IMI PLC DOCS-3-251
IMI plc
RULES OF THE IMI SHARESAVE PLAN |
Adopted by the Company on: 7 May 2015
Approved by shareholders on: 7 May 2015
[Extended with the approval of shareholders on: 9 May 2024]
This Plan is a Schedule 3 SAYE Option Scheme from (and including) 7 May 2015
HM Revenue & Customs were notified on this Plan on ……………………………………….2015
UK-#755096410v1
THE IMI SHARESAVE PLAN
CONTENTS
Part A: | Interpretation and Administration | Rules 1 - 2 |
Part B: | Issue of Invitations and Grant of Options | Rules 3 - 14 |
Part C: | Exercise of Options | Rules 15 - 16 |
Part D: | Corporate Transactions | Rules 17 - 20 |
Part E: | Amendments | Rules 21 - 22 |
Part F: | Miscellaneous | Rules 23 - 27 |
UK-#755096410v1
THE IMI SHARESAVE PLAN
CONTENTS
Rule Page
1DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION2
8ACCEPTANCE AND SCALING-DOWN OF APPLICATIONS9
9INDIVIDUAL LIMIT ON PARTICIPATION10
12RELATIONSHIP WITH CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT12
13NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS12
14COMPANY LIMITS (INSTITUTIONAL) ON THE GRANTING OF SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS13
16MANNER OF EXERCISE OF AN OPTION16
21VARIATION OF SHARE CAPITAL22
24OBLIGATION TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT AVAILABLE SHARES24
PART A: INTERPRETATION AND ADMINISTRATION
1. Definitions and Interpretation
In this Plan:-
"3 year Option" | means an Option linked to a 3 year Savings Contract |
"5 year Option" | means an Option linked to a 5 year Savings Contract |
"Acquisition Cost" | means in relation to the exercise of an Option, an amount equal to the product of:- (a) the maximum number of Shares in respect of which that Option could then be exercised (or such lesser number as is specified in the Notice of Exercise); and (b) the Exercise Price of such Shares |
"Announcement" | means the announcement to the London Stock Exchange of the results of the Company for any period |
"Applicant" | means a person who, in response to an Invitation, submits an Application |
"Application" | means an application for the grant of an Option made in accordance with Rule 7 |
"Application Date" | means in relation to any Invitation, such date (being neither less than 14 nor more than 21 days after the Invitation Date) as shall be determined by the Remuneration Committee to be the last day on which an Application may be submitted |
"Associated Company" | means any company which, in relation to the Company, is an associated company as that term is defined in paragraph 47 of Schedule 3 |
"Bonus Date" | means the repayment date for a Savings Contract in relation to a:- (a) 3year Option; or (b) 5year Option |
"Companies Act" | means the Companies Act 2006 |
"Company" | means IMI plc (registered in England no 714275) |
"Control" | has the meaning given in section 719 of ITEPA |
"Daily Official List" | means the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange |
"Date of Grant" | means the date on which an Option is granted in accordance with Rule 10.2 |
"Dealing Day" | means a day on which the London Stock Exchange is open for business |
"Eligible Employee" | means:- (a) at the Date of Grant, any Employee or Full-time Director :- (i) who has been continuously employed by one or more Participating Companies throughout the period of 5 years ending with the Date of Grant (or such other period immediately preceding the Date of Grant as the Remuneration Committee may from time to time determine, not being more than 5 years; and (ii) whose earnings in respect of such office or employment are (or would be if there were any) general earnings to which section 15 of ITEPA applies (earnings for a year when employee is resident in the UK); or (b) any Employee or director of any Participating Company who is nominated by the Remuneration Committee as an Eligible Employee for the purposes of this Plan provided that no person shall be eligible to participate in this Plan if he is precluded by virtue of paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 |
"Employee" | means an employee of any Participating Company |
"Employee's Savings Contract" | means the Savings Contract entered into by an Eligible Employee or an Optionholder in connection with the grant to him of an Option (and any reference to "his Savings Contract" shall be construed accordingly) |
"Exercise Price" | means the price per Share payable on the exercise of an Option determined in accordance with Rule 6 |
"FCA" | means the Financial Conduct Authority in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, or its successors from time to time |
"Full-time Director" | means a director of any Participating Company who is required to work at least 25 hours per week (excluding meal breaks), disregarding holiday entitlement |
"Group" | means the Company and any company which is for the time being a subsidiary (as defined in section 1159 of the Companies Act) of the Company |
"HMRC" | means Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs |
"Invitation" | means an invitation to apply for an Option issued in accordance with Rule 5 |
"Invitation Date" | means the date on which an Invitation is issued in accordance with Rule 5 |
"ITEPA" | means the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 |
"Jointly-Owned Company" | has the meaning given in paragraph 46(5) of Schedule 3 and includes any other company Controlled by that jointly-owned company |
"Key Feature" | means a provision of this Plan which is necessary in order for the requirements of Parts 2 to 7 of Schedule 3 to be met in relation to this Plan |
"London Stock Exchange" | means the London Stock Exchange plc |
"Market Value" | means:- (a) if on the relevant date, Shares are admitted to the Official List, the average of the middle market quotations of a Share as derived from the Daily Official List for the 5 consecutive Dealing Days last preceding that date; or (b) if the Shares are not admitted to the Official List, the market value of a Share on the relevant date, as determined in accordance with Part VIII of TCGA and agreed in advance with HMRC Shares and Assets Valuation PROVIDED THAT if any Share is subject to a Restriction, the Market Value shall be determined as if no such Restriction applied |
"Notice of Exercise" | means a notice of exercise of an Option as mentioned in Rule 16.2 |
"Official List" | means the official list of the FCA |
"Option" | means a right to acquire Shares granted in accordance with, and subject to, the rules of this Plan |
"Option Certificate" | means a certificate evidencing the grant of an Option as mentioned in Rule 10.5 |
"Optionholder" | means a person who has been granted an Option or, if that person has died and where the context requires, his Personal Representatives |
"Ordinary Share Capital" | means the issued ordinary share capital of the Company other than fixed-rate preference shares |
"Participating Company" | means the Company and any other company of which the Company has, or is treated as having, Control (including a Jointly-Owned Company), and to which the Remuneration Committee have resolved that this Plan shall extend for the time being |
"Personal Data" | means the name, home address, telephone number, email address, date of birth and National Insurance or other individual reference number of an Optionholder or other employee information, including details of all rights to acquire Shares or other securities granted to the Optionholder and of Shares or other securities issued or transferred to the Optionholder pursuant to this Plan and any other personal information which could identify the Optionholder and is necessary for the administration of this Plan |
"Personal Representatives" | means the legal personal representatives of an Optionholder, being either:- (a) the executors of his will; or (b) if he dies intestate, the duly appointed administrator(s) of his estate, who have produced to the Company evidence of their appointment as such |
"Plan" | means the IMI Sharesave Plan and set out in these rules as amended from time to time pursuant to Rule 22 |
"Related Company" | means a company which, in relation to the Company, is an "associated company" as that term is defined in paragraph 35(4) of Schedule 3 |
"Relevant Savings Body" | means the Savings Body which is a party to an Employee's Savings Contract |
"Remuneration Committee" | means the remuneration committee of the board of directors of the Company or a duly constituted committee thereof |
"Repayment Value" | means either: (a) the aggregate amount of all the monthly savings contributions payable under an Employee's Savings Contract; or (b) the aggregate amount of all the monthly savings contributions payable under an Employee's Savings Contract together with the amount of any bonus due on the Bonus Date |
"Restriction" | has the meaning given in paragraph 48(3) of Schedule 3 |
"Savings Body" | means the bank or building society operating an SAYE Scheme which is approved by the Remuneration Committee for the purposes of this Plan |
"Savings Contract" | means a savings contract entered into under an SAYE Scheme |
"SAYE Code" | has the meaning given in section 516(3) of ITEPA |
"SAYE Scheme" | means a certified SAYE savings arrangement within the meaning of section 703 of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 which has been approved by HMRC for the purposes of Schedule 3 |
"Schedule 3" | means Schedule 3 to ITEPA |
"Schedule 3 SAYE Option Scheme" | means a SAYE share option plan which is taken to be a Schedule 3 SAYE option scheme for the purposes of the SAYE Code |
"Shares" | means fully-paid ordinary shares in the capital of the Company which satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 18-20 (inclusive) and 22 of Schedule 3 or, for the purposes of Rules 17.2, 19.2 and 19.7, means ordinary shares in the capital of the Company which no longer comply with the requirements of Part 4 of Schedule 3 |
"Subscription Option" | means a right to subscribe for new Shares granted in accordance with, and subject to, the rules of this Plan |
"TCGA" | means the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 |
"Trust" | means a trust established by the Company for the benefit of employees of members of the Group |
"Trustee" | means the trustee(s) for the time being of a Trust |
References to Shares in respect of which an Option subsists at any time are to be read and construed as references to the Shares over which the Option is then held (and in respect of which it has not then lapsed and ceased to be exercisable).
Words and expressions used in this Plan and in the ancillary documents which are not defined in Rule 1 have the meanings they bear for the purposes of the SAYE Code.
Any reference to any enactment includes a reference to that enactment as from time to time modified, extended or re-enacted and shall include all subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or statutory provision.
Any reference to the exercise of an Option includes a reference to the exercise of an Option in respect of a lesser number of Shares than the maximum permitted under Rule 16.1.
Words denoting the masculine gender shall include the feminine.
Words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.
References to rules are to the rules of this Plan and no account shall be taken of the rule headings which are for ease of reference only.
PURPOSE AND Administration
This Plan shall provide, in accordance with Schedule 3, benefits for employees and directors of Participating Companies in the form of share options and shall not provide benefits to such employees and directors otherwise than in accordance with Schedule 3.
The Remuneration Committee may from time to time make and vary such rules and regulations which are consistent with the rules of this Plan and establish such procedures for its administration and implementation as they think fit.
If any question, dispute or disagreement arises as to the interpretation of this Plan or of any rules, regulations or procedures relating to it or as to any question or right arising from or related to this Plan, the decision of the Remuneration Committee shall be final and binding upon all persons.
The costs of the implementation and administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Participating Companies in proportions determined by the Remuneration Committee.
PART B: ISSUE OF INVITATIONS AND GRANT OF OPTIONS
Eligibility
The Remuneration Committee on behalf of, and with the consent of, the Company may, at their discretion issue (or procure the issue of) Invitations to all persons who are, or at the intended Date of Grant may be, Eligible Employees.
Timing of Invitations
Invitations may be issued during the periods of:-
42 days following the date on which this Plan is approved by the shareholders;
42 days beginning with the Dealing Day following an Announcement; or
at any other time but only if, in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee, the circumstances are exceptional.
If the Company is restricted by statute, order or regulation (including any regulation, order or requirement imposed on the Company by the London Stock Exchange, the FCA or any other regulatory authority) from issuing Invitations within any period as mentioned in Rule 4.1, Invitations may be issued at any time during the period of 42 days beginning with the date on which all restrictions are removed.
Invitations
Invitations shall be in writing or by email and may be in the form of notices, advertisements, circulars or otherwise for the general attention of Employees and to which Employees' attention is drawn by notices issued with pay and salary advice slips.
Each Invitation shall (without limitation):-
be in the same terms as all other Invitations issued on the same occasion;
invite the recipient to apply for one or more (as the Remuneration Committee shall specify) 3 year Option and/or 5 year Option;
if the Remuneration Committee so determine, set out any minimum period of continuous employment which applies for the purpose of determining who is an Eligible Employee;
specify the form and manner in which the recipient may apply for an Option and the Application Date;
identify the Savings Body;
state the minimum amount of monthly savings contribution which may be made under a Savings Contract, such amount shall not be less than £5 (or any other minimum amount specified in the HM Treasury specifications for certified savings arrangements in force at the relevant time) nor more than £10 (or any other amount specified in paragraph 25(3)(b) Schedule 3 at the relevant time), or if the Remuneration Committee so determine, such other minimum amount as is permitted under the terms of the relevant Savings Contract;
state the maximum amount of monthly savings contribution which may be made by an Optionholder (being such sum as is mentioned in Rule 9.2);
state the bonus amount (if any, expressed as a multiple of the monthly savings contributions) that would be due on the Bonus Date for a Savings Contract linked to a 3 year Option or a 5 year Option and whether or not such amount shall be included in the Repayment Value;
set out the Exercise Price, or the method by which the Exercise Price will be notified to recipients; and
if the Remuneration Committee so determine, include a statement that if it becomes necessary to scale-back Applications pursuant to Rule 8, scaling-back in accordance with Rule 8.4 shall apply to every Application for a monthly savings contribution of £50 or more, or such other amount as the Remuneration Committee may (with the prior approval of HMRC if greater than £50) specify in the Invitation,
and shall otherwise be in such form as the Remuneration Committee may determine.
On any occasion on which Invitations are issued, the Remuneration Committee may in their discretion determine and announce a maximum number of Shares in respect of which Options will be granted in response to Applications made pursuant to the Invitations issued on that occasion.
The Exercise Price
Subject to Rule 6.2 and any adjustment in accordance with Rule 21, the Exercise Price shall be determined by the Remuneration Committee but shall be not less than 80% (rounded up to the nearest whole penny) of Market Value on the Invitation Date.
The Exercise Price shall be the same in relation to all Options granted on the same occasion and, in relation to Subscription Options, shall not (except as mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) of Rule 21.1) be less than the nominal value of a Share.
Applications for Options
Any person to whom an Invitation has been issued may apply for an Option by submitting an Application (which may be in electronic form) to the person specified in the Invitation.
The Application shall:-
be received at the address stipulated in the Invitation not later than the Application Date;
specify the amount of the savings contributions proposed to be paid each month under the Employee's Savings Contract (or, if more than one, each such Savings Contract) and authorise the Applicant's employer (from time to time) to deduct such amount (or such lesser amount as may be determined pursuant to Rule 8) from the Applicant's pay and pay those deductions to the relevant Savings Body to meet the Applicant's obligations under the relevant Savings Contract;
if the terms of the Invitation so permit, indicate whether or not the Applicant applies for one or more 3 year Option and/or one or more 5 year Option;
include or be accompanied by an application for a Savings Contract linked to each such Option in a form approved by the Relevant Savings Body;
state the bonus amount (expressed as a multiple of the monthly savings contributions) that would be due on the Bonus Date for a Savings Contract linked to a 3 year Option or a 5 year Option and whether or not such amount shall be included in the Repayment Value;
be subject to the Applicant being an Eligible Employee at the Date of Grant;
authorise the transfer and processing of the Applicant's Personal Data for the purposes of this Plan's administration;
include the Applicant's agreement to be bound by the terms of the Plan;
be duly completed and signed by the Applicant;
otherwise comply with any terms and conditions specified in the Invitation; and
be otherwise in such form as the Remuneration Committee may determine.
Subject to Rule 8, the total number of Shares in respect of which any Application shall be deemed to be made shall be the whole number of Shares for which the Acquisition Cost payable would be as nearly as may be equal to, but not exceed, the amount which would be the Repayment Value of the Employee's Savings Contract if the amount of each of the contributions payable under that Savings Contract (or under each such Savings Contract) was equal to the maximum amount specified by the Applicant in his application.
If no Application is received by the Application Date, an Invitation shall be deemed to have been declined.
Acceptance and Scaling-Down of Applications
Subject to the following provisions of this Rule 8, each Application shall be accepted to the extent of the total number of Shares in respect of which it is deemed to be made (as mentioned in Rule 7.3).
If the total number of Shares in respect of which Applications have been deemed to be made on any occasion would result in any of the limits in Rules 5.3 or 14 being exceeded, the number of Shares in respect of which each Application is accepted shall be reduced in accordance with the following provisions of this Rule 8.
If the Repayment Value was intended to be taken to include a bonus, the number of Shares in respect of which Applications shall be accepted shall be determined on the basis that the Repayment Value shall be read, for the purposes of Rule 7.3, as excluding any bonus which would otherwise be due on the Bonus Date in respect of the relevant Savings Contract.
If, after the application of Rule 8.3, the total Shares for which Applications are deemed to have been made on that occasion exceeds any of the limits in Rules 5.3 or 14 and the Invitation included a statement as mentioned in Rule 5.2.10, then, subject to Rules 8.8 and 8.9, the number of Shares in respect of which each Application is treated as having been made shall be determined on the basis that the amount of monthly savings contributions under the Savings Contract is reduced to the amount so specified in the Invitation.
If, after the application of Rule 8.4, the total number of Shares for which Applications are deemed to have been made on that occasion exceeds any of the limits in Rules 5.3 or 14, the number of Shares in respect of which each Application shall be accepted shall be reduced as follows:-
the reduction shall be as nearly as may be on a proportionate basis, to the extent necessary to ensure that none of the limits in Rules 5.3 or 14 is exceeded and the amount of monthly savings contributions to be made under the Savings Contracts linked to each such Application shall be reduced accordingly; but
the number of Shares for which any Application shall be accepted shall not be reduced below the number for which the Acquisition Cost payable would be as nearly as may be equal to, but not exceed, the Repayment Value of the Employee's Savings Contract linked to that Option if the monthly savings contributions under each such Savings Contract were £10 or such other minimum amount per month specified in the Invitation (the "Minimum Number of Shares").
The provisions of Rule 8.5 shall, if necessary, be applied repeatedly until either none of the limits in Rules 5.3 and/or 14 will be exceeded or the number of Shares for which each Application would be accepted is reduced to the Minimum Number of Shares.
If, notwithstanding the provisions of Rules 8.2 to 8.6 (inclusive) any one or more of the limits in Rules 5.3 and 14 would still be exceeded, the selection of Applications for acceptance shall be made by the Remuneration Committee on the basis that each Application (after adjustment as mentioned above) has an equal chance of selection for acceptance.
If, on any occasion, an Applicant has applied for more than one 3 year Option or 5 year Option, as the case may be, in applying the provisions of this Rule 8 the number of Shares in respect of which Applications have been received from such Applicant for all such 3 year Options (or, as the case may be, all such 5 year Options) shall first be aggregated and treated as if a single Application for such an Option had been received in respect of the aggregate number of such Shares.
Having, in the case of an Applicant who has applied for more than one 3 year Option (or, as the case may be, more than one 5 year Option) identified the maximum aggregate number of Shares in respect of which such Applications may be accepted (the "Maximum Number of Shares"):-
the Maximum Number of Shares shall be divided by the number of Options for which such Applicant had applied;
the monthly contributions to be made under each Savings Contract for which an Application has been made shall be identified; and
such Applications shall be deemed to have been made, and shall be accepted, on that basis
PROVIDED THAT if in consequence the amount of monthly contributions to be made under any such Savings Contract would be less than the minimum amount specified pursuant to Rule 5.2.6, the number of Savings Contracts for which Applications shall be deemed to have been made, and shall be accepted, shall be reduced so as to ensure that the monthly contributions to be made in each case is not less than that minimum amount.
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Application Date, the Remuneration Committee shall:-
determine the maximum number of Shares in respect of which each Application may be accepted; and
cause each Application for a Savings Contract to be submitted to the Relevant Savings Body.
Individual Limit on Participation
The aggregate amount of an Eligible Employee's monthly savings contributions under his Savings Contract, when added to the aggregate amount of his monthly savings contributions under any other Savings Contracts, may not at any time exceed the sum specified in Rule 9.2.
The sum mentioned in Rule 9.1 is:-
£500 (or such other maximum amount per month as may be specified from time to time in paragraph 25(3)(a) of Schedule 3); or
such lesser amount (not exceeding such other maximum amount per month specified from time to time in paragraph 25(3)(a) of Schedule 3) as may be specified from time to time in such Savings Contract or the Invitation issued in relation to such Savings Contract
EXCEPT THAT if on any occasion the Remuneration Committee shall determine for these purposes a sum (the "new limit") which is less than the maximum aggregate of the monthly contributions applicable on any previous occasion, that determination shall be made without prejudice to any Option previously granted to an Optionholder or to any Employee's Savings Contract previously entered into by any Optionholder if the aggregate monthly savings contributions payable by that Optionholder under such Savings Contract would thereby exceed the new limit.
Grant of Options
Subject to the following provisions of this Rule 10, Options shall be granted within the period of 30 days beginning with the first of the days by reference to which the Exercise Price is determined on any occasion.
The Remuneration Committee shall pass a resolution granting an Option to acquire the whole number of Shares as determined for the relevant application by Rule 7.3 to each Applicant who is an Eligible Employee. The Date of Grant shall be the date of such resolution.
If, on any occasion, it is necessary to reduce the number of Shares in respect of which any Applications are accepted, the reference in Rule 10.1 to a period of "30" days shall be read as if it were a reference to "42" days.
No payment shall be required for the grant of an Option.
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Date of Grant, the Company shall issue to each Optionholder (or procure the issue of) an Option Certificate in such form as the Remuneration Committee may determine (which may be in electronic form) which will set out (without limitation):-
the Date of Grant;
the maximum number of Shares in respect of which the Option is granted;
the Exercise Price;
whether or not the relevant Shares are subject to any Restrictions and, if so, details of the Restrictions; and
a statement that the Option is subject to these rules, Schedule 3 and any other legislation applying to Schedule 3 SAYE Option Schemes and that those provisions prevail over any conflicting statement relating to the Option's terms.
No Option may be granted:
at any time when the grant is prohibited by, or in breach of, any law, regulation with the force of law, rule of an investment exchange on which the Shares are listed or traded or any other non-statutory rule that binds the Company or with which the Remuneration Committee has resolved to comply; or
on or after 9 May 2034 but any rights of Optionholders then subsisting shall remain in force.
Data Protection
In accepting the grant of an Option, the Optionholder shall agree and consent to:-
the collection, holding, use, processing and transfer of his Personal Data by any member of the Group, any Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company, a Trustee, any third party administrator of this Plan and the Company's brokers or registrars;
any member of the Group, any Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company, a Trustee, any third party administrator of the Plan and the Company's brokers or registrars transferring the Optionholder's Personal Data amongst themselves for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing this Plan and the grant of Options and the acquisition of Shares pursuant to Options;
the use of Personal Data by any such person for any such purposes;
the transfer to, and retention of Personal Data by, third parties (whether or not any such third party is situated outside the European Economic Area) for, or in connection with, such purposes; and
the transfer of his Personal Data to a bona fide prospective buyer (or the prospective buyer's advisers) of the Company or his employing company or business unit provided that the prospective buyer (and its advisers) irrevocably agree to use the Personal Data only in connection with the proposed transaction and in accordance with the data protection principles set out in the Data Protection Act 1998.
Relationship with Contract of Employment
The grant of an Option does not form part of the Optionholder's entitlement to remuneration or benefits pursuant to his contract of employment and benefits under this Plan shall not be pensionable.
The existence of a contract of employment between any person and the Company, any present or past member of the Group, Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company does not give that person any right or entitlement to have an Option granted to him in respect of any number of Shares nor any expectation that an Option might be granted to him, whether subject to any conditions or at all.
The rights and obligations of an Optionholder under the terms of his contract of employment with the Company, any present or past member of the Group, Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company shall not be affected by the grant of an Option or his participation in this Plan.
Neither the existence of this Plan nor the fact that an individual has on any occasion been granted an Option shall give such individual any right, entitlement or expectation that he has or will in future have any such right, entitlement or expectation to participate in this Plan by being granted an Option on any other occasion.
The rights or opportunity granted to an Optionholder on the grant of an Option shall not give the Optionholder any rights or additional rights to compensation or damages in consequence of either:-
the Optionholder giving or receiving notice of termination of his office or employment; or
the loss or termination of his office or employment with the Company, any present or past member of the Group, Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company for any reason whatsoever,
whether or not the termination (and/or giving of notice) is ultimately held to be wrongful or unfair.
An Optionholder shall not be entitled to any compensation or damages for any loss or potential loss which he may suffer by reason of being unable to acquire or retain Shares, or any interest in Shares, pursuant to the exercise of an Option in consequence of:-
the Optionholder giving or receiving notice of termination of his office or employment (whether or not the termination (and/or giving of notice) is ultimately held to be wrongful or unfair);
the loss or termination of his office or employment with the Company, any present or past member of the Group, Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company for any reason whatsoever (whether or not the termination is ultimately held to be wrongful or unfair); or
for any other reason.
Non-Transferability of Options
During his lifetime, only the person to whom an Option is granted may exercise that Option.
An Option shall immediately lapse and cease to be exercisable if the Optionholder:-
transfers or assigns it (other than to his Personal Representatives), mortgages, charges or otherwise disposes of it;
is adjudged bankrupt or an interim order is made because he intends to propose a voluntary arrangement to his creditors under the Insolvency Act 1986;
makes or proposes a voluntary arrangement under the Insolvency Act 1986, or any other scheme or arrangement in relation to his debts, with his creditors or any section of them; or
is not, nor ceases for any other reason (except on death) to be the legal or beneficial owner of the Option.
Company Limits (institutional) on the granting of subscription options
10% in 10 year limit for all plans
The number of Shares in respect of which Subscription Options may be granted on any day, when added to the number of shares issued or which remain issuable pursuant to:
rights to subscribe for Shares granted under this Plan; and
rights to subscribe for shares or awards over shares granted under any other employees' share scheme,
in the period of 10 years preceding that day, shall not exceed 10% of the ordinary shares in issue on that day.
For the purposes of this Rule 14:
references to rights to subscribe for shares shall:-
exclude any rights to subscribe for shares which have in fact been, or in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee will be, satisfied by the transfer of shares by an existing shareholder (other than the Company itself); and
if required in accordance with guidance issued by institutional investors, be taken to include references to rights to acquire shares issued or to be issued out of treasury;
"year" means a calendar year; and
to avoid double counting, if new shares have been issued to a Trustee for the purposes of satisfying Options (or rights to acquire shares or awards over shares under any other employees' share scheme of the Company), such shares shall be taken into account for these purposes only when they are made subject to, or used to satisfy, an Option (or a right to acquire shares or awards made under any other employees' share scheme of the Company).
PART C: EXERCISE OF OPTIONS
Exercise of Options
General rule
Subject to the following provisions of this Rule 15 and Rules 17, 18 and 19, an Option shall only be exercisable within the period of 6 months after the Bonus Date. If the Option is not then exercised, it shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of that period.
Employment in Associated Company at Bonus Date
If, at the Bonus Date, an Optionholder holds an office or employment in a company which is not a Participating Company, but is an Associated Company, then the Optionholder may exercise an Option within the period of 6 months after the Bonus Date. If the Option is not then exercised, it shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of that period.
Plan-related employment ends
Subject to Rule 15.6, if an Optionholder ceases to be an Employee by reason of:-
injury or disability (evidenced to the satisfaction of the Remuneration Committee);
dismissal by reason of redundancy (within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996);
retirement;
the fact that the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Plan relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a person which is not an Associated Company where the transfer is not a relevant transfer within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006;
a relevant transfer within the meaning of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006; or
where the Optionholder holds office or employment in a Related Company, that company ceasing to be such a Related Company by reason of a change of control (as determined in accordance with Sections 450 and 451 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010),
then (without prejudice to any rights the Optionholder has under the Employee's Savings Contract to make independent arrangements with the Savings Body to continue to make contributions following cessation of his employment):-
his Option may be exercised, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, during the period of 6 months commencing on the date on which the Optionholder ceases to be an Employee;
to the extent not exercised, the Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of the relevant 6 month period;
an Option may not in any event be exercised more than 6 months after the Bonus Date.
Death of Optionholder
If an Optionholder dies, his Personal Representatives may exercise an Option:-
if the Optionholder dies before the Bonus Date, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, at any time during the period of 12 months commencing on the date of his death; or
if the Optionholder dies on or within the period of 6 months after the Bonus Date, at any time during the period of 12 months commencing on the Bonus Date
and, if it is not then exercised, the Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of the relevant 12 month period.
Cessation of Planrelated employment in other circumstances
Subject to Rule 15.6, if at any time an Optionholder ceases to be an Employee otherwise than as mentioned in Rules 15.3 or 15.4, any Option which he holds shall lapse and cease to be exercisable upon cessation.
Time when Plan-related employment ends
No Optionholder shall be treated for the purposes of Rules 15.3, 15.5 or 15.11 as ceasing to be an Employee until he no longer holds any office or employment in a Participating Company or any Related Company.
Early repayment of, or ceasing to make, contributions
An Option shall immediately cease to be exercisable (unless such Option is then exercisable by reason of this Rule 15 or Rules 17, 18 or 19):
if an Optionholder gives notice to the Savings Body that he intends to stop paying contributions under a Savings Contract relating to that option;
if an Optionholder obtains repayment of the contributions under a Savings Contract relating to that Option; or
on the thirteenth occasion on which an Optionholder omits to make payment under the Savings Contract relating to that Option.
No exercise more than 6 months after Bonus Date
Except as provided in Rule 15.4, no Option shall be capable of being exercised later than 6 months after the Bonus Date.
Exercise once only
An Option may be exercised once only. If, on exercise, an Option is not exercised to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1, it shall lapse and cease to be exercisable in respect of the balance of the Shares over which it was granted.
US taxpayers
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, an Option held by an Optionholder who is or becomes subject to tax under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may not be exercised after the earliest of:
the expiry of any exercise period provided for in these Rules; and
the expiry of 2.5 calendar months after the end of the calendar year in which the Option first becomes exercisable.
Additional Requirements
Subject to Rules 15.2 to 15.4, 17, 18 and 19, no Option may be exercised by any Optionholder who is not an Employee.
No Option may be exercised when prohibited by or in breach of any law or regulation with the force of law, or when prohibited by or in breach of any rule of an investment exchange on which Shares are listed or traded, or any other non-statutory rule that binds the Company or with which the Remuneration Committee have resolved to comply.
Manner of Exercise of an Option
An Option may only ever be exercised in respect of the following number of Shares:-
if the Option is exercisable pursuant to Rule 15.1, 15.2 or 15.4.2, the maximum number of Shares over which it subsists; or
if the Option is exercisable pursuant to Rules 15.3, 15.4.1, 17, 18 or 19:-
the number of Shares for which the Acquisition Cost payable is most nearly equal to, but does not exceed:
the aggregate amount of contributions paid under the Employee's Savings Contract (excluding the amount of any monthly contribution, the due date of payment of which, is more than one calendar month after the date on which repayment is made under the Employee's Savings Contract); and
the amount of any bonus and interest received or due under the Employee's Saving Contract as at that date; or
(if less) the maximum number of Shares in respect of which the Option subsists; or
An Option shall be exercised by the Optionholder giving written notice (which may be in electronic form) to the Company or to such person at such address as may from time to time be notified to Optionholders which:-
is given at any time when the Option is exercisable;
states that the Option is being exercised in respect of all the Shares in respect of which it is then capable of being exercised or otherwise specifies the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised in accordance with Rule 16.1;
unless the Remuneration Committee otherwise permit, is accompanied by the Option Certificate relating to that Option;
is accompanied by the Acquisition Cost or a duly completed application to the Relevant Savings Body for payment of the Repayment Value of the Employee's Savings Contract; and
is in such form and accompanied by such documents as the Remuneration Committee may determine.
Subject to Rule 16.6, within the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which the Company receives the Acquisition Cost, the Company shall issue, transfer or procure the issue or transfer of the number of Shares over which the Option is then exercised and as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:-
issue, or procure the issue of, a definitive share certificate or such other acknowledgement of shareholding as is prescribed from time to time in respect of the Shares so allotted or transferred; and
if at that time Shares of the same class are listed on the Official List, procure that Shares allotted to the Optionholder are admitted to the Official List.
If the amount received by the Company is greater than the Acquisition Cost of the Shares in relation to which the Optionholder has served a Notice of Exercise, the Company shall procure repayment of the excess amount to the Optionholder.
The Company may, if the Optionholder so requests in writing, allot and issue or transfer some or all of the Shares to:-
a nominee of the Optionholder (provided that beneficial ownership of the Shares vests in the Optionholder);
an account manager (or his nominee) of an individual savings account on terms that the Shares shall be in the beneficial ownership of the Optionholder notwithstanding that title to such Shares shall be vested in the account manager or his nominee or jointly in one of them and the Optionholder; or
the trustee or manager of a defined contribution pension scheme registered within the meaning of section 150(2) of the Finance Act 2004 (which may include a stakeholder pension scheme)
and for the purposes of Rule 16.5.2, the terms 'account manager' and 'individual savings account' shall have the meanings they bear in the Individual Savings Account Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1870).
The allotment or transfer of any Shares under this Plan shall be subject to the Company's Articles of Association and to any necessary consents of any governmental or other authorities (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) under any enactments or regulations from time to time in force. It shall be the responsibility of the Optionholder to comply with any requirements to be fulfilled in order to obtain or obviate the necessity of any such consent.
Shares allotted or transferred under this Plan shall be equal in all respects to other Shares then issued, except for any rights attaching to the other Shares by reference to a record date preceding the date of the allotment or transfer of the Shares acquired on the exercise of the Option.
PART D: CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS
Reconstruction
Subject to Rules 17.2 and 20, if a compromise or arrangement applicable to, or affecting:
all the Ordinary Share Capital or all the shares of the same class as the Shares to which the Option relates; or
all the shares, or all the shares of that same class, which are held by a class of shareholders identified otherwise than by reference to their employment or directorships or their participation in a Schedule 3 SAYE Option Scheme,
and pursuant to which a person will obtain Control of the Company, is sanctioned by the court pursuant to section 899 of the Companies Act, the Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, within 6 months of the date on which the court sanctions such compromise or arrangement. Options will lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of the relevant period for exercise as set out above and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
Subject to Rule 20, if, in consequence of a person obtaining Control of the Company as a result of a compromise or arrangement as referred to in Rule 17.1, shares in the Company to which an Option relates no longer meet the requirements of Part 4 of Schedule 3, the Option may be exercised no later than 20 days after the day on which a person obtains control as a result of such compromise or arrangement, notwithstanding that the shares no longer meet those requirements. Options will lapse and cease to be exercisable, to the extent not exercised, at the end of the period for exercise set out above and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
In addition to Rule 17.1, an Option which is exercised during the period of 20 days ending with the date (for the purposes of this Rule 17.3, the "Relevant Date") on which the court sanctions a compromise or arrangement, as referred to in Rule 17.1, is to be treated as if it had been exercised in accordance with Rule 17.1 provided that any such exercise in anticipation of such court sanction shall be treated as having had no effect if the Relevant Date does not fall within a period of 20 days beginning with the date on which the Option is exercised.
Winding-up
If notice is given to the holders of Shares of a resolution for the voluntary winding-up of the Company, notice of the same shall be given by the Remuneration Committee to all Optionholders. Each Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, at any time within the period of 6 months commencing on the date on which the resolution is passed.
All Options shall immediately lapse and cease to be exercisable upon the commencement of a winding-up of the Company.
Change of Control
Subject to Rules 15.3, 19.3 and 20, if a person has obtained Control of the Company as a result of either:-
a general offer to acquire the whole of the Ordinary Share Capital (whether excluding or including any Shares held in treasury) which is made on a condition such that if it is met or waived the person making the offer will have Control of the Company; or
a general offer to acquire all the shares in the Company of the same class as the Shares to which the Options relate,
the Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, within 6 months of the date when the person making the offer has obtained Control of the Company and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been met or waived (but in any event not more than 6 months after the Bonus Date). Options will lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of the relevant period for exercise as set out above and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
Subject to Rules 15.3 and 20, if in consequence of a person obtaining Control of the Company, as referred to in Rule 19.1, shares in the Company to which an Option relates no longer meet the requirements of Part 4 of Schedule 3, the Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, no later than 20 days after the day on which a person obtains such control, notwithstanding that the shares no longer meet those requirements. Options shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of the relevant period for exercise as set out above and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
For the purposes of Rule 19.1.1, the reference to the whole of the Ordinary Share Capital does not include any capital already held by the person making the offer or a person connected with that person and in Rule 19.1.2, the reference to all the shares in the Company does not include any shares already held by the person making the offer or a person connected with that person. For the purposes of Rule 19.1, it does not matter if the general offer is made to different shareholders by different means.
For the purposes of Rule 19.1, a person shall be deemed to have Control of the Company if he and others acting in concert with him have together obtained Control of it.
For the purposes of this Rule 19, "connected" has the meaning given in section 718 ITEPA.
Subject to Rules 19.7 and 20, if at any time any person becomes entitled or bound to acquire Shares under sections 979 to 982 or 983 to 985 (inclusive) of the Companies Act, the Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, at any time when that person remains so entitled or bound (but not in any event more than 6 months after the Bonus Date). Options will lapse and cease to be exercisable when that person ceases to be so entitled or bound and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
Subject to Rule 20, if in consequence of a person, who is bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company, as mentioned in Rule 19.6, obtaining Control of the Company, shares in the Company to which an Option relates no longer meet the requirements of Part 4 of Schedule 3, the Optionholder shall be entitled to exercise his Option, to the extent permitted by Rule 16.1.2, no later than 20 days after the day on which a person obtains such Control, notwithstanding that the shares no longer meet those requirements. Options will lapse and cease to be exercisable when that person ceases to be so entitled or bound and shall only remain in existence for the purpose of forming the subject of an offer (if any) made pursuant to Rule 20.1 and shall lapse on the expiry of the "appropriate period" as defined in Rule 20.2 if such offer is made but is not accepted by the Optionholder.
In addition to Rules 19.1 and 19.6, an Option which is exercised during the period of 20 days ending with either:
the date (for the purposes of this Rule 19.8, the "Relevant Date") on which a person has obtained Control of the Company as a result of making the offer referred to in Rule 19.1 and any condition subject to which the offer is made has then been met or waived; or
the date on which the person becomes bound or entitled to acquire shares in the Company, as mentioned in Rule 19.6,
is to be treated as if it had been exercised in accordance with Rule 19.1 or 19.6 (as the case may be) provided that any such exercise in anticipation of such an event mentioned in Rule 19.1 occurring, or a person becoming so bound or entitled, shall be treated as having had no effect if either the Relevant Date does not fall during the period of 20 days beginning with the date on which the Option is exercised, or the person does not become so bound or entitled by the end of the period of 20 days beginning with the date on which the Option is exercised.
Option rollover
If any company (in this Rule referred to as the "acquiring company"):-
obtains Control of the Company as mentioned in Rule 19.1; or
obtains Control of the Company in pursuance of a compromise or arrangement sanctioned by the court under section 899 of the Companies Act; or
becomes bound or entitled to acquire Shares under sections 979 to 982 or 983 to 985 (inclusive) of the Companies Act,
an Optionholder may, at any time within the "appropriate period" (as defined in Rule 20.2), by agreement with the acquiring company, release his rights under his Option in consideration of the grant to him of rights to acquire shares in the acquiring company or any other company falling within sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph 18 of Schedule 3 (read and construed as if references in those provisions to the Company were references to the acquiring company) PROVIDED THAT:-
such rights will be exercisable only in accordance with the provisions of this Plan as it had effect immediately before the release of the rights referred to above (read and construed as mentioned in Rule 20.3);
the shares to which the new rights relate satisfy the provisions of paragraphs 18-20 (inclusive) and 22 of Schedule 3;
the total market value, immediately before such release, of the Shares over which the Option then subsists is substantially the same as the total market value, immediately after such grant, of the shares over which new rights are granted to the Optionholder and for these purposes, market value shall be determined using a methodology agreed by HMRC; and
the total amount payable by the Optionholder for the acquisition of shares on exercise of the new rights is substantially the same as the total amount that would have been payable for the acquisition of Shares on exercise of the Option.
In Rule 20.1 the "appropriate period" means:-
in a case falling within Rule 20.1.1, the period of 6 months beginning with the time when the person making the offer has obtained Control of the Company and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been met or waived;
in a case falling within Rule 20.1.2, the period of 6 months beginning with the time when the court sanctions the compromise or arrangement; and
in a case falling within Rule 20.1.3, the period during which the acquiring company remains bound or entitled as mentioned in that Rule.
For the purposes mentioned in sub-clause 20.1.3(a) of the provisos to Rule 20.1, the provisions of this Plan shall be read and construed as if:-
references to "the Company", except for the purposes of the definition of Participating Company and Rule 22.1, were references to the company in respect of whose shares the new rights are granted;
references to "Shares", were references to such shares;
references to "Option", were references to such rights;
references to "Optionholder", were references to the persons to whom such rights are granted;
references to "Ordinary Share Capital", were references to the ordinary share capital (other than fixed rate preference shares) of such company;
references to "the Remuneration Committee ", except for the purposes of Rule 22.1, were references to the remuneration committee of such company; and
references to "the Exercise Price," were references to the price per share payable upon the exercise of such new rights.
Rights granted pursuant to Rule 20.1 shall be regarded for the purposes of the SAYE Code and for the purposes of the subsequent application of the provisions of this Plan as having been granted on the Date of Grant of the corresponding rights released as mentioned in Rule 20.1.
For the avoidance of doubt, an event causing the release and grant of rights pursuant to Rule 20.1 will not trigger the exercise of those new rights in accordance with either of Rules 17 or 19.
For the purposes of this Rule 20, Rules 19.3 to 19.5 (inclusive) shall apply as they do for the purposes of Rule 19.1.
PART E: AMENDMENTS
Variation of Share Capital
If the Ordinary Share Capital is altered by way of capitalisation or rights issue, sub-division, consolidation or reduction or there is any other variation in the share capital of the Company, the Remuneration Committee may make such adjustment as they consider appropriate:-
to the aggregate number, amount or description of Shares subject to any Option; and/or
to the Exercise Price; and/or
if an Option has been exercised but no Shares have been allotted or transferred in accordance with Rule 16.3, to the number of Shares which may be so allotted or transferred and the Acquisition Cost in relation to such Shares,
PROVIDED THAT:-
except insofar as the Remuneration Committee (on behalf of the Company) agree to capitalise the Company's reserves and apply the same at the time of exercise in paying up the difference between the Exercise Price and the nominal value of the Shares, the Exercise Price of any Subscription Option shall not be reduced below a Share's nominal value;
the number of Shares as so adjusted has been rounded down to the nearest whole number;
the total Market Value of the Shares over which the Option subsists is substantially the same immediately before and immediately after the adjustment;
the total amount payable on the exercise of any Option in full is substantially the same immediately before and immediately after the adjustment; and
if it is intended that this Plan shall continue to be a Schedule 3 SAYE Option Scheme, no adjustment shall be made which would result in the requirements of Schedule 3 not being met in relation to an Option.
The Remuneration Committee shall notify every Optionholder affected by an adjustment under Rule 21.1 as soon as reasonably practicable after making the adjustment.
The Remuneration Committee shall deliver, or procure the delivery of, a revised Option Certificate to any Optionholder who asks for an amended Option Certificate.
Alteration of the Plan
The Remuneration Committee may at any time alter or add to any of the provisions of this Plan in any respect PROVIDED THAT:-
if it is intended that this Plan shall continue to be a Schedule 3 SAYE Option Scheme, no alteration or addition to a Key Feature shall take effect, which would result in the requirements of Parts 2 to 6 Schedule 3 not being met in relation to the Plan or an Option; and
no alteration or addition shall be made to the advantage of existing or new Optionholders to the provisions relating to eligibility to participate, the overall limitations on the issue of new Shares, the individual limitations on Option grants under this Plan, the basis for determining Optionholders' rights to acquire Shares, the adjustment of such rights in the event of variation of the Ordinary Share Capital or this Rule 22 without the prior approval by ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the Company EXCEPT THAT the provisions of this Rule 22.1.2 shall not apply to the extent that the alteration or addition is in the opinion of the Remuneration Committee:-
to ensure that the Plan complies with the requirements of Schedule 3;
a minor amendment which is necessary or appropriate to benefit the administration of this Plan;
to take account of any change in legislation; or
to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for existing or new Optionholders, any member of the Group or any Associated Company.
Details of any alteration or addition shall be given to any affected Optionholder as soon as reasonably practicable.
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PART F: MISCELLANEOUS
Service of Documents
Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, any notice or document to be given by, or on behalf of, the Company, the Remuneration Committee, a Trustee, the Savings Contract operator or any administrator of this Plan to any Eligible Employee or Optionholder in accordance or in connection with this Plan shall be duly given:-
by sending it through the post in a pre-paid envelope to the address last known to the Company to be his address and, if so sent, it shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of posting; or
if he holds office or employment with any member of the Group, Participating Company, Associated Company, Related Company or Jointly-Owned Company, by delivering it to him at his place of work or by sending a facsimile transmission or email addressed to him at his place of work and, if so sent, it shall be deemed to have been duly given at the time of transmission.
A notice or document shall not be duly given by email unless the intended recipient is known by his employer company to have personal access during his normal business hours to information sent to him by email.
Any notice or document so sent to an Eligible Employee or Optionholder shall be deemed to have been duly given notwithstanding that the Eligible Employee or Optionholder is then deceased (and whether or not the Company has notice of his death) except where his Personal Representatives have supplied to the Company an alternative address to which documents are to be sent.
Any written notice or document to be submitted or given to the Company, a Trustee, the Remuneration Committee, the Savings Contract operator or any administrator of this Plan in accordance or in connection with this Plan may be delivered, sent by post, facsimile transmission or email but shall not in any event be duly given unless:-
it is actually received (or, in the case of an email, opened) by the individual at the relevant recipient from time to time nominated for the purposes of receiving notices or documents under this Plan and whose name and address is notified to Optionholders; and
if given by email (and, if so required by the Company), it includes a digitally encrypted signature of the Optionholder.
For the purposes of this Plan, an email shall be treated as not having been duly sent or received if the recipient of the email notifies the sender that it has not been opened because it contains, or is accompanied by a warning or caution that it could contain or be subject to, a virus or other computer programme which could alter, damage or interfere with any computer software or email.
Obligation to Ensure Sufficient available Shares
The Company shall ensure that any necessary authorisations are or will be in place at the relevant time to allow the issue of sufficient Shares to satisfy the exercise in full of all Subscription Options for the time being capable of being exercised.
No Option to purchase existing Shares shall be granted by any person unless the Remuneration Committee are satisfied that sufficient Shares will be made available to satisfy the exercise in full of that Option.
The Company may issue Shares, and grant rights to subscribe for Shares, to a Trustee for the purpose of enabling the Trustee, in the exercise of its powers to transfer or procure the issue or transfer of Shares on the exercise of Options PROVIDED THAT any Shares issued or in respect of which rights to subscribe are granted by the Company (and which, if not exercised, do not lapse) shall count in applying the overall limitations on the issue of Shares imposed by Rule 14.
stamp duty
Any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable in respect of a transfer of Shares to, or at the direction of, an Optionholder (other than stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable on a sale of Shares at the direction of the Optionholder) shall be paid by the Company.
Jurisdiction
This Plan and any Option shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.
The courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any claim, dispute or difference concerning an Option and any matter arising from, or in relation to, this Plan.
Third Party Rights
Except as otherwise expressly stated to the contrary, neither this Plan nor the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall have the effect of giving any third party rights under this Plan or any Option and that Act shall not apply to this Plan nor to any Option.
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IMI plc published this content on 28 March 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 March 2024 10:33:52 UTC.
