Pre-Annual General Meeting Information • Apr 19, 2022
Pre-Annual General Meeting Information
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(registered in England and Wales under company number 00177991)
Peel Hunt LLP, 100 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 2AT
If you are in any doubt as to any aspect of the proposals referred to in this document or as to the action you should take, you should seek your own advice from your independent financial adviser authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
If you have sold or otherwise transferred all of your shares in 4imprint Group plc, please pass this notice of the 2022 Annual General Meeting together with the accompanying documents to the purchaser or transferee, or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer, so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the shares.
01
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to be writing to you with details of the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of 4imprint Group plc (the "Company") which will be held at Peel Hunt LLP, 100 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 2AT on Tuesday 24 May 2022 at 11.00 a.m. I am also pleased that we are planning to hold the AGM in person this year. The formal notice of AGM is set out on pages 4 and 5 of this document, explanatory notes to the Resolutions on pages 6 to 9 and Shareholder notes on pages 10 to 12.
We are planning to hold the AGM in person this year. We have been and will continue to closely monitor the continued impacts of COVID-19 and any related restrictions on public gatherings and the public health guidance issued by the UK Government. However, we are optimistic that Shareholders will be able to attend the AGM in person should they chose to do so.
Given the continued uncertainty, there is a possibility that the Government may make changes to their current guidance which could impact the AGM of course. A decision that Shareholders are unable to attend the AGM in person, and any other necessary changes, will only be made if the Directors believe this is the most reasonable course of action when considering the current UK Government guidance at the time of the AGM.
Any changes to the AGM arrangements will be communicated to Shareholders before the meeting through our website https://investors.4imprint.com and, where appropriate, by way of a RNS announcement.
Shareholders who plan to attend the meeting in person are asked not to attend the AGM if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, or have recently been in contact with anyone who has tested positive. In order to further reduce the risk of the spread of the virus, we also encourage Shareholders who plan to attend the meeting in person to take a lateral flow test beforehand, on the day of the meeting. Shareholders are also advised to arrive at the venue in plenty of time in order to complete registration formalities and comply with the venue's health and safety procedures.
Even for those Shareholders who are intending to attend the AGM in person, we strongly recommend that all Shareholders complete and submit a proxy form in accordance with the instructions set out in the Shareholder notes. Shareholders are encouraged to appoint me, as the Chairman of the meeting, as a proxy to ensure their vote will be counted.
You will not receive a hard copy Form of Proxy for the 2022 AGM in the post. Instead, you will be able to vote electronically using the link www.signalshares.com. You will need to log into your account, or register if you have not previously done so. To register you will need your Investor Code, which is detailed on your share certificate or available from our Registrar, Link Group.
Voting by proxy prior to the AGM does not affect your right to attend the AGM and vote in person should you so wish. Proxy votes must be received no later than 11.00 a.m. on Friday 20 May 2022.
If you need help with voting online or are unable to vote online and require a hard copy Form of Proxy, please contact our Registrar, Link Group, on Tel: 0371 664 0391. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 09:00 – 17:30, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Alternatively, you can contact Link via email at [email protected] or via postal address at Link Group, 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL.
The AGM is your opportunity to ask the Board questions about the Company. As this is a Shareholders' meeting, we ask you to please restrict any questions to Shareholder matters. You can submit any questions you may have in advance of the AGM via email at [email protected] or by post to the Company Secretary, at 4imprint, 5 Ball Green, Cobra Court, Trafford Park, Manchester, M32 0QT. We will publish the answers to your questions on our website as soon as practicable and, wherever possible, prior to the deadline for the return of proxy votes at the AGM (or, where that is not possible, after the AGM). There will also be an opportunity for Shareholders to raise questions on Shareholder matters at the AGM itself.
Shareholders are being asked to receive the accounts for the period ended 1 January 2022, together with the report of the Directors and the auditor's report thereon.
Shareholders are also being asked to approve the Directors' Remuneration Report (other than the part containing the summary of the Directors' Remuneration Policy) as set out on pages 66 to 77 of the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 1 January 2022.
02
Shareholders are being asked to approve a final dividend of 30.00 cents (22.99 pence) per ordinary share for the period ended 1 January 2022. If Shareholders approve the recommended final dividend, this will be paid on 31 May 2022 to all ordinary Shareholders who were on the register of members on 29 April 2022.
Each of Charles John Brady, Kevin Lyons-Tarr, Paul Stephen Moody, David John Emmott Seekings, Christina Dawn Southall and John Michael Gibney will retire and offer themselves for re-election as a Director and Lindsay Claire Beardsell and Jaz Rabadia Patel will each offer themselves for election as a Director. Shareholders are being asked to approve each of their re-elections/elections. Biographical details concerning each of the proposed candidates for reelection/election can be found on pages 6 and 7.
It is considered that the performance of each Director submitting themselves for re-election/election continues to be effective and that all Directors demonstrate the requisite commitment to the role. It is therefore recommended that all Directors be re-elected or elected.
Shareholders are being asked to approve the re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditor to the Company until the conclusion of the next general meeting at which accounts are laid, and to authorise the Directors to set the auditor's remuneration.
At this year's AGM, Shareholders are being asked to approve the 4imprint Group plc Sharesave Plan 2022 (the "Sharesave"). The Sharesave rules are summarised in Appendix 1 to this Notice. Shareholders are also being asked to authorise the Board to adopt further plans based on the Sharesave but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any cash or shares made available under such further plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the Sharesave.
Shareholders are also being asked to approve the 4imprint Group plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2022 (the "ESPP"). The ESPP rules are summarised in Appendix 2 to this Notice. Shareholders are being asked to authorise the Board to adopt further plans based on the ESPP but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any cash or shares made available under such further plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the ESPP.
Shareholders are being asked to authorise the Directors to allot shares pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") and to disapply pre-emption rights in respect of some of those shares.
Shareholders are being asked to authorise the Company to purchase its own shares in accordance with section 701 of the Act.
Shareholders are being asked to authorise general meetings (other than an annual general meeting) being called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
Explanatory notes on business to be considered at this year's AGM appear on pages 6 to 9 of this document.
The Board considers that all the resolutions to be put to the meeting are in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole. Your Board will be voting in favour of them and unanimously recommends that you do so as well.
Yours sincerely,
PAUL MOODY CHAIRMAN
14 April 2022
Registered in England and Wales No. 00177991 Registered Office: 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 2022 Annual General Meeting of 4imprint Group plc will be held at Peel Hunt LLP, 100 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 2AT on Tuesday 24 May 2022 at 11.00 a.m.
Shareholders will be asked to consider, and if thought fit to pass, the resolutions below. Resolutions 17, 18 and 19 will be proposed as special resolutions. All other resolutions will be proposed as ordinary resolutions.
To:
(A) approve the rules of the 4imprint Group plc Sharesave Plan 2022 (the "Sharesave"), summarised in Appendix 1 to this Notice and the rules of which are produced to this meeting and for the purposes of identification initialled by the Chairman, and to authorise the Board to do all such acts and things necessary or desirable to establish the Sharesave; and
(B) authorise the Board to adopt further plans based on the Sharesave but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any cash or shares made available under such further plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the Sharesave.
To:
(A) approve the rules of the 4imprint Group plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2022 (the "ESPP"), summarised in Appendix 2 to this Notice and the rules of which are produced to this meeting and for the purposes of identification initialled by the Chairman, and to authorise the Board to do all such acts and things necessary or desirable to establish the ESPP; and
and so that the Directors of the Company may impose any limits or restrictions and make any arrangements which it considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, any territory or any other matter; and
(B) in the case of the authority granted under resolution 16 and/or in the case of any sale of treasury shares for cash, to the allotment (otherwise than under paragraph (A) above) of equity securities or sale of treasury shares up to a nominal amount of £540,106,
such authority to expire at the end of next year's Annual General Meeting (or, if earlier, until the close of business on 24 August 2023) but, in each case, prior to its expiry the Company may make offers, and enter into agreements, which would, or might, require equity securities to be allotted (and treasury shares to be sold) after the authority expires and the Directors of the Company may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) under any such offer or agreement as if the authority had not expired.
in each case, exclusive of expenses;
such authority to expire at the end of next year's Annual General Meeting (or, if earlier, 24 August 2023). However, the Company may enter into a contract to purchase ordinary shares which will or may be completed or executed fully or partly after this authority expires and the Company may purchase ordinary shares pursuant to any such contract as if the power had not expired.
By order of the Board
EMMA TAYLOR
COMPANY SECRETARY 14 April 2022
Registered in England and Wales No. 00177991 Registered Office: 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AL
The notes on the following pages give an explanation of the proposed resolutions.
Resolutions 1 to 16 (inclusive) are proposed as ordinary resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, more than half of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
Resolutions 17, 18 and 19 are proposed as special resolutions. This means that for each of those resolutions to be passed, at least three-quarters of the votes cast must be in favour of the resolution.
Under section 437 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors are required to present the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 1 January 2022 to a general meeting.
The Company is required to ask Shareholders to vote on the Remuneration Report contained in the Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 1 January 2022. This excludes the portion of the Remuneration Report relating to the Remuneration Policy. This vote is advisory.
The Directors seek Shareholder approval of a final dividend of 30.00 cents (22.99 pence) per ordinary share payable (gross of any applicable tax) on 31 May 2022 to Shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on 29 April 2022.
In accordance with the Code, the Board believes that it is of a size appropriate to the needs of the business and that it has the appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge to enable it and its Committees to discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively. In accordance with the Code, all Directors are standing for reelection/election at the AGM this year.
It is considered that the performance of each Director submitting themselves for re-election/election continues to be effective and that all Directors demonstrate the requisite commitment to the role. It is therefore recommended that all Directors be re-elected or elected.
Full biographical details of each Director are set out below.
Charles is a solicitor and was the founder and Managing Director of Central Law Training Limited which, during his leadership between 1987 and 2002, became the largest provider of post-qualification legal training in the UK. Wilmington plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange, acquired Central Law Training in 1999. Charles remained with the business becoming Chief Executive of Wilmington plc in 2002, a post which he held until 2014. Charles has also served as a Non-Executive Director of both Hatton Blue Limited, a start-up IT company and the PPA (Professional Publishers Association).
Based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Kevin has been with the business since 1991, serving in several capacities, including Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed President of the Direct Marketing business in 2004 and has led its substantial growth since then.
Paul currently serves on the Board of Card Factory plc as Non-Executive Chairman. He was previously Non-Executive Chairman of Johnson Service Group plc and a Non-Executive Director of Pets at Home Group plc. Paul has extensive public company experience spending 17 years at Britvic plc, including the last eight of these years as Chief Executive. Prior to that, he held a number of senior appointments in sales and HR, with companies including Grand Metropolitan plc and Mars.
David is a chartered accountant, having trained and qualified with KPMG. David has been with the 4imprint Group since 1996, initially as Group Financial Controller, moving to the USA in 2000 to become Chief Financial Officer of 4imprint Direct Marketing, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Tina is the Executive Vice President – People for Bally Interactive which is a NYSE listed company operating some of the world's biggest casinos, igaming and sports media sites. Prior to this, Tina held executive sales and marketing roles at Vodafone Group Plc, culminating in her appointment as Regional Director, Northern Europe for Vodafone Global Enterprise, and she served as a long- standing Trustee of The Vodafone Foundation. Prior to joining Vodafone, Tina held senior positions at Avis Europe and at the RAC Plc.
John is a chartered accountant who has extensive public company experience, having served for 17 years as Chief Financial Officer of Britvic plc, a leading European soft drinks business, where he was responsible for finance, legal, estates, risk management, quality, safety and environment and procurement. Prior to joining Britvic, John was Senior Corporate Finance & Planning Manager for Bass plc, and prior to that role, Finance Director and subsequently Deputy Managing Director of Gala Clubs. John has previously been a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at PureCircle PLC and Dairy Crest PLC.
Lindsay Beardsell was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in September 2021. Lindsay is currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Tate & Lyle plc, the global supplier of food and beverage ingredients, which she joined in 2018. In addition to her extensive legal and governance background, Lindsay brings a breadth of commercial experience, both in the UK and internationally, having previously worked as General Counsel at Ladbrokes Coral plc, SuperGroup plc and Gazprom Energy Group. She is a graduate of European Law from the University of Warwick.
Jaz was appointed as a Non-Executive Director in September 2021. Jaz is a Chartered Energy Manager with over 14 years of experience in energy, recycling and sustainability roles. She is currently Head of Responsible Business and Sustainability at Just Eat Holding Ltd, an online food order and delivery service, which she joined in December 2021. Prior to this she was Director of Energy, Sustainability and Social Impact at WeWork and she has also held senior positions at Starbucks Coffee Company and Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd. In 2015 Jaz was awarded an MBE for services to sustainability in the energy management sector and promoting diversity amongst young people in the STEM sectors.
Under section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company is required to appoint an auditor at each general meeting at which accounts are laid before Shareholders. This resolution proposes the re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditor of the Company for the year ending 31 December 2022.
Section 492 of the Companies Act 2006 requires the auditor's remuneration to be fixed by the Company's Shareholders by ordinary resolution or in such manner as the Company's Shareholders may by ordinary resolution determine. This resolution proposes that the Directors be authorised to determine the remuneration of the auditor. In practice, and in line with the Code and the Competition and Markets Authority's Order on statutory audit services, the Audit Committee will consider and approve the audit fees on behalf of the Board. Details of the remuneration paid to the Company's auditor for 2021 and details of how the Audit Committee monitors the effectiveness and independence of the auditor can be found in the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the period ended 1 January 2022.
Shareholders are being asked to approve the 4imprint Group plc Sharesave Plan 2022 (the "Sharesave"). A copy of the Sharesave rules will be available for inspection by Shareholders on the National Storage Mechanism (accessible at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) from the date of publication of this Notice and at the place of the AGM from 15 minutes prior to its commencement until its conclusion. The Sharesave rules are summarised in Appendix 1 to this Notice. Shareholders are also being asked to authorise the Board to adopt further plans based on the Sharesave but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any cash or shares made available under such further plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the Sharesave.
Shareholders are also being asked to approve the 4imprint Group plc Employee Stock Purchase Plan 2022 (the "ESPP"). A copy of the rules of the ESPP will be available for inspection by Shareholders on the National Storage Mechanism (accessible at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) from the date of publication of this Notice and at the place of the AGM from 15 minutes prior to its commencement until its conclusion. The ESPP rules are summarised in Appendix 2 to this Notice. Shareholders are being asked to authorise the Board to adopt further plans based on the ESPP but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories, provided that any cash or shares made available under such further plans are treated as counting against any limits on individual or overall participation in the ESPP.
This resolution would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares or grant rights to subscribe for or convert any securities into ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount equal to £3,600,708 (representing 9,361,842 ordinary shares of 386/13p each). This amount represents approximately one-third of the issued ordinary share capital (excluding treasury shares) of the Company as at 13 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice.
The authority sought under this resolution will expire at the earlier of 24 August 2023 and the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2023.
The Directors have no present intention to exercise the authority sought under this resolution.
As at the date of this Notice, no ordinary shares are held by the Company in treasury.
This resolution will be proposed as a special resolution, which requires a 75% majority of the votes to be cast in favour. It would give the Directors the authority to allot ordinary shares (or sell any ordinary shares which the Company elects to hold in treasury) for cash without first offering them to existing Shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings.
This authority would be limited to allotments or sales in connection with pre-emptive offers and offers to holders of other equity securities if required by the rights of those shares or as the Board otherwise considers necessary, or otherwise up to an aggregate nominal amount of £540,106 (representing 1,404,275 ordinary shares). This aggregate nominal amount represents approximately 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 13 April 2022, the latest practicable date prior to publication of this Notice. The Directors confirm their intention to follow the provisions of the Pre-Emption Group's Statement of Principles regarding cumulative usage of authorities within a rolling three-year period where the Principles provide that usage in excess of 7.5% should not take place without prior consultation with Shareholders.
The authority will expire at the earlier of 24 August 2023 and the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2023.
Shareholder approval is required for a company to purchase its own shares on market under section 701 of the Act. Resolution 18, which will be proposed as a special resolution and requires 75% of the votes to be cast in favour, seeks authority for the Company to purchase up to 10% of its issued ordinary shares (excluding any treasury shares), renewing the authority granted by the Shareholders at previous annual general meetings.
The Directors have no present intention of exercising the authority to make market purchases, however the authority provides the flexibility to allow them to do so in the future. The Directors will exercise this authority only when to do so would be in the best interests of the Company, and of its Shareholders generally, and could be expected to result in an increase in the earnings per share of the Company.
Ordinary shares purchased by the Company pursuant to this authority may be held in treasury or may be cancelled. The Directors will consider holding any ordinary shares the Company may purchase as treasury shares. The Company currently has no ordinary shares in treasury. The minimum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is 386/13p, its nominal value. The maximum price, exclusive of expenses, which may be paid for an ordinary share is the highest of (i) an amount equal to 5% above the average market value for an ordinary share for the five business days immediately preceding the date of the purchase and (ii) the higher of the price of the last independent trade and the highest current independent bid on the trading venues where the purchase is carried out.
The Company had options outstanding over 163,429 ordinary shares, 0.6% of the Company's ordinary issued share capital as at 1 January 2022.
If the existing authority given at the 2021 Annual General Meeting and the authority now being sought by resolution 18 were to be fully used, the options outstanding would represent 0.7% of the Company's ordinary issued share capital.
The authority will expire at the earlier of 24 August 2023 and the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company held in 2023.
Resolution 19, which will be proposed as a special resolution and requires 75% of the votes to be cast in favour, renews the authority that was given at our last AGM. The notice period required by the Companies Act 2006, under section 307A for general meetings of the Company, is 21 clear days unless Shareholders approve a shorter notice period, which cannot be less than 14 clear days. AGMs must always be held on at least 21 clear days' notice. The authority granted by this resolution, if passed, will be effective until the Company's next AGM when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
The flexibility offered by this resolution will only be used where, taking into account the circumstances, the Directors consider it is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be to the advantage of the Company and Shareholders as a whole.
Each time that the Board decides to issue an invitation to employees to participate in the Sharesave, all UK resident taxpaying employees and full time directors of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") participating in the Sharesave must be offered the opportunity to participate. Other employees of the Group may be permitted to participate at the Board's discretion. If the Board so determines in line with the relevant legislation governing the Sharesave, employees who are invited to participate must have completed a minimum qualifying period of employment before they can participate (which currently can be up to 5 years from the grant date).
Under the Sharesave, eligible employees may enter into a linked savings contract to make savings over a three or five year period. Monthly savings by an employee under all savings contracts linked to options granted under any tax-advantaged savings-related share option plan may not exceed the statutory maximum, which is currently set at £500 per month. The Board may set a lower limit in relation to any particular grant. At the end of the three or five-year savings contract, employees may either withdraw their savings on a tax-free basis or use their savings to acquire ordinary fully paid shares in the Company ("Shares").
The proceeds of the savings contract can be used to exercise an option to acquire Shares at an exercise price per Share set when employees were invited to participate in the Sharesave. The exercise price may not be manifestly less than 80 per cent (or such other percentage as may be permitted by the relevant legislation) of the market value of a Share at the date of invitation.
The exercise price will normally be set using prices taken from a period of 42 days beginning on: (a) the first dealing day after the announcement of the Company's results for any period; (b) the day on which an announcement is made of an amendment to the Sharesave legislation or such legislation comes into force; (c) the day on which a new HMRC-approved savings contract is announced; or (d) to the extent that share dealing restrictions apply in any of the preceding three periods, the dealing day on which such dealing restrictions are lifted, unless the Board determines that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the issue of invitations under the Sharesave at another time.
The Sharesave may operate over new issue Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased in the market. The rules of the Sharesave provide that the number of Shares which may be issued to satisfy options or awards granted under the Sharesave and any other employee share plan adopted by the Company in any ten-year rolling period may not exceed 10 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company from time to time.
Shares transferred out of treasury will count towards this limit for so long as this is required under institutional shareholder guidelines. However, options over and awards of Shares which are relinquished or lapse will be disregarded for the purposes of this limit.
Ordinarily, an option may be exercised within six months of the date that the savings contract matures. Options not exercised by the end of this period will lapse.
Options will normally lapse immediately upon a participant ceasing to be employed by, or hold office with, the Group. However, if a participant ceases to hold office or employment because of injury, disability, redundancy, retirement or the sale of the individual's employing company or business out of the Group, their option will not lapse and may be exercised early for a period of up to six months after the participant's cessation of office or employment. If a participant dies, their option may be exercised for 12 months after their death by their personal representatives.
In the event of a change of control or winding-up of the Company, any outstanding options may be exercised early. Alternatively, the Board may permit options to be exchanged for equivalent options over Shares in the acquiring company. If the change of control is an internal reorganisation of the Group, options will lapse unless the participants agree to exchange their outstanding options for equivalent options over Shares in the new holding company.
In the event of a variation of the Company's share capital, the Board may adjust the number of Shares subject to options and/or the exercise price applicable to options in such manner as it considers appropriate.
Options granted under the Sharesave will not confer Shareholder rights on a participant until that participant has exercised their option and received the underlying Shares. Any Shares issued will rank equally with other Shares then in issue (except for rights arising by reference to a record date prior to their issue).
The Board may, at any time, amend the Sharesave rules in any respect. The prior approval of the Company's Shareholders must be obtained for any amendment which is made to the advantage of eligible employees and/or participants and relates to the provisions relating to eligibility, individual or overall limits, the basis for determining the entitlement to, and the terms of, options granted under the Sharesave, the adjustments that may be made in the event of any variation in the share capital of the Company and/or the rule relating to such prior approval. There are, however, exceptions to this requirement to obtain Shareholder approval for any minor amendments to benefit the administration of the Sharesave, to take account of the provisions of any relevant legislation, or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for any participant or member of the Group.
Options are not transferable other than to the participant's personal representatives in the event of the participant's death.
Any benefits received under the Sharesave are not pensionable.
No options may be granted under the Sharesave more than ten years after the date it is approved by the Company's Shareholders.
The ESPP is an all-employee share purchase plan which has been designed to qualify under section 423 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), so that US employees can acquire ordinary shares in the Company ("Shares") under the ESPP in a tax-efficient manner and on an all-employee basis.
Each time that the Board decides to operate the ESPP, all US resident employees of the Company's subsidiaries participating in the ESPP must be offered the opportunity to participate. Other executive directors and employees of the Group may be permitted to participate at the Board's discretion. Employees who are invited to participate may be required, at the Board's discretion, to have completed a minimum qualifying period of employment (as determined by the Board in line with the Code, currently up to two years) before they can participate.
The Board may exclude from the Plan an employee if (i) upon enrolment in the ESPP, they would own Shares representing 5% or more of the total voting rights or value of all Shares; (ii) they work no more than twenty hours per week; (iii) they work for no more than five months of the calendar year; or (iv) they qualify as a 'highly compensated employee' under the Code.
The Board must not grant an option to acquire Shares which would cause the aggregate market value (as determined by the Board at the time of grant) of the Shares subject to all options, granted to a participant under all employee stock purchase plans adopted by the Company and its subsidiaries to accrue at a rate of more than \$25,000 per calendar year (or such other limit as prescribed by the Code from time to time). The Board may at any time determine a lower limit on participation in the Plan.
In accordance with the Code, options may not be granted under the ESPP over more than 10 per cent. of the number of Shares in issue at the time the ESPP is adopted by the Board.
Under the ESPP, eligible employees make savings over a period determined by the Board (not exceeding 27 months or such other maximum as may be prescribed by the Code).
These savings can be used to exercise an option over Shares at an exercise price per Share set by the Board at the time the option is granted. The exercise price may not be less than 85% (or such other percentage as may be permitted by the Code) of the lower of (i) the market value of a Share (as determined by the Board) when the option is granted and (ii) the market value of a Share (as determined by the Board) when the option is exercised.
Ordinarily, an option must be exercised within 27 months from the date the option is granted. Options not exercised by the end of this period will lapse. Usually, at the end of the savings period, options will be automatically exercised to acquire the maximum number of Shares which may be purchased using the participant's accrued savings if the Company's share price at the end of the savings period is higher than the exercise price.
Options will normally lapse immediately when a participant ceases to be an employee of the Group. However, if a participant ceases to be an employee of the Group because of injury, disability, redundancy, retirement or the sale of the individual's employing company or business out of the Group, their option will not lapse and will be exercised automatically when they cease employment (using the participant's accrued savings to the date of leaving the Group). Options will only be automatically exercised if the Company's share price is at least equal to the exercise price at the time of exercise. If a participant dies, their option may be exercised by the participant's personal representatives within three months of their death (using their accrued savings).
In the event of a takeover of the Company, options will vest and be automatically exercised early, to the extent of the participant's accrued savings at the time and only if the Company's share price is at least equal to the exercise price.
Alternatively, the Board may require that outstanding options are exchanged for equivalent options over shares in another company (subject to the acquiring company's consent).
If the Company is wound up or other corporate events occur such as a variation of the share capital of the Company, a demerger, special dividend or other transaction which, in the Board's opinion, would materially affect the value of the Shares, the Board may determine that options will vest and be exercised on the same basis as for a takeover.
If there is a variation of the share capital of the Company or in the event of a demerger, special dividend or other transaction which, in the Board's opinion, will materially affect the value of Shares, the Board may make such adjustments to the number or class of shares subject to options and the exercise price of options as it may determine. The overall limit on the number of Shares that may be used in connection with the ESPP may also be adjusted in the event of a variation of the share capital of the Company.
Options granted under the ESPP will not confer rights on any participant until that participant has exercised their option and received the underlying Shares. Any Shares issued will rank equally with other Shares then in issue (except for rights arising by reference to a record date prior to their issue).
The ESPP may operate over new issue Shares, treasury Shares or Shares purchased in the market. The rules of the ESPP provide that the number of Shares which may be issued to satisfy awards granted in any ten-year rolling period under the ESPP and any other employee share plan adopted by the Company may not exceed 10% of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company from time to time. Shares transferred out of treasury will count towards this limit for so long as this is required under institutional shareholder guidelines. The ESPP rules also prescribe for US tax purposes that options may not be granted over more than 10% of the number of Shares in issue at the time the ESPP is adopted. Awards which are relinquished or lapse will be disregarded for the purposes of these limits.
The Board may, at any time, amend the provisions of the ESPP in any respect. The prior approval of the Company's Shareholders must be obtained in the case of any amendment which is made to the advantage of eligible employees and/or participants and relates to the provisions relating to eligibility, individual or overall limits, the basis for determining the entitlement to, and the terms of, awards, the adjustments that may be made in the event of any variation to the share capital of the Company and/or the rule relating to such prior approval. There are, however, exceptions to this requirement to obtain Shareholder approval for any minor amendments to benefit the administration of the ESPP, to take account of the provisions of any legislation, or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for any participant or member of the Group.
Awards are not transferable other than to the participant's personal representatives in the event of their death.
Except to the extent required by law, benefits received under the ESPP are not pensionable.
The Board may, at any time, establish further plans based on the ESPP for overseas territories. Any such plan will be similar to the ESPP but may be modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or securities laws. Any Shares made available under such further overseas plans must be treated as counting against the limits on individual and overall participation under the ESPP.
No awards may be granted more than ten years after the earlier of the date on which the ESPP is adopted by the Board and the date on which it is approved by the Company's Shareholders.

4imprint Group plc 25 Southampton Buildings London WC2A 1AL Telephone +44 (0)20 3709 9680 Email [email protected]
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