue Group Holding AG

Zürichstrasse 38

8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

Attn: [●]

E-mail: [●]

with a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn:            Michael O. Wolfson

E-mail:        MWolfson@stblaw.com

and a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

CityPoint

One Ropemaker Street

London EC2& 9HU

Attn:            Clare G. Gaskell

E-mail:        CGaskell@stblaw.com

or to such other address or addresses as the parties may from time to time designate in writing. New Topco herewith irrevocably appoints [name] as its agent for service of process in relation to this Warrant Assumption Agreement or the Warrant Agreement.

 

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(b)    Binding Effect. This Warrant Assumption Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.

(c)    Entire Agreement. This Warrant Assumption Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the parties as to the subject matter thereof and merges and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements and understandings of any and every nature among them. Except as expressly set forth in this Warrant Assumption Agreement, provisions of the Warrant Agreement which are not inconsistent with this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This Warrant Assumption Agreement may be executed in counterparts.

(d)    Severability. This Warrant Assumption Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Warrant Assumption Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as part of this Warrant Assumption Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

(e)    Amendment. This Warrant Assumption Agreement may not be amended, except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto.

(f)    Termination. If the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms before the Effective Time, this Warrant Assumption Agreement shall immediately terminate and cease to be any force or effect, without any liability on the part of any party hereto, as if this Warrant Assumption Agreement had not been executed and delivered.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Warrant Assumption Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP HOLDING AG
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

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Global Blue Group Holding AG

Zürichstrasse 38

CH-8306 Bruettisellen

Switzerland

June 17, 2020

PHH/UVS/gap

36165689v1

Global Blue Group Holding AG – Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-236581)

Ladies and Gentlemen

We, Niederer Kraft Frey Ltd., have acted as special Swiss counsel to Global Blue Group Holding AG, a Swiss corporation (the Company), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-236581), as amended (the Registration Statement), initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on February 24, 2020 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), relating to the registration with the Commission of registered shares, nominal value CHF 0.01 each, of the Company (each a Share and together the Shares). Upon their registration in the competent Commercial Register in Switzerland, the Shares to be registered pursuant to the Registration Statement (the Registered Shares) will be issued to the holders of Far Point Acquisition Corporation (FPAC) Class A and Class B common stock (FPAC Shareholders), except for certain excluded shares as specified in the Agreement (as defined below), in connection with the merger of Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc. (US Merger Sub) with and into FPAC (the Merger) in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger among SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (Globetrotter), the Company, Global Blue US Holdco LLC (US Holdco), US Merger Sub, Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (Cayman Holdings), certain individuals mentioned therein (the Managers), FPAC, Thomas W. Farley (solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative), Far Point LLC (the Founder) and Mr. Jacques Stern (solely in his capacity as representative of the Managers) dated as of January 16, 2020, (the Agreement). An exchange agent (the Exchange Agent ) will be acting in its own name but on behalf and for the account of the FPAC Shareholders entitled to receive New Shares (as defined below) as consideration pursuant to the Agreement against contribution in kind of its interest and shareholding in US Holdco (the US Holdco Contribution Interest).

Additionally, upon their registration in the competent Commercial Register in Switzerland, Shares (the Non-Registered Shares and collectively with the Registered Shares, the New Shares) will be issued to:

 

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a.

Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings and the Managers against contribution in kind of registered shares of CHF 0.01 nominal value each of Global Blue Group AG, Switzerland, (the Globetrotter Contribution Shares, the Cayman Holding Contribution Shares and the Managers Contribution Shares) in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

 

b.

Antfin (Hong Kong) Holding Limited (Ant) and Third Point Offshore Master Fund L.P., Third Point Ultra Master Fund L.P., Third Point Partners Qualified L.P., Third Point Partners L.P. and Third Point Enhanced L.P., respectively (the TP Funds and collectively with Ant, the Secondary PIPE Investors and each a Secondary PIPE Investor) against contribution in kind of registered shares of CHF 0.01 nominal value each of Global Blue Group AG, Switzerland (the Secondary PIPE Investors Contribution Shares) in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of certain purchase and contribution agreements dated among the Company, Globetrotter and Ant dated January 15, 2020, among the Company, FPAC, Cayman Holdings and each of the TP Funds dated January 16, 2020, and among the Company, FPAC, Globetrotter and each of the TP Funds dated January 16, 2020 (collectively, the Purchase and Contribution Agreements);

 

c.

to certain investors (each a Primary PIPE Investor) against payment of a subscription price in cash in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of certain share subscription agreements among the Company, FPAC and each of the Primary PIPE investors (the Share Subscription Agreements); and

 

d.

the Founder against contribution in kind of certain shares of FPAC Class B common stock (the Excluded Founder Contribution Shares) in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.

As such counsel, we have been requested to render an opinion as to certain Swiss legal matters relating to the Registered Shares.

 

1.

Basis of Opinion

This opinion is confined to and given on the basis of the laws of Switzerland in force at the date hereof. Such laws and the interpretation thereof are subject to change. In the absence of explicit statutory law, we base our opinion solely on our independent professional judgment. This opinion is also confined to the matters stated herein and the Documents (as defined below), and is not to be read as extending, by implication or otherwise, to any agreement or document referred to in any of the Documents (as defined below) (including in the case of the Registration Statement, any document incorporated by reference therein or exhibit thereto) or any other matter.

For purposes of this opinion we have not conducted any due diligence or similar investigation as to factual circumstances, which are or may be referred to in the Documents (as defined below), and we express no opinion as to the accuracy of representations and warranties of facts set out in the Documents (as defined below) or the factual background assumed therein.

For purposes of giving this opinion, we have only examined originals or copies of the following documents available to us (collectively the Documents):

 

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i.

an electronic copy of the executed Agreement, filed as Appendix A to the Registration Statement;

 

ii.

the Registration Statement, as filed with the Commission on February 24, 2020, constituting inter alia a prospectus of the Company for purposes of the Act with respect to the Registered Shares to be issued to FPAC Shareholders;

 

iii.

a certified copy of the articles of association of the Company, in their version dated December 9, 2019 (the Articles), certified as of June 17, 2020;

 

iv.

an electronic copy of an excerpt from the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zurich (the Commercial Register) for the Company, dated June 17, 2020; and

 

v.

an electronic copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company, dated January 13, 2020, regarding, among other things, the authorization and approval of the Agreement and the actions to be taken in connection therewith.

No documents have been reviewed by us in connection with this opinion other than the Documents. Accordingly, we shall limit our opinion to the Documents and their legal implications under Swiss law.

In this opinion, Swiss legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original language. These concepts may not be identical to the concepts described by the same English terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. With respect to Documents governed by laws other than the laws of Switzerland, for purposes of this opinion we have relied on the plain meaning of the words and expressions contained therein without regard to any import they may have under the relevant governing law.

 

2.

Assumptions

In rendering the opinion below, we have assumed the following:

 

a.

all documents produced to us as originals are authentic and complete, and all documents produced to us as copies (including, without limitation, fax and electronic copies) are accurate and conform to the original;

 

b.

all documents produced to us as originals and the originals of all documents produced to us as copies were duly executed and certified, as applicable, by the individuals purported to have executed or certified, as the case may be, such documents;

 

c.

no laws other than those of Switzerland will affect any of the conclusions stated in this opinion;

 

d.

the Agreement, each of the Purchase and Contribution Agreements and each of the Share Subscription Agreements are valid, binding and enforceable under their respective governing law and will have been completed concurrently with the registration of the Registered Shares in the competent Commercial Register in Switzerland;

 

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e.

a duly convened extraordinary general meeting of Global Blue Group AG will have validly resolved to convert its share capital currently consisting of bearer shares of CHF 0.01 nominal value each into registered shares of CHF 0.01 nominal value each and to amend the articles of association and such conversion and amendment of the articles of association will have been validly registered into the competent Commercial Register; a duly convened extraordinary general meeting of the Company will have validly resolved to adopt the Articles enclosed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement and such amendment will have been validly registered into the competent Commercial Register;

 

f.

a duly convened extraordinary general meeting of the Company (the EGM) will have validly resolved to, inter alia, increase the share capital of the Company by way of issue of the New Shares to Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Managers, the Secondary PIPE Investors, the Primary PIPE Investors, the Founder and the Exchange Agent (acting in its name for the account of the shareholders of FPAC) (the Capital Increase);

 

g.

following the EGM, each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Managers, the Secondary PIPE Investors, the Primary PIPE Investors, the Founder and the Exchange Agent (acting in its name for the account of the shareholders of FPAC) will have validly subscribed for the New Shares to be issued to it in accordance with Swiss law and the Articles then effect at a subscription price of CHF 0.01 per New Share;

 

h.

the Company and each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Managers the Secondary PIPE Investors, the Founder and the Exchange Agent will have entered (or caused authorized signatories to enter) into valid and binding contribution in kind agreements regarding the transfer and assignment of the Contributions (as defined below) in accordance with Swiss law and the Articles then in effect;

 

i.

the Exchange Agent (acting in its name for the account of the FPAC shareholders) will have become owner of the US Holdco Contribution Interest upon the Merger having been declared effective in accordance with applicable law;

 

j.

each of Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Managers and the Secondary PIPE Investors will have paid the subscription price of the respective New Shares by effecting valid assignment and transfer of title to and unrestricted ownership of the Globetrotter Contribution Shares, the Cayman Holding Contribution Shares, the Manager Contribution Shares and the Secondary PIPE Investors Contribution Shares, respectively, to the Company in accordance with Swiss law and the board of directors of Global Blue Group AG will have approved their transfer and registered (or caused the registration of) the Company as their new shareholder in the share register of Global Blue Group AG; each of the Founder and the Exchange Agent (acting in its name and for the account of the shareholders of FPAC) will have paid the subscription price of their respective New Shares by effecting valid assignment and transfer of ownership of and title to the Excluded Founder Contribution Shares and the US Holdco Contribution Interest, respectively, to the Company as new and unrestricted owner and shareholder in accordance with applicable law and all documents, corporate actions and deeds required to effect such transfer; each of the Primary PIPE Investors will have paid their respective subscription price in cash in compliance with Swiss law (the Globetrotter Contribution Shares, Cayman Holding Contribution Shares, the Manager Contribution Shares, the Secondary PIPE Contribution Shares, the Founder Contribution Shares and the US Holdco Contribution Interest collectively referred to as the Contributions);

 

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k.

the board of directors of the Company will have established and validly resolved to approve the report (the Board Report) pursuant to Article 652e of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO) regarding, among other things, the nature and condition of the Contributions and the appropriateness of the valuation thereof; and the Company’s statutory auditor will have issued its written confirmation pursuant to Article 652f CO that the Board Report is complete and accurate;

 

l.

the board of directors of the Company will have made all determinations and ascertainments and adopted respective resolutions on amendments to the Articles, including the necessary ascertainments regarding the issuance of the New Shares and resolutions on the respective amendments to the Articles (Feststellungs- und Statutenänderungsbeschluss);

 

m.

the board of directors of the Company will have filed the Capital Increase together will all documentation required by Swiss law with the competent Commercial Register and the Commercial Register will have approved and registered in the Commercial Register the Capital Increase and the issue of the New Shares; and

 

n.

the Registered Shares will be held by The Depository Trust Company (or its nominee) as shareholder of record following their issuance.

 

3.

Opinion

Based upon the foregoing, in reliance thereon, and subject to the limitations and assumptions referred to above (2.) and the qualifications set out below (4.), we are of the following opinion:

 

1.

The Company is a corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) validly existing under the laws of Switzerland.

 

2.

The Registered Shares, if and when issued by the Company pursuant to and in the manner described in the Registration Statement, in accordance with Swiss law and the Articles, and registered in the competent Commercial Register in Switzerland will be validly issued, fully paid as to their nominal value and non-assessable (i.e., no further contributions in respect thereof will be required to be made to the Company by the holders thereof, by the sole reason of their being a holder of Registered Shares).

 

4.

Qualifications

The above opinions are subject to the following qualifications:

 

a.

The opinions set out above are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium, civil procedure and other similar laws and regulations as applicable to creditors, debtors, claimants and defendants generally as well as principles of equity (good faith) and the absence of a misuse of rights.

 

b.

Our opinions set out above are limited solely to the laws of Switzerland and we express no opinion herein concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

c.

We express no opinion as to any commercial, accounting, calculating, auditing or other non-legal matter as well as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement. We express no opinion as to tax matters.

 

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d.

The exercise of voting rights and rights related thereto with respect to any Shares is only permissible after registration in the Company’s share register as a shareholder with voting rights in accordance with the provisions of, and subject to the limitations provided in, the Articles.

 

e.

We express no opinion as regards compliance with Swiss law and the Articles of the withdrawal of the preferential subscription rights (Bezugsrechte) of the Company’s shareholder in connection with the issuance of the Registered Shares.

 

f.

The resolutions of the Company’s general meetings (including the EGM) may be challenged by shareholders in court or otherwise. Therefore, notwithstanding registration of the Registered Shares with the competent Commercial Register, any shareholder may challenge the resolutions taken by the general meeting of the shareholders’ of the Company on which such registration of the Registered Shares with the competent commercial register may be based.

 

g.

We express no opinion on the issue of the Non-Registered Shares to be issued to Globetrotter, Cayman Holdings, the Managers, the Secondary PIPE Investors and the Primary PIPE Investors.

* * *

We have rendered this opinion as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to advise you on changes relevant to this opinion that may thereafter be brought to our attention.

This legal opinion is addressed to the Company. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required pursuant to Section 7 of the Act. This legal opinion is strictly limited to the matters stated in it and does not apply by implication to other matters.

This legal opinion is furnished by us, as special Swiss legal counsel to the Company, in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. Without our prior consent, it may not be used by, copied by, circulated by, quoted by, referred to, or disclosed to any party or for any purpose, except for such filing or in connection with any reliance by investors on such filing pursuant to US securities laws.

Any reliance on this opinion is limited to the legal situation existing at the date of this legal opinion letter, and we shall be under no obligation to advise you on or to amend this legal opinion letter to reflect any change in circumstances or applicable laws or regulations for any period after the date of issuance of this legal opinion letter.

 

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This opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. It may only be relied upon on the express condition that any issues of interpretation arising hereunder will be governed by the laws of Switzerland.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Niederer Kraft Frey Ltd.

//signature//

 

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Exhibit 5.2

 

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June 18, 2020

Global Blue Group Holding AG

Zürichstrasse 38

CH-8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland

Re: Registration Statement of Global Blue Group Holding AG on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-236581)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as United States counsel to Far Point Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware Corporation (“FPAC”), in connection with the registration by Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law (“New Global Blue”) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of 30,850,000 warrants entitling the holder to purchase one ordinary share (each, a “New Global Blue Share”) of New Global Blue at a price of USD $11.50 per New Global Blue Share (the “New Global Blue Warrants”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form F-4, Registration No. 333-236581, initially filed by New Global Blue with the Commission on February 24, 2020 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”).

The New Global Blue Warrants will be governed by the Warrant Agreement dated June 11, 2018 between FPAC and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “Warrant Agent”), pursuant to which the Warrants were issued (the “Original Warrant Agreement”), as modified by a Warrant Assumption Agreement (the “Warrant Assumption Agreement”) to be entered into by and among FPAC, New Global Blue, and the Warrant Agent. Upon consummation of the business combination contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 16, 2020, by and among FPAC, New Global Blue and certain other parties named therein, and the execution and delivery of the Warrant Assumption Agreement, each of the 30,850,000 outstanding warrants of FPAC (the “Warrants”) will become one New Global Blue Warrant (the “Assignment and Assumption”).

We have examined the Original Warrant Agreement, the form of Warrant Assumption Agreement, and such other documents and considered such legal matters as we have deemed necessary and relevant as the basis for the opinion set forth below. With respect to such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as reproduced or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of those latter documents. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we have, to the extent deemed appropriate, relied upon certain representations of certain officers and employees of FPAC. We have assumed that the Warrant Agent is validly existing, has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Original Warrant Agreement, will duly authorize, execute and deliver the Warrant Assumption Agreement and had and/or has all requisite legal ability to do so. We have also assumed that pursuant to Swiss law New Global Blue is validly existing, has the power to execute the Warrant Assumption Agreement, and will duly authorize, execute and deliver the Warrant Assumption Agreement and has all requisite legal ability to do so.

 

   Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
   101 Park Avenue   
   New York, NY 10178-0060    LOGO  +1.212.309.6000
   United States    LOGO  +1.212.309.6001


Page 2

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, upon the Assignment and Assumption, the New Global Blue Warrants will be legally binding obligations of New Global Blue except: (a) as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the Federal and state securities laws, and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

We are opining solely on all applicable statutory provisions the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof and as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion after the effective date of the Registration Statement should the law be changed by legislative action, judicial decision, or otherwise. We express no opinion as to whether the laws of any other jurisdiction are applicable to the subject matter hereof. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any other international, Federal or state law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to the use of our name as your counsel and to all references made to us in the Registration Statement and in the prospectus forming a part thereof. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Exhibit 10.14

CONFORMED COPY

Dated 25 October 2019 as amended by an amendment letter dated ___ January 2020

SECOND AMENDED

IPO FACILITIES AGREEMENT

provided to

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP AG

(as the Original Company)

arranged by

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

BNP PARIBAS (SUISSE) S.A.

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC

MORGAN STANLEY BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

(as Mandated Lead Arrangers)

with

RBC EUROPE LIMITED

(acting as Agent)

and

RBC EUROPE LIMITED

(acting as Security Agent)

KIRKLAND & ELLIS INTERNATIONAL LLP

30 St. Mary Axe

London EC3A 8AF

Tel: +44 (0)20 7469 2000

Fax: +44 (0)20 7469 2001

www.kirkland.com

 

Project Globetrotter: IPO Facilities Agreement


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
1.  

Definitions and Interpretation

     1  
2.  

The Facilities

     55  
3.  

Purpose

     65  
4.  

Conditions of Utilisation

     65  
5.  

Utilisation – Loans

     69  
6.  

Utilisation – Letters of Credit

     72  
7.  

Letters of Credit

     78  
8.  

Optional Currencies

     82  
9.  

Ancillary Facilities

     83  
10.  

Repayment

     94  
11.  

Illegality, Voluntary Prepayment and Cancellation

     97  
12.  

Mandatory Prepayment

     101  
13.  

Restrictions

     103  
14.  

Interest

     104  
15.  

Interest Periods

     107  
16.  

Changes to the Calculation of Interest

     108  
17.  

Fees

     110  
18.  

Taxes

     113  
19.  

Increased Costs

     123  
20.  

Other Indemnities

     125  
21.  

Mitigation by the Lenders

     126  
22.  

Costs and Expenses

     127  
23.  

Guarantees and Indemnity

     128  
24.  

Representations and Warranties

     132  
25.  

Information Undertakings

     136  
26.  

Financial Covenant

     141  
27.  

General Undertakings

     150  
28.  

Events of Default

     162  
29.  

Changes to the Lenders

     168  
30.  

Changes to the Obligors

     178  
31.  

Role of the Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and Others

     182  
32.  

Conduct of Business by the Finance Parties

     192  
33.  

Sharing among the Finance Parties

     192  
34.  

Payment Mechanics

     194  
35.  

Set-Off

     198  
36.  

Notices

     198  
37.  

Calculations and Certificates

     200  
38.  

Partial Invalidity

     201  
39.  

Remedies and Waivers

     201  
40.  

Amendments and Waivers

     201  
41.  

Confidentiality

     212  
42.  

Counterparts

     216  
43.  

Contractual Recognition of Bail-In

     216  
44.  

U.S. QFC Contractual Stay Requirement

     216  
45.  

Governing Law

     217  
46.  

Enforcement

     217  
Schedule 1 The Original Parties      219  
Schedule 2 Conditions Precedent      221  
Schedule 3 Requests and Notices      224  
Schedule 4 Form of Transfer Certificate      231  
Schedule 5 Form of Assignment Agreement      234  
Schedule 6 Form of Accession Letter      237  
Schedule 7 Form of Resignation Letter      240  

 

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Schedule 8 Compliance Certificate      241  
Schedule 9 Timetables      242  
Schedule 10 Form of Letters of Credit      245  
Schedule 11 Agreed Security Principles      248  
Schedule 12 Form of Increase Confirmation      255  
Schedule 13 Additional Facility      258  
Schedule 14 Form of Issuing Bank Accession Agreement      263  

 

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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 25 October 2019 as amended by an amendment letter dated ___ January 2020

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

GLOBAL BLUE GROUP AG (the Original Company);

 

(2)

THE COMPANIES listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as original borrowers (the Original Borrowers);

 

(3)

THE COMPANIES listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as original guarantors (the Original Guarantors);

 

(4)

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY, BARCLAYS BANK PLC, BNP PARIBAS (SUISSE) S.A., J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES PLC, MORGAN STANLEY BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED and ROYAL BANK OF CANADA as mandated lead arrangers (whether acting individually or together, the Arrangers);

 

(5)

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as lenders (the Original Lenders);

 

(6)

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA as original issuing bank (the Original Issuing Bank);

 

(7)

RBC EUROPE LIMITED as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent); and

 

(8)

RBC EUROPE LIMITED as security agent of the other Secured Parties (the Security Agent).

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 long term unsecured credit rating of at least “BBB-” by S&P or Fitch or at least “Baa3” by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency, or any bank or financial institution which (having previously satisfied such requirement) ceases to satisfy the foregoing ratings requirement for a period of not more than three (3) months;

 

  (b)

any Finance Party or any Affiliate of a Finance Party;

 

  (c)

any other bank or financial institution included on the Approved List or which otherwise provides banking services to the Group on or before the Closing Date; and

 

  (d)

any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent (acting reasonably) or providing banking services to a business or entity acquired by a member of the Group, provided that such services are terminated and moved to a bank or financial institution falling under another limb of this definition within six (6) months of completion of the relevant acquisition.

 

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Accession Date means, in relation to an accession of an Additional Facility Lender to this Agreement as a Lender and/or an Issuing Bank to this Agreement in such capacity, the later of:

 

  (a)

the proposed accession date specified in the applicable Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or the Issuing Bank Accession Agreement; and

 

  (b)

the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or the Issuing Bank Accession Agreement.

Accession Letter means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of Accession Letter) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably).

Accounting Principles means:

 

  (a)

in relation to any audited consolidated financial statements of the Group, IFRS; and

 

  (b)

in relation to any other Obligor, generally accepted accounting principles, standards and practices in its jurisdiction of incorporation, including IFRS.

Additional Borrower means a person which becomes a Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Additional Facility means one or more additional facilities made available pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) which are documented under this Agreement including as new or existing facility commitment(s) and/or as an additional tranche or class of, or an increase of, or an extension of, any existing Facility or a previously incurred Additional Facility (including, in each case, term or revolving facilities).

Additional Facility Borrower means:

 

  (a)

each Original Borrower; or

 

  (b)

any person which:

 

  (i)

is specified as a borrower under an Additional Facility in the applicable Additional Facility Notice and which is a Borrower under this Agreement; or

 

  (ii)

accedes as an Additional Borrower under the relevant Additional Facility in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors),

unless, in each case, it has ceased to be a Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Additional Facility Commencement Date means in respect of an Additional Facility, the date, as elected by the Company, specified as the Additional Facility Commencement Date (being the date when the relevant Additional Facility is available for utilisation) in the relevant Additional Facility Notice relating to that Additional Facility.

Additional Facility Commitment means:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Additional Facility Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set out in each Additional Facility Notice signed by that Additional Facility Lender and the amount of any other Additional Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase); and

 

  (b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Additional Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase),

 

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to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

Additional Facility Lender means any Lender or other bank, trust, financial institution, fund, entity or other person which signs an Additional Facility Notice and confirms its willingness to provide all or a part of an Additional Facility.

Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter means a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 13 (Additional Facility) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably).

Additional Facility Loan means a loan made or to be made under any Additional Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan (including any amount which is outstanding prior to the relevant Additional Facility Commencement Date).

Additional Facility Notice means, in respect of an Additional Facility, a notice substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 13 (Additional Facility) (or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably)) delivered by the Company to the Agent in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility).

Additional Guarantor means a person which becomes a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Additional Obligor means an Additional Borrower or an Additional Guarantor.

Additional Revolving Facility means any Additional Facility which is designated as a Revolving Facility in an Additional Facility Notice.

Additional Revolving Facility Borrower means:

 

  (a)

each Original Borrower; or

 

  (b)

any person which:

 

  (i)

is specified as a borrower under an Additional Revolving Facility in the applicable Additional Facility Notice and which is a Borrower under this Agreement; or

 

  (ii)

accedes as an Additional Borrower under the applicable Additional Revolving Facility in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors),

unless, in each case, it has ceased to be an Additional Revolving Facility Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Additional Revolving Facility Loan means a loan made or to be made under any Additional Revolving Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan (including any amount which is outstanding prior to the Additional Facility Commencement Date).

Additional Term Facility means any Additional Facility which is not an Additional Revolving Facility.

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 at or about 2:00 p.m. (local time) on a particular day.

Agreed Certain Funds Obligor means any member of the Group designated as an Agreed Certain Funds Obligor by the Company and the relevant Lenders or Additional Facility Lenders who have agreed to provide an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period).

 

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Agreed Certain Funds Period means, in respect of any Facility which all of the relevant Lenders providing such Facility have agreed shall be provided on a “certain funds basis” in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period), the period specified in a notice delivered by the Company and the relevant Lenders providing such Facility to the Agent (which may, in the case of an Additional Facility, include the relevant Additional Facility Notice).

Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation means, in respect of any Facility which all of the relevant Lenders providing such Facility have agreed shall be provided on a “certain funds basis” in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period), a Utilisation made or to be made under the relevant Facility during the Agreed Certain Funds Period solely for any of the purposes agreed with the relevant Lenders providing such Facility.

Agreed Security Principles means the principles set out in Schedule 11 (Agreed Security Principles).

Amendment Letter means the amendment letter dated ___ January 2020.

Amendment Security Documents has the meaning given to the term “Security Documents” in the Amendment Letter.

Amortising Facility means an Additional Facility which is a Term Facility which is repayable by instalments (as set out in the applicable Additional Facility Notice).

Amortising Facility Commitment means any Commitment under an Amortising Facility.

Amortising Facility Loan means a Loan made or to be made under an Amortising Facility.

Amortising Facility Repayment Date means, in respect of an Amortising Facility, each date set out in the relevant Additional Facility Notice for that Additional Facility which is an Amortising Facility.

Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment means, in respect of an Additional Facility which is an Amortising Facility, each repayment instalment in relation to an Amortising Facility calculated and payable in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of Clause 10.2 (Repayment of Additional Facility Loans) as amended pursuant to Clause 10.4 (Effect of Cancellation and Prepayment on Scheduled Repayments) or reallocated pursuant to Clause 10.5 (Allocation of Amortising Facility Repayment Instalments).

Ancillary Commencement Date means, in relation to an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) the date on which that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) is first made available, which date shall be a Business Day within the Availability Period for the relevant Revolving Facility.

Ancillary Commitment means, in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility, the maximum Base Currency Amount which that Ancillary Lender has agreed (whether or not subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent) to make available from time to time under an Ancillary Facility and which has been authorised as such under Clause 9 (Ancillary Facilities), in each case as notified by the Ancillary Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Availability) to the extent that amount is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents relating to that Ancillary Facility and does not exceed that Ancillary Lender’s Commitment.

Ancillary Document means each document relating to or evidencing the terms of an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

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Ancillary Facility means any ancillary facility made available by an Ancillary Lender in accordance with Clause 9 (Ancillary Facilities).

Ancillary Facility Letter of Credit means:

 

  (a)

a letter of credit in the form agreed between the relevant Borrower and Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender (as applicable); or

 

  (b)

any guarantee, indemnity, documentary credit, performance bond or other instrument in a form requested by a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) and agreed by the Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender (if applicable).

Ancillary Facility Loan means a loan made or to be made under any Ancillary Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan (including any amount which is outstanding prior to the relevant Ancillary Commencement Date).

Ancillary Facility Utilisation means an Ancillary Facility Loan or an Ancillary Facility Letter of Credit.

Ancillary Lender means each Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) which makes available an Ancillary Facility in accordance with Clause 9 (Ancillary Facilities).

Ancillary Outstandings means, at any time:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility then in force the aggregate of the equivalents (as calculated by that Ancillary Lender) in the Base Currency of the following amounts outstanding under that Ancillary Facility:

 

  (i)

the principal amount under each overdraft facility and on-demand short term loan facility (provided that, for the purposes of this definition, any amount of any outstanding utilisation under any BACS facility, other intra-day exposure facilities (or similar) made available by an Ancillary Lender shall be excluded, unless, in relation to that Ancillary Facility, otherwise agreed between the Company and the relevant Ancillary Lender);

 

  (ii)

the principal amount of each guarantee, bond and letter of credit under that Ancillary Facility; and

 

  (iii)

the amount fairly representing the aggregate exposure or equivalent outstanding (excluding interest and similar charges) of that Ancillary Lender under each other type of accommodation provided under that Ancillary Facility; and

 

  (b)

in relation to a Fronted Ancillary Facility and Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender, the aggregate amounts (in the Base Currency as calculated by the relevant Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender) outstanding as referred to in paragraphs (a)(i), (a)(ii) and (a)(iii) above (where, for this purpose, references to Ancillary Lender shall be read as Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lender, and references to Ancillary Facility should be read as Fronted Ancillary Facility) under that Fronted Ancillary Facility,

in each case net of any credit balances on any account of any Borrower of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility with the Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender making available that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility to the extent that the credit balances are freely available to be set off by that Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender against liabilities owed to it by that Borrower under that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility and in each case as determined by such Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lender(s), acting reasonably and in accordance with the relevant Ancillary Document, or (if not provided for in the relevant Ancillary Document), after consultation with the relevant Borrower, in accordance with its normal banking practice and in accordance with the relevant Ancillary Document.

 

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5


For the purposes of this definition:

 

  (i)

in relation to any amounts outstanding under that Ancillary Facility denominated in the Base Currency, the amount outstanding under that Ancillary Facility (determined as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) above) shall be used; and

 

  (ii)

in relation to any amounts outstanding under an Ancillary Facility not denominated in the Base Currency, the equivalent (calculated as specified in the relevant Ancillary Document or, if not so specified, as the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender may specify, in each case in accordance with its usual practice at that time for calculating that equivalent in the Base Currency (acting reasonably)) of the amount of outstanding under that Ancillary Facility (determined as described in paragraphs (a) and (b) above) shall be used.

Annual Financial Statements means the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the Group delivered pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 25.1 (Financial Statements).

Anti-Corruption Laws means all laws of any jurisdiction applicable to an Obligor from time to time prohibiting bribery or corruption or money laundering (including the Bribery Act 2010 and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977).

Applicable Metric means any financial covenant, ratio or incurrence based permission, test, basket or threshold in the Finance Documents (including any financial definitions or components thereof and any basket, threshold or permission based on the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA, Leverage Ratio and LTM EBITDA).

Applicable Test Date means:

 

  (a)

in relation to determining or testing an Applicable Metric, at the election of the Company:

 

  (i)

if no Financial Statements have yet been delivered since the Closing Date, (A) the Closing Date, with the Applicable Metric determined by reference to the financial information set out in the Listing Document or (B) the most recently ended calendar month from which the Company has sufficient available information so as to be able to determine any such Applicable Metric with such Applicable Metric determined by reference to such available information provided that such information is provided to the Agent;

 

  (ii)

the most recent Test Date for which Financial Statements have been delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, with the Applicable Metric determined by reference to such Financial Statements; or

 

  (iii)

the most recently ended calendar month from which the Company has sufficient available information so as to be able to determine the Applicable Metric, with such Applicable Metric determined by reference to such available information provided that such information is provided to the Agent;

 

  (b)

in relation to determining or testing any Applicable Metric for the purposes of paragraph (b)(i) of Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) and/or determining whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing for the purposes of paragraph (b)(ii) of Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility), the most recent date elected by the Company (such date being the Applicable Reporting Date) prior to:

 

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6


  (i)

the date of any letter or agreement (conditional or otherwise (including any documentation condition)) entered into by a member of the Group or an Affiliate thereof in relation to the provision of all or part of the applicable Additional Facility;

 

  (ii)

the date of any debt instrument (subject to the terms and conditions therein) constituting, documenting or evidencing all or part of the applicable Additional Facility;

 

  (iii)

the Additional Facility Commencement Date in respect of all or part of the applicable Additional Facility;

 

  (iv)

the date of any incurrence of all or part of the applicable Additional Facility; and/or

 

  (v)

if any of the proceeds of the Additional Facility are being incurred to finance (in whole or part) an acquisition (including of any assets, shares or other ownership interests) the date of:

 

  (A)

any letter or agreement (conditional or otherwise (including any documentation condition)) entered into in relation to the making of such acquisition;

 

  (B)

the sale and purchase agreement (or other similar document) in relation to that acquisition; and/or

 

  (C)

the acquisition occurring,

with such Applicable Metric determined by reference to either: (I) the most recent set of Financial Statements which have been delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement prior to such Applicable Reporting Date or (II) the most recently ended calendar month from which the Company has sufficient available information so as to be able to determine such Applicable Metric prior to such Applicable Reporting Date provided that such information is provided to the Agent,

and in each case, the Company may revoke such determination at any time and from time to time.

Approved Borrower Jurisdiction means Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and any other jurisdictions agreed with the Lenders participating in the relevant Utilisation.

Approved Existing Ancillary Facility means the ancillary facilities or other facilities of the type described in Clause 9.1 (Type of Facility) made available to the Group by a Lender which, prior to the Closing Date, are agreed and designated in writing as Approved Existing Ancillary Facilities by the Company and the Lender which will provide those ancillary facilities as Ancillary Facilities under this Agreement in place of a corresponding part of that Lender’s unutilised Revolving Facility Commitments.

Approved Funds means any Related Fund that is administered, advised or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers, advises or manages a Lender.

Approved List means the list of lenders and potential lenders agreed by the Company and the Arrangers before the Closing Date and held by the Agent (as the same may be amended from time to time pursuant to paragraph (f) of Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation)).

 

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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, the relevant assignee and the Company, provided that if that other form does not contain an undertaking substantially similar to the undertaking set out in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Assignment Agreement) it shall not be a Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking as defined in, and for the purposes of, the Intercreditor Agreement.

Auditors means any firm of independent accountants appointed by the Company as its auditors from time to time.

Authorisation means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration, in each case, required by any applicable law or regulation.

Availability Period means:

 

  (a)

in relation to the Original Term Facility, the period from (and including) the date of this Agreement to (and including) 11.59 p.m. (in London) on the earlier of (i) 30 April 2020 and (ii) the date on which the Company has notified the Agent that the Euronext Listing will not occur;

 

  (b)

in relation to the Original Revolving Facility, the period from (and including) the Closing Date to (and including) the date falling one (1) Month prior to the Termination Date applicable to the Original Revolving Facility;

 

  (c)

in relation to the Swingline Facility, the period from (and including) the Closing Date to (and including) the date that is one Month prior to the Termination Date in relation to the Swingline Facility; and

 

  (d)

in relation to any Additional Facility, the period specified in the Additional Facility Notice relating to that Additional Facility (or as otherwise agreed by the relevant Borrower(s) (or the Company on its behalf) and the Additional Facility Lender(s) under that Additional Facility from time to time).

Available Commitment means, in relation to a Facility, a Lender’s Commitment under that Facility minus (subject to Clause 9.8 (Affiliates of Lenders) and as set out below):

 

  (a)

the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations (including Letters of Credit and L/C Loans) under that Facility and, in the case of a Revolving Facility only, the Base Currency Amount of the aggregate of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments, Fronted Ancillary Commitments and Fronting Ancillary Commitments and the aggregate of its participation in any outstanding Swingline Loans; and

 

  (b)

in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any other Utilisations that are due to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and, in the case of a Revolving Facility only, the Base Currency Amount of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment and Fronting Ancillary Commitment (which in the case of a multi-account overdraft, for the purpose of this definition, shall be the Designated Net Amount) in relation to any new Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility that is due to be made available on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and aggregate of its participation in any Swingline Loans that are due to be made on or before the proposed Utilisation Date,

provided that for the purposes of calculating a Lender’s Available Commitment in relation to any proposed Utilisation under a Revolving Facility and Swingline Facility only, the following amounts shall not be deducted from a Lender’s Commitment under that Revolving Facility:

 

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  (i)

that Lender’s (or its Affiliate’s) participation in any Revolving Facility Utilisations or Swingline Loans that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date; and

 

  (ii)

that Lender’s (or its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments, Fronted Ancillary Commitments or Fronting Ancillary Commitments to the extent that they are due to be reduced or cancelled 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, 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.

Bank Levy means any amount payable by any Finance Party or any of its Affiliates on the basis of, or in relation to, its balance sheet or capital base or any part of that person or its liabilities or minimum regulatory capital or any combination thereof including the United Kingdom bank levy as set out in the Finance Act 2011, the French taxe bancaire de risque systémique as set out in Article 235 ter ZE of the French Code général des impôts, the French taxe pour le financement du fonds de soutien as set out by Article 235 ter ZE bis of the French Code général des impôts, the German bank levy as set out in the German Restructuring Fund Act 2010 (Restrukturierungsfondsgesetz) (as amended), the Dutch bank levy as set out in the Dutch Bank Levy Act (Wet bankenbelasting), the Swedish bank levy (Sw. Resolutionsavgift) as set out in the Swedish Act on Resolution (Sw. lag (2015:1016 lag om resolution)), the Spanish bank levy (Impuesto sobre los Depósitos en las Entidades de Crédito) as set out in the Law 16/2012 of 27 December 2012, the Danish bank levy as set out in Consolidated Act No. 917 of 8 July 2015 on the Danish Guarantee Scheme for Depositors and Investors (Da. Bekendtgørelse af lov om en indskyder- og investorgarantiordning), Executive Order No. 1483 of 2 December 2016 on the Danish Guarantee Scheme for Depositors and Investors (Da. Bekendtgørelse om en indskyder- og investorgarantiordning), Act No. 333 of 31 March 2015 on Restructuring and Resolution of Certain Financial Undertakings (Da. Lov om restrukturering og afvikling af visse finansielle virksomheder) and Executive Order No. 823 of 3 July 2015 on the Danish Resolution Fund (Da. Bekendtgørelse om Afviklingsformuen) and any other levy or tax in any jurisdiction levied on a similar basis or for a similar purpose or any financial activities taxes (or other taxes) of a kind contemplated in the European Commission consultation paper on financial sector taxation dated 22 February 2011 or the Single Resolution Mechanism set up by EU Regulation n°806/2014 of July 15, 2014 which has been enacted or which has been formally announced as proposed as at the date of this Agreement or (if applicable) in respect of any New Lender, as at the date that New Lender accedes as a New Lender to this Agreement.

Bank Surcharge means any bank surcharge or banking corporation tax surcharge as set out in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 and any other surcharge or tax of a similar nature implemented in any other jurisdiction.

Base Currency means:

 

  (a)

for the Original Term Facility, the Original Revolving Facility and the Swingline Facility or in relation to any amount where paragraph (b) below is not applicable, euro;

 

  (b)

in relation to any Additional Facility, as agreed between the Company and the applicable Additional Facility Lenders as set out in the relevant Additional Facility Notice.

 

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Base Currency Amount means:

 

  (a)

in relation to a Utilisation for an amount in the Base Currency, the amount specified in the Utilisation Request delivered by a 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 two (2) Business Days before the Utilisation Date or, if later, on the date the Agent receives the Utilisation Request in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);

 

  (b)

in relation to an Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment the amount specified as such in the notice delivered to the Agent by the Company pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Availability) (or, if the amount specified 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 (3) Business Days before the Ancillary Commencement Date for that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility or, if later, the date the Agent receives the notice of the Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement); and

 

  (c)

in relation to an Additional Facility Commitment, the amount specified as such in the Additional Facility Notice delivered to the Agent by the Company pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) (or, if the amount specified is not denominated in the Base Currency, that amount of the Additional Facility converted into the Base Currency at the rate for the conversion of the Base Currency into the relevant currency of the non-euro Commitment which the Company and the Original Lenders of the Additional Facility (acting reasonably and in good faith) have used and have notified to the Agent for the purposes of calculating the Additional Facility Commitments in connection with such Additional Facility as at the Additional Facility Commencement Date for that Additional Facility or, if the Company and original Lenders of the Additional Facility have not notified the Agent of such conversion rate, the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three (3) Business Days before the Additional Facility Commencement Date for that Additional Facility or, if later, the date the Agent receives the notice of the Additional Facility in accordance with the terms of this Agreement),

as adjusted to reflect any repayment, prepayment, consolidation or division of a Utilisation, or utilisation under an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility or (as the case may be) cancellation or reduction of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility.

Board of Directors means with respect to (a) the Company, its board of directors as a group; (b) any corporation, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of the corporation, or any duly authorized committee thereof; (c) any partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of the partnership or any duly authorized committee thereof; and (d) any other person, the board or any duly authorized committee of such person serving a similar function. Whenever any provision of this Agreement requires any action or determination to be made by, or any approval or ratification of, a Board of Directors, such action, determination or approval shall be deemed to have been taken or made if approved or ratified, as the case may be, by a majority of the directors (excluding employee representatives, if any) on any such Board of Directors (whether or not such action or approval or ratification is taken as part of a formal board meeting or as a formal board approval or ratification).

Borrower means an Original Borrower or an Additional Borrower, unless it has ceased to be a Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors) and, in respect of an Ancillary Facility only, a Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a borrower of that Ancillary Facility in accordance with Clause 9.9 (Affiliates of Borrowers).

 

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Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

 

  (a)

LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR (as applicable), if positive and disregarding any interest rate floor, for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a 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 (if positive) which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount of that Loan or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank in the Relevant Interbank Market for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period.

Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, United Kingdom, Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Geneva, Switzerland:

 

  (a)

(in relation to any date for payment or purchase of euro) any TARGET Day; and

 

  (b)

(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.

Cash Equivalent Investments means, at any time:

 

  (a)

debt securities or other investments in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by Australia, any member state of the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US or, in each case, any agency thereof and having not more than one (1) year to final maturity;

 

  (b)

certificates of deposit, time deposits and overnight deposits and maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and issued by an Acceptable Bank;

 

  (c)

any investment in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by any government of a country which has a rating for its short term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations of A-3 or higher by S&P or F3 or higher by Fitch or P-3 or higher by Moody’s or by an instrumentality or agency of any such government having an equivalent credit rating, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and not convertible or exchangeable to any other security;

 

  (d)

commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security:

 

  (i)

for which a recognised trading market exists;

 

  (ii)

which matures within one (1) year after the relevant date of calculation; and

 

  (iii)

which has a credit rating of either A-3 or higher by S&P or F3 or higher by Fitch or P-3 or higher by Moody’s, or, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has, in respect of its short term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations, an equivalent rating;

 

  (e)

bills of exchange issued in Australia, any member state of the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the US or, in each case, any agency thereof and eligible for rediscount at the relevant central bank and accepted by a bank (or their dematerialised equivalent);

 

  (f)

any money market investment which:

 

  (i)

is an investment in money market funds:

 

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  (A)

with a credit rating of either A-3 or higher by S&P or F3 or higher by Fitch or P-3 or higher by Moody’s; or

 

  (B)

which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (a) to (e) above;

 

  (ii)

is any other money market investment (including repurchase agreements) and substantially all of the assets or collateral in respect of that investment have a credit rating of either A-3 or higher by S&P or F3 or higher by Fitch or P-3 or higher by Moody’s; or

 

  (iii)

can be turned into cash on not more than thirty (30) days’ notice; or

 

  (g)

any other debt security approved by the Majority Lenders,

in each case which is not issued or guaranteed by any member of the Group.

Cash Management Services means any of the following: automated clearing house transactions, treasury, depository, credit or debit card, purchasing card, stored value card, electronic fund transfer services and/or cash management services, including controlled disbursement services, overdraft facilities, foreign exchange facilities, daylight facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services or other cash management arrangements in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice.

CEO means the chief executive officer of the Company or the Group or, if no chief executive officer is appointed, such other person fulfilling the functions of chief executive officer of the Company.

Certain Funds Period means the period from (and including) the date of this Agreement to (and including) the earlier of:

 

  (a)

the date falling five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date; and

 

  (b)

if the Closing Date has not occurred on or prior to such date:

 

  (i)

with respect to the Additional Term Facility and the Additional Revolving Facility established pursuant to the Amendment Letter, the last day of the Availability Period of such Additional Term Facility; and

 

  (ii)

with respect to the Original Term Facility and the Original Revolving Facility, the last day of the Availability Period of the Original Term Facility.

Certain Funds Utilisation means a Utilisation made or to be made under the Original Term Facility, the Original Revolving Facility, the New Term Facility, the New Revolving Facility or the Swingline Facility during the Certain Funds Period where such Utilisation is to be made solely for any of the purposes described in paragraphs (a) and (to the extent specified in the Funds Flow Statement) paragraph (b) of Clause 3.1 (Purpose) (and each such paragraph shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to each of the New Term Facility and the New Revolving Facility).

CFO means the chief financial officer or finance director of the Company or the Group or, if no chief financial officer or finance director is appointed, such other person fulfilling the functions of chief financial officer or finance director of the Company of the Group.

Change of Control means any person or group of persons acting in concert (other than any of the Permitted Holders and any person directly or indirectly controlled by any of them) who do not at such time control the Group acquires (directly or indirectly) beneficially more than fifty (50) per cent. of the issued voting share capital of the Company, other than in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company becomes the wholly owned subsidiary of a Parent

 

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Entity, and for the purposes of this definition, acting in concert means a group of persons who, pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal), actively co-operate, through the acquisition and/or ownership of voting shares in the Company, to obtain or consolidate control (directly or indirectly) of the Company or any Parent Entity provided that the persons voting in the same or consistent manner at any general meeting of the Company or any Parent Entity will not be considered to be acting in concert by virtue only of exercising their votes in such manner.

Charged Property has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement but excluding the assets subject to the Topco Independent Transaction Security (as defined therein).

Clean-Up Period has the meaning given to it in Clause 28.13 (Clean-Up Period).

Closing Date means the earlier of (a) the date on which the first Utilisation of the Original Term Facility occurs and (b) the date on which the first Utilisation of the New Term Facility occurs.

Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Commitment means a Term Facility Commitment, a Revolving Facility Commitment, a Swingline Commitment or an Additional Facility Commitment.

Company means (a) prior to the Listing Holding Company Accession Date, the Original Company or (b) on and after the Listing Holding Company Accession Date, the Listing Holding Company.

Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 8 (Compliance Certificate) and delivered by the Company to the Agent under Clause 25.2 (Compliance Certificates) or such other form as agreed by the Agent and the Company (in each case acting reasonably).

Confidential Information means all information relating to the Company, any Obligor, the Group, the Investors, 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)

the Company, any member of the Group or any of their respective advisers; or

 

  (b)

another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from the Company, 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 information that:

 

  (i)

is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates of Clause 41 (Confidentiality);

 

  (ii)

is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by the Company, any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

 

  (iii)

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 Company or 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.

 

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Confidentiality Undertaking means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA on the date of this Agreement or in any other form agreed between the Company and the Agent, and in any case capable of being relied upon by, and not capable of being materially amended without the consent of, the Company.

Consolidated EBITDA has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Declared Default means an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and in respect of which the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Super Majority Lenders) has served a notice on the Company in accordance with the provisions of Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) under paragraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of such Clause for the immediate repayment and cancellation of a Facility (and the notice in relation to such demand for immediate repayment and cancellation has not been withdrawn, cancelled or otherwise ceased to have effect).

Default means an Event of Default or an event which would (with the expiry of a grace period or the giving of notice provided for in Clause 28 (Events of Default) or any combination of the foregoing) be an Event of Default, provided that any such event or circumstance which requires the satisfaction of a condition as to materiality before it becomes an Event of Default shall not be a Default unless that condition is satisfied.

Defaulting Lender means any Lender:

 

  (a)

which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available or has notified the Agent or the Company 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) or has failed to provide cash collateral (or has notified the Issuing Bank or the Company that it will not provide cash collateral) in accordance with Clause 7.4 (Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender);

 

  (b)

which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document;

 

  (c)

which is a Non-Consenting Lender and which has failed to assist with any step required to implement the Obligors’ Agent right to prepay that Non-Consenting Lender or to replace that Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to and as contemplated by Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender) within three (3) Business Days of a request to do so by the Obligors’ Agent;

 

  (d)

which is an Issuing Bank which has failed to issue a Letter of Credit (or has notified the Agent or the Company (which has notified the Agent) that it will not issue a Letter of Credit) in accordance with Clause 6.5 (Issue of Letters of Credit) or which has failed to pay a claim (or has notified the Agent or the Company (which has notified the Agent) that it will not pay a claim) in accordance with (and as defined in) Clause 7.2 (Claims under a Letter of Credit); or

 

  (e)

with respect to which (or any Holding Company of which) an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

  (i)

its failure to pay or provide cash collateral is caused by administrative or technical error or a Disruption Event and payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date; or

 

  (ii)

the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment or provide the cash collateral in question.

 

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Designated Gross Amount has the meaning given to that term in Clause 9.2 (Availability).

Designated Net Amount has the meaning given to that term in Clause 9.2 (Availability).

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 the Facilities (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:

 

  (i)

from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

  (ii)

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.

EBITDA has the meaning given to that term in the definition of Guarantor Coverage Test.

EEA Member Country means any member state of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and any other country that becomes a member of the European Economic Area on or after the date of this Agreement.

Equity Contribution means:

 

  (a)

any subscription for shares issued by, and any capital contributions (including by way of premium and/or contribution to the capital reserves) to, the Company (but excluding any such amounts funded from the proceeds of any Financial Indebtedness of any Parent Entity which is guaranteed by any member of the Group); and/or

 

  (b)

any loans, notes, bonds or like instruments issued by or made to the Company which are expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities.

Equity Investors means:

 

  (a)

the Initial Investors;

 

  (b)

the Management Investors; and / or

 

  (c)

any other persons or group of persons approved by the Majority Lenders (acting reasonably).

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.

EURIBOR means, in relation to any Loan in euro:

 

  (a)

the applicable Screen Rate;

 

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  (b)

(if no Screen Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan) the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan; or

 

  (c)

if:

 

  (i)

no Screen Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan; and

 

  (ii)

it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan,

the Reference Bank Rate,

as of, the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for euro and for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan and, in each case, if any such rate applicable to:

 

  (A)

an Original Term Facility Loan, Original Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan is below zero (0), EURIBOR for such Loan will be deemed to be zero (0); and

 

  (B)

an Additional Facility Loan is below any percentage agreed with the relevant Additional Facility Lenders in the Additional Facility Notice for those Additional Facility Commitments, EURIBOR will be deemed to be such percentage rate specified in such Additional Facility Notice.

Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 28 (Events of Default).

Euronext Listing means a listing or an admission to trading of all or any part of the share capital of the Original Company on the Euronext Amsterdam.

Excluded Jurisdiction has the meaning given to that term in Schedule 11 (Agreed Security Principles).

Excluded Swap Obligation has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Excluded Lender has the meaning given to that term in Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)).

Exclusion Date has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (a) of Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)).

Existing Ancillary Facility means an “Ancillary Facility” issued under and as defined in the Existing Debt Facility.

Existing Debt means the outstanding indebtedness of the Group existing immediately prior to the Closing Date under (i) an Existing Debt Financing, and (ii) hedging agreements in relation to an Existing Debt Financing which are to be terminated (as contemplated in the Funds Flow Statement) as a result of and on or about the time of the Closing Date.

Existing Debt Facility means the senior facilities agreement dated 26 July 2012 (as amended from time to time) and made between, among others, Global Blue Finance S.à r.l. and RBC Europe Limited as agent and as security agent.

Existing Debt Financing means:

 

  (a)

the Existing Debt Facility; and

 

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  (b)

any other debt financing made available to the Group and existing immediately prior to the Closing Date which is to be repaid and/or prepaid on or after the Closing Date as identified in the Funds Flow Statement.

Existing Letter of Credit means any “Letter of Credit” or “Bank Guarantee” under and as defined in the Existing Debt Facility which is issued on behalf of the Group by a Lender which is an Issuing Bank under this Agreement, and which is, on or prior to the Closing Date, agreed and designated in writing as an Existing Letter of Credit by the Company and the Issuing Bank which will provide such Letter of Credit under a Revolving Facility.

Expiry Date means, for a Letter of Credit, the last day of its Term.

Facility means a Term Facility, a Revolving Facility, the Swingline Facility and any Additional Facility.

Facility Office means, in respect of a Lender, Finance Party or an Issuing Bank, the office or offices notified by a Lender, Finance Party or the Issuing Bank to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender, Finance Party or the Issuing Bank (or, following that date, by not less than five (5) 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 US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 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), 1 July 2014;

 

  (b)

in relation to a withholdable payment described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to gross proceeds from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), the first date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA; or

 

  (c)

in relation to a passthru payment described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraph (a) or (b) 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:

 

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  (a)

the fee letter dated 30 September 2019 from the Arrangers to the Company;

 

  (b)

any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement between any of (i) the Arrangers and the Company, (ii) the Agent and the Company, (iii) the Security Agent and the Company, or (iv) the Issuing Bank and the Company, setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 17 (Fees); and

 

  (c)

any agreement setting out fees payable to a Finance Party referred to in paragraph (o) of Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility), paragraph (e) of Clause 2.3 (Increase), Clause 17.4 (Agent and Security fees) or Clause 17.6 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities) of this Agreement or under or in relation to any other Finance Document.

Finance Document means this Agreement, any Accession Letter, each Additional Facility Notice, each Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter, any Ancillary Document, any Fee Letter, each Increase Confirmation, the Intercreditor Agreement, any Resignation Letter, any Transaction Security Document, any Utilisation Request and any other document designated as a Finance Document by the Agent and the Company.

Finance Party means the Agent, each Arranger, the Security Agent, a Lender, each Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender.

Financial Half-Year has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of (without double counting):

 

  (a)

moneys borrowed;

 

  (b)

any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility or dematerialised equivalent (other than to the extent the same is discounted or factored on a non-recourse basis or where recourse is limited to customary warranties and indemnities);

 

  (c)

any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument, excluding, in each case, any Trade Instruments;

 

  (d)

receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold or discounted on a non recourse basis or where recourse is limited to customary warranties and indemnities) and only to the extent of any recourse;

 

  (e)

any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of any Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market net value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

 

  (f)

amounts raised by any issue of shares which are expressed to be redeemable mandatorily or at the option of the holder prior to the date which is the last Termination Date in respect of the Facilities or which are otherwise classified as borrowings under the Accounting Principles;

 

  (g)

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 in respect of an underlying liability (excluding any Trade Instruments) of an entity which is not a member of the Group which liability would fall within one of the other paragraphs of this definition;

 

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  (h)

any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if:

 

  (i)

one of the primary reasons behind the entry into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question; and

 

  (ii)

the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due from the relevant member of the Group more than six months after the date of supply to it or is due to the relevant member of the Group more than six months before the date of supply to it,

save where the amount results from the delayed or non-satisfaction of contract terms by the supplier, from a dispute carried out in good faith or from contract terms establishing payment schedules tied to total or partial contract completion and/or the results of operational testing procedures and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding earn outs and other contingent consideration arrangements;

 

  (i)

any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) required to be accounted for as a borrowing in accordance with the Accounting Principles excluding, in each case, any Trade Instruments; and

 

  (j)

the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i) above,

but excluding, in all cases, all pension-related or post-employment obligations or liabilities; any obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims; any early retirement or termination obligations or social security or wage Taxes; any liabilities in connection with any tax sharing agreement, profit and loss pooling or tax group or fiscal unity including any joint and several liability or any netting or set-off arrangement arising in each case by operation of law as a result of the existence or establishment of a Dutch fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) or any analogous arrangement in any other jurisdiction in each case, of which a member of the Group is or becomes a member; intra-day exposures; indebtedness in respect of any lease, concession or licence; Financial Indebtedness arising under Treasury Transactions except to the extent included in paragraph (e) above; obligations in respect of any licence, permit or other approval (or guarantees given in respect of such obligations) arising in the ordinary course of business; Cash Management Services; in respect of Trade Instruments and trade credit on normal commercial terms; contingent obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; any accrued liabilities in the ordinary course of business; any advance payments or prepayment of deposits by customers in the ordinary course of business; in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Subsidiary of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller (or an affiliate thereof) may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing (including, for the avoidance of doubt, earn outs and other contingent consideration arrangements); Equity Contributions; and so that, where the amount of Financial Indebtedness falls to be calculated or where the existence (or otherwise) of any Financial Indebtedness is to be established Financial Indebtedness in respect of uncashed cheques issued by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of business shall not be taken into account.

Financial Statements means Annual Financial Statements and Half-Year Financial Statements.

Financial Year has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Fitch means Fitch Ratings Inc., or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Fronted Ancillary Commitment means, in relation to a Fronted Ancillary Lender and a Fronted Ancillary Facility, the maximum Base Currency Amount of the Revolving Facility Commitment of that Fronted Ancillary Lender that is fronted under the Fronted Ancillary Facility as notified by the Fronting Ancillary Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Availability), such Fronted Ancillary Portion being equal to the proportion borne by that Fronted Ancillary Lender’s Available Commitment to the Available Facility (in each case in relation to the applicable Revolving Facility) on the date of such notification, to the extent that amount is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents relating to that Fronted Ancillary Facility.

 

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Fronted Ancillary Facility has the meaning given to that term in Clause 9.2 (Availability).

Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee has the meaning given to that term in Clause 17.6 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities).

Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee Period has the meaning given to that term in Clause 17.6 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities).

Fronted Ancillary Lender has the meaning given to that term in Clause 9.2 (Availability).

Fronted Ancillary Portion means, in relation to a Fronted Ancillary Lender, the proportion which that Fronted Ancillary Lender’s commitment under a Fronted Ancillary Facility bears to all commitments under that Fronted Ancillary Facility.

Fronting Ancillary Commitment means, in relation to a Fronting Ancillary Lender and a Fronted Ancillary Facility, the maximum Base Currency Amount of that Fronted Ancillary Facility for which it is not indemnified by other Fronted Ancillary Lenders pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 9.15 (Fronted Ancillary Commitment Indemnities), as notified by the Fronting Ancillary Lender to the Agent pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Availability) to the extent that amount is not increased, cancelled or reduced under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents relating to that Fronted Ancillary Facility.

Fronting Ancillary Lender has the meaning given to that term in Clause 9.2 (Availability).

Funds Flow Statement means a funds flow statement in the agreed form.

Gross Outstandings means, in relation to a multi-account overdraft, the Ancillary Outstandings of that multi-account overdraft but calculated on the basis that the wording in the definition of “Ancillary Outstandings” permitting the netting of credit balances were deleted.

Group means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time.

Group Initiative has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Guarantee Limitations means, in respect of any Obligor and any payments such Obligor is required to make in its capacity as a guarantor or as the provider of an indemnity or as debtor of costs or disbursements or with respect to any other payment obligation under this Agreement or any other Finance Document, the limitations and restrictions applicable to such entity pursuant to Clause 23.11 (Guarantee Limitations - General) to 23.13 (Guarantee Limitations: Excluded Swap Obligations) (inclusive) and the relevant Accession Letter applicable to such Additional Guarantor.

Guarantor means each Original Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor, unless it has ceased to be a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Guarantor Coverage Test means confirmation that (without double counting) the aggregate earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation (calculated on an last twelve Months basis on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA but taking each entity on an unconsolidated basis (EBITDA) of the members of the Group which are Guarantors equals or exceeds eighty (80) per cent. of Consolidated EBITDA, provided that, for the purposes of calculating the Guarantor Coverage Test only:

 

  (a)

to the extent any Guarantor generates negative EBITDA, such Guarantor shall be deemed to have zero EBITDA for the purposes of calculating the numerator of the Guarantor Coverage Test; and

 

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  (b)

unless otherwise elected by the Company, to the extent that any member of the Group:

 

  (i)

is not a Guarantor; and

 

  (ii)

is incorporated in an Excluded Jurisdiction and/or is otherwise not required to (or is unable to) become a Guarantor due to legal prohibitions or in accordance with the Agreed Security Principles

any EBITDA of such member of the Group (if positive) shall be excluded from the numerator and denominator for the purposes of calculating the Guarantor Coverage Test.

Half-Year Financial Statements means the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group delivered pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 25.1 (Financial Statements).

Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

IBOR means, in relation to any Loan denominated in a Non-LIBOR Currency:

 

  (a)

the applicable Screen Rate;

 

  (b)

(if no Screen Rate is available for the currency or Interest Period of that Loan) the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan; or

 

  (c)

if:

 

  (i)

no Screen Rate is available for the currency or Interest Period of that Loan; and

 

  (ii)

it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan,

the Reference Bank Rate,

as of, in the case of paragraphs (a) and (c) above, the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the currency of that Loan and a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan and if any such rate applicable to:

 

  (A)

an Original Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan, is below zero (0), IBOR for such Loan will be deemed to be zero (0); and

 

  (B)

an Additional Facility Loan is below the percentage agreed with the relevant Additional Facility Lenders in the Additional Facility Notice for those Additional Facility Commitments, IBOR will be deemed to be such percentage rate specified in such Additional Facility Notice.

IFRS means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 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 disaffirms, rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document or any term thereof;

 

  (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

 

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  (d)

an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent,

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

  (i)

its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or a Disruption Event and payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date; or

 

  (ii)

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 set out in Schedule 12 (Form of Increase Confirmation) or in any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (in each case acting reasonably).

Increase Lender has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.3 (Increase).

Increased Costs Lender means a Lender or an Issuing Bank to whom any Obligor becomes obligated to any amount pursuant to Clause 11.1 (Illegality), Clause 16.2 (Market disruption), Clause 18 (Taxes) or Clause 19 (Increased Costs).

Industry Competitor means any person or entity (or any of its Affiliates or a person acting on behalf of or on the instructions of or for the account of such person or entity) which is a competitor (or whose business is similar or related to that) of a member of the Group and any controlling shareholder of a competitor (or whose business is similar or related to that) of a member of the Group, provided that this shall not include any person or entity (or any of its Affiliates) which is a bank, financial institution or trust, fund or other entity whose principal business or material activity is investing in debt where any information made available under the Finance Documents is not disclosed or made available to such person or entity (or any of its Affiliates).

Information Package means the document in the form approved by the Company concerning the Group, prepared and distributed by the Arrangers to selected financial institutions prior to the date of this Agreement.

Initial Investors means Silver Lake Technology Management, LLC and/or any affiliate and/or Silver Lake Group, LLC and/or any affiliate (together, Silver Lake) and/or Partners Group AG and/or any affiliate (Partners Group) and/or any investment vehicle, trust, fund, partnership, company, co-investment scheme or other entity managed, advised, owned and/or controlled directly or indirectly by Silver Lake or Partners Group and/or, in each case, any affiliate thereof.

For the purpose of the definition of “Initial Investor” an “affiliate” shall mean, with respect to a person (the First Person):

 

  (a)

any general partner, manager or investment advisor of the First Person;

 

  (b)

another person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, manages or is controlled or managed by, or is under common control or management with, the First Person;

 

  (c)

a pooled investment vehicle organised by the First Person (or an affiliate thereof) the investments of which are directed by the First Person;

 

  (d)

a fund organised by the First Person for the benefit of the First Person’s (or any of its affiliates’) partners, officers or employees or their dependants; or

 

  (e)

a successor trustee or nominee for, or a successor by re-organisation of, a trust.

 

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Insolvency Event means, in relation to a Finance Party, the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of that Finance Party or all or substantially all of that Finance Party’s assets or any analogous procedure or step being taken in any jurisdiction with respect to that Finance Party.

Intercreditor Agreement means the intercreditor agreement dated ___ 2020 and made between, among others, the Company, the Original Debtors (as defined therein) and RBC Europe Limited as security agent.

Interest Period means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 15 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 14.3 (Default interest).

Internal Revenue Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Interpolated Screen Rate means, in relation to EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR for any Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

 

  (a)

the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and

 

  (b)

the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan,

each as of the Specified Time for the currency of that Loan.

Investors means the Initial Investors and any other person holding (directly or indirectly) any issued share capital of the Company from time to time.

Issuing Bank means the Original Issuing Bank and any Party which has notified the Agent that it has agreed to the Company’s request to be an Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (and if more than one such Party has so agreed, such Parties shall be referred to, whether acting individually or together, as the Issuing Bank) provided that, in respect of a Letter of Credit issued or to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Issuing Bank shall be the Issuing Bank which has issued or agreed to issue that Letter of Credit.

Issuing Bank Accession Agreement means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 14 (Form of Issuing Bank Accession Agreement) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably).

Joint Venture means any joint venture entity or minority interest of a member of the Group, whether in or relating to a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other person in which a member of the Group directly or indirectly holds (or, upon making an initial investment, will hold) shares or other applicable ownership interests.

L/C Proportion means, in relation to a Revolving Facility Lender in respect of any Letter of Credit, the proportion (expressed as a percentage) borne by that Lender’s Available Commitment to the relevant Available Facility (in each case) under a Revolving Facility immediately prior to the issue of that Letter of Credit, adjusted to reflect any assignment or transfer under this Agreement to or by that Lender.

Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent and/or the Security Agent under Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or under Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors) or at any other time in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

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Legal Reservations means:

 

  (a)

the principle that certain remedies (including equitable remedies and remedies that are analogous to equitable remedies in the applicable jurisdictions) may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court, the principles of reasonableness and fairness, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria, administration, examinership and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (b)

the time barring of claims under applicable limitation laws (including the Limitation Acts) and defences of acquiescence, set-off or counterclaim and the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim or acquiescence and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (c)

the principle that in certain circumstances Security granted by way of fixed charge may be recharacterised as a floating charge or that Security purported to be constituted as an assignment may be recharacterised as a charge;

 

  (d)

the principle that additional or default interest imposed pursuant to any relevant agreement may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty and thus void;

 

  (e)

the principle that a court may not give effect to an indemnity for legal costs incurred by an unsuccessful litigant;

 

  (f)

the principle that the creation or purported creation of Security over:

 

  (i)

any asset not beneficially owned by the relevant charging company at the date of the relevant security document; or

 

  (ii)

any contract or agreement which is subject to a prohibition on transfer, assignment or charging may be void, ineffective or invalid and may give rise to a breach of the contract or agreement over which Security has purportedly been created;

 

  (g)

the possibility that a court may strike out a provision of a contract from rescission or oppression, undue influence or similar reason;

 

  (h)

the principle that a court may not give effect to any parallel debt provisions, covenants to pay or other similar provisions;

 

  (i)

the principle that certain remedies in relation to regulated entities may require further approval from government or regulatory bodies or pursuant to agreements with such bodies;

 

  (j)

similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction;

 

  (k)

the principles of private and procedural laws of the relevant jurisdiction which affect the enforcement of a foreign court judgment;

 

  (l)

the principle that in certain circumstances pre-existing Security purporting to secure an Additional Facility or any Facility (including in each case further advances) made in connection with a Structural Adjustment may be void, ineffective, invalid or unenforceable; and

 

  (m)

any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations (howsoever described) as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions including, financial assistance or capital protection concerns in relation to the Finance Documents reflected in the Legal Opinions.

 

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Lender means:

 

  (a)

any Original Lender;

 

  (b)

any Additional Facility 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 (Additional Facility), Clause 2.3 (Increase) or Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders),

which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and provided that (among other things as provided by this Agreement) upon (i) termination in full of all Commitments of any Lender in relation to any Facility and (ii) payment in full of all amounts which then are due and payable to such Lender under that Facility, such Lender shall not be regarded as a Lender for that Facility for the purpose of determining whether any provision which requires consultation, consent, agreement or vote with any Lender (or any class thereof) has been complied with.

Lender Register has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (c) of Clause 29.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Additional Facility Notice or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter to the Company and maintenance of Lender Register).

Letter of Credit means:

 

  (a)

a letter of credit, substantially in the agreed form set out in Schedule 10 (Form of Letters of Credit) or in any other form requested by the relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) and agreed by the Issuing Bank; or

 

  (b)

any guarantee, indemnity, documentary credit, performance bond or other instrument in a form requested by a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) and agreed by the Issuing Bank.

Leverage Ratio has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Liabilities has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

LIBOR means, in relation to any Loan (other than a Loan denominated in EUR or a Non-LIBOR Currency):

 

  (a)

the applicable Screen Rate;

 

  (b)

(if no Screen Rate is available for the currency or Interest Period of that Loan) the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan; or

 

  (c)

if:

 

  (i)

no Screen Rate is available for the currency or Interest Period of that Loan; and

 

  (ii)

it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan,

the Reference Bank Rate,

 

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as of, in the case of paragraphs (a) and (c) above, the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the currency of that Loan and a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan and if any such rate applicable to:

 

  (A)

an Original Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan, is below zero (0), LIBOR for such Loan will be deemed to be zero (0); and

 

  (B)

an Additional Facility Loan is below the percentage agreed with the relevant Additional Facility Lenders in the Additional Facility Notice for those Additional Facility Commitments, LIBOR will be deemed to be such percentage rate specified in such Additional Facility Notice.

Limitation Acts means the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984.

Listing Acquisition Agreement means a sale and purchase agreement, a merger agreement or any similar agreement between, amongst others, the Original Company or the Listing Holding Company and a special purpose acquisition company (or similar person) in connection with the transactions described in clause (ii) of the definition of Listing.

Listing Holding Company means any present or future, direct or indirect Holding Company of the Company.

Listing Holding Company Accession Date means the date of the accession of the Listing Holding Company to this Agreement as an Additional Guarantor and (at its sole option) an Additional Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Listing means (i) in relation to a utilisation of the Original Term Facility or the Original Revolving Facility, the Euronext Listing or (ii) in relation to a utilisation of the New Term Facility and the New Revolving Facility, a merger (or another transaction or series of transactions) between the Original Company, the Listing Holding Company and/or an Affiliate of the Original Company or the Listing Holding Company and a special purpose acquisition company (or similar person) and/or an Affiliate of such person following which all or any part of the share capital of the Original Company or the Listing Holding Company or such Affiliate or such special purpose acquisition company (or similar person) or such Affiliate is listed or trades on the New York Stock Exchange or any other internationally recognised exchange or market.

Listing Document means a prospectus, offering memorandum, registration statement, proxy statement, joint registration and proxy statement or any similar or equivalent document filed with the Authority for the Financial Markets of the Netherlands, the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States of America or any other applicable regulatory body, exchange or market (or in each case any successor thereto) in connection with the Listing.

LMA means the Loan Market Association.

Loan means a Term Loan, Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan.

Loan to Own/Distressed Investor means any person (including an Affiliate or a Related Fund of a Lender or any person on the Approved List) whose principal business, material activity or portfolio or investment strategy include any material investment in (a) loans or other debt securities purchased at less than par value, and/or (b) loans or other debt securities acquired with the intention of (or view to) owning the equity or gaining control of a business (directly or indirectly), provided that any Affiliate of such persons which are a deposit taking financial institution authorised by a financial services regulator to carry out the business of banking which holds a minimum rating equal to or better than “BBB” or “Baa2” (as applicable) according to at least two of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch which are managed and controlled independently where any information made available under the Finance Documents is not disclosed or made available to other Affiliates shall not, in each case, be a Loan to Own/Distressed Investor.

LTM EBITDA means, on any day:

 

  (a)

Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA as at the Applicable Test Date; or

 

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  (b)

if no Compliance Certificate has yet been delivered under this Agreement, Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA as determined by the Company for the most recently ended Relevant Period for which the Company has sufficient available information so as to be able to determine Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA,

provided that in the event any indebtedness, loan, investment, disposal, guarantee, payment or other transaction is committed, incurred or made (or, as the case may be, not made) by any member of the Group based on the amount of the LTM EBITDA as at any particular date, that indebtedness, loan, investment, disposal, guarantee, payment, non-payment or other transaction shall not constitute, or be deemed to constitute, or result in, a breach of any provision of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents if there is a subsequent change in the amount of the LTM EBITDA.

Major Default means any event or circumstance constituting an Event of Default that has occurred and is continuing under:

 

  (a)

Clause 28.1 (Payment Default);

 

  (b)

Clause 28.3 (Other obligations) insofar as it relates to a breach of any Major Undertaking;

 

  (c)

Clause 28.4 (Misrepresentation) insofar as it relates to a breach of any Major Representation in any material respect;

 

  (d)

Clauses 28.6 (Insolvency);

 

  (e)

Clause 28.7 (Insolvency proceedings);

 

  (f)

Clause 28.9 (Unlawfulness); and

 

  (g)

Clause 28.10 (Repudiation),

in each case as it relates to:

 

  (i)

in the case of a Certain Funds Utilisation, the Company or a Material Subsidiary (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries with respect to any other person and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group); and

 

  (ii)

in the case of any other acquisition or investment or Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation, the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor(s) only (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor with respect to any other member of the Group or any Holding Company and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group).

Major Representation means a representation or warranty under:

 

  (a)

Clause 24.1 (Status);

 

  (b)

Clause 24.2 (Binding obligations);

 

  (c)

Clause 24.3 (Non-conflict with other obligations);

 

  (d)

Clause 24.4 (Power and authority);

 

  (e)

Clause 24.5 (Validity and admissibility in evidence); and

 

  (f)

Clause 24.13 (Anti-Corruption Law/Sanctions),

 

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in each case as it relates to:

 

  (i)

in the case of a Certain Funds Utilisation, the Company or a Material Subsidiary (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries with respect to any other person and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group); and

 

  (ii)

in the case of any other acquisition or investment or Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation, the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor(s) only (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor with respect to any other member of the Group or any Holding Company and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group).

Major Undertaking means an undertaking under:

 

  (a)

Clause 27.3 (Restriction on Security); and

 

  (b)

Clause 27.4 (Disposals),

in each case as it relates to:

 

  (i)

in the case of a Certain Funds Utilisation, the Company or a Material Subsidiary (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Company or any of the Material Subsidiaries with respect to any other person and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group); and

 

  (ii)

in the case of any other acquisition or investment or Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation, the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor(s) only (and excluding: (x) any procurement obligations on the part of the Agreed Certain Funds Obligor with respect to any other member of the Group or any Holding Company and (y) any failure to comply, breach or Default by any other member of the Group).

Majority Lenders means, at any time, subject to Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)) and Clause 40.8 (Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders):

 

  (a)

in the context of a proposed amendment or waiver in relation to a proposed utilisation of the Original Revolving Facility (other than a utilisation on the Closing Date) of any of the conditions to funding set out in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent), an Original Revolving Facility Lender or Original Revolving Facility Lenders whose Original Revolving Facility Commitments aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments (or, if the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 50 per cent. of the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments immediately prior to that reduction);

 

  (b)

in the context of a proposed amendment or waiver in relation to a proposed utilisation of an Additional Facility of any of the conditions to funding set out in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent), an Additional Facility Lender or Additional Facility Lenders whose Additional Facility Commitments in that Additional Facility aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the Additional Facility Commitments in that Additional Facility (or, if the Total Additional Facility Commitments in the applicable Additional Facility have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 50 per cent. of the Total Additional Facility Commitments in the applicable Additional Facility immediately prior to that reduction); and

 

  (c)

otherwise a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 50 per cent. of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 50 per cent. of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction),

 

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and in each applicable case, the amount of an Ancillary Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment shall not be reduced by the amount of its Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment.

Management Investors means (a) members of the management team of the Group investing, or committing to invest, directly or indirectly, in the Company as at the Closing Date and any subsequent members of the management team of the Group who invest directly or indirectly in the Company from time to time and, in each case, any trust set up for the benefit of any member of management or their spouses or their descendants and (b) such entity as may hold shares transferred by departing members of the management team of the Group for future redistribution to the management team of the Group.

Margin means:

 

  (a)

in relation to any Original Term Facility Loan, 2.00 per cent. per annum;

 

  (b)

in relation to the Original Revolving Facility Loan, 1.75 per cent. per annum;

 

  (c)

in relation to the Swingline Loan, 0.75 per cent. per annum; and

 

  (d)

in relation to any Additional Facility Loan, the percentage rate per annum set out in the Additional Facility Notice relating to that Additional Facility (or as otherwise agreed by the relevant Borrower(s) and the Additional Facility Lender(s) under that Additional Facility from time to time);

provided that:

 

  (i)

from the first day following the date on which the first Compliance Certificate is delivered to the Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Margin for each Loan under the Original Term Facility and the Original Revolving Facility will be the percentage per annum set out below in the column in the table for the relevant Facility opposite that range;

 

Leverage Ratio

   Original
Term
Facility

(% per
annum)
     Original
Revolving
Facility
(% per
annum)
     Swingline
Facility
(% per
annum)
 

Greater than 4.00:1

     2.75        2.50        1.50  

Equal to or less than 4.00:1 but greater than 3.50:1

     2.25        2.00        1.00  

Equal to or less than 3.50:1 but greater than 3.00:1

     2.00        1.75        0.75  

Equal to or less than 3.00:1 but greater than 2.50:1

     1.75        1.50        0.50  

Equal to or less than 2.50:1 but greater than 2.00:1

     1.50        1.25        0.25  

Equal to or less than 2.00:1 but greater than 1.50:1

     1.25        1.00        0.00  

Equal to or less than 1.50:1

     1.00        0.75        0.00  

 

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29


and

 

  (ii)

the Margin for each Loan under an Additional Facility will be the percentage per annum agreed with the Additional Facility Lenders and as indicated for that range in the Additional Facility Notice for those Additional Facility Commitments.

However:

 

  (A)

any increase or decrease in the Margin for a Loan shall take effect on the date (the Reset Date) which is one (1) Business Day after receipt by the Agent of the Compliance Certificate for that Relevant Period pursuant to Clause 25.2 (Compliance Certificates) with no limit on the reduction or increase to be effected on any single Reset Date;

 

  (B)

while an Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default), Clause 28.6 (Insolvency), Clause 28.7 (Insolvency proceedings) or under Clause 28.3 (Other obligations) in respect of failure to deliver a Compliance Certificate when due under Clause 25.2 (Compliance Certificates) only (a Margin Event of Default), is continuing, the Margin for each Loan under the Original Term Facility, the Original Revolving Facility and the Swingline Facility shall be the highest percentage per annum set out above for a Loan under that Facility (or, in respect of any Additional Facility, the highest percentage rate per annum set out in the applicable Additional Facility Notice delivered by the Company in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) in respect of the relevant Additional Facility Commitments). Once that Margin Event of Default has been remedied or waived, the Margin for each Loan will be re-calculated on the basis of the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate and the terms of this definition “Margin” shall apply (on the assumption that on the date of the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate, no Margin Event of Default had occurred or was continuing) with any reduction in Margin resulting from such recalculation taking effect from the date of such remedy or waiver; and

 

  (C)

for the purpose of determining the Margin, the Leverage Ratio and Relevant Period shall be determined in accordance with Clause 26.3 (Financial testing).

Market Disruption Event has the meaning given to that term in Clause 16.2 (Market disruption).

Material Adverse Effect means any event or circumstance which, in each case, after taking into account all mitigating factors or circumstances (including, any warranty, indemnity or other resources available to the Group or right of recourse against any third party with respect to the relevant event or circumstance and any obligation of any person in force to provide any additional equity investment):

 

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  (a)

has a material adverse effect on:

 

  (i)

the consolidated business, assets or financial condition of the Group (taken as a whole); or

 

  (ii)

the ability of the Group (taken as whole) to perform its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

  (b)

subject to the Legal Reservations and any Perfection Requirements, affects the validity or the enforceability of any of the Finance Documents to an extent which is materially adverse to the interests of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents taken as a whole,

and, in each case, if capable of remedy, is not remedied within thirty (30) Business Days of the earlier of (i) the Company becoming aware of the issue and (ii) the giving to the Company of written notice of the issue by the Agent.

Material Subsidiary means:

 

  (a)

each Original Obligor; and

 

  (b)

each member of the Group which has earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on an unconsolidated basis and otherwise on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA) representing five (5) per cent. or more of Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA of the Group, provided that:

 

  (i)

such calculation shall be determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate supplied by the Company in respect of the latest Annual Financial Statements delivered to the Agent;

 

  (ii)

each member of the Group which is incorporated in an Excluded Jurisdiction and/or is otherwise not required to (or is unable to) become a Guarantor in accordance with the Agreed Security Principles will not be considered a Material Subsidiary for the purposes of Clause 27.9 (Guarantor Coverage and Material Subsidiaries); and

 

  (iii)

a certification by the Company that a member of the Group is or is not a Material Subsidiary shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties.

Month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:

 

  (a)

(subject to paragraph (c) 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;

 

  (b)

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

 

  (c)

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.

The rules in paragraphs (a) to (c) above will only apply to the last month of any period.

 

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Moody’s means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Net Outstandings means, in relation to a multi-account overdraft, the Ancillary Outstandings of that multi-account overdraft.

New Lender has the meaning given to that term in Clause 29.1 (Assignments and Transfers by Lenders).

New Revolving Facility has the meaning give to that term in the Amendment Letter.

New Term Facility has the meaning give to that term in the Amendment Letter.

Non-Acceptable L/C Lender means a Lender under a Revolving Facility which:

 

  (a)

is not an Acceptable Bank within the meaning of paragraph (a) of the definition of Acceptable Bank (other than (i) an Arranger or Original Lender; (ii) any Affiliate of an Arranger or Original Lender; or (iii) a Lender which the relevant Issuing Bank (acting reasonably) has agreed is acceptable to it notwithstanding that fact);

 

  (b)

is a Defaulting Lender; or

 

  (c)

has failed to make (or has notified the Agent that it will not make) a payment to be made by it under Clause 7.3 (Indemnities) or Clause 31.11 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent) or any other payment to be made by it under the Finance Documents to or for the account of any other Finance Party in its capacity as Lender by the due date for payment unless the failure to pay falls within the description of any of those items set out at paragraphs (i) or (ii) of the definition of Defaulting Lender.

Non-Consenting Lender means:

 

  (a)

any Lender which does not agree to (or fails to accept or reject) a request by the end of the period of ten (10) Business Days (or any other period of time agreed between the Company and the Agent) in accordance with Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)) for a consent to, a departure from, or waiver or amendment of, any provision of the Finance Documents which has been requested by the Company directly or through the Agent where the requested consent, waiver or amendment has been approved by the Majority Lenders (or greater than 50 per cent. of Commitments of the required Lenders forming part of an affected class of Lenders); or

 

  (b)

any Lender whose Commitment has been excluded in relation to any request pursuant to Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)).

Non-Funding Lender means any Lender which:

 

  (a)

has refused or failed to participate in any Utilisation it is obliged to make under this Agreement; and/or

 

  (b)

has given notice to the Company or the Agent that it will not make, or has disaffirmed or repudiated an obligation to participate in, any Utilisation it is obliged to make under this Agreement; and/or

 

  (c)

has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document or any term of the Finance Documents; and/or

 

  (d)

is otherwise a Defaulting Lender.

 

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Non-LIBOR Currency means any Optional Currency for which the Agent determines there is no applicable LIBOR rate.

Non-Obligor means a member of the Group that is not an Obligor.

Non-Qualifying Bank means any person that is not or ceases to be a Qualifying Bank.

Obligor means a Borrower or a Guarantor.

Obligors’ Agent means the Company or such other person appointed to act on behalf of each Obligor in relation to the Finance Documents pursuant to Clause 2.6 (Obligors’ Agent).

OFAC means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (or any successor thereto).

Optional Currency means a currency (other than the Base Currency) which complies with the conditions set out in Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies).

Original Accounting Principles has the meaning given to it in paragraph (a) of Clause 25.5 (Agreed Accounting Principles).

Original Financial Statements means the consolidated special purpose financial statements of the Company for the financial periods 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2019.

Original Obligor means an Original Borrower or an Original Guarantor.

Original Revolving Facility means the revolving credit facility made available under this Agreement as described in paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 2.1 (The Facilities).

Original Revolving Facility Borrower means:

 

  (a)

each Original Borrower; and

 

  (b)

any other member of the Group which accedes as an Additional Borrower under the Original Revolving Facility in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors),

unless, in each case, it has ceased to be an Original Revolving Facility Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Original Revolving Facility Commitment means:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Original Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as its Original Revolving Facility Commitment and the amount of any other Original Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase); and

 

  (b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Original Revolving Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase),

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

Original Revolving Facility Lender means any Lender who makes available an Original Revolving Facility Commitment or an Original Revolving Facility Loan.

 

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Original Revolving Facility Loan means a loan made or to be made under the Original Revolving Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.

Original Term Facility means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 2.1 (The Facilities).

Original Term Facility Borrower means:

 

  (a)

Global Blue Acquisition B.V.; and

 

  (b)

any other member of the Group which accedes as an Additional Borrower under the Original Term Facility in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors),

unless, in each case, it has ceased to be an Original Term Facility Borrower in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Original Term Facility Commitment means:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as its Original Term Facility Commitment and the amount of any other Original Term Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase); and

 

  (b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Original Term Facility Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase),

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

Original Term Facility Lender means any Lender who makes available an Original Term Facility Commitment or an Original Term Facility Loan.

Original Term Facility Loan means a loan made or to be made under the Original Term Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.

Parent Entity means any direct or indirect Holding Company of the Company so long as no person or group of persons acting in concert (other than the Permitted Holders and any person directly or indirectly controlled by any of them) owns (directly or indirectly) beneficially more than 50 per cent. of the issued voting share capital of such Holding Company.

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.

Perfection Requirements means the making or the procuring of the appropriate registrations, filings, endorsements, notarisation, stampings and/or notifications of or under the Finance Documents and/or the Security created thereunder and any other actions or steps, necessary in any jurisdiction or under any laws or regulations in order to create or perfect any Security or the Finance Documents or to achieve the relevant priority expressed therein.

Permitted Holders means (i) the Equity Investors and (ii) any one or more persons, together with such persons’ affiliates, whose beneficial ownership constitutes or results in a Change of Control and one or more of the Lenders do not exercise their rights to require payment as a result of such Change of Control in accordance with Clause 12.1 (Exit) (but, for the avoidance of doubt, only in respect of such Lenders and any person who becomes a Lender after such Change of Control); (iii)

 

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any person who is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering of shares of any Parent Entity or the Company, acting in such capacity; and (iv) any group of persons of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, persons referred to in paragraphs (i) to (iii) above collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50 per cent. of the issued voting share capital of the Company or any Parent Entity held by such group.

Permitted Reorganisation means:

 

  (a)

an acquisition by way of merger provided that the acquisition is not expressly prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (b)

an amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction of a member of the Group whether in relation to the business or assets or shares (or other interests) of that member of the Group or otherwise (including, in each case, any steps or actions necessary to implement such transactions) provided that such amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction is not otherwise prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (c)

any amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction arising as a consequence of an undertaking or other obligation in this Agreement (including, in each case, any steps or actions necessary to implement such transactions);

 

  (d)

any amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction in connection with the Transaction (including, in each case, any steps or actions necessary to implement such transactions);

 

  (e)

any amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction involving the business or assets of, or shares of (or other interests in) any member of the Group which is implemented to comply with any applicable law or regulation (including any steps or actions necessary to implement such transactions); and

 

  (f)

any other amalgamation, demerger, merger, voluntary liquidation, consolidation, re-organisation, winding up or corporate reconstruction approved by the Majority Lenders,

provided that, in each case, if a Borrower is being reorganised, either (i) the Borrower is the surviving entity or (ii) the surviving entity satisfies the requirement to become and becomes an Additional Borrower pursuant to Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

Permitted Structural Adjustment means:

 

  (a)

any increase in a Facility pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase);

 

  (b)

any Structural Adjustment which has received the necessary approvals under paragraph (b) of Clause 40.4 (Structural Adjustment); or

 

  (c)

any amendment, waiver, consent or release of a Finance Document made in accordance with (or required to implement or give effect to the provisions of) Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility), Clause 2.3 (Increase), Clause 27.8 (Third Party Financing), Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender) or Clause 40.9 (Implementation of Additional Facilities and other Permitted Structural Adjustments).

 

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Permitted Transaction means:

 

  (a)

any disposal required, Financial Indebtedness incurred, guarantee, indemnity, Security or Quasi-Security given, or other transaction arising, under or in accordance with the Finance Documents, provided that the relevant disposal, Financial Indebtedness, guarantee, indemnity, Security or Quasi-Security is permitted or not expressly prohibited under the terms of this Agreement other than by reason or by reference to this paragraph (a);

 

  (b)

a Permitted Reorganisation;

 

  (c)

any payments or other transactions specifically described in the Listing Document;

 

  (d)

any transaction arising under or in accordance with the entry into or assumption of an obligation under this Agreement, provided that such transaction is permitted or not otherwise prohibited under the terms of this Agreement other than by reason of or reference to this definition of Permitted Transaction;

 

  (e)

any step, circumstance, payment, event or reorganisation or transaction contemplated by or relating to the Finance Documents or the Funds Flow Statement and any intermediate steps or actions necessary to implement the steps, circumstances, payments or transactions described in each such document shall be regarded as a Permitted Transaction;

 

  (f)

any step, circumstance or transaction which is mandatorily required by law (including arising under an order of attachment or injunction or similar legal process);

 

  (g)

any conversion of a loan, credit or any other indebtedness outstanding into distributable reserves, share capital, share premium or other equity interests of any member of the Group or any other capitalisation, forgiveness, waiver, release or other discharge of any loan, credit or other indebtedness, in each case on a cashless basis;

 

  (h)

any existing transactions of the Group outstanding on the Closing Date and refinancings, replacements, extensions, renewals and amendments thereof;

 

  (i)

any repurchase of shares in any person upon the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares, if such shares represent all or a portion of the exercise price of such warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares as part of a cashless exercise;

 

  (j)

any transfer of the shares in, or issue of shares by, a member of the Group or any step, action or transaction including share issue or acquisition or consumption of debt, for the purpose of creating the group structure for the Transaction including inserting any Holding Company or incorporating or inserting any Subsidiary in connection therewith, provided that, after completion of such steps, no Change of Control shall have occurred;

 

  (k)

any closure of bank accounts in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (l)

any transaction to which the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) shall have given prior written consent; and

 

  (m)

any tax sharing agreement, profit and loss pooling or the existence, expansion, establishment or performance of any tax sharing agreement, profit and loss pooling, tax group or fiscal unity including a Dutch fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) and the joint and several liability and netting or set-off arrangements arising as a result of or in connection with any of the foregoing, including by operation of law.

Qualifying Bank has the meaning given to it in Clause 18.1 (Tax Definitions).

 

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Quasi-Security means a transaction or arrangement to:

 

  (a)

sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets to any person who is not a member of the Group on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by any other member of the Group;

 

  (b)

sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables to any person who is not a member of the Group on recourse terms;

 

  (c)

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

 

  (d)

enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,

in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined:

 

  (a)

(if the currency is sterling) the first day of that period; or

 

  (b)

(for any other currency) two (2) Business Days before the first day of that period,

unless market practice differs in the Relevant Interbank Market for a currency, in which case the Quotation Day for that currency will be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the Relevant Interbank Market on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).

Reference Bank Rate means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request by the Reference Banks:

 

  (a)

in relation to LIBOR, as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the London interbank market;

 

  (b)

in relation to EURIBOR, as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the European interbank market; and

 

  (c)

in relation to IBOR, as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the Relevant Interbank Market,

in each case, in the relevant currency and for the relevant period, were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers for deposits in a reasonable market size in that currency and for that period.

Reference Banks means, in relation to LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR, up to three (3) Lenders as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Obligors’ Agent (provided that no Finance Party shall be appointed as a Reference Bank without its consent).

Refinancing means the repayment and discharge of the Existing Debt Financing on or after the Closing Date as identified in the Funds Flow Statement.

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.

 

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Relevant Document means this Agreement, the other Finance Documents or any other document reasonably required in relation to a Permitted Structural Adjustment, including any confirmation, amendment, waiver or release agreement in respect of this Agreement, any other Finance Document or any document entered into at any time by any member of the Group creating or expressed to create any Security over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents and the entry into of any intercreditor agreement or an amendment of an existing intercreditor agreement (if any) or any additional or replacement intercreditor agreement.

Relevant Interbank Market means:

 

  (a)

in relation to euro, the European interbank market;

 

  (b)

in relation to any other currency, the London interbank market; and

 

  (c)

in relation to any Non-LIBOR Currency, the relevant interbank market for that IBOR.

Relevant Period has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Renewal Request means a written notice delivered the Agent in accordance with Clause 6.6 (Renewal of a Letter of Credit).

Repeating Representations has the meaning given to it in Clause 24.14 (Repetition).

Replacement Notice has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (a) of Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender).

Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.

Resignation Letter means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Resignation Letter) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably).

Resolution Authority means any body which has authority to exercise any Write-down and Conversion Powers.

Restricted Finance Party means a Finance Party that notifies the Agent that a Sanctions Provision would result in a violation of, a conflict with or liability under (i) EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96, (ii) §7 of the German Außenwirtschaftsverordnung (in connection with section 4 paragraph 1 no. 3 of the German Außenwirtschaftsgesetz) or (iii) any similar applicable anti-boycott statute.

Restricted Member of the Group means a member of the Group in respect of which the Company notifies the Agent that a Sanctions Provision would result in a violation of, a conflict with or liability under EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or a violation of or conflict with §7 of the German Außenwirtschaftsverordnung (in connection with section 4 paragraph 1 no. 3 of the German Außenwirtschaftsgesetz) or any similar applicable antiboycott statute.

Revolving Facility means the Original Revolving Facility and any Additional Revolving Facility.

Revolving Facility Borrower means an Original Revolving Facility Borrower or an Additional Revolving Facility Borrower.

Revolving Facility Commitment means any Original Revolving Facility Commitment or the Additional Facility Commitments under an Additional Revolving Facility.

Revolving Facility Lender means an Original Revolving Facility Lender or any Lender who makes available an Additional Revolving Facility.

 

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Revolving Facility Loan means an Original Revolving Facility Loan or an Additional Revolving Facility Loan.

Revolving Facility Utilisation means a Revolving Facility Loan or a Letter of Credit issued or to be issued under a Revolving Facility.

Rollover Loan means one or more Revolving Facility Loans and/or Swingline Loans:

 

  (a)

made or to be made on the same day that:

 

  (i)

a maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan is due to be repaid; or

 

  (ii)

a demand by the Issuing Bank (or Agent) pursuant to a drawing in respect of a Letter of Credit or payment of outstandings under an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility is due to be met;

 

  (b)

the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan, Swingline Loan or Ancillary Facility Utilisation or the relevant claim in respect of that Letter of Credit;

 

  (c)

in the same currency as the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 8.2 (Unavailability of a currency)) or the relevant claim in respect of that Letter of Credit or an Ancillary Facility Utilisation; and

 

  (d)

made or to be made to the same Borrower (or, if applicable in the case of an Ancillary Facility Utilisation, that Borrower’s Affiliate) for the purpose of:

 

  (i)

refinancing that maturing Revolving Facility Loan, Swingline Loan or Ancillary Facility Utilisation; or

 

  (ii)

satisfying the relevant claim in respect of that Letter of Credit.

Rollover Utilisation means a Rollover Loan, utilisation of a Facility which is to be used to refinance an Ancillary Outstanding, or to fund a claim under a Letter of Credit or an extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit (including, in accordance with Clause 6.6 (Renewal of a Letter of Credit)).

S&P means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill, Inc., or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Sale means a sale of all or substantially all of the businesses and assets of the Group to persons who are not members of the Group (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions).

Sanctioned Country means, at any time, a country or territory to the extent that such country or terrirtory is the target of comprehensive Sanctions.

Sanctioned Person means a person that is:

 

  (a)

listed on, or to the best of the Company’s knowledge owned or controlled by a person listed on any Sanctions List; or

 

  (b)

resident in or incorporated under the laws of any Sanctioned Country, or to the best of the Company’s knowledge otherwise a target of Sanctions.

provided that in the case of either of paragraphs (a) or (b) above, a person shall not be deemed to be a Sanctioned Person if transactions or dealings with such person are not prohibited under applicable Sanctions or are permitted under a licence, licence exemption or other authorisation of a Sanctions Authority.

 

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Sanctions means any economic, trade or financial sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced from time to time by any Sanctions Authority.

Sanctions Authority means (a) the US, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union and any EU member state, (d) the United Kingdom, (e) State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland and (f) the respective governmental institutions of any of the foregoing which administer Sanctions, including OFAC, the US State Department and the US Department of the Treasury.

Sanctions List means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list issued by OFAC, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets issued by Her Majesty’s Treasury, or any similar list issued or maintained and made public by any of the Sanctions Authorities as amended, supplemented or substituted from time to time.

Sanctions Provision means Clause 24.13 (Anti-Corruption Law/Sanctions) and Clause 27.10 (Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions) to the extent applicable to Sanctions.

Screen Rate means:

 

  (a)

in relation to LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant currency and period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate);

 

  (b)

in relation to EURIBOR, 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 (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate); and

 

  (c)

in relation to a Non-LIBOR Currency, the relevant interbank rate customarily used by the Agent for borrowings in that Non-LIBOR Currency as displayed on the applicable page of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate),

or, in each case, on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service is replaced or ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate in accordance with Clause 14.5 (Replacement of Screen Rate).

Secured Parties has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Security means a mortgage, charge (fixed of floating), pledge, lien, security assignment, security transfer of title or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

Security Agent has the meaning given to that term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

Selection Notice means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Requests and Notices) or such other form as agreed by the Agent and the Company (in each case acting reasonably) given in accordance with Clause 15 (Interest Periods) in relation to a Term Facility.

Separate Loan has the meaning given to that term in Clause 10.3 (Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans).

 

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Specified Time means a day or time determined in accordance with Schedule 9 (Timetables).

Structural Adjustment has the meaning given to that term in paragraph (a) of Clause 40.4 (Structural Adjustment).

Subsidiary means, in relation to any person, any entity which is controlled directly or indirectly by that person and any entity (whether or not so controlled) treated as a subsidiary in the latest financial statements of that person from time to time, and control for this purpose means the direct or indirect ownership of the majority of the voting share capital of such entity or the right or ability to direct management to comply with the type of material restrictions and obligations contemplated in this Agreement or to determine the composition of a majority of the Board of Directors of such entity, in each case, whether by virtue of ownership of share capital, contract or otherwise.

Super Majority Lenders means, at any time subject to Clause 40.6 (Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)) and Clause 40.8 (Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders):

 

  (a)

a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate sixty-six and two-thirds (6623) per cent. or more of the Total Commitments (and for this purpose the amount of an Ancillary Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitments, a Fronted Ancillary Lender’s Commitments and a Fronting Ancillary Lender’s Commitments shall not be reduced by the amount of its Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment); and

 

  (b)

if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregated sixty-six and two-thirds (6623) per cent. or more of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction.

Swingline Commitment means:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Original Lender, the amount in the Base Currency set out in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) as its Swingline Commitment and the amount of any other Swingline Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement; and

 

  (b)

in relation to any other Lender, the amount in the Base Currency of any Swingline Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement,

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.

Swingline Facility means the swingline loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in paragraph (a)(iii) of Clause 2.1 (The Facilities).

Swingline Lender means any Lender that makes available a Swingline Commitment.

Swingline Lender Utilisation Request has the meaning given to that term in Clause 10.3 (Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans).

Swingline Loan means a loan made or to be made under the Swingline Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.

Swingline Rate means a rate per annum, for any day, equal to the higher of:

 

  (a)

the rate as set and published by the European Central Bank known as the ECB Marginal Lending Facility Rate (or any successor rate) plus 1.00%, and

 

  (b)

the EURIBOR in effect on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) for a deposit in Euros with an interest period of three (3) months plus 1.00%.

 

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Any change in the Swingline Rate due to a change in the ECB Marginal Lending Facility Rate or EURIBOR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the ECB Marginal Lending Facility Rate or EURIBOR, as the case may be.

Swiss Non-Bank Rules has the meaning given to it in Clause 18.1 (Tax Definitions).

Swiss Witholding Tax has the meaning given to it in Clause 18.1 (Tax Definitions).

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) imposed or levied by any government or other taxing authority and Taxes and Taxation shall be construed accordingly.

Term means each period determined under this Agreement for which the Issuing Bank is under a liability under a Letter of Credit.

Term Facility means the Original Term Facility and (as applicable and so designated in an Additional Facility Notice) any Additional Facility which is a term facility.

Term Facility Commitment means any Original Term Facility Commitment or any Additional Facility Commitment under an Additional Term Facility.

Term Loan means (as the case may be):

 

  (a)

an Original Term Facility Loan; or

 

  (b)

an Additional Facility Loan under an Additional Facility which is a Term Facility.

Termination Date means:

 

  (a)

in respect of the Original Term Facility, the Original Revolving Facility and the Swingline Facility, the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date; and

 

  (b)

in respect of any Additional Facility Commitments, the date specified in the relevant Additional Facility Notice.

Test Date has the meaning given to that term in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions).

Third Parties Act has the meaning given to that term in Clause 1.7 (Third Party Rights).

Third Party Financing means any bilateral or syndicated facility or capital markets issuance (including any bond, note or private placement issuance but excluding the Facilities) issued or borrowed by any member of the Group to, or from, any person who is not a member of the Group.

Total Additional Facility Commitments means the aggregate amount of the applicable and designated Additional Facility Commitments under any applicable Additional Facility Notice, being zero (0) at the date of this Agreement.

Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Total Original Term Facility Commitments, the Total Additional Facility Commitments and the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

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Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments means the aggregate of the Original Revolving Facility Commitments, being €100,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.

Total Original Term Facility Commitments means the aggregate of the Original Term Facility Commitments, being €630,000,000 as at the date of this Agreement.

Total Revolving Facility Commitments means the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments and the Additional Facility Commitments in respect of an Additional Facility which is a Revolving Facility as the context requires.

Total Swingline Commitments means the aggregate of the Swingline Commitments, being €20,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.

Trade Instruments means any performance bonds, advance payment bonds, warranty bonds, retention bonds, bid bonds, counter-guarantees, financial guarantees or any similar bonds or documentary letters of credit issued in respect of the obligations of any member of the Group arising in the ordinary course of business of that member of the Group.

Transaction means the Listing, the Refinancing and the reorganisation contemplated in the connection with the Listing.

Transaction Security means the Security created or expressed to be created in favour of the Security Agent or the Secured Parties (represented by the Security Agent, as the case may be) pursuant to the Transaction Security Documents.

Transaction Security Documents means:

 

  (a)

the Amendment Security Documents;

 

  (b)

any document entered into by the Company and/or any member of the Group creating or expressed to create any Security over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of the Company and/or any member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents ;

 

  (c)

any “Security Document” (other than a “Topco Independent Transaction Security Document”) and any “Transaction Security Document” (each as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement); and

 

  (d)

any other document designated as a “Transaction Security Document” by the Company and the Agent (or the Security Agent) in writing (each acting reasonably).

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 Company (each acting reasonably).

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.

Treasury Transactions means any hedging, derivative or other financial instrument or transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.

UK means the United Kingdom.

 

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UK Bail-in Legislation means (to the extent that the United Kingdom is not an EEA Member Country which has implemented, or implements, Article 55 BRRD) Part 1 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 Company and any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

US means the United States of America.

Utilisation means a Loan or a Letter of Credit.

Utilisation Date means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan is to be made or the relevant Letter of Credit is to be issued.

Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the relevant form set out in Schedule 3 (Requests and Notices).

VAT means:

 

  (a)

any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax as amended (EC Directive 2006/112); and

 

  (b)

any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere.

Voting Rights means, in relation to a Lender, all rights and obligations in relation to its Commitment and participations in the Loans, including all rights in relation to waivers, consents modifications and amendments and confirmations as to satisfaction of conditions precedent.

Withdrawal Event means the withdrawal of the jurisdiction of incorporation or residence of one or more members of the Group from the Euro and any re-denomination of the Euro into any other currency by the government of that jurisdiction.

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 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.

 

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1.2

Construction

 

  (a)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in this Agreement to:

 

  (i)

the Agent, any Ancillary Lender, any Arranger, the Company, any Finance Party, any Issuing Bank, any Lender, any Obligor, any Party, the Security Agent or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title (including the surviving entity of any merger involving that person), permitted assigns and permitted transferees and, in the case of the Security Agent, any person for the time being appointed as security agent or security agents in accordance with the Finance Documents;

 

  (ii)

a document in agreed form is a document (A) which is previously agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Company and the Agent; or (B) if such document is to be delivered pursuant to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or specified in Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in the form required or contemplated by those provisions;

 

  (iii)

an agency of a state includes any local or other authority or other recognised body or agency, central or federal bank, department, government, legislature, minister, ministry, official or public or statutory person (whether autonomous or not) of, or of the government of, that state or any political sub-division in or of that state;

 

  (iv)

an agreement includes any legally binding arrangement, contract, deed or instrument (in each case whether oral, written or entered into by way of a written offer and implicit acceptance);

 

  (v)

an amendment includes any amendment, supplement, variation, novation, modification, replacement, restatement or amendment and restatement (however fundamental) and amend and amended shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (vi)

assets includes properties, assets, businesses, undertakings, revenues and rights of every kind (including uncalled share capital), present and future, actual or contingent and any interest in any of the foregoing;

 

  (vii)

available for utilisation in respect of any indebtedness means that indebtedness being committed pursuant to the terms of a commitment letter, credit agreement, indenture, notes or other documentation notwithstanding that any documentary condition, drawdown or other substantive event including the execution of a long form credit agreement, the completion of an acquisition or condition to utilisation or issue thereof has not been satisfied including (if any of the proceeds are to be applied in connection with an acquisition or other transaction) the date on which the applicable acquisition agreement is signed or such other date on which the Group enters into a legally binding commitment for the relevant acquisition or such other transaction which will be funded by the proceeds of such indebtedness;

 

  (viii)

a consent includes an authorisation, permit, approval, consent, exemption, licence, order, filing, registration, recording, notarisation, permission or waiver;

 

  (ix)

a disposal includes any sale, transfer, grant, lease, licence or other disposal, whether voluntary or involuntary, and dispose will be construed accordingly;

 

  (x)

a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument, is (unless expressed to be a reference to such document, agreement or instrument in its original form or form as at a particular date) a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended and includes any increase in, addition to or extension of or other change to any facility under such agreement or instrument, in each case to the extent not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (xi)

a guarantee includes (other than in Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity)):

 

  (A)

an indemnity, counter-indemnity, guarantee or similar assurance against loss in respect of any Financial Indebtedness of any other person; and

 

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  (B)

any other obligation of any other person, whether actual or contingent, to pay, purchase, provide funds (whether by the advance of money to, the purchase of or subscription for shares or other investments in, any other person, the purchase of assets or services, the making of payments under an agreement or otherwise) for the payment of, to indemnify against the consequences of default in the payment of, or otherwise be responsible for, any Financial Indebtedness of any other person;

and guaranteed and guarantor shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (xii)

including means including without limitation, and includes and included shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (xiii)

indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal, guarantor or surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent) for the payment or repayment of money;

 

  (xiv)

the Interest Period of a Letter of Credit shall be construed as a reference to the Term of that Letter of Credit;

 

  (xv)

losses includes losses, actions, damages, claims, proceedings, costs, demands, expenses (including legal and other fees) and liabilities of any kind, and loss shall be construed accordingly;

 

  (xvi)

a Lender’s participation in relation to a Letter of Credit, shall be construed as a reference to the relevant amount that is or may be payable by a Lender in relation to that Letter of Credit from time to time;

 

  (xvii)

a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, fund, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

  (xviii)

a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law, but if not having force of law which are binding or customarily complied with) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency or department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

  (xix)

a sub-participation means any sub-participation or sub-contract (whether written or oral) or any other agreement or arrangement having an economically substantially similar effect, including any credit default or total return swap or derivative (whether disclosed, undisclosed, risk or funded) by a Lender of or in relation to any of its rights or obligations under, or its legal, beneficial or economic interest in relation to, the Facilities and/or Finance Documents to a counterparty, and sub-participate shall be construed accordingly; and

 

  (xx)

sufficient available information means financial information selected and determined by the Company in good faith in order to test the Applicable Metric, including information required to be delivered to the Agent under this Agreement as well as other information including monthly management accounts and other internal Group accounts and financial information.

 

  (b)

In this Agreement, unless a contrary intention appears:

 

  (i)

a reference to a Party includes a reference to that Party’s successors and permitted assignees or permitted transferees but does not include that Party if it has ceased to be a Party under this Agreement;

 

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  (ii)

references to paragraphs, Clauses and Schedules are references to, respectively, paragraphs and clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement include its Schedules;

 

  (iii)

a reference to (or to any specified provision of) any agreement (including any of the Finance Documents) is to that agreement (or that provision) as amended or novated (however fundamentally) and includes any increase in, extension of or change to any facility made available under any such agreement (unless such amendment or novation is contrary to the terms of any Finance Document);

 

  (iv)

a reference to a statute, statutory instrument or provision of law is to that statute, statutory instrument or provision of law, as it may be applied, amended or re-enacted from time to time;

 

  (v)

a reference to a time of day is, unless otherwise specified, to the time in London;

 

  (vi)

the index to and the headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement; and

 

  (vii)

the singular includes the plural (and vice versa).

 

  (c)

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.

 

  (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 or an Event of Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived. In addition, (i) if a Default (including an Event of Default) occurs for a failure to deliver a required certificate, notice or other document in connection with another default (an Initial Default) then at the time such Initial Default is remedied or waived, such Default (including an Event of Default) for a failure to report or deliver a required certificate, notice or other document in connection with the Initial Default will also be cured without any further action and (ii) any Default for the failure to comply with the time periods prescribed in Clause 25 (Information Undertakings) or otherwise to deliver any notice, certificate or other document, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be deemed to be cured upon the delivery of any such report required by such covenant or notice, certificate or other document, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Agreement or any other Finance Document;

 

  (f)

A Declared Default is continuing if the notice of acceleration (or demand) provided by the Agent under Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) in connection therewith has not been revoked, withdrawn or cancelled by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) or otherwise ceases to have effect.

 

  (g)

References to any matter being permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document shall include references to such matters not being prohibited or otherwise being approved under this Agreement or such Finance Document.

 

  (h)

A Borrower providing cash cover for a Letter of Credit or an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility means a Borrower paying an amount in the currency of the Letter of Credit (or, as the case may be, Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility) to an interest-bearing account (which shall accrue interest at a rate normally offered to corporate depositors on similar deposits by Finance Parties) in the name of the Borrower and the following conditions being met:

 

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  (i)

the account is with the Agent or the relevant Issuing Bank (if the cash cover is to be provided in respect of a Letter of Credit), or with the relevant Ancillary Lender (if the cash cover is to be provided in respect of an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility);

 

  (ii)

subject to Clause 7.5 (Cash cover by Borrower), until no amount is or may be outstanding under that Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be), withdrawals from the account (other than in respect of accrued interest) may only be made (I) to pay the relevant Issuing Bank, Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as applicable) amounts due and payable to it under this Agreement in respect of that Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility as the case may be, (II) if the Security Agent, the Agent, Issuing Bank, Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) determine (acting reasonably) that the amount standing to the credit or such account exceeds the face value amount outstanding under that Letter of Credit, or as applicable the Ancillary Outstandings; or (III) as contemplated by paragraph (b) of Clause 17.5 (Fees payable in respect of Letters of Credit) and for the purposes of this Agreement, a Letter of Credit or Ancillary Outstanding (as applicable) shall be deemed to be cash covered to the extent of any such provision of cash cover in respect of that Letter of Credit or Ancillary Outstanding (as applicable);

 

  (iii)

if required by the relevant Issuing Bank, Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be), the Borrower has executed and delivered a security document (in accordance with the Agreed Security Principles and in substantially the same form as an existing Transaction Security Document provided that the terms are no more onerous than that existing Transaction Security Document) over that account, which creates a first ranking Security over that account; and

 

  (iv)

unless a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing, any interest accruing on any such account will be paid to the order of the relevant Borrower.

 

  (i)

A Letter of Credit or Ancillary Outstandings are repaid or prepaid (or any derivative form thereof) to the extent that:

 

  (i)

a Borrower or any other Obligor provides cash cover for that Letter of Credit or in respect of the Ancillary Outstandings;

 

  (ii)

in the case of a Letter of Credit, a Borrower has made a payment of that amount under paragraph (b) of Clause 7.2 (Claims under a Letter of Credit) in respect of that Letter of Credit or a Borrower has made a reimbursement of that amount in respect of that Letter of Credit under Clause 7.3 (Indemnities);

 

  (iii)

the maximum amount payable under the Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) is reduced or cancelled in accordance with its terms in a manner satisfactory to the Issuing Bank in respect of such Letter of Credit or Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender in respect of such Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be), in each case, acting reasonably;

 

  (iv)

the Letter of Credit or relevant Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) expires in accordance with its terms or is otherwise returned by the beneficiary with its written confirmation that it is released and cancelled;

 

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  (v)

the Issuing Bank, Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) (acting reasonably) is satisfied that it has no further or a reduced liability under that Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) and accordingly all of (or such proportion of) the obligations are released or reduced, and has confirmed the same to the Agent accordingly; or

 

  (vi)

a bank or financial institution having a long term credit rating from any of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P at least equal to “Baa3”/“BBB-” (as applicable or such other rating as the Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) may agree), or by any other institution satisfactory to the applicable Issuing Bank having issued an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee, indemnity, counter-indemnity or similar assurance against financial loss in respect of all amounts due under that Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility,

in each case, unless it is otherwise agreed between the Company and:

 

  (A)

the Issuing Bank that such Letters of Credit will remain outstanding on a bilateral basis and, in each case, such Letters of Credit will be treated as repaid for the purpose of the Finance Documents and no Lender will be required to provide any counter indemnity in respect thereof; or

 

  (B)

the Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender that such Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as applicable) will remain outstanding on a bilateral basis and, in each case, such Ancillary Facility will be treated as repaid for the purpose of the Finance Documents and no Lender will be required to provide any counter indemnity in respect thereof,

the amount by which a Letter of Credit is, or Ancillary Outstandings are, repaid or prepaid under paragraphs (i)(i) to (i)(vi) above is the amount of the relevant cash cover, payment, release, cancellation, reduction or assurance.

 

  (j)

On or prior to Closing Date, none of the (i) Existing Debt of the Group or Security relating thereto; and (ii) no breach of representation, warranty, undertaking or other term of (or default or event of default under) the Existing Debt arising as a direct or indirect result of the entry into or performance of obligations under the Finance Documents shall constitute a breach (or Default or Event of Default, howsoever described) under any Finance Document.

 

  (k)

An amount borrowed includes any amount utilised by way of Letter of Credit or under an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility.

 

  (l)

A Lender funding its participation in a Utilisation includes a Lender participating in a Letter of Credit.

 

  (m)

Amounts outstanding under this Agreement include amounts outstanding under or in respect of any Letter of Credit.

 

  (n)

The outstanding or principal amount of a Letter of Credit at any time is the maximum amount that is or may be payable by the relevant Issuing Bank or the Lenders in respect of that Letter of Credit at that time less any amount repaid or prepaid in respect of that Letter of Credit.

 

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  (o)

A Letter of Credit is completely cancelled, discharged and released in accordance with its terms:

 

  (i)

upon the Issuing Bank having paid the amount available under the Letter of Credit;

 

  (ii)

upon return of the original Letter of Credit to the Issuing Bank together with the beneficiary’s letter of release, or, if such original Letter of Credit has been lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, confirmation from the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit that this is the case and indemnities are provided satisfactory to the Issuing Bank (acting reasonably) from the beneficiary and other satisfactory assurances are provided as the Issuing Bank may reasonably require; or

 

  (iii)

upon lapse of its Expiry Date and no demand having been received by the Issuing Bank on or before such Expiry Date.

 

  (p)

A Borrower’s obligation on Utilisations becoming due and payable includes the Borrower repaying any Letter of Credit in accordance with paragraph (n) above.

 

  (q)

For the purposes of Clause 27.7 (Financial Indebtedness of Non-Obligors), until the date by which such members of the Group are required to accede as Guarantors pursuant to Clause 27.9 (Guarantor Coverage and Material Subsidiaries), such members of the Group shall be deemed to be Obligors provided that no member of the Group which will not accede to this Agreement as a Guarantor as a result of the Agreed Security Principles shall be deemed to be an Obligor.

 

  (r)

The knowledge, awareness or belief of any member of the Group shall be limited to the actual knowledge, awareness or belief of the Board of Directors (or equivalent body) of such member of the Group at the relevant time.

 

  (s)

The obligations of the Obligors and any member of the Group (including any procurement obligation), including the making of any payment, any representation or warranty, general undertaking, any information undertaking or financial covenant under or pursuant to the Finance Documents (other than in relation to the utilisation of the Facilities pursuant to Clause 2 (The Facilities) to Clause 9 (Ancillary Facilities), any representation or warranty, general undertaking or event of default referred to in the definitions of Major Default, Major Representation or Major Undertaking (as applicable), Clause 11.1 (Illegality), paragraph (a) of Clause 12.1 (Exit) and Clause 15 (Interest Periods)), shall not become effective or take effect until and from the Closing Date in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. This paragraph shall not apply to any term or obligation arising under Clause 17.1 (No deal, No fees), Clause 20.2 (Other indemnities), Clause 20.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and Clause 22.1 (Transaction expenses).

 

  (t)

For the purposes of calculating Break Costs under this Agreement, EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR (as applicable) will be assessed by reference to the prevailing EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR rate for the applicable reference period (or, if the prevailing EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR rate is below zero, the prevailing rate will be deemed to be zero and no Break Costs shall be payable) and any applicable EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR floor will be disregarded.

 

  (u)

Where the Agent or the Security Agent is referred to in a Finance Document as acting “reasonably” or in a “reasonable” manner or as coming to an opinion or determination that is “reasonable” (or any similar or analogous wording is used), unless they are not required to do so, this shall mean that the Agent or Security Agent, as applicable, shall, where they have in fact sought such instructions, be acting or coming to an opinion or determination on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable), acting reasonably and the Agent or Security Agent shall be under no obligation to determine the reasonableness of such instructions from the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable), or whether in giving such instructions the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all the Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable), are acting in a reasonable manner.

 

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  (v)

Where agreement or approval, acceptability to or satisfaction with or approval of the Agent and/or the Security Agent is referred to (or any similar or analogous wording is used) in relation to a matter not affecting the personal interests of the Agent and/or the Security Agent (including for the avoidance of doubt, any satisfaction, or determination in relation to any condition precedent) this shall mean the agreement or approval, acceptability to or satisfaction with or approval of, (or similar where similar or analogous wording is used, as applicable) the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable) as notified by or on behalf of, the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable) to the Agent and/or the Security Agent.

 

  (w)

In respect of paragraphs (u) and (v) above, the Agent and/or the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any liability occasioned or by any delay or failure on the part of the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable) to give, or have given on their behalf, any such notice or instructions or to form any such opinion unless to the extent caused by fraud, gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Agent or the Security Agent or results from the Agent or Security Agent breaching a term of or any of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents.

 

  (x)

Any corporation into which the Agent or the Security Agent may be merged or converted, or any corporation with which the Agent or the Security Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Agent or the Security Agent, as applicable, shall be a party, or any corporation, including affiliated corporations, to which the Agent or the Security Agent, as applicable, shall sell or otherwise transfer:

 

  (i)

all or substantially all of its assets; or

 

  (ii)

all or substantially all of its corporate trust business,

shall, on the date when the merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer becomes effective and to the extent permitted by any applicable laws and subject to any credit rating requirements set out in this Agreement become the successor Agent or the Security Agent, as applicable, under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the parties to this Agreement, unless otherwise required by the Company, and after the said effective date all references in this Agreement to the Agent or the Security Agent, as applicable, 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 Company by the Agent or the Security Agent, as applicable.

 

1.3

Baskets and Exceptions

 

  (a)

In the event that any amount or transaction meets the criteria of more than one of the baskets or exceptions set out in Clause 27 (General Undertakings), the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify and may from time to time reclassify that amount or transaction to a particular basket or exception and will only be required to include that amount or transaction in one of those baskets or exceptions (and an amount or transaction may at the option of the Company be split between different baskets or exceptions).

 

  (b)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference to a basket amount, threshold or limit expressed in euro includes the equivalent of such amount, threshold or limit in other currencies.

 

  (c)

In ascertaining the Majority Lenders or the Super Majority Lenders or whether any given percentage of the Total Commitments has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents or for the purpose

 

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  of the allocation of any repayment or prepayment or for the purposes of taking any step, decision, direction or exercise of discretion which is calculated by reference to drawn amounts any Commitments (including any Additional Facility Loans and any Additional Facility Commitments that are undrawn) not denominated in euro (Non-Euro Currency Commitments) shall be deemed to be converted into the Base Currency at the rate for the conversion of the Base Currency into the relevant currency of the Non-Euro Currency Commitment which the Company (acting reasonably and in good faith) has used and has notified to the Agent for the purposes of calculating any Additional Facility Commitments in connection with an Additional Facility as at the Additional Facility Commencement Date for the relevant Additional Facility, or if the Company has not notified the Agent of such conversion rate, the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date on which that Commitment was provided under this Agreement or, if earlier, the date the aggregate amount of the Non-Euro Currency Commitment of the Additional Facility was determined.

 

1.4

Currency Symbols and Definitions

 

  (a)

, EUR and euro mean the single currency unit of the Participating Member States.

 

  (b)

£, GBP and sterling mean the lawful currency for the time being of the United Kingdom.

 

  (c)

$, USD and US Dollars mean the lawful currency for the time being of the US.

 

  (d)

AUD means the lawful currency for the time being of Australia.

 

  (e)

CHF means the lawful currency for the time being of Switzerland.

 

  (f)

DKK means the lawful currency for the time being of Denmark.

 

  (g)

LBP means the lawful currency for the time being of Lebanon.

 

  (h)

NOK means the lawful currency for the time being of Norway.

 

  (i)

PLN means the lawful currency for the time being of Poland.

 

  (j)

SEK means the lawful currency for the time being of Sweden.

 

  (k)

SGD means the lawful currency for the time being of Singapore.

 

1.5

Exchange rate fluctuations

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, when applying any monetary limits, thresholds and other exceptions to the representations and warranties, undertakings and Events of Defaults under the Finance Documents, the equivalent to an amount in euro shall be calculated at the rate for the conversion of euro into the relevant non-euro currency which the Company (acting reasonably and in good faith) has used and has notified to the Agent or at the option of the Company at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange, in each case, as at the date such monetary limit, threshold or other exception is tested in accordance with this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this paragraph (a) shall not apply to paragraph (c)(ii) of Clause 26.3 (Financial testing).

 

  (b)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, no Default or Event of Default or breach of any representation and warranty or undertaking under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents shall arise merely as a result of a subsequent change in euros equivalent or any other currency specified for any basket due to fluctuations in exchange rates.

 

  (c)

Paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall not apply to or in respect of the calculation of Leverage Ratio or for the purpose of testing the financial covenant.

 

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1.6

Basket Testing

 

  (a)

Any basket, test or permission where an element is set by reference to a percentage of LTM EBITDA (EBITDA based basket) shall (provided that such amounts are, at the time of incurrence, duly and properly incurred in accordance with the relevant basket, test or permission) be treated as having been duly and properly incurred without the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default even in the event that such EBITDA based basket subsequently decreases by virtue of decrease in LTM EBITDA.

 

  (b)

If on any Test Date or following any acquisition (after giving pro forma effect to any adjustments permitted by this Agreement) Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA increases from Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA on the immediately preceding Test Date, each fixed euro basket test or permission amount in this Agreement shall be permanently increased by the same percentage as such increase and be permanently reset to that level.

 

  (c)

Any reference in this Agreement to an Applicable Metric shall be deemed to be a reference to such Applicable Metric as determined at the Applicable Test Date.

 

  (d)

For any relevant basket set by reference to a Financial Year, fiscal year or calendar year (each an Annual Period):

 

  (i)

at the option of the Obligors’ Agent, the maximum amount so permitted under such basket during such Annual Period may be increased by:

 

  (A)

an amount equal to 100% of the difference (if positive) between the permitted amount in the immediately preceding Annual Period and the amount thereof actually used or applied by the Group during such preceding Annual Period (the Carry Forward Amount); and/or

 

  (B)

an amount equal to 100% of the permitted amount in the immediately following Annual Period and the permitted amount in such immediately following Annual Period shall be reduced by such corresponding amount (the Carry Back Amount); and

 

  (ii)

to the extent that the maximum amount so permitted under such basket during such Annual Period is increased in accordance with paragraph (i) above, any usage of such basket during such Annual Period shall be deemed to be applied in the following order:

 

  (A)

first, against the Carry Forward Amount;

 

  (B)

secondly, against the maximum amount so permitted during such Annual Period prior to any increase in accordance with paragraph (i) above; and

 

  (C)

thirdly, against the Carry Back Amount.

 

  (e)

Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Finance Document, any financial definition or incurrence based permission, test or basket (including an EBITDA based basket or the calculation of the Leverage Ratio) prior to the first Test Date after the Closing Date shall be calculated in accordance with levels as at the Closing Date as provided for and calculated in accordance with the provisions in this Agreement.

 

  (f)

To the extent that any Additional Facility or Financial Indebtedness satisfies any Applicable Metric or other condition (pro forma its incurrence) on the applicable Applicable Test Date, Additional Facility Commencement Date or on such other relevant date provided hereunder, such condition is deemed to have been satisfied, including on the date of its incurrence or any other date of determination under this Agreement and irrespective of any facts or circumstances (including financial condition) on any such date or thereafter.

 

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1.7

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)

Subject to Clause 40.5 (Other exceptions) but otherwise notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party or, as the case may be, a party to any other Finance Document, is not required to amend, rescind or vary this Agreement or any other Finance Document at any time.

 

1.8

No Investor Recourse

No Finance Party will have any recourse to any Investor in respect of any term of any Finance Document, any statements by Investors, or otherwise.

 

1.9

Personal Liability

Where any natural person gives a certificate or other document or otherwise gives a representation or statement on behalf of any of the parties to the Finance Documents pursuant to any provision thereof and such certificate or other document, representation or statement proves to be incorrect, the individual shall incur no personal liability in consequence of such certificate, other document, representation or statement being incorrect save where such individual acted fraudulently in giving such certificate, other document, representation or statement (in which case any liability of such individual shall be determined in accordance with applicable law) and each such individual may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 1.7 (Third Party Rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

1.10

Sanctions and Restricted Finance Parties

 

  (a)

A Sanctions Provision shall only:

 

  (i)

be given by a Restricted Member of the Group; or

 

  (ii)

apply for the benefit of a Restricted Finance Party,

to the extent that that Sanctions Provision would not result in any violation of, conflict with or liability under (i) EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96, (ii) §7 of the German Außenwirtschaftsverordnung (in connection with section 4 paragraph 1 no. 3 of the German Außenwirtschaftsgesetz) or (iii) any similar applicable anti-boycott statute or expose such entity or any directors, officers or employees thereof to any liability under any anti-boycott or blocking laws, regulation or statute that is in force from time to time in the European Union (and/or any of its member states) that are applicable to such entity (including EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 or Section 7 of the German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung) (in connection with the German Foreign Trade Law (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz))).

 

  (b)

In connection with any amendment, waiver, determination or direction relating to any part of a Sanctions Provision in relation to which:

 

  (i)

a Finance Party is a Restricted Finance Party; and

 

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  (ii)

in accordance with paragraph (a) above, that Restricted Finance Party does not have the benefit of it:

 

  (A)

the Commitments of a Lender that is a Restricted Finance Party; and

 

  (B)

the vote of any other Restricted Finance Party which would be required to vote in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,

shall be excluded for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments (or the Commitments under the applicable Facility) when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve such amendment, waiver, determination or direction request and its status as a Finance Party shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Finance Parties has been obtained to approve such amendment, waiver, determination or direction.

 

1.11

Intercreditor Agreement

This Agreement is subject to, and has the benefit of, the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail.

 

2.

THE FACILITIES

 

2.1

The Facilities

 

  (a)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement:

 

  (i)

the Original Term Facility Lenders make available to the Original Term Facility Borrowers a term loan facility in the Base Currency in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Original Term Facility Commitments;

 

  (ii)

the Original Revolving Facility Lenders make available to the Original Revolving Facility Borrowers a multicurrency revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount, the Base Currency Amount of which is equal to the Total Original Revolving Facility Commitments; and

 

  (iii)

the Swingline Lenders make available to the Borrowers a swingline facility in the Base Currency in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Swingline Commitments.

 

  (b)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, an Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender and Fronting Ancillary Lender may make available an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility to any of the Revolving Facility Borrowers (or any of their Affiliates) in place of all or part of its Commitment under a Revolving Facility.

 

2.2

Additional Facility

 

  (a)

Subject to this Clause 2.2, any member of the Group (or the Obligors’ Agent on its behalf) may, at any time and from time to time following the Closing Date by delivering to the Agent a duly completed Additional Facility Notice signed by an authorised signatory and complying with paragraphs (b) and (c) below, establish an Additional Facility by way of (i) the introduction of a new additional commitment or facility as a Facility under this Agreement or (ii) as an additional tranche of or increase in an existing Facility (including any previously incurred Additional Facility) under this Agreement.

 

  (b)

No consent of any Finance Party is required to establish an Additional Facility at any time (other than, in relation to an Additional Facility, the relevant Additional Facility Lenders making available the applicable Additional Facility) provided that (unless otherwise agreed by the Majority Lenders):

 

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  (i)

the Company has certified on the Additional Facility Commencement Date or the date of incurrence of all or any part of an Additional Facility by reference to the Applicable Test Date that, after giving pro forma effect to the utilisation of the principal or equivalent amount of the proposed Additional Facility in full and the proposed use of proceeds thereof and any adjustments permitted by this Agreement, the Leverage Ratio will not exceed the covenanted Leverage Ratio on the most recent Test Date on or prior to that Applicable Test Date set out in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) (or, if no Applicable Test Date has occurred prior to or on the Additional Facility Commencement Date, then the covenanted Leverage Ratio applicable on the First Test Date set out in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) shall be used);

 

  (ii)

as at the Applicable Test Date, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

  (iii)

each Additional Facility that is secured on the Transaction Security and subject to the Intercreditor Agreement shall rank pari passu with or junior in right to receive proceeds of an enforcement of the Transaction Security to each other Facility under this Agreement and any other Additional Facility ranking pari passu with the Facilities and, if guaranteed, shall be guaranteed only by the Guarantors (or any of them); and

 

  (iv)

such Additional Facility is designated as increasing an existing “Facility” (including a previously incurred Additional Facility) or as a standalone “Term Facility” (in the case of an Additional Facility which is a term facility) or a “Revolving Facility” (in the case of an Additional Facility which is a revolving credit facility) or a “Swingline Facility” (in the case of an Additional Facility which is a swingline facility) for the purposes of this Agreement and shall (following accession by the relevant Additional Facility Lender to the Intercreditor Agreement) constitute Secured Liabilities (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

  (c)

The Additional Facility Notice shall not be regarded as having been duly completed unless it is signed by the Company and each party thereto and specifies the following matters in respect of such Additional Facility:

 

  (i)

the proposed borrower(s) and guarantor(s) in respect of the Additional Facility;

 

  (ii)

the person(s) to become Additional Facility Lenders (which shall not be a member of the Group) in respect of the Additional Facility and the amount of the commitments of such Additional Facility allocated to each Additional Facility Lender;

 

  (iii)

the aggregate amount of the commitments of the Additional Facility and the currency being made available and any other or optional currency or currencies which are available for utilisation under such Additional Facility;

 

  (iv)

the purpose and permitted usage of such Additional Facility and any additional conditions to drawdown (if any) of such Additional Facility (which may be as agreed between the Company and the Additional Facility Lenders (each acting reasonably) providing that Additional Facility), including any Agreed Certain Funds Period and related conditions;

 

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  (v)

the rate of interest applicable to the Additional Facility (including any applicable margin, basis, floor and/or margin ratchet) and commitment fee and utilisation fee (if any) payable in respect of that Additional Facility;

 

  (vi)

the Additional Facility Commencement Date and Availability Period for the Additional Facility; and

 

  (vii)

the Termination Date, repayment profile, amortisation schedule and any mandatory prepayment provisions,

such Additional Facility Notice shall be deemed to have been duly completed if it is signed by each party thereto and specifies the matters in paragraphs (c)(i) to (c)(vii) above in respect of such Additional Facility, and prior to the applicable Additional Facility Commencement Date, without prejudice to the rights of the Agent to request any other information which the Agent or the Security Agent may reasonably require in relation to such Additional Facility.

 

  (d)

Subject to the conditions set out in paragraph (b) of this Clause 2.2 being satisfied, following receipt by the Agent of a duly completed Additional Facility Notice and with effect from the relevant Additional Facility Commencement Date (or any later date on which the conditions set out in paragraph (e) below are satisfied) the relevant Additional Facility shall come into effect and be established in accordance with its terms and:

 

  (i)

the Additional Facility Lenders participating in the relevant Additional Facility shall make available that Additional Facility in the aggregate amount set out in the Additional Facility Notice;

 

  (ii)

each of the Obligors and each Additional Facility Lender under the relevant Additional Facility shall assume such obligations towards one another and/or acquire such rights against one another as the Obligors and such Additional Facility Lenders would have assumed and/or acquired had the Additional Facility Lenders been Original Lenders in respect of the relevant Additional Facility;

 

  (iii)

in relation to an Additional Facility Lender which is not already a Lender, each Additional Facility Lender under the relevant Additional Facility shall become a Party as a Lender;

 

  (iv)

each Additional Facility Lender under the relevant Additional Facility and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume such obligations towards one another and acquire such rights against one another as those Additional Facility Lenders and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Additional Facility Lenders been Original Lenders in respect of the relevant Additional Facility; and

 

  (v)

the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect.

 

  (e)

The establishment of an Additional Facility will only be effective on:

 

  (i)

the execution of the Additional Facility Notice relating to such Additional Facility by the Company, the relevant Borrower(s) and the relevant Additional Facility Lender(s) and delivery of such executed notice to the Agent;

 

  (ii)

in relation to an Additional Facility Lender which is not already a Lender, receipt by the Agent of an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter from each person referred to in the relevant Additional Facility Notice as an Additional Facility Lender and, the accession of each Additional Facility Lender to the Intercreditor Agreement in the capacity of a “Senior Lender” (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement); and

 

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  (iii)

in relation to an Additional Facility Lender which is not already a Lender, the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that Additional Facility Lender making available an Additional Facility, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Company,

provided that no Utilisation Request in relation to an Additional Facility shall be valid unless prior to (or simultaneously with) the delivery of the relevant Utilisation Request in relation to such Additional Facility, the requirements of this Clause 2.2 have been satisfied.

 

  (f)

Each Obligor:

 

  (i)

irrevocably authorises, empowers and instructs the Company to sign each Additional Facility Notice and to agree, implement and establish Additional Facilities in accordance with this Agreement on its behalf; and

 

  (ii)

confirms that its guarantee and indemnity recorded in Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity) (or any applicable Accession Letter or other Finance Document) and, if applicable all Transaction Security granted by it will, subject only to any applicable Guarantee Limitations, extend to include the Additional Facility Loans and any other obligations arising under or in respect of the Additional Facility Commitments.

 

  (g)

Each Party irrevocably authorises, empowers and instructs:

 

  (i)

the Agent (promptly upon request of and as reasonably requested by the Company) to acknowledge, execute and confirm acceptance of each Additional Facility Notice;

 

  (ii)

the Agent and the Security Agent (promptly upon request of and as reasonably requested by the Company) to acknowledge, execute and confirm acceptance of each Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter and if applicable, the documentation required for the Additional Facility Lender to accede to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

  (iii)

the Agent and the Security Agent to execute any necessary amendments, confirmations, supplements or revisions to this Agreement, the Transaction Security Documents and any other Finance Documents as may be required in order to ensure that any Additional Facility ranks in accordance with the provisions set out in the Additional Facility Notice.

 

  (h)

The Agent and Security Agent shall as soon as reasonably practicable send to the Company a copy of each executed Additional Facility Notice and, if applicable, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter and, if applicable, the documentation required for the Additional Facility lender to accede to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (i)

By signing an Additional Facility Notice as an Additional Facility Lender, each such entity agrees to commit the Additional Facility Commitments set out against its name in that notice and, in the case of an entity which is not already a Party as a Lender, become a Lender and a Party and a party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (j)

Notwithstanding any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary, there shall be no obligation or requirement to enter into any hedging arrangement or other derivative transaction in relation to any Additional Facility.

 

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  (k)

Each Additional Facility Lender, by executing the relevant Additional Facility Notice confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any consent, release, waiver or amendment 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 relevant Additional Facility becomes effective and that it is bound by that decision and by the operations of any other provisions of this Agreement in relation to such consent, release, waiver or amendment.

 

  (l)

No Lender will have any obligation to participate in an Additional Facility (unless it has executed and delivered an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or otherwise become an Additional Facility Lender in respect of that Additional Facility). By signing an Additional Facility Notice as an Additional Facility Lender, each such entity agrees to commit the Additional Facility Commitments set out against its name in that Additional Facility Notice.

 

  (m)

The Agent may (after the consultation with the Company), and is authorised to, disclose the terms of any Additional Facility Notice to any of the other Finance Parties and will do so promptly upon request by the Company or other Finance Parties.

 

  (n)

Clause 29.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.2 in relation to an Additional Facility Lender as if references in that Clause to:

 

  (i)

an Existing Lender were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the establishment of the relevant Additional Facility;

 

  (ii)

the New Lender were references to that Additional Facility Lender; and

 

  (iii)

a re-transfer and re-assignment were references to respectively a transfer and assignment.

 

  (o)

The Company (or any other member of the Group) may pay to an Additional Facility Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Company (or any member of the Group) and the Additional Facility Lender in a Fee Letter.

 

  (p)

If an Additional Facility is established in order to increase the Commitments under an existing Facility in accordance with this Clause 2.2, immediately upon such Additional Facility becoming available for Utilisation (but prior to the relevant Additional Facility Lender(s) participating in any Utilisation), the Agent shall recalculate each Lender’s (including the Additional Facility Lender’s) participation in each outstanding Letter of Credit under such existing Facility (as increased by such Additional Facility) and shall notify the applicable Issuing Bank, the Obligors’ Agent and each Lender under that Facility of its revised participation in each such Letter of Credit as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

 

  (q)

The establishment, terms or conditions or use of proceeds of any Additional Facility shall be governed by this Clause 2.2 which shall apply irrespective of and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement and, except to the extent as provided in this Clause 2.2, the terms applicable to any Additional Facility will be those agreed by the Additional Facility Lenders in respect of that Additional Facility and the Company and set out in the applicable Additional Facility Notice, provided that:

 

  (i)

if there is any inconsistency between any such term agreed in respect of an Additional Facility and any term of a Finance Document, the term agreed in respect of the Additional Facility shall prevail with respect to such Additional Facility (subject to the other terms and conditions of this Clause 2.2);

 

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  (ii)

unless otherwise specified in the applicable Additional Facility Notice, the terms of any Additional Facility which is a Term Facility shall be the same as the terms given to the Original Term Facility under this Agreement and the terms of any Additional Facility which is a Revolving Facility shall be the same as the terms given to the Original Revolving Facility under this Agreement; and

 

  (iii)

the provisions of this Agreement will apply to each Additional Facility and the provisions of Clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) and of Clause 5 (Utilisation – Loans) will apply to all Utilisations of any Additional Facility, provided that no Utilisation Request in relation to an Additional Facility shall be valid unless prior to (or simultaneously with) such Utilisation Request being delivered the requirements of this Clause 2.2 have been satisfied.

 

2.3

Increase

 

  (a)

The Company may by giving prior notice to the Agent after the effective date of a cancellation of:

 

  (i)

the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank in accordance with Clause 11.7 (Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank); or

 

  (ii)

the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with:

 

  (A)

Clause 11.1 (Illegality);

 

  (B)

Clause 11.6 (Right of cancellation and repayment in relation to a single Lender or Issuing Bank); or

 

  (C)

Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender),

request that the Commitments relating to any Facility be increased (and the Commitments under 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:

 

  (A)

the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Lenders or other banks, financial institutions, trusts, funds, entities or other persons (each an Increase Lender) selected by the Company and each of which confirms 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 (for the avoidance of doubt, no Party shall be obliged to assume the obligations of a Lender pursuant to this Clause 2.3 without the prior consent of that Party);

 

  (B)

each of the Company and the Obligors and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Company and the Obligors and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

  (C)

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;

 

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  (D)

the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and

 

  (E)

any increase in the Commitments relating to that Facility shall take effect on the date specified by the Company in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in paragraph (b) below are satisfied.

 

  (b)

An increase in the Commitments relating to that Facility will only be effective on:

 

  (i)

the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender which the Agent shall, if all the applicable conditions set out in this Clause 2.3 have been satisfied, execute promptly on request;

 

  (ii)

in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase:

 

  (A)

the Increase Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement in the applicable capacity; and

 

  (B)

the performance by the Agent of 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 completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Company, the Increase Lender and the Issuing Bank; and

 

  (iii)

in the case of an increase in the Total Revolving Facility Commitments, the relevant Issuing Bank consenting to the identity of the relevant Increase Lender (unless that Increase Lender is a person with a long term corporate credit rating equal to or better than “BBB-” or “Baa3” (as applicable) according to at least two of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch).

 

  (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.

 

  (d)

Unless the Agent otherwise agrees or the increased Commitment is assumed by an existing Lender, the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of demand following the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of €2,500 and the Company shall at the same time pay to the Agent (and the Security Agent if applicable) the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by it in connection with any increase Commitments under this Clause 2.3.

 

  (e)

The Company (or another member of the Group) may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Company (or another member of the Group) and the Increase Lender in a Fee Letter.

 

  (f)

Clause 29.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.3 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause to:

 

  (i)

an Existing Lender were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase;

 

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  (ii)

the New Lender were references to that Increase Lender; and

 

  (iii)

a re-transfer and re-assignment were references to respectively a transfer and assignment.

 

  (g)

The Finance Parties shall be required to enter into any amendment to the Finance Documents (including in relation to any changes to, the taking of, or the release coupled with the retaking of, Transaction Security in accordance with the Intercreditor Agreement) required by the Company in order to facilitate or reflect any of the matters contemplated by this Clause 2.3. The Agent and the Security Agent are each authorised and instructed by each Finance Party (without any further consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from them) to execute any such amended or replacement Finance Documents (and shall do so on the request of and at the cost of the Company).

 

  (h)

Nothing in this Clause 2.3 shall operate to increase the Total Commitments in effect at that time.

 

2.4

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 an Obligor 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 an Obligor 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 that Obligor.

 

  (c)

A Finance Party may, except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

2.5

Lender Affiliates

 

  (a)

A Lender may nominate (by written notice to the Agent and the Company) a branch or Affiliate (a Designated Affiliate) to discharge its obligations to participate in one or more Loans (a Designated Loan):

 

  (i)

as set out in paragraph (f) below; or

 

  (ii)

in the Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Additional Facility Notice or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter pursuant to which such Lender becomes a Party.

 

  (b)

Any branch or Affiliate nominated by a Lender to participate in a Loan shall:

 

  (i)

participate therein in compliance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (ii)

be entitled, to the extent of its participation, to all the rights and benefits of a Lender under the Finance Documents provided that such rights and benefits shall be exercised on its behalf by its nominating Lender save where law or regulation requires the branch or Affiliate to do so; and

 

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  (iii)

in the case of an Affiliate, become party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a “Senior Lender” by delivery of a duly completed “Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking” (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

  (c)

Each Lender shall remain liable and responsible for the performance of all obligations assumed by a Designated Affiliate on its behalf under this Clause 2.5 and non-performance of a Lender’s obligations by its Designated Affiliate following a nomination under this Clause 2.5 shall not relieve such Lender from its obligations under this Agreement (but without prejudice to a Lender’s rights under Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders)).

 

  (d)

No Obligor shall be liable to pay (i) any amount otherwise required to be paid by it under Clause 18 (Taxes) or Clause 19.1 (Increased costs) (arising as a result of laws or regulations in force or known to be coming into force on the date the relevant branch or Affiliate was nominated), or (ii) any cash repayment of a Loan to the extent that Loan would constitute a Rollover Loan, in each case in excess of the amount it would have been obliged to pay if that Lender had not nominated its branch or Affiliate to participate in a Facility or, to the extent that such Lender nominated such branch or Affiliate for particular Loans in the Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Additional Facility Notice or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter pursuant to which such Lender became a Party, in excess of the amount which it would have been obliged to pay had that Lender continued to make only those particular Loans through that branch or Affiliate. Each Lender shall promptly notify the Agent and the Company of the Tax jurisdiction from which its branch or Affiliate will participate in the relevant Loans and such other information regarding that branch or Affiliate as the Company may reasonably request.

 

  (e)

Any notice or communication to be made to a branch or an Affiliate of a Lender pursuant to Clause 36 (Notices):

 

  (i)

may be served directly upon the branch or Affiliate, at the address supplied to the Agent by the nominating Lender pursuant to its nomination of such branch or Affiliate, where the Lender or the relevant branch or Affiliate requests this in order to mitigate any legal obligation to deduct Tax from any payment to such branch or Affiliate or any payment obligation which might otherwise arise pursuant to Clause 19 (Increased Costs); or

 

  (ii)

in any other circumstance, may be delivered to the Facility Office of the Lender, who will act as the representative of any Affiliate it nominates for all administrative purposes under this Agreement.

 

  (f)

If a Lender nominates an Affiliate, that Lender and that Affiliate:

 

  (i)

will be treated as having a single Commitment (being the Commitment of that Lender) but for all other purposes (other than those referred to in paragraphs (c) and (e)(ii) above and paragraph (ii) below) will be treated as separate Lenders; and

 

  (ii)

will be regarded as a single Lender for the purpose of:

 

  (A)

voting in relation to any matter in connection with a Finance Document; and

 

  (B)

compliance with Clause 29.1 (Assignments and Transfers by Lenders).

 

  (g)

The Obligors, the Agent, the Security Agent and the other Finance Parties will be entitled to deal only with the designating Lender, except all payments of principal, interest, fees, costs, taxes and commissions in connection with a Designated Loan shall be for the account of the relevant Designated Affiliate. For the avoidance of doubt, this shall not apply to any commitment fee which shall be for the account of the relevant Lender.

 

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  (h)

A Lender that has made a nomination in accordance with paragraph (a) or (f) above may revoke such nomination in relation to any future Loans by giving the Agent at least five (5) Business Days’ written notice.

 

  (i)

Upon such Designated Affiliate ceasing to be a Designated Affiliate, the Lender will automatically assume (and be deemed to assume without further action by any Party) all rights and obligations previously vested in the Designated Affiliate.

 

  (j)

This Clause 2.5 is without prejudice to a Lender’s right to transfer its Commitments to an Affiliate under Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders).

 

2.6

Obligors’ Agent

 

  (a)

To the extent permitted under any applicable law, each Obligor (other than the Company) by its execution of this Agreement or an Accession Letter irrevocably (to the extent permitted by law) appoints the Company (acting through one or more authorised signatories) to act on its behalf as its agent and attorney in fact in relation to the Finance Documents and irrevocably (to the extent permitted by law) authorises:

 

  (iii)

the Company on its behalf to supply all information concerning itself contemplated by this Agreement to the Finance Parties and to give all notices, consents and instructions (including, in the case of a Borrower, Utilisation Requests), to execute on its behalf any Accession Letter, to agree to any Additional Facility terms, to deliver Additional Facility Notices to make such agreements and to effect the relevant amendments, supplements and variations capable of being given, made or effected by any Obligor notwithstanding that they may affect that Obligor, without further reference to or the consent of that Obligor; and

 

  (iv)

each Finance Party to give any notice, demand or other communication to that Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents to the Company,

and, in each case, the Obligor shall be bound as though the Obligor itself had given the notices and instructions (including any Utilisation Requests) or executed or made the agreements or effected the amendments, supplements or variations, or received the relevant notice, demand or other communication and each Finance Party may rely on any action taken by the Company on behalf of that Obligor.

 

  (b)

Every act, omission, agreement, undertaking, settlement, waiver, amendment, supplement, variation, notice or other communication given or made by the Obligors’ Agent or given to the Obligors’ Agent under any Finance Document on behalf of another Obligor or in connection with any Finance Document (whether or not known to any other Obligor and whether occurring before or after such other Obligor became an Obligor under any Finance Document shall be binding for all purposes on that Obligor as if that Obligor had expressly made, given or concurred with it (to the extent permitted by law)). In the event of any conflict between any notices or other communications of the Obligors’ Agent and any other Obligor, those of the Obligors’ Agent shall prevail.

 

  (c)

For the purpose of this Clause 2.6 each Obligor (to the extent necessary under applicable law) shall grant a specific power of attorney (notarized and apostilled) to the Company and comply with any necessary formalities in connection therewith.

 

  (d)

For all purposes of the Finance Documents, including for the purpose of this Clause 2.6 (Obligors’ Agent), each Swiss Obligor herewith explicitly approves any self-contracting (Selbstkontrahieren) and/or double representation (Doppelvertretung) under Swiss law by the Company and unconditionally releases the Company from any restriction in connection therewith.

 

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3.

PURPOSE

 

3.1

Purpose

 

  (a)

Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Original Term Facility in or towards directly or indirectly:

 

  (i)

refinancing the Existing Debt (including shareholder loans and preference shares) and paying any related breakage costs, redemption premium, make-whole costs and other fees, costs and expenses payable in connection with such refinancing; and/or

 

  (ii)

the payment of fees, costs and expenses arising in connection with the Transaction.

 

  (b)

Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Original Revolving Facility and the Swingline Facility towards the direct or indirect financing or refinancing of the working capital requirements and/or the general corporate purposes of the Group (including for capital expenditure, acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, operational restructurings and reorganisation requirements of the Group).

 

  (c)

Each Additional Facility Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under an Additional Facility towards the purposes specified in the Additional Facility Notice relating to the relevant Additional Facility Commitments.

 

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 Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) and (unless specified therein to be in another form or substance) such documents or other evidence are in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably and acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably) or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably). The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied or waived.

 

  (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 paragraph (a) above, 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

Further conditions precedent

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent), Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period) and Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period), the Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to a Utilisation, if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

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  (i)

in the case of a Rollover Utilisation, no notice of a Declared Default has been given; and

 

  (ii)

in the case of any other Utilisation:

 

  (A)

no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

  (B)

the Repeating Representations are true and correct in all material respects (or, to the extent a materiality test applies, all respects).

 

  (b)

The Agent (acting on the instructions of the relevant Majority Lenders) may waive the requirements set out in paragraph (a) above in relation to a proposed Utilisation.

 

4.3

Conditions relating to Optional Currencies

 

  (a)

A currency will constitute an Optional Currency if it is:

 

  (i)

in the case of the Original Revolving Facility, GBP, USD SEK, CHF, NOK or DKK;

 

  (ii)

in the case of a Letter of Credit, GBP, USD, SEK, CHF, NOK, DKK, SGD, LBP, AUD or PLN;

 

  (iii)

in the case of an Additional Facility, any currencies specified in the Additional Facility Notice relating to those Additional Facility Commitments; or

 

  (iv)

with the consent of all of the Lenders participating in the relevant Utilisation under the Facility concerned (each acting reasonably), any other currency readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into the Base Currency in the Relevant Interbank Market on the Quotation Day and the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation.

 

  (b)

If by the Specified Time the Agent has received a written request from the Company for a currency to be approved under paragraph (a)(iv) above, the Agent will confirm to the Company by the Specified Time:

 

  (i)

whether or not the Lenders under the relevant Facility have granted their approval; and

 

  (ii)

if approval has been granted, the minimum amount for any subsequent Utilisation in that currency (which the Agent shall determine acting reasonably and in consultation with the Company).

 

4.4

Maximum number of Utilisations

 

  (a)

A Borrower (or the Company) may not deliver a Utilisation Request in respect of the Original Term Facility or request that an Original Term Facility Loan be divided if, as a result of the proposed utilisation or division, more than four (4) Original Term Facility Loans respectively would be outstanding.

 

  (b)

A Borrower (or the Company) may not deliver a Utilisation Request in respect of the Original Revolving Facility if as a result of the proposed Original Revolving Facility Loan more than forty (40) Original Revolving Facility Loans would be outstanding.

 

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  (c)

A Borrower (or the Company) may not deliver a Swingline Lender Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Swingline Loan more than five (5) Swingline Loans would be outstanding.

 

  (d)

A Borrower (or the Company) may not deliver a Utilisation Request in respect of an Additional Facility if as a result of the proposed Utilisation more than the maximum number of utilisations of that Additional Facility (as agreed between the Company, the Additional Facility Lenders and the Agent in the applicable Additional Facility Notice) would be outstanding.

 

  (e)

Any Loan made by a single Lender under Clause 8.2 (Unavailability of a currency) shall not be taken into account in this Clause 4.4.

 

  (f)

Any Separate Loan shall not be taken into account in this Clause 4.4.

 

4.5

Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and notwithstanding the conditions of Clause 4.2 (Further 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 proposed Utilisation Date:

 

  (i)

no Major Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

  (ii)

no Change of Control or Sale has occurred.

 

  (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 11.1 (Illegality), none of the Finance Parties shall be entitled to:

 

  (i)

cancel any of its Commitments to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (ii)

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 directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iii)

refuse to participate in the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iv)

exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or similar right or remedy which it may exercise in respect of a Utilisation to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (v)

cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Finance Document or exercise any enforcement rights under any Transaction Security Document to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (vi)

take any other action or make or enforce any claim (in its capacity as a Lender) to the extent that such action, claim or enforcement would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of a Certain Funds Utilisation; or

 

  (vii)

declare that cash cover in relation to a Letter of Credit or an Ancillary Facility is immediately due and payable on demand,

 

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provided that immediately upon the expiry of the Certain Funds Period (provided that there is no other Certain Funds Period or Agreed Certain Funds Period in operation) 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.

 

4.6

Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent), during the relevant Agreed Certain Funds Period, a Lender or Additional Facility Lender (as the case may be) will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) and the Issuing Bank will only be obliged to comply with Clause 6.5 (Issue of Letters of Credit) (in each case) in relation to the relevant Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation if:

 

  (i)

the Company and each of the Lenders or relevant Additional Facility Lenders (as the case may be) have agreed that the relevant Facility or relevant Additional Facility shall be made available on a “certain funds basis” for a specified purpose in connection with an acquisition not expressly prohibited under the terms of this Agreement or such other agreed purpose, for such period and on such terms or conditions (if any) as the Company and those Lenders or relevant Additional Facility Lenders (as the case may be) shall agree and notify in writing to the Agent at least three (3) Business Days (or such shorter period agreed with the Agent) prior to the date of the Utilisation Request; and

 

  (ii)

on the proposed Utilisation Date for that Utilisation:

 

  (A)

no Major Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the proposed Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (B)

no Change of Control or Sale has occurred; and

 

  (C)

the applicable conditions or events (if any) specified in the relevant Additional Facility Notice or other notice in relation to that Agreed Certain Funds Period and Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation are complied with or satisfied.

 

  (b)

During the Agreed Certain Funds Period (save in respect of a Lender or relevant Additional Facility Lender (as the case may be) in circumstances where, pursuant to paragraph (a) above, that Lender or Additional Facility Lender (as the case may be) is not obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) and subject as provided in Clause 11.1 (Illegality)), none of the Lenders or relevant Additional Facility Lenders (as the case may be) shall be entitled in respect of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation (and the corresponding Commitments to which it relates) to:

 

  (i)

cancel any of its Commitments or Additional Facility Commitments (as the case may be) to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (ii)

rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or the relevant Facility or exercise any similar right or remedy or make or enforce any claim under the Finance Documents it may have in respect of a Facility to which the provisions of this Clause apply to the extent to do so would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iii)

refuse to participate in the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

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  (iv)

exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or similar right or remedy which it may exercise in respect of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (v)

cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Finance Document or exercise any enforcement rights under any Transaction Security Document in respect of a Facility to which the provisions of this Clause apply to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (vi)

take any other action or make or enforce any claim (in its capacity as a Lender) to the extent that such action, claim or enforcement would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation; or

 

  (vii)

declare that cash cover in relation to a Letter of Credit or an Ancillary Facility is immediately due and payable on demand,

provided that:

 

  (A)

immediately upon the expiry of the relevant Agreed Certain Funds Period (provided that there is no other Certain Funds Period or Agreed Certain Funds Period in operation) 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 applicable Agreed Certain Funds Period; and

 

  (B)

this Clause 4.6 shall be without prejudice to, and shall not prevent or limit the exercise of, any rights of any of the Finance Parties in respect of any other Facility, Loan, Utilisation or Commitment.

 

5.

UTILISATION – LOANS

 

5.1

Delivery of a Utilisation Request

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Agent and (in the case of a Utilisation Request for a Swingline Loan) the Swingline Lender of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time (or such later time as the Agent may agree).

 

5.2

Completion of a Utilisation Request for Loans

 

  (a)

Each Utilisation Request for a Loan is revocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

  (i)

it identifies the Facility to be utilised;

 

  (ii)

it identifies the relevant Borrower;

 

  (iii)

the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period applicable to that Facility;

 

  (iv)

the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount); and

 

  (v)

the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 15 (Interest Periods).

 

  (b)

Each Utilisation Request for a Loan may be revoked up to one (1) Business Day (by no later than 11.30 am that day) prior to the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

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  (c)

Multiple Utilisations may be requested in a Utilisation Request where the proposed Utilisation Date is the Closing Date or otherwise agreed by the Agent. Unless so agreed by the Agent, only one Utilisation may be requested in each subsequent Utilisation Request.

 

5.3

Currency and amount

 

  (a)

The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be:

 

  (i)

in relation to the Original Term Facility, the Base Currency;

 

  (ii)

in relation to the Original Revolving Facility, the Base Currency or an Optional Currency;

 

  (iii)

in relation to the Swingline Facility, the Base Currency; and

 

  (iv)

in relation to the Additional Facility, as agreed by the relevant Additional Facility Lenders and specified in the applicable Additional Facility Notice.

 

  (b)

The amount of a proposed Utilisation of the Original Term Facility must be in a minimum amount of EUR 1,000,000 or, if less, the Available Facility and in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility.

 

  (c)

The amount of a proposed Utilisation under an Original Revolving Facility or an Additional Facility must:

 

  (i)

if the currency selected is the Base Currency be a minimum of EUR 250,000 or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (ii)

if the currency selected is GBP be a minimum of GBP 250,000 or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (iii)

if the currency selected is USD be a minimum of USD 250,000 or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (iv)

if the currency selected is any other Optional Currency, the minimum amount specified by the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) or, if less, the Available Facility; and

 

  (v)

in any event be such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility.

 

  (d)

The amount of a proposed Utilisation of the Swingline Facility must be in a minimum amount of EUR 250,000 or, if less, the Available Facility and in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility.

 

5.4

Lenders’ participation

 

  (a)

If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, and subject to Clause 10.3 (Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans), each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available on the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

 

  (b)

Other than as set out in paragraph (c) below, 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 in each case in relation to the relevant Facility immediately prior to making the Loan.

 

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  (c)

If a Utilisation is made to repay Ancillary Outstandings, each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation will be in an amount (as determined by the Agent) which will result as nearly as possible in the aggregate amount of its participation in the Utilisations then outstanding bearing the same proportion to the aggregate amount of the Loans then outstanding as its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments.

 

  (d)

The Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount (if applicable) of each Loan which is to be made in an Optional Currency and 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 cash by the Specified Time.

 

  (e)

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement a Lender is only obliged to participate in a Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan to the extent that it would not result in the Base Currency Amount of its participation in the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans exceeding its Revolving Facility Commitment.

 

  (f)

Where, but for the operation of paragraph (e) above, the Base Currency Amount of a Lender’s participation in the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans would have exceeded its Revolving Facility Commitment, the excess will be apportioned among the other Lenders required under this Agreement to make available a participation in the relevant Loan pro rata according to their relevant Commitments. This calculation will be applied as often as necessary until participations in the Loan are apportioned among the relevant Lenders in a manner consistent with paragraph (e) above.

 

  (g)

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, each Swingline Lender shall ensure that at all times its Revolving Facility Commitment is not less than its Swingline Commitment.

 

5.5

Limitations on Utilisations

 

  (a)

The Original Revolving Facility and Swingline Facility may not be utilised unless the Original Term Facility has been utilised (but the Original Revolving Facility may be utilised contemporaneously with the Original Term Facility).

 

  (b)

An Additional Facility may not be utilised unless the Closing Date has occurred and the Original Term Facility has been utilised (but an Additional Facility may be utilised contemporaneously with the Original Term Facility).

 

5.6

Cancellation of Commitment

 

  (a)

The Original Term Facility Commitments which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the applicable Availability Period.

 

  (b)

The Original Revolving Facility Commitments which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for the Original Revolving Facility or, if the Closing Date has not occurred prior to the end of the Certain Funds Period, at the end of the Certain Funds Period.

 

  (c)

The Swingline Commitments which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for the Swingline Facility or, if the Closing Date has not occurred prior to the end of the Certain Funds Period, at the end of the Certain Funds Period.

 

  (d)

The Additional Facility Commitments which are unutilised at the end of the Availability Period for those Additional Facility Commitments shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period for those Additional Facility Commitments or, if the Closing Date has not occurred prior to the end of the Certain Funds Period, at the end of the Certain Funds Period.

 

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6.

UTILISATION – LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

6.1

A Revolving Facility

 

  (a)

A Revolving Facility may be utilised by a Borrower by way of Letters of Credit.

 

  (b)

Clause 5 (Utilisation – Loans) does not apply to utilisations by way of Letters of Credit.

 

6.2

Delivery of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may request a Letter of Credit to be issued by delivery to the relevant Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Agent) of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time or otherwise agreed by the Issuing Bank. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may agree with the Issuing Bank any other means of requesting an issue or renewal of a Letter of Credit.

 

6.3

Completion of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit

Each Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit shall be revocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

  (a)

it specifies that it is for a Letter of Credit;

 

  (b)

it identifies the Borrower of the Letter of Credit and the beneficiary (and the jurisdiction of the beneficiary) of the Letter of Credit;

 

  (c)

it identifies the relevant Issuing Bank which has agreed to issue the Letter of Credit;

 

  (d)

the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility;

 

  (e)

the currency and amount of the Letter of Credit comply with Clause 6.4 (Currency and amount);

 

  (f)

the form of Letter of Credit is attached substantially in the form set out in Schedule 10 (Form of Letters of Credit) or any other form agreed by the Issuing Bank (acting reasonably);

 

  (g)

the Expiry Date of the Letter of Credit falls on or before the Termination Date in relation to the relevant Revolving Facility (unless paragraphs (a) and (b) of 6.11 (Effect of Termination Date) are satisfied); and

 

  (h)

the delivery instructions for the Letter of Credit are specified.

 

  (i)

Each Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit may be revoked up to two (2) Business Days (by no later than 5.00 pm that day) prior to the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

6.4

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 Letter of Credit must be:

 

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  (i)

if the currency selected is the Base Currency, a minimum of EUR 50,000, or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (ii)

if the currency selected is GBP, a minimum of GBP 50,000, or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (iii)

if the currency selected is USD, a minimum of USD 50,000, or, if less, the Available Facility; and

 

  (iv)

if the currency selected is any other Optional Currency, the minimum amount specified by the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) or, if less, the Available Facility; or

 

  (v)

in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility.

 

6.5

Issue of Letters of Credit

 

  (a)

If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, the relevant Issuing Bank shall issue the Letter of Credit on the Utilisation Date.

 

  (b)

Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent), an Issuing Bank will only be obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above in relation to a Letter of Credit other than one to which paragraph (c) below applies, if on the date of the Utilisation Request or Renewal Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

  (i)

in the case of a Letter of Credit to be renewed or extended in accordance with Clause 6.6 (Renewal of a Letter of Credit) no Declared Default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

  (ii)

in the case of any other Utilisation (other than a Rollover Utilisation) no Event of Default is continuing or would occur as a result from the proposed Utilisation and the Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor are true and correct in all material respects (or in the case of such representations and warranties which are subject to a materiality threshold or qualification in accordance with their terms, are correct in all respects).

 

  (c)

Subject to Clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and notwithstanding the conditions of paragraph (b) above:

 

  (i)

during the Certain Funds Period, the Issuing Bank will only be obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above in relation to a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation, if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

  (A)

no Major Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the issue of the proposed Letter of Credit; and

 

  (B)

no Change of Control or Sale has occurred;

 

  (ii)

during any Agreed Certain Funds Period, the Issuing Bank will only be obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above in relation to a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation, if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:

 

  (A)

no Major Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the issue of the proposed Letter of Credit;

 

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  (B)

no Change of Control or Sale has occurred; and

 

  (C)

the applicable additional conditions or events (if any) specified in the relevant Additional Facility Notice or other notice in relation to the Agreed Certain Funds Period and Agreed Certain Fund Utilisation complied with or satisfied,

in each case, provided that, during the Certain Funds Period or Agreed Certain Funds Period (as applicable) an extension of a Letter of Credit shall be permitted unless a Declared Default had occurred relating to the Facility.

 

  (d)

During the Certain Funds Period, save in circumstances where, pursuant to paragraph (c) above, the Issuing Bank is not obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above and subject as provided in Clause 11.2 (Illegality in relation to Issuing Bank), the Issuing Bank shall not be entitled to:

 

  (i)

cancel any of its Commitments to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit;

 

  (ii)

rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or the relevant Facility 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 directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iii)

refuse to participate in the making of a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iv)

exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or similar right or remedy which it may exercise in respect of a Letter of Credit to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (v)

cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Finance Document or exercise any enforcement rights under any Transaction Security Document to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the issuing of a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (vi)

take any other action or make or enforce any claim (in its capacity as Issuing Bank) to the extent that such action, claim or enforcement would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the issuing of a Letter of Credit which is a Certain Funds Utilisation; or

 

  (vii)

declare that cash cover in relation to a Letter of Credit is immediately due and payable on demand,

provided that immediately upon the expiry of the Certain Funds Period (provided that there is no other Certain Funds Period or Agreed Certain Funds Period in operation) all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Issuing Bank notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the Certain Funds Period.

 

  (e)

During any Agreed Certain Funds Period save in circumstances where, pursuant to paragraph (c) above, the Issuing Bank is not obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above and subject as provided in Clause 11.2 (Illegality in relation to Issuing Bank), the Issuing Bank shall not be entitled to in respect of an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation (and the corresponding commitments to which it relates):

 

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  (i)

cancel any of its Commitments to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (ii)

rescind, terminate or cancel this Agreement or the relevant Facility 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 directly or indirectly prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iii)

refuse to participate in the making of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (iv)

exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim or similar right or remedy which it may exercise in respect of a Letter of Credit to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the making of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (v)

cancel, accelerate or cause repayment or prepayment of any amounts owing under this Agreement or under any other Finance Document or exercise any enforcement rights under any Transaction Security Document to the extent to do so would prevent or limit the issuing of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation;

 

  (vi)

take any other action or make or enforce any claim (in its capacity as Issuing Bank) to the extent that such action, claim or enforcement would directly or indirectly prevent or limit the Issuing of a Letter of Credit which is an Agreed Certain Funds Utilisation; or

 

  (vii)

declare that such cash cover in relation to a Letter of Credit is immediately due and payable on demand,

provided that:

 

  (A)

immediately upon the expiry of the relevant Agreed Certain Funds Period all such rights, remedies and entitlements shall be available to the Issuing Bank notwithstanding that they may not have been used or been available for use during the relevant Agreed Certain Funds Period; and

 

  (B)

this Clause 6.5 shall be without prejudice to, and shall not prevent or limit the exercise of, any rights of any of the Finance Parties in respect of any other Facility, Loan, Utilisation or Commitment.

 

  (f)

The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Letter of Credit will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the relevant Available Facility immediately prior to the issue of the Letter of Credit.

 

  (g)

The Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount of each Letter of Credit which is to be issued in an Optional Currency and shall notify the Issuing Bank and each Lender of the details of the requested Letter of Credit and its participation in that Letter of Credit by the Specified Time.

 

  (h)

The Issuing Bank may issue a Letter of Credit in the form of a SWIFT message or other form of communication customary in the relevant market but has no obligation to do so.

 

  (i)

The Issuing Bank has no duty to enquire of any person whether or not any of the conditions set out in paragraph (b) have been met. The Issuing Bank may assume that those conditions have been met until it has been expressly notified to the contrary by the Agent. The Issuing Bank will have no liability to any person for issuing a Letter of Credit based on such assumption.

 

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  (j)

The Issuing Bank is solely responsible for the form of the Letter of Credit that it issues. The Agent has no duty to monitor the form of that document.

 

  (k)

Subject to paragraph (g) of Clause 31.7 (Rights and discretions), each of the Issuing Bank and the Agent shall provide the other with any information reasonably requested by the other that relates to a Letter of Credit and its issue.

 

6.6

Renewal of a Letter of Credit

 

  (a)

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may request that any Letter of Credit issued on behalf of that Borrower be renewed by delivery to the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Agent) of a Renewal Request in substantially similar form to a Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit by the Specified Time (or such later time as the Agent may agree).

 

  (b)

The Finance Parties shall treat any Renewal Request in the same way as a Utilisation Request for a Letter of Credit except that the conditions set out in paragraph (f) of Clause 6.3 (Completion of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit) shall not apply.

 

  (c)

The terms of each renewed Letter of Credit shall be the same as those of the relevant Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal, except that:

 

  (i)

its amount may be less than the amount of the Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal; and

 

  (ii)

its Term shall start on the date which was the Expiry Date of the Letter of Credit immediately prior to its renewal, (or if a different date is specified, on that date) and shall end on the proposed Expiry Date specified in the Renewal Request.

 

  (d)

If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, the Issuing Bank shall amend and re-issue any Letter of Credit pursuant to a Renewal Request.

 

6.7

Reduction of a Letter of Credit

 

  (a)

If, on the proposed Utilisation Date of a Letter of Credit any of the Lenders under a Revolving Facility is a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender and:

 

  (i)

that Lender has failed to provide cash collateral to the Issuing Bank in accordance with Clause 7.4 (Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender) following such request by the Issuing Bank; and

 

  (ii)

the relevant Borrower has failed to provide cash cover to the Issuing Bank after having requested to do so in accordance with Clause 7.5 (Cash cover by Borrower),

then, the Issuing Bank may refuse to issue that Letter of Credit or, with the agreement of the Company, shall reduce the amount of that Letter of Credit by an amount equal to the amount of the participation of that Non-Acceptable L/C Lender in respect of that Letter of Credit and that Non-Acceptable L/C Lender shall be deemed not to have any participation (or obligation to indemnify the Issuing Bank) in respect of that Letter of Credit for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

  (b)

The Issuing Bank shall notify the Agent and the Company of each reduction made pursuant to this Clause 6.7.

 

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  (c)

This Clause 6.7 shall not affect the participation of each other Lender in that Letter of Credit.

 

6.8

Revaluation of Letters of Credit

 

  (a)

If any Letters of Credit are denominated in an Optional Currency, the Agent shall, in respect of all such Letters of Credit on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October in each calendar year (or if not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) (each a “Revaluation Date”) calculate the amount (the “Notional Amount”) which is the equivalent in the Base Currency of the outstanding principal amount of all such Letters of Credit on the basis of the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date of calculation. The Agent shall notify the Company of the amount, if any, by which the Notional Amount of such Letters of Credit exceeds the Base Currency Amount of such Letters of Credit.

 

  (b)

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) shall, if so requested by the Agent or the Issuing Bank, within five (5) Business Days of any calculation under paragraph (a) above, ensure that within ten (10) Business Days sufficient Letters of Credit are prepaid, or Loans prepaid, to prevent the Base Currency Amount of all Utilisations of the relevant Revolving Facility from exceeding the relevant Revolving Facility Commitments (after deducting the total Ancillary Commitments, Fronting Ancillary Commitments and Fronted Ancillary Commitments) by more than five (5) per cent. following any adjustment to a Base Currency Amount under paragraph (a) above.

 

  (c)

In the event that a Borrower has previously provided cash cover for any Letter of Credit pursuant to this Clause 6.8 and on any subsequent date of calculation under this Clause 6.8 the Notional Amount of the outstanding principal amount of such Letters of Credit (after taking into account all cash cover for such Letters of Credit) is equal to or less than its Base Currency Amount, the Agent shall, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, release or authorise the Security Agent to release such amount of such cash cover as would result in the Notional Amount of the outstanding principal amount of such Letters of Credit (after taking into account all cash cover for such Letters of Credit) not exceeding the Base Currency Amount of such Letters of Credit.

 

  (d)

The Company shall only be obliged to comply with paragraph (a) above in respect of a Revaluation Date to the extent that on such Revaluation Date the Facility Utilised Amount (as defined below) exceeds the aggregate amount of all the Revolving Facility Commitments. For these purposes, on any Revaluation Date, the Facility Utilised Amount is the aggregate of:

 

  (i)

the amount of all outstanding Revolving Facility Utilisations denominated in the Base Currency;

 

  (ii)

the principal amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, if any, denominated in the Base Currency;

 

  (iii)

the equivalent in the Base Currency on the basis of the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on such Letter of Credit of all outstanding Utilisations denominated in an Optional Currency;

 

  (iv)

the Notional Amounts of each outstanding Letter of Credit (after taking into account all cash cover for such Letter of Credit, if any, denominated in an Optional Currency);

 

  (v)

the amount of any Ancillary Outstandings denominated in the Base Currency; and

 

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  (vi)

the equivalent in the Base Currency (on the basis of the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on such Revaluation Date) of all Ancillary Outstandings denominated in an Optional Currency.

 

6.9

Reduction or expiry of Letter of Credit

If the amount of any Letter of Credit is wholly or partially reduced or it is repaid or prepaid or it expires prior to its Expiry Date, the relevant Issuing Bank or the Borrower that requested (or on behalf of which the Company requested) the issue of that Letter of Credit shall promptly notify the Agent of the details upon becoming aware of them.

 

6.10

Appointment of additional Issuing Banks

Any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender which has agreed to the Company’s request to be an Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall become an Issuing Bank for the purposes of this Agreement upon notifying the Agent and the Company that it has so agreed to be an Issuing Bank and acceding to this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement as an Issuing Bank and on making that notification that Lender shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement as an Issuing Bank.

 

6.11

Effect of Termination Date

Each Letter of Credit shall be repaid by the Borrower of that Letter of Credit (or the Company on its behalf) on the Termination Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility, (or such earlier date in accordance with this Agreement) provided that if any Letter of Credit has an Expiry Date ending on or after the Termination Date applicable to the applicable Revolving Facility, without prejudice to the repayment obligation in Clause 6.8 (Revaluation of Letters of Credit), on such Termination Date each such Letter of Credit shall be repaid unless, in the case of a Letter of Credit with an Expiry Date falling after such Termination Date:

 

  (a)

the relevant Issuing Bank agrees that such Letter of Credit shall continue as between that Issuing Bank, and the relevant member of the Group on a bilateral basis and not as part of or under the Finance Documents; and

 

  (b)

save for any rights and obligations against any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents arising prior to such Termination Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility, no rights and obligations in respect of the Letter of Credit shall, as between the Finance Parties, continue, any cash cover or other collateral provided by any Lender in relation to such Letter of Credit shall be released on the Termination Date and (to the extent applicable) the Transaction Security shall not (following release thereof by the Security Agent) support any such Letter of Credit in respect of any claims that arise after such Termination Date and, in such circumstances, from the Termination Date paragraph (b) of Clause 7.3 (Indemnities) and Clause 7.4 (Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender) shall not apply to any such Letter of Credit or to any claim made or purported to be made under a Letter of Credit made after the Termination Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility.

 

7.

LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

7.1

Immediately payable

If a Letter of Credit or any amount outstanding under a Letter of Credit is expressed to be immediately payable, the Issuing Bank which issued the relevant Letter of Credit shall immediately notify the Borrower that requested (or on whose behalf the Company requested) the issue of that Letter of Credit with a copy to the Company and the Agent. Within five (5) Business Days of such demand, the relevant Borrower shall repay or prepay that amount to the Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank shall immediately notify the Agent of such repayment or prepayment, at which time the Agent shall recalculate the Available Commitment of the relevant Revolving Facility.

 

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7.2

Claims under a Letter of Credit

 

  (a)

Each Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally authorises the Issuing Bank to pay any claim made or purported to be made under a Letter of Credit requested by it (or requested by the Company on its behalf) and which claim appears on its face to comply with the terms of that Letter of Credit and to be in order (in this Clause 7.2, a claim).

 

  (b)

Each Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days of demand pay to the Issuing Bank an amount equal to the amount of any claim or, provided that no Declared Default has occurred and no cash collateral has already been provided in respect of that claim, at the election of the relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf), the reduction in the outstanding amount of the relevant Letter of Credit corresponding to the amount of that claim shall be deemed to have been converted into a Loan under the relevant Revolving Facility. The currency and the amount of such Loan shall be the same as the amount of that claim, with an Interest Period of one (1) Month, unless otherwise notified by the relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf).

 

  (c)

Each Borrower acknowledges that the Issuing Bank:

 

  (i)

is not obliged to carry out any investigation or seek any confirmation from any other person before paying a claim (including any solvency investigation); and

 

  (ii)

deals in documents only and will not be concerned with the legality of a claim or any underlying transaction or any available set-off, counterclaim or other defence of any person.

 

  (d)

The obligations of a Borrower under this Clause 7 will not be affected by:

 

  (i)

the sufficiency, accuracy or genuineness of any claim or any other document; or

 

  (ii)

any incapacity of, or limitation on the powers of, any person signing a claim or other document.

 

7.3

Indemnities

 

  (a)

Each Borrower shall within five (5) Business Days of demand indemnify the Issuing Bank against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Issuing Bank (otherwise than by reason of the Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct or breach of the terms of this Agreement) in acting as the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit requested by (or on behalf of) that Borrower.

 

  (b)

Each Lender under the relevant Revolving Facility shall (according to its L/C Proportion) immediately on demand indemnify the Issuing Bank against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Issuing Bank (otherwise than by reason of the Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct or breach of the terms of this Agreement) in acting as the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit (unless the Issuing Bank has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

  (c)

If any Revolving Facility Lender is not permitted (by its constitutional documents or any applicable law) to comply with paragraph (b) above, then that Lender will not be obliged to comply with paragraph (b) and shall instead be deemed to have taken, on the date the Letter of Credit is issued (or if later, on the date the Lender’s participation in the Letter of Credit is transferred or assigned to the Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), an undivided interest and participation in the Letter of Credit in an amount equal to its L/C Proportion of that Letter of Credit. On receipt of demand from the Agent, that Lender shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Issuing Bank) an amount equal to its L/C Proportion of the amount demanded.

 

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  (d)

The Borrower which requested (or on behalf of which the Company requested) a Letter of Credit shall promptly on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment it makes to the Issuing Bank under this Clause 7.3 in respect of that Letter of Credit except to the extent arising out of the negligence, wilful misconduct or material breach of the terms of this Agreement in relation to such Letter of Credit by such Lender.

 

  (e)

The obligations of each Lender or Borrower under this Clause are continuing obligations and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by that Lender or Borrower in respect of any Letter of Credit, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

  (f)

The obligations of any Lender or Borrower under this Clause will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause (whether or not known to it or any other person) including:

 

  (i)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with any Obligor, any beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or any other person;

 

  (ii)

the release of any Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor or any member of the Group;

 

  (iii)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor, any beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument (other than the relevant Letter of Credit) or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

  (iv)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor, any beneficiary under a Letter of Credit or any other person;

 

  (v)

any amendment (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document or (with the prior approval of the relevant Borrower), any Letter of Credit or any other document or security;

 

  (vi)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document, any Letter of Credit or any other document or security; or

 

  (vii)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

7.4

Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender

 

  (a)

If, at any time, a Lender under a Revolving Facility is a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender, the Issuing Bank may, by notice to that Lender, request that Lender to pay and that Lender shall pay, on or prior to the date falling five (5) Business Days after the request by the Issuing Bank, an amount equal to that Lender’s L/C Proportion of the outstanding amount of a Letter of Credit and in the currency of that Letter of Credit to an interest-bearing account held in the name of that Lender with the Issuing Bank.

 

  (b)

The Non-Acceptable L/C Lender to whom a request has been made in accordance with paragraph (a) above shall enter into a security document or other form of collateral arrangement over the account, in form and substance satisfactory to the Issuing Bank, as collateral for any amounts due and payable under the Finance Documents by that Lender to the Issuing Bank in respect of that Letter of Credit.

 

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  (c)

Subject to paragraph (f) below, until no amount is or may be outstanding under that Letter of Credit, withdrawals from the account may only be made to pay to the Issuing Bank amounts due and payable to the Issuing Bank by the Non-Acceptable L/C Lender under the Finance Documents in respect of that Letter of Credit or as contemplated by Clause 6.11 (Effect of Termination Date).

 

  (d)

Each Lender under a Revolving Facility shall notify the Agent:

 

  (i)

other than in the case of an Original Lender, on any date on which such Lender becomes such a Lender in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Increase) or Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) whether it is a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender within paragraph (a) of the definition thereof; and

 

  (ii)

as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of the same, that it has become a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender,

and as indicated in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties), in a Transfer Certificate, in an Assignment Agreement, Additional Facility Notice, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter, an Increase Confirmation or an Issuing Bank Accession Agreement to that effect will constitute a notice under paragraph (d)(i) above to the Agent.

 

  (e)

Any notice received by the Agent pursuant to paragraph (d) above shall constitute notice to the Issuing Bank of that Lender’s status and the Agent shall, upon receiving each such notice, promptly notify the Issuing Bank of that Lender’s status as specified in that notice.

 

  (f)

If a Lender who has provided cash collateral in accordance with this Clause 7.4:

 

  (i)

ceases to be a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender; and

 

  (ii)

no amount is due and payable by that Lender in respect of a Letter of Credit,

that Lender may, at any time it is not a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender, by notice to the Issuing Bank request that an amount equal to the amount of the cash provided by it as collateral in respect of that Letter of Credit (together with any accrued interest) standing to the credit of the relevant account held with the Issuing Bank be returned to it and the Issuing Bank shall pay that amount to the Lender within five (5) Business Days after the request from the Lender (and shall cooperate with the Lender in order to procure that the relevant security or collateral arrangement is released and discharged).

 

7.5

Cash cover by Borrower

 

  (a)

If a Lender which is a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender fails to provide cash collateral (or notifies the Issuing Bank or Agent that it will not provide cash collateral) in accordance with Clause 7.4 (Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender) and the Issuing Bank notifies the Obligors’ Agent of such event (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrower of the relevant Letter of Credit or proposed Letter of Credit may (in the case of a Letter of Credit not yet issued) elect to or (in the case of a Letter of Credit that has already been issued) shall provide cash cover to an account with the Issuing Bank in an amount equal to that Lender’s L/C Proportion of the outstanding amount of that Letter of Credit and in the currency of that Letter of Credit and that Borrower shall do so within three (3) Business Days after (as the case may be) such election or the notice is given.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (h) of Clause 1.2 (Construction), the Issuing Bank may agree to the withdrawal of amounts up to the level of that cash cover from the account if:

 

  (i)

it is satisfied that the relevant Lender is no longer a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender; or

 

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  (ii)

the relevant Lender’s obligations in respect of the relevant Letter of Credit are transferred to a New Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; or

 

  (iii)

an Increase Lender has agreed to undertake the obligations in respect of the relevant Lender’s L/C Proportion of the Letter of Credit.

 

  (c)

To the extent that a Borrower has provided cash cover in accordance with this Clause 7.5, the relevant Lender’s L/C Proportion in respect of that Letter of Credit will remain (but that Lender’s obligations in relation to that Letter of Credit may be satisfied in accordance with paragraph (e)(ii) of Clause 1.2 (Construction)). However, the relevant Borrower’s obligation to pay any Letter of Credit fee in relation to the relevant Letter of Credit to the Agent (for the account of that Lender) in accordance with paragraph (b) of Clause 17.5 (Fees payable in respect of Letters of Credit) will be reduced proportionately as from the date on which it complies with that obligation to provide cash cover (and for so long as the relevant amount of cash cover continues to stand as collateral).

 

  (d)

The relevant Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Agent of the extent to which a Borrower provides cash cover pursuant to this Clause 7.5 and of any change in the amount of cash cover so provided.

 

7.6

Rights of contribution

No Obligor or the Company will be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity from any Finance Party in respect of any payment it may make under this Clause 7.

 

7.7

Lender as Issuing Bank

A Lender which is also an Issuing Bank shall be treated as a separate entity in those capacities and capable, as a Lender, of contracting with itself as an Issuing Bank.

 

7.8

Existing Letters of Credit

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may by notice in writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date (including in any Utilisation Request) request that any Existing Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank be deemed a Letter of Credit issued and established under a Revolving Facility and with effect from the date specified in such notice (being a date falling within the Availability Period of the relevant Revolving Facility) that any such Existing Letter of Credit shall be a Letter of Credit for all purposes under this Agreement, subject to the Agent having received notification in writing from the Issuing Bank that it agrees to the Existing Letter of Credit being a Letter of Credit for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

8.

OPTIONAL CURRENCIES

 

8.1

Selection of currency

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) shall select the currency of a Revolving Facility Utilisation or an Additional Facility Loan in a Utilisation Request.

 

8.2

Unavailability of a currency

 

  (a)

If before the Specified Time on any Quotation Day:

 

  (i)

a Lender notifies the Agent that an Optional Currency requested under paragraph (a) of Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) is not readily available to it in the amount required; or

 

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  (ii)

a Lender notifies the Agent that compliance with its obligation to participate in a Loan in an Optional Currency requested under paragraph (a)(iv) of Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) would contravene a law or regulation applicable to it,

the Agent will give notice to the relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) to that effect by the Specified Time on that day. In this event, any Lender that gives notice pursuant to this Clause 8.2 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.

 

  (b)

A Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan will still be treated as a Rollover Utilisation if it is not denominated in the same currency as the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan by reason only of the operation of this Clause 8.2.

 

8.3

Agent’s calculations

Each Lender’s participation in a Loan will be determined in accordance with paragraph (b) of Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation).

 

9.

ANCILLARY FACILITIES

 

9.1

Type of Facility

An Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility may be made by way of any of the following (or any combination of the following):

 

  (a)

an overdraft, cheque clearing, automatic payment or other current account facility;

 

  (b)

a guarantee, bonding or documentary or stand-by letter of credit facility;

 

  (c)

a short term loan facility;

 

  (d)

a derivatives facility;

 

  (e)

a foreign exchange facility;

 

  (f)

a credit card facility;

 

  (g)

an automated payments or other current account facility; or

 

  (h)

any other facility or accommodation as may be required or desirable in connection with the business of the Group and which is agreed by the Company and the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be).

 

9.2

Availability

 

  (a)

If the Company and a Lender agree and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement:

 

  (i)

the Lender may provide an Ancillary Facility on a bilateral basis in place of all or part of that Lender’s unutilised Revolving Facility Commitment (which shall (except for the purposes of determining the Majority Lenders and of Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender)) be reduced by the amount of the Ancillary Commitment under that Ancillary Facility) (an Ancillary Facility); or

 

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  (ii)

the Lender (such Lender in this capacity a Fronting Ancillary Lender) may provide an Ancillary Facility (a Fronted Ancillary Facility) on a bilateral basis to that Borrower in place of all or any part of its unutilised Revolving Facility Commitment and (without any requirement for their agreement, provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, no person shall be required to become a Fronting Ancillary Lender) the unutilised Revolving Facility Commitments of other Lenders (together Fronted Ancillary Lenders),

and such Revolving Facility Commitments shall, in each case and except for the purposes of determining the Majority Lenders or any other voting class involving Lenders under the Revolving Facility and of Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender), be reduced by the amount of the Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments under that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

  (b)

Except for the Approved Existing Ancillary Facilities which shall be made available on and from the Closing Date as Ancillary Facilities or Fronted Ancillary Facilities without any further notice or delivery of information (but will otherwise be subject to the terms of this Clause 9), an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall not be made available unless at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Ancillary Commencement Date for that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Company and the Agent (each acting reasonably)), the Agent has received from the Company a notice in writing of the establishment of that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) and specifying:

 

  (i)

the proposed Borrower(s) (or, subject to Clause 9.9 (Affiliates of Borrowers), Affiliate(s) of a Borrower) which may use that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be);

 

  (ii)

the Ancillary Commencement Date and expiry date of that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be);

 

  (iii)

the proposed type or types of Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) to be provided;

 

  (iv)

the Ancillary Lender or the Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lenders (as the case may be) and any Affiliate of a Lender which will become an Ancillary Lender, Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender under and in accordance with Clause 9.8 (Affiliates of Lenders);

 

  (v)

the amount of the Ancillary Commitment or Fronted Ancillary Commitments and Fronting Ancillary Commitment (as the case may be), the maximum amount of the Ancillary Facility or the Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) and, if the Ancillary Facility or the Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) is an overdraft facility comprising more than one account its maximum gross amount (that amount being the Designated Gross Amount) and its maximum net amount (that amount being the Designated Net Amount); and

 

  (vi)

the currency or currencies of that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) (if not denominated in the Base Currency),

without prejudice to the rights of the Agent to so request, any other information which the Agent may reasonably request in relation to that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

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  (c)

The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender under the relevant Revolving Facility of the establishment of an Ancillary Facility or the Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

  (d)

No amendment or waiver of any term of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) shall require the consent of any Finance Party other than the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) unless such amendment or waiver itself relates to or gives rise to a matter which would require an amendment of or under this Agreement (including under this Clause). In such a case, the provisions of this Agreement with regard to amendments and waivers will apply.

 

  (e)

Subject to compliance with paragraph (b) above:

 

  (i)

the Lender concerned will become an Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be), and in the case of a Fronted Ancillary Facility only, the relevant Lender under the Revolving Facility will become a Fronted Ancillary Lender; and

 

  (ii)

the Ancillary Facility or the Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) will be available,

with effect from the date agreed by the Company and the Ancillary Lender.

 

9.3

Terms of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities

 

  (a)

Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, the terms of any Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) will be those agreed by the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) and the Company or the relevant Borrower.

 

  (b)

However, those terms:

 

  (i)

to the extent relating to the rate of interest, fees and other remuneration in respect of that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility, must be based upon the normal market rates and terms at that time of that Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender;

 

  (ii)

may only allow Borrowers (or Affiliates of Borrowers nominated pursuant to Clause 9.9 (Affiliates of Borrowers)) to use that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be);

 

  (iii)

may not allow:

 

  (A)

the applicable Ancillary Outstandings to exceed the Ancillary Commitment or the aggregate of the relevant Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as the case may be); or

 

  (B)

the Lender’s (or its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments, Fronting Ancillary Commitments or Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as the case may be) to exceed that Lender’s Available Commitment relating to the relevant Revolving Facility (before taking into account the effect of the Ancillary Facilities and/or Fronted Ancillary Facilities (as the case may be) on that Available Commitment);

 

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except as a result of currency fluctuations for an excess amounting to not more than five (5) per cent. of the amount of the respective Ancillary Commitment or the aggregate of the relevant Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as the case may be) unless the excess over such five (5) per cent. threshold is reduced in accordance with its terms;

 

  (iv)

unless otherwise agreed with the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender as the case may be (but with the prior consent of each applicable Revolving Facility Lender in the case of a Fronting Ancillary Lender), must, subject to Clause 9.14 (Continuation of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities), require that the Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitments and Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as the case may be) are reduced to zero, and that all Ancillary Outstandings are repaid (or cash cover provided in respect of all the Ancillary Outstandings) not later than the Termination Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility; and

 

  (v)

must, in relation to an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility, be subject to the Swiss Non-Bank Rules and limitations and representations, similar to those set out in this Agreement, including, without limitation, with respect to the conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participations, set out in Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation).

 

  (c)

If there is any inconsistency between any term of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) and any term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail except for:

 

  (i)

Clause 37.3 (Day count convention) which shall not prevail for the purposes of calculating fees, interest or commission relating to an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility;

 

  (ii)

Clause 18 (Taxes) of this Agreement, in which case the equivalent terms of the relevant Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall instead prevail;

 

  (iii)

an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility comprising more than one account where the terms of the Ancillary Documents shall prevail to the extent necessary to permit the netting of balances on those accounts; and

 

  (iv)

where the relevant term of this Agreement would be contrary to, or inconsistent with, the law governing the relevant Ancillary Document, in which case that term of this Agreement shall not prevail.

 

  (d)

Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities are dealt with in Clause 17.6 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities).

 

9.4

Repayment of Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (c) below and to Clause 9.14 (Continuation of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities), an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) shall cease to be available on the Termination Date in relation to the relevant Revolving Facility or, for the avoidance of doubt, such earlier date on which its expiry date occurs or on which it is cancelled in accordance with the terms of the relevant Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

  (b)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, if and to the extent an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) expires or is otherwise cancelled (in whole or in part) in accordance with its terms or is otherwise cancelled in accordance with this Agreement, the Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments of the Ancillary Lender or the Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lenders (as the case may be) shall be reduced to zero (or by such amount

 

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  that expires or has been cancelled) (and the relevant Revolving Facility Commitment of that Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender and the Fronted Ancillary Lenders (as the case may be) shall immediately be increased accordingly by the same amount).

 

  (c)

No Ancillary Lender, Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender may demand repayment or prepayment of, or cash cover for, any Ancillary Outstandings prior to the scheduled final expiry date of the relevant Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be), or otherwise take any action (without the consent of the Company) to terminate prior to its scheduled final expiry date any Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) unless it is permitted to do so under the relevant Ancillary Documents and if it gives the Company and the relevant Borrower not less than five (5) Business Days’ notice and (unless otherwise agreed by the relevant Borrower) unless:

 

  (i)

required to reduce the Gross Outstandings of an Ancillary Facility provided by way of a multi-account overdraft to or towards an amount equal to its Net Outstandings;

 

  (ii)

the relevant Total Revolving Facility Commitments have been cancelled in full, or all outstanding Utilisations under the relevant Revolving Facility have become or have been declared due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the expiry date of the Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility occurs;

 

  (iii)

it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in its Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of the Ancillary Lender, Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender (as applicable) to do so); or

 

  (iv)

the Ancillary Outstandings (if any) under that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) can be refinanced in full by a Revolving Facility Utilisation under the Revolving Facility pursuant to which that Ancillary Outstanding was incurred and the Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender gives sufficient notice to enable such a Revolving Facility Utilisation to be made to refinance those Ancillary Outstandings.

 

  (d)

For the purposes of determining whether or not the Ancillary Outstandings under an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) mentioned in paragraph (c)(iv) above or in Clause 9.6 (Voluntary cancellation of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities) can be refinanced by a Utilisation under the Revolving Facility pursuant to which that Ancillary Outstanding was incurred:

 

  (i)

the relevant Revolving Facility Commitment of the Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender will be increased by the amount of its Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment (as the case may be); and

 

  (ii)

the Utilisation may (so long as paragraph (b) above does not apply) be made irrespective of whether a Default is outstanding or any other applicable condition precedent is not satisfied (but only to the extent that the proceeds are applied in refinancing those Ancillary Outstandings) and irrespective of whether Clause 4.4 (Maximum number of Utilisations) or paragraph (a)(iv) of Clause 5.2 (Completion of a Utilisation Request for Loans) applies.

 

  (e)

On the making of a Utilisation of a Revolving Facility to refinance all or part of any Ancillary Outstandings under the same Revolving Facility:

 

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  (i)

each Lender will participate in that Utilisation in an amount (as determined by the Agent) which will result as nearly as possible in the aggregate amount of its participation in the relevant Revolving Facility Utilisations then outstanding bearing the same proportion to the aggregate amount of the relevant Revolving Facility Utilisations then outstanding as its relevant Revolving Facility Commitment bears to the relevant Total Revolving Facility Commitments; and

 

  (ii)

the relevant Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) shall be cancelled to the extent of such refinancing.

 

  (f)

In relation to an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) which comprises an overdraft facility where a Designated Net Amount has been established, the Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) providing that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall only be obliged to take into account for the purposes of calculating compliance with the Designated Net Amount those credit balances which it is permitted to take into account by the then current law and regulations in relation to its reporting of exposures to the applicable regulatory authorities as netted for capital adequacy purposes.

 

9.5

Ancillary Outstandings

Each Borrower and each Ancillary Lender agrees with and for the benefit of each Lender that:

 

  (a)

the Ancillary Outstandings under any Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall not exceed the Ancillary Commitment or aggregate of the relevant Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as the case may be) applicable to that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility; and

 

  (b)

where all or part of the Ancillary Facility is an overdraft facility comprising more than one account, the Ancillary Outstandings (calculated on the basis that the words “net of any credit balances on any account of any Borrower of an Ancillary Facility with the Ancillary Lender making available that Ancillary Facility to the extent that the credit balances are freely available to be set off by that Ancillary Lender against liabilities owed to it by that Borrower under that Ancillary Facility” of the definition of that term were deleted) shall not exceed the Designated Gross Amount applicable to that Ancillary Facility.

 

9.6

Voluntary cancellation of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities

The Company may at any time by not less than three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Agent and (in the case of Ancillary Facility) the applicable Ancillary Lender or (in the case of a Fronted Ancillary Facility) the applicable Fronting Ancillary Lender:

 

  (a)

cancel the whole or any part of an undrawn Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility; or

 

  (b)

prepay the whole or any part of a drawn Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility, whether by refinancing by a Utilisation under the relevant Revolving Facility in accordance with paragraph (d) of Clause 9.4 (Repayment of Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility) or otherwise,

in which event on the date specified in the notice, the respective Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitments of the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lenders shall be cancelled or prepaid and cancelled (as applicable) in the amount specified and, in each case, immediately converted into a relevant Revolving Facility Commitment. In the case of (i) any partial cancellation of a Fronted Ancillary Facility, the Fronting Ancillary Commitment of the Fronting Ancillary Lender and the Fronted Ancillary Commitments of the Fronted Ancillary Lenders shall be reduced rateably; and (ii) any partial prepayment of a Fronted Ancillary Facility, the Fronting Ancillary Lender and Fronted Ancillary Lenders shall be prepaid pro rata their Fronting Ancillary Commitment or Fronted Ancillary Commitments (as applicable).

 

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9.7

Information

Each Borrower, each Ancillary Lender, each Fronting Ancillary Lender and each Fronted Ancillary Lender shall, promptly upon request by the Agent, supply the Agent with any information relating to the operation of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (including the Ancillary Outstandings) as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time. Each Borrower consents to all such information being released to the Agent and the other Finance Parties.

 

9.8

Affiliates of Lenders

 

  (a)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, an Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Lender may become an Ancillary Lender, a Fronted Ancillary Lender or a Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be). In such case, other than for the purpose of any clause referring to Tax (including Clause 11.6 (Right of cancellation and repayment in relation to a single Lender or Issuing Bank), Clause 18 (Taxes) and Clause 21 (Mitigation by the Lenders)) to the extent such clauses expressly deal with Tax matters, the Revolving Facility Lender and its Affiliate shall be treated as a single Revolving Facility Lender whose Revolving Facility Commitment is the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment under the relevant Revolving Facility. For the purposes of calculating the Lender’s Available Commitment with respect to the relevant Revolving Facility, the Lender’s Commitment under the relevant Revolving Facility shall be reduced to the extent of the aggregate of the Ancillary Commitments, Fronting Ancillary Commitments and Fronted Ancillary Commitments of its Affiliates.

 

  (b)

The relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) shall specify any relevant Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Lender in any notice delivered by the Company to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 9.2 (Availability).

 

  (c)

An Affiliate of a Lender which becomes an Ancillary Lender, a Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender shall accede to the Intercreditor Agreement and any person which so accedes to the Intercreditor Agreement shall, at the same time, become a Party as an Ancillary Lender, a Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as applicable) in accordance with clause 21.9 (Creditor/Agent Accession Undertaking) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (d)

If a Lender assigns all of its rights and benefits or transfers all of its rights and obligations to a New Lender (as defined in Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders)), its Affiliate shall cease to have any obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

  (e)

Where this Agreement or any other Finance Document imposes an obligation on an Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender and the relevant Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender is an Affiliate of a Lender which is not a party to that document, the relevant Lender shall ensure that the obligation is performed by its Affiliate.

 

9.9

Affiliates of Borrowers

 

  (a)

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, a member of the Group which is an Affiliate of a Revolving Facility Borrower may with the approval of the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender become a borrower with respect to an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be).

 

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  (b)

The relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) shall specify any relevant Affiliate of a Borrower in any notice delivered by the Company to the Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 9.2 (Availability).

 

  (c)

If a Borrower ceases to be a Borrower under this Agreement in accordance with Clause 30.4 (Resignation of an Obligor), its Affiliate shall cease to have any rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document. If an Affiliate of a Borrower ceases to be an Affiliate of such Borrower, it shall cease to have any rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

  (d)

Where this Agreement or any other Finance Document imposes an obligation on a Borrower under an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility (as the case may be) and the relevant Borrower is an Affiliate of a Borrower which is not a party to that document, the relevant Borrower shall ensure that the obligation is performed by its Affiliate.

 

  (e)

Any reference in this Agreement or any other Finance Document to a Borrower being under no obligations (whether actual or contingent) as a Borrower under such Finance Document shall be construed to include a reference to any Affiliate of a Borrower being under no obligations under any Finance Document or Ancillary Document.

 

9.10

Revolving Facility Commitment amounts

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, each Lender shall ensure that at all times its Revolving Facility Commitment (ignoring for this purpose any reduction in its Revolving Facility Commitment arising out of such Lender providing an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility pursuant to this Clause 9) is not less than the aggregate of:

 

  (a)

its Ancillary Commitment and its Fronting Ancillary Commitment and its Fronted Ancillary Commitment (if any); and

 

  (b)

the Ancillary Commitment and Fronting Ancillary Commitment and Fronted Ancillary Commitment of its Affiliates (if any),

in each case under the applicable Revolving Facility.

 

9.11

Adjustments required in relation to Ancillary Facilities

The Agent may (and shall at the request of the Company), by notice in writing to the relevant Revolving Facility Lenders, reallocate drawn and undrawn Revolving Facility Commitments at the end of an Interest Period among relevant Revolving Facility Lenders as may be necessary to ensure that any relevant Revolving Facility Lender that intends to enter into an Ancillary Facility has an undrawn Commitment under the relevant Revolving Facility sufficient to allow it to enter into such Ancillary Facility, provided that for the avoidance of doubt no such reallocation may increase any Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment.

 

9.12

Adjustment for Ancillary Facilities upon acceleration

 

  (a)

In this Clause 9.12:

Revolving Outstandings means, in relation to a Lender, the aggregate of the equivalent in the Base Currency of (i) its participation in each Revolving Facility Utilisation then outstanding under a particular Revolving Facility (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed to it as a Lender under such Revolving Facility), and (ii) if the Lender is also an Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be), the Ancillary Outstandings in respect of the Ancillary Facilities or the Fronted Ancillary Facilities, attributable to that Ancillary

 

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  Lender (or its Affiliate) or to its Fronting Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed (or attributable) to it or to its Affiliate in such capacity).

Total Revolving Outstandings means the aggregate of all Revolving Outstandings.

 

  (b)

If a Declared Default occurs, each Lender, each Ancillary Lender and each Fronting Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender shall promptly adjust (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings) their claims in respect of amounts outstanding to them under the relevant Revolving Facility, each Ancillary Facility and each Fronted Ancillary Facility to the extent necessary to ensure that after such transfers the Revolving Outstandings of each Lender bear the same proportion to the relevant Total Revolving Outstandings as such Lender’s relevant Revolving Facility Commitment bears to the relevant Total Revolving Facility Commitments, each as at the date the notice of such Declared Default is served under Clause 28.12 (Acceleration).

 

  (c)

If an amount outstanding under an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility is a contingent liability and that contingent liability becomes an actual liability or is reduced to zero after the original adjustment is made under paragraph (b) above, then each Lender and Ancillary Lender or Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) will make a further adjustment (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings to the extent necessary) to put themselves in the position they would have been in had the original adjustment been determined by reference to the actual liability or, as the case may be, zero liability and not the contingent liability.

 

  (d)

Prior to the application of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Clause 9.12, an Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender that has provided an overdraft comprising more than one account under an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall set-off any liabilities owing to it under such overdraft facility against credit balances on any account comprised in such overdraft facility.

 

  (e)

All calculations to be made pursuant to this Clause 9.12 shall be made by the Agent based upon information provided to it by the Lenders and Ancillary Lenders, Fronted Ancillary Lenders or Fronting Ancillary Lenders.

 

9.13

Existing Ancillary Facilities

Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may by notice in writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date (including in any Utilisation Request) request that any Approved Existing Ancillary Facility made available by a Lender be deemed to be an Ancillary Facility established under a Revolving Facility (and in place of corresponding commitments of that Lender under the relevant Revolving Facility) and with effect from the date specified in such notice (being a date falling within the Availability Period for the relevant Revolving Facility) that Approved Existing Ancillary Facility shall be an Ancillary Facility for all purposes under this Agreement, subject to the Agent having received notification in writing from the Ancillary Lender concerned (or, as the case may be, the Affiliate of the Lender concerned) that it agrees to that Approved Existing Ancillary Facility being an Ancillary Facility for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

9.14

Continuation of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities

 

  (a)

Each Ancillary Facility and Fronted Ancillary Facility shall be prepaid and cancelled on the Termination Date (or such earlier date in accordance with this Agreement), provided that a Borrower and an Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender and/or Fronted Ancillary Lender (as the case may be) may, as between themselves only, agree that any

 

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  Ancillary Facilities or Fronted Ancillary Facilities will continue to remain available on a bilateral basis following the Termination Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Facility or, as the case may be, the date the relevant Revolving Facility Commitments are otherwise cancelled under this Agreement.

 

  (b)

If any arrangement contemplated in paragraph (a) above is to occur, each relevant Borrower and the Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or, as the case may be, the Fronting Ancillary Lender shall each confirm that to be the case in writing to the Agent. Upon such Termination Date or, as the case may be, date of cancellation, any such facility shall continue as between the said entities on a bilateral basis and not as part of, or under, the Finance Documents. Save for any rights and obligations against any Finance Party under the Finance Documents arising prior to such Termination Date or, as the case may be, date of cancellation, no such rights or obligations in respect of such Ancillary Facility or, as the case may be, Fronted Ancillary Facility shall, as between the Finance Parties (including in their capacity as Fronting Ancillary Lenders), continue and (to the extent applicable) the Transaction Security shall not support any such facility in respect of any matters that arise after such Termination Date or, as the case may be, date of cancellation.

 

9.15

Fronted Ancillary Commitment Indemnities

 

  (a)

A Borrower must, within five (5) Business Days of demand, indemnify each Fronting Ancillary Lender against any loss or liability which that Fronting Ancillary Lender incurs in acting as the Fronting Ancillary Lender under any Fronted Ancillary Facility requested by it (or any of its Affiliates), except to the extent that the loss or liability is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or breach of the terms of the Finance Documents by, that Fronting Ancillary Lender.

 

  (b)

Subject to paragraph (f) below, each Fronted Ancillary Lender must promptly on demand indemnify the Fronting Ancillary Lender (according to its Fronted Ancillary Portion) against any loss or liability which the Fronting Ancillary Lender incurs in acting as the Fronting Ancillary Lender under any Fronted Ancillary Facility and which at the date of demand has not been paid for by an Obligor, except to the extent that the loss or liability is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or breach of the terms of any Finance Document by, the Fronting Ancillary Lender.

 

  (c)

The relevant Borrower which requested for itself or for one of its Affiliates (or on behalf of which the Company requested) the Fronted Ancillary Facility must, within five (5) Business Days of demand, reimburse any Fronted Ancillary Lender for any payment it makes to the Fronting Ancillary Lender under paragraph (b) above except to the extent arising out of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of, or breach of the terms of any Finance Document by, such Fronted Ancillary Lender.

 

  (d)

The obligations of each Borrower and each Fronted Ancillary Lender under this Clause 9.15 are continuing obligations and will extend to the ultimate balance of all sums payable by that Borrower or Fronted Ancillary Lender in respect of any Fronted Ancillary Facility, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

  (e)

The obligations of any Fronted Ancillary Lender or Borrower under this Clause 9.15 will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 9.15, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 9.15 (whether or not known to it or any other person) including:

 

  (i)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with any Obligor, or any other person;

 

  (ii)

the release of any Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

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  (iii)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of any Obligor or other person;

 

  (iv)

any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

  (v)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of any Obligor or any other person;

 

  (vi)

any amendment (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document, or any other document or security, unless in the case of amendments to the terms of a Fronted Ancillary Facility or any instrument issued thereunder, the relevant Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) and/or Fronting Ancillary Lender had not provided their consent to such amendment(s);

 

  (vii)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

  (viii)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

  (f)

Each Fronting Ancillary Lender shall, promptly upon the request of any Fronted Ancillary Lender, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the relevant Fronted Ancillary Lender in order for that Fronted Ancillary 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 (including the payment of any amounts under the indemnity in paragraph (b) above).

 

9.16

Settlement Conditional/Subrogation

 

  (a)

Any settlement or discharge between a Fronted Ancillary Lender and the Fronting Ancillary Lender shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Fronting Ancillary Lender by a Fronted Ancillary Lender or any other person on behalf of the Fronted Ancillary Lender being avoided or reduced by virtue of any laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or similar laws of general application and, if any such security or payment is so avoided or reduced, the Fronting Ancillary Lender shall be entitled to recover the value or amount of such security or payment from such Fronted Ancillary Lender subsequently as if such settlement or discharge had not occurred.

 

  (b)

No Obligor will be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity from any Finance Party in respect of any payment it may make under this Clause 9.16.

 

9.17

Exercise of Rights

The Fronting Ancillary Lender shall not be obliged before exercising any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon it in respect of any Fronted Ancillary Lender by this Agreement or by law:

 

  (a)

to take any action or obtain judgment in any court against any Obligor; or

 

  (b)

to make or file any claim or proof in a winding up or dissolution of any Obligor.

 

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10.

REPAYMENT

 

10.1

Repayment of Original Term Facility Loans

Each Original Term Facility Borrower shall repay the aggregate Original Term Facility Loans made to it in full on the Termination Date in respect of the Original Term Facility, to the extent not repaid or prepaid prior to such date.

 

10.2

Repayment of Additional Facility Loans

Each Borrower of an Additional Facility Loan which is made available under a Term Facility shall repay that Additional Facility Loan borrowed by it:

 

  (a)

in relation to an Additional Facility which is repayable in instalments, in instalments by repaying on each applicable Amortising Facility Repayment Date the amount set opposite that Amortising Facility Repayment Date as set out in the table in the relevant Additional Facility Notice; and

 

  (b)

in relation to an Additional Facility which is not repayable in instalments, in full on the Termination Date applicable to that Additional Facility,

in each case, to the extent not repaid or prepaid prior to such date.

 

10.3

Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, each Borrower which has drawn a Revolving Facility Loan or a Swingline Loan shall repay that Loan (in the case of a Revolving Facility Loan) on the last day of its Interest Period or (in the case of a Swingline Loan) on the date, if any, selected by the Borrower in the Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan.

 

  (b)

Without prejudice to each Borrower’s obligation under paragraph (a) above, if one or more Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans are to be made available to a Borrower:

 

  (i)

on the same day that a maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan is due to be repaid by that Borrower;

 

  (ii)

in the same currency as the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 8.2 (Unavailability of a currency));

 

  (iii)

in whole or in part for the purpose of refinancing the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan; and

 

  (iv)

in the case of Revolving Facility Loans, the proportion borne by each Revolving Facility Lender’s participation in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan to the amount of that maturing Revolving Facility Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Revolving Facility Lender’s participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans to the aggregate amount of those new Revolving Facility Loans,

 

  (v)

in the case of Swingline Loans, the proportion borne by each Swingline Lender’s participation in the maturing Swingline Loan to the amount of that maturing Swingline Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Swingline Lender’s participation in the new Swingline Loans to the aggregate amount of those new Swingline Loans,

 

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the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans shall, unless the Obligors’ Agent notifies the Agent to the contrary in the relevant Utilisation Request, be treated as if applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan so that:

 

  (A)

if the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loan:

 

  (I)

the relevant Borrower will only be required to pay an amount in cash in the relevant currency equal to that excess; and

 

  (II)

each Lender’s participation (if any) in the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation (if any) in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan and that Lender will not be required to make its participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans available in cash; and

 

  (B)

if the amount of the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans:

 

  (I)

the relevant Borrower will not be required to make any payment in cash; and

 

  (II)

each Lender will be required to make its participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans available in cash only to the extent that its participation (if any) in the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation (if any) in the maturing Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan to be repaid and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline 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 Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan.

For the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of the provisions of this paragraph (B), a Borrower may utilise a Revolving Facility Loan for the purpose of refinancing in whole or in part a Revolving Facility Loan and/or a Swingline Loan that is due to be repaid and a Borrower may utilise a Swingline Loan for the purpose of refinancing in whole or in part a Swingline Loan and/or Revolving Facility Loan that is due to be repaid.

 

  (c)

At the same time that a Utilisation Request is made for a Swingline Loan, the relevant Borrower shall (unless the relevant Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan specifies otherwise) be deemed to have delivered to the Agent a duly completed Utilisation Request requesting a Revolving Facility Loan to refinance that Swingline Loan in accordance with paragraph (B) above (each a Swingline Rollover Loan):

 

  (i)

in an amount and currency equal to the amount and currency of that Swingline Loan;

 

  (ii)

for an Interest Period of one Month or such other period of up to six Months as notified by the relevant Borrower in the relevant Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan; and

 

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  (iii)

with a Utilisation Date falling 3 Business Day(s) after the date of receipt of the Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan.

 

  (d)

If any Swingline Loan has been outstanding for five (5) Business Days or more (the Relevant Swingline Loan), a Swingline Lender in respect of that Swingline Loan may request by notice (a Swingline Lender Utilisation Request) to the Agent and the Obligors’ Agent that the Relevant Swingline Loan is refinanced by a Revolving Facility Loan in accordance with paragraph (B) above provided it gives not less than 3 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Obligors’ Agent and the Agent. In respect of a Swingline Lender Utilisation Request, the relevant Borrower shall (unless the Obligors’ Agent notifies the Agent otherwise) be deemed to have delivered to the Agent a duly completed Utilisation Request requesting a Revolving Facility Loan:

 

  (i)

in an amount and currency equal to the amount and currency of the Relevant Swingline Loan;

 

  (ii)

for an Interest Period of one Month or such other period of up to six Months as notified by the relevant Borrower or the Company to the Agent prior to the Utilisation Date; and

 

  (iii)

with a Utilisation Date falling 3 Business Day(s) after the date of receipt of the Swingline Lender Utilisation Request.

 

  (e)

If:

 

  (i)

any Revolving Facility Loan is not repaid on the last day of its Interest Period or Swingline Loan is not repaid on the date, if any, selected by the Borrower in the Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan;

 

  (ii)

the applicable Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) has not notified the Agent that it intends to repay such Revolving Facility Loan on the last day of its Interest Period or Swingline Loan on the date, if any, selected by the Borrower in the Utilisation Request for that Swingline Loan; and

 

  (iii)

no notice of a Declared Default has been given,

a Rollover Loan under the Revolving Facility in an amount and currency equal to the amount and currency of that Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan and for an Interest Period of one Month or such other period of up to six Months as notified by the relevant Borrower or the Company to the Agent prior to the Utilisation Date shall be deemed to have been drawn on the last day of the Interest Period for that Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan and applied in repayment of that Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan.

 

  (f)

At any time when a Revolving Facility Lender or Swingline Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans then outstanding will be automatically extended to the Termination Date in relation to the Revolving Facility or Swingline Facility and will be treated as separate Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans (the Separate Loans) denominated in the currency in which the relevant participations are outstanding.

 

  (g)

A Borrower to whom a Separate Loan is outstanding may prepay that Loan by giving three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter time period as agreed between the Obligors’ Agent and Agent) prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this paragraph (g) to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt.

 

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  (h)

Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Interest Periods selected by the Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) by the time and date specified by the Agent (acting reasonably) and will be payable by that Borrower to the Defaulting Lender on the last day of each Interest Period of that Loan.

 

  (i)

The terms of this Agreement relating to Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with paragraphs (c) to (h) above, in which case those paragraphs shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loan.

 

10.4

Effect of Cancellation and Prepayment on Scheduled Repayments

 

  (a)

To the extent that any Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment is determined:

 

  (i)

prior to the utilisation of that Amortising Facility, by reference to a fixed number; or

 

  (ii)

in full or in part by reference any Available Commitment in respect of that Amortising Facility,

if the whole or any part of an Available Commitment in respect of that Amortising Facility in cancelled (other than to the extent that the Available Commitment under that Amortising Facility is subsequently increased by not less than the amount of such cancellation pursuant to Clause 2.3 (Increase)), such cancellation shall reduce each Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment in respect of that Amortising Facility on a pro rata basis.

 

  (b)

If the whole or any part of an Amortising Facility Loan is repaid or prepaid, such cancellation shall reduce each Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment in respect of that Amortising Facility as elected by the Obligors’ Agent or the applicable Borrower (in each case, in its sole discretion).

 

10.5

Allocation of Amortising Facility Repayment Instalments

If more than one Loan is outstanding under any Amortising Facility, the Obligors’ Agent may (in its sole discretion) reallocate all or part of an Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment due in respect of a Loan under such Amortising Facility (the First Loan) to any other Loan under such Amortising Facility (the Second Loan), such that:

 

  (a)

the Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment due in respect of the First Loan shall be reduced by the amount elected by the Obligors’ Agent; and

 

  (b)

the Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment due in respect of the Second Loan shall be increased by the amount by which the Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment in respect of the First Loan is reduced pursuant to paragraph (a) above.

 

11.

ILLEGALITY, VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

11.1

Illegality

If after the date of this Agreement (or, if later, the date the relevant Lender became a Party) it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its Commitment or participation in any Utilisation:

 

  (a)

that Lender, shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event setting out details thereof and the Agent shall notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving such notice;

 

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  (b)

upon the Agent notifying the Company, the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately reduced and cancelled to the extent necessary to comply with applicable laws; and

 

  (c)

to the extent that Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender), each Borrower shall repay that Lender’s reduced and cancelled participation in the Utilisations made to that Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Company 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 Commitment(s) shall be cancelled in the amount of the participations repaid.

 

11.2

Illegality in relation to Issuing Bank

If after the date of this Agreement (or, if later, the date on which the relevant Letter of Credit is issued) it becomes unlawful for an Issuing Bank to issue or leave outstanding any Letter of Credit, then:

 

  (a)

that Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event setting out details thereof;

 

  (b)

upon the Agent notifying the Company, the Issuing Bank shall not be obliged to issue any Letter of Credit to the extent that such issuance would be unlawful;

 

  (c)

to the extent it would be unlawful for any such Letter of Credit to remain outstanding, the Company shall procure that the relevant Borrower shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure the release of each Letter of Credit affected by such change in law issued by that Issuing Bank and outstanding at such time on or before the date specified by the Issuing Bank in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) or provide cash cover in respect of such Letter of Credit; and

 

  (d)

unless any other Lender is or has agreed to be an Issuing Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, a Revolving Facility under which the relevant Lender was the Issuing Bank shall cease to be available for the issue of Letters of Credit until such time as another Lender agrees to be an Issuing Bank.

 

11.3

Voluntary cancellation

 

  (a)

A Borrower (or the Obligors’ Agent on its behalf) may, by notice to the Agent:

 

  (i)

immediately cancel the whole or any part of an Available Facility; or

 

  (ii)

immediately upon any prepayment in accordance with Clause 11.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Term Loans) or 11.5 (Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Facility Utilisations) cancel the whole or any part of any Commitments subject to such prepayment.

 

  (b)

The amount of any partial cancellation of an Available Facility must:

 

  (i)

if the Original Term Facility, Original Revolving Facility or an Additional Facility denominated in euros is being cancelled, be a minimum of EUR 500,000 or, if less, the Available Facility; and

 

  (ii)

if an Additional Facility denominated in any other currency is being cancelled, be in a minimum amount and an integral multiple agreed by the relevant Additional Facility Lenders and specified in the applicable Additional Facility Notice or, if less, the Available Facility.

 

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  (c)

Any cancellation under this Clause 11.3 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under that Facility.

 

11.4

Voluntary prepayment of Term Loans

 

  (a)

A Borrower to which a Term Loan has been made (or the Company on its behalf) may in its sole discretion:

 

  (i)

if it gives the Agent not less than three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders under the relevant Term Facility) (each acting reasonably) may agree) prior notice; or

 

  (ii)

immediately upon a Change of Control,

prepay the whole or any part of that Term Loan.

 

  (b)

The amount of any partial prepayment of a Term Loan must:

 

  (i)

if the Original Term Facility or an Additional Facility denominated in euros is being prepaid, be a minimum of EUR 500,000 or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (ii)

if an Additional Facility denominated in any other currency is being cancelled, be in a minimum amount and an integral multiple agreed by the relevant Additional Facility Lenders and specified in the applicable Additional Facility Notice or, if less, the Available Facility.

 

  (c)

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may elect to apply a prepayment of Term Loans made under this Clause 11.4 against any or all of the Terms Loans in such proportions as it selects in its sole discretion.

 

  (d)

If there is more than one Borrower of the relevant Term Facility, the Obligors’ Agent may designate which Borrower or Borrowers will effect such repayment and the respective amounts to be repaid by each Borrower.

 

11.5

Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Facility Utilisations and Swingline Loans

 

  (a)

A Borrower to which a Revolving Facility Utilisation or Swingline Loan has been made (or the Company on its behalf) may in its sole discretion, (i) if it gives the Agent not less than (in the case of a Revolving Facility Utilisation) three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders under the relevant Revolving Facility may agree) or (in the case of a Swingline Loan) one Business Day’s (or such shorter period as the Swingline Lenders may agree) prior notice, or (ii) immediately upon a Change of Control, prepay the whole or any part of a Revolving Facility Utilisation or Swingline Loan.

 

  (b)

The amount of any partial prepayment of a Revolving Facility Loan or Swingline Loan must:

 

  (i)

if the Original Revolving Facility Loan, Swingline Loan or an Additional Facility denominated in euros is being prepaid, be a minimum of EUR 500,000 or, if less, the Available Facility;

 

  (ii)

if an Additional Facility denominated in any other currency is being cancelled, be in a minimum amount and an integral multiple agreed by the relevant Additional Facility Lenders and specified in the applicable Additional Facility Notice or, if less, the Available Facility.

 

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  (c)

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may elect to apply a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Utilisation or Swingline Loan made under this Clause 11.5 against any or all of the Revolving Facility Utilisation or Swingline Loan in such proportions as it selects in its sole discretion.

 

  (d)

If there is more than one Borrower of the relevant Revolving Facility or Swingline Loan, the Company may designate which Borrower or Borrowers will effect such repayment and the respective amounts to be repaid by each Borrower.

 

11.6

Right of cancellation and repayment in relation to a single Lender or Issuing Bank

 

  (a)

If:

 

  (i)

any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under Clause 14.6 (Minimum interest payment) or Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up);

 

  (ii)

any Lender or Issuing Bank claims indemnification from the an Obligor under Clause 18.3 (Tax Indemnity) or Clause 19.1 (Increased costs); or

 

  (iii)

any Lender requests payment from any Obligor based on the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event, the Company may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase, indemnification continues, give the Agent notice:

 

  (A)

(if such circumstances relate to a Lender) of cancellation of all or any part 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 40.7 (Replacement of Lender); or

 

  (B)

(if such circumstances relate to the Issuing Bank) of repayment of any outstanding Letter of Credit issued by it and cancellation of its appointment as an Issuing Bank under this Agreement in relation to any Letters of Credit to be issued in the future.

 

  (b)

On receipt of a notice of cancellation referred to in paragraph (a) above in relation to a Lender, 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 Company has given notice under paragraph (a) above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Company in that notice), each Borrower to which a Utilisation or utilisation of an Ancillary Facility is outstanding shall repay that Lender’s participation in that Utilisation or the utilisation of the Ancillary Facility granted by that Ancillary Lender (or, if applicable, the relevant part thereof) together with, in each case, all interest and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents or, as the case may be, provide full cash cover in respect of any Letter of Credit issued by that Issuing Bank (or, if applicable, otherwise repay the relevant Letter of Credit).

 

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11.7

Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank

If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank, the Obligors’ Agent may, at any time whilst that Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank (as applicable), immediately cancel some or all of the Available Commitments of that Lender.

 

11.8

Right of prepayment in relation to a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank

If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank, the Obligors’ Agent may, within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which that Lender is deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Non-Acceptable L/C Lender or Non-Qualifying Bank (as applicable), prepay and cancel all or part of the Commitments of such Lender.

 

12.

MANDATORY PREPAYMENT

 

12.1

Exit

 

  (a)

Upon the Company becoming aware of a Change of Control or a Sale (each an Exit Event):

 

  (i)

the Company shall promptly notify the Agent of that Exit Event and the Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and Issuing Bank accordingly; and

 

  (ii)

each Lender shall be entitled to cancel its Commitments and require repayment of all of its share of the Utilisations and payment of all amounts owing to it under the Finance Documents and each Issuing Bank shall be entitled to require that any Letters of Credit issued by it are prepaid and cancelled, in each case, by notification to the Agent within thirty (30) days of such Lender or Issuing Bank (as applicable) being notified by the Agent of that Exit Event, whereupon:

 

  (A)

on the date falling thirty (30) days after such Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) provides notification to the Agent, the undrawn Commitments of such Lender shall be cancelled and such Lender shall have no obligation to fund or participate in any new Utilisation or utilisation of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility (in each case other than (1) a Rollover Loan (2) a Letter of Credit issued or to be issued pursuant to a Renewal Request or (3) a Utilisation or utilisation of an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility to refinance any amount falling due under an Ancillary Facility or a Fronted Ancillary Facility) and, in the case of an Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any new Letter of Credit (other than a Letter of Credit issued or to be issued pursuant to a Renewal Request) on and from the date on which a Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) provides such a prepayment notice to the Agent; and

 

  (B)

on the date falling thirty (30) days after such Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) provides notification to the Agent, all outstanding Utilisations provided by such Lender and Ancillary Outstandings of such Lender (and/or, in the case of an Issuing Bank, all Letters of Credit provided by that Issuing Bank), together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or owing to such Lender (or Issuing Bank, as the case may be) under the Finance Documents shall become immediately due and payable, and the relevant Borrower will immediately prepay all Utilisations and amounts provided by or owing to that Lender and procure that any cash collateral provided by that Lender is released and (unless otherwise agreed between the Company and that Lender) any Letter of Credit or Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility provided by that Lender (or Issuing Bank, as the case may be) is prepaid and cancelled.

 

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  (b)

If a Lender or Issuing Bank has not notified the Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Clause within thirty (30) days of being notified of such Exit Event by the Agent in accordance with this Clause, in respect of that Exit Event (only), that Lender shall not be able to cancel its Commitments or require repayment of its share of the Utilisations and the prepayment of any other amount owing to it under the Finance Document and an Issuing Bank shall not be entitled to require that any Letter of Credit issued by it are repaid and cancelled, in each case pursuant to this Clause.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, an Ancillary Lender or, as the case may be, Issuing Bank may, as between itself and the relevant member of the Group, agree to continue to provide such Ancillary Facility or, as the case may be, Letter(s) of Credit, in which case, after notification thereof to the Agent such arrangements shall continue on a bilateral basis and not as part of, or under, the Finance Documents and save for any rights and obligations against any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents arising prior to such cancellation, no such rights or obligations in respect of the Letter(s) of Credit or, as the case may be, Ancillary Facility shall, as between the Finance Parties, continue and the Transaction Security shall not, following release thereof by the Security Agent, secure any such Letter(s) of Credit or Ancillary Facility in respect of any claims that arise after such cancellation.

 

12.2

Application of prepayments

 

  (a)

Any prepayment of a Utilisation pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Exit), Clause 11.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Term Loans) or Clause 11.5 (Voluntary prepayment of Revolving Facility Utilisations) shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation (or, in the case of a prepayment pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 12.1 (Exit)), shall be applied in accordance with paragraph (a)(ii) of that Clause.

 

  (b)

The Company and each other Obligor shall use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that any transaction giving rise to a prepayment obligation or obligation to provide cash cover is structured in such a way that it will not be unlawful (including by reason of thin capitalisation, financial assistance, capital maintenance, corporate benefit restrictions on upstreaming cash intra group and the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors or other officers of any member of the Group) for the Obligors to move the relevant proceeds received between members of the Group to enable a mandatory prepayment to be lawfully made, cash cover lawfully provided and the proceeds lawfully applied as provided under this Clause 12, and/or to minimise the costs and Taxes of making such mandatory prepayment (including using all reasonable endeavours to fund such payment from surplus cash in the Group that is not so trapped provided doing so would not be materially prejudicial to overall Group liquidity or the availability of such cash to members of the Group requiring funds). If, however (other than in respect of a prepayment pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Exit)) the costs and Taxes of making (or moving the funds to make) such mandatory prepayment would exceed three (3) per cent. of the amount of such payment at that time or after the Company and each such Obligor has used all such reasonable endeavours and taken such reasonable steps, it will still:

 

  (i)

be unlawful (including by reason of thin capitalisation, financial assistance, capital maintenance, corporate benefit restrictions on upstreaming cash intra-group and the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors or other officers of any member of the Group) or breach contractual restrictions (that were not entered into for the purpose of limiting such prepayment) for such a prepayment to be made and/or cash cover to be provided and the proceeds so applied (including where counsel to the Group has advised that there is a reasonable likelihood of personal liability of management or shareholders);

 

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  (ii)

be unlawful (including by reason of thin capitalisation, financial assistance, corporate benefit restrictions on upstreaming cash intra-group and the fiduciary and statutory duties of the directors or other officers of any member of the Group) or breach contractual restrictions (that were not entered into for the purpose of limiting such prepayment) to make funds available to a member of the Group that could make such a prepayment and/or provide such cash cover or where counsel to the Group has advised that there is a reasonable likelihood of personal liability of management or shareholders,

then such prepayment and/or provision of cash cover shall not be required to be made (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the relevant amount shall be available for the working capital purposes of the Group and shall not be required to be paid to a mandatory prepayment account or any other blocked account) provided always that if the restriction preventing such payment/provision of cash cover or giving rise to such liability is subsequently removed, any relevant proceeds will immediately be applied in prepayment and/or the provision of cash cover in accordance with this Clause 12 at the end of the relevant Interest Period(s) to the extent that such payment has not otherwise been made.

 

  (c)

The obligation to make a mandatory prepayment under Clause 12.1 (Exit) shall not be subject to any limitation set out under paragraph (b) above.

 

  (d)

If any Term Loans are prepaid in accordance with Clause 11.4 (Voluntary prepayment of Term Loans) then:

 

  (i)

the Company may, by giving not less than three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Agent, select in the case of a Term Facility, which Borrower or Borrowers (if more than one) under that Term Facility shall effect repayment of each Loan; or

 

  (ii)

if the Company does not make an election under this paragraph, each Borrower shall effect such repayment on a pro rata basis.

 

13.

RESTRICTIONS

 

13.1

Notices of Cancellation or Prepayment

Any notice of cancellation, prepayment, authorisation or other election given by any Party under Clause 11 (Illegality, Voluntary Prepayment and Cancellation) shall (subject to the terms of those Clauses), unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. In the event that a Borrower delivers a conditional or revocable notice of voluntary cancellation and/or voluntary prepayment under this Agreement, which it shall be permitted to do, that Borrower shall be liable for any Break Costs if the relevant prepayment is not made (provided that any demand from a Lender for payment of such Break Costs is accompanied by reasonable calculations and details of the amount demanded).

 

13.2

Interest and other amounts

Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs if not made on the last day of an Interest Period, without premium or penalty.

 

13.3

Reborrowing of the Facilities

 

  (a)

No Borrower may reborrow any part of a Term Facility which is prepaid.

 

  (b)

Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of a Revolving Facility or Swingline Facility which is prepaid or repaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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13.4

Prepayment in accordance with Agreement

No Borrower shall 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.

 

13.5

No reinstatement of Commitments

Subject to Clause 2.3 (Increase), no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.

 

13.6

Agent’s receipt of Notices

 

  (a)

If the Agent receives a notice under Clause 11 (Illegality, Voluntary Prepayment and Cancellation), it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice or election to either the Company or the affected Lender or Issuing Bank, as appropriate.

 

  (b)

If all or part of a participation of a Lender in a Term Loan is repaid or prepaid and is not available for redrawing, that Lender’s Commitment under the relevant Facility shall be reduced and cancelled by an amount equal to the amount repaid or prepaid.

 

14.

INTEREST

 

14.1

Calculation of interest

 

  (a)

The rate of interest on each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

 

  (i)

Margin; and

 

  (ii)

LIBOR or, in relation to any Loan in euro, EURIBOR or, in relation to any Loan in a Non-LIBOR Currency, IBOR (or in respect of an Additional Facility, the applicable Screen Rate set out in the Additional Facility Notice for the relevant Additional Facility).

 

  (b)

The rate of interest on each Swingline Loan for the period during which that Swingline Loan remains outstanding is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

 

  (i)

Margin; and

 

  (ii)

the Swingline Rate.

 

14.2

Payment of interest

 

  (a)

The Borrower to which a Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than six (6) Months, on the dates falling at six (6) monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).

 

  (b)

The Borrower to which a Swingline Loan has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan on the dates falling at three Monthly intervals after the first day of Utilisation of that Swingline Loan.

 

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14.3

Default interest

 

  (a)

If an Obligor 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 paragraph (b) below, is one (1) 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 14.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

 

  (b)

If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan:

 

  (i)

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

 

  (ii)

the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be one (1) 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 (to the extent permitted under applicable law with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

14.4

Notification of rates of interest

The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the relevant Borrower (or the Company) of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

14.5

Replacement of Screen Rate

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, any amendment or waiver which relates to providing for an additional or alternative benchmark rate, base rate or reference rate to apply in relation to that currency in place of that Screen Rate for an applicable Facility (including any amendment, replacement or waiver to the definition of “EURIBOR”, “LIBOR”, “IBOR” or “Screen Rate”, including an alternative or additional page, service or method for the determination thereof) (or which relates to aligning any provision of a Finance Document to the use of that other benchmark rate, base rate or reference rate, including making appropriate adjustments to this Agreement for basis, duration, time and periodicity for determination of that other benchmark rate, base rate or reference rate for any Interest Period and making other consequential and/or incidental changes) (a Benchmark Rate Change) may be made with the consent of the Majority Lenders participating in the applicable Facility to which that Benchmark Rate Change shall apply and the Obligors’ Agent.

 

  (b)

If the Obligors Agent or the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) requests the making of a Benchmark Rate Change, it shall notify the Agent or the Obligor’s Agent (as applicable) thereof and if such Benchmark Rate Change cannot be agreed upon by the date which is five (5) Business Days before the end of the current Interest Period (or in the case of a new Utilisation, the date which is five (5) Business Days before the date upon which the Utilisation Request will be served, as notified by the Obligors’ Agent to the Agent), the Screen Rate applicable to any Lender’s share of a Loan shall be replaced by the rate certified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable (and in any event by the date falling two (2) Business Days before the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of the relevant Interest Period) to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to the relevant Lender of funding its participation in that Loan in the Relevant Interbank Market.

 

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  (c)

Notwithstanding the definitions of “EURIBOR”, “LIBOR”, “IBOR” or “Screen Rate” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) or any other term of any Finance Document, the Agent may from time to time (with the prior written consent of the Company) specify a Benchmark Rate Change for any currency for the purposes of the Finance Documents, and each Lender authorises the Agent to make such specification.

 

14.6

Minimum interest payment

 

  (a)

By entering into this Agreement, the Parties have assumed in bona fide that the interest payable hereunder is not and will not become subject to any Tax Deduction on account of Swiss Withholding Taxes. Nevertheless, if a Tax Deduction is required by Swiss law to be made by a Swiss Borrower in respect of any interest payable by it under this Agreement and should paragraph (f) of Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) be unenforceable for any reason (where this could otherwise be required by the terms of Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up)) then,

 

  (i)

the applicable interest rate in relation to that interest payment shall be

 

  (A)

the interest rate which would have applied to that interest payment (as provided for in Clause 14.1 (Calculation of interest)) in the absence of this paragraph (i) divided by

 

  (B)

one (1) minus the rate at which the relevant Tax Deduction is required to be made (where the rate at which the relevant Tax Deduction is required to be made is for this purpose expressed as a fraction of 1 rather than as a percentage)

 

  (ii)

the Swiss Borrower shall be obliged to pay the relevant interest at the adjusted rate in accordance with paragraph (i) above and make the Tax Deduction required by Swiss law on the interest so recalculated; and

 

  (iii)

all references to a rate of interest in Clause 14.1 (Calculation of interest) shall be construed accordingly.

 

  (b)

To the extent that interest payable by a Swiss Borrower under this Agreement becomes subject to Swiss Withholding Tax, each relevant Lender and each Swiss Borrower shall promptly cooperate by completing any procedural formalities (including submitting forms and documents required by the appropriate Tax authority) to the extent possible and necessary for that Swiss Borrower to obtain authorization to make interest payments without them being subject to Swiss Withholding Tax or to being subject to Swiss Withholding Tax at a rate reduced under applicable double taxation treaties and all provisions in Clauses 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) and 18.3 (Tax Indemnity) shall apply in relation to such increased interest payment and Tax Deduction.

 

  (c)

In the event Swiss Withholding Tax is refunded to a Lender by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration, the relevant Lender shall forward, after deduction of costs, such amount to the relevant Swiss Borrower.

 

  (d)

A Swiss Borrower is not required to make an increased payment to a Lender under paragraph (ii) above in the case of a Tax Deduction which is due as a result of any of the reasons listed in paragraph (f) of Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up).

 

  (e)

In this Clause, a reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to the term in Clause 18.1 (Tax Definitions).

 

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15.

INTEREST PERIODS

 

15.1

Selection of Interest Periods and Terms

 

  (a)

A Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) may select an Interest Period for a Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Loan or (if the Loan is a Term Loan and has already been borrowed) in a Selection Notice.

 

  (b)

Each Selection Notice for a Term Loan is revocable and must be delivered to the Agent by the Borrower (or the Company on behalf of the Borrower) to which that Term Loan was made not later than the Specified Time.

 

  (c)

If a Borrower (or the Company) fails to deliver a Selection Notice to the Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the relevant Interest Period will be one (1) Month.

 

  (d)

Subject to this Clause 15, a Borrower (or the Company) may select an Interest Period of one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) Months, or, in each case, such other period agreed between the Company and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders participating in the relevant Loan).

 

  (e)

An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date applicable to its Facility.

 

  (f)

Each Interest Period for a Term Loan or as applicable a term Additional Facility shall start on the Utilisation Date or (if already made) on the last day of its preceding Interest Period.

 

  (g)

A Revolving Facility Loan has one Interest Period only.

 

  (h)

A Swingline Loan does not have an Interest Period and a Borrower is not required to select an Interest Period for a Swingline Loan.

 

  (i)

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may select an Interest Period of less than one (1), two (2), three (3) or six (6) Months:

 

  (i)

to align an Interest Period to a Quarter Date;

 

  (ii)

to align an Interest Period to an interest or coupon payment date in respect of or any Financial Indebtedness;

 

  (iii)

to align the first Interest Period for a Loan under an Additional Facility with any Interest Period in respect of any other Loans then outstanding;

 

  (iv)

if necessary or desirable to implement any interest rate hedging in relation to the Facilities; and/or

 

  (v)

in relation to an Amortising Facility if necessary or desirable to ensure that there are Amortising Facility Loans (with an aggregate Base Currency Amount) equal to or greater than an Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment with an Interest Period ending on a Amortising Facility Repayment Date for an Amortising Facility in order for the Borrowers to make the Amortising Facility Repayment Instalment due on that date.

 

15.2

Non-Business Days

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).

 

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15.3

Consolidation and division of Term Loans

 

  (a)

If two or more Interest Periods:

 

  (i)

relate to the Original Term Facility Loans to be made to the same Borrower; and

 

  (ii)

end on the same date,

those Original Term Facility Loans (as applicable) will, unless that Original Term Facility Borrower (as applicable) requests to the contrary in a Selection Notice for the next Interest Period or those Loans are denominated in different currencies, be consolidated into, and treated as, a single Original Term Facility Loan (as applicable) on the last day of the Interest Period.

 

  (b)

If two or more Interest Periods:

 

  (i)

relate to Additional Facility Loans to be made to the same Borrower by the same Lenders under the same Additional Facility which is a Term Facility; and

 

  (ii)

end on the same date,

those Additional Facility Loans will, unless that Additional Facility Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) requests to the contrary in a Selection Notice for the next Interest Period, be consolidated into, and treated as, a single Additional Facility Loan on the last day of the Interest Period.

 

  (c)

Subject to Clause 4.4 (Maximum number of Utilisations), and Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount) if a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) requests in a Selection Notice that a Term Loan be divided into two or more Term Loans under the relevant Facility, that Term Loan will, on the last day of its Interest Period, be so divided with Base Currency Amounts specified in that Selection Notice, having an aggregate Base Currency Amount equal to the Base Currency Amount of the relevant Term Loan immediately before its division.

 

16.

CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST

 

16.1

Absence of quotations

Subject to Clause 16.2 (Market disruption), if EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR (as applicable) is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by the Specified Time on the Quotation Day, the applicable EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Banks.

 

16.2

Market disruption

 

  (a)

If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

 

  (i)

the Margin; and

 

  (ii)

the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event by close of business on the date falling three (3) Business Days after the Quotation Day (or, if earlier, on the date falling three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select,

 

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provided that, if the percentage rate per annum notified by the Lender is less than the applicable LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR, or a Lender has not notified the Agent of a percentage rate per annum, the cost of that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed (for the purposes of this paragraph (a)) to be the applicable LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR.

 

  (b)

If:

 

  (i)

the percentage rate per annum notified by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above is less than EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR (as applicable); or

 

  (ii)

a Lender has not notified the Agent of a percentage rate per annum pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) above,

the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of paragraph (a) above, to be EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR (as applicable).

 

  (c)

In this Agreement:

Market Disruption Event means:

 

  (i)

at or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR (as applicable), is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks and none or only one of the Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Agent to determine the applicable LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR for the relevant currency and Interest Period; or

 

  (ii)

before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in a Loan exceed forty (40) per cent. of that Loan) that the cost to it of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of the applicable LIBOR, EURIBOR or IBOR.

 

  (d)

If any Lender does not supply a quotation by the time specified in paragraph (a)(ii) above, the rate of interest shall be calculated on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Lenders.

 

16.3

Alternative basis of interest or funding

 

  (a)

If a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the Obligors’ Agent so requires, the Agent and the Obligors’ Agent shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty (30) days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest in respect of any affected Loan.

 

  (b)

Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Company, be binding on all Parties, provided that:

 

  (i)

any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (a) shall automatically be binding on a Defaulting Lender;

 

  (ii)

any alternative basis agreed pursuant to paragraph (a) shall automatically be binding on any Lender which does not accept or reject a request for any such consent before 5.00 p.m. on the date falling ten (10) Business Days’ from the date of that request being made (or such other time and date as the Company may specify, with the consent of the Agent if less than ten (10) Business Days from the date of such request being made); and

 

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  (iii)

any Lender which rejects a request for any such consent shall be deemed to be a Non-Consenting Lender for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

16.4

Break Costs

 

  (a)

Each Borrower shall, within five (5) Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by that Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.

 

  (b)

Each Lender shall, together with any demand by the Agent under paragraph (a) above, provide a certificate confirming the amount of (and giving reasonable details of the calculation of) its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue, a copy of which shall be provided to the Obligors’ Agent.

 

  (c)

If a Borrower (or the Obligors’ Agent on its behalf) notifies the Agent that it proposes to pay all or part of any Loan or Unpaid Sum on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum, at or prior to 11.30 a.m. on the date falling three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such prepayment:

 

  (i)

the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of such proposed payment;

 

  (ii)

each Finance Party shall confirm its anticipated Break Costs at or prior to 11.30 a.m. on the date falling one (1) Business Day prior to the date of such proposed payment; and

 

  (iii)

if any Finance Party fails to confirm its Break Costs in respect of such payment in accordance with paragraph (ii) above, its Break Costs shall be deemed to be zero (0).

 

17.

FEES

 

17.1

No deal, No fees

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, no fees (including for the avoidance of doubt, arrangement, upfront, underwriting, market participation, ticking and commitment fees), commissions, costs or other expenses will be payable unless the Closing Date occurs.

 

  (b)

Reasonable and properly incurred legal costs, expenses and disbursements in connection with the drafting and negotiation of the Finance Documents and any other pre-agreed costs or expenses, in each case, up to an amount agreed (if any agreed) between the Arrangers and the Company (or on its behalf) will be payable by the Company (or on its behalf) even if the Closing Date does not occur.

 

17.2

Commitment fee

 

  (a)

The Company shall pay (or procure there is paid) to the Agent (for the account of each applicable Lender) a fee in the Base Currency computed at:

 

  (i)

in respect of the Original Revolving Facility, the rate of thirty (30) per cent. of the applicable Margin on that Lender’s Available Commitment under the Original Revolving Facility for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the Availability Period applicable to the Original Revolving Facility; and

 

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  (ii)

in respect of an Additional Facility, the rate and for the period (if any) specified in the relevant Additional Facility Notice on that Additional Facility Lenders Available Commitment under the relevant Additional Facility.

 

  (b)

The accrued commitment fee is payable in arrears on the last day of each successive period of three (3) Months which ends during the Availability Period applicable to the Original Revolving Facility or Additional Facility (as applicable), on the last day of the Availability Period applicable to the Original Revolving Facility or Additional Facility and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment under the applicable Facility at the time the cancellation is effective.

 

  (c)

No accrued commitment fee shall be payable if the Closing Date does not occur.

 

  (d)

No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Revolving Facility Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Revolving Facility Lender for any day on which that Revolving Facility Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

17.3

Upfront fee

The Company shall pay (or procure there is paid) to the Agent (for the account of the Original Lenders) an upfront fee in the amount and at the times agreed in the Fee Letter provided that such fee shall not be payable if the Closing Date does not occur.

 

17.4

Agent and Security fees

 

  (a)

The Company shall pay (or procure there is paid) to the Agent (for its own account) a fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

  (b)

The Company shall pay (or procure there is paid) to the Security Agent (for its own account) a fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

17.5

Fees payable in respect of Letters of Credit

 

  (a)

The Company or a Borrower shall pay (or procure there is paid) a fronting fee at the rate of 0.125 per cent. per annum (unless otherwise agreed by the relevant Borrower (or the Company) and the relevant Issuing Bank) on the part of its outstanding exposure under each Letter of Credit requested by it which is counter-indemnified by other Lenders (that are not Affiliates of the Issuing Bank) and which is not cash collateralised, repaid, prepaid or cancelled, for the period from the issue of that Letter of Credit until its Expiry Date (or the date of its repayment, prepayment or cancellation, if earlier) (a Fronting Fee). At the election of the Company or the applicable Borrower, the Fronting Fee shall be paid to the relevant Issuing Bank or the Agent on behalf of the relevant Issuing Bank. The Fronting Fee shall be paid in the Base Currency (unless otherwise agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Obligors’ Agent).

 

  (b)

The Company or each Borrower for whose account a Letter of Credit is issued shall pay (or procure there is paid) to the Agent (for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender) a Letter of Credit fee on the outstanding amount of each Letter of Credit (excluding any amount in respect of which cash cover has been provided by the Borrower) requested by it for the period from the issue of that Letter of Credit until the Expiry Date (or the date of its cancellation then, if earlier). The Letter of Credit fee shall be computed at the rate equal to the applicable Margin for the relevant Revolving Facility. Any such fee shall be distributed according to each Lender’s L/C Proportion of that Letter of Credit. Each such Letter of Credit fee shall be paid in the Base Currency (unless otherwise agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Obligors’ Agent).

 

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  (c)

The fees payable under paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall be payable in arrears on each Quarter Date (or such shorter period as shall end on the Expiry Date for that Letter of Credit) and on the date on which the relevant Letter of Credit is repaid or prepaid or the relevant Revolving Facility Commitments are cancelled in full.

 

  (d)

If a Borrower provides cash cover in respect of any Letter of Credit each Borrower shall be entitled to withdraw interest accrued on the cash cover to pay the fees described in the paragraphs above.

 

  (e)

Each Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Bank (for its own account) an issuance/administration fee in the amount and at the times specified in a Fee Letter.

 

17.6

Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities

 

  (a)

The rate and time of payment of interest, commission, fees and any other remuneration in respect of each Ancillary Facility shall be determined by agreement between the relevant Ancillary Lender and the Borrower of (or its Affiliate which borrows) that Ancillary Facility based upon normal market rates and terms.

 

  (b)

In relation to a Fronted Ancillary Facility:

 

  (i)

promptly following each Quarter Date and each date on which a Fronted Ancillary Facility is terminated or cancelled (in whole or part) (a Notice Date), each Fronting Ancillary Lender shall notify the Company and the applicable Borrower of the average amount outstanding under that applicable Fronted Ancillary Facility for each period starting on the date of the commencement of the relevant Fronted Ancillary Facility, or as applicable the previous Quarter Date, and ending on the next Quarter Date, or as applicable on the date on which such Fronted Ancillary Facility is terminated or cancelled (in whole or part) (each a Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee Period); and

 

  (ii)

the Borrower that requested (or on behalf of which the Company requested), or its Affiliate which is the borrower of, the relevant Fronted Ancillary Facility shall pay (or procure that there is paid) to the applicable Fronting Ancillary Lender (for the account of the Fronting Ancillary Lender and each Fronted Ancillary Lender) a fee (the Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee) in relation to each Fronted Ancillary Facility computed at the rate equal to the Margin applicable to a Loan under the Revolving Facility on the aggregate amount of the Ancillary Outstandings under the Fronted Ancillary Facility during each Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee Period (as determined by the Fronting Ancillary Lender in accordance with paragraph (a) above) in the currency of that Fronted Ancillary Facility calculated on an average basis. The accrued Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee shall be payable promptly upon notification by the applicable Fronting Ancillary Lender at any time after each Notice Date.

 

  (c)

The Fronting Ancillary Lender shall retain its pro rata entitlement to each Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee paid under paragraph (b) above and distribute the remainder of such Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee to the Fronted Ancillary Lenders pro rata. A Fronted Ancillary Lender’s and the Fronting Ancillary Lender’s pro rata share of any such fee will be equal to the proportion borne by its Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment to the aggregate of all Fronted Ancillary Commitments and the Fronting Ancillary Commitment under the relevant Fronted Ancillary Facility on the average basis during the applicable Fronted Ancillary Facility Fee Period.

 

  (d)

The Borrower who requested (or on behalf of which the Company requested), or its Affiliate which is the borrower of, a Fronted Ancillary Facility shall in addition pay to the relevant Fronting Ancillary Lender a fee for acting as Fronting Ancillary Lender and otherwise in such amount as shall be agreed between such Fronting Ancillary Lender and such Borrower (or the Company or Affiliate) based upon its normal market rates and terms.

 

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17.7

Defaulting Lenders

Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Finance Documents:

 

  (a)

no commitment fee shall accrue (or be payable) on the Available Commitment of a Lender whilst that Lender is a Defaulting Lender; and

 

  (b)

no other fees, costs or expenses shall, in each case, be payable to a Lender whilst that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the fees payable under the Finance Documents shall be reduced accordingly).

 

18.

TAXES

 

18.1

Tax Definitions

In this Agreement:

Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction means, in relation to any Borrower, the jurisdiction in which the relevant Borrower is incorporated or organised.

Change of Law means any change which occurs after the date of this Agreement or, if later, after the date on which the relevant Lender became a Lender pursuant to this Agreement (as applicable) in any law, regulation or treaty (or in the interpretation, administration or application of any law, regulation or treaty) or any published practice or published concession of any relevant tax authority other than (a) any change that occurs pursuant to, or in connection with the adoption, ratification, approval or acceptance of, the MLI in or by any jurisdiction; (b) any change arising in consequence of, or in connection with, the United Kingdom ceasing to be a member state of the European Union; or (c) the adoption of a conditional withholding tax in the Netherlands pursuant to the legislative proposal for the Dutch Witholding Tax Act 2021 (Wet bronbelasting 2021).

Dutch Borrower means a Borrower incorporated or established under the laws of the Netherlands.

Dutch Civil Code means the Burgerlijk Wetboek of the Netherlands.

Dutch Obligor means an Obligor which is incorporated or established under the laws of the Netherlands.

Dutch Qualifying Lender means in relation to a Dutch Borrower or Guarantor making a payment of interest under a Finance Document, a Lender which is beneficially entitled to that interest and is:

 

  (a)

a Lender which is a Dutch Treaty Lender; or

 

  (b)

a Lender which fulfills the conditions imposed by Dutch law in order for a payment of interest not to be subject to (or as the case may be, exempted from) any Tax Deduction.

Dutch Treaty Lender means in relation to a payment of interest by or in respect of a Dutch Borrower under a Finance Document, a Lender which:

 

  (a)

is treated as a resident of a Dutch Treaty State for the purposes of the relevant Dutch Treaty;

 

  (b)

does not carry on a business in the Netherlands through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and

 

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  (c)

fulfils any other conditions which must be fulfilled under the relevant Dutch Treaty in order to benefit from full exemption from Tax imposed by the Netherlands on such interest payments, including the completion of any necessary procedural formalities.

Dutch Treaty State means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a Dutch Treaty) in force with the Netherlands which makes provision for full exemption from Tax imposed by the Netherlands on interest.

MLI means the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting of 24 November 2016.

Other Qualifying Lender means a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable by the relevant Other State Borrower to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and is:

 

  (a)

a Lender which fulfils the conditions imposed by the laws of the Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction in order for such payment not to be subject to (or as the case may be, exempted from) any Tax Deduction; or

 

  (b)

an Other Treaty Lender in respect of the relevant Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction.

Other State Borrower means a Borrower other than a Swiss Borrower or a Dutch Borrower.

Other Treaty Lender means a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable by the relevant Other State Borrower to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and:

 

  (a)

is treated as a resident of the relevant Other Treaty State for the purposes of the relevant Other Treaty;

 

  (b)

does not carry on a business in the relevant Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected; and

 

  (c)

fulfils any conditions which must be fulfilled under the Other Treaty by residents of the Other Treaty State and complies with all necessary procedural formalities required in order to benefit from full exemption from Tax imposed by the Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction Other Treaty State on interest payments due to that Lender under a Finance Document.

Other Treaty State means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (an Other Treaty) with the relevant Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction which makes provision for full exemption from Tax imposed by the relevant Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction on interest.

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 Bank means:

 

  (a)

any “bank” as defined in the Swiss Federal Code for Banks and Savings Banks dated 8 November 1934 (Bundesgesetz über die Banken und Sparkassen); or

 

  (b)

a person or entity which effectively conducts banking activities with its own infrastructure and staff as its principal purpose and which has a banking licence in full force and effect issued in accordance with the banking laws in force in its jurisdiction of incorporation or, if acting through a branch, issued in accordance with the banking laws in the jurisdiction of such branch, in each case within the meaning of the Swiss Guidelines.

 

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Qualifying Lender means a Qualifying Bank, a Dutch Qualifying Lender or an Other Qualifying Lender.

Swiss Borrower means, for the purposes of Swiss Withholding Tax, a Borrower incorporated under the laws of Switzerland or tax resident in Switzerland for Swiss Withholding Tax purposes.

Swiss Federal Tax Administration means the tax authorities referred to in article 34 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

Swiss Guidelines means all relevant federal tax statutes and guidelines issued by the Swiss Federal Tax Administration as amended or newly issued from time to time, including the established practice of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration and any court decision relating thereto.

Swiss Non-Bank Rules means the Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule and the Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule.

Swiss Obligor means an Obligor incorporated under the laws of Switzerland or tax resident in Switzerland for Swiss Withholding Tax purposes.

Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule means the rule that the aggregate number of Lenders which are not Qualifying Banks to the Borrowers must not at any time exceed ten (10), in accordance with the meaning of the Swiss Guidelines or applicable legislation or explanatory notes addressing the same issues which are in force at such time.

Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule means the rule that (without duplication) the aggregate number of creditors (including the Lenders), other than Qualifying Banks, of a Swiss Borrower under all outstanding debts being relevant for the qualification as debentures (Kassenobligationen) (within the meaning of the Swiss Guidelines), including (intra-group) loans (if and to the extent intra-group loans are not exempt in accordance with the ordinance of the Swiss Federal Council of 18 June 2010 amending the Swiss Federal Ordinance on withholding tax and the Swiss Federal Ordinance on stamp duties with effect as of 1 August 2010), credit facilities and/or private placements (including debts under the Finance Documents), must not at any time exceed twenty (20), in accordance with the meaning of the Swiss Guidelines or legislation or explanatory notes addressing the same issues which are in force at such time.

Swiss Withholding Tax means any Tax levied pursuant to the Swiss Federal Act on Withholding Tax (Bundesgesetz über die Verrechnungssteuer vom 13. Oktober 1965, SR 642.21), as amended from time to time together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines.

Tax Credit means a credit against, relief from, or rebate, remission, refund 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 an Obligor to a Finance Party under Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) or a payment under Clause 18.3 (Tax Indemnity).

Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 18 (Taxes) a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination acting in good faith.

 

18.2

Tax Gross Up

 

  (a)

All payments shall be made by each Obligor under each Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

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  (b)

The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is a change in the rate or the basis of any Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender or Issuing Bank. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender or Issuing Bank it shall notify the Company and that Obligor.

 

  (c)

If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor shall be increased to an amount which, after any Tax Deductions, leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due had no Tax Deduction been required.

 

  (d)

A payment by a Dutch Borrower or by a Guarantor in respect of an amount due from a Dutch Borrower shall not be increased under paragraph 18.2(c) above by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by the Netherlands if, on the date the payment falls due:

 

  (i)

the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Dutch Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Dutch Qualifying Lender, other than as a result of any Change of Law; or

 

  (ii)

the relevant Lender is a Dutch Treaty Lender and the Obligor making the payment is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without a Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under paragraph (i) below.

 

  (e)

A payment by an Other State Borrower or by a Guarantor in respect of an amount due from an Other State Borrower shall not be increased under paragraph (c) above by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by that Borrower’s Tax Jurisdiction, if on the date on which the payment falls due:

 

  (i)

the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender in relation to that Other State Borrower, but on that date that Lender is not, or has ceased to be, a Qualifying Lender in relation to that Other State Borrower other than as a result of any Change of Law; or

 

  (ii)

the relevant Lender is an Other Treaty Lender and the Obligor making the payment 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 paragraphs (i) to (k) below.

 

  (f)

Notwithstanding any other term of the Finance Documents, no Borrower or Guarantor in respect of an amount due from a Borrower shall be required to pay any amounts under Clause 14.6 (Minimum Interest Payment) or this Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) (a Swiss Additional Amount) (in each case) to:

 

  (i)

any Lender where such Lender has made an incorrect declaration as to its status as a Qualifying Bank;

 

  (ii)

any Lender (or any assignee, transferee or sub-participant of that Lender) where such Lender fails to comply with the requirements of Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders); or

 

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  (iii)

any Lender where such Lender is not or ceases to be a Qualifying Bank (other than where such Lender ceases to be a Qualifying Bank as a result of any Change of Law).

 

  (g)

If an Obligor is required by law to make a Tax Deduction it shall make the Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction in the time allowed by law and minimum amount required by law.

 

  (h)

Within thirty (30) days after making either a Tax Deduction or a payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction or payment shall deliver to the Agent for the relevant Finance Party evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment has been made to the relevant Tax authority.

 

  (i)

A Lender and each Obligor which makes a payment to which that Lender is entitled shall co-operate in promptly completing or assisting with the completion of any procedural formalities necessary for that Obligor to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction and maintain that authorisation where an authorization expires or otherwise ceases to have effect.

 

  (j)

 

  (i)

Each Original Lender represents and warrants to each Obligor that on the date of this Agreement (or, if later, the date it became party to this Agreement) it is a Qualifying Bank.

 

  (ii)

The Company may request a Lender to confirm (and such Lender shall duly confirm) whether or not it is a Qualifying Bank if the Company reasonably believes that such Lender’s status has changed.

 

  (k)

If:

 

  (i)

a Tax Deduction should have been made in respect of a payment made by or on account of an Obligor to a Lender under a Finance Document; and

 

  (ii)

either:

 

  (A)

the relevant Obligor was unaware, and could not reasonably be expected to have been aware, that the Tax Deduction was required and as a result did not make the Tax Deduction;

 

  (B)

in reliance on the notifications and confirmation provided pursuant to Clause 18.5 (Lender Status Confirmation) the relevant Obligor does not make such Tax Deduction; or

 

  (C)

the Lender or Issuing Bank has not complied with its obligation under paragraph (b) above and as a result the relevant Obligor did not make the Tax Deduction;

then the Lender that received the payment in respect of which the Tax Deduction should have been made undertakes to promptly reimburse that Obligor for the amount of the Tax Deduction that should have been made and any penalty, interest and expenses payable or incurred in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same.

 

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18.3

Tax Indemnity

 

  (a)

The Company shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of demand from 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)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

 

  (i)

with respect to any Tax of a Finance Party:

 

  (A)

under the laws 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;

 

  (B)

under the laws of the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office or other permanent establishment is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction (or in respect of amounts attributed to the permanent establishment on the basis that personnel of the Finance Party are undertaking relevant functions in the jurisdiction where that permanent establishment is located); or

 

  (C)

under the laws of the Netherlands to the extent levied on the basis of article 17a, paragraph c of the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969 (Wet op de vennootschapsbelasting 1969) or any replacement,

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 if that Tax is considered a franchise Tax (imposed in lieu of net income Tax) or a branch profits or similar Tax; or

 

  (ii)

if and to the extent that a loss, liability or cost:

 

  (A)

is compensated for by an increased payment pursuant to Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) or Clause 14.6 (Minimum interest payment); or

 

  (B)

would have been so compensated but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (a) or (d) of Clause 18.2 (Tax Gross Up) or Clause 14.6 (Minimum interest payment) applied;

 

  (C)

is suffered or incurred by a Lender and would not have been suffered or incurred if such Lender had been a Qualifying Lender in relation to the relevant Obligor at the relevant time, unless that Lender was not a Qualifying Lender at the relevant time as a result of a Change of Law;

 

  (D)

is suffered or incurred by a Lender as a result of such Lender’s failure to comply with its obligations under Clause 18.5 (Lender Status Confirmation);

 

  (E)

(for the avoidance of doubt) is compensated for by Clause 18.6 (Stamp taxes) or Clause 18.7 (VAT) (or would have been so compensated for under that Clause but was not so compensated solely because any of the exceptions set out therein applied); or

 

  (F)

relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party; or

 

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  (G)

is increased as a result of the Protected Party not complying with paragraph (c) below;

 

  (H)

(for the avoidance of doubt) is suffered or incurred with respect to any Bank Levy (or any payment attributable to, or liability arising as a consequence of, a Bank Levy); or

 

  (I)

is suffered or incurred with respect to any Bank Surcharge (or any payment attributable to, or liability arising as a consequence of, a Bank Surcharge).

 

  (c)

A Protected Party making, or intending to make, a claim under paragraph (a) of this Clause 18.3 shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent will notify the Company.

 

  (d)

A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this Clause 18.3, notify the Agent.

 

18.4

Tax Credits

If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines acting reasonably and in good faith that;

 

  (a)

a Tax Credit is attributable either 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 or an Affiliate has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit or other similar Tax benefit which is attributable to that Tax Payment,

the Finance Party shall pay within five (5) Business Days upon the utilisation of any Tax Credit or similar Tax benefit an amount to the Obligor which that Finance Party determines acting reasonably and in good faith and providing such evidence to the Obligor in respect of such amounts as the Obligor may reasonably request in writing and the Finance Party can reasonably provide, will leave it or the Affiliate (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 Obligor.

 

18.5

Lender Status Confirmation

 

  (a)

Each Lender which must complete procedural formalities in order to receive payments under this Agreement without a Tax Deduction being imposed or with a minimum Tax Deduction under applicable law, shall notify the Agent and the Company promptly on completion of all such formalities.

 

  (b)

Each Original Lender and the Original Issuing Bank herewith confirms and represents that it is a Qualifying Bank and each Lender and each Issuing Bank which becomes a Party after the date of this Agreement shall confirm and represent in the Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Issuing Bank Accession Agreement or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter (as applicable) which it executes on becoming a Party that it is a Qualifying Bank.

 

  (c)

Each Lender which becomes a Party after the Closing Date shall indicate in the Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation, Issuing Bank Accession Agreement or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter which it executes on becoming a Party, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, whether it is:

 

  (i)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

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  (A)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (B)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (C)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (ii)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (A)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (B)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (C)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

  (d)

Upon written request of the Company to an Original Lender (such request to be given no later than fifteen (15) Business Days before the first interest payment date), that Original Lender shall indicate, before the first interest payment date and without liability to any Obligor, in which of the following categories it falls, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor:

 

  (i)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

  (A)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (B)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (C)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (ii)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (A)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (B)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (C)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

  (e)

If an Original Lender, New Lender, Increase Lender or Additional Facility Lender (as the case may be) fails to so indicate its status in accordance with this Clause 18.5 then such Original Lender, New Lender, Increase Lender or Additional Facility Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by each Obligor) 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 Company). For the avoidance of doubt, a Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Clause 18.5.

 

18.6

Stamp taxes

The Company shall pay and, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of demand from the Agent, 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 except for (for the avoidance of doubt) any such Tax payable (a) in respect of an assignment or, transfer or sub-participation of a Loan (or part thereof) by that Finance Party unless such assignment, transfer or sub-participation is entered into at the request of a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) or occurs following a Declared Default which is continuing or is made pursuant to the provisions of Clause 21.1 (Mitigation) or Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender) and (b) pursuant or to the extent that such stamp duty, registration or other similar Tax becomes payable upon a voluntary registration made by any Party if such registration is not necessary to evidence, prove, maintain, enforce, compel or otherwise assert the rights of such Party or obligations of another Party under a Finance Document.

 

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18.7

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 a supply or supplies for VAT purposes shall be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on such supply or supplies and accordingly, subject to paragraph (b) below if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply or supplies made by any Finance Party to any Party in connection with a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party shall pay to the Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying the consideration for that supply or supplies) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party shall promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to such 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):

 

  (i)

(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 paragraph (i) 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

 

  (ii)

(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 costs or expenses, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) the Finance Party against any VAT incurred by the Finance Party in respect of the costs or expenses, to the extent that the Finance Party reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit for or receive repayment in respect of the VAT from the relevant tax authority.

 

  (d)

Any reference in this Clause 18.7 (VAT) to any party shall, at any time when such party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the person who is treated as making the supply or (as appropriate) receiving the supply under the grouping rules (as provided for in Article 11 of the Council Directive 2006/112/EC (or as implemented by the relevant member state of the European Union, including, for the avoidance of doubt, in accordance with section 7 paragraph 4 of the Dutch Value Added Tax Act 1968, or any other similar provision in any jurisdiction which is not a member state of the European Union)) so that a reference to a Party shall be construed as a reference to that Party or the relevant group or unity (or fiscal unity) of which that Party is a member for VAT purposes at the relevant time or the relevant member (or head) of that group or unity (or fiscal unity) at the relevant time (as the case may be).

 

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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.

 

18.8

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 Company and the Agent, and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.

 

18.9

FATCA Information

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party shall, within ten (10) Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

 

  (i)

confirm to that other Party whether it is:

 

  (A)

a FATCA Exempt Party; or

 

  (B)

not a FATCA Exempt Party;

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

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 paragraph (a)(i) 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)

Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Party to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

 

  (i)

any law or regulation;

 

  (ii)

any fiduciary duty; or

 

  (iii)

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 paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above 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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19.

INCREASED COSTS

 

19.1

Increased costs

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 19.3 (Exceptions) the Company shall, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a demand from the Agent, pay (or procure payment) 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 (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or treaty after the date of this Agreement (or, if later, and unless at such time the Majority Lenders are making a claim pursuant to this Clause, the date it became a Party) or (ii) compliance with any law or regulation or treaty made after the date of this Agreement (or, if later, the date it became a Party).

 

  (b)

In this Agreement:

Increased Costs means:

 

  (i)

a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

 

  (ii)

an additional or increased cost; or

 

  (iii)

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 an Ancillary Commitment, Fronted Ancillary Commitment or Fronting Ancillary Commitment or providing an Additional Facility Notice or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.

 

19.2

Increased cost claims

 

  (a)

A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 19.1 (Increased costs) shall promptly notify the Agent or the Company on becoming aware of the event giving rise to the claim and whether it is intending to make a claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Company.

 

  (b)

Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after receipt of a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate (giving reasonable details of the circumstances giving rise to such claim and the calculation of the Increased Cost) confirming the amount of its Increased Costs, a copy of which shall be provided to the Company.

 

19.3

Exceptions

 

  (a)

Clause 19.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

 

  (i)

attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

 

  (ii)

attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party (or any payment attributable to, or liability arising, as a consequence of a FATCA Deduction);

 

  (iii)

compensated for by Clause 18.3 (Tax Indemnity) or would have been compensated for under Clause 18.3 (Tax Indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in paragraph (b) of Clause 18.3 (Tax Indemnity) applied;

 

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  (iv)

compensated for by Clause 18.6 (Stamp taxes) or Clause (18.7) (VAT) (or would have been so compensated for under that Clause but was not so compensated solely because any of the exceptions set out therein applied);

 

  (v)

attributable to any Bank Levy (or any payment attributable to, or any liability arising as a consequence of, a Bank Levy);

 

  (vi)

attributable to any Bank Surcharge (or any payment attributable to, or any liability arising as a consequence of, a Bank Surcharge);

 

  (vii)

attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with Basel II, Basel III, CRD-IV or the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or in connection therewith or any other law or regulation which implements any of the foregoing (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates);

 

  (viii)

attributable to the breach by the Finance Party making such claim of any law, regulation or treaty or the terms of any Finance Document;

 

  (ix)

attributable to any penalty having been imposed by the relevant central bank or monetary or fiscal authority upon the Finance Party (or any Affiliate of it) making such claim by virtue of its having exceeded any country or sector borrowing limits or breached any directives imposed upon it; or

 

  (x)

not promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days of becoming aware of the event giving rise to the claim) notified to the Agent or the Company in accordance with paragraph (a) of Clause 19.2 (Increased cost claims) above.

 

  (b)

In this Clause 19.3 reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in Clause 18.1 (Tax Definitions).

 

  (c)

In this Agreement:

Basel II means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004.

Basel III means:

 

  (i)

the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework or 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 on 16 December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to Basel III.

 

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CRD IV means:

 

  (i)

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

 

  (ii)

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.

 

20.

OTHER INDEMNITIES

 

20.1

Currency indemnity

 

  (a)

If any sum due from an Obligor 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:

 

  (i)

making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; or

 

  (ii)

obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

that Obligor shall as an independent obligation, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a demand, indemnify the Arrangers and each other Secured 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 (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person (acting reasonably and in good faith) at the time of its receipt of that Sum provided that if the amount produced or payable as a result of the conversion is greater than the relevant Sum due, the relevant Finance Party will, unless a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing, refund any such excess amount to the relevant Obligor.

 

  (b)

Each Obligor 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.

 

20.2

Other indemnities

The Company shall (or shall procure that an Obligor will), in each case subject to any applicable Guarantee Limitations, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a demand (which demand shall be accompanied by reasonable calculations or details of the amount demanded) indemnify the Arrangers and each other Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of:

 

  (a)

the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

  (b)

a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 33 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

 

  (c)

funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by a Borrower (or the Company) 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, negligence or wilful misconduct by that Finance Party alone);

 

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  (d)

issuing or making arrangements to issue a Letter of Credit requested by the Company or a Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not issued by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence or wilful misconduct by that Finance Party alone); or

 

  (e)

any prepayment payable by any Borrower under the Finance Documents not being paid after notice of such prepayment has been made to the Agent.

 

20.3

Indemnity to the Agent

Each Obligor shall within five (5) Business Days of receipt of a demand from the Agent, in each case subject to any applicable Guarantee Limitations, indemnify the Agent against any reasonable third party cost, loss or liability incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:

 

  (a)

investigating any event which it (or which the Lenders) reasonably believes is an Event of Default, provided that if after doing so it is established that the event or matter is not a Default or an Event of Default, such cost, loss or liability of investigation shall be for the account of the Lenders;

 

  (b)

acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction from an Obligor or any member of the Group which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or

 

  (c)

instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement.

 

21.

MITIGATION BY THE LENDERS

 

21.1

Mitigation

 

  (a)

Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Company, 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 11.1 (Illegality) (or, in respect of the Issuing Bank, Clause 11.2 (Illegality in relation to Issuing Bank)), Clause 18 (Taxes) or Clause 19 (Increased Costs) including transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

21.2

Limitation of liability

 

  (a)

The Company shall (or shall procure that an Obligor will), in each case subject to any applicable Guarantee Limitations, 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 21.1 (Mitigation).

 

  (b)

Except as regards paragraph (a) of Clause 21.1 (Mitigation), a Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 21.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it in a material respect.

 

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22.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

22.1

Transaction expenses

The Company shall promptly after receipt of the corresponding invoice pay (or procure payment) to the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arrangers and the Issuing Bank the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees (subject to agreed caps, if any)) reasonably incurred by any of them (evidence of which shall be provided to the Company) in relation to the Finance Documents and the arrangement, negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of the Facilities up to a maximum amount agreed (if any).

 

22.2

Amendment costs

If (a) an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, or (b) an amendment or other step or action is required pursuant to Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 34.10 (Change of currency), the Company shall, within ten (10) Business Days of demand after receipt of the corresponding invoice, reimburse (or procure reimbursement of) the Agent and/or the Security Agent, as applicable, for the amount of all reasonable third party costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent and/or the Security Agent, as applicable (subject to agreed caps (if any)) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

22.3

Enforcement and preservation costs

The Company shall, within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of demand from the Agent and/or the Security Agent, as applicable, pay (or procure there is paid) to the Arrangers and each other Secured Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement of or the preservation of any rights under any Finance Document and any proceedings instituted by or against the Security Agent as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or enforcing these rights.

 

22.4

Transfer costs and expenses

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents, if a Finance Party assigns or transfers any of its rights, benefits or obligations under the Finance Documents or enters into any sub-participation, no member of the Group shall be required to pay any fees, costs, expenses or other amounts relating to, or arising in connection with, that assignment, transfer or sub-participation (including any Taxes and any amounts (including notarial fees) relating to the registration, perfection or amendment of any Finance Document during or after the date of this Agreement) unless such assignment, transfer or sub-participation is entered into at the request of a Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) or occurs following a Declared Default which is continuing or is made pursuant to the provisions of Clause 21.1 (Mitigation) or Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender).

 

22.5

Cost Details

 

  (a)

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents, no member of the Group shall be required to pay any fees, costs, expenses or other amounts (other than principal and interest) unless:

 

  (i)

it has first been provided with reasonable details of the circumstances giving rise to such payment and of the calculation of the relevant amount (including, where applicable, details of hours worked, rates and individuals involved); and

 

  (ii)

it has received satisfactory evidence that such costs and expenses have been properly incurred (including that all security costs relate only to the applicable Finance Documents entered into, or related actions taken, in accordance with the Agreed Security Principles or approved in advance by the Company).

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any costs or expenses described under Clause 22.3 (Enforcement and preservation costs).

 

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23.

GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITY

 

23.1

Guarantee and indemnity

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally and at all times subject to the Guarantee Limitations:

 

  (a)

guarantees to each Finance Party punctual performance by the Company and each other Obligor of all the Company’s or that Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

  (b)

undertakes with each Finance Party that whenever another Obligor does not pay any amount when due (allowing for any applicable grace period) under or in connection with any Finance Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

  (c)

agrees with each Finance Party that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of an Obligor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by it under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due.

The amount payable by a Guarantor under the indemnity in paragraph (c) above will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this Clause 23 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

23.2

Continuing Guarantee

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

23.3

Reinstatement

If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of each Guarantor under this Clause 23 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

23.4

Waiver of defences

Subject to the Guarantee Limitations, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Clause 23 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 23, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 23 (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) including:

 

  (a)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, the Company, any Obligor or other person;

 

  (b)

the release of any other Obligor any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

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  (c)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor, other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

  (d)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

 

  (e)

any amendment, novation, supplement, extension restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Finance Document or any other document or security including any change in the purpose of, any extension of or increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

 

  (f)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

  (g)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

23.5

Guarantor Intent

Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 23.4 (Waiver of defences) but subject to any mandatory legal provisions and the Guarantee Limitations, each Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental and of whatsoever nature and whether or not more onerous) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents (including pursuant to any Permitted Structural Adjustment), including for the purposes of or in connection with any of the following: business acquisitions of any nature; increasing working capital; enabling investor distributions to be made; carrying out restructurings; refinancing existing facilities; refinancing any other indebtedness; making facilities available to new borrowers; any other variation or extension of the purposes for which any such facility or amount might be made available from time to time; and any fees, costs and/or expenses associated with any of the foregoing.

 

23.6

Immediate recourse

Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Clause 23. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

23.7

Appropriations

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

  (a)

refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

  (b)

in respect of any amounts received or recovered by any Finance Party after a claim pursuant to this guarantee in respect of any sum due and payable by any Obligor under this Agreement place such amounts in a suspense account (bearing interest at a market rate usual for accounts of that type) unless and until such moneys are sufficient in aggregate to discharge in full all amounts then due and payable under the Finance Documents.

 

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23.8

Deferral of Guarantors’ rights

 

  (a)

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, no Guarantor will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Clause 23:

 

  (i)

to be indemnified by an Obligor;

 

  (ii)

to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

  (iii)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

 

  (iv)

other than where the Finance Party has acted fraudulently or with wilful misconduct to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which any Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under Clause 23.1 (Guarantee and indemnity);

 

  (v)

to exercise any right of set-off against any Obligor; and/or

 

  (vi)

to claim or prove as a creditor of any Obligor in competition with any Finance Party,

in each case unless the exercise of any such right is necessary or advisable to avoid any risk of personal or criminal liability for any current or former managing director of that Guarantor.

 

  (b)

If a Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights, it shall, other than to the extent such Guarantor is permitted to retain such benefit, payment or distribution in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Finance Parties by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents to be repaid in full on trust for, or if the concept of trust is not recognised in the jurisdiction of incorporation of that Guarantor, for the benefit of (to the extent it is able to do so in accordance with any law applicable to it) the Finance Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same, but subject to the Guarantee Limitations, to the Agent or as the Agent may direct for application in accordance with Clause 34 (Payment Mechanics).

 

23.9

Release of Guarantors’ right of contribution

If any Guarantor (a Retiring Guarantor) ceases to be a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, then on the date such Retiring Guarantor ceases to be a Guarantor:

 

  (a)

that Retiring Guarantor is released by each other Guarantor from any liability (whether past, present or future and whether actual or contingent) to make a contribution to any other Guarantor arising by reason of the performance by any other Guarantor of its obligations under the Finance Documents; and

 

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  (b)

each other Guarantor waives any rights it may have by reason of the performance of its obligations under the Finance Documents to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under any Finance Document or of any other security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, any Finance Document where such rights or security are granted by or in relation to the assets of the Retiring Guarantor.

 

23.10

Additional security

This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.

 

23.11

Guarantee Limitations - General

 

  (a)

Without limiting any specific exemptions set out below, no Guarantor’s obligations and liabilities under this Clause 23.11 and under any other guarantee or indemnity provision in a Finance Document (the Guarantee Obligations) will extend to include any obligation or liability and no Transaction Security granted by a Guarantor will secure any Guarantee obligation, if to the extent doing so would be unlawful financial assistance (notwithstanding any applicable exemptions and/or undertaking of any applicable prescribed whitewash or similar financial assistance procedures) in respect of the acquisition of shares in itself or its Holding Company under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

  (b)

If, notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the giving of the guarantee in respect of the Guarantee Obligations or Transaction Security would be unlawful financial assistance, then, to the extent necessary to give effect to paragraph (a) above, the obligations under the Finance Documents will be deemed to have been split into two tranches; Tranche 1 comprising those obligations which can be secured by the Guarantee Obligations or Transaction Security without breaching or contravening relevant financial assistance laws and Tranche 2 comprising the remainder of the obligations under the Finance Documents. The Tranche 2 obligations will be excluded from the relevant Guarantee Obligations and will be allocated to the Facility (or Loan) to which those obligations relate, to the extent that that can be determined.

 

23.12

Guarantee Limitations - Switzerland

 

  (a)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Finance Document, the liability under and the fulfilment of any guarantee, obligation, indemnity or undertaking (an Obligation) of a Swiss Obligor under any of the Finance Documents in relation to any obligation, liability, indemnity or undertaking of an Obligor (other than the relevant Swiss Obligor or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) (an Up- and Cross-stream Obligation) shall be limited to the legally and freely distributable capital of such Swiss Obligor at the time or times at which fulfilment of an Obligation is due shall be applied (the Limitation). The Limitation shall be determined on the basis of an audited interim balance sheet of the Swiss Obligor provided that the Limitation shall only apply to the extent it is a requirement under applicable Swiss law at the time the Swiss Obligor is required to perform under an Up- and Cross-stream Obligation.

 

  (b)

If an Up- and Cross-stream Obligation is subject to the Limitation, the Limitation shall not release the relevant Swiss Obligor from the fulfilment of its Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realisation of a Charge beyond the Limitation, but merely postpone the fulfilment of its Obligation or the application of proceeds from the realisation of a Charge until such time as it is again permitted notwithstanding the Limitation.

 

23.13

Guarantee Limitations: Excluded Swap Obligations

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Finance Document, the guarantee of each Guarantor under this Clause 23 does not apply to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor.

 

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23.14

Guarantee Limitations: Netherlands

 

  (a)

In relation to a Dutch Obligor and any of its subsidiaries and in relation to a Dutch Obligor that is a subsidiary of the Dutch company in which shares have been or will be acquired, this guarantee shall be limited to the extent required to comply with restriction on financial assistance in Section 2:98c of the Dutch Civil Code.

 

  (b)

The obligations of a Dutch Obligor expressed to be assumed in this Clause 23 or otherwise pursuant to any Finance Document shall exclude, and shall not be or be construed as, any guarantee, indemnity, security or other obligation of such Obligor, to the extent that this would constitute ultra vires within the meaning of Section 2:7 of the Dutch Civil Code.

 

  (c)

For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this Clause 23.13, “subsidiaries” shall have the meaning of dochtermaatschappij as provided in Section 2:24a of the Dutch Civil Code.

 

23.15

Additional Guarantee Limitations

Any Additional Guarantor’s obligations will be subject to any limitation on the amount guaranteed or to the extent of the recourse of the beneficiaries of the guarantee which is contained in the Accession Letter (if applicable) (which may include any amendment to the terms of any limitations set out in this Clause 23) and on the terms consistent with the Agreed Security Principles by which that Additional Guarantor becomes a Guarantor.

 

24.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Obligor (or, in the case of Clause 24.9 (No misleading information) and paragraph (a) of Clause 24.10 (Financial Statements), the Company solely) makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 24 to each of the Finance Parties on the date of this Agreement.

 

24.1

Status

 

  (a)

It is duly incorporated (or, as the case may be, organised or established) and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation (or, as the case may be, organisation or establishment).

 

  (b)

It has the power to own its assets and carry on its business in all material respects as it is being conducted.

 

24.2

Binding obligations

The obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document are, subject to the Legal Reservations and Perfection Requirements, legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations other than to the extent that this would not cause an Event of Default under Clause 28.9 (Unlawfulness).

 

24.3

Non-conflict with other obligations

Subject to the Legal Reservations and Perfection Requirements, the entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party do not conflict with:

 

  (a)

any law or regulation applicable to it to an extent which has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (b)

its constitutional documents in any material respect; or

 

  (c)

any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets, in each case, to an extent which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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24.4

Power and authority

It has (or will have on the relevant date(s)) the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, each of the Finance Documents to which it is a party or will be a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.

 

24.5

Validity and admissibility in evidence

Subject to the Legal Reservations and Perfection Requirements, all Authorisations required by it:

 

  (a)

to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its material obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and

 

  (b)

to make the Finance Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation,

have been (or will be by the required date) obtained or effected and are (or will be by the required date) in full force and effect, in each case to the extent that (other than any Authorisation required for entry into and performance of payment obligations under the Finance Documents) failure to have such Authorisations would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

24.6

Governing law and enforcement

 

  (a)

Subject to the Legal Reservations, the choice of governing law of the Finance Documents as expressed in such Finance Documents will be recognised in its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

  (b)

Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in relation to a Finance Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

24.7

No filing or stamp taxes

Under the laws 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 or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except for any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax which is payable in relation to the Finance Documents, which is necessary to perfect the same and which will be made within the period allowed by applicable law or the relevant Finance Document, (it being understood that this Clause 24.7 does not extend to assignments, transfers or sub-participations made pursuant to the transfers, assignments and sub-participation provisions of Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders)).

 

24.8

No Event of Default

No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or could reasonably be expected to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into or the performance of any Finance Document.

 

24.9

No misleading information

Except as disclosed to the Agent (or the Arrangers) in writing prior to the date on which the Company approves the Information Package:

 

  (a)

to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Company, all the material factual information (taken as a whole) provided by any member of the Group for the purposes of the Information Package 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;

 

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  (b)

to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the Company, all expressions of opinion and/or intention in the Information Package were arrived at after careful consideration and are based on reasonable grounds at the time of being made;

 

  (c)

the financial projections and forecasts contained in the Information Package have been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions; and

 

  (d)

to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Company as at the date of the approval by the Company of the Information Package, nothing has occurred or been omitted from the Information Package and no information has been given or withheld that results in the information contained in the Information Package (taken as a whole) being untrue or misleading in any material respect.

 

24.10

Financial Statements

 

  (a)

So far as the Company is aware, the Original Financial Statements:

 

  (i)

were prepared in all material respects in accordance with the Original Accounting Principles consistently applied unless otherwise referred to in such Original Financial Statements (or notes thereto) or as expressly disclosed to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement; and

 

  (ii)

give a true and fair view of the Group’s financial condition and results of operations of those members of the Group to which they are expressed to relate in respect of, and as at the end of, the period with respect to which they were prepared.

 

  (b)

Its most recent Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Clause 25 (Information Undertakings):

 

  (i)

have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the Accounting Principles consistently applied unless otherwise referred to in such Financial Statements (or the notes thereto) and to the extent appropriate in the context of the Half-Year Financial Statements or as expressly disclosed to the Agent prior to the date of delivering of those Financial Statements; and

 

  (ii)

give a true and fair view (in the case of the Annual Financial Statements) or fairly present (in the case of the Half-Year Financial Statements) in each case, in all material respects, the Group’s financial condition and results of operations of those members of the Group to which they are expressed to relate in respect of, and as at the end of, the period with respect to which those Financial Statements were drawn up subject, in the case of the Half-Year Financial Statements, to year-end adjustments.

 

24.11

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 laws applying to companies or such other members of the Group generally.

 

24.12

No proceedings pending or threatened

No litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings of or before any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has or have (to the best of its knowledge) been started or threatened against it or any member of the Group.

 

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24.13

Anti-Corruption Law/Sanctions

 

  (a)

It has conducted its businesses in compliance in all material respects with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

  (b)

Neither it nor any member of the Group or, to its knowledge, any director or officer of any member of the Group is a Sanctioned Person.

 

  (c)

This Clause 24.13 shall not require the giving of a representation, create any obligation or establish any right in relation to it, any Holding Company, any other Obligor, any member of the Group or for the benefit of any Finance Party to the extent that giving such representation, complying with such obligation or exercising such right would:

 

  (i)

violate or expose such person or any of its directors, officers, agents or employees to any liability under any applicable anti-boycott or blocking law, regulation or statute that is in force from time to time in the European Union (and/or any of its member states) or the United Kingdom that are applicable to such entity (including EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 and section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung - AWV) in connection with the German Foreign Trade Law (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz)); or

 

  (ii)

prevent or prohibit such person or any of its directors, officers, agents or employees from engaging in business, transactions, activities or other conduct pursuant to a general or specific license from OFAC, any license or authorization from HM Treasury, the European Union, or any member state of the European Union, or any other registration, authorization, permit, license exemption, or license from any other applicable governmental authority.

 

24.14

Repetition

 

  (a)

The representations and warranties set out in Clauses 24.1 (Status) to 24.4 (Power and authority) (inclusive), Clause 24.6 (Governing law and enforcement), Clause 24.8 (No Event of Default), paragraph (b) of Clause 24.10 (Financial Statements), and Clause 24.13 (Anti-Corruption Law/Sanctions) such representations and warranties being the Repeating Representations) are deemed to be made by each Obligor on the Closing Date, the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period commencing after the Certain Funds Period (other than, in each case, in respect of a Rollover Utilisation), in each case, by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on such date.

 

  (b)

The representation in paragraph (b) of Clause 24.10 (Financial Statements) will cease to be made in respect of the relevant Financial Statements on and from the date on which more recent Financial Statements are delivered to the Agent as required under the terms of Clause 25.1 (Financial Statements).

 

  (c)

When an Additional Obligor accedes to this Agreement it will be deemed to make the Repeating Representations (other than the representation in paragraph (b) of Clause 24.10 (Financial Statements)) on the day on which it becomes (or it is proposed that it becomes) an Additional Obligor, in each case with respect to itself and the documents which it is executing only and by reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such date.

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary in this Clause 24, the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 24 shall be qualified by all of the information included in the Listing Document.

 

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25.

INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS

The undertakings in this Clause 25 shall 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.

 

25.1

Financial Statements

 

  (a)

The Company will deliver to the Agent for distribution to the Lenders the following:

 

  (i)

within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each Financial Year ending after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Company is required by law to provide such audited consolidated financial statements to its shareholders), its audited consolidated financial statements for that Financial Year (the Annual Financial Statements); and

 

  (ii)

within ninety (90) days after the end of each Financial Half-Year ending after the Closing Date (or such later date as the Company is required by law to provide such half-year unaudited consolidated financial statements to its shareholders), its unaudited consolidated financial statements for that Financial Half-Year (the Half-Year Financial Statements).

 

  (b)

The Company shall ensure that each of the Half-Year Financial Statements delivered to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement includes a balance sheet, profit and loss account (or income statement) and cashflow statement.

 

25.2

Compliance Certificates

The Company shall deliver to the Agent with each set of Annual Financial Statements and Half-Year Financial Statements, a Compliance Certificate signed by the CEO, CFO or authorised signatory of the Company:

 

  (a)

(commencing with the applicable Financial Statements to be delivered in respect of the Relevant Period ending on the First Test Date) setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) as at the date at which those Financial Statements were drawn up;

 

  (b)

confirming the Margin as set out in the definition of Margin; and

 

  (c)

confirming compliance or lack of compliance with paragraph (a) of Clause 27.9 (Guarantor Coverage and Material Subsidiaries).

 

25.3

Reporting requirements while listed

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents (including this Clause 25), for so long as the Company (or any other member of the Group) remains listed on a recognised investment or other stock exchange (including Euronext Amsterdam) (the Listed Entity), delivery to the Agent (or posting to the website of the Listed Entity) of a copy of all information the Company is legally required to provide to its public shareholders (in each case promptly following the date on which such information has been delivered to the public shareholders of the Listed Entity) shall be deemed to satisfy all reporting and other information requirements of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents such that no further documents, statements or information shall be required to be delivered pursuant to this Clause 25 or the other provisions of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents, provided that, where applicable, the Company shall still be required to comply with its obligations to:

 

  (a)

deliver a Compliance Certificate pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Clause 25.2 (Compliance Certificates);

 

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  (b)

deliver any information relating to an Event of Default under and in accordance with the provisions of Clause 25.6 (Notification of default); and

 

  (c)

deliver any “know your customer” information under and in accordance with the provisions of Clause 25.7(“Know your customer” checks).

 

25.4

Other Information

The Company will, and will procure that each Obligor shall (unless it is aware that another Obligor has already done so), promptly upon becoming aware of or receiving a request (as the case may be) deliver to the Agent for distribution to the Lenders, details of any material litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

25.5

Agreed Accounting Principles

 

  (a)

Each set of Financial Statements delivered pursuant to Clause 25.1 (Financial Statements) shall be prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the Original Financial Statements and the Listing Document (save as disclosed to the Agent in writing prior to the date of delivering of those Financial Statements) including, for the avoidance of doubt, IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and IFRS 16 (Leases) (the Original Accounting Principles).

 

  (b)

If there has been any material change as regards the accounting principles, accounting practices or financial reference periods applied by the Company to any such Financial Statements when compared to the Original Accounting Principles (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any change arising as a result of the adoption of IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and IFRS 16 (Leases)) and that change materially impacts upon the manner provided in this Agreement for determining:

 

  (i)

the Margin; or

 

  (ii)

whether the financial covenant provided for in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) has been complied with,

the Company shall notify the Agent accordingly (unless the Agent has already been notified of the relevant change in relation to a previous set of Financial Statements).

 

  (c)

If requested by the Agent following notification under paragraph (b) above, the Company shall deliver to the Agent a statement (the Reconciliation Statement) signed by an authorised signatory of the Company containing:

 

  (i)

a description of any change necessary for those Financial Statements to reflect the Original Accounting Principles; and

 

  (ii)

a full and sufficiently detailed description (to the extent not addressed by the description referred to in sub-paragraph (i) above) to enable the Lenders to determine:

 

  (A)

the Margin; and

 

  (B)

whether the financial covenant provided for in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) has been complied with,

provided that, unless otherwise agreed pursuant to this Clause, each financial ratio in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated in accordance with the Original Accounting Principles (subject to any adjustments made by or in accordance with this Agreement). The Agent (acting reasonably) shall be permitted to request such further available information as is necessary to make the determinations and comparisons referred to in paragraphs (A) to (B) above.

 

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  (d)

If the Company notifies the Agent of a change in accordance with paragraph (b) above, then, at the request of the Company, the Company and Agent (each acting reasonably) shall promptly after such notification enter into negotiations in good faith with a view to agreeing:

 

  (i)

whether or not the change might result in any material alteration in the commercial effect of any of the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (ii)

if so, any amendments to this Agreement which may be necessary to ensure that the change does not result in the Finance Parties or the Obligors being in a worse position in relation to the determination of the Margin or compliance with the financial covenant provided for in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) and/or the definitions of any or all of the terms used therein as are necessary to give the Finance Parties and the Obligors comparable protection to that contemplated as at the date of this Agreement than if the change had not been made; and

 

  (iii)

any other amendments to this Agreement which are necessary to ensure that the adoption by the Group of such different accounting basis does not result in any material alteration in the commercial effect of the rights and/or obligations of any Obligor in the Finance Documents (including more onerous information reporting requirements).

 

  (e)

If any amendments are agreed by the Company and the Agent in writing within thirty (30) days of such notification to the Agent, those amendments shall take effect (and be binding on each of the Parties) in accordance with the terms of that agreement.

 

  (f)

If no agreement is reached under paragraph (d) above on the required amendments to this Agreement within thirty (30) days of such notification by the Company (and it is not agreed that no such amendments are required), the Company shall:

 

  (i)

if a Reconciliation Statement is required by the Agent under paragraph (c) above, ensure that each set of Financial Statements is accompanied by a Reconciliation Statement including sufficient information (in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent) to enable the Agent and the Lenders to determine whether the financial covenant has been complied with; and

 

  (ii)

if it so chooses instruct the Auditors to determine any amendment to Clause 26.2 (Financial condition), the Margin computations set out in the definition of Margin and any other terms of this Agreement which those Auditors (acting as experts and not as arbitrators) consider appropriate to ensure the change does not result in either the Finance Parties or the Obligors being in a worse position than if the change had not been made. Those amendments shall take effect (and be binding on each of the Parties) when so determined by those Auditors. The cost and expense of those Auditors shall be for the account of the Company.

 

25.6

Notification of default

The Company will, promptly after becoming aware of it, notify the Agent of the occurrence of any Event of Default that is continuing (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).

 

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25.7

“Know your customer” checks

 

  (a)

If:

 

  (i)

the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date on which it becomes a Finance Party under this Agreement;

 

  (ii)

any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date on which it became a Finance Party under this Agreement; or

 

  (iii)

a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

obliges the Agent, the Security Agent or any Lender (as applicable) (or, in the case of paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information required by it is not otherwise available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the Agent, the Security Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender (provided it has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking)) in order for the Agent, the Security Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) 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.

 

  (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.

 

  (c)

The Company shall, by not less than five (5) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed with the Agent) prior written notice to the Agent and the Security Agent, notify the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) and the Security Agent of its intention to request that one of its Subsidiaries becomes an Additional Obligor pursuant to Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors).

 

  (d)

Following the giving of any notice pursuant to paragraph (c) above, if the accession of such Additional Obligor obliges the Agent, the Security Agent or any Lender to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Company shall promptly upon the request of the Agent, the Security 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), the Security Agent or any Lender (for itself or on behalf of any prospective new Lender provided it has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking) in order for the Agent, the Security Agent or such Lender or any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks that is required to carry out under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the accession of such Subsidiary to this Agreement as an Additional Obligor.

 

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25.8

Use of websites

 

  (a)

The Company may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the Website Lenders) who accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Company and the Agent (the Designated Website) if:

 

  (i)

the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method;

 

  (ii)

both the Company and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and

 

  (iii)

the information is in a format previously agreed between the Company and the Agent.

If any Lender (a Paper Form Lender) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Agent shall notify the Company accordingly and the Company shall supply the information to the Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form. In any event the Company shall supply the Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it.

 

  (b)

The Agent shall supply each Website Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Company and the Agent.

 

  (c)

The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if:

 

  (i)

the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure;

 

  (ii)

the password specifications for the Designated Website change;

 

  (iii)

any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website;

 

  (iv)

any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or

 

  (v)

the Company 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 Company notifies the Agent under paragraph (c)(i) or paragraph (c)(v) above, all information to be provided by the Company under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Website Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.

 

  (d)

Any Website 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 Company shall comply with any such request within ten (10) Business Days.

 

25.9

Restrictions

Notwithstanding any other term of the Finance Documents all reporting and other information requirements in the Finance Documents shall be subject to any confidentiality, legal, regulatory or other restrictions relating to the supply of information concerning the Group or otherwise binding on any member of the Group, provided that such restrictions have not been entered into with a view to circumventing this requirement.

 

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26.

FINANCIAL COVENANT

The undertakings in this Clause 26 shall 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.

 

26.1

Financial definitions

For the purposes of this Agreement:

Borrowings means, at any time, the aggregate outstanding principal, capital or nominal amount of any Financial Indebtedness of members of the Group (on a consolidated basis) other than:

 

  (a)

any Financial Indebtedness owed by one member of the Group to another member of the Group;

 

  (b)

any indebtedness referred to in paragraph (e) of the definition of Financial Indebtedness;

 

  (c)

in relation to the minority interests line in the balance sheet of any member of the Group;

 

  (d)

any put options or similar arrangement in place with the minority shareholders of any member of the Group;

 

  (e)

receivables sold or discounted on a non-recourse basis or where recourse is limited to customary warranties and indemnities;

 

  (f)

any Financial Indebtedness represented by shares (except for shares redeemable mandatorily or at the option of the holder prior to the final Termination Date of the Facilities);

 

  (g)

(i) any earn outs, contingent consideration or similar arrangements, and (ii) any deferred consideration or similar arrangements which are expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Facilities;

 

  (h)

all contingent liabilities under a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or other similar instruments unless the underlying liability covered by such instrument has become due and payable and remains unpaid.

Consolidated EBITDA means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the consolidated operating profit of the Group from ordinary activities before taxation after:

 

  (a)

excluding the effect of any Financing Costs and any interest, commission, fees, discounts, prepayment fees, premiums or charges and other finance payments whether paid, payable or capitalised by any member of the Group (calculated on a consolidated basis) in respect of that Relevant Period;

 

  (b)

excluding the effect of any amount attributable to the amortisation, depreciation or impairment of assets of members of the Group and the reversal of any previous impairment charge made in that Relevant Period (including amortisation, depreciation or impairment of any goodwill arising on any acquisition or investment not prohibited under the terms of this Agreement);

 

  (c)

excluding the effect of any non-cash costs, expenses or provisions relating to any share options schemes or any management equity programme of any member of the Group;

 

  (d)

excluding the effect of any Exceptional Items (or any provision made for or release of such items);

 

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  (e)

excluding the effect of any Transaction Expenses, Group Initiative Costs and Restructuring Costs;

 

  (f)

including the amount of any profit (or any loss) of any member of the Group which is attributable to minority interests in any member of the Group;

 

  (g)

excluding the effect of any profit (or any loss) of any Non-Group Entity to the extent (in the case of any profit) that the amount of the profit included in the Financial Statements of the Group exceeds the amount actually received in cash by members of the Group through distributions by the Non-Group Entity and including the effect of dividends or other profit distributions from any Non Group Entity actually received in cash by members of the Group (grossed up for applicable withholding tax);

 

  (h)

including the effect of any realised gains or losses (including under any Treasury Transaction) that are due to the Group’s operational activity of converting currencies for customers or other ordinary course trading of the Group but excluding the effect of:

 

  (i)

any unrealised gains or losses under any Treasury Transaction (including any mark to market adjustments);

 

  (ii)

any exchange rate gains or losses that are due to the retranslation or revaluation of any balance sheet items or any realised gains or losses or any amounts payable or receivable by any member of the Group any Treasury Transaction entered into in relation to such retranslation or revaluation;

 

  (iii)

any realised gains or losses or any amounts payable or receivable by any member of the Group under any Treasury Transaction entered into in relation to any of Facilities or other Financial Indebtedness or otherwise in connection with any purpose other than the Group’s operational activity of converting currencies for customers or other ordinary course trading of the Group; and

 

  (iv)

any Hedge Purchase and Termination Costs.

 

  (i)

excluding the effect of any gain or loss arising from an upward or downward revaluation of any other asset at any time after the Original Financial Statements and any loss or gain against book value arising on a disposal of any asset (other than assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business) during that Relevant Period;

 

  (j)

excluding the effect of any fees or expenses paid (directly or indirectly) to the Company’s shareholders or any fees or expenses paid (directly or indirectly) to the Agent or any agent or security agent in respect of any Financial Indebtedness;

 

  (k)

including the effect of any amounts claimed in respect of such Relevant Period under loss of profit, business interruption or equivalent insurance;

 

  (l)

excluding the effect of any Pension Items (or any provision made for or release of such items);

 

  (m)

excluding the effect of the charge to profit represented by the expensing of stock options and any expense referable to equity settled share based compensation of employees or management or, profit sharing schemes, or compensation or payments to departing management;

 

  (n)

excluding the effect of any fees, costs, charges or expenses related to any actual or attempted equity or debt offering, compensation payments to departing management, financing, investments (including any investment in a Joint Venture), acquisitions or incurrence of indebtedness (whether or not successful); and

 

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  (o)

excluding the effect of any start-up losses for new entities and any losses of discontinued operations and any restructurings or reorganisation charges related to employee terminations, closings of facilities and relocations of plant, property and equipment,

in each case, to the extent added, deducted or taken into account, as the case may be, for the purposes of determining operating profits of the Group before taxation and so that no amount shall be added (or deducted) more than once.

Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA means for any Relevant Period, means Consolidated EBITDA as adjusted in accordance with Clause 26.3 (Financial testing) below.

Entity or Business means any person, property, business or material fixed asset acquired by the Group or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business (including the acquisition, opening and/or development of any new site or operation).

Exceptional Items means any items of an unusual, one-off or non-recurring, extraordinary or exceptional nature which represent gains or losses including any gains or losses arising on:

 

  (a)

the restructuring or other Group Initiative of the activities of an entity and reversals of any provisions for the cost of restructuring or other Group Initiative;

 

  (b)

disposals, revaluations, write downs or impairment of non-current assets or any reversal of any write downs or impairment;

 

  (c)

disposals of assets associated with discontinued operations or other Group Initiative; and

 

  (d)

the purchase by a member of the Group at less than par value of any loans made to any member of the Group or any securities issued by any member of the Group.

Financial Half-Year means the half-year accounting period of the Group in each year (which as at the date of this Agreement ends on or about 30 September).

Financial Year means the annual accounting period of the Group in each year (which as at the date of this Agreement ends on or about 31 March).

Financing Costs means, for any Relevant Period, the consolidated financing costs of the Group after including the effect of:

 

  (a)

any upfront fees or costs (including any arrangement, underwriting, original issue discount, participation fees and other similar issue fees or costs or other costs or expenses) or agency fees and, in each case, any amortisation of such fees, costs or expenses;

 

  (b)

any repayment and prepayment premiums, fees or costs;

 

  (c)

any interest cost, actual or deemed finance charges in relation to any Pension Items;

 

  (d)

any fees payable in connection with the issue or maintenance of any bond, letter of credit, guarantee or other assurance against financial loss which constitutes Borrowings and is issued by a third party on behalf of a member of the Group;

 

  (e)

any commitment, utilisation and non-utilisation fees;

 

  (f)

the interest (but not the capital) element of payments in respect of capitalised leases;

 

  (g)

any amounts payable by any member of the Group during the Relevant Period under Treasury Transactions in relation to interest and amounts in the nature of interest and including the effect of, in so far as they relate to interest, the hedging effect of currency hedging in relation thereto and any Hedge Purchase and Termination Costs;

 

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  (h)

any Transaction Expenses or, in each case, amortisation thereof; and

 

  (i)

any other non-cash return interest in respect of Borrowings and the amount of any discount amortised and other non-cash interest charges,

in each case, including the effect of any amounts falling within paragraphs (a) to (i) (inclusive) above that are payable during that Relevant Period in respect of any Financial Indebtedness of the Group (including the Existing Debt Financings) that is repaid on or before the Closing Date and so that no amount shall be added (or deducted) more than once.

First Test Date means:

 

  (a)

31 March 2021 if the Listing has occurred on or prior to 31 March 2020; or

 

  (b)

30 September 2021 if the Listing has occurred after 31 March 2020.

Group Initiative means any action or step (including any restructuring, reorganisation, cost saving initiatives, new or revised contract, acquisition, opening or development of any facility, site, or operation, capacity or capacity utilisation increases or other similar initiative) commenced, taken or committed to be taken by the Group.

Group Initiative Costs means costs, expenses or losses relating to any Group Initiative.

Hedge Purchase and Termination Cost means any one-off or non-recurring cash payments, premia fees, costs or expenses in connection with the purchase of a Treasury Transaction or which arise upon maturity, close-out or termination of any Treasury Transaction.

Leverage Ratio means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the ratio of Total Net Debt on the last day of that Relevant Period to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA in respect of that Relevant Period.

Non-Group Entity means any investment or entity (which is not itself a member of the Group (including associates and Joint Ventures)) in which any member of the Group has an ownership interest.

Quarter Date means each of 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December or such other dates which correspond to the quarter end dates within the Financial Year.

Pension Items means any income or charge attributable to a post-employment benefit scheme other than the current cash service costs.

Pro Forma Cost Savings means Pro Forma Acquisition Cost Savings, Pro Forma Disposal Cost Savings or Pro Forma Group Initiative Cost Savings.

Relevant Period means (a) (if ending on a Test Date) each period of twelve (12) months ending on or about the last day of the Financial Year or the Financial Half-Year or (b) (if ending on the day of a month not being a Test Date) the period of twelve (12) consecutive Months ending on the last day of a calendar month, which for the avoidance of doubt may, in each case, include periods prior to the Closing Date in accordance with Clause 26.3 (Financial testing).

Restructuring Costs means costs or expenses relating to employee relocation, retraining, severance and termination, business interruption, reorganization and other restructuring or cost cutting measures, the rationalisation, re-branding, start up, reduction or elimination of product lines, assets or businesses, the consolidation, relocation or closure of retail, administrative or production locations and other similar items (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any related capital expenditure).

 

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Sold Entity or Business means any person, property, business or material fixed asset or any group of assets constituting an operating unit of a business sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, closed or classified as discontinuing operations by the Group.

Test Date means the First Test Date and the last day of each subsequent Financial Year or Financial Half-Year (as the case may be) or, in each case, if any such date is not a Business Day, the Company may elect that such date shall be the next Business Day or the immediately preceding Business Day.

Total Net Debt means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Borrowings of the Group less the aggregate amount at that time (which shall in no case be less than zero) of all cash and Cash Equivalent Investments held by members of the Group.

Transaction Expenses means any fees, costs, expenses, stamp, registration and other Taxes incurred or paid (or required to be paid) by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition, disposal, investment, Group Initiative or other transaction not prohibited under the terms of this Agreement (including any fees, costs and expenses associated with settling any claims or action arising from a dissenting stockholder exercising its appraisal rights) or any amendments to the Finance Documents and, in each case, the negotiation, preparation, execution, notarisation and registration of all related documentation.

 

26.2

Financial condition

The Company shall ensure that on each Test Date, the Leverage Ratio in respect of any Relevant Period ending on a Test Date specified in column 1 below shall not exceed the ratio set out in column 2 below opposite that Relevant Period ending on a Test Date:

 

Column 1    Column 2
Relevant Period    Ratio

First Test Date

   5.00:1

Second (2nd) Test Date

   5.00:1

Third (3rd) Test Date

   4.75:1

Fourth (4th) Test Date

   4.75:1

Fifth (5th) Test Date

   4.50:1

Sixth (6th) Test Date

   4.50:1

Seventh (7th) Test Date

   4.25:1

Eighth (8th)Test Date

   4.25:1

Ninth (9th) Test Date and each Test Date thereafter

   3.50:1

 

26.3

Financial testing

 

  (a)

To the extent the Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA needs to be calculated for permitting any transaction or making any determination under this Agreement (including on a pro forma basis) for any Relevant Period in relation to which no Compliance Certificate is available, the calculation of the Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA shall include the actual results of the Group prior to the Closing Date.

 

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  (b)

The Leverage Ratio will be tested:

 

  (i)

on a rolling basis for the Relevant Periods ending on a Test Date; and

 

  (ii)

on the date of delivery of, and by reference to, the Half-Year Financial Statements or, as the case may be, the Annual Financial Statements for the applicable Relevant Period ending on a Test Date.

 

  (c)

For the purposes of calculating any financial covenant or ratio (including financial definitions or component thereof and any Applicable Metric) or related, usage, ratchet or permission:

 

  (i)

such calculations will be calculated in accordance with the Finance Documents;

 

  (ii)

the exchange rates (including for the purposes of determining any interest rate) used in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA and any Financial Indebtedness or any other financial definition or Applicable Metric shall be, at the election and determination of the Company at any time and from time to time:

 

  (A)

the weighted average exchange rates for the Relevant Period;

 

  (B)

otherwise consistent with the exchange rate methodology applied in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 25 (Information Undertakings);

 

  (C)

such rate taking into account any cross currency derivatives entered into by the Group;

 

  (D)

the spot rate of exchange on the relevant date (elected and determined by the Company acting reasonably); or

 

  (E)

the spot rate of exchange on the Closing Date (elected and determined by the Company acting reasonably),

and, for the avoidance of doubt, for the purposes of the calculation of Leverage on any date, if the Company elects to apply the rate(s) specified in paragraphs (c)(ii)(A), (c)(ii)(D) or (c)(ii)(E) on such date, the relevant rate(s) shall be applied consistently for the purposes of the calculation of Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA, Total Net Debt and any components thereof; and

 

  (iii)

no item shall be included or excluded more than once where to do so would result in double counting.

 

  (d)

For the purpose of calculating any financial covenant or ratio (including the financial definitions or components thereof and any Applicable Metric) or related usage, ratchet or permission:

 

  (i)

when determining (or, as applicable, forecasting) Consolidated EBITDA for any Relevant Period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to any relevant Purchase (as defined below)), the Company may:

 

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  (A)

if during such period any member of the Group (by merger or otherwise) has made or commenced or committed to make an investment in any person that thereby becomes a Subsidiary or otherwise has acquired or committed to acquire any Entity or Business (any such investment, acquisition or commitment therefor, a Purchase), including any such Purchase occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents, calculate Consolidated EBITDA for such period on the basis that the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, mutatis mutandis) attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Purchase during such Relevant Period shall be included as if the Purchase occurred on the first day of such Relevant Period; and/or

 

  (B)

include an adjustment in respect of any Purchase up to the amount of the pro forma increase in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Company (in good faith) after taking into account the full run rate effect of all synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives which the Company (in good faith) believes can be achieved directly or indirectly as a result of the Purchase or the related steps or actions in the next twenty-four (24) months after the completion of such Purchase or (if later) the end of the Relevant Period, provided that so long as such synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives will be realisable at any time during such period, it may be assumed they will be realisable during the entire such period without prejudice to the synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives actually realised during the Relevant Period and already included in Consolidated EBITDA (the Pro Forma Acquisition Cost Savings); and/or

 

  (C)

exclude any non-recurring fees, costs and expenses directly or indirectly related to the Purchase; and/or

 

  (ii)

when determining (or, as applicable, forecasting) Consolidated EBITDA for any Relevant Period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to any relevant Sale (as defined below)), the Company may:

 

  (A)

if during such period any member of the Group has disposed or committed to make a disposal of any Sold Entity or Business (any such sale, transfer, disposition or commencement or commitment therefor, a Sale) or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate Consolidated EBITDA relates to such a Sale, calculate Consolidated EBITDA for such period on the basis that Consolidated EBITDA will be reduced by an amount equal to the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, mutatis mutandis) (if positive) attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Sale for such period or increased by an amount equal to the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, mutatis mutandis) (if negative) attributable thereto for such period as if the Sale occurred on the first day of such Relevant Period; and/or

 

  (B)

include an adjustment in respect of any Sale up to the amount of the pro forma increase in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Company (in good faith) after taking into account the full run rate effect of all synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives which the

 

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  Company (in good faith) believes can be achieved directly or indirectly as a consequence of the Sale or the related steps or actions in the next twenty-four (24) months after the completion of such Sale or (if later) the end of the Relevant Period, provided that so long as such synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives will be realisable at any time during such period, it may be assumed they will be realisable during the entire such period without prejudice to the synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives actually realised during the Relevant Period and already included in Consolidated EBITDA (the Pro Forma Disposal Cost Savings); and/or

 

  (C)

exclude any non-recurring fees, costs and expenses directly or indirectly related to the Sale; and/or

 

  (iii)

when determining (or, as applicable, forecasting) Consolidated EBITDA for any Relevant Period (including the portion thereof occurring prior to implementing or committing to implement such Group Initiative), the Company may:

 

  (A)

include an adjustment in respect of each Group Initiative or steps commenced or committed to be undertaken in respect of any Group Initiative up to the amount of the pro forma increase in Consolidated EBITDA projected by the Company (in good faith) after taking into account the full run rate effect of all synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other adjustments or similar initiatives which the Company (in good faith) believes can be achieved directly or indirectly as a result of implementing or commencing or committing to implement such Group Initiative or the related steps or actions in the next twenty-four (24) months after the completion of such Group Initiative or steps (if later) the end of the Relevant Period, provided that so long as such synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives will be realisable at any time during such period, it may be assumed they will be realisable during the entire period without prejudice to the synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives actually realised during the Relevant Period and already included in Consolidated EBITDA (the Pro Forma Group Initiative Cost Savings); and/or

 

  (B)

exclude any non-recurring fees, costs and expenses directly or indirectly related to the implementation of or commitment to implement such Group Initiative.

 

  (e)

In relation to the definitions set out in Clause 26.1 (Financial definitions) or for the purposes of calculating any other financial covenant or ratio (including the financial definitions or components thereof and any Applicable Metric) or related usage, ratchet or permission and all other related provisions of the Finance Documents (including this Clause 26):

 

  (i)

all calculations will be as determined in good faith by the CEO or CFO or other authorised signatory of the Company or by the Board of Directors (including in respect of synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives); and

 

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  (ii)

all calculations in respect of synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives (in each case actual or anticipated) may be made as though the full run-rate effect of such synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives were realised on the first day of the Relevant Period,

provided that where Pro Forma Cost Savings are included in any calculation in respect of any Purchase, Sale or Group Initiative, the aggregate amount of projected (but not realised) Pro Forma Cost Savings that may be included in any Relevant Period may not exceed twenty-five (25) per cent. of Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for such period (calculated after fully taking into account any adjustments to be made by the Company pursuant to paragraph (d) above or otherwise permitted by this Agreement).

 

  (f)

In the event that:

 

  (i)

any Test Date or the end of any other Relevant Period is adjusted by the Company to avoid such Test Date or end of such Relevant Period falling on a day which is not a Business Day and/or to ensure that a Test Date or end of a Relevant Period falls on a particular day of the week; or

 

  (ii)

there is any adjustment to a scheduled payment date to avoid payments becoming due on a day which is not a Business Day,

if that adjustment results in any amount being paid in a Relevant Period in which it would otherwise not have been paid, for the purpose of calculating any financial covenant or ratio (including, in each case, any financial definition or component thereof and any Applicable Metric) or related usage, ratchet or permission and all other relevant provisions under the Finance Documents the Company may treat such amount as if it was paid in the Relevant Period in which it would have been paid save for any such adjustment.

 

  (g)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in the Finance Documents to Consolidated EBITDA is to be construed as a reference to the Consolidated EBITDA of the Group on a consolidated basis.

 

  (h)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary (including anything in the financial definitions set out in this Agreement), when calculating any financial covenant or ratio under the Finance Documents (including, in each case, any financial definition or component thereof and any Applicable Metric) or related usage, ratchet or permission, the Company shall be permitted to:

 

  (i)

exclude all or any part of any expenditure or other negative item (and/or the impact thereof) directly or indirectly relating to or resulting from:

 

  (A)

the Transaction and the Transaction Expenses;

 

  (B)

any acquisition, disposal, investment or other joint venture or the impact from purchase price accounting;

 

  (C)

start-up costs or losses for new businesses and branding or re-branding of existing businesses; and/or

 

  (D)

Group Initiative Costs and Restructuring Costs; and/or

 

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  (ii)

include all positive adjustments and addbacks at any time in relation to items of a type included (or similar items) in the Base Case Model and/or any quality of earnings report prepared by a third party in connection with the Listing or any permitted acquisition or investment based on the methodology therein (without further verification or diligence) for adjustments (including anticipated synergies, cost savings, revenues, revenue enhancements, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or other similar initiatives) or fees, costs or expenses.

 

27.

GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

The undertakings in this Clause 27 shall, unless otherwise indicated in this Agreement, 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.

 

27.1

Authorisations

Each Obligor shall promptly obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to enter into and perform its obligations under the Finance Documents and to ensure, subject to the Legal Reservations and the Perfection Requirements, the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance Document.

 

27.2

Compliance with laws

Each Obligor shall comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

27.3

Restriction on Security

 

  (a)

No Obligor shall (and the Company shall ensure that no other member of the Group will), create or permit to subsist any Security or Quasi-Security over any of its assets.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above does not apply to any Security or Quasi-Security (as the case may be) listed below:

 

  (i)

any Security or Quasi-Security existing on the Closing Date (other than to the extent such Security or Quasi-Security is required to be released as a condition precedent to the availability of the Facilities), together with any replacement, renewal, refinancing, extension, and amendment of any such Security or Quasi-Security from time to time;

 

  (ii)

any Security, Quasi-Security or right of set-off or netting arising by operation of law (or by agreement or contract of similar effect in the ordinary course of business) including any joint and several liability and any netting or set-off arrangement arising in each case by operation of law as result of the existence or establishment of any tax sharing agreement or as a result of the existence or establishment of a Dutch fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Dutch Corporate Income Tax Act 1969 (Wet op de yennootschapsbelasting 1969) or any analogous arrangement in any other jurisdiction, in each case, of which a member of the Group is or has become a member;

 

  (iii)

any rights of set off existing in the ordinary course of business between any member of the Group and its respective suppliers or customers and not securing Financial Indebtedness;

 

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  (iv)

any Security, Quasi-Security or right of set-off or netting arising in connection with any cash management, cash pooling, netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances of any member of the Group (including an Ancillary Facility which is an overdraft comprising more than one account) or otherwise in connection with cash management, cash pooling, netting or set-off or similar or equivalent arrangements and any Security or Quasi-Security granted to a financial institution on that financial institution’s standard terms and conditions in respect of accounts and services;

 

  (v)

any payment or close out netting or set-off arrangement pursuant to any Treasury Transaction entered into by a member of the Group for any purpose not expressly prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (vi)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising pursuant to or out of an order of attachment or injunction restraining disposal of assets or similar legal process arising in connection with any legal proceedings which are contested by any member of the Group in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

  (vii)

any Security or Quasi-Security created pursuant to a court order, injunction or judgment or as security for costs arising pursuant to court proceedings being contested by the relevant member of the Group in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

  (viii)

any Security or Quasi-Security over or affecting any asset acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement if:

 

  (A)

the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group; and

 

  (B)

the principal amount secured (other than as a result of capitalisation of interest and accrual of any default interest) has not been increased in contemplation of or since the date of the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group,

together with any replacement, renewal or extension of that Security or Quasi-Security from time to time;

 

  (ix)

any Security or Quasi-Security over or affecting any asset of any person which becomes a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement if:

 

  (A)

the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that person; and

 

  (B)

the principal amount secured (other than as a result of capitalisation of interest and accrual of any default interest) has not increased in contemplation of or since the date of the acquisition of that person,

together with any replacement, renewal or extension of that Security or Quasi-Security from time to time.

 

  (x)

any Security or Quasi-Security over shares (or other interest) in any Joint Venture or assets owned by any Joint Venture to secure obligations (A) of such Joint Ventures or (B) to other joint venture partners in that Joint Venture;

 

  (xi)

any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to any equity interests of, or assets owned by, any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

 

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  (xii)

any Security or Quasi-Security over any asset to secure Financial Indebtedness incurred to finance the purchase, improvement or construction of such asset provided that (A) the only recourse the creditor of such Financial Indebtedness has is to that asset and (B) the total principal amount of Financial Indebtedness secured (other than as a result of capitalisation of interest and accrual of any default interest) by such Security or Quasi-Security does not exceed €26,500,000 or, if higher, an amount equal to fifteen (15) per cent. of LTM EBITDA outstanding at any time;

 

  (xiii)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under or entered into pursuant to any Finance Document including cash collateral to secure obligations under the Finance Documents and any blocked accounts;

 

  (xiv)

any Security or Quasi-Security over assets of any member of the Group for any Existing Debt Financing so long as the Security or Quasi-Security for such Existing Debt Financing is irrevocably removed or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date;

 

  (xv)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under or in connection with any sale, lease, sublease, licence, transfer or other disposal which is permitted pursuant to Clause 27.4 (Disposals) or any acquisition or investment not expressly prohibited under the terms of this Agreement (including under or pursuant to deposit, retention of purchase price or escrow arrangements and any vendor financing, deferred consideration or payment or other similar arrangements);

 

  (xvi)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under or in connection with any retention of title, hire purchase, conditional sale agreements or other agreements having similar effect entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xvii)

any Security or Quasi-Security over goods and documents of title relating to those goods arising in the ordinary course of letter of credit or other documentary credit transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xviii)

any Security or Quasi-Security which does not secure any outstanding actual or contingent liability provided that all commercially reasonable endeavours are used to procure the release or discharge of such Security or Quasi-Security;

 

  (xix)

any Security or Quasi-Security over any rental deposits in respect of any property leased or licensed by a member of the Group or on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favour of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets;

 

  (xx)

(A) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any government, statutory or regulatory authority, developer, landlord or other third party on property over which any member of the Group has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar arrangements relating thereto and (B) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property

 

  (xxi)

any Security or Quasi-Security in respect of Taxes, assessments or governmental charges which are not yet due or the liability in respect of which is being contested by the relevant member of the Group in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

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  (xxii)

any Security or Quasi-Security which constitutes, is part of or is made under or in connection with any escrow or similar arrangement to which the proceeds from any borrowing or issue of any such Financial Indebtedness are subject and any cash collateral to secure obligations under such Financial Indebtedness and any blocked accounts) and/or any Security or Quasi-Security on rights under any loan or other instrument lending or contributing the proceeds of any Financial Indebtedness incurred by the Company or another person to one or more Guarantors in favor of the third-party creditors in respect of such Financial Indebtedness;

 

  (xxiii)

any Security or Quasi-Security granted in favour of creditors of the Group in relation to a Permitted Reorganisation or capital reduction of a member of the Group, to the extent necessary to ensure that the Permitted Reorganisation or capital reduction occurs;

 

  (xxiv)

any Security or Quasi-Security which constitutes, is part of or is made under or in connection with a Permitted Transaction;

 

  (xxv)

any cash collateral provided in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees (including any Letters of Credit) to the issuer of those letters of credit or bank guarantees;

 

  (xxvi)

deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, governmental contracts completion guarantees, and leases or contracts (other than Financial Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety, stay, indemnity, customs, judgment and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations), pledges, deposits or liens or security under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws, social security laws or similar legislation, or insurance related obligations (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements) in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xxvii)

any Security or Quasi-Security constituted by easements (including reciprocal easement agreements), rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions, ground leases and other similar encumbrances and title defects affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable member of the Group;

 

  (xxviii)

any Security or Quasi-Security granted or arising over any shares or other ownership interests issued (including shares or interests issued prior to the date of this Agreement) in connection with any employee or management incentive scheme or similar arrangement operated by or on behalf of any member of the Group which is not a member of the Group as at the date of this Agreement;

 

  (xxix)

any Security or Quasi-Security granted in the ordinary course of business on arms’ length or better terms relating to office equipment held under leases;

 

  (xxx)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under or in connection with any factoring, discounting, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposal of receivables permitted by this Agreement (including any securitisation or similar programme) (Receivables Programme) including any Security or Quasi-Security over the receivables subject to such Receivables Programme and any proceeds thereof, bank accounts and any other related assets or assets customarily subject to any Security or Quasi-Security under or in connection such Receivables Programme;

 

  (xxxi)

any Security or Quasi-Security for or in connection with any Financial Indebtedness if security over substantially the same assets is granted to the Finance Parties (subject to the Agreed Security Principles);

 

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  (xxxii)

any Security or Quasi-Security under or in connection with any Transaction Security Documents (including in respect of any Facilities or any Third Party Financing);

 

  (xxxiii)

any Security or Quasi-Security to which the Majority Lenders shall have given their prior written consent; and

 

  (xxxiv)

any Security or Quasi-Security securing Financial Indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which (when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of any other Financial Indebtedness which has the benefit of Security or Quasi-Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under the preceding paragraphs above) does not exceed €62,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) or, if higher, an amount equal to thirty-five (35) per cent. of LTM EBITDA outstanding at any time.

 

27.4

Disposals

 

  (a)

No Obligor shall enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above does not apply to any sale, issuance, lease, licence, transfer or other disposal:

 

  (i)

of assets made in the ordinary course of business of the disposing entity and on arm’s length or better terms;

 

  (ii)

of assets in exchange or replacement for other assets which are, in the reasonable opinion of the person effecting the exchange, useful and productive in or towards the business of the Group;

 

  (iii)

of assets between members of the Group;

 

  (iv)

of assets which are obsolete, damaged, retired, surplus or worn out for the purpose for which such assets are normally utilised or which are no longer required or useful for the purpose of the relevant person’s business or operations;

 

  (v)

of cash or Cash Equivalent Investments (including by realisation) where that disposal is not otherwise prohibited by the Finance Documents;

 

  (vi)

constituted by a licence or sub-licence of intellectual property rights or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business provided that (in the case of any exclusive licence or sale to a person which is not a member of the Group) such intellectual property or other general intangibles are not required for the operation of the business of the Group;

 

  (vii)

of assets which are required by law or regulation or are seized, expropriated or acquired by compulsory purchase by (or by the order of) any central or local governmental agency or authority or other regulatory body;

 

  (viii)

of any asset (including shares in any Subsidiary) provided that the asset(s) being sold had not contributed more than €9,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) of Consolidated EBITDA, or if higher, an amount equal to five (5) per cent. of LTM EBITDA;

 

  (ix)

pursuant to the grant or termination of leasehold interests in, or licences or sub-licences of, property in the ordinary course of business provided that (in the case of any exclusive lease or licence to a person which is not a member of the Group) such property is not required for the operation of the business of the Group;

 

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  (x)

pursuant to the terms of any agreement or contractual arrangement in existence on the Closing Date or of any assets (including any person which has become a member of the Group) acquired by a member of the Group after the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of any agreement or contractual arrangement in existence at the date on which it was acquired, in each case as any such contractual commitment may be replaced, renewed, extended or amended from time to time;

 

  (xi)

of receivables either:

 

  (A)

on a non-recourse (as regards ability of the account debtors of the relevant receivables to pay) basis or where any recourse is limited to customary indemnities, warranties and/or Security; or

 

  (B)

on a recourse basis to the extent constituting, part of or made under or in connection with an arrangement for the sale or discontinuing of receivables of a member of the Group on a recourse basis (including by way of securitisation or similar programme), provided that:

 

  (I)

such arrangement is outstanding or is committed on the Closing Date or is an amendment, extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any of the foregoing; or

 

  (II)

to the extent not otherwise permitted by sub-paragraph (I) above the maximum aggregate amount of cash consideration for such receivables which have been sold or disposed of pursuant to this sub-paragraph ((II)) and which remain outstanding (other than as a result of a default by the relevant debtor) does not exceed €53,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) or, if higher, an amount equal to thirty (30) per cent. of LTM EBITDA at any time;

 

  (xii)

of any shares or equity interests by the Company or any other member of the Group (including any treasury shares in connection with share incentive schemes) or which constitutes the making of a lawful distribution by a member of the Group;

 

  (xiii)

of assets under finance lease, hire purchase, capital lease, conditional sale agreements, retention of title or other agreements for the acquisition of assets on deferred payment terms in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xiv)

of assets arising as a result of any Security, Quasi-Security or right of set-off or netting permitted pursuant to Clause 27.3 (Restriction on Security) or not expressly prohibited under the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (xv)

of assets which constitutes, is part of or is made under or in connection with a Permitted Transaction or a Permitted Reorganisation or is otherwise permitted elsewhere in this Agreement (including a transaction that constitutes a Change of Control);

 

  (xvi)

of assets pursuant to:

 

  (A)

any sale and leaseback, asset securitization or other similar arrangements entered into on arm’s length or better terms (including any disposal of assets to another member of the Group (or a partnership or other entity owned by members of the Group) in order to facilitate such a transaction and any disposal of a member of the Group (or a partnership or other entity owned by members of the Group) whose only material assets are the subject of such sale and leaseback arrangement);

 

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  (B)

any sale and leaseback, asset securitization or other similar arrangements which are outstanding or is committed on the Closing Date or is an amendment, extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement of any of the foregoing; or

 

  (C)

to the extent not otherwise permitted by sub-paragraph (A) and (B) above, any other sale and leaseback, asset securitization or other similar arrangements provided that in the case of such arrangements with a person who is not a member of the Group, the net proceeds of all such disposals does not exceed €26,500,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) or, if higher, an amount equal to fifteen (15) per cent. of LTM EBITDA over the life of the Facilities;

 

  (xvii)

of assets which become subject to vendor financing, deferred consideration or payment or other similar arrangement not expressly prohibited under the terms of this Agreement;

 

  (xviii)

of a loan, credit or any other indebtedness outstanding as a result of, or in connection with, the conversion of such loan, credit or any other indebtedness outstanding into distributable reserves or share capital of any member of the Group or any other capitalisation, forgiveness, waiver, release or other discharge of that loan, credit or indebtedness;

 

  (xix)

of assets to a Joint Venture (or of an interest in a Joint Venture to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, the terms of the arrangements in relation to that Joint Venture between the Joint Venture partner);

 

  (xx)

of rights or other interests in or relating to Treasury Transactions;

 

  (xxi)

of accounts receivable or note receivable in the ordinary course of business (including any discount and/or forgiveness thereof) or in connection with the collection, compromise or settlement of such accounts receivables or note receivables or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable for notes receivable;

 

  (xxii)

which is a use of cash for purposes not otherwise prohibited by the terms of the Finance Documents;

 

  (xxiii)

of shares or any equity interests as part of or pursuant to an equity incentive or compensation plan approved or ratified by the Board of Directors of the Company or such other member of the Group or the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to individuals as required by applicable law;

 

  (xxiv)

constituting part of or in connection with (a) any dividend, distribution, payment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement or other similar transaction (however described) (a Permitted Payment) or (b) asset sales, leases, transfers or other dispositions to the extent the proceeds thereof are used to make any Permitted Payment provided that such Permitted Payment is made within one hundred and eighty (180) days of such asset sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other disposition;

 

  (xxv)

of assets received by a member of the Group upon the enforcement or foreclosure of any Security, Quasi-Security or right of set-off or netting granted in favour of a member of the Group;

 

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  (xxvi)

of assets in connection with enforcement, foreclosure, condemnation, taking by eminent domain or any similar action with respect to any such assets;

 

  (xxvii)

of shares or any equity interests of a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a person (other than a member of the Group) from whom such member of the Group was acquired, or from whom such member of the Group acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

 

  (xxviii)

of contract rights (including by way of surrender or waiver of such rights) or the settlement, release, surrender or waiver of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

  (xxix)

of assets to a person who is providing services related to such assets, the provision of which have been or are to be outsourced by a member of the Group to such person provided that the Board of Directors of the Company or relevant member of the Group shall certify that in the opinion of such Board of Directors, the outsourcing transaction will be economically beneficial to the relevant member of the Group (considered as a whole);

 

  (xxx)

of any Cash Management Services, or other Treasury Transactions (including, in each case, by way of transfer, termination, unwinding or other disposition);

 

  (xxxi)

to which the Majority Lenders shall have given their prior written consent;

 

  (xxxii)

of assets where the lower of the book value and the aggregate net cash consideration for the assets subject to such sale, lease, license, transfer or other disposal (ignoring any earn out which may become payable) does not in any Financial Year in aggregate exceed €53,000,000 or, if higher, an amount equal to thirty (30) per cent. of LTM EBITDA; and

 

  (xxxiii)

disposals of assets which are permitted to be disposed of under any of the preceding paragraphs above to a special purpose vehicle which is a member of the Group and the subsequent disposal of that special purpose vehicle provided that the assets transferred to the special purpose vehicle are the only material assets of that special purpose vehicle and such assets are similarly able to be disposed of in accordance with the preceding paragraphs above.

 

27.5

Merger

 

  (a)

No Obligor shall enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above does not apply to any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction (including any related sale, lease, transfer or other disposal) permitted pursuant to Clause 27.4 (Disposals), any Permitted Reorganisation or any Permitted Transaction.

 

27.6

Change of business

The Company shall procure that no substantial change is made to the general nature of the business of the Company or the Group (taken as a whole) from that carried on at the date of this Agreement other than any similar, related, ancillary, incidental or complementary business, activities or services or extensions or developments of any thereof or as a result of or in connection with any Permitted Reorganisation or any Permitted Transaction.

 

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27.7

Financial Indebtedness of Non-Obligors

The Company shall ensure that the Non-Obligors will not, incur or permit to subsist or remain outstanding any Financial Indebtedness owing to persons who are not members of the Group in an amount which, when aggregated with the amount of all other Financial Indebtedness incurred by other Non-Obligors, exceeds at any time an amount equal to twenty-five (25) per cent. of the Total Net Debt of the Group (as determined by the then most recent Financial Statements and related Compliance Certificate delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Agreement).

 

27.8

Third Party Financing

 

  (a)

Third Party Financing shall be permitted to be secured pari passu with or junior in right to receive proceeds of an enforcement of the Transaction Security to the Facilities. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall ensure that no Third Party Financing or other Financial Indebtedness is designated as Super Senior Liabilities under, and as defined in, the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (b)

At the request of the Company, in connection with the incurrence by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries of any Financial Indebtedness, the Company, the relevant Restricted Subsidiaries, the Agent and the Security Agent shall enter into with the holders of such Financial Indebtedness (or their duly authorized Representatives) an intercreditor agreement (an Additional Intercreditor Agreement) or a restatement, amendment or other modification of the existing Intercreditor Agreement on substantially the same terms as the Intercreditor Agreement (or terms not materially less favourable to the Lenders), including containing substantially the same terms with respect to release of Guarantees in respect of the Facilities and priority and release of the security interests in the Charged Property created by the Transaction Security Documents.

 

  (c)

At the direction of the Company and without the consent of the Lenders, the Agent and the Security Agent shall from time to time enter into one or more amendments to any Intercreditor Agreement to:

 

  (i)

cure any ambiguity, omission, defect, manifest error or inconsistency of any such agreement;

 

  (ii)

increase the amount or types of Financial Indebtedness covered by any such agreement that is permitted to be incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under this Agreement that is subject to any such agreement (including with respect to any Intercreditor Agreement or Additional Intercreditor Agreement, the addition of provisions relating to new Financial Indebtedness ranking junior in right of payment to the Facilities);

 

  (iii)

add Restricted Subsidiaries to the Intercreditor Agreement or an Additional Intercreditor Agreement;

 

  (iv)

further secure the Facilities or any Third Party Financing;

 

  (v)

amend the Intercreditor Agreement or any Additional Intercreditor Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof; or

 

  (vi)

make any other change to any such agreement that does not adversely affect the Lenders in any material respect.

 

  (d)

In formulating its opinion on such matters, the Agent (and the Security Agent if applicable) shall be entitled to request and rely absolutely on such evidence as it deems appropriate, including an certificate from an authorised signatory of the Company and/or a written opinion from legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (provided that such

 

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counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary). The Company shall not otherwise direct the Agent or the Security Agent to enter into any amendment to any Intercreditor Agreement without the consent of the requisite majority of the Lenders, except as otherwise pursuant to Clause 40 (Amendments and Waivers).

 

  (e)

In relation to any Intercreditor Agreement or Additional Intercreditor Agreement, the Agent (and Security Agent, if applicable) shall consent on behalf of the requisite Lenders to the payment, repayment, purchase, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition, retirement or redemption of any obligations subordinated to the Facilities thereby.

 

27.9

Guarantor Coverage and Material Subsidiaries

 

  (a)

The Company shall ensure that, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement and the Agreed Security Principles, the Guarantor Coverage Test is satisfied:

 

  (i)

on the date which is one hundred and twenty (120) days after (and excluding) the Closing Date (or such later date as the Agent may agree) by reference to the Original Financial Statements of the Group (or, at the option of the Company, such other financial statements for the most recently completed Relevant Period prior to such test date for which the Company has sufficient available information to be able to determine the Guarantor Coverage Test); and

 

  (ii)

thereafter, when tested on the date on which the Annual Financial Statements are required to be delivered to the Agent in each Financial Year (commencing with the Annual Financial Statements delivered in respect of the first full Financial Year ended after the Closing Date), by reference to such Annual Financial Statements.

 

  (b)

If, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Guarantor Coverage Test is not satisfied, the Company shall ensure that within one hundred and twenty (120) days (or, where the Subsidiary is incorporated in a jurisdiction in which no existing Obligor is incorporated, within one hundred and fifty (150) days) of the date on which the Annual Financial Statements for the relevant Financial Year (commencing with the first full Financial Year ending after the Closing Date) are delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Agreement, such other members of the Group (as the Company may elect in its sole discretion) shall, subject to and on terms consistent with the Agreed Security Principles, accede as Additional Guarantors to ensure that the Guarantor Coverage Test is satisfied (calculated as if such Additional Guarantors had been Guarantors at the end of such Financial Year). If the Guarantor Coverage Test is satisfied within such one hundred and twenty (120) day (or one hundred and fifty (150) day) time period, no Default, Event of Default or other breach of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents shall arise in respect thereof.

 

  (c)

The Company shall ensure that, subject to and on terms consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the Agreed Security Principles:

 

  (i)

each member of the Group which is a Material Subsidiary at the Closing Date (and, if relevant, such other members of the Group as the Company may elect in its sole discretion so as to satisfy the Guarantor Coverage Test) tested by reference to the Original Financial Statements of the Group (or, at the option of the Company, such other financial statements for the most recently completed Relevant Period prior to such test date for which the Company has sufficient available information to be able to determine whether a member of the Group is a Material Subsidiary) shall have acceded as an Additional Guarantor within the time periods described for satisfaction of the Guarantor Coverage Test in paragraph (a)(i) above; and

 

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  (ii)

each member of the Group which becomes a Material Subsidiary after the Closing Date (by reference to the most recent Annual Financial Statements delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Agreement commencing with the first full Financial Year ending after the Closing Date) will accede as an Additional Guarantor within one hundred and twenty (120) days (or, where the Material Subsidiary is incorporated in a jurisdiction in which no existing Obligor is incorporated, within one hundred and fifty (150) days) of the date on which the Annual Financial Statements for the relevant Financial Year (commencing with the first full Financial Year ending after the Closing Date) are delivered to the Agent in accordance with this Agreement and, if this requirement is satisfied within such one hundred and twenty (120) day (or one hundred and fifty (150) day) time period, no Default, Event of Default or other breach of this Agreement or the other Finance Documents shall arise in respect thereof.

 

27.10

Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

 

  (a)

Each Obligor shall conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

  (b)

Each Obligor will procure that, so far as it is able, any director, officer, agent, employee or person acting on behalf of the foregoing, is not a Sanctioned Person and does not act on behalf of a Sanctioned Person, provided that, for the purpose of this sub-paragraph (a), a person shall not be deemed to be a Sanctioned Person if transactions or dealings with such person are (i) not prohibited under applicable Sanctions or (ii) permitted under a licence, licence exemption or other authorisation of a Sanctions Authority.

 

  (c)

No Borrower shall request a Utilisation and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall procure that its Subsidiaries shall not use the proceeds of any Utilisation, directly or to the relevant Borrower’s knowledge indirectly:

 

  (i)

for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, in each case to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be prohibited by applicable Sanctions; or

 

  (ii)

in any other manner that would result in the violation of Sanctions applicable to any party hereto; or

 

  (iii)

in an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money or anything else of value to any person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

  (d)

This Clause 27.10 shall not create or establish an obligation or right in relation to it, any Holding Company, any Obligor, any member of the Group or any Finance Party to the extent that agreeing to it, complying with such obligation or exercising any such right would:

 

  (i)

violate or expose such person or any of its directors, officers, agents or employees to any liability under any applicable anti-boycott or blocking law, regulation or statute that is in force from time to time in the European Union (and/or any of its member states) or the United Kingdom that are applicable to such entity (including EU Regulation (EC) 2271/96 and section 7 of the German Foreign Trade Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung - AWV) in connection with the German Foreign Trade Law (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz)); or

 

  (ii)

prevent or prohibit such person or any of its directors, officers, agents or employees from engaging in business, transactions, activities or other conduct pursuant to a general or specific license from OFAC, any license or authorization from HM Treasury, the European Union, or any member state of the European Union, or any other registration, authorization, permit, license exemption, or license from any other applicable governmental authority.

 

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27.11

Treasury Transactions

Each Obligor shall ensure that it does not enter into any Treasury Transaction for speculative purposes.

 

27.12

Centre of Main Interests

No Obligor incorporated in the European Union shall, without the prior written consent of the Agent, deliberately cause or allow its centre of main interests (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the European Insolvency Regulations) to change in a manner which would materially adversely affect the Lenders other than:

 

  (a)

to England and Wales, The Netherlands, Switzerland or Luxembourg; or

 

  (b)

to any other jurisdiction unless to do so would reasonably be expected to be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Lenders (taken as a whole) under the Finance Documents.

 

27.13

Further assurance

 

  (a)

Subject to the Agreed Security Principles and the terms of the Transaction Security Documents each Obligor shall (and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will) promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Security Agent or the Agent may reasonably specify:

 

  (i)

to complete the Perfection Requirements in relation to the Security created under or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent or the Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

 

  (ii)

if a Declared Default is continuing, to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

  (b)

Subject to the Agreed Security Principles and the terms of the Transaction Security Documents, at the reasonable request of the Security Agent or the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), each Obligor shall (and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group shall) take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the perfection, protection or maintenance of any Transaction Security conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent or the Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

  (c)

In relation to any provision of this Agreement which requires the Obligors or any member of the Group to deliver any document for the purposes of granting any guarantee or Security for the benefit of all or any of the Finance Parties, the Security Agent agrees to execute as soon as reasonably practicable any such agreed form document which is presented to it for execution.

 

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27.14

Conditions subsequent

 

  (a)

The Company shall deliver to the Agent, on or prior to the Closing Date, reasonable evidence that the Existing Debt Facility will be repaid, discharged in full and permanently cancelled on the Closing Date provided that a reference to the relevant entry in the Funds Flow Statement and (if applicable) the execution of a pay-off and/or cancellation letter by the relevant existing creditors’ representative(s) or a redemption notice (or equivalent) shall be deemed to be reasonable evidence that this condition subsequent is satisfactory to the Agent for the purposes of this condition subsequent.

 

  (b)

If the Listing Holding Company completes the Listing instead of the Original Company and the Listing Holding Company has not acceded to this Agreement as an Additional Guarantor on or prior the Closing Date, the Original Company shall ensure that the Listing Holding Company accedes to this Agreement as an Additional Guarantor in accordance with Clause 30 (Changes to the Obligors) on or prior to the date falling sixty (60) days after the Closing Date.

 

28.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 28 (save for Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) to Clause 28.14 (Excluded matters)) shall constitute an Event of Default.

 

28.1

Payment Default

An Obligor does not pay on the due date any principal or interest on any Loan payable pursuant to this Agreement at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless such non-payment is made within ten (10) Business Days of its due date.

 

28.2

Financial covenant

 

  (a)

The financial covenant set out in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) is not complied with and the non-compliance is not cured pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b) below or deemed cured pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (c) below.

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under paragraph (a) above if, by no later than the date falling twenty (20) Business Days after the date on which the Compliance Certificate for the Relevant Period in which such failure to comply was first evidenced (the Applicable Period) is required to be delivered the Group has received the proceeds of Equity Contributions and the full amount or any part of (at the election of the Company) any Equity Contributions so provided in accordance with this Clause 28.2 (the Cure Amount) (at the election of the Company):

 

  (i)

shall be included for the Relevant Period as if provided immediately prior to the last date of such Relevant Period by increasing the amount of Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA (an EBITDA Cure) (in an amount at least sufficient to ensure that the financial covenant in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) would be complied with if tested again as at the last day of the same Relevant Period); or

 

  (ii)

shall be included for the Relevant Period as if provided immediately prior to the last date of such Relevant Period by decreasing Total Net Debt (a Net Debt Cure and together with an EBITDA Cure, a Cure) (in an amount at least sufficient to ensure that the financial covenant in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) would be complied with if tested again as at the last day of the same Relevant Period),

provided that, in relation to any such Equity Contributions so provided in accordance with this Clause 28.2:

 

  (A)

the Company shall not be entitled to exercise EBITDA Cures on more than five (5) occasions from the Closing Date in aggregate;

 

  (B)

the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Cure more than twice in any Financial Year;

 

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  (C)

there shall be no restriction on the amount of any Equity Contributions so provided exceeding the Cure Amount;

 

  (D)

any Equity Contributions so provided and any adjustments made to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA or Total Net Debt (as applicable) under this Clause 28.2 shall not apply when calculating the applicable Margin for the Applicable Period;

 

  (E)

any Equity Contributions so provided and any adjustments to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA pursuant to this paragraph (b) will be taken into account for the Applicable Period and each of the next three (3) successive Relevant Periods;

 

  (F)

there shall be no requirement to apply any Cure Amount in prepayment of the Facilities;

 

  (G)

(other than for the purpose of adjusting the calculation of the financial covenant in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 28.2), any EBITDA Cure shall not count towards any other permission or usage under or in respect of the Finance Documents;

 

  (H)

in relation to any Equity Contributions so provided on or prior to the date of delivery of the relevant Compliance Certificate for the Relevant Period:

 

  (I)

the Compliance Certificate for that Relevant Period shall set out the revised financial covenant for the Relevant Period by giving effect to the adjustments to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA or Total Net Debt (as applicable) under this paragraph (b), and confirming that such Equity Contributions have been provided; and

 

  (II)

if such Equity Contributions are provided on or prior to the last date of that Relevant Period, the unspent amount of such Equity Contributions will not be double counted with the amount of such Equity Contributions deemed provided in accordance with paragraph (I) above; and

 

  (I)

in relation to any such Equity Contributions so provided following the date of delivery of the relevant Compliance Certificate for the Relevant Period, promptly following the proceeds of those Equity Contributions being provided to it, the Obligors’ Agent provides a revised Compliance Certificate to the Agent (signed by the CEO or CFO or other authorised signatory) setting out the revised financial covenant for the Relevant Period by giving effect to the adjustments to Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA or Total Net Debt (as applicable) under this paragraph (b).

 

  (c)

If the financial covenant set out in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) has been breached, but is complied with when tested in the next Relevant Period (the Second Period), then, the prior breach of such financial covenant or any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom shall no longer be outstanding or continuing for the purposes of the Finance Documents unless the Agent has demanded immediate repayment of all amounts due and payable under the Finance Documents and/or terminated the availability of the Facilities and cancelled such Facilities in accordance with paragraphs (i) or (ii) of Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) prior to the delivery of the Compliance Certificate in respect of the Second Period.

 

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28.3

Other obligations

 

  (a)

An Obligor does not comply with any provision of this Agreement (other than those referred to in Clause 28.1 (Payment Default) and Clause 28.2 (Financial covenant)).

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under paragraph (a) above if such failure to observe or perform or comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within thirty (30) Business Days from the earlier of (i) the Company becoming aware of the failure to comply and (ii) the giving of notice by the Agent in respect of such failure.

 

28.4

Misrepresentation

 

  (a)

Any representation, warranty or written statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents to which it is a party to is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made and this individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affect the interests of the Finance Parties taken as a whole under the Finance Documents.

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under paragraph (a) above if the circumstances giving rise to that misrepresentation are capable of remedy and are remedied within thirty (30) Business Days of the earlier of (i) the Company becoming aware of such misrepresentation and (ii) the giving of notice by the Agent in respect of such misrepresentation.

 

28.5

Cross-acceleration

 

  (a)

Any Financial Indebtedness of the Company or any other Obligor is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of the creditor(s) of such Financial Indebtedness exercising its acceleration rights (however described) under such Financial Indebtedness (excluding placing amounts on demand but including making a demand on amounts placed on demand).

 

  (b)

Any payment of interest or principal in respect of any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is not made when due after expiry of any applicable grace period.

 

  (c)

No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 28.5 if:

 

  (i)

the aggregate principal amount of Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraph (a) and (b) above does not exceed €25,000,000 or, if higher, an amount equal to fifteen (15) per cent. of LTM EBITDA; or

 

  (ii)

the relevant Obligor disputes that the Financial Indebtedness is due and payable and is contesting such Financial Indebtedness in good faith,

and excluding, in each case, any Financial Indebtedness to the extent (A) owed by one member of the Group to another member of the Group or (B) to the extent supported by a Letter of Credit or bank guarantee or letter of credit issued under an Ancillary Facility.

 

28.6

Insolvency

 

  (a)

Any Obligor:

 

  (i)

is unable or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they fall due (in each case other than solely as a result of its balance sheet liabilities exceeding its balance sheet assets);

 

  (ii)

suspends making payment on any of its debts; or

 

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  (iii)

by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with its financial creditors generally (excluding any negotiations with any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling any of its Financial Indebtedness with its financial creditors generally.

 

  (b)

A moratorium is declared in respect of the indebtedness of any Obligor.

 

28.7

Insolvency proceedings

 

  (a)

Any formal corporate action, filing or legal proceeding is taken in relation to:

 

  (i)

the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, formal restructuring proceedings, dissolution, bankruptcy, administration of any Obligor;

 

  (ii)

a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any class of creditors generally (other than with any Finance Party) of any Obligor in connection with or as a result of any financial difficulty on the part of such Obligor;

 

  (iii)

the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, reconstructor, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of, or all or any part of the business or assets of any Obligor; or

 

  (iv)

the enforcement of any Security securing Financial Indebtedness over any assets of an Obligor,

or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to:

 

  (i)

any proceedings which are (A) frivolous or vexatious or (B) contested in good faith and, in either case, are discharged, stayed or dismissed within thirty (30) Business Days of commencement (or such other period as agreed between the Company and the Majority Lenders);

 

  (ii)

(in the case of an application to appoint an administrator or commence proceedings) any proceedings which the Agent (acting reasonably) is satisfied (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders (each acting reasonably)) will be withdrawn before it is heard or will be unsuccessful;

 

  (iii)

any step or procedure contemplated in relation to a merger or other step or transaction that is permitted under Clause 27.5 (Merger) or any Permitted Transaction; or

 

  (iv)

(solely in the case of paragraph (a)(iv) above) any Financial Indebtedness where the aggregate principal amount of all Financial Indebtedness subject to such enforcement does not exceed €35,500,000 or, if higher, an amount equal to twenty (20) per cent. of LTM EBITDA.

 

28.8

Creditors’ process

 

  (a)

Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution or any analogous process in any jurisdiction is levied or enforced upon or sued out against any asset or assets of any Obligor having an aggregate value exceeding €35,500,000 or, if higher, an amount equal to twenty (20) per cent of LTM EBITDA.

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to:

 

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  (i)

any process which is (A) frivolous or vexatious or (B) contested in good faith and, in either case, is discharged, stayed or dismissed within thirty (30) Business Days of commencement (or such other period as agreed between the Company and the Majority Lenders); or

 

  (ii)

any process which the Agent (acting reasonably) is satisfied (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders (each acting reasonably)) will be withdrawn before it is heard or will be unsuccessful.

 

28.9

Unlawfulness

 

  (a)

Subject to the Legal Reservations and Perfection Requirements, it is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under a material provision of the Finance Documents and this materially and adversely affects the interests of the Finance Parties (taken as a whole) under the Finance Documents.

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 28.8 if the relevant event or circumstance is capable of remedy and is remedied within thirty (30) Business Days of the Agent giving notice to the Company of the unlawfulness and that it constitutes a breach.

 

28.10

Repudiation

 

  (a)

An Obligor repudiates in writing a Finance Document and this materially and adversely affects the interests of the Finance Parties (taken as a whole) under the Finance Documents.

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 28.10 if the relevant event or circumstance is capable of remedy and is remedied within thirty (30) Business Days of the Agent giving notice to the Company of the repudiation and that it constitutes a breach.

 

28.11

Intercreditor Agreement

 

  (a)

Any member of the Group or any other “Subordinated Creditor” (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) fails to comply in any material respect with the provisions of, or does not perform its obligations under, the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (b)

No Event of Default will occur under paragraph (a) above if such failure is capable of remedy, and is remedied within thirty (30) Business Days from the earlier of (i) the date the Company becomes aware of such failure and (ii) the date the Agent gives notice to the Company in respect of such failure.

 

28.12

Acceleration

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period) Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period), this Clause and Clause 28.13 (Clean-Up Period), at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, the Agent may (but only if so directed by the Super Majority Lenders) by written notice to the Company:

 

  (i)

cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled;

 

  (ii)

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;

 

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  (iii)

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 Super Majority Lenders;

 

  (iv)

declare that cash cover in an amount equal to the outstanding amount in respect of any Letter of Credit is immediately due and payable, whereupon it shall become immediately due and payable;

 

  (v)

declare that cash cover in an amount equal to the outstanding amount in respect of any Letter of Credit is payable on demand, whereupon it shall immediately become due and payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Super Majority Lenders;

 

  (vi)

declare all or any part of the amounts (or cash cover in relation to those amounts) outstanding under any Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility be immediately due and payable, at which time it shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

 

  (vii)

declare all or any part of the amounts (or cash cover in relation to those amounts) outstanding under any Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility be payable on demand, whereupon it shall immediately become due and payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Super Majority Lenders.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, the availability of an Additional Facility and/or the Commitments in respect of an Additional Facility, may be terminated or cancelled pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above only by Additional Facility Lenders whose Additional Facility Commitments in that Additional Facility aggregate sixty six and two thirds (66 2/3) per cent. or more of the Additional Facility Commitments in that Additional Facility.

 

28.13

Clean-Up Period

 

  (a)

For the purpose of this Agreement and any other Finance Document, for the period from the date of completion of an acquisition of (or an investment in) (i) a person who subsequently becomes a member of the Group (such a person a Target Entity) or (ii) a business or undertaking (such business or undertaking a Target Asset) until the date falling one hundred and eighty (180) days after the acquisition of a Target Entity and/or Target Asset (the Clean-Up Period), the occurrence of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default)) will be deemed not to be a breach of representation or warranty or a breach of covenant, a Default or an Event of Default (as the case may be) if it would have been (but for this provision) a breach of representation or warranty or a breach of covenant, a Default or an Event of Default only by reason of circumstances relating exclusively to such Target Entity or any of its Subsidiaries as at the date of such acquisition and (if applicable) such Target Asset of such acquisition (or investment), provided that (in each case) such breach or Event of Default:

 

  (i)

is capable of being remedied within the Clean-Up Period and the Company is taking appropriate steps to remedy such breach or Event of Default;

 

  (ii)

does not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (iii)

was not procured or approved by the Company, provided that the knowledge of any such Event of Default shall not equate to procurement or approval by the Company.

 

  (b)

Notwithstanding the above, if the relevant circumstances are continuing after the expiry of the Clean-Up Period, there shall be a breach of representation or warranty, breach of covenant, a Default or an Event of Default, as the case may be (and without prejudice to any rights and remedies of the Finance Parties).

 

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28.14

Excluded matters

Notwithstanding any other term of the Finance Documents:

 

  (a)

none of the steps, transactions, reorganisations or events set out in or contemplated by the the Listing Document (or actions necessary to implement those steps, actions or events); or

 

  (b)

a Withdrawal Event;

 

  (c)

no Permitted Reorganisation;

 

  (d)

no Permitted Transaction;

 

  (e)

other than in the case of a payment default under an Ancillary Document constituting an Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default), Clause 28.6 (Insolvency) or Clause 28.7 (Insolvency proceedings), no breach of any representation, warranty, undertaking or other term of (or default or event of default under) any agreement relating to a Treasury Transaction or an Ancillary Document; and

 

  (f)

on or prior to the Closing Date, no breach of any representation, warranty, undertaking or other term of (or default or event of default under) the Existing Debt or any document relating thereto arising as a direct or indirect result of any member of the Group entering into and/or performing its obligations under any Finance Document (or carrying out the transactions contemplated by the term of the Finance Documents).

shall (or shall be deemed to) constitute or result in, a breach of representation or warranty, a breach of undertaking or other term in the Finance Documents or a Default or an Event of Default and, in each case, each such event shall be permitted by the terms of the Finance Documents.

 

29.

CHANGES TO THE LENDERS

 

29.1

Assignments and Transfers by Lenders

 

  (a)

Subject to this Clause 29, any Lender (an Existing Lender) may:

 

  (i)

assign any of its rights; or

 

  (ii)

transfer (including by way of novation) any of its rights and obligations; or

 

  (iii)

sub-participate any of its rights or obligations,

under any Finance Document to:

 

  (A)

a bank or financial institution or to any trust, fund or other entity, in each case, which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in or securitising loans, securities or other financial assets; or

 

  (B)

any other person approved in writing by the Company,

provided that (i) until the interpretation of the term “public” (as referred to in Article 4.1(1) of the Capital Requirements Regulation (EU 575/2013)) has been published by the competent authority, the value of the rights assigned or transferred is at least EUR 100,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) or (ii) as soon as the interpretation of the term public has been published by the competent authority, the assignee or transferee is not considered to be part of the public on the basis of such interpretation (in each case, a New Lender).

 

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  (b)

The Finance Documents shall be binding upon and endure to the benefit of each Party and its or any subsequent successors, transferees, assigns and any New Lender and each such successor, transferee, assignee and any New Lender undertakes to carry out any actions required including the actions contemplated in this Clause 29 or the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

29.2

Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation

 

  (a)

On or prior to the Closing Date, the prior written consent of the Company (in its sole discretion) is required for any assignment, transfer or sub-participation unless such assignment, transfer or sub-participation is by an Original Lender assigning, transferring or sub-participating any or all of its Commitments to its Affiliates, provided that the relevant Affiliates are in each case Qualifying Banks (an Affiliated Lender) on or prior to the Closing Date (the Pre-Closing Transferred Commitments) provided that such Original Lender shall remain obligated to fund and, subject to Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period), will fund the Pre-Closing Transferred Commitments in respect of that Loan if that Affiliated Lender has failed to so fund (or has confirmed that it will not be able to fund) on the Closing Date in respect of the relevant Facility or Facilities in circumstances where such Affiliated Lender is contractually obliged to do so under this Agreement.

 

  (b)

After the Closing Date, the prior written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld) is required for any assignment, transfer or sub-participation unless such assignment, transfer or sub-participation is:

 

  (i)

to its Affiliate, another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender;

 

  (ii)

to a person included on the Approved List; or

 

  (iii)

made at a time when an Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default), Clause 28.6 (Insolvency) or Clause 28.7 (Insolvency proceedings) has occurred and is continuing,

provided that:

 

  (A)

in the case of a transfer, assignment or sub-participation to an assignee, transferee or sub-participant under sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, the Existing Lender informs the Company in writing not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the relevant transfer, assignment or sub-participation;

 

  (B)

in all cases (including under sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above) no transfer, assignment or sub-participation shall be made to any of the following persons unless the prior written consent of the Company (in its sole discretion) is obtained:

 

  (I)

any person that is (or would, upon becoming a Lender, be) a Defaulting Lender;

 

  (II)

any person that is (or would, upon becoming a Lender, be) a Non-Qualifying Bank;

 

  (III)

an Industry Competitor or private equity sponsor; or

 

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  (IV)

a Loan to Own/Distressed Investor (except when the transfer, assignment or sub-participation to a Loan to Own/Distressed Investor takes place while an Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default), Clause 28.6 (Insolvency) or Clause 28.7 (Insolvency proceedings) has occurred and is continuing);

 

  (C)

if the assignment or transfer is in respect of a Revolving Facility or the Swingline Facility, an assignee or transferee under sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above must be a deposit taking financial institution authorised to conduct lending and all other activities contemplated by the Finance Documents by a financial services regulator or similar regulatory body in each Approved Borrower Jurisdiction and have a long term credit rating of at least “BBB” or “Baa2” (as applicable) according to at least two of, Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, unless the prior written consent of the Company (in its sole discretion) is obtained;

 

  (D)

if the assignment, transfer or sub-participation is in respect of an Additional Facility, the restrictions (if any) specified in the relevant Additional Facility Notice establishing such Additional Facility Commitments are complied with;

 

  (E)

an Existing Lender may not assign, transfer or sub-participate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents to an entity incorporated in a Sanctioned Country and/or in a manner that would breach any applicable Sanctions; and

 

  (F)

if following the Closing Date, the Company fails to respond to a written request for consent to a transfer, assignment or sub-participation under this paragraph (b) within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of such written request, such consent shall be deemed granted, provided that the request was communicated to the CFO and the Treasurer of the Company and to Ulf Pagenkopf (Ulf.Pagenkopf@SilverLake.com) and Katherine Brody (Katherine.Brody@SilverLake.com) or such other person(s) notified to the Agent by the Company at least ten (10) Business Days prior to such consent being deemed granted.

 

  (c)

If the consent of the Company is required for any assignment, transfer or sub-participation, for all purposes under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents that assignment, transfer or sub-participation shall only become effective if the prior written consent of the Company has been granted.

 

  (d)

If any assignment, transfer or sub-participation is carried out in breach of this Clause 29, such assignment, transfer or sub-participation shall be void and deemed to have not occurred. Any Lender purporting to assign, transfer or sub-participation in breach of this Clause 29, shall be automatically excluded from participating in any vote and such Lender’s participation, Commitments and vote (as the case may be) shall not be included (or as applicable, required) in calculations of the Total Commitments or otherwise when ascertaining whether the approval of the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or any other class of Lenders (as applicable) has been obtained with respect to a request for a consent or agreement.

 

  (e)

An assignment or transfer of part of a Lender’s Commitments shall, unless such assignment or transfer is of all of that Lender’s remaining Commitments in that Facility:

 

  (i)

in the case of any Original Term Facility Commitments, be in a minimum amount of EUR 1,000,000 and must be in an amount such that the Lender’s remaining Original Term Facility Commitment (when aggregated with its Affiliates’ and Related Funds’ Original Term Facility Commitments (as applicable)) is in a minimum amount of EUR 2,500,000;

 

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  (ii)

in the case of any Revolving Facility Commitments, be in a minimum amount of EUR 1,000,000 and must be in an amount such that the Lender’s remaining Revolving Facility Commitment (when aggregated with its Affiliates’ and Related Funds’ Revolving Facility Commitments (as applicable)) is in a minimum amount of EUR 2,500,000; and

 

  (iii)

in the case of any Additional Facility Commitments, such other minimum amounts (and integral multiple) set out in the relevant Additional Facility Notice

provided that:

 

  (A)

if an Existing Lender is a fund, it may transfer its Commitments and/or assign its rights to (and its corresponding obligations may be released and equivalent obligations acceded to by) another fund that is either an Existing Lender or a Related Fund of a fund that is an Existing Lender in any amount and in whole or in part; and

 

  (B)

in the case of concurrent assignments, release and accessions by an Existing Lender to two or more Related Funds, the Commitments of these Related Funds shall, at the option of the relevant Lender(s), be aggregated.

 

  (f)

The Company and the Agent may, each acting reasonably, by agreement amend or revise the Approved List from time to time provided that the Company may require that any person that is or becomes a Defaulting Lender, an Industry Competitor, a private equity sponsor or a Loan to Own/Distressed Investor be removed from the Approved List at any time, and any such person shall automatically be deemed removed from the Approved List. In addition to the foregoing, the Company may unilaterally remove up to five (5) names from the Approved List in each Financial Year by notice to the Agent with immediate effect, but there shall be no ability to remove Existing Lenders or their Affiliates from the Approved List. Lenders shall be entitled to propose replacement names (through the Agent) which the Company agrees to consider in good faith (but shall be under no obligation to procure that such names are added to the Approved List).

 

  (g)

Any assignment, transfer or sub-participation referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) above and the identity of the proposed New Lender (or, as the case may be, sub-participant) shall be notified separately to the Company by the Agent (or Lender) promptly upon completion.

 

  (h)

An Existing Lender may not assign, transfer or sub-participate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or the other Finance Documents or change its Facility Office if as a result of such assignment, transfer or sub-participation or change of Facility Office, an Obligor would be obliged to repay all or part of the Existing Lenders participation in a Facility in accordance with Clause 11.1 (Illegality).

 

  (i)

The consent of any Issuing Bank appointed in respect of a Revolving Facility is required for an assignment, transfer or sub-participation of an Existing Lender’s rights and/or obligations under a Revolving Facility (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), other than any assignment, transfer or sub-participation to a person with a long term credit rating of at least “BBB-” or “Baa3” (as applicable) according to at least two of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P.

 

  (j)

The rights and obligations of the Existing Lender in respect of any Letter of Credit outstanding on the date of any relevant assignment, transfer or sub-participation will not be assigned, transferred or sub-participated unless that assignment, transfer or sub-participation is permitted pursuant to paragraph (i) above and (if so permitted), the rights

 

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  and obligations of the Existing Lender and the New Lender pursuant to Clause 7.2 (Claims under a Letter of Credit) with respect to any Letter of Credit outstanding on the date of any assignment, transfer or sub-participation and expressed to be the subject of the assignment, transfer or sub-participation in the Assignment Agreement or, the Transfer Certificate (as the case may be) shall be adjusted to those which they would have been had such Existing Lender and such New Lender had the Commitments expressed to be the subject of the assignment, transfer or sub-participation in the Assignment Agreement or, the Transfer Certificate (as the case may be) on the date that Letter of Credit was issued.

 

  (k)

An assignment, transfer or sub-participation under Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) will only be effective:

 

  (i)

on receipt by the Agent of a copy of the prior written consent of the Company to the assignment, transfer or sub-participation (as applicable) as required pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above or evidence satisfactory to the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably) that such consent is not required or has been deemed to have been given under the provisions of this Clause 29;

 

  (ii)

on receipt by the Agent (in the Assignment Agreement, Transfer Certificate or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and the Company (each acting reasonably)) that it will assume the same obligations to each of the other Finance Parties as it would have been under had it been an Original Lender;

 

  (iii)

if the procedure in Clause 29.6 (Procedure for transfers) or Clause 29.7 (Procedure for assignment) (as applicable) is complied with;

 

  (iv)

unless the New Lender is already a party to the Intercreditor Agreement in its capacity as Lender, upon the New Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

  (v)

performance by the Agent of all “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations relating to any person that the Agent is required to carry out in relation to such assignment, transfer or sub-participation to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender.

 

  (l)

If:

 

  (i)

a Lender assigns, transfers, sub-participates, novates or otherwise disposes any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and

 

  (ii)

as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer, sub-participation, novation or change occurs, the Company or an Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under Clause 18 (Taxes) or Clause 19 (Increased Costs),

then the New Lender, sub-participant, beneficiary and/or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer, sub-participation, novation or change had not occurred. This paragraph applies in respect of any assignment, transfer, sub-participation, novation or change of Facility Office made on or after the date of this Agreement.

 

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  (m)

Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms 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.

 

  (n)

Without prejudice to this Clause 29.2, the Company and each other Obligor hereby expressly consents to each assignment, transfer and/or novation of rights or obligations under this Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders), the Company and each other Obligor also accepts and confirms that all guarantees, indemnities and Security granted by it under any Finance Document will, notwithstanding any such assignment, transfer or novation, continue and be preserved for the benefit of the New Lender and each of the other Finance Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents.

 

  (o)

The Company shall be entitled to require the Finance Parties to provide information in reasonable detail regarding the identities and participations of each of the Lenders and any sub-participants under a sub-participation and the relevant Finance Parties shall provide such information as soon as reasonably practical after receipt of such a request, provided that a Lender shall not be required to disclose the identity of a sub-participant under a sub-participation if that Lender retains exclusive control over all rights and obligations in relation to the Commitments (including all Voting Rights) that are the subject of the relevant sub-participation free of any agreement or understanding pursuant to which it is required to or will consult with any other person in relation to the exercise of any such rights and/or obligation.

 

  (p)

A copy of a Confidentiality Undertaking required pursuant to any term of this Agreement (together with any amendments to the Confidentiality Undertaking) entered into by the Existing Lender and the proposed New Lender shall, unless otherwise agreed by the Company (or unless no information is disclosed to any person under or in reliance on that Confidentiality Undertaking), be provided to the Company within ten (10) Business Days of it being agreed (and in any event before any information is disclosed under or in reliance on that Confidentiality Undertaking) and a copy of any amendment to the Confidentiality Undertaking will be provided to the Company promptly upon such amendment taking effect.

 

  (q)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Company has agreed in writing to an Original Lender assigning, transferring or sub-participating any or all of its Commitments to a New Lender on or prior to the Closing Date (the Pre-Closing New Lender Transferred Commitments), that Original Lender shall remain obligated to fund and, subject to Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period), will fund the Pre-Closing New Lender Transferred Commitments in respect of that Utilisation if that New Lender has failed to so fund (or has confirmed that it will not be able to fund) on the Closing Date in respect of the relevant Facility or Facilities in circumstances where such New Lender is contractually obliged to do so under this Agreement.

 

29.3

Assignment by Lenders

Upon an assignment becoming effective, the Existing Lender will be released from its obligations under the Finance Documents to the extent they are assumed by the New Lender.

 

29.4

Assignment or transfer fee

Unless the Agent agrees otherwise and excluding an assignment or transfer (i) to an Affiliate of a Lender or (ii) to a Related Fund, the New Lender shall, on or before the date upon which an assignment or transfer to it takes effect pursuant to this Clause 29, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of €2,500 provided that only one such fee shall be payable in the event of simultaneous assignments to or from two or more Approved Funds by a single Lender.

 

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29.5

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:

 

  (i)

the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents;

 

  (ii)

the financial condition of any Obligor or any other member of the Group;

 

  (iii)

the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other member of the Group of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or

 

  (iv)

the accuracy of any statements or information (whether written or oral) made or supplied 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:

 

  (i)

has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Company and each other Obligor and its related entities and all other risks arising in connection with its participation in the Finance Documents and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

  (ii)

will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Company and each other Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

  (c)

Each New Lender confirms to the Company that it has all Authorisations required for lending to the Borrowers.

 

  (d)

Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

  (i)

accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred by such Existing Lender under this Clause 29; or

 

  (ii)

support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by the Company or any Obligor of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise.

 

29.6

Procedure for transfers

 

  (a)

Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation) and Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender), a transfer is effected in accordance with paragraph (c) below of this Clause 29.6 when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate executed and delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Agent shall, subject to paragraph (c) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a duly completed Transfer Certificate which appears on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and appears to be delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and record the transfer in the Lender Register.

 

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  (b)

The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 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 transfer to such New Lender.

 

  (c)

Subject to Clause 29.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:

 

  (i)

to the extent that in such Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents, each of the Obligors and such Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another (and the Existing Lender and any Issuing Bank shall be released from any further obligations toward each other) under the Finance Documents and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (such rights and obligations being referred to in this Clause 29.6 as discharged rights and obligations);

 

  (ii)

the Company and each of the Obligors 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 Company or that Obligor or other member of the Group and that New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Company, that Obligor and such Existing Lender;

 

  (iii)

the Agent, the Arrangers, the New Lender and the other Finance Parties shall acquire the same rights and benefits and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had such New Lender been an original party hereto as a Lender with the rights, benefits and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of such transfer and to that extent the Agent, the Arrangers and the relevant Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties (other than the New Lender) shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and

 

  (iv)

such New Lender shall become a party hereto as a Lender; and

 

  (v)

the New Lender confirms to the Company that it has all Authorisations required for lending to the Borrowers.

 

  (d)

Each Party (other than the Existing Lender and the New Lender) irrevocably authorises the Agent to execute any duly completed Transfer Certificate on its behalf.

 

29.7

Procedure for assignment

 

  (a)

Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation) and Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender), an assignment may be effected in accordance with paragraph (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 paragraph (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 and record the assignment in the Lender Register.

 

  (b)

The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 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 assignment to such New Lender.

 

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  (c)

Subject to Clause 29.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:

 

  (i)

the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender its rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement;

 

  (ii)

the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the Relevant Obligations) expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement;

 

  (iii)

the New Lender shall become a party as a Lender and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations; and

 

  (iv)

the New Lender confirms to the Company that it has all Authorisations required for lending to the Borrowers.

 

  (d)

Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 29.7 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with Clause 29.6 (Procedure for transfers), to obtain a release by that Obligor from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation).

 

29.8

Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Additional Facility Notice or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter to the Company and maintenance of Lender Register

 

  (a)

The Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment Agreement, Transfer Certificate, Additional Facility Notices, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter, Increase Confirmation and Issuing Bank Accession Agreement delivered to it.

 

  (b)

The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, an Assignment Agreement, an Additional Facility Notice, an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or an Increase Confirmation, send to the Company, a copy of that Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Additional Facility Notice, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or Increase Confirmation. The Agent shall provide, upon the request of the Company, in relation to any specified Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Additional Facility Notice, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter or Increase Confirmation, a copy of such document to the Company within five (5) Business Days of receipt of such request.

 

  (c)

The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Obligors, shall maintain a register (which may be kept in electronic form) on which it will record the name and addresses of the Lenders, the Commitments of, and the outstanding principal amount (and stated interest) of the Utilisations owing or attributable to each Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement from time to time (the Lender Register). The Agent will promptly update the Lender Register on the relevant Transfer Date or Accession Date.

 

  (d)

The Lender Register shall be available for inspection by the Company, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice and the Agent will provide a copy of the Lender Register to the Company within three (3) Business Days of request.

 

  (e)

The entries in the Lender Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes absent manifest error, and the Obligors, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Lender Register pursuant to the terms of this Agreement as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. Any failure to make or update the Lender Register or any error in the Lender Register will not affect any Obligor’s obligations in respect of the Utilisations.

 

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  (f)

Each Party irrevocably authorises the Agent to make the relevant entry in the Lender Register (and which the Agent shall do promptly) on its behalf for the purposes of this Clause 29.8 without any further consent of, or consultation with, such Party.

 

  (g)

The Agent shall, upon request by an Existing Lender (as defined in Clause 29.1 (Assignments and Transfers by Lenders)) or a New Lender, confirm to that Existing Lender or New Lender whether a transfer or assignment from that Existing Lender or (as the case may be) to that New Lender has been recorded on the Lender Register (including details of the Commitment of that Existing Lender or New Lender in each Facility).

 

29.9

Security over Lenders’ rights

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 29, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from the Company or any Obligor (but subject to paragraph (d) of Clause 29.2 (Conditions of assignment, transfer or sub-participation)), 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:

 

  (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 at any time:

 

  (i)

release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents;

 

  (ii)

require any payments to be made by an Obligor 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; or

 

  (iii)

be made if, as a result of such charge, assignment or Security, the Swiss Ten Non-Bank Rule or the Swiss Twenty Non-Bank Rule would no longer be complied with.

 

29.10

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 29.6 (Procedure for transfers) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 29.7 (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):

 

  (i)

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 (or, if the Interest Period is longer than six (6) Months, on the next of the dates which falls at six (6) Monthly intervals after the first day of that Interest Period); and

 

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  (ii)

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 (i), have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts.

 

  (b)

In this Clause (i) reference to “Interest Period” shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees.

 

29.11

Accession of Additional Facility Lender

Any person which provides Additional Facility Commitments or an Additional Facility Loan shall become a Party as a Lender by executing an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter.

 

29.12

Preservation of security

In the event that a transfer by any of the Finance Parties of its rights and/or obligations under any relevant Finance Documents occurred or was deemed to occur by way of novation, each Obligor explicitly agrees that all security interests and guarantees created under any Finance Documents shall be preserved for the benefit of the New Lender and the other Finance Parties.

 

30.

CHANGES TO THE OBLIGORS

 

30.1

Assignment and transfers by Obligors

Neither the Company nor any Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents other than pursuant to a Permitted Reorganisation.

 

30.2

Additional Borrowers

 

  (a)

Subject to compliance with Clause 25.7 (“Know your customer” checks), the Company may request that any of its Subsidiaries becomes an Additional Borrower under a Facility. That Subsidiary shall become a Borrower under a Facility if:

 

  (i)

it is:

 

  (A)

incorporated in the same jurisdiction as an existing Borrower;

 

  (B)

in the case of a member of the Group which will borrow under the Original Term Facility only, incorporated in Switzerland or the Netherlands;

 

  (C)

in the case of a member of the Group which will borrow under the Original Revolving Facility only, incorporated in Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands or any other jurisdiction as approved by the Revolving Facility Lenders (each acting reasonably) participating in that Utilisation;

 

  (D)

in the case of a member of the Group which will borrow under an Ancillary Facility only, approved by the relevant Ancillary Lender (acting reasonably);

 

  (E)

in the case of a member of the Group which will borrow under an Additional Facility only, approved by the relevant Additional Facility Lenders (acting reasonably) participating in the applicable Additional Facility;

 

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  (F)

in the case of a member of the Group which will borrow under the Swingline Facility, it is approved only by the relevant Swingline Lender (acting reasonably); or

 

  (G)

otherwise approved by the Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) (each acting reasonably) with a Commitment under the applicable Facility in respect of which it will become a Borrower;

 

  (ii)

the Company or the acceding Borrower delivers to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Letter;

 

  (iii)

(subject to the Agreed Security Principles) the Subsidiary is (or becomes) a Guarantor prior to or contemporaneously with becoming a Borrower; and

 

  (iv)

the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Borrower, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably) or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and only on the instructions of the Majority Lenders participating in the relevant Facility to which it will be a Borrower under, each also acting reasonably).

 

  (b)

The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) (acting reasonably) all of the documents and other evidence set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Borrower or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and only on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably).

 

  (c)

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 paragraph (b) above, 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)

Upon the Agent’s confirmation to the Company that it has received all documents referred to in paragraph (a) of Clause 30.2 (Additional Borrowers) in respect of an Additional Borrower, such Additional Borrower, the Obligors and the Finance Parties shall each assume such obligations towards one another and/or acquire such rights against each other party as they would have assumed or acquired had such Additional Borrower been an original Party and such Additional Borrower shall become a Party and thereto as a Borrower and as a Guarantor.

 

30.3

Additional Guarantors

 

  (a)

Subject to compliance Clause 25.7 (“Know your customer” checks), the Company may request that any of its Subsidiaries becomes a Guarantor. That Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor if, subject to the Agreed Security Principles:

 

  (i)

the Company or the relevant Subsidiary delivers to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Letter; and

 

  (ii)

the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Guarantor, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably) or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and only on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably).

 

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  (b)

The Agent shall in connection with any accession of a Guarantor under this Clause 30.3

 

  (i)

use reasonable endeavours to agree and/or confirm satisfaction of the documents and evidence to be received by it pursuant to Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) within any time period reasonably requested by the Company (or in the absence of such request, promptly);

 

  (ii)

notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) (acting reasonably) all of the documents and other evidence set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Guarantor or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and only on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably).

 

  (c)

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 paragraph (b) above, 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)

Upon the Agent’s confirmation to the Company that it has received all documents referred to in paragraph (a) of Clause 30.3 (Additional Guarantors) in respect of an Additional Guarantor, such Additional Guarantor, the other Obligors and the Finance Parties shall each assume such obligations towards one another and/or acquire such rights against each other party as they would have assumed or acquired had such Subsidiary been an original Party as a Guarantor and such Subsidiary shall become a Party and thereto as a Guarantor.

 

  (e)

The Agent may agree with the Company that the requirements under paragraph (a)(ii) above are to be delivered and/or satisfied at a date later than the date on which the relevant entity becomes an Additional Guarantor.

 

30.4

Resignation of an Obligor

 

  (a)

The Company may request that an Obligor ceases to be a Borrower and/or a Guarantor by delivering a Resignation Letter to the Agent if:

 

  (i)

that Obligor or its Holding Company is the subject of a transaction not expressly prohibited by this Agreement pursuant to which the Obligor or its Holding Company will cease to be a member of the Group;

 

  (ii)

the Company confirms to the Agent that the Guarantor Coverage Test based on the most recent Annual Financial Statements (calculated on a pro forma basis taking into account such resignations and any members of the Group which have (or will) become Additional Guarantors on or prior to the date on which the resignation will become effective, and any resignation of any Obligor which has (or will) become effective on or prior to the date on which such resignation will become effective) will continue to be satisfied after such resignation and such Obligor is not a Material Subsidiary;

 

  (iii)

that Obligor is the subject of a Permitted Reorganisation pursuant to which it is to be liquidated, wound up or dissolved (or pursuant to which it will otherwise cease to exist or will no longer be a Material Subsidiary); or

 

  (iv)

the Super Majority Lenders have consented to the resignation of that Obligor.

 

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  (b)

The Agent shall accept a Resignation Letter and notify the Company and the Lenders of its acceptance if:

 

  (i)

the Company has confirmed that no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter;

 

  (ii)

in the case of a Borrower, no amounts utilised by it as a Borrower remain outstanding under this Agreement (or will be outstanding at the time of resignation) and it is under no actual or contingent obligations as a Borrower under any Finance Documents, and in the case of a Guarantor no payment is due and payable from that Guarantor under Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity);

 

  (iii)

in the case of a Borrower which is also a Guarantor (unless it is simultaneously resigning as a Guarantor in accordance with this Clause 30.4), its obligations in its capacity as Guarantor continue to be, subject to the Legal Reservations, legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect; and

 

  (iv)

in relation to the resignation of a Guarantor, that Obligor is not a Borrower (unless it will also cease to be a Borrower at or prior to the time at which its resignation as a Guarantor becomes effective) or a Material Subsidiary.

 

  (c)

Upon notification by the Agent to the Company of its acceptance of the resignation of a Borrower or a Guarantor, that entity shall cease to be a Borrower or a Guarantor (as applicable) and shall have no further rights or obligations under the Finance Documents as a Borrower or a Guarantor (as applicable).

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding anything else in this Clause 30 to the contrary, where the Borrower or Guarantor is the subject of a transaction contemplated by paragraph (a) above, the resignation as a Borrower and/or Guarantor shall not take effect (and the Obligor will continue to have rights, obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents as a Borrower and/or Guarantor) until the date on which the transaction contemplated by paragraph (a) above, takes effect.

 

30.5

Repetition of Representations

Delivery of an Accession Letter constitutes confirmation by the relevant Subsidiary that each of the representations referred to in paragraph (c) of Clause 24.14 (Repetition) are true and correct in all material respects (or to the extent a materiality test applies, all respects) in relation to it as at the date of delivery as if made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

30.6

Accession of the Listing Holding Company

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Clause 30 to the contrary, the Listing Holding Company may accede to this Agreement as the Company, an Additional Guarantor and (at its sole option) an Additional Borrower if:

 

  (a)

the Listing Holding Company has delivered to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Letter; and

 

  (b)

the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence set out in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions Precedent) in the relation to the Listing Holding Company each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably) or receipt of such documents and evidence has been waived by the Agent (acting reasonably and only on the instructions of the Majority Lenders each also acting reasonably).

 

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31.

ROLE OF THE AGENT, THE ARRANGERS, THE ISSUING BANK AND OTHERS

 

31.1

Appointment of the Agent

 

  (a)

Each of the Arrangers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank(s) appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents, regardless of the laws that govern each such Finance Document and regardless of the language that any such Finance Documents are entered into.

 

  (b)

Each of the Arrangers, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank authorises the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities, confirmation, determinations, approvals, satisfactions, opinions 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.

 

31.2

Instructions

 

  (a)

The Agent shall:

 

  (i)

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 (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); and

 

  (ii)

not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) 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 other than the Security Agent.

 

  (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 (together with any associated VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

  (e)

In the absence of instructions from the Majority Lenders (or, if appropriate, the Lenders or relevant class or number of Lenders), 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.

 

31.3

Duties of the Agent

 

  (a)

The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

  (b)

Subject to paragraph (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 29.8 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement, Increase Confirmation, Additional Facility Notice or Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter to the Company and maintenance of Lender Register) and paragraph (e) of Clause 7.4 (Cash collateral by Non-Acceptable L/C Lender), paragraph (a) shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or 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 to the Agent or 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).

 

  (h)

The Agent shall provide to the Company, within five (5) Business Days of a request by the Company, a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments, the address and electronic mail address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made) of each Lender for any communication to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents, the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

  (i)

Upon the Agent becoming an Impaired Agent, the Company shall provide a copy of the list of all the Lenders to each Finance Party.

 

31.4

Role of the Arrangers

Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arrangers have no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

31.5

No fiduciary duties

 

  (a)

Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent, any Arranger and/or and Issuing Bank as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

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  (b)

None of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender 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.

 

31.6

Business with the Group

The Agent, the Security Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and each Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group and its Holding Companies.

 

31.7

Rights and discretions

 

  (a)

Each of the Agent, the Security Agent and the Issuing Bank may:

 

  (i)

rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

  (ii)

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

 

  (iii)

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 paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

  (b)

Each of the Agent and the Security Agent the Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that:

 

  (i)

no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default));

 

  (ii)

any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or the Majority Lenders (or any relevant group of Lenders) has not been exercised;

 

  (iii)

any notice or request made by the Company (other than a Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.

 

  (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 paragraph (c) above or paragraph (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.

 

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  (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 paragraph (g) above, the Agent may disclose the identity of a Defaulting Lender, an Increased Costs Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender, a Non-Funding Lender and/or a Non-Qualifying Bank to the other Finance Parties and the Company and shall disclose the same upon the written request of the Company or the Majority Lenders.

 

  (i)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, none of the Agent, the Arrangers or the Issuing Bank is 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.

 

31.8

Responsibility for documentation

None of the Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender is responsible or liable for:

 

  (a)

the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank, an Ancillary Lender, a Fronted Ancillary Lender, a Fronting Ancillary Lender, the Company, an Obligor or any other person given in or in connection with any Finance Document or the Information Package 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 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.

 

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31.9

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.

 

31.10

Exclusion of liability

 

  (a)

Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent or the Issuing Bank), neither the Agent nor the Issuing Bank will be liable for:

 

  (i)

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 or breach of a Finance Document;

 

  (ii)

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 breach of a Finance Document; or

without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including 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) 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, the Issuing Bank or an Ancillary Lender (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent, the Issuing Bank or an Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender 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, the Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 1.7 (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.

 

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  (d)

Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or the Arrangers to carry out:

 

  (i)

any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

  (ii)

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 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 the Arrangers.

 

31.11

Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, each Lender shall (in the proportion that its Commitments bear to the Total Commitments) indemnify the Agent, within three (3) Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 34.11 (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 it has been reimbursed by the Company or an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

  (b)

If the Available Facilities are then zero, each Lender’s indemnity under paragraph (a) above shall be in proportion to its Commitments to the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero.

 

31.12

Resignation of the Agent

 

  (a)

The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Company.

 

  (b)

Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving thirty (30) days’ notice to the Lenders and the Company, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Company) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company).

 

  (c)

If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within twenty (20) days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Company) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company).

 

  (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 paragraph (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 as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 31 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, 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 but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 31. Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations among themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

  (h)

After consultation with the Company, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above.

 

  (i)

The Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three (3) months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

 

  (i)

the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 18.9 (FATCA Information) and the Company 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;

 

  (ii)

the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 18.9 (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

 

  (iii)

the Agent notifies the Company 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 Company 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 Company or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.

 

31.13

Replacement of the Agent

 

  (a)

After consultation with the Company, the Majority Lenders may by giving thirty (30) days’ notice to the Agent (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company).

 

  (b)

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.

 

  (c)

The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders (or as applicable the Company) to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 31 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

 

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  (d)

Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations among themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

31.14

Appointment and Resignation of Issuing Banks

 

  (a)

Any person may with the consent of the Company become an Issuing Bank.

 

  (b)

A person will only become an Issuing Bank when:

 

  (i)

it delivers an Issuing Bank Accession Agreement to the Agent; and

 

  (ii)

the Agent executes the Issuing Bank Accession Agreement (provided that the Agent shall execute any Issuing Bank Accession Agreement which on its face appears duly completed promptly on receipt).

 

  (c)

An Issuing Bank may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in United Kingdom (or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company) as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Company.

 

  (d)

Alternatively an Issuing Bank may (with the consent of the Company) resign by giving thirty (30) days’ notice (or such shorter period as the Company may agree) to the Lenders and the Company, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Company) may appoint a successor Issuing Bank. The Issuing Bank’s resignation notice shall take effect immediately upon the expiry of such thirty (30) day notice period unless a successor Issuing Bank has not been appointed in which case such notice shall be ineffective until a successor Issuing Bank has been appointed.

 

  (e)

If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Issuing Bank in accordance with paragraph (b) above within twenty (20) days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Issuing Bank (after consultation with the Company) may (but shall have no obligation to) appoint a successor Issuing Bank (acting through an office in the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction agreed by the Company).

 

  (f)

The retiring Issuing Bank shall, at its own cost, make available to any successor Issuing Bank such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Issuing Bank may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Issuing Bank under the Finance Documents.

 

  (g)

The Issuing Banks resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor. Any such resignation will not extend to or affect Letters of Credit issued before the resignation.

 

  (h)

Upon the resignation of the Issuing Bank having become effective in accordance with paragraph (d) above, the retiring Issuing Bank shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 31.

 

  (i)

Any successor Issuing Bank and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor Issuing Bank had been an original Party.

 

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  (j)

The Company may, by notice to the Issuing Bank, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (d) above. In this event, the Issuing Bank shall resign in accordance with paragraph (d).

 

31.15

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.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Arrangers is obliged to disclose to any other person (i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or a breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

31.16

Relationship with the Lenders

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 29.10 (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:

 

  (i)

entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

 

  (ii)

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 (5) Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

  (b)

To the extent legally permissible, each Lender shall supply the Agent with any information that the Security Agent may reasonably specify (through the Agent) as being necessary or desirable to enable the Security Agent to perform its functions as Security Agent. Each Lender shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent and shall not deal directly with the Security Agent.

 

  (c)

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 36.6 (Electronic communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt 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 36.2 (Addresses) and paragraph (a) of Clause 36.6 (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.

 

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31.17

Credit appraisal by the Lenders, Issuing Bank and Ancillary Lenders

Without affecting the responsibility of the Company or any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender, Issuing Bank and Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender and Fronting Ancillary Lender confirms to the Agent, the Arrangers, the Issuing Bank and each Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender and Fronting Ancillary Lender 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 to:

 

  (a)

the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group and its Holding Companies;

 

  (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 Finance Party 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;

 

  (d)

the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of the Information Package and 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 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

 

  (e)

the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Charged Property.

 

31.18

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.

 

31.19

Reliance and engagement letters

Each Finance Party confirms that each of the Arrangers and the Agent has authority to accept on its behalf (and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Arrangers or Agent) the terms of any reports or letters (including any reliance or engagement letters relating to such reports or letters) provided by any person in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those reports or letters and to sign such letters on its behalf and further confirms that it accepts the terms and qualifications set out in such letters.

 

31.20

Role of the Security Agent

 

  (a)

The Security Agent shall, at all times, act in accordance with the terms set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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  (b)

The declaration of trust pursuant to which the Security Agent declares itself trustee of the Transaction Security (to the extent permitted by the applicable law), for which it will hold on trust for the Secured Parties, is contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (c)

In acting or otherwise exercising its rights or performing its duties under any of the Finance Documents, the Security Agent shall act in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and shall seek any necessary instruction or direction from the Agent. In so acting, the Security Agent shall have the rights, benefits, protections, indemnities and immunities set out in this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (d)

In the event there is an inconsistency or conflict between the rights, duties, benefits, obligations, protections, immunities or indemnities of the Security Agent (the “Security Agent Provisions”) as contained in this Agreement and/or the Intercreditor Agreement, on the one hand, and in any of the other Finance Documents, on the other hand, the Security Agent Provisions contained in this Agreement and/or the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail and apply.

 

  (e)

The Security Agent is hereby authorised by the Secured Parties to sign or countersign any Assignment Agreement, Transfer Certificate, Additional Facility Notice, Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter, Increase Confirmation or Issuing Bank Accession Agreement or similar document in connection therewith without investigation or inquiry, if, on its face, it appears to conform to the form contemplated in this Agreement or, if applicable, the same is signed by the Security Agent.

 

32.

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 unless expressly specified in the other provisions of this Agreement; or

 

  (c)

oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.

 

33.

SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

33.1

Payments to Finance Parties

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, if a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance Party) receives or recovers (including by way of set-off) any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 34 (Payment Mechanics) (a Recovered Amount) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

 

  (i)

the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three (3) Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

 

  (ii)

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 34 (Payment Mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

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  (iii)

the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three (3) 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 34.6 (Partial payments).

 

  (b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to any amount received or recovered by an Issuing Bank or an Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender in respect of any cash cover provided for the benefit of that Issuing Bank or that Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender.

 

33.2

Redistribution of payments

The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the Sharing Finance Parties) in accordance with Clause 34.6 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.

 

33.3

Recovering Finance Party’s rights

On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 33.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant Obligor 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 that Obligor unless and to the extent such treatment would otherwise be prohibited by any Guarantee Limitations.

 

33.4

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 relevant Obligor and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor unless and to the extent such treatment would otherwise be prohibited by any Guarantee Limitation.

 

33.5

Exceptions

 

  (a)

This Clause 33 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

 

  (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:

 

  (i)

it notified the other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and

 

  (ii)

the 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.

 

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33.6

Ancillary Lenders

 

  (a)

This Clause 33 shall not apply to any receipt or recovery by a Lender in its capacity as an Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender at any time prior to service of notice under Clause 28.12 (Acceleration).

 

  (b)

Following service of notice under Clause 28.12 (Acceleration), this Clause 33 shall apply to all receipts or recoveries by Ancillary Lenders, Fronted Ancillary Lenders or Fronting Ancillary Lenders except to the extent that the receipt or recovery represents a reduction from the Gross Outstandings for an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility that is provided by way of a multi-account overdraft to or towards an amount equal to its Net Outstandings.

 

34.

PAYMENT MECHANICS

 

34.1

Payments to the Agent

 

  (a)

On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document excluding a payment under the terms of an Ancillary Document, that Obligor 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 a Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent and with such bank as the Agent specifies by not less than five (5) Business Days’ notice).

 

34.2

Distributions by the Agent

Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 34.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and Clause 34.4 (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 (5) 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).

 

34.3

Distributions to an Obligor

The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with Clause 35 (Set-Off)) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

34.4

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 paragraph (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.

 

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  (c)

If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of a 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 a Borrower:

 

  (i)

the Agent shall notify the Company of that Lender’s identity and the Borrower to whom that sum was made available shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and

 

  (ii)

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 indemnity the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.

 

34.5

Impaired Agent

 

  (a)

If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, an Obligor or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 34.1 (Payments to the Agent) may instead either pay that amount direct to the required recipient or pay 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 Obligor or the Lender making the payment and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents. 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 beneficiaries of that trust account pro rata to their respective entitlements.

 

  (c)

A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 34.5 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 31.13 (Replacement of the Agent), each Party which has made a payment to a trust account in accordance with this Clause 34.5 shall 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 in accordance with Clause 34.2 (Distributions by the Agent).

 

34.6

Partial payments

 

  (a)

If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts due in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under those Finance Documents in the following order:

 

  (i)

first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Issuing Bank (other than any amount under Clause 7.2 (Claims under a Letter of Credit) or, to the extent relating to the reimbursement of a claim (as defined in Clause 7 (Letters of Credit)), Clause 7.3 (Indemnities)) under those Finance Documents;

 

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  (ii)

secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under those Finance Documents;

 

  (iii)

thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under those Finance Documents and any amount due but unpaid under Clause 7.2 (Claims under a Letter of Credit) and Clause 7.3 (Indemnities); and

 

  (iv)

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 paragraphs (a)(ii) to (iv) above.

 

  (c)

Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (c) above or any other term of the Finance Documents, amounts received from any Guarantor shall not be applied to any obligation that is an Excluded Swap Obligation of such Guarantor.

 

34.7

Set-off by Obligors

 

  (a)

All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made, save to the extent contemplated in Clause 10.3 (Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans) and Clause 18.4 (Tax Credits), without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim (provided that nothing in the Finance Documents shall prevent, or shall be construed so as to prevent, any member of the Group):

 

  (i)

setting-off any amount or payment due from a Defaulting Lender against any amount or payment owed by a member of the Group and provided further that in the event of any such set-off by a member of the Group, for the purposes of the Finance Documents, the Agent shall treat such set-off as reducing only payments due to the relevant Defaulting Lender; and/or

 

  (ii)

exercising any right of counterclaim against a Defaulting Lender or any amount or payment due from a Defaulting Lender.

 

  (b)

The Agent shall not be liable in any way for any action taken by it pursuant to paragraph (a) above and, for the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Clause 31.10 (Exclusion of liability) shall apply in relation thereto.

 

34.8

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.

 

34.9

Currency of account

 

  (a)

Subject to paragraphs (b) to (e) below, the Base Currency is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor 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 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 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 (unless otherwise agreed with the Party to which such payment is to be made).

 

  (e)

Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than the Base Currency shall be paid in that other currency.

 

34.10

Change of currency

 

  (a)

Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if a single currency or currency unit becomes the lawful currency of two or more countries or if a single currency or currency unit ceases to be the lawful currency of one or more country or 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:

 

  (i)

any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country (or, as the case may be, the relevant single currency) shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency units of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the affected Lenders and the Company and in each case acting reasonably); and

 

  (ii)

any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange as at the Specified Time recognised by the central bank or as otherwise imposed by law for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably), or at such other rate as may be agreed by the Company and the Agent (each acting reasonably, in good faith and in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (i) above).

 

  (b)

Without prejudice to paragraph (a) above, if a change in any currency of any relevant country occurs (or if a single currency or currency unit ceases to be the lawful currency of one or more country) after the date of this Agreement, the Finance Documents will be amended to the extent to which the Agent, acting reasonably and in good faith and after consultation with the Company, determines to be necessary to satisfy the requirements of, and reflect the matters contemplated by, paragraph (a) above, to reflect the change in currency or any generally accepted financial conventions and market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market relating to dealing in any new currency and, in each case, so far as is reasonably practicable, to put the Obligors in no worse a position than that which they would have been had such change or event not taken place. Any such changes agreed upon in writing by the Agent and the Company shall 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 40 (Amendments and Waivers).

 

34.11

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 Company that a Disruption Event has occurred:

 

  (a)

the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Company, consult with the Company with a view to agreeing with the Company such changes to the operation or administration of the Facilities as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

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  (b)

the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Company in relation to any changes mentioned in paragraph (a) above if, in its opinion (acting reasonably and in good faith), 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 paragraph (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 Company 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 40 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

  (e)

the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever (including 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 34.11; and

 

  (f)

the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.

 

35.

SET-OFF

 

  (a)

Subject to Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period) and Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period), a Finance Party may, at any time while a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing, set-off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, 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.

 

  (b)

Any credit balances taken into account by an Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender when operating a net limit in respect of any overdraft under an Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility shall on enforcement of the Finance Documents be applied first in reduction of the overdraft provided under that Ancillary Facility or Fronted Ancillary Facility in accordance with its terms.

 

36.

NOTICES

 

36.1

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 electronic mail or letter.

 

36.2

Addresses

The address and electronic mail 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 Company, that identified with its name below;

 

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  (b)

in the case of each Lender, the Issuing Bank, each Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender or any Obligor, 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 or the Security Agent, that identified with its name below,

or any substitute address, electronic mail 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 (5) Business Days’ notice.

 

36.3

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:

 

  (i)

if by way of electronic mail, when received in legible form; or

 

  (ii)

if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five (5) 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 36.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

  (b)

Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s or the Security Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

 

  (c)

All notices from or an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent. The Company may make and/or deliver as agent of each Obligor notices and/or requests on behalf of each Obligor.

 

  (d)

Any communication or document made or delivered to the Company in accordance with this Clause 36.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

 

  (e)

Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraphs (a) to (d) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

36.4

Notification of address and electronic mail address

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address or electronic mail address or change of address or electronic mail address pursuant to Clause 36.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or electronic mail address, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

36.5

Communication when Agent is 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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36.6

Electronic communication

 

  (a)

Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by unencrypted electronic mail or other unencrypted electronic means if the Parties:

 

  (i)

agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication (with such agreement to be deemed to be given by each person which is a Party unless otherwise notified to the contrary by the Agent or the Security Agent and the Company);

 

  (ii)

notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

  (iii)

notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than five (5) Business Days’ notice.

 

  (b)

Any electronic communication made between the Parties will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or the Security Agent shall specify for this purpose.

 

  (c)

Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with paragraph (b) above, after 5:00 p.m. in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent to made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

  (d)

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 36.6.

 

36.7

English language

 

  (a)

Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

  (b)

All other documents (other than the constitutional documents of any Obligor) provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

 

  (i)

in English; or

 

  (ii)

if not in English, and if so required by the Agent (acting reasonably), 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.

 

37.

CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

 

37.1

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.

 

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37.2

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, prima facie evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

37.3

Day count convention

Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of three hundred and sixty (360) days in the case of euro denominated Loans and a year of three hundred and sixty five (365) days in the case of Sterling denominated Loans or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.

 

38.

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents 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.

 

39.

REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party or Secured 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.

 

40.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

40.1

Required consents

 

  (a)

Subject to the other provisions of this Clause 40 (including Clause 40.2 (All Lender Matters) to Clause 40.5 (Other exceptions)) any term of the Finance Documents (other than the Fee Letters which may only be amended or waived in accordance with their terms) may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Company 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, waiver, consent or release permitted by this Clause 40 and any amendment waiver, consent or release made or effected in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 40, or in accordance with any other term of this Agreement or any other Finance Documents shall, in each case, be binding on all Parties. In the event that any of the Finance Parties is not entitled to grant to the Agent the authority referred to in this Agreement it shall be obliged to appear with and (if required) execute at the same time as the Agent, upon the request of the Agent, to formalise any actions or measures that are required. By virtue of this Agreement, each of the Finance Parties shall be obliged to cooperate with the Agent, including to participate in the negotiation and execution of the documents, either in public or private, that may be required for the execution and effectiveness of the provisions contained in this Agreement or any other Finance Document.

 

  (c)

Each Finance Party irrevocably and unconditionally authorises and instructs the Agent without any further consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from them (for the benefit of the Agent and the Company) to execute any documentation relating to a proposed amendment or waiver as soon as the requisite Lender consent is received in accordance

 

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  with this Clause 40 (or on such later date as may be agreed by the Agent and Company). Without prejudice to the foregoing, the Finance Parties shall enter into any documentation necessary to implement an amendment or waiver once that amendment or waiver has been approved by the requisite number of Lenders determined in accordance with this Clause 40 (or on such later date as may be agreed by the Agent and Company).

 

  (d)

The Company may effect, as agent of each Obligor, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 40 and each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 40 which is agreed to by the Company. This includes any amendment or waiver which would, but for this paragraph (d), require the consent of all of the Guarantors.

 

40.2

All Lender Matters

Subject to Clause 40.4 (Structural Adjustment) and Clause 40.5 (Other exceptions) and other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of this Agreement (including this Clause 40) or any other Finance Document, an amendment, waiver or a consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

  (a)

the definitions of Change of Control, Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders and Structural Adjustment in Clause 1.1 (Definitions);

 

  (b)

any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

  (c)

Clause 2.4 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations);

 

  (d)

Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) to the extent restricting or limiting the rights of the Lenders to assign, transfer or sub-participate their rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or imposing additional conditions on such rights;

 

  (e)

this Clause 40; or

 

  (f)

a change to the Borrowers or Guarantors other than in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,

shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders provided that:

 

  (i)

any amendment to Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) in accordance with paragraph (d) above shall only require the consent of each Lender who will be subject to any such additional restrictions; and

 

  (ii)

a change to the Borrower under any Facility within the scope of paragraph (f) above shall only require the consent of the Lenders under that Facility,

unless, in each case, any amendment, waiver, consent or release is required to implement or reflect any Permitted Structural Adjustment.

 

40.3

Super Majority Lender Matters

Subject to Clause 40.4 (Structural Adjustment) and Clause 40.5 (Other exceptions) and other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of this Agreement (including this Clause 40) or any other Finance Document, an amendment, waiver or a consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

  (a)

the nature or scope of the guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity) or of any Security granted under the Finance Documents; or

 

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  (b)

the release of all or substantially all of the guarantees and indemnity granted under Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity) or of any Security granted under the Finance Documents,

shall not be made without the prior consent of the Super Majority Lenders, in each case, unless:

 

  (i)

that release is conditional upon or is to become effective on or following the prepayment and cancellation in full of all amounts due and owing under the Finance Documents;

 

  (ii)

the Company certifies that such release is required to effect or, implement a disposal, the incurrence of any indebtedness (including any Additional Facility) (and grant of any Security in connection therewith), a Permitted Reorganisation, a Permitted Transaction or such other action, in each case, permitted under and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (including, in the case of such a disposal of shares in an Obligor, the release of not only any Security granted in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents over those shares but also any guarantee or such Security granted by that Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries), provided that if that disposal, financing, Permitted Reorganisation or a Permitted Transaction is not immediately consummated, a new guarantee and (if applicable) new Security in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents on the same terms as those released is immediately granted over the assets which were released from such Security;

 

  (iii)

such release is pursuant to a resignation of an Obligor which resigns as a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of Clause 30.4 (Resignation of an Obligor);

 

  (iv)

that release is required to effect or implement a Permitted Structural Adjustment (or otherwise expressly permitted by or not prohibited (or otherwise approved) by this Agreement); or

 

  (v)

such action is otherwise expressly permitted by or not prohibited (or otherwise approved) under the provisions of clause 15.1 (Non-Distressed Disposals) of the Intercreditor Agreement,

and, in each case, the Company confirms that (x) such release is permitted under this Agreement and (y) has been or is or will be simultaneously given and as a result no consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from any Secured Party for that release shall be required and the relevant Agent is irrevocably authorised and instructed to take such action provided for in this Clause 40.3 and pursuant to and in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents.

 

40.4

Structural Adjustment

 

  (a)

For the purposes of this Agreement:

Existing Tranche means any Commitment in respect of, and any Loan made under, an existing Facility;

New Tranche means any additional tranche, loan, facility or commitment; and

Structural Adjustment means an amendment, waiver or variation of the terms of some or all of the Finance Documents that result in or is intended to result from or has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

  (i)

the introduction of a New Tranche in any currency or currencies (including by way of subdivision of an Existing Tranche or Facility) under this Agreement which ranks pari passu with, or junior to, the Facilities in place as at the date of this Agreement;

 

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  (ii)

any increase in, or addition to or extension of any Commitment or Total Commitment of any Lender other than in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase);

 

  (iii)

any extension of the Availability Period in respect of any Commitment of any Lender;

 

  (iv)

any redenomination into another currency of any Commitment of any Lender (other than with respect to a Withdrawal Event);

 

  (v)

a reduction in the Margin (other than in accordance with the definition of Margin) or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission or other amount owing or payable to a Lender under the Finance Documents;

 

  (vi)

any extension to the date of payment of any amount owing or payable to a Lender under the Finance Documents;

 

  (vii)

any amendment to, or change in, the currency of any payment of principal, interest, fees, commission or other amount owing or payable to a Lender under the Finance Documents (other than with respect to a Withdrawal Event) or Clause 33 (Sharing among the Finance Parties); or

 

  (viii)

any change (including changes to, the taking of or the release coupled with the retaking of Security and/or guarantees and changes to and/or additional intercreditor arrangements), consequential on, incidental to or required to implement or effect or reflect any of the adjustments referred to in any of the preceding paragraphs above (inclusive). For the avoidance of doubt, this sub-paragraph (viii) shall not permit any change to the covenant levels set out at Clause 26.2 (Financial condition).

 

  (b)

If any amendment, waiver or consent is a Structural Adjustment, that amendment, waiver or consent shall only require the prior consent of the Company and each Lender that is participating in that Structural Adjustment and shall not require the consent of any other Lender.

 

40.5

Other exceptions

 

  (a)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no consent from any Lenders shall be required in connection with the implementation of (and any related amendment as part of the implementation of) any Permitted Structural Adjustment and any amendment, waiver, consent or release of a Finance Document made in connection with such Permitted Structural Adjustment shall be binding on all Parties without further consent, sanction, authority or other confirmation of any Party.

 

  (b)

Any amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations applicable to a particular Utilisation, Facility or class of Lenders and which does not materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of Lenders in respect of other Utilisations, Facilities or another class of Lender shall only require the consent of the Majority Lenders, Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or all Lenders forming part of that affected class (as applicable) as if references in this paragraph to “Majority Lenders”, “Super Majority Lenders” or “Lenders” were only to Lenders participating in that Utilisation, Facility or forming part of that affected class. This paragraph is without prejudice to the ability to effect, make or grant any amendment, waiver, consent or release pursuant to or in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

 

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  (c)

Each individual Lender may waive its right to a prepayment (including, without any limitation, by way of amendment or waiver to any of the provisions) under Clause 12 (Mandatory Prepayment) or any other amounts which have become due and payable to it under this Agreement or any other Finance Documents.

 

  (d)

A Declared Default, an Event of Default or Default may be revoked or waived (as applicable) with the consent of the Majority Lenders provided that a non-payment Event of Default under Clause 28.1 (Payment Default) may not be waived without the consent of each Lender to which the relevant overdue payment is owing. Any notice, demand, declaration or other step or action taken under or pursuant to Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) may be revoked with the consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

  (e)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Finance Documents, a Finance Party may unilaterally waive, relinquish or otherwise irrevocably give up all or any of its rights under any Finance Document with the consent of the Company.

 

  (f)

No amendment or waiver of a term of any Fee Letter or other side letter shall require the consent of any Finance Party other than the parties to such Fee Letter or side letter.

 

  (g)

Subject to compliance with Clause 9.3 (Terms of Ancillary Facilities), no amendment or waiver of a term of any Ancillary Document shall require the consent of any Finance Party other than the relevant Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender unless such amendment or waiver would require an amendment or waiver of this Agreement (including Clause 9 (Ancillary Facilities)), in such case the other provisions of this Clause shall apply.

 

  (h)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no amendment or waiver of this Agreement or any other Finance Document made or effected in accordance with the provisions of, Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) or Clause 2.3 (Increase) shall require the consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation of any Finance Party (unless expressly required under the provisions of such Clauses) and shall be binding on all Parties.

 

  (i)

Any term of the Finance Documents (other than any Fee Letter or any Ancillary Document) may be amended or waived by the Company, the Security Agent and the Agent without the consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation of any other Party if that amendment or waiver is:

 

  (i)

a Permitted Structural Adjustment;

 

  (ii)

to cure defects or omissions, resolve ambiguities or inconsistencies (including any manifest error) or reflect changes of a minor, technical or administrative nature;

 

  (iii)

consequential on, incidental to, or required to implement an approved amendment, waiver, consent or release provided that such waiver or amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the other Lenders whose consent is not required for the applicable amendment; or

 

  (iv)

otherwise for the benefit of all of the Lenders.

 

  (j)

An amendment or waiver which relates adversely to the specific rights or obligations of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arrangers, any Issuing Bank or any Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender (each in their capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arrangers, any Issuing Bank or the relevant Ancillary Lender, Fronted Ancillary Lender or Fronting Ancillary Lender provided that nothing in this provision shall entitle any Party to refuse its consent to any release of a guarantee or Security which would otherwise be permitted under Clause 40.9 (Implementation of Additional Facilities and other Permitted Structural Adjustments) or another provision of the Finance Documents.

 

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  (k)

Any amendment or waiver which relates only to the provisions governing transfers, assignments or sub-participations by Lenders and which makes such provisions more restrictive for any of the Lenders shall only require the consent of each Lender who will be subject to the resulting additional restrictions.

 

  (l)

If the Company or the Agent (at the request of the Company) has requested the Finance Parties (or any of them) to give a consent in relation to, or to agree a release, waiver or amendment of, any provision of the Finance Documents or other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement, then in the case of:

 

  (i)

any Finance Party who has delivered a consent or agreement to such request, on and from the date of notification thereof to the Agent; and

 

  (ii)

any other Non-Consenting Lender and its applicable participation, (without prejudice to paragraph (i) above), on and from the date such Lender is replaced in accordance with the provisions of Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender),

a consent or agreement to such request shall be treated and deemed as having been made by such Finance Party and Non-Consenting Lender and received by the Agent, and (unless otherwise agreed by the Company or stipulated by the relevant Lender), subject to paragraph (m) below, such consent or agreement shall from such time be irrevocable and binding on such Finance Party and Non-Consenting Lender (as applicable) and any permitted assignee, transferee or counterparty to a sub-participation.

 

  (m)

Any Finance Party (not being an Excluded Lender) or its permitted assignee or transferee that has expressly not consented or not agreed to a request for an amendment, waiver, consent or release shall always have the right to change or revoke their decision and subsequently deliver to the Agent a consent or agreement to such request at any time during the period for which the vote and request process is open for consents and acceptances as notified by the Agent to such Lender (and subject to any extension of such period as agreed between the Company and the Agent).

 

  (n)

Any amendment to the definition of Restricted Finance Party or Clause 1.10 (Sanctions and Restricted Finance Parties) shall only require the consent of the Majority Lenders and each Restricted Finance Party.

 

  (o)

If any Screen Rate is not available for a currency which can be selected for a Loan, any amendment or waiver which relates to providing for another benchmark rate to apply in relation to that currency in place of that Screen Rate (or which relates to aligning any provision of a Finance Document to the use of that other benchmark rate) may be made with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Company.

 

  (p)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Finance Documents, any re-designation or transfer of all or any part of a Commitment and/or a participation in any Utilisation to a new tranche or facility established as an Additional Facility or pursuant to a Permitted Structural Adjustment or any other term of any of the Finance Documents (or any other similar or equivalent transaction) may be approved with the consent of the Lender holding that Commitment and/or, as the case may be, participation (or part thereof) and the Company (without any requirement for any consent or approval from any other person).

 

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40.6

Non-Responding Lender (Snooze you lose)

If:

 

  (a)

any Lender fails to accept or reject a request for a consent, waiver or amendment of or in relation to any of the terms of any Finance Document or other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within ten (10) Business Days (or, in the case of any Defaulting Lender five (5) Business Days) (unless the Company and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request including where such longer time period may be agreed following the submission of such request) of that request being made (such Lender being a Non-Responding Lender and the last day of such period, being the Exclusion Date); or

 

  (b)

any Lender fails to assist with any step required to implement the Company’s right to prepay or to replace that Lender pursuant to and as contemplated by Clause 40.7 (Replacement of Lender) within three (3) Business Days of a specific request to do so by the Company,

then, in each case, that Lender (an Excluded Lender) shall be automatically excluded from participating in that vote, and its Commitment and/or participation shall not be included (or, as applicable, required) for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments or participations under a Facility, and the Excluded Lender will not be treated as a Lender when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including unanimity) of Total Commitments, participations and/or the number of Lenders or agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request.

 

40.7

Replacement of Lender

 

  (a)

If at any time any Finance Party becomes:

 

  (i)

a Non-Consenting Lender;

 

  (ii)

a Non-Funding Lender;

 

  (iii)

an Increased Costs Lender; or

 

  (iv)

a Non-Qualifying Bank; or

 

  (v)

Non-Acceptable L/C Lender,

then the Company may, on not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice (a Replacement Notice) to the Agent and such Finance Party (a Replaced Finance Party):

 

  (A)

replace such Replaced Finance Party by requiring such Replaced Finance Party to (and such Replaced Finance Party shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) on such dates as specified in the Replacement Notice all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Lenders or other persons (each a Replacement Lender) selected by the Company and (solely in the case of any transfer or assignment of any Revolving Facility Commitment or participation in a Revolving Facility Utilisation to a Replacement Lender which does not have a long term credit rating of at least two of “BBB-” by Fitch or S&P or at least “Baa3” by Moody’s) the Issuing Bank, which confirms its (or their) willingness to assume and does assume all or part of the obligations of the Replaced Finance Party (including the assumption of the Replaced Finance Party’s participations or unfunded or undrawn participations (as the case may be) on the same basis as the Replaced Finance Party) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer in an amount equal to the applicable outstanding principal amount of such Replaced Finance Party’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations or Ancillary Outstandings and all related accrued interest and/or Letter of Credit fees, Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents in respect of such transferred participation (the Replacement Amount);

 

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  (B)

prepay (or procure that another member of the Group prepays) on such date(s) specified in the Replacement Notice all or any part of that Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations or Ancillary Outstandings and all related accrued interest and/or Letter of Credit fees, Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents in respect of such participation; and/or

 

  (C)

cancel all or part of any undrawn Commitments or Ancillary Commitments, Fronted Ancillary Commitments or Fronting Ancillary Commitments of that Replaced Finance Party on such date(s) specified in the Replacement Notice,

provided that, in each case, the Company or any other member of the Group shall not be required to pay any prepayment fees or penalties (however described) payable under this Agreement or any other Finance Document to that Non-Consenting Lender, Non-Funding Lender, Increased Costs Lender, Non-Qualifying Bank or Non-Acceptable L/C Lender (as applicable).

 

  (b)

Any notice delivered under paragraph (a) above (or any subsequent notice for this purposes) exercising any rights under paragraph (A) above shall be accompanied by a Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement (as the case may be) complying with Clause 29.6 (Procedure for transfers) or Clause 29.7 (Procedure for assignment) as the case may be and any other related documentation to effect such transfer or assignment, which Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement (as the case may be) and any other related documentation to effect such transfer or assignment shall be promptly (and by no later than two (2) Business Days from receiving such Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and any other related documentation to effect such transfer or assignment) executed by the relevant Replaced Finance Party and returned to the Company.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding the requirements of Clause 29 (Changes to the Lenders) or any other provisions of the Finance Documents, if a Replaced Finance Party does not execute and return an executed a Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement (as the case may be) and any other related documentation to effect such transfer or assignment as required by paragraph (b) within two (2) Business Days of delivery by the Company, the relevant transfer or transfers or assignment or assignments shall automatically and immediately be effected for all purposes under the Finance Documents on payment of the Replacement Amount to the Agent (for the account of the relevant Replaced Finance Party) (notwithstanding failure to execute such documentation by the relevant Replaced Finance Party) and the Agent may (and is authorised by each Finance Party to) execute, without requiring any further consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from any other Party, a Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement and any other related documentation to effect such transfer or assignment on behalf of any relevant Replaced Finance Party which is required to transfer its rights and obligations or assign its rights under this Agreement pursuant to paragraph (a) above which shall be effective for the purposes of Clause 29.6 (Procedure for transfers) or Clause 29.7 (Procedure for assignment) as the case may be. The Agent shall not be liable in any way for any action taken by it pursuant to this paragraph (c) or paragraph (b) above and the provisions of Clause 31.10 (Exclusion of liability) shall apply in relation thereto.

 

  (d)

Unless otherwise agreed by the Majority Lenders or provided pursuant to another provision of this Agreement the replacement or prepayment of, a Lender pursuant to this Clause 40.7 shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

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  (i)

the Company shall have no right to replace the Agent (in such capacity) pursuant to paragraph (a) above; and

 

  (ii)

the Company may only exercise its replacement or prepayment rights pursuant to paragraph (a) above in respect of any relevant Replaced Finance Party within one hundred and eighty (180) days of becoming entitled to do so (or, if later, on or prior to the date one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date on which the Company receives notice in writing that such Lender has become a Non-Consenting Lender, a Non-Funding Lender, an Increased Costs Lender, Non-Qualifying Bank or a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender, as the case may be) on each occasion such Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, a Non-Funding Lender, an Increased Costs Lender, Non-Qualifying Bank or a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender.

 

  (e)

Neither the Agent nor the Lender shall have any obligation to the Company to find a Replacement Lender for the purposes of paragraph (a) above;

 

  (f)

In no event shall a Lender being replaced pursuant to paragraph (a) above be required to pay or surrender to the relevant Replacement Lender (or any other person) any of the fees received by it pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

40.8

Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

 

  (a)

For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment unless otherwise agreed by the Company, in ascertaining the Majority Lenders, the Super Majority Lenders, all Lenders or any other class of Lenders (as applicable) or whether any given percentage (including unanimity) of any of the Total Commitments, has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents:

 

  (i)

that Defaulting Lender’s Commitments will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments; and

 

  (ii)

that Defaulting Lender will not be treated as a Lender for the purposes of Clause 40.2 (All Lender Matters) to Clause 40.5 (Other exceptions) if it has no participation in any outstanding Utilisations.

 

  (b)

For the purposes of this Clause 40.8, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:

 

  (i)

any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender; and

 

  (ii)

any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in 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.

 

40.9

Implementation of Additional Facilities and other Permitted Structural Adjustments

 

  (a)

The Secured Parties acknowledge that the Company or any other member of the Group (or any of them) may exercise its right under Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility), Clause 2.3 (Increase), Clause 40.4 (Structural Adjustment) and Clause 27.8 (Third Party Financing) and/or in accordance with any other applicable provisions of this Agreement to:

 

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  (i)

borrow or incur additional indebtedness (including under an Additional Facility) and/or provide Security, guarantees, indemnities and other credit support in respect of such indebtedness; and/or

 

  (ii)

refinance existing indebtedness (including under a Facility) and/or provide Security, guarantees, indemnities and other credit support in respect of such refinancing of such indebtedness,

under any existing, additional, supplemental or new financing arrangement (including by way of an Additional Facility, Permitted Structural Adjustment, refinancing, replacement, exchange, set-off, discharge or increase of any such existing, additional, supplemental or new financing arrangement) (Additional Indebtedness) which, in any such case, is intended to rank pari passu with or in priority to any existing indebtedness (including under the Facilities) and/or share pari passu with or in priority to any Security over all or any part of the Group’s assets and/or to rank behind any existing indebtedness (including under the Facilities) and/or to share in any existing Security over all or any part of the Group’s assets behind such existing indebtedness provided that such Additional Indebtedness is not prohibited from being borrowed or incurred by the terms of the Finance Documents (including any prohibition to share in any Security over all or any part of the Group’s assets).

 

  (b)

The Secured Parties confirm that if and to the extent such a financing or refinancing and such ranking and such Security is not prohibited by the terms of the Finance Documents (for the avoidance of doubt including any prohibition to share in any Security over all or any part of the Group’s assets), at such time, they will (at the cost of the Company) confirm the authority and instruct the Agent and the Security Agent, as applicable, to (at the cost of the Company) enter into such documentation as may be necessary to ensure that any obligations and liabilities incurred by a member of the Group in respect of such Additional Indebtedness will have the ranking (and that the creditor(s) under such Additional Indebtedness will have the rights and obligations and benefit of Security) permitted to be conferred upon it in accordance with the Finance Documents.

 

  (c)

The Company agrees that, to the extent any intercreditor agreement or any security document in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents is entered into accordance with this Clause 40.9, it will designate such intercreditor agreement and security document as a Finance Document under this Agreement. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably instruct and authorise the Agent to agree to such designation.

 

  (d)

Each Secured Party agrees that it shall:

 

  (i)

promptly co-operate with the Company with a view to satisfying the conditions in this Clause 40.9 in respect of any Additional Indebtedness; and

 

  (ii)

promptly execute (including at the reasonable request of the Company or the Agent each acting reasonably) all such Relevant Documents, take such other actions and give such instructions to the Agent as may reasonably be required, in each case, in connection with the incurrence or borrowing of such Additional Indebtedness in accordance with this Clause 40.9.

 

  (e)

The Agent is irrevocably authorised and instructed by the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) that it acts as their agent or trustee to execute on their behalf any such Relevant Document or take any other action set out in or in connection with the provisions of this Clause 40.9 without the requirement for any further authorisation or consent from such Secured Parties which shall be effective and binding on all Secured Parties upon the execution thereof by the Obligors and the Agent. In the event that any of the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) is not entitled to grant to the Agent the authority referred to

 

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  in this Clause it shall be obliged to appear with the Agent, upon the request of the Agent, to formalise any actions or measures that are required. By virtue of this Agreement, each of the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) shall be obliged to cooperate with the Agent, including to participate in the negotiation and execution of the documents, either in public or private, that may be required for the execution and effectiveness of the provisions contained in this Agreement or any other Finance Document.

 

  (f)

The Agent confirms that it is irrevocably authorised and instructed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Finance Documents to execute any Relevant Documents or take any other action set out in or in connection with the provisions of this Clause 40.9 on behalf of the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) without the requirement for any further consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from such Secured Parties.

 

  (g)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Clause 40.9 shall oblige the Agent or other Secured Party to execute any document if it would impose personal liabilities or obligations on, or adversely affect the rights, duties or immunities of the Agent or such other Secured Party (provided that the borrowing or incurrence of such Additional Indebtedness shall not adversely affect the rights of the Agent or any Secured Party) and nothing in this Clause 40.9 shall be construed as a commitment to advance or arrange any Additional Indebtedness.

 

  (h)

The Company is irrevocably authorised and instructed by the Obligors that it may (except where otherwise required by applicable law) act as their agent or trustee to execute on their behalf any such Relevant Document or take any other action set out in or in connection with the provisions of this Clause without the requirement for any further authorisation or consent from such Obligors which shall be effective and binding on all parties to this Agreement upon the execution thereof by the Company and the Agent.

 

  (i)

The Company shall (or another member of the Group so elected shall), within 30 days of demand, pay to the Agent and the Security Agent (if applicable) the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the satisfaction of the conditions of this Clause 40.9 and the consideration, negotiation, preparation, printing, execution and perfection of any Relevant Document, subject to any agreed cap.

 

  (j)

If an Obligor disposes of any asset (or any member of the Group disposes of shares in an Obligor or any Holding Company of an Obligor) in a manner not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement (including pursuant to a sale, lease, licence, transfer or other disposal permitted pursuant to Clause 27.4 (Disposals), a Permitted Reorganisation, a Permitted Transaction and the implementation of other actions permitted under the Finance Documents, whether or not requiring a consent thereunder) or with the prior consent of the Agent (pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) and such asset (or shares) is subject to Security in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents, the Agent, the Security Agent and/or the relevant Finance Party (and Secured Party(ies)) (as applicable) shall, at the cost and request of the Company (and in the case of the Security Agent, at the request of the Agent), release such Security over that asset (or shares) which are the subject of such transaction and, in the case of any such disposal of shares in an Obligor or a Holding Company of an Obligor to a person who is not a member of the Group, over the respective assets of such Obligor and its Subsidiaries (and the shares in any such Obligor and/or Subsidiary), issue any certificate of non-crystallisation of any floating charge (and carry out any other related action (including related notification and filings for cancelling any registration as may be required in connection with such release of security) that may reasonably be required or considered necessary or desirable in connection with that disposal and release, provided that, in the case of any Permitted Reorganisation, the requirements of the definition of Permitted Reorganisation are complied with).

 

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  (k)

The Agent and the Security Agent are each irrevocably authorised and instructed by the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) to (if requested by the Company and in the case of the Security Agent, by the Agent):

 

  (i)

release any Security in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents granted over any bank account of an Obligor (a Pledged Account) provided that prior to such release the relevant Obligor has transferred the balance standing to the credit of such Pledged Account to another bank account held by it (a Recipient Account) and the Agent is satisfied (acting reasonably) that the relevant Obligor has valid and effective Security over such Recipient Account consistent with the Agreed Security Principles or there is no credit balance on such Pledged Account or no such Security is required to be granted under the terms of the Finance Documents; and

 

  (ii)

enter into amendment agreements in relation to the relevant security documents (if any) to facilitate (if permitted by law) the automatic release of Security in respect of the obligations of a member of the Group under any of the Finance Documents over assets which are disposed of in connection with any receivables financing arrangements.

 

41.

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

41.1

Confidential Information

Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 41.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) and Clause 41.3 (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.

 

41.2

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 paragraph (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 (which is not an Industry Competitor):

 

  (i)

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 or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers provided that if the intended recipient is a person to whom the Finance Party would be required to obtain the consent of the Company in order to assign or transfer or sub-participate a Commitment to such person, that the Finance Party must obtain the prior written consent of the Company prior to the making of such disclosure;

 

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  (ii)

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 one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers provided that if the intended recipient is a person to whom the Finance Party would be required to obtain the consent of the Company in order to transfer, assign or sub-participate a Commitment to such person, that Finance Party must obtain the prior written consent of the Company prior to the making of such disclosure;

 

  (iii)

appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraph (b)(i) or (ii) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including any person appointed under paragraph (c) of Clause 31.16 (Relationship with the Lenders));

 

  (iv)

who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraph (b)(i) or (ii) above provided that if the intended recipient is a person to whom the Finance Party would be required to obtain the consent of the Company in order to transfer, assign or sub-participate a Commitment to such person, that Finance Party must obtain the prior written consent of the Company prior to the making of such disclosure;

 

  (v)

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;

 

  (vi)

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;

 

  (vii)

to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 29.9 (Security over Lenders’ rights);

 

  (viii)

who is a Party; or

 

  (ix)

with the consent of the Company,

in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall (acting in good faith) consider appropriate provided that if:

 

  (A)

in relation to paragraphs (b)(i), (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has first 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 paragraph (b)(iv) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has first 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; and

 

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  (C)

in relation to paragraphs (b)(v), (b)(vi) and (b)(vii) 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 (acting reasonably and in good faith), it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances,

and a copy of any such Confidentiality Undertaking and any amendment thereto shall be provided to the Company within ten (10) Business Days of request by the Company;

 

  (c)

to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraph (b)(i) or (b)(ii) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including 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 paragraph (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 amended to the extent necessary to ensure that it is addressed to, or capable of being relied upon by, the Company without requiring its signature by virtue of reliance on the Third Parties Act and is not capable of being materially amended without the prior written consent of the Company or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Company and the relevant Finance Party, and a copy of any such confidentiality undertaking and any amendment thereto shall be provided to the Company within ten (10) Business Days of request by the Company; 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 Obligors 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.

 

41.3

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, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors the following information:

 

  (i)

names of Obligors;

 

  (ii)

country of domicile of Obligors;

 

  (iii)

place of incorporation of Obligors;

 

  (iv)

date of this Agreement;

 

  (v)

Clause 45 (Governing Law);

 

  (vi)

the names of the Agent and the Arrangers;

 

  (vii)

date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

  (viii)

amounts of, and names of, the Facilities (and any tranches);

 

  (ix)

amount of Total Commitments;

 

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  (x)

currencies of the Facilities;

 

  (xi)

type of Facilities;

 

  (xii)

ranking of Facilities;

 

  (xiii)

Termination Date for the Facilities;

 

  (xiv)

changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to paragraphs (i) to (xi) above; and

 

  (xv)

such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Company,

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, the Facilities, the Company and/or one or more Obligors 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 Agent shall notify the Company and the other Finance Parties of:

 

  (i)

the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, the Facilities, the Company and/or one or more Obligors; and

 

  (ii)

the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, the Facilities, the Company and/or one or more Obligors by such numbering service provider.

 

41.4

Entire agreement

This Clause 41 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.

 

41.5

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.

 

41.6

Notification of disclosure

Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Company:

 

  (a)

of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) of Clause 41.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) 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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  (b)

upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 41.

 

41.7

Continuing obligations

The obligations in this Clause 41 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 Company and the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents 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.

 

42.

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. Delivery of a counterpart of a Finance Document by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

43.

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.

 

44.

U.S. QFC CONTRACTUAL STAY REQUIREMENT

To the extent that the Finance Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for hedging agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, QFC Credit Support, and each such QFC a Supported QFC), the Parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that any Finance Document or Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

  (a)

In the event that a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a Covered Party) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered

 

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  Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

  (b)

In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Finance Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Finance Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

  (c)

As used in this Clause 44, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate of a Party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such Party.

Covered Entity means any of the following:

 

  (i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

  (ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

  (iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

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.

QFC has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

45.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

46.

ENFORCEMENT

 

46.1

Jurisdiction of English courts

 

  (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)

This Clause 46.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties and Secured Parties only. As a result, no Finance Party or Secured 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 and Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

46.2

Service of process

 

  (a)

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor (other than an Obligor incorporated in England and Wales):

 

  (i)

irrevocably appoints Global Blue Service Company UK Limited of 7th Floor, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London, England, SW1W 0AU (Attention: Jeremy Henderson-Ross / Derrick Hardman) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with the Finance Documents; and

 

  (ii)

agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

  (b)

If any person appointed as a process agent is unable for any reason to act as process agent, the Company (on behalf all the Obligors) must promptly (and in any event within twenty (20) Business Days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably and in good faith).

 

  (c)

An Obligor may irrevocably appoint another person as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document, subject to notifying the Agent accordingly. In the case of any replacement of an existing agent for service of process, following the new process agent’s appointment and notification to the Agent of such new appointment, the existing process agent may resign.

THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO ON THE DATE STATED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

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SCHEDULE 1

THE ORIGINAL PARTIES

Part 1

The Original Obligors

The Original Borrowers

 

Name   

Jurisdiction of

incorporation

  

Registered number

or equivalent

Global Blue Group AG

 

Global Blue Acquisition B.V.

  

Switzerland

 

Netherlands

  

CHE-218.820.653

 

55293980

The Original Guarantors

 

Name    Jurisdiction of incorporation   

Registered number

or equivalent

Global Blue Group AG

 

Global Blue Acquisition B.V.

  

Switzerland

 

Netherlands

  

CHE-218.820.653

 

55293980

 

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Part 2

The Original Lenders

 

Name of Original Lender    Original Term
Facility
Commitment (€)
     Original
Revolving
Facility
Commitment (€)
     Swingline
Commitment (€)
 

ALLIED IRISH BANKS, P.L.C.

     50,000,000        —          —    

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

     20,000,000        —          —    

BANK CIC (SWITZERLAND) LTD.

     20,000,000        —          —    

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY

     47,034,000        7,466,000        —    

BANQUE CANTONALE VAUDOISE

     17,260,000        2,740,000        —    

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

     65,848,000        10,452,000        —    

BNP PARIBAS (SUISSE) SA

     94,068,000        14,932,000        —    

CHINA CONSTRUCTION BANK CORPORATION, BEIJING, SWISS BRANCH ZURICH

     15,000,000        —          —    

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., LONDON BRANCH

     70,553,000        11,197,000        —    

MORGAN STANLEY BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

     —          20,158,000        —    

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.

     126,992,000        —          —    

RAIFFEISEN BANK INTERNATIONAL AG

     40,000,000        —          —    

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

     45,985,000        30,315,000        20,000,000  

UBS SWITZERLAND AG

     17,260,000        2,740,000        —    

Total

     630,000,000        100,000,000        20,000,000  

 

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SCHEDULE 2

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Part 1

Conditions Precedent to First Utilisation

 

1.

Original Obligors

 

  (a)

A copy of the constitutional documents of each Original Obligor.

 

  (b)

A copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Original Obligor:

 

  (i)

approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and any other Finance Document to which it is a party;

 

  (ii)

authorising a specified person or persons to execute this Agreement and other Finance Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and

 

  (iii)

authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all other documents and notices (including any Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) to be signed and/or dispatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

  (c)

A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in (a) above.

 

  (d)

If required under applicable law, a copy of a resolution signed by the holders of the issued shares of each Original Obligor approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to which that Original Obligor is a party and resolving that it execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

  (e)

A certificate from each Original Obligor (signed by an authorised signatory):

 

  (i)

confirming that, subject to the Guarantee Limitations, the borrowing or guaranteeing (as appropriate) of the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing or guaranteeing or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded; and

 

  (ii)

certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part 1 of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and (to the extent executed) in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

2.

Finance Documents

A copy of each Fee Letter in the agreed form, each duly executed and delivered by the Original Obligor which is a party to such document.

 

3.

Legal Opinions

The following legal opinions:

 

  (a)

a legal opinion from Linklaters LLP as English law counsel to the Agent in respect of the Finance Documents governed by English law;

 

  (b)

a legal opinion from Stibbe N.V. as Dutch law counsel to the Group in respect of the capacity and authority of any Original Obligor incorporated in the Netherlands to enter into the Finance Documents; and

 

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  (c)

a legal opinion from Niederer Kraft Frey AG as Swiss law counsel to the Group in respect of the capacity and authority of any Original Obligor incorporated in Switzerland to enter into the Finance Documents.

in each case, substantially in the form distributed to the Arrangers prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

4.

Financial Information

 

  (a)

The consolidated special purpose financial statements of the Company for the financial periods 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2019 (provided that such statements shall not be required to be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and the Agent confirms that this condition precedent has been satisfied on the date of this Agreement).

 

  (b)

The agreed base case model (the Base Case Model) received by the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement (provided that the Agent confirms that this condition precedent has been satisfied on the date of this Agreement).

 

5.

Other Documents and Evidence

 

  (a)

A copy of the Listing Document provided that such Listing Document shall not be required to be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

  (b)

A funds flow statement setting out the sources and uses for the Transaction to be made on or prior to the Closing Date, provided that such funds flow statement shall not be required to be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (the Funds Flow Statement).

 

  (c)

A closing certificate from the Company (signed by an authorised signatory) confirming that the Listing has occurred or will occur promptly on the Closing Date (or, in the case of the Euronext Listing, if the Euronext Listing has not occurred on the Closing Date, confirming that pricing of the Euronext Listing has occurred and that the Euronext Listing will occur promptly following the Closing Date).

 

  (d)

Reasonable evidence that all fees then due and payable to the Finance Parties and the Agent (for their own account) on or before the Closing Date in connection with the Facilities and the Finance Documents have been, or will be, paid concurrently with, or out of, the first advances under this Agreement (or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Agent), provided that a reference to payment of such fees in the Funds Flow Statement shall be deemed to be reasonable evidence such that this condition precedent is satisfactory to the Agent.

 

  (e)

Evidence that the process agent appointed in respect of a Finance Document for the Company has accepted its appointment as agent for service of process.

 

  (f)

Completion of the Agent’s reasonable “know your customer” checks on the Original Obligors which are required and which (in each case) have been notified to the Company not later than five (5) Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement

 

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Part 2

Conditions Precedent To Be Delivered By An Additional Obligor

 

1.

A copy of an Accession Letter executed by the Additional Obligor.

 

2.

A copy of the constitutional documents of the Additional Obligor.

 

3.

A copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of any Additional Obligor:

 

  (a)

approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Accession Letter and the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Accession Letter and any other Finance Document to which it is a party;

 

  (b)

authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Accession Letter and other Finance Documents to which it is a party on its behalf;

 

  (c)

authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all other documents and notices (including, in relation to an Additional Borrower, any Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and

 

  (d)

authorising the Company to act as its agent in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

4.

A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 3 above.

 

5.

If required under applicable law, or reasonably requested by the Agent for the purpose of delivery of a legal opinion pursuant to paragraph 8 below, a copy of a resolution signed by the holders of the issued shares of the Additional Obligor approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by the Accession Letter and other Finance Documents to which that Additional Obligor is a party and resolving that it execute the Accession Letter and other Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

6.

A certificate of the Company (signed by an authorised signatory) confirming that, subject to the Guarantee Limitations, the borrowing or guaranteeing (as appropriate) of the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing or guaranteeing or similar limit binding on such Additional Obligor to be exceeded.

 

7.

A certificate of the Additional Obligor (signed by an authorised signatory) certifying that each copy document relating to it and provided under this Part 2 of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and (to the extent executed) in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of the Accession Letter.

 

8.

Legal opinion(s) addressed to the Finance Parties on capacity, authority, due execution and enforceability of the Finance Documents to which the Additional Obligor is a party from the Finance Parties’ legal advisers or the Additional Obligors’ legal advisers as is customary in the relevant jurisdiction of the Additional Obligor.

 

9.

Evidence that any agent for service of process under a Finance Document has accepted its appointment in relation to the proposed Additional Obligor incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales.

 

10.

Completion of the Agent’s reasonable “know your customer” checks on each Additional Obligor which are required provided such requirements have been notified by the Agent (or the Security Agent) to the Company at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date the Accession Letter is signed or, if later, within ten (10) Business Days of the proposed accession of that Additional Obligor being notified to the Lenders.

 

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SCHEDULE 3

REQUESTS AND NOTICES

Part 1

Utilisation Request - Loans

 

From:

[Borrower] [the Company]*

 

To:

[Agent]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an 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.

Option 1: Loans other than Swingline Loans

 

2.

We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms:

 

Borrower:    [●]
Proposed Utilisation Date:       

[●] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)

Facility to be utilised:    [Original Term Facility] [Original Revolving Facility] [Additional Facility]1
Currency of Loan:    [●]
Amount:    [●] or, if less, the Available Facility
Interest Period:    [●]

Option 2: Swingline Loans

 

3.

We wish to borrow a Swingline Loan on the following terms:

 

Borrower:    [●]
Proposed Utilisation Date:        [●] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
Facility to be utilised:    Swingline Facility
Currency of Loan:    [●]
Amount:    [●] or, if less, the Available Facility

 

1 

Select the Facility to be utilised and delete references to the other Facilities.

 

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Swingline Rollover Loan:

 

[Yes] / [No] (select one)

   This is a Utilisation Request for a Revolving Facility Loan to refinance the requested Swingline Loan in accordance with paragraph (c) of Clause 10.3 (Repayment of Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans) with an Interest Period of [one] Month(s):
Maturity Date (optional):    [●]

 

4.

We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent) [and Clause 4.5 (Utilisations during the Certain Funds Period) or Clause 4.6 (Utilisations during the Agreed Certain Funds Period)] [and Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility)]2 is or will be satisfied on the Utilisation Date.

 

5.

[The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account].]

 

6.

This Utilisation Request is revocable in accordance with the terms of the Facilities Agreement.

 

2 

Include only if it is an Additional Facility.

 

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Yours faithfully

 

authorised signatory for
[the Company on behalf of
[insert name of relevant Borrower]]/[insert name of Borrower]3

 

3 

Amend as appropriate. The Utilisation Request can be given by a Borrower or by the Company.

 

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Part 2

Utilisation Request

LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

From:

[Borrower] [the Company]4

 

To:

[Agent]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (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 arrange for a Letter of Credit to be issued under a Revolving Facility by the Issuing Bank specified below (which has agreed to do so) on the following terms:

 

Borrower:    [●]
Issuing Bank:    [●]
Proposed Utilisation Date:    [●] or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day
Currency of Letter of Credit:    [●]
Amount:    [●] or, if less, the Available Facility in relation to the Revolving Facility
Term:    [●]
Facility:    [Original Revolving Facility] / [Additional Revolving Facility]

 

3.

We confirm that each condition specified in paragraph (b) of Clause 6.5 (Issue of Letters of Credit) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.

 

4.

We attach a copy of the proposed Letter of Credit.

 

5.

The Letter of Credit should be delivered to [insert details/delivery method].

 

6.

This Utilisation Request is revocable in accordance with the terms of the Facilities Agreement.

 

4 

Amend as appropriate. The Utilisation Request can be given by a Borrower or by the Company.

 

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Yours faithfully

 

authorised signatory for
[the Company on behalf of
[insert name of relevant Borrower]]/[insert name of Borrower]

 

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Part 3

Selection Notice

APPLICABLE TO A TERM LOAN

 

From:

[Borrower] [the Company]5

 

To:

[Agent]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Selection Notice. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Selection Notice unless given a different meaning in this Selection Notice.

 

2.

We refer to the following [Original Term Facility] [Additional Facility] Loan[s] with an Interest Period ending on [●].6

 

3.

[We request that the above [Original Term Facility] [Additional Facility] Loan[s] be divided into [●][Original Term Facility] [Additional Facility] Loan[s] with the following Base Currency Amounts and Interest Periods:]7

or

[We request that the next Interest Period for the above [Original Term Facility] [Additional Facility] Loan[s] is [●]].8

This Selection Notice is irrevocable.

 

Yours faithfully

 

authorised signatory for
[the Company on behalf of

[insert name of relevant Borrower]]/[insert name of Borrower]

 

5 

Amend as appropriate. The Selection Notice can be given by the Borrower or the Company.

6 

Insert details of all Term Loans for the relevant Facility which have an Interest Period ending on the same date.

7 

Use this option if division of Original Term Facility Loans is requested.

8 

Use this option if sub-division is not required.

 

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Part 4

Form of Ancillary Facility Request

 

From:

[Borrower] [the Company]

 

To:

[Agent]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Ancillary Facility Request. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Ancillary Facility Request unless given a different meaning in this Ancillary Facility Request.

 

2.

We wish to arrange for an [Ancillary Facility] to be established with the [Ancillary Lender] specified below (which has agreed to do so) on the following terms:

 

Borrower (or Affiliate(s) of a Borrower):    [●]
Ancillary Lender:    [●]
Type or types of Ancillary Facility:    [●]
Ancillary Commencement Date:    [●]
Expiry date for the Ancillary Facility:    [●]
Ancillary Commitment amount:    [●]
Designated Gross Amount:    [●]
Designated Net Amount:    [●]**
Currency/ies available under the Ancillary Facility:    [●]***

 

3.

We confirm that each condition specified in paragraph (b) of Clause 9.3 (Terms of Ancillary Facilities and Fronted Ancillary Facilities) is satisfied on the date of this Ancillary Facility Request.

 

Yours faithfully

 

authorised signatory for

[the Company on behalf of] [insert name of relevant Borrower]***

 

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SCHEDULE 4

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

To:

[●] as Agent

 

From:

[The Existing Lender] (the Existing Lender) and [The New Lender] (the New Lender) [and [Affiliate or Branch] (the Designated Affiliate)]

 

Dated:

[●]

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This agreement (the Agreement) shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate 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 29.6 (Procedure for transfers) of the Facilities Agreement:

 

  (a)

The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation all or part of the Existing Lender’s Commitment, rights and obligations referred to in the Schedule hereto in accordance with Clause 29.6 (Procedure for transfers).

 

  (b)

The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

  (c)

The Facility Office and address, electronic mail address and attention details for notices of the New Lender [and the Designated Affiliate] for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule hereto.

 

3.

The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 29.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders).

 

4.

The New Lender confirms (without prejudice to the validity of this Transfer Certificate and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Company or any Obligor) that it is a Qualifying Bank and that it is:

 

  (a)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

  (i)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (b)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (i)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

5.

The New Lender confirms that it is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

6.

[The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender.]

 

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7.

[We refer to clause [21.2] (Change of Secured Creditors) of the Intercreditor Agreement:

 

  (a)

in consideration of [each of the Designated Affiliate and] the New Lender being accepted as a “Senior Lender” for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), [each of the Designated Affiliate and] the New Lender confirms that, as from the Transfer Date, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Senior Lender, and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by a Senior Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

  (b)

it is expressly agreed that the security created or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents will be preserved for the benefit of the New Lender[, the Designated Affiliate] and each other Lender.]

 

8.

[Pursuant to and subject to Clause 2.5 (Lender Affiliates) of the Facilities Agreement, the New Lender nominates the Designated Affiliate to discharge its obligations and participate in the following Revolving Facility Loans [●].]

 

9.

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. Delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

10.

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

COMMITMENT/RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS TO BE TRANSFERRED

[insert relevant details]

[Facility Office address, electronic mail address and

attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Existing Lender]    [New Lender]
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________
[Designated Affiliate]   
By:_________________________________   

This Agreement is accepted as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

 

[Agent]
By:_________________________________

 

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233


SCHEDULE 5

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

To:

[●] as Agent, [●] as the Company, for and on behalf of each Obligor

 

From:

[the Existing Lender] (the Existing Lender) and [the New Lender] (the New Lender) [and [Affiliate or Branch] (the Designated Affiliate)]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs,

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Assignment Agreement. This agreement (the Agreement) shall take effect as an Assignment Agreement 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 29.7 (Procedure for assignment) of the Facilities Agreement:

 

  (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 correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitments and participations in Utilisations under the Facilities Agreement as specified in the Schedule hereto.

 

  (b)

The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitments and participations in Utilisations under the Facilities Agreement specified in the Schedule hereto.

 

  (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 (b).

 

3.

The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

4.

On the Transfer Date [each of the Designated Affiliate and] the New Lender becomes Party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender.

 

5.

The Facility Office and address, electronic mail address and attention details for notices of the New Lender [and the Designated Affiliate] for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule hereto.

 

6.

The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 29.5 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders).

 

7.

The New Lender confirms that it is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

8.

[The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a member of the Group / Initial Investor Affiliate.]

 

9.

The New Lender confirms (without prejudice to the validity of this Agreement and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Company or any Obligor) that it is a Qualifying Bank and that it is:

 

  (a)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower:

 

  (i)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

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234


  (ii)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (b)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (i)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

10.

[The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender.]

 

11.

[We refer to clause [21.2] (Change of Secured Creditors) of the Intercreditor Agreement:

 

  (a)

in consideration of [each of the Designated Affiliate and] the New Lender being accepted as a “Senior Lender” for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement (and as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), [each of the Designated Affiliate and] the New Lender confirms that, as from the Transfer Date, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Senior Lender, and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by a Senior Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

  (b)

it is expressly agreed that the security created or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents will be preserved for the benefit of the New Lender[, the Designated Affiliate] and each other Lender.]

 

12.

[Pursuant to and subject to Clause 2.5 (Lender Affiliates) of the Facilities Agreement, the New Lender nominates the Designated Affiliate to discharge its obligations and participate in the following Revolving Facility Loans [●].]

 

13.

This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and to the Company (on behalf of each Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.

 

14.

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. Delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

15.

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

COMMITMENT/RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS TO BE TRANSFERRED

BY ASSIGNMENT, RELEASE AND ACCESSION

[insert relevant details]

[Facility office address, electronic mail address and

attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Existing Lender]    [New Lender]
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________
[Designated Affiliate]   
By:_________________________________   

This Agreement is accepted as an Assignment Agreement for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [●].

Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to in this Agreement, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.

 

[Agent]
By:_________________________________

 

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236


SCHEDULE 6

FORM OF ACCESSION LETTER9

 

To:

[●] as Agent referred to below

 

From:

[Subsidiary] and [the Company]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Accession Letter. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accession Letter unless given a different meaning in this Accession Letter.

 

2.

[Subsidiary] agrees to become an Additional [Borrower]/[Guarantor] and to be bound by the terms of the Facilities Agreement as an Additional [Borrower]/[Guarantor] pursuant to [Clause 30.2 (Additional Borrowers)]/[Clause 30.3 (Additional Guarantors)] of the Facilities Agreement. [To be included in the event of a Swiss Additional Guarantor: For the avoidance of doubt, the obligations of the Additional Guarantor are subject to the limitations set forth in clause 23.12 (Guarantee Limitations - Switzerland) of the Facilities Agreement.] [Subsidiary] is a company duly incorporated under the laws of [name of relevant jurisdiction].

 

3.

[Subsidiary’s] administrative details for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement are as follows:

Address:

Electronic mail address:

Attention:

 

4.

[Subsidiary] (for the purposes of this paragraph 4, the Additional Obligor) intends to [incur Liabilities under the following documents]/[give a guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of Liabilities under the following documents]:

[Insert details (date, parties and description) of relevant documents]

the Relevant Documents.

 

5.

The Subsidiary makes the Repeating Representations (other than the representation in paragraph (b) of Clause 24.10 (Financial Statements)) to the Finance Parties on the date of this Accession Letter.

 

6.

[IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

  (a)

Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in this Accession Deed, bear the same meaning when used in paragraph 6.

 

9 

[To be conformed to relevant clauses of Facility Agreement.]

 

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237


  (b)

In circumstances where the Security Agent is acting as agent for the Secured Parties, the Additional Obligor and the Security Agent agree that the Security Agent will:

 

  (i)

execute, enforce, exercise any right under any Security in respect of Liabilities created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Relevant Documents;

 

  (ii)

collect all proceeds of that Security; and

 

  (iii)

hold all obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Additional Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Liabilities to the Security Agent as agent for the Secured Parties (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by the Additional Obligor (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) in favour of the Security Agent as agent for the Secured Parties,

for and on behalf of the Secured Parties on the terms and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (c)

In circumstances where the Security Agent is acting as trustee for the Secured Parties (as the case may be), the Additional Obligor and the Security Agent agree that the Security Agent shall hold:

 

  (i)

[any Security in respect of Liabilities created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Relevant Documents;

 

  (ii)

all proceeds of that Security; and]10

 

  (iii)

all obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Additional Obligor to pay amounts in respect of the Liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee (or agent) for the Secured Parties (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) and secured by the Transaction Security together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by the Additional Obligor (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) in favour of the Security Agent as trustee (or agent) for the Secured Parties,

 

   

on trust or, in any jurisdiction where the trust would not be recognised, as agent (or as otherwise provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement) for the Secured Parties on the terms and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

  (d)

The Additional Obligor confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Debtor, undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed to be assumed by a Debtor under the Intercreditor Agreement and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

7.

[Subsidiary] confirms it is a company incorporated in [] and requests that each Lender considers its [] Qualifying Lender status in respect of [Subsidiary].

 

8.

[Add applicable guarantee limitation language to the extent such guarantee limitation language in Clause 23 (Guarantees and Indemnity) is insufficient for the relevant Additional Obligor.]

 

9.

This Accession 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 Accession Letter. Delivery of a counterpart of this Accession Letter by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

10 

Include to the extent that the Security created in the Relevant Documents is expressed to be granted to the Security Agent as trustee for the Secured Parties.

 

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238


10.

This Accession Letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Accession Letter in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Accession Letter has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Accession Letter.

 

[Subsidiary]    [Company]
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________

 

Project Globetrotter: IPO Facilities Agreement

 

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SCHEDULE 7

FORM OF RESIGNATION LETTER

 

To:

[●] as Agent

 

From:

[Subsidiary] and [the Company]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is a Resignation Letter. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation Letter.

 

2.

Pursuant to Clause 30.4 (Resignation of an Obligor), we request that [resigning Obligor] be released from its obligations as a [Borrower]/[Guarantor] under the Facilities Agreement and the Finance Documents.

 

3.

We confirm that no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of this request.

 

4.

This Resignation 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 Resignation Letter. Delivery of a counterpart of this Resignation Letter by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

5.

This Resignation Letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Resignation Letter in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Resignation Letter has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Resignation Letter.

 

[Subsidiary]    [Company]
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________

 

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240


SCHEDULE 8

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:

[●] as Agent

 

From:

[the Company]

 

Dated:

[●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (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.

We confirm that in respect of the Relevant Period ended on [●] (the Test Date) Total Net Debt was [●] and Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for such Relevant Period ending on the Test Date was [●]. Therefore Total Net Debt at such time was [●] times Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for the Test Date and the covenant contained in Clause 26.2 (Financial condition) of the Facilities Agreement [has/has not] been complied with.

 

3.

We confirm that Total Net Debt was [●] times Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA for the Test Date, therefore:

 

  (a)

the Original Term Facility Margin should be [●] per cent. p.a.;

 

  (b)

the Original Revolving Facility Margin should be [●] per cent. p.a.;

 

  (c)

the Swingline Facility Margin should be [●] per cent. p.a.[.]/[; and

 

  (d)

the Additional Facility established on [●] Margin should be [●] per cent. p.a.]

 

4.

[We confirm that the Material Subsidiaries are:

 

  (a)

[●]; and

 

  (b)

[●].]11

 

SIGNED

 

[Company]

  
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________

 

11 

Insert only if delivered with the Annual Financial Statements.

 

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SCHEDULE 9

TIMETABLES

Part 1

Loans

 

     Loans in EUR (other than
Swingline Loans)
   Loans in other
currencies (other
than Swingline
Loans and Loans
in Non-LIBOR Currencies)
  

Loans in Non-

LIBOR

Currencies (other than
Swingline

Loans)

   Swingline Loans
Agent notifies the Company if a currency is approved as an Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies)    -   

U-4

4.00 p.m.

  

U-4

4.00 p.m.

   -
Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request)) or a Selection Notice (Clause 15.1 (Selection of Interest Periods and Terms))   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

11.30 a.m.

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

11.30 a.m.

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

11.30 a.m.

  

U-1

11:30 a.m.

Agent determines (in relation to Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the Loan, if required under Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation)   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

12.30 p.m.

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

12.30 p.m.

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

12.30 p.m.

  

U-1

12:30 pm

Agent notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation)   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

4.30 p.m. (or 1:00 p.m. on the Closing Date)

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

4.30 p.m. (or 1:00 p.m. on the Closing Date)

  

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

4.30 p.m. (or 1:00 p.m. on the Closing Date)

   -

 

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     Loans in EUR (other than
Swingline Loans)
   Loans in other
currencies (other
than Swingline
Loans and Loans
in Non-LIBOR Currencies)
  

Loans in Non-

LIBOR

Currencies (other than
Swingline

Loans)

   Swingline Loans
Agent receives a notification from a Lender under Clause 8.2 (Unavailability of a currency)   

Quotation Day

9.00 a.m.

  

Quotation Day

9.00 a.m.

  

Quotation Day

9.00 a.m.

   -
Agent gives notice in accordance with Clause 8.2 (Unavailability of a currency)   

Quotation Day

4.30 p.m.

  

Quotation Day

4.30 p.m.

  

Quotation Day

4.30 p.m.

   -
Agent determines amount of the Loan in Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 34.10 (Change of currency)   

U

11.00 a.m.

  

U

11.00 a.m.

  

U

11.00 a.m.

   -
EURIBOR, LIBOR or IBOR is fixed:   

EURIBOR:

Quotation Day as of 12:00 p.m. (in Brussels)

  

LIBOR:

Quotation Day as of 12.00 p.m. (in London)

  

LIBOR:

Quotation Day as of 12.00 p.m. (in the Relevant Interbank Market)

   -

“U” = the Utilisation Date

“U-X” = X Business Days prior to the Utilisation Date

 

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Part 2

Letters of Credit

 

     Letters of Credit
Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 6.2 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request for Letters of Credit))   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

11.30 a.m.

Agent determines (in relation to Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the Letter of Credit if required under paragraph (g) of Clause 6.5 (Issue of Letters of Credit) and notifies the Issuing Bank and Lenders of the Letter of Credit in accordance with paragraph (g) of Clause 6.5 (Issue of Letters of Credit).   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

12.30 p.m.

Delivery of duly completed Renewal Request (Clause 6.6 (Renewal of a Letter of Credit))   

U-3 (or U-1 for any Utilisation on the Closing Date)

11.30 a.m.

“U” = the Utilisation Date, or, if applicable, in the case of a Letter of Credit to be renewed in accordance with Clause 6.6 (Renewal of a Letter of Credit), the first day of the proposed term of the renewed Letter of Credit

“U-X” = Business Days prior to the Utilisation Date

 

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SCHEDULE 10

FORM OF LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

To:

[Beneficiary] (the Beneficiary)

 

Date

[●]

Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit no. []

At the request of [●], [Issuing Bank] (the Issuing Bank) issues this irrevocable standby Letter of Credit (Letter of Credit) in your favour on the following terms and conditions:

 

1.

Definitions

In this Letter of Credit:

Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in [London].12

Demand means a demand for a payment under this Letter of Credit in the form of the schedule to this Letter of Credit.

Expiry Date means [●].

Total L/C Amount means [●].

 

2.

Issuing Bank’s agreement

 

  (a)

The Beneficiary may request a utilisation or utilisations under this Letter of Credit by giving to the Issuing Bank a duly completed Demand. A Demand must be received by the Issuing Bank by no later than [●] p.m. (in [London]) on the Expiry Date.

 

  (b)

Subject to the terms of this Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to the Beneficiary that, within [●] [(●)] Business Days of receipt by it of a Demand, it must pay to the Beneficiary the amount demanded in that Demand.

 

  (c)

The Issuing Bank will not be obliged to make a payment under this Letter of Credit if as a result the aggregate of all payments made by it under this Letter of Credit would exceed the Total L/C Amount.

 

3.

Expiry

 

  (a)

The Issuing Bank will be released from its obligations under this Letter of Credit on the date (if any) notified by the Beneficiary to the Issuing Bank as the date upon which the obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Letter of Credit are released.

 

  (b)

Unless previously released under paragraph (a) above, on [●] p.m. (in [London]) on the Expiry Date the obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Letter of Credit will cease with no further liability on the part of the Issuing Bank except for any Demand validly presented under the Letter of Credit that remains unpaid.

 

  (c)

When the Issuing Bank is no longer under any further obligations under this Letter of Credit, the Beneficiary must return the original of this Letter of Credit to the Issuing Bank.

 

12 

This may need to be amended depending on the currency of payment under the Letter of Credit.

 

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245


4.

Payments

All payments under this Letter of Credit shall be made in [●] and for value on the due date to the account of the Beneficiary specified in the Demand.

 

5.

Delivery of Demand

Each Demand shall be in writing, and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by letter, or electronic mail and must be received in legible form by the Issuing Bank at its address and by the particular department or office (if any) as follows:

[●]

 

6.

Assignment

The Beneficiary’s rights under this Letter of Credit may not be assigned or transferred.

 

7.

ISP

Except to the extent it is inconsistent with the express terms of this Letter of Credit, this Letter of Credit is subject to the International Standby Practices (ISP 98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.

 

8.

Governing Law

This Letter of Credit and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

9.

Jurisdiction

The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Letter of Credit (including a dispute relating to any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Letter of Credit).

Yours faithfully

[Issuing Bank]

By: _______________________

 

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THE SCHEDULE

FORM OF DEMAND

 

To:

[Issuing Bank]

 

Date:

[●]

Dears Sirs

Standby Letter of Credit no. [] issued in favour of [Beneficiary] (the Letter of Credit)

 

1.

We refer to the Letter of Credit. Terms defined in the Letter of Credit have the same meaning when used in this Demand.

 

2.

We certify that the sum of [●] is due [and has remained unpaid for at least [●] [()] Business Days] [under [set out underlying contract or agreement]]. We therefore demand payment of the sum of [●].

Payment should be made to the following account:

Name:                           [●]

Account Number:        [●]

Bank:                            [●]

 

3.

The date of this Demand is not later than the Expiry Date.

 

Yours faithfully    

 

   
(Authorised Signatory)    

 

   
(Authorised Signatory)    
For [Beneficiary]    

 

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SCHEDULE 11

AGREED SECURITY PRINCIPLES

 

1.

Agreed Security Principles

 

  (a)

The guarantees and security to be provided under the Finance Documents will be given in accordance with the guarantee and security principles set out in this Schedule (the Agreed Security Principles). This Schedule identifies the Agreed Security Principles and addresses the manner in which the Agreed Security Principles will impact on and determine the extent and terms of the guarantees and security proposed to be provided in relation to the Facilities.

 

  (b)

The Agreed Security Principles embody a recognition by all parties that there may be certain legal and practical difficulties in obtaining effective or commercially reasonable guarantees and/or security from all relevant members of the Group in each relevant jurisdiction. In particular:

 

  (i)

general legal and statutory limitations, regulatory restrictions, financial assistance, corporate benefit, fraudulent preference, equitable subordination, “transfer pricing”, “thin capitalisation”, “earnings stripping”, “controlled foreign corporation” and other tax restrictions, “exchange control restrictions”, “capital maintenance” rules and “liquidity impairment” rules, tax restrictions (including with regard to the existence or establishment of a Dutch fiscal unity (fiscale eenheid)), retention of title claims, employee consultation or approval requirements and similar principles may limit the ability of a member of the Group to provide a guarantee or security or may require that the guarantee or security be limited as to amount or otherwise and, if so, the guarantee or security will be limited accordingly provided that, to the extent requested by the Agent (or Security Agent) before signing any applicable security document, the relevant member of the Group has used reasonable endeavours (but without incurring material cost and without adverse impact on relationships with third parties) to overcome any such obstacle or otherwise such guarantee or security document shall be subject to such limit;

 

  (ii)

a key factor in determining whether or not a guarantee or security will be taken (and in respect of the security, the extent of its perfection and/or registration) is the applicable time and cost (including adverse effects on taxes, interest deductibility, stamp duty, registration taxes, notarial costs, guarantee fees and all applicable legal fees) which will not be disproportionate to the benefit accruing to the Finance Parties of obtaining such guarantee or security;

 

  (iii)

members of the Group will not be required to give guarantees or enter into security documents if it is not within the legal capacity of the relevant members of the Group or if it would conflict with the fiduciary or statutory duties of their directors or contravene any applicable legal, regulatory or contractual prohibition or restriction or have the potential to result in a material risk of personal or criminal liability for any director or officer of or for any member of the Group provided that, to the extent requested by the Agent (or the Security Agent) before signing any applicable security document, the relevant member of the Group has used reasonable endeavours (but without incurring material cost and without adverse impact on relationships with third parties) to overcome any such obstacle or otherwise such security document shall be subject to such limit;

 

  (iv)

the maximum guaranteed or secured amount will be limited to minimise notarial costs and all registration and like taxes and duties relating to the provision of security, to the extent agreed between the Company and the Agent (or the Security Agent);

 

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  (v)

where a class of assets to be secured includes material and immaterial assets, if the cost of granting security over the immaterial assets is disproportionate to the benefit of such security, security will be granted over the material assets only;

 

  (vi)

it is expressly acknowledged that it may be either impossible or impractical to create security over certain categories of assets in which event security will not be taken over such assets;

 

  (vii)

any member of the Group or its asset which is subject to a legal requirement, contract, lease, licence, instrument regulatory constraint (including any agreement with any government or regulatory body) or other third party arrangement which may prevent or condition such member of the Group from giving a guarantee or its assets from being charged, secured or being subject to the applicable security document (including requiring a consent of any third party (including minority shareholders); supervisory board or works council (or equivalent)); and any member of the Group or its assets which, if it gives the applicable guarantee or is subject to the applicable security document, would give a third party the right to terminate or otherwise amend any rights, benefits and/or obligations with respect to any member of the Group or its assets; or require the relevant guarantor or chargor to take any action materially adverse to the interests of the Group or any member thereof, provided that reasonable endeavours (exercised for a period of not more than twenty (20) Business Days) to obtain consent to giving a guarantee or charging any asset (where otherwise prohibited) have been used by the Group if the Arrangers specify prior to the date of the applicable guarantee or security document that a relevant guarantee or asset is material and the Obligors’ Agent is satisfied that such endeavours will not involve placing relationships with third parties in jeopardy, or otherwise, in each case will not be required to give a gurantee and will be excluded from a guarantee or security document;

 

  (viii)

the giving of a guarantee, or the granting of security and the registration and/or the perfection of the security granted will not be required if it would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the relevant member of the Group to conduct its operations and business in the ordinary course as otherwise permitted by the Finance Documents (including dealing with the secured assets and all contractual counterparties or amending, waiving or terminating (or allowing to lapse) any rights, benefits or obligations, in each case prior to a Declared Default which is continuing), and any requirement under the Agreed Security Principles to seek consent of any person or take or not take any other action shall be subject to this paragraph (viii);

 

  (ix)

any security document will only be required to be notarised if required by law in order for the relevant security to become effective or admissible in evidence;

 

  (x)

no guarantee from or security will be required to be given by persons or over (and no consent shall be required to be sought with respect to) assets which are required to support acquired indebtedness to the extent such acquired indebtedness is permitted by this Agreement to remain outstanding after an acquisition. No member of a target group acquired pursuant to an acquisition not expressly prohibited by this Agreement shall be required to become a Guarantor or grant security with respect to the Facilities if prevented by the terms of the documentation governing that acquired indebtedness; no security will be granted over any asset secured for the benefit of any Financial Indebtedness and/or to the extent constituting a Security unless specifically required by a Finance Document to the contrary;

 

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  (xi)

to the extent possible and unless required by applicable law, there should be no action required to be taken in relation to the guarantees or security when any lender assigns or transfers any of its participation to a new lender (and, unless explicitly agreed to the contrary in this Agreement, no member of the Group shall bear or otherwise be liable for any taxes, any notarial, registration or perfection fees or any other costs, fees or expenses that result from any assignment or transfer by a Finance Party);

 

  (xii)

no title investigations or other diligence on assets will be required and no title insurance will be required;

 

  (xiii)

security will not be required over any assets subject to security in favour of a third party or any cash constituting regulatory capital or customer cash (and such assets or cash shall be excluded from any relevant security document);

 

  (xiv)

to the extent legally effective, all security will be given in favour of the Security Agent and not the secured creditors individually (with the Security Agent to hold one set of security documents for all the Finance Parties); “parallel debt” provisions will be used where necessary (and included in the Intercreditor Agreement and not the individual security documents);

 

  (xv)

guarantees and security will not be required from or over, or over the assets of, any Joint Venture or similar arrangement or any minority interest;

 

  (xvi)

the Finance Parties will not be able to exercise any set-off granted to them under the terms of the Finance Documents prior to the occurrence of a Declared Default;

 

  (xvii)

each security document shall be deemed not to restrict or condition any transaction not prohibited under this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement and the security granted under each security document shall be deemed to be subject to these Agreed Security Principles, before and after the execution of the relevant security document and creation of the relevant security;

 

  (xviii)

no guarantee or security shall guarantee or secure any “Excluded Swap Obligations” defined in accordance with the LSTA Market Advisory Update dated February 15, 2013 entitled “Swap Regulations’ Implications for Loan Documentation”, and any update thereto by the LSTA;

 

  (xix)

other than a general security agreement and related filing, no perfection, filing or other action will be required with respect to assets of a type not owned by members of the Group; and

 

  (xx)

no translation of any document relating to any security or any asset subject to any security will be required to be prepared or provided to the Secured Parties, unless required for such documents to become effective or admissible in evidence and a Declared Default is continuing.

 

  (c)

Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, no loan or other obligation under this Agreement or under any Finance Document of any Borrower or Guarantor incorporated in the United States or a “United States person” as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 7701(a)(30) and includes an entity disregarded as being an entity separate from its owner for US federal income tax purposes if such owner is a “United States person” (a US Obligor) may be, directly or indirectly:

 

  (i)

guaranteed by a “controlled foreign corporation” (as defined in Section 957(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) (CFC) or by an entity (a FSHCO) substantially all the assets of which consist of equity interests of one or more CFCs, or guaranteed by a subsidiary of a CFC or a FSHCO;

 

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  (ii)

secured by any assets of a CFC, FSHCO or a subsidiary of a CFC or a FSHCO (including any CFC or FSHCO equity interests held directly or indirectly by a CFC or FSHCO);

 

  (iii)

secured by a pledge or other security interest in excess of sixty five (65) per cent. of the voting equity interests (and one hundred (100) per cent. of the non-voting equity interests) of a CFC or FSHCO; or

 

  (iv)

guaranteed by any Subsidiary or secured by a pledge of or security interest in any Subsidiary or other asset, if it would result in material adverse US tax consequences as reasonably determined by the Borrowers and the Company and Agent.

 

2.

Guarantees and Security

Subject to the Guarantee Limitations, each guarantee will be an upstream, cross-stream and downstream guarantee for all liabilities of the Obligors under the Finance Documents in accordance with, and subject to, the requirements of these Agreed Security Principles in each relevant jurisdiction (references to security to be read for this purpose as including guarantees). Security documents will secure the guarantee obligations of the relevant security provider or, if such security is provided on a third party basis, all liabilities of the Obligors under the Finance Documents, in each case in accordance with, and subject to, the requirements of these Agreed Security Principles in each relevant jurisdiction.

 

3.

Governing law and scope

 

  (a)

All security (other than share security) will be governed by the law of, and secure only assets located in, the jurisdiction of incorporation of the applicable grantor of the security; and no action in relation to security (including any perfection step, further assurance step, filing or registration) will otherwise be required in jurisdictions where the grantor of the security is not incorporated. Share security over any subsidiary will be governed by the law of the place of incorporation of that subsidiary.

 

  (b)

No guarantees or security will be required to be granted by or over the shares in any entity incorporated or organised under the laws of any jurisdiction (each such jurisdiction Excluded Jurisdiction) other than:

 

  (i)

Switzerland, Germany, Italy, UK, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands;

 

  (ii)

a jurisdiction in which a Borrower (other than a borrower under an Ancillary Facility only) is incorporated; or

 

  (iii)

a jurisdiction in which one or more members of the Group are incorporated which have EBITDA representing 10% or more of Consolidated Pro Forma EBITDA of the Group.

 

4.

Terms of security documents

The following principles will be reflected in the terms of any security taken in connection with the Facilities:

 

  (a)

security will not be enforceable or crystalize until, the occurrence of an Event of Default in respect of which a notice of acceleration under paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 28.12 (Acceleration) has been given and not withdrawn (a Declared Default);

 

  (b)

the beneficiaries of the security or any Agent will only be able to exercise a power of attorney following the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing;

 

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  (c)

the security documents should only operate to create security rather than to impose new commercial obligations or a repeat of clauses in other Finance Documents; accordingly (i) they should not contain additional representations, undertakings or indemnities (including in respect of insurance, information, maintenance or protection of assets or the payment of fees, costs and expenses) unless these are the same as or consistent with those contained in this Agreement and are required for the creation or perfection of security; and (ii) nothing in any security document shall (or be construed to) prohibit any transaction, matter or other step (or a grantor of security taking or entering into the same or dealing in any manner whatsoever in relation to any asset (including all rights, claims benefits, proceeds and documentation, and contractual counterparties in relation thereto) the subject of (or expressed to be the subject of) the security agreement) if not prohibited by the terms of the other Finance Documents (and accordingly to such extent, the Agent (or Security Agent) shall promptly effect releases, confirmations, consents to deal or similar steps always at the cost of the relevant grantor of the security);

 

  (d)

no security will be granted over parts, stock, moveable plant, equipment or receivables if it would require labelling, segregation or periodic listing or specification of such parts, stock, moveable plant, equipment or receivables;

 

  (e)

perfection will not be required in respect of (i) vehicles and other assets subject to certificates of title or (ii) letter of credit rights and tort claims (or local law equivalent);

 

  (f)

in no event shall control agreements or perfection by control or similar arrangements be required with respect to any assets (including deposit or securities accounts);

 

  (g)

security will, where possible and practical, automatically create security over future assets of the same type as those already secured. Where local law requires supplemental pledges or notices to be delivered in respect of future acquired assets in order for effective security to be created over that class of asset, such supplemental pledges or notices will be provided only upon request of the Agent (or Security Agent) and at intervals no more frequent than annually (unless required more frequently under local law); and

 

  (h)

each security document must contain a clause which records that if there is a conflict between the security document and this Agreement or with any other Finance Documents then (to the extent permitted by law) the provisions of this Agreement or (as applicable) any other Finance Documents will take priority over the provisions of the security document.

 

5.

Bank accounts

 

  (a)

If an Obligor grants security over its material bank accounts it will be free to deal, operate and transact business in relation to those accounts (including opening and closing accounts) until the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing. For the avoidance of doubt, there will be no “fixed” security over bank accounts, cash or receivables or any obligation to hold or pay cash or receivables in a particular account until the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing.

 

  (b)

Where “fixed” security is required, if required by local law to perfect the security and if possible without disrupting operation of the account, notice of the security will be served on the account bank in relation to applicable accounts within ten (10) Business Days of the date of the security document (or accession thereto) and the applicable grantor of the security will use its reasonable endeavours to obtain an acknowledgement of that notice within twenty (20) Business Days of service. If the grantor of the security has used its reasonable endeavours but has not been able to obtain acknowledgement or acceptance its obligation to obtain acknowledgement will cease on the expiry of that 20 Business Day period. Irrespective of whether notice of the security is required for perfection, if the service of notice would prevent any member of the Group from using a bank account in the course of its business no notice of security will be served until the occurrence of a Declared Default.

 

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  (c)

Any security over bank accounts will be subject to any security interests in favour of the account bank which are created either by law or in the standard terms and conditions of the account bank. No grantor of security will be required to change its banking arrangements or standard terms and conditions in connection with the granting of bank account security.

 

  (d)

If required under applicable local law, security over bank accounts will be registered subject to the general principles set out in these Agreed Security Principles.

 

6.

Fixed assets

If an Obligor grants security over its material fixed assets it will be free to deal with those assets in the course of its business until the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing. No notice, whether to third parties or by attaching a notice to the fixed assets, will be prepared or given until the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing.

 

7.

Insurance policies

A member of the Group may grant security over its material insurance policies (excluding any third party liability or public liability insurance and any directors and officers insurance) in respect of which claims thereunder may be mandatorily prepaid, provided that the relevant insurance policy allows security to be so granted. Notice of any security interest over insurance policies will only be served on an insurer of the Group assets after the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing. No loss payee or other endorsement will be made on the insurance policy and no Finance Party (or Security Agent) will be named as co-insured.

 

8.

Intellectual property

 

  (a)

No security will be granted over any intellectual property which cannot be secured under the terms of the relevant licensing agreement.

 

  (b)

If security is granted over the relevant material intellectual property, the grantor shall be free to deal with, use, licence and otherwise commercialise those assets in the course of its business (including allowing its intellectual property to lapse if no longer material to its business) until a Declared Default which is continuing.

 

  (c)

Notice of any security interest over intellectual property will only be served on a third party from whom intellectual property is licensed until after the occurrence of a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing. No intellectual property security will be required to be registered under the law of that security document, the law of where the grantor is regulated, or at any relevant supra-national registry. Security over intellectual property rights will be taken on an “as is, where is” basis and the Group will not be required to procure any changes to, or corrections of filings on, external registers.

 

9.

Receivables

If an Obligor grants security over any of its receivables it will be free to deal with, amend, waive or terminate those receivables in the course of its business until the occurrence of a Declared Default. No notice of security may be prepared or served until the occurrence of a Declared Default which is continuing (other than security over receivables under intra-group loans). Any list of receivables will not include details of the underlying contracts (but may include non-sensitive generic information to the extent that would allow for the creation of security) and will not be required to be updated. If required under local law, security over receivables will be registered subject to the general principles set out in these Agreed Security Principles.

 

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10.

Real estate

No fixed security will be granted over real property provided that this shall not restrict any real property being secured under a floating charge (or other similar security) under a security document which charges all of the assets of an Obligor but excluding (i) any unregistered real property which, if subject to any such security would be required to be registered under the relevant land registry laws (provided that such real property shall only be excluded for so long as it remains unregistered), and (ii) any leasehold real property that has 25 years or less to run on the lease or has a rack rent payable.

There will be no obligation to investigate title, provide surveys or carry out any other insurance or environmental due diligence.

 

11.

Shares

 

  (a)

Where the Company or any other Obligor pledges shares, the security document will be governed by the laws of the Company whose shares are being pledged and not by the law of the country of the pledgor.

 

  (b)

Until a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing, the legal title of the shares will remain with the relevant grantor of the security and any grantor of share security will be permitted to retain and to exercise voting rights and powers in relation to any shares and other related rights charged by it and receive, own and retain all assets and proceeds in relation thereto without restriction or condition. The voting rights and powers in relation to the shares in a company whose shares are being pledged will remain with the pledgor at all times until a Declared Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

  (c)

Where customary and applicable as a matter of law, following a request by the Agent (or Security Agent), on, or as soon as reasonably practicable following execution of the share security, the share certificate (or other documents evidencing title to the relevant shares) and a stock transfer form executed in blank (or local law equivalent) will be provided to the Agent (or Security Agent) upon its request.

 

12.

Voluntary Credit Support

 

  (a)

If, in accordance with this Schedule 11, a person is not required to grant any guarantee or to grant security over an asset, the Obligors’ Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to (or to procure that such person will) grant such guarantee or security (Voluntary Credit Support).

 

  (b)

Each Secured Party shall be required to accept such Voluntary Credit Support and shall enter into any document requested by Obligors’ Agent to create, perfect, register or notify third parties of such Voluntary Credit Support on such terms as the Obligors’ Agent shall, in its sole discretion, elect.

 

13.

Amendment

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any term of these Agreed Security Principles and any term of a Transaction Security Document, the Secured Parties (other than the Security Agent) authorise, instruct and direct the Security Agent to, and the Security Agent shall promptly (at the option and upon request of the Obligors’ Agent) (i) enter into such amendments to such Transaction Security Document or (ii) release and terminate such Transaction Security Document and enter into a replacement Transaction Security Document on such amended terms, in each case as shall be necessary or desirable to cure such conflict or inconsistency.

 

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SCHEDULE 12

FORM OF INCREASE CONFIRMATION

To:         [●] as Agent, [[●] as Issuing Bank]13 and [●] as the Company, for and on behalf of each Obligor

From:     [the Increase Lender] (the Increase Lender)

Dated:    [●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (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 2.3 (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 hereto (Relevant Commitment / Rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender) 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, electronic mail address and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 36.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule hereto.

 

7.

The Increase Lender confirms (without prejudice to the validity of this Agreement and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Company or any Obligor) that it is a Qualifying Bank and that it is:

 

  (a)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

  (i)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (b)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (i)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

8.

The New Lender confirms that it is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

 

13 

Only if given in respect of Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

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9.

[The Increase Lender confirms that it [is]/ [is not] a Non-Acceptable L/C Lender.]

 

10.

The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in paragraph (f) of Clause 2.3 (Increase).

 

11.

The Increase Lender confirms that it is not a member of the Group / Initial Investor Affiliate.

 

12.

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. Delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

13.

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this 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, electronic mail address and attention details

for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Increase Lender]
By:_________________________________
[[Designated Affiliate]
By:_________________________________]

This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent [and the Issuing Bank]* and the Increase Date is confirmed as [●].

 

[Agent]
By:_________________________________
[[Issuing Bank]
By:_________________________________]14

 

 

14 

Only if increase in the Total Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

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SCHEDULE 13

ADDITIONAL FACILITY

Part 1

Form of Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter

To:         [●] as Agent

From:     [Proposed Additional Facility Lender]

Dated:    [●]

Dear Sirs,

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Accession Notice unless given a different meaning in this Accession Notice.

 

2.

[Name of Additional Facility Lender] (the New Additional Facility Lender) of [address/registered office] agrees to become an Additional Facility Lender and to be bound by the terms of the Facilities Agreement as a Lender under [insert details of relevant Additional Facility].

 

3.

On the date the Additional Facility referred to above becomes effective in accordance with Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility) of the Facilities Agreement (the Effective Date), the New Additional Facility Lender shall become party to the Facilities Agreement as a Lender.

 

4.

The New Additional Facility Lender assumes all the rights and obligations of a Lender in relation to the Commitments under the Facilities Agreement specified in the schedule to this Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter (the Schedule) in accordance with the terms of the Facilities Agreement.

 

5.

[New Additional Facility Lender administrative details for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement are as follows:

Address:                              [●]

Electronic mail address:     [●]

Attention:                            [●]]

 

6.

[insert any other relevant details (if any)]

 

7.

The New Additional Facility Lender confirms (without prejudice to the validity of this Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Company or any Obligor) that it is a Qualifying Bank and that it is:

 

  (a)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

  (i)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

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  (b)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (i)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

8.

This Additional Facility Lender Accession 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 Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter. Delivery of a counterpart of this Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

9.

This Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter.

 

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THE SCHEDULE

COMMITMENT TO BE ASSUMED

Administrative details of the New Additional Facility Lender

[insert details of Facility Office, address for notices and payment details etc.]

 

[Additional Facility Lender]
By:_________________________________
[[Designated Affiliate]
By:_________________________________]

This Agreement is accepted as an Additional Facility Lender Accession Letter for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent [and the Issuing Bank]* and the Effective Date is confirmed by the Agent as [●].

 

[Agent]
By:_________________________________
[[Issuing Bank]
By:_________________________________]15

 

15 

Only if increase in the Total Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

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Part 2

Form of Additional Facility Notice for Additional Facility

From:     [the Company], [Borrower], [Additional Facility Lenders]

To:         [●] as Agent

Dated:    [●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This is an Additional Facility Notice in respect of an Additional Facility. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Additional Facility Notice unless given a different meaning in this Additional Facility Notice.

 

2.

We have agreed with the following institutions (the Additional Facility Lenders) in respect of the Additional Facility Commitments detailed in this Additional Facility Notice that they will provide Additional Facility Commitments as follows:

 

Name of Additional Facility

Lender

   Existing Lender (yes/no)   

Additional Facility

Commitment ([CURRENCY])

[●]    [Yes / No]    [●]
[●]    [Yes / No]    [●]
[●]    [Yes / No]    [●]
     Total    []

 

3.

The Additional Facility will be established on the following terms:

 

Borrower(s):    [●]   
Guarantor(s):    [●]   
Base Currency:    [●]   
Other available/Optional Currencies (if any, as applicable):    [●]   
Purpose:    [●]   
Additional conditions to drawdown (including any Agreed Certain Funds Period and related conditions if any):    [●]   
Interest rate (including applicable margin, basis and/or margin ratchet):    [●]   
Commitment Fee:    [●]   

 

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261


Additional Facility Commencement Date:    [●]   
Availability Period:    [●]   
Termination Date:    [●]   
Amortisation schedule (if any):    [●]   
Mandatory prepayment provisions (if any):    [●]   
Summary of security:    [●]   
Other:    [●]16   

 

4.

The Additional 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 Additional Facility Notice. Delivery of a counterpart of this Additional Facility Notice by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

5.

This Additional Facility Notice and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Additional Facility Notice in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Additional Facility Notice has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Additional Facility Notice.

Yours faithfully

 

[the Company]    [the Additional Facility Borrower]
By:_________________________________    By:_________________________________

Yours faithfully

 

[Additional Facility Lender]
By:_________________________________

 

16 

Include any other applicable information requests or directions applicable to the Additional Facility or are required by Clause 2.2 (Additional Facility).

 

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262


SCHEDULE 14

FORM OF ISSUING BANK ACCESSION AGREEMENT

To:         [●] as Agent

From:     [Proposed Issuing Bank] (the Additional Issuing Bank) [and [Affiliate or Branch] (the Designated Affiliate)]

Dated:    [●]

Dear Sirs

Global Blue Group – €[] IPO Facilities Agreement dated [] (as amended) (the Facilities Agreement)

 

1.

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This agreement (the Agreement) shall take effect as an Issuing Bank Accession Agreement 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.

The Additional Issuing Bank agrees to become an Issuing Bank and to be bound by the terms of the Facilities Agreement as an Issuing Bank as if it had been an original party to the Facilities Agreement in that capacity.

 

3.

The Additional Issuing Banks administrative details for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement are as follows:

Address:                             [●]

Electronic mail address:    [●]

Attention:                           [●]

[insert any other relevant details (if any)]

 

4.

The Additional Issuing Bank confirms (without prejudice to the validity of this Agreement and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to the Company or any Obligor) that it is a Qualifying Bank and:

 

  (a)

in respect of a Dutch Borrower,

 

  (i)

not a Dutch Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

a Dutch Qualifying Lender (other than a Dutch Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

a Dutch Treaty Lender;

 

  (b)

in respect of an Other State Borrower:

 

  (i)

not an Other Qualifying Lender;

 

  (ii)

an Other Qualifying Lender (other than an Other Treaty Lender); or

 

  (iii)

an Other Treaty Lender.

 

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263


5.

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. Delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement by email attachment or telecopy shall be an effective mode of delivery.

 

6.

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, it are governed by English law. The provisions of Clause 46 (Enforcement) of the Facilities Agreement shall be deemed to be incorporated into this Agreement in full, mutatis mutandis.

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement

 

[Additional Issuing Bank]
By:_________________________________
[[Designated Affiliate]
By:_________________________________]

This Agreement is accepted as an Issuing Bank Accession Agreement for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Accession Date is confirmed by the Agent as [●].

 

[Agent]
By:_________________________________

 

Project Globetrotter: IPO Facilities Agreement

 

264


[FACILITIES AGREEMENT EXECUTION PAGES INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

FOLLOWING AMENDMENT]

 

[Project Globetrotter - Signature Page to IPO Facilities Agreement]

Exhibit 10.15

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

between

GLOBAL BLUE SA

and

JACQUES STERN


Table of Contents

 

1.  

COMMENCEMENT AND TERM

     1  
2.  

EXECUTIVE’S FUNCTION AND DUTIES

     1  
3.  

GARDEN LEAVE (“FREISTELLUNG”)

     3  
4.  

SALARY, BONUS AND ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

     4  
5.  

SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER INSURANCES

     5  
6.  

EXPENSES AND ANCILLARY BENEFITS

     7  
7.  

HOLIDAYS

     7  
8.  

INCAPACITY

     8  
9.  

INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER PROPERTY

     8  
10.  

CONFIDENTIALITY

     9  
11.  

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

     9  
12.  

EXECUTIVE’S COVENANTS

     12  
13.  

NOTICES

     15  
14.  

MISCELLANEOUS

     15  
15.  

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     16  


THIS AGREEMENT is made on                          between the following parties:

 

(1)

GLOBAL BLUE SA a company incorporated in Switzerland with registered number CH-550-1022698-0 and whose registered office is at Route de Crassier 7, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland (the “Company”);

 

(2)

JACQUES STERN of                             (the “Executive”).

NOW IT IS AGREED that the Company shall employ the Executive on the following terms and conditions:

 

1.

COMMENCEMENT AND TERM

 

1.1

The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall start on the date of this Agreement (the “Effective Date”). There shall be no probation period.

 

1.2

The employment of the Executive shall (subject to the provisions of Clause 11) be for an indefinite period terminable by the Company giving not less than six months’ prior written notice to the Executive or by the Executive giving not less than six months’ prior written notice to the Company.

 

2.

EXECUTIVES FUNCTION AND DUTIES

 

2.1

During the continuance of the employment:

 

  (a)

the Executive shall serve the Company to the best of his ability in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer and faithfully and diligently perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer; and

 

  (b)

the Executive shall, if requested to do so by the Company, continue to remain on the Board as a director of the Company; and

 

  (c)

the Executive shall faithfully and diligently perform such duties appropriate to his position as Chief Executive Officer and exercise such powers consistent with them as the Board (or anyone authorised by the Board) may from time to time properly assign to or confer upon him; and

 

  (d)

if the Board so directs, the Executive shall cease performing or exercising any part or all of those duties and powers; and

 

  (e)

if and so long as the Board so directs, the Executive shall perform and exercise the said duties and powers on behalf of any Associated Company and act as a director or other officer of any Associated Company; and

 

  (f)

the Executive shall do all in his power to protect, promote, develop and extend the business interests and reputation of the Company and any Associated Company for whom the Executive is required to carry out duties; and

 

1


  (g)

the Executive shall at all times and in all respects comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the articles of association of the Company, the law, and with the instructions and directives of the Board. Such directives include, in particular, the organizational regulation and the business policy of the Company or any Associated Company; and

 

  (h)

the Executive shall at all times keep the Board promptly and fully informed of his conduct in connection with the business affairs of the Company and any Associated Company for which the Executive is required to perform duties and provide all such information, explanations and assistance as it may require.

 

2.2

The Executive shall, unless prevented by sickness, injury or other incapacity or as otherwise agreed by the Board, devote the whole of his time, attention and abilities during his working hours (which shall be normal business hours and such additional hours as may be necessary for the proper performance of his duties) to the business and affairs of the Company and any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that such working hours shall be commensurate with those of a similarly situated, high-performing Chief Executive Officer. The Executive acknowledges that the Swiss Federal Labour Act of March 13, 1964 and its ordinances (as amended) do not apply to his employment under this Agreement and that any overhours, overtime and work on weekends are deemed compensated by the salary payments pursuant to this Agreement. No additional remuneration shall be due.

 

2.3

The Executive shall work at the Company’s offices at Route de Crassier 7, 1262 Eysins, Switzerland or such other place of business of the Group which the Board may reasonably require from time to time and the Executive may be required to travel on the business of the Company and any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties.

 

2.4

The Executive shall not during the continuance of this Agreement (including any period of garden leave pursuant to Clause 3.1) without the prior written consent of the Board:

 

  (a)

directly or indirectly carry on or be engaged, concerned or interested in any other business, trade or occupation which is similar to or in competition with the business of the Company or any Associated Company otherwise than as a holder directly or through nominees of not more than 5 per cent in aggregate of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in issue from time to time of any company which are for the time being quoted or dealt in on any recognised investment exchange, as long as these investments do not provide the Executive with the opportunity to influence the management of such a company competing with the Company or any Associated Company; or

 

  (b)

engage in any activities, office or other occupation outside his employment with the Company which may detract from the proper and timely performance of his duties under this Agreement and the Executive shall not hold office in any company

 

2


  which is not the Company or an Associated Company, provided that the Executive may continue to be a member of the Board and Chair of the Audit Committee of Unibail Rodamco Westfield (URW) and a non-executive director for Voyage Privé, Perkbox and Myhotels (each a “Disclosed Engagement”), provided that in the Company’s reasonable determination from time to time, such a Disclosed Engagement, does not detract from the proper and timely performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement (including the Executive recusing himself from activities associated with the foregoing that could reasonably be expected to conflict with the corporate opportunity or interests of the Company), it being understood and agreed that the Executive’s primary duties will be owed to the Company.

 

2.5

The Executive shall in relation to any dealings in securities of companies comply with all laws affecting dealings in the securities of such companies and all regulations of any relevant stock exchanges on which such dealings take place.

 

2.6

Without prejudice to the Executive’s duties under this Agreement and/or applicable law, the Executive shall first refer to the Company any business opportunities of which he becomes aware at any time during the course of his employment (including any acquisition and/or joint venture/partnership opportunities) that would (or might reasonably be expected to be) of interest to the Group.

 

3.

GARDEN LEAVE (FREISTELLUNG)

 

3.1

The Company may despite any other provision of this Agreement at any time after either party gives notice of termination of the Executive’s employment (under Clause 1.2) direct that:

 

  (a)

the Executive perform no duties; and/or

 

  (b)

the Executive refrain from contacting any retailers or other service providers, advertisers, suppliers, agents, professional advisers, brokers or employees of any company in the Group; and/or

 

  (c)

the Executive does not enter all or any premises of the Company or any company in the Group; and/or

 

  (d)

the Executive must immediately resign without claim for compensation from office as a director of the Company and any Associated Company and from any other office held by him in the Company or any Associated Company; and/or

 

  (e)

the Executive return to the Company all documents and other materials (including copies) and data (whether in electronic or other form) belonging or entrusted to any company in the Group.

 

3


3.2

If the Executive is placed on garden leave, he will be deemed to have taken his vacation entitlement during such garden leave period. During the garden leave period, the Executive shall make a reasonable effort to find non-competing work and shall inform the Company on finding such non-competing work. The respective income derived from such work will be set-off against the Company’s payment obligations.

 

3.3

The Executive irrevocably authorises the Company to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign and deliver any resignation required pursuant to Clause 3.1(d) if the Executive has failed to deliver such notices within three working days of the Executive being required to do so.

 

4.

SALARY, BONUS AND ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

 

4.1

The Company shall pay to the Executive a fixed gross salary (which shall accrue from day to day) at the rate of €750,000 (seven hundred and fifty thousand Euros) per year, inclusive of any directors’ fees payable to the Executive by the Company or any Associated Company (less the amount of the Representation Fee in accordance with Clause 6.3). The annual salary shall be payable by equal monthly instalments in arrears on or about the 25th of each calendar month.

 

4.2

The Executive shall during the continuance of the employment be eligible to receive an on target annual bonus targeted to be €600,000 (six hundred thousand Euros) subject to (and scaled to, based on the Company’s bonus policy then in place) the achievement of such annual personal and Company targets, in each case as are set by the Board and/or the Nomination and Compensation Committee and notified to the Executive in writing for each fiscal year. The current contemplated plan is that the calculation of the annual on target bonus shall be determined by the Board and/or the Nomination and Compensation Committee in accordance with the following criteria and allocations: (a) 20% shall be calculated with reference to the Company achievement of its net revenue target; (b) 25% shall be calculated with reference to achievement of the Company’s EBIT budgeted target; (c) 25% shall be calculated with reference to achievement of the Company’s net income target; and (d) 30% shall be calculated with reference to achievement of the operational and/or strategic goals that have been specified for the Executive. If the actual net income is: (1) equal to or more than 115% of the net income target, the Executive shall be entitled to a overachievement bonus of €600,000 (six hundred thousand Euros); or (2) equal to an amount between 100% and 114% of the net income target, the Executive shall be entitled to an overachievement bonus on a sliding scale based on such bonus policy as has approved by the Nomination and Compensation Committee. The Board and/or the Nomination and Compensation Committee reserves the right to review and amend the compensation packages (including bonus plans) for the senior managers of the Company from time to time and any such amendment shall not constitute a breach by the Company of this Agreement provided that the Executive’s future on-target bonus (with reference to a reasonable budget) shall not be less favourable than his existing on-target bonus under this Agreement and in no case shall the Executive be deprived of an overachievement bonus of at least €600,000 (six hundred thousand Euros) subject to achievement of a reasonable net income target.

 

4


4.3

The Executive may, in respect of any fiscal year and upon reasonable written notice to the Company, elect that the part of his annual bonus that is based on the achievement of personal targets be paid into his pension plan subject always to the rules of the pension plan, the consent (if necessary) of the relevant pension provider and any applicable limits as amended from time to time.

 

4.4

The Board and/or the Nomination and Compensation Committee may introduce a mechanism whereby the personal and Company targets for the Executive are adjusted to partially take into account relevant macroeconomic developments.

 

4.5

The Company and the Executive shall co-operate to design and implement a structure to achieve economic entitlements the same as or equivalent to an award of €1,000,000 (one million Euros) annual restricted stock grants each year and a one-off share option up front award of €6,000,000 (six million Euros) in accordance with the criteria specified in the term sheet agreed between the parties and included in the Schedule. The parties accept and acknowledge that any tax liabilities (including any employee income tax or social security contributions) arising from the structure, would be for the account of the Executive. The Company will work with the Executive to implement a tax efficient structure. The parties acknowledge and accept that investments may be structured though a special purpose vehicles or other instruments to achieve the relevant economic entitlements.

 

4.6

The Executive is aware and acknowledges that (i) any remuneration payable to him under this Agreement is subject to approval by the Company’s shareholder meeting as set out in the Company’s articles of association and the Ordinance against Excessive Compensation with respect to Listed Stock Corporations and any future legislation replacing or amending the same (“VegüV”) as well as subject to the requirements of VegüV; and (ii) his compensation will be disclosed in the annual report of the Company, any filings or disclosure documents required under U.S. securities laws and the listing rules of the NYSE and in a separate compensation report as required by the VegüV.

 

5.

SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER INSURANCES

 

5.1

The Executive confirms that he has been informed of and agrees to the existing social security protection (BVG, AI-IV IV, etc.) and the apportionment of premiums. The Company acknowledges that the Executive has the right to inspect the relevant social security documentation.

 

5


5.2

The Company shall during the continuance of the employment provide the Executive with such pensions, life, medical, accident and/or disability insurance cover as is provided from time to time to other similarly situated senior executives of the Company subject in each case to the terms of the Company’s relevant policies in force from time to time provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that there shall not be duplication between this Clause 5.2 and Clause 5.1 above. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the level of pension contributions (“Altersgutschriften”) paid by the Company in respect of the Executive shall be 20% of his fixed gross annual basic salary subject always to the terms of the Company’s pension plan, any applicable limits from time to time and the consent (if necessary) of the relevant pension provider and (ii) the aggregate amount of pension contributions paid by the Company in respect of the Executive shall not, in any event, exceed EUR 150,000 (one hundred and thirty thousand Euros). For the avoidance of doubt, the forgoing sentence refers only to contributions to be paid by the Company to the Executive’s pension (not pension contributions paid by the Executive). The Company shall use its reasonable endeavours to agree with its pension provider that any current cap on the amount of the Executive’s fixed gross annual salary that is insured for the purposes of risk benefits under the Company’s pension arrangements as it applies to the Executive is increased to 100% of the Executive’s fixed gross annual salary provided always that the increase to such cap (as it applies to the Executive) does not adversely affect other employees or officers of the Company and that any additional or increased premium or premiums required by the pension provider in return for its agreement in relation to the same are not commercially unreasonable in the opinion of the Company. If it is not possible to increase such cap, in accordance with the forgoing, then the Company will work in good faith with the Executive to achieve a workable and mutually agreeable solution. The Company shall use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that the private medical insurance policy applicable to the Executive during his employment with the Company shall also cover each of his two children until the earlier of, with respect to each child, the date that such child is no longer economically dependent upon the Executive as such child has obtained remunerated employment or engagement (the “Cover Period”) and, to the extent that it is not possible or reasonably practicable to achieve this, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for the cost of him obtaining substantially equivalent private medical insurance to cover his children for the applicable Cover Period provided in each case that the cost to the Company is not, in the Company’s opinion, commercially unreasonable.

 

5.3

The provision of cover or membership of each of the insurances or insurance schemes referred to in Clause 5.2 above shall be subject to the rules of the relevant scheme in force from time to time and compliance with and satisfaction by the Executive of the requirements of the relevant insurers and the Company shall at its absolute discretion be entitled to cease to provide or change the provider of any or all of the insurances referred to in Clause 5.2.

 

6


6.

EXPENSES AND ANCILLARY BENEFITS

 

6.1

Subject to the Company’s expenses policy from time to time in force, all reasonable expenses arising out of the performance of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement (including travel and other reasonable expenses in relation to business trips) shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis subject to the Executive providing appropriate evidence (including receipts, invoices, tickets and/or vouchers as may be appropriate) of the expenditure in respect of which he claims reimbursement. For the avoidance of doubt, travel and other reasonable expenses in relation to business trips to be reimbursed in accordance with this Clause 6.1 are not included within the Representation Fee.

 

6.2

In the event that the Company issues (or has issued) the Executive with a Company sponsored credit or charge card, such card shall be used solely for expenses reimbursable under Clause 6.1. The Company reserves the right, acting reasonably, to withdraw the use of any such credit or charge card and to require its return to the Company when so requested and in any event forthwith on termination of the Agreement howsoever arising.

 

6.3

The Company shall, subject to any relevant tax authority approvals, pay the Executive a representation fee equal to 8% of his gross annual salary (or such lower percentage as is approved by the relevant tax authority), to cover entertainment and local expenses in connection with the representation duties of the Company (the “Representation Fee”). Such fee shall be deducted from the base salary referred to in Clause 4.1 and shall be payable monthly in equal instalments and without any deduction or withholding in respect of taxation. No Representation Fee is payable during any period of garden leave.

 

6.4

The Company shall, during the term of the Executive’s employment, pay for or reimburse the Executive for the costs of professional tax advice and assistance provided to the Executive by Deloitte LLP in relation to the remuneration he receives in respect of his employment with the Company, provided that such costs are, in the opinion of the Company, reasonable.

 

7.

HOLIDAYS

 

7.1

The Executive shall (in addition to the usual public holidays) be entitled to 25 working days’ paid holiday (accruing at the rate of 2.08 days per month) (rising to 30 working days’ paid holiday after the Executive has been employed by the Company for five consecutive years) in each holiday year of the Company which is the Calendar year to be taken at such times as shall have been approved by the Board.

 

7.2

The Company may require the Executive to take any holiday entitlement to which he may be entitled during any period that the Executive is directed to perform no duties and/or is directed not to enter all or any premises of the Company or any Associated Company in accordance with Clause 3.1.

 

7


8.

INCAPACITY

 

8.1

The Executive shall promptly inform the Company if he is unable to attend work and inform the Company of the estimated duration and reasons for his inability to attend work.

 

8.2

The Executive shall undergo an examination by a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Company at such times as the Company may reasonably request and at the expense of the Company, and hereby consents to the medical adviser disclosing the results of the examination to the Company and shall provide the Company with such formal consents as may be necessary for this purpose and shall co-operate in ensuring the prompt delivery to the Company of any such report.

 

8.3

If any incapacity of the Executive shall be caused by any alleged action or wrongdoing of a third party and the Executive shall decide to claim damages in respect thereof, then the Executive shall use all reasonable endeavours to recover damages for loss of earnings over the period for which salary has been or will be paid by the Company, and shall account to the Company for any such damages recovered (in an amount not exceeding the actual salary paid or payable to him by the Company in respect of the said period) less any costs borne in achieving such recovery. The Executive shall keep the Company informed of the commencement, progress and outcome of any such claim.

 

8.4

Any payments made by third parties to the Executive for such periods of incapacity, particularly under accident or health or medical insurance policies, shall be deducted from the Company’s obligation to pay salary for the relevant corresponding period.

 

9.

INTELLECTUAL AND OTHER PROPERTY

 

9.1

If at any time in the course of the employment the Executive makes or discovers or participates in the making or discovery of any Intellectual Property relating to or capable of being used in the business of the Company or any Associated Company the Executive shall immediately disclose full details of such Intellectual Property to the Company and at the request and expense of the Company shall do all things which may be necessary or desirable for obtaining appropriate forms of protection for the Intellectual Property in such parts of the world as may be specified by the Company and for vesting all rights in the same in the Company, any Associated Company or a company nominated by the Company.

 

9.2

The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company to be his agent in his name and on his behalf to sign any instrument, execute or do any act and generally to use his name for the purpose of giving to the Company or its nominee the full benefit of the provisions of this Clause 9 and in favour of any third party a certificate in writing signed by any director or the secretary of the Company that any instrument or act falls within the authority conferred by this Clause 9 shall be conclusive evidence that such is the case.

 

9.3

The Executive hereby waives all of his moral rights in respect of any acts of the Company or any acts of third parties done with the Company’s authority in relation to any Intellectual Property which is the property of the Company by virtue of Clause 9.1.

 

8


9.4

All rights and obligations under this Clause in respect of Intellectual Property made or discovered by the Executive during the employment shall continue in full force and effect after the termination of his employment and shall be binding upon the Executive’s personal representatives.

 

9.5

The Executive acknowledges that any and all Intellectual Property created by the Executive during the course of his employment shall vest in, be owned by and constitute the property of the Company and to the extent that they do not automatically so vest by operation of law the Executive hereby assigns and transfers with full title guarantee such Intellectual Property. The Executive shall not be entitled to any remuneration (other than-salary payable under Clause 4.1 above) in relation to the assignment or transfer of rights under this Clause 9, except in relation to inventions and designs made by the Executive other than pursuant to his duties under this Agreement in accordance with article 332 paragraph 4 CO.

 

10.

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

10.1

The Executive shall not at any time (either during or after the termination of the employment) disclose or communicate to any person or use for his own benefit or the benefit of any person any Confidential Information which may come to his knowledge in the course of the employment and shall during the continuance of the employment use his best endeavours to prevent the unauthorised publication or misuse of any Confidential Information.

 

10.2

The restrictions in this Clause 10 shall not apply to any:

 

  (a)

disclosure or use arising in the proper performance of the Executive’s duties;

 

  (b)

disclosure or use previously authorised in writing by the Board; and

 

  (c)

information already in the public domain provided that the Executive is not in a position to use that information more readily than others who have not worked for the Company or any Associated Company.

 

11.

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

 

11.1

The employment of the Executive may be immediately terminated by the Company without notice pursuant to any reason permitted by article 337 CO, including but not limited to circumstances where the Executive:

 

  (a)

commits any serious or persistent breach or fails to observe or perform any of the terms, conditions or stipulations contained in this Agreement or the rules of any applicable regulatory authority; or

 

9


  (b)

is guilty of any gross misconduct or serious negligence in connection with or affecting the business or affairs of the Company or any Associated Company for which he is required to perform duties; or

 

  (c)

is guilty of conduct which brings or is likely to bring himself or the Company or any Associated Company into disrepute; or

 

  (d)

is convicted of an arrestable criminal offence (other than an offence under road traffic legislation for which a non-custodial penalty is imposed); or

 

  (e)

is adjudged bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors; or

 

  (f)

is or becomes prohibited by law or the articles of association of the Company or any regulatory body applicable to the Company from being a director because of his own acts, or omissions; or

 

  (g)

voluntarily resigns as a Director of the Company or any Associated Company other than at the request or with the consent of the Company.

 

11.2

The Company may suspend the Executive from the performance of any or all of his duties and direct him not to attend the offices of the Company or any Associated Company at any time in connection with any investigation into any alleged misconduct or neglect by the Executive. During such period the Executive’s salary and other contractual benefits shall continue to be paid or provided.

 

11.3

This Agreement shall terminate without notice when the Executive reaches the Swiss statutory retirement age (of currently 65).

 

11.4

Upon the termination of his employment (for whatever reason) or, in the case of Clause 11.4(a) below, at any time during his employment, the Executive:

 

  (a)

shall at the request of the Board immediately resign without claim for compensation from office as a Director of the Company and any Associated Company and from any other office held by him in the Company or any Associated Company (but without prejudice to any claim for damages for breach of this Agreement) and in the event of his failure to do so the Company is hereby irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign and deliver such resignations to the Board and do all things requisite to give effect to such resignation; and

 

  (b)

shall sign stock transfer forms transferring any qualifying shares held by him pursuant to the articles of association of the Company or any Associated Company/all shares held by him as trustee or nominee for the Company or any Associated Company to the Company or its nominee and shall deliver to the Company the relevant share certificates; and

 

10


  (c)

shall not at any time thereafter make any untrue or misleading oral or written statement concerning the business and affairs of the Company or any Associated Company nor represent himself or permit himself to be held out as being in any way connected with or interested in the business of the Company or any Associated Company (except as a former employee for the purpose of communicating with prospective employers or complying with any applicable statutory requirements); and

 

  (d)

shall immediately repay all outstanding debts or loans due to the Company or any Associated Company; and

 

  (e)

shall surrender (or if so directed erase permanently) all Company property comprising without limitation all documents, data (whether in electronic or other form) and other things (in whatever form or media including notes, memoranda, correspondence, drawings, sketches, plans, designs and any other material upon which data or information is recorded or stored) relating to the business or affairs of the Company and the Associated Companies or any of its or their suppliers, agents, distributors, customers or others which shall have been acquired received or made by the Executive during the course of the employment together with all copies to someone duly authorised by the Company in that regard.

 

11.5

If the Executive is a Good Leaver, he shall receive his basic salary during his notice period as well as a pro-rated bonus (calculated with reference to the period from March 31 of that fiscal year until the date when his employment terminates).

 

11.6

If the Executive is a Bad Leaver, he shall receive his basic salary during his notice period but he will neither be eligible to be considered for nor entitled to receive any bonus for the fiscal year.

 

11.7

If the employment of the Executive is terminated by reason of the dissolution and/or liquidation of the Company for the purpose of reconstruction or amalgamation or as part of any arrangement for the amalgamation or reconstruction of the Company not involving insolvency and the Executive is offered employment with any concern or undertaking resulting from the reconstruction or amalgamation on terms and conditions which taken as a whole are not less favourable than the terms of this Agreement (other than the provisions of Clause 4.4 or the provisions of Clause 1.2 pursuant to which the Executive’s notice period increases to more than one month) then the Executive shall have no claim against the Company in respect of such termination.

 

11


12.

EXECUTIVE’S COVENANTS

 

12.1

For the purpose of this Clause 12:

“Business” means the business of the Group, being processing (including VAT refund), currency conversion, data analytics, internet and print marketing, and software in each case relating to tax-free shopping and travel-related shopping (or all or any part of such business);

references to “Associated Companies” shall only be references to Associated Companies in respect of which the Executive has carried out material duties in the period of 12 months prior to the date of termination of the employment;

Managers” means such persons as are notified from time to time to the Executive in writing by Thomas Farley (the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Far Point LLC) or such other person as the Board may appoint for this purpose;

“Restricted Area” means any territory in which the Group does business at the date of termination of the employment and with which the Executive has been involved, other than in a de minimis way;

“Restricted Person” shall mean any retailer, acquiring bank or other service provider who or which has at any time during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of termination done business with the Company or any Associated Company as customer or client or distributor or consultant or supplier and with whom or which the Executive shall have had dealings, contact with or responsibility for during the course of the employment; and

“Key Person” shall mean any person who at the date of termination of the Executive’s employment is employed or engaged directly or indirectly by the Company or any Associated Company as an employee, director, consultant or agent and with whom the Executive has had material contact during the course of his employment and (a) is employed or engaged in the capacity of director, country manager or senior manager; and/or (b) is in the possession of Confidential Information belonging to the Company; and/or (c) is directly managed by or reports to the Executive.

 

12.2

The Executive acknowledges that during the course of the employment with the Company he will receive and have access to Confidential Information of the Company and its Associated Companies and that he will have influence over and connection with customers, clients, consultants, agents and employees of the Company and its Associated Companies with which the Executive comes in contact during the employment and accordingly he is willing to enter into the covenants set out in Clauses 12.3 to 12.6 inclusive in order to provide the Company and its Associated Companies with reasonable protection for their interests.

 

12.3

The Executive covenants with the Company that he will not for the period of 24 months after the end of his employment without the prior written consent of the Board either alone or jointly with or on behalf of any person directly or indirectly carry on or set up or be employed or engaged by or otherwise assist in or be interested in any capacity (save as a shareholder of not more than 5% in aggregate of any class of shares, debentures or other

 

12


  securities of any company which are quoted on or dealt in any recognised investment exchange, as long as these investments do not provide the Executive with the opportunity to influence (directly or indirectly) the management of such a company competing with the Company or any Associated Company) in a business anywhere within the Restricted Area which is in competition with the Business (or is known to the Executive, after reasonable inquiry, to be actively considering or taking steps to engage in a business in competition with the Business and/or likely intends to enter into competition with the Business). The Company may, however, notify the Executive on termination of his employment that, at the discretion of the Company, the restrictions in this Clause 12.3 are waived or their period is reduced to a period of between six and 24 months.

 

12.4

The Executive covenants with the Company that he will not in connection with the carrying on of any business in competition with the Business for the period of 24 months after the end of his employment without the prior written consent of the Board either alone or jointly with or on behalf of any person directly or indirectly:

 

  (a)

do business with a Restricted Person in the Restricted Area;

 

  (b)

canvass, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or approached for orders in respect of any services provided by the Company or any Associated Company any Restricted Person; and

 

  (c)

solicit or entice away or endeavour to solicit or entice away front the Company or any Associated Company any Key Person (in each case whether or not such person would commit a breach of contract by so doing).

The Company may, however, notify the Executive on termination of his employment that, at the discretion of the Company, the restrictions in this Clause 12.4 are waived or their period is reduced to a period of between six and 24 months.

 

12.5

The Executive covenants with the Company that he will not for the period of 24 months after the end of his employment either alone or jointly with any other person directly or indirectly induce or attempt to induce any supplier of the Company or any Associated Company with whom the Executive had personal dealings, contact with or responsibility for during the course of employment to cease to supply or to restrict or vary the terms of supply to the Company or any Associated Company or otherwise interfere with the relationship between such a supplier and the Company or any Associated Company. The Company may, however, notify the Executive on termination of his employment that, at the discretion of the Company, the restrictions in this Clause 12.5 are waived or their period is reduced to a period of between six and 24 months.

 

12.6

Without prejudice to Clause 12.3 above, if, at any time during the term of this Agreement, two or more Managers or Key Persons leave the employment of the Company or any Associated Company to work for the same company or different companies within the same group of companies (if in competition with the Business and/or if not in competition

 

13


  with the Business) the Executive shall not, at any time during the period of 24 months following the last date on which any of those Managers and/or Key Persons was employed by the Company or any Associated Company, be employed or engaged in any way with such company and/or companies provided that, in the opinion of the Company, the departure of two or more Managers or Key Persons has or will have a detrimental impact on the Business provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that this shall not prevent the Executive being employed or engaged by a company that is not in competition with the Business and by which two or more Managers or Key Persons have also, in good faith, become employed or engaged where there has been no collusion between the Executive and such Managers or Key Persons to join such a company. For the purposes of this Clause 12.6, “Key Person” shall include any person, who in the 12 months prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment, is or was employed or engaged directly or indirectly by the Company or an Associated Company as an employee, director, consultant or agent and with whom the Executive has had material contact during the course of his employment and (a) is employed or engaged in the capacity of director, country manager or senior manager and/or (b) is in the possession of Confidential Information belonging to the Company and/or (c) is directly managed by or reports to the Executive. The Company may, however, notify the Executive on termination of his employment that, at the discretion of the Company, the period of the restrictions in this Clause 12.6 is reduced to a period of between six and 24 months.

 

12.7

The Executive agrees that he will at the cost of the Company enter into a direct agreement or undertaking with any Associated Company whereby he will accept restrictions and provisions corresponding to the restrictions and provisions in Clauses 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6 above (or such of them as may be appropriate in the circumstances) in relation to such activities and such area as such Associated Company may reasonably require for the protection of its legitimate business interests.

 

12.8

The covenants contained in Clauses 12.3, 12.4(a), 12.4(b), 12.4(c), 12.5 and 12.6 are intended to be separate and severable and enforceable as such.

 

12.9

While the restrictions in Clauses 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.3 and 12.6 are considered by the parties to be reasonable in all the circumstances, it is agreed that if any restriction shall be adjudged to be void or ineffective for whatever reason but would be adjudged to be valid and effective if part of the wording thereof were deleted or the period or periods of the restrictions were reduced or modified, the said restrictions shall apply with such deletions, modifications and/or reductions as may be necessary to make them valid and effective.

 

12.10

The Company may at any time release the Executive from his obligations under Clauses 12.3 to 12.6 above. In the event that the Company decides to release the Executive from his obligations under Clauses 12.3 to 12.6 above, or if the Executive does not adhere to them, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive any compensation referred to in Clause 12.11 below and shall repay any such compensation already received. Furthermore, no compensation referred to in Clause 12.11 is due if the Executive is dismissed for cause in the sense of art. 337 CO.

 

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12.11

If Clauses 12.3 to 12.6 above are applicable and in each case the Company does not release the Executive from his obligations in relation to such Clauses, the Company shall, subject to Clauses 12.10, 12.12 and 12.13, pay to the Executive during the period of six months after the end of the employment a monthly sum equal to the shortfall (if any) between the Executive’s gross monthly salary (not including any bonus) with the Company immediately prior to the cessation of his employment with the Company (the “Original Monthly Salary”) and either (i) the gross monthly salary (not including any bonus) the Executive receives in his new employment, if any; or (ii) €0 in the event that the Executive does not find any new employment following the termination of his employment with the Company, in each case such monthly compensation to be capped at 100% of the Original Monthly Salary provided that if the Company elects (in accordance with the terms of Clauses 12.3 and 12.6) to enforce the restrictions in Clauses 12.3 to 12.6 for longer than six months, then an amount calculated in the same way shall be payable to the Executive as compensation for complying with the covenants set out at Clauses 12.3 and 12.6 above for such longer period.

 

12.12

To establish the level of compensation payable to the Executive, the Executive shall keep the Company continuously informed of any salary he receives in any new employment or business and shall provide the Company with copies of salary slips or other supporting documents to confirm the same.

 

12.13

In each case of a violation or breach of one or several of the covenants set out in this Clause 12, the Executive shall pay to the Company liquidated damages in an amount equal to the salary the Company paid to the Executive pursuant to Clause 4 of this Agreement during the last 12 months of the employment. Further, the Executive shall repay to the Company any consideration received for the enforcement of the post-termination restrictive covenants pursuant to Clause 12.11. The payment of liquidated damages and the repayment of considerations received do not exempt the Executive from the covenants set out in this Clause 12. The Company expressively reserves the right to claim damages and to demand the abolishment of any activity contrary to this Agreement (Realexekution).

 

13.

NOTICES

Any notice to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing.

 

14.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

14.1

The Executive hereby warrants he has lawful authority to work in Switzerland and that by virtue of entering into this Agreement he is not and will not be in breach of any express or implied terms of any contract, court order or of any other obligation legally binding upon him.

 

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14.2

There is no formal company disciplinary or dismissal procedure in relation to the Executive’s employment. The Executive shall be expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity and behaviour.

 

14.3

If the Executive has any grievance in relation to his employment he may raise it in writing with the Board whose decision shall be final.

 

14.4

There are no collective agreements applicable to the Executive’s employment.

 

14.5

Any benefits provided by the Company to the Executive or his family which are not expressly referred to in this Agreement shall be regarded as ex gratia benefits provided at the entire discretion of the Company and shall not form part of the Executive’s contract of employment.

 

14.6

The Company shall to the maximum amount permitted by the law be entitled without notice to the Executive at any time during the Executive’s employment and upon termination to set off and/or make deductions from the Executive’s salary or from any other sums due to the Executive from the Company or any Associated Company in respect of any overpayment of any kind made to the Executive or in respect of any outstanding debt or other sum due from him.

 

14.7

If any provision of this Agreement, as a whole or in part, is or becomes void, voidable or unenforceable for any reason, the validity and enforceability of all other remaining provisions of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby. The void, voidable or unenforceable provision shall, to the extent legally possible, be deemed replaced by that valid, effective and enforceable provision that comes closest to the purpose (economic or otherwise) pursued by the void, voidable or unenforceable provision as regards subject matter, amount, time, place and/or scope.

 

15.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

15.1

In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:

“Associated Company” means any company which has an Interest in Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A., any company in which Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. has an Interest, and any other company in respect of which Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. has an Interest;

Bad Leaver” means a person who: (a) is no longer employed by the Company as a result of being dismissed for Cause; (b) is under notice of termination by the Company in circumstances where the Company is entitled to dismiss the Participant for Cause; (c) has tendered his resignation except for Good Reason; or (d) is no longer employed by the Company as a result of tendering his resignation except for Good Reason.

 

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“Board” means the Board of Directors for the time being of the Company including any duly appointed committee thereof or the directors present at a meeting of the directors of the Company at which a quorum is present but excluding the Executive;

“Cause” means the Executive’s employment has been terminated for a reason specified in Clause 11.1 of this Agreement;

“Control” (or any term derived therefore) means the power, through the holding of securities, shares or voting rights or by any other means, to directly or indirectly direct, manage and/or determine the management or the policies of any person or entity;

“Confidential Information” means any confidential information concerning the business, dealings, affairs or conduct of the Company and/or any Associated Company, its staff and/or business contacts including customers and/or any similar matters and includes but is not limited to:

 

  (a)

any trade secrets of the Company or any Associated Company;

 

  (b)

any information in respect of which the Company or any Associated Company is bound by an obligation of confidence to any third party;

 

  (c)

unpublished and price-sensitive information relating to securities listed on any recognised stock exchange;

 

  (d)

the movements and whereabouts and all personal or private matters concerning senior employees and directors;

 

  (e)

marketing strategies and plans;

 

  (f)

customer lists and details of contacts with or requirements of customers;

 

  (g)

pricing strategies;

 

  (h)

discount rates and sales figures;

 

  (i)

lists of suppliers and rates of charge;

 

  (j)

information which has been supplied in confidence by clients, customers or suppliers;

 

  (k)

any other information treated as confidential by the Company on a day to day basis including software passwords and any other passwords;

 

  (l)

information and details of and concerning the engagement employment and termination of employment of the Executive and any other personnel;

 

  (m)

information concerning any litigation proposed in progress or settled;

 

17


  (n)

any invention technical data know-how or other manufacturing or trade secrets of the Group and their clients/customers; and

 

  (o)

any other information made available to the Executive which is identified to the Executive as being of a confidential nature;

Director” means a person appointed as a director of the Company in accordance with applicable law and does not include a shadow director or a “de jure” director;

Good Leaver” means a person who is not a Bad Leaver;

Good Reason” means that the Company has materially breached the governance principles relating to the Executive’s role and responsibilities as have been agreed in writing between the parties except that there will be no such breach unless the Executive has: (a) provided the Board with a written notice specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; and (b) given the Board a period of no less than thirty (30) business days to cure such breach and such breach has not been remedied during that period;

Group” means the Company and the Associated Companies (save, in the case of Clause 4.4 only, where “Group” shall mean the Company and company in which Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. has an Interest, and any other company in respect of which Global Blue Management & Co S.C.A. has an Interest);

Intellectual Property” means letters, patents, trade marks, service marks, designs, copyrights, database rights, utility models, design rights, applications for registration of any of the foregoing and the right to apply for them in any part of the world, inventions, drawings, computer programs, confidential information, know-how and rights of like nature arising or subsisting anywhere in the world in relation to all of the foregoing, whether registered or unregistered; and

Interest” means, in relation to a company:

 

  (a)

the right to exercise (directly or indirectly) at least 50 per cent of the voting rights in that company and/or receive (directly or indirectly) at least 50 per cent of the economic benefit of that company; or

 

  (b)

the right to exercise (directly or indirectly) Management Control over that company,

and, for purposes of this definition, “Management Control” means the right to appoint (or direct the appointment of) at least 50 per cent of the board members of a company or to appoint (or direct the appointment of) the chief executive officer, president or person holding an equivalent position in a company; and

Nomination and Compensation Committee” means the duly appointed nomination and compensation committee of the Board.

 

18


15.2

All references to the word “including” in this Agreement shall be read as and deemed to be references to “including (without limitation)”.

 

15.3

The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect its construction or interpretation.

 

15.4

References in this Agreement to Clauses and paragraphs and the Schedule are references to Clauses and paragraphs and the Schedule (which is hereby specifically incorporated in this Agreement) to this Agreement.

 

15.5

Any reference in this Agreement to a person shall where the context permits include a reference to a body corporate and to any unincorporated body of persons.

 

15.6

Any word in this Agreement which denotes the singular shall where the context permits include the plural and vice versa and any word in this Agreement which denotes to the masculine gender shall where the context permits include the feminine and/or the neuter genders and vice versa.

 

15.7

Any reference in this Agreement to a statutory provision shall be deemed to include a reference to any statutory amendment modification or re-enactment of it.

 

15.8

This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties and supersedes all (if any) subsisting agreements, arrangements and understandings (written or oral) relating to the employment or appointment of the Executive with or by the Company (including the director agreement between the Executive and the Company dated 10 April 2014 and the employment agreement dated 16 May 2015), which such agreements, arrangements and understandings shall be deemed to have been entirely replaced by this Agreement by mutual consent. The Executive warrants that he has not entered into this Agreement in reliance on any warranty, representation or undertaking of any nature whatsoever which is not contained in or specifically incorporated in this Agreement.

 

15.9

Any amendments to this Agreement shall only be valid if set out in writing and signed by both parties.

 

15.10

This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which together evidence the same agreement.

 

15.11

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with substantive Swiss law (excluding any conflict of law rules).

 

15.12

Any disputes arising out of this Agreement shall be submitted to the competent courts of Switzerland.

 

SIGNED by    )                                                                
   )       Director

 

19


on behalf of GLOBAL BLUE SA

 

SIGNED by    )                                                                
JACQUES STERN    )       Signature of Executive

 

20


Schedule (Term Sheet)

[To be inserted]


EXECUTION VERSION

14 January 2020

Global Blue SA

Management Incentive Plan and Employment Agreement

Confidential Term Sheet

The following describes the principal terms of the management incentive plan (the “MIP”) and employment agreement, to be adopted and approved by Global Blue SA (the “Company”) in connection with Jacques Stern.

 

MIP

1.  Company/Issuer

   Global Blue SA

2.  Participants

   Jacques Stern (the “Participant”)

3.  Securities

  

The Company will create two types of award: (a) an annual restricted stock award that will be issued each year (each an “RSA”); and (b) a one-off up-front share option award (the “Option Award”).

 

Each RSA will be valued at 1 million Euros on the date that the RSA is granted. Each RSA will be valued on the average mid-market price of the shares in the period that is 20 trading days prior to the date on which the Board grants that RSA.

 

The board that approves the annual financial statements for the Company shall also be the board that grants the RSA each year. As an exception, the initial up-front award and RSA shall be granted to the Participant as soon as practicable following the Closing of the Merger.

4.  Vesting

  

Each RSA will vest in four equal tranches over a four-year period.

 

There shall be a variation to the vesting schedule for the first RSA. The first tranche of the first RSA (consisting of 37.5% of the RSA) shall vest 18 months after the date of grant and the second tranche of the RSA (consisting of 12.5% of the RSA) shall vest 24 months after the date of grant. The third tranche of the RSA (consisting of 25% of the RSA) shall vest 36 months after the date of grant and the fourth tranche of the RSA (consisting of 25% of the RSA) shall vest 48 months after the date of grant.

 

50% of each RSA will not be subject to any performance targets. 50% of each RSA will be subject to performance targets (the relevant criteria will be based on earnings per share growth and total shareholder return as further determined by the Board in consultation with the Participant).

 

The Option Award will vest using the same basis and allocations as the first RSA.

 

All share options must be exercised within six years of the date of granting the Option Award (otherwise, they will lapse).

5.  Awards/Exercise Price

  

The Participant will be issued with an RSA each year as stated above.

 

The Participant will be issued with 3,475,000 of share options in relation to the Option Award. 1,475,000 share options will have an exercise price of $US 11.5, 800,000 share options will have an exercise price of $US 12.5 and 1,200,000 share options will have an exercise price of $US 15.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

6.  Call option in relation to leavers

  

If the Participant’s employment terminates and the Participant is a Good Leaver, the following provisions will apply: (a) the unvested Option Award shall automatically vest a pro rata basis (calculated with reference to the period between the date when the award was issued to the Participant and the date that is six months after the date when his employment actually terminates); (b) any unvested RSA shall automatically vest on a pro rata basis (calculated with reference to the period between the date when the award was issued to the Participant and the date that is six months after the date when his employment actually terminates) subject to satisfaction of any performance criteria as referenced at section 4 above; (c) all other tranches of the unvested Option Award and unvested RSAs shall lapse and be incapable of being exercised or be subject to repurchase at de minimis value (if repurchase is a necessary condition for cancelling the legal effect of the unvested RSA).

 

If the Participant’s employment terminates and the Participant is a Bad Leaver, the following provisions shall except as set out below apply: (a) any unvested Option Award shall lapse and be incapable of being exercised; and (b) any unvested RSA shall be subject to repurchase at de minimis value (if repurchase is a necessary condition for cancelling the legal effect of the unvested RSA). If the Participant is a Bad Leaver as a result of tendering his resignation before the first tranche of either the first RSA or Option Award has vested, such tranche of equity shall still automatically vest provided that his employment does not actually terminate until at least 18 months after the Effective Date (subject to satisfaction of any relevant performance criteria as referenced at section 4 above).

 

Irrespective as to whether the Participant is a Good Leaver or a Bad Leaver, any vested tranches of the Option Award must be exercised within 12 months of the termination of employment.

7.  “Effective Date”

   Date of Closing of the Merger.

8.  Exit Event

  

An Exit Event refers to the situation where any unvested equity will immediately and automatically vest.

 

For there to be an Exit Event, there must be a material reduction and/or alteration of the Participant’s title, role and responsibilities and one of the Company events identified below must be triggered.

 

The Company events are defined as (i) a “Change of Control” to a third party or any of the existing shareholders whereby 50.1% of voting shares or control of board or management is acquired or (ii) disposal of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or (iii) a takeover offer in accordance with any US listing requirements.

9.  Tax

  

To be structured in a tax-efficient manner based on a UK non- domiciled resident participant as long as it is no more onerous for the Company.

 

When each RSA vests or when the Option Award vests and is exercised, if there is a income tax and employee social security liability withholding requirement for the Company, the Participant shall indemnify the Company or any other relevant group company for any income tax and employee social security contribution liability due on the RSA or Option Award. The Participant shall also indemnify the Company or any group company to the extent that any such income tax or employee social security contribution liability arises on the lapse of any RSA or Option Award.

 

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EXECUTION VERSION

 

10.  Leaver

  

The Participant will be dismissed for Cause if he is dismissed for a reason specified in clause 11.1 of his service agreement.

 

The Participant will qualify as a Bad Leaver if he: (a) is no longer employed by the Company as a result of being dismissed for Cause; (b) is under notice of termination by the Company in circumstances where the Company is entitled to dismiss the Participant for Cause; (c) has tendered his resignation except for Good Reason; or (d) is no longer employed by the Company as a result of tendering his resignation except for Good Reason.

 

The Participant will be a Good Leaver who is not a Bad Leaver.

 

The Participant will resign for a Good Reason if the Company has materially breached the governance principles relating to the Participant’s role and responsibilities as have been agreed in writing between the parties except that there will be no such breach unless the Participant has: (a) provided the Board with a written notice specifying in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; and (b) given the Board a period of no less than thirty (30) business days to cure the breach and such breach has not been remedied during that period.

 

If the Participant is a Good Leaver, he shall receive his basic salary during his notice period as well as a pro-rated bonus (calculated with reference to the period from March 31 of that fiscal year until the date when his employment terminates).

 

If the Participant is a Bad Leaver, he shall receive his basic salary during his notice period but he will neither be eligible to be considered for nor entitled to receive any bonus for the fiscal year.

11.  Employment Agreement

  

The Participant is subject to customary provisions in relation to his obligations as a senior executive including any fiduciary obligations he may owe to the Company, as well as his obligations in relation to confidentiality and intellectual property.

 

The Participant shall continue to be subject to restrictive covenants that prohibit him for a period of 24 months from the termination of his employment from: (a) working in any capacity for a competitor; (b) soliciting or dealing with the Company’s customers; or (c) soliciting or dealing with any employees of the Company.

12.  Other rights

  

RSAs do not entail any voting rights whilst unvested.

 

No dividends will be paid on RSAs whilst unvested.

13.  Transfers

   The participant shall not be allowed to transfer any shares other than to a trust for the benefit of the Participant and/or his/her family. Any such transfer shall be subject to approval by the board and must be fully compliant with relevant laws. Any transfer between trustees of the approved trust shall only require prior notice to the Company.

14.  Governing Law/Jurisdiction

   English law, and jurisdiction of courts of England.

 

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Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Global Blue Group Holding AG of our report dated April 14, 2020 relating to the financial statements of Global Blue Group AG, which appears in this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

Geneva, Switzerland

June 18, 2020

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-4, Amendment No. 1, of our report dated March 12, 2020 (which includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the ability of Far Point Acquisition Corporation to continue as a going concern) relating to the balance sheets of Far Point Acquisition Corporation as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the period from February 23, 2018 (inception) through December 31, 2018, appearing in the proxy statement/prospectus, which is a part of this Registration Statement, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption “Experts” in the proxy statement/prospectus.

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

New York, New York

June 18, 2020

Exhibit 99.1

FAR POINT ACQUISITION CORPORATION

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON

                             , 2020

The undersigned, revoking any previous proxies relating to these shares with respect to the Business Combination Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal hereby acknowledges receipt of the proxy statement/ prospectus dated                 , 2020, in connection with the Special Meeting to be held on                 , 2020 at                  a.m. Eastern Time at the offices of                 , located at                 , for the sole purpose of considering and voting upon the following proposals, and hereby appoints Thomas W. Farley and David W. Bonanno, and each of them (with full power to act alone), the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution to each, to vote all shares of the common stock of Far Point Acquisition Corporation (“FPAC”) registered in the name provided, which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, and at any adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would have if personally present. Without limiting the general authorization hereby given, said proxies are, and each of them is, instructed to vote or act as follows on the proposals set forth in this Proxy.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF YOU RETURN A SIGNED PROXY CARD BUT NO DIRECTION IS MADE, YOUR COMMON STOCK WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH BELOW. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting

to be held on                 , 2020:

The notice of the Special Meeting and the accompanying proxy statement/ prospectus are

available at                 

 

Please mark vote as indicated in   this example        X     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FPAC RECOMMENDS A VOTE “AGAINST” PROPOSALS
NO. 1 AND NO. 2

 

Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—To approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 16, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), and the business combination contemplated by such agreement (the “Business Combination”), by and among FPAC, SL Globetrotter, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, Global Blue Group Holding AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland, Global Blue US Holdco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Global Blue US Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation, Global Blue Holding L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, the individuals named therein, Global Blue Group AG, a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) incorporated under Swiss law, with its registered office in Zürichstrasse 38, 8306 Brüttisellen, Switzerland, Thomas W. Farley, solely in his capacity as the FPAC Shareholders’ Representative, solely for purposes of Sections 2.20 and 8.01 thereof, Far Point LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Jacques Stern, solely in his capacity as the Management Representative.

   FOR
   AGAINST
   ABSTAIN

Proposal No. 2—The Adjournment Proposal—To approve the adjournment of the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or for any other reason in connection with, the approval of one or more of the other proposals at the Special Meeting.

   FOR
   AGAINST
   ABSTAIN

 

 

Dated                                                                                                                                                                                 , 2020

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

(Signature)

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

(Signature if held Jointly)
Signature should agree with name printed hereon. If shares are held in the name of more than one person, EACH joint owner should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and attorneys should indicate the capacity in which they sign. Attorneys should submit powers of attorney.
A vote to abstain be treated as a vote against the Business Combination Proposal, but will have no effect on the Adjournment Proposal. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING PRE-ADDRESSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE ABOVE SIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF YOU RETURN A SIGNED PROXY BUT NO DIRECTION IS MADE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED “FOR” THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ABOVE.

Exhibit 99.4

Consent to be Named as a Director

In connection with the filing by Global Blue Group Holding AG of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named to the board of directors of Global Blue Group Holding AG, and any successor thereto, as described in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

Dated: June 17, 2020

 

/s/ Angel Ying Zhao

Angel Ying Zhao

Exhibit 99.5

Consent to be Named as a Director

In connection with the filing by Global Blue Group Holding AG of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), I hereby consent, pursuant to Rule 438 of the Securities Act, to being named to the board of directors of Global Blue Group Holding AG, and any successor thereto, as described in the Registration Statement and any and all amendments and supplements thereto. I also consent to the filing of this consent as an exhibit to such Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

Dated: June 17, 2020

 

/s/ Eric Strutz

Eric Strutz