UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August, 2021

 

 

Barclays PLC

(Name of Registrant)

 

 

1 Churchill Place

London E14 5HP

England

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☒            Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-3 (NO. 333-253693) OF BARCLAYS PLC AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS FURNISHED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.

 

 

 


The Report comprises the following:

 

Exhibit
No.

      

Description

1.1      Underwriting Agreement—Standard Provisions, dated as of March 3, 2021.
1.2      Pricing Agreement between Barclays PLC and Barclays Capital Inc., dated as of August 4, 2021 for the 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.
3.1      Articles of Association of Barclays PLC.
4.1      Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August  14, 2018, among Barclays PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee, and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the registrant’s Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K (File No. 001-09246), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2018.
4.2      Fourth Supplemental Indenture to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August  12, 2020, among Barclays PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the registrant’s Report of Foreign Issuer on Form 6-K (File No. 001-09246), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2020.
4.3      Fifth Supplemental Indenture to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of March  1, 2021, among Barclays PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-253693), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2021.
4.4      Sixth Supplemental Indenture to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August  11, 2021, among Barclays PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar.
4.5      The form of Global Security for the 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (incorporated by reference to the Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.4 above).
5.1      Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, U.S. counsel to Barclays PLC, as to the validity of the 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.
5.2      Opinion of Clifford Chance LLP, English counsel to Barclays PLC, as to the validity of the 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    BARCLAYS PLC
    (Registrant)
Date: August 11, 2021     By:  

/s/ Karen Rowe

      Name:   Karen Rowe
      Title:   Authorized Signatory

Exhibit 1.1

BARCLAYS PLC

Contingent Capital Securities

Underwriting Agreement — Standard Provisions

From time to time Barclays PLC, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a “Pricing Agreement”) in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and therein, to issue certain of the Company’s contingent capital securities, which may be convertible in accordance with their terms for stock or other securities of Barclays PLC or permanently written down to zero as specified in Schedule II to the applicable Pricing Agreement (the “Designated Securities”) and to issue to the firms named in Schedule I to such Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the “Underwriters” with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the Designated Securities specified therein).

The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented and as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time by a supplemental indenture thereto, the “Indenture”). The Designated Securities will be represented by one or more definitive global securities in book-entry form which will be deposited by, or on behalf of, the Company with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its designated custodian.

1. Particular issuances of Designated Securities may be made from time to time to the Underwriters of such Designated Securities, for whom the firms designated as representatives of the Underwriters of such Designated Securities in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto will act as representatives (the “Representatives”). The term “Representatives” also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of the Underwriters and to Underwriters that act without any firm being designated as their representatives. This Agreement shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to issue any of the Designated Securities, or as an obligation of the Underwriters to subscribe for any of the Designated Securities. The obligation of the Company to issue any of the Designated Securities, and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to subscribe for any of the Designated Securities, shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities specified therein. Each Pricing Agreement shall specify the aggregate principal amount or number of the Designated Securities, the initial public offering price of such Designated Securities, the subscription price to the Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Representatives of such Underwriters, if any, the aggregate principal amount or number of such Designated Securities to be subscribed for by each Underwriter, the commissions, if any, payable to the Underwriters with respect thereto, such other terms of the Designated Securities as are noted in such Pricing Agreement and shall set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such Designated Securities, and payment therefor. Each Pricing Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not set forth in the Indenture and the registration statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of such


Designated Securities. Each Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic communications or other rapid transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

2. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that to the extent applicable to the Designated Securities:

(a) An “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on Form F-3 (File No. 333-        ) or such other file number as specified in the applicable Pricing Agreement) relating to the Designated Securities has been filed by the Company with the Commission not earlier than three years prior to the date of the applicable Pricing Agreement; such registration statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have become effective on filing; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission; no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Act has been received by the Company; and copies of such registration statement, including exhibits and all documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus included in such registration statement and any post-effective amendments thereto, have heretofore been delivered to the Representatives for each of the other Underwriters. The various parts of such registration statement, including all exhibits thereto but excluding Forms T-1 and, if applicable, including (i) any prospectus supplement relating to the Designated Securities that is filed with the Commission and deemed by virtue of Rule 430B under the Act to be part of such registration statement, each as amended at the time such part of such registration statement became effective, and (ii) the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in such registration statement on the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to any Designated Securities, each as amended on the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to any Designated Securities, are hereinafter collectively called the “Registration Statement”; any preliminary prospectus (including any preliminary prospectus supplement) relating to the Designated Securities included in the Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus”; such final prospectus in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act is hereinafter called the “Prospectus”; “Applicable Time” shall be as specified in the relevant Pricing Agreement; “Statutory Prospectus” as of any time means the prospectus (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any preliminary prospectus supplement) relating to the Designated Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof, provided that for purposes of this definition, information contained in a form of prospectus that is deemed retroactively to be part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus as of the actual time that form of prospectus is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act; “Free Writing Prospectus” means any “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act;

 

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“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 under the Act relating to the Designated Securities; any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Form F-3 under the Act as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include any documents filed after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and so incorporated by reference; any reference to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the applicable Designated Securities in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, including any documents incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such filing; and any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed or submitted under the Exchange Act after the date of the Registration Statement which are incorporated by reference therein;

(b) No order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission;

(c) The Statutory Prospectus, as supplemented by the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof (collectively, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”), as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, if any, listed in Schedule III to the applicable Pricing Agreement, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements or omissions made in the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter expressly for use therein;

(d) At the time of the filing of the Registration Statement, at the time of the most recent amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or form of prospectus), and at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the Act) made any offer relating to the Designated Securities in reliance on the exemption provided for in Rule 163 under the Act, the Company was a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act;

(e) At the earliest time that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Act) of the Designated Securities the Company was not, and the Company is not, an “ineligible issuer,” as defined

 

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in Rule 405 under the Act, including by virtue of the Company or any subsidiary in the preceding three years having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a judicial or administrative decree or order as described in Rule 405 under the Act;

(f) The Annual Report on Form 20-F most recently filed by the Company (the “Form 20-F”) and any other documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus, when such documents were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents, when so filed, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any Preliminary Prospectus, when such documents are filed with the Commission, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not, when so filed, contain 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 not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any Preliminary Prospectus relating to such Designated Securities;

(g) The Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus conform, and any amendments or supplements thereto, when they become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and the Registration Statement and the Prospectus did not, when they became effective (including as of the most recent effective date of the part of the Registration Statement relating to the offering of the Designated Securities as determined pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2) under the Act) or were so filed, as the case may be, and any amendments or supplements thereto will not, when they become effective or are so filed, as the case may be, contain 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 not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any Preliminary Prospectus relating to such Designated Securities;

(h) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, there has not been, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (i) any material change in the share capital, undated loan capital or dated loan capital of the Company other than such changes as have been disclosed in writing to the Representatives or (ii) any material adverse change in or affecting the business, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

 

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(i) The Company and each of its principal subsidiaries, if any, have been duly incorporated or organized and are validly existing as corporations under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization with corporate power and authority to own their respective properties and conduct their respective businesses as described in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, and each has in full force and effect all permits, certificates, franchises, licenses, authorizations and similar approvals necessary in connection with the operation of its business with such exceptions as do not and will not materially adversely affect the business, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. (The term “principal subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company which, together with its subsidiaries, held at the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus more than 10% of the assets, or for the year covered by such financial statements contributed more than 10% of the revenues or net income, of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis);

(j) All of the issued shares of share capital of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and conform to the description thereof set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all such shares of each principal subsidiary, if any, have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and (except for directors’ qualifying shares or as specified in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests or claims, except such (of which the Company is aware of none) as do not materially adversely affect the value of such shares or interfere with the conduct of the business of the issuer of such shares or the Company’s control over such shares and such business;

(k) The Company is in compliance with the relevant listing rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and the rules of the London Stock Exchange in relation to its ordinary shares;

(l) The Designated Securities have been duly and validly authorized and, when the Designated Securities are issued and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture; the Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company, is duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general equity principles; the Indenture conforms, and the Designated Securities will conform, to the descriptions thereof set forth in the Prospectus or the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Designated Securities;

 

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(m) To the extent the Designated Securities are convertible into Conversion Shares (as defined in the Indenture) as specified in the applicable Pricing Agreement, the Company has taken all necessary action to approve and authorize the issue of the Conversion Shares upon conversion of the Designated Securities, and, when issued upon the conversion of the Designated Securities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, will be duly and validly authorized, issued and fully paid and not subject to calls for further funds or pre-emption rights, and the Conversion Shares will conform in full to the description thereof set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented related to such Designated Securities;

(n) The issue and sale of the Designated Securities, and the compliance by the Company with the provisions of the Designated Securities, this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities, and the Indenture and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein will not (to the extent relevant to the issue and sale of the Designated Securities) (i) result in a breach or violation of any provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company or (ii) result in any breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties, which breach, violation, default, creation or imposition will have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or have an adverse effect on the Designated Securities; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated Securities, or the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities, the Indenture, except (A) the registration under the Act of the Designated Securities, (B) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the subscription for and distribution of the Designated Securities by the Underwriters, (C) where applicable, the filing of approved listing particulars or an approved prospectus or other required documentation in accordance with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange and applicable law in connection with the listing of the Designated Securities on such securities exchange, (D) the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and (E) such other consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as have heretofore been, or will have been prior to each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 5 hereof), obtained or made;

(o) There are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject, other than as set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and

 

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the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and other than litigation or proceedings which in each case will not have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no such litigation or proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

(p) The independent accountants of the Company who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated by reference in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, are or were, as applicable, independent public accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

(q) The offer and sale of the Designated Securities in the United States will not subject the Company to registration under, or result in a violation of, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”);

(r) Other than as described or set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, no stamp or other similar issuance taxes or duties are payable in the United Kingdom by or on behalf of the Underwriters in connection with the issue of the Designated Securities, the issue of the Designated Securities to the Underwriters by the Company or the consummation of the other transactions contemplated hereunder; and

(s) Other than as described or set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, under current law applicable in the United Kingdom, all payments by the Company in respect of the Designated Securities may be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of any taxes, duties assessments or charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of the United Kingdom or any political subdivision thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax.

3. (a) Each Underwriter of Designated Securities represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that, in connection with the sale and distribution of the Designated Securities, directly or indirectly, it (i) has only communicated or caused to be communicated, and will only communicate or cause to be communicated, an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Designated Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and (ii) has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Designated Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom;

(b) Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision, the expression retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

(i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or

 

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(ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA; or

(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”); and

the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Designated Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Designated Securities;

(c) If the relevant Pricing Agreement specifies that the restriction set out in Section 3(b) above does not apply, each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that in relation to the United Kingdom, it has not made and will not make an offer of the Designated Securities to the public in the United Kingdom, other than:

(i) Qualified investors: at any time to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

(ii) Fewer than 150 offerees: at any time to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the UK Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Underwriter or Underwriters nominated by the Company for any such offer; or

(iii) Other exempt offers: at any time in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the FSMA,

provided, that no such offer of the Designated Securities referred to in (i) to (iii) above shall require any Underwriter or the Company to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of the Designated Securities to the public” in relation to any Designated Securities in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Designated Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Designated Securities;

 

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(d) Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision, the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

(i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “EU MiFID II”); or

(ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of EU MiFID II; or

(iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “EU Prospectus Regulation”); and

the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Designated Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Designated Securities;

(e) If the relevant Pricing Agreement specifies that the restriction set out in Section 3(d) above does not apply, each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that in relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “Member State”), it has not made and will not make an offer of the Designated Securities to the public in that Member State, except that it may make an offer of the Designated Securities to the public in that Member State:

(i) Qualified investors: at any time to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the EU Prospectus Regulation;

(ii) Fewer than 150 offerees: at any time to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the EU Prospectus Regulation), as permitted under the EU Prospectus Regulation, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Underwriter or Underwriters nominated by the Company for any such offer; or

(iii) Other exempt offers: at any time in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation,

provided, that no such offer of the Designated Securities referred to in (i) to (iii) above shall require any Underwriter or the Company to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of the Designated Securities to the public” in relation to any Designated Securities in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Designated Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Designated Securities;

 

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(f) Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company, with respect to sales of the Designated Securities in Canada, that, directly or indirectly, it shall sell the Designated Securities only to purchasers purchasing as principal that are both “accredited investors” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or section 73.3 of the Securities Act (Ontario) and “permitted clients” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

(g) Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that:

(i) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any Designated Securities other than to (a) “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and

(ii) it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Designated Securities, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Designated Securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO.

(h) Each Underwriter acknowledges that the Prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the “MAS”). Accordingly, each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it has not offered or sold any Designated Securities or caused the Designated Securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any Designated Securities or cause the Designated Securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, the Prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Designated Securities, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Designated Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore), as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the Designated Securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Designated Securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

(2) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(3) where the transfer is by operation of law;

(4) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(5) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

(i) No “prospectus” or other “disclosure document” (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia (the “Corporations Act”)) in relation to the Designated Securities has been, or will be, lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) or any other regulatory authority in Australia. Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it:

(a) has not (directly or indirectly) offered or invited applications, and will not offer or invite applications, for the issue, sale or purchase of, any Designated Securities in, to or from Australia (including an offer or invitation which is received by a person in Australia); and

(b) has not distributed or published, and will not distribute or publish, the Prospectus or any other offering material or advertisement relating to the Designated Securities in Australia,

unless:

 

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(i) the aggregate consideration payable by each offeree or invitee is at least AUD500,000 (or its equivalent in an alternative currency and, in either case, disregarding moneys lent by the offeror or its associates) or the offer or invitation otherwise does not require disclosure to investors in accordance with Part 6D.2 or Part 7.9 of the Corporations Act and complies with the terms of any authority granted under the Banking Act of 1959 of Australia;

(ii) the offer or invitation is not made to a person who is a “retail client” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act;

(iii) such action complies with all applicable laws, regulations and directives in Australia (including without limitation, the licensing requirements set out in Chapter 7 of the Australian Corporations Act); and

(iv) such action does not require any document to be lodged with ASIC or any other regulatory authority in Australia.

Each Underwriter acknowledges that the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not, and under no circumstances are to be construed as, an advertisement or public offering of any Designated Securities in Australia.

In addition, each underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it will comply with Banking exemption No. 1 of 2018 dated March 21, 2018 promulgated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and which requires all offers and transfers to be in parcels of not less than AUD500,000 in aggregate principal amount. Banking exemption No. 1 does not apply to transfers which occur outside Australia.

By applying for Designated Securities under the Prospectus, each person to whom Designated Securities are issued (an “Investor”):

(a) will be deemed by the Company and each of the Underwriters to have acknowledged that if any Investor on-sells Designated Securities within 12 months from their issue, the Investor will be required to lodge a prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act) with ASIC unless either:

(i) that sale is to an investor within one of the categories set out in sections 708(8) or 708(11) of the Corporations Act to whom it is lawful to offer Designated Securities in Australia without a prospectus or other disclosure document lodged with ASIC; or

(ii) the sale offer is received outside Australia; and

(b) will be deemed by the Company and each of the Underwriters to have undertaken not to sell those Designated Securities in any circumstances other than those described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above for 12 months after the date of issue of such Designated Securities.

 

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(j) The Designated Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended, the “FIEA”) and accordingly, each Underwriter represents and agrees that it has not, offered or sold, and undertakes that it will not offer or sell, any Designated Securities directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan or to others for re- offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with the FIEA and other relevant laws and regulations of Japan. As used in this paragraph, “resident of Japan” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organised under the laws of Japan.

(k) Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities within Taiwan, the Republic of China (“Taiwan”) through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Taiwan Securities and Exchange Act or relevant laws and regulations that requires a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or other regulatory authority of the Taiwan. Each Underwriter further represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that no person or entity in Taiwan is authorized to offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities or the provision of information relating to the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

(l) Each Underwriter agrees that a determination will be made in relation to each issue about whether, for the purpose of the MiFID Product Governance rules under EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 (the “MiFID Product Governance Rules”) and/or the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules”), as applicable, any Underwriter subscribing for any Designated Securities is a manufacturer in respect of such Designated Securities, but that, otherwise, neither the Underwriters nor any of their respective affiliates will be a manufacturer for the purpose of the MiFID Product Governance Rules and/or UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules, respectively.

4. The several Underwriters are offering the Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Designated Securities.

The total aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities to be subscribed for by all the Underwriters pursuant to such Pricing Agreement shall be the aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities set forth in Schedule I to such Pricing Agreement.

5. Designated Securities to be subscribed for by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement will be represented by one or more global securities in book-entry form which will be deposited by, or on behalf of, the Company with DTC or its designated custodian, in each case against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of the subscription price therefor payable to the order of the Company in same day funds. The time, place and date of such delivery of and payment for Designated Securities shall be as specified in such Pricing Agreement, or at such other time, place and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date for delivery of the Designated Securities is herein called the “Time of Delivery”.

 

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6. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of Designated Securities:

(a) To prepare the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated Securities, in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b) under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities and prior to the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities which shall be disapproved by the Representatives for such Designated Securities promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all reports required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus (or a notice in lieu of a prospectus pursuant to Rule 173(a) under the Act) is required in connection with the offering or sale of such Designated Securities, and during such period to advise the Representatives, as soon as practicable after the Company receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, of any notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Act relating to the Designated Securities, of the suspension of the qualification of such Designated Securities, for offering or sale in any U.S. jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, or of any such notice of objection or of any such suspension of any such qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

(b) To pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Designated Securities in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Act and the rules adopted thereunder;

(c) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Designated Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such U.S. jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Designated Securities, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be

 

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required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction or to take any other action which would subject it to service of process in suits other than those arising out of the offering or sale of such Designated Securities in any U.S. jurisdiction;

(d) To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and the Form 20-F and any other documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus (or a notice in lieu of a prospectus pursuant to Rule 173(a) under the Act) is required in connection with the offering or sale of such Designated Securities at any time prior to the expiration of nine months from the date on which the offering of such Designated Securities commenced (the “Commencement Date”) and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus (or a notice in lieu of a prospectus pursuant to Rule 173(a) under the Act) is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance, and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or a notice in lieu of a prospectus pursuant to Rule 173(a) under the Act) in connection with sales of any of such Designated Securities at any time nine months or more after the Commencement Date, upon the request of the Representatives but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as the Representatives may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act; provided, however, that if after the 90th day after the Commencement Date compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(d) would, in the opinion of United States counsel for the Company, require inclusion in the Prospectus of financial statements or portions thereof not theretofore made publicly available by the Company, or if the staff of the Commission shall require the inclusion of such financial statements, the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement such Prospectus on or before April 30 of the year in which the next Annual Report on Form 20-F of the Company is required to be filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act;

(e) To make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c)), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);

 

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(f) Unless otherwise specified in the Pricing Agreement, during the period beginning from the date of the applicable Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities and continuing to and including the earlier of (i) the termination of trading restrictions for such Designated Securities, as notified to the Company by the Representatives, and (ii) the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other than pursuant to employee stock option or incentive plans or on the conversion of convertible securities outstanding on the date of this Agreement) which are substantially similar to such Designated Securities, without the prior written consent of the Representatives; and

(g) If required by Rule 430B(h) under the Act, to prepare a form of prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such form of prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than may be required by Rule 424(b) under the Act; and to make no further amendment or supplement to such form of prospectus which shall be disapproved by the Representatives promptly after reasonable notice thereof.

7. (a) The Company agrees to prepare a final term sheet, containing solely a description of the Designated Securities, in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act within the time required by such Rule.

(b) The Company and each Underwriter agree that the Underwriters may prepare and use any Free Writing Prospectus (i) which contains only information describing the preliminary terms of the Designated Securities or their offering, (ii) which contains only information that (A) describes the final terms of the Designated Securities or their offering and (B) is included in the final term sheet described in Section 7(a) above or (iii) that is otherwise required to be filed with the Commission.

(c) Each Underwriter represents that, other than as permitted under Section 7(b) above, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Designated Securities that would constitute a Free Writing Prospectus without the prior consent of the Company and that Schedule III to the applicable Pricing Agreement is a complete list of any free writing prospectus for which the Underwriters have received such consent.

(d) The Company represents and agrees that it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Designated Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior consent of the Underwriters and that Schedule III to the applicable Pricing Agreement is a complete list of any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses for which the Company has received such consent.

(e) The Company represents, warrants and agrees that it has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and that such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending.

(f) The Company represents, warrants and agrees that if at any time prior to the time the Prospectus is filed with the Commission, any event occurred or occurs as a result

 

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of which the Pricing Disclosure Package conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement relating to the Designated Securities) or the Statutory Prospectus or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof to the Representatives and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter a Pricing Disclosure Package as amended or supplemented which will correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission; provided, however, that the Company will prepare and furnish with charge to each Underwriter a Pricing Disclosure Package as amended or supplemented if such Pricing Disclosure Package was amended or supplemented solely as a result of an untrue statement or omission made in the Pricing Disclosure Package made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use therein.

8. Except where otherwise provided in the applicable Pricing Agreement, the Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following to the extent applicable: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Designated Securities under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 6(d) hereof) amendments and supplements thereto; (ii) the cost of printing or producing this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, the Indenture, and any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Designated Securities for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 6(c) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment surveys; (iv) any fees charged by any securities rating services for rating the Designated Securities; (v) any filing fees incident to securing any required review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority of the terms of the sale of the Designated Securities; (vi) all expenses in connection with the obtaining of any approval of the Company’s shareholders to the allotment and issuance of the Designated Securities; (vii) all expenses and listing fees in connection with the listing of the Designated Securities on any securities exchange; (viii) the cost of preparing and authenticating certificates for the Designated Securities; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements for counsel of the Trustee in connection with the Designated Securities and the Indenture; (x) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (xi) all stamp, registration and other similar taxes and duties payable in connection with the issue of the Designated Securities as contemplated by this Agreement; (xii) all expenses incurred for preparing, reproducing and filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and (xiii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, under the applicable Pricing Agreement which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 8. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section 8, Section 6(d), Section 10 and Section 13 hereof and in the Pricing Agreement, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on sales of any of the Designated Securities by them (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, sales contemplated by this Agreement), and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

 

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8-bis. (a) The Company undertakes, prior to making any offering of Designated Securities, to make a determination in relation to each issue of Designated Securities of the classification of the Designated Securities being offered pursuant to section 309B(1)(a) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”) and whether the Designated Securities constitute “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 (the “SF (CMP) Regulations”) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products), or capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products.

(b) The Company shall, prior to making any offering of Designated Securities, provide notice in writing of the classification of the Designated Securities to the “relevant persons”, within the meaning of Regulation 3(b) of the SF (CMP) Regulations.

(c) The Underwriters acknowledge and agree that for purposes of Section 8-bis(b), the legend entitled “Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification” appearing on any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus, the final term sheet relating to the relevant Designated Securities or Pricing Agreement for each series of Designated Securities classified by the Company as prescribed capital markets products shall constitute sufficient written notice to the Underwriters (in their capacity as “relevant persons”).

9. The obligations of the Underwriters under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be subject, in their reasonable discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and, except as otherwise provided in the Pricing Agreement, the following additional conditions:

(a) The final term sheet contemplated by Section 7(a) shall have been filed by the Company with the Commission within the time period prescribed by Rule 433(d) under the Act; the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act and in accordance with Section 6(a) hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission and no notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post- effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Act shall have been received; and all requests to the Company for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives’ reasonable satisfaction;

(b) United States and (if requested) English legal counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to the Representatives such opinion or opinions, dated such Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives;

 

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(c) Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, United States legal counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion, dated such Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives;

(d) Clifford Chance LLP, English legal counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion, dated the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives;

(e) At the Applicable Time relating to such Designated Securities and also at the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, the independent accountants of the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters, dated the date of the Applicable Time and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives to the effect set forth in Annex I to the Pricing Agreement;

(f) Since the Applicable Time relating to the Designated Securities, there shall not have been, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (i) any material change in the share capital, undated loan capital or dated loan capital of the Company other than such changes as have been disclosed to the Representatives, or (ii) any material change in or affecting the business, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the effect of which in each case is, in the Representatives’ judgment after consultation with the Company, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities, on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

(g) Since the Applicable Time relating to the Designated Securities, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Company’s debt securities or preferred stock by Moody’s Investors Service Ltd. or S&P Global Ratings UK Limited and (ii) neither such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s debt securities or preferred stock;

(h) Since the Applicable Time relating to the Designated Securities (i) neither the United States nor the United Kingdom shall have become engaged in hostilities which have resulted in the declaration of a national emergency or war, (ii) there shall not have been any generally published change or development involving a prospective change in U.S. or United Kingdom taxation directly affecting the Designated Securities or the imposition of exchange controls by the United States or the United Kingdom, (iii) there shall not have been a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally or in securities of the Company on the New York Stock Exchange or the London Stock

 

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Exchange, or a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York declared by either U.S. federal or New York state authorities or a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in the United Kingdom declared by authorities in the United Kingdom, the effect of which in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii), in the judgment of the Representatives after consultation with the Company, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

(i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities, certificates of directors or officers of the Company, reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery and as to the performance by the Company of all its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, and the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives certificates of directors or officers of the Company, reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, as to the matters set forth in Section 9(a) hereof; and

(j) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished such other documents as reasonably requested by the Representatives and set forth in the Pricing Agreement.

10. (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Act) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act and any other prospectus relating to the Designated Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any other prospectus relating to the Designated Securities or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use therein.

(b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under

 

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the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other prospectus relating to the Designated Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other prospectus relating to the Designated Securities, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 10 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities on the other from the offering of the Designated Securities to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such

 

21


indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters. The relative benefits received by any person appointed by the Company to act as “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121 of the FINRA rules (in such capacity, the “Qualified Independent Underwriter”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Designated Securities shall be deemed to be equal to the compensation, if any, received by the Qualified Independent Underwriter for acting in such capacity. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission and the Qualified Independent Underwriter, in its capacity as such, shall in no event be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the compensation, if any, received by the Qualified Independent Underwriter for acting in such capacity exceeds the amount of any damage which the Qualified Independent Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of the Qualified Independent Underwriter’s acting in such capacity in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters of Designated Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such Designated Securities and not joint.

(e) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Qualified Independent Underwriter, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the

 

22


Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Qualified Independent Underwriter may become subject, under the Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory laws or regulations or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon the Qualified Independent Underwriter’s acting (or alleged failing to act) as such “qualified independent underwriter” and will reimburse the Qualified Independent Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Qualified Independent Underwriter or any such person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred.

(f) Section 10(c) shall apply to any action brought against the Qualified Independent Underwriter or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 10(e), except that the Company shall be liable for the expenses of one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for the Qualified Independent Underwriter and any such person (collectively), separate and in addition to counsel for the persons who may seek indemnification pursuant to Section 10(e), in any such action (to the extent the legal position of the Qualified Independent Underwriter or such person differs from the other indemnified parties or may be subject to different claims and defenses than the other indemnified parties).

(g) The obligations of the Company under this Section 10 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 10 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company (including any person who, with this consent, is named in the Registration Statement, as about to become a director of the Company), to the authorized representative of the Company in the United States and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

11. (a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to subscribe for the Designated Securities for which it has agreed to subscribe under the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities at a Time of Delivery, the Representatives may in their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to subscribe for such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the subscription for such Designated Securities, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to subscribe for such Designated Securities on such terms. In the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, the Representatives notify the Company that they have so arranged for the subscription for such Designated Securities, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the subscription for such Designated Securities, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the

 

23


Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section 11 with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the subscription for the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate principal amount or number of such Designated Securities which remains unsubscribed for does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount or number of all the Designated Securities to be subscribed for at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to subscribe for the Designated Securities for which such Underwriter agreed to subscribe hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to subscribe for its pro rata share (based on the principal amount or number of Designated Securities for which such Underwriter agreed to subscribe hereunder) of the Designated Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the subscription for the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate principal amount or number of such Designated Securities which remains unsubscribed for exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount or number of all the Designated Securities to be subscribed for at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to subscribe for Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 10 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

12. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Designated Securities.

13. If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 11 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter with respect to the Designated Security covered by such Designated Securities except as provided in Section 8 and Section 10 hereof; but, if for any other reason, any Designated Securities are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the

 

24


Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the subscription for, sale and delivery of the such Designated Securities not so delivered, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Section 8 and Section 10 hereof.

14. In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of the Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such Representatives jointly or by such Representatives, if any, as may be designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities.

All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be sufficient in all respects if delivered or sent by email or registered mail to the applicable address of the Representatives as set forth in the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by email or registered mail to the applicable address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Barclays PLC Treasury; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by registered mail to such Underwriter at its address set forth in the Pricing Agreement. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

15. This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections 10 and 12 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Designated Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

16. The Company acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the issue and subscription of the Designated Securities pursuant to this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement, including the determination of the public offering price of the Designated Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s- length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to each such transaction each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company or its affiliates (other than, if applicable, itself), stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company; and (v) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

 

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17. The Company agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding brought by any Underwriter or by any person controlling any Underwriter, arising out of or based upon this Agreement or any Pricing Agreement may be instituted in any state or federal court in The City and State of New York, and waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts in any such proceeding. The Company hereby designates Barclays Bank PLC (New York Branch) as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon which process may be served in any action based on this Agreement or any Pricing Agreement which may be instituted in any state or federal court in The City and State of New York by an Underwriter and expressly accepts the jurisdiction of any such court in respect of such action. Such designation shall be irrevocable. The Company represents and warrants that it will cause Barclays Bank PLC (New York Branch) to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such designation in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent and written notice of such service to the Company (mailed or delivered to the Company at its respective address as aforesaid) shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action based on this Agreement or any Pricing Agreement may be instituted by any Underwriter in any competent court in England.

18. Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement. As used herein, the term “business day” shall mean any day when the Commission’s office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

19. This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance, with the laws of the State of New York.

20. Where a resolution measure is taken in relation to any BRRD undertaking or any member of the same group as that BRRD undertaking and that BRRD undertaking or any member of the same group as that BRRD undertaking is a party to this Agreement and/or the Pricing Agreement (any such party to this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement being an “Affected Party”), each other party to this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement, as applicable, agrees that it shall only be entitled to exercise any termination right under this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement, as applicable, against the Affected Party to the extent that it would be entitled to do so under the Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement, as applicable, were governed by the laws of any part of the United Kingdom. For the purpose of this clause, “resolution measure” means a “crisis prevention measure,” “crisis management measure” or “recognised third-country resolution action,” each with the meaning given in the “PRA Rulebook: CRR Firms and Non-Authorised Persons: Stay in Resolution Instrument 2015,” as may be amended from time to time (the “PRA Contractual Stay Rules”), provided, however, that “crisis prevention measure” shall be interpreted in the manner outlined in Rule 2.3 of the PRA Contractual Stay Rules; “BRRD undertaking,” “group,” “Special Resolution Regime” and “termination right” have the respective meanings given in the PRA Contractual Stay Rules.

 

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21. Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement or any other agreements, arrangements, or understanding between each Covered Party and each Counterparty, each Counterparty acknowledges and accepts that a Bail-in Liability arising under this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement may be subject to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority, and acknowledges, accepts, and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the effect of the exercise of the relevant Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority in relation to any Bail-in Liability of each Covered Party to such Counterparty under this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement, that (without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof;

(i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of such Bail-in Liability or outstanding amounts due thereon;

(ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of such Bail-in Liability into shares, other securities or other obligations of the relevant Covered Party or another person, and the issue to or conferral on such Counterparty of such shares, securities or obligations;

(iii) the cancellation of such Bail-in Liability; or

(iv) the amendment or alteration of any interest, if applicable, thereon, the maturity or the dates on which any payments are due, including by suspending payment for a temporary period;

(b) the variation of the terms of this Agreement or the Pricing Agreement, as deemed necessary by the Relevant Resolution Authority, to give effect to the exercise of Bail-in Powers by the Relevant Resolution Authority.

For the purposes of this provision:

“Bail-in Legislation” means (i) in relation to a member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented, or which at any time implements, the BRRD, the relevant implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement as described in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule from time to time (the “EU Bail-in Legislation”), and (ii) in relation to the U.K., Part I of the UK Banking Act 2009, as amended, and any other law or regulation applicable in the UK 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) (the “UK Bail-in Legislation”)

“Bail-in Liability” means a liability in respect of which the relevant Bail-in Powers may be exercised.

“Bail-in Powers” means (i) in relation to a member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented, or which implements, the BRRD, any Write-down and Conversion Powers as defined in the EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule, in relation to the relevant EU Bail-in Legislation, or (ii) in relation to the U.K., the U.K. Write-down and Conversion Powers.

 

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“BRRD” means Directive 2014/59/EU establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms, as amended or replaced from time to time.

“Counterparty” means each party to this Agreement and/or the Pricing Agreement, as the case may be, other than the relevant Covered Party, that is a counterparty of such Covered Party.

“Covered Party” means any party to this Agreement and/or any Pricing Agreement subject to the applicable Bail-in Legislation.

“EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule” means the document described as such, then in effect, and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person) from time to time at the LMA website (as of the date of this Agreement at https://www.lma.eu.com/documents-guidelines/eu-bail-legislation-schedule under EU Bail-in Legislation Schedule.

“Relevant Resolution Authority” means the resolution authority with the ability to exercise any Bail-in Powers in relation to the relevant Covered Party.

“U.K. Write-down and Conversion Powers” means the powers under the U.K. Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or affiliate of a bank or investment firm, to cancel, reduce, transfer, 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.

22. (a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

 

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For the purposes of this provision:

“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(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.

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” 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.

23. Each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

29


Very truly yours,
BARCLAYS PLC

/s/ Miray Muminoglu

Name:   Miray Muminoglu
Title:   Managing Director
Date:   March 3, 2021

 

[Signature Page to Contingent Capital Securities Underwriting Agreement]


Annex 1

Pricing Agreement

[●]

[]

As representative of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I (the “Representative”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Barclays PLC (the “Company”) proposes to issue $[●] aggregate principal amount of [●]% Contingent Capital Securities due [●] (the “ Designated Securities”). [The Designated Securities may be convertible in accordance with their terms for stock or other securities of Barclays PLC as described in the Prospectus Supplement (as defined in Schedule II hereto).] / [The Designated Securities may be permanently written down to zero in accordance with their terms as described in the Prospectus Supplement (as defined in Schedule II hereto).] Each of the Underwriters hereby undertakes to purchase at the subscription price set forth in Schedule II hereto, the amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto, such payment to be made at the Time of Delivery set forth in Schedule II hereto. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are several but not joint.

Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement—Standard Provisions, dated [●] (the “Underwriting Agreement”), is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein; [provided that, for the purposes of this letter, new Section 2(r) shall be included as follows: “The Company will promptly make a valid election in respect of the Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 475C of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (“CTA 2009”). Following the making of a valid election pursuant to Section 475C of the CTA 2009, all payments of interest in respect of the Securities will be deductible by the Company in computing its taxable profit for United Kingdom corporate income tax purposes and the Securities will be “hybrid capital instruments” for United Kingdom tax purposes. The Securities are not being issued in consequence of, or otherwise in connection with, any arrangements the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of which is to secure a tax advantage;”] and each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Agreement, except that each representation and warranty with respect to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty as of the date of the Prospectus and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities. Each reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representative designated to act on behalf of each of the Underwriters of Designated Securities pursuant to Section 14 of the Underwriting Agreement and the address referred to in such Section 14 is set forth in Schedule II hereto. [The Underwriter appointed by the Company to act as Qualified Independent Underwriter pursuant to Section 10 of the Underwriting Agreement is set forth in Schedule II hereto.]


An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the form heretofore delivered to you, is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

The Applicable Time for purposes of this Pricing Agreement is [●] New York time on [●]. Each “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act for which each party hereto has received consent to use in accordance with Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement is listed in Schedule III hereto and is attached as Exhibit A hereto.

[Solely for the purposes of the requirements of Article 9(8) of the MiFID Product Governance rules under EU Delegated Directive 2017/593 (the “MiFID Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the MiFID Product Governance Rules, (a) [●]/[each of the Underwriters designated an EU Manufacturer on Schedule II hereto] ([each an]/[the] “EU Manufacturer” [and together “the EU Manufacturers”]) acknowledges [to each other EU Manufacturer] that it understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the MiFID Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Designated Securities and the related information set out in the [Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other announcements] in connection with the Designated Securities and (b) each of the Underwriters that is not an EU Manufacturer and the Company notes the application of the MiFID Product Governance Rules and acknowledges the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Designated Securities by the EU Manufacturer[s] and the related information set out in the [Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other announcements] in connection with the Designated Securities.]

[Solely for the purposes of the requirements of 3.2.7R of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules”) regarding the mutual responsibilities of manufacturers under the UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules, (a) each of the Underwriters designated a UK Manufacturer on Schedule II hereto ([each a] [the] “UK Manufacturer” [and together, the “UK Manufacturers”]) acknowledges [to each other UK Manufacturer] that it understands the responsibilities conferred upon it under the UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules relating to each of the product approval process, the target market and the proposed distribution channels as applying to the Designated Securities and the related information set out in the [Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other announcements] in connection with the Designated Securities and (b) each of the Underwriters who is not a UK Manufacturer and the Company notes the application of the UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules and acknowledges the target market and distribution channels identified as applying to the Designated Securities by the UK Manufacturer[s] and the related information set out in the [Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any other announcements] in connection with the Designated Securities.]

 

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Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification – Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”), the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Regulation 3(b) of the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 (the “SF (CMP) Regulations”) that the Designated Securities are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the SF (CMP) Regulations) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us the counterpart hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters on the one hand and the Company on the other.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

33


Very truly yours,
BARCLAYS PLC

 

Name:  
Title:  

Accepted as of the date hereof

at New York, New York

On behalf of itself and each of the other Underwriters

[●]

 

 

Name:
Title:

 

[Signature Page to Contingent Capital Pricing Agreement]


SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount of
Designated Securities
 

[●]

   $ [ ●] 

[●]

   $ [ ●] 

[●]

   $ [ ●] 

Total

   $ [ ●] 


SCHEDULE II

Title of Designated Securities:

[●]% Contingent Capital Securities [due [●]]

Price to Public:

[●]% of principal amount

Subscription Price by Underwriters:

[●]% of the aggregate principal amount with respect to the Designated Securities

[In addition, the Company agrees to pay a structuring fee of [●]% on the aggregate principal amount of the Designated Securities to [●]]

Form of Designated Securities:

The Designated Securities will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company issued pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture dated August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented), between Barclays PLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, London branch, as supplemented by the [●] Supplemental Indenture to be dated on or about [●].

Securities Exchange, if any:

[None] [●]

Interest Rate:

[●]

Interest Payment Dates:

[●]

Record Dates:

The regular record dates for the Designated Securities will be the business day immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if the Designated Securities are held in definitive form, the 15th business day preceding each Interest Payment Date).

Sinking Fund Provisions:

No sinking fund provisions.


Redemption Provisions for Designated Securities:

Subject to certain conditions, the Designated Securities are redeemable, at the option of the Company, (i) on any [Reset] / [Call] Date (ii) in the event of various tax law changes and (iii) in the event of certain regulatory changes or events, in each case as specified in the preliminary prospectus supplement dated [●] (as supplemented by the final term sheet dated [●]) relating to the Designated Securities.

Time of Delivery:

[●] by [9:30 a.m.] New York time.

Specified Funds for Payment of Subscription Price of Designated Securities:

By wire transfer to a bank account specified by the Company in same day funds.

Value Added Tax:

(a) If the Company is obliged to pay any sum to the Underwriters under this Agreement and any value added tax (“VAT”) is properly charged on such amount, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters an amount equal to such VAT on receipt of a valid VAT invoice;

(b) If the Company is obliged to pay a sum to the Underwriters under this Agreement for any fee, cost, charge or expense properly incurred under or in connection with this Agreement (the “Relevant Cost”) and no VAT is payable by the Company in respect of the Relevant Cost under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters an amount which:

(i) if for VAT purposes the Relevant Cost is consideration for a supply of goods or services made to the Underwriters, is equal to any input VAT incurred by the Underwriters on that supply of goods and services, but only if and to the extent that the Underwriters are unable to recover such input VAT from HM Revenue & Customs (whether by repayment or credit) provided, however, that the Underwriters shall reimburse the Company for any amount paid by the Company in respect of irrecoverable input VAT pursuant to this paragraph (i) if and to the extent such input VAT is subsequently recovered from HM Revenue & Customs (whether by repayment or credit);

(ii) if for VAT purposes the Relevant Cost is a disbursement properly incurred by the Underwriters under or in connection with this Agreement as agent on behalf of the Company, is equal to any VAT paid on the Relevant Cost by the Underwriters provided, however, that the Underwriters shall use best endeavors to procure that the actual supplier of the goods or services which the Underwriters received as agent issues a valid VAT invoice to the Company.

 

37


Closing Location:

[●]

Name and address of Representative:

Designated Representative: [●] Address for Notices: [●]

[Name and address of Qualified Independent Underwriter:

Qualified Independent Underwriter:

[●] Address for Notices: [●]]

[Selling Restrictions:

[●]]

[EU Manufacturers:

[●]

[●]]

[UK Manufacturers:

[●]

[●]]

Other Terms and Conditions:

As set forth in the prospectus supplement dated [●] relating to the Designated Securities (the “Prospectus Supplement”), incorporating the Prospectus dated [●] relating to the Designated Securities (the “Base Prospectus”).

 

38


SCHEDULE III

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus:

Final Term Sheet, dated [●], attached hereto as Exhibit A.


EXHIBIT A

Final Term Sheet, dated []

Exhibit 1.2

Pricing Agreement

August 4, 2021

Barclays Capital Inc.

As representative of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I (the “Representative”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Barclays PLC (the “Company”) proposes to issue $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (the “Designated Securities”). The Designated Securities are convertible in accordance with their terms for stock of Barclays PLC as described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (as defined in Schedule II hereto). Each of the Underwriters hereby undertakes to purchase at the subscription price set forth in Schedule II hereto, the amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto, such payment to be made at the Time of Delivery set forth in Schedule II hereto. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are several but not joint.

Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement—Standard Provisions, dated March 3, 2021 (the “Underwriting Agreement”), is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein; provided that, for the purposes of this letter, new Section 2(r) shall be included as follows: “The Company will promptly make a valid election in respect of the Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 475C of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 (“CTA 2009”). Following the making of a valid election pursuant to Section 475C of the CTA 2009, all payments of interest in respect of the Securities will be deductible by the Company in computing its taxable profit for United Kingdom corporate income tax purposes and the Securities will be “hybrid capital instruments” for United Kingdom tax purposes. The Securities are not being issued in consequence of, or otherwise in connection with, any arrangements the main purpose, or one of the main purposes, of which is to secure a tax advantage;” and each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Agreement, except that each representation and warranty with respect to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty as of the date of the Prospectus and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities.

Each reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representative designated to act on behalf of each of the Underwriters of Designated Securities pursuant to Section 14 of the Underwriting Agreement and the address referred to in such Section 14 is set forth in Schedule II hereto.

An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the form heretofore delivered to you, is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.


The Applicable Time for purposes of this Pricing Agreement is 4.45 p.m. New York time on August 4, 2021. The “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act for which each party hereto has received consent to use in accordance with Section 7 of the Underwriting Agreement is listed in Schedule III hereto and is attached as Exhibit A hereto.

Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification – In connection with Section 309B of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”) and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the Securities are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16L Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products.)

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us the counterpart hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters on the one hand and the Company on the other.

[Signature Page Follows]


Very truly yours,
BARCLAYS PLC

/s/ Daniel Fairclough

Name:   Daniel Fairclough
Title:   Managing Director

Accepted as of the date hereof

at New York, New York

On behalf of itself and each of the other

Underwriters

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

/s/ Kenneth Chang

Name:   Kenneth Chang
Title:   Managing Director

[Signature Page to Contingent Convertible Pricing Agreement]


SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter    Principal Amount of the Designated
Securities
 

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 921,000,000  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

   $ 37,500,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   $ 37,500,000  

Commerz Markets LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

ING Financial Markets LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

Natixis Securities Americas LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

Nordea Bank ABP

   $ 37,500,000  

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

   $ 37,500,000  

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

   $ 37,500,000  

Standard Chartered Bank

   $ 37,500,000  

UBS Securities LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

UniCredit Capital Markets LLC

   $ 37,500,000  

BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC

   $ 15,000,000  

Citizens Capital Markets, Inc.

   $ 15,000,000  

PNC Capital Markets LLC

   $ 15,000,000  

RB International Markets (USA) LLC

   $ 15,000,000  

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

   $ 15,000,000  

Academy Securities, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

American Veterans Group, PBC

   $ 4,500,000  

AmeriVet Securities, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

Bancroft Capital LLC

   $ 4,500,000  

Capital One Securities, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

Great Pacific Securities

   $ 4,500,000  

Loop Capital Markets LLC

   $ 4,500,000  

R. Seelaus & Co., LLC

   $ 4,500,000  

Regions Securities LLC

   $ 4,500,000  

Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

Truist Securities, Inc.

   $ 4,500,000  

Total

   $ 1,500,000,000  


SCHEDULE II

Title of Designated Securities:

$1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.

Price to Public:

100.000% of principal amount.

Subscription Price by Underwriters:

99.000% of the aggregate principal amount with respect to the Designated Securities.

Form of Designated Securities:

The Designated Securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC issued pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture dated August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented), between Barclays PLC, The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as contingent capital registrar (the “Registrar”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be dated on or about August 11, 2021, between Barclays PLC, the Registrar and the Trustee.

Securities Exchange, if any:

The International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Interest Rate:

From (and including) the date of issuance to (but excluding) September 15, 2028, the interest rate on the Designated Securities will be 4.375% per annum. From (and including) each Reset Date (as defined below) to (but excluding) the next following Reset Date, the applicable per annum interest rate will be equal to the sum, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the applicable U.S. Treasury Rate (as defined below, such term subject to the provisions described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Determination of Subsequent Interest Rate” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (as defined below)) on the relevant Reset Determination Date (as defined below) and 3.410% (the “Subsequent Interest Rate”).

U.S. Treasury Rate:

The U.S. Treasury Rate shall be the rate described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Determination of Subsequent Interest RateU.S. Treasury Rate and fallbacks” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.


Determination of Subsequent Interest Rate:

If the U.S. Treasury Rate is not available on the Reset Determination Date (as defined in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement) for whatever reason, the relevant Subsequent Interest Rate shall instead be determined as set out under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Determination of Subsequent Interest RateU.S. Treasury Rate and Fallbacks” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (as supplemented by the final term sheet dated August 4, 2021).

Interest Payment Dates:

March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing on December 15, 2021. A payment made on that first Interest Payment Date, if any, would be in respect of the period from (and including) August 11, 2021, to (but excluding) December 15, 2021 (and thus a long first interest period).

Business Day:

The term “Business Day” means any weekday, other than one on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close in London, United Kingdom, or in New York City, New York.

Reset Date:

September 15, 2028, and each fifth anniversary date thereafter (each a “Reset Date”).

Reset Determination Date:

The second Business Day immediately preceding each Reset Date (each a “Reset Determination Date”).

Regular Record Dates:

The regular record dates for the Designated Securities will be the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if the Designated Securities are held in definitive form, the close of business on the 15th Business Day preceding each Interest Payment Date).

Sinking Fund Provisions:

No sinking fund provisions.

Redemption Provisions for Designated Securities:

Subject to certain conditions, the Designated Securities are redeemable, in whole but not in part, at the option of the Company, (i) on any day falling in the period commencing on (and including) March 15, 2028 and ending on (and including) the first Reset Date or on any subsequent Reset Date, (ii) in the event of a change in certain U.K. regulatory capital requirements and (iii) upon the occurrence of certain tax events, in each case as specified in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement (as supplemented by the final term sheet dated August 4, 2021) relating to the Designated Securities.


Time of Delivery:

August 11, 2021 by 9.30 a.m, New York time.

Specified Funds for Payment of Subscription Price of Designated Securities:

By wire transfer to a bank account specified by the Company in same day funds.

Value Added Tax:

(a) If the Company is obliged to pay any sum to the Underwriters under this Agreement and any value added tax (“VAT”) is properly charged on such amount, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters an amount equal to such VAT on receipt of a valid VAT invoice;

(b) If the Company is obliged to pay a sum to the Underwriters under this Agreement for any fee, cost, charge or expense properly incurred under or in connection with this Agreement (the “Relevant Cost”) and no VAT is payable by the Company in respect of the Relevant Cost under paragraph (a) above, the Company shall pay to the Underwriters an amount which:

(i) if for VAT purposes the Relevant Cost is consideration for a supply of goods or services made to the Underwriters, is equal to any input VAT incurred by the Underwriters on that supply of goods and services, but only if and to the extent that the Underwriters are unable to recover such input VAT from HM Revenue & Customs (whether by repayment or credit) provided, however, that the Underwriters shall reimburse the Company for any amount paid by the Company in respect of irrecoverable input VAT pursuant to this paragraph (i) if and to the extent such input VAT is subsequently recovered from HM Revenue & Customs (whether by repayment or credit);

(ii) if for VAT purposes the Relevant Cost is a disbursement properly incurred by the Underwriters under or in connection with this Agreement as agent on behalf of the Company, is equal to any VAT paid on the Relevant Cost by the Underwriters provided, however, that the Underwriters shall use best endeavors to procure that the actual supplier of the goods or services which the Underwriters received as agent issues a valid VAT invoice to the Company.

Closing Location:

Linklaters LLP, One Silk Street, London EC2Y 8HQ, United Kingdom.

Name and address of Representative:

Designated Representative: Barclays Capital Inc.


Address for Notices:

Barclays Capital Inc.

745 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10019

Attn: Syndicate Registration

Selling Restrictions:

United Kingdom:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that, in connection with the distribution of the Designated Securities, directly or indirectly, it (i) has only communicated or caused to be communicated, and will only communicate or cause to be communicated, an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Designated Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and (ii) has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Designated Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Prohibition of Sales to United Kingdom Retail Investors:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities to any retail investor in the United Kingdom. For the purposes of this provision, the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

 

  (i)

a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the U.K. European Union (Withdrawal Act) 2018 (“Withdrawal Act”); or

 

  (ii)

a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom by virtue of the Withdrawal Act.

Prohibition of Sales to European Economic Area Retail Investors:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision, the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:

 

  (i)

a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or

 

  (ii)

a customer within the meaning of the Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II.


Canada:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company, with respect to sales of the Designated Securities in Canada, that, directly or indirectly, it shall sell the Designated Securities only to purchasers purchasing as principal that are both “accredited investors” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or section 73.3 of the Securities Act (Ontario) and “permitted clients” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.

Hong Kong:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that:

 

  (i)

it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any Designated Securities other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and

 

  (ii)

it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Designated Securities, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Designated Securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO.

Singapore:

Each Underwriter acknowledges that the prospectus supplement, incorporating the Base Prospectus, has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees that it has not offered or sold any Designated Securities or caused the Designated Securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any Designated Securities or cause the Designated Securities to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, the prospectus supplement and the Base Prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Designated Securities, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Designated Securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities or


  securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Designated Securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (1)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (2)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (3)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (4)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (5)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

Japan:

The Designated Securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended, the “FIEA”) and accordingly, each Underwriter undertakes that it will not offer or sell any Designated Securities directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with the FIEA and other relevant laws and regulations of Japan. As used in this paragraph, “resident of Japan” means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Australia:

No “prospectus” or other “disclosure document” (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia (the “Corporations Act”)) in relation to the Designated Securities has been, or will be, lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”) or any other regulatory authority in Australia. Each Underwriter represents warrants and agrees that it:

 

  (a)

has not (directly or indirectly) offered or invited applications, and will not offer or invite applications, for the issue, sale or purchase of, any Designated Securities in, to or from Australia (including an offer or invitation which is received by a person in Australia); and

 

  (b)

has not distributed or published, and will not distribute or publish, the prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisement relating to the Designated Securities in Australia,

unless:

 

  (i)

the aggregate consideration payable by each offeree or invitee is at least AUD500,000 (or its equivalent in an alternative currency and, in either case, disregarding moneys lent by the offeror or its associates) or the offer or invitation otherwise does not require disclosure to investors in accordance with Part 6D.2 or Part 7.9 of the Corporations Act and complies with the terms of any authority granted under the Banking Act of 1959 of Australia;


  (ii)

the offer or invitation is not made to a person who is a “retail client” within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act;

 

  (iii)

such action complies with all applicable laws, regulations and directives in Australia (including without limitation, the licensing requirements set out in Chapter 7 of the Australian Corporations Act); and

 

  (iv)

such action does not require any document to be lodged with ASIC or any other regulatory authority in Australia.

The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not, under any circumstances to be construed as, an advertisement or public offering of any Designated Securities in Australia.

In addition, each underwriter has represented and agreed that it will comply with Banking exemption No. 1 of 2018 dated March 21, 2018 promulgated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and which requires all offers and transfers to be in parcels of not less than AUD500,000 in aggregate principal amount. Banking exemption No. 1 does not apply to transfers which occur outside Australia.

By applying for Designated Securities under the prospectus supplement and the Base Prospectus, each person to whom Designated Securities are issued (an “Investor”):

 

  (a)

will be deemed by the Company and each of the Underwriters to have acknowledged that if any Investor on-sells Designated Securities within 12 months from their issue, the Investor will be required to lodge a prospectus or other disclosure document (as defined in the Corporations Act) with ASIC unless either:

 

  (i)

that sale is to an investor within one of the categories set out in sections 708(8) or 708(11) of the Corporations Act to whom it is lawful to offer Designated Securities in Australia without a prospectus or other disclosure document lodged with ASIC; or

 

  (ii)

the sale offer is received outside Australia; and

will be deemed by the Company and each of the Underwriters to have undertaken not to sell those Designated Securities in any circumstances other than those described in paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above for 12 months after the date of issue of such Designated Securities.

Taiwan:

Each Underwriter represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities within Taiwan, the Republic of China (“Taiwan”) through a public offering or in circumstances which constitute an offer within the meaning of the Taiwan Securities and Exchange Act or relevant laws and regulations that requires a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or other regulatory authority of the Taiwan. Each Underwriter further represents, warrants and agrees with the Company that no person or entity in Taiwan is authorized to offer, sell or otherwise make available any Designated Securities or the provision of information relating to the prospectus supplement and the Base Prospectus.

Other Terms and Conditions:

As set forth in the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021 relating to the Designated Securities (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”), incorporating the Prospectus dated March 1, 2021 relating to the Designated Securities (the “Base Prospectus”).


SCHEDULE III

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus:

Final Term Sheet, dated August 4, 2021 attached hereto as Exhibit A.


EXHIBIT A


Free Writing Prospectus

Filed pursuant to Rule 433

Registration Statement No. 333-253693

 

 

 

LOGO

$1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent

Convertible Securities

Barclays PLC

 

 

Pricing Term Sheet

 

Issuer    Barclays PLC (the “Issuer”).
Securities    $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (the “Securities”).
Expected Issue Ratings1    Ba2 (Moody’s) / B+ (S&P) / BBB- (Fitch)
Status    Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.
Legal Format    SEC Registered.
Principal Amount    $1,500,000,000.
Trade Date    August 4, 2021.
Settlement Date    August 11, 2021 (T+5) (the “Issue Date”).
Maturity Date    Perpetual, with no fixed maturity or fixed redemption date.
Optional Call Dates    On any day falling in the period commencing on (and including) March 15, 2028 and ending on (and including) the first Reset Date (as defined below) or on any subsequent Reset Date.
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement    Preliminary prospectus supplement dated August 4 2021 (the “Preliminary Prospectus Supplement”) incorporating the Prospectus dated March 1, 2021 relating to the Securities (the “Base Prospectus”). If there is any discrepancy or contradiction between this Pricing Term Sheet and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, this Pricing Term Sheet shall prevail.
U.K. Bail-in Power Acknowledgment    Yes. See section entitled “Description of Contingent Capital Securities—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of U.K. Bail-in Power” in the Base Prospectus.
Initial Interest Period   
Initial Fixed Rate    4.375% per annum, from and including August 11, 2021 to, but excluding, September 15, 2028.
Initial Interest Payment Dates    Quarterly in arrear on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year up to and including September 15, 2028, commencing on December 15, 2021 (long first interest period).
U.S. Treasury    UST 1.000% due July 31, 2028
U.S. Treasury Rate / Price    0.965% / 100-07+

 

1 

Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.


Interest Periods Following Any Reset Date   
Interest Rate Following Any Reset Date    The applicable U.S. Treasury Rate (such term subject to the provisions described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Determination of Subsequent Interest Rate” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement) on the relevant Reset Determination Date (as defined below) plus the Margin (as defined below) (the “Subsequent Interest Rate”), from and including the relevant Reset Date to (but excluding) the next following Reset Date.
Reset Date    September 15, 2028, and each fifth anniversary thereafter (each a “Reset Date”).
Interest Payment Dates Following Any Reset Date    Quarterly in arrear on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year commencing on December 15, 2028.
Spread to U.S. Treasury Rate    341.0bps (the “Margin”).
Reset Determination Date    The second Business Day immediately preceding each Reset Date (each a “Reset Determination Date”).
U.S. Treasury Rate and fallbacks   

“U.S. Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Reset Period for which such rate applies, the rate per annum equal to: (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the applicable Reset Determination Date, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15”, or any successor publication that is published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, under the caption “Treasury constant maturities”, for the maturity of five years; or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week immediately prior to such Reset Determination Date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Reset Determination Date.

 

The U.S. Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent (as defined below).

 

If the U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined, for whatever reason, as described under (1) or (2) above, “U.S. Treasury Rate” means the rate in percentage per annum as notified by the Calculation Agent to the Issuer equal to the yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity of five years as set forth in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” (or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” for the maturity of five years) at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the last available date preceding the Reset Determination Date on which such rate was set forth in such release (or any successor release).


Certain Other Terms and Information   
Business Days    “Business Day” means any weekday, other than one on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close in London, United Kingdom, or in New York City, New York.
Day Count Fraction    30/360, following, unadjusted.
Interest Payments Discretionary    Interest on the Securities will be due and payable only at the sole discretion of the Issuer, as described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Interest Cancellation—Interest Payments Discretionary” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Restriction on Interest Payments    As described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the Issuer shall not make an interest payment on the Securities on any interest payment date (and such interest payment shall therefore be deemed to have been cancelled and thus shall not be due and payable on such interest payment date) if:
   (1) the Issuer has an amount of Distributable Items on such interest payment date that is less than a certain level; or
   (2) the Solvency Condition is not satisfied in respect of such interest payment, as further described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Interest Cancellation—Restriction on Interest Payments” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Agreement to Interest Cancellation    By subscribing for, purchasing or otherwise acquiring the Securities, holders of the Securities acknowledge and agree to the provisions described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Interest Cancellation—Agreement to Interest Cancellation” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Ranking   

Subordinated to the claims of Senior Creditors (as defined below), as described in further detail in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

 

“Senior Creditors” means creditors of the Issuer (i) who are unsubordinated creditors; (ii) whose claims are, or are expressed to be, subordinated (whether only in the event of the winding-up or administration of the Issuer or otherwise) to the claims of unsubordinated creditors of the Issuer but not further or otherwise; (iii) who are creditors in respect of any secondary non-preferential debts; or (iv) whose claims are, or are expressed to be, junior to the claims of other creditors of the Issuer, whether subordinated or unsubordinated, other than those whose claims rank, or are expressed to rank, pari passu with, or junior to, the claims of the holders of the Securities.

Capital Adequacy Trigger Event   

A “Capital Adequacy Trigger Event” shall occur if at any time the fully loaded CET1 Ratio is less than 7.00%.

 

Whether a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred at any time shall be determined by the Issuer and such determination shall be binding on the trustee and holders of the Securities.


Automatic Conversion Upon Capital Adequacy Trigger Event   

An Automatic Conversion will occur without delay upon the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event.

 

“Automatic Conversion” means the irrevocable and automatic release of all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities (other than the CSO Obligations, if any) in consideration of the Issuer’s issuance of the Conversion Shares at the Conversion Price to the Conversion Shares Depository (on behalf of the holders of the Securities) or to the relevant recipient, in accordance with the terms of the Securities and as described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

Conversion Price    $2.29 per Conversion Share, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, as described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Anti-Dilution” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement and the provisions described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Conversion Shares Offer” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement. On the Issue Date, the Conversion Price is equivalent to the Conversion Shares Offer Price (as defined herein) translated into U.S. dollars at an exchange rate of £1.00 = $1.3892.
Conversion Shares Offer    Following an Automatic Conversion, the Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect that the Conversion Shares Depository make an offer of all or some of the Conversion Shares to all or some of the Issuer’s ordinary shareholders at such time at a cash price per Conversion Share equal to the Conversion Shares Offer Price, as further described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Conversion Shares Offer Price    £1.65 per Conversion Share (subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, as described in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement).
Optional Redemption    The Securities are redeemable, in whole but not in part, on any day falling in the period commencing on (and including) March 15, 2028 and ending on (and including) the first Reset Date or on any subsequent Reset Date at the option of the Issuer, as described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Redemption—Optional Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Regulatory Event Redemption    The Securities are also redeemable, in whole but not in part, at any time at the option of the Issuer in the event of a change in certain U.K. regulatory capital requirements, as described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Redemption—Regulatory Event Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Tax Redemption    The Securities are also redeemable, in whole but not in part, at any time at the option of the Issuer upon the occurrence of certain tax events, as described under “Description of Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities—Redemption—Tax Redemption” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Denominations    $200,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
ISIN / CUSIP / FISN / CFI Code    US06738EBT10 / 06738E BT1 / BARCLAYS PLC/SUB NT 2026 SUB / DBFUGR
Legal Entity Identifier (“LEI”) Code    213800LBQA1Y9L22JB70


Reoffer Yield    4.375%.
Issue Price    100.000%.
Estimated Underwriter Compensation    1.000% of the principal amount of the Securities.
Estimated Net Proceeds    $1,485,000,000
Sole Structuring Adviser and Sole Bookrunner    Barclays Capital Inc.
Joint Lead Managers (no books)    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Commerz Markets LLC, ING Financial Markets LLC, JP Morgan Securities LLC, Natixis Securities Americas LLC, Nordea Bank ABP, Santander Investment Securities Inc., SMBC Nikko Securities American, Inc., Standard Chartered Bank, UBS Securities LLC, UniCredit Capital Markets LLC
Senior Co-Managers    BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC, Citizens Capital Markets, Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC, RB International Markets (USA) LLC, US Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Co-Managers    Academy Securities, Inc., American Veterans Group, PBC, AmeriVet Securities, Inc., Bancroft Capital LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., Great Pacific Securities, Loop Capital Markets LLC, R. Seelaus & Co., LLC, Regions Securities LLC, Samuel A. Ramirez & Company, Inc., Truist Securities, Inc.
Documentation    To be documented under the Issuer’s shelf registration statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-253693) and to be issued pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture dated August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented), between the Issuer, The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as contingent capital registrar (the “Registrar”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, to be entered into on or about the Issue Date, between the Issuer, the Registrar and the Trustee.
Risk Factors    An investment in the Securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-26 of the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.
Settlement    The Depository Trust Company.
Listing    International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange.
Calculation Agent    The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, or its successor appointed by the Issuer.
Governing Law    New York law, except for subordination provisions and waiver of set-off provisions which will be governed by English law.
Definitions    Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement.

The Issuer has filed a registration statement (including the Base Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for this offering. Before you invest, you should read each of the Base Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement for this offering in that registration statement, and the other documents the Issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by searching the SEC online database (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, you may obtain a copy of the Base Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement from Barclays Capital Inc. by calling 1-866-603-5847.


U.K. FCA CoCo restriction. No PRIIPs or U.K. PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or in the United Kingdom. No sales to retail clients (as defined in COBS 3.4) in the U.K.

It is expected that delivery of the Securities will be made for value on or about August 11, 2021, which will be the fifth (5th) business day in the United States following the date of pricing of the Securities. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, purchases or sales of Securities in the secondary market generally are required to settle within two (2) business days (T+2), unless the parties to any such transaction expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers of the Securities who wish to trade the Securities on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next two (2) succeeding business days, will be required, because the Securities initially will settle within five (5) business days (T+5) in the United States, to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Securities who wish to trade on the date of this prospectus supplement or the next two (2) succeeding business days should consult their own legal advisers.

This communication is being distributed to, and is directed only at, persons in the United Kingdom in circumstances where section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, does not apply (such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this communication or any of its contents. Any investment activity (including, but not limited to, any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire securities) to which this communication relates will only be available to, and will only be engaged with, relevant persons who fall within the manufacturer target market described above.

Singapore SFA Product Classification – In connection with Section 309B of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289 of Singapore) (the “SFA”) and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), the Issuer has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the Securities are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16L Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

To the extent any dealer that is not a U.S. registered broker-dealer intends to effect any offers or sales of any Securities in the United States, it will do so through one or more U.S. registered broker-dealers in accordance with the applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations.

Exhibit 3.1

Company No. 48839

 

 

THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

BARCLAYS PLC

(as adopted by special resolution on 5 May 2021)


CONTENTS

 

PRELIMINARY

     6  

1.

 

Interpretation

     6  

2.

 

Model articles or regulations not to apply

     9  

LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

     9  

3.

 

Limited liability

     9  

SHARE CAPITAL

     9  

4.

 

Preference shares

     10  

5.

 

Allotment and pre-emption

     18  

6.

 

Power to issue different classes of shares

     19  

7.

 

Rights and restrictions attaching to shares

     19  

8.

 

Variation of rights

     19  

9.

 

Financial assistance for the acquisition of the Company’s shares

     19  

10.

 

Commission

     20  

11.

 

Trusts not recognised

     20  

12.

 

Uncertificated shares

     20  

SHARE CERTIFICATES

     20  

13.

 

Right to certificate

     21  

14.

 

Replacement certificates

     21  

LIEN

     22  

15.

 

Company’s lien on shares not fully paid

     22  

16.

 

Enforcement of lien by sale

     22  

17.

 

Application of proceeds of sale

     22  

CALLS ON SHARES

     23  

18.

 

Calls

     23  

19.

 

Power to differentiate

     23  

20.

 

Interest on calls

     23  

21.

 

Payment in advance

     23  

22.

 

Amounts due on allotment or issue treated as calls

     23  

FORFEITURE

     24  

23.

 

Notice if call not paid

     24  

24.

 

Forfeiture for non-compliance

     24  

25.

 

Notice after forfeiture

     24  

26.

 

Disposal of forfeited shares

     24  

27.

 

Arrears to be paid notwithstanding forfeiture

     25  

28.

 

Surrender

     25  


UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS

     25  

29.

 

Power of sale

     25  

30.

 

Application of proceeds of sale

     26  

TRANSFER OF SHARES

     26  

31.

 

Method of transfer

     26  

32.

 

Right to refuse registration

     27  

33.

 

Fees on registration

     28  

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

     28  

34.

 

On death

     28  

35.

 

Election of person entitled by transmission

     28  

36.

 

Rights on transmission

     29  

FRACTIONS OF SHARES

     29  

37.

 

Fractions

     29  

COMPANY NAME

     30  

38.

 

Change of Company name

     30  

GENERAL MEETINGS

     30  

39.

 

Annual general meetings

     30  

40.

 

Convening of general meetings by the board

     30  

41.

 

Convening of general meetings by requirement of the members

     31  

42.

 

Length and form of notice

     31  

43.

 

Omission to send notice

     31  

44.

 

Postponement of general meetings

     32  

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

     32  

45.

 

Quorum

     32  

46.

 

No business to be transacted unless quorum present

     32  

47.

 

Procedure if quorum not present

     32  

48.

 

Chair

     33  

49.

 

Right to attend and speak

     33  

50.

 

Power to adjourn

     33  

51.

 

Notice of adjourned meeting

     34  

52.

 

Business at adjourned meeting

     34  

53.

 

General meetings at more than one place

     34  

54.

 

Hybrid meetings

     34  

55.

 

Accommodation of members at meeting

     35  

56.

 

Security

     36  

VOTING

     36  

57.

 

Method of voting

     36  


58.

 

Procedure on a poll

     37  

59.

 

Votes of members

     38  

60.

 

No casting vote

     39  

61.

 

Restriction on voting rights for unpaid calls etc.

     39  

62.

 

Voting by proxy

     39  

63.

 

Appointment of proxy

     40  

64.

 

Validity of actions by proxy or representative of a corporation

     41  

65.

 

Corporate representatives

     41  

66.

 

Objections to and error in voting

     42  

67.

 

Amendments to special resolutions

     42  

68.

 

Amendments to ordinary resolutions

     42  

69.

 

Class meetings

     42  

70.

 

Failure to disclose interests in shares

     43  

APPOINTMENT, RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

     45  

71.

 

Number of directors

     45  

72.

 

Power of the Company to appoint directors

     45  

73.

 

Power of the board to appoint directors

     45  

74.

 

Appointment of executive directors

     45  

75.

 

Eligibility of new directors

     45  

76.

 

Voting on resolution for appointment

     46  

77.

 

Retirement by rotation

     46  

78.

 

Directors subject to retirement

     46  

79.

 

Position of retiring director

     47  

80.

 

Deemed reappointment

     47  

81.

 

No retirement on account of age

     47  

82.

 

Removal by ordinary resolution

     47  

83.

 

Vacation of office by director

     47  

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

     48  

84.

 

Appointment

     48  

85.

 

Revocation of appointment

     48  

86.

 

Participation in board meetings

     49  

87.

 

Responsibility

     49  

REMUNERATION, EXPENSES AND PENSIONS

     49  

88.

 

Directors’ fees

     49  

89.

 

Additional remuneration

     50  

90.

 

Expenses

     50  

91.

 

Remuneration and expenses of alternate directors

     50  


92.

 

Directors’ pensions and other benefits

     50  

93.

 

Remuneration of executive directors

     51  

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD

     51  

94.

 

Powers of the board

     51  

95.

 

Powers of directors being less than minimum required number

     51  

96.

 

Powers of executive directors

     52  

97.

 

Delegation to committees and certain subsidiaries

     52  

98.

 

Attorneys and Agents

     52  

99.

 

Execution of certain instruments

     53  

100.

 

Loans to directors

     53  

101.

 

Associate directors

     53  

102.

 

Exercise of voting powers

     53  

103.

 

Provision for employees

     54  

104.

 

Registers

     54  

105.

 

Borrowing powers

     54  

106.

 

Register of charges

     54  

107.

 

Directors’ interests

     54  

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

     59  

108.

 

Board meetings

     59  

109.

 

Notice of board meetings

     59  

110.

 

Quorum

     59  

111.

 

Chair of board

     59  

112.

 

Voting

     60  

113.

 

Participation by telephone

     60  

114.

 

Resolution in writing

     60  

115.

 

Proceedings of committees

     60  

116.

 

Records of proceedings

     61  

117.

 

Validity of proceedings of board or committee

     61  

SECRETARY AND AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

     61  

118.

 

Secretary

     61  

119.

 

Authentication of documents

     62  

SEALS

     62  

120.

 

Safe custody

     62  

121.

 

Application of seals

     62  

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS

     62  

122.

 

Declaration of dividends

     63  

123.

 

Interim and other dividends

     63  


124.

 

Entitlement to dividends

     63  

125.

 

Method of payment

     63  

126.

 

Dividends not to bear interest

     65  

127.

 

Calls or debts may be deducted from dividends etc.

     65  

128.

 

Unclaimed dividends etc.

     65  

129.

 

Uncashed dividends

     66  

130.

 

Payment of dividends in specie

     66  

131.

 

Payment of scrip dividends

     66  

132.

 

Board powers to carry profits to reserve and to carry forward profits

     69  

133.

 

Capitalisation of profits

     69  

134.

 

Record dates

     70  

ACCOUNTS

     70  

135.

 

Keeping and inspection of accounts

     70  

136.

 

Accounts to be sent to members etc.

     70  

137.

 

Appointment of auditors

     71  

NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS

     71  

138.

 

Form of notices and communications by the Company

     71  

139.

 

Notice by advertisement

     71  

140.

 

Deemed delivery of notices, documents and information

     72  

141.

 

Notice binding on transferees etc.

     72  

142.

 

Notice in case of joint holders and entitlement by transmission

     73  

143.

 

Members not entitled to notices, documents and information

     73  

MISCELLANEOUS

     74  

144.

 

Destruction of documents

     74  

145.

 

Winding up

     74  

146.

 

Indemnity of officers, funding directors’ defence costs and power to purchase insurance

     75  


Company No. 48839

 

 

THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

 

 

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

BARCLAYS PLC

PRELIMINARY

 

1.

INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

In these articles, unless the context otherwise requires:

Act” means the Companies Act 2006;

articles” means these articles of association as altered from time to time;

auditors” means the auditors from time to time of the Company;

board” means the board of directors from time to time of the Company or the directors present at a duly convened meeting of the directors at which a quorum is present;

business day” means a day (not being a Saturday or Sunday) on which clearing banks are open for business in London;

cash memorandum account” an account so designated by the Operator of the relevant system concerned;

certificated” means, in relation to a share, a share which is not in uncertificated form;

chair” means the chair for the time being of the board;


clear days” means, in relation to a period of notice, that period excluding the day when the notice is given or deemed to be given and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect;

company” includes any body corporate (not being a corporation sole) or association of persons, whether or not a company within the meaning of the Act;

default shares” has the meaning given to it in article 70.1;

director” means a director of the Company;

electronic platform” means any form of electronic platform and includes, without limitation, website addresses, application technology, conference call systems and other forms of electronic communications technology;

entitled by transmission” means, in relation to a share, entitled as a consequence of the death or bankruptcy of a member, or as a result of another event giving rise to a transmission of entitlement by operation of law;

executed” includes, in relation to a document, execution under hand or under seal or by any other method permitted by law;

FCA” means the Financial Conduct Authority or its successors from time to time;

FSMA” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

group” means the Company and its subsidiary undertakings;

holder” means, in relation to a share, the member whose name is entered in the register as the holder of that share;

hybrid meeting” means a general meeting hosted on an electronic platform, where that meeting is physically hosted at a specific location simultaneously;

in writing” means the representation or reproduction of words, symbols or other information in a visible form by any method or combination of methods, whether sent or supplied in electronic form or otherwise;

Listing Rules” means the listing rules made by the FCA under Part VI of FSMA;

London Stock Exchange” means London Stock Exchange plc or any other body which assumes the functions of that company as its successor;

member” means a member of the Company;

office” means the registered office for the time being of the Company;

ordinary shares” means the ordinary shares of £0.25 each in the capital of the Company;

paid”, “paid up” and “paid-up” mean paid or credited as paid;


PRA” means the Prudential Regulation Authority or its successors from time to time;

qualifying person” means an individual who is a member of the Company, a person authorised under section 323 of the Act to act as the representative of a corporation in relation to a meeting or a person appointed as proxy of a member in relation to the meeting;

register” means the register of members of the Company kept pursuant to section 113 of the Act or the issuer register of members and Operator register of members maintained pursuant to Regulation 20 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and, where the context requires, any register maintained by the Company or the Operator of persons holding any renounceable right of allotment of a share;

retiring directors” has the meaning given to it in article 80.2.2;

seal” means the common seal of the Company or any official or securities seal that the Company may have or may be permitted to have under the Act;

secretary” means the secretary of the Company and includes any joint, assistant or deputy secretary and a person appointed by the board to perform the duties of the secretary;

Transparency Rules” means the disclosure guidance and transparency rules made by the FCA under Part VI of FSMA;

uncertificated proxy instruction” means an instruction or notification sent by means of a relevant system and received by such participant in that system acting on behalf of the Company as the board may prescribe, in such form and subject to such terms and conditions as may from time to time be prescribed by the board (subject always to the facilities and requirements of the relevant system concerned);

Uncertificated Securities Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001, as amended from time to time, including any provisions of or under the Act which alter or replace such regulations;

uncertificated” means, in relation to a share, a share title to which is recorded in the register as being held in uncertificated form and title to which, by virtue of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, may be transferred by means of a relevant system; and

United Kingdom” means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The expressions “issuer register of members”, “Operator”, “Operator-instruction”, “Operator register of members”, “participating issuer”, “participating security” and “relevant system” have the same meaning as in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations.

 

1.2

Unless the context otherwise requires, words and expressions to which a particular meaning is given by the Act, as in force when the articles are adopted, shall have the same meaning in the articles, except where the word or expression is otherwise defined in the articles.


1.3

All references in the articles to the giving of instructions by means of a relevant system shall be deemed to relate to a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction given in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations. The giving of such instructions shall be subject to:

 

  1.3.1

the facilities and requirements of the relevant system;

 

  1.3.2

the Uncertificated Securities Regulations; and

 

  1.3.3

the extent to which such instructions are permitted by or practicable under the rules and practices from time to time of the Operator of the relevant system.

 

1.4

Where an ordinary resolution of the Company is expressed to be required for any purpose, a special resolution is also effective for that purpose.

 

1.5

References to a “meeting” shall not be taken as requiring more than one person to be present if any quorum requirement can be satisfied by one person.

 

1.6

References to a person being “present” at or “attending” a general meeting means, for the purposes of physical meetings, present in person or, for the purposes of a hybrid meeting, present in person or by means of an electronic platform.

 

1.7

References to a person’s “participation” in the business of any general meeting include without limitation and as relevant the right (including, in the case of a corporation, through a duly appointed representative) to speak, vote, be represented by a proxy and have access in hard copy or electronic form to all documents which are required by the Act or the articles to be made available at the meeting and “participate” and “participating” shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.8

References to “speak”, “hear” and “be heard” shall be interpreted in accordance with article 49.3.

 

1.9

The ejusdem generis principle of construction shall not apply. Accordingly, general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of their being preceded or followed by words indicating a particular class of acts, matters or things or by examples falling within the general words.

 

1.10

The headings in the articles do not affect the interpretation of the articles.

 

1.11

References to a “debenture” include debenture stock.

 

1.12

References to any statutory provision or statute include all modifications thereto and all re-enactments thereof (with or without modification) and all subordinate legislation made thereunder in each case for the time being in force. This article does not affect the interpretation of article 1.2.

 

2.

MODEL ARTICLES OR REGULATIONS NOT TO APPLY

No model articles or regulations contained in any statute or subordinate legislation including the regulations contained in Table A in the schedule to the Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 or the model articles contained in the schedule to the Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008 apply to the Company.


LIABILITY OF MEMBERS

 

3.

LIMITED LIABILITY

The liability of the members of the Company is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares held by them.

SHARE CAPITAL

 

4.

PREFERENCE SHARES

 

4.1

Issue

Preference shares may be issued from time to time in one or more series with such rights, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, as the board may determine in the board resolution approving the issue thereof and so that preference shares may be issued in one or more separate series in each case having attached thereto rights, limitations and restrictions which either are identical (save as to the date from which such preference shares rank for dividend) with the rights, limitations and restrictions attached to any other series of preference shares or are different in any respect from the rights, limitations and restrictions attached to any such other series. Each series of preference shares shall be designated in such manner as may be so determined by the board, and it does not have to make changes to these articles to do this. The terms of any series of preference shares can be set out in language which reflects the substance, rather than the language, of these articles.

 

4.2

Distributions

Without prejudice to article 4.9 and save as the board may determine, prior to the issue thereof, each series of preference shares shall rank, in regard to participation in profits, in priority to the payment of any dividend to the holders of ordinary shares and in priority to or pari passu with any other class of shares in the Company (except shares which by their terms rank in priority to the preference shares of the relevant series as regards participation in profits). Profits of the Company available for distribution and permitted by law to be distributed will be applied in paying to holders of preference shares of each series a preferential dividend (“preference dividend”) payable in such currency at such rates (whether fixed or calculated by reference to or in accordance with a specified procedure or mechanism), on such dates and on such other terms as may be determined by the board prior to allotment thereof.

 

4.3

Non-payment of dividends

All or any of the following provisions shall apply in relation to any series of preference shares if so determined by the board prior to the allotment thereof:

 

  4.3.1

If, on any date (the “dividend payment date”), a preference dividend is to be paid but the board considers that distributable profits of the Company available for distribution are insufficient (after payment in full, or the setting aside of a sum to enable the payment in full, of dividends expressed to be payable on the relevant dividend payment date on any class of shares in the capital of the Company ranking pari passu with or in priority to the relevant series of preference shares as regards participation in the profits of Company, and after


  payment in full, or the setting aside of a sum to enable the payment in full, of all dividends expressed to be payable on a date earlier than the relevant dividend payment date on any class of shares in the capital of the Company that ranks pari passu with or in priority to the relevant series of preference shares in such regard and carries cumulative rights to dividends), then (subject to article 4.3.2) preference dividends shall be paid to the extent of the distributable profits on a pro rata basis so that:

 

  (a)

the aggregate amount of preference dividends payable on the relevant series of preference shares; and

 

  (b)

the aggregate amount of all dividends which are payable on such date on each other class of shares whose rights state that they rank equally with the relevant series of preference shares with respect to sharing in profits; and

 

  (c)

the aggregate amount of dividends paid or set aside for payment on such date on each other class of shares ranking pari passu with the relevant series of preference shares in such regard and carrying cumulative rights to dividends, on which dividends were expressed to be payable before such date,

will bear to each other the same ratio as the full amounts of dividends:

 

  (i)

expressed to be payable in aggregate on the relevant series of preference shares on such date;

 

  (ii)

expressed to be payable in aggregate on each such other pari passu ranking class of shares on which dividends are expressed to be payable on such date; and

 

  (iii)

paid, or set aside for payment of, in aggregate on each such other pari passu ranking class of shares carrying cumulative rights to dividends in respect of dividends expressed to be payable before such date,

bear to each other.

 

  4.3.2

If it turns out that any such preference dividend should not have been paid, either in whole or in part, as set out in article 4.3.1, then provided the board has acted in good faith, neither it (nor any director) nor the Company shall incur any liability for any loss which any shareholder may suffer in consequence of such payment having been made.

 

  4.3.3

Notwithstanding article 4.3.1, on any dividend payment date, the board may, at its discretion, determine that the preference dividend which would otherwise be payable may either not be payable at all or only payable in part.

 

  4.3.4

If a preference dividend on any preference share of any series is not paid, or is paid only in part, pursuant to article 4.3.1 or 4.3.3, the holders of those preference shares who did not receive a preference dividend in whole or in part shall have no claim in respect of such non-payment or non-payment in part, as


  applicable. The Company shall have no obligation to pay the preference dividend accrued for the relevant dividend period or to pay interest thereon, whether or not preference dividends are paid on any preference shares of any series for any future dividend period.

 

  4.3.5

If the board considers that paying all or any part of any preference dividend on any preference shares of any series would result in a breach of the capital adequacy requirements of the PRA which apply to the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, none of the part of that preference dividend which would result in a breach of the capital adequacy requirements of the PRA will be paid, unless the PRA otherwise agrees.

 

  4.3.6

If, in respect of preference shares of any series, any preference dividend is not paid in full on a dividend payment date (the “relevant dividend payment date”) (or a sum is not set aside to provide for its payment in full), the dividend restriction shall apply. The “dividend restriction” means that neither the Company nor Barclays Bank PLC may (a) pay a dividend (other than payment by the Company of a final dividend declared by its shareholders prior to the relevant dividend payment date, or a dividend paid by Barclays Bank PLC to the Company or to another wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) on any of their respective ordinary shares, other preference shares or other share capital ranking pari passu with or junior to the relevant series of preference shares in respect to dividend payments and rights in liquidation or (b) redeem, purchase, reduce or otherwise acquire any of their respective ordinary shares, preference shares or other share capital, other than shares of Barclays Bank PLC held by the Company or by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (or set aside any sum or establish any sinking fund for the redemption, purchase or other acquisition thereof), until the earlier of (1) the dividend payment date on which the Company next pays (or sets aside a sum to provide for the payment of) a preference dividend in full on the relevant series of preference shares and (2) the date on or by which all of the preference shares of the relevant series of preference shares are either redeemed in full or purchased by or for the account of the Company, in each case in accordance with these articles and the terms of preference shares of the relevant series of preference shares.

 

4.4

Rights on a winding-up etc.

In the event of a winding-up or any other return of capital by way of reduction of capital (other than, unless provided by their terms of issue, a redemption or purchase by the Company of any of its issued shares, or a reduction of share capital, permitted by these articles and under applicable law), the assets of the Company available for distribution among the members shall be applied in paying to holders of any series of preference shares pari passu in proportion to the amounts paid up or credited as paid up on the preference shares in priority to any payment to the holders of ordinary shares and any other class of shares in the capital of the Company then in issue ranking junior to the relevant series of preference shares and pari passu on such a return of capital with the holders of any other class of preference shares in the capital of the Company then in issue (other than any class of shares in the capital of the Company then in issue ranking in priority to the relevant series of preference shares on such return of capital) an amount per preference share equal to the aggregate of:


  4.4.1

the amount paid up or treated as paid up in respect of the nominal value of the preference share;

 

  4.4.2

any premium which was paid or treated as paid when the preference share was issued;

 

  4.4.3

the preference dividend accrued thereon for the then current dividend period to the date of the commencement of the winding-up or other such return of capital; and

 

  4.4.4

an amount equal to any dividend that has been resolved to be paid on or after the date of commencement of the winding-up or return of capital but which is payable in respect of a dividend period ending on or before such date.

Holders of preference shares of any series shall not be entitled to participate further in the assets of the Company available for distribution among the members.

 

4.5

Redemption

Save as may otherwise be prescribed by the board in regard to any series of preference shares prior to allotment thereof, the preference shares shall, subject to the statutes at the time of allotment, be redeemable at the option of the Company, and shall be governed by the following provisions as to redemption:

 

  4.5.1

the Company may, subject to the Act, to these articles and to giving one month’s prior written notice to the PRA (if required), redeem all or some only of any series of preference shares on the relevant redemption date and on any dividend payment date thereafter. The expression “redemption date” means, in relation to any series of preference shares, any date which falls not less than five years after the date (the “issue date”) when such series of preference shares was first issued;

 

  4.5.2

subject as mentioned in article 4.5.1, there shall be paid on each preference share so redeemed, in whatever currency the board decides prior to the allotment of the relevant series thereof, the aggregate of the nominal amount thereof, any premium credited as paid up upon such preference share and the preference dividend accrued thereon for the then current dividend period to the date fixed for redemption but only to the extent that any such amount was, or would have been, payable as a cash dividend in accordance with or pursuant to article 4.2 and article 4.3;

 

  4.5.3

redemption is effected by giving to the holders of the preference shares to be redeemed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice (a “redemption notice”). The redemption notice shall state:

 

  (a)

the particular series of preference shares to be redeemed;

 

  (b)

the applicable redemption date;

 

  (c)

the redemption price (specifying details of the amount of any preference dividend accrued and unpaid to be included therein and stating that


  preference dividends on the preference shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on redemption);

 

  (d)

the place or places at which documents of title in respect of such preference shares are to be presented and surrendered for redemption; and

 

  (e)

the procedure for redeeming registered preference shares.

If only some of the preference shares are to be redeemed, the board shall for the purpose of ascertaining the preference shares to be redeemed cause a drawing to be made at the office (or at such other place as the board decides) in the presence of a representative of the auditors;

 

  4.5.4

the provisions of this article and the following articles 4.5.5 to 4.5.13 shall have effect in relation to preference shares of any series for the time being issued and outstanding in registered form (“registered preference shares”) and represented by certificates (“certificates”);

 

  4.5.5

payment in respect of the amount due on redemption of a registered preference share shall be made (a) in the case of euro preference shares by euro cheque drawn on a branch of a bank in London or the Euro-zone (as the case may be); (b) in the case of dollar preference shares by dollar cheque drawn on a branch of a bank in London or New York (as the case may be); (c) in the case of sterling preference shares by pounds sterling cheque drawn on a branch of a bank in London; and (d) in the case of yen preference shares by yen cheque drawn on a branch of a bank in London or Tokyo (as the case may be) or, upon the request of the holder or joint holders not later than the date specified for the purpose in the notice of redemption, by transfer to (a) in the case of euro preference shares, a euro account maintained by the payee with a branch of a bank in London or the Euro-zone (as the case may be); (b) in the case of dollar preference shares, a dollar account maintained by the payee with a branch of a bank in London or New York (as the case may be); (c) in the case of sterling preference shares, a pounds sterling account maintained by the payee with a branch of a bank in London; and (d) in the case of yen preference shares, a yen account maintained by the payee with a branch of a bank in London or Tokyo (as the case may be). Such payment will be made against presentation and surrender of the relative certificate at the place or one of the places specified in the redemption notice;

 

  4.5.6

all payments in respect of redemption moneys will in all respects be subject to any applicable fiscal or other laws and other regulations;

 

  4.5.7

as from the relevant redemption date the dividend on the preference shares due for redemption shall cease to accrue except on any such preference share in respect of which, upon the due surrender of the certificate in accordance with article 4.5.5, payment of the redemption moneys due on such redemption date shall be improperly withheld or refused in which case the said dividend, at the rate then applicable, shall be deemed to have continued and shall accordingly continue to accrue from the relevant redemption date to the date of payment of such redemption moneys. Such preference shares shall not be treated as having


  been redeemed until the redemption moneys in question, together with the accrued dividend thereon, shall have been paid;

 

  4.5.8

if the due date for the payment of the redemption moneys on any euro preference share is not a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which (1) banks in London are open for business (2) foreign exchange dealings may be conducted in euro and (3) the Trans-European Automated Real Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET2) (or any successor thereto determined by the Company) is open (a “euro business day”), then payment of such moneys will be made on the next succeeding day which is a euro business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay);

 

  4.5.9

if the due date for the payment of the redemption moneys on any dollar preference share is not a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which (1) banks in New York or London are open for business or (2) foreign exchange dealings may be conducted in dollars (a “dollar business day”), then payment of such moneys will be made on the next succeeding day which is a dollar business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay);

 

  4.5.10

if the due date for the payment of the redemption moneys on any sterling preference share is not a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks in London are open for business (a “London business day”), then payment of such moneys will be made on the next succeeding day which is a London business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay);

 

  4.5.11

if the due date for the payment of the redemption moneys on any yen preference share is not a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which (1) banks in Tokyo or London are open for business or (2) foreign exchange dealings may be conducted in yen (a “Tokyo business day”), then payment of such moneys will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Tokyo business day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of such delay);

 

  4.5.12

the receipt of the holder for the time being of any registered preference share (or in the case of joint holders the receipt of any of them), in respect of the moneys payable on redemption of the registered preference share, shall constitute an absolute discharge to the Company; and

 

  4.5.13

upon the redemption or purchase of any class of preference shares the Company may, if determined by the board, convert the unissued preference shares existing as a result of such redemption or purchase into shares of any other class of share capital into which the authorised share capital of the Company is or may at any time be divided of the same nominal amount and denominated in the same currency as such class of preference shares or into unclassified shares of the same nominal amount and in the same currency as such class of preference shares.

 

4.6

Purchases


The Company may at any time purchase, or cause to be purchased for its account, all or any of any series of preference shares, subject to the provisions of the Act, these articles and all other applicable rules and regulations and subject to the consent of or prior notification to the PRA (if required), at any price. The Company shall not be required to select the preference shares to be purchased rateably or in any other particular manner as between the holders of any series of preference shares or as between them and the holders of shares of any other class of shares or in accordance with the rights as to dividends or capital conferred by any class of shares.

 

4.7

Form of Transfer

 

  4.7.1

Title to any preference share in registered form will pass by transfer and registration on the register for such preference shares.

 

  4.7.2

The persons (if any) in whose names any preference shares are for the time being registered, shall (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) be deemed to be, and shall be treated as, the holders and absolute owners of the relevant preference shares for the purpose of receiving payment in respect thereof and for all other purposes (notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon or any notice of previous loss or theft thereof or any trust or other interest therein), whether or not any payment in respect of the preference shares shall be overdue.

 

  4.7.3

Each exchange or registration of transfer of preference shares in registered form will, subject to and in accordance with these articles, be effected by entry on the register for such preference shares kept by the Company’s registrar at its office in the United Kingdom. No fee shall be charged on the registration of any instrument of transfer or other instrument relating to or affecting the title to the preference shares, but the person requesting such registration will be required to pay any related taxes, stamp duties or other governmental charges.

 

4.8

Voting at general meetings of the Company

The holders of any series of preference shares shall not be entitled to receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any general meeting of the Company.

 

4.9

Variations of rights and further issues

 

  4.9.1

The Company may at any time or from time to time, without the consent or sanction of the holders of preference shares of any series, create and issue further preference shares or other share capital (“further shares”) of one or more series ranking as regards participation in the profits and assets of the Company pari passu with, or junior to, the preference shares, but not (other than on a redemption or purchase by the Company of any such shares, or a reduction of share capital, permitted by these articles and under applicable law) in priority thereto unless the holders of each class of preference shares to which such shares are to rank in priority have so sanctioned or consented thereto in accordance with article 8, and so that, save as aforesaid, the further shares of any series may either carry rights identical in all respects (except as regards the date from which such shares rank for dividend) with the preference shares of any series or carry


  rights differing therefrom in any respect including, but without limitation, in that:

 

  (a)

the rate and/or basis of calculating dividends may differ and the dividend may be cumulative or non-cumulative;

 

  (b)

such shares may rank for dividends as from such date as may be provided by the terms of issue thereof and the dates for payment of dividend may differ;

 

  (c)

such shares may be denominated in any currency or, if permitted by law, any basket of currencies;

 

  (d)

a premium may be payable on return of capital or there may be no such premium;

 

  (e)

such shares may be redeemable at the option of the Company or may be non-redeemable;

 

  (f)

different or no restrictions may apply in the event a dividend is not paid on such shares on a scheduled dividend payment date therefor; and

 

  (g)

such shares may be convertible into ordinary shares or any other class of shares ranking as regards participation in the profits and assets of the Company pari passu with or junior to any class of the sterling preference shares, dollar preference shares, euro preference shares or yen preference shares,

in each case on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the terms of issue thereof.

 

  4.9.2

Subject to legislation in force at the relevant time, a series of preference shares shall have such rights to share in the profits and assets of the Company and such other rights as the board shall decide to give it before the preference shares of that series are first allotted but any such decision shall be without prejudice to any preference shares then in issue and no such decision shall vary or abrogate all or any of the rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions attaching to those preference shares then in issue without such consent to the variation or abrogation as is required by these articles.

 

4.10

Substitution

The Company may at any time or from time to time, without the consent or sanction of the holders of preference shares of any series create and issue further preference shares of one or more series which provide for the Company to substitute or exchange such further preference shares in whole, but not in part, with other instruments in an equivalent nominal face amount to the aggregate liquidation preference of such preference shares, at any time without any requirement for consent or approval of the holders of the further preference shares. Upon such substitution, the proceeds of redemption of the preference shares would be mandatorily applied to the subscription or purchase of the instruments so issued. The board may determine on issue of any


series of preference shares the method of substitution and the terms of the instrument that will be issued in substitution for such preference shares.

 

4.11

Other Terms

The board may decide any other terms and conditions of issue of a series of preference shares whatsoever.

 

4.12

Definitions

For the purposes of this article:

 

  4.12.1

dividend period” means the period from and including a dividend payment date (or the issue date) to but not including the next succeeding dividend payment date;

 

  4.12.2

dollar preference shares” means the preference shares of US$0.25 each in the capital of the Company referred to in article 4 or, as the case may require, the number thereof for the time being in issue and the preference shares of US$100 each in the capital of the Company referred to in article 4 or, as the case may require, the number thereof for the time being in issue;

 

  4.12.3

euro preference shares” means the preference shares of €100 each in the capital of the Company referred to in article 4 or, as the case may require, the number thereof for the time being in issue;

 

  4.12.4

Euro-zone” means the region comprised of member states of the European Union which adopt the Euro in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended from time to time;

 

  4.12.5

preference shares” means the dollar preference shares, euro preference shares, sterling preference shares or yen preference shares, as the case may be;

 

  4.12.6

sterling preference shares” means the preference shares of £100 each in the capital of the Company referred to in article 4 or, as the case may require, the number thereof for the time being in issue;

 

  4.12.7

yen preference shares” means the preference shares of ¥10,000 each in the capital of the Company referred to in article 4 or, as the case may require, the number thereof for the time being in issue;

 

  4.12.8

references to “US$”, “dollars” and “cents” are references to the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America;

 

  4.12.9

references to “” and “euro” are references to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Union that have adopted or adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended from time to time;

 

  4.12.10

references to “£” and “sterling” are references to the lawful currency for the time being of the United Kingdom; and


  4.12.11

references to “yen”, “¥” and “JPY” are references to the lawful currency of Japan.

 

5.

ALLOTMENT AND PRE-EMPTION

 

5.1

Subject to the Act and relevant authority given by the Company in general meeting, the board has general and unconditional authority to allot, grant options over, or otherwise dispose of, unissued shares of the Company or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares, to such persons, at such times and on such terms as the board may decide, except that no share may be issued at a discount.

 

5.2

The board may at any time after the allotment of a share, but before a person has been entered in the register as the holder of the share, recognise a renunciation of the share by the allottee in favour of another person and may grant to an allottee a right to effect a renunciation on such terms and conditions as the board thinks fit. In this article “allottee” includes a provisional allottee and any person in whose favour an allotment has been previously renounced.

 

6.

POWER TO ISSUE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SHARES

 

6.1

Subject to the Act and to the rights attached to existing shares, new shares may be issued with, or have attached to them, such rights or restrictions as either the Company may by ordinary resolution decide, or, if no such resolution is passed or so far as any pertinent resolution does not make specific provision, as the board may decide.

 

6.2

Subject to the Act and to the rights attached to existing shares, shares may be issued on terms that they are to be redeemed or, at the option of the Company or the holder, are liable to be redeemed, and the directors may determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of any such shares.

 

7.

RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO SHARES

If rights and restrictions attaching to shares are determined by ordinary resolution or by the directors pursuant to article 6, those rights and restrictions shall apply in place of any rights or restrictions that would otherwise apply by virtue of the Act in the absence of any provisions in the articles, as if those rights and restrictions were set out in the articles.

 

8.

VARIATION OF RIGHTS

 

8.1

Subject to the Act, the rights attached to a class of shares may be varied or abrogated (whether or not the Company is being wound up) either with the consent in writing of the holders of at least three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any share of that class held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class validly held in accordance with article 69 and other relevant provisions of the articles.

 

8.2

The rights attached to a class of shares are not, unless otherwise expressly provided for in the rights attaching to those shares, deemed to be varied by the creation, allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or by the purchase or redemption by the Company of its own shares in accordance with the Act.


9.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE COMPANY’S SHARES

Save to the extent prohibited by the Act or otherwise by law, the Company shall be entitled, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, to give financial assistance directly or indirectly for the purpose of the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any shares in the Company or any company of which it is a subsidiary or for the purpose of reducing or discharging any liability incurred by any person for the purpose of acquiring any shares in the Company or any company of which it is a subsidiary.

 

10.

COMMISSION

The Company may exercise all the powers conferred or permitted by the Act of paying commission or brokerage. Subject to the Act, any such commission or brokerage may be satisfied by the payment of cash or by the allotment of fully or partly paid shares or partly in one way and partly in the other.

 

11.

TRUSTS NOT RECOGNISED

Except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by law, the Company shall not recognise a person as holding a share on trust and shall not be bound by or otherwise compelled to recognise (even if it has notice of it) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share, or any interest in any fractional part of a share, or any other right in respect of any share, other than an absolute right in the holder to the whole of the share.

 

12.

UNCERTIFICATED SHARES

 

12.1

Subject to the Act and to the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, the board has the power to resolve that a class of shares shall become a participating security and/or that a class of shares shall cease to be a participating security.

 

12.2

Uncertificated shares of a class are not to be regarded as forming a separate class from certificated shares of that class.

 

12.3

A member may, in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, change a share of a class which is a participating security from a certificated share to an uncertificated share and from an uncertificated share to a certificated share.

 

12.4

The Company may give notice to a member requiring the member to change uncertificated shares to certificated shares by the time stated in the notice. The notice may also state that the member may not change certificated shares to uncertificated shares. If the member does not comply with the notice, the board may authorise a person to change the uncertificated shares to certificated shares in the name and on behalf of the member.

 

12.5

While a class of shares is a participating security, the articles only apply to an uncertificated share of that class to the extent that they are consistent with:

 

  12.5.1

the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form;


  12.5.2

the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system; and

 

  12.5.3

the Uncertificated Securities Regulations.

SHARE CERTIFICATES

 

13.

RIGHT TO CERTIFICATE

 

13.1

A person (except a person to whom the Company is not required by law to issue a certificate) whose name is entered in the register as a holder of a certificated share is entitled, without charge, to receive within two months of allotment or lodgement with the Company of a transfer to him/her of those shares or within two months after the relevant Operator instruction is received by the Company (or within any other period as the terms of issue of the shares provide) one certificate for all the certificated shares of a class registered in his/her name or, in the case of certificated shares of more than one class being registered in his/her name, to a separate certificate for each class of shares.

 

13.2

Where a member transfers part of his/her shares comprised in a certificate he/she is entitled, without charge, to one certificate for the balance of certificated shares retained by him/her.

 

13.3

Delivery of a certificate to the broker or agent acting in regard to the purchase or transfer of shares to which it relates shall be sufficient delivery to the purchaser or the transferee as the case may be. Every certificate despatched by the Company shall be sent at the risk of the person entitled thereto.

 

13.4

The Company is not bound to issue more than one certificate for certificated shares held jointly by two or more persons and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder is sufficient delivery to all joint holders.

 

13.5

A certificate shall specify the number and class and the distinguishing numbers (if any) of the shares in respect of which it is issued and the amount paid up on the shares and shall otherwise comply with the requirements of the FCA. It shall be issued under the seal, which may be affixed to or printed on it, or in such other manner as the board may approve, or signed by a director and the secretary or by two directors, having regard to the terms of allotment or issue of the shares. No certificate shall be issued representing shares of more than one class.

 

14.

REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES

 

14.1

Where a member holds two or more certificates for shares of one class, the board may at his/her request, on surrender of the original certificates, cancel the certificates and issue a single replacement certificate for certificated shares of that class, subject, if the board so requires, to payment of the reasonable out of pocket expenses of the Company in providing the replacement certificate.

 

14.2

At the request of a member, the board may cancel a certificate and issue two or more in its place (representing certificated shares in such proportions as the member may specify), on surrender of the original certificate and on payment of such reasonable sum as the secretary may decide.


14.3

Where a certificate is damaged, defaced or worn out, the board may require the certificate to be delivered to it before issuing a replacement and cancelling the original. If a certificate is lost or destroyed, the board may cancel it and issue a replacement certificate on such terms as to provision of evidence and indemnity and to payment of any exceptional out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the request as the secretary may think fit but without any further or other charge.

LIEN

 

15.

COMPANY’S LIEN ON SHARES NOT FULLY PAID

 

15.1

The Company has a first and paramount lien on all partly paid shares for all moneys (including any premium at which it was issued) (whether presently payable or not) payable at a fixed time or called in respect of that share. The Company also has a first and paramount lien on all partly paid shares standing registered in the name of a single member for all the debts and liabilities of such member or his/her estate to the Company. Such liens of the Company apply whether before or after notice is given to the Company of any equitable or other interest of any person other than the holder or holders of such share, whether the time for payment or discharge of the same has arrived or not and notwithstanding that the same are joint debts or liabilities of such holder or his/her estate and any other person whether a member of the Company or not. The Company’s lien, if any, on a share shall extend to all dividends or other moneys payable thereon or in respect thereof (including if the lien is enforced and the share is sold by the Company the proceeds of sale of that share).

 

15.2

The board may either generally or in a particular case declare a share to be wholly or partly exempt from the provisions of this article. Unless otherwise agreed with the transferee, the registration of a transfer of a share operates as a waiver of the Company’s lien (if any) on that share.

 

16.

ENFORCEMENT OF LIEN BY SALE

 

16.1

For the purpose of enforcing the lien referred to in article 15, the board may sell shares subject to the lien in such manner as it may decide provided that:

 

  16.1.1

the due date for payment of the relevant amounts has arrived; and

 

  16.1.2

the board has served a written notice on the member concerned (or on any person entitled by transmission to the shares) stating the amounts due, demanding payment thereof and giving notice that if payment has not been made within 14 clear days after the service of the notice that the Company intends to sell the shares.

 

16.2

To give effect to a sale, the board may authorise a person to transfer the shares in the name and on behalf of the holder (or any person entitled by transmission to the shares), or to cause the transfer of such shares, to the purchaser or his/her nominee. The purchaser is not bound to see to the application of the purchase money and the title of the transferee is not affected by an irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings connected with the sale.


17.

APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE

The net proceeds of a sale effected under article 16, after payment of the Company’s costs of the sale, shall be applied in or towards satisfaction of the amount in respect of which the lien exists. Any residue shall (on surrender to the Company for cancellation of any certificate for the shares sold, or the provision of an indemnity as to any lost or destroyed certificate required by the board and subject to a like lien for amounts not presently payable as existed on the shares before the sale) be paid to the member (or person entitled by transmission to the shares) immediately before the sale.

CALLS ON SHARES

 

18.

CALLS

The board may make calls on members in respect of amounts unpaid on the shares held by them respectively (whether in respect of the nominal value or a premium) and not by the terms of issue thereof made payable on a fixed date. Each member shall (on receiving at least 14 clear days’ notice specifying when and where payment is to be made) pay to the Company at the time and place specified, the amount called as required by the notice. A call may be made payable by instalments and may, at any time before receipt by the Company of an amount due, be revoked or postponed in whole or in part as the board may decide. A call is deemed made at the time when the resolution of the board authorising it is passed or such later time as the board may decide. A person on whom a call is made remains liable to pay the amount called despite the subsequent transfer of the share in respect of which the call is made. The joint holders of a share are jointly and severally liable for payment of all calls and other monies payable in respect of that share.

 

19.

POWER TO DIFFERENTIATE

The board may make arrangements on the allotment or, subject to the terms of the allotment, on the issue of shares for a difference between the allottees or holders in the amounts and times of payment of a call on their shares.

 

20.

INTEREST ON CALLS

If the whole of the amount called on any share or any money payable on a share under the terms of allotment is not paid on or before the date fixed for payment, the person from whom it is payable shall pay interest on the unpaid amount. This interest will run from the day the unpaid amount is due until the day it has been paid. The interest rate may be fixed by the terms of allotment or issue of the share or, if no rate is fixed, at such rate (not exceeding 20 per cent. per annum) as the board may decide. The board may waive payment of the interest in whole or in part.

 

21.

PAYMENT IN ADVANCE

The board may, if it thinks fit, receive from a member all or part of the amounts uncalled and unpaid on shares held by him/her. A payment in advance of calls extinguishes to the extent of the payment the liability of the member on the shares in respect of which it is made. The Company may pay interest on the amount paid in advance, or on so much of it as from time to time exceeds the amount called on the shares in respect of


which the payment in advance has been made, at such rate (not exceeding 20 per cent. per annum) as the board may decide.

 

22.

AMOUNTS DUE ON ALLOTMENT OR ISSUE TREATED AS CALLS

An amount (whether in respect of nominal value or a premium) which by the terms of issue of a share becomes payable on allotment or issue or on a fixed date shall be deemed to be a call. In case of non-payment, the provisions of these articles as to payment of interest, forfeiture or otherwise apply as if that amount had become payable by virtue of a call.

FORFEITURE

 

23.

NOTICE IF CALL NOT PAID

If a member fails to pay the whole of a call or an instalment of a call by the date fixed for payment, the Company may serve notice on the member or on a person entitled by transmission to the share in respect of which the call was made demanding payment of the unpaid amount, on a date not less than 14 clear days from the date of the notice, together with any interest that may have accrued on it and all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of the non-payment. The notice shall state:

 

  (a)

the place where payment is to be made; and

 

  (b)

that if the notice is not complied with the share in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

24.

FORFEITURE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

If the notice referred to in article 23 is not complied with, a share in respect of which it is given may, at any time before the payment required by the notice (including interest, costs, charges and expenses) has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the board. All dividends declared or other amounts due in respect of the forfeited share and not paid before the forfeiture shall also be forfeited.

 

25.

NOTICE AFTER FORFEITURE

When a share has been forfeited, the Company shall serve notice of the forfeiture on the person who was before forfeiture the holder of the share or the person entitled by transmission to the share but no forfeiture is invalidated by an omission to give such notice. An entry of the fact and date of forfeiture shall be made in the register. However, no forfeiture shall be invalidated by any omission to give such notice or to make such entry as aforesaid.

 

26.

DISPOSAL OF FORFEITED SHARES

 

26.1

A forfeited share and all rights attaching to it shall become the property of the Company and may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, either to the person who was before such forfeiture the holder thereof or to another person, on such terms and in such manner as the board may decide. The board may, if necessary, authorise a person to transfer a forfeited share to a new holder. The Company may receive the consideration


  (if any) for the share on its disposal and may register or cause the registration of the transferee as the holder of the share.

 

26.2

The board may before a forfeited share has been sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of annul the forfeiture on such conditions as it thinks fit.

 

26.3

A statutory declaration that the declarant is a director or the secretary and that a share has been forfeited or sold to satisfy a lien of the Company on the date stated in the declaration is conclusive evidence of the facts stated in the declaration against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share. The declaration (subject if necessary to the transfer of the share) constitutes good title to the share and the person to whom the share is sold, re-allotted or disposed of will be registered as the holder of the share and will be discharged from all calls, interest and expenses (if any) in connection with the share made or incurred prior to such sale, re-allotment or disposal and is not bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any). His/her title to the share is not affected by an irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings connected with the forfeiture or disposal.

 

27.

ARREARS TO BE PAID NOTWITHSTANDING FORFEITURE

A person whose share has been forfeited ceases on forfeiture to be a member in respect thereof and if that share is in certificated form, shall surrender to the Company for cancellation any certificate for the forfeited share. A person remains liable to pay all calls, interest, costs, charges and expenses owing in respect of such share at the time of forfeiture, with interest, from the time of forfeiture until payment, at such rate as may be fixed by the terms of allotment or issue of such share or, if no rate is fixed, at such rate (not exceeding 20 per cent. per annum) as the board may decide. The board may if it thinks fit enforce payment without allowance for the value of such share at the time of forfeiture or for any consideration received on its disposal.

 

28.

SURRENDER

The board may accept the surrender of a share liable to be forfeited and in that case references in the articles to forfeiture include surrender.

UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS

 

29.

POWER OF SALE

 

29.1

The Company may sell the share of a member or of a person entitled by transmission at the best price reasonably obtainable at the time of sale, if:

 

  29.1.1

during a period of not less than 12 years before the sending of the notices referred to in article 29.1.3 (the “relevant period”) at least three cash dividends (whether interim or final) have become payable in respect of the share;

 

  29.1.2

throughout the relevant period no cheque, warrant or money order payable on the share has been presented by the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share to the paying bank of the relevant cheque, warrant or money order, no payment made by the Company by any other means permitted by article 125.1 has been claimed or accepted and, so far as any director of the Company at the end of the relevant period is then aware, the Company has not


  at any time during the relevant period received any communication from the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share;

 

  29.1.3

on expiry of the relevant period the Company has sent a notice either in hard copy form to the last known physical address or in electronic form to the last known email address that the Company has for the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share shown in the register giving notice of the Company’s intention to sell the relevant shares. Before sending such notice, the Company must have used reasonable efforts to trace the relevant holder, engaging, if the Company considers appropriate (in its sole discretion), a professional asset reunification company or other tracing agent; and

 

  29.1.4

the Company has not, so far as the board is aware, during a further period of three months after the sending of the notice referred to in article 29.1.3 and before the exercise of the power of sale received a communication from the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share.

 

29.2

Where a power of sale is exercisable over a share pursuant to article 29.1 (a “Sale Share”), the Company may at the same time also sell any additional share issued in right of such Sale Share or in right of such an additional share previously so issued provided that the requirements of articles 29.1.2 to 29.1.4 (as if the words “throughout the relevant period” were omitted from article 29.1.2 and the words “on expiry of the relevant period” were omitted from article 29.1.3 of this article) shall have been satisfied in relation to the additional share.

 

29.3

To give effect to a sale pursuant to articles 29.1 or 29.2, the board may authorise a person to transfer the share in the name and on behalf of the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share, or to cause the transfer of such share, to the purchaser or his/her nominee and in relation to an uncertificated share may require the Operator to convert the share into certificated form in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations. The purchaser is not bound to see to the application of the purchase money and the title of the transferee is not affected by an irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings connected with the sale of the share.

 

30.

APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE

The Company shall be indebted to the member or other person entitled by transmission to the share for the net proceeds of sale for a period of six years following the date of such sale and shall carry any amount received on sale to a separate account. The Company is deemed to be a debtor and not a trustee in respect of that amount for the member or other person. Any amount carried to the separate account may either be employed in the business of the Company or invested as the board may think fit. No interest is payable on that amount and the Company is not required to account for money earned on it. Following expiration of the six year period referred to above, the net proceeds of any such sale shall be forfeited by the relevant holder and shall belong to the Company which shall no longer be liable in any respect, nor be required to account to such holder or other person previously entitled thereto.


TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

31.

METHOD OF TRANSFER

 

31.1

A member may transfer all or any of his/her certificated shares by instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or in any other form approved by the secretary, and the instrument shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and (in the case of a transfer of a share which is not fully paid) by or on behalf of the transferee.

 

31.2

A member may transfer all or any of his/her uncertificated shares in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations.

 

31.3

Subject to the provisions of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, the transferor of a share is deemed to remain the holder of the share until the name of the transferee is entered in the register in respect of it.

 

32.

RIGHT TO REFUSE REGISTRATION

 

32.1

Subject to this article and article 70, shares of the Company are free from any restriction on transfer. In exceptional circumstances approved by the FCA, the board may refuse to register a transfer of certificated shares provided that such refusal would not disturb the market in those shares. Subject to the requirements of the Listing Rules, the board may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register the transfer of a certificated share which is not fully paid or the transfer of a certificated share on which the Company has a lien.

 

32.2

The board may also, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register the transfer of a certificated share or a renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

  32.2.1

it is in respect of only one class of shares;

 

  32.2.2

it is in favour of (as the case may be) a single transferee or renouncee or not more than four joint transferees (except in the case of executors or trustees of a member) or renouncees;

 

  32.2.3

it is duly stamped (if required); and

 

  32.2.4

it is delivered for registration to the office or such other place as the secretary may decide, accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates (except in the case of a person to whom the Company is not required by sections 769, 776, 777 or 778 of the Act to issue a certificate, or in the case of a renunciation) and such other evidence as the secretary may reasonably require to prove the title of the transferor or person renouncing and the due execution by him/her of the transfer or renunciation or, if the transfer or renunciation is executed by some other person on his/her behalf, the authority of that person to do so.

 

32.3

If the board refuses to register the transfer of a certificated share it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company, send notice of the refusal to the transferee together with its reasons for the refusal. An instrument of transfer which the board refuses to register


  shall (except in the case of suspected fraud) be returned to the person depositing it. Subject to article 144, the Company may retain all instruments of transfer which are registered.

 

32.4

In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, the Operator of the relevant system shall register a transfer of title to any uncertificated share or any renounceable right of allotment of a share which is a participating security held in uncertificated form unless the Uncertificated Securities Regulations permit the Operator of the relevant system to refuse to register such a transfer in certain circumstances in which case the said Operator may refuse such registration.

 

32.5

In accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, if the Operator of the relevant system refuses to register the transfer of an uncertificated share or of any such uncertificated renounceable right of allotment of a share it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the relevant system-member instruction or issuer instruction (as the case may be) was received by the Operator, send notice of the refusal to the relevant system-member or participating issuer (as the case may be).

 

32.6

In accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, where title to an uncertificated share is transferred by means of a relevant system to a person who is to hold such share in certificated form thereafter, the Company as participating issuer shall register the transfer in accordance with the relevant Operator-instruction, but so that the Company may refuse to register such a transfer in any circumstance permitted by the Uncertificated Securities Regulations.

 

32.7

In accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, if the Company as participating issuer refuses to register the transfer of title to an uncertificated share transferred by means of a relevant system to a person who is to hold such share in certificated form thereafter, it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the Operator-instruction was received by the Company, send notice of the refusal to the transferee.

 

33.

FEES ON REGISTRATION

The Company (at its option) may or may not charge a fee for registering the transfer of a share or the renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment or other document or instructions relating to or affecting the title to a share or the right to transfer it or for making any other entry in the register.

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

 

34.

ON DEATH

 

34.1

The Company shall recognise only the personal representative or representatives of a deceased member as having title to a share held by that member alone or to which he/she alone was entitled. In the case of a share held jointly by more than one person, the Company may recognise only the survivor or survivors as being entitled to it.


34.2

Nothing in the articles releases the estate of a deceased member from liability in respect of a share which has been solely or jointly held by him/her.

 

35.

ELECTION OF PERSON ENTITLED BY TRANSMISSION

 

35.1

A person becoming entitled by transmission to a share may, on production of such evidence as, subject to the Act, the board may require as to his/her entitlement, elect either to be registered as a member or to have a person nominated by him/her registered as a member.

 

35.2

If he/she elects to be registered himself/herself, he/she shall give notice to the Company to that effect. If he/she elects to have another person registered, he/she shall:

 

  35.2.1

if it is a certificated share, execute an instrument of transfer of the share to that person; or

 

  35.2.2

if it is an uncertificated share:

 

  (a)

procure that instructions are given by means of a relevant system to effect transfer of the share to that person; or

 

  (b)

change the share to a certificated share and execute an instrument of transfer of the share to that person.

 

35.3

All the provisions of the articles relating to the transfer of certificated shares apply to the notice or instrument of transfer (as the case may be) as if it were an instrument of transfer executed by the member and his/her death, bankruptcy or other event giving rise to a transmission of entitlement had not occurred.

 

35.4

The secretary may give notice requiring a person to make the election referred to in article 35.1. If that notice is not complied with within 60 days, the secretary may withhold payment of all dividends and other amounts payable in respect of the share until notice of election has been made.

 

36.

RIGHTS ON TRANSMISSION

Where a person becomes entitled by transmission to a share, the rights of the holder in relation to that share cease. The person entitled by transmission may, however, give a good discharge for dividends and other amounts payable in respect of the share and, subject to articles 35 and 125, has the rights to which he/she would be entitled if he/she were the holder of the share. The person entitled by transmission is not, however, before he/she is registered as the holder of the share entitled in respect of it to receive notice of or exercise rights conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company or a separate meeting of the holders of a class of shares.

FRACTIONS OF SHARES

 

37.

FRACTIONS

 

37.1

If, as the result of consolidation and division or sub-division of shares, members would become entitled to fractions of a share, the board may on behalf of the members deal with the fractions as it thinks fit. Subject to the Act and to the Uncertificated Securities


  Regulations, the board may, in effecting divisions and/or consolidations, treat a member’s shares held in certificated form and uncertificated form as separate holdings. In particular, the board may:

 

  37.1.1

sell any shares representing fractions to a person (including, subject to the Act, to the Company) and distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion amongst the persons entitled or, if the board decides, some or all of the sum raised on a sale may be retained for the benefit of the Company; or

 

  37.1.2

subject to the Act, allot or issue to a member credited as fully paid by way of capitalisation the minimum number of shares required to round up his/her holding of shares to a number which, following consolidation and division or sub-division, leaves a whole number of shares (such allotment or issue being deemed to have been effected immediately before consolidation or sub-division, as the case may be).

 

37.2

To give effect to a sale pursuant to article 37.1.1 the secretary may arrange for the shares representing the fractions to be entered in the register as certificated shares. The secretary may also authorise a person to transfer the shares to, or to the direction of, the purchaser. The purchaser is not bound to see to the application of the purchase money and the title of the transferee to the shares is not affected by an irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings connected with the sale.

 

37.3

If shares are allotted or issued pursuant to article 37.1.2, the amount required to pay up those shares may be capitalised as the board thinks fit out of amounts standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution, and applied in paying up in full the appropriate number of shares. A resolution of the board capitalising part of the reserves has the same effect as if the capitalisation had been declared by ordinary resolution of the Company pursuant to article 133. In relation to the capitalisation the board may exercise all the powers conferred on it by article 132 without an ordinary resolution of the Company.

COMPANY NAME

 

38.

CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME

Subject to the Act, the board may by resolution change the name of the Company.

GENERAL MEETINGS

 

39.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS

Subject to the Act, the Company shall hold an annual general meeting in each period of 6 months beginning with the day following its accounting reference date. Such meetings shall be convened by the board at such time and place as it thinks fit.

 

40.

CONVENING OF GENERAL MEETINGS BY THE BOARD

 

40.1

The board may convene a general meeting whenever it thinks fit.


40.2

The board shall determine whether a general meeting is to be held as a physical meeting or a hybrid meeting. The board may decide when and where, including at a physical location and simultaneously on one or more electronic platform(s), to hold a general meeting.

 

40.3

Nothing in these articles prevents a general meeting being held either as a physical meeting or as a hybrid meeting.

 

41.

CONVENING OF GENERAL MEETINGS BY REQUIREMENT OF THE MEMBERS

The board, on the requirement of members pursuant to the Act, shall call a general meeting: (i) within 21 days from the date on which the board becomes subject to the requirement; and (ii) to be held on a date not more than 28 days after the date of the notice convening the meeting. At a meeting convened on a requisition or by requisitionists no business may be transacted except that stated by the requisition or proposed by the board. A general meeting may also be convened in accordance with article 95.

 

42.

LENGTH AND FORM OF NOTICE

 

42.1

An annual general meeting shall be called by not less than 21 clear days’ notice. Subject to the Act, all other general meetings may be called by not less than 14 clear days’ notice.

 

42.2

The notice of meeting shall be given to the members (other than any who, under the provisions of the articles or the terms of allotment or issue of shares, are not entitled to receive notice), to the directors and to the auditors.

 

42.3

The board may determine that persons entitled to receive notices of meeting are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the board, provided that, if the Company is a participating issuer, the day determined by the board may not be more than 21 days before the day that the relevant notice of meeting is being sent.

 

42.4

The notice of meeting shall also specify a time (which shall not be more than 48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time fixed for the meeting) by which a person must be entered on the register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting. Changes to entries on the register after the time so specified in the notice shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to so attend or vote.

 

42.5

The notice of a general meeting shall specify the time, date and place and (in the case of a hybrid meeting only) electronic platform(s) of the general meeting.

 

42.6

The notice shall include details of any arrangements made for the purposes of article 53 (General meetings at more than one place) (making it clear that participation in those arrangements will amount to attendance at the meeting to which the notice relates).

 

42.7

If the directors determine that a general meeting shall be held as a hybrid meeting, the notice shall specify any access, identification and security arrangements determined in accordance with article 56.


43.

OMISSION TO SEND NOTICE

The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting or to send, supply or make available any document or information relating to the meeting, or the non-receipt of any such notice, document or information by a person entitled to receive any such notice, document or information shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting or the adjournment thereof.

 

44.

POSTPONEMENT OF GENERAL MEETINGS

If the board, in its absolute discretion, considers that it is impractical or unreasonable for any reason to hold a general meeting at the time, date, place and/or on the electronic platform(s) specified in the notice calling the general meeting, it may move and/or postpone the general meeting to another time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s). The board shall take reasonable steps to ensure that notice of the date, time, place and/or the electronic platform(s) of the moved and/or postponed meeting is provided to any member trying to attend the meeting at the original date, time, place and/or on the electronic platform(s). When a meeting is so moved and/or postponed, notice of the date, time, place and/or the electronic platform(s) of the moved and/or postponed meeting shall be given in such manner as the board may, in its absolute discretion, determine. Notice of the business to be transacted at such moved and/or postponed meeting is not required. The board must take reasonable steps to ensure that members trying to attend the general meeting at the original time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) are informed of the new arrangements for the general meeting. Proxy forms can be delivered as specified in article 63. Any postponed and/or moved meeting may also be postponed and/or moved under this article.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

45.

QUORUM

Subject to the Act, the quorum for a general meeting is five qualifying persons present and entitled to vote.

 

46.

NO BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED UNLESS QUORUM PRESENT

No business may be transacted at a general meeting unless a quorum is present. The absence of a quorum does not prevent the appointment of a chair in accordance with the articles, which shall not be treated as part of the business of the meeting.

 

47.

PROCEDURE IF QUORUM NOT PRESENT

 

47.1

If a quorum is not present within fifteen minutes (or such longer time as the chair decides to wait) after the time fixed for the start of the meeting or if there is no longer a quorum present at any time during the meeting, the meeting, if convened by or on the requisition of members, is dissolved. In any other case it stands adjourned to such other day (being not less than 10 nor more than 28 days later) and at such other time, place and/or electronic platform(s) as may have been specified for the purpose in the notice convening the meeting. Where no such arrangements have been specified, the meeting stands adjourned to such other day (being not less than 10 nor more than 28 days later)


  and at such other time, place and/or electronic platform(s) as the chair (or, in default, the board) decides.

 

47.2

At an adjourned meeting the quorum is two qualifying persons present and entitled to vote. If a quorum is not present within fifteen minutes from the time fixed for the start of the meeting, the adjourned meeting shall be dissolved.

 

47.3

Subject to article 47.1, save where the time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) for the adjourned meeting has been specified for the purpose in the notice convening the meeting as referred to in article 47.1 (in which case notice of the adjourned meeting need not be given), the Company shall give not less than seven clear days’ notice of any meeting adjourned for the lack of a quorum and the notice shall state the quorum requirement.

 

48.

CHAIR

 

48.1

The chair (if any) of the board or, in his/her absence, the deputy chair (if any) shall preside as chair at a general meeting. If there is no chair or deputy chair, or if at a meeting neither is present within five minutes after the time fixed for the start of the meeting or neither is willing and able to act, the directors present shall select one of their number to be chair. If only one director is present and willing and able to act, he/she shall be chair. In default, the members present and entitled to vote shall choose one of their number to be chair.

 

48.2

Without prejudice to any other power which he/she may have under the provisions of the articles or at common law, the chair may take such action as he/she thinks fit to promote the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting as specified in the notice of meeting and the chair’s decision, made in good faith, on matters of procedure or arising incidentally from the business of the meeting shall be final, as shall be his/her determination as to whether any matter is of such a nature.

 

49.

ATTENDANCE AND SPEAKING AT GENERAL MEETINGS

 

49.1

Each director shall be entitled to attend and speak at a general meeting and at a separate meeting of the holders of a class of shares or debentures whether or not he/she is a member.

 

49.2

The chair may invite any person to attend and speak at any general meeting of the Company where he/she considers that this will assist in the deliberations of the meeting.

 

49.3

The board may make whatever arrangements it considers appropriate to enable those participating at a general meeting, whether at a physical or hybrid meeting, to exercise their right to speak, hear and be heard. For the purposes of these articles a person is able to exercise their right to “speak” and “be heard” when the chair of the meeting is satisfied that the arrangements enable that person to be able to communicate to all those attending the meeting, during the meeting, information, questions or opinions on the business of the meeting. For these purposes being able to communicate in this way shall include, without limitation, any electronic means, the use of microphones, loud speakers, audio visual equipment, electronic platforms or other means of communication whatsoever (or any combination thereof) including, without limitation, the relevant information, questions or opinions being made available to some or all of


  those attending the meeting in electronic or typed form or being read to the meeting by someone authorised to do so by the board. For the purposes of these articles, “hear” and the right to “hear” shall be construed accordingly.

 

50.

POWER TO ADJOURN

 

50.1

The chair may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall, if so directed by the meeting), adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place (including any electronic platform(s)) or for an indefinite period.

 

50.2

Without prejudice to any other power which he/she may have under the provisions of the articles or at common law, the chair may, without the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place (including any electronic platform(s)) or for an indefinite period if he/she decides that it has become necessary to do so in order to:

 

  50.2.1

secure the proper and orderly conduct of the meeting;

 

  50.2.2

give all persons entitled to do so a reasonable opportunity of speaking and voting at the meeting; or

 

  50.2.3

ensure that the business of the meeting is properly disposed of.

 

51.

NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETING

 

51.1

Whenever a meeting is adjourned for 14 days or more or for an indefinite period pursuant to article 50, at least seven clear days’ notice shall be given to the members (other than any who, under the provisions of the articles or the terms of allotment or issue of the shares, are not entitled to receive notice), the directors and the auditors. Except in these circumstances it is not necessary to give notice of a meeting adjourned pursuant to article 50 or of the business to be transacted at the adjourned meeting.

 

51.2

The board may determine that persons entitled to receive notice of an adjourned meeting in accordance with this article are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the board, provided that, if the Company is a participating issuer, the day determined by the board may not be more than 21 days before the day that the relevant notice of meeting is being sent.

 

51.3

The notice of an adjourned meeting given in accordance with this article shall also specify a time (which shall not be more than 48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time fixed for the meeting) by which a person must be entered on the register in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting. Changes to entries on the register after the time so specified in the notice shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to so attend or vote.

 

52.

BUSINESS AT ADJOURNED MEETING

No business may be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business which might properly have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.


53.

GENERAL MEETINGS AT MORE THAN ONE PLACE

The board may resolve to enable persons entitled to attend a general meeting to do so physically by simultaneous attendance and participation at a satellite meeting place anywhere in the world and the members present at satellite meeting places shall be counted in the quorum for and entitled to vote at the general meeting in question, and that meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid provided that the chair of the general meeting is satisfied that adequate facilities are available throughout the general meeting to ensure that members attending at all the meeting places are able to (i) participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened, (ii) hear all persons who speak in the principal meeting place and any satellite meeting place and (iii) be heard by all other persons so present at the meeting. The chair of the general meeting shall be present at, and the meeting shall be deemed to take place at, the principal meeting place.

 

54.

HYBRID MEETINGS

 

54.1

Without prejudice to article 53, the board may decide to enable persons entitled to attend a meeting to do so by either electronic means or electronic platform(s) or physical attendance at a hybrid meeting. Members, their proxies or corporate representatives present shall be counted in the quorum for, and entitled to vote at, the general meeting in question, and that meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chair of the meeting is satisfied that adequate facilities are available throughout the hybrid meeting to ensure that members or their proxies or corporate representatives attending the hybrid meeting who are not present together at the same place may:

 

  54.1.1

participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened;

 

  54.1.2

hear all persons who speak at the meeting; and

 

  54.1.3

be heard by all other persons present at the meeting.

 

54.2

If it appears to the chair of the meeting that the electronic platform(s), facilities or security at the hybrid meeting have become inadequate for the purposes referred to in article 54.1 then the chair may, without the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn the general meeting. All business conducted at that general meeting up to the time of that adjournment shall be valid and the provisions of articles 50 to 52 shall apply to that adjournment.

 

55.

ACCOMMODATION OF MEMBERS AT MEETING

 

55.1

If it appears to the chair of the meeting that the principal meeting place or any satellite meeting place is inadequate to accommodate all members and proxies entitled and wishing to attend, the meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chair is satisfied that adequate facilities are available to ensure that a member or proxy who is unable to be accommodated is able to:

 

  55.1.1

participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened;

 

  55.1.2

hear all persons present who speak, whether in the meeting place or elsewhere; and


  55.1.3

be heard by all other persons present at the meeting,

and provided that members and proxies entitled to attend the meeting are afforded an opportunity of being admitted to the principal meeting place, whether by means of the issue of tickets or the imposition of some random means of selection or otherwise as the chair shall in his/her absolute discretion consider to be appropriate, and the chair may from time to time vary any such arrangements or make new arrangements in their place and the entitlement of any member or proxy to attend a general meeting at the principal place shall be subject to such arrangements as may be for the time being in force whether or not stated in the notice of the meeting. The meeting shall be deemed to take place at the principal meeting place.

 

55.2

If it appears to the chair that the principal meeting place or any satellite meeting place have become inadequate for the purposes set out in articles 55.1.1 to 55.1.3 above, the chair of the meeting may, without the consent of the meeting, interrupt or adjourn the general meeting. All business conducted at the general meeting up to the point of the adjournment shall be valid.

 

56.

SECURITY

 

56.1

The chair of the meeting may make any arrangement and impose any restriction he/she considers appropriate to ensure the security of a meeting and the health and safety of those in attendance including the searching of a person attending the meeting and the restriction of the items of personal property that may be taken into the meeting place. The chair may himself/herself or may authorise one or more persons, who shall include a director or the secretary to:

 

  (a)

refuse entry to a meeting to a person who refuses to comply with these arrangements or restrictions; and

 

  (b)

eject from a meeting any person who causes the proceedings to become disorderly.

 

56.2

In relation to a hybrid meeting, the board may make any arrangement and impose any requirement or restriction as is:

 

  (a)

necessary to ensure the identification of those taking part by way of electronic platform(s) and the security of any electronic communication; and

 

  (b)

proportionate to those objectives.

In this respect, the directors may authorise any voting application, system or facility for hybrid meetings as they see fit.

VOTING

 

57.

METHOD OF VOTING

 

57.1

A resolution put to the vote of a general meeting held as a hybrid meeting shall be decided on a poll. Subject thereto, a resolution put to the vote at a general meeting shall be decided on a show of hands unless (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) a poll is properly demanded by:


  57.1.1

the chair of the meeting;

 

  57.1.2

not less than five members entitled to vote on the resolution;

 

  57.1.3

a member or members representing in aggregate not less than ten per cent. of the total voting rights of all the members having the right to vote on the resolution (excluding any voting rights attached to any shares in the Company held as treasury shares); or

 

  57.1.4

a member or members holding shares conferring a right to vote on the resolution, being shares on which an aggregate sum has been paid up equal to not less than ten per cent. of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right (excluding shares in the Company conferring a right to vote on the resolution which are held as treasury shares).

For the purposes of 57.1.2 above, a demand by a proxy counts as a demand by the member. For the purposes of 57.1.3 above, a demand by a proxy counts as a demand by a member representing the voting rights that the proxy is authorised to exercise. For the purposes of 57.1.4 above, a demand by a proxy counts as a demand by a member holding the shares to which those rights are attached.

 

57.2

On a vote on a resolution at a meeting on a show of hands a declaration by the chair that the resolution has or has not been passed, or has or has not been passed by a particular majority, is conclusive evidence of that fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution. An entry in respect of such a declaration in minutes of the meeting recorded in accordance with section 355 of the Act is also conclusive evidence of that fact without such proof.

 

58.

PROCEDURE ON A POLL

 

58.1

If a poll is properly demanded, it shall be taken in such manner as the chair directs. He/she may appoint scrutineers, who need not be members, and may fix a time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) for declaring the result of the poll. The result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

58.2

A poll demanded on the election of a chair or on any question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting and without adjournment. A poll demanded on another question shall be taken at such time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) as the chair decides, either at once or after an interval or adjournment (but not more than 30 clear days after the date of the demand).

 

58.3

No notice need be given of a poll not taken immediately if the time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) at which it is to be taken are announced at the meeting at which it is demanded. In any other case at least seven clear days’ notice shall be given specifying the time, date, place and/or electronic platform(s) at which the poll shall be taken.

 

58.4

The demand for a poll may be withdrawn but only with the consent of the chair. A demand withdrawn in this way validates the result of a show of hands declared before the demand was made. If a poll is demanded before the declaration of the result of a


  show of hands and the demand is duly withdrawn, the meeting shall continue as if the demand had not been made.

 

58.5

The demand for a poll (other than on the election of the chair or on a question of adjournment) does not prevent the meeting continuing for the transaction of business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.

 

58.6

On a poll taken at a general meeting of the Company, a member present and entitled to more than one vote need not, if he/she votes, use all his/her votes or cast all the votes he/she uses in the same way.

 

59.

VOTES OF MEMBERS

 

59.1

Subject to special rights or restrictions as to voting attached to any class of shares by or in accordance with the articles, on a vote on a resolution:

 

  59.1.1

on a show of hands at a meeting:

 

  (a)

every member present (not being present by proxy) and entitled to vote on the resolution has one vote; and

 

  (b)

every proxy present who has been duly appointed by a member entitled to vote on the resolution has one vote, except where:

 

  (i)

that proxy has been duly appointed by more than one member entitled to vote on the resolution; and

 

  (ii)

the proxy has been instructed:

 

  (A)

by one or more of those members to vote for the resolution and by one or more of those members to vote against the resolution; or

 

  (B)

by one or more of those members to vote in the same way on the resolution (whether for or against) and one or more of those members has permitted the proxy discretion as to how to vote,

 

    

in which case, the proxy has one vote for and one vote against the resolution; and

 

  59.1.2

on a poll taken at a meeting, every member present and entitled to vote on the resolution or, subject to articles 62 and 64, every member present by duly appointed proxy, has one vote in respect of each share held by the relevant member.

 

59.2

In the case of joint holders of a share, only the vote of the senior holder who votes (and any proxy duly authorised by him/her) may be counted by the Company. For the purposes of this article, the senior holder of a share is determined by the order in which the names of the joint holders appear in the register.


59.3

A member in respect of whom an order has been made by a court or official having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) that he/she is or may be suffering from mental disorder or is otherwise incapable of running his/her affairs may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his/her guardian, receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised for that purpose and appointed by the court. A guardian, receiver, curator bonis or other authorised and appointed person may, on a poll, vote by proxy if evidence (to the satisfaction of the board) of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote is received at the office (or at another place specified in accordance with the articles for the delivery or receipt of forms of appointment of a proxy) or in any other manner specified in the articles for the appointment of a proxy within the time limits prescribed by the articles for the appointment of a proxy for use at the meeting, adjourned meeting or poll at which the right to vote is to be exercised, and in default the right to vote shall not be exercisable.

 

60.

NO CASTING VOTE

In the case of an equality of votes whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chair of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded shall not be entitled to a casting vote.

 

61.

RESTRICTION ON VOTING RIGHTS FOR UNPAID CALLS ETC.

Unless the board otherwise decides, no member is entitled in respect of a share held by him/her to be present or to vote, either in person, by means of an electronic platform or by proxy, at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of any class of shares or on a poll, or to exercise other rights conferred by membership in relation to the meeting or poll, if a call or other amount due and payable in respect of the share is unpaid. This restriction ceases on payment of the amount outstanding and all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of the non-payment.

 

62.

VOTING BY PROXY

 

62.1

Subject to article 62.2, an instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing in any usual form (or in another form approved by the board) executed under the hand of the appointor or his/her duly constituted attorney or, if the appointor is a company, under its seal or under the hand of its duly authorised officer or attorney or other person authorised to sign.

 

62.2

Subject to the Act, the secretary may accept the appointment of a proxy received by electronic means on such terms and subject to such conditions as he/she considers fit. The appointment of a proxy received by electronic means shall not be subject to the requirements of article 62.1.

 

62.3

For the purposes of articles 62.1 and 62.2, the secretary may require such reasonable evidence he/she considers necessary to determine:

 

  62.3.1

the identity of the member and the proxy; and

 

  62.3.2

where the proxy is appointed by a person acting on behalf of the member, the authority of that person to make the appointment.


62.4

A member may appoint another person as his/her proxy to exercise all or any of his/her rights to attend and to speak and to vote (both on a show of hands and on a poll) on a resolution or amendment of a resolution, or on other business arising, at a meeting or meetings of the Company. Unless the contrary is stated in it, the appointment of a proxy shall be deemed to confer authority to exercise all such rights, as the proxy thinks fit.

 

62.5

A proxy need not be a member.

 

62.6

A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares held by the member. When two or more valid but differing appointments of proxy are delivered or received for the same share for use at the same meeting, the one which is last validly delivered or received (regardless of its date or the date of its execution) shall be treated as replacing and revoking the other or others as regards that share. If the Company is unable to determine which appointment was last validly delivered or received, none of them shall be treated as valid in respect of that share.

 

62.7

Delivery or receipt of an appointment of proxy does not prevent a member attending and voting in person or by means of an electronic platform (in the case of a hybrid meeting) at the meeting or an adjournment of the meeting or on a poll.

 

62.8

The appointment of a proxy shall (unless the contrary is stated in it) be valid for an adjournment of the meeting as well as for the meeting or meetings to which it relates. The appointment of a proxy shall be valid for 6 months from the date of execution or, in the case of an appointment of proxy delivered by electronic means, for 6 months from the date of delivery unless otherwise specified by the board.

 

62.9

Subject to the Act and the requirements of the Listing Rules and the Transparency Rules, the Company may send a form of appointment of proxy to all or none of the persons entitled to receive notice of and to vote at a meeting. If sent, the form shall provide for three-way voting on all resolutions (other than procedural resolutions) set out in the notice of meeting.

 

63.

APPOINTMENT OF PROXY

 

63.1

The form of appointment of a proxy and any reasonable evidence required by the board in accordance with article 62.3 shall be:

 

  63.1.1

subject to articles 63.1.3 and 63.1.4, in the case of an instrument of proxy in hard copy form, delivered to the office, or another place in the United Kingdom specified in the notice convening the meeting or in the form of appointment of proxy or other accompanying document sent by the Company in relation to the meeting not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the form of appointment of proxy proposes to vote;

 

  63.1.2

subject to articles 63.1.3 and 63.1.4, in the case of an appointment of a proxy sent by electronic means, where the Company has given an electronic address:

 

  (a)

in the notice calling the meeting;


  (b)

in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company in relation to the meeting;

 

  (c)

in an invitation to appoint a proxy issued by the Company in relation to the meeting; or

 

  (d)

on a website maintained by or on behalf of the Company on which any information relating to the meeting is required by the Act to be kept,

received at such address not less than 48 hours before the time for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the person named in the form of appointment of proxy proposes to vote;

 

  63.1.3

in the case of a meeting adjourned for less than 28 days but more than 48 hours or in the case of a poll taken more than 48 hours after it is demanded, delivered or received as required by articles 63.1.1 or 63.1.2 not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the adjourned meeting or the taking of the poll; or

 

  63.1.4

in the case of a meeting adjourned for not more than 48 hours or in the case of a poll not taken immediately but taken not more than 48 hours after it was demanded, delivered at the adjourned meeting or at the meeting at which the poll was demanded to the chair or to the secretary or to any director.

An appointment of proxy not delivered or received in accordance with this article is invalid.

 

63.2

Without limiting the foregoing, in relation to any shares which are held in uncertificated form, the secretary may from time to time permit appointments of a proxy to be made by electronic means in the form of an uncertificated proxy instruction and may in a similar manner permit supplements to, or amendments or revocations of, any such uncertificated proxy instruction to be so made. The secretary may in addition prescribe the method of determining the time at which any such uncertificated proxy instruction (and/or other instruction or notification) is to be treated as received by the Company or a participant acting on its behalf. The secretary may treat any such uncertificated proxy instruction which purports to be or is expressed to be sent on behalf of a holder of a share as sufficient evidence of the authority of the person sending that instruction to send it on behalf of that holder.

 

64.

VALIDITY OF ACTIONS BY PROXY OR REPRESENTATIVE OF A CORPORATION

 

64.1

The Company is not obliged to verify that a proxy or representative of a corporation has acted in accordance with the terms of his/her appointment and any failure to so act in accordance with the terms of his/her appointment shall not affect the validity of any proceedings at a meeting of the Company.

 

64.2

The termination of the authority of a person to act as proxy or as the duly authorised representative of a member which is a corporation does not affect whether he/she counts in deciding whether there is a quorum at a meeting, the validity of anything he/she does as chair of a meeting, the validity of a poll demanded by him/her at a meeting, or the


  validity of a vote given by that person unless notice of the termination was received by the Company at the office or, in the case of a proxy, any other place specified for delivery or receipt of the form of appointment of proxy or, where the appointment of proxy was sent by electronic means, at the address at which the form of appointment was received, not later than the last time at which an appointment of proxy should have been delivered or received in order to be valid for use at the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the meeting or adjourned meeting) for use on the holding of the poll at which the vote is cast.

 

65.

CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES

In accordance with the Act, a corporation which is a member may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise a person or persons to act as its representative or representatives at any meeting of the Company (a “representative”). A director or another person authorised for the purpose by the secretary may require a representative to produce a certified copy of the resolution of authorisation before permitting him/her to exercise his/her powers.

 

66.

OBJECTIONS TO AND ERROR IN VOTING

No objection may be made to the qualification of a voter or to the counting of, or failure to count, a vote, except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered or at which the error occurs. An objection properly made shall be referred to the chair and only invalidates the decision of the meeting on any resolution if, in the opinion of the chair, it is of sufficient magnitude to affect the decision of the meeting. The decision of the chair on such matters is conclusive and binding on all concerned.

 

67.

AMENDMENTS TO SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS

No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as a special resolution (other than an amendment to correct a patent error) may be considered or voted on.

 

68.

AMENDMENTS TO ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution (other than an amendment to correct a patent error) may be considered or voted on unless either:

 

  (a)

at least 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the ordinary resolution is to be considered, notice of the terms of the amendment and intention to move it has been lodged at the office; or

 

  (b)

the chair in his/her absolute discretion decides that the amendment may be considered or voted on.

If an amendment proposed to a resolution under consideration is ruled out of order by the chair the proceedings on the substantive resolution are not invalidated by an error in his/her ruling.


69.

CLASS MEETINGS

Save for the circumstances set out in s.334(2) and s.334(2A) of the Act, a separate meeting for the holders of a class of shares shall be convened and conducted as nearly as possible in the same way as a general meeting (including for the avoidance of doubt by way of a hybrid meeting), except that:

 

  (a)

no member is entitled to notice of it or to attend unless he/she is a holder of shares of that class;

 

  (b)

no vote may be cast except in respect of a share of that class;

 

  (c)

the quorum at a meeting (other than an adjourned meeting) is two qualifying persons present and entitled to vote and holding, representing or authorised to exercise voting rights in respect of, at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares);

 

  (d)

the quorum at an adjourned meeting is one qualifying person present and entitled to vote and holding, representing or authorised to exercise voting rights in respect of, shares of that class; and

 

  (e)

any holder of shares of that class present and entitled to vote may demand a poll.

 

70.

FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INTERESTS IN SHARES

 

70.1

Having regard to the requirements of the Listing Rules, where notice is served by the Company under section 793 of the Act (a “section 793 notice”) on a member, or another person appearing to be interested in shares held by that member, and the member or other person has failed in relation to any shares (the “default shares”, which expression includes any shares allotted or issued after the date of the section 793 notice in respect of those shares) to give the Company the information required within the prescribed period from the date of service of the section 793 notice, the following sanctions apply, unless the board otherwise decides:

 

  70.1.1

the member shall not be entitled in respect of the default shares to be present or to vote (either in person or by proxy including by means of an electronic platform) at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of a class of shares or on a poll; and

 

  70.1.2

where the default shares represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of the issued shares of their class (excluding any share of their class held as treasury shares):

 

  (a)

a dividend (or any part of a dividend) or other amount payable in respect of the default shares shall be withheld by the Company, which has no obligation to pay interest on it, and the member shall not be entitled to elect, pursuant to article 131, to receive shares instead of a dividend; and

 

  (b)

no transfer of any certificated default shares shall be registered unless the transfer is an excepted transfer or:


  (i)

the member is not himself/herself in default in supplying the information required; and

 

  (ii)

the member proves to the satisfaction of the board that no person in default in supplying the information required is interested in any of the shares the subject of the transfer.

 

70.2

For the purpose of enforcing the sanction in article 70.1.2(b), the board may give notice to the member requiring the member to change default shares held in uncertificated form to certificated form by the time stated in the notice. The notice may also state that the member may not change any default shares held in certificated form to uncertificated form. If the member does not comply with the notice, the board may require the Operator to convert default shares held in uncertificated form into certificated form in the name and on behalf of the member in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations.

 

70.3

The sanctions under article 70.1 cease to apply seven days after the earlier of:

 

  70.3.1

receipt by the Company of notice of an excepted transfer, but only in relation to the shares thereby transferred; and

 

  70.3.2

receipt by the Company, in a form satisfactory to the board, of all the information required by the section 793 notice.

 

70.4

Where, on the basis of information obtained from a member in respect of a share held by him/her, the Company issues a section 793 notice to another person, it shall at the same time send a copy of the section 793 notice to the member, but the accidental omission to do so, or the non-receipt by the member of the copy, does not invalidate or otherwise affect the application of articles 70.1 or 70.2.

 

70.5

For the purposes of this article 70:

 

  70.5.1

a person, other than the member holding a share, shall be treated as appearing to be interested in that share if the member has informed the Company that the person is or may be interested, or if the Company (after taking account of information obtained from the member or, pursuant to a section 793 notice, from anyone else) knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the person is or may be so interested;

 

  70.5.2

interested” shall be construed as it is for the purpose of section 793 of the Act;

 

  70.5.3

reference to a person having failed to give the Company the information required by a section 793 notice, or being in default in supplying such information, includes (a) reference to his/her having failed or refused to give all or any part of it, and (b) reference to his/her having given information which he/she knows to be false in a material particular or having recklessly given information which is false in a material particular;

 

  70.5.4

the “prescribed period” means 14 days;

 

  70.5.5

an “excepted transfer” means, in relation to shares held by a member:


  (a)

a transfer pursuant to acceptance of a takeover offer for the Company (within the meaning of section 974 of the Act); or

 

  (b)

a transfer in consequence of a sale made through a recognised investment exchange (as defined in FSMA) or another stock exchange outside the United Kingdom on which shares in the capital of the Company are normally traded; or

 

  (c)

a transfer which is shown to the satisfaction of the board to be made in consequence of a sale of the whole of the beneficial interest in the shares to a person who is unconnected with the member and with any other person appearing to be interested in the shares.

 

70.6

The provisions of this article are in addition and without prejudice to the provisions of the Act.

APPOINTMENT, RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

 

71.

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

Unless and until otherwise decided by the Company by ordinary resolution the number of directors (disregarding alternate directors) must not be less than five.

 

72.

POWER OF THE COMPANY TO APPOINT DIRECTORS

Subject to the articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the board, but the total number of directors may not exceed any maximum number fixed in accordance with the articles.

 

73.

POWER OF THE BOARD TO APPOINT DIRECTORS

Without prejudice to the power of the Company to appoint a person to be a director pursuant to the articles, the board may appoint a person who is willing to act as a director, either to fill a vacancy or as an addition to the board, but the total number of directors may not exceed any maximum number fixed in accordance with the articles. A director appointed in this way may hold office only until the dissolution of the next annual general meeting after his/her appointment unless he/she is reappointed during that meeting. He/she is not required, and is not taken into account in determining the number of directors who are, to retire by rotation at the meeting.

 

74.

APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 

74.1

Subject to the Act, the board may appoint one or more of its body to hold an executive office or employment with the Company with such title and on such terms as to remuneration, pension and otherwise and with such of the powers exercisable by the board as it may think fit and (subject to the provisions of the Act) for such period as the board may determine. A director so appointed will, subject to the terms of any agreement between such director and the Company, be subject to the same provisions as to retirement or removal as the other directors and, without prejudice to any claim for damages or compensation to which such director may be entitled, the appointment will be automatically terminated if he/she ceases to be a director for any reason. The


  board may at any time, subject to the terms of any agreement entered into in any particular case, revoke, terminate or vary the terms of an appointment, without prejudice to a claim for damages for breach of the contract of service between the director and the Company or otherwise.

 

74.2

Subject to the Act, the board may enter into an agreement or arrangement with any director for the provision of any services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director. Any such agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms and conditions as (subject to the Act) the board thinks fit and (without prejudice to any other provision of the articles) it may remunerate any such director for such services as it thinks fit.

 

75.

ELIGIBILITY OF NEW DIRECTORS

 

75.1

No person other than a director retiring (by rotation or otherwise) may be appointed or reappointed a director at a general meeting unless:

 

  75.1.1

he/she is recommended by the board; or

 

  75.1.2

not less than seven nor more than 42 days before the date fixed for the meeting, notice has been given to the Company by a member (other than the person to be proposed) qualified to vote at the meeting of the intention to propose that person for appointment or reappointment. The notice shall (a) state the particulars which would, if the proposed director were appointed or reappointed, be required to be included in the Company’s register of directors, (b) be accompanied by notice given by the proposed director of his/her willingness to be appointed or reappointed, and (c) be lodged at the office.

 

75.2

A director need not be a member.

 

76.

VOTING ON RESOLUTION FOR APPOINTMENT

A resolution for the appointment of two or more persons as directors by a single resolution is void unless an ordinary resolution that the resolution for appointment is proposed in this way has first been agreed to by the meeting without a vote being given against it.

 

77.

RETIREMENT BY ROTATION

 

77.1

Subject to article 77.2, at each annual general meeting one-third of the directors who are subject to retirement by rotation or, if their number is not three or a multiple of three, the number nearest to but not greater than one third, shall retire from office provided that if there are fewer than three directors who are subject to retirement by rotation, one shall retire from office.

 

77.2

If any one or more directors:

 

  77.2.1

were last appointed or reappointed three years or more prior to the meeting;

 

  77.2.2

were last appointed or reappointed at the third immediately preceding annual general meeting; or


  77.2.3

at the time of the meeting will have served more than eight years as a non-executive director of the Company (excluding as the chair of the board),

he/she or they shall retire from office and shall be counted in obtaining the number required to retire at the meeting, provided that the number of directors required to retire under article 77.1 shall be increased to the extent necessary to comply with this article.

 

78.

DIRECTORS SUBJECT TO RETIREMENT

Subject to the Act and the articles, the directors to retire by rotation at an annual general meeting include, so far as necessary to obtain the number required, first, a director who wishes to retire and not offer himself/herself for reappointment, and, second, those directors who have been longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment. As between two or more who have been in office an equal length of time, the director to retire shall, in default of agreement between them, be determined by lot. The directors to retire on each occasion (both as to number and identity) shall be determined on the basis of the composition of the board at the start of business on the date of the notice convening the annual general meeting, disregarding a change in the number or identity of the directors after that time but before the close of the meeting.

 

79.

POSITION OF RETIRING DIRECTOR

A director who retires at an annual general meeting (whether by rotation or otherwise) may, if willing to act, be reappointed. Subject to articles 80.2 and 80.3, if he/she is not reappointed or deemed reappointed, he/she may retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his/her place or, if it does not do so, until the end of the meeting.

 

80.

DEEMED REAPPOINTMENT

 

80.1

At a general meeting at which a director retires by rotation the Company may by ordinary resolution fill the vacancy. Subject to articles 80.2 and 80.3, if the Company does not fill the vacancy, the retiring director shall be, if willing, deemed reappointed unless it is expressly resolved not to fill the vacancy or a resolution for the reappointment of the director is put to the meeting and lost.

 

80.2

If:

 

  80.2.1

any resolution or resolutions for the appointment or reappointment of the persons eligible for appointment or reappointment as directors are put to the annual general meeting and lost; and

 

  80.2.2

at the end of that meeting the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under article 71, all retiring directors who stood for reappointment at that meeting (the “retiring directors”) shall be deemed to have been reappointed as directors and shall remain in office, but the retiring directors:

 

  (a)

may only act for the purposes of filling vacancies and convening general meetings of the Company and may only perform such duties as are appropriate to maintain the Company as a going concern and to comply with the Company’s legal and regulatory obligations; and


  (b)

shall convene a general meeting as soon as reasonably practical following the meeting referred to in article 80.2.1 and they shall retire from office at that meeting if the number of directors appointed or ratified by the Company at that meeting is equal to or more than the minimum number of directors required under article 71.

 

80.3

If at the end of the general meeting convened under article 80.2.2 the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under article 71, the provisions of article 80.2 shall also apply in respect of such meeting.

 

81.

NO RETIREMENT ON ACCOUNT OF AGE

No person is incapable of being appointed a director by reason of his/her having reached the age of 70 or another age.

 

82.

REMOVAL BY ORDINARY RESOLUTION

In addition to any power of removal conferred by the Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution remove a director before the expiry of his/her period of office (without prejudice to a claim for damages for breach of contract or otherwise) and may (subject to the articles) by ordinary resolution appoint another person who is willing to act to be a director in his/her place. A person appointed in this way is treated, for the purposes of determining the time at which he/she or another director is to retire, as if he/she had become a director on the date on which the person in whose place he/she is appointed was last appointed or reappointed a director.

 

83.

VACATION OF OFFICE BY DIRECTOR

 

83.1

Without prejudice to the provisions for retirement (by rotation or otherwise) contained in the articles, the office of a director is vacated if:

 

  83.1.1

he/she resigns by notice delivered to the secretary at the office or tendered at a board meeting;

 

  83.1.2

where he/she has been appointed for a fixed term, the term expires;

 

  83.1.3

he/she ceases to be a director by virtue of a provision of the Act, is removed from office pursuant to the articles or becomes prohibited by law from being a director;

 

  83.1.4

he/she becomes bankrupt or compounds with his/her creditors generally or he/she applies to the court for an interim order under section 253 of the Insolvency Act 1986 in connection with a voluntary arrangement under that Act;

 

  83.1.5

a registered medical practitioner who is treating that person gives a written opinion to the Company stating that that person has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director and may remain so for more than three months;


  83.1.6

by reason of his/her mental health, a court makes an order which wholly or partly prevents that person from personally exercising any powers or rights which that person would otherwise have;

 

  83.1.7

both he/she and his/her alternate director appointed pursuant to the provisions of the articles (if any) are absent, without the permission of the board, from board meetings for six consecutive months and the board resolves that his/her office be vacated; or

 

  83.1.8

he/she is removed from office by notice addressed to him/her at his/her last-known address, approved by at least seventy five per cent. of the total number of directors for the time being (without prejudice to a claim for damages for breach of contract or otherwise).

 

83.2

A resolution of the board declaring a director to have vacated office under the terms of this article is conclusive as to the fact and grounds of vacation stated in the resolution.

 

83.3

If the office of a director is vacated for any reason, he/she shall cease to be a member of any committee of the board.

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

 

84.

APPOINTMENT

 

84.1

A director (other than an alternate director) may by notice delivered to the secretary at the office or tabled at a meeting of the board, or in any other manner approved by the board, appoint as his/her alternate director:

 

  84.1.1

another director, or

 

  84.1.2

another person approved by the board and willing to act.

No appointment of an alternate director who is not already a director shall be effective until his/her consent to act as a director in the form prescribed by the Act has been received at the office or tabled at a meeting of the board.

 

84.2

An alternate director need not be a member and shall not be counted in reckoning the number of directors for the purpose of article 71.

 

85.

REVOCATION OF APPOINTMENT

The board may at any time revoke the appointment of an alternate director. A director may by notice delivered to the secretary at the office or tabled at a meeting of the board revoke the appointment of his/her alternate director and, subject to the provisions of article 84, appoint another person in his/her place. If a director ceases to hold the office of director or if he/she dies, the appointment of his/her alternate director automatically ceases. If a director retires but is reappointed or deemed reappointed at the meeting at which his/her retirement takes effect, a valid appointment of an alternate director which was in force immediately before his/her retirement continues to operate after his/her reappointment as if he/she had not retired. The appointment of an alternate director ceases on the happening of an event which, if he/she were a director otherwise appointed, would cause him/her to vacate office.


86.

PARTICIPATION IN BOARD MEETINGS

An alternate director shall be, if he/she gives the Company an address in the United Kingdom at which notices may be served on him/her or an address at which notices may be served on him/her by electronic means, entitled to receive notice of all meetings of the board and all committees of the board of which his/her appointor is a member and, in the absence from those meetings of his/her appointor, to attend and vote at the meetings and to exercise all the powers, rights, duties and authorities of his/her appointor (other than the power to appoint an alternate of his/her appointor). A director acting as alternate director has a separate vote at meetings of the board and committees of the board for each director for whom he/she acts as alternate director but he/she counts as only one for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Execution by an alternate director of any resolution in writing of the board or a committee of the board will, unless the notice of appointment provides otherwise, be as effective as execution by his/her appointor.

 

87.

RESPONSIBILITY

A person acting as an alternate director shall be an officer of the Company, shall alone be responsible to the Company for his/her acts and defaults, and shall not be deemed to be the agent of his/her appointor.

REMUNERATION, EXPENSES AND PENSIONS

 

88.

DIRECTORS’ FEES

 

88.1

Unless otherwise decided by the Company by ordinary resolution, the Company shall pay to the directors (but not alternate directors) for their services as directors such amount of aggregate fees as the board decides (not exceeding £2,000,000 per annum or such larger amount as the Company may by ordinary resolution decide). The aggregate fees shall be divided among the directors in such proportions as the board decides or, if no decision is made, equally. A fee payable to a director pursuant to this article is distinct from any salary, remuneration or other amount payable to him/her pursuant to other provisions of the articles or otherwise and accrues from day to day.

 

88.2

Subject to the Act and to the articles and the requirements of the Listing Rules, the board may arrange for part of a fee payable to a director under this article to be provided in the form of fully-paid shares in the capital of the Company. The amount of the fee payable in this way shall be at the discretion of the board and shall be applied in the purchase or subscription of shares on behalf of the relevant director. In the case of a subscription of shares, the subscription price per share shall be deemed to be the closing middle-market quotation for a fully-paid share of the Company of that class as published in the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange (or such other quotation derived from such other source as the board may deem appropriate) on the day of subscription.

 

89.

ADDITIONAL REMUNERATION

If any director shall devote to the business of the Company or any other company in which the Company may be interested either his/her whole time and attention, or more of his/her time and attention than in the opinion of the board would usually be so


devoted by a person holding such office, or shall undertake or perform any duties or services other than those which, in the opinion of the board, would usually be undertaken or performed by a person holding such office, or shall be called upon to perform and shall perform extra services or make any special exertions for any of the purposes of the Company or any other company in which the Company may be interested, or shall serve on any committee, then and in any of such cases the board may remunerate the director concerned either by a fixed sum, annual or otherwise, or in such other manner (including, but without limitation, the payment of or arrangements for the purpose of providing any pension or other retirement allowance or gratuity) as shall be determined by the board, and such remuneration may at the discretion of the board be either in addition to or in substitution for all or any part of any other remuneration to which such director may be entitled under these articles.

 

90.

EXPENSES

A director is entitled to be repaid all reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by him/her in the performance of his/her duties as director including expenses incurred in attending meetings of the board or of committees of the board or general meetings or separate meetings of the holders of a class of shares or debentures. Subject to the Act, the directors shall have the power to make arrangements to provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him/her for the purposes of the Company or for the purpose of enabling him/her properly to perform his/ her duties as an officer of the Company or to enable him/her to avoid incurring any such expenditure.

 

91.

REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES OF ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

An alternate director is not entitled to a fee from the Company for his/her services as an alternate director. The fee payable to an alternate director is payable out of the fee payable to his/her appointor and consists of such portion (if any) of the fee as he/she agrees with his/her appointor. The Company shall, however, repay to an alternate director expenses incurred by him/her in the performance of his/her duties if the Company would have been required to repay the expenses to him/her under article 90 had he/she been a director.

 

92.

DIRECTORS’ PENSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS

 

92.1

The board may exercise all the powers of the Company to provide any noncontributory or contributory pensions or other retirement or superannuation funds or any share option, share incentive or share acquisition schemes or any profit sharing schemes or funds or trusts financed or contributed to by the Company for the benefit of, and may give or procure the giving of donations, pensions, emoluments, death or disability benefits or other allowances or gratuities (by insurance of otherwise) for, a person who is or has at any time been a director or officer of or in the employment or service of:

 

  92.1.1

the Company;

 

  92.1.2

a company which is or was a subsidiary undertaking of the Company;

 

  92.1.3

a company which is or was allied to or associated with the Company or a subsidiary undertaking of the Company; or


  92.1.4

a predecessor in business of the Company or of a subsidiary undertaking of the Company,

(or, in each case, for any member of his/her family, including a spouse or former spouse, or a person who is or was dependent on him/her). For this purpose the board may establish, maintain, subscribe and contribute to any scheme, trust or fund and pay premiums. The board may also establish and subsidise or subscribe to any institution, association, club or fund calculated to be for the benefit of or to advance the interests and well-being of the Company or of any other member of the group, or of any such other person named under this article 92.1, and subscribe or guarantee money for any charitable or benevolent objects or for any exhibition, or for any public, general or useful object and do any of the matters aforesaid. The board may arrange for this to be done by the Company alone or in conjunction with another person.

 

92.2

A director or former director is entitled to receive and retain for his/her own benefit a pension or other benefit provided under article 92.1 and is not obliged to account for it to the Company.

 

93.

REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The salary or other remuneration of a director appointed to hold employment or executive office in accordance with the articles may be a fixed sum of money, or wholly or in part governed by business done or profits made, or as otherwise decided by the board, and may be in addition to or instead of a fee payable to him/her for his/her services as director pursuant to the articles.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD

 

94.

POWERS OF THE BOARD

Subject to the Act, the articles and to directions given by special resolution of the Company, the business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by the board which may exercise all the powers of the Company whether relating to the management of the business or not. No alteration of the articles and no direction given by the Company shall invalidate a prior act of the board which would have been valid if the alteration had not been made or the direction had not been given. The provisions of the articles giving specific powers to the board do not limit the general powers given by this article.

 

95.

POWERS OF DIRECTORS BEING LESS THAN MINIMUM REQUIRED NUMBER

If the number of directors is less than the minimum prescribed by the articles or decided by the Company by ordinary resolution, the remaining director or directors may act only for the purposes of appointing an additional director or directors to make up that minimum or convening a general meeting of the Company. If no director or directors is or are able or willing to act, two members may convene a general meeting for the purpose of appointing directors. An additional director appointed in this way holds office (subject to the articles) only until the dissolution of the next annual general meeting after his/her appointment unless he/she is reappointed during the meeting.


96.

POWERS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

The board may delegate to a director holding executive office any of its powers, authorities and discretions for such time and on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit. In particular the board may grant the power to sub-delegate, and may retain or exclude the right of the board to exercise the delegated powers, authorities or discretions collaterally with the director. The board may at any time revoke the delegation or alter its terms and conditions.

 

97.

DELEGATION TO COMMITTEES AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES

 

97.1

The board may delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions (with power to sub-delegate) to:

 

  97.1.1

a committee consisting of one or more persons (whether a member or members of the board or not, provided that the majority of the members of any such committee will consist of directors and no resolution of the committee will be effective unless a majority of the members of the committee present at the relevant meeting consists of directors) as it thinks fit; or

 

  97.1.2

the board of directors of a wholly-owned subsidiary (whether direct or indirect) of the Company for such period and on such terms and conditions as the board may determine.

 

97.2

A committee or the board of directors of a wholly-owned subsidiary may exercise its power to sub-delegate by sub-delegating to any person or persons (whether or not a member or members of the board or of the committee). The board may retain or exclude its right to exercise the delegated powers, authorities or discretions collaterally with the committee or the board of directors of the wholly-owned subsidiary (as the case may be). The board may at any time revoke such delegation or alter any terms and conditions or discharge the committee in whole or in part. Where a provision of the articles refers to the exercise of a power, authority or discretion by the board (including the power to pay fees, remuneration, additional remuneration, expenses and pensions and other benefits pursuant to articles 74 or 88 to 93) and that power, authority or discretion has been delegated by the board to a committee or the board of directors of a wholly-owned subsidiary, the provision shall be construed as permitting the exercise of the power, authority or discretion by the committee or the board of directors of the wholly-owned subsidiary (as the case may be).

 

98.

ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS

The board may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint a person to be the attorney or agent of the Company and may delegate to that person any of its powers, authorities and discretions for such purposes, for such time and on such terms and conditions (including as to remuneration) as it thinks fit. In particular the board may grant the power to sub-delegate and may retain or exclude the right of the board to exercise the delegated powers, authorities or discretions collaterally with the attorney or agent (as the case may be). The board may at any time revoke or alter the terms and conditions of the appointment or delegation.


99.

EXECUTION OF CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS

All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments, and all receipts for monies paid to the Company, shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed, as the case may be, by such person or persons as may be appointed for the purpose by or on behalf of the board.

 

100.

LOANS TO DIRECTORS

Save as permitted by the Act, the board shall not:

 

  (a)

make a loan or a quasi-loan to or enter into a credit transaction as a creditor for a director (including a shadow director) of the Company or any person connected with such a director; or

 

  (b)

enter into any guarantee or provide security in connection with a loan or quasi-loan or credit transaction made by any person to or for such a director or person so connected; or

 

  (c)

take part in any arrangement whereby another person enters into such a transaction in return for a benefit from the Company or any subsidiary; or

 

  (d)

arrange for the assignment to it of any rights, obligations or liabilities of any such loan or quasi-loan to such a director or person so connected.

For the purposes of this article the expressions “quasi-loan”, “credit transaction” and “shadow director” shall have the meanings ascribed to them in sections 199(1), 202(1) and 251(1)-(2) of the Act respectively.

 

101.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

The board may appoint a person (not being a director) to an office or employment having a designation or title including the word “director” or attach to an existing office or employment that designation or title and may terminate the appointment or use of that designation or title. The inclusion of the word “director” in the designation or title of an office or employment does not imply that the person is, or is deemed to be, or is empowered to act as, a director for any of the purposes of the Act or the articles.

 

102.

EXERCISE OF VOTING POWERS

The board may exercise or cause to be exercised the voting powers conferred on the Company in relation to any other company in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit, including the exercise thereof in favour of any resolution appointing all or any members of the board of directors or other officers or employees of, or holders of any places of profit under, such other company, and voting or providing for the payment of remuneration to the directors or other officers or employees of such other company.

 

103.

PROVISION FOR EMPLOYEES

The board may exercise the powers conferred on the Company by the Act to make provision for the benefit of a person (other than a director, former director or shadow director) employed or formerly employed by the Company or any of its subsidiary


undertakings (or any member of his/her family, including a spouse or former spouse, or any person who is or was dependent on him/her) in connection with the cessation or the transfer to a person of the whole or part of the undertaking of the Company or the subsidiary undertaking.

 

104.

REGISTERS

Subject to the Act and the Uncertificated Securities Regulations, the board may exercise the powers conferred on the Company with regard to the keeping of an overseas, local or other register and may make and vary regulations as it thinks fit concerning the keeping of such a register.

 

105.

BORROWING POWERS

The board may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, and all or any part of its property and uncalled capital, and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

106.

REGISTER OF CHARGES

The Company shall keep a register of charges in accordance with the Act and the fee to be paid by a person other than a creditor or member for each inspection of the register of charges is the maximum sum prescribed by or under the Act or, failing which, decided by the board.

 

107.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS

Directors’ interests other than in relation to transactions or arrangements with the Company - authorisation under section 175 of the Act

 

107.1

The board may authorise any matter proposed to it which would, if not so authorised, involve a breach of duty by a director under section 175 of the Act.

 

107.2

Any authorisation under article 107.1 will be effective only if:

 

  107.2.1

any requirement as to the quorum at the meeting at which the matter is considered is met without counting the director in question or any other director interested in the matter under consideration; and

 

  107.2.2

the matter was agreed to without such directors voting or would have been agreed to if such directors’ votes had not been counted.

 

107.3

The board may give any authorisation under article 107.1 upon such terms as it thinks fit. The board may vary or terminate any such authorisation at any time.

 

107.4

For the purposes of this article 107, a conflict of interest includes a conflict of interest and duty and a conflict of duties, and interest includes both direct and indirect interests.


Confidential information and attendance at board meetings

 

107.5

A director shall be under no duty to the Company with respect to any information which he/she obtains or has obtained otherwise than as a director of the Company and in respect of which he/she owes a duty of confidentiality to another person. In particular the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he/she owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he/she:

 

  107.5.1

fails to disclose any such information to the board or to any director or other officer or employee of the Company; and/or

 

  107.5.2

does not use or apply any such information in performing his/her duties as a director of the Company.

However, to the extent that his/her relationship with that other person gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest, this article 107.5 applies only if the existence of that relationship has been authorised by the board pursuant to article 107.1 (subject, in any such case, to any terms upon which such authorisation was given).

 

107.6

Where the existence of a director’s relationship with another person has been authorised by the board pursuant to article 107.1 and his/her relationship with that person gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest, the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he/she owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he/she:

 

  107.6.1

absents himself/herself from meetings of the board at which any matter relating to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest will or may be discussed or from the discussion of any such matter at a meeting or otherwise; and/or

 

  107.6.2

makes arrangements not to receive documents and information relating to any matter which gives rise to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest sent or supplied by the Company,

for so long as he/she reasonably believes such conflict of interest (or possible conflict of interest) subsists.

 

107.7

The provisions of articles 107.5 and 107.6 are without prejudice to any equitable principle or rule of law which may excuse the director from:

 

  107.7.1

disclosing information, in circumstances where disclosure would otherwise be required under these articles; and/or

 

  107.7.2

attending meetings or discussions or receiving documents and information as referred to in article 107.6, in circumstances where such attendance or receiving such documents and information would otherwise be required under these articles.

Declaration of interests in proposed or existing transactions or arrangements with the Company


107.8

A director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company shall declare the nature and extent of his/her interest to the other directors before the Company enters into the transaction or arrangement.

 

107.9

A director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement that has been entered into by the Company shall declare the nature and extent of his/her interest to the other directors as soon as is reasonably practicable, unless the interest has already been declared under article 107.8.

 

107.10

Any declaration required by article 107.8 may (but need not) be made at a meeting of the directors or by notice in writing in accordance with section 184 of the Act or by general notice in accordance with section 185 of the Act. Any declaration required by article 107.9 must be made at a meeting of the directors or by notice in writing in accordance with section 184 of the Act or by general notice in accordance with section 185 of the Act.

 

107.11

If a declaration made under article 107.8 or 107.9 above proves to be, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, a further declaration must be made under article 107.8 or 107.9, as appropriate.

 

107.12

A director need not declare an interest under this article 107:

 

  107.12.1

if it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest;

 

  107.12.2

if, or to the extent that, the other directors are already aware of it (and for this purpose the other directors are treated as aware of anything of which they ought reasonably to be aware);

 

  107.12.3

if, or to the extent that, it concerns terms of his/her service contract that have been or are to be considered by a meeting of the directors or by a committee of the directors appointed for the purpose under these articles; or

 

  107.12.4

if the director is not aware of his/her interest or is not aware of the transaction or arrangement in question (and for this purpose a director is treated as being aware of matters of which he/she ought reasonably to be aware).

Ability to enter into transactions and arrangements with the Company notwithstanding interest

 

107.13

Subject to the provisions of the Act and provided that he/she has declared to the board the nature and extent of any direct or indirect interest of his/her in accordance with this article 107 or where article 107.12 applies and no declaration of interest is required, a director notwithstanding his/her office:

 

  107.13.1

may be a party to, or otherwise be interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested;

 

  107.13.2

may act by himself/herself or through his/her firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor), and in any such case on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the board may decide; or


  107.13.3

may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise be interested in, any body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested.

Remuneration and benefits

 

107.14

A director shall not, by reason of his/her office, be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefit which he/she derives from any office or employment or from any transaction or arrangement or from any interest in any body corporate:

 

  107.14.1

the acceptance, entry into or existence of which has been authorised by the board pursuant to article 107.1 (subject, in any such case, to any terms upon which such authorisation was given); or

 

  107.14.2

which he/she is permitted to hold or enter into by virtue of article 107.13 or otherwise pursuant to these articles,

nor shall the receipt of any such remuneration or other benefit constitute a breach of his/her duty under section 176 of the Act. No transaction or arrangement authorised or permitted pursuant to articles 107.1 or 107.13 or otherwise pursuant to these articles shall be liable to be avoided on the ground of any such interest or benefit.

General voting and quorum requirements

 

107.15

Save as otherwise provided by these articles, a director shall not vote on or be counted in the quorum in relation to a resolution of the board or committee of the board concerning a matter in which he/she has a direct or indirect interest which is, to his/her knowledge, a material interest (otherwise than by virtue of his/her interest in shares or debentures or other securities of or otherwise in or through the Company), but this prohibition does not apply to a resolution concerning any of the following matters:

 

  107.15.1

the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him/her or any other person at the request of or for the benefit of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings;

 

  107.15.2

the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for which the director has assumed responsibility in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;

 

  107.15.3

a transaction or arrangement concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for subscription or purchase, in which offer he/she is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he/she is to participate;

 

  107.15.4

a transaction or arrangement to which the Company is or is to be a party concerning another company (including a subsidiary undertaking of the Company) in which he/she or any person connected with him/her is interested (directly or indirectly) whether as an officer, shareholder, creditor or otherwise (a “relevant company”), if he/she and any persons connected with him/her do not to his/her knowledge hold an interest in shares (as that term is used in


  sections 820 to 825 of the Act) representing one per cent. or more of either any class of the equity share capital (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) in the relevant company or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant company;

 

  107.15.5

a transaction or arrangement for the benefit of the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings (including any pension fund or retirement, death or disability scheme and any employees’ share scheme, being a scheme for encouraging or facilitating employees (including directors) of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings to acquire shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings) which does not award him/her a privilege or benefit not generally awarded to the employees to whom it relates; or

 

  107.15.6

a transaction or arrangement concerning the purchase or maintenance of any insurance policy for the benefit of directors or for the benefit of persons including directors.

 

107.16

A director shall not vote on or be counted in the quorum in relation to a resolution of the board or committee of the board concerning his/her own appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of his/her appointment or its termination) as the holder of an office or place of profit with the Company or any body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested. Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of appointment or its termination) of two or more directors to offices or places of profit with the Company or a body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested, such proposals may be divided and a separate resolution considered in relation to each director. In that case, each of the directors concerned (if not otherwise debarred from voting under this article 107) is entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of each resolution except that concerning his/her own appointment.

 

107.17

If a question arises at a meeting as to the materiality of a director’s interest (other than the interest of the chair of the meeting) or as to the entitlement of a director (other than the chair) to vote or be counted in a quorum and the question is not resolved by his/her voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or being counted in the quorum, the question shall be referred to the chair and his/her ruling in relation to the director concerned is conclusive and binding on all concerned.

 

107.18

If a question arises at a meeting as to the materiality of the interest of the chair of the meeting or as to the entitlement of the chair to vote or be counted in a quorum and the question is not resolved by his/her voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or being counted in the quorum, the question shall be decided by resolution of the directors or committee members present at the meeting (excluding the chair) whose majority vote is conclusive and binding on all concerned.

 

107.19

For the purposes of this article 107, in relation to an alternate director, the interest of his/her appointor is treated as the interest of the alternate director in addition to any interest which the alternate director otherwise has. This article 107 applies to an alternate director as if he/she were a director otherwise appointed.


Miscellaneous

 

107.20

The Company may by ordinary resolution suspend or relax the provisions of this article 107 to any extent. Subject to the Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution ratify any transaction or arrangement not properly authorised by reason of a contravention of this article 107.

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

 

108.

BOARD MEETINGS

Subject to the articles, the board may meet for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit.

 

109.

NOTICE OF BOARD MEETINGS

A director or the secretary may summon a board meeting at any time. Notice of a board meeting is deemed to be duly given to a director if it is given to him/her personally or by word of mouth or by electronic means to an address given by him/her to the Company for that purpose or sent in writing to him/her at his/her last-known address or another address given by him/her to the Company for that purpose. A director may waive the requirement that notice be given to him/her of a board meeting, either prospectively or retrospectively. A director absent or intending to be absent from the United Kingdom may request that notices of board meetings during his/her absence be sent in hard copy form or by electronic means to him/her to an address given by him/her to the Company for that purpose, but such notices do not have to be given any earlier than those given to directors not so absent. If no request is made (and/or if no such non-United Kingdom address is given) it is not necessary to give notice of a board meeting to a director who is absent from the United Kingdom.

 

110.

QUORUM

The quorum necessary for the transaction of business may be decided by the board and until otherwise decided is five directors present in person (or by means of an electronic platform(s)) or by alternate director. A duly convened meeting of the board at which a quorum is present is competent to exercise all or any of the authorities, powers and discretions vested in or exercisable by the board. Subject to the provisions of these articles, any director who ceases to be a director at a board meeting may continue to be present and to act as a director and be counted in the quorum until the termination of the board meeting if no other director objects and if otherwise a quorum of directors would not be present.

 

111.

CHAIR OF BOARD

The board may appoint one of its body as chair to preside at every board meeting at which he/she is present and one or more deputy chair or chairs and decide the period for which he/she is or they are to hold office (and may at any time remove him/her or them from office). If no chair or deputy chair is elected, or if at a meeting neither the chair nor a deputy chair is present within five minutes of the time fixed for the start of the meeting, the directors and alternate directors (in the absence of their appointors) present shall choose one of their number to be chair. If two or more deputy chairs are


present, the senior of them shall act as chair, seniority being determined by length of office since their last appointment or reappointment or deemed reappointment. As between two or more who have held office for an equal length of time, the deputy chair to act as chair shall be decided by those directors and alternate directors (in the absence of their appointors) present. A chair or deputy chair may hold executive office or employment with the Company.

 

112.

VOTING

Any decision to be taken at a meeting of the board shall be determined by a majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes the chair has a second or casting vote.

 

113.

PARTICIPATION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS

A director or his/her alternate director may participate in a meeting of the board or a committee of the board by means of telephone, telephone or video conference or any other form of electronic communications technology including electronic platform(s) (whether in use when these articles are adopted or developed subsequently) or by a combination of such methods if all persons participating in the meeting are able to hear and speak to each other throughout the meeting. A person participating in this way is deemed to be present in person at the meeting and is counted in the quorum and entitled to vote. Subject to the Act, all business transacted in this way by the board or a committee of the board is for the purposes of the articles deemed to be validly and effectively transacted at a meeting of the board or a committee of the board although fewer than two directors or alternate directors are physically present at the same place. The meeting is deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating is assembled or, if there is no such group, where the chair of the meeting then is.

 

114.

RESOLUTION IN WRITING

A resolution in writing executed by all directors for the time being entitled to receive notice of a board meeting, who would have been entitled to vote on the resolution at the meeting and not being less than a quorum, or by all members of a committee of the board for the time being entitled to receive notice of a committee meeting, who would have been entitled to vote on the resolution at the meeting and not being less than a quorum, is as valid and effective for all purposes as a resolution passed at a meeting of the board (or committee, as the case may be). The resolution in writing may consist of several documents in the same form each executed by one or more of the directors or members of the relevant committee and, for the purposes of this article, any signature may be affixed to a facsimile copy of the resolution and any written resolution shall be valid on the Company receiving the original or a facsimile copy of the document or documents containing each of the said signatures. The resolution in writing need not be executed by an alternate director if it is executed by his/her appointor and a resolution executed by an alternate director need not be executed by his/her appointor.

 

115.

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES

 

115.1

Proceedings of any committee of the board consisting of two or more members shall be conducted in accordance with terms prescribed by the board (if any). Subject to those terms and article 115.2, proceedings (including without limitation the conduct of business by a telephone meeting or by written resolution) shall be conducted in


  accordance with applicable provisions of the articles regulating the proceedings of the board.

 

115.2

Where the board resolves to delegate any of its powers, authorities and discretions to a committee and that resolution states that the committee shall consist of any one or more unnamed directors, it is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of that committee to directors other than the director or directors who form the committee.

 

116.

RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS

 

116.1

The board shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose:

 

  116.1.1

of all appointments of officers and committees made by the board and of any remuneration fixed by the board; and

 

  116.1.2

of all proceedings of general meetings of the Company, of the holders of any class of shares in the Company, and of the board, and of committees of the board, including the names of the directors present at each such meeting.

 

116.2

If purporting to be signed by the chair of the meeting at which the proceedings were held or by the chair of the next succeeding meeting, minutes are evidence of the proceedings at the meeting.

 

116.3

The board shall cause records to be made in books kept for the purpose of all directors’ written resolutions.

 

116.4

Any register, index, minute book, book of account or other book required by the Act or these articles to be kept by or on behalf of the Company may be kept either by making entries in bound books or by recording them in some other form including the use of computer storage facilities so long as the recording is capable of being reproduced in a legible form. In any case in which bound books are not used, the secretary shall take adequate precautions for guarding against falsification and for facilitating its discovery.

 

116.5

All such minutes and written resolutions must be kept for at least 10 years from the date of the meeting or written resolution, as the case may be.

 

117.

VALIDITY OF PROCEEDINGS OF BOARD OR COMMITTEE

All acts done by a meeting of the board, or of a committee of the board, or by a person acting as a director, alternate director or member of a committee shall be valid as regards all persons dealing in good faith with the Company, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was a defect in the appointment of a person or persons acting, or that they or any of them were or was disqualified from holding office, or had ceased to hold office, or were not entitled to vote on the matter in question.

SECRETARY AND AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

 

118.

SECRETARY

 

118.1

Subject to the Act, the board shall appoint a secretary or joint secretaries and may appoint one or more persons to be an assistant or deputy secretary on such terms and conditions (including remuneration) as it thinks fit. Anything required or authorised to


  be done by or to the secretary may be done by or to any assistant and/or deputy secretary. The board may remove a person appointed pursuant to this article from office and appoint another or others in his/her place, but without prejudice to any claim which such a person may have against the Company.

 

118.2

Any provision of the Act or of the articles requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a director and the secretary is not satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as director and as, or in the place of, the secretary.

 

119.

AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS

 

119.1

A director or the secretary or another person appointed by the board for the purpose may authenticate documents affecting the constitution of the Company (including the articles) and resolutions passed by the Company or holders of a class of shares or the board or a committee of the board and books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company, and to certify copies or extracts as true copies or extracts.

 

119.2

A document purporting to be a copy of a resolution, or an extract from the minutes of a meeting, of the Company or of the board or any committee of the board which is certified under article 119.1 will be conclusive evidence in favour of all persons dealing with the Company relying thereon that such resolution has been duly passed or, as the case may be, that such extract is a true and accurate record of proceedings at a duly constituted meeting.

SEALS

 

120.

SAFE CUSTODY

The secretary shall provide for the safe custody of the seal.

 

121.

APPLICATION OF SEALS

A seal may be used only by the authority of a resolution of the board or of a committee of the board. The board may decide who will sign an instrument to which a seal is affixed (or, in the case of a share certificate, on which the seal may be printed) either generally or in relation to a particular instrument or type of instrument. The board may also decide, either generally or in a particular case, that a signature may be dispensed with or affixed by mechanical means. Unless otherwise decided by the board:

 

  (a)

share certificates and certificates issued in respect of debentures or other securities (subject to the provisions of the relevant instrument) need not be signed or, if signed, a signature may be applied by mechanical or other means or may be printed; and

 

  (b)

every other instrument to which a seal is affixed shall be signed by one director and by the secretary or a second director, or by one director in the presence of a witness who attests his/her signature.

DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENTS


122.

DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS

Subject to the Act and the articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution declare a dividend to be paid to the members according to their respective rights and interests, but no dividend may exceed the amount recommended by the board.

 

123.

INTERIM AND OTHER DIVIDENDS

 

123.1

If and so far as in the opinion of the board the distributable reserves of the Company justify such payments, the board may declare and pay dividends (including a dividend payable at a fixed rate or calculated by reference to a specified formula) on any class of shares carrying such a dividend expressed to be payable on such dates as may be prescribed for the payment thereof.

 

123.2

Subject to article 123.1, the board may also from time to time pay one or more dividends (as interim or final dividends) on shares of any class of such amounts and on such dates and in respect of such periods as it thinks fit.

 

123.3

No interim dividend shall be declared or paid on shares which do not confer preferred rights with regard to dividend if, at the time of declaration, any dividend on shares which do confer a right to a preferred dividend is in arrears. If the board acts in good faith, it does not incur any liability to the holders of shares conferring preferred rights for a loss they may suffer by the lawful payment of an interim dividend on shares ranking after those with preferred rights.

 

124.

ENTITLEMENT TO DIVIDENDS

 

124.1

Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to, or the terms of issue of, shares:

 

  124.1.1

a dividend shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is declared and paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of a call may be treated for the purpose of this article as paid up on the share; and

 

  124.1.2

dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.

 

124.2

Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to shares, dividends may be declared or paid in any currency. The board may agree with any member that dividends which may at any time or from time to time be declared or become due on his/her shares in one currency shall be paid or satisfied in another, and may agree the basis of conversion to be applied and how and when the amount to be paid in the other currency shall be calculated and paid and for the Company or any other person to bear any costs involved.

 

125.

METHOD OF PAYMENT

 

125.1

Any dividend, interest or other amount payable in respect of a share shall be paid by such method as the secretary, in his/her sole discretion, may decide. Different methods of payment may apply to different holders or groups of holders (such as overseas


  holders). Without limiting any other method of payment which the Company may adopt, the secretary may decide that payment can be made wholly or partly:

 

  125.1.1

in cash;

 

  125.1.2

by inter-bank transfer, electronic means or by such other means approved by the secretary directly to an account (of a type approved by the secretary) nominated in writing or as the secretary may otherwise decide (including by telephone) by the person entitled to the payment;

 

  125.1.3

by cheque, warrant or money order made payable to or to the order of the person entitled to the payment (and may, at the Company’s option, be crossed “account payee” or “a/c payee” either with or without the word “only”, where appropriate);

 

  125.1.4

if the secretary so decides, by means of a relevant system in respect of an uncertificated share, subject to any procedures established by the board to enable a holder of uncertificated shares to elect not to receive dividends by means of a relevant system and to vary or revoke any such election. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, in respect of shares in uncertificated form, such payment may include the sending by the Company or by any person on its behalf of an instruction to the Operator to credit the cash memorandum account of the holder or joint holders, or of such person as the holder or joint holders may direct in writing or as the secretary may otherwise decide (including by telephone); or

 

  125.1.5

by such other method as the secretary may agree with the person entitled to the payment in writing or by such other means as the secretary may otherwise decide (including by telephone).

 

125.2

The Company may send a cheque, warrant or money order by post:

 

  125.2.1

in the case of a sole holder, to his/her registered address;

 

  125.2.2

in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the person whose name appears first in the register;

 

  125.2.3

in the case of a person or persons entitled by transmission to a share, as if it were a notice given in accordance with article 142.2; or

 

  125.2.4

in any case, to a person and address that the person or persons entitled to the payment may in writing direct.

 

125.3

Where a share is held jointly or two or more persons are jointly entitled by transmission to a share:

 

  125.3.1

the Company may pay any dividend, interest or other amount payable in respect of that share to any one joint holder, or any one person entitled by transmission to the share, and in either case that holder or person may give an effective receipt for the payment; and


  125.3.2

for any of the purposes of this article 125, the Company may rely in relation to a share on the written direction or designation of any one joint holder of the share, or any one person entitled by transmission to the share.

 

125.4

If the secretary decides that payments will be made by electronic transfer to an account (of a type approved by the secretary) nominated by the person entitled to the payment, but no such account is nominated by the person entitled to the payment or an electronic transfer into a nominated account is rejected or refunded, the Company may credit the amount payable to an account of the Company to be held until the person entitled to the payment nominates a valid account.

 

125.5

An amount credited to an account under article 125.4 is to be treated as having been paid to the person entitled to the payment at the time it is credited to that account. The Company will not be a trustee of the money and no interest will accrue on the money.

 

125.6

Payment by electronic transfer, cheque or warrant, or in any other way, is made at the risk of the person who is entitled to the money. The Company is treated as having paid a dividend if a payment using electronic or other means approved by the secretary is made in accordance with instructions given by the Company or if such a cheque or warrant is cleared. The Company will not be responsible for a payment which is lost or delayed.

 

125.7

Without prejudice to article 70, the secretary may withhold payment of a dividend (or part of a dividend) payable to a person entitled by transmission to a share until he/she has provided such evidence of his/her right as the secretary may reasonably require.

 

126.

DIVIDENDS NOT TO BEAR INTEREST

No dividend or other amount payable by the Company in respect of a share bears interest as against the Company unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to the share.

 

127.

CALLS OR DEBTS MAY BE DEDUCTED FROM DIVIDENDS ETC.

The board may deduct from a dividend or other amounts payable to a person in respect of a share amounts due from him/her to the Company on account of a call or otherwise in relation to a share.

 

128.

UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS ETC.

Any unclaimed dividend, interest or other amount payable by the Company in respect of a share may be invested or otherwise made use of by the board for the benefit of the Company until claimed. A dividend, including an amount held in an account pursuant to article 125.4, unclaimed for a period of 12 years from the date it was declared or became due for payment is forfeited and ceases to remain owing by the Company. The payment of an unclaimed dividend, interest or other amount payable by the Company in respect of a share into a separate account does not constitute the Company a trustee in respect of it.


129.

UNCASHED DIVIDENDS

If, in respect of a dividend or other amount payable in respect of a share, on any one occasion:

 

  (a)

a cheque, warrant or money order is returned undelivered or left uncashed; or

 

  (b)

a transfer made by a bank or other funds transfer system is not accepted,

and reasonable enquiries have failed to establish another address or account of the person entitled to the payment, the Company is not obliged to send or transfer a dividend or other amount payable in respect of that share to that person until he/she notifies the Company of an address or account to be used for that purpose. If the cheque, warrant or money order is returned undelivered or left uncashed or transfer not accepted on two consecutive occasions, the Company may exercise this power without making any such enquiries.

 

130.

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN SPECIE

Without prejudice to article 70, the board may, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company, direct that payment of a dividend may be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of another company. Where a difficulty arises in connection with the distribution, the board may settle it as it thinks fit and in particular, may:

 

  (a)

issue fractional certificates (or ignore fractions);

 

  (b)

fix the value for distribution of the specific assets (or any part of them);

 

  (c)

decide that a cash payment be made to a member on the basis of the value so fixed, in order to secure equality of distribution;

 

  (d)

vest assets in trustees on trust for the persons entitled to the dividend as seems expedient to the board; and

 

  (e)

generally make such arrangements for the allotment, acceptance and sale of such specific assets or fractional certificates, or any part thereof, and distribution of the cash proceeds of any sale or of the cash equivalent to any member or members and otherwise as it thinks fit.

 

131.

PAYMENT OF SCRIP DIVIDENDS

 

131.1

Subject to the Act, but without prejudice to article 70, the board may, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company, allot to the holders of ordinary shares who have elected to receive further ordinary shares credited as fully paid (“new shares”) instead of cash in respect of all or part of a dividend or dividends specified by the resolution, subject to any exclusions, restrictions or other arrangements the board may in its absolute discretion deem necessary or expedient to deal with legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements of a recognised regulatory body or a stock exchange in, any territory.


131.2

Where a resolution under article 131.1 is to be proposed at a general meeting and the resolution relates in whole or in part to a dividend to be declared at that meeting, then the resolution declaring the dividend is deemed to take effect at the end of that meeting.

 

131.3

A resolution under article 131.1 may relate to a particular dividend or to all or any dividends declared or paid within a specified period, but that period may not end later than the beginning of the third annual general meeting following the date of the meeting at which the resolution is passed.

 

131.4

The board shall determine the basis of allotment of new shares so that, as nearly as may be considered convenient without involving rounding up of fractions, the value of the new shares (including a fractional entitlement) to be allotted (calculated by reference to the average quotation, or the nominal value of the new shares, if greater) equals (disregarding an associated tax credit) the amount of the dividend which would otherwise have been received by the holder (the “relevant dividend”). For this purpose the “average quotation” of each of the new shares is the average of the middle market quotations (less the relevant dividend unless the new shares are already quoted “ex” such dividend) on the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange (or any similar publication) on at least five consecutive dealing days selected by the secretary, but commencing no earlier than the day on which the proposed relevant dividend is announced by the board, or shall be as determined by or in accordance with the resolution under article 131.1. A certificate or report by the auditors as to the value of the new shares to be allotted in respect of any dividend shall be conclusive evidence of that amount.

 

131.5

The secretary or another person appointed by the board for this purpose may make any provision it considers appropriate in relation to an allotment made or to be made pursuant to this article (whether before or after the passing of the resolution under article 131.1), including:

 

  131.5.1

the giving of notice to holders of the right of election offered to them;

 

  131.5.2

the provision of forms of election (whether in respect of a particular dividend or dividends generally);

 

  131.5.3

determination of the procedure for making and revoking elections;

 

  131.5.4

the place at which, and the latest time by which, forms of election and other relevant documents must be lodged in order to be effective; and

 

  131.5.5

the disregarding or rounding up or down or carrying forward of fractional entitlements, in whole or in part, or the accrual of the benefit of fractional entitlements to the Company (rather than to the holders concerned).

 

131.6

The dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been offered) is not declared or payable on shares in respect of which an election has been duly made (the “elected shares”); instead new shares are allotted to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment calculated as in article 131.4. For that purpose, the board may resolve to capitalise out of amounts standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution, a sum equal to the aggregate


  nominal amount of the new shares to be allotted and apply it in paying up in full the appropriate number of new shares for allotment and distribution to the holders of the elected shares. A resolution of the board capitalising part of the reserves has the same effect as if the board had resolved to effect the capitalisation with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company pursuant to article 132. In relation to the capitalisation the board may exercise all the powers conferred on it by article 132 without an ordinary resolution of the Company.

 

131.7

The new shares rank pari passu in all respects with each other and with the fully-paid ordinary shares in issue on the record date for the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been offered, but they will not rank for a dividend or other distribution or entitlement which has been declared or paid by reference to that record date.

 

131.8

The secretary may determine to treat as valid for the purposes of this article any mandate in force (including a mandate given before the adoption of these articles) to receive on a regular basis (and not in relation to a single dividend only) new shares instead of receiving payment of cash dividends and such mandate shall, if so determined by the board, entitle the relevant holder of ordinary shares to an allotment of new shares pursuant to this article.

 

131.9

In relation to any particular proposed dividend, the board may in its absolute discretion decide:

 

  131.9.1

that shareholders shall not be entitled to make any election in respect thereof and that any election previously made or mandate received shall not extend to such dividend; or

 

  131.9.2

at any time prior to the allotment of the new shares which would otherwise be allotted in lieu thereof, that all elections made or any mandate received to take ordinary shares in lieu of such dividend shall be treated as not applying to that dividend, and if so the dividend shall be paid in cash as if no elections had been made or mandate received in respect of it.

 

131.10

For the purposes of this article 131, each participant in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan for holders of ordinary shares (a “DRIP participant” and the “DRIP” respectively) at midnight (UK time) on an effective date to be determined at the discretion of the board in connection with the commencement of the Company’s scrip dividend programme (the “effective time”) (and whether or not the DRIP shall subsequently be terminated or suspended) shall be deemed to have elected to receive ordinary shares, credited as fully paid, instead of cash, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Company’s scrip dividend programme as from time to time in force, in respect of the whole of each dividend payable (but for such election) after the effective time (and whether such dividend is declared before, at or after such an effective time) in respect of which the right to receive such ordinary shares instead of cash is made available, until such time as such deemed election mandate is revoked or deemed revoked in accordance with the procedure established by the board. The deemed election provided for in the foregoing provision of this article 131.10 shall not apply if and to the extent that the board so determines at any time and from time to time either for all cases or in relation to any person or class of persons or any holding of any person or class of persons.


132.

BOARD POWERS TO CARRY PROFITS TO RESERVE AND TO CARRY FORWARD PROFITS

The board may, before recommending or resolving to pay any dividend, whether preferential or otherwise, carry to reserve out of the profits of the Company (including any premiums received upon the issue of debentures or other securities of the Company) such sums as it thinks proper as a reserve or reserves which will, at the discretion of the board, be applicable for any purpose to which the profits of the Company may be properly applied, and pending such application may, at the discretion of the board, either be employed in the business of the Company or be invested in such investments other than shares in the Company or of its holding company (if any) as the board may from time to time think fit. The board may also without placing the same to reserve carry forward any profits. The board may divide the reserve into such special funds as it thinks fit and may consolidate into one fund any special funds or any parts of any special funds into which the reserve may have been divided.

 

133.

CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS

Subject to the Act, the board may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company:

 

  (a)

resolve to capitalise an amount standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution;

 

  (b)

appropriate the sum resolved to be capitalised to the members in proportion to the nominal amount of ordinary shares (whether or not fully paid) held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in or towards:

 

  (i)

paying up the amounts (if any) for the time being unpaid on shares held by them respectively; or

 

  (ii)

paying up in full unissued shares, debentures or other securities of a nominal amount equal to that sum,

and allot the shares, debentures or other securities, credited as fully paid, to the members (or as they may direct) in those proportions, or partly in one way and partly in the other, but the share premium account, the capital redemption reserve and profits which are not available for distribution may, for the purposes of this article, only be applied in paying up unissued shares to be allotted to members credited as fully paid; and no unrealised profits shall be applied in paying up any debentures of the Company or any amount unpaid on any share in the capital of the Company;

 

  (c)

make any arrangements it thinks fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised reserve and in particular where shares, debentures or other securities become distributable in fractions the board may deal with the fractions as it thinks fit, including issuing fractional certificates, disregarding fractions or selling shares, debentures or other securities representing the fractions to a person for the best price reasonably obtainable and distributing the net proceeds of the sale in due proportion amongst the members (except that


  if the amount due to a member is less than £5, or such other sum as the board may decide, the sum may be retained for the benefit of the Company);

 

  (d)

authorise a person to enter (on behalf of all the members concerned) an agreement with the Company providing for either:

 

  (i)

the allotment to the members respectively, credited as fully paid, of shares, debentures or other securities to which they may be entitled on the capitalisation, or

 

  (ii)

the payment by the Company on behalf of the members (by the application of their respective proportions of the reserves resolved to be capitalised) of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares,

an agreement made under the authority being effective and binding on all those members; and

 

  (e)

generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.

 

134.

RECORD DATES

Notwithstanding any other provision of the articles, but subject to the Act and rights attached to shares, the Company or the board may fix any date as the record date for a dividend, distribution, allotment or issue. The record date may be on or at any time before or after a date on which the dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, made or paid.

ACCOUNTS

 

135.

KEEPING AND INSPECTION OF ACCOUNTS

 

135.1

The board shall ensure that accounting records are kept in accordance with the Act.

 

135.2

The accounting records shall be kept at the office or, subject to the Act, at another place decided by the board and shall be available during business hours for the inspection of the directors and other officers. No member (other than a director or other officer) has the right to inspect an accounting record or other document except if that right is conferred by the Act or he/she is authorised by the board or by an ordinary resolution of the Company or an order of the court.

 

136.

ACCOUNTS TO BE SENT TO MEMBERS ETC.

 

136.1

In respect of each financial year, a copy of the Company’s annual accounts, the directors’ report, the directors’ remuneration report, the auditors’ report on those accounts and on the auditable part of the directors’ remuneration report shall be sent or supplied to:

 

  136.1.1

every member (whether or not entitled to receive notices of general meetings);

 

  136.1.2

every holder of debentures (whether or not entitled to receive notices of general meetings); and


  136.1.3

every other person who is entitled to receive notices of general meetings,

in accordance with article 138, not less than 21 clear days before the date of the meeting at which copies of those documents are to be laid in accordance with the Act. This article does not require copies of the documents to which it applies to be sent or supplied to:

 

  136.1.4

a member or holder of debentures of whose address the Company is unaware; or

 

  136.1.5

more than one of the joint holders of shares or debentures,

but any member or holder of debentures or person entitled by the Act or these articles to receive a copy of the documents to which this article applies and to whom a copy has not been sent shall be entitled to receive a hard copy free of charge on application at the office.

 

136.2

The board may determine that persons entitled to receive a copy of the Company’s annual accounts, the directors’ report, the directors’ remuneration report, the auditors’ report on those accounts and on the auditable part of the directors’ remuneration report are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the board, provided that, if the Company is a participating issuer, the day determined by the board may not be more than 21 days before the day that the relevant copies are being sent.

 

136.3

Where permitted by the Act, a summary financial statement derived from the Company’s annual accounts, the directors’ report and the directors’ remuneration report in the form and containing the information prescribed by the Act may be sent or supplied to a person so electing in place of the documents required to be sent or supplied by article 136.1.

 

137.

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

Auditors shall be appointed, and their duties, powers, rights and remuneration regulated, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

138.

FORM OF NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS BY THE COMPANY

Save where these articles expressly require otherwise, any notice, document or information to be sent or supplied by the Company may be sent or supplied in accordance with the Act (whether authorised or required to be sent or supplied by the Act or otherwise) in hard copy form, in electronic form or by means of a website.

 

139.

NOTICE BY ADVERTISEMENT

If by reason of the suspension or curtailment of postal services in the United Kingdom or by reason of a technical failure affecting the Company (or its relevant agent(s)), the Company is unable effectively to convene a general meeting or an adjournment thereof by notices sent by post or by electronic means, subject to the Act, the board may, in its absolute discretion and as an alternative to any other method of service permitted by


the articles, resolve to convene a general meeting or an adjournment thereof by a notice advertised in at least one United Kingdom national newspaper. In this case, the Company shall send confirmatory copies of the notice to those members by post or by electronic means (as the case may be) if at least seven clear days before the meeting the posting of notices to addresses throughout the United Kingdom or the sending of notices by electronic means (as the case may be) again becomes practicable. Any notice given by advertisement shall be advertised on the same date in at least two leading daily newspapers in the United Kingdom.

 

140.

DEEMED DELIVERY OF NOTICES, DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

 

140.1

A notice, document or information sent by post and addressed to a member at his/her registered address or address for service in the United Kingdom is deemed to be given to or received by the intended recipient 24 hours after it was put in the post if pre-paid as first class post and 48 hours after it was put in the post if pre-paid as second class post, and in proving service it is sufficient to prove that the envelope containing the notice, document or information was properly addressed, pre-paid and posted.

 

140.2

A notice, document or information sent or supplied by electronic means to an address specified for the purpose by the member is deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient on the same day it was sent, and in proving service it is sufficient to prove that the communication was properly addressed and sent.

 

140.3

A notice, document or information sent or supplied by means of a website is deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient when (i) the material was first made available on the website or (ii) if later, when the recipient received (or, in accordance with this article 140, is deemed to have received) notification of the fact that the material was available on the website.

 

140.4

A notice, document or information not sent by post but delivered by hand (which includes delivery by courier) to a registered address or address for service in the United Kingdom is deemed to be given on the day it is left.

 

140.5

Where notice is given by newspaper advertisement, the notice is deemed to be given to all members and other persons entitled to receive it at noon on the day when the advertisements appear.

 

140.6

A notice, document or information served or delivered by the Company by any other means authorised in writing by the member concerned is deemed to be served when the Company has taken the action it has been authorised to take for that purpose.

 

140.7

A member present at a meeting of the holders of a class of shares is deemed to have received due notice of the meeting and, where required, of the purposes for which it was called.

 

141.

NOTICE BINDING ON TRANSFEREES ETC.

A person who becomes entitled to a share by transmission, transfer or otherwise is bound by a notice in respect of that share (other than a notice served by the Company under section 793 of the Act) which, before his/her name is entered in the register, has been properly served on a person from whom he/she derives his/her title.


142.

NOTICE IN CASE OF JOINT HOLDERS AND ENTITLEMENT BY TRANSMISSION

 

142.1

In the case of joint holders of a share, a notice, document or information shall be validly sent or supplied to all joint holders if sent or supplied to whichever of them is named first in the register in respect of the joint holding. Anything to be agreed or specified in relation to a notice, document or information to be sent or supplied to joint holders, may be agreed or specified by the joint holder who is named first in the register in respect of the joint holding.

 

142.2

Where a person is entitled by transmission to a share, the Company may give a notice, document or information to that person as if he/she were the holder of a share by addressing it to him/her by name or by the title of representative of the deceased or trustee of the bankrupt member (or by similar designation) at an address in the United Kingdom supplied for that purpose by the person claiming to be entitled by transmission. Until an address has been supplied, a notice, document or information may be given in any manner in which it might have been given if the death or bankruptcy or other event had not occurred. The giving of notice in accordance with this article is sufficient notice to any other person interested in the share.

 

143.

MEMBERS NOT ENTITLED TO NOTICES, DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

 

143.1

A member who (having no registered address within the United Kingdom) has not supplied to the Company an address in the United Kingdom at which notices, documents or information may be sent or supplied to him/her in hard copy form, or an address to which notices, documents or information may be sent or supplied to him/her by electronic means, is not entitled to have notices, documents or information sent or supplied to him/her by the Company.

 

143.2

If the Company sends notices, documents or information, whether immediately preceding or at any time after the adoption of these articles, to a member on two consecutive occasions over a period of at least twelve months and each of those notices, documents or information is returned undelivered, or the Company receives notification that each of them has not been delivered, that member shall then cease to be entitled to receive notices, documents and information from the Company.

 

143.3

A member who has ceased to be entitled to receive notices, documents and information from the Company shall become entitled to receive such notices, documents and information again by sending the Company:

 

  143.3.1

a new address to be recorded in the register of members; or

 

  143.3.2

(if the member has agreed that the Company should use a means of communication other than sending notices, documents or information to such an address), the information that the Company needs to use that means of communication effectively.


MISCELLANEOUS

 

144.

DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS

 

144.1

The Company may destroy:

 

  144.1.1

a share certificate which has been cancelled at any time after one year from the date of cancellation;

 

  144.1.2

a mandate for the payment of dividends or other amounts or a variation or cancellation of a mandate at any time after two years from the date the mandate, variation or cancellation was recorded by the Company;

 

  144.1.3

a notification of change of name or address at any time after three years from the date the notification was recorded by the Company;

 

  144.1.4

an instrument of transfer of shares (including a document constituting the renunciation of an allotment of shares) which has been registered at any time after six years from the date of registration;

 

  144.1.5

any other document on the basis of which any entry in the register is made at any time after six years from the date an entry in the register was first made in respect of it; and

 

  144.1.6

all paid dividend warrants and cheques at any time after the expiration of one year from the date of actual payment thereof.

 

144.2

It is presumed conclusively in favour of the Company that every share certificate destroyed was a valid certificate validly cancelled, that every instrument of transfer destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered and that every other document destroyed was a valid and effective document in accordance with the recorded particulars in the books or records of the Company, but:

 

  144.2.1

the provisions of this article apply only to the destruction of a document in good faith and without express notice to the Company that the preservation of the document is relevant to a claim;

 

  144.2.2

nothing contained in this article imposes on the Company liability in respect of the destruction of a document earlier than provided for in this article or in any case where the conditions of this article are not fulfilled; and

 

  144.2.3

references in this article to the destruction of a document include reference to its disposal in any manner.

 

145.

WINDING UP

In the winding up of the Company (whether the liquidation is voluntary or by the court) the liquidator may, on obtaining any sanction required by law, divide among the members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company, whether or not the assets consist of property of one kind or of different kinds, and vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the members as he/she, with the like sanction, shall determine. For this purpose the liquidator may set the value


he/she deems fair on a class or classes of property, and may determine on the basis of that valuation and in accordance with the then existing rights of members how the division is to be carried out between members or classes of members. The liquidator may not, however, distribute to a member without his/her consent an asset to which there is attached a liability or potential liability for the owner.

 

146.

INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS, FUNDING DIRECTORS’ DEFENCE COSTS AND POWER TO PURCHASE INSURANCE

 

146.1

To the extent permitted by the Act and without prejudice to any indemnity to which he/she may otherwise be entitled, every person who is or was a director or other officer of the Company (other than any person (whether or not an officer of the Company) engaged by the Company as auditor) shall be and shall be kept indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by him/her (whether in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him/her or otherwise as a director or such other officer of the Company) in relation to the Company or its affairs provided that such indemnity shall not apply in respect of any liability incurred by him/her:

 

  146.1.1

to the Company or to any associated company;

 

  146.1.2

to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings;

 

  146.1.3

to pay a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (howsoever arising);

 

  146.1.4

in defending any criminal proceedings in which he/she is convicted;

 

  146.1.5

in defending any civil proceedings brought by the Company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him/her; or

 

  146.1.6

in connection with any application under any of the following provisions in which the court refuses to grant him/her relief, namely:

 

  (a)

section 661(3) or (4) of the Act (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee); or

 

  (b)

section 1157 of the Act (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct).

 

146.2

In articles 146.1.4, 146.1.5 or 146.1.6 the reference to a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief is a reference to one that has become final. A conviction, judgment or refusal of relief becomes final:

 

  146.2.1

if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal; or

 

  146.2.2

if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of.

An appeal is disposed of:


  146.2.3

if it is determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended; or

 

  146.2.4

if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.

 

146.3

To the extent permitted by the Act and without prejudice to any indemnity to which he/she may otherwise be entitled, every person who is or was a director of the Company acting in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme shall be and shall be kept indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by him/her in connection with the Company’s activities as trustee of the scheme provided that such indemnity shall not apply in respect of any liability incurred by him/her:

 

  146.3.1

to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings;

 

  146.3.2

to pay a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (howsoever arising); or

 

  146.3.3

in defending criminal proceedings in which he/she is convicted.

For the purposes of this article, a reference to a conviction is to the final decision in the proceedings. The provisions of article 146.2 shall apply in determining when a conviction becomes final.

 

146.4

Without prejudice to article 146.1 or to any indemnity to which a director may otherwise be entitled, and to the extent permitted by the Act and otherwise upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the board may in its absolute discretion think fit, the board shall have the power to make arrangements to provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him/her in defending any criminal or civil proceedings or in connection with an application under section 661(3) or (4) of the Act (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 1157 of the Act (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct) or in defending himself/herself in an investigation by a regulatory authority or against action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority or to enable a director to avoid incurring any such expenditure.

 

146.5

Where at any meeting of the board or a committee of the board any arrangement falling within article 146.4 is to be considered, a director shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum at such meeting unless the terms of such arrangement confers upon such director a benefit not generally available to any other director; in that event, the interest of such director in such arrangement shall be deemed to be a material interest for the purposes of article 107 and he/she shall not be so entitled to vote or be counted in the quorum.

 

146.6

To the extent permitted by the Act, the board may exercise all the powers of the Company to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of a person who is or was:

 

  146.6.1

a director, alternate director or secretary of the Company or of a company which is or was a subsidiary undertaking of the Company or in which the Company has or had an interest (whether direct or indirect); or


  146.6.2

trustee of a retirement benefits scheme or other trust in which a person referred to in article 146.6.1 is or has been interested,

indemnifying him/her and keeping him/her indemnified against liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust or other liability which may lawfully be insured against by the Company.

Exhibit 4.4

 

 

 

BARCLAYS PLC,

as Issuer,

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH,

as Trustee and Paying Agent

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON SA/NV, LUXEMBOURG BRANCH,

as Contingent Capital Security Registrar

 

 

SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of August 11, 2021

 

 

To the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2018,

among the Issuer, the Trustee and Paying Agent and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar

$1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 1.01.  

Definitions.

     2  
SECTION 1.02.  

Effect of Headings.

     14  
SECTION 1.03.  

Separability Clause.

     14  
SECTION 1.04.  

Benefits of Instrument.

     14  
SECTION 1.05.  

Relation to Base Indenture.

     14  
SECTION 1.06.  

Construction and Interpretation

     14  
ARTICLE II

 

$1,500,000,000 4.375% FIXED RATE RESETTING PERPETUAL SUBORDINATED CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01.  

Creation of Series; Establishment of Form.

     16  
SECTION 2.02.  

Interest.

     17  
SECTION 2.03.  

Payment of Principal, Interest and Other Amounts

     17  
SECTION 2.04.  

Optional Redemption

     18  
SECTION 2.05.  

Regulatory Event Redemption

     18  
SECTION 2.06.  

Notice of Redemption

     18  
SECTION 2.07.  

Automatic Conversion upon Capital Adequacy Trigger Event.

     18  
SECTION 2.08.  

Conversion Shares.

     22  
SECTION 2.09.  

Conversion Shares Offer.

     23  
SECTION 2.10.  

Settlement Procedure.

     24  
SECTION 2.11.  

Failure to Deliver a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice

     26  
SECTION 2.12.  

Additional Amounts and FATCA Withholding Tax

     27  
ARTICLE III

 

ANTI-DILUTION

 

SECTION 3.01.  

Adjustment of Conversion Price and Conversion Shares Offer Price

     27  
SECTION 3.02.  

No Retroactive Adjustments

     30  
SECTION 3.03.  

Decision of an Independent Financial Advisor

     30  

 

ii


SECTION 3.04.  

Rounding Down and Notice of Adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price.

     31  
SECTION 3.05.  

Qualifying Takeover Event.

     31  
ARTICLE IV

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 4.01.  

Effectiveness

     32  
SECTION 4.02.  

Original Issue

     32  
SECTION 4.03.  

Ratification and Integral Part

     33  
SECTION 4.04.  

Priority

     33  
SECTION 4.05.  

Successors and Assigns

     33  
SECTION 4.06.  

Counterparts

     33  
SECTION 4.07.  

Governing Law

     33  

 

EXHIBIT A – Form of Global Security

     A-1  

EXHIBIT B – Form of Automatic Conversion Notice

     B-1  

EXHIBIT C – Form of Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate

     C-1  

EXHIBIT D – Form of Conversion Shares Offer Notice

     D-1  

EXHIBIT E – Form of Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice

     E-1  

 

iii


SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of August 11, 2021 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”), among BARCLAYS PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales, as Issuer (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its registered office at 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP, United Kingdom, THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, LONDON BRANCH, a New York banking corporation, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”) and Paying Agent, having its Corporate Trust Office at One Canada Square, London E14 5AL, United Kingdom and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON SA/NV, LUXEMBOURG BRANCH, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar, having an office at 2-4 Rue Eugene Ruppert, Vertigo Building – Polaris, Luxembourg, L-2453, Luxembourg (herein called the “Contingent Capital Security Registrar”), to the CONTINGENT CAPITAL SECURITIES INDENTURE, dated as of August 14, 2018 among the Company, the Trustee and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar, as heretofore amended and supplemented (the “Base Indenture” and, together with this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company, the Trustee and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar are parties to the Base Indenture, which provides for the issuance by the Company from time to time of Contingent Capital Securities in one or more series;

WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture permits supplements thereto without the consent of Holders of Contingent Capital Securities to establish the form or terms of Contingent Capital Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 3.01 of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, as contemplated by Section 3.01 of the Base Indenture, the Company intends to issue a new series of Contingent Capital Securities to be known as the Company’s “$1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities” (the “Securities”) under the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture;

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company, the Trustee and Paying Agent and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar mutually agree as follows with regard to the Securities:

 

- 1 -


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires, all terms used in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture that are defined in the Base Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture. The following terms used in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture have the following respective meanings with respect to the Securities only:

Acquirer” means the Takeover Person that controls the Company following a Takeover Event. For the purposes of this definition, “control” means the acquisition or holding of legal or beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the votes which may ordinarily be cast on a poll at a general meeting of the Company or the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board of directors of the Company. On and after the date of a Qualifying Takeover Event, references herein to “Ordinary Shares” shall be read as references to “Approved Entity Shares.”

Approved Entity” means a body corporate which, on the occurrence of the Takeover Event and thereafter, has in issue Approved Entity Shares.

Approved Entity Shares” means ordinary shares in the capital of a body corporate that constitutes equity share capital or the equivalent (or depository or other receipts representing the same) which are listed and admitted to trading on a Recognized Stock Exchange and is not share capital which, if the Securities could convert into such share capital in accordance with Section 2.08 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, would cause a Relevant Tax Effect in circumstances where, if the Securities could instead only convert into ordinary shares of the Company, would not cause a Relevant Tax Effect. Such shares shall cease to be “Approved Entity Shares” if they do not satisfy the definition above on the Conversion Date. In relation to an Automatic Conversion in respect of which the Conversion Date falls on or after the QTE Effective Date, references herein to “Conversion Shares” shall be deemed to be references to “Approved Entity Shares”.

Automatic Conversion” means the irrevocable and automatic release of all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities (other than the CSO Obligations, if any) in consideration of the Company’s issuance of the Conversion Shares at the Conversion Price to the Conversion Shares Depository (on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities) or to the relevant recipient of such Conversion Shares, all in accordance with the terms of the Securities.

Automatic Conversion Notice” means the written notice (substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B) to be delivered by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders of the Global Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders at their addresses

 

- 2 -


shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register) specifying (i) that a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred, (ii) the Conversion Date or expected Conversion Date, (iii) the Conversion Price, (iv) that the Company has the option, at its sole and absolute discretion, to elect that a Conversion Shares Offer be conducted and that the Company will issue a Conversion Shares Offer Notice via DTC within ten (10) Business Days following the Conversion Date notifying Holders of the Company’s election and (v) that the Securities shall remain in existence for the sole purpose of evidencing (a) the right of the Holders to receive Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, from the Conversion Shares Depository and (b) the Company’s CSO Obligations, if any, and that the Securities may continue to be transferable until the Suspension Date, which shall be specified in the Conversion Shares Offer Notice.

Base Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

Business Day” means any weekday, other than one on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close in London, United Kingdom, or in New York City, New York.

Calculation Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, or its successor appointed by the Company pursuant to the calculation agent agreement between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated as of the date hereof.

Cancellation Date” means (i) with respect to any Security for which a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice is received by the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the applicable Settlement Date and (ii) with respect to any Security for which a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice is not received by the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the Final Cancellation Date.

Capital Adequacy Trigger Event” shall occur if at any time the Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio (as defined herein) is less than 7.00%. Whether a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred at any time shall be determined by the Company and such determination shall be binding on the Trustee and Holders of the Securities.

Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07(o) hereof.

Cash Component” means that portion, if any, of the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration consisting of cash.

Cash Dividend” means any dividend or distribution in respect of the Ordinary Shares to Shareholders of the Company which is to be paid or made in cash (in whatever currency), however described and whether payable out of share premium account, profits, retained earnings or any other capital or revenue reserve or account and including a distribution or payment to Shareholders upon or in connection with a reduction of capital.

 

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CET1 Capital” means, at any time, the sum, expressed in pounds sterling, of all amounts that constitute common equity Tier 1 Capital of the Group at such time, less any deductions from common equity Tier 1 Capital required to be made at such time, in each case as determined by the Company on a consolidated basis in accordance with the Capital Regulations applicable at such time (which determination shall be binding on the Trustee and the Holders and Beneficial Owners). For the purposes of this definition, the term “common equity Tier 1 Capital” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Capital Regulations then applicable.

Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 (UK).

Company” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, and includes any successor entity.

Comparable Treasury Issue” means, with respect to any Reset Period, the U.S. Treasury security or securities selected by the Company with a maturity date on or about the last day of such Reset Period and that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and having a maturity of five years.

Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Reset Determination Date, (i) the arithmetic average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Reset Determination Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (ii) if fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are received, the arithmetic average of all such quotations, or (iii) if fewer than two such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are received, then such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation.

Conversion Date” means the date on which the Automatic Conversion shall take place, or has taken place, as applicable.

Conversion Price” means $2.29 per Conversion Share (subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof).

Conversion Shares” means the Ordinary Shares of the Company to be issued to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities) following an Automatic Conversion, which Ordinary Shares shall be in such number as is determined by dividing the aggregate principal amount of the Securities Outstanding immediately prior to the Automatic Conversion on the Conversion Date by the Conversion Price, rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number of Ordinary Shares.

Conversion Shares Component” means that portion, if any, of the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration consisting of Conversion Shares.

Conversion Shares Depository” means a financial institution, trust company, depository entity, nominee entity or similar entity to be appointed by the Company on or prior to any date when a function ascribed to the Conversion Shares Depository in the

 

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Indenture is required to be performed, to perform such functions and which, as a condition of such appointment, such entity will be required to undertake, for the benefit of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities, to hold the Conversion Shares (and any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration) on behalf of such Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities in one or more segregated accounts, unless otherwise required for the purposes of the Conversion Shares Offer and, in any event, on terms consistent with the Indenture.

Conversion Shares Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(a) hereof.

Conversion Shares Offer Agent” means the agent(s), if any, to be appointed on behalf of the Conversion Shares Depository by the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, to act as placement or other agent of the Conversion Shares Depository to facilitate a Conversion Shares Offer.

Conversion Shares Offer Consideration” means in respect of each Security (i) if all of the Conversion Shares are sold in the Conversion Shares Offer, the pro rata share of the cash proceeds from the sale of the Conversion Shares attributable to such Security translated from sterling into U.S. dollars at a then-prevailing exchange rate (less any foreign exchange transaction costs), (ii) if some but not all of the Conversion Shares are sold in the Conversion Shares Offer, (x) the pro rata share of the cash proceeds from the sale of the Conversion Shares attributable to such Security translated from sterling into U.S. dollars at a then-prevailing exchange rate (less any foreign exchange transaction costs) and (y) the pro rata share of the Conversion Shares not sold pursuant to the Conversion Shares Offer attributable to such Security rounded down to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares, and (iii) if no Conversion Shares are sold in a Conversion Shares Offer, the relevant Conversion Shares attributable to such Security rounded down to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares, subject in the case of (i) and (ii)(x) above to deduction from any such cash proceeds of an amount equal to the pro rata share of any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, or any other capital, issue, transfer, registration, financial transaction or documentary tax that may arise or be paid as a consequence of the transfer of any interest in the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository as a consequence of the Conversion Shares Offer.

Conversion Shares Offer Notice” means the written notice (substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D) to be delivered by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders of the Global Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders at their addresses shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register) specifying (i) whether or not the Company has elected that a Conversion Shares Offer be made and, if so, the Conversion Shares Offer Period, (ii) the Suspension Date, (iii) details of the Conversion Shares Depository or (iv) if the Company has been unable to appoint a Conversion Shares Depository, such other arrangements for the issuance and/or delivery of the Conversion Shares or the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, to the Holders of the Securities as it shall consider reasonable in the circumstances.

Conversion Shares Offer Period” means the period during which the Conversion Shares Offer may occur, which period shall end no later than forty (40) Business Days after the delivery of the Conversion Shares Offer Notice.

 

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Conversion Shares Offer Price” means £1.65 per Conversion Share (subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof).

Conversion Shares Settlement Notice” means a written notice (substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E) to be delivered by a Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient of the Conversion Shares in accordance with the terms of the Securities), with a copy to the Trustee, no earlier than the Suspension Date containing the following information: (i) the name of the Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof), (ii) the aggregate amount of the Tradable Amount of the book-entry interests in the Securities held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, broker, nominee or other representative thereof) on the date of such notice, (iii) the name to be entered in the Company’s share register, (iv) the details of the CREST or other clearing system account or, if the Conversion Shares are not a participating security in CREST or another clearing system, the address to which the Conversion Shares (or the Conversion Shares Component, if any, of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration) and/or cash (if not expected to be delivered through DTC) should be delivered and (v) such other details as may be required by the Conversion Shares Depository.

Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice” means the written notice to be delivered by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders and Beneficial Owner of the Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders at their registered addresses as shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register) on the Suspension Date requesting that Holders and Beneficial Owners complete a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and specifying (i) the Notice Cut-off Date and (ii) the Final Cancellation Date.

CREST” means the relevant system, as defined in the CREST Regulations, or any successor clearing system.

CREST Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 01/378), as amended.

CSO Obligations” means the obligations of the Company under the Securities that may arise in connection with a Conversion Shares Offer to: (i) facilitate the preparation of a prospectus or other offering document, if applicable, and (ii) take responsibility for such prospectus or other offering document, which obligations (and any claims relating to a failure to facilitate the preparation of, or take responsibility for, such prospectus or other offering document) shall terminate in the event of the winding-up or administration of the Company.

Current Market Price” means, in respect of an Ordinary Share at a particular date, the average of the daily Volume Weighted Average Price of an Ordinary Share on

 

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each of the five (5) consecutive Dealing Days ending on the Dealing Day immediately preceding such date; provided that, if at any time during the said five-dealing-day period the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price ex-Cash Dividend (or ex- any other entitlement) and during some other part of that period the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price cum-Cash Dividend (or cum- any other entitlement), then:

 

  (i)

if the Ordinary Shares to be issued do not rank for the Cash Dividend (or entitlement) in question, the Volume Weighted Average Price on the dates on which the Ordinary Shares shall have been based on a price cum-Cash Dividend (or cum- any other entitlement) shall, for the purposes of this definition, be deemed to be the amount thereof reduced by an amount equal to such Cash Dividend or entitlement per ordinary share as at the date of first public announcement relating to such Cash Dividend or entitlement, in any such case, determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required to be made on account of tax, and disregarding any associated tax credit; or

 

  (ii)

if the Ordinary Shares to be issued do rank for the Cash Dividend (or entitlement) in question, the Volume Weighted Average Price on the dates on which the Ordinary Shares shall have been based on a price ex-Cash Dividend (or ex- any other entitlement) shall, for the purposes of this definition, be deemed to be the amount thereof increased by an amount equal to such Cash Dividend or entitlement per ordinary share as at the date of first public announcement relating to such Cash Dividend or entitlement, in any such case, determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required to be made on account of tax, and disregarding any associated tax credit,

and provided further that, if on each of the said five Dealing Days the Volume Weighted Average Price shall have been based on a price cum-Cash Dividend (or cum- any other entitlement) in respect of a Cash Dividend (or other entitlement) which has been declared or announced but the Ordinary Shares to be issued do not rank for that Cash Dividend (or other entitlement), the Volume Weighted Average Price on each of such dates shall, for the purposes of this definition, be deemed to be the amount thereof reduced by an amount equal to such Cash Dividend or entitlement per ordinary share as at the date of first public announcement relating to such Cash Dividend or entitlement, in any such case, determined on a gross basis and disregarding any withholding or deduction required to be made on account of tax, and disregarding any associated tax credit,

and provided further that, if the Volume Weighted Average Price

 

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of an Ordinary Share is not available on one or more of the said five Dealing Days (disregarding for this purpose the proviso to the definition of Volume Weighted Average Price), then the average of such Volume Weighted Average Prices which are available in that five-dealing-day period shall be used (subject to a minimum of two such prices) and if only one, or no, such Volume Weighted Average Price is available in the relevant period, the Current Market Price shall be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser.

Dealing Day” means a day on which the Relevant Stock Exchange or relevant stock exchange or securities market is open for business and on which Ordinary Shares may be dealt in (other than a day on which the Relevant Stock Exchange or relevant stock exchange or securities market is scheduled to or does close prior to its regular weekday closing time).

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, or any successor clearing system.

Effective Date” means, for the purposes of Section 3.01(c) hereof, the first date on which the Ordinary Shares are traded ex-rights on the Relevant Stock Exchange and, for the purposes of Section 3.01(d) hereof, the first date on which the Ordinary Shares are traded ex-the relevant Cash Dividend on the Relevant Stock Exchange.

Equity Share Capital” has the meaning provided in Section 548 of the Companies Act.

Extraordinary Dividend” means any Cash Dividend that is expressly declared by the Company to be a capital distribution, extraordinary dividend, extraordinary distribution, special dividend, special distribution or return of value to shareholders or any analogous or similar term, in which case the Extraordinary Dividend shall be such Cash Dividend.

Final Cancellation Date” means the date, as specified in the Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice, on which the Securities in relation to which no Conversion Shares Settlement Notice has been received by the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date shall be cancelled, which date may be up to twelve (12) Business Days following the Notice Cut-off Date.

Fully Loaded” means, in relation to a measure that is presented or described as being on a “Fully Loaded basis,” that such measure is determined without applying the transitional provisions set out in Part Ten of the U.K. CRD Regulation in accordance with the Capital Regulations applicable as at the time such measure is determined.

Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio” means, at any time, the ratio of CET1 Capital at such time to the Risk Weighted Assets at such time, expressed as a percentage and on the basis that all measures used in such calculation shall be determined on a Fully Loaded basis.

Group” means the Company (or any successor entity) and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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Governmental Entity” means (i) the United Kingdom Government, (ii) an agency of the United Kingdom Government or (iii) a Takeover Person or entity (other than a body corporate) controlled by the United Kingdom Government or any such agency referred to in clause (ii) of this definition. If the Company is then organized in another jurisdiction, the references to “United Kingdom Government” shall be read as references to the government of such other jurisdiction.

Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

Independent Financial Adviser” means an independent financial institution of international repute appointed by the Company at its own expense.

Initial Interest Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Issue Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(f) hereof.

Junior Securities” means any Ordinary Shares, securities or other obligations (including any guarantee, credit support or similar undertaking) of the Company ranking, or expressed to rank, junior to the Securities in a winding-up or administration of the Company.

LSE” means the London Stock Exchange plc (or its successor).

Margin” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

New Conversion Condition” means the condition that shall be satisfied if (a) by not later than seven (7) Business Days following the completion of a Takeover Event where the Acquirer is an Approved Entity, there shall be arrangements in place for the Approved Entity to provide for issuance of Approved Entity Shares following an Automatic Conversion of the Securities on terms mutatis mutandis identical to the provisions under Section 2.07 below, and (b) the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion has determined that such arrangements are in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders taken as a whole having regard to the interests of its stakeholders (including, but not limited to, the Holders of the Securities) and are consistent with applicable law and regulation (including, but not limited to, the guidance of any applicable regulatory body).

 

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New Conversion Price” means the amount determined in accordance with the following formula, which shall apply from the QTE Effective Date:

NCP = ECP * (VWAPAES / VWAPOS)

where:

NCP” is the New Conversion Price;

ECP” is the Conversion Price in effect on the Dealing Day immediately prior to the QTE Effective Date;

VWAPAES” means the average of the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Approved Entity Shares (translated, if necessary, into the same currency as the price of the Ordinary Shares at the Prevailing Rate on the relevant dealing day) on each of the five Dealing Days ending on the Dealing Day prior to the closing date of the Takeover Event (and where references in the definition of “Volume Weighted Average Price” to “ordinary share” shall be construed as a reference to the Approved Entity Shares and in the definition of “Dealing Day,” references to the “Relevant Stock Exchange” shall be to the relevant Recognized Stock Exchange); and

VWAPOS” is the average of the Volume Weighted Average Price of the Ordinary Shares on each of the five Dealing Days ending on the Dealing Day immediately prior to the closing date of the Takeover Event.

Notice Cut-off Date” means the date specified as such in the Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice, which date shall be at least forty (40) Business Days following the Suspension Date.

Ordinary Shares” means (a) prior to the QTE Effective Date, fully paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company and (b) on and after the QTE Effective Date, the relevant Approved Entity Shares.

Parity Securities” means any preference shares, securities or other obligations (including any guarantee, credit support or similar undertaking) of the Company ranking, or expressed to rank, pari passu with the Securities in a winding-up or administration of the Company.

Prevailing Rate” means, in respect of any currencies on any day, the spot rate of exchange between the relevant currencies prevailing as at or about 12:00 pm, London time, on that date as appearing on or derived from the relevant page on Bloomberg (or such other information service provider that displays the relevant information) or, if such a rate cannot be determined at such time, the rate prevailing as at or about 12:00 pm, London time, on the immediately preceding day on which such rate can be so determined or, if such rate cannot be so determined by reference to the relevant page on Bloomberg (or such other information service provider that displays the relevant information), the rate determined in such other manner as an Independent Financial Adviser shall in good faith prescribe.

Price” means the Conversion Price or the Conversion Shares Offer Price, as applicable.

Prospectus Supplement” means the prospectus supplement with respect to the Securities, dated August 4, 2021, supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021.

 

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QTE Effective Date” means the date with effect from which the New Conversion Condition shall have been satisfied.

Qualifying Takeover Event” means a Takeover Event with respect to which: (i) the Acquirer is an Approved Entity; and (ii) the New Conversion Condition is satisfied.

Recognized Stock Exchange” means a Regulated Market or another regulated, regularly operating, recognized stock exchange or securities market in an OECD member state.

Reference Treasury Dealer” means, with respect to any Reset Determination Date, each of up to five banks selected by the Company, or the affiliates of such banks, which are (i) primary U.S. Treasury securities dealers, and their respective successors, or (ii) market makers in pricing corporate bond issues denominated in U.S. dollars.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Reset Determination Date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the bid and offered prices (such prices being obtained by the Company and furnished to the Calculation Agent) for the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, as at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time), on such Reset Determination Date.

Regular Record Date” means the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (or, if the Securities are held in definitive form, the close of business on the 15th Business Day preceding each Interest Payment Date).

Regulated Market” means a regulated market as defined by Article 4.1(21) of Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on markets in financial instruments or as defined in Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of U.K. domestic law by virtue of the Withdrawal Act, as each may be amended or replaced from time to time.

Regulatory Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05 hereof.

Relevant Currency” means sterling or, if at the relevant time or for the purposes of the relevant calculation or determination the LSE is not the Relevant Stock Exchange, the currency in which the Ordinary Shares are quoted or dealt in on the Relevant Stock Exchange at such time.

Relevant Stock Exchange” means the LSE or, if at the relevant time the Ordinary Shares are not at that time listed and admitted to trading on the LSE, the principal stock exchange or securities market on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed, admitted to trading or quoted or accepted for dealing.

Relevant Tax Effect” means a circumstance, as on the date hereof or at any time thereafter, that interest payments (or funding costs of the Company as recognized in its accounts) under or with respect to the Securities are not or would not be deductible for UK corporation tax purposes (whether for the Company, or for companies with which the Company is grouped for United Kingdom tax purposes).

 

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Reset Date” means September 15, 2028 and each fifth anniversary thereafter.

Reset Determination Date” means the second (2nd) Business Day immediately preceding each Reset Date.

Reset Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Risk Weighted Assets” means, at any time, the aggregate amount, expressed in pounds sterling, of the risk weighted assets of the Group at such time, as determined by the Company on a consolidated basis in accordance with the Capital Regulations applicable at such time (which determination shall be binding on the Trustee, the Holders and the Beneficial Owners). For the purposes of this definition, the term “risk weighted assets” means the risk weighted assets or total risk exposure amount, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Capital Regulations.

Securities” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Settlement Date” means (i) with respect to any Security in relation to which a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice is received by the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the later of (a) the date that is two (2) Business Days after the end of the relevant Conversion Shares Offer Period and (b) the date that is two (2) Business Days after the date on which such Conversion Shares Settlement Notice has been received by the Conversion Shares Depository and (ii) with respect to any Security in relation to which a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice is not received by the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the date on which the Conversion Shares Depository delivers the relevant Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Component, if any, of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable.

Shareholders” means the holders of Ordinary Shares.

Subsequent Interest Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Suspension Date” means the date specified in the Conversion Shares Offer Notice as the date on which DTC shall suspend all clearance and settlement of transactions in the Securities in accordance with its rules and procedures, which date shall be no later than thirty-eight (38) Business Days after the delivery of the Conversion Shares Offer Notice to DTC (and, if the Company elects that a Conversion Shares Offer be made, such date shall be at least two (2) Business Days prior to the end of the relevant Conversion Shares Offer Period).

Takeover Event” shall mean an offer made to all (or as nearly as may be practicable all) shareholders (or all (or as nearly as may be practicable all) such shareholders other than the offeror and/or any associate (as defined in Section 988(1) of the Companies Act) of the offeror), to acquire all or a majority of the issued Ordinary Share Capital (as defined in Section 1119 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, or any

 

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successor provision or legislation) of the Company or if any Takeover Person proposes a scheme with regard to such acquisition and (such offer or scheme having become or been declared unconditional in all respects or having become effective) the right to cast more than 50% of the votes which may ordinarily be cast on a poll at a general meeting of the Company has or will become unconditionally vested in any Takeover Person and/or any associate of that Takeover Person (as defined in Section 988(1) of the Companies Act).

Takeover Event Notice” means a notice to the Holders of the Securities notifying them that a Takeover Event has occurred and specifying: (1) the identity of the Acquirer; (2) whether the Takeover Event is a Qualifying Takeover Event or not; (3) in the case of a Qualifying Takeover Event, if determined at such time, the New Conversion Price; and (4) if applicable, the QTE Effective Date.

Takeover Person” includes any individual, company, corporation, firm, partnership, joint venture, undertaking, association, organization, trust, state or agency of a state (in each case whether or not being a separate legal entity) or other legal entity.

Tradable Amount” has the meaning set forth in 2.01(j) hereof.

Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

U.S. Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Reset Period for which such rate applies, the rate per annum equal to: (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the applicable Reset Determination Date, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15,” or any successor publication that is published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, under the caption “Treasury constant maturities,” for the maturity of five years; or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week immediately prior to such Reset Determination Date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Reset Determination Date; provided that, if the U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined, for whatever reason, as described under (1) or (2) above, “U.S. Treasury Rate” means the rate in percentage per annum as notified by the Calculation Agent to the Company equal to the yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity of five years as set forth in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” (or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” for the maturity of five years) at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the last available date preceding the Reset Determination Date on which such rate was set forth in such release (or any successor release).

 

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Volume Weighted Average Price” means, in respect of an Ordinary Share (or an Approved Entity Share, as applicable) on any Dealing Day, the order book volume-weighted average price of an Ordinary Share (or Approved Entity Shares, as applicable) published by or derived from the relevant page on Bloomberg or such other source as shall be determined in good faith to be appropriate by an Independent Financial Adviser on such Dealing Day, provided that if on any such Dealing Day such price is not available or cannot otherwise be determined as provided above, the “Volume Weighted Average Price” of an ordinary share (or an Approved Entity Shares, as applicable) in respect of such Dealing Day shall be the volume weighted average price, determined as provided above, on the immediately preceding Dealing Day on which the same can be so determined or determined as an Independent Financial Adviser might otherwise determine in good faith to be appropriate.

SECTION 1.02. Effect of Headings.

The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 1.03. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 1.04. Benefits of Instrument.

Nothing in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture.

SECTION 1.05. Relation to Base Indenture.

This Sixth Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Base Indenture. All provisions of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture are expressly and solely for the benefit of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities and any such provisions shall not be deemed to apply to any other Contingent Capital Securities issued under the Base Indenture and shall not be deemed to amend, modify or supplement the Base Indenture for any purpose other than with respect to the Securities.

SECTION 1.06. Construction and Interpretation

Unless the express otherwise requires:

(a) the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, refer to this Sixth Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture;

(b) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa;

 

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(c) the terms “U.S. dollars” and “$” refer to the lawful currency for the time being of the United States;

(d) the terms “pounds sterling,” “sterling” and “£” mean British pounds sterling;

(e) references herein to a specific Section, Article or Exhibit refer to Sections or Articles of, or an Exhibit to, this Sixth Supplemental Indenture;

(f) wherever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation;”

(g) references to a Person are also to its successors and permitted assigns;

(h) the use of “or” is not intended to be exclusive unless expressly indicated otherwise;

(i) for purposes of Article III of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, references therein to any act or statute or any provision of any act or statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder or under such modification or re-enactment; and

(j) references to any issue or offer or grant to Shareholders “as a class” or “by way of rights” shall be taken to be references to an issue or offer or grant to all or substantially all Shareholders, as the case may be, other than Shareholders, as the case may be, to whom, by reason of the laws of any territory or requirements of any recognized regulatory body or any other stock exchange or securities market in any territory or in connection with fractional entitlements, it is determined not to make such issue or offer or grant.

 

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ARTICLE II

$1,500,000,000 4.375% FIXED RATE RESETTING PERPETUAL SUBORDINATED CONTINGENT CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. Creation of Series; Establishment of Form.

(a) There is hereby established a new series of Contingent Capital Securities under the Base Indenture entitled the “$1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities.”

(b) The Securities shall be issued initially in the form of one or more registered Global Securities that shall be deposited with DTC on the Issue Date. The Global Securities shall be registered in the name of Cede & Co. and executed and delivered in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

(c) The Company shall issue the Securities in an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000,000. The Company may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, issue additional securities having the same ranking and same interest rate, interest cancellation terms, redemption terms, Conversion Price and other terms as the Securities described in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, except for the price to public and date of issue. Any such additional securities subsequently issued shall rank equally and ratably with the Securities in all respects, so that such further securities shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Securities.

(d) Any proposed transfer of an interest in Securities held in the form of a Global Security and shall be effected through the book-entry system maintained by DTC.

(e) The Securities shall not have a sinking fund.

(f) The Securities shall be issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Issue Date”).

(g) The Securities shall have no fixed maturity or fixed redemption date, and shall not be redeemable except as provided in Sections 2.04 and 2.05 hereof and Section 11.12 of the Base Indenture.

(h) The interest rate on the Securities shall be determined as set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

(i) The Securities shall be issued in denominations of $200,000 in principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The denominations cannot be changed without the consent of the Trustee.

(j) The denomination of each interest in a Global Security shall be the “Tradable Amount” of such book-entry interest. Prior to an Automatic Conversion, the aggregate Tradable Amount of the interests in each Global Security shall be equal to such Global Security’s outstanding principal amount. Following an Automatic Conversion, the principal amount of each Security shall be zero, but the Tradable Amount of the book-entry interests in each Security shall remain unchanged.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Interest.

(a) From (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) September 15, 2028 the interest rate on the Securities shall be 4.375% per annum (the “Initial Interest Rate”). From and including each Reset Date to (but excluding) the next following Reset Date (each such period, a “Reset Period”), the applicable per annum interest rate (the “Subsequent Interest Rate”) will, subject to Section 2.02(b) herein, be equal to the sum, as determined by the Calculation Agent, of the then prevailing U.S. Treasury Rate on the relevant Reset Determination Date and 3.410% (the “Margin”). Each Subsequent Interest Rate shall be determined in compliance with the relevant Capital Regulations. Subject to Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture and the penultimate sentence of this paragraph, interest, if any, shall be payable quarterly in arrear on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing on December 15, 2021; provided that if such Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next Business Day, but interest on that payment will not accrue during the period from and after the Interest Payment Date. Subject to Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture, the interest rate on the Securities, if any, will be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days consisting of 12 months of 30 days each and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of days elapsed. The first date on which interest may be paid will be December 15, 2021 for the period commencing on (and including) August 11, 2021 and ending on (but excluding) December 15, 2021 (and thus a long first interest period). If a date of redemption is not a Business Day, the Company may pay interest (if any) and principal on the next Business Day, but interest on that payment will not accrue during the period from and after the date of redemption.

(b) In addition to any other restrictions on payments of principal and interest contained in the Indenture, no repayment of the principal amount of the Securities or payment of interest on the Securities shall become due and payable after the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority unless such repayment or payment would be permitted to be made by the Company under the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and the European Union applicable to the Company.

SECTION 2.03. Payment of Principal, Interest and Other Amounts. Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts and such payments on Securities represented by a Global Security shall be made through one or more Paying Agents appointed under the Base Indenture to DTC or its nominee, as the Holder or Holders of the Global Security. Initially, the Paying Agent for the Securities shall be The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, One Canada Square, London E14 5AL, United Kingdom and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar shall be The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, 2-4 Rue Eugene Ruppert, Vertigo Building – Polaris, Luxembourg, L-2453, Luxembourg. The Company may change the Paying Agent without prior notice to the Holders of the Securities, and in such an event the Company may act as Paying Agent or Contingent Capital Security Registrar. Payments of principal of and interest on the Securities represented by a Global Security shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds; provided, however, that in the case of payments of principal, such Global Security is first surrendered to the Paying Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.04. Optional Redemption. Subject to the limitations specified in Section 2.06 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture and Section 11.08 of the Base Indenture, the Company may, at the Company’s option, redeem the Securities, in whole but not in part, on any day falling in the period commencing on (and including) March 15, 2028 and ending on (and including) the first Reset Date or on any subsequent Reset Date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, together with any accrued but unpaid interest (which excludes any interest cancelled or deemed cancelled as described in Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption.

SECTION 2.05. Regulatory Event Redemption. Subject to Section 2.06 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture and Section 11.08 of the Base Indenture, the Company may, at the Company’s option, at any time, redeem the Securities, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, together with any accrued but unpaid interest (which excludes any interest cancelled or deemed cancelled as described in Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture) to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption, if, on or after the Issue Date, there is a change in the regulatory classification of the Securities that does, or would be likely to, result in the whole or any part of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Securities at any time being excluded from, or ceasing to count towards, the Group’s Tier 1 Capital (a “Regulatory Event”).

SECTION 2.06. Notice of Redemption. Before the Company may redeem the Securities pursuant to Section 2.04 or Section 2.05 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture or Section 11.12 of the Base Indenture, the Company shall deliver via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, to the Holders at their addresses shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register) prior notice of not less than thirty (30) days, nor more than sixty (60) days to the Holders of the Securities. The Company shall deliver written notice of such redemption of the Securities to the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which the relevant notice of redemption is sent to Holders (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee). Such notice shall specify the Company’s election to redeem the Securities and the date fixed for such redemption and shall be irrevocable except in the limited circumstances described in Sections 11.04(d), (e) and (f) of the Base Indenture. The Company shall not be entitled to deliver a notice of redemption after an Automatic Conversion Notice has been delivered.

SECTION 2.07. Automatic Conversion upon Capital Adequacy Trigger Event.

(a) If a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred, then the Automatic Conversion shall occur on the Conversion Date, at which point all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities (other than the CSO Obligations, if any) shall be irrevocably and automatically released in consideration of the Company’s issuance of the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities) on the Conversion Date at the Conversion Price. Under no circumstances shall such released obligations be reinstated. If the Company has been unable to appoint a Conversion Shares Depository, it shall make such other arrangements for the issuance and/or delivery of the

 

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Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, to the Holders of the Securities as it shall consider reasonable in the circumstances (including, without limitation, issuance of the Conversion Shares to another nominee or to the Holders of the Securities directly), and such issuance shall irrevocably and automatically release all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities (other than the CSO Obligations, if any) as if the Conversion Shares had been issued to the Conversion Shares Depository.

(b) The Automatic Conversion shall occur without delay upon the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event.

(c) The Company shall (a) immediately inform the PRA of the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and (b) deliver an Automatic Conversion Notice to the Trustee directly and to the Holders via DTC as soon as practicable after such time.

(d) The date on which the Automatic Conversion Notice shall be deemed to have been given shall be the date on which it is dispatched by the Company to DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, to the Trustee).

(e) The Company shall request that DTC post the Automatic Conversion Notice on its Reorganization Inquiry for Participants System pursuant to DTC’s procedures then in effect (or such other system as DTC uses for providing notices to holders of securities). Within two (2) Business Days of its receipt of the Automatic Conversion Notice, the Trustee shall transmit the Automatic Conversion Notice to the direct participants of DTC holding the Securities at such time.

(f) The Automatic Conversion shall occur on the Conversion Date and all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities (other than the CSO Obligations, if any) shall be irrevocably and automatically released in consideration of the Company’s issuance of the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities), and the principal amount of the Securities shall equal zero at all times thereafter (for the avoidance of doubt, the Tradable Amount shall remain unchanged) as a result of the Automatic Conversion.

(g) Within ten (10) Business Days following the Conversion Date, the Company shall deliver a Conversion Shares Offer Notice to the Trustee directly and to the Holders of the Global Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders at their addresses shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register).

(h) The Conversion Shares shall initially be registered in the name of the Conversion Shares Depository (or the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities, as applicable) and each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the Securities shall be deemed to have irrevocably directed the Company to issue the Conversion Shares corresponding to the conversion of its holding of Securities to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to such other relevant recipient).

(i) The Conversion Shares Depository (or the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities, as applicable) shall hold the Conversion Shares on behalf of the

 

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Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities, who shall be entitled to direct (each in respect of their pro rata share of the Conversion Shares) the Conversion Shares Depository or such other relevant recipient, as applicable, to exercise on their behalf all rights of an ordinary shareholder (including voting rights and rights to receive dividends); provided, however, that Holders and Beneficial Owners shall not be able to sell or otherwise transfer the Conversion Shares until such time as the Conversion Shares have been delivered to the Holders or Beneficial Owners in accordance with the procedures set forth under Section 2.10 hereof. A Holder or Beneficial Owner’s pro rata share of the Conversion Shares at any particular time shall be determined based on the aggregate amount of the Tradable Amount of the Securities held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner as a proportion of the aggregate amount of the Tradable Amount of all Securities outstanding at the relevant time rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares.

(j) Provided that the Company issues the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository (or the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities) in accordance with the terms of the Securities, with effect from the Conversion Date, Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities shall have recourse only to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to such other relevant recipient, as applicable) for the delivery to them of Conversion Shares or, if the Company elects that a Conversion Shares Offer be made, of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration to which such Holders and Beneficial Owners are entitled.

(k) Effective upon, and following, the occurrence of the Automatic Conversion, Holders and Beneficial Owners shall not have any rights against the Company with respect to repayment of the principal amount of the Securities or payment of interest or any other amount on or in respect of such Securities, which liabilities of the Company shall be irrevocably and automatically released, and accordingly the principal amount of the Securities shall equal zero at all times thereafter. Any interest in respect of an interest period ending on any Interest Payment Date falling between the date of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and the Conversion Date shall be deemed to have been cancelled pursuant to Section 3.12 of the Base Indenture upon the occurrence of such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and shall not be due and payable.

(l) By subscribing for, purchasing or otherwise acquiring the Securities, each Holder and each Beneficial Owner shall be deemed to have (i) acknowledged and agreed that an interest payment shall not be due and payable on the relevant Interest Payment Date if it has been cancelled or deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part) for any reason in accordance with the terms of the Securities, (ii) consented to (x) the Automatic Conversion, including the appointment of a Conversion Shares Depository and the issuance of the Conversion Shares thereto (or any related Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, including the appointment of any Conversion Shares Offer Agent and the sale of the Conversion Shares by the Conversion Shares Depository), and acknowledged that such Automatic Conversion of its Securities (and any related Conversion Shares Offer) may occur without any further action on the part of such Holder or Beneficial Owner or the Trustee and (y) the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power as it may be imposed without any prior notice by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority of its decision to exercise such power with respect to the Securities and (iii) authorized, directed and requested DTC and any direct participant in DTC or other intermediary through which it holds such Securities to take any and all necessary action, if required, to implement (x) the Automatic

 

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Conversion (including any related Conversion Shares Offer) and (y) the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power with respect to the Securities as it may be imposed, without any further action or direction on the part of such Holder or Beneficial Owner or the Trustee.

(m) The procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 are subject to change to reflect changes in DTC practices, and the Company may make changes to the procedures set forth in this Section 2.07 to the extent reasonably necessary, in the opinion of the Company, to reflect such changes in DTC practices.

(n) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Indenture or the Securities, once the Company has delivered an Automatic Conversion Notice to DTC following the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event (or following an Automatic Conversion (if sooner)), (i) the Holders and Beneficial Owners shall have no rights whatsoever under the Indenture or the Securities to instruct the Trustee to take any action whatsoever and (ii) as of the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice, except for any indemnity and/or security provided by any Holder or by any Beneficial Owner in such direction or related to such direction, any direction previously given to the Trustee by any Holders or by any Beneficial Owners shall cease automatically and shall be null and void and of no further effect; except in each case of (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.07(n), with respect to any rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners with respect to any payments under the Securities that were unconditionally due and payable prior to the date of the Automatic Conversion Notice (if any) or unless the Trustee is instructed in writing by the Company to act otherwise.

(o) On or (if reasonably practicable) prior to delivering the Automatic Conversion Notice, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, specifying that a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred (the “Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate”). The Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on and accept such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate without any duty whatsoever of further inquiry as sufficient and conclusive evidence of the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event, and such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Trustee, the Holders and the Beneficial Owners.

(p) All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by each Holder and Beneficial Owner pursuant to this Section 2.07, including the consents given by such Holder and Beneficial Owner, shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of such Holder and Beneficial Owner.

(q) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to (i) the calculation or accuracy of the Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio in connection with the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and the timing of such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event, (ii) the failure of the Company to post or deliver the underlying Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio calculations of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event to DTC, the Holders or the Beneficial Owners, (iii) any aspect of the Company’s decision to deliver an Automatic Conversion Notice or the related Automatic Conversion or (iv) the adequacy of the disclosure of these provisions in the Prospectus Supplement or for the direct or indirect consequences thereof.

 

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(r) Following the issuance of the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities) on the Conversion Date, the Securities shall remain in existence until the applicable Cancellation Date for the sole purpose of evidencing (a) the Holders’ and Beneficial Owners’ right to receive Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, from the Conversion Shares Depository (or such other relevant recipient, as applicable) and (b) the Company’s CSO Obligations, if any.

(s) The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall not at any time have the option to convert to the Securities into Conversion Shares.

(t) The occurrence of an Automatic Conversion shall not constitute a Default.

(u) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, by subscribing for, purchasing or otherwise acquiring the Securities, each Holder and each Beneficial Owner (i) agrees to all of the terms of the Securities, including, without limitation, those related to (x) the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and any related Automatic Conversion and (y) the appointment of the Conversion Shares Depository, the issuance of the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository (or to the relevant recipient in accordance with the terms of the Securities) and the potential sale of the Conversion Shares pursuant to a Conversion Shares Offer, (ii) agrees that effective upon, and following, the occurrence of the Automatic Conversion, no amount shall be due and payable to the Holders or the Beneficial Owners under the Securities and the liability of the Company to pay any such amounts (including the principal amount of, or any interest in respect of, the Securities) shall be automatically released, and the Holders and the Beneficial Owners shall not have the right to give any direction to the Trustee with respect to the Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and any related Automatic Conversion and (iii) waives, to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, any claim against the Trustee arising out of its acceptance of its trusteeship for the Securities, including, without limitation, claims related to or arising out of or in connection with a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event and/or any Automatic Conversion.

SECTION 2.08. Conversion Shares.

(a) The number of Conversion Shares to be issued to the Conversion Shares Depository on the Conversion Date shall be determined by dividing the (i) aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities immediately prior to the Automatic Conversion on the Conversion Date by (ii) the Conversion Price rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares. Fractions of Conversion Shares shall not be issued following an Automatic Conversion and no cash payment shall be made in lieu thereof. Upon Automatic Conversion on the Conversion Date, the number of Conversion Shares to be held by the Conversion Shares Depository for the benefit of each Holder shall be the number of Conversion Shares thus calculated multiplied by a fraction equal to the aggregate amount of the Tradable Amount of the book-entry interests in the Securities held by such Holder on the Conversion Date divided by the aggregate amount of the Tradable Amount of the book-entry interests of all the Outstanding Securities immediately prior to the Automatic Conversion on the Conversion Date rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares.

 

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(b) The Conversion Shares issued following an Automatic Conversion shall be fully paid and non-assessable and shall in all respects rank pari passu with the fully paid Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue on the Conversion Date, except in any such case for any right excluded by mandatory provisions of applicable law, and except that the Conversion Shares so issued shall not rank for (or, as the case may be, the relevant Holder or Beneficial Owner shall not be entitled to receive) any rights, the entitlement to which falls prior to the Conversion Date.

(c) Subject to Section 3.05, if a Qualifying Takeover Event occurs, and the Conversion Date falls on or after the QTE Effective Date, then in such case Approved Entity Shares of the Approved Entity shall be issued to the Conversion Shares Depository on the Conversion Date instead of Conversion Shares with the same effect as if Conversion Shares had been issued pursuant to Section 2.08(a) above.

(d) The Conversion Shares or the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as the case may be, will be delivered to Holders pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.10 below.

SECTION 2.09. Conversion Shares Offer.

(a) No later than 10 (ten) Business Days following the Conversion Date, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect that the Conversion Shares Depository make an offer of all or some of the Conversion Shares to all or some of the Company’s ordinary shareholders at a cash price per Conversion Share equal to the Conversion Shares Offer Price, subject as provided in this Section 2.09 (the “Conversion Shares Offer”). The Company may, on behalf of the Conversion Shares Depository, appoint a Conversion Shares Offer Agent to act as placement or other agent to facilitate the Conversion Shares Offer. The Company will deliver a Conversion Shares Offer Notice to the Trustee directly and to the Holders of the Securities via DTC within ten (10) Business Days following the Conversion Date specifying whether or not it has elected that a Conversion Shares Offer be conducted. If the Company elects a Conversion Shares Offer to be conducted, the Conversion Shares Offer Period, during which time the Conversion Shares Offer may be made, shall end no later than forty (40) Business Days following the delivery of the Conversion Shares Offer Notice.

(b) Any Conversion Shares Offer shall be made subject to applicable laws and regulations in effect at the relevant time and shall be conducted, if at all, only to the extent that the Company, in its sole and absolute discretion, determines that the Conversion Shares Offer is practicable. The Company or the purchasers of the Conversion Shares sold in any Conversion Shares Offer shall bear the costs and expenses of any Conversion Shares Offer (with the exception of any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, or any other capital, issue, transfer, registration, financial transaction or documentary tax that may arise or be paid as a consequence of the transfer of Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository as a consequence of the Conversion Shares Offer), including the fees of the Conversion Shares Offer Agent, if any. If a prospectus or other offering document is required to be prepared in connection with a Conversion Shares Offer, the Company shall facilitate the preparation of such prospectus or other offering document, and the Company and/or its directors shall take responsibility for such prospectus or other offering document, in each case, if and to the extent then required by

 

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applicable laws and regulations then in effect. If so requested by the Conversion Shares Depository as offeror, the Company shall indemnify the Conversion Shares Depository for any losses incurred in connection with any Conversion Shares Offer.

(c) Upon completion of the Conversion Shares Offer, the Company or the Conversion Shares Depository shall provide notice to the Holders of the Securities of the composition of the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration (and of the deductions to the Cash Component, if any, of the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration (as set out in the definition of “Conversion Shares Offer Consideration” in Section 1.01)) per $1,000 Tradable Amount of the Securities. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to terminate the Conversion Shares Offer at any time during the Conversion Shares Offer Period by providing at least three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Trustee directly and to the Holders of the Global Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by the Company to the Trustee directly and to the Holders at their addresses shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register), and, if it does so, the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, take steps (including, without limitation, changing the Suspension Date) to deliver to Holders and Beneficial Owners (or the custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) of the Securities the Conversion Shares at a time that is earlier than the time at which such Holders and Beneficial Owners (or the custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) would have otherwise received the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, had the Conversion Shares Offer been completed.

(d) If the Company elects, in its sole and absolute discretion, that a Conversion Shares Offer be conducted by the Conversion Shares Depository, each Holder or Beneficial Owner, by subscribing for, purchasing or otherwise acquiring the Securities, shall be deemed to have: (i) irrevocably consented to (x) any Conversion Shares Offer and to the Conversion Shares Depository’s using the Conversion Shares to settle any Conversion Shares Offer in accordance with the terms of the Securities and (y) the transfer of the beneficial interest it holds in the Conversion Shares to the Conversion Shares Depository in connection with the Conversion Shares Offer in accordance with the terms of the Securities, and (ii) irrevocably agreed that (x) the Company, the Conversion Shares Depository and the Conversion Shares Offer Agent, if any, may take any and all actions necessary to conduct the Conversion Shares Offer in accordance with the terms of the Securities, (y) none of the Company, the Trustee, the Conversion Shares Depository or the Conversion Shares Offer Agent, if any, shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, incur any liability to the Holders or Beneficial Owners in respect of the Conversion Shares Offer (except for the obligations of the Conversion Shares Depository in respect of the Holders’ and Beneficial Owners’ entitlement to any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration) and (z) DTC and any direct participant in DTC or other intermediary through which it holds such Securities is authorized, directed and requested to take any and all necessary action, if required, to implement the Automatic Conversion (including any related Conversion Shares Offer).

SECTION 2.10. Settlement Procedure.

(a) Delivery of the Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10, which remain subject to change to reflect changes in clearing system practices.

 

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(b) The Conversion Shares Offer Notice shall specify the Suspension Date.

(c) On the Suspension Date, the Company shall deliver, to the Trustee directly and to the Holders and of the Global Securities via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, by cheque mailed to the Holders at their addresses shown on the Contingent Capital Security Register) a Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice, pursuant to which the Company shall request that Holders and Beneficial Owners complete a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and shall specify the Notice Cut-off Date and the Final Cancellation Date.

(d) Holders and Beneficial Owners (or the custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) shall not receive delivery of the relevant Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Component, as applicable, unless such Holders or Beneficial Owners (or the custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) deliver the applicable Conversion Shares Settlement Notice to the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date; provided that, if such delivery is made after the end of normal business hours at the specified office of the Conversion Shares Depository, such delivery shall be deemed for all purposes to have been made or given on the next following Business Day.

(e) With respect to any Global Securities, the Conversion Shares Settlement Notice must be given in accordance with the standard procedures of DTC (which may include, without limitation, delivery of the notice to the Conversion Shares Depository by electronic means) and in a form acceptable to DTC and the Conversion Shares Depository. With respect to any definitive Securities, the Conversion Shares Settlement Notice must be delivered to the specified office of the Conversion Shares Depository together with the relevant Securities.

(f) Subject to satisfaction of the requirements and limitations set forth in this Section 2.10 and provided that the Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and the relevant Securities, if applicable, are delivered on or before the Notice Cut-Off Date, the Conversion Shares Depository shall deliver the relevant Conversion Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares) or Conversion Shares Component (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares), as applicable, to the Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) of the relevant Securities completing the relevant Conversion Shares Settlement Notice or its nominee in accordance with the instructions given in such Conversion Shares Settlement Notice on the applicable Settlement Date.

(g) Each Conversion Shares Settlement Notice shall be irrevocable. The Conversion Shares Depository shall determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, whether any Conversion Shares Settlement Notice has been properly completed and delivered, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on the relevant Holder or Beneficial Owner. If any Holder or Beneficial Owner fails to properly complete and deliver a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and the relevant Securities, if applicable, the Conversion Shares Depository shall be entitled to treat such Conversion Shares Settlement Notice as null and void.

 

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(h) Neither the Company, nor any member of the Group shall be liable for any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, or any other capital, issue, transfer, registration, financial transaction or documentary tax that may arise or be paid as a consequence of the delivery of Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Component, as applicable, which tax shall be borne solely by the Holder, Beneficial Owner or, if different, the person to whom the Conversion Shares or that portion, if any, of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration consisting of Conversion Shares, as applicable, is delivered.

(i) The Conversion Shares and any Conversion Shares Component shall not be available for delivery (i) to, or to a nominee for, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other person providing a clearance service within the meaning of Section 96 of the Finance Act 1986 of the United Kingdom or (ii) to a person, or nominee or agent for a person, whose business is or includes issuing depository receipts within the meaning of Section 93 of the Finance Act 1986 of the United Kingdom, in each case at any time prior to the “abolition day” as defined in Section 111(1) of the Finance Act 1990 of the United Kingdom, or, if earlier, such other time at which the Company, in its absolute discretion, determines that no charge under Section 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 or any similar charge (under any successor legislation) would arise as a result of such delivery or (iii) to the CREST account of such a person described in (i) or (ii).

(j) The Company may make changes to the procedures set forth in this Section 2.10 to the extent such changes are reasonably necessary, in the opinion of the Company, to effect the delivery of the Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities.

SECTION 2.11. Failure to Deliver a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice. If any Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) fails to deliver a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and the relevant Securities, if applicable, to the Conversion Shares Depository on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the Conversion Shares Depository shall continue to hold the Conversion Shares or any Conversion Shares Component, as applicable to such Holder or Beneficial Owner, until a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice (and the relevant Securities, if applicable) is so delivered; provided, however, that the relevant Securities shall be cancelled on the Final Cancellation Date, and any Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) of Securities delivering a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice after the Notice Cut-off Date shall be required provide evidence of its entitlement to the relevant Conversion Shares or the Conversion Shares Component of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, satisfactory to the Conversion Shares Depository in its sole and absolute discretion in order to receive delivery of such Conversion Shares or of the Conversion Shares Component of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable. The Company shall have no liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Securities for any loss resulting from such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s failure to receive any Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Component of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, or from any delay in the receipt thereof, in each case as a result of such Holder or Beneficial Owner (or custodian, nominee, broker or other representative thereof) failing to duly submit a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice and the relevant Securities, if applicable, on a timely basis or at all.

 

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SECTION 2.12. Additional Amounts and FATCA Withholding Tax. The Company agrees, to the extent the Company has actual knowledge of such information, to provide the Paying Agent with sufficient information about any modification to the terms of the Securities for the purposes of determining whether FATCA Withholding Tax applies to any payment of principal or interest on the Securities.

ARTICLE III

ANTI-DILUTION

SECTION 3.01. Adjustment of Conversion Price and Conversion Shares Offer Price. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described below, the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be adjusted as follows:

(a) If and whenever there shall be a consolidation, reclassification or subdivision in relation to the Ordinary Shares of the Company, each of the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the relevant Price in effect immediately prior to such consolidation, reclassification or subdivision by the following fraction:

 

  A  
  B  

where:

 

  A

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue immediately before such consolidation, reclassification or subdivision, as the case may be; and

 

  B

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue immediately after, and as a result of, such consolidation, reclassification or subdivision, as the case may be.

Such adjustment shall become effective on the date the consolidation, reclassification or subdivision, as the case may be, takes effect.

(b) If and whenever the Company shall issue any Ordinary Shares credited as fully paid to the Company’s shareholders as a class by way of capitalization of profits or reserves (including any share premium account or capital redemption reserve) other than (1) where any such Ordinary Shares are or are to be issued instead of the whole or part of a Cash Dividend which the Company’s shareholders would or could otherwise have elected to receive, (2) where the Company’s shareholders may elect to receive a Cash Dividend in lieu of such Ordinary Shares or (3) where any such Ordinary Shares are or are expressed to be issued in lieu of a dividend (whether or not a Cash Dividend equivalent or amount is announced or would otherwise be payable to the Company’s Shareholders, whether at their election or otherwise), each of the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the relevant Price in effect immediately prior to such issue by the following fraction:

 

  A  
  B  

 

- 27 -


where:

 

  A

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue immediately before such issue; and

 

  B

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue immediately after such issue.

Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of issue of such Ordinary Shares.

(c) If and whenever the Company shall issue any Ordinary Shares to all or substantially all of the Company’s shareholders as a class by way of rights at a price per ordinary share which is less than 95% of the Current Market Price per ordinary share on the Effective Date, each of the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the relevant Price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:

 

  A + B  
  A + C  

where:

 

  A

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue on the Effective Date;

 

  B

is the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company that the aggregate consideration (if any) receivable for the Ordinary Shares issued by way of rights would purchase at such Current Market Price per Ordinary Share on the Effective Date; and

 

  C

is the number of Ordinary Shares to be issued.

Such adjustment shall become effective on the Effective Date.

For the purpose of any calculation of the consideration receivable or price pursuant to this Section 3.01(c), the following provisions shall apply:

 

  (1)

the aggregate consideration receivable or price for Ordinary Shares issued for cash shall be the amount of such cash;

 

  (2)

if the consideration or price determined pursuant to (1) above (or any component thereof) shall be expressed in a currency other than the Relevant Currency, it shall be converted into the Relevant Currency at the Prevailing Rate on the relevant Effective Date;

 

  (3)

in determining the consideration or price pursuant to the above, no deduction shall be made for any commissions or

 

- 28 -


  fees (howsoever described) or any expenses paid or incurred for any underwriting, placing or management of the issue of the relevant Ordinary Shares or otherwise in connection therewith

 

  (4)

the consideration or price shall be determined as provided in clauses (1) – (3) above on the basis of the consideration or price received, receivable, paid or payable, regardless of whether all or part thereof is received, receivable, paid or payable by or to the Company or another entity; and

 

  (5)

references herein to “cash” shall be construed as cash consideration within the meaning of Section 583(3) of the Companies Act.

(d) If and whenever the Company shall pay any Extraordinary Dividend to shareholders of the Company as a class, each of the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be adjusted by multiplying the relevant Price in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date by the following fraction:

 

  A – B  
  A  

where:

 

  A

is the Current Market Price of one Ordinary Share on the Effective Date; and

 

  B

is the portion of the aggregate Extraordinary Dividend attributable to one ordinary share, with such portion being determined by dividing the aggregate Extraordinary Dividend by the number of Ordinary Shares entitled to receive the relevant Extraordinary Dividend. If the Extraordinary Dividend shall be expressed in a currency other than the Relevant Currency, it shall be converted into the Relevant Currency at the Prevailing Rate on the relevant Effective Date.

Such adjustment shall become effective on the Effective Date.

(e) Notwithstanding provisions of Sections 3.01(a)–(d) above:

(i) where the events or circumstances giving rise to any adjustment pursuant to this section have already resulted or will result in an adjustment to each of the Prices or where the events or circumstances giving rise to any adjustment arise by virtue of any other events or circumstances that have already given or will give rise to an adjustment to each of the Prices or where more than one event that gives rise to an adjustment to each of the Prices occurs within such a short period of time that, in the

 

- 29 -


opinion of the Company, a modification to the operation of the adjustment provisions is required to give the intended result, such modification shall be made to the operation of the adjustment provisions as may be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser to be in its opinion appropriate to give the intended result;

(ii) such modification shall be made to the operation of the Indenture as may be determined in good faith by an Independent Financial Adviser to be in its opinion appropriate to ensure that an adjustment to each of the Prices or the economic effect thereof shall not be taken into account more than once;

(iii) for the avoidance of doubt, the issue of Ordinary Shares following an Automatic Conversion or upon any conversion or exchange or the exercise of any other options, warrants or other rights shall not result in an adjustment to either of the Prices;

(iv) in respect of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 3.01(a)-(c) above, such adjustment shall be made only up to the extent it does not result in a Conversion Price or Conversion Shares Offer Price that, if applied to the number of relevant Securities at the time of such adjustment, would result in a number of Conversion Shares that constitutes a greater proportion of Conversion Shares as a percentage of the total number of Ordinary Shares issued had the adjustment not been made nor had the corporate event occurred; and

(v) in respect of any adjustment pursuant to Section 3.01(d) above, such adjustment shall be made only up to the extent it does not result in a Conversion Price or Conversion Shares Offer Price that, if applied to the number of relevant Securities at the time of such adjustment, would result in the issue of an additional number of Conversion Shares having a value that is greater than the value of the aggregate Extraordinary Dividend which would be attributable to the Ordinary Shares underlying the Securities had such Ordinary Shares been issued.

SECTION 3.02. No Retroactive Adjustments. The Company shall not issue any additional Conversion Shares if the Automatic Conversion occurs after the record date in respect of any consolidation, reclassification or subdivision as described in Section 3.01(a) above, or after the record date or other due date for the establishment of entitlement for any such issue, distribution, grant or offer (as the case may be) as is described in Sections 3.01(b)–(d) above, but before the relevant adjustment to the relevant Price becomes effective under such Section.

SECTION 3.03. Decision of an Independent Financial Advisor. If any doubt shall arise as to whether an adjustment is required to be made to either of the Prices or as to the appropriate adjustment to such Prices, and following consultation between the Company and an Independent Financial Adviser, a written opinion of such Independent Financial Adviser in respect thereof is delivered, such written opinion shall be conclusive and binding on the Company, the Trustee and the Holders and Beneficial Owners, save in the case of manifest error.

 

- 30 -


SECTION 3.04. Rounding Down and Notice of Adjustment to the Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price.

(a) On any adjustment to the Conversion Price and/or the Conversion Shares Offer Price as provided under this Article III, if the resultant Conversion Price and Conversion Shares Offer Price is a number with more decimal places than the initial Conversion Price or Conversion Shares Offer Price, as the case may be, that number shall be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the initial Conversion Price or Conversion Shares Offer Price, as the case may be. No adjustment shall be made to either of the Prices where such adjustment (rounded down if applicable) would be less than 1% of the relevant Price then in effect. Any adjustment not required to be made, and/or any amount by which the relevant Price has been rounded down, shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment, and such subsequent adjustment shall be made on the basis that the adjustment not required to be made had been made at the relevant time and/or, as the case may be, that the relevant rounding down had not been made.

(b) Notice of any adjustments to the Conversion Price or the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be given by the Company to Holders via DTC (or, if the Securities are definitive Securities, via the Trustee) promptly after the determination thereof.

(c) The Conversion Price shall not in any event be reduced to below the U.S. dollar equivalent of the nominal value of the Ordinary Shares (as calculated by the Company on the date any such adjustment becomes effective). The Conversion Shares Offer Price shall not in any event be reduced to below the nominal value of the Ordinary Shares.

SECTION 3.05. Qualifying Takeover Event.

(a) Within ten (10) Business Days following the occurrence of a Takeover Event, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities by means of a Takeover Event Notice.

(b) If the Takeover Event is a Qualifying Takeover Event, the Securities shall, where the Conversion Date falls on or after the QTE Effective Date, be converted into or exchanged for Approved Entity Shares of the Approved Entity, mutatis mutandis as provided under Section 2.07 above, at a Conversion Price that shall initially be the New Conversion Price, which may be higher or lower than the Conversion Price and references herein to “Conversion Shares” shall be deemed to be references to “Approved Entity Shares.”

(c) The New Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment in the circumstances provided for under Section 3.01(a) above (if necessary with such modifications and amendments as an Independent Financial Adviser acting in good faith shall determine to be appropriate and references herein to “Conversion Shares” shall be deemed to be references to “Approved Entity Shares”), and the Company shall give notice to the Holders of the Securities of the New Conversion Price and of any such modifications and amendments thereafter.

 

- 31 -


(d) In the case of a Qualifying Takeover Event:

(i) the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulation, on or prior to the QTE Effective Date, enter into such agreements and arrangements (including, without limitation supplemental indentures to the Indenture and amendments and modifications to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture) as may be required to ensure that, effective upon the QTE Effective Date, the Securities shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, Approved Entity Shares, mutatis mutandis in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of Section 2.07 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, at the New Conversion Price and any references to the Conversion Price shall be construed as references to the New Conversion Price; and

(ii) upon the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event where the Conversion Date falls on or after the QTE Effective Date, the Company shall procure (to the extent within its control) the issue of the relevant number of Approved Entity Shares mutatis mutandis in the manner provided under Section 2.07 of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

(e) The Trustee shall be obliged (at the expense of the Company) to concur with the Company in making any such amendments and modifications to the Indenture, and to execute any supplemental indentures to the Indenture in respect thereof, provided that the Trustee shall not be bound to do so if any such amendments or modifications would, in the opinion of the Trustee, have the effect of (i) exposing the Trustee to any liability against which it is not indemnified and/or secured and/or pre-funded to its satisfaction, (ii) changing, increasing or adding to the obligations or duties of the Trustee or (iii) removing or amending any protection or indemnity afforded to, or any other provision in favor of, the Trustee under the Indenture and/or the terms of the Securities.

(f) For the avoidance of doubt, if for any reason (including, without limitation, because the Acquirer is a Governmental Entity), a Takeover Event is not a Qualifying Takeover Event, there is no provision for any automatic adjustment to the terms of the Securities, whether in the manner provided for in this Article III in respect of Qualifying Takeover Events, or at all, and Section 2.07 shall apply without any automatic adjustment and “Conversion Shares” will continue to have the meaning set out in Section 1.01.

ARTICLE IV

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effectiveness. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon its execution and delivery.

SECTION 4.02. Original Issue. The Securities may, upon execution of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall, upon delivery of a Company Order, authenticate and deliver such Securities as in such Company Order provided.

 

- 32 -


SECTION 4.03. Ratification and Integral Part. The Base Indenture as supplemented and amended by this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, including without limitation all the rights, immunities and indemnities of the Trustee, and this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed an integral part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 4.04. Priority. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Base Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided. The provisions of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall, with respect to the Securities and subject to the terms hereof, supersede the provisions of the Base Indenture to the extent the Base Indenture is inconsistent herewith.

SECTION 4.05. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in the Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 4.06. Counterparts. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture may be executed manually, by facsimile or by electronic signature in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 4.07. Governing Law. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except for the subordination provisions set forth in Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture and the waiver of set-off provisions set forth in Section 5.04(d) of the Base Indenture, which are governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

 

- 33 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

BARCLAYS PLC
By:  

/s/ Daniel Fairclough

  Name:   Daniel Fairclough
  Title:   Managing Director

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee and Paying Agent
By:  

/s/ Thomas Burgess

  Name:   Thomas Burgess
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON SA/NV, LUXEMBOURG BRANCH, as Contingent Capital Security Registrar
By:  

/s/ Thomas Burgess

  Name:   Thomas Burgess
  Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture]


Exhibit A

Form of Global Security

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL REGISTERED SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, IN THE ABSENCE OF A CHANGE IN LAW OR AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR JUDICIAL RULING TO THE CONTRARY, THE HOLDER AGREES TO CHARACTERIZE THIS SECURITY FOR ALL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES AS PROVIDED ON THE FACE OF THIS SECURITY.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (as defined below) (herein called the “Securities” and each, a “Security”) issued and to be issued in one or more series under and governed by the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 11, 2021 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”).

The rights of the Holder and Beneficial Owners of this Security are, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture and in the subordination provisions of this Security, subordinated to the claims of other creditors of the Company, and this Security is issued subject to the provisions of that Section 12.01 and in the subordination provisions of this Security, and the Holder of this Security, by accepting the same, agrees to, and shall be bound by, such provisions. The provisions of Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture and the terms of this paragraph are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

The rights of the Holder of this Security are subject to Section 2.07 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture. Effective upon, and following, the occurrence of the Automatic Conversion, the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities (and any interest therein) prior to the occurrence of such Automatic Conversion shall not have any rights against the Company with respect to repayment of the principal amount of this Security or payment of interest or any other amount in respect of this Security, which liabilities of the Company shall be irrevocably and automatically released, and accordingly the principal amount of this Security shall equal zero at all times thereafter.

Notwithstanding and to the exclusion of any other term of the Securities or any other agreements, arrangements, or understandings between the Company and any Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Securities (or the Trustee on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner), by acquiring the Securities, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the Securities acknowledges, accepts, agrees to be bound by, and consents to, the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority (as those terms are defined in the Base Indenture) and the provisions set forth in Section 13.01 of the Base Indenture.

 

A-1


In accordance with Article 14 of the Base Indenture, each Holder and Beneficial Owner that acquires its Securities in the secondary market shall be deemed to acknowledge and agree to be bound by and consent to the same provisions specified in the Indenture to the same extent as the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities that acquire the Securities upon their initial issuance, including, without limitation, with respect to the acknowledgement and agreement to be bound by and consent to the terms of the Securities, including in relation to interest cancellation, Automatic Conversion, the Conversion Shares Offer, the U.K. Bail-in Power and the limitations on remedies specified in this Security and Article V of the Base Indenture.

 

A-2


BARCLAYS PLC

4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities

 

No. 00[●]      $[●]

CUSIP NO. 06738E BT1

ISIN NO. US06738EBT10

BARCLAYS PLC, a company duly incorporated and existing under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of $[●], if and to the extent due, and to pay interest thereon, if any, in accordance with the terms hereof and the Indenture.

The Securities shall have no fixed maturity or fixed redemption date. From (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) September 15, 2028, the interest rate on the Securities shall be 4.375% per annum (the “Initial Interest Rate”). From and including September 15, 2028 and each fifth anniversary date thereafter, commencing September 15, 2028 (each such date, a “Reset Date”) to (but excluding) the next following Reset Date (each such period, a “Reset Period”), the applicable per annum interest rate (the “Subsequent Interest Rate”) will, subject to Section 2.02(b) of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, be equal to the sum of the then prevailing U.S. Treasury Rate on the relevant Reset Determination Date and 3.410% (the “Margin”). Each Subsequent Interest Rate shall be determined in compliance with the relevant Capital Regulations. Subject to the provisions on the reverse of this Security relating to cancellation and deemed cancellation of interest and to Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture and to the following sentence, interest, if any, shall be payable in four equal quarterly installments in arrear on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The first date on which interest may be paid will be December 15, 2021 for the period commencing on (and including) August 11, 2021 and ending (but excluding) December 15, 2021 (and thus a long first interest period). If a date of redemption is not a Business Day, the Company may pay interest (if any) and principal on the next Business Day, but interest on that payment will not accrue during the period from and after the date of redemption.

The “U.S. Treasury Rate” is, with respect to any Reset Period for which such rate applies, the rate per annum equal to: (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the week immediately prior to the applicable Reset Determination Date, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15,” or any successor publication that is published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, under the caption “Treasury constant maturities,” for the maturity of five years; or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week immediately prior to such Reset Determination Date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Reset Determination Date; provided that, if the U.S. Treasury Rate cannot be determined, for whatever reason, as described under (1) or (2) above,

 

A-3


“U.S. Treasury Rate” means the rate in percentage per annum as notified by the Calculation Agent to the Company equal to the yield on U.S. Treasury securities having a maturity of five years as set forth in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15” under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” (or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury constant maturities” for the maturity of five years) at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the last available date preceding the Reset Determination Date on which such rate was set forth in such release (or any successor release).

If any Interest Payment Date is not a Business Day, the Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next Business Day, and no further interest or other payment shall be owed or made in respect of such delay.

The interest rate on the Securities, if any, will be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days consisting of 12 months of 30 days each and, in the case of an incomplete month, the actual number of days elapsed.

The interest, if any, so payable, and paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest which shall be the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day).

In addition to any other restrictions on payments of principal and interest contained in the Indenture, no repayment of the principal amount of the Securities or payment of interest on the Securities shall become due and payable after the exercise of any U.K. Bail-in Power by the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority unless such repayment or payment would be permitted to be made by the Company under the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and the European Union applicable to the Company.

Interest on the Securities shall be due and payable only at the sole discretion of the Company, and the Company shall have sole and absolute discretion at all times and for any reason to cancel (in whole or in part) any interest payment that would otherwise be payable on any Interest Payment Date. If the Company does not make an interest payment in respect of the Securities on the relevant Interest Payment Date (or if the Company elects to make a payment of a portion, but not all, of such interest payment), such non-payment shall evidence the Company’s exercise of its discretion to cancel such interest payment (or the portion of such interest payment not paid), and accordingly such interest payment (or the portion thereof not paid) shall not be due and payable. If the Company provides notice to cancel a portion, but not all, of an interest payment in respect of the Securities, and the Company subsequently does not make a payment of the remaining portion of such interest payment on the relevant Interest Payment Date, such non-payment shall evidence the Company’s exercise of its discretion to cancel such remaining portion of such interest payment, and accordingly such remaining portion of the interest payment shall also not be due and payable.

 

A-4


Interest shall only be due and payable on an Interest Payment Date to the extent it is not cancelled or deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part) in accordance with the terms of this Security, and any interest cancelled or deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part) pursuant to this Security shall not be due and shall not accumulate or be payable at any time thereafter, and Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities shall have no rights thereto or to receive any additional interest or compensation as a result of such cancellation or deemed cancellation.

Without limitation on the foregoing paragraph and subject to the extent permitted by the following sentence in respect of partial interest payments in respect of the Securities, the Company shall not make an interest payment in respect of the Securities on any Interest Payment Date (and such interest payment shall therefore be deemed to have been cancelled and thus shall not be due and payable on such Interest Payment Date) if either (a) the Company has an amount of Distributable Items on such Interest Payment Date that is less than the sum of (i) all distributions or interest payments made or declared by the Company since the end of the last financial year and prior to such Interest Payment Date on or in respect of any Parity Securities, the Securities and any Junior Securities plus (ii) all distributions or interest payments payable by the Company (and not cancelled or deemed cancelled) on such Interest Payment Date (x) on the Securities and (y) on or in respect of any Parity Securities, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), excluding any payments already accounted for in determining the Distributable Items; or (b) the Solvency Condition is not satisfied in respect of such interest payment. The Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to make a partial interest payment in respect of the Securities on any Interest Payment Date, only to the extent that such partial interest payment may be made without breaching the restrictions of this paragraph. Any interest cancelled pursuant to this paragraph shall be “deemed cancelled” under the terms of this Security and the Indenture and shall not be due and payable. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall be required to monitor compliance with the restriction on interest payments contained in this paragraph or to perform any calculations in connection therewith.

By subscribing for, purchasing or other acquiring the Securities, each Holder and each Beneficial Owner shall be deemed to have contracted and agreed that (i) interest is payable solely at the discretion of the Company, and no amount of interest shall become due and payable in respect of the relevant interest period to the extent that it has been (x) cancelled (in whole or in part) by the Company at the Company’s sole discretion and/or (y) deemed cancelled (in whole or in part) as a result of the Company’s having insufficient Distributable Items or failing to satisfy the Solvency Condition; and (ii) a cancellation or deemed cancellation of interest (in each case, in whole or in part) in accordance with the terms of the Indenture shall not constitute a default in payment or otherwise under the terms of the Securities or the Indenture. Interest on the Securities shall only be due and payable on an interest payment date to the extent it is not cancelled or deemed cancelled under the terms of this Security and Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture. Any interest cancelled or deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part) in the circumstances described in this Security shall not be due and shall not accumulate or be payable at any time thereafter, and Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities shall have no rights thereto or to receive any additional interest or compensation as a result of such cancellation or deemed cancellation of interest in respect of the Securities.

 

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Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts and such payments shall be made through one or more Paying Agents appointed under the Base Indenture to the Holder or Holders of this Security. Initially, the Paying Agent for the Securities shall be The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, One Canada Square, London E14 5AL, United Kingdom, and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar shall be The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, 2-4 Rue Eugene Ruppert, Vertigo Building – Polaris, Luxembourg, L-2453, Luxembourg. The Company may change the Paying Agent or the Contingent Capital Security Registrar without prior notice to the Holders of the Securities, and in such an event the Company may act as Paying Agent or Contingent Capital Security Registrar. Payments of principal of and interest on the Securities shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds; provided, however, that in the case of payments of principal, this Security is first surrendered to the Paying Agent.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except for the subordination provisions referred to herein and set forth in Section 12.01 of Base Indenture, and the waiver of set-off provisions referred to herein and set forth in Section 5.04(d) of the Base Indenture, which are governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture, as defined herein.

THIS SECURITY IS NOT A DEPOSIT LIABILITY OF BARCLAYS PLC AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPENSATION SCHEME OR INSURED BY THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE CANADA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CANADA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof, directly or through an Authenticating Agent, by manual, facsimile or electronic signature of an authorized signatory, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

By purchasing this Security, the Holder of this Security agrees (in the absence of a statutory, regulatory, administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat this Security as equity of the Company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

Date:     BARCLAYS PLC
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:
    By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:

Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the Indenture.

 

Date:     THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
                    as Trustee
    By:  

 

      Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Global Security]

 

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(Reverse of Security)

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities” and each, a “Security”) issued and to be issued in one or more series under and governed by the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Base Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Base Indenture), as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 11, 2021 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee, the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. Insofar as the provisions of the Indenture may conflict with the provisions set forth in this Security, the former shall control for purposes of this Security. All terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, limited to an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000,000, which amount may be increased at the option of the Company if in the future it determines that it may wish to sell additional Securities of this series. References herein to “this series” mean the series designated on the face hereof.

Any amounts to be paid by the Company on the Securities shall be made without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present or future income, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (“Taxes”) now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by, or on behalf of, the United Kingdom or any political subdivision of the United Kingdom or authority thereof or therein having the power to tax (each a “Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless such deduction or withholding is required by law. If any such Taxes shall at any time be required by a Taxing Jurisdiction to be deducted or withheld, the Company shall, subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth in Section 10.04 of the Base Indenture and Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture, pay such additional amounts of, or in respect of, the principal of, and any interest on, the Securities (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to the Holders of the Securities, after such deduction or withholding, shall equal the respective amounts of principal and interest that would have been payable in respect of such Securities had no such deduction or withholding been required.

Any amounts to be paid by the Company or the Paying Agent on the Securities shall be paid net of any deduction or withholding imposed or required pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement) (a “FATCA Withholding Tax”), and neither the Company nor the Paying Agent shall be required to pay Additional Amounts on account of any FATCA Withholding Tax.

 

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Any Paying Agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the Securities and the Indenture for or on account of (i) any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and (ii) any FATCA Withholding Tax (together, “Applicable Law”). In either case, the Paying Agent shall make any payment after a deduction or withholding has been made pursuant to Applicable Law and shall report to the relevant authorities the amount so deducted or withheld. However, such deduction or withholding will not apply to payments made under the Securities and the Indenture through the relevant clearing systems. In all cases, the Paying Agent shall have no obligation to gross up any payment made subject to any deduction or withholding pursuant to Applicable Law. In addition, amounts deducted or withheld by the Paying Agent as described in this paragraph will be treated as paid to the Holder of the Securities, and the Company will not pay Additional Amounts in respect of such deduction or withholding, except to the extent the provisions in this paragraph explicitly provide otherwise. The restrictions on interest payments described on the face of this Security apply to any Additional Amounts mutatis mutandis.

The Company agrees, to the extent the Company has actual knowledge of such information, to provide the Paying Agent with sufficient information about any modification to the terms of the Securities for the purposes of determining whether FATCA Withholding Tax applies to any payment of principal or interest on the Securities.

Subject to the limitations specified below, the Company may, at the Company’s option, redeem the Securities, in whole but not in part, on any day falling in the period commencing on (and including) March 15, 2028 and ending on (and including) the first Reset Date or on any subsequent Reset Date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, together with any accrued but unpaid interest (which excludes any interest cancelled or deemed cancelled as specified below) to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption.

Subject to the limitations specified below, the Company may also, at any time, at the Company’s option, redeem the Securities, in whole but not in part pursuant to Section 2.05 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or Section 11.12 of the Base Indenture.

Any interest payments that have been cancelled or deemed cancelled pursuant to the terms of this Security and the Indenture shall not be payable if the Securities are redeemed pursuant to any of the two preceding paragraphs.

Before the Company may redeem the Securities pursuant to any of the preceding paragraphs relating to the Company’s rights of redemption, the Company shall deliver prior notice of not less than thirty (30) days, nor more than sixty (60) days to the Holders of the Securities pursuant to Section 2.06 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Security or the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the Company may redeem the Securities at the Company’s option only subject to the limitations specified in Section 11.08 of the Base Indenture.

Subject to Section 11.10 of the Base Indenture, the Company or any member of the Group may purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Outstanding Securities at any price in

 

A-9


the open market or otherwise in accordance with the Capital Regulations, and subject to the prior consent of the PRA and/or the Relevant U.K. Resolution Authority (in either case if such consent is then required by the Capital Regulations) and to applicable law and regulation.

An Automatic Conversion shall occur without delay upon the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event as set forth in Section 2.07 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

The Conversion Price and the Conversion Shares Offer Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article III of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

The Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, following the occurrence of an Automatic Conversion and no later than 10 (ten) Business Days following the Conversion Date, elect that the Conversion Shares Depository make an offer of all or some of the Conversion Shares to all or some of the Company’s ordinary shareholders at a cash price per Conversion Share equal to the Conversion Shares Offer Price, as set forth in and subject to the provisions of Section 2.09 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

This Security is subject to the provisions regarding the U.K. Bail-in Power Acknowledgement set forth in Section 13.01 of the Base Indenture.

If a Winding-Up Event occurs before the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event, subject to the subordination provisions of Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture, the outstanding principal amount of this Security shall become immediately due and payable, without the need of any further action on the part of the Trustee, the Holders or any other Person.

A “Winding-Up Event” shall result if (i) a court of competent jurisdiction in England (or such other jurisdiction in which the Company may be organized) makes an order for the winding-up of the Company which is not successfully appealed within thirty (30) days of the making of such order, (ii) the Shareholders of the Company adopt an effective resolution for the winding-up of the Company (other than, in the case of either (i) or (ii) above, under or in connection with a scheme of reconstruction, merger or amalgamation not involving a bankruptcy or insolvency) or (iii) following the appointment of an administrator of the Company, the administrator gives notice that it intends to declare and distribute a dividend.

If the Company fails to pay any amount that has become due and payable under this Security and such failure continues for fourteen (14) days, the Trustee may provide a written notice of such failure to the Company. If within a period of fourteen (14) days following the provision of such notice, the failure continues and has not been cured nor waived (a “Non-Payment Event”), the Trustee may, at its discretion, and without further notice to the Company, institute proceedings in England (or such other jurisdiction in which the Company may be organized) (but not elsewhere) for the winding-up of the Company and/or prove in a winding-up of the Company and/or claim in a liquidation or administration of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, if, pursuant to this Security and Sections 3.12 and 3.13 of the Base Indenture, the Company cancels any interest payment on any Interest Payment Date or if such interest payment is deemed cancelled (in each case, in whole or in part), then such interest payment shall not be due and payable in respect of such Interest Payment Date, and no Non-Payment Event under the Securities will occur or be deemed to have occurred as a result of such cancellation or deemed cancellation (in each case, in whole or in part).

 

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In addition to the remedies for a Non-Payment Event provided in the paragraph above, the Trustee, may without further notice, institute such proceedings against the Company as the Trustee may deem fit to enforce any term, obligation or condition binding upon the Company under the Securities or the Indenture (other than any payment obligation of the Company under or arising from the Securities or the Indenture, including, without limitation, payment of any principal or interest) (such obligation, a “Performance Obligation”), provided always that the Trustee (acting on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities) and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities may not enforce, and may not be entitled to enforce or otherwise claim, against the Company any judgment or other award given in such proceedings that requires the payment of money by the Company, whether by way of damages or otherwise (a “Monetary Judgment”), except by proving such Monetary Judgment in a winding-up of the Company and/or by claiming such Monetary Judgment in an administration of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the sole and exclusive manner by which the Trustee (acting on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities) and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities may seek to enforce or otherwise claim a Monetary Judgment against the Company in connection with the Company’s breach of a Performance Obligation shall be by proving such Monetary Judgment in a winding-up of the Company and/or by claiming such Monetary Judgment in an administration of the Company. By its acquisition of the Securities, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the Securities acknowledges and agrees that such Holder and Beneficial Owner shall not seek to enforce or otherwise claim, and will not direct the Trustee (acting on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities) to enforce or otherwise claim, a Monetary Judgment against the Company in connection with the Company’s breach of a Performance Obligation, except by proving such Monetary Judgment in a winding-up of the Company and/or by claiming such Monetary Judgment in an administration of the Company.

Other than the limited remedies specified in this Security and Article V of the Base Indenture, and subject to the second paragraph below, no remedy against the Company shall be available to the Trustee (acting on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities) and to the Holders and Beneficial Owners, whether for the recovery of amounts owing in respect of the Securities or under the Indenture, or in respect of any breach by the Company of any of the Company’s obligations under or in respect of the terms of such Securities or under the Indenture in relation thereto; provided, however, that the Company’s obligations to the Trustee under Section 6.07 of the Base Indenture and the Trustee’s rights to have money collected applied first to pay amounts due to it under such Section pursuant to Section 5.07 of the Base Indenture expressly survive any such Default and are not subject to the subordination provisions of Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture.

In the case of a Default under this Security, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. A “Default” shall occur upon (i) the occurrence of a Winding-Up Event that occurs before the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event or (ii) the occurrence of a Non-Payment Event or (iii) a breach by the Company of a Performance Obligation.

 

A-11


Notwithstanding the limitations on remedies specified in this Security and under Article V of the Base Indenture, (1) the Trustee shall have such powers as are required to be authorized to it under the Trust Indenture Act in respect of the rights of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities under the provisions of the Indenture, and (2) nothing shall impair the right of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Securities under the Trust Indenture Act, absent such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s consent, to sue for any payment due but unpaid with respect to the Securities; provided that, in the case of (1) and (2) above, any payments in respect of, or arising from, the Securities, including any payments or amounts resulting or arising from the enforcement of any rights under the Trust Indenture Act in respect of the Securities, shall be subject to the subordination provisions set forth in Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, no Holder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Company except as set forth in Section 5.08 of the Base Indenture.

The Securities shall constitute the Company’s direct, unsecured and subordinated obligations, ranking pari passu without any preference among themselves. In the event of a winding up or administration of the Company, the rights and claims of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities in respect of or arising from the Securities (including any damages (if payable)) shall be subordinated to the claims of Senior Creditors. If (a) an order is made, or an effective resolution is passed, for the winding-up of the Company (except in any such case for a solvent winding-up solely for the purpose of a merger, reconstruction or amalgamation); or (b) following the appointment of an administrator of the Company, the administrator gives notice that it intends to declare and distribute a dividend, then (1) if such events specified in (a) or (b) above occur prior to the date on which a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event occurs, there shall be payable by the Company in respect of each Security (in lieu of any other payment by the Company), such amount, if any, as would have been payable to a Holder of Securities if, on the day prior to the commencement of the winding-up or such administration and thereafter, such Holder of Securities were the holder of the most senior class of preference shares in the capital of the Company, having an equal right to a return of assets in the winding-up or such administration to, and so ranking pari passu with, the holders of such class of preference shares (if any) from time to time issued by the Company that has a preferential right to a return of assets in the winding-up or such administration, and so ranking ahead of the holders of all other classes of issued shares for the time being in the capital of the Company, but ranking junior to the claims of Senior Creditors, and on the assumption that the amount that such Holder of Securities was entitled to receive in respect of such preference shares, on a return of assets in such winding-up or such administration, was an amount equal to the principal amount of the relevant Security, together with any damages (if payable), and (2) if such events specified in (a) or (b) above occur on or after the date on which a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event occurs but prior to the Conversion Date, then for purposes of determining the claim of a Holder of the Securities in such winding-up or such administration, the Conversion Date in respect of an Automatic Conversion shall be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the occurrence of such events specified in (a) or (b) above. Other than in the event of a winding-up or administration of the Company as described in this paragraph, payments in respect of or arising from the Securities shall be conditional (i) upon the Company’s being solvent at the time of payment by the Company, and (ii) in that no sum in respect of or arising from the Securities may fall due and be paid except to the extent that the Company could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter (such condition referred to herein as the “Solvency Condition”). For purposes of determining whether the Solvency Condition is met, the Company shall be

 

A-12


considered to be solvent at a particular point in time if (x) it is able to pay its debts owed to Senior Creditors as they fall due and (y) the Balance Sheet Condition has been met. An Officer’s Certificate executed in accordance with the Indenture as to the Company’s solvency at any particular point in time shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners and all other interested parties as correct and sufficient evidence thereof. “Senior Creditors” means creditors of the Company (aa) who are unsubordinated creditors; (bb) whose claims are, or are expressed to be, subordinated (whether only in the event of the winding-up or administration of the Company or otherwise) to the claims of unsubordinated creditors of the Company but not further or otherwise; (cc) who are creditors in respect of any secondary non-preferential debt (“secondary non-preferential debts” shall have the meaning given to it in the 2018 Order (as defined below) and any other law or regulation applicable to the Company, which is amended by the 2018 Order, as each may be amended or replaced from time to time; or (dd) whose claims are, or are expressed to be, junior to the claims of other creditors of the Company, whether subordinated or unsubordinated, other than those whose claims rank, or are expressed to rank, pari passu with, or junior to, the claims of the Holders of the Securities. “2018 Order” means the Banks and Building Societies (Priorities on Insolvency) Order 2018. The “Balance Sheet Condition” shall be satisfied in relation to the Company if the value of its assets is at least equal to the value of its liabilities (taking into account its contingent and prospective liabilities), according to the criteria that would be applied by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales (or the relevant authority of such other jurisdiction in which the Company may be organized) in determining whether the Company is “unable to pay its debts” under section 123(2) of the U.K. Insolvency Act 1986 or any amendment or re-enactment thereof (or in accordance with the corresponding provisions of the applicable laws of such other jurisdiction in which the Company may be organized). Any payment of interest not due by reason of the provisions contained in this paragraph shall be deemed canceled pursuant to the terms of this Security and Section 3.13 of the Base Indenture.

Subject to applicable law, no Holder of Securities may exercise, claim or plead any right of set-off, compensation or retention in respect of any amount owed to it by the Company arising under, or in connection with, the Securities and each Holder of Securities shall, by virtue of its holding of any Securities, be deemed to have waived all such rights of set-off, compensation or retention. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amounts due and payable to any Holder of this Security by the Company in respect of, or arising under, this Security are discharged by set-off, such Holder shall, subject to applicable law, immediately pay an amount equal to the amount of such discharge to the Company (or, in the event of its winding-up or administration, the liquidator or administrator of the Company, as the case may be) and, until such time as payment is made, shall hold an amount equal to such amount in trust for the Company (or the liquidator or administrator of the Company, as the case may be) and, accordingly, any such discharge shall be deemed not to have taken place. By its acquisition of the Securities, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to be bound by these provisions relating to waiver of set-off.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions and subject to certain conditions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a specified majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of each series to be

 

A-13


affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past Defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series then Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Default as Trustee and offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series then Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of security or indemnity, and, in the case of a proceeding in England (or such other jurisdiction in which the Company may be organized) (but not elsewhere) for the winding-up of the Company, such proceeding is in the name and on behalf of the Trustee to the same extent (but no further or otherwise) as the Trustee would have been entitled so to do.

Notwithstanding any contrary provisions in this Security, nothing shall impair the right of a Holder of this Security under the Trust Indenture Act, absent such Holder’s consent, to sue for any payments due but unpaid with respect to this Security.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Contingent Capital Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of this Security is payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Contingent Capital Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

This Security, and any other Securities of this series and of like tenor, are issuable only in registered form without coupons in initial denominations of $200,000 and increments of $1,000 thereafter. The denominations cannot be changed without the consent of the Trustee. The denomination of each interest in this Security shall be the “Tradable Amount” of such book-entry interest. Prior to an Automatic Conversion, the aggregate Tradable Amount of the interests in this Security shall equal this Security’s outstanding principal amount. Following an Automatic Conversion, the principal amount of this Security shall equal zero, but the Tradable Amount of the book-entry interests in this Security shall remain unchanged as a result of the Automatic Conversion.

 

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No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except for the subordination provisions referred to herein and set forth in Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture, and the waiver of set-off provisions referred to herein and set forth in Section 5.04(d) of the Base Indenture, which are governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

 

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Exhibit B

Form of Automatic Conversion Notice1

NOTICE TO DTC, THE TRUSTEE AND FOR PUBLICATION

AS A NOTICE TO HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS

[Barclays Letterhead]

 

  To:   

[The Depository Trust Company

55 Water Street, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10041 0099

Attn: Mandatory Reorganization Department

Fax: +1 (212) 855 5488

Email: mandatoryreorgannouncements@dtcc.com]

  
  Cc:   

[The Bank of New York Mellon

Merck House

Seldown

Poole, Dorset BH15 1PX

United Kingdom

Attn: International Corporate Trust Services

Email: corpsov2@bnymellon.com

Fax: 01202 689600

Tel: 01202 689978

  

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

Floor 7-E

New York, New York 10286

United States of America

Attn: International Corporate Trust

Fax: +1 (212) 815-5366]

Re: Barclays PLC $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) – Notice to DTC, Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event

This notice is in relation to Barclays PLC’s (the “Company”) $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Securities”) pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated August 14, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) and Paying Agent, as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 11, 2021, between the Company and the Trustee (together, the “Indenture”), and pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021 supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

Barclays PLC hereby notifies The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities that a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred with respect to the Securities. Such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred because the

 

1 

Note: Addresses to be reconfirmed prior to when notice is sent; subject to modification if Securities are in definitive form and to changes in DTC’s (or successor clearing system) policies and procedures.

 

B-1


Group’s Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio as of [Date], as determined by Barclays PLC on a consolidated basis in accordance with the Capital Regulations applicable to the Group on such date, was less than 7.00%.

Upon the occurrence of the Capital Adequacy Trigger Event, the terms of the Securities provide for an Automatic Conversion of the Securities on the Conversion Date, which [was] [is expected to be] [Date], based on the Conversion Price, which is [Price]. 2 Upon the Automatic Conversion, all of Barclays PLC’s obligations under the Securities (other than with respect to the CSO Obligations, if any) shall be irrevocably and automatically released in consideration of Barclays PLC’s issuance of ordinary shares of Barclays PLC (the “Conversion Shares”) to the Conversion Shares Depository (or other relevant recipient). However, the terms of the Securities provide that the Securities shall remain in existence until the applicable Settlement Date for the sole purpose of evidencing (a) a right to receive Conversion Shares or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, from the Conversion Shares Depository and (b) the Company’s CSO Obligations, if any.

In addition, the terms of the Securities provide that Barclays PLC may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect that a Conversion Shares Offer be conducted, no later than ten (10) Business Days of the Conversion Date. Barclays PLC will deliver to DTC, the Holders and the Beneficial Owners a Conversion Shares Offer Notice specifying, among other things, whether or not Barclays PLC has elected that a Conversion Shares Offer be conducted and the Suspension Date. The Securities may continue to trade until the Suspension Date.

Accordingly, Barclays PLC hereby instructs DTC to indicate to all participants that payments of principal and interest are no longer payable under the Securities as of the Conversion Date and that the Securities will have no further entitlement to interest or principal as of such date by making a note to that effect in its systems.

Barclays PLC further requests DTC to post this notice on its Reorganization Inquiry for Participants System (or such other system as DTC uses for providing notices to holders of securities).

Should DTC, any Holder or any Beneficial Owner of the Securities have any inquiries, please contact:

[Barclays Contact Person]

[Telephone]

[Fax]

[Email]

 

2 

Note: To be completed with the Conversion Date and Conversion Price.

 

B-2


Exhibit C

Form of Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate

BARCLAYS PLC

Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate

This Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate is being delivered in relation to Barclays PLC’s (the “Company”) $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Securities”) pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture (the “Base Indenture”), dated August 14, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) and Paying Agent, as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 11, 2021, between the Company and the Trustee (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”), and pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021, supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021 (the “Prospectus”).

Pursuant to Section 1.02 of the Base Indenture and Section 2.07 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the undersigned, being authorized signatories of the Company and authorized by the Company to give this certificate, each hereby certify as follows:

 

(a)

I have read the provisions of the Base Indenture and those of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, setting forth certain provisions in respect of the occurrence of a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event (as defined in the Sixth Supplemental Indenture), including Section 2.07 of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, and the definitions relating thereto;

 

(b)

I have reviewed such corporate records and such other documents as I have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed;

 

(c)

I have also made such other examinations and investigations as I have deemed necessary to enable me to express an informed opinion as to the matters set forth in (d) below; and

 

(d)

a Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred with respect to the Securities. Such Capital Adequacy Trigger Event has occurred because the Group’s (as defined in the Sixth Supplemental Indenture) Fully Loaded CET1 Ratio (as defined in the Sixth Supplemental Indenture) as of [Date], as determined by Barclays PLC on a consolidated basis in accordance with the capital adequacy standards and guidelines of the Prudential Regulation Authority of the United Kingdom (or such other governmental authority having primary responsibility for the prudential supervision of Barclays PLC) on such date, was less than 7.00%.

Concurrently with the delivery of this Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate, the Company is delivering to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) an Automatic Conversion Notice (as defined in the Sixth Supplemental Indenture) as a notice to DTC and for publication as a notice to Holders (as defined in the Base Indenture) and Beneficial Owners (as defined in the Base Indenture) in the form set forth in Exhibit B to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

 

C-1


The Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely on and accept this Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate without any duty whatsoever of further inquiry as sufficient and conclusive evidence of the occurrence of the Capital Adequacy Trigger Event, and this Capital Adequacy Trigger Event Officers’ Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Trustee and the Holders as defined in the Base Indenture) and Beneficial Owners (as defined in the Base Indenture).

Dated:

 

BARCLAYS PLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-2


Exhibit D

Form of Conversion Shares Offer Notice3

NOTICE TO DTC, THE TRUSTEE AND FOR PUBLICATION

AS A NOTICE TO HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS

[Barclays Letterhead]

 

  To:   

[The Depository Trust Company

55 Water Street, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10041-0099

Attn: Mandatory Reorganization Department

Fax: +1 (212) 855-5488

Email: mandatoryreorgannouncements@dtcc.com]

  
  Cc:   

[The Bank of New York Mellon

Merck House

Seldown

Poole, Dorset BH15 1PX

United Kingdom

Attn: International Corporate Trust Services

Email: corpsov2@bnymellon.com
Fax: 01202 689600

Tel: 01202 689978

  

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

Floor 7-E

New York, New York 10286 United States of America

Attn: International Corporate Trust
Fax: +1 (212) 815-5366]

Re: Barclays PLC $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) – Notice to DTC, Holders and Beneficial Owners of [Election to Conduct a Conversion Shares Offer][Election Not to Conduct a Conversion Shares Offer]

This notice is in relation to Barclays PLC’s (the “Company”) $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Securities”) pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated August 14, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between Barclays PLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) and Paying Agent, as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 11, 2021, between the Company and the Trustee (together, the “Indenture”), and pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021, supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021, (the “Prospectus”). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

3 

Note: Addresses to be reconfirmed prior to when notice is sent; subject to modification if Securities are in definitive form and to changes in DTC (or successor clearing system) policies and procedures.

 

D-1


Barclays PLC hereby notifies The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the Holders and the Beneficial Owners of the Securities that it has elected that a Conversion Shares Offer [not] be conducted. [The Conversion Shares Offer Period will extend from the date of this notice until [Date]4. [Conversion Shares Depository] has been appointed as Conversion Shares Depository for the Conversion Shares Offer.]5

In addition, Barclays PLC hereby notifies DTC, the Holders and the Beneficial Owners of the Securities that the Suspension Date shall be [Date].6 Accordingly, Barclays PLC hereby instructs DTC to implement a “chill” on the clearance and settlement of the Securities on the Suspension Date. As described in the Prospectus, Holders and Beneficial Owners will not be able to settle the transfer of any Securities following the Suspension Date, and any sale or other transfer of the Securities that a Holder or Beneficial Owner may have initiated prior to the commencement to the Suspension Date that is scheduled to settle after the Suspension Date will be rejected by DTC and will not be settled within DTC.

Barclays PLC further requests DTC to post this notice on its Reorganization Inquiry for Participants System (or such other system as DTC uses for providing notices to holders of securities).

Should DTC, any Holder or any Beneficial Owner of the Securities have any inquiries, please contact:

[Barclays Contact Person]

[Telephone]

[Fax]

[Email]

 

4 

Note: Insert the date that the Conversion Shares Offer expires, which shall be no later than forty (40) business days after the delivery of this Conversion Shares Offer Notice.

5 

Note: If Barclays PLC has been unable to appoint a Conversion Shares Depository (or other nominee), it shall also include in this notice such other arrangements for the issuance and/or delivery of the Conversion Shares or the Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, to the holders of the Securities as it has put in place.

6 

Note: Insert the Suspension Date, which is the date on which DTC shall suspend all clearance and settlement of the Securities, which date shall be no later than thirty-eight (38) business days after the delivery of the Conversion Shares Offer Notice to DTC and at least two (2) business days prior to the end of the Conversion Shares Offer Period, if any).

 

D-2


Exhibit E

Form of Conversion Shares Settlement Request Notice7

NOTICE TO DTC, THE TRUSTEE AND FOR PUBLICATION

AS A NOTICE TO HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS

[Barclays Letterhead]

 

  To:   

[The Depository Trust Company

55 Water Street, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10041 0099

Attn: Mandatory Reorganization Department

Fax: +1 (212) 855 5488

Email: mandatoryreorgannouncements@dtcc.com]

  
  Cc:   

[The Bank of New York Mellon

Merck House

Seldown

Poole, Dorset BH15 1PX

United Kingdom

Attn: International Corporate Trust Services

Email: corpsov2@bnymellon.com

Fax: 01202 689600

Tel: 01202 689978

  

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

Floor 7-E

New York, New York 10286

United States of America

Attn: International Corporate Trust

Fax: +1 (212) 815-5366]

Re: Barclays PLC $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) – Notice to DTC, Holders and Beneficial Owners Requesting that Holders and Beneficial Owners Complete a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice

This notice is in relation to Barclays PLC’s (the “Company”) $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Securities”) pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated August 14, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between Barclays PLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee (the “Trustee”) and Paying Agent, as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 11, 2021, between the Company and the Trustee (together, the “Indenture”), and pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021, supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

Barclays PLC hereby requests that Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Securities provide notice to [Name of Conversion Shares Depository (or other nominee)], as [Conversion Shares Depository]8, and the Trustee in the form provided in Appendix A before [Date]9 (the “Notice Cut-off Date”).

 

7 

Note: Addresses to be reconfirmed prior to when notice is sent; subject to modification if Securities are in definitive form and to changes in DTC’s (or successor clearing system) policies and procedures.

8 

Note: If Barclays PLC has been unable to appoint a Conversion Shares Depository, this should refer to the entity undertaking its functions.

9 

Note: The Notice-Cut-off Date must be at least forty (40) business days following the Suspension Date.

 

E-1


If a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Securities properly completes and delivers a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the Conversion Shares Depository shall, in accordance with the terms of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, deliver to such Holder or Beneficial Owner the relevant Conversion Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number of Conversion Shares) or Conversion Shares Offer Consideration, as applicable, two (2) Business Days after the date on which the Conversion Shares Settlement Notice is received by the Conversion Shares Depository.

If a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Securities fails to properly complete and deliver a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice before the Notice Cut-off Date, the Conversion Shares Depository shall continue to hold the relevant Conversion Shares (or Conversion Shares Component, if applicable). However, the relevant Securities shall be cancelled on the Final Cancellation Date, which shall be [Date],10 and any Holder or Beneficial Owner delivering a Conversion Shares Settlement Notice after the Notice Cut-off Date will have to provide evidence of its entitlement to the relevant Conversion Shares (or the relevant Conversion Shares Component, if applicable) satisfactory to the [Conversion Shares Depository] in its sole and absolute discretion in order to receive delivery of such Conversion Shares (or the relevant Conversion Shares Component, if applicable).

Barclays PLC further requests DTC to post this notice on its Reorganization Inquiry for Participants System (or such other system as DTC uses for providing notices to holders of securities).

Should DTC, any Holder or any Beneficial Owner of the Securities have any inquiries, please contact:

[Barclays Contact Person]

[Telephone]

[Fax]

[Email]

 

10 

Note: The Final Cancellation Date may be up to twelve (12) business days following the Notice Cut-Off Date.

 

E-2


Appendix A

Form of Conversion Shares Settlement Notice11

NOTICE TO THE [CONVERSION SHARES DEPOSITORY AND] DTC

 

  To:   

[The Depository Trust Company

55 Water Street, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10041 0099

Attn: Mandatory Reorganization Department

Fax: +1 (212) 855 5488

Email: mandatoryreorgannouncements@dtcc.com]

   [Contact details of [Conversion Shares Depository] to be included.]
  Cc:   

[The Bank of New York

Mellon Merck House

Seldown

Poole, Dorset BH15 1PX United Kingdom

Attn: International Corporate Trust Services

Email: corpsov2@bnymellon.com

Fax: 01202 689600

Tel: 01202 689978

  

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

Floor 7-E

New York, New York 10286

United States of America

Attn: International Corporate Trust

Fax: +1 (212) 815-5366]

Re: Barclays PLC $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) – Conversion Shares Settlement Notice to the [Conversion Shares Depository and] DTC

This notice is in relation to Barclays PLC’s (the “Company”) $1,500,000,000 4.375% Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (CUSIP: 06738E BT1, ISIN: US06738EBT10) issued on August 11, 2021 (the “Securities”) pursuant to the Contingent Capital Securities Indenture, dated August 14, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between Barclays PLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as Trustee (“Trustee”) and Paying Agent, as supplemented and amended by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 11, 2021, between the Company and the Trustee (together, the “Indenture”), and pursuant to the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021, supplementing the prospectus dated March 1, 2021. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

 

11 

Note: Addresses to be reconfirmed prior to when notice is sent; subject to modification if Securities are in definitive form and to changes in DTC and CREST (or successor clearing system) policies and procedures.

 

E-3


INFORMATION OF THE HOLDER OR BENEFICIAL OWNER FOR DELIVERY OF CONVERSION SHARES OR CONVERSION SHARES OFFER CONSIDERATION
Surname/Company Name    First name
Name to be entered in Barclays PLC’s share register
Tradable Amount of the Securities held on the date hereof
CREST participant ID    CREST member account (if applicable)
Cash account details (if applicable)
[Account details of clearing system account]12
[Address to which any Conversion Shares should be delivered]13

YOU MUST DELIVER THE CONVERSION SHARES SETTLEMENT NOTICE TO THE CONVERSION SHARES DEPOSITORY AND THE TRUSTEE VIA DTC BEFORE [DATE].14

If you fail to properly complete and deliver the Conversion Shares Settlement Notice on or before the Notice Cut-off Date, the Conversion Shares Depository shall continue to hold your Conversion Shares (or Conversion Shares Component, if applicable). However, your Securities shall be cancelled on the Final Cancellation Date, which shall be [Date],15 and you will have to provide evidence of your entitlement to the relevant Conversion Shares (or the relevant Conversion Shares Component, if applicable) satisfactory to the Conversion Shares Depository in its sole and absolute discretion in order to receive delivery of such Conversion Shares (or Conversion Shares Component, if any, of any Conversion Shares Offer Consideration).

 

12 

Note: To be included if the Conversion Shares will be delivered through a clearing system account other than CREST.

13 

Note: To be included if the Conversion Shares are not a participating security in CREST or any another clearing system.

14 

Note: The Notice Cut-off Date must be at least forty (40) business days following the Suspension Date.

15 

Note: The Final Cancellation Date may be up to twelve (12) business days following the Notice Cut-off Date.

 

E-4

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

 

NEW YORK

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 

PARIS

 

BRUSSELS

 

FRANKFURT

 

COLOGNE

 

MOSCOW

 

2 London Wall Place

 

London EC2Y 5AU

 

T: +44 20 7614 2200

 

F: +44 20 7600 1698

 

clearygottlieb.com

 

David I. Gottlieb: +44 20 7614 2230

dgottlieb@cgsh.com

 

ROME

 

MILAN

 

HONG KONG

 

BEIJING

 

BUENOS AIRES

 

SÃO PAULO

 

ABU DHABI

 

SEOUL

August 11, 2021

Barclays PLC

1 Churchill Place

London E14 5HP

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special U.S. counsel to Barclays PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the law of England and Wales (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-253693) of $1,500,000,000 4.375% fixed rate resetting perpetual subordinated contingent convertible securities (the “Securities”), to be issued under an indenture dated as of August 14, 2018 (as heretofore amended and supplemented, the “Base Indenture”), among the Company, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, as trustee and paying agent (the “Trustee”), and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as registrar (the “Registrar”), as supplemented by a sixth supplemental indenture dated as of August 11, 2021 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Trustee and the Registrar. Such registration statement, as amended as of its most recent effective date (August 4, 2021), insofar as it relates to the Securities (as determined for purposes of Rule 430B(f)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), including the documents incorporated by reference therein but excluding Exhibits 25.1, 25.2 and 25.3, is herein called the “Registration Statement.”

In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have reviewed the following documents:

 

  (a)

the Registration Statement;

 

  (b)

an executed copy of the Base Indenture;

 

  (c)

an executed copy of the Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (d)

a copy of the Securities in global registered form (the “Global Security”) as executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee.

In addition, we have made such investigations of law as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below.

 

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales Number OC310280. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A list of the members and their professional qualifications is open to inspection at the registered office, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP or an affiliated entity has an office in each of the cities listed above.


Barclays PLC, p. 2

 

In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that the Securities are valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Indenture; provided that we express no opinion as to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of Sections 5.04(d) and 12.01 of the Base Indenture (and the corresponding provisions in the Global Security), which are governed by English law.

Insofar as the foregoing opinion relates to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Company, (a) we have assumed that the Company and each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it (except that no such assumption is made as to the Company regarding matters of the federal law of the United States of America or the law of the State of New York that in our experience normally would be applicable to general business entities with respect to such agreement or obligation), (b) such opinion is subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity, (c) we express no opinion with respect to the effect of any mandatory choice of law rules and (d) such opinion is subject to the effect of judicial application of foreign laws or foreign governmental actions affecting creditors’ rights.

We express no opinion as to the subject matter jurisdiction of any United States federal court to adjudicate any action relating to the Securities where jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship under 28 U.S.C. §1332 does not exist.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the federal law of the United States of America and the law of the State of New York. With respect to matters governed by English law, we have relied on the opinion of Clifford Chance LLP dated August 11, 2021, as English counsel to the Company, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K dated August 11, 2021.


Barclays PLC, p. 3

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of this opinion in the Registration Statement and the use of our name in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement dated August 4, 2021 relating to the Securities under the heading “Validity of Securities.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

The opinion expressed herein is rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinion expressed herein.

 

Very truly yours,
CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
By:  

/s/ David I. Gottlieb

  David I. Gottlieb, a Partner

Exhibit 5.2

 

LOGO   CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP
 

 

10 UPPER BANK STREET

  LONDON
  E14 5JJ
 

 

TEL +44 20 7006 1000

  FAX +44 20 7006 5555
 

DX 149120 CANARY WHARF 3

 

www.cliffordchance.com

 

To     Barclays PLC

1 Churchill Place

London E14 5HP

  

Our ref: 70-41020237

Direct Dial: +44 207006 2977

E-Mail: simon.sinclair@cliffordchance.com

 

11 August 2021

Barclays PLC

U.S.$ 1,500,000,000 4.375 per cent. Fixed Rate Resetting Perpetual Subordinated Contingent Convertible Securities (the “Securities”)

We have acted as English legal advisers to Barclays PLC (the “Issuer”) in connection with the issue by the Issuer of the Securities under the Contingent Convertible Securities Indenture dated as of 14 August 2018, among the Issuer, The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch as trustee (the “Trustee”) and The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch, as Contingent Convertible Security Registrar (the “Registrar”) (as amended by the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated 12 August 2020 and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated 1 March 2021, together, the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of 11 August 2021, among the Issuer, the Trustee and the Registrar (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”).

 

1.

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1

Opinion Documents

This Opinion relates to the Indenture and the Securities.

 

1.2

Defined Terms

 

  1.2.1

Terms defined or given a particular construction in the Indenture shall have the same meaning in this Opinion unless a contrary indication appears.

 

  1.2.2

Headings in this Opinion are for ease of reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.

 

CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP IS A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES UNDER NO. OC323571. THE FIRM’S REGISTERED OFFICE AND PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS AT 10 UPPER BANK STREET LONDON E14 5JJ. THE FIRM USES THE WORD “PARTNER” TO REFER TO A MEMBER OF CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP OR AN EMPLOYEE OR CONSULTANT WITH EQUIVALENT STANDING AND QUALIFICATIONS. THE FIRM IS AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE SOLICITORS REGULATION AUTHORITY.


CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP

 

  1.2.3

All references in this Opinion to paragraphs mean paragraphs in this Opinion.

 

1.3

Legal Review

In connection with the creation and issue of the Securities and the giving of this Opinion:

 

  1.3.1

we have reviewed the documents referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) and completed the searches and enquiries referred to in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) and any references to such documents in this Opinion are to those documents as originally executed. Certain of such documents have been executed using the cloud based electronic signing platform owned and run by DocuSign Inc.;

 

  1.3.2

we have not verified the facts or the reasonableness of any statements (including statements as to foreign law) contained in the Indenture or the Prospectus, save as expressly specified in paragraph 2.6 (Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement);

 

  1.3.3

we have not been responsible for ensuring that the Prospectus contains all material facts; and

 

  1.3.4

we have not been responsible for ensuring that the Prospectus or the Form 6-K comply with the requirements of any competent authority.

 

1.4

Applicable Law

This Opinion is governed by English law, relates only to English law as applied by the English courts as at today’s date and does not extend to the laws of any other jurisdiction (save as described in paragraph 1.5 (Taxation)). All non-contractual obligations and any other matters arising out of or in connection with this Opinion are governed by English law.

 

1.5

Taxation

We express no opinion on any taxation matter, and none is implied or may be inferred, save as expressly specified in paragraph 2.6 (Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement). In respect of those tax matters this Opinion is confined to, and given on the basis of, English law, United Kingdom tax law and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) published practice in force or applied in the United Kingdom as at today’s date.

 

- 2 -


CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP

 

1.6

Assumptions and Reservations

This Opinion is given on the basis of our understanding of the terms of the Indenture and the Securities, and the assumptions set out in Schedule 2 (Assumptions) and is subject to the reservations set out in Schedule 3 (Reservations). This Opinion is strictly limited to the matters stated in paragraph 2 (Opinion) and does not extend to any other matters.

 

2.

OPINION

We are of the opinion that:

 

2.1

Corporate Existence

The Issuer is a company duly incorporated in England and has the capacity and power to create and issue the Securities, to enter into the Base Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture.

 

2.2

Authorisation

The execution and delivery of the Base Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and the issue of the Securities (and the allotment of the Conversion Shares) have been duly authorised by or on behalf of the Issuer.

 

2.3

Execution

The Issuer has duly executed and delivered the Base Indenture, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and the Global Securities, to the extent that English law is applicable.

 

2.4

Legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations

In any proceedings taken in England for the enforcement of the Base Indenture or the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the obligations expressed to be assumed by the Issuer in the Base Indenture and the Sixth Supplemental Indenture would be recognised by the English courts as legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and would be enforceable in the English courts.

 

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2.5

Subordination

Section 12.01 (Subordination of Contingent Convertible Securities – Status of the Contingent Convertible Securities) of the Base Indenture constitutes legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Issuer.

 

2.6

Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement

The statements in the Prospectus Supplement under the heading “Tax Considerations - United Kingdom Taxation” are correct in all material respects.

 

3.

ADDRESSEES AND PURPOSE

 

  3.1.1

The scope and content of this Opinion solely have regard to the interests of the Issuer in accordance with its instructions. This Opinion is provided in connection with the filing of the Form 6-K and is addressed to and is solely for the Issuer and it may not, without our prior written consent, be relied upon for any other purpose or be disclosed to or relied upon by any other person save as provided below.

 

  3.1.2

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K to be incorporated by reference into the Form F-3 Registration Statement filed with the SEC on 1 March 2021, and the reference to us under the headings “Service of Process and Enforcement of Liabilities” and “Validity of Securities” in the Base Prospectus and under the heading “Validity of Securities” in the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

/s/ Clifford Chance.

 

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SCHEDULE 1

DOCUMENTS AND ENQUIRIES

 

1.

DOCUMENTS

 

  (a)

The prospectus dated 1 March 2021 relating to, inter alia, the Securities (the “Base Prospectus”).

 

  (b)

The prospectus supplement dated 4 August 2021 relating to the Securities (the “Prospectus Supplement” and, together with the Base Prospectus, the “Prospectus”).

 

  (c)

The final form of the Form 6-K expected to be filed with the SEC on 11 August 2021 relating to the Securities (the “Form 6-K”).

 

  (d)

A copy of the Base Indenture.

 

  (e)

A copy of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture.

 

  (f)

A copy of the global securities representing the Securities dated 11 August 2021 (together, the “Global Securities”).

 

  (g)

A copy of the certificate of incorporation of the Issuer dated 20 July 1896.

 

  (h)

A copy of the Barclays Bank Act 1984.

 

  (i)

A copy of the certificate of incorporation on re-registration of the Issuer dated 15 February 1982.

 

  (j)

A copy of the certificate of incorporation on change of name of the Issuer dated 1 January 1985.

 

  (k)

A copy of the articles of association of the Issuer as adopted by special resolution passed on 5 May 2021, certified a true copy by Kathryn Roberts.

 

  (l)

A copy of the extracts from the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Issuer held on 15 December 2016, certified a true copy by Patrick Gonsalves (the “2016 Resolutions”).

 

  (m)

A copy of the extracts from the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Issuer held on 28 March 2018, certified a true copy by Gemma Tremlett (the “2018 Resolutions”).

 

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  (n)

A copy of the approval of the Group Finance Director of the Issuer dated 20 February 2018, certified a true copy by Sophie Lukaszewski.

 

  (o)

A copy of the approval of the Group Finance Director of the Issuer dated 24 February 2021, certified a true copy by Sophie Lukaszewski.

 

  (p)

A copy of the Confirmation of an Authorised Officer of the Issuer dated 5 August 2021.

 

  (q)

A copy of the power of attorney granted by the Issuer dated 15 June 2018, in favour of each of Miray Muminoglu, Timothy Allen, Stuart Frith and Daniel David.

 

  (r)

A copy of the power of attorney granted by the Issuer dated 30 March 2020, in favour of Miray Muminoglu and Stuart Frith.

 

  (s)

A copy of the power of attorney granted by the Issuer dated 8 April 2021, in favour of Miray Muminoglu, Stuart Frith and Suzanna Harding.

 

  (t)

The notice of the annual general meeting of the shareholders of the Issuer dated 30 March 2021 and the results of the polls on the resolutions proposed at such annual general meeting announced by the Issuer on 5 May 2021, approving, inter alia, the allotment of shares and equity securities and the allotment of equity securities for cash other than on a pro-rata basis (the “2021 Shareholders Resolution” and, together with the special resolution referred to in paragraph (k) above, the “Shareholders Resolutions”).

 

2.

SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES

 

  (a)

A search was conducted with the Registrar of Companies in respect of the Issuer on 11 August 2021.

 

  (b)

An enquiry by telephone was made at the Central Index of Winding Up Petitions at the Insolvency and Companies List in London at 10:24 a.m. on 11 August 2021 with respect to the Issuer. The presentation of a petition for the winding-up of the Issuer may be subject to the temporary restrictions imposed by Schedule 10 of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

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SCHEDULE 2

ASSUMPTIONS

 

1.

ORIGINAL AND GENUINE DOCUMENTATION

 

  (a)

All signatures (including any electronic signatures), stamps and seals are genuine, all original documents are authentic, all deeds and counterparts were executed in single physical form and all copy documents supplied to us as photocopies or in portable document format (PDF) or other electronic form are genuine, accurate, complete and conform to the originals.

 

  (b)

The person whose name and signature appears in the signature block of the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or any Global Security is the person who signed the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or such Global Security.

Where, for the purposes of paragraphs 1(a) and 1(b) of this Schedule 2:

 

  (i)

“sign” or “signed” means, in relation to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or each Global Security executed with an electronic signature, the process by which the signatory has applied such electronic signature to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or such Global Security; and

 

  (ii)

“electronic signature” means the signature in electronic form applied to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and/or any Global Security that is intended by the signatory to take effect as their signature including, without limitation, an image of the signatory’s handwritten signature, the typed name of the signatory, a signature generated by the signatory with a stylus on a touch pad or screen and any signature created by the signatory in accordance with the processes of an electronic signing platform.

 

  (c)

The copies of the certificate of incorporation, certificate of incorporation on change of name, certificate of re-registration and articles of association of the Issuer provided to us are accurate and complete as of the date of this Opinion.

 

2.

CORPORATE AUTHORITY

 

  (a)

In resolving to create and issue the Securities and to enter into the Indenture the directors and the Group Finance Director of the Issuer acted in good faith to promote the success of the Issuer for the benefit of its members and in accordance with any other duty.

 

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  (b)

Each director of the Issuer has disclosed any interest which he or she may have in the issue of the Securities in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and the Issuer’s articles of association and none of the directors has any interest in the issue of the Securities except to the extent permitted by the Issuer’s articles of association.

 

  (c)

The 2016 Resolutions and the 2018 Resolutions were duly passed at properly constituted and quorate meetings of duly appointed directors of the Issuer and have not been amended or rescinded and are in full force and effect.

 

  (d)

The approvals by the Group Finance Director of the Issuer and the Confirmation of an Authorised Officer of the Issuer, each of which is referred to in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries), have not been amended or rescinded and are in full force and effect.

 

  (e)

The Shareholders Resolutions were duly passed at a properly convened and quorate meeting of the shareholders of the Issuer and in all cases have not been amended or rescinded and are in full force and effect.

 

  (f)

The extracts from the minutes referred to in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) are true records of the proceedings at the meetings of the board of directors of the Issuer.

 

  (g)

Since 5 May 2021, the Issuer has not issued any ECNs (as defined in the 2021 Shareholders Resolutions).

 

  (h)

That, as at 20 February 2018 and 24 February 2021, Tushar Morzaria was duly appointed as Group Finance Director of the Issuer, as at 14 August 2018, Tim Allen was duly appointed as Director in the Capital Markets Execution team of Barclays Treasury, as at 11 August 2021, Stuart Frith was duly appointed as Director in the Capital Markets Execution team of Group Treasury and as at 5 August 2021 and 11 August 2021, Daniel Fairclough was duly appointed as an Authorised Officer (as defined in the 2018 Resolutions) and as Managing Director in Group Treasury.

 

  (i)

The person, if other than the person whose signature it purports to be, who attached any electronic signature to any of the documents listed in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) on behalf of another person, had the authority of the latter person to do so.

 

  (j)

Any relevant power of attorney granted by the Issuer referred to in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) had not been revoked and was in full force and effect at the time of execution of the Indenture and/or the Global Securities, as applicable.

 

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  (k)

The Conversion Shares will be delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

3.

CORPORATE CAPACITY OF THE PARTIES OTHER THAN THE ISSUER

Each party to the Indenture (other than the Issuer) has the capacity, power and authority to enter into and to exercise its rights and to perform its obligations under the Indenture.

 

4.

EXECUTION OF INDENTURE AND SECURITIES

 

  (a)

Each party to the Indenture (other than the Issuer) has duly executed and delivered the Indenture.

 

  (b)

The terms of the Indenture have been complied with and the Indenture and the Global Securities have each been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

5.

DOCUMENTS NOT GOVERNED BY ENGLISH LAW

 

  (a)

The obligations expressed to be assumed by the Issuer under the Indenture and the Securities constitute the Issuer’s legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations under the laws of the State of New York (other than the obligations under Section 12.01 of the Base Indenture) and words and phrases used in the Indenture and the Securities have the same meaning and effect as they would if the Indenture and the Securities were governed by English law.

 

  (b)

The submission to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the City and State of New York or in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York by the Issuer contained in the Indenture and the Securities, as applicable, is legal, valid and binding under the laws of the State of New York.

 

  (c)

The choice of the laws of the State of New York to govern the Indenture and the Securities is a valid choice under the laws of the State of New York.

 

6.

OTHER DOCUMENTS

Save for those listed in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) there is no other agreement, instrument, other arrangement or relationship between any of the parties to the Indenture which modifies, supersedes or conflicts with the Indenture.

 

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7.

TAX MATTERS

 

  (a)

The Issuer is resident only in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes.

 

  (b)

A valid election has been made in respect of the Securities pursuant to section 475C of the Corporation Tax Act 2009 which has taken effect, and the Securities will constitute “hybrid capital instruments” within the meaning of that section.

 

  (c)

The Securities are not issued by the Issuer directly or indirectly in consequence of, or otherwise in connection with, any arrangements which have the main purpose, or a main purpose, of securing a tax advantage (within the meaning given in Section 1139 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010) for the Issuer or any other person.

 

  (d)

Any provision of the Securities for (i) the alteration of the amount of debt or (ii) for the creditor to receive anything other than interest or repayment of the debt is limited to where (1) there is a material risk of the debtor being unable to pay its debts as they fall due, (2) the value of the debtor’s liabilities exceeds its assets or (3) the provision is required to comply with regulatory or other legal requirements.

 

8.

SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES

There has been no alteration in the status or condition of the Issuer as disclosed by the searches and enquiries referred to in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries). However, it is our experience that the searches and enquiries referred to in paragraphs 2(a), and, 2(b) in Schedule 1 (Documents and Enquiries) may be unreliable. In particular, they are not conclusively capable of disclosing whether or not insolvency proceedings have been commenced in England, nor do they indicate whether or not insolvency proceedings have begun elsewhere. Further, the presentation of a petition for the winding-up of the Issuer may be subject to the temporary restrictions imposed by Schedule 10 of the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

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SCHEDULE 3

RESERVATIONS

 

1.

ENFORCEABILITY OF CLAIMS

In this Opinion “enforceable” means that an obligation is of a type which the English courts may enforce. It does not mean that those obligations will be enforced in all circumstances in accordance with the terms of the Securities and the Indenture. In particular:

 

(a)

the opinion set out in paragraph 2.5 (Subordination) of this Opinion is subject to any limitations arising from (i) insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, administration, moratorium, reorganisation and similar laws, (ii) any reconstruction, arrangement or compromise and (iii) any other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors or any class of creditors;

 

(b)

the power of an English court to order specific performance of an obligation or any other equitable remedy is discretionary and, accordingly, an English court might make an award of damages where specific performance of an obligation or any other equitable remedy is sought;

 

(c)

where any person is vested with a discretion or may determine a matter in its opinion, that person may be required to exercise its discretion in good faith, reasonably and for a proper purpose, and to form its opinion in good faith and on reasonable grounds;

 

(d)

enforcement may be limited by the provisions of English law applicable to an agreement held to have been frustrated by events happening after its execution;

 

(e)

claims may become barred under the Limitation Act 1980 or the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 or may be or become subject to a defence of set-off or counterclaim;

 

(f)

a party to a contract may be able to avoid its obligations under that contract (and may have other remedies) where it has been induced to enter into that contract by a misrepresentation or where there has been any bribe or other corrupt conduct and the English courts will generally not enforce an obligation if there has been fraud; and

 

(g)

any provision to the effect that any calculation, determination or certification is to be conclusive and binding may not be effective if such calculation, determination or certification is fraudulent, arbitrary or manifestly incorrect and an English court may regard any certification, determination or calculation as no more than prima facie evidence.

 

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2.

GOVERNING LAW

 

(a)

The English courts may refuse to apply a provision of the laws of the State of New York if application of that provision of the laws of the State of New York would be manifestly incompatible with English public policy.

 

(b)

The parties’ choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of the Indenture and the Securities does not restrict the English courts from applying the overriding mandatory provisions of English law.

 

(c)

We express no opinion on the binding effect of the choice of law provisions in the Indenture and the Securities insofar as they relate to non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with the Indenture and the Securities.

 

3.

JURISDICTION

If any proceedings are brought in the English courts by the Issuer, in some circumstances, those courts may accept jurisdiction, notwithstanding the provisions of the Indenture and the Securities providing that any state or federal court in the City and State of New York or in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, as applicable, has jurisdiction in relation thereto.

 

4.

ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN JUDGMENT

 

(a)

There are no reciprocal arrangements in force between the United States of America and the United Kingdom for the recognition or enforcement of judgments. Accordingly, a judgment by any state or federal court in the City and State of New York is not enforceable directly in England but may be recognised and enforced by the English courts according to common law principles. A judgment by those courts will not be enforced by the English courts if:

 

  (i)

the proceedings in which the judgment was given were opposed to natural justice;

 

  (ii)

the judgment was obtained by fraud;

 

  (iii)

the enforcement of the judgment would be contrary to English public policy;

 

  (iv)

an order has been made and remains effective under section 9 of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933 applying that section to judgments of those courts;

 

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  (v)

before the date on which those courts gave judgment, the matter in dispute had been the subject of a final judgment of another court having jurisdiction whose judgment is enforceable in England;

 

  (vi)

the judgment is for multiple damages within the meaning of section 5(3) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980;

 

  (vii)

the judgment is based on a rule of law specified by the Secretary of State under section 5(4) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 as concerned with the prohibition of restrictive trade practices;

 

  (viii)

the judgment is on a claim for contribution in respect of damages awarded by a judgment falling within (vi) or (vii) above;

 

  (ix)

the judgment is based on foreign measures which the Secretary of State specifies as regulating and controlling international trade and which, in so far as they apply to persons carrying on business in the United Kingdom, are damaging or threaten to damage the trading interests of the United Kingdom; or

 

  (x)

the bringing of proceedings in those courts was contrary to an agreement under which the dispute in question was to be settled otherwise than by proceedings in those courts.

 

(b)

If the English court gives judgment for the sum payable under a judgment of the state or federal courts in the City and State of New York, the English judgment would be enforceable by the methods generally available for the enforcement of English judgments. These give the court a discretion whether to allow enforcement by any particular method, taking into account all relevant circumstances. In addition, it may not be possible to obtain an English judgment or the court may not exercise its discretion to enforce any English judgment if the judgment debtor is subject to any insolvency or similar proceedings, if there is a delay, if an appeal is pending or anticipated against the English judgment in England or against the foreign judgment in the state or federal courts in the City and State of New York or if the judgment debtor has any set-off or counterclaim against the judgment creditor.

 

5.

CHOICE OF LAW

If any obligation arising under the Indenture or the Securities is or is to be performed in a jurisdiction outside England, it may not be enforceable in the English courts to the extent that performance would be illegal or contrary to public policy under the laws of the other jurisdiction. Further an English court may give effect to any overriding mandatory provisions of the law of the place of performance insofar as they render the

 

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performance unlawful or otherwise take into account the law of the place of performance in relation to the manner of performance and the steps to be taken in the event of defective performance.

 

6.

DEFAULT INTEREST AND INDEMNITIES BETWEEN PARTIES

 

(a)

Any provision of the Securities or the Indenture requiring any person to pay amounts imposed in circumstances of breach or default may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty. If the Indenture or the Securities do not provide a contractual remedy for late payment of any amount payable thereunder that is a substantial remedy within the meaning of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 as amended the person entitled to that amount may have a right to statutory interest (and to payment of certain fixed sums) in respect of that late payment at the rate (and in the amount) from time to time prescribed pursuant to that Act. Any term of the Indenture or the Securities may be void to the extent that it excludes or varies that right to statutory interest, or purports to confer a contractual right to interest that is not a substantial remedy for late payment of that amount, within the meaning of that Act. We express no opinion as to whether any such provisions in the Indenture or the Securities do in fact constitute a “substantial remedy” in compliance with the conditions set out in Section 9 of such Act.

 

(b)

There is some possibility that an English court would hold that a judgment on the Indenture or the Securities, whether given in an English court or elsewhere, would supersede the Indenture or the Securities, so that any obligations relating to the payment of interest after the judgment or any currency indemnities would not be held to survive the judgment.

 

(c)

Any undertaking or indemnity in relation to stamp duties may be void under the provisions of Section 117 of the Stamp Act 1891.

 

(d)

An English court may in its discretion decline to give effect to any provision for the payment of legal costs incurred by a litigant.

 

7.

BANKING ACT 2009

The opinions set out in this letter are subject to any limitations arising from any measures taken pursuant to the stabilisation powers under the special resolution regime under the Banking Act 2009, as amended.

 

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8.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

 

(a)

The effectiveness of any provision of any agreement or instrument which allows an invalid provision to be severed in order to save the remainder of its provisions will be determined by the English courts in their discretion.

 

(b)

In some circumstances an English court may terminate or suspend proceedings commenced before it and an English court may be prevented from adjudicating upon a particular claim or issue if this would be inconsistent with the judgment of a foreign court binding upon the parties, being a judgment entitled to recognition in England and Wales.

 

(c)

Any provision in the Indenture or the Securities which confers, purports to confer or waives a right of set-off or similar right may be ineffective against a liquidator or creditor.

 

(d)

This Opinion is subject to the effects of any United Nations or United Kingdom sanctions or other similar measures implemented or effective in the United Kingdom with respect to any party to the Indenture or to any transfer of, or payment in respect of, a Security which is, or is controlled by or otherwise connected with, a person resident in, incorporated in or constituted under the laws of, or carrying on business in a country to which any such sanctions or other similar measures apply, or is otherwise the target of any such sanctions or other similar measures.

 

9.

TAXATION STATEMENTS

The confirmation provided in paragraph 2.6 (Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement) is subject to the following specific reservations:

 

(a)

We give no confirmation as to any section of the Prospectus other than the confirmation set out in paragraph 2.6 (Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement); and

 

(b)

The confirmation is given solely on the basis set out in paragraph 2.6 (Taxation statements in the Prospectus Supplement) and in particular takes into account the disclaimers and qualifications which are applied to those statements in the Prospectus Supplement and is limited to matters governed by English law, the tax law of the United Kingdom and HMRC’s published practice in force or applied in the United Kingdom as at today’s date.

 

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