EX-2.1 2 h75415exv2w1.htm EX-2.1 exv2w1 Exhibit 2.1
EXECUTION VERSION
INVESTMENT, SHAREHOLDERS AND
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by
and
among
THE MENS WEARHOUSE, INC.,
MOORES THE SUIT PEOPLE INC.,
MWUK HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED,
ENSCO 648 LIMITED,
GRESHAM 4A AND GRESHAM 4B
and
THE SELLERS SET FORTH HEREIN
Dated: August 6, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| | ARTICLE 1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES IN THE COMPANY AND SUBSCRIPTION FOR SHARES IN NEWCO | | | 7 | |
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| | 1.1 | | Purchase and Sale of Sale Shares | | | 7 | |
| | 1.2 | | Subscription for shares in Buyer | | | 7 | |
| | 1.3 | | Purchase Price for Sale Shares and Subscription Price for Subscriber Shares | | | 8 | |
| | 1.4 | | The Closing | | | 8 | |
| | 1.5 | | Deliveries at the Closing: | | | 8 | |
| | 1.6 | | Closing Mechanics and Effect of Failure to Meet Closing Obligations | | | 11 | |
| | 1.7 | | Effect of Termination Pursuant to Section 1.6(c) | | | 12 | |
| | 1.8 | | Application of Schedule 2 | | | 12 | |
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ARTICLE 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION | | | 12 | |
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| | 2.1 | | Representations and Warranties of Gresham and Sellers | | | 12 | |
| | 2.2 | | Representations and Warranties of Buyer, MSP and TMW | | | 13 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACQUIRED ENTITIES | | | 14 | |
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| | 3.1 | | Corporate Status | | | 15 | |
| | 3.2 | | No Violation; Governmental Consents | | | 15 | |
| | 3.3 | | Brokers Fees | | | 15 | |
| | 3.4 | | Capitalization | | | 15 | |
| | 3.5 | | Subsidiaries | | | 16 | |
| | 3.6 | | Records | | | 16 | |
| | 3.7 | | Financial Statements | | | 17 | |
| | 3.8 | | Subsequent Events | | | 18 | |
| | 3.9 | | Liabilities | | | 20 | |
| | 3.10 | | Legal Compliance | | | 21 | |
| | 3.11 | | Tax Matters | | | 22 | |
| | 3.12 | | Title to Assets | | | 24 | |
| | 3.13 | | Real Property | | | 24 | |
| | 3.14 | | Intellectual Property | | | 27 | |
| | 3.15 | | Tangible Assets | | | 30 | |
| | 3.16 | | Inventory | | | 30 | |
| | 3.17 | | Contracts | | | 30 | |
| | 3.18 | | Tenders | | | 31 | |
| | 3.19 | | Receivables | | | 32 | |
| | 3.20 | | Insurance | | | 32 | |
| | 3.21 | | Litigation | | | 32 | |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| | 3.22 | | Labor; Employees | | | 33 | |
| | 3.23 | | Employment | | | 35 | |
| | 3.24 | | Employee Benefits | | | 35 | |
| | 3.25 | | Pensions | | | 36 | |
| | 3.26 | | Environmental Matters | | | 39 | |
| | 3.27 | | Customers and Suppliers | | | 40 | |
| | 3.28 | | Permits | | | 40 | |
| | 3.29 | | Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Compliance | | | 40 | |
| | 3.30 | | Bank Accounts | | | 40 | |
| | 3.31 | | Certain Business Relationships with the Acquired Entities | | | 40 | |
| | 3.32 | | Insolvency | | | 40 | |
| | 3.33 | | Loans to Third Parties | | | 42 | |
| | 3.34 | | Competition (Antitrust) | | | 42 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ARTICLE 4. COVENANTS | | | 43 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | 4.1 | | Conduct of the Acquired Entities | | | 43 | |
| | 4.2 | | Filings; Other Actions; Notification | | | 43 | |
| | 4.3 | | Access and Information | | | 44 | |
| | 4.4 | | Contact with Customers and Suppliers, Employees, etc | | | 46 | |
| | 4.5 | | Publicity | | | 46 | |
| | 4.6 | | Affiliated Transactions | | | 46 | |
| | 4.7 | | Employee Matters | | | 47 | |
| | 4.8 | | Third Party Consents | | | 47 | |
| | 4.9 | | Restrictive Covenants | | | 47 | |
| | 4.10 | | Release | | | 49 | |
| | 4.11 | | Further Assurances | | | 49 | |
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ARTICLE 5. GUARANTEE | | | 49 | |
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ARTICLE 6. CLOSING CONDITIONS | | | 50 | |
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| | 6.1 | | Conditions Precedent to Obligation of MSP and Buyer | | | 50 | |
| | 6.2 | | Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Sellers | | | 52 | |
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ARTICLE 7. TERMINATION | | | 52 | |
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| | 7.1 | | Termination of Agreement | | | 52 | |
| | 7.2 | | Effect of Termination | | | 53 | |
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ARTICLE 8. TAX MATTERS | | | 53 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | 8.1 | | Tax Indemnity | | | 53 | |
| | 8.2 | | Limitations on Gresham's and Sellers Liability | | | 55 | |
| | 8.3 | | Credit for Tax Savings | | | 58 | |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| | 8.4 | | Over-Provisions | | | 58 | |
| | 8.5 | | Tax Contests | | | 60 | |
| | 8.6 | | Recovery from Third Parties | | | 60 | |
| | 8.7 | | Buyers Covenant | | | 61 | |
| | 8.8 | | Termination of Tax Sharing Agreements | | | 61 | |
| | 8.9 | | Cooperation | | | 61 | |
| | 8.10 | | Nature of Payments | | | 62 | |
| | 8.11 | | Allocation of Taxes | | | 62 | |
| | 8.12 | | Preparation of Tax Returns | | | 62 | |
| | 8.13 | | Gross up | | | 62 | |
| | 8.14 | | Due date for payment | | | 63 | |
| | 8.15 | | Conflicts | | | 63 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ARTICLE 9. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, CLAIMS AND LIMITATIONS | | | 63 | |
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| | 9.1 | | Survival of the Management Sellers Representations and Warranties | | | 63 | |
| | 9.2 | | Survival of Buyer, MSP and TMW Representations and Warranties | | | 64 | |
| | 9.3 | | Indemnities | | | 64 | |
| | 9.4 | | Third Party Claim Procedures | | | 64 | |
| | 9.5 | | Limitations on Sellers' Liability | | | 65 | |
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ARTICLE 10. ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDING OF BUYER | | | 69 | |
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| | 10.1 | | Provision of Information | | | 69 | |
| | 10.2 | | Board of Directors | | | 70 | |
| | 10.3 | | Matters requiring consent | | | 70 | |
| | 10.4 | | Working Capital and Further Funding of Buyer | | | 71 | |
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ARTICLE 11. DEFINITIONS | | | 73 | |
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ARTICLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS | | | 86 | |
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| | 12.1 | | Entire Agreement | | | 86 | |
| | 12.2 | | Effect of Closing | | | 86 | |
| | 12.3 | | Successors | | | 86 | |
| | 12.4 | | Assignments | | | 86 | |
| | 12.5 | | Notices | | | 87 | |
| | 12.6 | | Submission to Jurisdiction | | | 88 | |
| | 12.7 | | Specific Performance | | | 89 | |
| | 12.8 | | Counterparts; Electronic Signatures and Electronic Exchange of Documents | | | 89 | |
| | 12.9 | | Headings | | | 90 | |
| | 12.10 | | Governing Law | | | 90 | |
| | 12.11 | | Amendments and Waivers | | | 90 | |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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| | 12.12 | | Severability | | | 90 | |
| | 12.13 | | Expenses | | | 90 | |
| | 12.14 | | Construction | | | 90 | |
| | 12.15 | | Incorporation of Exhibits and Annexes | | | 91 | |
| | 12.16 | | Rights of Third Parties | | | 91 | |
| | 12.17 | | Management Sellers Representative | | | 91 | |
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ATTACHMENTS
Schedule 1 Indebtedness Statement
Schedule 2 Call option
Schedule 3 Acquired Entities Fees and Expenses
Schedule 4 Pensions
Exhibit A List of Sellers and Share Ownership (beneficial and legal title)
Exhibit B Form of New Buyer Articles
Exhibit C Form of New Company Articles
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Investment, Shareholders and Stock Purchase Agreement
This Investment, Shareholders and Stock Purchase Agreement (this Agreement) is dated as of August 6, 2010, by and among (i) The Mens Wearhouse, Inc., a Texas corporation (TMW), Moores The Suit People Inc., a New Brunswick corporation (MSP) and MWUK Holding Company Limited (Buyer), a limited company incorporated in England and Wales (with registered number 07331441) and (as at the date of this Agreement), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TMW, and (ii) Ensco 648 Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in England and Wales (with registered number 06474385) (the Company), and (iii) Gresham 4A, a limited partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number LP011407 (Gresham 4A) and Gresham 4B, a limited partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number LP011408 (Gresham 4B), acting by their manager Gresham LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC307703 (Gresham LLP), Gresham 4A, Gresham 4B and Gresham LLP being Gresham", and (iv) each stockholder of the Company set forth on Exhibit A, including Gresham (individually, Seller and collectively, Sellers). TMW, MSP, Buyer, the Company, Gresham, and Sellers are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Parties and each individually as a Party. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meaning specified in ARTICLE 11.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, Sellers own all of the Companys outstanding capital stock;
WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase from Sellers all of the Companys outstanding capital stock, and Sellers desire to sell to Buyer all of the Companys outstanding capital stock in exchange for cash and shares in Buyer, so that the Company becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer, in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, MSP proposes to subscribe for additional shares in Buyer, such that following Closing, MSP will own 86% of the Buyer A Stock, representing 80.84% of the Buyer Ordinary Stock, Gresham will own 14% of the Buyer A Stock, representing 13.16% of the Buyer Ordinary Stock and Simon Hughes will own all of the Buyer B Stock, representing 6% of the Buyer Ordinary Stock; and
WHEREAS, TMW is a party to this Agreement as guarantor for the purposes set forth herein.
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AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES IN THE COMPANY AND
SUBSCRIPTION FOR SHARES IN NEWCO
1.1 Purchase and Sale of Sale Shares.
(a) At the Closing, Buyer agrees to purchase from each Seller, and each Seller severally agrees to sell to Buyer, that number of shares of Company Stock set forth next to each Sellers name on Exhibit A (collectively, the Sale Shares), with full title guarantee and free and clear of any Encumbrances, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
(b) Title to, beneficial ownership of, and any risk attaching to, the Sale Shares shall pass on Closing together with all associated rights and benefits attaching or accruing to them on or after Closing.
(c) Each Seller irrevocably waives any rights of pre-emption conferred on them by the Articles of Association of the Company or otherwise over any of the Sale Shares.
(d) Buyer shall not be obliged to complete the purchase of any of the Sale Shares unless the purchase of all the Sale Shares is completed simultaneously.
(e) The Sellers shall not be obliged to complete the sale of any Sales Shares unless MSP has subscribed in cash for the MSP Subscriber Shares.
1.2 Subscription for shares in Buyer
(a) At the Closing, MSP shall subscribe for 808,399 Buyer A Stock such that following Closing it shall hold 808,400 Buyer A Stock (representing 86% of the outstanding Buyer A Stock and 80.84% of the outstanding Buyer Ordinary Stock, following the subscriptions referred to in this Section) (the MSP Subscriber Shares) and otherwise upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
(b) At the Closing, Simon Hughes shall subscribe, subject to the rights, terms and conditions contained in the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement and the New Buyer Articles, for 60,000 Buyer B Stock (representing all of the outstanding Buyer B Stock and 6% of the outstanding Buyer Ordinary Stock, following the subscriptions referred to in this Section) (the SH Subscriber Shares).
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1.3 Purchase Price for Sale Shares and Subscription Price for Subscriber Shares.
(a) The consideration for the sale of the Sale Shares to Buyer shall be:
(i) the allotment and issue by Buyer to Gresham 4A of 93,291 Buyer A Stock and to Gresham 4B of 38,309 Buyer A Stock (the Consideration Shares) in consideration for the sale of all of Gresham 4As 25,449,510 Company C Stock and of all of Gresham 4Bs 10,450,490 Company C Stock, such Consideration Shares representing 14% of the outstanding Buyer A Stock and 13.16% of the outstanding Buyer Ordinary Stock following the subscriptions referred to in this Section; and
(ii) the payment by the Buyer to Sellers of £1, which will be allocated among the Sellers in the proportions set forth next to each Sellers name on Exhibit A, in consideration for the sale of all of the Sellers 84,800,000 Company A Stock and all of the Sellers 75,200,000 Company B Stock.
(b) The consideration for the allotment and issue of the MSP Subscriber Shares to MSP shall be the payment by MSP (or such person as MSP shall nominate) to Buyer of the Subscription Monies in cash.
(c) The consideration for the allotment and issue of the SH Subscriber Shares to SH shall be the payment by SH to Buyer in accordance with the terms of the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement.
1.4 The Closing. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Sale Shares and the subscriptions for the MSP Subscriber Shares, the SH Subscriber Shares and the Consideration Shares (the Closing) will take place at the offices of Norton Rose LLP, 3 More London Riverside, London, SE1 2AQ, commencing at 3:00 p.m. local time, on the second Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions set forth in Article 6 (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions by the Buyer) or on such other date as Buyer, Gresham and the Management Sellers Representative may mutually determine (the Closing Date).
1.5 Deliveries at the Closing. At the Closing:
(a) Management Sellers will deliver to Buyer:
(i) certificates representing the Sale Shares held by them, accompanied by share transfer forms duly endorsed in blank in proper form for transfer to Buyer;
(ii) the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(c);
(iii) (as agents for each Acquired Entity) all its statutory books (written up to the Business Day immediately preceding Closing) and its common seal (if any), certificate of incorporation, any certificate or certificates of incorporation on
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change of name and any other documents and records being available at the Leased Real Property;
(iv) duly executed deeds of release in Agreed Form releasing the Company and each Acquired Entity from all Guarantees given by any Acquired Entity in respect of the liabilities of any Seller or any of their Affiliates;
(v) the deeds and documents of title to Leased Real Property and all ancillary documents;
(vi) (if not already delivered) the duly executed Disclosure Letter and Closing Disclosure Letter and accompanying disclosure bundles and CD Roms;
(vii) a deed of termination in respect of the Investment Agreement duly executed by or on behalf of the Management Sellers;
(viii) the Employment Agreements, duly executed by or on behalf of the appropriate parties thereto (other than Buyer);
(ix) a certificate of Management Sellers in the Agreed Form certifying as to the amounts (and components thereof) of (A) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Acquired Entities, calculated in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 and (B) the aggregate final fees and expenses of the Acquired Entities in connection with the Transactions, as set out in Schedule 3 (the Agreed Fees), and confirming that the Indebtedness of the Acquired Entities has not changed and that the Agreed Fees have not changed;
(x) a certificate from the insurance broker of the Acquired Entities, confirming the continuation of the Acquired Entities:
(a) directors and officers liability insurance for the outgoing directors and officers following Closing; and
(b) insurance cover for insurance claims arising after Closing relating to events that occurred prior to Closing;
(xi) the Banks Debt Release Documents;
(xii) the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement, duly executed by Simon Hughes;
(xiii) a pre-stamping voting attorney in the Agreed Form;
(xiv) the KPMG Comfort Letter; and
(xv) the New FOREX Agreement.
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(b) Gresham will deliver to Buyer:
(i) certificates representing the Sale Shares held by it accompanied by share transfer forms duly endorsed in blank in proper form for transfer to Buyer;
(ii) the duly executed Security Documents;
(iii) certificates representing the Loan Notes issued to Gresham by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Loan Note Instrument;
(iv) a deed of termination in respect of the Investment Agreement duly executed by or on behalf of it;
(v) evidence satisfactory to the Buyer that all principal and interest due to Gresham under the Loan Notes has been capitalized and no amounts remain owing to Gresham under the Loan Notes, which have been redeemed in full and cancelled;
(vi) evidence satisfactory to the Buyer that all security granted in favour of Gresham (or any member of the Gresham Group) over the assets of the Acquired Entities or the share capital of any Acquired Entity has been released; and
(vii) a pre-stamping voting attorney in the Agreed Form; and
(c) The Management Sellers shall:
(i) cause the transfers mentioned in sub-clauses (a)(i) and (b)(i) above to be resolved to be registered (subject only to their being duly stamped) notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Articles of Association of any Acquired Entity;
(ii) deliver to the Buyer Agreed Form letters (executed as deeds) from each Director of the Acquired Entities (other than Simon Hughes) and the Secretary of each Acquired Entity, agreeing to resign from such positions upon new Directors and a new Secretary being appointed to each Acquired Entity, acknowledging that they have no claim outstanding for compensation for loss of office .
(iii) cause the Company to adopt the New Company Articles as its articles of association.
(d) The Buyer shall:
(i) allot and issue the Consideration Shares to Gresham, the MSP Subscriber Shares to MSP and the SH Subscriber Shares to Simon Hughes;
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(ii) to the extent that they have not already been appointed, cause David H. Edwab, Neill P. Davis, Douglas S.Ewert, Diana M. Wilson, Simon Inchley, Stuart Graham and Simon Hughes to be validly appointed as additional directors and Michael Conlon to be validly appointed as secretary of Buyer and the Company; and
(iii) adopt the New Buyer Articles as its articles of association;
(iv) enter into the New £30m Bond Documents and issue a drawdown notice for the full amount available thereunder.
(e) The Buyer will deliver:
(i) share certificates in respect of the Consideration Shares issued to Gresham; and
(ii) the Employment Agreements, duly executed on behalf of Buyer.
(f) MSP will pay the Subscription Monies for the MSP Subscriber Shares into Buyers bank account by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with Section 1.3(b).
(g) SH will pay the subscription monies due for the SH Subscriber Shares in accordance with the terms of the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement.
(h) The Buyer will deliver to:
(i) MSP, share certificates in respect of the MSP Subscriber Shares; and
(ii) Simon Hughes, share certificates in respect of the SH Subscriber Shares.
1.6 Closing Mechanics and Effect of Failure to Meet Closing Obligations. The Sellers, MSP and the Buyer have entered into the Escrow Agreement to facilitate Closing of the Transactions. Subject to the obligations and undertakings in the Escrow Agreement, if the Sellers, MSP or the Buyer (the Affected Party) fails or is unable to comply with any of its obligations under the preceding provisions of Section 1.5 on the Closing Date then any of the others (theUnaffected Party) may:
(a) defer Closing to a date not more than 10 days after that date (in which case the provisions of this Section 1.6 shall apply to Closing as so deferred); or
(b) proceed to Closing so far as practicable but without prejudice to the Unaffected Partys rights where the Affected Party has not complied with its obligations under this Agreement;
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(c) if all parties to the Escrow Agreement agree, treat this Agreement as terminated for breach of condition.
1.7 Effect of Termination Pursuant to Section 1.6(c). If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 1.6(c) (and without limiting any partys right to claim damages), all obligations of the Sellers, TMW, MSP and the Buyer under this Agreement shall end (except for the provisions of Section 12.1 (Entire Agreement), Section 4.5 (Publicity) to Section 12.5 (Notices), Section 12.11 (Governing Law) and Section 12.6 (Submission to Jurisdiction) inclusive). For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 1.7 shall limit any rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement which have accrued before termination.
1.8 Application of Schedule 2 Following Closing the provisions of Schedule 2 (Put and Call Option) shall apply.
ARTICLE 2.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION
2.1 Representations and Warranties of Gresham and Sellers. Gresham and each Seller severally, and not jointly, and only as to himself, herself or itself represents and warrants to Buyer, MSP and TMW, as at the date of this Agreement, as follows:
(a) Status of Certain Sellers. Each Seller that is an entity is an entity duly created, formed or organized, validly existing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its creation, formation, or organization.
(b) Power and Authority; Enforceability. Each Seller that is a corporate entity has the relevant entity power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which such Seller is a party, and to perform and consummate the Transactions. Each Seller that is an individual has the requisite competence and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which he or she is a party, and to perform and to consummate the Transactions. Each Seller has taken all actions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which it is party, the performance of such Sellers obligations thereunder and the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement constitutes, and the other documents to be executed by any Seller which are to be delivered by that Seller at Closing will, when executed, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of that Seller enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
(c) No Violation. The execution and the delivery of the Transaction Documents by each Seller party thereto and the respective performance and consummation of the Transactions by such Seller will not (i) breach in any material respect any Law or Order to which any Seller is subject, (ii) if a Seller is an entity, breach any provision of its constitutional documents, (iii) breach any Contract, Order, or Permit to which any Seller is a party or by which any Seller is bound or to which any Sellers assets are subject or (iv) require any Consent from any Governmental Authority or other third party.
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(d) Brokers Fees. No Seller has on his own behalf incurred any Liability to pay any brokerage or finders commission, fee or similar compensation in connection with the Transactions for which MSP, Buyer or any Acquired Entity could become directly or indirectly Liable.
(e) Sale Shares; Seller Information. Each Seller holds of record and owns legally and beneficially the number of Sale Shares as set forth next to such Sellers name on Exhibit A, free and clear of any Encumbrances. No Seller is a party to any Contract that could require such Seller to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of any Acquired Entity (other than this Agreement). Except for the Sale Shares owned by Seller and listed on Exhibit A hereto, no Seller owns any shares or capital stock or other securities of any Acquired Entity or any options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock or other equity securities of any Acquired Entity. No Seller owns or otherwise has any statutory or contractual preemptive or other right of any kind (including any right of first offer or refusal) to acquire any capital stock or other securities from any Acquired Entity. Upon delivery of the Sale Shares to Buyer at Closing, each Seller will transfer full legal and beneficial title of the Sale Shares to Buyer, free and clear of any Encumbrances.
(f) No Amounts Owed to Sellers. No Acquired Entity owes nor is any Acquired Entity obligated to pay Seller any amount and Seller has no claim of any kind against any Acquired Entity, except with respect to remuneration for services rendered as a director, officer, manager or employee of an Acquired Entity in the Ordinary Course of Business as described on Schedule 2.1(f) to the Disclosure Letter with regards to the Management Sellers.
2.2 Representations and Warranties of Buyer, MSP and TMW. Each of Buyer, MSP and TMW, jointly, represents and warrants to Sellers as at the date of this Agreement as follows:
(a) Entity Status. Each of Buyer, MSP and TMW is an entity duly created, formed or organized and validly existing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its creation, formulation, or organization.
(b) Power and Authority; Enforceability. Each of Buyer, MSP and TMW has the relevant power and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it is party, and to perform and consummate the Transactions. Each of Buyer, MSP and TMW has taken all action necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which it is party, the performance of their respective obligations thereunder and the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement constitutes, and the other documents to be executed by Buyer, MSP and TMW which are to be delivered by each of Buyer, MSP and TMW at Closing will, when executed, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each of Buyer, MSP and TMW enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
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(c) No Violation. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which each of Buyer, MSP or TMW is party and the respective performance and consummation of the Transactions by Buyer, MSP or TMW will not (i) breach in any material respect any Law or Order to which Buyer, MSP or TMW is subject, or (ii) breach any provision of its respective constitutional documents, (iii) breach any Contract, Order or Permit to which Buyer, MSP or TMW is a party or by which any Buyer, MSP or TMW is bound or to which any Buyer, MSP or TMW assets are subject or (iv) require any Consent from any Governmental Authority or other third party.
(d) Brokers Fees. None of Buyer, MSP or TMW has incurred any Liability to pay any brokerage or finders commission, fee or similar compensation in connection with the Transactions for which Buyer or any Acquired Entity could become directly or indirectly Liable.
(e) Financial Ability to Perform. Buyer, MSP and TMW will each have at and after the Closing cash in an aggregate amount sufficient for Buyer, MSP or TMW, as the case may be, to perform all of their respective obligations hereunder.
(f) Buyer. Buyer was incorporated as a private company limited by shares on July 30, 2010. Buyer has not traded or entered into any contracts other than this Agreement, the Transaction Documents (including the New £30m Bond Documents), an agreement for company secretarial services with the Buyers Solicitors and in respect of the opening of bank accounts. Buyer has no Liabilities other than those set out in this Agreement and the Transaction Documents (including the New £30m Bond Documents) and for the matters referred to in the preceding sentence of this Section 2.2(f). Buyers current outstanding share capital consists of 1 A ordinary share of £0.01, which is held by MSP at the date hereof.
ARTICLE 3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACQUIRED ENTITIES
Subject to Article 9, Management Sellers, having made reasonable enquiry of Simon Inchley and Paul Franks, jointly and severally represent and warrant to MSP in the terms of the representations and warranties in this Article 3 as at the date of this Agreement except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter. Each of the representations and warranties in this Article 3:
(a) shall be construed as a separate and independent warranty and representation; and
(b) unless expressly provided in this Agreement, shall not be limited by reference to any other representation or warranty or by any other provision of this Agreement;
(c) shall, to the extent that they are made subject to a persons Knowledge, such expression shall mean an individual will be deemed to have Knowledge of a particular fact or other matter if such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter, or would have been so aware if he had made reasonable enquiries of each
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Management Seller, Roger Williams (Finance Director), Laura Fleming (Human Resources Manager), Simon Inchley (Partner, Gresham LLP) and Paul Franks (Partner, Gresham LLP) of such particular fact or other matter within the Knowledge of each such person, and the Management Sellers represent and warrant that there are no other employees with managerial responsibility within the Acquired Entities or Gresham who in the circumstances it would be reasonable to make enquiries of in connection with the Warranties.
and, subject to ARTICLE 9, the Buyer, MSP, TMW and/or each Acquired Entity shall have a separate claim and right of action in respect of every breach of a representation or warranty. The representations and warranties shall not in any respect be extinguished or affected by Closing.
3.1 Corporate Status. Each Acquired Entity is an entity duly created, formed or organized, validly existing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its creation, formation, or organization. Each Acquired Entity is duly authorized to conduct its business under the Laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is required. Each Acquired Entity has the requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and to carry on its businesses as currently conducted. Schedule 3.1 of the Disclosure Letter lists each Acquired Entity, their respective jurisdictions of organization, their respective directors and officers. Sellers have delivered to Buyer correct copies of each Acquired Entitys constitutional documents, as amended to date. To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no Acquired Entity is in breach of any provision of its constitutional documents.
3.2 No Violation; Governmental Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2 of the Disclosure Letter, the consummation of the Transactions will not (a) breach any Law or Order to which any Acquired Entity is subject at the date hereof, (b) breach any provision of the constitutional documents of any Acquired Entity, (c) breach any Contract, Order, or Permit to which any Acquired Entity is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject at the date hereof (or result in the imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of its assets), where such breach or imposition would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entity, (d) require any Consent from any Governmental Authority or other third party, except any notifications or filings to the relevant UK regulatory agencies.
3.3 Brokers Fees. No Acquired Entity has incurred any Liability to pay any brokerage or finders commission, fee or similar compensation in connection with the Transactions.
3.4 Capitalization. The Companys authorized Equity Interests consist of: (a) 84,800,000 A Ordinary Shares, of which 84,800,000 A Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding, (b) 75,200,000 B Ordinary Shares, of which 75,200,000 B Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding and (c) 35,900,000 C Ordinary Shares, of which 35,900,000 C Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding. The Sale Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company and (i) have been duly authorized and are validly issued and fully paid, (ii) were issued in compliance with all applicable UK Laws, (iii) were not issued in breach of any Commitments and (iv) are held of record and beneficially by the respective Sellers as set forth on Exhibit A. No Commitments exist with respect to any Equity Interest of the Company,
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and no such Commitments will arise in connection with or as a result of the Transactions. There are no Contracts with respect to the voting or transfer of the Companys Equity Interests other than the Investment Agreement. The Company is not obligated to redeem or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding Equity Interests. There are no outstanding or authorized Commitments of any kind that could require the Company to issue or sell any of their Equity Interests (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for their Equity Interests). Save for the Loan Notes, the Company does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the shareholders of the Company on any matter.
3.5 Subsidiaries. Set forth on Schedule 3.5 of the Disclosure Letter for each Acquired Entity (other than the Company) is (a) its name and jurisdiction of creation, formation, or organization, (b) the number of authorized Equity Interests of each class of its Equity Interests, (c) the number of issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each class of its Equity Interests, the names of the holders thereof and the number of Equity Interests held by each such holder and (d) the number of Equity Interests held in treasury. The Company engages in all of its business activities, including the business activities reflected in the Financial Statements referred to in Section 3.7 either directly or through the Acquired Entities (other than the Company) and the Company has no investment or ownership interest in any other Persons. All of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Acquired Entity other than the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued and fully paid. The Acquired Entities hold of record and own beneficially all of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Encumbrances. There are no outstanding or authorized Commitments with respect to any Acquired Entity (other than the Company) or its Equity Interests and no such Commitments will arise in connection with or as a result of the Transactions. There are no Contracts with respect to the voting or transfer of any Acquired Entitys (other than the Company) Equity Interests. No Acquired Entity (other than the Company) is obligated to redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Equity Interests. No Acquired Entity controls, directly or indirectly, or has any direct or indirect Equity Interest in, any Person that is not a subsidiary. There are no outstanding obligations of any Acquired Entity to make any debt or equity investment (whether in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in or to any other Person (other than to Employees in connection with their employment with an Acquired Entity). None of the Acquired Entities (other than the Company) has outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the shareholders of any Acquired Entity (other than the Company) on any matter.
3.6 Records. The copies of the Acquired Entities constitutional documents that were provided to Buyer are accurate and complete in all material respects and reflect all amendments made through the date of this Agreement. All material records and information belonging to an Acquired Entity (whether or not held in written form): (a) is in its exclusive possession or under its control and all such records and information are subject to access by it; and (b) in all material respects, records with reasonable accuracy all transactions and matters required by applicable Law.
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3.7 Financial Statements.
(a) Set forth on Schedule 3.7 of the Disclosure Letter are the following financial statements;
(i) audited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, changes in stockholders equity and cash flow as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009 for the Acquired Entities (the Audited Financial Statements); and
(ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and statements of income, changes in stockholders equity and cash flow (the Interim Financial Statements) as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2010 (the Balance Sheet Date) for the Acquired Entities.
(b) The Audited Financial Statements:
(i) comply with the requirements of CA 2006;
(ii) have been prepared in accordance with IFRS applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Acquired Entities as of such dates and the results of operations and cash flows of the Acquired Entities for such periods, are consistent with the books and records of the Acquired Entities and have not been affected by any extraordinary or exceptional item other than those identified as such;
(c) The statement of the Companys directors contained in the directors report to the Audited Financial Statements complies with section 418(2) CA 2006.
(d) Except as set forth in the Interim Financial Statements, the Interim Financial Statements have been prepared on a basis which is consistent with the Audited Financial Statements and fairly reflect the financial position, results of operations and cashflows of the Acquired Entities. The Acquired Entities have no known Liabilities in excess of £25,000, other than those reflected in the Interim Financial Statements, or incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since June 30, 2010.
(e) Each of the Acquired Entities maintains accounting books and records reflecting with reasonable accuracy its assets and liabilities and in the opinion of the Management Sellers maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls which provide assurance that (i) transactions are executed with the knowledge of the Management Sellers, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the Acquired Entities and to maintain accountability for the Acquired Entities consolidated assets (iii) access to the Acquired Entities assets is permitted only in accordance with the knowledge of the Management Sellers, and (iv) accounts, notes and other Receivables and inventory are recorded with reasonable accuracy.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.7 of the Disclosure Letter, there have been no dividends (whether in cash or specie), distributions, transfers of cash, assets or
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value or other payments (Shareholder Payments) made by the Acquired Entities to or on behalf of the Sellers or their Affiliates or any employees of, or consultants or other advisers to the Sellers (or their Affiliates) since December 31, 2009, excluding salary payments to employees of the Acquired Entities and consistent with past practices.
(g) Except as set forth in the Interim Financial Statements and as arising in the Ordinary Course of Business since June 30, 2010, the Acquired Entities have no other Indebtedness.
3.8 Subsequent Events. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.8 of the Disclosure Letter, since December 31, 2009, other than in connection with the Transactions, the Acquired Entities have conducted their business only in the Ordinary Course of Business, and there has not been any Material Adverse Change with respect to any Acquired Entity. Without limiting the foregoing, since that date, none of the following have occurred:
(a) the sale, lease, transfer or assignment by an Acquired Entity of any assets other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(b) the entry by any Acquired Entity into a Contract (or series of related Contracts) either involving more than £250,000 or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(c) termination of any Material Contract or of any Lease (or any agreement to assign, surrender, terminate or otherwise dispose of any of the Leases or licences in respect of the Leased Real Property);
(d) to Management Sellers Knowledge, no party to any Material Contract to which any Acquired Entity is a party or by which it is bound or any of its assets is subject has breached any such Contract;
(e) the imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of the assets of any Acquired Entity;
(f) any capital expenditure by any Acquired Entity (or series of related capital expenditures) either involving more than £250,000 in the aggregate or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(g) any capital investment by any Acquired Entity in, any loan to, or any acquisition of the securities or assets of, any other Person (or series of related capital investments, loans and acquisitions) other than inventory, supplies and similar operating assets in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) the issue of any note, bond, or other debt instrument by any Acquired Entity or the creation, incurrence, assumption, or guarantee of any Liability for borrowed money or capitalized lease Contract (excluding for these purposes any hire purchase or finance lease of any kind with a contract value of less than £100,000) by any Acquired Entity other than under the Loan Notes;
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(i) the delay or postponement by any Acquired Entity of the payment of accounts payable or other Liabilities either involving more than £100,000 or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(j) the cancellation, compromise, waiver, or release of any Action (or series of related Actions) by any Acquired Entity either involving more than £100,000 or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(k) the entry, by any Acquired Entity, into any Contracts or grant of any rights under or with respect to any Intellectual Property;
(l) any change made to the constitutional documents of any Acquired Entity;
(m) the issue, sale or disposal (by any other means) by an Acquired Entity of any of its Equity Interests;
(n) the declaration, set aside, or payment by any Acquired Entity of any dividend or any distribution with respect to its Equity Interests (whether in cash or in kind) or the redemption, purchase, or acquisition (by any other means) of its Equity Interests;
(o) no Acquired Entity has experienced any damage, destruction, or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) to its assets or properties in excess of £100,000;
(p) the making of, by any Acquired Entity, any loan to, or entering into any other transaction with, any of its directors, officers, or employees other than payment of compensation in ordinary course, consistent with past practice or reflected in the Interim Financial Statements or the Audited Financial Statements;
(q) the entering into by any Acquired Entity of any employment, collective bargaining, or similar Contract or modified the terms of any such existing Contract;
(r) any commitment by any Acquired Entity to pay any bonus or granting any increase in the base compensation or made any other changes in employment terms (i) of any director, officer, or employee thereof that is a Seller or an Affiliate thereof, or (ii) outside of the Ordinary Course of Business, of any of its other directors, officers, or employees;
(s) no director, officer or employee earning in excess of £50,000 per annum has given notice or is under notice of dismissal and no such employee will be entitled to give notice as a result of this Agreement and the Transactions;
(t) the adoption, amendment, modification, or termination by any Acquired Entity of any bonus, profit-sharing, incentive, severance, or similar Contract for the benefit of any of its directors, officers, or employees (or taken any such action with respect to any other Employee Benefit Plan);
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(u) the making or pledging to make by any Acquired Entity of any charitable or other capital contribution either involving more than £25,000 (individually or in the aggregate) or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(v) the payment of any Indebtedness by any Acquired Entity (including trade payables) in advance of its regularly scheduled due date or withheld any payment on any Indebtedness (including trade payables) after its regularly scheduled due date;
(w) the payment on any Liabilities, Indebtedness (including trade payables) or other obligations by any Acquired Entity which is owed to any Seller or any of their Affiliates or the withholding of any payment on any Liabilities, Indebtedness (including trade payables) or other obligations owed to any Seller or any of their Affiliates after its regularly scheduled due date;
(x) the cancellation, compromise, factoring, waiving or release by any Acquired Entity of all or any part of any debts or Liabilities owed to it (including trade receivables and Liabilities owed to any Acquired Entity by any Seller or any of their Affiliates);
(y) the change to the accounting practice, policies or procedures of any Acquired Entity or making of any adjustment to its books and records, or recharacterization of any assets or Liabilities save as required by Law or as a result of any changes in IFRS;
(z) the making of additional payments by any Acquired Entity of the kind set out in Schedule 3.7 of the Disclosure Letter between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date.
(aa) the passing of a resolution of the members of the Company; and
(bb) any commitment by any Acquired Entity to any of the foregoing.
3.9 Liabilities.
(a) In relation to Encumbrances over assets of any Acquired Entity and in relation to all overdraft, loan and other financial and leasing facilities available to each Acquired Entity:
(i) no Management Seller is aware of, nor has any Acquired Entity been notified that there has been, a contravention of or non-compliance with their terms and conditions;
(ii) no step to enforce any such Encumbrance or repayment of any facility has been taken or threatened;
(iii) there has been no alteration in their terms and conditions and they are all in full force and effect; and
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(iv) there are no guarantees or indemnities of, or on any security provided by, a third party, the Sellers or any of their Affiliates.
(b) The total amount borrowed by each Acquired Entity:
(i) from the Banks does not exceed the limits on their respective overdraft facilities; or
(ii) from whatever source does not exceed any limitation on borrowing contained in the Articles of Association or any debenture or loan instrument or other deed or document binding on it.
(c) Save for the borrowings referred to in Section 3.9(a) and (b) and excluding any trade creditors no Acquired Entity:
(i) has outstanding any loan capital;
(ii) has incurred or agreed to incur any borrowing which it has not repaid or satisfied; or
(iii) is a party to or has any obligation under:
(a) any loan agreement, debenture, acceptance credit facility, bill of exchange, promissory note, finance lease, debt or inventory financing, discounting or factoring arrangement or sale and lease back arrangement; or
(b) any other arrangement the purpose of which is to raise money or provide finance or credit.
3.10 Legal Compliance. Each Acquired Entity and its Affiliates has, to the Knowledge of the Management Sellers, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws and no Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of any Management Seller, threatened against any Acquired Entity alleging any failure to so comply. Without limiting the foregoing, all legal and procedural requirements and other formalities in relation to each Acquired Entity have been complied with in all material respects concerning:
(a) its Articles of Association (including all resolutions passed or purported to have been passed);
(b) the filing of all documents required to be filed at Companies House;
(c) issues of shares, debentures or other securities;
(d) payments of interest and dividends and the making of other distributions; and
(e) directors and other officers.
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No Acquired Entity has at any time purchased or redeemed or repaid or agreed to purchase, redeem, repay or redenominate any share capital except in accordance with Part 18, Chapters 4 and 5 CA 2006.
Each Acquired Entity has complied with the data protection principles set out in the data Protection Act 1998 in all material respects. Where necessary, each Acquired Entity is duly registered as a data controller under the Data Protection Act 1998.
3.11 Tax Matters.
(a) Each Acquired Entity has duly filed, on or before their due date, all Tax Returns that it was required to file. All such Tax Returns were accurate, correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes required to be paid by each of the Acquired Entities with respect to any period ending on or before the Closing Date (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid and the reserves for Taxes (rather than the reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) provided in the statutory accounts of the Acquired Entities have been determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice (as defined in section 50 Finance Act 2004) and will be sufficient for all Taxes of the Acquired Entities with respect to any period for which Tax Returns have not yet been filed or for Taxes not yet due and owing for any Tax period ending before the Closing Date. No Acquired Entity currently is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. No Action has ever been initiated or threatened by a Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where an Acquired Entity does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no Encumbrances on any of the assets of any Acquired Entity that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax. Each Acquired Entity has provided the Buyer with accurate and complete copies of all of its Tax Returns except those periods for which returns are not yet due.
(b) Each Acquired Entity has withheld and accounted for all Taxes required to have been withheld and accounted for in connection with amounts paid or owed to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, holder of its Equity Interests, or other third party.
(c) No Management Seller has Knowledge of any threatened assessment of, or any Basis for, any claim that additional Taxes are due for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed. There is no Action concerning any Tax Liability of any Acquired Entity either (i) claimed or raised in writing or (ii) as to which any Management Seller has Knowledge. Schedule 3.11(c) of the Disclosure Letter lists all Tax Returns filed with respect to each Acquired Entity for taxable periods ended on or after December 31, 2009, indicates those Tax Returns that have been audited and indicates those Tax Returns that currently are the subject of audit. The Management Sellers have delivered to the Buyer correct and complete copies of all examination reports and statements of deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by any Acquired Entity since December 31, 2009.
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(d) No Acquired Entity has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes, agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, or entered into any closing agreement under applicable Tax Law.
(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(f) of the Disclosure Letter, no item of income or gain reported for financial accounting purposes in any period before Closing will be included in taxable income for any later period and no Acquired Entity will have any taxable income or gain as a result of prior intercompany transactions that has been deferred and that will be taxed as a result of the Transactions.
(f) No Acquired Entity has or has previously had a permanent establishment in a country outside the United Kingdom.
(g) Other than the tax indemnity obtained on the occasion of the acquisition on April 28, 2008 no Acquired Entity is a party to any Tax indemnity, or any similar agreement relating to Taxes, other than any such agreement that will be terminated on or before the Closing Date without liability to any Acquired Entity.
(h) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11(i) of the Disclosure Letter hereto, no Acquired Entity owns an interest in any controlled foreign company for the purposes of Chapter IV Part XVII Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
(i) Set forth on Schedule 3.11(j) of the Disclosure letter are full details of every agreement or arrangement under the terms of which any Acquired Entity has agreed to indemnify any other person in respect of Tax, or to make a payment to any other person for or on account of any Tax.
(j) All transactions between any Acquired Entities, or between any Acquired Entity and the Sellers or any of their current or past Affiliates, have been and are on fully arms length terms. So far as the Management Sellers are aware, there are no circumstances which would cause any Tax Authority to make any adjustment for Tax purposes, or require any such adjustment to be made, to the terms on which any such transaction is treated as taking place, and no such adjustment has been made, threatened or attempted in fact.
(k) No Acquired Entity has acquired any asset from any other company which was, at the time of the acquisition, a member of the same group of companies as that Acquired Entity for the purposes of any Tax.
(l) No Acquired Entity is liable for any Tax as the agent of any other person or business.
(m) Each Acquired Entity is and has at all times been resident in the United Kingdom for Tax purposes and is not and has not been treated as resident or liable to Tax in any other jurisdiction for any Tax purposes.
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(n) Each Acquired Entity is a registered and taxable person for the purposes of value added tax and has complied in all material respects with any law relating to value added tax.
(o) No Acquired Entity has applied to any Tax Authority to be treated as, nor have two or more such companies been treated as, a group for value added tax purposes.
(p) All documents which are necessary to prove title to an asset and have not ceased to be enforceable in the possession of each Acquired Entity or to the production of which each Acquired Entity is entitled and which attract stamp or transfer duty in the United Kingdom or elsewhere, have been duly stamped.
3.12 Title to Assets. The Acquired Entities have legal and beneficial title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, the properties and assets they use, located on their premises, shown on the Interim Financial Statements, or acquired after the date thereof, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except for properties and assets disposed of in the Ordinary Course of Business since the date of the Interim Financial Statements and except for the security in favour of the Banks which is to be released on Closing.
3.13 Real Property.
(a) None of the Acquired Entities owns any freehold property.
(b) Schedule 3.13(b) of the Disclosure Letter lists and describes briefly all real property leased or subleased to each Acquired Entity (the Leased Real Property). Sellers have delivered to Buyer accurate copies of the lease and sublease Contracts (as amended to date) required to be listed in Schedule 3.13(b) of the Disclosure Letter and all ancillary documents pertaining thereto (the Leases) which are the only properties owned leased or occupied or in which the Acquiring Entity has an interest. With respect to each Lease:
(i) the Acquired Entities has title to the property demised by the Leases and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, there are no circumstances which would entitle or require any landlord or any other person to exercise any powers of entry or right to forfeiture or right to take possession or which would otherwise restrict or terminate the continued sole and exclusive possession or occupation of each Acquired Entity under the Leases, provided no warranty within this Agreement extends to the state of condition and repair of the Leased Real Property other than within Sections 3.13(c)(xiii), 3.13(c)(xiv) and 3.13(d);
(ii) there are no pending or threatened, Actions relating to the property demised by the Leases or other matters affecting adversely the current use, occupancy and no Acquired Entity has any actual or contingent liability in respect of any property formerly owned or occupied by it or in respect of which it acted as a guarantor save as set out in the Schedule 3.13(ii) of the Disclosure Letter;
(iii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, the user will not be adversely affected by planning proposals or schemes nor is any user stated to be
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personal, no planning permission is suspended or remains unimplemented in whole or in part, no planning application has been submitted which awaits determination, the Acquired Entities have not received any proposals from any local or other authority involving compulsory acquisition or requisition, and the land does not serve any adjoining property for any purpose inconsistent with the use of the land, and the property is not located within any flood plain or subject to any similar type restriction for which any Permits necessary to use it have not been obtained;
(iv) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, the property demised by the Leases have been constructed for purposes permitted under applicable Law and in accordance with the requirements of the relevant local or other interested authorities which have been fully complied with, and the user (or intended user) of them, is as of right or the permitted user of them for the purposes of applicable Law; and is the indicated primary use under approved development plans for the relevant area in which the property demised by the Leases are situated;
(v) there are no Contracts granting to any Person the right of use or occupancy of any portion of the parcel of real property;
(vi) there are no Contracts to purchase the parcel of real property, or any portion thereof, or interest therein and no person is entitled to any option, right over, interest in, right of pre-emption, first refusal, surrender or determination relating to any of the Leases nor is any person in the course of acquiring any of these, any options or rights enjoyed by any Acquired Entity have so far as the Management Sellers are aware been protected by the appropriate registration where necessary and all appropriate notices have been properly served where any such option or right has become exercisable;
(vii) there are no Persons (other than the Acquired Entities) in possession of the parcel of real property, other than tenants under any leases disclosed in Schedule 3.13(b) of the Disclosure Letter;
(viii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, all facilities located on the parcel of real property are supplied with utilities and other services necessary for the operation of such facilities, including gas, electricity, water, telephone, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, all of which services are adequate in accordance with all applicable Laws and are provided via public roads or via permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant easements benefiting the parcel of real property;
(ix) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, each parcel of real property abuts on and has direct vehicular access to a public road, or has access to a public road via a permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant easement benefiting the parcel of real property; and
(c) With respect to each Lease:
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(i) the relevant Contract is Enforceable properly stamped and in full force and effect in accordance with its respective terms and the Acquired Entities is the legal and beneficial owner under the Leases;
(ii) the relevant Contract will continue to be Enforceable and in full force and effect on identical terms following the consummation of the Transactions;
(iii) no notice of any breach has been received by any Management Seller, and the Management Sellers are not aware of any dispute relating to any of the Leases;
(iv) no party to the relevant Contract has repudiated any provision thereof;
(v) there are no Actions or Orders in effect as to the relevant Contract;
(vi) no Acquired Entity has granted or suffered to exist any Encumbrance in the leasehold or subleasehold Contract;
(vii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, all facilities leased or subleased under the Contract have received all real estate and environmental Permits required in connection with the operation thereof and the Acquired Entities have performed and observed all requirements (whether in relation to freehold or leasehold land) affecting the properties demised by the Leases in accordance with applicable Laws;
(viii) no Acquired Entity has committed to sublet or assign its interest under any Lease (except to another Acquired Entity) and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, there are no undisclosed covenants, stipulations, restrictions, easements, rights of way, exceptions, reservations, grants, conditions, agreements or declarations affecting any of the Leases or its use;
(ix) the Leases are not subject to the payment of any outgoings other than business or water rates and the sums reserved by the lease under which any of the properties demised by the Leases are held;
(x) where the rent reserved by any of the Leases is subject to review, all such reviews are calculated only on an open market basis and all rent review notices have been served within any requisite time limits and there are no legal disputes outstanding as to the settlement of the relevant level of rent nor have there been previous legal disputes as to the interpretation or implementation of the rent review provisions;
(xi) none of the Leases contains a provision requiring landlords consent on change of ownership of the issued share capital of the tenant or the control of the tenant;
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(xii) the Acquired Entity in whom title is vested has paid all rent, insurance, service charges licence fees and all other outgoings which have become due in respect of each of the Leases;
(xiii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no structural or other material defects have appeared in respect of, or affected, the buildings and structures on, or comprising, the properties demised by the Leases that would materially interfere with its use or materially impair its value;
(xiv) the Acquiring Entities have not received notice of dilapidations in respect of any properties demised by the Leases; and
(xv) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, there is no other matter which materially and adversely affects the leasehold title of the Acquiring Entities to the Leased Real Property, which, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, should be revealed to a buyer of shares of the Company.
(d) The Acquired Entities have not received any requests for any repairs, restorations or improvements to the Leased Real Property which have not been satisfied by them.
(e) The Leased Real Property, together with easements, licenses, tenements and hereditaments appurtenant thereto, include all of the real property used or held for use in connection with or otherwise required to carry on the business of the Acquired Entities in substantially the manner it has been conducted prior to the date of this Agreement.
3.14 Intellectual Property.
(a) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Acquired Entities own or have the right to use pursuant to a valid Contract all Intellectual Property necessary for the operation of the businesses of the Acquired Entities as currently conducted. Each item of registered Intellectual Property owned or used by each Acquired Entity immediately prior to the Closing will be owned or available for use by such Acquired Entity on identical terms and conditions immediately subsequent to the Closing. To the Management Sellers Knowledge, each Acquired Entity has taken all necessary action to maintain and protect each item of registered Intellectual Property that it owns and all applications and renewal fees and other steps required for the maintenance or protection of such registered Intellectual Property have been paid on time or taken.
(b) Schedule 3.14(b) of the Disclosure Letter identifies each (i) patent and trade mark which has been registered by each Acquired Entity and (ii) trade mark application, disclosures, reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexaminations filed by any Acquired Entity. Management Sellers have delivered to Buyer correct copies of all written documentation evidencing ownership and prosecution (if applicable) of each such item of registered Intellectual Property of the Acquired Entities and all material licences of Intellectual Property to or by any third party to which any Acquired Entity is a party (excluding for the avoidance of doubt any
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Contracts relating to licences of mass market or shrink wrap software packages). Schedule 3.14(b) of the Disclosure Letter also identifies each domain name and trade name each Acquired Entity uses in connection with any of its businesses. With respect to each item of registered Intellectual Property identified in Schedule 3.14(b) Note - HBJGW to advise of the Disclosure Letter:
(i) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Acquired Entities possess all right, title and interest in and to the item, free and clear of any Encumbrance;
(ii) the item is subsisting and to the Management Sellers Knowledge valid and Enforceable;
(iii) the item is not subject to any outstanding Order;
(iv) no Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of any Management Seller, is threatened that challenges the validity, Enforceability, use, or ownership of the item;
(v) the Acquired Entities are not required to pay any royalties for the use of the item or the making or selling of products or services; and
(vi) no Acquired Entity has agreed to indemnify any Person for or against any interference, infringement, misappropriation, or other conflict with respect to the item.
(c) To the Management Sellerss Knowledge, no Acquired Entity has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise come into conflict with any other Persons Intellectual Property rights, and no Seller has ever received any notice alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation, or violation (including any claim that each Acquired Entity must license or refrain from using any other Persons Intellectual Property rights. To the Knowledge of Management Sellers, no other Person has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual Property rights of any Acquired Entity.
(d) Schedule 3.14(d) of the Disclosure Letter identifies each item of Intellectual Property, other than mass market or shrink wrap software available on a retail basis that any other Person owns and that any Acquired Entity licenses and those to which the Acquired Entities have acquired rights to use. Management Sellers have delivered to Buyer accurate copies of all such Contracts with respect to such license or use as amended to date (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, mass market or shrink wrap software licences available on a retail basis). With respect to each item of Intellectual Property required to be identified in Schedule 3.14(d) of the Disclosure Letter:
(i) the Contract is to the Management Sellers Knowledge, Enforceable and in full force and effect in accordance with its respective terms;
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(ii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Contract will continue to be Enforceable and in full force and effect on identical terms following the consummation of the Transactions;
(iii) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no party to the Contract is in material breach, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach thereunder;
(iv) no party to the Contract has notified Management Sellers that it has repudiated, or intends to repudiate, any provision thereof;
(v) no Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of any Management Seller, is threatened which challenges the Enforceability of the underlying item of Intellectual Property; and
(vi) no Acquired Entity has granted any sublicense, options, or similar Contract with respect to the Contract.
(e) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no Acquired Entity will interfere with or infringe any Intellectual Property rights of any other Person as a result of the continued operation of its businesses as currently conducted.
(f) The Acquired Entities have taken commercially reasonable measures necessary to protect the confidentiality of all confidential information, trade secrets and Know-how, including processes, schematics, business methods, formulae, drawings, prototypes, models, designs, customer lists and supplier lists (Trade Secrets) that are owned, used or held by it, and to Management Sellers Knowledge, such Trade Secrets have not been used, disclosed to or discovered by any Person except pursuant to valid and appropriate non-disclosure and/or license agreements which have not been breached.
(g) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Acquired Entities collectively have sufficient rights to use all of the computers, computer software, firmware, middleware, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communications lines, and all other material information technology equipment, and all associated documentation (the IT Assets) used in their businesses as presently conducted. To the Management Sellers knowledge, the IT Assets operate and perform in all material respects in accordance with their documentation and functional specifications and otherwise as required by the Acquired Entities in connection with their businesses, and have not materially malfunctioned or failed within the past two (2) years in such a way as to cause a significant disruption to the operation of the business of any of the Acquired Entities.
(h) Copies of all maintenance and support agreements, facilities management and escrow agreements relating to the deposit of source codes and disaster recovery agreements are set out in Schedule 3.14(h) of the Disclosure Letter.
(i) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Acquired Entities have all rights to use, develop modify and maintain the IT Assets as are necessary for the conduct
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of business of the Acquired Entities. To the Management Sellers Knowledge, all such rights will be unaffected by any direct or indirect change of control of the Acquired Entities without any consent payment or other condition having to be obtained, made or fulfilled.
(j) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, all the IT Assets used by the Acquired Entities are owned by or are under the control of the Acquired Entities and upon Closing will not be wholly or partly dependent on any facilities which are under control of a third party.
(k) Each Acquired Entity has control of or access to all records, systems, data and information held by it or on its behalf which are recorded, maintained, stored or wholly or partly dependent on any IT Assets, whether operated by an Acquired Entity or not.
3.15 Tangible Assets. The Acquired Entities own or lease all buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets necessary for the conduct of their businesses as currently conducted. Each such tangible asset has been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, is in reasonable condition and repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and, in the Management Sellers reasonable opinion, is suitable for the purposes for which it currently is used and is in good working order.
3.16 Inventory. As of the Balance Sheet Date, the inventories of the Acquired Entities were of a quality and a quantity useable and saleable in the Ordinary Course of Business, subject to provisions or allowances reflected on the balance sheet included in the Interim Financial Statements or in the Audited Financial Statements for obsolete, excess, slow-moving and other irregular items.
3.17 Contracts. Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedules 3.13 (Real Property), 3.14(Intellectual Property), 3.20 (Insurance), 3.23 (Employment) and 3.27 (Customers and Suppliers) of the Disclosure Letter, Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Letter lists each Contract to which any Acquired Entity is a party which:
(a) is for the lease of personal property to or from any Person providing for lease payments in excess of £100,000 per annum;
(b) is for the purchase or sale of raw materials, commodities, supplies, products, or other personal property, or for the furnishing or receipt of services, the performance of which will extend over a period of more than one year, that is known to result in a loss to Acquired Entity on completion of such Acquired Entities obligations, or involve consideration in excess of £100,000;
(c) concerns an investment or interest in a limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, or similar arrangement;
(d) any Contract under which it has created, incurred, assumed, or guaranteed any Liability for borrowed money or any capitalized lease in excess of £100,000, or under which it has imposed or suffered to exist an Encumbrance on any of its assets;
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(e) any Contract concerning non-competition;
(f) any Seller or any of their Affiliates (other than the Acquired Entities) is also a party;
(g) is a collective bargaining Contract;
(h) advances or loans or guarantees any loan in any amount to any of its directors or officers or any Seller or, outside the Ordinary Course of Business, to its employees that are not Sellers;
(i) any Contract for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time, consulting, independent contractor or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of £50,000 or providing severance benefits;
(j) the performance of which involves consideration payable by any Acquired Entity in excess of £100,000; and
(k) is outside the Ordinary Course of Business.
Management Sellers have delivered to Buyer a correct and complete copy of each written Contract (as amended to date) required to be listed in Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Letter and a written summary setting forth the terms and conditions of each oral Contract required to be referred to in Schedule 3.17 of the Disclosure Letter. With respect to each such Contract:
(A) the Contract is legally binding on the parties to it in full force and effect in accordance with its respective terms;
(B) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, the Contract will continue in full force and effect on identical terms following the consummation of the Transactions;
(C) to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no party is in material breach, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, would constitute a material breach, under the Contract;
(D) no party to the Contract has repudiated, or advised the Acquired Entities or the Management Sellers in writing that it intends to repudiate, any provision of the Contract; and
(E) no party to the Contract has notified the Acquired Entities or any of the Management Sellers in writing that they intend to terminate the Contract or that they do not intend to renew the Contract when it comes to the end of its current term.
3.18 Tenders. Schedule 3.18 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth the details of all outstanding tenders for contracts (excluding for these purposes, tenders at pre-qualification questionnaire stage) to provide goods or services that any Acquired Entity has submitted, where the consideration to be paid under such contract would exceed £250,000.
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3.19 Receivables. All of the Receivables are enforceable, represent bona fide transactions, arose in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Acquired Entities and are reflected with reasonable accuracy in their accounting books and records. Document 18.7 in the documents attached to the Disclosure Letter sets forth the aged debtors of the Acquired Entities.
3.20 Insurance. Schedule 3.20 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth the following information with respect to each insurance policy Contract to which any Acquired Entity has been a party, a named insured, or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage at any time within the past two (2) years:
(a) the name, address and telephone number of the agent;
(b) the name of the insurer, the name of the policyholder and the name of each covered insured,
(c) the policy number and the period of coverage; and
(d) the scope (including an indication of whether the coverage was on a claims made, occurrence, or other basis) and amount of coverage; and
(e) a description of any retroactive premium adjustments or other loss-sharing arrangements.
With respect to each insurance policy Contract:
(A) to the Management Sellers Knowledge the Contract is enforceable and in full force and effect in accordance with its respective terms and will continue to be in full force and effect on identical terms following the consummation of the Transactions;
(C) neither any Acquired Entity nor any other party to the Contract is in breach (including with respect to the payment of premiums or the giving of notices), and no event has occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach under the Contract;
(D) no party to the Contract has notified any Acquired Entity that is has repudiated, or intends to repudiate any provision thereof; and
(E) to the Sellers knowledge the Contract does not contain special terms, conditions or endorsements which would lead to any liability under such insurances being avoided by the insurers.
Each Acquired Entity has been covered during the past two (2) years by insurance in scope and amount customary and reasonable, in the reasonable belief of the Management Sellers, for the businesses in which it has engaged during the aforementioned period.
3.21 Litigation. Schedule 3.21 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth each instance in which any Acquired Entity (a) is subject to any outstanding Order or (b) is a party or, to the Knowledge of any Management Seller, is threatened to be made a party to any Action. No
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Action required to be listed in Schedule 3.21 of the Disclosure Letter questions the Enforceability of this Agreement or the Transactions, or are likely to result in any Material Adverse Change with respect to any Acquired Entity, and no Management Seller has any basis to believe that any such Action is likely to be brought or threatened against any Acquired Entity.
3.22 Labor; Employees.
(a) Schedule 3.22(a) of the Disclosure Letter sets forth an anonymised correct list of the employees of the Acquired Entities (determined as of the date of the list), which specifies each employees name, job title or job description, annualized salary or base hourly wage rate, holiday entitlement, non-cash benefits, work location, employer, start date of employment and of continuous employment, if different, notice period required to be given by employee and employer.
(b) None of the Acquired Entities is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other material contract or agreement with any labor organization or other representative of employees pertaining to current employees.
(c) No trade union is recognized for collective bargaining purposes by any of the Acquired Entities and no request has been made pursuant to the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004.
(d) None of the Acquired Entities has, within a period of one year before the date of this Agreement, given notice of any redundancies to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to section 193 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 or started consultations with any independent trade union or unions or other employee representatives under Part XI Employment Rights Act 1996 and no Acquired Entity has failed to comply with any obligation under such Part XI and there are no arrangements by any of the Acquired Entities planned or in progress for dismissing any employee of any of the Acquired Entities (by reason of redundancy or business reorganization or otherwise).
(e) To the Knowledge of the Management Sellers, none of the Acquired Entities have committed any unfair labor practices. There is no unfair labor practice, charge or grievance arising out of a collective bargaining agreement or other grievance proceeding against any of the Acquired Entities pending, or, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, threatened.
(f) There are no labor strikes, labor disputes, slowdowns, work stoppages or lockouts pending or, to Management Sellers Knowledge, threatened with respect to any employees of any of the Acquired Entities.
(g) No amount due to or in respect of any employee or former employee is in arrears and unpaid other than salary for the month current at the date of this Agreement and no gratuitous payment has been made or promised by any of the Acquired Entities by agreement, arrangement or practice (whether binding or otherwise) in connection with the actual or proposed termination, breach, suspension or variation of any employment or engagement of any present or former director, officer or employee of or consultant to that
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company and there is no outstanding obligation or ex gratia arrangement for any of the Acquired Entities to pay any compensation or provide any benefits to any present or former director, officer, employee or consultant (or their dependants or relatives).
(h) No proceedings, claims, suits, actions or governmental investigations are current, pending or, to Management Sellers Knowledge, threatened, against any of the Acquired Entities with respect to any current or former employees employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours.
(i) There is no proceeding, claim, suit, action or governmental investigation pending or, to Management Sellers Knowledge, threatened, with respect to which any current or former director of any of the Acquired Entities or any current employee or former employee is or may be entitled to claim indemnification from any of the Acquired Entities pursuant to (i) the constitutional documents of any of the Acquired Entities, (ii) any indemnification agreement to which any of the Acquired Entities is a party, or (iii) applicable Law.
(j) During the last year, other than changes in the Ordinary Course of Business, no material changes have occurred in the work force involving employees of the Acquired Entities, including material employee terminations, employee transfers in or out pursuant to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006, employee leasing arrangements, secondments, reallocations of duties and outsourcing of duties or functions.
(k) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, each employee set out in Schedule 3.22(a) is employed and classified by the Acquired Entities as an employee and there is no other individual who works for any of the Acquired Entities who has a legitimate claim to be an employee of an Acquired Entity.
(l) There are no terms and conditions in any contract with any officer or employee of any of the Acquired Entities or any other binding agreement with any such person pursuant to which such person will be entitled to receive any payment or benefit or change the rights or obligations of or accelerate the payment or vesting of any benefit of such persons as a consequence of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
(m) There are no charges, investigations, administrative proceedings or formal complaints of discrimination in employment or employment practices, for any reason, including discrimination based on age, disability, gender, marital status, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or other legally protected category or for sexual harassment which has been asserted or is now pending or, to Management Sellers Knowledge, threatened, before any court or employment tribunal in England, Scotland or Wales, or any other Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction in which any of the Acquired Entities have employed or currently employ any Person involving or related to current or former employees.
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(n) In the opinion of Management Sellers, the Acquired Entities have employees sufficient to operate the business as presently conducted by the Acquired Entities.
(o) There are no charges, investigations, administrative proceedings or formal complaints of overtime, break time or minimum wage violations involving any of the Acquired Entities pending, or to Management Sellers Knowledge threatened, before any court or employment tribunal in England, Scotland or Wales.
(p) There are no citations, investigations, administrative proceedings or formal complaints of violations of occupational safety and health Laws pending against any of the Acquired Entities.
3.23 Employment. Each Acquired Entity, in respect of its current and former employees, has complied in all material respects and is in compliance in all material respects with all Laws pertaining to employment, including Laws governing or regarding the payment of wages or other compensation (including severance or redundancy pay), employee benefits, termination of employment, employment discrimination and harassment, equal opportunities, occupational safety and health, working time, information and consultation obligations and any and all other Laws governing or pertaining to the terms and conditions of employment and all obligations in relation to the payment of taxes and National Insurance contributions. No Action is pending nor, to the Knowledge of any Management Seller, is any Action threatened against any Acquired Entity alleging any failure to so comply. No Acquired Entity has breached or is in breach of any Contract for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time, consulting, or other basis. To the Knowledge of each Management Seller (but without making any enquiry of any third party), no executive or key employee has any plans to terminate employment with any Acquired Entity.
3.24 Employee Benefits.
(a) Schedule 3.24 of the Disclosure Letter lists each Employee Benefit Plan.
(b) Sellers have delivered to Buyer accurate copies of each Employee Benefit Plan, current summary plan descriptions for each Employee Benefit Plan, all related trusts, insurance and other funding Contracts which implement each such Employee Benefit Plan, and all correspondence with any Governmental Authority respecting any such Employee Benefit Plan.
(c) Each Employee Benefit Plan (and each related trust, insurance Contract, or fund) complies in form and in operation in all material respects with the applicable requirements of all applicable Laws.
(d) All premiums required to be paid, all benefits, expenses and other amounts due and payable, and all contributions, transfers, or payments required to be made to or under the Employee Benefit Plans will have been paid, made, or accrued for all services on or prior to the Closing Date.
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(e) No Acquired Entity maintains or ever has maintained or contributes, ever has contributed, or ever has been required to contribute, to any Employee Benefit Plan providing medical, health, or life insurance or other welfare-type benefits for current or future retired or terminated employees, their spouses, civil partners or their dependents.
(f) No event has occurred and so far as Management Sellers are aware no condition exists with respect to the Employee Benefit Plans that is likely to subject any Acquired Entity, any of its employees, any Employee Benefit Plan, or the Buyer to any Tax, fine, penalty or Liability under applicable Laws.
(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the Transactions is likely to;
(i) result in any payment to be made by any Acquired Entity, including without limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise, becoming due to any employee, director or consultant of the Acquired Entities, or
(ii) increase any benefits or accelerate vesting otherwise provided under any Employee Benefit Plan.
(h) All Employee Benefit Plans maintained by the Acquired Entities comply in all respects with applicable local laws, rules and regulations, and the Acquired Entities have no unfunded liabilities with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plans.
(i) No condition, agreement or plan provision limits the right of the Acquired Entities to amend, cut back or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan that it sponsors.
(j) There are no pending Actions that have been asserted or instituted in respect of the Employee Benefit Plans other than routine claims for benefits and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no such action has been threatened against the Acquired Entities.
(k) As at the date of this Agreement, there is not in existence, nor is any Acquired Entity proposing to introduce prior to the Closing Date, any share incentive, share options, profit sharing, bonus or any other incentive in respect of any current or former employee or director of any Acquired Entity.
3.25 Pensions.
(a) Save for the UK Pension Schemes, the Executive Pension Plan and the Norwich Union Life Assurance Scheme, no Acquired Entity is:
(i) a party to or contributing to or has ever been a party to or contributed to any retirement benefits pension or life assurance scheme or arrangement, fund or personal pension scheme or stakeholder arrangement whether in the United Kingdom or overseas whether funded or unfunded relating
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to any of its present or past directors or employees or those claiming through them other than the DB Schemes; or
(ii) under any legal or ex-gratia obligation or obligation established by custom to provide any retirement, death, disability, accident, or sickness pension or payment to or in respect of any such director, or employee or person claiming through them; and
(iii) no proposal has been announced or implied to establish or contribute to any other such scheme or arrangement or fund.
(b) The Acquired Entities ceased to participate in the DB Schemes on:
(i) April 28, 2008 in relation to the Johnson DB Scheme in accordance with the provisions of a deed of variation dated April 11, 2008; and
(ii) April 28, 2008 in relation to the Semara DB Scheme in accordance with the provisions of a deed of discharge dated April 11, 2008.
(c) Insofar as material for the purposes of this Agreement, all relevant particulars of the UK Pension Schemes and any historic participation in the DB Schemes have been disclosed to Buyer to a degree that is sufficient for Buyer to understand the pension arrangements and/or liabilities of each of the Acquired Entities.
(d) In respect of Executive Pension Plan each Acquired Entity has at all times complied in all material respects with, the trusts, powers and provisions of the relevant documentation and the general requirements of trust law applicable to occupational pension schemes.
(e) To the Knowledge of the Management Sellers, in respect of the UK Pension Schemes, the Executive Pension Plan, each Acquired Entity has complied in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations.
(f) No employee has membership of the UK Pension Schemes, the Executive Pension Plan, or any relevant DB Scheme (in respect of the period up to April 28, 2008) on the basis of being contracted-out of the state earnings-related pension scheme in the UK, in accordance with the provisions of the 1993 Act.
(g) Each of the UK Pension Schemes, and the Executive Pension Plan, is a registered scheme for the purposes of Part 4 of the 2004 Act and, so far as Management Sellers are aware, there is no reason why such registration should be or have been withdrawn or prejudiced.
(h) Each Acquired Entity has no liability to make any payment to any UK Pension Scheme, the Executive Pension Plan, or to the DB Schemes which is due or which has been incurred prior to the date of this Agreement, but remains unpaid and all contributions and premiums that have become due to be paid to a UK Pension Scheme, the Executive Pension Plan, the DB Schemes (in respect of the period up to April 28,
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2008) or any insurance company have been correctly calculated, deducted and paid in full and within the relevant statutory time limits.
(i) No undertakings or assurances have been given or implied to the Members as to the introduction, continuance, increase or improvement of any retirement, death or disability benefits (whether or not there is any legal obligation to do so) or as to the enhancement of any benefits on the happening of a given set of circumstances. No employees contract contains a collectively bargained provision which relates to retirement or death benefits.
(j) There are no pending complaints under the trustees internal dispute resolution procedure (if any), or arbitrations, mediations, claims to the Pensions Regulator, Pensions Ombudsman complaints, actions, suits or claims in progress, pending threatened or anticipated by any of the Acquired Entities, the UK Pension Schemes, or the Executive Pension Plan in relation to any Member, employee or anyone claiming through or in respect of a Member and, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances likely to give rise to any such proceedings.
(k) No Employee or former employee who transferred to the Acquired Entities under TUPE on or after April 28, 2008 and, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no Employee or former employee who transferred to the Acquired Entities under TUPE prior to April 28, 2008, has retired early or accepted redundancy on terms which are less favourable than the early retirement or redundancy terms which would have been payable to him under the pension arrangement of which he was a member prior to the any TUPE transfer.
(l) On April 28, 2008, when Mr. R Broomes employment was transferred from Dimensions Clothing Limited (company no. 454264) to Johnson Service Group plc (company no. 523335), he was an employee of Dimensions Clothing Limited and was an active member who was in pensionable service as defined in the trust deed and rules of the Semara DB Scheme in force on April 28, 2008.
(m) Each Acquired Entity does not and has not participated in any occupational pension scheme other than the Executive Pension Plan and the DB Schemes.
(n) No discrimination on grounds of age, sex, disability, marital status, hours of work, fixed term or temporary agency worker status, sexual orientation, religion or belief is or has at any stage been made in the provision of any pension benefit by any Acquired Entity.
(o) Each of the UK Pension Schemes, and the Executive Pension Plan provides only money purchase benefits within the meaning of section 181 of the 1993 Act and no assurance, promise or guarantee (whether written or oral) has been given to any employee of any particular level or amount of benefit (other than death in service benefits) payable to or in respect of him on retirement, death or leaving service.
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(p) The Acquired Entities liabilities to the DB Schemes under their trust documentation and under statute were discharged on their cessation of participation on April 28, 2008. The liabilities of Dimensions Clothing Limited to the Johnson DB Scheme were expunged by a deed of variation dated April 11, 2008 and Dimensions Clothing Limited was discharged from any further liability to the trustee of the Johnson DB Scheme. All the liabilities of Dimensions Clothing Limited to the Semara DB Scheme were assigned to Johnson Service Group plc by virtue of a deed of discharge dated April 11, 2008 and the trustee of the Semara DB Scheme discharged Dimensions Clothing Limited from any further liability to the Semara DB Scheme.
(q) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no circumstances have arisen which would expose Sellers Group and/or any Acquired Entity to incur any liabilities under sections 38-51 (inclusive) of the 2004 Act and full details of all applications under sections 42 and 46 of the 2004 Act involving any member of Sellers Group and/or each Acquired Entity have been disclosed to Buyer.
3.26 Environmental Matters.
(a) Each Acquired Entity is complying with, and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, each Acquired Entity has at all times complied in all material respects with, all Environmental Laws.
(b) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, there are is no alleged, actual or likely non-compliance with or contravention of any Environmental Laws in respect of a matter for which any Acquired Entity would be liable.
(c) No Acquired Entity holds or is required under Environmental Laws to hold any Environmental Permit, nor has any Acquired Entity ever held or been required under Environmental Laws to hold any Environmental Permit during the last 2 years.
(d) During the last five (5) years, no Acquired Entity has received notice of any current or pending investigation, claim, proceeding (including arbitration or mediation), action, judgment, warning or other liability (whether actual or potential) in respect of any Environmental Laws, Environmental Matter against any Acquired Entity or against any of their current directors, officers, or employers in their capacity as such. To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no such investigation or action is pending or threatened and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances likely to give rise to such investigation or action.
(e) No Acquired Entity has caused or knowingly permitted pollution or any contamination at the Leased Real Property by any Relevant Substance and have not deposited waste or operated any mining or quarrying operation at the Leased Real Property and to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no previously owned, occupied or used property by any Acquired Entity is or has been contaminated or polluted by any Relevant Substance, in circumstances such that any Acquired Entity is at risk of incurring a material liability.
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3.27 Customers and Suppliers. Schedule 3.27 of the Disclosure Letter lists the Acquired Entities (a) 20 largest customers in terms of sales during (i) the 12-month period ended as of December 31, 2009 and (ii) the 6-month period ended as of the Balance Sheet Date and states the approximate total sales by the Acquired Entities to each such customer during such periods, respectively and (b) ten largest suppliers during the 12-month period ended as of December 31, 2009 and the 6-month period ended as of the Balance Sheet Date. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.27 of the Disclosure Letter, no Acquired Entity nor any Management Seller has received notice of termination or an intention to terminate or materially reduce the orders or supplies with the Acquired Entities from any such largest customer or largest supplier respectively.
3.28 Permits. The Acquired Entities possess all Permits required to be obtained for their businesses and operations. Schedule 3.28 of the Disclosure Letter sets forth a list of all such Permits. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.28 of the Disclosure Letter, such Permits are in full force and effect, free from material breach, and the Transactions, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, will not adversely affect them.
3.29 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Compliance. No Seller nor to the Management Sellers Knowledge any employee of any Acquired Entity has, directly or indirectly, in connection with the Acquired Entities business or proposed business, made, authorized, offered, or agreed to make any payment, transfer of value, or gift to any Person connected with or related to any Governmental Authority or to any other Person with knowledge or unreasonable disregard that such Person will act as a conduit for otherwise prohibited payments or gifts, except payments or contributions required or allowed by applicable Law.
3.30 Bank Accounts. Schedule 3.30 of the Disclosure Letter lists the account numbers and names of each bank, broker, or other depository institution at which any of the Acquired Entities maintains a depository account, the names of all persons authorized to sign on and/or withdraw funds from each such account, all direct debit, standing order or similar authorities applicable to any of these accounts and statements showing the balance on each account as at the close of business on a date not being more than two days before the date of this Agreement.
3.31 Certain Business Relationships with the Acquired Entities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.31 of the Disclosure Letter, none of Sellers or their Affiliates has been involved in any business arrangement or relationship with any Acquired Entity within the past 12 months, other than as employees in connection with their employment with an Acquired Entity and none of Sellers and their Affiliates owns any asset that is used in any Acquired Entitys business.
3.32 Insolvency
(a) No order has been made and no resolution has been passed for the winding up of any Acquired Entity or for a provisional liquidator to be appointed in respect of any Acquired Entity and, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, no petition has been presented and no meeting has been convened for the purpose of winding up any Acquired Entity.
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(b) No administrator has been appointed and no legal proceedings or other procedure or, to the Management Sellers Knowledge, step has been taken in relation to the appointment of an administrator in respect of any Acquired Entity.
(c) No receiver (which expression shall include an administrative receiver) has been appointed in respect of any Acquired Entity or in respect of all or any part of its assets.
(d) No voluntary arrangement has been proposed under section 1 Insolvency Act 1986 in respect of any Acquired Entity and no step has been taken with a view to a composition, assignment or arrangement with any class of creditor of any Acquired Entity.
(e) No Acquired Entity is insolvent or unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 123 Insolvency Act 1986 and, for these purposes, sections 123(i)(e) and 123(2) Insolvency Act 1986 shall be deemed amended by deletion of the words it is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that and no Acquired Entity has stopped or suspended paying its debts as they fall due or has by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties commenced negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its Indebtedness.
(f) No attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or other process has been levied or threatened by any third party in respect of any asset of any Acquired Entity.
(g) No composition in satisfaction of the debts of any Acquired Entity or scheme of arrangement of its affairs or compromise or arrangement between it and its creditors and/or members or any class of its creditors and/or members has been proposed, sanctioned or approved.
(h) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no event analogous to any of the circumstances mentioned in any of the foregoing sub-paragraphs of this Section 3.32 has occurred in relation to any Acquired Entity outside England.
(i) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no Guarantee, loan capital, borrowed money or interest is overdue for payment and no other obligation or Indebtedness is outstanding which is substantially overdue for performance or payment.
(j) To the Management Sellers Knowledge, no circumstances have arisen which are likely to result in:
(i) a transaction to which any Acquired Entity is a party being set aside; or
(ii) a third party claim involving any asset owned or used by any Acquired Entity being made under sections 238 (Transactions at an undervalue), 239 (Preferences) or 423 (Transactions defrauding Creditors) of the Insolvency Act 1986.
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3.33 Loans to Third Parties. No Acquired Entity (i) has lent or agreed to lend any money which has not been repaid to it nor (ii) owns the benefit of any debt present or future (other than debts due to it in respect of the sale of trading stock in the normal course of trading or in relation to any loans made to employees in an amount less than £250 per employee in connection with travel expenditure).
3.34 Competition (Antitrust).
(a) To the Sellers knowledge, no Acquired Entity or Affiliates is, or has been, a party to any agreement, arrangement, understanding or concerted practice:
(i) which infringes, or has infringed, any applicable competition law;
(ii) in respect of which any filing, registration or notification is or was required by, or is or, was advisable pursuant to, any applicable competition law (whether or not the same has in fact been made);
(iii) which is, or was, the subject of a notice of investigation under any applicable competition law; or
(iv) in connection with which it has been subject to an order or directions or has given any undertakings or commitments or assurances under any applicable competition law.
(b) To the Sellers knowledge, there is, and has been, no aspect of the conduct of the business of any Acquired Entity or Affiliates (including refusals or omissions to act, and actions which constitute or may give rise to a concentration, merger or similar transaction) in respect of which any of Sections 3.34(a)(i) to (a)(iv) applies.
(c) No Acquired Entity or Affiliates has any reason to believe that any action or investigation under any applicable competition law will be taken against any of them in relation to any of their current activities.
(d) For the purposes of this Section 3.34, the term applicable competition law means all competition laws applicable to the business of any Acquired Entity or Affiliates, whether of the United Kingdom, the European Union or any other jurisdiction, and includes (but is not limited to) any applicable rules dealing with anti-competitive agreements, arrangements or practices, abuse of dominant position, state aid, public procurement, merger control, or anti-dumping, and the requirements of any special regulatory regime to which any Acquired Entity or Affiliates is be subject in any area of its activities.
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ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
4.1 Conduct of the Acquired Entities.
(a) From the date hereof until the Closing Date, except as expressly provided in this Agreement or otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), each Seller (excluding the EBT Trustee) shall insofar as he is able cause the Acquired Entities to conduct their businesses in the Ordinary Course of Business, to use reasonable endeavors to keep available the services of their respective current directors, officers, employees, independent contractors and consultants and preserve their relationships with those Persons, and to use reasonable endeavours to preserve intact their businesses and endeavor to preserve the goodwill and relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with such businesses.
(b) From the date hereof until the Closing Date, subject to applicable Law and except as expressly provided in this Agreement or otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer, each Seller (excluding the EBT Trustee) insofar as he is able shall cause the Acquired Entities not to engage in any practice, take any action or enter into any transaction of the sort described in Section 3.8.
4.2 Filings; Other Actions; Notification.
(a) Each of Buyer and each Seller (insofar as he is able) shall cooperate with each other and use reasonable endeavours to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, necessary, proper or advisable on its part under applicable Law to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable, including preparing and submitting as promptly as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports, submissions and other filings and to obtain as promptly as practicable all Consents and Permits necessary or advisable to be obtained from any Governmental Authority in order to consummate the Transactions. Subject to (i) applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information and the direction of any Governmental Authority and (ii) matters that Sellers or Buyer reasonably determines should not be disclosed to the other due to confidentiality concerns, Buyer, on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other hand, shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable each will consult the other on, all the information relating to Buyer or Sellers and their respective Affiliates that appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the Sellers and Buyer shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Without limiting the foregoing, the Buyer and each Seller shall, insofar as he is able, use its or his reasonable endeavors to cause all necessary or advisable filings with all Governmental Authorities in connection with UK competition laws to be made as promptly as practicable on or after the date of this Agreement. Each of Buyer and each Seller (on his own behalf) will respond promptly under the circumstances to any requests for additional information by any Governmental Authority in connection with the Transactions, including promptly filing a response to any request for additional information and/or documentary materials from any applicable Governmental Authority in connection with its review of the Transactions pursuant to UK competition laws. Notwithstanding that the Transactions may complete prior to any applicable Governmental Authority commencing and/or concluding a review of the Transactions pursuant to UK competition laws, the Sellers will at all times, insofar as they are able,
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provide the assistance described in this Section 4.2(a) until the conclusion of any such review.
(b) Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information and the direction of any Governmental Authority, each of the Sellers (insofar as he is able) and Buyer shall, upon the reasonable request by the other, furnish or cause to be furnished to the other all information concerning itself, its Affiliates, directors, officers and stockholders and such other matters as may be necessary or advisable, in the opinion of the Buyer acting reasonably, in connection with any statement, submission, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Buyer or the Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates to any Governmental Authority in connection with the approval of or Consent to the Transactions (including in connection with all approvals required or advisable under UK competition laws, and notwithstanding that the Transactions may complete prior to any applicable Governmental Authority commencing and/or concluding a review of the Transactions pursuant to UK competition laws).
(c) Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information and the direction of any Governmental Authority, (i) each of the Sellers and Buyer shall keep the other apprised of the status of matters for which it is responsible relating to completion of the Transactions, including (A) promptly furnishing the other with copies of notices or other communications received by Buyer or the Sellers, or their respective Affiliates, as the case may be, from any third party or any Governmental Authority and (B) promptly informing the other of any discussions with any such third party or Governmental Authority, in each case with respect to the Transactions (including in connection with all approvals required or advisable under UK competition laws; (ii) each Seller, insofar as he is able, shall give prompt notice to Buyer of any change that could reasonably have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Sellers to consummate the Transactions; (iii) Buyer shall give prompt notice to Sellers of any change that could reasonably prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Buyer to consummate the Transactions; and (iv) neither the Sellers nor Buyer shall permit any of its officers, directors or any other representatives or agents to participate in any meeting with any Governmental Authority or private party in respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry relating to the Transactions, unless it consults with the other party in advance and gives the other party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat.
(d) The Buyer shall or shall procure that the Acquired Entities bear the applicable costs of any action required pursuant to this Section 4.2.
(e) The EBT Trustee shall not be required to take any action under this Section 4.2.
4.3 Access and Information.
(a) Subject to Section 4.2(b) and applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information and the direction of any Governmental Authority, prior to the Closing, the Sellers shall insofar as they are able (i) cause the Acquired Entities to permit Buyer and
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its representatives after the date of execution of this Agreement to have reasonable access at reasonable times during normal business hours to the properties, books and records of the Acquired Entities, and (ii) provide Buyer with access to such information and documents in the Sellers possession relating to the Acquired Entities as Buyer may reasonably request; provided that any such access described in the preceding sub-clauses (i) and (ii) by Buyer may not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the Acquired Entities or the Sellers. All information provided or obtained pursuant to the foregoing (including under Section 4.2(b)) shall be held by Buyer in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, dated May 5, 2010, between TMW, the indirect parent of Buyer, and the Company, Dimensions Clothing Limited and Gresham LLP (the Confidentiality Agreement). All such requests for information shall be made in writing to a person or persons designated by Sellers, and shall include the reason why the information is requested.
(b) To the extent permissible under applicable Law, from and after the Closing until the fifth anniversary of the Closing, Buyer will keep safe and afford promptly to Gresham and Management Sellers Representative and its agents reasonable access to the books, records and auditors of the Acquired Entities to the extent reasonably required by Gresham and Management Sellers Representative for financial reporting and accounting matters and the preparation and filing of any Tax Returns for any period ending on or before the Closing Date or any taxable period beginning on or before the Closing Date; provided that any such access by Gresham and Management Sellers Representative may not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the Acquired Entities or Buyer. Gresham and Management Sellers Representative will hold, and will use all reasonable endeavors to cause its officers, directors, employees, accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and agents to hold, in confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of Law, all confidential documents and information concerning the Acquired Entities held by them, whether pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) or otherwise.
(c) Subject to Section 4.3(d), Gresham undertakes not to disclose or communicate to any person any confidential information acquired in its capacity as a shareholder of Buyer, or from the Gresham Director, relating to any member of the Buyer Group or the business or assets of any member of the Buyer Group.
(d) Gresham shall be permitted to:
(i) make any announcement:
(a) relating to the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares made in the Buyers annual report; and
(b) made or sent by the Gresham Investors or Gresham to any of the Institutional Investors or to the trade press, provided that the content of such announcement is in Agreed Form; and
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(ii) consult fully and exchange information regarding this Agreement or information acquired in its capacity as a shareholder of Buyer, or from the Gresham Director, relating to any member of the Buyer Group or the business or assets of any member of the Buyer Group with:
(a) a Gresham Director;
(b) any adviser to, trustee or manager of, or subject to the prior written consent of Buyer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), a Fund managed by Gresham; and
(c) any investment advisers and any of its other professional advisers, bankers or other financiers, and
provided always that Gresham shall not, and shall procure that the Gresham Director shall not, pass any such information to any third party who Gresham knows, or ought reasonably to know, is a competitor of any member of the Buyer Group, or is employed by or is otherwise connected with a competitor of the Buyer Group and Gresham shall not use such information or allow such information to be used for any purpose other than evaluating its investment in Buyer.
4.4 Contact with Customers and Suppliers, Employees, etc. From the date of execution of this Agreement through the Closing, Buyer (and all of its agents and Affiliates and any of its senior employees, directors and officers whose names and job titles have first been confirmed in writing to the Sellers) may contact and communicate with the employees, consultants, customers, suppliers and distributors of the Acquired Entities in connection with the Transactions only upon prior written consent of Management Sellers Representative (which consent is not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
4.5 Publicity. Subject to Section 4.3(d), the Sellers and Buyer shall consult with each other prior to:
(a) issuing the initial press releases regarding the Transactions; or
(b) any other press releases which name the other Party in them,
except as may be required by Law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with or rules of any applicable securities exchange.
4.6 Affiliated Transactions. Effective at or prior to the Closing, the Sellers shall, and shall cause their Affiliates (including the Acquired Entities) to, release, cancel and terminate all intercompany Receivables, payables, loans and other accounts among the Sellers and their Affiliates (other than the Acquired Entities) on the one hand, and the Acquired Entities, on the other hand, and will deliver to Buyer evidence of such terminations that is reasonably acceptable to Buyer.
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4.7 Employee Matters. Each Seller on behalf of himself only, covenants and agrees that he shall not (i) save as where the relevant Seller has consulted the Buyer prior to such appointment, employ or agree to employ any new full or part-time persons on a basic annual salary of £50,000 or more, provided always that the relevant Seller must obtain the prior written consent of the Buyer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) before employing or agreeing to employ any new full-time or part-time persons on a basic annual salary of £50,000 or more; (ii) make changes (other than those required by law) to terms and conditions of employment (including pension fund commitments) in circumstances which are likely to increase in aggregate the total staff costs of the Acquired Entities; (iii) induce (directly or indirectly), or attempt to induce, any employee to terminate their employment; (iv) except to replace employees on substantially the same terms, employ or agree to employ any new persons on a full or part time basis where total staff costs of the Acquired Entities would be increased by an aggregate of more than 3 per cent or dismiss any employee where the total staff costs of the companies and businesses would be decreased in aggregate by more than 3 per cent per annum; and (v) without the prior written consent of the Buyer, dismiss (save for gross misconduct) any director or employee.
4.8 [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK].
4.9 Restrictive Covenants. To assure that MSP, Buyer and the Acquired Entities will realize the benefits of the Transactions, each Seller severally agrees not to:
(a) From the Closing Date until two years after the Closing Date, directly or indirectly, alone or as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, member, employee, consultant, agent, independent contractor or Equity Interest holder of, or lender to, any Person or business, engage in corporate clothing and uniform supply business (the Relevant Business) anywhere in the United Kingdom (the Restricted Area).
(b) From the Closing Date until two years after the Closing Date, directly or indirectly (1) induce any Person which is a customer of any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents at or at any time during the two years immediately before Closing or was at the date of Closing in the process of negotiating or contemplating doing business with any Acquired Entity or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents, to patronize any business directly or indirectly in competition with the Relevant Business in the Restricted Area, (2) canvass, solicit, or accept from any Person who is or was a customer of any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents at or at any time during the two years immediately before Closing or was at the date of Closing in the process of negotiating or contemplating doing business with any Acquired Entity or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents in relation to the Restricted Business in the Restricted Area, any such competitive business, or (3) request or advise any Person who is or was a customer or vendor of any Acquired Entity or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents in relation to the Restricted Business in the Restricted Area at or at any time during the two years immediately before Closing or was at the date of Closing in the process of negotiating or contemplating doing business with any Acquired Entity or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents, to withdraw, curtail, or cancel any such customers or vendors business with such Person.
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(c) From the Closing Date until two years after the Closing Date, directly or indirectly employ or knowingly permit any subsidiary or commercial agent of such Seller to employ any person who was employed or otherwise engaged by any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents at or at any time during the two years immediately before Closing in relation to the Restricted Business in the Restricted Area.
(d) From the Closing Date until two years after the Closing Date, directly or indirectly (1) solicit for employment by any such Seller or any of its subsidiaries or commercial agents any employee or independent contractor of any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents who was an employee or independent contractor of any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents at or at any time during the two years immediately before Closing in relation to the Restricted Business in the Restricted Area , other than such person (I) whose employment or independent contractor relationship was terminated by the applicable Person, or (II) who independently responded to a general solicitation for employment by such Seller or such Sellers subsidiary or commercial agent, or (2) induce or attempt to induce any such employee or independent contractor of any Acquired Entity, or any of their subsidiaries or commercial agents, to terminate such employees employment or independent contractors active contractual relationship with such Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the beneficial ownership of up to 3% of the Equity Interests of any Person having a class of Equity Interest actively traded on a recognized stock exchange shall not be deemed, in and of itself, to breach the prohibitions of this Section 4.9. Each Seller agrees and acknowledges that (1) the restrictions in this Section 4.9 are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to protect MSP, Buyer and the Acquired Entities after the Closing and (2) it has had the opportunity to take independent legal advice on the restrictions in this Section 4.9. If any provision of this Section 4.9, as applied to any Party or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator not to be Enforceable in accordance with its terms, the same will in no way affect any other circumstance or the Enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement. If any such provision, or any part thereof, is held not to be Enforceable in accordance with its terms because of the duration of such provision, the area covered thereby, or the scope of the activities covered, the Parties agree that the Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration, area and/or scope of activities of such provision and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form, such provision shall then be Enforceable and shall be Enforced. The Parties agree and acknowledge that the breach of this Section 4.9 may cause irreparable damage to MSP, Buyer and the Acquired Entities and upon breach of any provision of this Section 4.9 MSP, Buyer and/or any Acquired Entity shall be entitled to claim for injunctive relief, specific performance, or other equitable relief; provided, however, that the foregoing remedies shall in no way limit any other remedies which MSP, Buyer and/or any Acquired Entity may have and provided that no claim shall be made against any Management Seller who is carrying out his duties in accordance with his contract of employment with the Buyer and/or any member of the Buyers Group.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Gresham shall be released from its obligations in this Section 4.9 if it notifies Buyer in writing that it desires to be so released, provided that in such event Gresham shall not be entitled to appoint a Director to the Board of Buyer, and shall procure that
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the Gresham Director at such time is removed, nor shall Gresham be entitled to receive any information relating to the Buyer or the Acquired Entities under this Agreement.
4.10 Release. On Closing, each Seller severally RELEASES AND FOREVER DISCHARGES Buyer and its permitted assignees and the Acquired Entities (individually, a Releasee and collectively, Releasees) from any and all existing Actions, Orders, damages, Liabilities and Contracts whatsoever which such Seller has or has ever had against the respective Releasees arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date including any and all accrued management fees, expenses or other types of reimbursement, of any kind, due to Gresham or any of its Affiliates from any of the Acquired Entities but excluding any rights to indemnification or reimbursement from any of the Acquired Entities pursuant to their respective constitutional documents, however, that nothing contained herein shall operate to release any obligations of MSP or Buyer arising under this Agreement or release any Acquired Entity from any obligations for compensation and other employment benefits owed to a Seller who is an employee of an Acquired Entity. Each Seller hereby irrevocably and on behalf of himself only covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any Action, or commencing, instituting, or causing to be commenced, any Action, of any kind against any Releasee, based upon any matter specifically released hereby, provided that no Seller shall be deemed to have released any right or benefit provided to it under the Transaction Documents.
4.11 Further Assurances. Each Seller severally shall on his own behalf and at the reasonable cost of the Buyer and for a period of three years only after Closing execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to Buyer such further instruments or transfer, assignment and conveyance and shall take or cause to be taken such other action as Buyer reasonably may require to implement and carry into effect the Transactions provided that no Seller shall be obliged to execute any document which may create or increase a liability upon him other than as set out in the Transaction Documents.
ARTICLE 5.
GUARANTEE
5.1 In consideration of Sellers entering into this Agreement, TMW guarantees to Sellers the due and punctual performance and observance by Buyer and MSP of all their obligations, commitments, undertakings, warranties and covenants under or pursuant to this Agreement. The liability of TMW under this Article 5.1 shall not be released or diminished by any variation of terms (whether of this Agreement or otherwise) or by Sellers failure or delay in seeking performance of the Buyers and/or MSP obligations hereby imposed or any granting of time for such performance.
5.2 If Buyer and/or MSP default in the performance of any obligation or liability arising under or pursuant to this Agreement, TMW shall perform (or procure performance of) and satisfy (or procure the satisfaction of) such obligation or liability so as to ensure Sellers receive the full benefit of this Agreement. TMW waives any rights which it may have to require Sellers to proceed first against or claim payment from Buyer and/or MSP to the intent that TMW shall be liable as principal obligor as if it has entered all undertakings, agreements and other obligations jointly and severally with Buyer and/or MSP.
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5.3 This guarantee is a continuing security to Sellers for all Buyers and/or MSPs obligations, commitments, warranties, undertakings, indemnities and covenants pursuant to this Agreement and shall not be satisfied, discharged or affected by a change in the constitution or control of, or the insolvency of or winding-up or analogous proceeding relating to, Buyer and/or MSP.
5.4 TMW agrees that any obligation expressed to be undertaken by Buyer and/or MSP under this Agreement which may not be enforceable against or recoverable from the Buyer or MSP by reason of any legal limitation, disability or incapacity shall nevertheless be enforceable against or recoverable from TMW as though the same has been incurred by TMW.
5.5 TMWs liability under Article 5.1 shall not be affected by any arrangements which Sellers make with the Buyer and/or MSP or with another person which (but for this Article 5.5) might operate to diminish or discharge the liability of or otherwise provide a defence to a surety.
5.6 This guarantee is in addition to and without prejudice to and not in substitution for any rights or security which Sellers may now or in the future have for the performance and observance of the obligations, commitments, undertakings, covenants, indemnities and warranties of Buyer and/or MSP under or in connection with this Agreement.
ARTICLE 6.
CLOSING CONDITIONS
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of MSP and Buyer. The obligation of MSP and Buyer to effect the Transactions shall be further subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by MSP and Buyer on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Save as Disclosed in the Disclosure Letter and the Closing Disclosure Letter, each of the representations and warranties of Management Sellers contained in this Agreement (i) which is qualified by the word material or words of similar import shall be true and correct and (ii) which is not qualified by the word material or words of similar import shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though those representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date (or, in the case of any representation or warranty that is made as of a specified date, on and as of such specified date.
(b) Compliance with Obligations. Each Seller shall have duly performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements contained in ARTICLE 1 of this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by it at or before the Closing.
(c) Management Sellers Certificate. Management Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate, dated the Closing Date, as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1(a) and (b).
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(d) Indebtedness and Agreed Fees Certificate. Management Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate in the Agreed Form dated the Closing Date, confirming that the Indebtedness and Agreed Fees, set out in Schedule 1 and Schedule 3 respectively, have not changed since the date of this Agreement, except as expressly provided for in such Schedules.
(e) Consents. [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK].
(f) Employment Agreements. The Acquired Entities shall have terminated all existing employment agreements with those persons who are entering into the Employment Agreements and the Employment Agreements shall have been entered into by the Buyer and the persons names therein.
(g) Management Incentive Scheme. Simon Hughes shall have executed the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement and KPMG shall have issued the KPMG Comfort Letter to the Buyer.
(h) Debt facilities. Terms acceptable to Buyer having been reached in respect of: (i) repayment of all debt owed to the Banks and the release of all of the Acquired Entities assets (including shares or other securities) charged, pledged or otherwise secured pursuant thereto; and (ii) the New £30m Bond.
(i) Capitalization of Gresham debt.
(i) All Indebtedness due from any Acquired Entity to Gresham (or any of its Affiliates), will be capitalized or converted into Company Stock at no tax cost to the Acquired Entities and such Company Stock will be included in the Sale Shares that Gresham will transfer to Buyer at Closing.
(ii) Receipt from HMRC, in a form acceptable to the Buyer, of clearance that the KPMG Restructuring Plan, in particular the capitalization of the Loan Notes into Company Stock, does not give rise to any Tax liability for any of the Acquired Entities.
(iii) The release of all security granted in favour of Gresham (or any member of the Gresham Group) over the assets of the Acquired Entities or the share capital of any Acquired Entity, on terms acceptable to the Buyer.
(j) No Material Adverse Change or Destruction of Property. Since the date of this Agreement there must have been no event, series of events, or the lack of occurrence thereof which, in aggregate, has had a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities as a whole and, in particular, (i) there must not have been any action or inaction by a Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator which has had a Material Adverse Change on the Acquired Entities and (ii) there must not have been any fire, flood, act of God, act of terrorism (regardless of insurance coverage for such damage) which event has had a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities as a whole.
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(k) Completion of Acquisition(s). The sale and purchase agreement in respect of the Alexandra Acquisition shall have been signed by all parties thereto.
(l) Investment Agreement. The Agreement dated April 11, 2008, by and between Ensco 648 Limited, Ensco 645 Limited, the Managers set out in Schedule 2 thereto, the Lead Investors set out in Schedule 2 thereto and Gresham LLP, shall have been terminated effective as of the Closing.
6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Sellers. The obligation of Sellers to effect the Transactions shall be further subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by Sellers on or prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Save as disclosed in writing to the Sellers, each of the representations and warranties of TMW, MSP and Buyer contained in this Agreement (i) which is qualified by the word material or words of similar import shall be true and correct and (ii) which is not qualified by the word material or words of similar import shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case, as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though those representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date (or, in the case of any representation or warranty that is made as of a specified date, on and as of such specified date).
(b) Compliance with Obligations. MSP and Buyer shall have duly performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by it at or before the Closing.
(c) Buyer Certificate. TMW, MSP and Buyer shall have delivered to Gresham and Sellers a certificate, dated the Closing Date, as to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b)and waiving its right to claim for matters arising between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date that have been Disclosed in the Closing Disclosure Letter.
(d) Debt facilities. Terms reasonably acceptable to Gresham having been reached in respect of the New £30m Bond.
(e) Payment of Consideration for Call Option. Buyer shall have paid to Gresham, the £1 described in Schedule 2 in connection with the Call Option.
(f) Completion of Acquisition(s). The sale and purchase agreement in respect of the Alexandra Acquisition shall have been signed by all parties thereto.
ARTICLE 7.
TERMINATION
7.1 Termination of Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement as provided below:
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(a) Buyer and Gresham may terminate this Agreement as to all Parties by mutual written consent at any time prior to the Closing;
(b) Buyer or Gresham may terminate this Agreement upon delivery of a written notice if the Closing has not occurred prior to the Expiration Date, provided that the Party delivering such notice shall not have caused such failure to close;
(c) Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Gresham and the Management Sellers Representative at any time prior to the Closing if:
(i) any Seller has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this Agreement in any material respect (except with respect to materiality for any provisions including the word material or words of similar import and Section 3.7, in which case such termination rights will arise upon any breach); or
(ii) since the date of this Agreement there has been an event, series of events, or the lack of occurrence thereof which, in aggregate, has had a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities as a whole and, in particular, (i) there has been any action or inaction by a Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator which has had a Material Adverse Change on the Acquired Entities or (ii) there has been any fire, flood, act of God, act of terrorism (regardless of insurance coverage for such damage) which event has had a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities as a whole; and
(d) Gresham may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Buyer at any time prior to the Closing if the Buyer has breached any representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this Agreement in any material respect (except with respect to materiality for any provisions including the word material or words of similar import, in which case such termination rights will arise upon any breach).
7.2 Effect of Termination. Each Partys termination right under this Agreement is in addition to any other rights it may have under this Agreement or otherwise, and the exercise of a termination right will not be an election of remedies. Except for the obligations under Section 4.5, ARTICLE 7 and ARTICLE 12, if this Agreement is terminated under Section 7.1, then all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement and the documents in Agreed Form will terminate. Further, if this Agreement is terminated under Section 7.1, the Buyer, MSP and TMW agree that no Seller shall have any Liability to settle any Action in cash save where that Seller has failed to close the Transactions as a result of a breach by him of his respective obligations under ARTICLE 1.
ARTICLE 8.
TAX MATTERS
8.1 Tax Indemnity.
(a) Subject to Section 9.5, the Management Sellers shall be Liable to the Buyer for an amount equal to:
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(i) any and all Taxes with respect to any Tax period, or portion of a Tax period, ending on or before the Closing Date (the Pre-Closing Periods), including any and all Taxes relating to the income, business, activities, operations, property, or assets of the Acquired Entities with respect to any Pre-Closing Period, any Event occurring on or before Closing and any such Taxes for which any of the Acquired Entities is or may be or become severally Liable or by reason of being a successor-in-interest or transferee of any Person;
(ii) any and all Taxes arising as a result of, or by reference to any transaction under which any Indebtedness (including any entitlement to interest) owed by any of the Acquired Entities to Gresham or to any of the Sellers or any of Greshams or the Sellers Affiliates, is novated, assigned, cancelled, waived or converted into, or otherwise exchanged for, shares in, the relevant Acquired Entity, including any Taxes arising as a result of or by reference to any of the transactions contemplated in the KPMG Restructuring Plan;
(iii) any and all Taxes of any Acquired Entities (not falling within (i) or (ii) above) which is the liability to Tax of any other person (not being any of the Acquired Entities) and for which the relevant Acquired Entity is liable by reason of its ownership, control or membership of any group for Tax purposes (or by reason of any changes in its ownership, control or the membership of such group), in both cases on or before the Closing Date;
(iv) any claim being made against any Acquired Entity in respect of or relating to Taxes under the terms of any agreement for the sale and purchase of shares or a business or part of a business entered into by any Acquired Entity prior to Closing;
(v) any and all employer National Insurance contributions or other non-UK employer social security contributions arising on or after the Closing Date in connection with any employment-related securities acquired by employees or directors of any Acquired Entity prior to the Closing Date; and
(vi) any and all reasonable costs and expenses properly incurred by the Buyer arising out of or incidental to any liability or amount referred to in paragraphs (i) to (v) above for which the Sellers are liable, or with any bona fide action taken by the Buyer to recover any amounts due from the Sellers hereunder.
(b) The Liability of the Management Sellers under Section 8.1(a) above shall, in addition to any Taxes referred to in (i) to (v) of Section 8.1(a) above, extend to:
(i) the use or set-off of any Buyers Relief in circumstances where, but for such use or set-off, an Acquired Entity would have had an actual liability to Taxes in respect of which the Buyer would have been able to make a claim against Gresham and/or the Sellers under (i) to (v) of Section 8.1(a) above (the amount of the Taxes that are the subject of the indemnity in Section 8.1(a) being deemed to be
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equal to the amount of the actual liability to Tax that is saved by the use or set-off of the Buyers Relief); and
(ii) the loss of any Relief falling within paragraph (a) of the definition of Buyers Relief arising by reference to any of the circumstances in which the Management Sellers are Liable and set out in (i) to (v) of Section 8.1(a) above, in which case the amount of the Taxes for which the Management Sellers are Liable in Section 8.1(a) above shall be deemed to be equal to:
(x) where the Relief that is the subject of the loss is a deduction from or offset against Tax, an amount equal to that Relief so lost;
(y) where the Relief that is the subject of the loss is a deduction from or offset against income, profits or gains, an amount equal to the amount of Tax which but for such loss would have been saved by virtue of the Relief so lost (ignoring for these purposes the effect of any other Relief); or
(z) where the Relief is a repayment of Tax, an amount equal to the amount of the repayment that would have been obtained but for the loss.
(c) The Sellers and the Buyer hereby acknowledge and agree that, subject to the limitations in Section 8.2 or Section 9.5, the Buyer shall be entitled to recover Consideration Shares from Gresham under Section 9.5(b) in an amount equal to the amount of any Liability of the Management Sellers under Section 8.1(a) or in respect of breach of the Taxation Warranties.
(d) For the purposes of determining whether any Taxes or any Relief has arisen in respect of a Pre-Closing Period, an accounting period of the Acquired Entity concerned shall be deemed to have ended on Closing.
8.2 Limitations on Greshams and Sellers Liability
(a) The Management Sellers Liability under Section 8.1 shall not extend to any Liability, or other amount payable by Gresham or the Sellers in respect of breach of a Taxation Warranty, to the extent that:
(i) such Liability or other amount was paid or discharged on or before December 31, 2009 and such payment was reflected in the 2009 Accounts;
(ii) provision or reserve in respect of that Liability or other amount was made in the 2009 Accounts (otherwise than as a provision for deferred tax);
(iii) such Liability or other amount would not have arisen but for a voluntary act, transaction or omission of any of the Acquired Entities carried out after Closing but excluding any act:
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(a) carried out pursuant to a legally binding obligation entered into by an Acquired Entity on or before Closing or imposed on an Acquired Entity by any regulation or requirement having the force of law; or
(b) occurring in the Ordinary Course of Business of any Acquired Entity as carried on at Closing; or
(c) taking place with the written approval of the Sellers or Gresham; or
(d) undertaken pursuant to the KPMG Reorganisation Plan;
(iv) such Liability or other amount arises or is increased as a direct result of:
(a) any change in law, rule, regulation or the published practice of any Tax Authority; or
(b) any increase in the rate of Tax;
(in each case enacted after Completion, with retrospective effect);
(v) such Liability or other amount arises in consequence of an Event occurring after 31 December 2009 and before Closing in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Acquired Entities;
(vi) recovery (less costs and expenses) has been made by the Buyer under this Agreement in respect of the same subject matter;
(vii) such Liability or other amount arises or is increased or any provision or reserve in respect of the Liability in the accounts prepared to 31 December 2009 is insufficient as a result of any change after Closing in the bases, methods or policies of accounting of any of the Acquired Entities, other than a change which is required in order to comply with generally accepted accounting practice;
(viii) such Liability or other amount would not have arisen or would have been reduced or eliminated but for any claim, election, surrender or disclaimer made or notice or consent given or any other thing done, in each case after Closing (other than one, the making, the giving or doing of which was taken into account in computing any provision for Tax in the 2009 Accounts under, or in connection with the provisions of any enactment or regulation relating to Tax, by an Acquired Entity or any member of the Buyers Group;
(ix) such Liability or other amount would not have arisen or would have been reduced or eliminated but for the failure or omission by an Acquired Entity or any member of the Buyers Group to make any claim, election, surrender or disclaimer or give any notice, or consent or do any other thing under or in connection with, the provision of any enactment or regulation relating to Tax at
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Completion where the making, giving or doing of which was taken into account in computing any provision for Tax in the 2009 Accounts and details of which have been set out in the Disclosure Letter;
(x) any Relief (other than Buyers Relief) is available to an Acquired Entity to set against or otherwise mitigate the Liability or other amount (or is for no consideration made available by the Sellers or Gresham to an Acquired Entity) in question;
(xi) such Liability or other amount would not have arisen but for a cessation or any change in the nature or conduct of any trade carried out on or by the relevant Acquired Entity being a change or cessation occurring on or after Closing;
(xii) such Liability or other amount has been made good by insurers or otherwise compensated for without cost to the Buyer or the relevant Acquired Entity;
(xiii) such Liability or other amount arises by virtue of an Acquired Entity average rate of corporation tax increasing as a result of becoming a member of the Buyers Group;
(xiv) such Liability is one of interest and/or penalties arising by virtue of any underpayment of tax payable in instalments under the Corporation Tax (Instalment Payment) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/3175) insofar as any underpayment would not have been an underpayment but for an Event occurring after Closing;
(xv) such Liability or other amount consists of stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable on the transfer or agreement to transfer the Sale Shares pursuant to this Agreement; or
(xvi) such Liability or other amount is imposed on an Acquired Entity and relates to the underpayment of customs duty in respect of garments imported to the UK from Bangladesh in 2008, but this Section 8.2(xvii) shall only apply to the extent that the aggregate of (A) any such Liability and/or (B) any such other amount does not exceed £300,000.
(b) The provisions of Section 9.5 (Limitations) shall apply to the extent provided therein, save that in case of any contradiction between the provisions of Section 9.5 and the provisions of this Section 8.2 the provisions of this Section 8.2 shall prevail.
(c) The Seller or Gresham shall not be liable under Section 8.1(a) unless the Management Sellers Representative have received written notice of the claim to be made against them before the seventh anniversary of Closing.
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(d) Buyer, MSP and TMW undertake to the Sellers to procure to the full extent that the Acquired Entities exercise all rights available to them under the terms of clauses 2, 5, 9.18, 9.19, 10, 11, 14 and Schedule 6 of the sale and purchase agreement made between Johnson Service Group plc, Semara Contract Service Limited, Johnson Investments Limited, Semara Nominees Limited and Ensco 645 Limited dated April 11, 2008 (as varied) and a tax deed made between Semara Contract Service Limited, Johnson Investments Limited, Semara Nominees Limited, Ensco 645 Limited Johnson Clothing Limited (renamed Dimensions Clothing Limited) and others dated April 28, 2008.
8.3 Credit for Tax Savings
(a) If, at the Sellers request and expense, the auditors or accountants of the Acquired Entities for the time being (the Auditors) determine that an Acquired Entity has obtained a Tax Saving (which for the purposes of this Section shall mean where the Sellers or Gresham have made a payment under Section 8.1(a) or for breach of any of the Tax Warranties in respect of a Liability which results in the reduction of any other liability to Tax of an Acquired Entity) the Buyer shall on demand repay to the Sellers or Gresham the lesser of:
(i) the amount of the Tax Saving (as determined by the Auditors); and
(ii) the amount paid by the Sellers or Gresham in respect of the Liability which gave rise to the Tax Saving, less any reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Buyer or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(a)(iv) above.
(b) If the Buyer becomes aware that there is or may be a Tax Saving it shall (or shall procure that the Acquired Entities shall) as soon as reasonably practicable inform the Management Sellers Representative of that fact and the amount of the Tax Saving.
(c) In determining whether an Acquired Entity has obtained a Tax Saving, the Auditors will act as experts and not as arbitrators and their determination will (in the absence of manifest error) be conclusive and binding on the parties.
8.4 Over-Provisions
(a) If:
(i) the amount by which any provision for Tax (excluding for the avoidance of doubt any provision for deferred Taxation) contained in the 2009 Accounts proves to be an over-provision then the over-provision shall be dealt with in accordance with Section 8.4(c) below;
(ii) the amount of any repayment of Tax to an Acquired Entity by any Taxation Authority in the 2009 Accounts proves to be understated (or if no amount is stated, the amount of any repayment of Tax to the Acquired Entities),
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then the amount of such repayment understated shall be dealt with in accordance with Section 8.4(c) below.
(b) If the Buyer becomes aware that there are or may be such amounts as are referred to in Section 8.4(a) above, it shall (or shall procure that the Acquired Entities shall) as soon as reasonably practicable inform the Management Sellers Representative of the fact and the amount in question. If the Auditors are requested by either of the parties hereto to certify any of such amounts as are referred to above the relevant party shall procure that the Auditors are instructed to give and shall (at the expense of the party requesting) give as soon as practicable such certificate and in so doing they shall act as experts and not as arbitrators and (in the absence of manifest error) their decision shall be final and binding on the parties hereto.
(c) Where it is provided under Section 8.4(a) above that any amount (the Relevant Amount) is to be dealt with in accordance with this Section 8.4(c):
(i) the Relevant Amount shall first be set off against any payment then due from the Sellers or Gresham under this Section or for breach of the Tax Warranties;
(ii) to the extent there is an excess of the Relevant Amount after any amounts have been set off under Section 8.4(c)(i) above, a refund shall be made to the Sellers or Gresham of any previous payment or payments by the Sellers or Gresham under this clause or for breach of the Tax Warranties and not previously refunded under this Section 8.4(c)(ii) up to the amount of such excess;
(iii) to the extent that the excess referred to in Section 8.4(c)(ii) above is not exhausted under that paragraph, the remainder of that excess shall be carried forward and set off against any future payment or payment which become due from the Sellers or Gresham under this clause or for breach of the Tax Warranties.
(d) Where any such certification as is mentioned in Section 8.4(b) above has been made, the Sellers or Gresham or the Buyer may (at its respective expense) request the Auditors to review such certification in the light of all relevant circumstances, including any facts which have become known only since such certification, and to certify whether such certification remains correct or whether, in the light of those circumstances, the amount that was the subject of such certification should be amended.
(e) If the Auditors certify under Section 8.4(d) above that an amount previously certified should be amended, that amended amount shall be substituted for the purpose of Section 8.4(c) above as the relevant Amount in respect of the certification in question in place of the amount originally certified, and such adjusting payment (if any) as may be required by virtue of the above mentioned substitution shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable by the Sellers, Gresham or the Buyer as the case may be.
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8.5 Tax Contests.
(a) If a Party or any of its Affiliates receive any written communication with respect to any question, adjustment, assessment, enquiry or pending or threatened audit, examination, investigation, administrative, court or other Action (a Tax Notice) that, if pursued successfully, could result in or give rise to, or could reasonably be expected to result in or give rise to any Tax Liability for any Pre-Closing Period or with respect to the pre-Closing portion of any period beginning on or before the Closing Date and ending after the Closing Date (a Straddle Period) (in each case to the extent that the Management Sellers may have a Liability under Section 8.1 or under the Taxation Warranties in respect of such Taxes) and other than for Taxes shown as due and owing on the relevant Tax Return, then such Party shall promptly notify the other Party hereto in writing of such Tax Notice.
(b) Following receipt of a notification pursuant to Section 8.5(a), the Buyer shall take or cause to be taken such action as Gresham may, by written notice given to the Buyer, reasonably request to conduct the audit, examination, investigation, enquiry or administrative, court or other Action referred to in the Tax Notice (a Tax Contest) if they have acknowledged in writing to Buyer their agreement to indemnify Buyer against any costs and expenses related to such Tax Contest; provided, however, Gresham or the Sellers shall not settle any Tax Liabilities arising out of such Tax Contest without Buyers consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Buyer and the Acquired Entities shall be entitled to attend and participate in any such Tax Contest at their sole cost and expense. The Buyer shall control the conduct of the portion of any Tax Contest with respect to any and all Taxes for any Post-Closing Period for any Straddle Period. The costs and expenses of any proceeding under this Section 8.5 shall be borne by the Party that controls the conduct of such Tax Contest.
(c) The Buyer shall or shall procure that the Acquired Entities give the Sellers or Greshams professional advisers access to such records and information as is reasonably necessary to conduct a Tax Contest.
8.6 Recovery from Third Parties
(a) If the Buyer or an Acquired Entity recovers or is entitled to recover from any other person (not being an Acquired Entity but including without limitation a Tax Authority) any amount which is referable to a Tax Liability, if and to the extent that the Sellers or Gresham have made a payment under this Agreement in respect of that Liability, the Buyer or Gresham will repay to the Seller the lesser of:
(i) the sum recovered (less any reasonable costs and expenses properly incurred by the Acquired Entity and/or the Buyer in recovering that sum and any Tax payable on the receipt of the same); and
(ii) the amount paid by the Sellers under Section 8.1(a) above less any amount paid in respect of costs and expenses under Section 8.1(a)(vi) above in respect of the Liability;
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and to the extent that the Sellers or Gresham have not already made any payment to the Buyer in respect of the Liability in question, the Sellers or Greshams Liability under Section 8.1(a) in respect of that Liability shall be reduced by an amount equal to the sum recovered net of any Tax on the sum and the reasonable costs and expenses of the Buyer and the Acquired Entity of recovering the same.
(b) If the Buyer or the Acquired Entity becomes aware that it is entitled to recover any amount mentioned in Section 8.6(a) above, the Buyer will as soon as reasonably practicable give notice of that fact to the Management Sellers Representative and provided that the Sellers or Gresham indemnify the Buyer or the Acquired Entity to the reasonable satisfaction of the Buyer against all reasonable costs and expenses (including additional Tax) which may be incurred thereby, the Buyer shall procure that the Acquired Entity shall take such action as the Sellers or Gresham may reasonably request to effect such recovery.
8.7 Buyers Covenant. The Buyer hereby covenants with the Sellers and Gresham to pay to the Sellers and Gresham an amount equal to any Tax for which the Sellers or Gresham are liable as a result of the application of sections 710 or 713 CTA 2010 (recovery of unpaid corporation tax) where company X or company Y (as defined in section 710(1)(a) and 713(1)(a) CTA 2010 respectively) is an Acquired Entity or arising under or by reference to sections 179, 189 or 190 TCGA 1992, section 109E TMA 1970, section 795 CTA 2009, paragraph 8 of schedule 34 to the FA 2002, paragraph 9 of schedule 35 to the FA 2002 or paragraphs 1 or 2 of schedule 39 to the FA 2002 in each case by virtue of non-payment of Tax by an Acquired Entity together with any reasonable costs and expenses properly incurred by the Sellers or Gresham in connection with taking any successful action under this clause save that this Section shall not apply in respect of any Tax for which the Sellers or Gresham are liable to make (but have not yet made) payment to the Buyer under Section 8.1 or under the Tax Warranties.
8.8 Termination of Tax Sharing Agreements. Other than the tax indemnity obtained on the occasion of the acquisition on 28 April 2008, Tax indemnities agreements, intercompany agreements or other similar Contracts or arrangements between the Acquired Entities and any Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Acquired Entities and their subsidiaries) or any third party and relating to any Tax matters shall be terminated with respect to the Acquired Entities as of the Closing Date without liability to the Acquired Entities, and after the Closing Date, the Acquired Entities will have no further Liabilities thereunder, and any such agreements will have no further force or effect for any taxable period (whether past, current, or future taxable periods).
8.9 Cooperation. Gresham, Sellers, Buyer and the Acquired Entities shall cooperate and consult in good faith with each other (a) during the course of the preparation of federal, state, county, provincial, municipal, local or foreign Tax Returns of the Acquired Entities for Pre-Closing Periods, Straddle Periods and Post-Closing Periods and (b) in connection with any adjustment, Claim, or question asserted or raised by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Acquired Entities for Pre-Closing Periods, Straddle Periods and Post-Closing Periods. Any information obtained by any Person in connection with any Tax matters to which this Agreement applies shall be kept confidential, except as may be otherwise necessary in connection with the
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filing of Tax Returns or Claims for refund or in conducting an audit or other proceeding in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
8.10 Nature of Payments. Any payment from Gresham or the Sellers or any of their Affiliates to MSP, Buyer, the Acquired Entities, or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 8.1 shall be treated insofar as legally permissible for Tax purposes as a decrease in the Purchase Price.
8.11 Allocation of Taxes. In the case of any Tax described pertaining to a Straddle Period and which is based on income, sales, revenue, production, or similar items or other Taxes, the portion of Tax pertaining or attributable to the Acquired Entities for the Pre-Closing Period of a Straddle Period shall be determined on the basis of an interim closing of the books as of and including the Closing Date.
8.12 Preparation of Tax Returns.
(a) Gresham and the Sellers shall prepare any and all Pre-Closing Period Tax Returns which are required to be filed for, by, on behalf of or with respect to the Acquired Entities and shall provide a copy of any such Tax Return to the Buyer for its review and comment by the earlier of (i) the date falling thirty (30) days prior to the due date for such Tax Return, including any extensions thereof, and (ii) the date falling thirty (30) days after the relevant Acquired Entity files its accounts with Companies House, and shall amend the Tax Return in accordance with any reasonable comments of the Buyer. The Buyer will cause any such Tax Returns to be filed with the appropriate Tax Authority. All Tax Returns prepared pursuant to this Section 8.12 shall be prepared in a manner consistent with past practice unless otherwise required by applicable laws.
(b) The Buyer will cause to be prepared and filed each Post-Closing Period and Straddle Period Tax Return which is required to be filed for, by, on behalf of or with respect to the Acquired Entities. With respect to any Straddle Period Tax Return prepared by the Buyer pursuant to this Section 8.12(b), the Buyer shall provide a copy of such Tax Return to the Management Sellers Representative for their review and comment at least thirty (30) days prior to the due date for such Tax Returns, including any extensions thereof. The Buyer agrees to accept any reasonable comments by Sellers or Gresham to such Tax Returns, to the extent that such comments relate solely to the pre-Closing portion of the Straddle Period and are provided at least ten (10) days prior to the due dates for such Tax Returns. The Buyer will cause any such Tax Returns to be filed with the appropriate Tax Authority and will cause to be duly paid to the appropriate Tax Authority the amount of Taxes shown to be due on any such Tax Return.
(c) The amount of Taxes shown to be due on any Tax Return filed in accordance with this Section 8.12 shall be final and binding upon the Parties, subject to any adjustment resulting from Tax contests as described in Section 8.5.
8.13 Gross up. If any amount payable by Gresham or the Sellers under this Agreement or, in respect of any breach of any of the representations or warranties given by the Seller under Section 2.1 or ARTICLE 3 (including, in each case, any transfer of the
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Consideration Shares by Gresham pursuant to Section 9.5), is, or but for any Relief would be, subject to Tax (whether by way of deduction, withholding, direct assessment or otherwise), the amount payable (or the amount or value of any Consideration Shares to be transferred) shall be increased to such amount as shall, after such Tax, leave an amount equal to the payment (or amount or value of Consideration Shares transferred) which would have been due if it had not been subject to Tax save that this provision shall not apply if the payment has become subject to Tax by reason the assignment by the Buyer of the benefit of this Agreement.
8.14 Due date for payment
(a) Where the Management Sellers are liable under Section 8.1, the due date in respect of that Liability (and on which the Buyer is entitled to recover Consideration Shares under Section 9.5(b)) shall be:
(i) in a case that involves an actual payment of Tax, the date that is the last date on which the person concerned would have to have paid to the appropriate Tax Authority the Tax that has given rise to the Management Sellers Liability under Section 8.1 in order to avoid incurring a liability to interest or a charge or penalty in respect of that Tax; or
(ii) in any other case, the date falling seven days after the date when the Management Sellers Representative have been notified by the Buyer in writing with reasonable supporting evidence that the Management Sellers have a liability for a determinable amount under Section 8.1.
(b) If any Liability of the Management Sellers under Section 8.1 is not settled (including through the transfer of Consideration Shares under Section9.5(b)) by the due date for the making thereof, then that Liability shall be increased by reference to interest from that due date until the date when the Liability is actually settled at the rate charged by the relevant Tax authority in respect of late payment of the Tax which is the subject matter of the relevant Liability or, where no such rate is identifiable, the base rate of the Bank of England, in each case plus 2%.
8.15 Conflicts. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this ARTICLE 8 and any other provision in this Agreement, the provisions of this ARTICLE 8 shall control.
ARTICLE 9.
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, CLAIMS AND LIMITATIONS
9.1 Survival of the Management Sellers Representations and Warranties. Each representation and warranty of Management Sellers and any certificate related to such representations and warranties will survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect:
(a) in respect of all representations and warranties in Article 3 (the General Warranties), for a period of 2 years from the Closing Date;
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(b) in respect of the representations and warranties in Section 2.1 other than Section 2.1(e) (the Fundamental Warranties), for a period of six years from the Closing Date; and
(c) in respect of the representations and warranties in Section 2.1(e) (Title Warranties), indefinitely.
(d) in respect of the representations and warranties in Section 3.11 (the Taxation Warranties), for a period of seven years from the Closing Date.
9.2 Survival of Buyer, MSP and TMW Representations and Warranties. Each representation and warranty of Buyer, MSP and TMW in Section 2.2 and any certificate related to such representations and warranties, will survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect for a period of six years from the Closing Date.
9.3 Indemnities
(a) Shareholder Payments. Gresham and each Management Seller severally covenants to repay an amount to the Buyer on a pound-for-pound basis within 5 Business Days of a demand from the Buyer an amount equal to any Shareholder Payments made to it by any Acquired Entity since December 31, 2009, other than the Disclosed Shareholder Payments.
(b) Pensions. Gresham and Sellers undertake to comply with the provisions of Schedule 4.
9.4 Third Party Claim Procedures.
(a) The Sellers shall be entitled to require the Buyer (in the name of the Acquired Entities if the Sellers so request) or the Acquired Entities at the expense of the Sellers to take all such reasonable steps or proceedings as the Sellers may consider reasonably necessary in order to avoid, dispute, resist, mitigate, compromise, defend or appeal against any relevant third party claim (that is to say any claim by a third party against the Acquired Entities which will or may give rise to a Claim other than a claim under the Taxation Warranties or under Section 8.1(a) (Tax Indemnity), a Relevant Third Party Claim) and the Buyer shall act or shall procure that the Acquired Entities shall act in accordance with any such requirements subject to the Buyer and/or the Acquired Entities being indemnified by the Sellers to the reasonable satisfaction of the Buyer against all reasonable costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred in connection with the taking of such steps or proceedings.
(b) For the purpose of enabling the Sellers to avoid, dispute, resist, mitigate, compromise, defend or appeal against any Relevant Third Party Claim or to decide what steps or proceedings should be taken in order to do so, the Buyer shall:
(i) give written notice to the Sellers within 30 days of any Relevant Third Party Claim or any circumstances giving or likely to give rise to a Relevant Third Party Claim coming to its notice, provided that failure to give such notice
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shall not relieve the Sellers of its obligations and liabilities with respect to a breach of representation or warranty, except to the extent that the Sellers prove the amount by which they are harmed thereby;
(ii) disclose in writing to the Sellers all information and documents reasonably requested by the Sellers relating to any Relevant Third Party Claim and, if requested by the Sellers, on reasonable notice give the Sellers and their professional advisers reasonable access during normal working hours to the personnel of the Buyer and/or the Acquired Entities as the case may be to enable the Sellers and their professional advisers to interview such personnel;
(iii) not make any admission of liability, agreement or compromise with any person, body or authority in relation to the Relevant Third Party Claim without prior consultation with the Sellers;
(c) The Sellers shall reimburse to the Buyer or Acquired Entities (as the case may be) all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in complying with its obligations under Section 9.4.
(d) Payment of any claim by a third party shall to the extent of such payment satisfy and preclude any other claim which is capable of being made against the Sellers in respect of the same subject matter to the intent that the Buyer shall not be entitled to recover more than once in respect of the same sum.
9.5 Limitations on Sellers Liability.
(a) Other than as set out in Section 9.3(a) or contained in the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement, no Seller shall be required to settle any Liability by a cash payment to the Buyer, MSP or TMW in respect of a breach of this Agreement and/or the documents in the Agreed Form and the Buyer, MSP and TMW covenant not to sue or otherwise seek to recover any cash or similar financial compensation from the Sellers in relation to any claim for breach of this Agreement and/or the documents in the Agreed Form, provided that Gresham complies with its obligations in this Section 9.5.
(b) The sole remedy available in relation to any claim under this Agreement and/or the documents in Agreed Form against the Sellers, other than under Section 9.3(a), whether it is a Claim against the Sellers or Gresham, shall be a claw back by MSP of the Consideration Shares issued to Gresham and the SH Subscriber Shares issued to Simon Hughes on Closing. Accordingly, the aggregate maximum liability of the Sellers in respect of a breach of the representations and warranties in this Agreement (other than the Title Warranties) and any claim under Section 8.1 shall be £8,139,535, being the £61.85 value attributed per share to the Consideration Shares issued on Closing (CS Value).
(c) Gresham and Simon Hughes shall not have any Liability to MSP in relation to any claim in relation to this Agreement and/or the documents in Agreed Form, unless such claim is a Substantiated Claim.
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(d) The amount payable on a Substantiated Claim shall be the amount agreed by MSP and Gresham, or determined by any such order or decree (as the case may be) to be payable in respect of such claim (Determined Amount).
(e) Following a Substantiated Claim against any Seller or Gresham:
(i) Gresham agrees to transfer to MSP (or as MSP directs), for a gross consideration of £1, such number of Consideration Shares which when multiplied by the CS Value, equal the sum of (i) the Determined Amount and (ii) any stamp duty payable by reference to the transfer of such Consideration Shares; and
(ii) Simon Hughes agrees to transfer to MSP (or as MSP directs), for a gross consideration of £1, such number of SH Subscriber Shares as is equal to the sum of (i) an amount of SH Subscriber Shares as is equal to the Claim Proportion of all the SH Subscriber Shares issued to Simon Hughes at Closing and (ii) any stamp duty payable by reference to the transfer of such SH Subscriber Shares. For the purposes of this Section 9.5(e)(ii), Claim Proportion means a proportion as is equal to the number of Consideration Shares that Gresham is required to transfer to MSP pursuant to Section 9.5(e)(i) divided by the total number of Consideration Shares issued to Gresham at Closing.
(f) Neither the Sellers nor the Buyer will have any Liability in relation to any claim for breach of this Agreement and the documents in Agreed Form and no claim shall be made against any Seller unless:
(i) such individual claim exceeds £25,000 (Individual Claim); and unless
(ii) the aggregate liability of all such Individual Claims, when aggregated, exceeds £250,000 (Qualifying Claim), in which event the Sellers shall be liable for the whole of the claim and not merely the excess; and unless
(iii) such Qualifying Claim becomes a Substantiated Claim.
(g) Gresham has entered into the Security Documents as a security for all of its and the Sellers obligations, representations, warranties and covenants pursuant to Section 2.1 (Representation and Warranties of Gresham and Sellers), ARTICLE 3 (Representations and Warranties Concerning the Acquired Entities), Section 4.9 (Restrictive Covenants), Section 10.4 (Working Capital and Further Funding of Buyer) and Schedule 2 (Call Option) of this Agreement.
(h) MSP shall make any claim against the Sellers in writing within three months of becoming aware of the relevant matter or thing and shall specify, so far as is practicable from the information then available to MSP, the details and circumstances giving rise to the claim and an estimate in good faith of the total amount of such claim.
(i) The liability of the Sellers in relation to any claim shall absolutely terminate (if that claim has not previously been withdrawn, satisfied or settled) if legal
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proceedings in respect of that claim shall not have been properly issued and validly served on the each Seller within twelve months of the date of service of any notice under paragraph (h) above.
(j) No claim may be made by MSP against the Management Sellers in relation to the General Warranties and the Taxation Warranties and the Sellers shall have no Liability under the General Warranties and the Taxation Warranties in respect of:
(i) any liability, matter or thing or disclosure which is Disclosed in the Disclosure Letter or, in respect of the certificate provided in relation to the condition in Section 6.1(a), any liability, matter or thing or disclosure which is Disclosed in the Closing Disclosure Letter; or
(ii) any warranty, representation, indemnity, covenant, undertaking given in relation to the sale of the Sale Shares except where it is expressly contained in this Agreement; or
(iii) any liability, matter or thing noted or provided for in the Audited Financial Statements and the accompanying reports of the directors and the auditors; or
(iv) any liability, matter or thing paid or satisfied on or before June 30, 2010 where such payment is noted or provided for in the Interim Financial Statements or where any adjustment is made pursuant to this Agreement; or
(v) any liability, matter or thing if that liability, matter or thing would not have arisen or occurred but for an act, transaction or omission done, entered into or omitted to be done by the Buyer or the Acquired Entities or any of their respective directors, employees or agents after Closing other than as required by law or pursuant to a legally binding commitment of the Acquired Entities created on or before Closing; or
(vi) any matter carried out pursuant to the condition precedents to Closing set out in ARTICLE 6, provided that any Liability of the Sellers arising in respect of the novation and capitalization of the Loan Notes will not be excluded by this Section;
(vii) any liability or matter resulting from a change in the accounting or taxation policies or practices of the Buyer or any related company of the Buyer or Acquired Entities (including the method of submitting taxation returns) introduced or having effect after Closing (unless such change is required to correct an accounting policy or practice of Acquired Entities prior to or up to Closing which did not comply with requirements of the CA 2006 or generally accepted accounting principles); or
(viii) any liability, matter or thing to the extent that it occurs as a result of or is otherwise attributable to:
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(a) any law, regulation, rule or practice not in force at the date of this Agreement or any change in the interpretation of any law, regulation, rule or practice whether or not with retrospective effect; or
(b) any increase after the date of this Agreement in the rates of taxation in force at the date of this Agreement (including any effect such increase may have on any provision or reserve made in the Accounts which were prepared in good faith prior to this increase); or
(c) the Buyer or the Acquired Entities disclaiming any part of the benefit of capital or other allowances against the taxation claimed or proposed to be claimed on or before the date of this Agreement; or
(ix) any liability which is contingent only unless or until such contingent liability becomes an actual liability and is due and payable, but this Section 9.5(j)(viii) shall not operate to avoid a claim made in respect of the contingent liability within the applicable time limits specified in Article 9.1 above; or
(x) any loss for which the Buyer or the Acquired Entities is entitled to claim under a policy of insurance or for which the Buyer or the Acquired Entities would have been indemnified if at the relevant time after Closing there had been maintained adequate insurance cover of a type in force in relation to the Acquired Entities at the date of this Agreement, provided that to the extent that any such insurance claims would result in an increase in insurance costs and/or premiums for the Buyer Group, claims may be made for an amount equal to such increased costs.
(k) Where any matter or default gives or may give rise to a claim for breach of warranty, that breach shall not entitle the Buyer, MSP or TWM to damages or other compensation unless written notice of the alleged breach is given to the Sellers and the Sellers do not remedy (or procure the remedy of) the matter or default to the reasonable satisfaction of the Buyer (acting reasonably) within 30 days after the date on which such notice is received.
(l) Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way diminish the Buyers, MSPs, TMWs or the Acquired Entities common law obligation to mitigate their loss.
(m) The Buyer, MSP and TWM agree with the Sellers that, in respect of any matter which may give rise to a claim for breach of warranty or other liability in relation to this Agreement or any of the documents in agreed form, such claim or liability shall not be met more than once.
(n) The transfer of any Consideration Shares which are transferred to MSP in satisfaction of a Determined Amount shall be deemed to constitute an adjustment to the
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shareholdings of the Buyer as they would have been at Closing, if the Determined Amount had been known at that time.
(o) Buyer, MSP and TMW undertake to the Sellers to procure to the full extent that the Acquired Entities exercise all rights available to them under the terms of clauses 2, 5, 9.18, 9.19, 10, 11, 14 and Schedule 6 of the sale and purchase agreement made between Johnson Service Group plc, Semara Contract Service Limited, Johnson Investments Limited, Semara Nominees Limited and Ensco 645 Limited dated April 11, 2008 (as varied) and a tax deed made between Semara Contract Service Limited, Johnson Investments Limited, Semara Nominees Limited, Ensco 645 Limited Johnson Clothing Limited (renamed Dimensions Clothing Limited) and others dated April 28, 2008.
(p) References in this Section 9.3 to a claim shall include all types of Action.
ARTICLE 10.
ADMINISTRATION AND FUNDING OF BUYER
10.1 Provision of Information
(a) The Buyer undertakes to Gresham that for so long as Gresham (or its nominee(s)) shall hold any shares in the share capital of the Buyer and is entitled to appoint a Director to the Board of Buyer, Buyer shall:
(i) provide to Gresham, at the same time as they are made available to the Board of the Buyer, quarterly consolidated financial reports for the Acquired Entities including a balance sheet, a profit and loss statement, cash flow and budget; and
(ii) hold meetings of the Board at least once every quarter;
(iii) give not less than seven days written notice (unless Gresham or, as the case may be, the Gresham Director has consented in writing to a shorter period) of all meetings of the Board, such notice to specify the nature of the business to be transacted at such board meeting and to be accompanied by all documents and other information given to the Directors in connection with the meeting; and
(iv) make available to Gresham copies of minutes of meetings of the Board and of the board of directors of any Acquired Entity and of all committees of the said boards.
(b) The delivery to the Gresham Director of any documents or information required by this Section to be delivered to Gresham, shall constitute adequate delivery by the Buyer of such documents or information, unless Gresham specifically notifies the Buyer otherwise in writing.
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10.2 Board of Directors
(a) MSP shall be entitled to appoint such number of Directors to the Board of Buyer as it shall determine.
(b) Subject to Gresham not having elected to be released from its obligations, undertakings and covenants in Section 4.9 and only for so long as Gresham holds Buyer A Stock, Gresham shall be entitled (by notice in writing to Buyer) to:
(i) appoint one Director to the Board of Buyer and, by the same means, to remove and replace any such appointee and the Parties undertake to and covenant with Gresham not to exercise their votes as Shareholders or Directors at any time in favour of any resolution to remove the Gresham Director as a director of the Company whether pursuant to section 168 of the CA 2006 or otherwise; and
(ii) appoint one observer to attend and speak, but not vote, at meetings of the Board of the Buyer. Such observer shall be bound by and comply with the same confidentiality obligations in respect of the information received by him as Gresham and the Gresham Director. The first such observer shall be Paul Franks.
(c) Gresham will procure that upon it ceasing to have the right to appoint a Director to the Board of the Buyer in accordance with Section 10.2(b) above, it will cause the Gresham Director at such time to immediately resign as a Director of the Buyer, failing which the Board of the Buyer shall be entitled to remove such Gresham Director.
(d) MSP agrees to indemnify the Buyer and hold the Buyer harmless against any and all liabilities incurred by the Buyer in connection with the appointment or removal of Directors pursuant to Section 10.2(a).
(e) Gresham agrees to indemnify the Buyer and hold the Buyer harmless against any and all liabilities incurred by the Buyer in connection with the appointment or removal of the Gresham Director.
10.3 Matters requiring consent
(a) Buyer undertakes to Gresham (if and to the extent permitted by law, for which purpose each paragraph of this Section 10.3 shall be a separate undertaking by Buyer) that it shall not, and MSP undertakes (if and to the extent permitted by law) to procure that Buyer shall not, without the prior consent of Gresham (which shall be deemed to be given if the Gresham Director votes in favour of the matter concerned at a Board meeting of Buyer), do any of the following matters:
(i) alter the memorandum or articles of association of Buyer;
(ii) subject to Section 10.4(b), vary or increase the issued share capital of Buyer, or issue or grant any option, warrant or other right to subscribe for
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shares or securities convertible into shares in the capital of Buyer (otherwise than as envisaged in this Agreement);
(iii) make any distribution or dividend payment, or make a return to members of a capital nature including any distribution out of capital profits or capital reserves or out of profits or reserves arising from a distribution of capital profits or capital reserves by Buyer;
(iv) enter into any contract or arrangement with TMW or any of its Affiliates, or permit any of the Acquired entities to enter into any such contract or arrangement, other than an arms length terms;
(v) acquire (itself or through one of the Acquired Entities) any company or shares, or the business and assets of any third party, where the consideration for such acquisition when aggregated with other such acquisitions since Closing is in excess of £35 million;
(b) Gresham hereby acknowledges that TMW (and any of its Affiliates) may:
(i) incur professional advisors fees (including reasonable legal fees) in respect of the administration of the Buyer Group;
(ii) incur costs and expenses (including bona fide travel and out of pocket expenses) on behalf of the Directors of Buyer appointed by MSP; and
(iii) provide accounting, information technology, insurance and risk management and other similar ordinary course of business services to the Buyer Group;
(iv) second employees to the Buyer Group;
and that TMW (and any of its Affiliates) shall be permitted to recharge to the Buyer (or the relevant member of the Buyers Group) such bona fide fees, costs, expenses and services and the remuneration, benefits, expenses (including bona fide travel expenses) and fees that it pays to employees seconded to the Buyers Group, and such recharges shall constitute arms length arrangements and shall not require Greshams consent in accordance with Section 10.3(a)(iv).
(c) To the extent that there is any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the New Buyer Articles, this Agreement shall prevail.
10.4 Working Capital and Further Funding of Buyer
(a) Gresham hereby consents to Buyer issuing shares or securities, rights or options convertible into shares in Buyer:
(i) if the consideration for the undertaking and certain of the assets of Alexandra under the Alexandra Acquisition exceeds £20,000,000, in order to
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finance the amount by which the consideration under the Alexandra Acquisition exceeds £20,000,000;
(ii) in order to provide finance for future acquisitions by the Buyer (or any member of the Buyer Group) of other third party companies or the business and assets of other third party companies, up to a maximum amount of £7,100,000; and
(iii) in order to provide working capital for Alexandra and/or the Acquired Entities up to maximum amount of £10,000,000,
and any such shares or securities, rights or options convertible into shares in Buyer that are issued, will be subscribed for by each of MSP and Gresham pro rata to their respective shareholdings in Buyer at the time of such issue. MSP and Gresham agree that any finance provided pursuant to Section 10.4(a)(ii) shall be provided by way of shares or securities, rights or options convertible into shares in Buyer that provide a preferred return in respect of such finance.
(b) To the extent that the Board of Buyer determines that Buyers funding requirements additional to those set out in Section 10.3(a) above should be sourced by way of subscriptions for share capital in Buyer, each holder of Buyer A Stock shall be entitled to subscribe for its pro rata proportion of such new shares in Buyer. If any holder of Buyer A Stock does not so subscribe for its pro rata proportion of such new shares, the other holders of Buyer A Stock shall have the right and option, but not the obligation, to subscribe for that proportion of the new shares which the non-subscribing shareholder shall have failed to take-up. To the extent that, pursuant to the foregoing, a holder of Buyer A Stock does not take up its pro rata proportion of new shares, such shareholders interest in Buyer will be diluted accordingly and Greshams consent under Section 10.3(a)(ii) shall not be required for such issues of new shares.
(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Agreement, Gresham shall not be obliged to provide any funding or other cash resource to the Buyer, the Company or any Acquired Entity.
(d) Each of Gresham and MSP undertake to Simon Hughes that upon the issue of any further Buyer A Stock or other securities of the Buyer to them after Closing (a New A Issue), each of Gresham and MSP shall procure that new Buyer B Stock is issued, at nominal value, to Simon Hughes (New B Issue), such that following the New A Issue and the New B Issue, Simon Hughes will hold Buyer B Stock representing the same proportion of the Fully Diluted Capital of the Buyer, as the Buyer B Stock held by him before the New A Issue and New B Issue represented of the Fully Diluted Capital before the New A Issue and the New B Issue. Each of Gresham and MSP further undertake to Simon Hughes that they will take or procure to be taken any actions necessary by the Buyer, including the proposing and voting in favour of any shareholder resolutions of Buyer, necessary to give effect to this Section 10.4(d), including subscribing at such a premium pursuant to the New A Issue as will result in Simon Hughes paying in aggregate, no more than £10,000 in respect of the New B Issue.
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ARTICLE 11.
DEFINITIONS
11.1 In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise:
1993 Act means the Pension Schemes Act 1993.
1995 Act means Pensions Act 1995.
2004 Act means the Pensions Act 2004.
2005 Regulations means the Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt) Regulations 2005.
2009 Accounts means the draft Audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2009 in the form appended to the Disclosure Letter;
Acquired Entities means the Company and each of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Action means any legal action, appeal, petition, claim, suit, litigation, arbitration, mediation, hearing, or formal proceeding brought before a Court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction.
Affiliate with respect to any specified Person, means a Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. As used herein, the term control means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting Equity Interests or by contract.
Affiliated Group means with respect to any specified Person, that Person and all of its Affiliates from time to time.
Agreed Fees is defined in Section 1.5(a)(ix).
Agreed Form means any document in a form agreed between the Parties and, for the purpose of identification only, signed or initialled by or on behalf of each of them.
Agreement is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Alexandra means Alexandra plc (in Administration) and Prima Corporate Wear Limited (in Administration)
Alexandra Acquisition means the acquisition by the Buyer, any Affiliate of the Buyer or TMW or any Acquired Entity, of the undertaking and certain of the assets of Alexandra.
Associated or Connected Persons means a person who is defined as being connected with an individual or company under section 249 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or associated with an individual or company under section 435 of the Insolvency Act 1986.
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Balance Sheet Date is defined in Section 3.7.
Banks means Lloyds TSB Bank plc, Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as agent for National Westminster Bank plc;
Banks Debt Release Documents means the following documents in the Agreed Form (a) the duly executed notices of prepayment and cancellation (as appropriate) to be issued to each facility agent of the Banks; (b) an undertaking from the solicitors for the Banks in which they (i) confirm that they are in possession of releases duly executed by the security agent on behalf of the Banks in respect of all security held by it for and on behalf of the Banks over the assets of, and shares in, the Acquired Entities (the Security Releases); and (ii) undertake to deliver the Security Releases to the Buyer (or its solicitors) immediately upon receiving confirmation from the agent of the Banks that the Indebtedness due to the Banks (other than any fees which have been waived by the Banks) has been repaid; and (c) a waiver letter granted by the facility agent acting for and on behalf of the Banks under which the Banks (i) waive the notice periods required for the prepayment and cancellation (as appropriate) of the Indebtedness due to the Banks and (ii) waive their right to be paid £1,194,000 in fees.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday or Sunday or public holiday on which banks are ordinarily open for the transaction of normal banking business in London.
Buyer is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Buyer Group means Buyer and its subsidiary undertakings from time to time (which shall, following Closing, include the Acquired Entities and such other entity or entities as own the business and assets acquired from Alexandra pursuant to the Alexandra Acquisition).
Buyers Relief means:
(a) any Relief that was included as an asset in the 2009 Accounts; or
(b) any Relief arising to an Acquired Entity to the extent that it either arises in respect of an Event occurring, or period commencing, after Closing; or
(c) any Relief arising to the Buyer or any of its Affiliates (other than any Acquired Entity or any of the Sellers); or
(d) any Relief arising between January 1, 2010 and Closing in the Ordinary Course of Business of the Acquired Entities.
Buyers Solicitors means Norton Rose LLP.
Buyer A Stock means the A ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share, of Buyer.
Buyer B Stock means the B ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share, of Buyer.
Buyer Ordinary Stock means the Buyer A Stock and the Buyer B Stock.
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CA 2006 means Companies Act 2006.
Claim means a claim for breach of this Agreement, including any claim for breach of representation, warranty, undertaking or covenant, given by any party.
Closing is defined in Section 1.4.
Closing Date is defined in Section 1.4.
Closing Disclosure Letter means the letter, to be provided to the Buyer prior to the execution of the sale and purchase agreement in respect of the Alexandra Acquisition, from the Management Sellers to MSP and the Buyer disclosing certain matters in relation to the confirmation in respect of the Warranties set out in the certificate provided in accordance with Section 6.1(b), together with all documents attached to such letter or contained within a CD Rom in the Agreed Form.
Commitment with respect to any Person means (a) options, warrants, convertible securities, exchangeable securities, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other Contracts that could require such Person to issue any of its Equity Interests, or any other securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or representing the right to subscribe for any Equity Interest of such Person, (b) statutory pre-emptive rights or pre-emptive rights granted under the applicable Persons constitutional documents, and (c) stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, profit participation, or other similar rights with respect to such Person.
Company is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Company Stock means the Company A Stock, Company B Stock and Company C Stock.
Company A Stock means the A ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share, of the Company.
Company B Stock means B ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share, of the Company.
Company C Stock means C ordinary shares, par value £0.01 per share, of the Company.
Confidentiality Agreement is defined in Section 4.3(a).
Consent means any consent, approval, notification, waiver, or other similar action that is necessary or convenient.
Consideration Shares is defined in Section 1.3(a).
Contract means any subsisting contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, heads of agreement, promise, obligation, instrument, document, or other similar legally binding understanding, whether written or oral.
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Data Room means the electronic data room known as the Project Orbis data room;
DB Schemes means the Johnson DB Scheme and the Semara DB Scheme.
Disclosed means fairly disclosed in or by the Disclosure Letter with sufficient detail to enable the Buyer to form a reasonable assessment of the nature and scope of the matter disclosed;
Disclosed Shareholder Payments means the Shareholder Payments set forth in Schedule 3.7 of the Disclosure Letter.
Disclosure Letter means the letter of the same date as this Agreement from the Management Sellers to MSP and the Buyer disclosing certain matters in relation to the Warranties, together with all documents attached to such letter or contained within a CD Rom in the Agreed Form.
EBT means the employee benefit trust established in relation to the Company.
EBT Trustee means Ensco 671 Limited (a limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 06566780), as the trustee of the EBT.
Employee Benefit Plan means any, stock option plan, severance agreement, stock purchase plan, profit sharing arrangement, bonus program, incentive plan, cafeteria or flexible benefit plan, deferred compensation arrangement and all other similar employee benefit plans, programs, arrangements, policies, or agreements, that each Acquired Entity sponsors, maintains, or contributes to, or to which any Acquired Entity has any Liability thereunder.
Employment Agreements means the employment agreements in the Agreed Form between the Buyer and each of Morgan Atherton, Hayley Brooks, Stephen Cassapi, Neil Glacken, Tony Goldberg, Philip Harland, Simon Hughes, Helen McCloughlin, Richard Pearson and Roger Williams.
Encumbrance means any Security Interest, easement, covenant, community property interest, equitable interest, interest or preference granted to any third party and, in respect of real property only, any overriding interests (as described in the Land Registration Act 2002), land charge local land charge caution notice or restriction (under Land Registration legislation), or any other encumbrance or security interest of any kind or an agreement or commitment to create any of the same, right of pre-emption, right of first refusal, option, or restriction of any kind, including any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income, or exercise of any other attribute of ownership other than liens and retention of title in favour of third parties granted in the Ordinary Course of Business.
Environment includes whether alone or in combination:
(a) ecological systems and living organisms (including human health);
(b) air (including air within buildings or other structures and whether below or above ground);
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(c) land and soil (including buildings and any other structures in, on or under land and soil, anything below the surface of the land, and land covered with water); and/or
(d) water (including water under or within land or within pipe or sewerage systems).
Environmental Laws means to the extent such matters are legally binding at Closing or were legally binding at any time prior to Closing all applicable laws (including all or any of statute, common law, rule, regulation, treaty, directive, direction, decision of the court, bye-law, code of practice, circular, guidance note, statutory guidance, order, notice or demand of any governmental, statutory or regulatory authority, agency or body) in force in any relevant jurisdiction (including the European Union) at any time up to and including the date of this Agreement and concerning Environmental Matters or the Environment.
Environmental Matters means any matter relating to the Environment, including (but not limited to) all or any of:
(a) Relevant Substances (including asbestos), waste (including packaging waste), radiation, radioactive substances and materials;
(b) trespass, negligence and nuisance (both common law and statutory nuisance);
(c) contaminated land;
(d) discharges, releases, emissions or escapes to land, air, groundwater, surface and coastal waters, and sewers;
(e) abstraction of water;
(f) extraction of natural resources;
(g) conservation or protection of species, habitats, biodiversity, flora and fauna; and/or
(h) health and safety including occupational health.
Environmental Permit means any agreement, permission, permit, licence, authorisation, consent, exemption or other approval required by any Acquired Entity under any Environmental Laws.
Equity Interest means (a) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares of capital stock and any Commitments with respect thereto, (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company, trust or similar Person, any and all units, interests or other partnership/limited liability company interests, and any Commitments with respect thereto, and (c) any other direct or indirect equity ownership or participation in a Person.
Escrow Agreement means the escrow agreement, in the Agreed Form, between MSP, Gresham and the Sellers dated on or about the date of this Agreement;
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Event means any event, occurrence, transaction, act or omission (or any deemed event, occurrence, transaction, act or omission) including any change in the residence of any person for Tax purposes, any change in accounting reference date and the sale and purchase of the capital stock pursuant to the Agreement or any step taken pursuant to or as contemplated by the Agreement.
Executive Pension Plan means the L&G Executive Pension Plan.
Expiration Date means the date falling five Business Days after the date on which the Alexandra Acquisition completes, whether or not Alexandra is bought by the Buyer, MSP, TMW or any Affiliate of the same.
Financial Statements is defined in Section 3.7.
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
Fully Diluted Capital means the number of shares of a company which would be in issue following the exercise in full of all rights (including conditional and contingent rights) to acquire, subscribe for, convert into or exchange any security for shares in that company.
Fund means any unit trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, bank, open ended investment company or closed ended investment fund, building society, industrial provident or friendly society, any other collective investment scheme or vehicle, pension fund or insurance company, any portfolio of assets managed pursuant to a discretionary investment management agreement or any person who is an authorized or exempted person under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which term will include any subsidiary undertaking of any of the foregoing and any co-investment scheme in relation to any of the foregoing;
Fundamental Warranties is defined in Section 9.1(b).
General Warranties is defined in Section 9.1(a).
Governmental Authority means any legislature, agency, bureau, branch, department, division, commission, court, tribunal, magistrate, justice, multi-national organization, quasi-governmental body, or other similar recognized organization or body of any federal, state, county, municipal, local, or foreign government or other similar recognized organization or body exercising similar powers or authority, including any Tax Authority, each of which must have competent jurisdiction in respect of the relevant subject matter.
Gresham Director means the Director of the Board of the Buyer nominated by Gresham in accordance with Section 9.1(b);
Gresham Group means Gresham and/or its nominees, any company which is in the same group as Gresham and any Fund managed or advised by the manager or investment adviser for the time being of Gresham or by any company which is in the same group as the manager or investment adviser of Gresham;
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Guarantee means any subsisting guarantee, indemnity, suretyship, letter of comfort or other assurance, security or right of set-off given or undertaken by a person to secure or support the obligations (actual or contingent) of any other person and whether given directly or by way of counter-indemnity to any other person who has provided a Guarantee.
IFRS means International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union and in effect from time to time.
Indebtedness means any form of indebtedness, including but not limited to in respect of, money borrowed and debit balances at banks; any debt instrument; acceptance credit facilities; receivables sold otherwise than on a non-recourse basis; deferred payments for assets or services acquired (but not ordinary trade credit); finance leases and hire purchase contracts; a counter-indemnity in respect of a Guarantee; or any other transaction having the commercial effect of a borrowing and Guarantees of Indebtedness.
Indebtedness Statement is defined in Section 3.9(b).
Institutional Investor means any past, existing or future partners of Gresham or any past, existing or future investors in Funds managed by Gresham.
Intellectual Property means all (a) trade marks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names and corporate names, and all goodwill associated therewith, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations, applications, registrations and renewals relating thereto, (b) confidential business information (including, research and development, Know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information and business and marketing plans and proposals), (c) computer software (including all data and related documentation), (d) other proprietary rights, (e) domain names,
Interim Financial Statements is defined in Section 3.7.
IT Assets is defined in Section 3.14(g).
Johnson DB Scheme means the Johnson Group Staff Pension Plan.
Knowledge is defined in ARTICLE 3(c).
Know-how means all information not publicly known, owned by any Acquired Entity or used, or required to be used, in or in connection with, any business of any Acquired Entity, held in any form (including, without limitation, that comprised in or derived from design drawings, prototypes, models, discoveries, improvements, data formulae, specifications, component lists, instructions, manufacturing technology manuals, brochures, catalogues, processes, process descriptions and all other technical information and materials) and relating to:
(a) the manufacture, procurement, marketing or sale of goods or services including customer names and lists and other details of customers, sales targets, sales statistics, market share statistics, prices, market research reports and surveys and advertising or other promotional materials;
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(b) business development or planning, commercial relationships and negotiations; and/or
(c) any other aspect of the business of any Acquired Entity.
KPMG Comfort Letter means the letter in the Agreed Form from KPMG LLP to the Buyer in respect of the subscription by Simon Hughes for the SH Subscriber Shares
KPMG Restructuring Plan means the paper entitled Project Orbis Debt Restructuring and dated July 22, 2010, in the Agreed Form;
Law means, to the extent such matters are legally binding at Closing any law bye-laws (statutory, common, or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, regulation, executive order, or other similar authority enacted, adopted, promulgated, or applied by any Governmental Authority, European Economic Community, or local government authority each as amended and in effect.
Leased Real Property is defined in Section 3.13(b).
Leases is defined in Section 3.13(b).
Liability means any liability, whether absolute or contingent, conditional or unconditional, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due.
Loan Note Instrument means a loan note instrument constituting £35,900,000 secured loan notes dated April 11, 2008.
Loan Notes means the £35,900,000 secured loan notes issued by Ensco 645 Limited to Gresham pursuant to the terms of the Loan Note Instrument (including all interest accrued thereon).
Losses means any losses (including loss of profits, loss of reputation and consequential losses), claims, judgments, costs (including reasonable costs of enforcement and reasonable legal costs), damages, awards, charges, demands, proceedings, penalties, fines, expenses and/or any other liabilities incurred or sustained, or which may, directly or indirectly, be incurred or sustained;
Management Sellers means the Sellers other than Gresham and the EBT Trustee.
Management Sellers Representative is defined in Section 12.17.
Material Adverse Change (or Effect) means a change or effect in the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, Liabilities, rights, obligations, operations, business, or prospects, which change (or effect), in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to such condition, properties, assets, Liabilities, rights, obligations, operations, business, including any change or effect caused by, arising from, or relating to acts of terrorism or war (whether or not declared), or by interruption of utilities or other public or commercial products or services, occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially impair the ability of the Person in question to conduct its operations except on a temporary basis,
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excluding any change or effect which arises out of or in connection with general economic market conditions or any matter which is Disclosed or is otherwise provided for in this Agreement.
Material Contract means any Contract with a maximum consideration payable or receivable by an Acquired Entity in excess of £100,000.
Member means the employees, directors, past employees and past directors of the Acquired Entities who are entitled to benefits under the UK Pension Schemes the Executive Pension Plan, or the Norwich Union Life Assurance Scheme and all those persons who are claiming or entitled to claim through them.
MSP Subscriber Shares is defined in Section 1.2(a).
New Buyer Articles means the proposed new articles of association of Buyer in the form of Exhibit B.
New Company Articles means the proposed new articles of association of the Company in the form of Exhibit C.
New FOREX Agreement means the new foreign currency hedging agreement entered into by one or more of the Acquired Entities in the Agreed Form;
New £30m Bond means the £30,000,000 bond of the Buyer to that is being subscribed for by TMW Europe LLC at Closing.
New £30m Bond Documents means the instrument constituting the New £30m Bond executed by the Buyer and a subscription agreement between the Buyer and TMW Europe LLC in respect of the New £30m Bond.
Norwich Union Life Assurance Scheme means the group life assurance scheme administered by Norwich Union.
Order means, to the extent such matters are legally binding at Closing or were legally binding at any time prior to Closing, any order, ruling, decision, verdict, decree, writ, subpoena, mandate, precept, command, directive, consent, approval, award, judgment, injunction, or other similar determination or finding by, before, or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority, arbitrator, or mediator.
Ordinary Course of Business means the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice (including with respect to quantity, quality and frequency) of the relevant Person and its Subsidiaries.
Party and Parties is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
Pensions Regulator means the Pensions Regulator in the UK.
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Permit means any permit (including any work permits for employees), license, certificate, approval, consent, notice, waiver, franchise, registration, filing, accreditation, or other similar authorization required by any Law or Governmental Authority.
Person means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated organization or Governmental Authority.
Pre-Closing Periods is defined in Section 8.1(a)(i).
Post-Closing Periods means any Tax period, or portion of a Tax period, that is not a Pre-Closing Period or a Straddle Period.
Process Agent is defined in Section 12.6.
Receivables means all receivables of the Acquired Entities as at the Closing Date, including notes, accounts receivable, trade account receivables and insurance proceeds receivable.
Release means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, depositing, escaping, leaching, dumping, or other noxious release into the Environment.
Releasee(s) is defined in Section 4.10.
Relevant Business is defined in Section 4.9(a).
Relevant Substance means any substance (in whatsoever form and whether alone or in combination with any other substance) which is subject to regulatory control in any relevant jurisdiction (including the European Union) as being hazardous or dangerous to the Environment.
Relief means any allowance, credit, deduction, exemption or set-off in respect of any Tax or relevant to the computation of any income, profits or gains for the purposes of any Tax, or any right to repayment of or saving of Tax, and any reference to the use or set-off of Relief shall be construed accordingly.
Sale Shares is defined in Section 1.1.
Security Documents means the deed of charge over Greshams and the Sellers Buyer Preferred Stock and Buyer Ordinary Stock in favour of MSP, and the share certificates and executed and undated stock transfer forms in respect of the Buyer Preferred Stock and Buyer Ordinary Stock held by the Sellers, in the Agreed Form.
Security Interest means any security interest, deed of trust, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, rent-charge, claim, or other similar interest or right but excluding the security granted to the Banks which is to be released on Closing.
Seller and Sellers are defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
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Sellers Solicitors means HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP or such other firm of solicitors as instructed by Gresham and the Management Sellers Representative.
Semara DB Scheme means the Semara Augmented Pension Plan.
SH Call Option means the call option over the SH Subscriber Shares in favour of MSP and Gresham, in the Agreed Form;
SH Subscriber Shares is defined in Section 1.2(b).
SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement means the agreement between the Buyer, MSP and Simon Hughes in the Agreed Form, relating to the subscription for the SH Subscriber Shares, the SH Call Option and containing a voting undertaking from Simon Hughes in favour of MSP with respect to his Buyer B Stock, in the Agreed Form;
Shareholder Payments is defined in Section 3.7(f), which for the purposes of ARTICLE 9, excludes payments to consultants and advisers of the Acquired Entities provided that they are not Affiliates of or connected to the Sellers or Gresham.
Straddle Period is defined in Section 8.5(a)
Subscription Monies means the £50,000,000 to be subscribed by MSP for the MSP Subscriber Shares.
Substantiated Claim means a Claim which has been agreed in writing between the Buyer, MSP or TMW (as the case may be) and Gresham or in respect of which an order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction has been given in proceedings in respect of such claim.
Tax means (i) without limitation, (x) taxes on gross or net income, profits and gains, and (y) all other taxes, levies, duties, imposts, charges and withholdings of any nature, including any excise, property, value added, sales, use, occupation, transfer, franchise and payroll taxes, controlled foreign company apportionments and any national insurance or social security contributions, but for the avoidance of doubt excluding business rates, water rates, sewerage rates and charges, council tax, community charges and vehicle excise duty and any payment whatsoever which the relevant person may be or become bound to make to any person as a result of the discharge by that person of any tax which the relevant person has failed to discharge, together with all penalties, charges and interest relating to any of the foregoing or to any late or incorrect return in respect of any of them, (ii) any Liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary, or aggregate group for any Tax period, and (iii) any Liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of being a transferee or successor to any Person or as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other Person.
Tax Authority means any revenue, customs, fiscal, governmental, statutory, state, provincial, local governmental or municipal authority, body or person, whether of the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
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Taxation Warranties is defined in Section 9.1(d).
Tax Contest is defined in Section 8.5(b).
Tax Notice is defined in Section 8.5(a).
Tax Return means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes required to be filed with any Tax Authority, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
Termination Date means the earlier to occur of (i) the Expiration Date and (ii) the date on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1 (other than Section 7.1(b)).
Title Warranties is defined in Section 9.1(c);
Trade Secret is defined in Section 3.14(f).
Transactions means all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (a) the sale of the Sale Shares by Sellers to Buyer and Buyers issue and allotment of the Consideration Shares therefor, (b) the subscription by MSP for the Subscriber Shares and payment of the Subscription Monies therefor, (c) the subscription by Simon Hughes for the Subscriber Shares, (d) the Alexandra Acquisition, (e) the execution, delivery and performance of all of the documents, instruments and agreements to be executed, delivered and performed in connection herewith and (f) the performance by Buyer, MSP and Sellers of their respective covenants and obligations (pre- and post-Closing) under this Agreement.
Transaction Documents means this Agreement, the Disclosure Letter, the Security Documents, the New £30m Bond Documents, all documents in the Agreed Form and the certificates, documents and instruments required to be delivered under this Agreement.
TMW is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
TUPE means the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 or 2006.
UK Pension Schemes means:
(a) a stakeholder pension scheme known as the Dimensions Stakeholder Scheme;
(b) the disclosed individual personal pensions being the individual personal pension arrangements of the former employees of Yaffy;
(c) a group personal pension scheme administered by Legal & General; and
(d) a group personal pension scheme administered by Scottish Equitable.
Warranties means the representations and warranties set out in ARTICLE 2 and ARTICLE 3.
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11.2 In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise:
(a) a document expressed to be in the agreed form means a document in a form which has been agreed by the parties on or before the execution of this Agreement and signed or initialled by them or on their behalf, for the purposes of identification;
(b) the table of contents and the headings are inserted for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement;
(c) references to Sections, Schedules and Exhibits are to sections of and schedules and exhibits to, this Agreement; references to this Agreement include its Schedules and Exhibits and references to a part or paragraph are to a part or paragraph of a Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement;
(d) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, words importing a gender include every gender and references to a person include an individual, corporation, partnership, any unincorporated body of persons and any government entity;
(e) references to any English legal term for any action, remedy, method of judicial proceeding, legal document, legal status, Court, official or any legal concept or thing shall in respect of any jurisdiction other than England be deemed to include what most nearly approximates in that jurisdiction to the English legal term;
(f) references to time are to London time;
(g) unless the context otherwise requires, the rule known as the ejusdem generis rule shall not apply, and accordingly words introduced by words and phrases such as include, including, other and in particular shall not be given a restrictive meaning or limit the generality of any preceding words or be construed as being limited to the same class as the preceding words where a wider construction is reasonably possible;
(h) the word company, except where used in reference to the Company, shall be deemed to include any partnership, undertaking or other body of persons, whether incorporated or not incorporated and whether now existing or formed after the date of this Agreement; and
(i) reference to a person having control of another person, or being controlled by another person, or being under common control with another person shall be construed as referring to control within the meaning of any of sections 416 and 767(B) ICTA 1988 and sections 995(1) to 995(3) (inclusive) ITA 2007.
11.3 In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to any statute or statutory provision (whether of the United Kingdom or elsewhere) includes:
(a) any subordinate legislation (as defined by section 21(1) Interpretation Act 1978) made under it; and
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(b) any provision which it has superseded or re-enacted (with or without modification), and any provision superseding it or re-enacting it (with or without modification), before or on the date of this Agreement, except to the extent that the liability of any party is thereby created, increased or extended.
ARTICLE 12.
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Transaction Documents constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to all matters referred to in this Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement has been negotiated on the basis that:
(a) this Agreement and the Transaction Documents contain the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties in connection with the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares and supersede and extinguish all previous agreements between the parties relating to such sale and purchase;
(b) this Agreement has been freely negotiated between the Parties, each of whom has received independent legal advice; and
(c) it is reasonable for each party to assume that, unless the other Parties have asked for any oral representations to be contained within or incorporated into this Agreement and such oral representations have been expressly contained within or incorporated into this Agreement, it is not relying upon any oral representation,
and accordingly the Parties agree that no party will owe a duty of care to any other Party and that no Party will in any respect be responsible for any oral representations made to any other Party or their respective representatives during the course of negotiations leading to exchange of this Agreement whether under sections 2(1) or 2(2) of the Misrepresentation Act 1967 or otherwise, save to the extent that they are expressly incorporated into this Agreement or have been made fraudulently.
12.2 Effect of Closing. All provisions of this Agreement shall so far as they are capable of being performed or observed continue in full force and effect notwithstanding Closing except in respect of those matters then already performed and Closing shall not constitute a waiver of any of the Buyers or MSPs rights in relation to this Agreement. All rights and remedies conferred on the Buyer and MSP under Section 9.3(a) of this Agreement only, are (subject to Section 12.1 (Entire Agreement)) cumulative and are additional to and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies provided by law or otherwise available at any time to the Buyer or MSP in respect of a breach of that Section.
12.3 Successors. Save where otherwise agreed, all of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors.
12.4 Assignments. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of Buyer and Sellers;
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provided, however, that each of MSP and Buyer may (a) assign any or all of its rights and interests hereunder to (i) one or more of its Affiliates, (ii) any purchaser of all the Equity Interests of MSP or Buyer or all or substantially all of the assets of MSP or Buyer, or (iii) the surviving entity of any merger or other business combination to which MSP or Buyer is, directly or indirectly, a party, and (b) designate one or more of its Affiliates to perform its obligations hereunder (in any or all of which cases MSP or Buyer nonetheless shall remain responsible for the performance of all of its obligations hereunder). The Sellers shall not be liable to make any payment to any permitted assignee of the MSP or the Buyer which the Sellers would not have been liable to make to MSP or the Buyer but for such assignment and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Sellers liability will be no greater to any permitted assignee than it would be to the MSP or the Buyer. The Buyer or MSP (as the case may be) shall notify the Sellers of any assignment pursuant to Section 12.4 within 10 Business Days of such assignment taking place by the Buyer or MSP (as the case may be), or within 20 Business Days of the Buyer becoming aware that an assignment by a permitted assignee has taken place. Any assignment purportedly carried out otherwise than in accordance with this Section 12.4 will be void, other than where failure to comply is by reason only of a bona fide omission to give notice of such assignment.
12.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder will be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder shall be addressed to the intended recipient as set forth below and shall be deemed duly given when received or if it is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, then on the earlier of when received or two Business Days after it is sent:
If to MSP, Buyer and after Closing to the Acquired Entities:
The Mens Wearhouse, Inc.
6380 Rogerdale Road
Houston
Texas 77072
Attn: Neill Davis
Tel: + (281)  ###-###-####
Fax: + (281)  ###-###-####
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Fulbright Tower
1301 McKinney, Suite 5100
Houston, Texas 77010
Attn: Michael W. Conlon
Tel: (713)  ###-###-####
Fax: (713)  ###-###-####
and
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Paul Smith
10th Floor
44 Chipman Hill
Saint John
New Brunswick E2L 2A9
If to Management Sellers
Simon Hughes
c/o Dimensions
3 Long Acre
Willow Farm Business Park
Derbyshire DE74 2UG,
Attn: Simon Hughes
Tel: 01332 856800
Fax: 01332 856959
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
HBJ Gateley Wareing LLP
One Eleven
Edmund Street
Birmingham B3 2HJ
Attn: Paul Hayward
Tel: +44 (0)  ###-###-####
Fax: +44 (0)  ###-###-####
If to Gresham
One South Place
London EC2M 2GT
Attn: Paul Franks / Simon Inchley
Tel: 0121 ###-###-####
Fax: 0121 ###-###-####
Any Party may send any notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication hereunder to the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail, or electronic mail), but no such notice, request, demand, claim, or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by the intended recipient. Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
12.6 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement and
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agrees that all claims in respect of the Action are to be heard in the courts of England and Wales. Each Party also agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any other court. Each Party waives any right to invoke, and agrees not to invoke, any claim of forum non-conveniens, inconvenient forum, or transfer or change of venue and waives any bond, surety, or other security that might be required of any other Party with respect thereto. TMW and MSP appoint the Buyer as their agent to receive on their behalf service of process and any other process that might be served in an Action (the Process Agent). Any Party may make service on any other Party by sending or delivering a copy of the process (a) to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner provided for the giving of notices in Section 12.5 or (b) to the Party to be served in care of the Process Agent at the address and in the manner provided for the giving of notices in Section 12.5. Each Party agrees that a final judgment (subject to any appeal) in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by action on the judgment or in any other manner provided at Law or in equity.
12.7 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Parties would be damaged irreparably if any of Section 4.3 (Access to Information), Section 4.5 (Publicity) and Section 4.9 (Restrictive Covenant) is not performed in accordance with its specific terms . Accordingly, each Party agrees that the other Parties will be entitled to apply for an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its terms and provisions in any Action instituted in the courts of England and Wales having jurisdiction over the Parties and the matter, subject to Sections 12.6 and 12.10 in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at Law or in equity.
12.8 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures and Electronic Exchange of Documents.
(a) This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
(b) The delivery of a copy of any document (including a Transaction Document) bearing the handwritten signature of a Party, by facsimile transmission (whether directly from one facsimile device to another by means of a dial-up connection or whether mediated by the worldwide web), by electronic mail in the form of a computer file in portable document format, or by any other electronic means that preserves the original graphic and pictorial appearance of the document, will have the same effect as would physical delivery of the paper document bearing such Partys original signature. In addition, the delivery by electronic means as described in the foregoing sentence or by any other means of a copy of a signature page of any document (including a Transaction Document) which signature page bears the handwritten signature of a Party, when accompanied by written instructions or confirmation (delivered by such electronic or other means) that such delivery of the copy of the signature page is intended to evidence such Partys execution of and intent to be legally bound by such document, will have the same effect as would physical delivery of the paper document bearing such Partys original signature, and that such Transaction Documents and other documents delivered in accordance with this Section 12.8(b) be legally binding and Enforceable to the same extent as if delivered physically on paper.
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(c) The foregoing provisions of this Section 12.8 shall not be interpreted in any way to permit the execution of any document by an electronic signature (such as an electronic or digital sound, symbol, process, password, electronic identification number, security code and the like) or by any other form of signature other than a handwritten signature delivered physically on paper or by electronic means as described and in accordance with this Section 12.8.
12.9 Headings. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
12.10 Governing Law. This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising under it and the performance of the Transactions and obligations of the Parties hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law, without giving effect to any choice of law principles.
12.11 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment, modification, replacement, termination, or cancellation of any provision of this Agreement will be valid, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by MSP, Buyer and Sellers. No waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation, or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
12.12 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof, provided that any provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any situation or in any jurisdiction will not affect the Enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the Enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
12.13 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or as provided in the fee schedule in the Agreed Form, each Party will bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Transactions including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants. Sellers agree that no Acquired Entity has borne or will bear any costs and expenses (including any legal fees and expenses of any Seller) in connection with this Agreement or any of the Transactions. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Parties hereby agree that TMWs, MSPs and the Buyers costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the Transactions (including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, financial advisors, legal counsel and accountants) shall be paid by the Buyer or any Acquired Entity, up to a maximum amount of £500,000.
12.14 Construction. The word including means including without limitation. The Parties intend that each representation, warranty and covenant contained herein shall have independent significance. If any Party has breached any representation warranty, or covenant
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contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity) which the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, or covenant provided that no Party shall be liable more than once in respect of the same loss or liability.
12.15 Incorporation of Exhibits and Annexes. The Exhibits and Annexes identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
12.16 Rights of Third Parties. Except as provided in this Section 12.16, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
12.17 Management Sellers Representative. Each Management Seller hereby irrevocably appoints Simon Hughes as such Management Sellers representative and attorney-in-fact (the Management Sellers Representative), to act in such Management Sellers behalf and with the discretionary authority to make any and all decisions contemplated by this Agreement. The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and will be irrevocable and survive the dissolution of the applicable Management Seller. With respect to each Management Seller who is an individual, this power of attorney is not affected by any subsequent death, disability, or incapacity of such Management Seller. In all cases, regardless of the nature of such Management Seller, the foregoing power of attorney may be exercised by Management Sellers Representative either by signing separately as attorney-in-fact for each Management Seller or, after listing all of Management Sellers executing an instrument, by a single signature of Management Sellers Representative acting as attorney-in-fact for all of the Management Sellers.
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Schedule 1
Indebtedness Statement
The Indebtedness Statement shall be prepared (a) using all the line items set out below and in accordance with this Schedule; and (b) otherwise, using the same accounting principles, policies, bases, practices and estimation techniques as were used in the preparation of the Financial Statements and shall comprise indebtedness to the Banks, including daily interest rate and settlement costs.
The Indebtedness Statement shall be prepared on a consolidated basis for the Acquired Entities.
Indebtedness Statement Line Items
| | | | |
Bank Balance/facilities | | | | |
| | | | |
Senior A capital | | | 10,487,500.00 | |
Senior A back dated interest | | | 146,955.35 | |
| | | | |
Senior B capital | | | 13,500,000.00 | |
Senior B back dated interest | | | 176,054.79 | |
| | | | |
Senior C capital | | | 13,500,000.00 | |
Senior C back dated interest | | | 176,054.79 | |
| | | | |
Mezzanine | | | 8,631,643.61 | |
| | | | |
Interest due to 9 August 2010 | | | 98,659.32 | |
| | | | |
Revolving Credit facility | | | 7,500,000.00 | |
Revolving Credit facility back dated interest | | | 84,082.20 | |
Overdraft | | | 0 | |
Non-utilisation fee | | | 30.00 | |
Break costs | | | 93.84 | |
| | | | |
Hedging break cost RBS | | | 725,800.00 | |
Hedging break cost LBG | | | 731,600.00 | |
Due to the banks (ignoring soft facilities) | | | 55,758,473.90 | |
| | | | |
Debt instrument | | | 0.00 | |
Acceptance credit facilities | | | 0.00 | |
Receivables sold otherwise than on a non-recourse basis | | | 0.00 | |
Deferred payments for assets or services acquired (but not ordinary trade credit) | | | 0.00 | |
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| | | | |
Finance leases and hire purchase contracts | | | 0.00 | |
A counter-indemnity in respect of a Guarantee | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | |
Carbon Trust Loan (note 1) | | | 0.00 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Total | | | 55,758,473.90 | |
| | | |
| | | | |
Soft facilities | | | | |
Letters of Credit (note 2) | | | 2,013,323.25 | |
Outstanding Bond | | | 1,150,000.00 | |
Note 1 Interest free loan from the Carbon Trust. Benefit if received pre-completion would still sit with TMW as not spent
Note 2 For information only
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Schedule 2
Call Option
In this Schedule 2, unless the context otherwise requires the following expressions have the following meanings:
Call Option is defined in paragraph 2(a)(i) of this Schedule;
Current Working Capital means the Working Capital as of the end of the month prior to the exercise of the Option;
EBITDA means earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, calculated in accordance with IFRS, except that for the purposes of this Schedule 2, to the extent that earnings are reduced by the compensation charge related to the SH Subscriber Shares and the call option granted to MSP over such shares in the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement, such compensation charge shall be added back to the EBITDA for the purposes of the calculations in this Schedule 2.
Option Period means any time after the filing of the audited accounts of Buyer for the financial year of Buyer ending on or about February 1, 2014, or sooner upon the occurrence in respect of Gresham of any of the events specified in Section 3.32 (Insolvency);
Option Securities means the securities of Buyer owned by Gresham and any other shares, stock or securities referred to in paragraph 5 of this Schedule;
Purchase Consideration means in relation to all the Option Securities an amount (having regard to the effect of any Reorganisation) equal to:
(a) where Current Working Capital exceeds Normalized Working Capital:
(A - B + C - D + E) multiplied by F
(b) where Current Working Capital is less than Normalized Working Capital:
(A - B - - C - D + E) multiplied by F
Where:
A = seven (7) times EBITDA of the Buyer (as derived from the consolidated audited accounts of the Buyer for the financial year last preceding exercise of the Call Option)
B = the Indebtedness of the Buyer Group, (excluding amounts owing to trade creditors) at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the Call Option, such Indebtedness to include, for the avoidance of doubt, any accrued interest on loans or notes
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(which may be classified for accounting purposes as a current liability), with such accrued interest added to the outstanding principle on any term, revolver or other loans or notes.
C = the amount by which Current Working Capital exceeds or is less than Normalized Working Capital.
D = the amount which MSP would be required to pay to Simon Hughes on exercise of the call option in the SH Subscription and Call Option Agreement following the filing of the Buyers audited accounts for the year ended on or about February 1, 2014, but on the basis that (for the purposes of this Schedule 2 only) MSP acquires all of the SH Subscriber Shares and all of such shares are deemed to have vested at that time
E = the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents held by the Group at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the First Put Option minus £4,000,000
F = (the number of Option Securities) divided by (the Fully Diluted Capital of Buyer less the number of issued Buyer B Stock).
Normalized Working Capital means the average of the previous six months Working Capital plus the next six months Working Capital, calculated from the last month end immediately preceding the exercise of the Call Option, as reflected in the current budget for the Buyer Group and in the historical financial statements of the Buyer Group and taking account of any extraordinary working capital requirements for new business.
Reorganisation means, in relation to Buyer and/or any member of the Buyer Group, any issue by way of capitalisation of profits or reserves or by way of rights and any consolidation or sub division or reduction of capital or capital dividend or other reconstruction or adjustment relating to the equity share capital (or any shares, stock or securities derived therefrom) and any other amalgamation or reconstruction affecting the equity share capital (or any shares, stock or securities derived therefrom) or the business and assets (excluding stock sold in the Ordinary Course of Business) of the Buyer and/or any member of the Buyer Group.
Working Capital means current assets (excluding cash) less current liabilities, as recorded in the management accounts of the Company and determined in accordance with IFRS applying the same accounting principles, policies and practices as used in preparing the annual audited accounts of the Company.
| (a) | | In consideration of £1 now paid by MSP to Gresham (receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) Gresham hereby grants to MSP an option to purchase the Option Securities (Call Option) on the terms of this Schedule 2. |
|
| (b) | | Gresham hereby undertakes, warrants and represents that such of the Option Securities as are the subject of an exercise of the Call Option shall be sold by it free from all liens, charges, encumbrances and adverse interests or claims of any person and with all rights attached thereto at the date of such exercise. |
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3 | | Exercise of the Call Option |
| (a) | | Notice to the Call Option may be given on one occasion only during the Option Period in respect of all (but not part only) of the Option Securities and shall be irrevocable unless both parties agree otherwise in writing. Such notice shall specify a date (being a Business Day) on which (subject to determination of the Purchase Consideration) the exercise of the Call Option shall be completed, which date shall be not more than 20 Business Days, nor less than 10 Business Days after the date of the notice. |
|
| (b) | | All dividends and other distributions resolved or declared to be paid or made by the Buyer in respect of the Option Securities by reference to a record date which falls on or before the relevant date of completion of the Call Option in accordance with paragraph 4 below, shall belong to and be payable to MSP. |
|
| (c) | | Following the exercise of the Call Option and prior to the registration of MSP as the owner of the Option Securities, Gresham shall exercise all voting and other rights in relation to the Option Securities at the direction of MSP. |
| (a) | | Completion of the Call Option shall take place at the registered office of the Buyer or such other place as may be agreed by Gresham and MSP, on the date specified in the notice mentioned in paragraph 3(a) above, or (if later) within 10 Business Days after the Purchase Consideration shall have been finally determined, when all (but not part only unless MSP shall so agree) of the following business shall be transacted: |
| (i) | | MSP shall pay or procure the payment: |
| (A) | | to Gresham (or as Gresham may direct) of the Purchase Consideration, less any Retention Sum; and |
|
| (B) | | to the Retention Account of any Retention Sum, |
| | | which shall constitute a good discharge of the Purchase Consideration to Gresham by MSP; and |
|
| (ii) | | Gresham shall procure the delivery to MSP of transfers in respect of the Option Securities concerned duly completed in favour of MSP (or as MSP may direct) together with the certificates therefor (or failing, such certificates, an indemnity in terms satisfactory to MSP and shall sign all such documents and take any action as may be necessary or requisite to enable MSP (or such person as MSP may direct) to become the registered and beneficial owner of the Option Securities. |
| (b) | | The Parties shall use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure that the Purchase Consideration shall be finally determined as quickly as practicable. |
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| (c) | | If Gresham defaults in transferring the Option Securities as aforesaid once the Purchase Consideration has been determined, the Directors of Buyer (other than the Gresham Director) shall be entitled to receive and give a good discharge for the Purchase Consideration on behalf of Gresham (but shall not be bound to earn any interest thereon). Gresham hereby irrevocably appoint such one of the directors of Buyer for the time being as MSP shall nominate in writing as its attorney to execute on its behalf a transfer or transfers of the Option Securities in favour of MSP (or as MSP may direct) and execute such other documents and do all such other acts as may be necessary to transfer title to the Option Securities to MSP (or as MSP may direct) and hereby authorises the directors of Buyer to approve the registration of such transfer or transfers or other documents and to implement and give effect thereto. |
5 | | Effects of a Reorganisation |
| (a) | | If any Reorganisation shall take place after the date hereof but prior to the completion of the sale of the Option Securities or any of them, all shares, stock and other securities (if any) which shall have become owned by Gresham or their successors or assignees as a result of each such Reorganisation and which shall derive (whether directly or indirectly) from the Option Securities shall be deemed to be subject to the Call Option and shall be transferred to MSP (or as MSP may direct) in accordance with the terms of this Schedule 2, provided that the Purchase Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted to take account of any sum paid or received by Gresham or by their successors or assignees in consequence of a Reorganisation or the exercise or non exercise of a right or power thereunder. |
|
| (b) | | References to the Option Securities and the Purchase Consideration shall be so construed as to give full effect to this paragraph 5. |
| (a) | | Notwithstanding paragraph 5 above, while the Call Option remains exercisable, Gresham shall not, without the prior written consent of MSP sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, accept an offer made to all holders of the class or classes of securities to which the Option Securities belong) or mortgage, charge, pledge or otherwise encumber any of the Option Securities or any interest therein other than through the entry into of the Security Documents. |
| (i) | | it shall maintain suitable accounting records for the Buyer Group following Closing, and on one occasion during each financial year of the Buyer prior to the Call Option being exercised, give reasonable access on reasonable notice during normal business hours to Gresham and its advisers to such accounting records; and |
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| (ii) | | it shall not, at any time between Closing and the completion of the Call Option, effect any sale or intra-group reorganisation whereby any member of the Buyer Group or the business and assets of the Buyer Group immediately following Closing, is/are transferred out of and no longer form part of the Buyer Group, without having agreed with Gresham how such transfer should effect the calculation of the Purchase Consideration under the Call Option. |
8 | | Outstanding Claims and Retention Account |
| (a) | | If at the date that the Call Option is exercised, there is any outstanding or ongoing claim against any of the Sellers under the Agreement or any of the documents in the Agreed Form that has been notified to them in accordance with Section 9.5(h) (Outstanding Claim), an amount equal to such alleged Outstanding Claim (Retention Sum) shall be placed in a joint deposit account with a bank of international repute as nominated by MSP, to be opened in the names of legal counsel nominated by MSP and legal counsel nominated by Gresham (the Retention Account). For the avoidance of doubt, an Outstanding Claim shall include any Claim in respect of which an Acquired Entity is still pursuing the rights specified in Section 9.5(o). |
|
| (b) | | The Retention Sum shall be retained in the Retention Account until: |
| (i) | | the Outstanding Claim is settled or resolved on terms that a payment is to be made by Gresham to MSP, in which case Gresham shall be deemed to have authorised that such payment is paid to MSP from the Retention Account; |
|
| (ii) | | the Outstanding Claim is settled or resolved on terms that no payment is to be made by Gresham to Seller, in which case the amount standing to the credit of the Retention Account, together with all accrued interest shall be paid to Gresham, |
|
| | | and the parties shall instruct their respective legal counsel in whose name the Retention Account has been opened, to arrange for any such payments to be made within such seven days of the date on which the claim is Settled or Resolved. |
| (c) | | Any amount standing to the credit of the Retention Account after all Outstanding Claims have been settled or resolved and all payments set out in paragraph 8(b) above have been made, shall be payable to Gresham. |
|
| (d) | | For the purposes of this paragraph 8, a claim shall be deemed to be settled upon MSP and Gresham agreeing in writing a final settlement of the claim and resolved following an award being given pursuant to paragraphs (e) to (h) of this paragraph 8 below. |
|
| (e) | | Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12.6, any Outstanding Claim in respect of which a Retention Sum has been placed into the Retention Account, shall be finally resolved by arbitration before a tribunal of three |
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| | | arbitrators under the UNCITRAL rules of arbitration. The seat of arbitration shall be London and the language of arbitration English. The appointing body shall be the London Court of International Arbitration. |
|
| (f) | | The parties hereby exclude the right to appeal on a point of law pursuant to section 69 Arbitration Act 1996. |
|
| (g) | | The parties agree that the arbitration, any award and all documents disclosed and produced in the arbitration shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third party, save as required by law or any regulatory authority. |
|
| (h) | | For the avoidance of doubt, the parties submission to arbitration does not deprive any competent court of jurisdiction in relation to interim and conservatory measures, or in relation to the enforcement of any award. |
9 | | Determination by an expert |
| (a) | | Any dispute or difference as to the Purchase Consideration or the effect of a Reorganisation shall be referred to an independent accountant to be agreed by MSP and Gresham, or failing such agreement within 10 Business Days of seeking to agree upon an expert to resolve a dispute, as nominated by the President for the time being of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (or the relevant deputy of such person). The terms of the experts engagement shall be settled by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (or the relevant deputy of such person) in the event that MSP and Gresham fail to agree such terms. The fees of said accountant shall be borne equally by MSP and Gresham who shall jointly and severally undertake liability to it for the payment thereof. |
|
| (b) | | The said accountant shall be deemed to be acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator and their/his determination as to the amount of the Purchase Consideration and/or the effect of a Reorganisation (as the case may be) shall (save in the case of manifest error) be final and binding on the parties. |
10 | | Preferred A Ordinary Shares |
| (a) | | If MSP has not, by the end of the period of 60 days following the date of filing at Companies House of the audited accounts of Buyer for the financial year ending on or about 1 February 2014, exercised the Call Option or otherwise made an offer to acquire for cash the securities of Buyer owned by Gresham on the terms set out in this Schedule 2, Gresham shall be entitled to elect, by notice in writing to the Buyer and MSP (Dividend Notice) to have each of the Buyer A Stock held by Gresham reclassified as Preferred A Ordinary Shares. Such Preferred A Ordinary Shares shall rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Buyer A Stock held by MSP and Gresham save that the Preferred A Ordinary Shares as a class shall additionally be entitled to an annual dividend, payable initially within 60 days following the filing of the audited accounts of the Buyer for the financial year ending on or around 1 February 2014, and then on that date in each subsequent calendar year based on the preceding financial years audited annual accounts, and in priority to any other |
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| | | dividend payments made by the Buyer, of an aggregate amount payable to the class as a whole equal to 28% of the audited net earnings of the Buyer for the preceding financial year,. MSP and TMW undertake to Gresham that following receipt of the Dividend Notice, they will take or procure to be taken any actions necessary by the Buyer, including the proposing and voting in favour of any shareholder resolutions of Buyer, necessary to effect such reclassification of Greshams shares in the Buyer as Preferred A Ordinary Shares and to facilitate payment of the dividend on the Preferred A Ordinary Shares. |
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Schedule 3
Acquired Entities Fees and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Net Value | | | VAT | | | Gross Value | |
| | Bill.Doc (£) | | | rate | | | Bill (£) | |
Company Advisors | | | | | | | | | | | | |
KPMG Corporate Finance/Restructuring non Vat | | | 800,000.00 | | | | 0.0 | % | | | 800,000.00 | |
KPMG Corporate Finance/Restructuring Vat | | | 220,905.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 259,563.38 | |
KPMG Tax | | | 61,000.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 71,675.00 | |
HJB Gateley Wareing Fees | | | 275,000.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 323,125.00 | |
HJB Gateley Wareing Disbursements | | | 5,000.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 5,875.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Company Advisors Fees | | | 1,361,905.00 | | | | | | | | 1,460,238.38 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banking advisors & competition review | | | | | | | | | | | | |
MacFarlanes competion review | | | 12,000.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 14,100.00 | |
Pinsents | | | 22,016.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 25,868.80 | |
Ashursts | | | 14,409.52 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 16,931.19 | |
Ernst & Young | | | 46,064.00 | | | | 17.5 | % | | | 54,125.20 | |
D Abbot consultancy fee during Alexandra Acquisition | | | 4,016.00 | | | | 0.0 | % | | | 4,016.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Banking advisors & competition review Fees | | | 98,505.52 | | | | | | | | 115,041.19 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
|
Total Advisors fees | | | 1,460,410.52 | | | | | | | | 1,575,279.56 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stamp Duty | | | 40,698.00 | | | | 0.0 | % | | | 40,698.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total fees | | | 1,501,108.52 | | | | | | | | 1,615,977.56 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
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Schedule 4
Pensions
1 | | Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Schedule, and subject to Section 9.5, Management Sellers shall be liable to the Buyer for an amount equal to, which Gresham and Simon Hughes shall in accordance with Section 9.5 provide the sole remedy for by way of a claw back of Consideration Shares and SH Subscriber Shares: |
| (a) | | any debt under section 75 or section 75A of the 1995 Act which the trustees of the Semara DB Scheme seek to impose upon Dimensions Clothing Limited (company no. 454264) as a result of the failure or the alleged failure of the deed of discharge dated April 11, 2008 to assign all and any liabilities of Dimensions Clothing Limited to Johnson Service Group plc; and |
|
| (b) | | any debt which the trustees of the Johnson DB Scheme seek to impose on Dimensions Clothing Limited (company no. 454264) as a result of the failure or alleged failure of Dimensions Clothing Limited failing to pay the expenses payable under the 2005 Regulations in connection with its cessation of participation in the Johnson DB Scheme; and |
|
| (c) | | all reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable legal costs) Buyer, any member of Buyers Affilitated Group, or any Acquired Entity suffers or incurs in connection with or as a result of any claim that a liability in relation to the Semara DB Scheme or Johnson DB Scheme arises under paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) above, |
|
| and, for the avoidance of doubt, this provision shall apply to the actual debt that either trustees seek to impose, whether limited to the actual amount of expenses incurred or otherwise. |
2 | | The Liability for any claim pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Schedule shall be reduced to the extent that any amount is recoveed under the terms of clause 14 and/or schedule 6 of the sale and purchase agreement made between Johnson Service Group plc, Semara Contract Service Limited, Johnson Investments Limited, Semara Nominees Limited and Ensco 645 Limited dated April 11, 2008 (as varied). |
|
3 | | Save where the Buyer or the Acquired Entities may be required to do so by a regulatory authority or overriding legislation, the Buyer agrees that no Seller shall have any Liability under paragraph 1 of this Schedule if the Buyer solicits a claim or otherwise takes any action in relation to the trustees of the DB Schemes without the consent of the Sellers (not to be unreasonable withheld, conditioned or delayed) which puts them on notice of a potential right of action against the Sellers and/or the Acquired Entities in relation to the subject matter of paragraph 1,. |
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[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGES]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as a deed as of the date first above written.
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
THE MENS WEARHOUSE, INC. | | |
| | |
acting by Diana Wilson, an authorised officer | | /s/ DIANA M. WILSON |
in the presence of Fay Holden | | Authorised Officer |
| | |
/s/ FAY HOLDEN | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
| | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
MOORES THE SUIT PEOPLE INC. | | |
| | | | |
acting by Diana Wilson, an authorised officer | | /s/ DIANA M. WILSON |
in the presence of Fay Holden | | Authorised Officer |
| | |
/s/ FAY HOLDEN | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
| | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
MWUK HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED | | |
| | |
acting by Diana Wilson, a director | | /s/ DIANA M. WILSON |
in the presence of Fay Holden | | Director |
| | |
/s/ FAY HOLDEN | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
| | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
ENSCO 648 LIMITED | | |
| | | | |
acting by Simon Hughes, a director | | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Director |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
GRESHAM LLP (acting in its capacity as | | |
manager of GRESHAM 4A) | | |
| | |
by its attorney in the presence of: Keith Law | | /s/ PAUL FRANKS |
| | As attorney for Gresham LLP |
Witness signature: /s/ KEITH LAW | | (acting in its capacity as |
| | Manager of Gresham 4A) |
Witness name: NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
| | |
Witness address: | | 3 More London Riverside London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom www.nortonrose.com |
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| | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
GRESHAM LLP (acting in its capacity as | | |
manager of GRESHAM 4B) | | |
| | |
by its attorney in the presence of: Keith Law | | /s/ PAUL FRANKS |
| | As attorney for Gresham LLP |
Witness signature: /s/ KEITH LAW | | (acting in its capacity as |
| | Manager of Gresham 4B) |
Witness name: NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
| | |
| | |
Witness address: | | 3 More London Riverside London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom www.nortonrose.com |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
GRESHAM LLP | | |
| | | | |
by its attorney in the presence of: Keith Law | | /s/ PAUL FRANKS |
| | As attorney for Gresham LLP |
| | |
Witness signature: /s/ KEITH LAW | | |
Witness name: NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
Witness address: 3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
SIMON HUGHES | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
RICHARD PEARSON | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power of attorney |
| | dated 3 August 2010 on |
| | behalf of Richard Pearson |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
NEIL GLACKEN | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power or attorney |
| | dated 30 July on behalf of |
| | Neil Glacken |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
STEVE CASSAPI | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power of attorney |
| | dated 3 August 2010 on |
| | behalf of Stephen Cassapi |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
HELEN MCLOUGHLIN | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power of attorney |
| | dated July 30 2010 on behalf |
| | of Helen McLoughlin |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
HAYLEY BROOKS | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power of attorney |
| | dated 3 August 2010 on |
| | behalf of Hayley Brooks |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
| | |
PHILIP HARLAND | | |
| | |
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES |
in the presence of Keith Law | | Under power of attorney |
| | dated 30 July 2010 on behalf |
| | of Phillip Harland |
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
ANTHONY GOLDBERG
| | |
in the presence of Keith Law
| | /s/ SIMON HUGHES Under power of attorney dated 30 July 2010 on behalf of Anthony Goldberg |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
| | |
Signed as a deed by | | |
ENSCO 671 LIMITED | | |
| | |
acting by Simon Hughes, a director
in the presence of /s/ KEITH LAW | | /s/ SIMON HUGHES Director
|
| | |
/s/ KEITH LAW | | |
SIGNATURE OF WITNESS | | |
NAME, ADDRESS AND OCCUPATION OF WITNESS | | |
NORTON ROSE LLP | | |
3 More London Riverside | | |
London SE1 2AQ United Kingdom | | |
www.nortonrose.com | | |
Exhibit A
The Sellers and the Sale Shares
| | | | |
Name | | Sale Shares | | Consideration |
Gresham 4A | | 60,111,005 Company A Stock | | 38 pence |
Gresham 4B | | 24,688,995 Company A Stock | | 15 pence |
Hayley Brooks | | 6,480,000 Company B Stock | | 4 pence |
Stephen Cassapi | | 6,480,000 Company B Stock | | 4 pence |
Neil Glacken | | 6,480,000 Company B Stock | | 4 pence |
Anthony Goldberg | | 1,800,000 Company B Stock | | 1 pence |
Philip Harland | | 1,800,000 Company B Stock | | 1 pence |
Simon Hughes | | 32,400,000 Company B Stock | | 20 pence |
Helen McLoughlin | | 6,480,000 Company B Stock | | 4 pence |
Richard Pearson | | 6,480,000 Company B Stock | | 4 pence |
EBT Trustee | | 6,800,000 Company B Stock | | 5 pence |
Gresham 4A | | 25,449,510 Company C Stock | | 93,291 Buyer A Stock |
Gresham 4B | | 10,450,490 Company C Stock | | 38,309 Buyer A Stock |
Exhibit B
Form of New Buyer Articles
No. 07331441
THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
of
MWUK HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED
1 | | Preliminary |
|
1.1 | | In these Articles: |
|
| | Affiliate with respect to any specified person, means a person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person. As used herein, the term control means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting rights or by contract |
|
| | A Ordinary Shares means the A ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company having the rights set out in Article 11 |
|
| | Bad Leaver means in respect of any Employee Shareholder, where such Employee Shareholder ceases to be an Employee due to termination for fraud or gross negligence (in each case as determined by the Board) or voluntary termination |
|
| | B Ordinary Shares means the B ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company, having the rights set out in Article 11 |
|
| | Board means the board of Directors for the time being of the Company or the Directors present or deemed to be present at a duly convened meeting of Directors at which a quorum is present |
|
| | Board Meeting means a meeting of the Board as from time to time convened in accordance with these Articles |
|
| | CA 2006 means the Companies Act 2006 as amended |
|
| | Companies Acts means the Companies Acts (as defined in section 2 CA 2006), in so far as they apply to the Company |
|
| | a conflict of interest includes a conflict of interest and duty and a conflict of duties |
|
| | Control means the ability to exercise or control voting rights conferred by all or any part of the issued share capital of the Company so that: a) 50% Control relates to the exercise or control of 50% or more of the total voting rights conferred by all the issued share capital of the Company, b) 90% Control relates to the exercise or control of 90% or more of the total voting rights conferred by all the issued share capital of the Company |
|
| | decision-making process has the meaning given in article 14(5) of the private company MA |
1
eligible director means a Director who would be entitled to vote on the matter at a meeting of Directors (but excluding any Director whose vote is not to be counted in respect of the particular matter)
Employee means a person who is either a director or an employee of a Group Company;
Employee Shareholder means an Employee who holds B Ordinary Shares;
Good Leaver means in respect of any Employee Shareholder, where such Employee Shareholder ceases to be an Employee due to termination without cause (as determined by the Board)
Intermediate Leaver means in respect of any Employee Shareholder, where such Employee Shareholder ceases to be an Employee due to: (a) his death; (b) his disability: or (c) termination for cause other than for fraud or gross negligence, (in each case as determined by the Board)
TMW means The Mens Wearhouse Inc;
an interest means a direct or an indirect interest and interested shall be construed accordingly
Liquidation Event means any of:
| (a) | | a Sale; |
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| (b) | | a Trade Sale; or |
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| (c) | | the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; |
Liquidation Proceeds means as relevant:
| (a) | | the amount available for distribution to holders of shares; and/or |
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| (b) | | any amount due to the holders of shares (or any of them), |
in either case as a consequence of a Liquidation Event
MSP means Moores The Suit People Inc.
private company MA means the model articles for private companies limited by shares in Schedule 1 to The Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008
proxy notice has the meaning given in Article 21
public company MA means the model articles for public companies limited by shares in Schedule 3 to the Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008
Sale means the sale of all or such part of the entire issued share capital of the Company (to the extent not already owned by the purchaser or persons acting in concert as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or connected with the purchaser as defined in Section 839 of the Income and Corporate Taxes Act 1988) or the acceptance of an offer as a result of which the offeror or any person connected with or acting in concert with the offeror acquires 50% Control of the Company or a merger or consolidation of the share capital of the Company resulting in any shareholder, who does not already have 50% Control, or any third party obtaining 50% Control of the Company
shares means the A Ordinary Shares and the B Ordinary Shares
subsidiary has the meaning given in section 1159 CA 2006 and in interpreting section 1159 CA 2006 for the purposes of these Articles, a company is to be treated as a member of a subsidiary
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| | even if its shares are registered in the name of (i) a nominee, or (ii) any party holding security over those shares, or that secured partys nominee |
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| | Trade Sale means a sale of the whole or substantially the whole of the assets and undertaking of the Company (including but not limited to any subsidiary of the Company) by way of a single transaction or series of transactions |
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| | a transaction or arrangement means an actual or a proposed transaction or arrangement |
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| | Vesting Date means: |
| (a) | | in relation to the First Put Option, 6 August 2013 |
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| (b) | | in relation to the Second Put Option, 6 August 2015 |
| | Vested Shares means the B Ordinary Shares that have vested in accordance with Article 16 and Unvested Shares shall be construed accordingly |
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1.2 | | Except as otherwise provided, the private company MA shall apply to the Company. |
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1.3 | | The definition of shares in Article 1, Article 14, 17(1)(a), 21, 24(2)(c), 26, 27 and 45 of the private company MA shall not apply to the Company. In addition article 1 of the private company MA shall not apply to the Company in respect of defined terms which are only used in the articles referred to in this Article 1.3. |
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1.4 | | Articles 28, 41, 52-62 (inclusive), 65, 66, 71 and 73 of the public company MA shall, except as otherwise provided, apply to the Company except that all references in such articles to member shall be deemed to be a reference to shareholder. In addition article 1 of the public company MA shall apply to the Company in respect of defined terms used in the articles referred to in this Article 1.4. |
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1.5 | | References in these Articles to the Secretary shall only apply for as long as the Company elects to have a Secretary. |
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2 | | Unanimous decisions |
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| | Article 8 of the private company MA shall be amended by deleting articles 8(2) and (3) and replacing them with the following: |
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| | (2) Such a decision may take the form of a resolution in writing of which each eligible director has signed one or more copies or to which each eligible director has otherwise indicated agreement in writing. |
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3 | | Conflicts of interest |
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3.1 | | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, a Director may be interested in any transaction or arrangement with the Company or with any other company in which the Company is otherwise interested or in which any company which has an interest in the Company is interested and he may hold and be remunerated in respect of any office or place of profit (other than the office of auditor of the Company or any subsidiary thereof) under the Company or any such other company and he or any firm of which he is a member may act in a professional capacity for the Company or any such other company and be remunerated therefore. Notwithstanding his interest but subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts and, if relevant, to any limits or conditions imposed by the Board as referred to in Article 3.2, a Director may vote on any matter in which he is interested and be included for the purpose of a quorum at any meeting at which the same is considered and he may retain for his own benefit all profits and advantages accruing to him. |
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3.2 | | Where the existence of a Directors relationship with another person (an authorised conflict) is authorised by the Board pursuant to the Companies Acts (and subject to any limits or conditions imposed by the Board) or if Article 3.1 applies to the relationship, the Director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company under the Companies Acts because he absents himself from any meetings or discussions relating to the authorised conflict, makes arrangements not to receive documents and information relating to the authorised conflict sent or supplied by the Company and/or makes arrangements for such documents and information to be received and read by a professional adviser, fails to disclose to the Board or to any person any information which he obtains otherwise than as a Director and in respect of which he has a duty of confidentiality to another person, and/or fails to use or apply any such information in performing his duties as a Director. |
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3.3 | | Subject to these Articles, the Board may cause the voting rights conferred by the shares in any other company held or owned by the Company or any power of appointment to be exercised in such manner in all respects as it thinks fit (including the exercise of voting rights in favour of any resolution appointing the Directors or any of them as directors or officers of the other company or in favour of the payment of remuneration to the directors or officers of the other company), and a Director may vote on and be counted in the quorum in relation to any of these matters. |
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4 | | Participation in Directors meetings |
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| | Article 10(3) of the private company MA shall be amended by the addition of the following sentence at the end If they do not so decide, such a meeting shall be deemed to take place where the largest group of those participating is assembled or, if there is no group which is larger than any other group, where the chairman is. |
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5 | | Quorum for Directors meetings |
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5.1 | | Article 11(2) of the private company MA shall be deleted and replaced by Articles 5.2 and 5.3. |
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5.2 | | Subject to Article 5.3 the quorum for Directors meetings may be fixed from time to time by a decision of the Directors and unless otherwise fixed is two. |
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5.3 | | For the purposes of any meeting (or part of a meeting) held to authorise a Directors conflict as envisaged in Article 3.2, if the quorum is more than one but there is only one eligible director in office, the quorum for such meeting (or part of a meeting) shall be one Director. |
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6 | | Appointment, removal and disqualification of Directors |
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6.1 | | The first Director or Directors shall be appointed in writing by completion of the statement required to be delivered for registration by section 12 CA 2006. |
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6.2 | | The number of Directors may be determined by ordinary resolution of the Company but unless and until so fixed there shall be no maximum number of Directors but the minimum number of Directors shall be two. |
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6.3 | | Without prejudice to the powers of the Company under section 168 CA 2006 to remove a Director by ordinary resolution, the holder or holders for the time being of more than one half of the shares of the Company shall have the power from time to time and at any time to appoint any person or persons as a Director or Directors and to remove from office any Director howsoever appointed. Any such appointment or removal shall be effected by an instrument in writing authenticated by the shareholder or shareholders making the same or (in the case of a shareholder being a corporation) authenticated on its behalf by one of its directors or its secretary and shall take effect when received at the registered office of the Company. |
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6.4 | | The office of a Director shall be vacated if he is removed from office under Article 6.3. Article 18 of the private company MA shall be modified accordingly. |
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7 | | Casting vote |
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| | Article 13 of the private company MA shall not apply in respect of a particular meeting (or part of a meeting) if the Chairman or other Director is not an eligible director for the purposes of that meeting (or part of a meeting). Article 13(2) of the private company MA shall be deleted. |
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8 | | Death or bankruptcy of sole shareholder director |
|
| | Article 17(2) of the private company MA shall be amended by the addition of the words or bankruptcy and or to have a bankruptcy order made against him (as the case may be) after the words death and to have died respectively. |
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9 | | Directors expenses |
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| | Article 20 of the private company MA shall be amended by the insertion of the words (and the secretary (if any) before the words properly incur. |
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10 | | Share capital |
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10.1 | | The directors are generally and unconditionally authorised, for the purposes of section 551 of the CA 2006 and generally, to exercise any power of the Company to: |
| (a) | | offer or allot; |
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| (b) | | grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into; |
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| (c) | | otherwise deal in, or dispose of, |
| | any A Ordinary Shares or B Ordinary Shares to any person, at any time and subject to any terms and conditions as the directors see fit. |
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10.2 | | The authority referred to in Article 10.2: |
| (a) | | shall be limited to the maximum nominal amount of £100,000,000; |
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| (b) | | shall only apply insofar as the Company has nor varied, renewed, waived or revoked it by an ordinary resolution; and |
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| (c) | | may only be exercised for a period of five years commencing on the date on which these Articles are adopted. |
10.3 | | In accordance with section 567(1) of the CA 2006, sections 561 and 562 of the CA 2006 shall not apply to an allotment of A Ordinary Shares or B Ordinary Shares and any other equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the CA 2006) made by the Company. |
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11 | | Shares Rights |
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11.1 | | On the occurrence of a Liquidation Event and from the Liquidation Proceeds, the holders of the A Ordinary Shares shall be entitled to a preferential capital return in priority to any payment to the holders of the B Ordinary Shares such that the Liquidation Proceeds are utilised as follows: |
| (a) | | first in paying to each holder of A Ordinary Shares a sum equal to the total amounts subscribed by each of them for the A Ordinary Shares held by them (whether in cash or by the transfer of assets, including shares or securities, to the Company); and |
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| (b) | | second in distributing the balance amongst the holders of the A Ordinary Shares and the B Ordinary Shares as if the same constituted one class pro rata in proportion to the number of A Ordinary Shares and/or the B Ordinary Shares, held by them. |
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11.2 | | For the purposes of this Article 11, all Liquidation Proceeds arising on a Liquidation Event which is constituted by a Sale or Trade Sale shall be applied in accordance with these provisions irrespective of to whom any amount was originally due under the terms of the Sale or Trade Sale or pursuant to Articles 14.8 to 14.13. |
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11.3 | | Upon a Sale, the directors shall not register any transfer of shares unless: |
| (a) | | the Liquidation Proceeds represented by cash are paid into the Companys solicitors bank account and the Liquidation Proceeds represented other than in cash shall be held by the Company on trust for the holders of those shares being sold in connection with the Sale; and |
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| (b) | | the Liquidation Proceeds are distributed in the order of priority set out in Article 11.1, save in respect of any shares not sold in connection with such Sale, provided that if the Liquidation Proceeds are not settled in their entirety upon completion of the Sale: |
| (i) | | the Directors shall not be prohibited from registering the transfer of the shares so long as the provisions of this Article 11.3 have been applied to the Liquidation Proceeds settled upon completion; and |
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| (ii) | | the shareholders shall be required to take such actions as the board may require to ensure that the Liquidation Proceeds in their entirety are distributed in the order of priority set out in Article 11.1. |
11.4 | | Upon a Trade Sale the surplus assets of the Company remaining after payment of its liabilities shall be distributed (insofar as the Company is lawfully permitted to do so) in the order of priority set out in Article 11.1. |
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12 | | Lien |
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12.1 | | The companys lien as defined by article 52 of the public company MA shall apply to: |
| (a) | | all shares of the Company whether fully paid or not; |
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| (b) | | all shares registered in the name of any person indebted or under liability to the Company, whether he be the sole registered holder or one of several joint holders of the shares; |
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| (c) | | and shall be for all indebtedness or other liability to the Company of any member. |
12.2 | | Article 52 of the public company MA shall be amended accordingly. |
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13 | | Replacement share certificates |
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| | Article 25(2)(c) of the private company MA shall be amended by the deletion of the words a reasonable fee and replaced with the words reasonable expenses. |
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14 | | Share transfers |
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| | General |
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14.1 | | Article 26 of the private company MA shall be amended by inserting the words Subject to the provisions of Article 14.2 to 14.4 of these Articles at the beginning of Article 26.1 and by deleting Article 26.5. |
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14.2 | | In this Article 14, reference to the transfer of a share includes the transfer or assignment of a beneficial or other interest in that share or the creation of a trust or encumbrance over that share and reference to a share includes a beneficial or other interest in a share. |
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14.3 | | No share may be transferred unless the transfer is made in accordance with these Articles. |
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14.4 | | No share shall be transferred other than: |
| (a) | | in the case of an A Ordinary Share, with the prior written consent of the holders of the majority of the A Ordinary Shares; |
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| (b) | | in the case of a B Ordinary Share, pursuant to either of the Options (as defined in Article 15) or with the prior written consent of the holders of the majority of the A Ordinary Shares; or |
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| (c) | | as required pursuant to Articles 14.5 to 14.13 |
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| | | (each a Permitted Transfer) and the Board of Directors shall refuse to register any transfer which is not a Permitted Transfer. |
| | Mandatory Transfer (Cessation of Employment) |
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14.5 | | Where an Employee Shareholder is a Bad Leaver, then such Bad Leaver shall be obliged to sell all of his B Ordinary Shares to MSP for an aggregate price of £1. Such sale shall be completed within 7 days of the date on which the Bad Leaver ceases to be an Employee by: |
| (a) | | MSP providing payment of £1 to the Bad Leaver; and |
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| (b) | | the Bad Leaver delivering to MSP executed instruments of transfer, share certificates and any other document reasonably required to give effect to the transfer of his B Ordinary Shares. |
14.6 | | Immediately prior to a Liquidation Event, any holder of B Ordinary Shares who is an Intermediate Leaver or a Good Leaver, shall be obliged to sell all of his Unvested Shares to MSP for an aggregate price of £1. Such sale shall be completed immediately prior to the Liquidation Event by: |
| (a) | | MSP providing payment of £1 to the Intermediate Leaver or the Good Leaver (as the case may be); and |
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| (b) | | the Intermediate Leaver or the Good Leaver (as the case may be) delivering to MSP executed instruments of transfer, share certificates and any other document reasonably required to give effect to the transfer of his B Ordinary Shares. |
14.7 | | If a holder of B Ordinary Shares defaults on his obligation to transfer B Ordinary Shares pursuant to Article 14.5 or 14.6, he shall be deemed to have appointed any one Director as his duly appointed agent with full power to complete, sign and deliver on his behalf, any instruments of transfer and any other document reasonably required to give effect to the transfer of such B Ordinary Shares. |
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| | Drag Along |
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14.8 | | If: |
| (a) | | a bona fide cash offer to purchase shares is made by an independent third party on arms length terms, which would constitute a Sale, and is extended to all shareholders (a Full Offer) and such Full Offer is accepted by shareholders carrying the right to exercise 50 per cent or more of votes capable of being cast on a poll at a general meeting of the Company; then |
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| (b) | | the shareholders who have accepted the Full Offer (Accepting Shareholders) may within 28 days of the close of the Full Offer serve on those shareholders who have not accepted the Full Offer (Rejecting Shareholders) a written notice signed by each Accepting Shareholders (a Drag Notice) requiring the Rejecting Shareholder to either |
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| (i) | | sell all shares registered in their names to the offeror (at a price per share not less than the price per share offered to the Accepting Shareholders); or |
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| (ii) | | acquire all the shares of the Accepting Members at the price offered by the offeror. |
14.9 | | If a Drag Notice is served on any Rejecting Shareholder, that Rejecting Shareholder shall, within 14 days of the date of the Drag Notice, either: |
| (a) | | accept and complete the Full Offer; or |
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| (b) | | offer to buy and complete the acquisition of all the shares of the Accepting Shareholders on terms identical to those of the Full Offer. |
14.10 | | The sale and purchase of any shares the subject of a Drag Notice shall be completed as soon as reasonably practicable at a place and time to be appointed by the Board when, against payment of the price set out in Article 14.8(b)(i) and any relevant stamp duties, the Offeror or Rejecting Shareholders (as the case may be) shall be registered as the holder(s) of the relevant shares in the register of Members of the Company and share certificate(s) in the name(s) of such person(s) and in respect of the relevant shares shall be delivered. |
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14.11 | | If in any Rejecting Shareholders, after having become bound to: |
| (a) | | transfer any shares to the Offeror, shall make default in so doing, the Board shall on behalf of such Offeror authorise some person to execute any necessary transfers in favour of the Offeror and shall receive the purchase money and shall thereupon cause the name of the Offeror to be entered into the register of Members as the holder of the relevant shares and hold the purchase money in trust for the Rejecting Shareholders but shall not be bound to earn or pay interest thereon. The receipt of the Company of the purchase money shall be a good discharge to the Offeror who shall not be bound to see to the application thereof and after the name of the Offeror has been entered in the register of Members of the Company in purported exercise of the aforesaid powers the validity of the proceedings shall not be questioned by any person; or |
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| (b) | | acquire any shares under Article 14.8(b)(ii) shall make default in so doing, he shall be deemed to have accepted the Full Offer and the provisions of Article 14.11(a) shall apply. |
| | Tag Along |
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14.12 | | Subject to Article14.13, no transfer of any shares shall be made by a proposing transferor or registered without the previous consent in writing of all the shareholders if it would result in a person who was not a shareholder of the Company on the date of adoption of these Articles (and any person or persons acting in concert (within the meaning of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers) with him or them) obtaining direct or indirect 50% Control unless, before the transfer is made, the proposed transferee(s) (Buyer) make(s) a written offer (open for acceptance for a period of at least 30 days from its delivery) to all the holders of shares to purchase all the shares then in issue (at the same time and on the same terms and conditions for each shareholder holding shares) at a price per share not less than the price per share at which he has purchased the remainder of the shares. No shareholder (including the said proposing transferor) shall complete any sale of shares to the Buyer unless the Buyer completes the purchase of all the shares agreed to be sold simultaneously. |
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14.13 | | The provisions of Article 14.12: |
| (a) | | shall not apply on a change of Control of a shareholder (and for such purposes, the reference to the Company in definition of Control shall be a reference to such shareholder), or on the sale by MSP of its A Ordinary Shares to any Affiliate of TMW; and |
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| (b) | | may be waived in whole or in part in any particular case with the prior written consent of all the shareholders. |
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15 | | Put Option in respect of B Ordinary Shares |
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15.1 | | In this Article 15, the following terms have the following meanings: |
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| | B Subscriber Shares means the 60,000 B Ordinary Shares subscribed for by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares on or around 6 August 2010 |
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| | Business Day means a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or public holiday on which banks are ordinarily open for the transaction of normal banking business in London |
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| | Current Working Capital means the Working Capital as of the end of the month prior to the exercise of the Option; |
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| | First Option Securities means, provided the holder of the B Ordinary Shares is not a Bad Leaver, 36,000 B Ordinary Shares owned by and registered in the name of the holder of the B Ordinary Shares and any other shares, stock or securities referred to in Articles 15.11 and 15.12 |
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| | First Performance Target means EBITDA for the financial year ending on or about 1 February 2014 exceeding the target EBITDA for the Company (as set out in the annual budget and forecast for the financial year, as approved by the Board), by at least 22% |
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| | First Purchase Consideration means in relation to all the First Option Securities an amount (having regard to the effect of any Reorganisation) equal to F where: |
| (a) | | if Current Working Capital exceeds Normalised Working Capital: |
F = ((A x B) - V + W + X + Y) x Z, or
| (b) | | if Current Working Capital is less than Normalised Working Capital: |
F = ((A x B) - V + W - X + Y) x Z
Where:
A = 7, save where the First Performance Target is achieved, in which case A shall equal 8
B = EBITDA of the Company (as derived from the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial year of the Company ended on, or about, 1 February 2014), where EBITDA is the earnings on a consolidated basis of the Group before income tax and adding back deductions for interest expense, depreciation and amortisation
V = the sum of: (i) the aggregate amount of any capital contributions made by the holders of the A Ordinary Shares to the Company, including for the avoidance of doubt, the £50,000,000 subscribed by MSP for B Ordinary Shares on or around 6 August 2010 and the value of the capital stock in Ensco 648 Limited contributed to the Company by Gresham 4A and Gresham 4B on or around 6 August 2010, being £8,139,535; and (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Group (excluding amounts owing to trade creditors) at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the First Put Option, such Indebtedness to include, for the avoidance of doubt, any accrued interest on loans or notes (which may be classified for accounting purposes as a current liability), with such accrued interest added to the outstanding principal on any term, revolver or other loans or notes
W = the aggregate amount of any capital repaid or dividends paid to the holders of A Ordinary Shares
X = the amount by which Current Working Capital exceeds or is less than Normalised Working Capital
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Y = the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents held by the Group at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the First Put Option minus £4,000,000
Z = the proportion that the First Option Securities that are Vested Shares represent of the Fully Diluted Capital
First Put Option means the put option set out in Article 15.2(a);
First Put Option Period means the period of 10 Business Days following the filing of the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended on or about 1 February 2014, in which the First Put Option can be exercised;
Fully Diluted Capital means the number of shares of the Company which would be in issue following the exercise in full of all rights (including conditional and contingent rights) to acquire, subscribe for, convert into or exchange any security for shares in the Company
Guarantee means any subsisting guarantee, indemnity, suretyship, letter of comfort or other assurance, security or right of set-off given or undertaken by a person to secure or support the obligations (actual or contingent) of any other person and whether given directly or by way of counter-indemnity to any other person who has provided a Guarantee
Group means the Company and its subsidiaries and Group Company shall be construed accordingly
Indebtedness means any form of indebtedness, including but not limited to in respect of, money borrowed and debit balances at banks; any debt instrument; acceptance credit facilities; receivables sold otherwise than on a non-recourse basis; deferred payments for assets or services acquired (but not ordinary trade credit); finance leases and hire purchase contracts; a counter-indemnity in respect of a Guarantee; or any other transaction having the commercial effect of a borrowing and Guarantees of Indebtedness
Normalised Working Capital means the average of the previous six months Working Capital plus the next six months Working Capital, calculated from the last month end immediately preceding the exercise of the relevant Option, as reflected in the current budget for the Group and in the historical financial statements of the Group and taking account of any extraordinary working capital requirements for new business.
Options means the First Put Option and the Second Put Option
Option Securities means the First Option Securities and the Second Option Securities
Reorganisation means, in relation to the Company and/or any member of the Group, any issue by way of capitalisation of profits or reserves or by way of rights and any consolidation or sub division or reduction of capital or capital dividend or other reconstruction or adjustment relating to the equity share capital (or any shares, stock or securities derived therefrom) and any other amalgamation or reconstruction affecting the equity share capital (or any shares, stock or securities derived therefrom) or the business and assets (excluding stock sold in the ordinary course of business) of the Buyer and/or any member of the Group
Second Option Securities means, provided that the holder of the B Ordinary Shares is not a Bad Leaver, all B Ordinary Shares owned by and registered in the name of the holder of the B Ordinary Shares as at the date of exercise of the Second Put Option, and any other shares, stock or securities referred to in Articles 15.11 and 15.12
Second Performance Target means EBITDA for the financial year ending on or about 30 January 2016 exceeding the target EBITDA for the Company (as set out in the annual budget and forecast for the financial year, as approved by the Board), by at least 22%
Second Purchase Consideration means in relation to all the Second Option Securities an amount (having regard to the effect of any Reorganisation) equal to S where:
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| (a) | | if Current Working Capital exceeds Normalised Working Capital: |
S = ((C x D) - I + J + K + L) x M, or
| (b) | | if Current Working Capital is less than Normalised Working Capital: |
S = ((C x D) - I + J - K + L) x M
Where:
C = 7, save where the Second Performance Target is achieved, in which case C shall equal 8
D = EBITDA of the Company (as derived from the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial year of the Company ended on, or about, 30 January 2016), where EBITDA is the earnings on a consolidated basis of the Group before income tax and adding back deductions for interest expense, depreciation and amortisation
I = the sum of: (i) the aggregate amount of any capital contributions made by the holders of the A Ordinary Shares to the Company, including for the avoidance of doubt, the £50,000,000 subscribed by MSP for B Ordinary Shares on or around 6 August 2010 and the value of the capital stock in Ensco 648 Limited contributed to the Company by Gresham 4A and Gresham 4B on or around 6 August 2010, being £8,139,535; and (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Group (excluding amounts owing to trade creditors) at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the First Put Option, such Indebtedness to include, for the avoidance of doubt, any accrued interest on loans or notes (which may be classified for accounting purposes as a current liability), with such accrued interest added to the outstanding principal on any term, revolver or other loans or notes
J = the aggregate amount of any capital repaid or dividends paid to the holders of A Ordinary Shares
K = the amount by which Current Working Capital exceeds or is less than Normalised Working Capital
L = the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents held by the Group at the last month end immediately preceding the date of exercise of the Second Put Option minus £4,000,000
M = the proportion that the Second Option Securities that are Vested Shares represent of the Fully Diluted Capital of the Company
Second Put Option means the put option set out in Article 15.2(b);
Second Put Option Period means the period of 10 Business Days following the filing of the audited accounts of the Company for the financial year ended on or about 30 January 2016, in which the Second Put Option can be exercised;
subsidiary means a subsidiary undertaking (as defined by section 1162 CA 2006) or a subsidiary (as defined by section 1159 CA 2006) and in interpreting those sections for the purposes of this Agreement, a company is to be treated as a member of a subsidiary even if its shares are registered in the name of (i) a nominee, or (ii) any party holding security over those shares, or that secured partys nominee
Working Capital means cash and other current assets less current liabilities, as recorded in the management accounts of the Company and determined in accordance with IFRS applying the same accounting principles, policies and practices as used in preparing the annual audited accounts of the Company.
15.2 | | The holder of the B Ordinary Shares shall have the right to: |
| (a) | | require MSP to purchase the First Option Securities (First Put Option); |
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| (b) | | require MSP to purchase the Second Option Securities (Second Put Option); |
| | in each case, on the terms set out in this Article 15. |
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15.3 | | The holder of the B Ordinary Shares will, at the time of transfer of any Option Securities, undertake, warrant and represent to MSP, that such of the Option Securities as are the subject of an exercise of either of the Options shall be sold by him free from all liens, charges, encumbrances and adverse interests or claims of any person and with all rights attached thereto at the date of such exercise. |
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15.4 | | The shareholders of the Company shall use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure that the First Purchase Consideration shall be finally determined as quickly as practicable following the date on which the First Put Option is exercised (the First Relevant Date) and in any event the First Purchase Consideration shall be finally determined within 10 Business Days of the First Relevant Date, save where the First Purchase Consideration is determined in accordance with Articles 15.14 and 15.15 . |
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15.5 | | The Shareholders shall use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure that the Second Purchase Consideration shall be finally determined as quickly as practicable following the date on which the Second Put Option is exercised (the Second Relevant Date) and in any event the Second Purchase Consideration shall be finally determined within 10 Business Days of the Second Relevant Date, save where the Second Purchase Consideration is determined in accordance with Articles 15.14 and 15.15. |
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| | Notice of Exercise of the Put Options |
|
15.6 | | Notice to exercise the First Put Option may be given on one occasion only during the First Put Option Period in respect of all of the First Option Securities and shall be irrevocable unless MSP agrees otherwise in writing. Such notice shall specify a date (being a Business Day) on which the exercise of the First Put Option shall be completed, which date shall be not more than 20 Business Days nor less than 10 Business Days after the date of the notice. |
|
15.7 | | Notice to exercise the Second Put Option may be given on one occasion only during the Second Put Option Period in respect of all of the Second Option Securities and shall be irrevocable unless MSP agrees otherwise in writing. Such notice shall specify a date (being a Business Day) on which the exercise of the Second Put Option shall be completed, which date shall be not more than 20 Business Days nor less than 10 Business Days after the date of the notice. |
|
15.8 | | All unpaid dividends and other distributions resolved or declared to be paid or made by the Company in respect of the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) by reference to a record date which falls on or before the relevant date of completion of that Option in accordance with Articles 15.9 and 15.10 shall belong to and be payable to MSP. |
|
| | Completion of the Options |
|
15.9 | | Completion of the relevant Option shall take place at the registered office of the Company or such other place as may be agreed by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares and MSP on the date specified in the relevant notice mentioned in the relevant part of Articles 15.6 and 15.7 when all (but not part only unless MSP shall so agree) of the following business shall be transacted: |
| (a) | | MSP shall pay or procure the payment to the holder of the B Ordinary Shares (or as the holder of the B Ordinary Shares may direct) of the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires), which shall constitute a good discharge of the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) to the holder of the B Ordinary Shares by MSP; |
12
| (b) | | The holder of the B Ordinary Shares shall deliver to MSP transfers in respect of the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) duly completed in favour of MSP (or as MSP may direct) together with the certificates therefor (or failing, such certificates, an indemnity in terms satisfactory to MSP) and shall, at MSPs cost, sign all such other documents and take any other reasonable action as may be necessary or requisite to enable MSP (or such person as MSP may direct) to become the registered and beneficial owner of the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires). |
15.10 | | If the holder of the B Ordinary Shares makes default in transferring the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities once the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration has been determined (as the context requires) as aforesaid, the Directors of the Company (other than the holder of the B Ordinary Shares) shall be entitled to receive and give a good discharge for the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) on behalf of the holder of the B Ordinary Shares (but shall not be bound to earn any interest thereon). The holder of the B Ordinary Shares hereby irrevocably appoints such one of the directors of MSP for the time being as MSP shall nominate in writing as the holder of the B Ordinary Shares attorney to execute on his behalf a transfer or transfers of the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) in favour of MSP (or as MSP may direct) and execute such other documents and do all such other acts as may be necessary to transfer title to the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) to MSP (or as MSP may direct), and hereby authorises the directors of the Company to approve the registration of such transfer or transfers or other documents and to implement and give effect thereto. |
|
| | Effects of a Reorganisation on the Options |
|
15.11 | | If any Reorganisation shall take place after the date hereof but prior to the completion of the sale of the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) or any of them pursuant to Articles 15.9 and 15.10, all shares, stock and other securities (if any) which shall have become owned by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares or his personal representatives, successors or assignees as a result of each such Reorganisation and which shall derive (whether directly or indirectly) from the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) shall be deemed to be subject to the First Put Option or the Second Put Option (as the context requires) and shall be transferred to MSP (or as MSP may direct) in accordance with Articles 15.9 and 15.10, provided that the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) shall be appropriately adjusted to take account of any sum paid or received by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares or by his personal representatives, successors or assignees in consequence of a Reorganisation or the exercise or non exercise of a right or power thereunder. |
|
15.12 | | References in these Articles to the First Option Securities or Second Option Securities (as the context requires) and the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) shall be so construed as to give full effect to Article 15.11. |
|
| | Restrictions on transfer |
|
15.13 | | While any the Options remain exercisable (or, for the avoidance of doubt, remain capable of becoming exercisable) the holders of B Ordinary Shares shall not without the prior written consent of MSP, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, accept an offer made to all holders of the class or classes of securities to which the Option Securities belong) or mortgage, charge, pledge or otherwise encumber any of the Option Securities or any interest therein. |
|
| | Determination by an expert in respect of the Options |
|
15.14 | | Any dispute or difference as to the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) or the effect of a Reorganisation shall be referred to an independent accountant to be agreed by MSP and the holders of the B Ordinary Shares, or failing such agreement within 10 Business Days of seeking to agree upon an expert to resolve a |
13
| | dispute as nominated by the President for the time being of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (or the relevant deputy of such person). The terms of the experts engagement shall be settled by the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (or the relevant deputy of such person) in the event that MSP and the holders of the B Ordinary Shares fail to agree such terms. The fees of said accountant shall be borne equally by MSP and the holders of the B Ordinary Shares, who shall jointly and severally undertake liability to it for the payment thereof. |
|
15.15 | | The said accountant shall be deemed to be acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator and his determination as to the amount of the First Purchase Consideration or Second Purchase Consideration (as the context requires) and/or the effect of a Reorganisation (as the case may be) shall (save in the case of manifest error) be final and binding on MSP and the holders of the B Ordinary Shares. |
|
| | Sale of B Ordinary Shares in respect of Good Leaver or Intermediate Leaver |
|
15.16 | | If the holder of the B Ordinary Shares is a Good Leaver or an Intermediate Leaver then he shall be permitted, during the 20 Business Day period starting on the later of (i) the date on which he ceases to be an Employee (the Cessation Date) and (ii) the date on which the audited accounts of the Company are filed for the financial year ended on or about 29 January 2011, to request MSP to purchase all B Ordinary Shares held by him, at a price equal to the First Purchase Consideration, except that references to: |
| (a) | | First Option Securities in the definition of First Purchase Consideration shall be deemed to be references to all B Ordinary Shares held by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares; and |
|
| (b) | | the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial year of the Company ended on, or about, 1 February 2014 set out in B in the definition of First Purchase Consideration, shall be deemed to be references to the the consolidated audited accounts of the Company for the financial year of the Company ended immediately prior to the Cessation Date. |
15.17 | | MSP may, at its sole discretion, agree whether or not to purchase the B Ordinary Shares in accordance with Article 15.16 above, but if it does so agree, the provisions of Articles 15.1, 15.3, 15.4, 15.6, 15.8, 15.12 to 15.14 and 15.15 shall apply mutatis mutandis, and in particular any references to: |
| (a) | | First Option Securities or Option Securities shall be deemed to be references to all B Ordinary Shares held by the holder of the B Ordinary Shares; |
|
| (b) | | First Put Option or Options shall be deemed to references to the sale of B Ordinary Shares pursuant to Article 15.16 and this Article 15.17; and |
|
| (c) | | First Put Option Period shall be deemed to be references to the 20 Business Day period referred to in Article 15.16. |
16 | | Vesting of B Ordinary Shares |
|
| | Normal vesting schedule |
|
16.1 | | Subject to Articles 16.3 and 16.6, the B Subscriber Shares subject to the First Put Option shall vest as to 3,000 B Ordinary Shares for each completed quarter following 6 August 2010, such that on 6 August 2013, the number of Vested Shares shall be equal to 36,000 B Ordinary Shares. |
|
16.2 | | Subject to Articles 16.3, 16.4 and 16.6, the B Subscriber Shares subject to the Second Put Option shall vest as to 3,000 B Ordinary Shares for each completed quarter following 6 August 2013, such that on 6 August 2015, the number of Vested Shares shall be equal to 24,000 B Ordinary Shares. |
14
| | Cessation of employment |
|
16.3 | | Subject to Article 16.4, if the holder of the B Ordinary Shares ceases to be an Employee as a Good Leaver prior to a relevant Vesting Date, the number of Vested Shares subject to the First Put Option and/or the Second Put Option (as the case may be) shall be calculated according to the following formula: |
VS + ((X divided by 20) x US)
| | where: |
|
| | VS means the number of B Subscriber Shares subject to the First Put Option or the Second Put Option (as the case may be) which have vested as at the date of cessation in accordance with Article 16.1 or 16.2 (as the case may be) |
|
| | X means the number of complete quarter years that the holder of the B Ordinary Shares was employed from 6 August 2010 to the date of cessation |
|
| | US means the number of B Subscriber Shares subject to the First Put Option or the Second Put Option (as the case may be) which have not vested as at the date of cessation in accordance with Article 16.1 or 16.2 (as the case may be) |
|
16.4 | | Where the holder of the B Ordinary Shares ceases to be an Employee after the date falling 20 Business Days after the expiry of the First Put Option Period but in circumstances where he still holds some of the First Option Securities, VS for the purposes of the Second Put Option shall be increased by the number of First Option Securities still held. |
|
16.5 | | For the avoidance of any doubt, if the holder of the B Ordinary Shares ceases to be an Employee as an Intermediate Leaver prior to a relevant Vesting Date, the number of Vested Shares shall remain as it stands at the date of cessation, with no increases. |
|
| | Further issues of B Ordinary Shares |
|
16.6 | | For the purposes of these Articles, if further B Ordinary Shares are issued in addition to the B Subscriber Shares (New B Shares), the relevant Options shall also apply to a proportion of the New B Shares as is equal to the proportion of the B Subscriber Shares that are the subject of that Option, and the proportion of the New B Shares that shall be Vested Shares at any time, shall be the same proportion of the B Subscriber Shares that are Vested Shares at such time. |
|
17 | | Deductions from distributions |
|
17.1 | | Article 73 of the public company MA shall be amended by the deletion of: |
|
17.2 | | the words in respect of that share in article 73(1); and |
|
17.3 | | article 73(2). |
|
18 | | Capitalisation of profits |
|
| | A capitalised sum which was appropriated from profits available for distribution may be applied in or towards paying out any amount unpaid on existing shares held by the persons entitled and article 36(4) of the private company MA shall be amended accordingly. |
|
19 | | Members can call general meeting if not enough Directors |
|
19.1 | | Article 28 of the public company MA shall be amended by deleting the words fewer than two directors and replacing them with the words insufficient directors. |
15
20 | | Poll votes |
|
| | Polls may be but, except for a poll on the election of the chairman of the meeting or on a question of adjournment, need not be taken immediately but must be taken within 30 days of being demanded. Article 44(4) of the private company MA shall be amended accordingly. |
|
21 | | Form of proxy notices |
|
21.1 | | An instrument appointing a proxy (a proxy notice) shall be in writing, executed by or on behalf of the appointor and shall be in the following form (or in a form as near to it as circumstances allow or in any other form which is usual or which the Directors may approve): |
|
| | Limited |
|
| | I/We, , of , being a shareholder/shareholders of the Company, hereby appoint of , or failing him, of as my/our proxy to vote in my/our name[s] and on my/our behalf at the general meeting of the Company to be held on 20 and at any adjournment of such meeting. |
|
| | Authenticated on 20 . |
|
21.2 | | Where it is desired to afford shareholders an opportunity of instructing the proxy how he shall act the instrument appointing a proxy (a proxy notice) shall be in the following form (or in a form as near to it as circumstances allow or in any other form which is usual or which the Directors may approve): |
|
| | Limited |
|
| | I/We, , of , being a shareholder/shareholders of the Company, hereby appoint of , or failing him, of as my/our proxy to vote in my/our name[s] and on my/our behalf at the general meeting of the Company to be held on 20 and at any adjournment of such meeting. |
|
| | This form is to be used in respect of the resolutions mentioned below as follows : |
|
| | Resolution No 1 *for *against |
|
| | Resolution No 2 *for *against. |
|
| | *Strike out whichever is not desired. |
|
| | Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy may vote as he thinks fit or abstain from voting. |
|
| | Authenticated on 20 . |
|
22 | | Shareholders with a mental disorder |
|
| | A member in respect of whom an order has been made by any court having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) in matters concerning mental disorder may vote, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, by his receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised in that behalf appointed by that court, and any such receiver, curator bonis or other person may, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, vote by proxy. Evidence to the satisfaction of the Directors of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote shall be deposited at the registered office or at such other place as is specified in the notice convening the relevant meeting for the deposit of instruments of proxy, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the right to vote is to be exercised and in default the right to vote shall not be exercisable. |
16
23 | | Validity of votes by proxies and corporate representatives |
|
| | A vote given by a proxy or by a corporate representative shall be valid notwithstanding that the proxy or corporate representative has failed to vote in accordance with the instructions of the member by whom the proxy or corporate representative was appointed and the Company shall be under no obligation to check that any vote so given is in accordance with any such instructions. |
|
24 | | Secretary |
|
| | Subject to the provisions of the Companies Acts, the Secretary shall be appointed by the Directors for such term, at such remuneration and upon such conditions as they may think fit; and any Secretary so appointed may be removed by them. This Article only applies for so long as the Company elects to have a Secretary. |
|
25 | | Means of communication to be used |
|
25.1 | | Article 48(1) of the private company MA shall be deleted and replaced by the following: |
|
| | Any notice, document or other information shall be deemed served on or delivered to a shareholder by the Company or to the Company by a shareholder: |
| (a) | | if properly addressed and sent by prepaid United Kingdom first class post to an address in the United Kingdom, 48 hours after it was posted (or five business days after posting either to an address outside the United Kingdom or from outside the United Kingdom to an address within the United Kingdom), if (in each case) sent by reputable international overnight courier addressed to the intended recipient, provided that delivery in at least five business days was guaranteed at the time of sending and the sending party received a confirmation of delivery from the courier service provider); |
|
| (b) | | if properly addressed and delivered by hand, when it was given or left at the appropriate address; |
|
| (c) | | if properly addressed and sent or supplied by electronic means, one hour after the document or information was sent or supplied; and |
|
| (d) | | if sent or supplied by means of a website, when the material is first made available on the website or (if later) when the recipient receives (or is deemed to have received) notice of the fact that the material is available on the website. |
| | For the purposes of this article, no account should be taken of any part of a day that is not a working day. |
|
25.2 | | Where shares are held jointly, anything agreed or specified by the holder whose name appears first in the Companys register of members in relation to documents or information sent to him in respect of a joint holding shall be binding on all joint holders. |
|
26 | | Provision for employees on cessation of business |
|
| | Article 51 of the private company MA shall be amended by replacing the words (other than a Director or former Director or shadow director) with the words (including, subject to the CA 2006, a Director or former Director or shadow director). |
|
27 | | Directors indemnity and insurance |
|
27.1 | | Article 52(1) of the private company MA shall be amended by replacing the word may with the word shall. |
17
27.2 | | Article 53(1) of the private company MA shall be amended by replacing the words may decide to with the word shall. |
18
Exhibit C
Form of New Company Articles
Company No: 06474385
THE COMPANIES ACT 1985 AND 2006
COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
relating to
ENSCO 648 LIMITED
(Adopted by written special resolution passed on 6 August 2010)
Contents
| | | | | | |
Clause | | Page |
1 | | Definitions | | | 1 | |
2 | | Liability of the Members | | | 5 | |
3 | | Class Rights | | | 5 | |
4 | | Variation of Rights | | | 7 | |
5 | | Share capital | | | 8 | |
6 | | Pre-emption rights | | | 8 | |
7 | | Transfer of Shares | | | 8 | |
8 | | General Meetings | | | 20 | |
9 | | Accounts | | | 21 | |
10 | | Directors | | | 22 | |
11 | | Borrowing Powers | | | 24 | |
12 | | Directors power to authorise conflict situations | | | 24 | |
13 | | Notices | | | 26 | |
14 | | Indemnity | | | 28 | |
15 | | Table A | | | 28 | |
Company No: 6474385
The Companies Act 1985 and 2006
Company Limited by Shares
New Articles of Association
of
ENSCO 648 LIMITED
(Adopted by written special resolution passed on 2010)
1 | | Definitions |
|
1.1 | | The regulations contained in Table A shall apply to the Company save in so far as they are excluded or varied by or are inconsistent with these articles and such regulations (save for such exclusions, variations or inconsistencies) and the articles hereinafter contained shall be the articles of association of the Company and references in these articles to a regulation shall be to the regulation of that number contained in Table A. |
|
1.2 | | In these articles, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings: |
|
| | 2006 Act means the Companies Act 2006 as amended |
|
| | 1985 Act means the Companies Act 1985 including any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in force |
|
| | Accounts shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in article 9 |
|
| | A Shares means the A ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company |
|
| | Act has the meaning given to it in Table A |
|
| | alternate director means an alternate director appointed by any director in accordance with these articles |
|
| | Auditors means the auditors for the time being of the Company |
|
| | Bank Documentation means the Facility Agreement and security documentation relating to the Bank Facilities |
|
| | Bank Facilities means the term loan mezzanine and working capital facilities to be made available to the Group by The Banks pursuant to the Bank Documentation |
1
| | B Shares means the B ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company |
|
| | Board means the board of directors of the Company from time to time |
|
| | Business Plan means as that term is defined in the Investment Agreement |
|
| | C Shares means the C ordinary shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company |
|
| | C Shares Preferred Sum means the total sum of £35,900,000 in the capital of the Company, payments made to the C Share holders in respect of the C Shares Preferred Sum shall be cumulative and each payment made to the C Share holders shall reduce the total of the C Shares Preferred Sum due to the C Share holders |
|
| | Chairman means the chairman of the Board appointed pursuant to article 3.4 and on the terms set out in the Investment Agreement |
|
| | connected persons shall have the meaning provided by sections 993 and 994 of the Income Tax Act 2007 |
|
| | Controlling Interest shall have the meaning set out in article 7.24 |
|
| | directors means any director of the Company for the time being |
|
| | EBT the employee benefit trust to be established for the benefit of the Groups directors and employees |
|
| | Electronic Communication means any communication |
| (a) | | sent initially and received at its destination by means of electronic equipment for the processing (which expression includes digital compression) or storage of data and entirely transmitted, conveyed and received by wire, by radio, by optical or by other electromagnetic means, or |
|
| (b) | | sent or supplied by other means but while in electronic form |
| | Equity Shares means the A Shares, B Shares and the C Shares from time to time in issue and all shares derived from them (and any of them) whether by conversion, consolidation or subdivision or by way of rights or bonus issue or otherwise in issue |
|
| | Facility Agreement means the agreement entered into between The Banks and the Company pursuant to which the Bank Facilities are made available as amended or supplemented from time to time |
|
| | Fair Value means the price per share payable for any shares in the Company determined pursuant to article 7.22 |
2
| | Financial Year means a financial year or other period in respect of which the Company prepares its accounts in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act |
|
| | Fund means any unit trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, bank, open ended investment company or closed ended investment fund, building society, industrial provident or friendly society, any other collective investment scheme or vehicle, pension fund or insurance company, any portfolio of assets managed pursuant to a discretionary investment management agreement or any person who is an authorised or exempted person under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, which term will include any subsidiary undertaking of any of the foregoing and any co-investment scheme in relation to any of the foregoing |
|
| | Gresham LLP means as that term is defined in the Investment Agreement |
|
| | Group means the Company and its subsidiary undertakings from timed to time and Group Company means any one of them |
|
| | holder means, in relation to shares, the Member whose name is entered in the register of Members as the holder of such shares |
|
| | Interest Rate means four per cent over the base rate from time to time of Bank |
|
| | Investment Agreement means the investment agreement (as defined therein) dated 11 April 2008 and made between (1) the Company, (2) Newco 2, (as defined therein), (3) the Managers (as defined therein), (4) the Investors (as defined therein) and (5) Gresham LLP as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time |
|
| | Investor means as that term is defined in the Investment Agreement |
|
| | Investor Consent means the consent or approval of either the Investors, the Majority Investors or the Investor Directors (or of Gresham LLP on behalf of the Investors, the Majority Investors or the Investor Directors as appropriate) (including any conditions to which such consent or approval is subject ) given in writing and the consent of one such group will bind all the others |
|
| | Investor Debt means the £35,900,000 secured loan notes issued by Newco 2 and constituted by the Investor Debt Instrument or, as the case may be, the amount thereof for the time being outstanding |
|
| | Investor Debt Instrument means, the instrument dated on or about the date of adoption of these articles entered into by Newco 2 creating the Investor Debt |
|
| | Investor Directors means the directors appointed pursuant to article 3.4 as the Investor Directors and on the terns set out in the Investment Agreement |
3
| | Listing means the unconditional granting of permission for any of the Equity Shares to be admitted to trading on any recognised investment exchange (as defined in section 285 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) |
|
| | Majority Investors means the holders of more than 50 per cent of the issued A Shares from time to time |
|
| | Member means a person for the time being registered in the register of Members as the holder of any shares in the capital of the Company |
|
| | Newco 2 means Ensco 645 Limited |
|
| | Permitted Transfer means a transfer of shares in the Company permitted by articles 7.5 to 7.10 |
|
| | Sale means the acceptance of an offer or the making of an agreement which upon the satisfaction of the conditions (if any) of such offer or agreement results in the obtaining of a Controlling Interest |
|
| | SH means Simon Hughes of The Oaklands, Abbots Bromley Road, Hoarcross, Staffordshire DE13 8QU |
|
| | Table A means Table A in the schedule to the Companies (Tables A to F) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985 No 805) (as amended by the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) Regulations 1985 (SI 1985 No 1052), the Companies Act 1985 (Electronic Communications) Order 2000 (SI 2000 No 3373), the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S1 2007 No 2541) and the Companies (Tables A to F) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No 2826)) |
|
| | The Banks means collectively Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank plc, Lloyds Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc |
|
| | transfer shall have the meaning set out in article 7.3 |
|
| | Transfer Notice means a notice given or deemed to have been given in relation to any shares in the Company as specified in article 7 |
|
| | Vesting Commencement Date means the later of the date of adoption of these articles and the date on which a Member receives shares in the Company |
|
1.3 | | If appropriate, the word company shall be deemed to include a limited liability partnership, and references to employees or directors of a company shall be deemed to include members of a limited liability partnership. |
4
1.4 | | For the purposes of these articles, a body corporate shall be deemed to be in the same group as another body corporate if the second body corporate is a subsidiary or holding company of the first body corporate, or it is a subsidiary of any such holding company and the words holding company and subsidiary shall have the meanings given in section 736 of the 1985 Act, except that when used in connection with an entity which is a limited liability partnership the words holding company and subsidiary shall have the meanings given in section 736 of the 1985 Act as modified by the Limited Liability Partnerships Regulations 2001 |
|
2 | | Liability of the Members |
|
| | The liability of the members shall be limited to the amount paid up on each share. |
|
3 | | Class Rights |
|
| | The special rights and restrictions attached to and imposed on the A Shares, the B Shares and the C Shares respectively are as follows: |
|
| | Income |
|
3.1 | | Subject to article 3.2, A Shares and B Shares shall rank pari passu as one class in respect of any dividends paid and no dividends shall be declared or paid on the A Shares and B Shares without the prior written consent of the Majority Investors. |
|
3.2 | | No dividends shall be declared and no dividend shall be paid on the A Shares and B Shares unless and until the holders of C Shares, as a class, have received a dividend in the aggregate sum of £50,000. |
|
| | Capital: General |
|
3.3 | | In the event of a winding-up of the Company or any other return of capital the assets of the Company, including the proceeds from any disposal of the Companys business, remaining after payment of its debts and liabilities (exclusive of any costs, charges and expenses of such winding-up) shall be applied in the following manner and order of priority: |
| (a) | | first, in paying to the holders of the C Shares (in proportion to the numbers of C Shares held by them) an amount up to the value of the C Shares Preferred Sum. |
|
| (b) | | second, in paying to the holders of the A Shares (in proportion to the numbers of A Shares held by them) all unpaid arrears of any dividend such arrears to be calculated down to and including the date of repayment to be payable irrespective of what profits (and of whether any profits) have been made or earned by the Company and irrespective of whether or not such unpaid arrears have become due and payable in accordance with any of the provisions of these articles; |
5
| (c) | | third, in paying to the holders of the A Shares (in proportion to the numbers of A Shares held by them) an amount equal to the subscription price (inclusive of any premium) paid for such shares; |
|
| (d) | | fourth, in paying to the holders of the B Shares (in proportion to the numbers of B Shares held by them) an amount equal to the subscription price (inclusive of any premium) paid for such shares; and |
|
| (e) | | lastly, in distributing the balance amongst the holders of the A Share holders and the B Share holders pari passu. |
| | Directors |
|
3.4 | | Subject to clause 6 of the Investment Agreement, the Majority Investors shall have the right from time to time to appoint one person as chairman (who shall be designated as the Chairman) and two persons as non-executive directors (who shall be designated as Investor Directors) of the Company and of each of its subsidiaries and to remove from office any person so appointed and to appoint another person in his place. |
|
3.5 | | Any appointment or removal pursuant to article 3.4 above shall be effected in the manner specified in the Investment Agreement and shall be subject to the terms and conditions contained therein. |
|
| | Voting: Equity Shares |
|
3.6 | | Subject to the provisions of article 3.8, the holders of the Equity Shares shall be entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company. |
|
3.7 | | Subject to the provisions of articles 3.8 and 3.9, upon any resolution proposed at such general meeting on a show of hands and on a poll every holder of Equity Shares who (being an individual) is present in person or by proxy or (if a corporation) by a duly authorised representative or by proxy shall have one vote in respect of each fully paid Equity Share registered in his name. |
|
3.8 | | If |
| (a) | | there is a breach of articles 4.1, 4.2, 5, 6 or 13 by any holder of B Shares or of Clause 4, 5 or 7 of the Investment Agreement by any of the Managers (as defined therein) and such breach has a material adverse effect on the Company and remaining unremedied for a period exceeding 14 days from the date of breach; or |
|
| (b) | | any circumstance occurs, which is the reasonable opinion of the Investors or the Investor Directors is reasonably likely in the short term to result in an Event of Default (as defined in the Bank Documentation); |
6
| (c) | | Newco 2 shall not have paid for any reason any interest due in respect of the Investor Debt or shall have failed or been unable to redeem on the due date any of the Investor Debt then due for redemption and such default remains unremedied for 14 days |
| | then, the Majority Investors or the Investor Directors may serve a notice in writing upon the Company specifying that, until such notice is withdrawn by a further notice in writing from the Majority Investors or the Investor Directors or any breach has been remedied, the holders of the B Shares shall (in that capacity ) be entitled to receive notice of but not attend or vote at general meetings of the Company. |
|
3.9 | | In the event that any one or more of the circumstances or events giving rise to the application of article 3.8 above shall arise or occur the Board shall, upon receipt of a written requisition to that effect signed by or on behalf of any Member holding A Shares, forthwith convene a general meeting for a date not later than 28 days after receipt of the requisition to consider such resolutions as shall be specified in such requisition and in default, such Member shall be entitled (at the cost of the Company) to convene such meeting but any meeting so convened shall not be held after the expiry of 56 days after the date of such requisition. |
|
4 | | Variation of Rights |
|
4.1 | | Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares the special rights attached to any class may be varied or abrogated either whilst the Company is a going concern or during or in contemplation of a winding-up with the consent in writing of the holders of more than three-fourths of the issued shares of that class, or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of that class, but not otherwise. To every such separate meeting all the provisions of these articles relating to general meetings of the Company or to the proceedings thereat shall, mutatis mutandis, apply, except that the necessary quorum shall be two persons present in person or by proxy at least holding or representing by proxy one third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class unless all the shares of any class are registered in the name of a single corporate shareholder in which case the quorum shall be one person being the duly authorised representative of such Member (but so that if at any adjourned meeting of such holders a quorum, as above defined is not present those Members holding or representing by proxy shares of the class who are present in person or by proxy shall be a quorum) and that the holders of shares of the class shall, on a poll, have one vote in respect of every share of the class held by them respectively. |
|
4.2 | | Without prejudice to the generality of article 4.1, the special rights attached to the A Shares shall be deemed to be varied by, and accordingly the prior consent (in writing or in separate meeting) of the holders of the A Shares shall be required in accordance with the provisions of article 4.1, the matters listed in schedule 5 to the Investment Agreement. |
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5 | | Share capital |
|
5.1 | | The directors are generally and unconditionally authorised, for the purposes of section 551 of the 2006 Act and generally, to exercise any power of the Company to: |
| (a) | | offer or allot; |
|
| (b) | | grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into; |
|
| (c) | | otherwise deal in, or dispose of, |
| | any A Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary Shares or C Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each in the capital of the Company to any person, at any time and subject to any terms and conditions as the directors see fit. |
|
5.2 | | The authority referred to in paragraph 5.1 above: |
| (a) | | shall be limited to the maximum nominal amount of £100,000,000; |
|
| (b) | | shall only apply insofar as the Company has not varied, renewed, waived or revoked it by an ordinary resolution; and |
|
| (c) | | may only be exercised for a period of five years commencing on the date on which these Articles are adopted. |
6 | | Pre-emption rights |
|
6.1 | | In accordance with section 567(1) of the 2006 Act, sections 561 and 562 of the 2006 Act shall not apply to an allotment of A Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary Shares or C Ordinary Shares and any other equity securities (as defined in section 560(1) of the 2006 Act) made by the Company. |
|
7 | | Transfer of Shares |
|
| | General provision |
|
7.1 | | Notwithstanding any other provision in these articles, the Board shall refuse to register the transfer of any shares in the capital of the Company: |
| (a) | | being a share which is not fully paid, to a person of whom it does not approve; |
|
| (b) | | on which the Company has a lien; |
|
| (c) | | to a person who is (or whom the Board reasonably believes to be) under 18 years of age or a person who does not have (or whom the Board reasonably believes does not have) the legal capacity freely to dispose of any shares without let, hindrance or court order; or |
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| (d) | | purported to be made otherwise than in accordance with or as permitted by these articles. |
7.2 | | The transferor of the legal interest in shares shall remain the legal holder of the shares concerned until the name of the transferee of the legal interest in the shares concerned is entered Into the Register of Members in respect thereof |
|
7.3 | | For the purpose of these articles the following shall be deemed (but without limitation) to be a transfer by a Member of shares in the Company |
| (a) | | any direction (by way of renunciation or otherwise) by a Member entitled to an allotment or transfer of shares that a share be allotted or issued or transferred to some person other than himself, and |
|
| (b) | | any |
| (i) | | sale or any other disposition of any legal or equitable interest in a share; or |
|
| (ii) | | any grant of an option to acquire either or both of the legal and equitable interest in a share; or |
|
| (iii) | | the granting of any mortgage or charge or any other security interest over any share, |
| | whether or not effected by a Member or otherwise, whether or not for consideration or otherwise and whether or not effected by an instrument in writing |
|
7.4 | | The lien conferred by regulation 8 of Table A shall attach also to fully paid-up shares and the Company shall also have a first and paramount lien on all shares, whether fully paid or not, standing registered in the name of any person indebted or under liability to the Company, whether he shall be the sole registered holder of them or shall be one of two or more joint holders, for all moneys presently payable by him or his estate to the Company. |
|
| | Permitted Transfers |
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7.5 | | Any Member being a company shall be entitled, without restriction as to price or otherwise, to transfer all or any of their shares in the Company or any beneficial interest therein or any rights attaching thereto to any subsidiary or holding company for the time being of any such Member or any subsidiary of any such holding company. |
|
7.6 | | Where a Member holds shares in the Company as a nominee or trustee, that Member may transfer those shares to any other nominee or trustee, whether directly or indirectly, to hold such shares for the same beneficiaries. |
9
7.7 | | Any Investor, or their nominee, custodian or trustee, or any person whose business is to make, manage or advise on investments (or any person to whom any of them may have transferred shares in the Company pursuant to article, 7.5 or 7.6 or any subsequent permitted transferee of such shares) may transfer shares in the Company |
| (a) | | to the beneficial owner or owners to respect of which the transferor is a nominee, custodian or trustee or to any other nominee, custodian or trustee for such beneficial owner or owners; |
|
| (b) | | in the case of an investor which is a Fund |
| (i) | | to any Fund managed or advised by the manager or investment adviser from time to time of the Investor or by any company which is in the same group as the manager or investment adviser of the Investor; |
|
| (ii) | | to any investor in the Investor; or |
|
| (iii) | | to any manager or investment adviser from time to time of the Investor, to any company which is in the same group as such manager or investment adviser and to any employee or director of, or any consultant to, any such entity, |
| (c) | | to any entity which invests in parallel to, or co-invests with, the Investor; |
|
| (d) | | to a nominee, custodian or trustee of, or to a member of the same group as, the transferor or any of the persons referred to in articles 7.5 or 7.6; or |
|
| (e) | | to a syndicates of the Investors pursuant to clause 14 of the Investment Agreement; or |
|
| (f) | | in the case of any Shares held by the EBT to any beneficiary of that trust or to any replacement trustees or into the joint name of the existing and any new or additional trustees. |
7.8 | | In the event that any person to whom shares are transferred pursuant to this article 7.5 to 7.7 ceases to be within the required relationship to the original transferor such shares shall be transferred back to the person who originally transferred them or to any other person falling within the required relationship and if the holder of such shares fails to transfer the shares in those circumstances such holder shall be deemed to have served a Transfer Notice and the provisions of article 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis provided that the Transfer Price shall be the Fair Value. |
|
7.9 | | Subject to the provisions of these articles, any Member may at any time transfer any shares in accordance with the provisions of the Act to the Company. |
10
7.10 | | Any Member other than the holders of the A Shares may at any time transfer shares or any beneficial interest therein to any other person for whatever consideration with the prior written consent of the Majority Investors. |
|
| | Compulsory transfers |
|
7.11 | | For the purpose of this article: |
| (a) | | Bad Leaver means any Leaver who is not a Good Leaver; |
|
| (b) | | Cost Price means the consideration payable in respect of the relevant allotment of the Leavers Shares; |
|
| (c) | | Good Leaver means any Leaver who ceases to be employed or engaged by the Company or any other Group Company in the following circumstances: |
| (i) | | death; |
|
| (ii) | | permanent sickness or incapacity (whether physical or mental) such that the Leaver is unable to continue in the role he was performing immediately prior to the sickness or incapacity arising; |
|
| (iii) | | retirement at normal retirement age; |
|
| (iv) | | wrongful dismissal; |
|
| (v) | | where the Board, with Investor Consent, deem a Leaver to be a Good Leaver, or |
| | | in the case of SH if he is unfairly dismissed (other than for a technical reason) after the first anniversary of the date of adoption of these Articles but before the second anniversary thereof and the Companys management accounts made up to the month end immediately proceeding the date of his dismissal show that the Group has equalled or exceeded the cumulative EBIT forecast in the Business Plan (as defined in the Investment Agreement) to that date for the relevant financial period OR if SH is unfairly dismissed (other than for a technical reason) after the second anniversary of the date of adoption of these Articles; |
|
| (d) | | Leaver means any person who is at the date of adoption of these articles or who later becomes an employee of or engaged by any Group Company and who subsequently ceases to be so employed or engaged (and does not continue to be so employed or engaged) for any reason whatsoever (including death or as a result of a Group Company ceasing to be a subsidiary of the Company); and |
|
| (e) | | Leavers Shares means at the date a person becomes a Leaver: |
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| (i) | | shares held by the Leaver; |
|
| (ii) | | shares which have been transferred by the Leaver (and any shares acquired (whether directly or Indirectly) from a permitted transferee of a Leaver) in accordance with article 7.5 to 7.7 (Transferred Shares); |
|
| (iii) | | shares which have been allotted in respect of Transferred Shares (Derived Shares); and |
|
| (iv) | | Derived Shares which have been transferred in accordance with article 7.5 or 7.7 above. |
7.12 | | Upon a person becoming a Leaver: |
| (a) | | unless the Board (with Investor Consent) otherwise resolves, any Transfer Notice previously issued or deemed issued in relation to the Leavers Shares shall immediately be cancelled (unless all the shares subject to it have already been sold) and no further Transfer Notice shall be issued or deemed to be issued in respect of the Leavers Shares (except under article (b) below); and |
|
| (b) | | unless the Board (with Investor Consent) otherwise resolves within 90 days following the date on which that person becomes a Leaver, the Leaver shall, and each other person holding any Leavers Shares shall, be deemed to have issued a Transfer Notice in respect of all the Leavers Shares on the date on which such 90 day period expires in which case the remaining provisions of article 7.12 will apply. |
|
| (c) | | In respect of a deemed Transfer Notice or Transfer Notice, subject to article 7.12, the price per B Share shall be determined as follows: |
| (i) | | if the Leaver ceases to be employed or engaged by the Company or another Group Company and is a Bad Leaver, the price shall be the lower of Cost Price and Fair Value; or |
|
| (ii) | | if the Leaver ceases to be employed or engaged by the Company or another Group Company and is a Good Leaver, the price shall be Fair Value; |
| (d) | | The Fair Value shall be calculated as at the earlier of: |
| (i) | | the date of service by the Group Company or the Leaver of notice to terminate the Leavers employment or engagement by the relevant Group Company; and |
|
| (ii) | | the date the Leaver becomes a Leaver. |
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| | | In any particular case, the Board (with Investor Consent) may agree with the transferor a variation of the amount of the Fair Value or the Cost Price for the purposes of these articles; |
|
| (e) | | Unless the Board shall have passed a resolution under article 7.12(d) above, none of the relevant Leavers Shares shall, from the earlier of the date of service by the Group Company or the Leaver of notice to terminate the Leavers employment or engagement by the relevant Group Company and the date the Leaver becomes a Leaver until the Leavers Shares are transferred in accordance with this article 7.12, entitle the transferor of such shares to receive notice of, attend or vote at any general meeting of the Company or meeting of the holders of shares of the same class and such shares shall not be counted in determining the total number of votes which may be cast at any such meeting or for the purposes of a written resolution of any Members or class of Members albeit that all shares so disenfranchised shall on a transfer in accordance with this article 7.12 be re-enfranchised; |
|
| (f) | | If any Transfer Notice is deemed to be given pursuant to this article 7.12 the Company shall, within five days of the deemed date of the Transfer Notice, give written notice of such occurrence (such notice to include details of all the Leavers Shares to which such Transfer Notice relates) to the Investor Directors. If within 21 days of the giving of such notice by the Company the Investor Directors require, by written notice to the Company (Priority Notice), that all or any of such Leavers Shares identified in the Priority Notice (Priority Shares) be offered for sale first to a person or persons (whether or not then ascertained) who are currently engaged, or who may in the future be engaged, as a director(s) and/or employee(s) and/or consultant(s) of the Company or any other Group Company whether or not in place of the Leaver, then the provisions of article below shall apply; |
|
| (g) | | If a Priority Notice is given then the provisions of article (f) shall not apply to the extent that the Priority shares shall be offered by the Company to the person(s) (and, in the case of more than one, in the proportions) specified in the Priority Notice (conditional, in the case of any named prospective director and/or employee and/or consultant, upon his taking up his proposed appointment with the Company or any other Group Company (if not then taken up)) For this purpose, a Priority Notice may specify that some or all of the Priority Shares should be offered (either in the first instance or insofar as not taken up by any other person(s) specified in such notice) to not less than two persons designated by the Investor Directors (Custodians) to be held (in the event of their acquiring Priority Shares) on and subject to such terms as are referred to in article 0); |
|
| (h) | | If Custodians become the holders of Priority Shares, then they shall hold the same on, and subject to, the following terms: |
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| (i) | | save with Investor Consent, they may not exercise the voting rights (if any) for the time being attaching to such Priority Shares; |
|
| (ii) | | save with Investor Consent, they shall not encumber the same; and |
|
| (iii) | | they will transfer the legal title to such Priority Shares and all such other interests as they may have therein to (and only to) such person or persons and at such time or times and otherwise on such terms as the Majority Investors may from time to time direct by notice in writing to the Custodians provided that the Custodians may not be required to enter into any agreement or otherwise take any action if and to the extent that they would or might incur any personal liability (whether actual or contingent) or suffer any personal loss; |
| (i) | | The Majority Investors may not direct the Custodians to transfer all or any Priority Shares registered in their name other than to a person who is an existing director and/or employee and/or consultant of the Company or any other Group Company or who has agreed (subject only to Priority Shares being transferred to him) to accept appointment as such a director and/or employee and/or consultant save with the prior approval of the holders of more than 50 per cent of the B Shares; |
|
| (j) | | To the extent that any Priority Shares are not transferred to a director and/or employee and/or consultant of the Company or other Group Company in accordance with this article 7.12 within 24 months of a Priority Notice in respect of such Priority Shares being issued to the Company (or such shorter period as the Board (with Investor Consent) shall determine), the Custodians shall be deemed to have served a Transfer Notice in respect of such Priority Shares on the date on which such period expires; |
| | Transfer procedure |
|
7.13 | | Any Member who wishes or is required to transfer shares or any beneficial interest therein (Vendor) otherwise than by means of a Permitted Transfer and save as provided in article (Compulsory transfers) or where article 7.23 (Change of control) applies shall give a Transfer Notice to the Company specifying: |
| (a) | | the shares which he wishes to sell or transfer (Sale Shares); |
|
| (b) | | the name of any third party to whom or in favour of whom he proposes to sell or transfer the Sale Shares (if any); |
|
| (c) | | the price per share at which he wishes to sell or transfer the Sale Shares; and |
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| (d) | | whether or not it is conditional upon all and not part only of the Sale Shares being sold or offered and in the absence of such stipulation it shall be deemed not to be so conditional (Total Transfer Condition). |
7.14 | | The Transfer Notice shall constitute the Company the agent of the Vendor for the .sale of the Sale Shares in accordance with this article 7.14, at the following price (Transfer Price): |
| (a) | | with Investor Consent, at the price per share specified in the Transfer Notice; or |
|
| (b) | | at such other price per share as may be agreed between the Vendor and the Board (with Investor Consent); or |
|
| (c) | | if such price has not been so specified or cannot be so agreed, at the Fair Value. |
7.15 | | A Transfer Notice once given or deemed to be given shall not be capable of withdrawal without Investor Consent, save that where the Vendor has served (as opposed to being deemed to have served) a Transfer Notice in circumstances where the Vendor is not obliged to do so pursuant to these articles and the Fair Value is either less than the price specified in the Transfer Notice or, if no price was specified, is otherwise not acceptable to the Vendor, the Vendor shall be entitled to withdraw such Transfer Notice at any time within the period of seven days of having been notified of the Fair Value in writing. If he fails so to do, the Vendor shall be deemed to have accepted the same and the Transfer Notice may not subsequently be withdrawn without Investor Consent. |
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7.16 | | The Company shall within 14 days of receipt of a Transfer Notice or, where the Fair Value is to be determined, upon receipt of such valuation, give notice in writing to each of the Members who are Members holding Equity Shares at the close of business on the date that the Transfer Notice is received by the Company and who are entitled to be offered Sale Shares as specified in the remaining provisions of this Article 7.16 (other than the Vendor or any other Member who has served or who is deemed to have served a Transfer Notice which is still outstanding) (Relevant Member) informing him that the Sale Shares are available and of the Transfer Price and shall invite him to state in writing within 45 days from the date of the said notice (which date shall be specified therein) whether he is willing to purchase any and, if so, how many of the Sale Shares. All Sale Shares mentioned in any Transfer Notice shall be offered in the first instance to all Relevant Members holding shares of the same class as the Sale Shares on the terms that in the case of competition the shares so offered shall be sold to each Relevant Member accepting the offer in the proportion (as nearly as may be) that his existing holding of shares of such class bears to the total number of shares of such class held by all of the Relevant Members (excluding the Sale Shares) (proportionate entitlement). It shall be open to each Relevant Member to specify if he is willing to purchase shares in excess of his proportionate entitlement (excess shares). Insofar as such shares first offered shall not be allocated in accordance with article 7.16, a second offer shall be deemed to have been made in the same manner to Relevant Members holding shares of other classes as follows: |
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| (a) | | if the Sale Shares are A Shares, the offer shall secondly be made to all Relevant Members holding B Shares; |
|
| (b) | | if the Sale Shares are B Shares, the offer shall secondly be made to all Relevant Members holding A Shares; and |
|
| (c) | | if the Sale Shares are C Shares, the offer shall secondly be made to all Relevant Members holding A or B Shares. |
7.17 | | After the expiry of the said period of 45 days or sooner if all the Sale Shares offered shall have been accepted in the manner provided in article 7.16 above, the Board shall allocate the Sale Shares in the following manner: |
| (a) | | if the total number of shares applied for is equal to or less than the number of the Sale Shares, the Company shall allocate the number applied for in accordance with the applications; or |
|
| (b) | | if the total number of shares applied for is more than the number of Sale Shares, each Relevant Member shall be allocated his proportionate entitlement or such lesser number of Sale Shares for which he may have applied and applications for excess shares shall be allocated (as nearly as may be) in the proportions which applications for excess shares bear to one another, |
| | and in either case the Company shall forthwith give notice of each such allocation (Allocation Notice) to the Vendor and each of the persons to whom Sale Shares have been allocated (Applicant) and shall specify in the Allocation Notice the place and time (being not later than seven days after the date of the Allocation Notice) at which the sale of the Sale Shares shall be completed. |
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7.18 | | Upon such allocations being made as aforesaid, the Vendor shall be bound, on payment of the Transfer Price, to transfer the shares comprised in the Allocation Notice to the Applicant named therein at the time and place therein specified. If he makes any default in so doing the Chairman, or falling him one of the directors or some other person duly nominated by the Investor Directors, shall forthwith be deemed to be the duly appointed attorney of the Vendor with full power to execute, complete and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Vendor, a transfer of the relevant Sale Shares to the Applicant and the Board may receive and give a good discharge for the purchase money on behalf of the Vendor and (subject to the transfer being duly stamped) enter the name of the Applicant in the register of Members as the holder or holders by transfer of the shares so purchased by him or them. The Company shall forthwith pay the purchase money into a separate bank account in the Companys name and shall hold such money in trust for the Vendor until he shall deliver up his certificate or certificates for the relevant shares to the Company (or an Indemnity in respect thereof reasonably satisfactory to the Company) when he |
16
| | shall thereupon be paid the purchase money. The Company shall have no liability to pay or account for any interest on any such monies. |
|
7.19 | | If the Transfer Notice included a Total Transfer Condition then, if the total number of shares applied for is less than the number of Sale Shares, the Allocation Notice shall refer to such provision and shall contain a further invitation open for 28 days to those persons to whom Sale Shares have been allocated to apply for further Sale Shares and completion of the sale in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this article shall be conditional upon such provisions as aforesaid being complied with in full. |
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7.20 | | In the event of all the Sale Shares not being sold under the preceding paragraphs of this article the Vendor may, at any time within three calendar months after receiving confirmation from the Company that the pre-emption provisions herein contained have been exhausted, transfer any Sale Shares not sold to any person or persons at any price being not less than the Transfer Price provided that: |
| (a) | | such person or persons must have been previously approved by the Majority Investors (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld unless the proposed transferee is a person reasonably considered by the Majority Investors to be a competitor or connected with a competitor of the business of the Group); |
|
| (b) | | if the Transfer Notice included a Total Transfer Condition, the Vendor shall not be entitled, save with the written consent of the Majority Investors, to sell hereunder only some of the Sale Shares to such person or persons; and |
|
| (c) | | any such sale shall be a bona fide sale and the Board and/or the Investor Directors may require to be reasonably satisfied, in such manner as they may require, that the Sale Shares are being sold in pursuance of a bona fide sale for the consideration stated in the Transfer Notice without any deduction, rebate or allowance whatsoever to the purchaser and if not so satisfied the Board may refuse to register the instrument of transfer. |
7.21 | | For the purpose of ensuring that a transfer of shares is duly authorised hereunder or that no circumstances have arisen whereby a Transfer Notice is required to be given hereunder the Board and/or the Investor Directors may from time to time require any Member or the legal personal representatives of any deceased Member or any person named as transferee in any transfer lodged for registration to furnish to the Company such information and evidence as the Board and/or the Investor Directors may think fit regarding any matter which they deem relevant to such purpose including (but not limited to) the names and addresses and interests of all persons respectively having interests in the shares from time to time registered in the Members name. Failing such information or evidence being furnished to the satisfaction of the Board and/or the Investor Directors within 28 days after request, the Board (unless otherwise agreed by the Investor Directors) shall refuse to register the transfer in question or (in case no transfer is in |
17
| | question) to require by notice in writing that a Transfer Notice be given in respect of the shares concerned. If such information or evidence discloses that a Transfer Notice ought to have been given in respect of any shares the Board and/or the Investor Directors may by notice in writing require that a Transfer Notice be given in respect of the shares concerned. |
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| | Fair Value |
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7.22 | | In the event that it is necessary to establish the Fair Value, the following provisions shall apply: |
| (a) | | unless otherwise agreed by the Board (with Investor Consent) and the Vendor, the Fair Value shall be determined on the application of the Board (with Investor Consent) by the Auditors acting as experts and not as arbitrators and their determination shall be final and binding. The costs of the Auditors shall be payable by the Company unless the Board (with Investor Consent) has offered a price for the shares which has not been accepted by the Vendor and the Fair Value is determined to be less than that price, in which case, the costs of the Auditors shall be borne by the Vendor; |
|
| (b) | | the Fair Value shall be determined by the Auditors first valuing the Company as a whole: |
| (i) | | assuming, if the Company is then carrying on business as a going concern, that it will continue to do so; |
|
| (ii) | | assuming that the entire issued share capital of the Company is being sold as between willing buyer and willing seller by arms-length private treaty for cash payable in full on completion, and therefore giving no reduction or increase in value due to the Shares being sold being a majority or minority shareholding; |
|
| (iii) | | taking account of any shares which may be allotted pursuant to options which have been issued by the Company and which are still outstanding; |
|
| (iv) | | taking account of any bona fide offer for the Company received from an unconnected third party within six months of the Transfer Notice being served or deemed to have been served; and/or |
|
| (v) | | recognising that in any other circumstances the shares of the Company are not freely marketable; |
| (c) | | having valued the Company as a whole, the Auditors shall determine the Fair Value of the shares concerned having taken account of any amounts due to the holders of the Investor Debt (whether in respect of redemptions or arrears of accruals of interest). |
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| | Change of control |
|
7.23 | | Notwithstanding the provisions relating to the transfer of shares in these articles, no transfer of shares which would result, if made and registered, in a person obtaining or increasing a Controlling Interest shall be made or registered unless an Approved Offer is made |
|
7.24 | | For the purposes of article 7.23: |
|
| | Approved Offer means an offer in writing for all the Equity Shares (including any shares which may be allotted during the offer period or upon the offer becoming unconditional pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options or rights to subscribe for or securities convertible into shares in existence at the date of such offer) which offers the same or equivalent consideration for each Equity Share whether in cash, securities or otherwise in any combination (unless in the case of a particular Member less favourable terms are agreed in writing) and which: |
| (a) | | is stipulated to be open for acceptance for at least 21 days, |
|
| (b) | | includes an undertaking by the offeror that no other consideration (whether in cash or otherwise) is to be received or receivable by any Member which, having regard to the substance of the transaction as a whole, can reasonably be regarded as an addition to the price paid or payable for the Equity Shares to be sold by such Member and neither the offeror nor any person acting by agreement or understanding with it has entered into more favourable terms or has agreed more favourable terms with any other Member for the purchase of Equity Shares, |
|
| (c) | | except with Investor Consent, in the case of the A Shares, includes provision for the payment of all arrears or accruals of the Participating Dividend and a price for each A Share which is not less than the subscription price (including any premium), |
|
| (d) | | except with Investor Consent, makes provision for the redemption of all outstanding Investor Debt (including payment of all arrears or accruals of interest), and |
|
| (e) | | has Investor Consent. |
| | Controlling Interest in relation to a person means the ownership by that person and his or its connected persons of shares carrying the right to more than 50 per cent of the total number of votes which may be cast on a poll at a general meeting of the Company. |
|
7.25 | | Any transfer of shares in the Company pursuant to an Approved Offer shall not be subject to the restrictions on transfer or pre-emption provisions contained in these articles. |
|
7.26 | | Any transfer of A Shares which is a Permitted Transfer and which results in a person obtaining or increasing a Controlling Interest shall not require an Approved Offer. |
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7.27 | | If at any time an Approved Offer is made which is accepted by the Majority Investors, the holders of shares in the Company who have not accepted the Approved Offer shall be obliged to accept the Approved Offer in respect of the shares held by them and to sell all of the shares held by them in accordance with such Approved Offer. |
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7.28 | | If any person (Compulsory Transferor) fails to transfer any shares pursuant to an Approved Offer in accordance with article 7.23 above within 28 days of the Approved Offer having been made the directors may (and will, if so requested by the Investor Directors) authorise any person to execute and deliver on his behalf the necessary stock transfer form and the Company shall receive the purchase money in trust for the Compulsory Transferor and cause the purchaser to be registered as the holder of such shares (subject to payment of any stamp duty). The receipt of the Company for the purchase money shall be a good discharge to the purchaser (who shall not be bound to see to the application thereof). The Compulsory Transferor shall in such case be bound to deliver up his certificate for such shares to the Company whereupon he shall be entitled to receive the purchase price without interest. |
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8 | | General Meetings |
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8.1 | | No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum of Members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. One person, being a Member present in person or by proxy or a duly authorised representative of a corporation, shall be a quorum at any general meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing and so long as there are any A Shares in issue, there shall be no quorum unless there shall be present in person or by proxy or by duly authorised representative the holder(s) of not less than 50 per cent of the issued A Shares in the Company. If no such quorum is so present then the meeting shall stand adjourned for a period of not less than seven days to such time and place as the directors shall agree and notify to the Members. If no such Member is so present at the adjourned meeting then subject to the foregoing provisions of this article the Members then present in person or by proxy or by duly authorised representatives shall constitute a quorum. |
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8.2 | | A general meeting may consist of a conference between Members, some or all of whom are in different places if each Member who participates is able: |
| (a) | | to hear each of the other participating Members addressing the meeting; and |
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| (b) | | if he so wishes, to address all of the other participating Members simultaneously, |
| | whether directly, by conference telephone or by any other form of communications equipment (whether in use when these articles are adopted or not) or by a combination of those methods. |
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| | A quorum is deemed to be present if those conditions are satisfied in respect of at least the number of Members required to form a quorum. A meeting held in this way is deemed to take place at the place where the largest group of participating members is assembled or, if no such |
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| | group is readily identifiable, at the place from where the chairman of the meeting participates. A resolution put to the vote of a meeting will be decided by each Member indicating to the chairman (in such manner as the chairman may direct) whether the Member votes in favour of or against the resolution or abstains. References in this article 8 to Members includes their duly appointed proxies and, in the case of corporate members, their duly authorised representatives. |
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8.3 | | A corporation which is a member of the Company may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such a person or persons as it thinks fit to act as its representative or representatives at any meeting of the Company or at any meeting of any class of Members. The provisions of the Act shall apply to determine the powers that may be exercised at any such meeting by any person so authorised. The corporation shall, for the purposes of these articles, be deemed to be present in person at any such meeting if any person so authorised is present at it, and all references to attendance and voting to person shall be construed accordingly. |
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8.4 | | In the case of an equality of votes, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, the chairman of the meeting at which the show of hands takes place or at which the poll is demanded shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote. |
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8.5 | | With respect to a written resolution to be passed in accordance with the procedure in chapter 2 of part 13 of the 2006 Act, in the case of a corporation which holds a share, the signature of any director or the secretary thereof shall be sufficient authentication. |
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8.6 | | Subject to article a form appointing a proxy shall be in writing in the usual form, or in such other form which the directors may approve, and shall be executed by or on behalf of the appointor. |
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8.7 | | Subject to the Act, the directors may resolve to allow a proxy to be appointed by an Electronic Communication subject to such limitations, restrictions or conditions as the Directors think fit (including, without limitation, the ability to require such evidence as they consider appropriate to decide whether the appointment of a proxy in such manner is effective). |
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8.8 | | The appointment of proxy shall be valid if such appointment is brought to the attention of the chairman of the meeting at any time prior to the taking of any vote (whether on a show of hands or on a poll) (including after the commencement of the meeting). |
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9 | | Accounts |
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| | Every Financial Year of the Company shall commence on 1 January and end on 31 December. The directors shall cause to be prepared, in accordance with the provisions of the Act, a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of each such Financial Year and a consolidated profit and loss account of the Company and its subsidiaries for each such Financial Year (which said balance sheet and profit and loss account are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Accounts). |
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10 | | Directors |
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10.1 | | The directors shall not be subject to retirement by rotation and the last sentence of regulation 84 of Table A shall not apply and regulation 67 shall be amended accordingly. |
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10.2 | | In the case of an equality of votes at any meeting the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote Regulation 88 of Table A shall be modified accordingly. |
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10.3 | | An alternate director may represent more than one director. An alternate director shall be entitled at any meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board, to one vote for every director whom he represents in addition to his own vote (if any) as a director, but he shall count as only one for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. |
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10.4 | | The Investor Directors may each, by notice in writing served on the Company, appoint such person as they shall determine (whether or not he is a director of the Company) to be their alternate director and may by notice in writing served on the Company remove an alternate director so appointed by them and such appointment or removal does not need to be approved by resolution of the directors. Regulation 65 of Table A shall be amended accordingly. |
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10.5 | | An alternate director who is absent from the United Kingdom shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of directors and of committees of directors of which his appointer is a member. An alternate director may waive the requirement that notice be given to him of a meeting of directors or of a committee of directors of which his appointor is a member, either prospectively or retrospectively. Regulation 66 of Table A is amended accordingly. |
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10.6 | | The quorum for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be two provided that no business transacted at a meeting of the Board shall be valid unless at least seven days prior written notice of such meeting shall have been served on the Investor Directors or (if one has not been appointed) on the Majority Investors or such notice has been waived in writing by the Investor Directors or (if one has not been appointed) by the Majority Investors and unless (if appointed) the Investor Directors are present in person or by their alternate directors (unless they shall have previously waived in writing the requirement of his attendance in relation to that meeting). If the Investor Directors are not present notwithstanding such notice (unless they have waived their attendance as aforesaid) then the meeting shall stand adjourned for a period of not less than seven days to such time and place as those directors present shall agree and notify to the Investor Director. If the Investor Directors fail to attend such adjourned meeting whether in person or by their alternate directors the meeting may notwithstanding proceed. |
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10.7 | | Any director or member of a committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment whereby all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and any director or member |
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| | of a committee participating in a meeting in this manner shall be deemed to be present in person at such meeting. |
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10.8 | | The holder or holders of such number of shares as give the right to a majority of votes at general meetings of the Company may, by giving notice on the Company, remove any director from office and/or appoint any person to be a director. The notice must be signed by or on behalf of such holder or holders (and may consist of several documents in similar form each signed by or on behalf of one or more holders) and must be left at or sent by post or fax to the registered office or such other place designated by the directors for the purpose. Such removal or appointment will take effect when the notice is received by the Company or on such later date (if any) as may be specified in the notice. This article will not apply to the appointment or removal of an Investor Director. |
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10.9 | | The office of a director will be vacated if: |
| (a) | | he ceases to be a director by virtue of any provision of the Act or he becomes prohibited by law from being a director; |
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| (b) | | he becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; |
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| (c) | | he becomes, in the opinion of all his co-directors acting reasonably, incapable by reason of mental disorder of discharging his duties as director; |
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| (d) | | he resigns his office by notice in writing to the Company; |
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| (e) | | (other than in the case of the Investor Directors) he has for more than six consecutive months been absent without permission of the directors from meetings of directors held during that period and his alternate director (if any) has not during that period attended any such meetings instead of him, and the directors (with Investor consent) resolve that his office be vacated; |
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| (f) | | (other than in the case of the Investor Directors) he is removed from office by notice addressed to him at his last-known address and signed (with Investor consent) by all his co-directors; |
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| (g) | | (other than in the case of the Investor Directors) he is removed from office by notice given by a member or members under article 10.8, or |
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| (h) | | being an executive director he ceases, for whatever reason, to be employed by any member of the Group. |
10.10 | | Without prejudice to the obligation of any director to disclose his interest in accordance with section 317 of the 1985 Act, a director may vote at a meeting of directors or of a committee of |
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| | directors on any resolution concerning a matter in which he has, directly or indirectly, an interest or duty provided that he has first obtained Investor Consent (unless the director concerned is an Investor Director, in which case no such consent will be required). The director will be counted in the quorum present when any such resolution is under consideration and if he votes, his vote will be counted. |
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10.11 | | The remuneration of the directors shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Agreement. |
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11 | | Borrowing Powers |
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11.1 | | Subject as provided in these articles the Board may exercise all the powers of the Company (whether express or implied): |
| (a) | | to borrow or secure the payment of money; |
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| (b) | | to guarantee the payment of money and the fulfilment of obligations and the performance of contracts; |
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| (c) | | to enter into leasing, hire or credit purchase transactions; and |
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| (d) | | to mortgage or charge the property, assets and uncalled capital of the Company and issuing debentures. |
11.2 | | In exercising such powers no lender or other person dealing with the Company shall be concerned to see or enquire whether the limit imposed by this article is observed and no debt or liability incurred in excess of such limit shall be invalid and no security given for the same shall be invalid or ineffectual except in the case of express notice to the lender or recipient of the security or person to whom the liability is incurred at the time when the debt or liability was incurred or the security given that the limit hereby imposed had been or was thereby exceeded. |
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12 | | Directors power to authorise conflict situations |
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12.1 | | For the purposes of section 175 of the 2006 Act, the directors shall have the power to authorise, on such terms (including as regards duration and revocation), and subject to such limits or conditions, if any, as they may determine (but so that any authorisation in respect of an Investor Director shall not be subject to any such terms, limits or conditions), any matter proposed to them in accordance with these articles which would or might, if not so authorised, constitute or give rise to a situation (a Relevant Situation) in which a director (an Interested Director) has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest which conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the interests of the Company (including, without limitation, in relation to the exploitation of any property, information or opportunity, whether or not the Company could take advantage of it). |
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12.2 | | Where directors give authority under article 12.1 the terms of the authority shall be recorded in writing (but the authority shall be effective whether or not the terms are so recorded). |
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12.3 | | A Relevant Situation pursuant to this Article 12 shall extend to any actual or possible conflict of interest which may reasonably be expected to arise out of the Relevant Situation so authorised. |
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12.4 | | Any such authorisation will be effective only if: |
| (a) | | at the meeting of the directors at which the Relevant Situation is considered any requirement as to quorum is met without counting the Interested Director; and |
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| (b) | | the authorisation was agreed to without any Interested Director voting, or would have been agreed to if the votes of all Interested Directors had not been counted; and |
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| (c) | | where it is in relation to any Director other than the Investor Director, the Investor Director has consented to the authorisation being given. |
12.5 | | Subject to article 12.3(b), any proposal made to the directors and any authorisation by the directors in relation to a Relevant Situation shall be dealt with in the same way as that in which any other matter may be proposed to and resolved upon by the directors. |
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12.6 | | For the purposes of this Article 12, a conflict of interest includes a conflict of interest and duty and a conflict of duties. |
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12.7 | | An Interested Director shall be obliged: |
| (a) | | to disclose to the other directors the nature and extent of his interest in any Relevant Situation, such disclosure to be made as soon as reasonably practicable; and |
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| (b) | | other than in the case of an Investor Director, to act in accordance with any terms, limits or conditions determined by the directors under Article 12.1. |
12.8 | | Any authorisation of a Relevant Situation given by the directors under Article 12.1 shall mean that: |
| (a) | | where the Interested Director obtains (other than through his position as a director of the Company) information that is confidential to a third party, he will not be obliged to disclose it to the Company or to use it in relation to the Companys affairs in circumstances where to do so would amount to a breach of that confidence; |
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| (b) | | where the Interested Director has a direct or indirect interest in a matter which conflicts, or may conflict, with the interests of the Company, he may absent himself from the discussion of such matter at any meeting of the directors and be excused from reviewing papers prepared by or for the directors to the extent that they relate to that matter; and |
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| (c) | | the Interested Director may exclude himself from the receipt of information, the participation in discussion and/or the making of decisions (whether at directors meetings or otherwise) related to the matter which the Interested Director has a direct or direct interest which conflicts, or may conflict, with the interests of the Company, |
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| | | and anything done (or omitted to be done) by the Interested Director in accordance with any such provision (or otherwise in accordance with the terms of any authorisation given under article 12.1) will not constitute a breach by him of his duties under sections 172 to 174 Companies Act 2006. |
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| (d) | | Any conflict of interest of the Investor Director or the Chairman may be authorised either by way of authorisation of the Board pursuant to this Article 28 or by way of resolution of the holders of the Shares. Any refusal of the Board to authorise such conflict of interest will not in any way affect the validity of a resolution of the holders of the Shares to authorise such conflict of interest. |
13 | | Notices |
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13.1 | | Any notice or other document to be given to or by any person pursuant to these articles (other than a notice calling a meeting of the directors) shall be in writing and shall be delivered in accordance with this article 13. |
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13.2 | | Any notice or other document may only be served on, or delivered to, any Member by the Company or by any other Member: |
| (a) | | personally; |
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| (b) | | by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to the Member at his registered address (whether such address is in the United Kingdom or otherwise); |
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| (c) | | by delivery of it by hand to or leaving it at that address in an envelope addressed to the Member, or |
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| (d) | | except in the case of a share certificate and only if an electronic address has been specified by the Member for such purpose, by Electronic Communication. |
13.3 | | Nothing in the article 13 shall affect any provision of the Act requiring offers, notices or documents to be served on or delivered to a Member in a particular way. |
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13.4 | | In the case of joint holders of a share: |
| (a) | | all notices and other documents shall be given to the person named first in the register in respect of the joint holding, and notice so given shall be sufficient notice to all joint holders; and |
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| (b) | | any request for consent to the receipt of Electronic Communications shall be sent to the person named first to the register in respect of the joint holding and any express consent given by such holder to the receipt of communications in such manner shall bind all joint holders. |
13.5 | | Any notice or other document may only be served on, or delivered to, the Company by anyone: |
| (a) | | by sending it through the post in a prepaid envelope addressed to the Company or any officer of the Company at its registered office or such other place in the United Kingdom as may from time to time be specified by the Company; |
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| (b) | | by delivering it by hand to its registered office other place in the United Kingdom as may from time to time be specified by the Company; or |
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| (c) | | if an address has been specified by the Company for such purpose, by Electronic Communication. |
13.6 | | Any notice or other document (other than any notice or other document given to the Company including, for the avoidance of doubt, the appointment of a proxy): |
| (a) | | addressed to the recipient in the manner prescribed by these articles shall, if sent by post, be deemed to have been served or delivered |
| (i) | | (if prepaid as first class) 24 hours after it was posted; and |
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| (ii) | | (if prepaid as second class) 48 hours after it was posted; |
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| (iii) | | (if prepaid as airmail) 72 hours after it was posted, |
| | | and in proving such service, it shall be sufficient to prove that the envelope containing such notice or document was properly addressed, prepaid and posted; |
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| (b) | | not sent by post, but delivered by hand to or left at an address in accordance with these articles, shall be deemed to have been served or delivered on the day it was so delivered or left; |
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| (c) | | sent by Electronic Communication shall be deemed to have been served or delivered 24 hours after the Electronic Communication was sent, and in proving such service, it shall be sufficient to produce (in the case of a fax) a transaction report or log generated by a fax machine which evidences the fax transmission and (in any other case) a confirmation setting out either the total number of recipients to whom or each recipient to whom the message was sent: |
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14 | | Indemnity |
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14.1 | | Subject to the provisions of the Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which a director may otherwise by entitled, every director or other officer of the Company shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability (other than any liability arising out of the Investment Agreement) sustained or incurred by him in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, relating to his conduct as an officer or employee of the Company, in which judgment is given in his favour (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he is acquitted or in connection with any application in which relief is granted to him by the court from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company. No director or other officer shall be liable for any loss, damage or misfortune which may happen to or be incurred by the Company in the proper execution of the duties of his office or in relation thereto. |
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14.2 | | Without prejudice to the provisions of article 14.3, the Board shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for, or for the benefit of, any persons who are or were at any time directors, officers, employees or auditors of the Company or of any subsidiary undertaking of the Company including (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) insurance against any liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission in the actual or purported execution and/or discharge of their duties and/or the exercise or purported exercise of their powers and/or otherwise in relation to or in connection with their duties, powers or offices in relation to the Company or any such subsidiary undertaking. |
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14.3 | | Subject to the provisions of the Act, a director shall (in the absence of some other material interest as is indicated below) be entitled to vote in respect of any resolution concerning any proposal concerning any insurance which the Company is empowered to purchase and/or maintain for or for the benefit of any directors of the Company provided that for the purposes of this article 14.3 insurance shall mean only insurance against the liability incurred by a director in respect of any such act or omission by him as is referred to in article 14.2 or any other insurance which the Company is empowered to purchase and/or maintain for or for the benefit of any groups of persons consisting of or including directors of the Company. |
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15 | | Table A |
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15.1 | | Regulation 1 is modified by: |
| (a) | | deleting the definition given of electronic communication and substituting in its place the definition given in these articles; |
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| (b) | | deleting the words communication means the same as in the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and |
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| (c) | | in the final sentence of Regulation 1, deleting the word regulations and substituting in its place the word articles. |
15.2 | | Regulations 2, 26, 40, 41, 54, 60 to 62 (inclusive), 76 to 79 (inclusive), 81, 82, 89, 91, 94 to 96 (inclusive), 111, 112, 115 and 118, shall not apply to the Company. |
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15.3 | | The following provisions of Table A shall not apply to the Company: |
| (a) | | the first sentence of regulation 24 (and the second sentence of regulation 24 shall be amended by replacing the word They with the words The directors); |
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| (b) | | the last sentence of regulation 84; and |
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| (c) | | the liability of any Member in default in respect of a call shall be increased by the addition at the end of the first sentence of regulation 18 of the words and all expenses that may have been incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment. |
15.4 | | Regulation 6 shall be amended by adding after Every certificate shall be sealed with the seal the words or executed in such other manner as the Directors authorise, having regard to the Act,. |
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15.5 | | The first sentence of regulation 37 shall be amended by inserting the words or the Investor Directors acting alone after the second word of that regulation after the words general meetings and. |
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15.6 | | Regulation 38 shall be modified by the addition of the following new sentence General meetings shall be held at the office or such other place and at such time as the Board shall determine (with Investor Consent). |
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15.7 | | Regulations 42 and 43 shall not apply if the Chairman has been appointed pursuant to article 3.4 and is in attendance at the meeting in question. In the absence of the Chairman, an Investor Director (if appointed) shall be entitled (but not obliged) to preside as chairman of the meeting and regulations 42 and 43 shall be modified accordingly. |
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15.8 | | Regulation 46 shall be amended so that a poll may be demanded by the chairman or by any Member present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting. |
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15.9 | | Regulation 51 shall be amended by replacing the first and second sentences with the following words A poll demanded will be taken immediately. |
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15.10 | | Regulation 56 shall be modified by the deletion of the words instruments of proxy, not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding and substituting instead the words forms of proxy, within the time limits prescribed by these articles for deposit of forms of proxy for use at and by including the words or poll after the words adjourned meeting. |
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15.11 | | Regulation 59 shall be amended by inserting the words and on a show of hands after the words On a poll and by inserting the words , provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a different share or shares held by him. When two or more valid but different forms of proxy or appointments of proxy by electronic means are delivered or received in respect of the same share for use at the same meeting, the one which is last validly delivered or received (regardless of its date or the date of its execution) shall be treated as replacing and revoking the other(s) as regards that share. If the Company is unable to determine which was last delivered or received, none of them shall be treated as valid in respect of that share. Deposit or delivery of an appointment of proxy will not preclude a Member from attending and voting at the meeting or at any adjournment of the meeting after the words to attend on the same occasion. |
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15.12 | | The first sentence of regulation 72 shall he amended by inserting the words with Investor Consent after the word may. |
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15.13 | | Regulation 84 shall be amended by inserting the words with Investor Consent after the words the directors and before the words may appoint in the first sentence, and after the words the directors and before the word determine and after the words as they and before the words think fit in the second sentence. |
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