UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 11, 2019
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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333-230202
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47-1121020
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(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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200 Clarendon Street, 53rd Floor
Boston, Massachusetts
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02116
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (617)-369-7300
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
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BSIG
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New York Stock Exchange
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4.800% Notes due 2026
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BSIG 26
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New York Stock Exchange
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5.125% Notes due 2031
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BSA
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New York Stock Exchange
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).
Emerging Growth Company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Introductory Note
Completion of Redomestication
As part of the previously announced plan to restructure the BrightSphere corporate group, which consisted of BrightSphere-United Kingdom (as defined below) and its operating subsidiaries (such operating subsidiaries and the holding company collectively, the “
BrightSphere Group
”), to cause the publicly traded parent company of the BrightSphere Group to be a Delaware corporation (the “
Redomestication
”), BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (“
BrightSphere-Delaware
”) and BrightSphere Investment Group plc, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“
BrightSphere-United Kingdom
”), received approval (the “
Court Approval Order
”) from the High Court of Justice of England and Wales (the “
High Court
”) on July 11, 2019 of a statutory scheme of arrangement under the laws of England and Wales (the “
Scheme of Arrangement
”) previously approved by BrightSphere-United Kingdom shareholders and pursuant to which all issued ordinary shares in the capital of BrightSphere-United Kingdom as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Scheme of Arrangement would be exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of BrightSphere-Delaware.
After the close of market trading on July 12, 2019, the Scheme of Arrangement became effective and binding on all shareholders of BrightSphere-United Kingdom, and BrightSphere-United Kingdom became a subsidiary of BrightSphere-Delaware, thereby completing the Redomestication.
As part of the Redomestication and pursuant to a shareholder vote, existing shares of BrightSphere-United Kingdom were exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of BrightSphere-Delaware immediately prior to the effective time of the Scheme of Arrangement. As a result, all outstanding shareholders of BrightSphere-United Kingdom have become common stockholders of BrightSphere-Delaware.
The issuance of BrightSphere-Delaware common stock in exchange for BrightSphere-United Kingdom ordinary shares pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “
Securities Act
”), pursuant to a Form S-4 (File No. 333-230202), which was declared effective by the SEC on May 31, 2019 (as supplemented or amended, the “
Form S-4
”). Please refer to the proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form S-4 for additional information about the Redomestication.
Prior to the Redomestication, BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s ordinary shares were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “
Exchange Act
”), and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“
NYSE
”). BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s ordinary shares were suspended from trading on NYSE at the close of trading on July 12, 2019, and BrightSphere-United Kingdom has requested that NYSE file with the SEC an application on Form 25 to delist the BrightSphere-United Kingdom ordinary shares from NYSE and from registration under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. BrightSphere-United Kingdom expects to file a Form 15 with the SEC to terminate the registration under the Exchange Act of BrightSphere-United Kingdom ordinary shares and suspend all of its reporting obligations under Sections 12(g) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act 10 days after the date such Form 25 is filed.
Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, BrightSphere-Delaware is the successor issuer to BrightSphere-United Kingdom, BrightSphere-Delaware’s common stock is deemed to be registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, and BrightSphere-Delaware is subject to the periodic and current reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. BrightSphere-Delaware hereby reports this succession in accordance with Rule 12g-3(f) under the Exchange Act. BrightSphere-Delaware’s common stock will begin trading on NYSE at the start of trading on July 15, 2019 and will trade under the symbol “BSIG,” which is the same symbol under which BrightSphere-United Kingdom ordinary shares previously traded. The CUSIP number for BrightSphere-Delaware’s common stock is 10948W 103.
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Item 1.01
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Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
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On July 11, 2019, in connection with the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware, BrightSphere-United Kingdom (formerly known as OM Asset Management PLC), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (the “
Trustee
”), and Citibank,
N.A., as Securities Administrator (the “
Securities Administrator
”) entered into the following supplemental indentures (each, a “
Supplemental Indenture
,” and collectively, “
Supplemental Indentures
”):
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the Third Supplemental Indenture, which supplements the Indenture, dated as of July 25, 2016, between BrightSphere-United Kingdom, the Trustee and the Securities Administrator (the “
Base Indenture
”), as previously supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 25, 2016 (as so supplemented, the “
First Indenture
”), with respect to BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s
4.800% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “
2026 Notes
”); and
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the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, which supplements the Base Indenture, as previously supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 25, 2016 (as so supplemented, the “
Second Indenture
”), with respect to BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “
2031 Notes
”).
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Pursuant to the Supplemental Indentures, BrightSphere-Delaware assumed all of the obligations of BrightSphere-United Kingdom under the First Indenture, the Second Indenture, the 2026 Notes and the 2031 Notes.
Effective upon the consummation of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware assumed all of the obligations of BrightSphere-United Kingdom under the revolving credit facility dated October 15, 2014, among BrightSphere-United Kingdom, Citibank, as administrative agent and issuing bank, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated as joint lead arrangers and joint book runners (as amended, the “
Credit Facility
”).
Also effective upon the consummation of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware entered into indemnity agreements (the “
Indemnity Agreements
”) with each of BrightSphere-Delaware’s directors and executive officers. The Indemnity Agreements provide for indemnification of the directors and officers of BrightSphere-Delaware to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law as it now exists or may in the future be amended, against all expenses, liabilities and loss incurred in connection with their service as a director or officer on behalf of BrightSphere-Delaware. In addition, the Indemnity Agreements provide that, to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, BrightSphere-Delaware shall pay the expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by a director or executive officer of BrightSphere-Delaware, in defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, that to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay all amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by BrightSphere-Delaware.
The foregoing description of the Indemnity Agreements is a general description only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the Indemnity Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, and incorporated herein by reference into this Item 1.01.
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Item 2.01
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Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
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The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.
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Item 2.03
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Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
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Pursuant to the Redomestication, as of July 11, 2019, BrightSphere-Delaware assumed BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s obligations under the Credit Facility and outstanding notes, including the 2026 Notes and the 2031 Notes, and certain other obligations and liabilities of BrightSphere-United Kingdom have been transferred to BrightSphere-Delaware.
The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.
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Item 3.03
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Material Modification to the Rights of Security Holders.
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The information set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
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Item 5.01
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Changes in Control of Registrant.
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The information set forth in the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
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Item 5.02
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Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
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Directors and Officers
In connection with the completion of the Redomestication, the directors and executive officers of BrightSphere-United Kingdom immediately prior to the completion of the Redomestication became the directors and executive officers of BrightSphere-Delaware. In addition, following completion of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware replicated the committees of the board of directors, and the membership thereof, which previously were in place for BrightSphere-United Kingdom. Information regarding BrightSphere’s directors, executive officers and committee members is included in BrightSphere-Delaware’s proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form S-4 filed with the SEC on May 31, 2019 under the heading “Management of BrightSphere-Delaware” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Amended Equity Plans
Upon the consummation of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware adopted and assumed the BrightSphere Investment Group plc 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “
2017 Employee Plan
”) and the BrightSphere Investment Group plc Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (the “
NED Plan
” and, together with the 2017 Employee Plan, the “
Equity Plans
”), and the amendment and restatement of the Equity Plans (the “
Restated Employee Plan
” and the “
Restated NED Plan
,” respectively, and together the “
Restated Equity Plans
”). The Restated Equity Plans provide, among other things, that the securities issuable in connection with awards thereunder will be shares of common stock of BrightSphere-Delaware rather than ordinary shares of BrightSphere-United Kingdom. A description of the material terms of the Restated Equity Plans is included in BrightSphere-Delaware’s proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form S-4 filed with the SEC on May 31, 2019 under the heading “Adoption, Assumption, and Restatement of Equity Plans.”
Option Award Agreement
Upon the consummation of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware adopted and assumed the Option Award Agreement, effective as of December 30, 2018 between BrightSphere-United Kingdom and Guang Yang. The grant of options was offered as a material inducement to Mr. Yang’s hiring as President and Chief Executive Officer of BrightSphere-United Kingdom, and was approved by BrightSphere-United Kingdom’s Compensation Committee in reliance on the employment inducement exemption under the New York Stock Exchange’s Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08.
Director Compensation
Upon the consummation of the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware adopted and assumed the NED Plan and the Restated NED Plan. The terms of the Restated NED Plan are substantially the same as the terms of the NED Plan maintained by BrightSphere-United Kingdom immediately prior to the Redomestication. A description of the material terms of the Restated NED Plan is included in BrightSphere-Delaware’s proxy statement/prospectus included in the Form S-4 filed with the SEC on May 31, 2019 under the heading “Adoption, Assumption, and Restatement of Equity Plans.”
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Item 5.03
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Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
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In connection with the Redomestication, BrightSphere-Delaware filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on July 12, 2019, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 (the “
Certificate of Incorporation
”) and incorporated herein by reference. In addition, BrightSphere-Delaware adopted Amended and Restated Bylaws on July 12, 2019, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 (the “
Bylaws
”). The summary of the material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of BrightSphere-Delaware are described under the heading “Description of BrightSphere-Delaware Capital Stock” under Item 8.01 below and are incorporated into this Item 5.03 by reference.
Such descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 7.01
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Regulation FD Disclosure.
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On July 15, 2019, BrightSphere-Delaware issued a press release announcing the consummation of the Redomestication, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 9.01
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Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit No.
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Description
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3.1
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3.2
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10.1
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10.2
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10.3
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10.4
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99.1
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SIGNATURE
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, hereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 15, 2019
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BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
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By:
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/s/ Guang Yang
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Name:
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Guang Yang
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 3.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF BRIGHTSPHERE INVESTMENT GROUP INC.
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify:
1. The present name of the Corporation is “BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.” The Corporation was originally incorporated by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 29, 2014 (the “Original Certificate”), under the name “OMAM US, Inc.”
2. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the “DGCL”) and by the written consent of its sole stockholder in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.
3. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the corporation is BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation shall be to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized and incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
A. The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 240,000,000, divided into two classes: 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock”); and 230,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (hereinafter referred to as “Common Stock”).
B. The shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and, by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter referred to as “Preferred Stock Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:
(i) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;
(ii) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board of Directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding);
(iii) the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in respect of dividends, and whether such dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative;
(iv) dates on which dividends, if any, shall be payable in respect of shares of the series;
(v) the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;
(vi) the terms and amount of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;
(vii) whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series of such other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made;
(viii) the rights of the holders of the shares of such series upon the dissolution of, or upon the subsequent distribution of assets of, the Corporation;
(ix) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series;
(x) the voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, of the holders of shares of the series; and
(xi) the manner in which any facts ascertainable outside of this Certificate or the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such series shall operate upon the voting powers, designations, preferences, rights, and qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such series.
C. The shares of Common Stock shall be subject to the express terms of the shares of Preferred Stock and any series thereof.
D. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (this “Certificate”) or in a Preferred Stock Designation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share upon all questions presented to the stockholders.
E. Except as may otherwise be provided by law, in this Certificate or in a Preferred Stock Designation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and for all other purposes, and holders of shares of Preferred Stock and any series thereof shall not be entitled to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders at which they are not entitled to vote.
F. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the person in whose name any share of its stock is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such share on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation shall have notice thereof, except as expressly provided by applicable law.
ARTICLE V
RIGHTS, PREFERENCES, PRIVILEGES AND RESTRICTIONS
A. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, subject to any rights, powers and preferences of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and any series thereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them.
B. Subject to applicable law, and any rights, powers and preferences of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock and any series thereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds lawfully available therefor.
ARTICLE VI
DIRECTORS
A. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be as from time to time fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation, as they may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Bylaws”). Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide. A director shall hold office until his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office.
B. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the powers conferred by law, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized and empowered:
(i) to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation; and
(ii) from time to time to determine whether and to what extent, and at what times and places, and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of them, shall be open to inspection of stockholders; and, except as so determined or as expressly provided in this Certificate or in any Preferred Stock Designation, no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the Corporation other than such rights as may be conferred by applicable law.
ARTICLE VII
STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS
A. Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or by the holder or holders of not less than 10% of the voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock.
B. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of the proposal by stockholders of any other action to be taken by the stockholders at a meeting shall be given in such manner as shall be provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
A. A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended.
B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) agents of the Corporation (and any other persons to which the DGCL permits the Corporation to provide indemnification) through bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, subject only to the limits created by the DGCL and applicable case law, with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation, its stockholders, and others.
C. Any amendment, repeal or modification of any of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, agent, or other person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director, officer or agent occurring prior to, such amendment, repeal or modification.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
Except as may be expressly provided in this Certificate, the Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate or a Preferred Stock Designation, and any other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed herein or by applicable law, and all rights, preferences and privileges of whatsoever nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article IX. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of this Certificate may be amended, altered or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision or bylaw inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless, in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate or otherwise required by law, such amendment, alteration, repeal or adoption is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of the then outstanding Common Stock.
ARTICLE X
FORUM SELECTION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or other acquiring any interest in any share of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consent to the provisions of this Article X. The provisions of this Article X shall not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for actions brought under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned incorporator has executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on this 12th day of July, 2019.
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By:
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/s/ Guang Yang
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Name:
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Guang Yang
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF BRIGHTSPHERE INVESTMENT GROUP INC.
ARTICLE 1
OFFICES; BOOKS
Section 1.1
Registered Office
. The registered office of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, and the registered agent in charge thereof shall be Corporation Service Company.
Section 1.2
Other Offices
. The Corporation may also have an office or offices at any other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware.
Section 1.3
Books
. The books of the Corporation may be kept within or without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE 2
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS; STOCKHOLDERS’
CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING
Section 2.1
Annual Meetings
. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, if any, date and hour as shall be fixed by the Board and designated in the notice or waiver of notice thereof. In lieu of holding an annual meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any annual meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication.
Section 2.2
Special Meetings
. A special meeting of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Charter”), to be held at such place, if any, date and hour as shall be fixed by the Board; provided, however, that the date of any such special meeting shall not be more than 90 days after the request to call the special meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the matters stated in the notice. In lieu of holding a special meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that any special meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a special meeting requested by stockholders shall not be held if:
(a) the Board has called or calls for an annual or special meeting of the stockholders to be held within 90 days after the Secretary receives the request for the special meeting and the Board determines in good faith that the business of such meeting includes (among any other matters properly brought before the meeting) the business specified in the request;
(b) the stated business to be brought before the special meeting is not a proper subject for stockholder action under applicable law;
(c) an identical or substantially similar item (a “Similar Item”) was presented at any meeting of stockholders held within ninety (90) days prior to the receipt by the Secretary of the Corporation of the request for the special meeting (and, for purposes of this Section 2.2(d), the election of directors shall be deemed a Similar Item with respect to all items of business involving the election or removal of directors); or
(d) the special meeting request was made in a manner that involved a violation of Regulation 14A under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”).
Section 2.3
Notice of Meetings
. Except as otherwise required by statute, the Charter, or these Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), notice of each annual or special meeting of the stockholders shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, by delivering written notice thereof to each stockholder personally, or by mailing a copy of such notice, postage prepaid, directly to each stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears in the records of the Corporation, or, with the consent of the stockholder entitled to receive notice, by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission in the manner permitted by applicable law. Every such notice shall state the place, if any (or the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present and to vote at such meeting), the date and hour of the meeting, and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, unless such stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, in person or by attorney thereunto authorized, waive such notice in writing, either before or after such meeting. A stockholder so waiving notice shall be bound by the proceedings of the meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given. Notice of any adjourned meeting of stockholders shall not be required to be given, except when expressly required by law.
Section 2.4
Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations
.
(a)
Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(i)
Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of any other business to be considered by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only (A) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting or any supplement thereto, (B) by or at the direction of the Board, or (C) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record of the Corporation (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf any nomination or proposal is made, only if such beneficial holder was a beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time that the notice provided for in paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4.
(ii)
For any nominations by a stockholder of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of any other business to be considered by the stockholders to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder, in each case pursuant to clauses (A) or (C) of paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 2.4, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such proposed business, other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board, must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day and not later than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting or (y) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. For purposes of the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held after July 12, 2019, 2019, the notice required by this Section 2.4 shall be considered to be timely with respect to such first annual meeting if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such first annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. For purposes of this Section 2.4, the stockholder providing the notice of a proposed nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting, the beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf the proposed nomination or other business proposed to be brought before a meeting is made, and any affiliate or associate of such beneficial owner (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), are collectively referred to as the “Proposing Person.” Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (A) as to each person whom the Proposing Person proposes to nominate for election as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”) (1) all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, (2) the Proposed Nominee’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, (3) a representation and warranty that the Proposed Nominee does
not have, and will not have, any undisclosed voting commitments or other arrangements with respect to the Proposed Nominee’s actions as a director (if elected), and (4) a director questionnaire completed by the Proposed Nominee, in a form that will be provided by the Corporation upon request (which shall address, among other things, the Proposed Nominee’s independence), (B) as to any business other than nominations for election of directors that the Proposing Person proposes to bring before the meeting, (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (2) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the Bylaws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed amendment), (3) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (4) any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, and (5) a description of any agreements between the Proposing Person and any other person or entity relating to such business, and (C) as to each Proposing Person, (1) the name and address of the stockholder providing the notice, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such other Proposing Person, (2) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned of record or beneficially by such Proposing Person, (3) a description in reasonable detail of any hedging, derivative, swap or other transactions or series of transactions engaged in by such Proposing Person, or any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short position, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions or any borrowing or lending of shares) to which such Proposing Person is a party, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Corporation, and in each case, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage the risk or increase or reduce the benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proposing Person with respect to shares of capital stock of the Corporation, or otherwise to reduce the economic risk or benefit of ownership of shares of capital stock of the Corporation to such Proposing Person (including where the value of any agreement, arrangement or understanding to which such Proposing Person is a party is determined by reference to the price or value of shares of the Corporation), (4) a representation that the Proposing Person (considered collectively) is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (5) a representation as to whether the Proposing Person intends or is part of a group that (a) has delivered or intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect the nominee and/or approve or adopt the proposal or (b) otherwise has solicited or intends to solicit proxies or votes from stockholders in support of such nomination or proposal. As promptly as practical (and, in any event, no later than two business days after the Proposing Person becomes aware thereof), the Proposing Person providing notice under this Section 2.4(a)(ii) shall notify the Corporation in writing of any change in the information provided or required to be provided under this Section 2.4(a)(ii) as to each such Proposing Person. The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of the stockholder’s intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.
(iii)
Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for any of the additional directorships at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships for which no nominee was named, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b)
Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting pursuant to Section 2.2. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting may be made (1) by or at the direction of the Board or (2) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf any nomination or proposal is made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time that the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election, and who complies with the notice procedure set forth in Section 2.4(a)(ii) with respect to nominations for election of directors at a regular meeting of stockholders. In the event that the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the
purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any stockholder otherwise permitted by this Section 2.4 to nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting may nominate such person(s) for election to such position(s) if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4 shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (x) the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting or (y) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period or extend any time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(c)
General.
(i)
Only such persons who are nominated for election to the Board in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4 or the mandatory provisions of SEC rules shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors, and only such other business as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4 or the mandatory provisions of SEC rules shall be conducted at an annual or special meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty (A) to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4, including whether the Proposing Person (x) failed to notify the Corporation of any change in the information previously provided as required by clause (a)(ii) of this Section 2.4 or (y) solicited (or is part of a group that solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(5) of this Section 2.4 and (B) if any nomination or proposed business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.4, to declare that such nomination or proposal shall be disregarded and declared to be out of order. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to make a nomination or present a proposal of other business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.4, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(ii)
For purposes of this Section 2.4, “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii)
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4. This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be considered by the stockholders at a meeting, regardless of whether or not such proposal is made pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. This Section 2.4 shall not be deemed to affect any rights of (i) stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to such Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Charter. In the event of any conflict between this Section 2.4 and the provisions of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act in the circumstances of a stockholder proposal made pursuant to Rule 14a-8, the provisions of Rule 14a-8 shall control.
Section 2.5
Quorum
. At each meeting of the stockholders, except where otherwise required by law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any officer entitled to preside at, or act as secretary of, such meeting, or a majority in voting power of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, until stockholders holding the requisite amount of stock to constitute a quorum shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present, any
business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. A quorum once established, shall not be broken by the subsequent withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum.
Section 2.6
Adjournment
. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, or means of remote communication, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, this Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. In addition to such other powers as are conferred upon the person acting as chairperson of the meeting in these Bylaws or by the Board, such person shall have the authority to adjourn the meeting at any time.
Section 2.7
Organization
. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, at each meeting of the stockholders, one of the following shall act as chairperson of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:
(a)
the Chairperson, if any; or
(b)
any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation designated by the Board to act as chairperson of such meeting and to preside thereat if the Chairperson shall be absent from such meeting.
The Secretary, or if he or she shall be absent from such meeting, the person (who shall be an Assistant Secretary, if an Assistant Secretary has been appointed and is present) whom the chairperson of such meeting shall appoint, shall act as secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
Section 2.8
Order of Business
. The order of business at each meeting of the stockholders shall be determined by the chairperson of such meeting.
Section 2.9
Voting
. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter or these Bylaws, at each meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder of the Corporation shall be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of capital stock of the Corporation held by such stockholder and registered in such stockholder’s name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed pursuant to Section 6.7 of Article VI as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting. Persons holding stock in a fiduciary capacity shall be entitled to vote the shares so held. A person whose stock is pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless, in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the Corporation, such person has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee or the pledgee’s proxy may represent such stock and vote thereon. Shares of Common Stock standing in the name of another corporation may be voted either in person or by proxy, by the president of such corporation or other entity or any other officer appointed by such president. A proxy executed by any principal officer of such other corporation or other entity or assistant thereto shall be conclusive evidence of the signer’s authority to act, in the absence of express notice to the Corporation, given in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, of the designation of some other person by the board of directors or the bylaws of such other corporation. If shares or other securities having voting power stand in the record of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary shall be given written notice to the contrary and furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting shall have the following effect:
(a)
if only one votes, such vote binds all;
(b)
if more than one votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; and
(c)
if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, such shares shall be voted in the manner provided by law.
If the instrument so filed shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purposes of this Section 2.9 shall be a majority or even-split in interest. Any vote of stock may be given by the stockholder entitled thereto in person or by a proxy appointed by an instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by such stockholder’s attorney thereunto authorized, delivered to the secretary of the meeting; provided, however, that no proxy shall be voted after three years from its date, unless said proxy provides for a longer period.
Except as otherwise provided by law, the Charter or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the stockholders, all matters (other than the election of directors) shall be decided by the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote thereon. Unless otherwise required by law, the Charter, or these Bylaws, the election of directors shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the stockholders by the holders of stock entitled to vote in the election; provided, however, that if the Secretary determines that the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of votes of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders held to elect directors and entitled to vote on such election of directors. The vote on any question need not be by written ballot.
Section 2.10
Inspection
. The chairperson of the meeting may at any time appoint one or more inspectors to serve at any meeting of the stockholders. Any inspector may be removed, and a new inspector or inspectors appointed, by the Board at any time. Such inspectors shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, accept and count votes, declare the results of such vote, and subscribe and deliver to the secretary of the meeting a certificate stating the number of shares of stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereon and the number of shares voted for and against the question, respectively. The inspectors need not be stockholders of the Corporation, and any director or officer of the Corporation may be an inspector on any question other than a vote for or against his or her election to any position with the Corporation or on any other matter in which he or she may be directly interested. Before acting as herein provided, each inspector shall subscribe an oath faithfully to execute the duties of an inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of the inspector’s ability.
Section 2.11
List of Stockholders
. The Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of the stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote thereat (provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to any such meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to such meeting, in the manner required by applicable law. Such list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place, if any, of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
ARTICLE 3
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1
General Powers
. Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) or the Charter, the business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Charter directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 3.2
Number and Term of Office
. The Board shall consist of such number of directors as may be set by the Board from time to time. The Board shall initially consist of five (5) to seven (7) members. Each director shall hold office until a successor is duly elected and qualified or under the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.
Section 3.3
Vacancies
. Unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate, vacancies arising through death, resignation, removal, an increase in the number of directors or otherwise may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, or by the stockholders if such vacancy resulted from the action of stockholders, and in any event the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election of directors and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3.4
Election of Directors
. Subject to the Charter, directors shall be elected by a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting of its stockholders and entitled to vote on the election of directors; provided, however, that, if the number of persons proposed to be elected as directors at a meeting of stockholders exceeds the number of vacancies, then the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors, regardless of whether such plurality constituted less than a majority of total votes cast. For purposes of the election of directors, no stockholder shall be allowed to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. Election of directors may be conducted in any manner approved at such meeting.
Section 3.5
Meetings
.
(a)
Annual Meetings. As soon as practicable after each annual election of directors, the Board shall meet for the purpose of organization and the transaction of other business, unless it shall have transacted all such business by written consent pursuant to Section 3.6 of this Article III.
(b)
Other Meetings. Other meetings of the Board shall be held at such times and places as the Board, the Chairperson, the Chief Executive Officer or the President shall from time to time determine.
(c)
Notice of Meetings. Notice shall be given to each director of each meeting, including the time, place and purpose of such meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director by overnight courier, addressed to him or her at his or her residence or usual place of business, at least two days (2) before the date on which such meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him or her at such place by facsimile transmission or email (to the facsimile number or email address, as the case may be, of such director set forth in the records of the Corporation), or be delivered personally or electronically not later than twenty-four (24) hours before the day on which such meeting is to be held, but notice need not be given to any director who shall attend such meeting, unless such director attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. A written waiver of notice, signed by the person entitled thereto, whether before or after the time of the meeting stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
(d)
Place of Meetings. The Board may hold its meetings at such place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Board may from time to time determine, or as shall be designated in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
(e)
Quorum and Manner of Acting. A majority of the total number of directors shall be present in person at any meeting of the Board in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and the vote of a majority of those directors present at any such meeting at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the passage of any resolution or act of the Board, except as otherwise expressly required by law, the Charter or these Bylaws. In the case of a tie vote, the Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote. In the absence of a quorum for any such meeting, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn such meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present.
(f)
Organization. At each meeting of the Board, one of the following shall act as chairperson of the meeting and preside thereat, in the following order of precedence:
(i)
the Chairperson, if any;
(ii)
any director previously designated by the Board;
(iii)
the Chief Executive Officer (if a director);
(iv)
the President (if a director);
(v)
any Vice President (if a director), in the order of seniority if there is more than one; or
(vi)
any director designated by a majority of the directors present.
The Secretary or, in the case of his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, if an Assistant Secretary has been appointed and is present, or any person whom the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint shall act as secretary of such meeting and keep the minutes thereof.
Section 3.6
Directors’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting
. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee of the Board may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if all members of the Board or such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or such committee; provided however, that such electronic transmission or transmissions must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission or transmissions were authorized by the director. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 3.7
Action by Means of Conference Telephone or Similar Communications Equipment
. Any one or more members of the Board or any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.8
Committees
. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more directors, which to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation (including the power and authority to designate other committees of the Board); provided, however, that no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to be submitted to stockholders for approval (other than recommending the election or removal of directors), or (ii) adopting, amending, or repealing any Bylaw of the Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee to replace any absent or disqualified member of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members present at any meeting of such committee and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of such absent or disqualified director. Except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws, each committee shall adopt its own rules governing the time, place, and method of holding its meetings and the conduct of its proceedings and shall meet as provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board. Unless otherwise provided by these Bylaws or any such rules or resolutions, notice of the time and place of each meeting of a committee shall be given to each member of such committee as provided in Section 3.5(c) of this Article III with respect to notices of meetings of the Board.
Section 3.9
Compensation
. Unless otherwise restricted by the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of the directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of standing or special committees may be allowed like compensation for their service on such committees.
Section 3.10
Resignation and Removal
. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time, by giving notice in writing to the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the time therein specified or, if no time is specified, immediately; and, unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Except as otherwise required by applicable law and subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of preferred stock then outstanding, any director or the entire Board may be removed from office, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority in voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors.
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
Section 4.1
Number, Titles and Term of Office
. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be designated Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President), a Secretary and, if the Board so elects, a Chairperson, a Treasurer and such other officers as the Board may from time to time elect or appoint. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Charter provides otherwise. Except for Chairperson, if any, no officer need be a director.
Section 4.2
Authority and Duties
. All officers, as between themselves and the Corporation, shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as may be provided in these Bylaws or, to the extent so provided, by the Board.
Section 4.3
Removal and Vacancies
. Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board at any meeting thereof, or to the extent delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, by the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the provisions of the Charter, any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board.
Section 4.4
Resignations
. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board or to the Chairperson of the Board; provided, however, that if such notice is given by electronic transmission, such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the officer. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 4.5
Salaries
. The salaries of all officers of the Corporation shall be fixed as determined by the Board or a committee thereof from time to time, and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she also is a director of the Corporation.
Section 4.6
The Chairperson
. If elected, the Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board. The Chairperson may be a non-executive Chairperson.
Section 4.7
Chief Executive Officer
. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject to the directions and limitations imposed by the Board, these Bylaws and the Charter. All other officers shall report and be accountable to the Chief Executive Officer, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws or as otherwise determined by the Board. Unless the Board otherwise determines, the Chief Executive Officer shall, in the absence of the Chairperson (or if there be no Chairperson), preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (should he or she be a director) of the Board.
Section 4.8
The President
. Unless the Board otherwise determines, the President shall have the authority to agree upon and execute all leases, contracts, evidences of indebtedness and other obligations in the name of the Corporation; and, unless the Board otherwise determines, he or she shall, in the absence of the Chairperson (or if there be no Chairperson) and the Chief Executive Officer, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (should he or she be a director) of the Board; and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in accordance with these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board.
Section 4.9
Chief Financial Officer
. The Chief Financial Officer shall be responsible for supervising the Corporation’s overall financial planning and financial controls and shall be responsible for the maintenance of the Corporation’s books and records, subject to the directions and limitations imposed by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and these Bylaws. All other officers involved with the financial and accounting functions of the Corporation shall report and be accountable to the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Financial Officer shall report to the Chief Executive Officer or the Board, as the Board shall determine.
Section 4.10
Vice Presidents
. In the absence of the President, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, a Vice President designated by the Board shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. In the absence of a designation by the Board of a Vice President to perform the duties of the President, or in the event of the President’s absence or inability or refusal to act, the Vice President who is present and who is senior in terms of time as a Vice President of the Corporation shall so act. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Section 4.11
The Secretary
. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Board, committees of directors and the stockholders, in books provided for that purpose; he or she shall attend to the giving and serving of all notices; he or she may sign with the other appointed officers all certificates for shares of capital stock of the Corporation; he or she shall have charge of the certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers, and such other books and papers as the Board may direct, all of which shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection of any director upon application at the office of the Corporation during business hours; he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated
in these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board; and he or she shall in general perform all acts incident to the office of Secretary, subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board.
Section 4.12
Assistant Secretaries
. Each Assistant Secretary, if any, shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his or her office, together with such other powers and duties as designated in these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board. The Assistant Secretaries shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that officer’s absence or inability or refusal to act.
Section 4.13
The Treasurer
. Unless such responsibility shall be designated to the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, if any, shall have responsibility for the custody and control of all the funds and securities of the Corporation, and he or she shall have such other powers and duties as designated in these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board. He or she shall perform all acts incident to the position of Treasurer, subject to the control of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board; and he or she shall, if required by the Board, give such bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such form as the Board may require.
Section 4.14
Assistant Treasurers
. Each Assistant Treasurer, if any, shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his or her office, together with such other powers and duties as designated in these Bylaws and as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Board. The Assistant Treasurers shall exercise the power of the Treasurer during that officer’s absence or inability or refusal to act.
ARTICLE 5
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.
Section 5.1
Execution of Documents
. The Board shall designate, by either specific or general resolution, the officers, employees and agents of the Corporation who shall have the power to execute and deliver deeds, contracts, mortgages, bonds, debentures, checks, drafts and other orders for the payment of money and other documents for and in the name of the Corporation, and may authorize such officers, employees and agents to delegate such power (including authority to redelegate) by written instrument to other officers, employees or agents of the Corporation. Unless so designated or expressly authorized by these Bylaws, no officer, employee or agent shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement, to pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or amount.
Section 5.2
Deposits
. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation or otherwise as the Board or Treasurer, or any other officer of the Corporation to whom power in this respect shall have been given by the Board, shall select.
Section 5.3
Proxies with Respect to Stock or Other Securities of Other Corporations
. The Board shall designate the officers of the Corporation who shall have authority from time to time to exercise, or to appoint an agent or agents of the Corporation to exercise in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the powers and rights that the Corporation may have as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, and to vote or consent with respect to such stock or securities. In the absence of any express designation by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall have such authority, unless otherwise determined by the Board. Such designated officers may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of exercising such powers and rights, and such designated officers may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or otherwise, such written proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as they may deem necessary or proper in order that the Corporation may exercise its powers and rights.
ARTICLE 6
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER; FIXING RECORD DATE
Section 6.1
Certificates for Shares
. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, unless the Charter otherwise provides or unless the Board provides by resolution or resolutions that some or all of the shares of any class or classes, or series thereof, of the Corporation’s capital stock shall be uncertificated. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares previously represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Certificates, if any, for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued under the seal of the Corporation, or a facsimile thereof, and shall be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as they are issued. Each certificate, if any, shall bear a serial number, shall exhibit the holder’s name and the number of shares evidenced
thereby, and shall be signed by the Chairperson of the Board or a Vice Chairperson, if any, or the Chief Executive Officer or the President or any Vice President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer or officers who shall have signed any such certificate or certificates shall cease to be such officer or officers of the Corporation, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the Corporation and be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed such certificate had not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Corporation.
Section 6.2
Record
. The names and addresses of the holders of record of the shares of each class and series of the Corporation’s capital stock, together with the number of shares of each class and series held by each record holder and the date of issue of such shares, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares of capital stock of the Corporation as the person entitled to exercise the rights of a stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. The Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any such shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or other applicable law.
Section 6.3
Transfer and Registration of Stock
. The transfer of stock and certificates, if any, that represent the stock of the Corporation shall be governed by Article 8 of Subtitle 1 of Title 6 of the Delaware Code (the Uniform Commercial Code), as amended from time to time. Registration of transfers of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation upon request of the registered holder thereof, or of such holder’s attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates, if any, for such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a stock power duly executed.
Section 6.4
Addresses of Stockholders
. Each stockholder shall designate to the Secretary an address at which notices of meetings and all other corporate notices may be served or mailed to such stockholder, and, if any stockholder shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon any such stockholder by mail directed to such stockholder at the post-office address, if any, as appears on the share record books of the Corporation or at such stockholder’s last known post-office address.
Section 6.5
Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates
. The holder of any shares of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the Board may, in its discretion, cause to be issued to any such stockholder a new certificate or certificates for such shares, or shares in uncertificated form, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificates or, in the case of loss or destruction of the certificate, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, and the Board may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate or such owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it may direct to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate.
Section 6.6
Regulations
. The Board may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates, if any, for stock of the Corporation.
Section 6.7
Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record
.
(a)
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall be not more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b)
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any
rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
ARTICLE 7
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 7.1
Declaration of Dividends
. Dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Charter, if any, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting, or any action by written consent in lieu of such meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, property or shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the Charter.
Section 7.2
Reserve Fund Before Payment of Dividend
. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors shall think conducive to the interests of the Corporation. The directors may reduce or abolish any such reserve at any time.
Section 7.3
Fiscal Year
. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be such fiscal year as the Board from time to time by resolution may determine.
ARTICLE 8
INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
Section 8.1
Indemnification
.
(a)
Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including as a witness) in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (collectively, “another enterprise” or an “other enterprise”), including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, excise taxes or amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, testators, intestates, executors and administrators; and such right shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses reasonably incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 8.1 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred upon officers and directors of this Corporation in this Article VIII shall be a contract right, shall vest when such person becomes a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and shall continue as vested contract rights even if such person ceases to be a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
(b)
If (X) a claim under Section 8.1(a) of this Article VIII with respect to any right to indemnification is not paid in full (following the final disposition of the proceeding) by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, or (Y) a claim under Section 8.1(a) of this Article VIII with respect to any right to advancement of expenses is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of any undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid the reasonable expense (including attorneys’ fees) of prosecuting or defending such suit. In any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses (whether hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Section or otherwise shall be on the Corporation. In any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not a suit brought by an indemnitee seeking to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses), it shall be a defense by the Corporation that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard required for indemnification under applicable law. With respect to any suit brought by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or a right to advancement of expenses or any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses (whether pursuant to the terms of an undertaking or otherwise), neither (i) the failure of the Corporation to have made a determination prior to commencement of such suit that indemnification of such indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because such indemnitee has met the applicable standards of conduct under applicable law, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Corporation that such indemnitee has not met such applicable standards of conduct, shall create a presumption that such indemnitee has not met the applicable standards of conduct or, in a case brought by such indemnitee seeking to enforce a right to indemnification, be a defense to such suit.
(c)
Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, except for proceedings initiated by an indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses, whether as provided in Section 8.1(b) of this Article VIII or otherwise, with respect to a proceeding initiated against the Corporation by a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation (whether initiated by such person in or by reason of such capacity or in or by reason of any other capacity, including as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another enterprise), the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify or to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees) to such person in connection with prosecuting such proceeding unless such proceeding was authorized by the Board. For the avoidance of doubt, no compulsory counterclaim against the Corporation in a proceeding initiated by or on behalf of the Corporation against or involving the indemnitee and, to the extent reasonably related to the defense of any such proceeding, no other counterclaim, cross-claim, affirmative defense, or like claim of an indemnitee asserted against the Corporation in an proceeding initiated by or on behalf of the Corporation against the indemnitee, shall be considered a proceeding or claim initiated or prosecuted by the indemnitee for purposes of this subsection (c).
(d)
Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent that a present or former director or officer of the Corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) or (b) of the DGCL (whether such director or officer was a party to such proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another enterprise), or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection therewith.
(e)
For purposes of this Article VIII: (i) references to serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another enterprise shall include any service as a director or officer of the Corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director or officer with respect to an employee benefit plan; (ii) references to serving at the request of the Corporation as an employee or agent of another enterprise shall include any service as an employee or agent of the Corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan; and (iii) references to a director of another enterprise shall include, in the case of any entity that is not managed by a board of directors, such other position, such as manager or trustee or member of the governing body of such entity, that entails responsibility for the management and direction of such entity’s affairs, including, without limitation, general partner of any partnership (general or limited) and manager or managing member of any limited liability company.
(f)
The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
the Charter, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Section 8.2
Insurance
. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Section 8.3
Amendment or Repeal
. Any amendment or repeal of the provisions of this Article VIII, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with the provisions of this Article VIII, shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any indemnitee in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment or repeal (regardless of whether the proceeding relating to such acts or omissions, or any proceeding relating to such person’s rights to indemnification or to advancement of expenses, is commenced before or after the time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption), and any such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption that would adversely affect such person’s rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses hereunder shall be ineffective as to such person, except with respect to any proceeding that relates to or arises from (and only to the extent such proceeding relates to or arises from) any act or omission of such person occurring after the effective time of such amendment, repeal, modification, or adoption.
Section 8.4
Severability
. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph or clause containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT
Any bylaw (including these Bylaws) may be adopted, amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of the shares of the then outstanding Common Stock or by the vote of the Board or by the directors’ written consent pursuant to Section 3.6 of Article III.
Exhibit 10.1
FORM OF INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
(this “
Agreement
”) is made as of [_________], 2019, by and between BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “
Company
”), and [_________] (“
Indemnitee
”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS
, highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such corporations;
WHEREAS
, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “
Board
”) has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among publicly traded corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “
Charter
”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “
Bylaws
”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“
DGCL
”). The Charter, Bylaws and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement and reimbursement rights;
WHEREAS
, the uncertainties relating to such insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
WHEREAS
, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
WHEREAS
, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so protected against liabilities;
WHEREAS
, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Charter and Bylaws of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder;
WHEREAS
, Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as an officer or director, advisor or in another capacity without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and/or to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that he be so indemnified for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his resignation; and
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. SERVICES TO THE COMPANY.
Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve as an officer, director, advisor, key employee or in any other capacity of the Company, as applicable, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected, appointed or retained or until Indemnitee tenders his resignation.
2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Agreement:
2.1 References to “
agent
” shall mean any person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or other person authorized by the Company to act for the Company, to include such person serving in such capacity as a director, officer, employee, advisor, fiduciary or other official of another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of, for the convenience of, or to represent the interests of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.
2.2 The terms “
Beneficial Owner
” and “
Beneficial Ownership
” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below) as in effect on the date hereof.
2.3 A “
Change in Control
” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:
2.3.1
Acquisition of Stock by Third Party
. Other than an affiliate of currently existing stockholders of the Company, any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, unless (1) the change in the relative Beneficial Ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (2) such acquisition was approved in advance by the Continuing Directors (as defined below) and such acquisition would not constitute a Change in Control under part 2.3.3 of this definition;
2.3.2
Change in Board of Directors
. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors on the date hereof or whose election for nomination for election was previously so approved (collectively, the “
Continuing Directors
”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;
2.3.3
Corporate Transactions
. The effective date of a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one
or more businesses (a “
Business Combination
”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination: (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation or other Person which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; (2) other than an affiliate of currently existing stockholders of the Company, no Person (excluding any corporation or other Person resulting from such Business Combination) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the surviving corporation or other Person except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and (3) at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the corporation or other Person resulting from such Business Combination were Continuing Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business Combination;
2.3.4
Liquidation
. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement or series of agreements for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, other than factoring the Company’s current receivables or escrows due (or, if such approval is not required, the decision by the Board to proceed with such a liquidation, sale, or disposition in one transaction or a series of related transactions); or
2.3.5
Other Events
. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.
2.4 “
Corporate Status
” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise (as defined below) which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.
2.5 “
Delaware Court
” shall mean the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
2.6 “
Disinterested Director
” shall mean a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding (as defined below) in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.
2.7 “
Enterprise
” shall mean the Company and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
2.8 “
Exchange Act
” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.9 “
Expenses
” shall include all direct and indirect costs, fees and expenses of any type or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, fees of private investigators and professional advisors, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, fax
transmission charges, secretarial services and all other disbursements, obligations or expenses in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, settlement or appeal of, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding (as defined below), including reasonable compensation for time spent by Indemnitee for which he or she is not otherwise compensated by the Company or any third party. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding (as defined below), including without limitation the principal, premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.
2.10 “
Independent Counsel
” shall mean a law firm or a member of a law firm with significant experience in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements); or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding (as defined below) giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “
Independent Counsel
” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
2.11 References to “
fines
” shall include any excise tax assessed on Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.
2.12 The term “
Person
” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that “
Person
” shall exclude: (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiaries (as defined below) of the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company; and (iv) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of a Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company or of a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
2.13 The term “
Proceeding
” shall include any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative, or investigative or related nature, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or of any action (or failure to act) on his part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or by reason of the fact that he is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred
for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.
2.14 The term “
Subsidiary
,” with respect to any Person, shall mean any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by that Person.
2.15 The phrase “
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law
” shall include, but not be limited to: (i) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL, and (ii) to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.
3. INDEMNITY IN THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS
.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 3
if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Unless there has been a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to the contrary, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful, and pursuant to this
Section 3
, shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses, judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.
4. INDEMNITY IN PROCEEDINGS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY
.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 4
if Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Unless there has been a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to the contrary, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, pursuant to this
Section 4
, Indemnitee shall be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration for Expenses shall be made under this
Section 4
in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudged (and not subject to appeal) by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that any court in which the Proceeding was brought or the Delaware Court shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification, to be held harmless or to exoneration.
5. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A PARTY WHO IS WHOLLY OR PARTLY SUCCESSFUL
.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, but without limiting
Section
3 or 4 hereof, to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to (or a participant in) and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding, the Company also shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred in connection with a claim, issue or matter related to any claim, issue, or matter on which Indemnitee was successful. For purposes of this
Section 5
and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
6. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS
.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be indemnified, held harmless and exonerated against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.
7. ADDITIONAL INDEMNIFICATION, HOLD HARMLESS AND EXONERATION RIGHTS
.
7.1 Notwithstanding any limitation in
Sections 3
,
4
, or
5
, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with the Proceeding. No indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights shall be available under this
Section 7.1
on account of Indemnitee’s conduct which constitutes a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders or is an act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.
7.2 Notwithstanding any limitation in
Sections 3
,
4
,
5
or
7.1
, the Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his behalf in connection with the Proceeding.
8. CONTRIBUTION IN THE EVENT OF JOINT LIABILITY
.
8.1 To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, if the indemnification, hold harmless and/or exoneration rights provided for in this Agreement are unavailable to Indemnitee in whole or in part for
any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying, holding harmless or exonerating Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, liabilities, fines, penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
8.2 The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any Proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee.
8.3 The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify, hold harmless and exonerate Indemnitee from any claims for contribution which may be brought by officers, directors or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.
9. EXCLUSIONS
.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:
(a)
for which payment has actually been received by or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount actually received under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, other indemnity provision or otherwise;
(b)
for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law; or
(c)
except as otherwise provided in
Sections 14.5
and
14.6
hereof, prior to a Change in Control, in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.
10. ADVANCES OF EXPENSES; DEFENSE OF CLAIM
.
10.1 Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, and to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law, the Company shall pay the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee (or reasonably expected by Indemnitee to be incurred by Indemnitee within three months) in connection with any Proceeding within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after the final disposition of any Proceeding. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to be indemnified, held harmless or exonerated under the other provisions of this Agreement. Advances shall include any and all reasonable Expenses incurred pursuing a Proceeding to enforce this right of advancement, including Expenses incurred preparing and forwarding statements to the Company to support the advances claimed. To the fullest extent required by applicable law, such payments of Expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding
shall be made only upon the Company’s receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of Indemnitee, to repay the advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined by final judicial decision of a court of competent jurisdiction from which there is no future right to appeal that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Agreement, the Charter, the Bylaws of the Company or applicable law. This
Section 10.1
shall not apply to any claim made by Indemnitee for which an indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payment is excluded pursuant to
Section 9
.
10.2 The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.
10.3 The Company shall not settle any action, claim or Proceeding (in whole or in part) which would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, obligation, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee or attribute any liability or admission of liability to Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent.
11. PROCEDURE FOR NOTIFICATION AND APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION
.
11.1 Indemnitee agrees to notify promptly the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights, or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, or otherwise.
11.2 Indemnitee may deliver to the Company a written application to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate Indemnitee in accordance with this Agreement. Such application(s) may be delivered from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion. Following such a written application for indemnification by Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be determined according to
Section 12.1
of this Agreement.
12. PROCEDURE UPON APPLICATION FOR INDEMNIFICATION
.
12.1 A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of Indemnitee: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board (ii) by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (iii) by vote of the stockholders. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing with respect to any determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall reasonably cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
12.2 In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to
Section 12.1
hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this
Section 12.2
. The Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request
that such selection be made by the Board), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “
Independent Counsel
” as defined in
Section 2
of this Agreement. If the Independent Counsel is selected by the Board, the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected and certifying that the Independent Counsel so selected meets the requirements of “
Independent Counsel
” as defined in
Section 2
of this Agreement. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten (10) days after such written notice of selection shall have been received, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection;
provided
, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “
Independent Counsel
” as defined in
Section 2
of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within twenty (20) days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to
Section 11.2
hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the Delaware Court, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under
Section 12.1
hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to
Section 14.1
of this Agreement, Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).
12.3 The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify and hold harmless such Independent Counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.
13. PRESUMPTIONS AND EFFECT OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS
.
13.1 In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with
Section 11.2
of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence to overcome that presumption in connection with the making by any person, persons or entity of any determination contrary to that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
13.2 If the person, persons or entity empowered or selected under
Section 12
of this Agreement to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact
necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a final judicial determination that any or all such indemnification is expressly prohibited under applicable law;
provided
, however, that such 30-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto.
13.3 The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo
contendere
or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
13.4 For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director, by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected by the Enterprise, its Board, any committee of the Board or any director. The provisions of this
Section 13.4
shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed or found to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.
13.5 The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.
13.6 The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.
14. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE
.
14.1 In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to
Section 12
of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, is not timely made pursuant to
Section 10
of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to
Section 12.1
of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to
Sections 5
,
6
,
7
or the last sentence of
Section 12.1
of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) a contribution payment is not made in a timely manner pursuant to
Section 8
of this Agreement, (vi) payment of indemnification pursuant to
Section 3
or
4
of this Agreement is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, (vii) payment to Indemnitee
pursuant to any hold harmless or exoneration rights under this Agreement or otherwise is not made within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (viii) the Company or any representative thereof takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by the Delaware Court to such indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or advancement rights. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Delaware law (without regard to its conflict of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
14.2 In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 12.1
of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this
Section 14
shall be conducted in all respects as a
de
novo
trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this
Section 14
, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated to receive advances of Expenses under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, held harmless, exonerated and to receive advances of Expenses, as the case may be, and the Company may not refer to or introduce into evidence any determination pursuant to
Section 12.1
of this Agreement adverse to Indemnitee for any purpose. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this
Section 14
, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to
Section 10
until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed).
14.3 If a determination shall have been made pursuant to
Section 12.1
of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this
Section 14
, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.
14.4 The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this
Section 14
that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.
14.5 The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within ten (10) days after the Company’s receipt of such written request) pay to Indemnitee, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any judicial proceeding or arbitration brought by Indemnitee (i) to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement or any other indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement or contribution agreement or provision of the Charter, or the Company’s Bylaws now or hereafter in effect; or (ii) for recovery or advances under any insurance policy maintained by any person for the benefit of Indemnitee, regardless of the outcome and whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration right, advancement, contribution or insurance recovery, as the case may be (unless such judicial proceeding or arbitration was not brought by Indemnitee in good faith).
14.6 Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the legal rate under Delaware law for amounts which the Company indemnifies, holds harmless or exonerates, or is obliged to indemnify, hold harmless or exonerate for the period commencing with the date on which Indemnitee requests indemnification, to be held harmless, exonerated, contribution, reimbursement or advancement of any Expenses and ending with the date on which such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
15. SECURITY
.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.
16. NON-EXCLUSIVITY; SURVIVAL OF RIGHTS; INSURANCE; SUBROGATION
.
16.1 The rights of Indemnitee as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any Proceeding (regardless of when such Proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. To the extent that a change in applicable law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration rights or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Charter, the Company’s Bylaws or this Agreement, then this Agreement (without any further action by the parties hereto) shall automatically be deemed to be amended to require that the Company indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
16.2 The DGCL, the Charter and the Company’s Bylaws permit the Company to purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection or make other arrangements including, but not limited to, providing a trust fund, letter of credit, or surety bond (“
Indemnification Arrangements
”) on behalf of Indemnitee against any liability asserted against him or incurred by or on behalf of him or in such capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement or under the DGCL, as it may then be in effect. The purchase, establishment, and maintenance of any such Indemnification Arrangement shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or of Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights and obligations of the Company or the other party or parties thereto under any such Indemnification Arrangement.
16.3 To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, trustees, partners, managing members, fiduciaries, employees, or agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise which such person serves at the request of the Company, Indemnitee
shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent under such policy or policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding as to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise), the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.
16.4 In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
16.5 The Company’s obligation to indemnify, hold harmless, exonerate or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification, hold harmless or exoneration payments or advancement of expenses from such Enterprise. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, (i) Indemnitee shall have no obligation to reduce, offset, allocate, pursue or apportion any indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration, advancement, contribution or insurance coverage among multiple parties possessing such duties to Indemnitee prior to the Company’s satisfaction and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, and (ii) the Company shall perform fully its obligations under this Agreement without regard to whether Indemnitee holds, may pursue or has pursued any indemnification, advancement, hold harmless, exoneration, contribution or insurance coverage rights against any person or entity other than the Company.
17. DURATION OF AGREEMENT
.
All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee serves as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other Enterprise which Indemnitee serves at the request of the Company and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to
Section 14
of this Agreement) by reason of his Corporate Status, whether or not he is acting in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement.
18. SEVERABILITY
.
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
19. ENFORCEMENT AND BINDING EFFECT
.
19.1 The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director, officer or key employee of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director, officer or key employee of the Company.
19.2 Without limiting any of the rights of Indemnitee under the Charter or Bylaws of the Company as they may be amended from time to time, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
19.3 The indemnification, hold harmless, exoneration and advancement of expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise at the Company’s request, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his or her spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
19.4 The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
19.5 The Company and Indemnitee agree herein that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking, among other things, injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which he may be entitled. The Company and Indemnitee further agree that Indemnitee shall be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertaking in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court of competent jurisdiction and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
20. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
.
No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
21. NOTICES
.
All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) if delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee shall provide in writing to the Company.
(b) If to the Company, to:
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
200 Clarendon Street, 53rd Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Attention:
Richard Hart
Telephone:
(617)-369-7300
Email:
rhart@bsig.com
With a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
101 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10178
Attn: Christina Edling Melendi
or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee in writing by the Company.
22. APPLICABLE LAW AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION
.
This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country; (b) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (c) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court; and (d) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum, or is subject (in whole or in part) to a jury trial.
23. IDENTICAL COUNTERPARTS
.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
24. MISCELLANEOUS
.
24.1 Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
24.2 It is intended that any indemnification payment or advancement of Expenses made hereunder shall be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the guidance issued thereunder (“
Section 409A
”) pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(10). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any indemnification payment or advancement of Expenses made hereunder shall be determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, then (i) the amount of the indemnification payment or advancement of Expenses during one taxable year shall not affect the amount of the indemnification payments or advancement of Expenses during any other taxable year, (ii) the indemnification payments or advancement of Expenses must be made on or before the last day of the Indemnitee’s taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred, and (iii) the right to indemnification payments or advancement of Expenses hereunder is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
25. PERIOD OF LIMITATIONS
.
No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or in the right of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, and any claim or cause of action of the Company shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such two-year period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action such shorter period shall govern.
26. ADDITIONAL ACTS
.
If for the validation of any of the provisions in this Agreement any act, resolution, approval or other procedure is required, the Company undertakes to cause such act, resolution, approval or other procedure to be affected or adopted in a manner that will enable the Company to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the parties hereto have caused this Indemnity Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
By:
Name:
Title:
Indemnitee
________________________________
Name:
Address:
[Signature Page to Indemnity Agreement]
Exhibit 10.2
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
Equity Incentive Plan
An Amendment and Restatement of
the BrightSphere Investment Group plc
2017 Equity Incentive Plan
Effective July 12, 2019
Table of Contents
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Page
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Purpose
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3
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Definitions
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3
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Term of Plan
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6
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Stock Subject to Plan
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6
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Administration
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7
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Authorization of Grants
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8
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Specific Terms of Awards
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9
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Adjustment Provisions
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13
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Change of Control
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15
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Settlement of Awards
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16
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Reservation of Stock
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17
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Claw-back Policy
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17
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Limitation of Rights in Stock; No Special Employment Rights
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18
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Unfunded Status of Plan
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18
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Nonexclusivity of the Plan
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18
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No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
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18
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Termination and Amendment of the Plan
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19
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Notices and Other Communications
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20
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Governing Law
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20
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Exhibit 10.2
BRIGHTSPHERE INVESTMENT GROUP INC.
Equity Incentive Plan
This BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is intended to encourage ownership of Stock by employees of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company’s business through the grant of Awards of or pertaining to shares of the Company’s Stock.
BrightSphere Investment Group plc (“BrightSphere”), formerly known as OM Asset Management plc, adopted the BrightSphere Investment Group plc 2017 Equity Plan (the “BrightSphere 2017 Plan”), formerly known as the OM Asset Management plc 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 26, 2017. BrightSphere was redomesticated to the United States pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement effective July 12, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), as a result of which the jurisdiction of incorporation of the holding company of the BrightSphere group of companies was changed from England to Delaware, and the Company became the holding company of the group. In connection with the redomestication, the Company has adopted and assumed the sponsorship of the BrightSphere 2017 Plan, as hereby amended and restated, effective as of the Effective Date. This Plan also governs the terms of awards that were originally issued under the OM Asset Management plc 2014 Equity Incentive Plan and the BrightSphere 2017 Plan and were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date, which awards the Company has assumed under the terms of this Plan, effective as of the Effective Date.
The Plan is intended to be an incentive stock option plan within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but not all Awards are required to be Incentive Options.
As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set out below, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
2.1
Accelerate
,
Accelerated
,
and Acceleration
, means: (a) when used with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, that as of the time of reference the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock for which it was not then otherwise exercisable by its terms; (b) when used with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, that the Risk of Forfeiture otherwise applicable to the Stock or Units shall expire with respect to some or all of the shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units then still otherwise subject to the Risk of Forfeiture; and (c) when used with respect to Awards subject to the attainment of Performance Goals or other business objectives, that the applicable Performance Goals or other business objectives shall be deemed to have been met with respect to all or a portion of the Award.
2.2
Affiliate
means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, or other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company.
2.3
Assumed Award
means each award with respect to common stock of BrightSphere that was issued under a Prior Plan and was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date, and which has been assumed by the Company under this Plan as of the Effective Date.
2.4
Award
means any grant or sale pursuant to the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Grants, or awards denominated in cash. “
Award
” shall also refer to part of an Award where the context so admits. “
Award
” shall include any Assumed Award.
2.5
Award
Agreement
means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the recipient of an Award, or other written or electronic notice of grant of an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award. “
Award Agreement
” shall include any award agreement under a Prior Plan setting forth the terms and conditions of an Assumed Award.
2.6
Board
means the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.7
BrightSphere
means BrightSphere Investment Group plc, formerly known as OM Asset Management plc, the holding company of the BrightSphere group of companies prior to the Effective Date.
2.8
BrightSphere 2014 Plan
means the OM Asset Management plc 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, which was adopted as of September 18, 2014 in connection with the initial public offering of BrightSphere.
2.9
BrightSphere 2017 Plan
means the BrightSphere Investment Group plc 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, formerly known as the OM Asset Management plc 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.
2.10
Cause
, with respect to a Participant, has the meaning set forth in the employment or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. In the absence of any such agreement, or in the absence of a definition of “cause” in any such agreement, “Cause” means any of the following events:
(a)
the Participant’s willful or reckless misconduct, or gross, continuing or repeated negligence in the performance of the Participant’s duties and responsibilities with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, or his or her material failure to carry out directions which are reasonable in light of the Participant’s primary duties and responsibilities, or any other conduct that results in substantial injury (monetary or otherwise) to the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents;
(b)
the Participant’s conviction of a felony which has or could have a material adverse effect (monetary or otherwise) on the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents;
(c)
the Participant’s embezzlement or misappropriation of funds, commission of any material act of dishonesty, fraud or deceit, or violation of any federal or state law applicable to the securities industry;
(d)
the Participant’s material breach of a legal or fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents; or
(e)
the Participant’s material breach of any provision of any agreement between the Participant and the Company, any Company policy or practice, or any applicable law.
2.11
Change of
Control
means the occurrence of either of the following after the date of the approval of the Plan by the Board:
(a)
a Transaction (as defined in Section 8.4), unless securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivor’s or acquiror’s outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) are held immediately after the Transaction by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to that Transaction; or
(b)
any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time) directly or indirectly acquires, including but not limited to by means of a merger or consolidation, beneficial ownership (determined pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the said Exchange Act) of securities, that, together with securities held by such person or group of persons, possess more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities, unless pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders that the Board recommends such stockholders accept, other than (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iv) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities.
2.12
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and any regulations issued from time to time thereunder.
2.13
Committee
means the Compensation Committee of the Board, which in general is responsible for the administration of the Plan, as provided in Section 5 of this Plan. For any period during which no such
committee is in existence “Committee” shall mean the Board and all authority and responsibility assigned to the Committee under the Plan shall be exercised, if at all, by the Board.
2.14
Company
means BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., a Delaware corporation.
2.15
Effective Date
means July 12, 2019, the effective date of the Scheme of Arrangement, and the date as of which the BrightSphere 2017 Plan, as hereby amended and restated, was adopted and assumed by the Company.
2.16
Grant
Date
means the date as of which an Option is granted, as determined under Section 7.1(a).
2.17
Incentive
Option
means an Option which by its terms is to be treated as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
2.18
Market
Value
means the value of a share of Stock on a particular date determined by such methods or procedures as may be established by the Committee. Where the Stock of the Company is publicly traded, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Market Value of Stock as of any date is the closing price for the Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on any other national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the first following date for which a closing price is reported.
2.19
Nonstatutory
Option
means any Option that is not an Incentive Option.
2.20
Option
means an option to purchase shares of Stock.
2.21
Optionee
means an eligible individual to whom an Option shall have been granted under the Plan.
2.22
Participant
means any holder of an outstanding Award under the Plan.
2.23
Performance
Criteria
and
Performance
Goals
have the meanings given such terms in Section 7.6(f).
2.24
Performance
Period
means the one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, selected by the Committee, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals or other business objectives will be measured for purposes of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, an Award.
2.25
Plan
means this Equity Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended from time to time, and including any attachments or addenda hereto.
2.26
Prior Plan
means each of the BrightSphere 2014 Plan and the BrightSphere 2017 Plan.
2.27
Qualified
Performance-Based
Award
means an Assumed Award issued under a Prior Plan that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m)(4)(6) of the Code, as in effect with respect to taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018.
2.28
Restricted
Stock
means a grant or sale of shares of Stock to a Participant subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
2.29
Restricted
Stock
Units
means rights to receive shares of Stock at the close of a Restriction Period, subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
2.30
Restriction
Period
means the period of time, established by the Committee in connection with an Award, during which the Award is subject to a Risk of Forfeiture described in the applicable Award Agreement.
2.31
Risk
of
Forfeiture
means a limitation on the right of the Participant to retain an Award arising because of the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events or conditions.
2.32
Scheme of Arrangement
means the Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by order of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales effective July 12, 2019, pursuant to which shares of BrightSphere were exchanged for shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis.
2.33
Stock
means Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, and such other securities as may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Section 8.
2.34
Stock
Appreciation
Right
means a right to receive any excess in the Market Value of shares of Stock (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(c)) over a specified exercise price.
2.35
Stock
Grant
means the grant of shares of Stock not subject to restrictions or other forfeiture conditions.
2.36
Subsidiary
means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the relevant time, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
2.37
Ten
Percent
Owner
means a person who owns, or is deemed within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code to own, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company, as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code). Whether a person is a Ten Percent Owner shall be determined with respect to an Option based on the facts existing immediately prior to the Grant Date of the Option.
Unless the Plan shall have been earlier terminated by the Board, Awards may be granted under this Plan at any time in the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending immediately prior to March 14, 2027, the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the adoption of the BrightSphere 2017 Plan by the Board and approval of the BrightSphere 2017 Plan by the stockholders of BrightSphere. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan within that period shall not expire solely by reason of the termination of the Plan. Awards of Incentive Options with respect to Stock of the Company granted after the Effective Date are expressly conditioned upon approval of the Plan by stockholders pursuant to their approval of the Scheme of Arrangement. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to approve the Plan pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement or otherwise, Awards of Incentive Options made under the Plan shall thereafter and for all purposes be deemed to constitute Nonstatutory Options.
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4.
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Stock Subject to the Plan
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4.1
Shares
Issued
Pursuant
to
the
Plan
. Shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or authorized and issued shares of Stock held in the Company’s treasury.
4.2
Plan
Share
Reserve
. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8, the shares of Stock authorized for Awards granted under the Plan shall be 4,781,086, being the number of authorized shares of stock of BrightSphere remaining available for grant under the BrightSphere 2017 Plan as of the Effective Date, and any additional shares that again become available for grant in accordance with Section 4.3 pursuant to the forfeiture, expiration or settlement for cash of any Assumed Awards. Solely for the purpose of determining the number of shares of Stock available for grant of Incentive Options under the Plan, the total number of shares of Stock shall be 4,781,086 shares without regard to the share counting provisions contained in Section 4.3.
4.3
Share Counting
.
(a)
If any shares of Stock subject to an Award (including an Assumed Award) are forfeited, an Award expires or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), then in each such case the shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be added to the shares of Stock available under the Plan.
(b)
In the event that tax liabilities arising from an Award (including an Assumed Award)
other than
an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or are satisfied by the tendering of shares of Stock (either actually or by
attestation) or by the withholding of shares of Stock by the Company, the shares so tendered or withheld shall be added to the shares of Stock available under the Plan.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following shares of Stock shall not be added to the shares of Stock available under the Plan: (i) shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option, (ii) shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax obligation with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with its stock settlement on exercise thereof, and (iv) shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Options.
(d)
Shares of Stock issued under Awards granted in assumption, substitution or exchange for previously granted awards of a company acquired by the Company shall not reduce the shares available under the Plan.
(e)
Subject to the applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange or of any other national securities exchange or association on which the Stock is then listed, available shares under a stockholder approved plan of an acquired company (as appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock that may be issued or transferred to Participants pursuant to Awards under the Plan.
4.4
Per Person Limitations
. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or any combination thereof granted to any one Participant during any single calendar year shall be 4,000,000 shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units that are denominated in shares of Stock, or Stock Grants, and that are granted to any one Participant during any single calendar year shall be 4,000,000 shares. The maximum dollar amount payable under all cash-denominated Awards (other than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) that are granted to any one Participant during any single calendar year shall be $20,000,000. With respect only to Awards that are intended to be Qualified Performance-Based Awards, the per Participant limits described in this Section 4.4 shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, as in effect with respect to taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018.
4.5
Adjustment
of
Limitations
. Each of the share limitations of this Section 4 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee;
provided, however
, that at any time and on any one or more occasions the Board may itself exercise any of the powers and responsibilities assigned to the Committee under the Plan and when so acting shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of the Plan pertaining to the Committee’s exercise of its authorities hereunder. The Committee may delegate to an executive officer or officers the authority to grant Awards hereunder to employees who are not officers up to such maximum number and in accordance with such other guidelines as the Committee shall specify by resolution at any time or from time to time. The Committee may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions with respect to the administration of the Plan to any officers or employees of the Company or its Affiliates, or to one or more third-party stock plan administrators. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have complete authority, in its discretion, to make or to select the manner of making all determinations with respect to each Award to be granted by the Company under the Plan including the employee to receive the Award and the form of Award. In making such determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the employee, their present and potential contributions to the success of the Company and its Affiliates, and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall also have complete authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, to determine the terms and provisions of the respective Award Agreements (which need not be identical), and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee’s determinations made in good faith on matters referred to in the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming any interest under the Plan or an Award made pursuant hereto.
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6.
|
Authorization of Grants
|
6.1
Eligibility
. The Committee may grant from time to time and at any time prior to the termination of the Plan one or more Awards, either alone or in combination with any other Awards, to any employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries. However, only employees of the Company, and of any subsidiary corporations of the Company, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, shall be eligible for the grant of an Incentive Option.
6.2
General Terms of Awards
. Each grant of an Award shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan (including but not limited to any specific terms and conditions applicable to that type of Award set out in the following Section), and such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as determined by the Committee. No prospective Participant shall have any rights with respect to an Award, unless and until such Participant shall have complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.
6.3
Assumed Awards
.
(a)
Each award of options made under a Prior Plan and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date became an Award of Options under the Plan upon the Effective Date, substituting shares of Stock for shares of BrightSphere on a one-for-one basis. Each such Assumed Award of Options shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including exercise price and the attainment of any performance goals, on and after the Effective Date as the terms and conditions applicable to the award immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(b)
Each award of restricted stock made under a Prior Plan and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date became an Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan upon the Effective Date, substituting shares of Stock for shares of BrightSphere on a one-for-one basis. Each such Assumed Award of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including attainment of any performance goals, on and after the Effective Date as the terms and conditions applicable to the award immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(c)
Each award of restricted stock units made under a Prior Plan and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date became an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan upon the Effective Date, substituting shares of Stock for shares of BrightSphere on a one-for-one basis. Each such Assumed Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions, including attainment of any performance goals, on and after the Effective Date as the terms and conditions applicable to the award immediately prior to the Effective Date.
6.4
Effect
of
Termination
of
Employment
. Unless the Committee shall provide otherwise with respect to any Award (including, but not limited to, in a Participant’s Award Agreement), if the Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates ends for any reason, including because of the Participant’s employer ceasing to be an Affiliate, (a) any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right of the Participant shall cease to be exercisable in any respect not later than thirty (30) days following that event and, for the period it remains exercisable following that event, shall be exercisable only to the extent exercisable at the date of that event, (b) with respect to any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall forfeit his or her beneficial interest in the underlying shares, and (c) any other outstanding Award of the Participant shall be forfeited and cancelled on the terms specified in the applicable Award Agreement. Cessation of the performance of services in one capacity, for example, as an employee, shall not result in termination of an Award while the Participant continues to perform services in another capacity, for example as a non-employee director. Military or sick leave or other bona fide leave shall not be deemed a termination of employment,
provided
that it does not exceed the longer of ninety (90) days or the period during which the absent Participant’s reemployment rights, if any, are guaranteed by statute or by contract. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Committee may provide that Awards continue to vest for some or all of the period of any such leave, or that their vesting shall be tolled during any such leave and only recommence upon the Participant’s return from leave, if ever.
6.5
Non-Transferability
of
Awards
. Awards shall not be transferable, and no Award or interest therein may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All of a Participant’s rights in any Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
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7.
|
Specific Terms of Awards
|
7.1
Options
.
(a)
Grant
Date
. The granting of an Option shall take place at the time specified in the Award Agreement.
(b)
Exercise
Price
. The price at which shares of Stock may be acquired under each Incentive Option shall be not less than 100% of the Market Value of Stock on the Grant Date, or not less than 110% of the Market Value of Stock on the Grant Date if the Optionee is a Ten Percent Owner. The price at which shares of Stock may be acquired under each Nonstatutory Option shall be not less than 100% of the Market Value of Stock on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.1(b), any Option issued in substitution for an option previously issued by another entity, which substitution occurs in connection with a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code is applicable, or, in the case of a Nonstatutory Option, in connection with a transaction described in applicable regulations pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, may provide for an exercise price computed in accordance with such applicable Code section and the regulations thereunder.
(c)
Option
Period
. No Incentive Option may be exercised on or after the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date, or on or after the fifth anniversary of the Grant Date if the Optionee is a Ten Percent Owner. No Nonstatutory Option may be exercised on or after the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date;
provided, however
, that, in the event a Nonstatutory Option would expire when trading in Company Stock is prohibited by law or by the Company’s insider trading policy, the period in which such Nonstatutory Option may be exercised shall be extended to the thirtieth (30th) day after expiration of the prohibition.
(d)
Exercisability
. An Option may be immediately exercisable or become exercisable in such instalments, cumulative or non-cumulative, as the Committee may determine. In the case of an Option not otherwise immediately exercisable in full, the Committee may Accelerate such Option in whole or in part at any time;
provided, however,
that in the case of an Incentive Option, any such Acceleration of the Option would not cause the Option to fail to comply with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code or the Optionee consents to the Acceleration.
(e)
Method
of
Exercise
. An Option may be exercised by the Optionee giving written notice, in the manner provided in Section 18, specifying the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is then being exercised. The notice shall be accompanied by payment in the form of cash, electronic funds transfer or check payable to the order of the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price of the shares of Stock to be purchased or, subject to the Committee’s approval and to such conditions, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary to avoid adverse accounting effects to the Company, by delivery to the Company of the Optionee’s executed promissory note in the principal amount equal to the exercise price of the shares of Stock to be purchased and otherwise in such form as the Committee shall have approved. If the Stock is traded on an established market, payment of any exercise price may also be made through and under the terms and conditions of any formal cashless exercise program authorized by the Company entailing the sale of the Stock subject to an Option in a brokered transaction (other than to the Company). Receipt by the Company of such notice and payment in any authorized or combination of authorized means shall constitute the exercise of the Option. Within thirty (30) days thereafter but subject to the remaining provisions of the Plan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Optionee or his agent a certificate or certificates or shall cause the Stock to be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent for the number of shares then being purchased.
(f)
Limit
on
Incentive
Option
Characterization
. An Incentive Option shall be considered to be an Incentive Option only to the extent that the shares of Stock for which the Option first becomes exercisable in a calendar year do not have an aggregate Market Value (as of the date of the grant of the Option) in excess of the “current limit”. The current limit for any Optionee for any calendar year shall be $100,000
minus
the aggregate Market Value at the date of grant of the number of shares of Stock available for purchase for the first time in the same year under each other Incentive Option previously granted to the Optionee under the Plan, and under each other incentive stock option previously granted to the Optionee under any other incentive stock option plan of the Company and its Affiliates. Any shares of Stock which would cause the foregoing limit to be violated shall be deemed to have been granted under a separate Nonstatutory Option, otherwise identical in its terms to those of the Incentive Option.
(g)
Notification
of
Disposition
. Each person exercising any Incentive Option granted under the Plan shall be deemed to have covenanted with the Company to report to the Company any disposition of the shares of Stock issued upon such exercise prior to the expiration of the holding periods specified by Section 422(a)(1) of the Code and, if and to the extent that the realization of income in such a disposition imposes upon the Company federal, state, local or other withholding tax requirements, or any such withholding is required to secure for the Company an otherwise available tax deduction, to remit to the Company an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy those requirements.
7.2
Stock
Appreciation
Rights
.
(a)
Tandem or Stand-Alone
. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option (at or, in the case of a Nonstatutory Option, after, the award of the Option), or alone and unrelated to an Option. Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with an Option shall terminate to the extent that the related Option is exercised, and the related Option shall terminate to the extent that the tandem Stock Appreciation Rights are exercised.
(b)
Exercise
Price
. Stock Appreciation Rights shall have an exercise price of not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Value of the Stock on the date of award, or in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with Options, the exercise price of the related Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.2(b), any Stock Appreciation Right issued in substitution for a stock appreciation right previously issued by another entity, which substitution occurs in connection with a transaction described in applicable regulations pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, may provide for an exercise price computed in accordance with such Code section and the regulations thereunder.
(c)
Other
Terms
. Except as the Committee may deem inappropriate or inapplicable in the circumstances, Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to terms and conditions substantially similar to those applicable to a Nonstatutory Option. In addition, a Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option which can only be exercised during limited periods following a Change of Control may entitle the Participant to receive an amount based upon the highest price paid or offered for Stock in any transaction relating to the Change of Control or paid during the thirty (30) day period immediately preceding the occurrence of the Change of Control in any transaction reported in the stock market in which the Stock is normally traded.
7.3
Restricted
Stock
.
(a)
Purchase
Price
. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued under the Plan for such consideration, if any, in cash, other property or services, or any combination thereof, as is determined by the Committee.
(b)
Issuance
of
Stock
. A Participant’s Shares of Restricted Stock shall be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, in the manner set forth in the Award Agreement,
provided however
that the Committee may determine that a stock certificate shall be issued in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock. If a certificate is issued, such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and, if applicable, shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award substantially in the following form:
The shares evidenced by this certificate are subject to the terms and conditions of the BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. Equity Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement entered into by the registered owner and BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., copies of which will be furnished by the Company to the holder of the shares evidenced by this certificate upon written request and without charge.
If the Stock is held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, the restrictions will be appropriately noted.
(c)
Escrow
of
Shares
. The Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock covered by such Award.
(d)
Restrictions
and
Restriction
Period
. During the Restriction Period applicable to shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be subject to limitations on transferability and a Risk of Forfeiture arising on the basis of such conditions relating to the performance of services, the attainment of Performance Goals or other business objectives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or otherwise as the Committee may determine and provide for in the applicable Award Agreement. Any such Risk of Forfeiture may be waived or terminated, or the Restriction Period shortened, at any time by the Committee on such basis as it deems appropriate.
(e)
Rights
Pending
Lapse
of
Risk
of Forfeiture or Forfeiture of Award. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, including the right to vote, and the right to receive any dividends with respect to, the shares of Restricted Stock;
provided, however,
that any dividends declared with respect to performance-based Restricted Stock shall only be paid following the close of the applicable Restriction Period and then only if the underlying Restricted Stock shall have become earned and vested.
(f)
Lapse
of
Restrictions
. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture, any certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant promptly if not theretofore so delivered.
(g)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock
. Upon forfeiture of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant’s beneficial ownership of the shares of Restricted Stock shall be transferred to and reacquired by the Company, and the Participant shall not thereafter have any rights (including dividend and voting rights) with respect to such Restricted Stock that shall have been so forfeited, other than, if applicable, any vested right to dividends whose record date precedes the date of forfeiture.
7.4
Restricted
Stock
Units
.
(a)
Character. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall entitle the recipient to a share of Stock at the close of such Restriction Period as the Committee may establish and subject to a Risk of Forfeiture arising on the basis of such conditions relating to the performance of services, the attainment of Performance Goals or other business objectives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or otherwise as the Committee may determine and provide for in the applicable Award Agreement. The Committee may in its discretion provide for an Award of Restricted Stock Units that entitles the holder to a number of shares of Stock at the close of a Performance Period that varies as a function of the extent to which the corresponding Performance Goals or other business objectives have been achieved. Any Risk of Forfeiture may be waived or terminated, or the Restriction Period shortened, at any time by the Committee on such basis as it deems appropriate.
(b)
Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned and vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made promptly following the close of the applicable Restriction Period. If so provided in the Award Agreement in the discretion of the Committee, Participants may be entitled to receive payments equivalent to any dividends declared with respect to Stock referenced in grants of Restricted Stock Units but only following the close of the applicable Restriction Period and then only if the underlying Stock shall have become earned and vested. Unless the Committee shall provide otherwise, any such dividend equivalents shall be paid, if at all, without interest or other earnings.
7.5
Stock
Grants
. Stock Grants shall be awarded solely in recognition of significant prior or expected contributions to the success of the Company or its Affiliates, as an inducement to employment, in lieu of compensation otherwise already due, and in such other limited circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate.
7.6
Performance
Awards
.
(a)
General
. The terms of any Award, other than a Stock Grant, may provide that the number of shares of Stock that may be issued upon the settlement of the Award, the number of shares of Stock that vest under the Award, and/or the amount of cash payable upon settlement of the Award is subject to the attainment of one or more Performance Goals over a Performance Period. In addition, certain Assumed Awards originally issued under a Prior Plan are Qualified Performance-Based Awards, intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as in effect with respect to taxable years commencing prior to January 1, 2018.
(b)
Composition of Committee with Respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards
. Actions to be taken pursuant to the Plan with respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards shall be taken by the Committee;
provided, however,
that, if not all of the members thereof qualify as “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as in effect for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018, all actions with respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards shall be taken by a subcommittee of the Committee consisting of such of the members of the Committee as do so qualify.
(c)
Payment
of
Qualified
Performance-Based
Awards
. A Participant will be eligible to receive payment under a Qualified Performance-Based Award which is subject to achievement of a Performance Goal or Goals only if the applicable Performance Goal or Goals are achieved within the applicable Performance Period, as determined by the Committee,
provided
, that a Qualified Performance-Based Award may be deemed earned as a result of death, becoming disabled, or in connection with a change of control (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code as in effect for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018) if otherwise provided in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement even if the Award would not constitute “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, as in effect for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018, following the occurrence of such an event. In determining the actual size of an individual Qualified Performance-Based Award, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Qualified Performance-Based Award earned for the Performance Period, if in its sole and absolute discretion, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.
(d)
Limitation
on
Adjustments
of
Qualified Performance-Based Awards
. No adjustment of any Qualified Performance-Based Award pursuant to Section 8 shall be made except on such basis, if any, as will not cause such Award to provide other than “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as in effect for taxable years beginning prior to January 1, 2018.
(e)
Certain Assumed Awards
. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, nothing in this Plan (i) is intended to or shall modify the terms of any Assumed Award that is a Qualified Performance-Based Award in such manner as would prevent the Assumed Award from qualifying as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code as in effect with respect to taxable years commencing prior to January 1, 2018; or (ii) is intended to be or shall constitute a material modification of any Assumed Award intended to be exempt from the deduction limitation of Section 162(m) of the Code pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.162(m)-27(f)(1). In the event that any change made to any such Assumed Award by this Plan would have such effect on the terms of any such Assumed Award, it shall be deemed null and void
ab initio
.
(f)
Definitions
. For purposes of the Plan:
(i)
Performance Criteria means the criteria that the Committee selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Participant for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria used to establish Performance Goals are: (A) cash flow (before or after dividends), (B) earnings per share (including, without limitation, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), (C) stock price, (D) return on equity, (E) shareholder return or total shareholder return, (F) return on capital (including, without limitation, return on total capital or return on invested capital), (G) return on investment, (H) return on assets or net assets, (I) market capitalization, (J) economic value added, (K) debt leverage (debt to capital), (L) revenue, (M) sales or net sales, (N) backlog, (O) income, pre-tax income or net income, (P) operating income or pre-tax profit, (Q) operating profit, net operating profit or economic profit, (R) gross margin, operating margin or profit margin, (S) return on operating revenue or return on operating assets, (T) cash from operations, (U) operating ratio, (V) operating revenue, (W) market share improvement, (X) general and administrative expenses, (Y) customer service and (Z) such other performance metrics as the Committee deems appropriate.
(ii)
Performance Goals means, for a Performance Period, the written goal or goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon one or more of the Performance Criteria. The Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of a division, business unit, Subsidiary, or an individual, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, applied to either the Company as a whole or to a business unit or Affiliate, either individually, alternatively or in any combination, and measured either quarterly, annually or cumulatively over a period of years, on an absolute basis or relative to a pre-established target, to previous years’ results or to a designated comparison group, in each case as specified by the Committee. Performance Goals that are financial metrics may be determined in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) or financial metrics that are based on, or able to be derived from, GAAP, and may be
adjusted when established to include or exclude any items otherwise includable or excludable under GAAP. The Committee will objectively define the manner of calculating the Performance Goal or Goals it selects to use for such Performance Period for each Participant. In measuring the achievement of a Performance Goal, the Committee may provide for the inclusion or exclusion of the impact of an event or occurrence which the Committee determines should appropriately be included or excluded, including: (A) asset write-downs, (B) litigation, claims, judgments or settlements, (C) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (D) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs, (E) foreign exchange gains and losses, (F) a change in the fiscal year of the Company, (G) acquisitions or dispositions, (H) business interruption events, (I) unbudgeted capital expenditures, (J) unrealized investment gains and losses, (K) impairments, and (L) any unusual, non-recurring, infrequently recurring, or non-comparable items (1) as described in Accounting Standard Codification Section 225-20, (2) as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders for the applicable year, or (3) publicly announced by the Company in a press release or conference call relating to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition for a completed quarterly or annual fiscal period. The foregoing sentence shall not be applied to Awards that are intended to be Qualified Performance-Based Awards if and to the extent that the inclusion or exclusion of any such events or occurrences would cause them to lose their status as Qualified Performance-Based Awards.
7.7
Awards
to
Participants
Outside
the
United
States
. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan granted to a Participant who is, at the time of grant or during the term of the Award, resident or primarily employed outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that the Award shall conform to laws, regulations, procedures, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then resident or primarily employed, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by foreign tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence or employment abroad, shall be as comparable as practicable to the value of such an Award to a Participant who is resident or primarily employed in the United States. The Committee may establish supplements or sub-plans to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan for the purpose of granting and administrating any such modified Award, and may enter into arrangements with the trustee of any employee benefit trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to facilitate the administration of Awards under the Plan or any such sub-plan, amendment, restatement or alternative version of the Plan. No such modification, supplement, sub-plan, amendment, restatement or alternative version may increase the share limits of Section 4.
7.8
Downward
Adjustments
of
Performance
Awards
. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, in exceptional circumstances, acting fairly and reasonably, the Committee may apply a downward adjustment to the level of vesting and settlement of any Award that is subject to a Risk of Forfeiture that requires the attainment of Performance Goals or other business objectives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates if, in its opinion, the metric(s) produce a vesting outcome that is materially misaligned with the underlying performance of the Company. In particular, if there has been a downturn in financial performance or a reduction in the value of the Company either of which is considered by the Committee to be both significant and inconsistent with the calculated vesting outcome, then the Committee may reduce the number of shares of Stock vesting on such basis as it shall deem reasonable.
8.1
Adjustment
for
Corporate
Actions
. All of the share numbers set forth in the Plan reflect the capital structure of the Company as of the Effective Date. If subsequent to that date the outstanding shares of Stock (or any other securities covered by the Plan by reason of the prior application of this Section) are increased, decreased, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities, or if additional shares or new or different shares or other securities are distributed with respect to shares of Stock, as a result of a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other similar distribution with respect to such shares of Stock, or in the event of an extraordinary cash distribution on Stock, the Committee shall make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in (a) the maximum numbers and kinds of shares provided in Section 4, (b) the numbers and kinds of shares or other securities subject to the then outstanding Awards, (c) the exercise price for each share or other unit of any other securities subject to then outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (without change in the aggregate purchase price as to which such Options or Rights remain exercisable), and (d) the amount, if any, payable on forfeiture for each share of Restricted Stock then subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
8.2
Adjustment
of
Awards
Upon
the
Occurrence
of
Certain
Unusual
or
Nonrecurring
Events
. In the event of any corporate action not specifically covered by the preceding Section, including but not limited to a corporate separation or other reorganization or a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Committee may make such adjustment of outstanding Awards and their terms, if any, as it, in its sole discretion, may deem equitable and appropriate in the circumstances. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in this Section) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
8.3
Related
Matters
. Any adjustment in Awards made pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 shall be determined and made, if at all, by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, and shall include any correlative modification of terms, including of Option exercise prices, rates of vesting or exercisability, Risks of Forfeiture, amounts, if any, payable upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock, and Performance Goals and other business objectives which the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate so as to ensure the rights of the Participants in their respective Awards are not substantially diminished nor enlarged as a result of the adjustment and corporate action other than as expressly contemplated in this Section 8. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that no fraction of a share of Stock shall be purchasable or deliverable upon exercise, and in that event if any adjustment hereunder of the number of shares of Stock covered by an Award would cause such number to include a fraction of a share of Stock, such number of shares of Stock shall be adjusted to the nearest smaller whole number of shares.
8.4
Transactions
.
(a)
Definition
of
Transaction
. In this Section 8.4, “Transaction” means (i) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which the Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (ii) any sale or exchange of all of the Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property, (iii) any sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to one or more other persons in a single transaction or series of related transactions or (iv) any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
(b)
Treatment
of
Options
and
Stock
Appreciation Rights
. In a Transaction, the Committee may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (collectively, “Rights”).
(i)
Provide that such Rights shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent rights shall be provided in substitution therefore, by the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof).
(ii)
Upon written notice to the holders, provide that the holders’ unexercised Rights will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Transaction unless exercised within a specified period following the date of such notice.
(iii)
Provide that outstanding Rights shall become exercisable in whole or in part prior to or upon the Transaction.
(iv)
Provide for cash payments, net of applicable tax withholdings, to be made to holders equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the acquisition price times the number of shares of Stock subject to an Option (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the acquisition price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price for all such shares of Stock subject to the Option, in exchange for the termination of such Option;
provided
, that if the acquisition price does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option, the Committee may cancel that Option without the payment of any consideration therefore prior to or upon the Transaction. For this purpose, “acquisition price” means the amount of cash, and market value of any other consideration, received in payment for a share of Stock surrendered in a Transaction but need not take into account any deferred consideration unless and until received.
(v)
Provide that, in connection with a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, Rights shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings.
(vi)
Any combination of the foregoing.
For purposes of paragraph (i) above, a Right shall be considered assumed, or a substantially equivalent right shall be considered to have been provided in substitution therefor, if following consummation of the Transaction, the Right confers the right to purchase or receive the value of, for each share of Stock subject to the Right immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Transaction by holders of Stock for each share of Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock);
provided, however
, that if the consideration received as a result of the Transaction is not solely common stock (or its equivalent) of the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof), the Committee may provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Right to consist of or be based solely on common stock (or its equivalent) of the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent in value to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Stock as a result of the Transaction.
(c)
Treatment
of
Other
Awards
. As to outstanding Awards other than Options or Share Appreciation Rights, upon the occurrence of a Transaction other than a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company which is not part of another form of Transaction, the rights of the Company under each such Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Transaction in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Award. Upon the occurrence of a Transaction involving a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company which is not part of another form of Transaction, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all Risks of Forfeiture and Performance Goals or other business objectives, where otherwise applicable to any such Awards, shall automatically be deemed terminated or satisfied, as applicable.
(d)
Related
Matters
. In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 8.4, the Committee shall not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically. Any determinations required to carry out the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4, including but not limited to the market value of other consideration received by holders of Stock in a Transaction and whether substantially equivalent Rights have been substituted, shall be made by the Committee acting in its sole discretion. In connection with any action or actions taken by the Committee in respect of Awards and in connection with a Transaction, the Committee may require such acknowledgements of satisfaction and releases from Participants as it may determine.
The Committee may determine, at the time of grant of an Award or thereafter, that, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, or upon the occurrence of a Change of Control in combination with another event, including but not limited to the Participant’s involuntary termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates without Cause:
(a)
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights subject to the Award that are not already exercisable in full shall Accelerate with respect to all or a specified portion of the shares for which such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are not then exercisable;
(b)
any Risk of Forfeiture applicable to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award which is not based on achievement of Performance Goals or other business objectives shall lapse with respect to all or a specified portion of the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units still subject to such Risk of Forfeiture immediately prior to the Change of Control; and
(c)
all or a specified portion of the outstanding Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units conditioned on the achievement of Performance Goals or other business objectives (i) shall be deemed to have been satisfied as to all shares covered by the Award or specified portion of the Award based on the assumed achievement of all relevant Performance Goals or other business objectives (at target level performance, if relevant), (ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied as to all shares covered by the Award or specified portion of the Award based on the actual achievement of all relevant Performance Goals or other business objectives as of the date of the Change of Control; or (iii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied as to a pro rata number of shares
based on the assumed or actual achievement of all relevant Performance Goals or other business objectives, as described in clauses (i) and (ii), and the length of time within the Restriction Period or Performance Period which has elapsed prior to the Change of Control.
10.1
In
General
. Options and Restricted Stock shall be settled in accordance with their terms. All other Awards may be settled in cash, Stock, or other Awards, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at or after grant and subject to any contrary Award Agreement. The Committee may not require settlement of any Award in Stock pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence to the extent issuance of such Stock would be prohibited or unreasonably delayed by reason of any other provision of the Plan.
10.2
Violation
of
Law
. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the relevant Award Agreement, if, at any time, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, the issuance of shares of Stock covered by an Award may constitute a violation of law, then the Company may delay such issuance until (i) approval shall have been obtained from such governmental agencies, other than the Securities and Exchange Commission, as may be required under any applicable law, rule, or regulation and (ii) in the case where such issuance would constitute a violation of a law administered by or a regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, one of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)
the shares of Stock are at the time of the issue of such shares effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
(b)
the Company shall have determined, on such basis as it deems appropriate (including an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) that the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of such shares does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any applicable State securities laws.
Furthermore, the inability of the Company to obtain or maintain, or the impracticability of it obtaining or maintaining, authority from any governmental agency having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Stock hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained, and shall constitute circumstances in which the Committee may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Stock, with or without consideration to the affected Participants.
10.3
Corporate
Restrictions
on
Rights
in
Stock
. Any Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all restrictions upon the transfer thereof which may be now or hereafter imposed by the charter, certificate or articles, and by-laws, of the Company.
10.4
Investment
Representations
. The Company shall be under no obligation to issue any shares of Stock covered by any Award unless the shares to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Participant shall have made such written representations to the Company (upon which the Company believes it may reasonably rely) as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate for purposes of confirming that the issuance of such shares will be exempt from the registration requirements of that Act and any applicable state securities laws and otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction in which Participants may reside or primarily work, including but not limited to that the Participant is acquiring the shares for his or her own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such shares.
10.5
Registration
. If the Company shall deem it necessary or desirable to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other applicable statutes any shares of Stock issued or to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, or to qualify any such shares of Stock for exemption from the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or other applicable statutes, then the Company shall take such action at its own expense. The Company may require from each recipient of an Award, or each holder of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, such information in writing for use in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or offering circular as is reasonably necessary for that purpose and may require reasonable indemnity to the Company and its officers and directors from that holder against all losses, claims, damage and liabilities arising from use of the information so furnished and caused by any untrue statement of any material fact therein or caused by the omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made. In addition, the Company may require of any such person that he or she agree that, without the prior written consent of the Company or the managing underwriter in any public offering of shares of Stock, he or she will not sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Stock during the 180 day period commencing on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the underwritten public offering of securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.5, if in connection with any underwritten public offering of securities of the Company the managing underwriter of such offering requires that the Company’s directors and officers enter into a lock-up agreement containing provisions that are more restrictive than the provisions set forth in the preceding sentence, then (a) each holder of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan (regardless of whether such person has complied or complies with the provisions of clause (b) below) shall be bound by, and shall be deemed to have agreed to, the same lock-up terms as those to which the Company’s directors and officers are required to adhere; and (b) at the request of the Company or such managing underwriter, each such person shall execute and deliver a lock-up agreement in form and substance equivalent to that which is required to be executed by the Company’s directors and officers.
10.6
Placement of Legends;
Stop
Orders;
etc
. Each share of Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may bear a reference to the investment representations made in accordance with Section 10.4 in addition to any other applicable restrictions under the Plan, to the terms of the Award and, if applicable, to the fact that no registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect to such shares of Stock. All shares of Stock or other securities issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions, or, if the Stock will be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, the restrictions will be appropriately noted.
10.7
Tax
Withholding
. Whenever shares of Stock are issued or vested or to be issued or vested pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other withholding tax requirements if, when, and to the extent required by law (whether so required to secure for the Company an otherwise available tax deduction or otherwise) prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates, held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, for such shares, or prior to the vesting of such shares, as applicable. The Committee is authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by (a) tendering previously acquired shares (either actually or by attestation); (b) directing the Company to withhold shares of Stock (up to the minimum statutory rate or such higher rate as is permitted under applicable tax withholding rules) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award or (c) selling shares of Stock into the market. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on satisfaction of all such withholding obligations and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant or to utilize any other withholding method prescribed by the Committee from time to time.
10.8
Bylaws;
Other
Company
Policies
. This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to the bylaws of the Company, as they may be amended from time to time, and all other Company policies duly adopted by the Board, the Committee or any other committee of the Board and as in effect from time to time regarding the acquisition, ownership or sale of Stock by employees and other service providers, including, without limitation, policies intended to limit the potential for insider trading and to avoid or recover compensation payable or paid on the basis of inaccurate financial results or statements, employee conduct, and other similar events.
The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan and any outstanding Awards granted hereunder reserve or otherwise keep available such number of shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan (if then in effect) and the Awards and shall pay all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.
Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, a Participant’s right to receive or retain an Award, to retain any amount received pursuant to an Award (in cash or shares of Stock) and, in the case of Stock received
pursuant to an Award, to retain any profit or gain realized by the Participant in connection with such an Award, are subject to forfeiture, cancellation, recoupment, rescission, payback, setoff or other similar action in accordance with the Company’s claw-back policy, as it may be amended pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Stock is listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law, and any other claw-back policy that the Company may adopt as in force from time to time (collectively, the “
Claw-back Policy
”). A Participant’s receipt of an Award shall be deemed to constitute the Participant’s acknowledgment of and consent to the Company’s application, implementation and enforcement of the Claw-back Policy and any provision of applicable law relating to cancellation, rescission, payback or recoupment of compensation, without further consideration or action. Any recoupment pursuant to the Claw-back Policy shall be in addition to any other remedies that may be available to the Company under applicable law, including disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or other services. In addition, the Committee may impose such other claw-back, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate with respect to any breach of non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that are contained in the Award Agreement or otherwise applicable to the Participant.
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13.
|
Limitation of Rights in Stock; No Special Employment Rights
|
A Participant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be a stockholder of the Company with respect to any of the shares of Stock subject to an Award, unless and until a certificate shall have been issued therefor and delivered to the Participant or his agent, or the Stock shall be issued through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent. Any Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all restrictions upon the transfer thereof which may be now or hereafter imposed by the certificate or articles of incorporation and the by-laws of the Company. Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any recipient of an Award any right with respect to the continuation of his or her employment with the Company (or any Affiliate), or interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or any Affiliate), subject to the terms of any separate employment or provision of law or articles of association or by-laws to the contrary, at any time to terminate such employment or to increase or decrease, or otherwise adjust, the other terms and conditions of the recipient’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates.
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14.
|
Unfunded Status of Plan
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The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation, and the Plan is not intended to constitute a plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Stock or payments with respect to Awards hereunder,
provided, however
, that, except to the extent provided in any employee benefit trust established by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.
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15.
|
Nonexclusivity of the Plan
|
Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor any action taken in connection with the adoption or operation of the Plan shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of stock options and restricted stock other than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
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16.
|
No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
|
It is intended that all Awards shall be granted and maintained on a basis which ensures they are exempt from, or otherwise compliant with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code pertaining to non-qualified plans of deferred compensation, and the Plan shall be governed, interpreted and enforced consistent with such intent. However, neither the Company nor any Affiliate, nor any director, officer, agent, representative or employee of either, guarantees to the Participant or any other person any particular tax consequences as a result of the grant of, exercise of rights under, or payment in respect of an Award, including but not limited to that an Option granted as an Incentive Option has or will qualify as an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code or that the provisions and penalties of Section 409A of the Code will or will not apply and no person shall have any
liability to a Participant or any other party if a payment under an Award that is intended to benefit from favorable tax treatment or avoid adverse tax treatment fails to realize such intention or for any action taken by the Board or the Committee with respect to the Award.
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17.
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Termination and Amendment of the Plan
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17.1
Termination
or Amendment
of
the
Plan
. Subject to the limitations contained in Section 17.3 below, including specifically the requirement of stockholder approval, if applicable, the Board may at any time terminate the Plan or make such modifications of the Plan as it shall deem advisable. Unless the Board otherwise expressly provides, no amendment of the Plan shall affect the terms of any Award outstanding on the date of such amendment.
17.2
Termination
or
Amendment
of
Outstanding
Awards;
Assumptions
. Subject to the limitations contained in Section 17.3 below, including specifically the requirement of stockholder approval, if applicable, the Committee may at any time:
(a)
amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively,
provided that
the Award as amended is consistent with the terms of the Plan;
(b)
provide for the Acceleration of all or any portion of an Award;
(c)
within the limitations of the Plan, modify, extend or assume outstanding Awards or accept the cancellation of outstanding Awards or of outstanding stock options or other equity-based compensation awards granted by another issuer in return for the grant of new Awards for the same or a different number of shares of Stock and on the same or different terms and conditions (including but not limited to the exercise price of any Option); and
(d)
provide for settlement of a previously granted Award in cash or cash equivalents or authorize the recipient of an Award to elect to cash out an Award previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.
17.3
Limitations
on
Amendments
,
Etc
.
(a)
Without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, no amendment or modification of the Plan by the Board may (i) except as provided in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, increase the number of shares of Stock which may be issued under the Plan, (ii) change the description of the persons eligible for Awards, or (iii) effect any other change for which stockholder approval is required by law or the rules of any relevant stock exchange, or for which stockholder approval is necessary in order for the Company to avoid being denied a tax deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(b)
No action by the Board or the Committee pursuant to this Section 17 shall impair the rights of the recipient of any Award outstanding on the date of such amendment or modification of such Award, as the case may be, without the Participant’s consent;
provided, however,
that no such consent shall be required if the Board or Committee, as the case may be, (i) determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any Change of Control that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation, including without limitation the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard, (ii) determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any Change of Control that such amendment or alteration is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under the Award, or that any such diminution has been adequately compensated, or (iii) reasonably determines on or after the date of Change of Control that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation, including without limitation the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(c)
Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, ordinary shares, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change of control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of ordinary shares or other securities, or similar transaction(s)), the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval: (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or Stock
Appreciation Rights, (ii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, or (iii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.
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18.
|
Notices and Other Communications
|
Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may determine from time to time.
If a notice, demand, request or other communication is required or permitted to be given in writing, then any such notice, demand, request or other communication hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or duly sent by first class registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid, or telecopied with a confirmation copy by regular, certified or overnight mail, addressed or telecopied, as the case may be, (i) if to the recipient of an Award, at his or her residence address last filed with the Company and (ii) if to the Company, at its principal place of business, addressed to the attention of its Head of Human Resources, or to such other address or telecopier number, as the case may be, as the addressee may have designated by notice to the addressor. All such notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be deemed to have been received: (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery; (ii) in the case of mailing, when received by the addressee; and (iii) in the case of facsimile transmission, when confirmed by facsimile machine report.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to deliver and require Participants to deliver documentation in connection with current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. Acceptance by a Participant of an Award shall constitute consent to receive documents in connection with the Plan by electronic delivery and/or to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or by a third party designated by the Company.
The Plan and all Award Agreements and actions taken hereunder and thereunder shall be governed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
Exhibit 10.3
BrightSphere Investment Group Inc.
Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan
Effective July 12, 2019
An Amendment and Restatement of
the BrightSphere Investment Group plc
Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan
Table of Contents
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Page
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Purpose
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3
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Definitions
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3
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Term of Plan
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5
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Stock Subject to Plan
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5
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Administration
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6
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Authorization of Grants
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6
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Specific Terms of Awards
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7
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Adjustment Provisions
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8
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Change of Control
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11
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Settlement of Awards
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12
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Reservation of Stock
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13
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Limitation of Rights in Stock; No Special Service Rights
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14
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Unfunded Status of Plan
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14
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Nonexclusivity of the Plan
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14
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No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
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14
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Termination and Amendment of the Plan
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14
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Notices and Other Communications
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15
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Governing Law
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16
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Exhibit 10.3
BRIGHTSPHERE INVESTMENT GROUP INC.
Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan
This BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. Non-Employee Directors’ Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Stock by Non-Employee Directors of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. (the “Company”) and its Subsidiaries, thereby providing them with an added incentive to further the objectives of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and rendering the Company better able to compete for the services of individuals needed for the continued growth and success of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
BrightSphere Investment Group plc (“BrightSphere”), formerly known as OM Asset Management plc, adopted the OM Asset Management plc Non-Employee Directors’ Plan on September 18, 2014, which plan was amended and restated effective April 26, 2017 (the “Prior Plan”). BrightSphere was redomesticated to the United States pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement effective July 12, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), as a result of which the jurisdiction of incorporation of the holding company of the BrightSphere group of companies was changed from England to Delaware, and the Company became the holding company of the group. The Company has adopted and assumed the sponsorship of the Prior Plan, as hereby amended and restated, effective as of the Effective Date. This Plan also governs the terms of awards that were originally issued under the Prior Plan and were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date, which awards the Company has assumed under the terms of this Plan, effective as of the Effective Date.
As used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set out below, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
2.1
Accelerate
,
Accelerated
,
and
Acceleration
, means: (a) when used with respect to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, that as of the time of reference the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will become exercisable with respect to some or all of the shares of Stock for which it was not then otherwise exercisable by its terms; and (b) when used with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, that the Risk of Forfeiture otherwise applicable to the Stock or Units shall expire with respect to some or all of the shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units then still otherwise subject to the Risk of Forfeiture.
2.2
Affiliate
means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, or other entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company.
2.3
Assumed Award
means each award with respect to common stock of BrightSphere that was issued under the Prior Plan and was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date, and which has been assumed by the Company under this Plan as of the Effective Date.
2.4
Award
means any grant or sale pursuant to the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Stock Grants. “
Award
” shall also refer to part of an Award where the context so admits. “
Award
” shall include any Assumed Award.
2.5
Award
Agreemen
t means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the recipient of an Award, or other written or electronic notice of grant of an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award. “
Award Agreement
” shall include any award agreement under the Prior Plan setting forth the terms and conditions of an Assumed Award.
2.6
Board
means the Company’s Board of Directors.
2.7
BrightSphere
means BrightSphere Investment Group plc, formerly known as OM Asset Management plc, the holding company of the BrightSphere group of companies prior to the Effective Date.
2.8
Cause
, with respect to a Participant, means any of the following events:
(a)
the Participant’s willful or reckless misconduct, or gross, continuing or repeated negligence in the performance of the Participant’s duties and responsibilities with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, or any other conduct that results in substantial injury (monetary or otherwise) to the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents;
(b)
the Participant’s conviction of a felony which has or could have a material adverse effect (monetary or otherwise) on the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents;
(c)
the Participant’s embezzlement or misappropriation of funds, commission of any material act of dishonesty, fraud or deceit, or violation of any federal or state law applicable to the securities industry; or
(d)
the Participant’s material breach of a legal or fiduciary duty owed to the Company or any of its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or other agents.
2.9
Change
of
Control
means the occurrence of either of the following after the date of the approval of the Plan by the Board:
(a)
a Transaction (as defined in Section 8.4), unless securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the survivor’s or acquiror’s outstanding securities (or the securities of any parent thereof) are held immediately after the Transaction by a person or persons who held securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities immediately prior to that Transaction; or
(b)
any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect from time to time) directly or indirectly acquires, including but not limited to by means of a merger or consolidation, beneficial ownership (determined pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the said Exchange Act) of securities, that, together with securities held by such person or group of persons, possess more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities, unless pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made directly to the Company’s stockholders that the Board recommends such stockholders accept, other than (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or (iv) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities.
2.10
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto, and any regulations issued from time to time thereunder.
2.11
Committee
means the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, which in general is responsible for the administration of the Plan, as provided in Section 5 of this Plan. For any period during which no such committee is in existence “Committee” shall mean the Board and all authority and responsibility assigned to the Committee under the Plan shall be exercised, if at all, by the Board.
2.12
Company
means BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., a Delaware corporation.
2.13
Effective Date
means July 12, 2019, the effective date of the Scheme of Arrangement, and the date as of which the Prior Plan, as hereby amended and restated, was adopted and assumed by the Company.
2.14
Grant
Date
means the date as of which an Option is granted, as determined under Section 7.1(a).
2.15
Market
Value
means the value of a share of Stock on a particular date determined by such methods or procedures as may be established by the Committee. Where the Stock of the Company is publicly traded, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Market Value of Stock as of any date is the closing price for the Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or on any other national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the first following date for which a closing price is reported.
2.16
Non-Employee Director
means a director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who is not an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.
2.17
Option
means an option to purchase shares of Stock.
2.18
Optionee
means an eligible individual to whom an Option shall have been granted under the Plan.
2.19
Participant
means any current or former Non-Employee Director who is a holder of an outstanding Award under the Plan.
2.20
Plan
means this Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan of the Company, as hereby amended and restated, and as it may be subsequently amended from time to time, and including any attachments or addenda hereto.
2.21
Prior Plan
means the BrightSphere Investment Group plc Non-Employee Directors’ Plan, formerly known as the OM Asset Management plc Non-Employee Directors’ Plan, originally adopted on September 18, 2014 and amended and restated effective April 26, 2017.
2.22
Restricted
Stock
means a grant or sale of shares of Stock to a Participant subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
2.23
Restricted
Stock
Units
means rights to receive shares of Stock at the close of a Restriction Period, subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
2.24
Restriction
Period
means the period of time, established by the Committee in connection with an Award, during which the Award is subject to a Risk of Forfeiture described in the applicable Award Agreement.
2.25
Risk
of
Forfeiture
means a limitation on the right of the Participant to retain an Award arising because of the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events or conditions.
2.26
Scheme of Arrangement
means the Scheme of Arrangement sanctioned by order of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales effective July 12, 2019, pursuant to which shares of BrightSphere were exchanged for shares of the Company on a one-for-one basis.
2.27
Stock
means Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, and such other securities as may be substituted for Stock pursuant to Section 8.
2.28
Stock
Appreciation
Right
means a right to receive any excess in the Market Value of shares of Stock (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2(b)) over a specified exercise price.
2.29
Stock
Grant
means the grant of shares of Stock not subject to restrictions or other forfeiture conditions.
2.30
Subsidiary
means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the relevant time, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.
Unless the Plan shall have been earlier terminated by the Board, Awards may be granted under this Plan at any time in the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending immediately prior to March 14, 2027, the tenth anniversary of the earlier of the adoption of the Prior Plan and the approval of the Prior Plan by the Company’s stockholders. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan within that period shall not expire solely by reason of the termination of the Plan.
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4.
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Stock Subject to the Plan
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4.1
Shares
Issued
Pursuant
to
the
Plan
. Shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or authorized and issued shares of Stock held in the Company’s treasury,
4.2
Plan
Share
Limitations
. At no time shall the number of shares of Stock to be issued to participants pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan exceed 2,251,228 shares of Stock, being the number of authorized shares of stock of BrightSphere remaining available for grant under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date, and any additional shares that again become available for grant in accordance with Section 4. 3 pursuant to the forfeiture, expiration or settlement for cash of any Assumed Awards.
4.3
Share Counting
. For purposes of applying the limitations of Section 4.2, if any shares of Stock subject to an Award are forfeited, an Award expires or an Award is settled for cash (in whole or in part), then in each such case the shares subject to such Award shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, be added to the shares of Stock available under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, shares of Stock tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other tax requirements with respect to any Award shall not be added to the shares of Stock available under the Plan.
4.4
Per
Person
Limitations
. The maximum total value of Awards, based on their grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes, that are granted during a single fiscal year to any Non-Employee Director, together with any cash fees paid to such Non-Employee Director during the fiscal year, shall not exceed $600,000. The Committee may make exceptions to this limit for a non-executive chair of the Board or, in extraordinary circumstances, for other individual Non-Employee Directors, as the Committee may determine in its discretion, provided that the Non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation.
4.5
Adjustment
of
Limitations
. Each of the share limitations of this Section 4 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee;
provided, however
, that at any time and on any one or more occasions the Board may itself exercise any of the powers and responsibilities assigned to the Committee under the Plan and when so acting shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of the Plan pertaining to the Committee’s exercise of its authorities hereunder. The Committee may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions with respect to the administration of the Plan to any officers or employees of the Company or its Affiliates, or to one or more third-party stock plan administrators. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have complete authority, in its discretion, to make or to select the manner of making all determinations with respect to each Award to be granted by the Company under the Plan, including the Non-Employee Director to receive the Award and the form of Award, and in making such determinations, the Committee may take into account such factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall also have complete authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to it, to determine the terms and provisions of the respective Award Agreements (which need not be identical), and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee’s determinations made in good faith on matters referred to in the Plan shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming any interest under the Plan or an Award made pursuant hereto.
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6.
|
Authorization of Grants
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6.1
Eligibility
. The Committee may grant from time to time and at any time prior to the termination of the Plan one or more Awards, either alone or in combination with any other Awards, to any Non-Employee Director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no member of the Committee shall vote or act upon any matter relating solely to himself or herself. Grants of Awards to members of the Committee must be ratified by the Board.
6.2
General
Terms
of
Awards
. Each grant of an Award shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan (including but not limited to any specific terms and conditions applicable to that type of Award set out in the following Section), and such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as determined by the Committee. No prospective Participant shall have any rights with respect to an Award, unless and until such Participant shall have complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.
6.3
Assumed Awards
.
(a)
Each award of restricted stock made under the Prior Plan and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date became an Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan upon the Effective Date, substituting shares of Stock for shares of BrightSphere on a one-for-one basis. Each such Assumed Award of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the same terms and conditions on and after the Effective Date as the terms and conditions applicable to the award immediately prior to the Effective Date.
(b)
Each award of restricted stock units made under the Prior Plan and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date became an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan upon the Effective Date, substituting shares of Stock for shares of BrightSphere on a one-for-one basis. Each such Assumed Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions on and after the Effective Date as the terms and conditions applicable to the award immediately prior to the Effective Date.
6.4
Effect
of
Termination
of
Service
. Unless the Committee shall provide otherwise with respect to any Award (including, but not limited to, in a Participant’s Award Agreement), if the Participant’s service with the Company and its Affiliates ends for any reason, including because the Subsidiary of which the Non-Employee Director is a director ceasing to be an Affiliate, (a) any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right of the Participant shall cease to be exercisable in any respect not later than thirty (30) days following that event and, for the period it remains exercisable following that event, shall be exercisable only to the extent exercisable at the date of that event, (b) with respect to any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall forfeit his or her beneficial interest in the underlying shares, and (c) any other outstanding Award of the Participant shall be forfeited and cancelled on the terms specified in the applicable Award Agreement. Cessation of the performance of services in one capacity, for example, as a non-employee director, shall not result in termination of an Award while the Participant continues to perform services in another capacity, for example as an employee. Military or sick leave or other bona fide leave shall not be deemed a termination of services,
provided
that it does not exceed a period of ninety (90) days. To the extent consistent with applicable law, the Committee may provide that Awards continue to vest for some or all of the period of any such leave, or that their vesting shall be tolled during any such leave and only recommence upon the Participant’s return from leave, if ever.
6.5
Non-Transferability
of
Awards
. Awards shall not be transferable, and no Award or interest therein may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. All of a Participant’s rights in any Award may be exercised during the life of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.
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7.
|
Specific Terms of Awards
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7.1
Options
.
(a)
Grant
Date
. The granting of an Option shall take place at the time specified in the Award Agreement.
(b)
Exercise Price
. The price at which shares of Stock may be acquired under each Option shall be not less than 100% of the Market Value of Stock on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.1(b), any Option issued in substitution for an option previously issued by another entity, which substitution occurs in connection with a transaction described in applicable regulations pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, may provide for an exercise price computed in accordance with such Code section and the regulations thereunder.
(c)
Exercisability
. An Option may be immediately exercisable or become exercisable in such instalments, cumulative or non-cumulative, as the Committee may determine. In the case of an Option not otherwise immediately exercisable in full, the Committee may Accelerate such Option in whole or in part at any time.
(d)
Method
of
Exercise
. An Option may be exercised by the Optionee giving written notice, in the manner provided in Section 17, specifying the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the Option is then being exercised. The notice shall be accompanied by payment in the form of cash, electronic funds transfer or check payable to the order of the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price of the shares of Stock to be purchased.
If the Stock is traded on an established market, payment of any exercise price may also be made through and under the terms and conditions of any formal cashless exercise program authorized by the Company entailing the sale of the Stock subject to an Option in a brokered transaction (other than to the Company). Receipt by the Company of such notice and payment in any authorized or combination of authorized means shall constitute the exercise of the Option. Within thirty (30) days thereafter but subject to the remaining provisions of the Plan, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Optionee or his agent a certificate or certificates or shall cause the Stock to be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent for the number of shares then being purchased.
(e)
Option Period
. No Option may be exercised on or after the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date; provided, however, that, in the event an Option would expire when trading in Company Stock is prohibited by law or by the Company’s insider trading policy, the period in which such Option may be exercised shall be extended to the thirtieth (30th) day after expiration of the prohibition.
(f)
Nonqualified
Option
Characterization
. Options under the Plan are not intended to be treated as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
7.2
Stock
Appreciation
Rights
.
(a)
Tandem
or
Stand-Alone
. Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted in tandem with an Option or after the award of an Option, or alone and unrelated to an Option. Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with an Option shall terminate to the extent that the related Option is exercised, and the related Option shall terminate to the extent that the tandem Stock Appreciation Rights are exercised.
(b)
Exercise
Price
. Stock Appreciation Rights shall have an exercise price of not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Value of the Stock on the date of award, or in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights in tandem with Options, the exercise price of the related Option. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.2(b), any Stock Appreciation Right issued in substitution for a stock appreciation right previously issued by another entity, which substitution occurs in connection with a transaction described in applicable regulations pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, may provide for an exercise price computed in accordance with such Code section and the regulations thereunder.
(c)
Other
Terms
. Except as the Committee may deem inappropriate or inapplicable in the circumstances, Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to terms and conditions substantially similar to those applicable to an Option. In addition, a Stock Appreciation Right related to an Option which can only be exercised during limited periods following a Change of Control may entitle the Participant to receive an amount based upon the highest price paid or offered for Stock in any transaction relating to the Change of Control or paid during the thirty (30) day period immediately preceding the occurrence of the Change of Control in any transaction reported in the stock market in which the Stock is normally traded.
7.3
Restricted
Stock
.
(a)
Purchase
Price
. Shares of Restricted Stock shall be issued under the Plan for such consideration, if any, in cash, other property or services, or any combination thereof, as is determined by the Committee.
(b)
Issuance
of
Stock
. A Participant’s shares of Restricted Stock shall be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, in the manner set forth in the Award Agreement,
provided, however
that the Committee may determine that a stock certificate shall be issued in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock. If a certificate is issued, such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and, if applicable, shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Award substantially in the following form:
The shares evidenced by this certificate are subject to the terms and conditions of the BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan and an Award Agreement entered into by the registered owner and BrightSphere Investment Group Inc., copies of which will be furnished by the Company to the holder of the shares evidenced by this certificate upon written request and without charge.
If the Stock is held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, the restrictions will be appropriately noted.
(c)
Escrow
of
Shares
. The Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Participant deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Stock covered by such Award.
(d)
Restrictions
and
Restriction
Period
. During the Restriction Period applicable to shares of Restricted Stock, such shares shall be subject to limitations on transferability and a Risk of Forfeiture arising on the basis of such conditions relating to the performance of services as the Committee may determine and provide for in the applicable Award Agreement. Any such Risk of Forfeiture may be waived or terminated, or the Restriction Period shortened, at any time by the Committee on such basis as it deems appropriate.
(e)
Rights
Pending
Lapse
of
Risk
of
Forfeiture
or
Forfeiture
of
Award
. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to any outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, including the right to vote, and the right to receive any dividends with respect to, the shares of Restricted Stock.
(f)
Lapse
of
Restrictions
. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture, any certificates for such shares shall be delivered to the Participant promptly if not theretofore so delivered.
(g)
Forfeiture of Restricted Stock
. Upon forfeiture of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant’s beneficial ownership of the shares of Restricted Stock and the legal ownership thereof shall be transferred to and reacquired by the Company, and the Participant shall not thereafter have any rights (including dividend and voting rights) with respect to such Restricted Stock that shall have been so forfeited, other than, if applicable, any vested right to dividends whose record date precedes the date of forfeiture.
7.4
Restricted
Stock
Units
.
(a)
Character
. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall entitle the recipient to a share of Stock at the close of such Restriction Period as the Committee may establish and subject to a Risk of Forfeiture arising on the basis of conditions relating to the performance of services as the Committee may determine and provide for in the applicable Award Agreement. Any Risk of Forfeiture may be waived or terminated, or the Restriction Period shortened, at any time by the Committee on such basis as it deems appropriate.
(b)
Form
and
Timing
of
Payment
. Payment of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be made promptly following the close of the applicable Restriction Period. A Participant shall be responsible for payment in cash of the nominal value of any shares of Stock issued to the Participant in settlement of Restricted Stock Units. If so provided in the Award Agreement in the discretion of the Committee, Participants may be entitled to receive payments equivalent to any dividends declared with respect to Stock referenced in grants of Restricted Stock Units but only following the close of the applicable Restriction Period and then only if the underlying Stock shall have become vested. Unless the Committee shall provide otherwise, any such dividend equivalents shall be paid, if at all, without interest or other earnings.
7.5
Stock
Grants
. Stock Grants shall be awarded solely in recognition of significant prior or expected contributions to the success of the Company or its Affiliates, as an inducement to continued service to the Company and its Subsidiaries, in lieu of compensation otherwise already due, and in such other limited circumstances as the Committee deems appropriate. A Participant shall be responsible for payment in cash of the nominal value of any shares of Stock issued to the Participant pursuant to a Stock Grant.
7.6
Awards
to
Participants
Outside
the
United
States
. The Committee may modify the terms of any Award under the Plan granted to a Participant who is, at the time of grant or during the term of the Award, resident or primarily providing services outside of the United States in any manner deemed by the Committee to be necessary or appropriate in order that the Award shall conform to laws, regulations, procedures, and customs of the country in which the Participant is then resident or primarily providing services, or so that the value and other benefits of the Award to the Participant, as affected by foreign tax laws and other restrictions applicable as a result of the Participant’s residence or services provided abroad, shall be as comparable as practicable to the value of such an Award to a Participant who is resident or primarily providing services in the United States. The Committee
may establish supplements or sub-plans to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of, the Plan for the purpose of granting and administrating any such modified Award. No such modification, supplement, sub-plan, amendment, restatement or alternative version may increase the share limits of Section 4.
8.1
Adjustment
for
Corporate
Actions
. All of the share numbers set forth in the Plan reflect the capital structure of the Company as of the Effective Date. If subsequent to that date the outstanding shares of Stock (or any other securities covered by the Plan by reason of the prior application of this Section) are increased, decreased, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities, or if additional shares or new or different shares or other securities are distributed with respect to shares of Stock, as a result of a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, or other similar distribution with respect to such shares of Stock, or in the event of an extraordinary cash distribution on Stock, the Committee shall make an appropriate and proportionate adjustment in (a) the maximum numbers and kinds of shares provided in Section 4, (b) the numbers and kinds of shares or other securities subject to the then outstanding Awards, (c) the exercise price for each share or other unit of any other securities subject to then outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (without change in the aggregate purchase price as to which such Options or Rights remain exercisable), and (d) the amount, if any, payable on forfeiture for each share of Restricted Stock then subject to a Risk of Forfeiture.
8.2
Adjustment
of
Awards
Upon
the
Occurrence
of
Certain
Unusual
or
Nonrecurring
Events
. In the event of any corporate action not specifically covered by the preceding Section, including but not limited to a corporate separation or other reorganization or a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Committee may make such adjustment of outstanding Awards and their terms, if any, as it, in its sole discretion, may deem equitable and appropriate in the circumstances. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in this Section) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan.
8.3
Related
Matters
. Any adjustment in Awards made pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2 shall be determined and made, if at all, by the Committee, acting in its sole discretion, and shall include any correlative modification of terms, including of Option exercise prices, rates of vesting or exercisability, Risks of Forfeiture, and amounts, if any, payable upon forfeiture of Restricted Stock, which the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate so as to ensure the rights of the Participants in their respective Awards are not substantially diminished nor enlarged as a result of the adjustment and corporate action other than as expressly contemplated in this Section 8. The Committee, in its discretion, may determine that no fraction of a share of Stock shall be purchasable or deliverable upon exercise, and in that event if any adjustment hereunder of the number of shares of Stock covered by an Award would cause such number to include a fraction of a share of Stock, such number of shares of Stock shall be adjusted to the nearest smaller whole number of shares.
8.4
Transactions
.
(a)
Definition
of
Transaction
. In this Section 8.4, “Transaction” means (i) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity as a result of which the Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, securities or other property or is cancelled, (ii) any sale or exchange of all of the Stock of the Company for cash, securities or other property, (iii) any sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to one or more other persons in a single transaction or series of related transactions or (iv) any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
(b)
Treatment
of
Options
and
Stock
Appreciation
Rights
. In a Transaction, the Committee may take any one or more of the following actions as to all or any (or any portion of) outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (collectively, “Rights”).
(i)
Provide that such Rights shall be assumed, or substantially equivalent rights shall be provided in substitution therefore, by the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof).
(ii)
Upon written notice to the holders, provide that the holders’ unexercised Rights will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such Transaction unless exercised within a specified period following the date of such notice.
(iii)
Provide that outstanding Rights shall become exercisable in whole or in part prior to or upon the Transaction.
(iv)
Provide for cash payments, net of applicable tax withholdings, to be made to holders equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the acquisition price times the number of shares of Stock subject to an Option (to the extent the exercise price does not exceed the acquisition price) over (B) the aggregate exercise price for all such shares of Stock subject to the Option, in exchange for the termination of such Option;
provided
, that if the acquisition price does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option, the Committee may cancel that Option without the payment of any consideration therefore prior to or upon the Transaction. For this purpose, “acquisition price” means the amount of cash, and market value of any other consideration, received in payment for a share of Stock surrendered in a Transaction but need not take into account any deferred consideration unless and until received.
(v)
Provide that, in connection with a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, Rights shall convert into the right to receive liquidation proceeds net of the exercise price thereof and any applicable tax withholdings.
(vi)
Any combination of the foregoing.
For purposes of paragraph (i) above, a Right shall be considered assumed, or a substantially equivalent right shall be considered to have been provided in substitution therefor, if following consummation of the Transaction, the Right confers the right to purchase or receive the value of, for each share of Stock subject to the Right immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction, the consideration (whether cash, securities or other property) received as a result of the Transaction by holders of Stock for each share of Stock held immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Stock);
provided, however
, that if the consideration received as a result of the Transaction is not solely common stock (or its equivalent) of the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof), the Committee may provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Right to consist of or be based solely on common stock (or its equivalent) of the acquiring or succeeding entity (or an affiliate thereof) equivalent in value to the per share consideration received by holders of outstanding shares of Stock as a result of the Transaction.
(c)
Treatment
of
Other
Awards
. As to outstanding Awards other than Options or Share Appreciation Rights, upon the occurrence of a Transaction other than a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company which is not part of another form of Transaction, the rights of the Company under each such Award shall inure to the benefit of the Company’s successor and shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise, apply to the cash, securities or other property which the Stock was converted into or exchanged for pursuant to such Transaction in the same manner and to the same extent as they applied to the Award. Upon the occurrence of a Transaction involving a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company which is not part of another form of Transaction, except to the extent specifically provided to the contrary in the instrument evidencing any Award or any other agreement between a Participant and the Company, all Risks of Forfeiture shall automatically be deemed terminated.
(d)
Related
Matters
. In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 8.4, the Committee shall not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, identically. Any determinations required to carry out the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.4, including but not limited to the market value of other consideration received by holders of Stock in a Transaction and whether substantially equivalent Rights have been substituted, shall be made by the Committee acting in its sole discretion. In connection with any action or actions taken by the Committee in respect of Awards and in connection with a Transaction, the Committee may require such acknowledgements of satisfaction and releases from Participants as it may determine.
The Committee may determine, at the time of grant of an Award or thereafter, that, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, or upon the occurrence of a Change of Control in combination with another event, including but not limited to the Participant’s involuntary termination of his or her service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates without Cause:
(a)
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights subject to the Award that are not already exercisable in full shall Accelerate with respect to all or a specified portion of the shares for which such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights are not then exercisable; and
(b)
any Risk of Forfeiture applicable to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units subject to the Award shall lapse with respect to all or a specified portion of the Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units still subject to such Risk of Forfeiture immediately prior to the Change of Control.
10.1
In
General
. Options and Restricted Stock shall be settled in accordance with their terms. All other Awards may be settled in cash, Stock, or other Awards, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at or after grant and subject to any contrary Award Agreement. The Committee may not require settlement of any Award in Stock pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence to the extent issuance of such Stock would be prohibited or unreasonably delayed by reason of any other provision of the Plan.
10.2
Violation
of
Law
. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or the relevant Award Agreement, if, at any time, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, the issuance of shares of Stock covered by an Award may constitute a violation of law, then the Company may delay such issuance until (i) approval shall have been obtained from such governmental agencies, other than the Securities and Exchange Commission, as may be required under any applicable law, rule, or regulation and (ii) in the case where such issuance would constitute a violation of a law administered by or a regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission, one of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
(a)
the shares of Stock are at the time of the issue of such shares effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or
(b)
the Company shall have determined, on such basis as it deems appropriate (including an opinion of counsel in form and substance satisfactory to the Company) that the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition of such shares does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any applicable State securities laws.
Furthermore, the inability of the Company to obtain or maintain, or the impracticability of it obtaining or maintaining, authority from any governmental agency having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of any Stock hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such Stock as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained, and shall constitute circumstances in which the Committee may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Stock, with or without consideration to the affected Participants.
10.3
Corporate
Restrictions
on
Rights
in
Stock
. Any Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all restrictions upon the transfer thereof which may be now or hereafter imposed by the charter, certificate or articles, and by-laws, of the Company.
10.4
Investment
Representations
. The Company shall be under no obligation to issue any shares of Stock covered by any Award unless the shares to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan have been effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Participant shall have made such written representations to the Company (upon which the Company believes it may reasonably rely) as the Company may deem necessary or appropriate for purposes of confirming that the issuance of such shares will be exempt from the registration requirements of that Act and any applicable state securities laws and otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of any jurisdiction in which Participants may reside or primarily work, including but not limited to that the Participant is acquiring the shares for his or her own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such shares.
10.5
Registration
. If the Company shall deem it necessary or desirable to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other applicable statutes any shares of Stock issued or to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, or to qualify any such shares of Stock for exemption from the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or other applicable statutes, then the Company shall take such action at its own expense. The Company may require from each recipient of an Award, or each holder of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan, such information in writing for use in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus or offering circular as is reasonably necessary for that purpose and may require reasonable indemnity to the Company and its officers and directors from that holder against all losses, claims, damage and liabilities arising from use of the information so furnished and caused by any untrue statement of any material fact therein or caused by the omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which they were made. In addition, the Company may require of any such person that he or she agree that, without the prior written consent of the Company or the managing underwriter in any public offering of shares of Stock, he or she will not sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or otherwise dispose of, any shares of Stock during the 180 day period commencing on the effective date of the registration statement relating to the underwritten public offering of securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.5, if in connection with any underwritten public offering of securities of the Company the managing underwriter of such offering requires that the Company’s directors and officers enter into a lock-up agreement containing provisions that are more restrictive than the provisions set forth in the preceding sentence, then (a) each holder of shares of Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan (regardless of whether such person has complied or complies with the provisions of clause (b) below) shall be bound by, and shall be deemed to have agreed to, the same lock-up terms as those to which the Company’s directors and officers are required to adhere; and (b) at the request of the Company or such managing underwriter, each such person shall execute and deliver a lock-up agreement in form and substance equivalent to that which is required to be executed by the Company’s directors and officers.
10.6
Placement
of
Legends
;
Stop
Orders
;
etc
. Each share of Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan may bear a reference to the investment representations made in accordance with Section 10.4 in addition to any other applicable restrictions under the Plan, to the terms of the Award and, if applicable, to the fact that no registration statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect to such shares of Stock. All shares of Stock or other securities issued under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal or state securities law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions, or, if the Stock will be held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, the restrictions will be appropriately noted.
10.7
Tax
Withholding
. Whenever shares of Stock are issued or vested or to be issued or vested pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, the Company shall have the right to require the recipient to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other withholding tax requirements if, when, and to the extent required by law (whether so required to secure for the Company an otherwise available tax deduction or otherwise) prior to the delivery of any certificate or certificates, held in book-entry position through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent, for such shares, or prior to the vesting of such shares, as applicable. The Committee is authorized to establish procedures for election by Participants to satisfy such obligation for the payment of such taxes by (a) tendering previously acquired shares (either actually or by attestation); (b) directing the Company to withhold shares of Stock (up to the minimum statutory rate or such higher rate as is permitted under applicable tax withholding rules) otherwise deliverable in connection with the Award or (c) selling shares of Stock into the market. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on satisfaction of all such withholding obligations and the Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant or to utilize any other withholding method prescribed by the Committee from time to time.
10.8
Bylaws;
Other
Company
Policies
. This Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are subject to the bylaws of the Company, as they may be amended from time to time, and all other Company policies duly adopted by the Board, the Committee or any other committee of the Board and as in effect from time to time regarding the acquisition, ownership or sale of Stock by employees and other service providers, including, without limitation, policies intended to limit the potential for insider trading and to avoid or recover compensation payable or paid on the basis of inaccurate financial results or statements, employee and other service provider conduct, and other similar events.
The Company shall at all times during the term of the Plan and any outstanding Awards granted hereunder reserve or otherwise keep available such number of shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan (if then in effect) and the Awards and shall pay all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.
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12.
|
Limitation of Rights in Stock; No Special Service Rights
|
A Participant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be a stockholder of the Company with respect to any of the shares of Stock subject to an Award, unless and until a certificate shall have been issued therefor and delivered to the Participant or his agent, or the Stock shall be issued through the direct registration system of the Company’s transfer agent. Any Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to all restrictions upon the transfer thereof which may be now or hereafter imposed by the certificate or articles of incorporation and the by-laws of the Company. Nothing contained in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any recipient of an Award any right with respect to the continuation of his or her service relationship with the Company (or any Affiliate), or interfere in any way with the right of the Company (or any Affiliate), subject to the terms of any separate agreement or provision of law or articles of association or by-laws to the contrary, at any time to terminate such service relationship or to increase or decrease, or otherwise adjust, the other terms and conditions of the recipient’s service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates.
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13.
|
Unfunded Status of Plan
|
The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation, and the Plan is not intended to constitute a plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company. In its sole discretion, the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Stock or payments with respect to Awards hereunder,
provided, however
, that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the unfunded status of the Plan.
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14.
|
Nonexclusivity of the Plan
|
Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor any action taken in connection with the adoption or operation of the Plan shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including without limitation, the granting of stock options and restricted stock other than under the Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.
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15.
|
No Guarantee of Tax Consequences
|
It is intended that all Awards shall be granted and maintained on a basis which ensures they are exempt from, or otherwise compliant with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code pertaining to non-qualified plans of deferred compensation, and the Plan shall be governed, interpreted and enforced consistent with such intent. However, neither the Company nor any Affiliate, nor any director, officer, agent, representative or employee of either, guarantees to the Participant or any other person any particular tax consequences as a result of the grant of, exercise of rights under, or payment in respect of an Award, including but not limited to that the provisions and penalties of Section 409A of the Code will or will not apply and no person shall have any liability to a Participant or any other party if a payment under an Award that is intended to benefit from favorable tax treatment or avoid adverse tax treatment fails to realize such intention or for any action taken by the Board or the Committee with respect to the Award.
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16.
|
Termination and Amendment of the Plan
|
16.1
Termination
or
Amendment
of
the
Plan
. Subject to the limitations contained in Section 16.3 below, including specifically the requirement of stockholder approval, if applicable, the Board may at any time terminate the Plan or make such modifications of the Plan as it shall deem advisable. Unless the Board otherwise expressly provides, no amendment of the Plan shall affect the terms of any Award outstanding on the date of such amendment.
16.2
Termination
or
Amendment
of
Outstanding
Awards
;
Assumptions
. Subject to the limitations contained in Section 16.3 below, including specifically the requirement of stockholder approval, if applicable, the Committee may at any time:
(a)
amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively,
provided that
the Award as amended is consistent with the terms of the Plan;
(b)
provide for the Acceleration of all or any portion of an Award;
(c)
within the limitations of the Plan, modify, extend or assume outstanding Awards or accept the cancellation of outstanding Awards or of outstanding stock options or other equity-based compensation awards granted by another issuer in return for the grant of new Awards for the same or a different number of shares of Stock and on the same or different terms and conditions (including but not limited to the exercise price of any Option); and
(d)
provide for settlement of a previously granted Award in cash or cash equivalents or authorize the recipient of an Award to elect to cash out an Award previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.
16.3
Limitations
on
Amendments
,
Etc
.
(a)
Without the approval of the Company’s stockholders, no amendment or modification of the Plan by the Board may (i) except as provided in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, increase the number of shares of Stock which may be issued under the Plan, (ii) change the description of the persons eligible for Awards, or (iii) effect any other change for which stockholder approval is required by law or the rules of any relevant stock exchange.
(b)
No action by the Board or the Committee pursuant to this Section 16 shall impair the rights of the recipient of any Award outstanding on the date of such amendment or modification of such Award, as the case may be, without the Participant’s consent;
provided, however,
that no such consent shall be required if the Board or Committee, as the case may be, (i) determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any Change of Control that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation, including without limitation the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, or to meet the requirements of or avoid adverse financial accounting consequences under any accounting standard, (ii) determines in its sole discretion and prior to the date of any Change of Control that such amendment or alteration is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under the Award, or that any such diminution has been adequately compensated, or (iii) reasonably determines on or after the date of Change of Control that such amendment or alteration either is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy any law or regulation, including without limitation the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(c)
Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, ordinary shares, other securities or other property), stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, change of control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of ordinary shares or other securities, or similar transaction(s)), the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval: (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, (ii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights in exchange for Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, or (iii) cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price above the current stock price in exchange for cash or other securities.
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17.
|
Notices and Other Communications
|
Any communication or notice required or permitted to be given under the Plan shall be in such form as the Committee may determine from time to time.
If a notice, demand, request or other communication is required or permitted to be given in writing, then any such notice, demand, request or other communication hereunder to any party shall be deemed to be sufficient if contained in a written instrument delivered in person or duly sent by first class registered, certified or overnight mail, postage prepaid, or telecopied with a confirmation copy by regular, certified or overnight mail, addressed or
telecopied, as the case may be, (i) if to the recipient of an Award, at his or her residence address last filed with the Company and (ii) if to the Company, at its principal place of business, addressed to the attention of its Head of Human Resources, or to such other address or telecopier number, as the case may be, as the addressee may have designated by notice to the addressor. All such notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be deemed to have been received: (i) in the case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery; (ii) in the case of mailing, when received by the addressee; and (iii) in the case of facsimile transmission, when confirmed by facsimile machine report.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to deliver and require Participants to deliver documentation in connection with current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. Acceptance by a Participant of an Award shall constitute consent to receive documents in connection with the Plan by electronic delivery and/or to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or by a third party designated by the Company.
The Plan and all Award Agreements and actions taken hereunder and thereunder shall be governed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
Exhibit 99.1
Contact:
Brett Perryman
ir@bsig.com
(617) 369-7300
BrightSphere Completes Redomestication to the United States
Boston
, July 15, 2019 - BrightSphere Investment Group plc (NYSE: BSIG) today announced the completion of the redomestication process to change its publicly traded parent company from a United Kingdom company to a Delaware corporation. The redomestication was approved overwhelmingly by BrightSphere stockholders at a Special Meeting held on July 2, 2019, and sanctioned by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales on July 11, 2019. Effective as of the close of business on July 12, 2019, all issued ordinary shares of BrightSphere have been exchanged on a one-for-one basis for newly issued shares of common stock of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. The common stock of BrightSphere Investment Group Inc. will begin trading today, July 15, 2019, and the Company’s trading symbol on the NYSE will remain unchanged as “BSIG.”
“BrightSphere’s redomestication is another important step in the streamlining and simplification of our business,” said Guang Yang, BrightSphere’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Looking ahead, we have repositioned BrightSphere to be more nimble and opportunistic, and are confident about our growth prospects on a number of fronts, including expanded distribution in growing markets such as China, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as new product capabilities in sought-after asset classes, including through seed investment and acquisitions.”
BrightSphere’s Boston office will become the Company’s sole headquarters as a U.S. corporation. The Company does not anticipate any material impact to employees or day-to-day business operations as a result of the redomestication.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements, as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information. Due to such risks and uncertainties and other factors, the Company cautions each person receiving such forward-looking information not to place undue reliance on such statements. Further, such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligations to update any forward looking statement.
About BrightSphere
BrightSphere is a global, multi-Affiliate asset management company with approximately $222 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2019. Its diverse Affiliates offer leading, alpha generating
investment strategies to investors around the world. BrightSphere’s partnership approach, which includes equity ownership at the Affiliate level and a profit sharing relationship between BrightSphere and its Affiliates, aligns the interests of the Company and its Affiliates to work collaboratively in accelerating their growth. BrightSphere’s business model combines the investment talent, entrepreneurialism, focus and creativity of leading asset management firms with the resources and capabilities of a larger company. For more information, please visit the BrightSphere’s website at www.bsig.com.
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