Remuneration Information • Dec 5, 2024
Remuneration Information
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| Directors' adoption: | TBC |
|---|---|
| Shareholders' approval: | TBC |
| Expiry date: | TBC |

| 1. | Definitions and interpretation1 |
|---|---|
| 2. | Grant of Awards 3 |
| 3. | Conditions4 |
| 4. | Plan limit5 |
| 5. | Individual limits 5 |
| 6. | Malus and Clawback 6 |
| 7. | Vesting of Awards 6 |
| 8. | Exercise of Options 7 |
| 9. | Settlement of Awards 7 |
| 10. | Holding Period8 |
| 11. | Investigations 9 |
| 12. | Dealing Restrictions 9 |
| 13. | Taxation and regulatory matters 9 |
| 14. | Post-termination restriction for Executive Directors 10 |
| 15. | Leaving11 |
| 16. | Mobile Participants 12 |
| 17. | Corporate events13 |
| 18. | Adjustments15 |
| 19. | Amendments 16 |
| 20. | Legal Entitlement17 |
| 21. | Administration18 |
| 22. | General19 |
| Appendix 1 Phantom Awards 21 | |
| Appendix 2 Awards granted to US Participants…………………………………………………………………22 | |
| Appendix 3 Awards granted to US taxpayers (409A exempt)…………………………………………………23 | |
| Appendix 4 Awards granted to US Taxpayers (409A compliant)……………………………………………….27 | |
| Appendix 5 Awards granted to Californian residents…………………………………………………………….33 | |
| Appendix 6 Awards granted to French residents…………………………………………………………………34 | |
| Appendix 7 Awards granted to Israeli residents………………………………………………………………….40 |
"Acquiring Company" means a company which obtains Control of the Company;
"Award" means a Conditional Award or an Option;
"Award Date" means the date on which an Award is granted;
"Board" means the board of directors of the Company or, as relevant, a committee duly authorised by it;
"Business Day" means a day on which the London Stock Exchange (or, if the Board determines, any other stock exchange on which the Shares are traded) is open for the transaction of business;
"Companies Act" means the Companies Act 2006;
"Company" means the Sage Group plc with registered number 02231246;
"Committee" means the duly authorised remuneration committee of the Board or a duly authorised and constituted sub-committee thereof and for the purposes of rule 17 (Corporate events) "Committee" means those persons who were members of the Committee immediately before the relevant event;
"Conditions" means any conditions imposed under rule 3.2 (Other Conditions);
"Conditional Award" means a conditional right to acquire the Shares underlying an Award;
"Control" means the power of a person to secure by means of the holding of shares or the possession of voting power or by virtue of any powers conferred by any articles of association (or other document), that the affairs of a body corporate are conducted in accordance with the wishes of that person;
"Dealing Restrictions" means any internal or external restrictions on dealings or transactions in securities;
"Dividend Equivalents" means a right to receive an additional amount, as set out in rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents);
"Eligible Employee" means any employee of any Member of the Group (including an Executive Director, insofar as said executive directors are permitted under the Remuneration Policy);
"Executive Director" means an executive director of the Company;
"Exercise Price" means the price (if any) payable on exercise of an Option;
"Exercise Period" means the period during which an Option may be exercised ending on the 10th anniversary of the Award Date unless the Committee determines that a different period will apply in accordance with these rules;
"Expected Vesting Date" means the date the Committee decides under rule 2.4 (Terms of Awards);
"Group" means the Company, any company that is a subsidiary of the Company (within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act), the Company's holding company or a subsidiary of the Company's holding company or, if the Committee so determines, any body corporate in relation to which the Company is able to exercise at least 20% of the equity voting rights and "Member of the Group" will be construed accordingly;
"Holding Period" will be construed in accordance with rule 10 (Holding Period);
"Internal Reorganisation" means where:
"Leaves" means ceasing to hold any office or employment with all Members of the Group;
"London Stock Exchange" means London Stock Exchange plc or its successor;
"Malus and Clawback Policy" means The Sage Group plc Malus and Clawback Policy (as amended from time to time). "Malus" and "Clawback" will have the meanings given in the Malus and Clawback Policy;
"Market Value" on any date, means when Shares are listed on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange:
or, on any date where the Shares are not so listed, the market value of a Share as determined by the Committee;
"Option" means a right in the form of an option to acquire the Shares underlying the Award;
"Participant" means a person holding or who has held an Award or, after death, that person's personal representatives;
"Performance Condition" means a condition or conditions imposed under rule 3.1 (Performance Condition) which relate to performance;
"Performance Period" means the period over which a Performance Condition will be measured which, for Executive Directors, will be such period determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy;
"Plan" means the plan constituted by these rules and its schedules known as the Sage Group plc Long-Term Incentive Plan;
"Remuneration Policy" means the Company's Directors' Remuneration Policy as last approved by shareholders;
"Share" means a fully paid ordinary share in the capital of the Company;
"Taxation" means any tax and social security charges (and/or any similar charges), wherever arising, in respect of a Participant's Award or otherwise arising in connection with their participation in the Plan;
"Vesting" means:
(i) in relation to a Conditional Award, a Participant becoming entitled to the Shares; and
(ii) in relation to an Option, the Option becoming exercisable
and "Vest", "Vested" and "Unvested" will be construed accordingly;
In this Plan, the singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. References to any enactment or statutory requirement will be understood as references to that enactment or requirement as amended, or re-enacted and include any subordinate legislation made under it.
Where an Award is made up of different tranches with separate Expected Vesting Dates, each tranche will be considered a separate Award for the purposes of interpreting and administering this Plan, except for the purpose of rule 8.2 (Option tranches).
The Committee may grant an Award to any Eligible Employee in accordance with this rule 2 (Grant of Awards).
The Committee has absolute discretion to decide whether the Plan will be operated and those Eligible Employees to whom Awards will be made on any occasion.
Awards may only be granted to an Executive Director insofar as is permissible under the Remuneration Policy.
Awards may only be granted within 42 days starting on any of the following:
Alternatively, subject to Dealing Restrictions, Awards may be granted within 42 days of the date where the Committee resolves that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the grant of Awards.
No Awards may be granted after the termination of the Plan.
all or part of an Award within such period following the Award Date as the Committee may determine and by notice to such person as nominated by the Committee and if an Award is disclaimed, it will be deemed never to have been granted.
Awards are subject to the rules of the Plan. Awards granted to Executive Directors will be determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.
The Committee will approve the terms of an Award, including:
If the Committee grants an Award:
The Committee may make the Vesting of an Award conditional on the satisfaction of one or more Performance Conditions, provided that Awards granted to Executive Directors will be subject to Performance Conditions determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.
The Committee may change a Performance Condition in accordance with its terms, the terms of the Remuneration Policy for Awards granted to Executive Directors, or if anything happens that causes the Committee to reasonably consider it appropriate to do so.
A changed Performance Condition will not be materially less difficult to satisfy than the original condition was intended to be at the Award Date.
The Committee will notify any relevant Participant as soon as practicable after any change.
The Committee may make the Vesting of an Award conditional on the satisfaction of one or more Conditions.
The Committee may change or waive a Condition in accordance with its terms or if anything happens which causes the Committee to reasonably consider it appropriate to do so.
The Committee will notify any relevant Participant as soon as practicable after any change or waiver.
The number of Shares which may be Allocated under the Plan on any day must not exceed 10% of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue immediately before that day when added to the total number of Shares which have been Allocated in the previous 10 years under the Plan and under any other employee share plans operated by the Company; and
For these purposes, Shares are "Allocated" when allotted and issued as new shares, or transferred from treasury. However, if relevant institutional investor guidelines cease to require treasury shares to be taken into account for these purposes, then treasury Shares will not count towards this limit.
To the extent that a right to acquire Shares lapses or will lapse under an agreement which the Committee considers is due to take effect, the underlying Shares will be ignored when calculating the limit in this rule 4 (Plan limit).
The Committee may make such adjustments to the method of assessing the limit set out in rule 4 (Plan limit) as it considers appropriate in the event of any variation of the Company's share capital.
An Award granted to an Executive Director may only be granted in accordance with any limits set out in the Remuneration Policy.
An Award in respect of any other Eligible Employee may only be granted over Shares with an aggregate Market Value (at the Award Date) not greater than the maximum aggregate Market Value of Shares permitted to be granted under an Award to Executive Directors, as determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy, when added to the aggregate Market Value (taken at each relevant Award Date) of the Shares over which Awards have been made to that Eligible Employee in respect of the same financial year, excluding any Awards granted under rule 5.2 (Awards on recruitment).
Any Award granted to an Executive Director in connection with recruitment may only be granted in accordance with any limits set out in the Remuneration Policy.
The Committee may exceed the limit set out in rule 5.1 (Ordinary limit) in circumstances where the grant of an Award is being made in connection with the recruitment of an Eligible Employee who was previously not employed by any Member of the Group and the Award is being granted in connection with the Eligible Employee commencing employment with any Member of the Group, such that the Award granted under this rule 5.2 (Awards on recruitment) may be over Shares with an aggregate Market Value (at the Award Date) not greater than the additional limit otherwise applicable to the recruitment of Executive Directors, as determined in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.
If there is any discrepancy between the Malus and Clawback Policy and the Plan, the Malus and Clawback Policy will prevail.
An Award will Vest on the latest of:
unless otherwise determined by the Committee.
An Award will Vest to the extent that the Committee decides that any Performance Conditions and/or other Conditions are satisfied, or in accordance with any other factors that the Committee decides are relevant.
To the extent an Award or any part of it is no longer capable of Vesting, or of being exercised in the case of an Option, it will lapse.
To the extent an Award lapses, it cannot Vest, or be exercised in the case of an Option. This means that, to the extent the Award lapses, the Participant has no right to receive the Shares or cash underlying the Award.
Where an Award would otherwise Vest over a fraction of a Share, the number of Shares that will Vest will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share.
The Committee may adjust (including to zero) the extent to which an Award will Vest if it considers the extent of Vesting would otherwise not be appropriate, including (but not limited to) when considering:
A Participant may exercise an Option by giving notice at any time during the Exercise Period in the manner determined by the Committee.
The exercise of an Option will be effective on a date determined by the Committee which will usually be as soon as practicable following the date of receipt of the notice (and the exercise price, if required).
Unless the Committee determines otherwise, an Option may be exercised in full and on one occasion. Where the Committee determines that it may be exercised in part, it may not be exercised in respect of fewer than 100 Shares (or the balance of the Shares subject to the Option if this is less).
The Committee may determine that if:
all tranches of that Option that are then capable of exercise will be exercised on that occasion.
At any time prior to settlement of an Award under rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), the Committee may choose to settle an Award partly or fully in cash. The Participant will cease to have any rights to acquire the Shares in respect of an Award that has been settled in cash.
If a Conditional Award Vests, or an Option is exercised, the Committee will arrange for the delivery of Shares or cash (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to the remaining provisions of rule 9 (Settlement of Awards) and rules 10 (Holding Period) and 13 (Taxation and regulatory matters).
Shares may be delivered to and held by a nominee on behalf of the Participant.
Where an Award includes Dividend Equivalents, the Participant will receive an amount equal to the dividends, the record date for which falls between the Award Date and Vesting, multiplied by the number of Shares in respect of which the Award Vests or, in the case of an Option, is exercised.
Dividend Equivalents will be calculated on such basis as the Committee decides. Special dividends will not be included, unless the Committee decides otherwise.
Any Dividend Equivalents may be paid in cash or in such whole number of Shares (rounded down) that has an aggregate Market Value at Vesting which is closest to that amount. The cash will be paid, or Shares delivered, in satisfaction of any Dividend Equivalents as soon as reasonably practicable following Vesting, or in the case of an Option, exercise, on the same terms as the related Award.
Unless stated otherwise, the Company will arrange payment of any relevant Share transfer taxes.
Participants will only be entitled to rights attaching to Shares by reference to a record date on or after the date of the allotment or transfer to them.
Any Award may be subject to a Holding Period on such terms as the Committee decides under rule 2.4 (Terms of Awards).
If a Holding Period applies, the Shares acquired on Vesting or, in the case of an Option, exercise, of an Award may not be transferred, assigned, or otherwise disposed of during the Holding Period, other than a transfer:
and any such attempted action will be invalid and ineffective.
The Committee may determine that Shares will be delivered to and held by a nominee on behalf of the Participant until the expiry of the Holding Period on such terms as the Committee may determine.
At the end of the Holding Period, the Participant may take the Shares out of the nominee arrangement.
The Committee will decide if and how any Holding Period will operate in relation to cash and will communicate this to the Participant.
If the Committee requires, and, in the case of an Option, only following exercise of an Award, a Participant must provide such proof of continued beneficial ownership of the Shares, as the Committee requests, during and at the end of the Holding Period.
This rule applies where an investigation is ongoing that might lead to Malus and/or Clawback being triggered in relation to a Participant's Award.
If an investigation is ongoing then, unless the Committee decides otherwise:
11.2.1 the Participant's Award will not Vest;
until the investigation is concluded and then the Award will only Vest, be exercisable or be settled as determined by the Committee. If the Exercise Period of an Option would otherwise have ended, the Committee can decide to extend that period and "Exercise Period" will be understood accordingly.
This rule 12 (Dealing Restrictions) applies if Dealing Restrictions would prohibit the Vesting of an Award, exercise of an Option, delivery or arranging delivery of Shares or cash to settle an Award and/or the Participant from selling Shares, including if required for Taxation purposes.
If Dealing Restrictions apply, an Award will not Vest, an Option will not be exercisable and the purchase or delivery of Shares or cash to settle an Award will not occur until the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply, unless the Committee decides otherwise.
If the Exercise Period of an Option would otherwise have ended, the Committee can decide to extend that period and "Exercise Period" will be understood accordingly.
By participating in the Plan, a Participant agrees to be responsible and will, if requested, indemnify the Group for that Participant's liability for Taxation.
Any Member of the Group, any employing company, the trustee of any relevant employee benefit trust or any third-party provider nominated by the Committee may:
13.2.1 withhold such amounts from a Participant (including deducting such amounts from any cash payment owed to the Participant) and retain some or all of it;
to meet any liability for Taxation, any applicable dealing and/or currency exchange costs and other associated costs or to collect any outstanding exercise price (with any surplus being repaid to the Participant).
All grants, issues and transfers of Shares or cash payments will be subject to the Company's Articles of Association and any necessary consents or filings required under any relevant enactments or regulations for the time being in force in the UK or elsewhere. The Participant will be responsible for complying with any requirements needed to obtain, or to avoid the necessity for, any such consents or filings.
For the purposes of this rule 14 (Post-termination restriction for Executive Directors), "Employed as an Executive" means becoming employed or engaged, directly or indirectly, by a business as an executive director or an equivalent role, as the Committee decides is appropriate, within 12 months from Leaving, or such other period as the Committee decides:
This rule 14 (Post-termination restriction for Executive Directors) will apply to an Award where the Participant:
If the Committee decides, at any time, that the Participant became Employed as an Executive before or after settlement of the Award under rule 7 (Vesting of Awards) then:
using any of the methods set out in the Malus and Clawback Policy to effect Clawback (as defined in that policy).
Where a Participant Leaves before Vesting, the Award will lapse on the date the Participant Leaves, unless the other provisions in this rule 15 (Leaving) apply.
If a Participant Leaves for a Good Leaver Reason before Vesting, the Award will:
If this rule 15.3 (Good leavers – extent of Vesting and exercise) applies, an Award will only Vest:
and, to the extent the Participant's Award does not Vest, it will then lapse.
Options will be exercisable for a period of 6 months (12 months in the case of the Participant's death) from Vesting (or such longer period as the Committee determines) and will then lapse.
No period for exercise set out in this rule 15 (Leaving) will extend any Exercise Period that would otherwise apply to an Award if the Participant was not Leaving.
If a Participant dies whilst employed within the Group:
If a Participant Leaves after Vesting, the Award will:
Where a Participant Leaves:
Notwithstanding any other rule, if a Participant is summarily dismissed or Leaves in circumstances where the Participant's employer would have been entitled to summarily dismiss the Participant (in the opinion of the Committee), or the Committee subsequently becomes aware that the Participant's employer would have been so entitled, then that Participant's Awards will immediately lapse.
If a Participant moves from one jurisdiction to another or becomes tax resident in a different jurisdiction and, as a result, there may be adverse legal, regulatory, tax or administrative consequences for the Participant and/or a Member of the Group in connection with an Award then the Committee may adjust that Participant's Award so that the Award is on such terms, subject to such conditions and over such shares (or other types of securities or cash) as the Committee considers appropriate.
Adjustments can only be made to Awards granted to Executive Directors to the extent permitted by the Remuneration Policy (where relevant).
If the Committee decides that an adjustment of an Award under rule 16.1 (Application of rule) is not practicable or appropriate, the Committee may decide that the Award will Lapse and/or that the Participant will be treated as a Leaver.
The Committee will notify affected Participants of any adjustment or decision made under this rule 16 (Mobile Participants) as soon as practicable.
Where a person (or a group of persons acting in concert) obtains Control of the Company as a result of making an offer to acquire Shares, Awards will Vest on the date the person obtains such Control in accordance with rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise), unless and to the extent that the Committee determines that rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) should apply.
Where a person (or a group of persons acting in concert) becomes bound or entitled to acquire Shares under sections 979 to 982 or 983 to 985 of the Companies Act (inclusive), Awards will Vest on the date the person becomes so bound or entitled in accordance with rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise), unless and to the extent that the Committee determines that rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) should apply.
Where a court sanctions a compromise or arrangement for the purposes of a change of Control of the Company, Awards will Vest on the effective date of the transaction, or, if the Committee so decides, the date of the court sanction in accordance with rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise), unless and to the extent that the Committee determines that rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) should apply.
If notice is given of a resolution for the voluntary winding up of the Company, Awards will Vest on the date the notice is given (or such other date as the Committee decides) in accordance with rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise).
If this rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise) applies, an Award will Vest:
and to the extent the Participant's Award does not Vest, it will then lapse.
Where an Option Vests pursuant to this rule 17 (Corporate events), or was already Vested, it will be exercisable for a period of 1 month or such other period as the Committee determines from the date of the relevant event pursuant to this rule 17 (Corporate events), and will then lapse.
No period for exercise set out in this rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise), will extend any Exercise Period that would otherwise apply to an Award.
If this rule 17 (Corporate events) applies to an Award, the Committee may determine that the Malus and Clawback Policy will no longer apply to the Award or will be varied in its application to the Award.
In relation to any cash or Shares acquired prior to the relevant event, the Malus and Clawback Policy will continue to apply, with such amendments as the Committee determines.
Any applicable Holding Period will continue to apply, with any amendments as determined by the Committee to reflect the relevant event pursuant to this rule 17 (Corporate events) from the date Awards Vest under this rule 17 (Corporate events), unless the Committee determines otherwise.
Where any of rules 17.1 (General offers), 17.2 (Bound or entitled) or 17.3 (Schemes of arrangement) is expected to or does apply, or in connection with an Internal Reorganisation, the Committee may decide that Awards will be exchanged for new awards, subject to the consent of the Acquiring Company, on (or as soon as practicable after) the relevant event.
Where a Participant is granted a new award in exchange for an existing Award, the new award:
Immediately following an exchange the relevant existing Awards will lapse.
Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in relation to any Vested Awards, which have not yet been settled or cash or Shares acquired following any Vesting or exercise, prior to such exchange:
17.10.1 any applicable Holding Period will continue to apply; and
17.10.2 any applicable Malus and Clawback Policy will continue to apply,
with such amendments as the Committee determines.
If there is:
the Committee may adjust the number or class of Shares or Conditions and/or Performance Conditions subject to an Award in such manner as the Committee may consider appropriate.
The Committee will notify Participants of any adjustment made under rule 18.1 (Adjustments to Awards) as soon as practicable after such adjustment has been made.
If the Committee determines that an adjustment of Awards is not practicable or appropriate, then the Committee may determine that
Awards will Vest:
18.3.5 the Committee will, however, have discretion to take into account any other factors it believes to be relevant in determining the extent to which an Award will Vest in the circumstances
and to the extent Awards do not Vest, they will then lapse.
Where an Option Vests pursuant to this rule 18.3 (Adjustments - Vesting and exercise) or was already Vested, it will be exercisable for a period of 1 month or such other period as the Committee determines from the date of the relevant event pursuant to this rule 18 (Adjustments) and will then lapse.
No period for exercise set out in this rule 18.3 (Adjustments - Vesting and exercise) will extend any Exercise Period that would otherwise apply to an Award.
If rule 18.3 (Adjustments - Vesting and exercise) applies to an Award, the Committee may determine that the Malus and Clawback Policy will continue to apply to the Award or will be varied in its application to the Award.
Any applicable Holding Period will continue to apply, with any amendments as determined by the Committee to reflect the relevant event pursuant to rule 18 (Adjustments) from the date the Award Vests under this Rule 18 (Adjustments), unless the Committee determines otherwise.
The Board may change the Plan in any way and at any time subject to the provisions of this rule 19 (Amendments).
The Company will obtain prior approval in the general meeting of shareholders by ordinary resolution for any change to the Plan which is to the advantage of present or future Participants and which relates to any of the following:
in each case, subject to rule 19.2 (Minor changes).
The Board need not obtain shareholder approval, or Participant consent, for any minor changes to the Plan which are to:
19.2.3 obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment of any Member of the Group or any present or future Participant and such actions include acting under rule 19.5 (International variations).
If a proposed change which would be to the material disadvantage of one or more Participants in respect of subsisting rights under the Plan (except in respect of Performance Conditions), then the Board must obtain the written consent of the affected Participant(s) or:
The Board will give written notice of changes to Participants whose Awards are materially affected.
The Board may establish plans or schedules based on the Plan, but modified to take account of any local tax, exchange control or securities laws in overseas territories provided that any Awards made under such plans or schedules are subject to the limits set out in rule 4 (Plan limit) and rule 5 (Individual limits).
No amendment will be made under this rule 19 (Amendments) if it would prevent the Plan from being an employees' share scheme in accordance with section 1166 of the Companies Act 2006.
For the purposes of this rule 20 (Legal Entitlement), "Employee" means an employee (existing or former) of a Member of the Group (existing or former).
None of the benefits that may be received under the Plan are pensionable.
No Member of the Group will be liable for any loss arising from any delay in giving effect to any notice or communication received from an Employee or Participant or in procuring a sale, allotment or transfer of any Shares.
The Plan will be administered by the Committee, which has authority to take such action in relation to, or make such rules and regulations for, the administration of the Plan as it considers necessary or desirable, or where appropriate, to amend or waive any such rules or regulations.
The Board may delegate any and all of its rights and powers under the Plan.
All decisions of the Committee in connection with the Plan and its interpretation, and the terms of any Awards (including in any dispute) will be final and conclusive.
The Committee will decide whether, and how, to exercise any discretion in the Plan.
21.3.1 Any notice or communication to be given to any Eligible Employee or Participant may be delivered by electronic mail (including on an intranet, portal or by SMS text message), or personally delivered or sent by ordinary post to such address as the Company considers appropriate.
Each relevant person will have regard to Dealing Restrictions when operating, interpreting, administering, participating in and/or taking any other action in relation to the Plan.
The Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company (or on such earlier date as the Board determines). No further Awards may be granted after the Plan is terminated. Termination will not affect subsisting rights under the Plan.
Awards may be settled using newly issued Shares, Shares transferred from treasury and/or Shares purchased in the market.
If, and for as long as the Shares are traded on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (or, if the Committee determines, any other stock exchange on which the Shares are traded), the Company will apply for the listing and admission to trading on such exchange of any Shares issued in connection with the Plan as soon as practicable.
Shares issued or transferred from treasury under the Plan will rank equally in all respects with the Shares then in issue, except that they will not rank for any voting, dividend or other rights attaching to Shares by reference to a record date preceding the date of issue or transfer from treasury.
Participation in the Plan will be subject to:
22.5.1 any data protection policies applicable to any relevant Member of the Group;
Except as otherwise expressly stated to contrary, nothing in the Plan confers any benefit, right or expectation on any persons other than an Eligible Employee, Participant or Member of the Group. No such third party has any rights under the UK Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (or any similar local legislation in a relevant overseas jurisdiction), to enforce any rule of this Plan.
This rule 22.6 (Third Party rights) does not affect any other right or remedy of a third party.
A Participant's Award will lapse where the Participant becomes bankrupt or enters into a compromise (or any overseas equivalent) with their creditors generally, other than where the compromise (or overseas equivalent) is entered into by the Participant voluntarily and at the Participant's complete discretion.
A Participant's Award will lapse if the Participant transfers, assigns, charges or otherwise disposes of the Award or any rights in respect of it, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, including by operation of law, (other than to that Participant's personal representatives on death).
Any conversion of money into different currencies (whether notional or actual) will be done at a time and rate of exchange that the Board decides.
No Member of the Group will be liable for any loss due to movements in currency exchange rates or conversion or money transfer charges.
If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason by any court with jurisdiction then, for the purposes of that jurisdiction only:
22.10.2 the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect,
unless the Board determines otherwise.
Where there is any conflict between the terms of the English version of the Plan, the Awards and/or any ancillary documents and a version in any other language, the English language version will prevail.
The laws of England and Wales govern the Plan and all Awards. The courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of any disputes arising in connection with the Plan or any Award.
The provisions of this Appendix 1 modify the rules of the Plan in respect of any Awards granted under it as Phantom Awards.
"Phantom Award" means a conditional right to receive a cash sum in the future that is linked to the value of a given number of notional Shares granted under this Appendix 1;
The Committee may choose to grant a Phantom Award.
A Phantom Award will not confer any right on the relevant Participant to receive Shares or any interest in Shares.
The notional Shares subject to a Phantom Award will not count towards the limit in rule 4 (Plan Limit) but will count towards rule 5 (Individual limits).
Where an Award is granted as a Phantom Award, the provisions of this Plan will be interpreted and applied to reflect the fact that Phantom Awards are granted in respect of notional Shares only and are settled in cash rather than Shares.
In the case of a Phantom Award, the cash sum payable will be equal to the aggregate Market Value of the notional Shares which have Vested.
"A Participant may be required, as a condition of the Vesting of their Award, to represent and agree that, in relation to Shares they acquire under the Plan:
The Company may endorse on certificates representing Shares issued or transferred upon the vesting of an Award such legend referring to the foregoing representations or restrictions or any other applicable restrictions on resale as the Company, in its discretion, shall deem appropriate.
3. "Subsidiary" means a company in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting rights.
The provisions of this Appendix 3 modify the rules of the Plan in respect of any Awards granted under it to Eligible Employees who are US Taxpayers (whether or not they are also resident in the United States). In the event that a Participant becomes a US Taxpayer after the Award Date, then the Participant's Awards will immediately be modified in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Appendix 3. Awards subject to this Appendix are intended to qualify for the short-term deferral exemption to Section 409A.
Where there is any conflict between the rules of the Plan and this Appendix 3, the terms of this Appendix 3 will prevail.
The following definitions will be added to rule 1 (Definitions and interpretation):
"Code" means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
"Section 409A" means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated and other official guidance issued under it, collectively;
"Treasury Regulations" mean the regulations promulgated under the Code;
"US Taxpayer" means an Eligible Employee or Participant who is subject to US federal income taxation on the Award Date, or who is expected to become subject to US federal income taxation following the Award Date, or who does become subject to US federal income taxation following the Award Date but prior to the date upon which any part of the Award Vests; and
the definition of "Vesting" in rule 1 (Definitions and interpretation) will be revised to add the following language at the end thereof:
"For the purposes of Awards subject to Appendix 3, "Vesting" will be construed to represent the lapse of the Section 409A substantial risk of forfeiture relating to the Award."
The following new rule 2.6 (Deemed Conditional Award) will be added to rule 2 (Grant of Awards):
"If a Participant becomes a US Taxpayer after the Award Date, any unvested Option that they hold at that time will be treated as if it had been granted as a Conditional Award without any further action on the part of the Participant or the Company. Such Conditional Award will be governed by the terms of Appendix 3."
The following wording will be added to the end of the second paragraph of both rule 3.1 (Performance Conditions) and rule 3.2 (Other Conditions):
"; provided that the Committee shall not change any Condition if and to the extent that such change would result in the earlier Vesting of the Award."
The last sentence of rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents) will be deleted and replaced with the following:
"In the case of a Conditional Award, except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), the cash will be paid, or Shares delivered, in satisfaction of any Dividend Equivalents as soon as reasonably practicable after, but in any event no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests."
The following wording will be added to rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), after the word "thereafter":
"and, in the case of a Conditional Award, except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests,"
The following will be added to the end of rule 9.1 (Cash alternative):
"In the case of a Conditional Award, except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), the cash sum will be paid to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after Vesting, but in any event no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests."
Rule 11.2 (Impact of investigation) is revised to provide as follows:
"If an investigation is ongoing which might lead to Malus and/or Clawback being triggered in respect of a Participant then the Shares in respect of the Participant's Awards will be delivered pursuant to rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), or if applicable, rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), but the Shares delivered may not be transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of until such investigation is concluded, other than a transfer:
The following will be added at the end of rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions);
"The Vesting of an Award may only be delayed beyond 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Award Vests as a result of Dealing Restrictions to the extent permissible under Section 1.409A-2(b)(4) of the proposed Treasury Regulations where the delivery of Shares or cash in respect of the Award would violate applicable law, in which event, the Award will Vest and any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee at the earliest date at which it is reasonably anticipated that such law no longer prevents such delivery of Shares or payment of cash."
"; provided that an Award that is not subject to an Other Condition and/or Performance Condition must Vest on the date the Participant Leaves."
9.2 The following words shall be added to the end of rule 15.2 (Leaving – before Vesting):
"Except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled following the Vesting of an Award under this rule 15.2 (Leaving – before Vesting) will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests."
9.3 The following wording will be added to the end of rule 15.5 (Leavers – after Vesting):
"Except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled in connection with this rule 15.5 (Leavers – after Vesting) will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests."
9.4 The following wording will be added to the end of rule 15.4 (Death):
"Except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), in the case of a Conditional Award, any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled in connection with this rule 15.4 (Death) will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant's personal representatives no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests."
10.1 The following wording will be added to the end of rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise):
"In the case of a Conditional Award, except as otherwise provided by rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions), any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under this rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise) will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Conditional Award Vests, subject to rule 17.7 (Corporate events - Holding Period)."
10.2 The following wording will be added to the end of rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards):
"; provided that the Committee shall attempt to structure the terms of the exchange and the new award such that neither the exchange nor the new award violates Section 409A."
10.3 Rule 17.9 (Requirements for a new award) will be revised to add the following at the end thereof:
"In addition, the exchange and the new award must not violate Section 409A."
The following wording will be added to the end of rule 18.1 (Adjustments to Awards):
"; provided that the Committee shall attempt to structure the terms of the adjustment such that is does not result in a violation of Section 409A and shall not adjust any Performance Condition or Condition if and to the extent that such adjustment would result in the earlier Vesting of the Award."
The following new rule 19.7 (Section 409A) will be added to rule 19 (Amendments):
Notwithstanding the provisions of this rule 19 (Amendments), any such amendment will only be effective with respect to an Award to the extent that it does not cause the Award to violate Section 409A."
The following wording will be added at the end of clause 4:
"The cash sum will be paid to the Participant or the Participant's nominee no later than 15 March following the end of the calendar year in which the Phantom Award Vests."
The provisions of this Appendix 4 modify the rules of the Plan in respect of any Conditional Awards granted under it to Eligible Employees who are US Taxpayers (whether or not they are also resident in the United States). In the event that a Participant becomes a US Taxpayer after the Award Date, then the Participant's Conditional Awards will immediately be modified in a manner consistent with the provisions of this Appendix 4. Conditional Awards subject to this Appendix are intended to comply with Section 409A.
Where there is any conflict between the rules of the Plan and this Appendix 4, the terms of this Appendix 4 will prevail.
The following definitions will be added to rule 1 (Definitions and interpretation):
"Change in Control Event" means an event described in rule 17.1 (General offers), rule 17.2 (Bound or entitled), rule 17.3 (Schemes of arrangement) or rule 17.4 (Winding up) that also qualifies as a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, in accordance with Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations;
"Code" means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
"Section 409A" means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated and other official guidance issued under it, collectively;
"Treasury Regulations" mean the regulations promulgated under the Code;
"US Taxpayer" means an Eligible Employee or Participant who is subject to US federal income taxation on the Award Date, or who is expected to become subject to US federal income taxation following the Award Date, or who does become subject to US federal income taxation following the Award Date but prior to the date upon which any part of the Award Vests; and
the definition of "Expected Vesting Date" in rule 1 (Definitions and interpretation) will be revised to provide as follows:
"Expected Vesting Date" of an Award means the date the Committee determines under rule 2.4.4 and sets forth in the applicable Award terms."
Rule 3.1 (Performance Conditions) and rule 3.2 (Other Conditions) will each be revised to add the following language at the end of the first paragraph of each:
"so long as such Condition(s) are consistent with Section 409A."
The last sentence of rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents) will be deleted and replaced with the following:
"In the case of a Conditional Award, the cash will be paid, or Shares delivered, in satisfaction of any Dividend Equivalents pursuant to rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), or if applicable, pursuant to rule 7.5 (Early Vesting for tax liability), rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions) or rule 17 (Corporate events)."
4.1 A new rule 7.5 will be added to rule 7 (Vesting of Awards) which will provide as follows:
In the event that a Participant becomes subject to tax on a Conditional Award (or a portion of a Conditional Award) prior to the Expected Vesting Date, then to the extent permissible under Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(vi) of the Treasury Regulations, the Committee may to the extent so permitted accelerate the Vesting of a portion of the Conditional Award and the delivery of the Shares or cash in respect of which the Conditional Award has Vested and any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents)."
5.1 Rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash) will be revised as follows:
"Except as otherwise provided by rule 7.5 (Early Vesting for tax liability), rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions) or rule 17 (Corporate events), where a Conditional Award has Vested, the number of Shares in respect of which the Conditional Award has Vested, together with any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents), will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after the Expected Vesting Date (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year of the Expected Vesting Date or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the Expected Vesting Date), subject to the remaining provisions of this rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash) and rule 9.1 (Cash alternative), rule 10 (Holding Period) and rule 13 (Taxation and regulatory matters)."
5.2 Rule 9.3 (Nominee) will be revised to add the following language at the beginning of it:
"To the extent it would not result in a violation of Section 409A,"
Rule 9.1 (Cash alternative) will be revised to provide as follows:
"At any time prior to settlement of a Conditional Award under rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), rule 7.5 (Early Vesting for tax liability), rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions) or rule 17 (Corporate events), the Committee may choose to settle the Conditional Award partly or fully in cash. The Participant will cease to have any rights to acquire the Shares in respect of which the Award has been settled in cash. Except as otherwise provided by rule 7.5 (Early Vesting for tax liability), rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions) or rule 17 (Corporate events), the cash sum will be paid to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after the Expected Vesting Date (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year of the Expected Vesting Date, or if later, the 15th day of the third month following the Expected Vesting Date)."
7.1 Rule 10.2 (Impact of Holding Period) will be revised to provide as follows:
"If a Holding Period applies to a Conditional Award then the Shares will be delivered in accordance with the terms of the Plan, but such Shares may not be transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of during the Holding Period, other than a transfer:
10.2.1 to the Participant's personal representatives on death;
"so long as such arrangement does not result in a violation of Section 409A"
8.1 Rule Error! Reference source not found. (Relevant investigation) is revised to provide as follows:
"If an investigation is ongoing which might lead to Malus and/or Clawback being triggered then the Award(s) will Vest, but any Shares delivered will be subject to rule 11.2 (Impact of investigation)."
8.2 Rule 11.2 (Impact of investigation) is revised to provide as follows:
"If an investigation is ongoing which might lead to Malus and/or Clawback being triggered in respect of a Participant then the Shares in respect of the Participant's Award will be delivered pursuant to rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), but the Shares delivered may not be transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of until such investigation is concluded, other than a transfer:
The following will be added at the end of rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions):
"The Vesting of an Award may only be delayed beyond the deadline provided by rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash) as a result of Dealing Restrictions to the extent permissible under Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii) of the Treasury Regulations where the delivery of Shares or cash in respect of the Award would violate applicable law, in which event, the Award will Vest and any Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee at the earliest date at which it is reasonably anticipated that such law no longer prevents such delivery of Shares or payment of cash."
10.1 Rule 15.2 (Leaving – before Vesting) is revised to provide as follows:
"If a Participant Leaves for a Good Leaver Reason before Vesting, the Award will:
(Delivery of Shares or cash), or if applicable, rule 7.5 (Early Vesting for tax liability), rule 12.2 (Impact of Dealing Restrictions) or rule 17 (Corporate events)."
10.2 Rule 15.4 (Death) will be revised to add the following at the end thereof:
The number of Shares in respect of which the Award Vest, together with any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents), will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant's personal representatives as soon as practicable after the date of death (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year following the calendar year of the date of death).
11.1 Rule 17.1 (General offers), rule 17.2 (Bound or entitled), rule 17.3 (Schemes of arrangement) and rule 17.4 (Winding up) will be revised to replace the language "unless and to the extent that the Committee determines that rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) should apply" with the following:
"unless the relevant event does not qualify as a Change in Control Event and to the extent that the Committee determines that rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) should apply"
11.2 Rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise) will be revised to provide as follows:
"If this rule 17.5 (Corporate events - Vesting and exercise) applies, an Award will Vest:
and to the extent the Participant's Award does not Vest, it will then lapse.
If the relevant event qualifies as a Change in Control Event, then the Award will Vest and the number of Shares in respect of which the Award has Vested, together with any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents), will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after the relevant event (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year of the relevant event, or if later, the 15th day of the third month following the relevant event), subject to rule 17.7 (Corporate events - Holding Period).
If the relevant event does not qualify as a Change in Control Event, then the Award will Vest and the number of Shares in respect of which the Award Vests, together with any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents), will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after the Expected Vesting Date (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year of the Expected Vesting Date, or if later, the 15th day of the third month following the Expected Vesting Date) or such earlier date permitted by Section 409A."
11.3 Rule 17.8 (Exchange of Awards) will be revised to provide as follows:
"Where any of rule 17.1 (General offers), rule 17.2 (Bound or entitled) or rule 17.3 (Schemes of arrangement) is expected to or does apply and the relevant event does not qualify as a Change in Control Event, or in connection with an Internal Reorganisation, the Committee may decide that Awards will be exchanged for new awards, subject to the consent of the Acquiring Company, on (or as soon as practicable after) the relevant event. The Committee shall attempt to structure the terms of the exchange and the new award such that neither the exchange nor the new award violates Section 409A."
11.4 Rule 17.9 (Requirements for a new award) will be revised to add the following at the end thereof:
"In addition, the exchange and the new award must not violate Section 409A."
A new paragraph will be added to rule 18.3 (Adjustments – Vesting and exercise) immediately following the second paragraph which will be revised to provide as follows:
Where a Conditional Award Vests pursuant to this rule 18.3 (Adjustments – Vesting and exercise) or was already Vested, then except as otherwise provided by rule 17 (Corporate events), the Conditional Award will Vest and the number of Shares in respect of which the Conditional Award Vests, together with any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents), will be delivered or paid (as applicable) to the Participant or the Participant's nominee as soon as practicable after the Expected Vesting Date (but in any event no later than 31 December of the calendar year of the Expected Vesting Date, or if later, the 15th day of the third month following the Expected Vesting Date), subject to the provisions of rule 9.1 (Cash alternative), rule 9.2 (Delivery of Shares or cash), rule 10 (Holding Period) and rule 13 (Taxation and regulatory matters)."
13.1 The following language will be added at the end of rule 19.3 (Participant consent):
"If, at any time, the Company determines that the terms of an Award may violate Section 409A, the Company shall have the authority, but shall not be required, to enter into an amendment of such Award without the consent of the Participant that is designed to avoid the imposition of any additional tax, interest or penalties on the Participant under Section 409A."
13.2 The following rule 19.7 will be added to rule 19 (Amendments):
Any amendment made under this rule 19 (Amendments) will only be effective with respect to an Award to the extent that it does not cause the Awards to violate Section 409A."
14.1 Conditional Awards granted to US Taxpayers and any additional Shares or cash to which a Participant becomes entitled under rule 9.4 (Dividend Equivalents) are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A, and the Plan (including Appendix 4) will be interpreted and administered consistent with this intention with respect to such Conditional Awards.
The provisions of this Appendix 5 modify the rules of the Plan in respect of any Awards granted under it to Eligible Employees who are California Resident in California to reflect the terms necessary or advisable for such Awards to qualify for exemption from the California Securities Laws. In the event that a Participant becomes a California Resident after the Award Date of an Award, then such Award will immediately be modified in a manner consistent with this Appendix 5.
"California Resident" means an Eligible Employee or Participant who is a resident of the State of California;
"California Securities Laws" means, collectively, Section 25102(o) of the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder by the California Commissioner of Corporations, including Section 260.140.42 relating to compensatory plans; and
"Rule 701" means Rule 701 of the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The Committee hereby establishes the following terms for purposes of satisfying the requirements of California Securities Laws. Any Award granted under the Plan to a Participant who is a California Resident shall be subject to the following additional limitations, terms, and conditions, which for purposes of compliance with California Securities Laws only shall be deemed to be a separate plan maintained solely for California Residents:
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards may be granted under the Plan to any California Resident in accordance with any other registration exemption permitted under the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, as amended, or by qualification under such law, subject to such conditions as required by such law.
who has knowledge of this information, anytime until the information is disclosed to the public.
If French law or regulations are amended after adoption or amendment of this French Appendix to modify the definition and/or applicability of the Closed Period to Qualified Awards, such amendment shall become applicable to any Qualified Awards granted under this French Appendix, to the extent permitted or required by French law;
"Disability" has the meaning given in the second or third category of Article L.341-4 of the French Code de la sécurité sociale, as amended;
"Eligible French Employee" means an Eligible Employee who is an employee or an officer of a French Group Member and who is taxable in France for French tax purposes and/or subject to the French social security regime;
"French Group Member" means a company which is a Subsidiary with its registered office in France and is a company in which the Company holds, directly or indirectly, at least 10 per cent of the share capital or voting rights;
"French Participant" means an Eligible French Employee who has been granted a Qualified Award;
"Holding Period" means such period (applicable under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code), if any, following the Vesting of a Qualified Award, as determined by the Committee. Where a Holding Period applies, it will be interpreted in accordance with rules 10.2 to 10.5 inclusive of the Plan, and the provisions of this French Appendix 6. A Holding Period applicable to a Qualified Award shall not expire until at least two years after the Award Date, subject to the provisions of this French Appendix;
"Option" means a right in the form of a nil or nominal cost option to acquire the Shares underlying the Award;
"Qualified Award" means a Conditional Award granted under this French Appendix 6 that is intended to qualify for the special tax and social security treatment applicable to free shares granted under Sections L. 225-197-1 to L. 225-197-5 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, at the Award Date, and that:
accordance with the relevant provisions set forth by French tax and social security laws, as well as the relevant administrative provisions.
4.1 Qualified Awards may only be granted to Eligible French Employees.
or in each case at least such other period as is required to comply with the minimum mandatory vesting period applicable to Qualified Awards under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, or the relevant sections of the French Tax Code or the French Social Security Code, as amended, to benefit from the specific tax and social security treatment applicable to Qualified Awards.
5.3 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan except for sections 12.1 and 12.2 (Death and Disability) and section 13 (Corporate events and adjustments) of this French Appendix 6, Qualified Awards cannot become Vested prior to the expiration of a two/one-year period as calculated from the Award Date, or such other period as is required to comply with the minimum mandatory vesting period applicable to Qualified Awards under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, or the relevant sections of the French Tax Code or the French Social Security Code, as amended, to benefit from the specific tax and social security treatment applicable to Qualified Awards. This section 5.3 applies even if the French Participant is no longer an Employee.
may not occur prior to the expiration of a two-year period as calculated from the Award Date, or such other period as is required to comply with the minimum two-year mandatory retention period applicable to Qualified Awards under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, or the relevant sections of the French Tax Code or the French Social Security Code, as amended, to benefit from the specific tax and social security regime. This section 6.1 applies even if the French Participant is no longer an Employee.
a Holding Period will apply to, as relevant, all or a portion of the Qualified Award for at least until the expiration of a two-year period as calculated from the Award Date, or such other period as is required to comply with the two-year minimum mandatory retention period applicable to Qualified Awards under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, or the relevant sections of the French Tax Code or the French Social Security Code, as amended, to benefit from the specific tax and social security regime. For the avoidance of doubt, this section 6.2 may apply even if the Holding Period was not specified in the applicable Award terms.
7.1 A Qualified Award cannot and must not carry the right to Dividend Equivalents. Any dividend and voting rights will apply only upon and from the delivery of the Shares following Vesting.
9.1 At the Award Date of any Qualified Award, the total number of Shares granted subject to Qualified Awards and subject to awards under any other employee share plan of the Company where such awards are granted subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Articles L.225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code and are (or are similar in substance to) a conditional right to acquire Shares (other than an option) for no or limited cost (up to 5 percent of the Market Value of the Shares), must not exceed 15 percent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, insofar as is permissible under the Plan.
11.1 A Qualified Award may only be settled in Shares and not cash. Rule 10.4 (Cash-settled Awards) of the Plan does not apply to the Eligible French Employees.
13.1 In the event rule 17 (Corporate events) or rule 18 (Adjustments) of the Plan applies, Qualified Awards will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. This may cause the Qualified Awards to cease to qualify for the French specific tax and social security regime. In this case, the provisions of rule 17 (Corporate events) or rule 18 (Adjustments) of the Plan nevertheless continue to apply, notwithstanding any potential detrimental tax or social security consequences for the French Participant.
16.1 Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Shareholders authorised the Board (or, as relevant, a committee duly authorised by it) to reserve the right to amend or terminate this French Appendix 6 at any time.
This Israeli Appendix sets out the terms and conditions applicable to Trustee 102 Awards granted to Approved Israeli Participants.
This Israeli Appendix makes certain variations to the terms of the Sage Group plc Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the "Plan"), in order to satisfy Israeli tax requirements, so that Awards may qualify for the specific tax and social security treatment in Israel under Section 102 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version] 1961.
The rules of the Plan shall apply, subject to the modifications contained in this Israeli Appendix, whenever the Committee decides to grant Trustee 102 Awards to Approved Israeli Participants. Nothing in this Israeli Appendix prevents other forms of Award being granted to Approved Israeli Participants on a non-tax advantaged basis under the rules of the Plan, unamended by this Israeli Appendix.
The Plan and this Israeli Appendix are complimentary to each other and shall be deemed as one. In the event of any conflict, whether explicit or implied, between the provisions of this Israeli Appendix and the Plan, the provisions set out in the Israeli Appendix shall prevail to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements set by the Israeli law in general, and in particular, with the provisions of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version] 1961, as may be amended or replaced from time to time.
The Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on [6] February 2025. The Plan, including this Israeli Appendix to the Plan was approved by the Board (or, as relevant, a committee duly authorised by it) on 4 November 2024.
Unless provided otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, capitalised terms used but not defined in this Israeli Appendix shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan.
References to the Plan in the Plan and in this Israeli Appendix will include the Israeli Appendix and, where the Israeli Appendix amends the Plan, the Plan will be interpreted accordingly.
2.1 The following definitions shall apply to Trustee 102 Awards granted in accordance with this Israeli Appendix:
"102 Award" means any Award intended to qualify (as determined by the Committee and/or the Israeli Award Agreement) and which qualifies as an award under Section 102, issued to an Approved Israeli Participant.
"Applicable Law" shall mean any applicable law, rule, regulation, statute, pronouncement, policy, interpretation, judgment, order or decree of any federal, provincial, state or local governmental, regulatory or adjudicative authority or agency, of any jurisdiction, and the rules and regulations of any stock exchange, over-the-counter market or trading system on which the Shares are then traded or listed.
"Approved Israeli Participant" means a Participant who is an Israeli tax resident and is an employee, director or an officer of an Employer, excluding any Controlling Share Holder of the Company.
"Award" means any Award granted under the Plan settled in Shares and which will not be capable of being settled in cash including pursuant to rule 9.1 (Cash alternative) of the Plan.
"Capital Gain Award" means a Trustee 102 Award elected and designated by the Company to qualify under the capital gain tax treatment in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(b)(2) and 102(b)(3) of the Ordinance.
"Controlling Share Holder" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 32(9) of the Ordinance.
"Employer" means an Israeli resident Member of the Group which is an "employing company" within the meaning and subject to the conditions of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance.
"ITA" means the Israeli Tax Authority.
"Israeli Award Agreement" means the document provided to the Approved Israeli Participant by the Company, evidencing the grant of the Award to the Approved Israeli Participant and which sets out the terms and conditions of a 102 Award.
"Non-Trustee 102 Award" means a 102 Award granted pursuant to Section 102(c) of the Ordinance and not held in trust by a 102 Trustee.
"Ordinance" means the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance [New Version] – 1961, as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
"Rules" means the Income Tax Rules (Tax Benefits in Stock Issuance to Employees) 5763-2003.
"Section 102" means Section 102 of the Ordinance and any regulations, rules, orders or procedures promulgated thereunder as now in effect or as hereafter amended.
"Tax" means any applicable tax and other compulsory payments, such as any social security and health tax contributions under any Applicable Law.
"Trust Agreement" means the agreement to be signed between the Company, an Employer and the 102 Trustee for the purposes of Section 102.
"102 Trustee" means any person or entity appointed by the Company to serve as a trustee and approved by the ITA, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(a) of the Ordinance, as may be replaced from time to time.
"Trustee 102 Award" means a 102 Award granted to an Approved Israeli Participant pursuant to Section 102(b) of the Ordinance and held in trust by a 102 Trustee for the benefit of an Approved Israeli Participant.
remain in effect at least until the end of the year following the year during which the Company first granted Trustee 102 Awards. The Election shall obligate the Company to grant only the type of Trustee 102 Award it has elected, and shall apply to all Approved Israeli Participants who are granted Trustee 102 Awards during the period indicated herein, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 102(g) of the Ordinance. For the avoidance of doubt, the Election shall not prevent the Company from granting Non-Trustee 102 Awards simultaneously.
Each 102 Award will be deemed granted on the date determined by the Committee, subject to the provisions of the Plan, provided that and subject to (i) the Approved Israeli Participant has signed all documents required by the Company or Applicable Law, and (ii) with respect to any Trustee 102 Award, the Company has provided all applicable documents to the 102 Trustee in accordance with the guidelines published by the ITA such that, if the guidelines are not met, the 102 Award will be considered as granted on the date determined by the Committee as a Non-102 Trustee Award.
Appendix are to be read such that they comply with the requirements of Section 102 and as a consequence, should any provision in the Plan or Appendix disqualify the Plan and/or the Awards granted thereunder from beneficial tax treatment pursuant to the provisions of Section 102 of the Ordinance, such provision shall be considered invalid either permanently or until the Israel Tax Authority provides approval of compliance with Section 102.
5.6 Trustee 102 Awards which continue to vest after the date of termination of engagement may not qualify for beneficial tax treatment as Capital Gain Awards.
The terms and conditions upon which Awards shall be granted, issued and exercised or vested under this Israeli Appendix, shall be specified in an Israeli Award Agreement to be executed pursuant to the Plan and to this Israeli Appendix. Each Israeli Award Agreement shall provide, inter alia, the number of Shares to which the Award relates, the type of Award granted thereunder (i.e., a Capital Gain Awards), and any applicable vesting provisions and exercise price that may be payable. For the avoidance of doubt, it is clarified that there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Approved Israeli Participants and that the terms and conditions of Awards granted to Approved Israeli Participants need not be the same with respect to each Approved Israeli Participant (whether or not such Approved Israeli Participants are similarly situated). The grant, vesting and exercise of Awards granted to Israeli Participants shall be subject to the terms and conditions and, with respect to exercise, the method, as may be determined by the Committee (including the provisions of the Plan) and, when applicable, by the 102 Trustee, in accordance with the requirements of Section 102.
APPLYING TO PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT, OR BENEFIT FROM ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT OR TAX ADVANTAGE OF ANY TYPE AND THE COMPANY AND ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) SHALL BEAR NO LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANNER IN WHICH ANY AWARD IS EVENTUALLY TREATED FOR TAX PURPOSES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE AWARD WAS GRANTED OR WAS INTENDED TO QUALIFY UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX REGIME OR TREATMENT. THIS PROVISION SHALL SUPERSEDE ANY DESIGNATION OF AWARDS OR TAX QUALIFICATION INDICATED IN ANY CORPORATE RESOLUTION OR AWARD AGREEMENT, WHICH SHALL AT ALL TIMES BE SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICABLE LAW. THE COMPANY AND ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) DO NOT UNDERTAKE AND SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ANY ACTION IN ORDER TO QUALIFY ANY AWARD WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT AND NO INDICATION IN ANY DOCUMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY AWARD IS INTENDED TO QUALIFY FOR ANY TAX TREATMENT SHALL IMPLY SUCH AN UNDERTAKING. NO ASSURANCE IS MADE BY THE COMPANY AND ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) THAT ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT ON THE DATE OF GRANT WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST OR THAT THE AWARD WILL QUALIFY AT THE TIME OF VESTING, EXERCISE OR DISPOSITION THEREOF WITH ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT. THE COMPANY AND ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION OF ANY NATURE IN THE EVENT THAT AN AWARD DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE COMPANY OR ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) COULD HAVE TAKEN ANY ACTION TO CAUSE SUCH QUALIFICATION TO BE MET AND SUCH QUALIFICATION REMAINS AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE RISK OF THE APPROVED ISRAELI PARTICIPANT. THE COMPANY AND ANY MEMBER OF THE GROUP (INCLUDING THE EMPLOYER) DO NOT UNDERTAKE OR ASSUME ANY LIABILITY TO CONTEST A DETERMINATION OR INTERPRETATION (WHETHER WRITTEN OR UNWRITTEN) OF ANY TAX AUTHORITY, INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF THE QUALIFICATION UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX REGIME OR RULES APPLYING TO PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT. AWARDS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY UNDER ANY PARTICULAR TAX TREATMENT COULD RESULT IN ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE APPROVED ISRAELI PARTICIPANT.
The Awards granted hereunder are extraordinary, one-time Awards granted to the Approved Israeli Participants, and are not and shall not be deemed a salary component for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, in connection with calculating severance compensation under Applicable Law, nor shall receipt of an Award entitle an Approved Israeli Participant to any future Awards.
Solely for the purpose of determining the Israeli tax treatment of Awards granted pursuant to this Israeli Appendix, this Israeli Appendix shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel, without reference to conflicts of law principles.
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