S-8

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2022

No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

England and Wales   Not applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Assar Gabrielssons Väg 9

405 31 Göteborg, Sweden

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

(Full Title of the Plans)

Polestar Automotive Holding USA Inc.

777 MacArthur Blvd

Mahwah, NY 07430

(949) 735-1834

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

 

Christian O. Nagler

Timothy Cruickshank
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Tel: (212) 446-4800

Fax: (212) 446-4900

 

Alex Lloyd

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

200 Clarendon Street

Boston, MA 02116

Tel: (617) 385-7500

 

Stuart Boyd

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP

30 St Mary Axe

London EC3A 8AF, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 7469 2000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
Emerging growth company       

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

 


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1. Plan Information

The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered in accordance with Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents are not required to be, and are not, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents, and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of the Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information

The written statement required by Item 2 of Part I is included in documents that will be delivered to participants in the plans covered by this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act.

 

2


PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The documents listed below have been filed with the Commission by the Registrant and are incorporated herein by reference to the extent not superseded by documents subsequently filed:

 

  (1)

The Registrant’s Shell Company Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on June 29, 2022; and

 

  (2)

The description of the Class A ordinary shares and the Class A American Depositary Shares, each representing one Class A ordinary share contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on June 23, 2022 and all other amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating such description, including the Registrant’s Shell Company Report on Form 20-F filed with the Commission on June 29, 2022.

All documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. The Registrant is not incorporating by reference any document or portion thereof, whether specifically listed above or to be filed in the future, that is not deemed “filed” with the Commission.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Subject to the U.K. Companies Act 2006 (the “Companies Act”), and without prejudice to any indemnity to which he or she may otherwise be entitled, members of the Registrant’s board of directors and its officers shall have the benefit of the following indemnification provisions in the Registrant’s articles of association:

 

3


Current and former members of the Registrant’s board of directors or officers (other than any person, whether or not an officer of the Registrant or an associated company (as defined in the Companies Act), engaged by the Registrant or an associated company as auditor) shall be indemnified for all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities sustained or incurred by them in connection with their duties or powers in relation to the Registrant, any associated company or any pension fund or employee share scheme of ours or an associated company and in relation to the Registrant’s (or an associated company’s) activities as trustee of an occupational pension scheme, including any liability incurred in defending any criminal or civil proceedings in which judgement is given in his or her favor or in which he or she is acquitted or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his or her behalf or in connection with any application in which the court grants him or her relief from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the registrant’s or its group’s affairs.

In the case of current or former members of the Registrant’s board of directors, in compliance with the Companies Act, there shall be no entitlement to indemnification as referred to above for (i) any liability incurred to the Registrant or any associated company, (ii) the payment of a fine imposed in any criminal proceeding or a penalty imposed by a regulatory authority for non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature, (iii) the defense of any criminal proceeding if the member of the Registrant’s board of directors is convicted, (iv) the defense of any civil proceeding brought by the Registrant or an associated company in which judgement is given against the director and (v) any application for relief under the Companies Act in which the court refuses to grant relief to the director.

The Registrant may provide any current or former director or officer with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by them in connection with any proceedings or application referred to above and otherwise may take any action to enable any such relevant officer to avoid incurring such expenditure. Members of the Registrant’s board of directors and its officers who have received payment from the Registrant under the relevant indemnification provisions must repay the amount they received in accordance with the Companies Act or in any other circumstances that the Registrant may prescribe or where the Registrant has reserved the right to require repayment.

In addition, the Registrant entered into deeds of indemnity with its directors, officers and certain members of the Registrant’s and its subsidiaries’ senior management pursuant to which the Registrant agreed to indemnify each such person in connection with threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings to which such person has been made a party or in which such person becomes involved.

Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number
  

Description

4.1    Articles of Association of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, as currently in effect, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1 to Gores Guggenheim, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 27, 2022.
4.2    ADS Deposit Agreement – Class A ADSs, incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No.: 333-267086) filed with the SEC on August 26, 2022.
4.3    Form of Class  A American Depositary Receipt, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit (a) to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No.: 333-267086) filed with the SEC on August 26, 2022.
5.1*    Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP.

 

4


23.1*    Consent of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2*    Consent of Deloitte AB, independent registered accounting firm to Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (formerly known as Polestar Automotive Holding UK Limited).
23.3*    Consent of Deloitte AB, independent registered accounting firm to Polestar Automotive Holding Limited.
23.4*    Consent of KPMG LLP, former independent registered accounting firm to Gores Guggenheim, Inc.
23.5*    Consent of WithumSmith+Brown, PC, independent registered accounting firm to Gores Guggenheim, Inc.
24.1*    Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).
99.1*    Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
99.2*    Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
107*    Filing Fee Table.

 

*

Filed herewith.

 

5


Item 9. Undertakings.

 

(a)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 

  (1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

  (i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

 

  (ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

 

  (2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(b)

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

6


(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

7


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Gothenburg, Sweden, on August 29, 2022.

 

POLESTAR AUTOMOTIVE HOLDING UK PLC
By:  

/s/ Thomas Ingenlath

Name: Thomas Ingenlath
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

8


SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Each of the undersigned officers and directors of the Registrant hereby severally constitutes and appoints each of Thomas Ingenlath, Johan Malmqvist or Roger Molin (with full power to each of them to act alone), as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, and in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name    Title    Date

/s/ Thomas Ingenlath

   Chief Executive Officer and Director    August 29, 2022
Thomas Ingenlath    (Principal Executive Officer)   

/s/ Johan Malmqvist

   Chief Financial Officer    August 29, 2022
Johan Malmqvist    (Principal Financial Officer)   

/s/ Roger Molin

   Head of Group Financial Accounting & Control (Principal Accounting Officer)    August 29, 2022
Roger Molin   

/s/ Håkan Samuelsson

   Director    August 29, 2022
Håkan Samuelsson      

/s/ Carla De Geyseleer

   Director    August 29, 2022
Carla De Geyseleer      

/s/ Karen C. Francis

   Director    August 29, 2022
Karen C. Francis      

/s/ Donghui (Daniel) Li

   Director    August 29, 2022
Donghui (Daniel) Li      

/s/ Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann

   Director    August 29, 2022
Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann      

/s/ David Richter

   Director    August 29, 2022
David Richter      

/s/ James Rowan

   Director    August 29, 2022
James Rowan      

/s/ Zhe (David) Wei

   Director    August 29, 2022
Zhe (David) Wei      

 

 

9


SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT

Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, a duly authorized representative of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC in the United States, has signed this Registration Statement in the City of Gothenburg, Sweden, on August 29, 2022.

 

POLESTAR AUTOMOTIVE USA INC.
Authorized U.S. Representative
By:  

/s/ Jan Mikael Alkmark

  Name: Jan Mikael Alkmark
  Title: Director

 

10

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

 

   30 St Mary Axe   
   London, EC3A 8AF   
   United Kingdom   

Facsimile:

+44 20 7469 2001

  

 

Telephone: +44 20 7469 2000

   www.kirkland.com   

 

To:

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC

Assar Gabrielssons Väg 9

405 31 Göteborg, Sweden

(the “Addressee”)

29 August 2022

Dear Sirs,

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC - Registration Statement on Form S-8

We are issuing this opinion in our capacity as English law counsel to Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer from time to time of the following number of class A ordinary shares of the Company of nominal value $0.01 each (each, a “Class A Share”) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8, originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on 29 August 2022 (the “Registration Statement”):

 

   

117,856,318 Class A Shares, with each such Class A Share to be represented by an American depositary share, issuable pursuant to the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”); and

 

   

22,000,000 Class A Shares, with each such Class A Share to be represented by an American depositary share, issuable pursuant to the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”).

 

1

Scope and purpose

 

1.1

This letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

1.2

This letter is limited to English law in force at the date of this letter as currently applied and interpreted by the English courts. You should read references to “English law” and to the “laws of England” accordingly.

 

1.3

This letter, each opinion expressed in it (each an “opinion statement”) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it (and/or any opinion statement) is governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

KIRKLAND & ELLIS INTERNATIONAL LLP IS A MULTINATIONAL PRACTICE, THE PARTNERS OF WHICH ARE SOLICITORS OR REGISTERED FOREIGN

LAWYERS (ADMITTED IN THE U.S. AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS), AND IS AUTHORIZED AND REGULATED BY THE SOLICITORS REGULATION

AUTHORITY (SRA NUMBER 349107). A LIST OF THE PARTNERS, GIVING EACH PARTNER’S PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION

AND JURISDICTION OF QUALIFICATION IS OPEN TO INSPECTION AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE.

ASSOCIATED OFFICES

Austin    Bay Area    Beijing    Boston    Brussels    Chicago    Dallas    Hong Kong    Houston     Los Angeles    Munich    New York    Paris    Salt Lake City    Shanghai    Washington, D.C.


LOGO

Page 2

 

1.4

We have not investigated the laws of any country or jurisdiction other than England (or, as regards taxation matters, United Kingdom law) (a “foreign jurisdiction”). We assume that no law or regulation of a foreign jurisdiction (a “foreign law”) affects any of the opinion statements. We make no opinion statement in relation to any foreign law (including to the extent it may affect matters of English law or the enforceability of any judgment of an English court in the relevant jurisdiction) or the application or interpretation of English law or any foreign law by any court of a foreign jurisdiction (a “foreign court”). We make no opinion statement in relation to the enforceability of any judgement of a foreign court. In relation to any agreement governed by a foreign law referred to in this letter, to the extent relevant to any of our opinion statements, we assume that words and phrases in that agreement have the same meaning they would have if the agreement was governed by English law.

 

1.5

This letter only applies to those facts and circumstances which exist at the date of this letter. You expressly agree and acknowledge that we do not have and do not assume any obligation to provide you with any opinion or advice, or to update this letter in any respect, after the date of this letter.

 

1.6

The opinion statements are based on the documents and records that we have examined and our review of the Searches that have been carried out (each as described in this letter) and are subject to the assumptions set out in Schedule 1 (Assumptions), the qualifications and reservations set out in Schedule 2 (Qualifications) and to any matters not disclosed to us. Each opinion statement is strictly limited to the matters stated below and does not extend, by implication or otherwise, to any other matters. Each provision in this letter which has the effect of limiting an opinion statement is independent of any other such provision and is not to be read or implied as restricted by it.

 

2

Defined terms and headings

 

2.1

In this letter:

 

  (a)

Companies Act” means the UK Companies Act 2006; and

 

  (b)

Search” means a Company Search or a Winding-Up Enquiry.

 

2.2

The headings in this letter do not affect its interpretation. In particular, headings are included in Schedule 1 (Assumptions) and Schedule 2 (Qualifications) for convenience only and should not be read or construed as limiting the applicability of the assumptions, qualifications or reservations set out in those schedules to a particular opinion statement unless expressly noted therein.


LOGO

Page 3

 

3

Legal review

 

3.1

For the purposes of issuing this letter, we have reviewed the following documents:

 

  (a)

a PDF copy of the Equity Plan;

 

  (b)

a PDF copy of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan;

 

  (c)

a PDF copy of the articles of association adopted by the Company;

 

  (d)

minutes of a meeting of the Company’s directors resolving, inter alia, to approve the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Board Approvals”);

 

  (e)

written resolutions of the sole member of the Company approving the Equity Plan (the “Member Approval” and, together with the Board Approvals, the “Corporate Approvals”);

 

  (f)

a PDF copy of the Registration Statement; and

 

  (g)

the results disclosed in the searches of the publicly available records relating to the Company at Companies House on 29 August 2022 (each a “Company Search”).

 

3.2

We have also reviewed the results of searches made on August 29, 2022, in respect of the Company at (i) the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions at the Insolvency and Companies List (formerly known as the Companies Court) in London, (ii) the Gazette and (iii) Companies House (each a “Winding-Up Enquiry”).

 

3.3

We have not reviewed or examined any other document or record, or made any other enquiry, in connection with the giving of this letter. We have assumed that the documents described in this paragraph 3 are in full force and effect without any amendment (however described) and contain all the relevant information which is material for the purposes of the opinion statements and that there is no other document, agreement, instrument, undertaking, obligation, representation or warranty (oral or written) and no other arrangement (whether legally binding or not) made by or between all or any of the parties to those documents or any other matter which renders such information inaccurate, incomplete or misleading or which affects the conclusions stated in this letter.

 

4

Opinion statements

 

4.1

The Company has the power to allot, issue and deliver the Class A Shares, with each such Class A Share to be represented by an American depositary share, as contemplated by the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


LOGO

Page 4

 

4.2

The Company has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and to allot, issue and deliver the Class A Shares, pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

4.3

It is our opinion that, when the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Class A Shares issuable pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and registered pursuant to the Registration Statement, will be, subject to their allotment and issuance, registration in the name of the depositary in the register of members of the Company and delivery, duly and validly authorised and issued, fully paid or credited as fully paid (subject to receipt of valid consideration by the Company for the issuance) and will not be subject to any call for payment of further capital.

 

5

Disclosure

 

5.1

This letter is addressed to you solely for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement. We consent to the filing of this letter with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

5.2

This letter may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose and, other than as set out above, may not be furnished to, or assigned to, or relied upon by, any other person, firm or entity for any purpose, without our prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld in our discretion.

 

Yours faithfully,
/s/ Kirkland & Ellis International LLP


LOGO

Page 5

 

SCHEDULE 1

ASSUMPTIONS

Status

 

1

That, except insofar as such matters are on public record and are discoverable by the Searches, the Company has not taken any corporate or other action nor have any steps been taken or legal proceedings been started against it for its administration, liquidation, winding up, dissolution, reorganisation or bankruptcy or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, trustee, administrator, administrative receiver or similar officer in respect of it or all or any part of its undertaking, property or assets.

Capacity, power and authority

 

2

That the Corporate Approvals were validly passed at meetings properly convened and conducted and remain in full force and effect.

Documents

 

3

That all signatures, stamps, seals and markings on all documents submitted to us are genuine and were applied to a complete and final version of the relevant document, that those documents are authentic and complete and remain accurate and up-to-date at the date of this letter, that all signatures which purport to have been attested were made in the presence of the purported witness and that all factual statements contained in those documents (including any factual matter represented by a party to a document) are correct, complete and fair.

 

4

That each document submitted to us as a certified, electronic, photostatic or facsimile copy conforms to the original of that document and the same assumptions made in the previous paragraph are correct in respect of the original.

 

5

That the Corporate Approvals have not been amended, revoked or suspended.

 

6

That the actions carried out pursuant to the Board Approvals by the Company and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations thereunder materially benefited the Company, and that the directors of the Company acted in good faith and in the interests of the Company in approving each of the Board Approvals and the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

7

That the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan were validly adopted by the Company, have not been materially amended, and remain in full force and effect.

Searches


LOGO

Page 6

 

8

That the Searches were accurate, complete and up-to-date when carried out (and remain so at the date of this letter) and disclose all information which is necessary or material for the purposes of this letter.

 

9

That there has been no alteration in the status, position or condition of the Company (however described) revealed in the Searches and, to the extent that any Search is dated prior to the date of this letter, no additional matters would have been disclosed by that Search if it had been carried out at a later time.

 

10

All documents, forms and notices which should have been delivered to Companies House on behalf of or relating to the Company have been so delivered and the file of records maintained at Companies House concerning it, and reproduced for public inspection, was complete, accurate and up-to-date at the time of the Searches and the copies of its articles of association (and memorandum, if any) examined by us are complete and up-to-date and would, if issued today, comply with Section 36 of the Companies Act.

 

11

That the Class A Shares are not admitted to trading on any market or exchange, or otherwise listed, in the United Kingdom.

Issue and allotment of Class A Shares pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

12

That the board of directors of the Company or officers of the Company have carried out and will carry out the functions assigned to it or them, as applicable, by the relevant Corporate Approvals in connection with the allotment and issuance of Class A Shares pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as contemplated by the Registration Statement and in accordance with the requirements of those Corporate Approvals (including, without limitation, the limits on the number of Class A Shares that may be allotted and/or issued by the board of directors of the Company or a committee thereof (as applicable)).

 

13

That as at the date of each issue and allotment of Class A Shares by the Company pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, all rights of pre-emption howsoever arising have been, and remain validly, waived in respect of those Class A Shares.


LOGO

Page 7

 

14

That as at the date of each issue and allotment of Class A Shares by the Company pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Company has received all of the proceeds (whether in cash or non-cash consideration) in respect of the subscription monies payable for those Class A Shares, and the amount of those proceeds is of an amount not less than the aggregate nominal value for those Class A Shares.

 

15

That the statutory books of the Company have been or will be validly updated in accordance with the Companies Act and any other relevant legislation to reflect the issue and allotment of the Class A Shares by the Company, pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as contemplated by the Registration Statement.

 

16

That all documents, forms and notices which should have been delivered to Companies House on behalf of the Company in respect of the issue and allotment of the Class A Shares by the Company, pursuant to the Equity Plan and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as contemplated by the Registration Statement, have been so delivered in accordance with the Companies Act and any other relevant legislation, and the file of records maintained at Companies House concerning it, and reproduced for public inspection, is or will be complete, accurate and up-to-date.


LOGO

Page 8

 

SCHEDULE 2

QUALIFICATIONS

General qualifications

 

1

No opinion statement is expressed as to matters of fact.

 

2

We are not making any opinion statement as to any taxation matters or consequences which will or may arise as a result of any transaction effected in connection with the Registration Statement and the Equity Plan or the Employee Stock Purchase Plan or the rights or remedies of any taxation authority in respect of non-payment of taxes or the failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations relating to taxation. For these purposes “taxation” and “taxes” shall be deemed to include stamp duties, stamp duty reserve tax and value added tax (or similar indirect taxes).

 

3

The Searches are not capable of revealing definitively whether or not (a) a winding-up order or administration order has been made, (b) a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or liquidator has been appointed, (c) a petition for winding-up or a petition, application or notice for the appointment of a receiver, administrative receiver, administrator or liquidator has been presented or filed at court, (d) a company voluntary arrangement has been proposed or approved, (e) a resolution for winding-up has been passed or (f) whether any other insolvency proceeding has been commenced.

 

4

In relation to a Winding-Up Enquiry at the Insolvency and Companies List, it is made at the Central Registry of Winding-up Petitions which relates to compulsory winding-up and administration in the High Court of England in London only. Those enquiries will not reveal winding-up or administration proceedings commenced in a District Registry of the High Court of England. It is not possible to carry out a search for winding-up or administration proceedings in the District Registries unless an application is made to each relevant District Judge and a fee is paid. We have not made any such application.

 

5

The Searches will not reveal if the Company is subject to insolvency proceedings in a foreign jurisdiction.

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated April 21, 2022, relating to the financial statements of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (formerly known as Polestar Automotive Holding UK Limited), appearing in the Report on Form 20-F of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC dated June 29, 2022.

/s/ Deloitte AB

Gothenburg, Sweden

August 29, 2022

EX-23.3

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated April 21, 2022, relating to the financial statements of Polestar Automotive Holding Limited, appearing in the Report on Form 20-F of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC dated June 29, 2022.

/s/ Deloitte AB

Gothenburg, Sweden

August 29, 2022

EX-23.4

Exhibit 23.4

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the use of our report dated February 19, 2021, with respect to the financial statements of Gores Guggenheim, Inc., incorporated herein by reference.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Denver, Colorado

August 29, 2022

EX-23.5

Exhibit 23.5

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 24, 2022 relating to the financial statements of Gores Guggenheim, inc.

 

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York
August 29, 2022
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

POLESTAR AUTOMOTIVE HOLDING UK PLC

2022 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to promote the success of the Company’s business for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain, and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Plan is effective as of the date set forth in Article XV.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company, provided that such Person is a “subsidiary” or “holding company” within the meaning of Section 1159 of the Companies Act. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, appointing a majority of the board of directors, by contract, or otherwise.

2.2Applicable Law means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards and the related shares under U.S. state corporate law, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares are listed or quoted, the laws of England and Wales, and any other applicable laws, including tax laws, of any U.S. or non-U.S. jurisdictions where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

2.3Award” means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based Award. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of a written or electronic agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

2.4Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement, contract, certificate, or other instrument or document evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Award. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

2.5Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.6Business Combination Agreement” means that certain Business Combination Agreement by and among Gores Guggenheim, Inc., Polestar Automotive Holding Limited, Polestar Automotive (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Polestar Holding AB, Polestar Automotive Holding UK Limited and PAH UK Merger Sub Inc., dated as of September 27, 2021.

2.7Cause” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or as required by Applicable Law, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, the following: (a) in the case where there is no employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant


of the Award (or where there is such agreement in effect but it does not define “cause” (or words of like import)), the Participant’s (i) commission of, or plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or the commission of any other act involving willful malfeasance or material fiduciary breach with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the person to whom the Participant reports; (iii) conduct that brings or is reasonably likely to bring the Company or an Affiliate negative publicity or into public disgrace, embarrassment, or disrepute; (iv) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or an Affiliate; (v) material violation of the Company’s written policies or codes of conduct, including written policies related to discrimination, harassment, performance of illegal or unethical activities, or ethical misconduct; or (vi) any breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, or confidentiality covenant between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; or (b) in the case where there is an employment agreement, offer letter, consulting agreement, change in control agreement, or similar agreement in effect between the Company or an Affiliate and the Participant at the time of the grant of the Award that defines “cause” (or words of like import), “cause” as defined under such agreement.

2.8Change in Control means and includes each of the following, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement with a Participant approved by the Committee or as otherwise required by law:

(a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company), becoming the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, excluding for purposes herein, acquisitions pursuant to a Business Combination (as defined below) that does not constitute a Change in Control as defined in Section 2.8(b);

(b) a merger, reorganization, Scheme of Arrangement or consolidation of the Company or in which equity securities of the Company are issued (each, a “Business Combination”), other than a merger, reorganization or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its direct or indirect Parent) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or, as applicable, a direct or indirect Parent of the Company or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 2.8(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control; or a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its direct or indirect Parent) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity (or, as applicable, a direct or indirect Parent of the Company or such surviving entity) outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person (other than those covered by the exceptions in Section 2.8(a)) acquires more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change in Control;

 

2


(c) during the period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2.8(a) or (b)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two (2) year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(d) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a person or persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the Company at the time of the sale.

For purposes of this Section 2.8, acquisitions of securities of the Company by the Surviving SPAC (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), any of its respective affiliates, or any investment vehicle or fund controlled by or managed by, or otherwise affiliated with the Surviving SPAC shall not constitute a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award that is characterized as “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, an event shall not be considered to be a Change in Control under the Plan for purposes of payment of such Award unless such event is also a “change in ownership,” a “change in effective control,” or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets” of the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

2.9Change in Control Price” means the highest price per Share paid in any transaction related to a Change in Control of the Company.

2.10Class A ADS means one American depositary share of the Company duly and validly issued against the deposit with the depositary of an underlying Class A Share.

2.11Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations, or guidance.

2.12Class A Share” means a Class A ordinary share in the share capital of the Company (and any shares or other securities into which such Class A Shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

2.13Committee” means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority from time to time, and will retain the right to exercise the authority of the Committee to the extent consistent with Applicable Law.

2.14Companies Act” means the Companies Act 2006 enacted under the laws of England and Wales;

2.15Company” means Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and any successor thereto.

 

3


2.16Disability” means, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement or as required by Applicable Law, with respect to a Participant’s Termination of Service, that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, provided, however, for purposes of an Incentive Stock Option, the term Disability shall have the meaning ascribed to it under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code. The determination of whether an individual has a Disability shall be determined by the Committee, and the Committee may rely on any determination that a Participant is disabled for purposes of benefits under any long-term disability plan in which a Participant participates that is maintained by the Company or any Affiliate.

2.17Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.

2.18Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan as defined in Article XV.

2.19Eligible Employees” means each employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates. An employee on a leave of absence may, as determined by the Committee and subject to any applicable qualifying or other waiting periods, be an Eligible Employee.

2.20Eligible Individual” means an Eligible Employee who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

2.21Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.

2.22Fair Market Value” means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder or as otherwise permitted by Applicable Law and determined by the Committee, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Shares on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or (b) if the Shares are not traded, listed, or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of the grant of any Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the applicable date shall be the trading day immediately prior to the date on which the Award is granted. For purposes of the exercise of any Award, the applicable date shall be the date a notice of exercise is received by the Committee or, if not a date on which the applicable market is open, the next day that it is open.

2.23Family Member” means “family member” as defined in Section A.1.(a)(5) of the general instructions of Form S-8.

2.24Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is awarded to an Eligible Employee who is an employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or its Parents (if any) under the Plan and that is intended to be, and designated as, an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

2.25Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option awarded under the Plan that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

4


2.26Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award under Article X of the Plan that is valued in whole or in part by reference to, or is payable in or otherwise based on, Shares.

2.27Parent” means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.28Participant means an Eligible Individual to whom an Award has been granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.29Performance Award” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Article IX hereof contingent upon achieving certain Performance Goals.

2.30Performance Goals” means goals established by the Committee as contingencies for Awards to vest and/or become exercisable or distributable.

2.31Performance Period” means the designated period during which the Performance Goals must be satisfied with respect to the Award to which the Performance Goals relate.

2.32Person” means any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

2.33Plan” means this Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.34Qualified Member” means a member of the Board who is (a) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3), and (b) “independent” under the listing standards or rules of the securities exchange upon which the Shares are traded, but only to the extent such independence is required in order to take the action at issue pursuant to such standards or rules.

2.35Restricted Stock” means an Award of Shares under the Plan that is subject to restrictions under Article VIII.

2.36Restricted Stock Units” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

2.37Restriction Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a) with respect to Restricted Stock.

2.38Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as then in effect or any successor provision.

2.39Scheme of Arrangement” means a scheme of arrangement under Sections 899 to 900 of the Companies Act 2006 or if under any other substantially equivalent local legislation, under which a court sanctions a compromise or arrangement proposed for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme for the reconstruction of the Company or its amalgamation with any other company or companies, or the local substantial equivalent of such compromise or arrangement.

2.40Section 409A of the Code” means the nonqualified deferred compensation rules under Section 409A of the Code and any applicable treasury regulations and other official guidance thereunder.

 

5


2.41Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Securities Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.

2.42Shares” means any Class A Shares and/or Class A ADSs, as the context may require (and in either case, as determined by the Committee in its discretion), and such other securities as may be substituted for such Shares pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof.

2.43Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right granted pursuant to an Award granted under Article VII.

2.44Stock Option” or “Option” means any option to purchase Shares granted to Eligible Individuals granted pursuant to Article VI.

2.45Subsidiary” means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.46Ten Percent Stockholder means a person owning stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent.

2.47Termination of Service means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) if a Participant’s employment or services with the Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of Service with the Company and its Affiliates and (b) a Participant employed by an Affiliate that ceases to be an Affiliate shall be deemed to have incurred a Termination of Service provided the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have experienced a “Termination of Service” unless the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE III

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and Applicable Law, the Committee shall have full authority to grant Awards to Eligible Individuals under the Plan. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority to:

(a) determine whether and to what extent Awards, or any combination thereof, are to be granted hereunder to one or more Eligible Individuals;

(b) determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(c) determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder (including, but not limited to, the exercise or purchase price (if any), any restriction or limitation, any vesting schedule or acceleration thereof, or any forfeiture restrictions or waiver thereof, regarding any Award and the Shares relating thereto, based on such factors, if any, as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion);

 

6


(d) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances grants of Options and other Awards under the Plan are to operate on a tandem basis and/or in conjunction with or apart from other awards made by the Company outside of the Plan;

(e) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Shares shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;

(f) modify, waive, amend, or adjust the terms and conditions of any Award, at any time or from time to time, including but not limited to Performance Goals;

(g) determine whether a Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option;

(h) determine whether to require a Participant, as a condition of the granting of any Award, to not sell or otherwise dispose of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award for a period of time as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, following the date of the acquisition of such Award or Shares; and

(i) modify, extend, or renew an Award, subject to Article XII and Section 6.3(l).

The good faith determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Section 3.1 shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, including the Company, its Affiliates, Participants and any Person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant. The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Eligible Individuals who are eligible to receive, or actually receive, Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled to make non-uniform and selective determinations, amendments and adjustments to Awards awarded under the Plan, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.

3.2 Guidelines. Subject to Article XII hereof, the Committee shall have the authority to adopt, alter, and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines, and practices governing the Plan and perform all acts, including the delegation of its responsibilities (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and applicable stock exchange rules), as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable; to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any agreements or sub-plans relating thereto); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any agreement relating thereto in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to effectuate the purpose and intent of the Plan. The Committee may adopt special rules, sub-plans, guidelines, and provisions for persons who are residing in or employed in, or subject to, the taxes of any domestic or foreign jurisdictions to satisfy or accommodate applicable foreign laws or to qualify for preferred tax treatment of such domestic or foreign jurisdictions.

3.3 Decisions Final. Any decision, interpretation, or other action made or taken in good faith by or at the direction of the Company, the Board, or the Committee (or any of its members) arising out of or in connection with the Plan shall be within the absolute discretion of all and each of them, as the case may be, and shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Company and all employees and Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

 

7


3.4 Procedures. If the Committee is appointed, the Board shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman and the Committee shall hold meetings, subject to the by-laws of the Company, at such times and places as it shall deem advisable, including, without limitation, by telephone conference or by written consent to the extent permitted by Applicable Law. A majority of the Committee members shall constitute a quorum. All determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by all of the Committee members in accordance with the by-laws of the Company, shall be fully effective as if it had been made by a vote at a meeting duly called and held. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings and shall make such rules and regulations for the conduct of its business as it shall deem advisable.

3.5 Designation of Consultants/Liability; Delegation of Authority.

(a) The Committee may designate employees of the Company and professional advisors to assist the Committee in the administration of the Plan and (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) may grant authority to officers of the Company to grant Awards and/or execute agreements or other documents on behalf of the Committee.

(b) The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants, and agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel or consultant and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee or the Board in the engagement of any such counsel, consultant, or agent shall be paid by the Company. The Committee, its members, and any person designated pursuant to sub-section (a) above shall not be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, no officer of the Company or member or former member of the Committee or of the Board shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award granted under it.

(c) The Committee may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan to a subcommittee of directors or to any officer of the Company, including the power to perform administrative functions and grant Awards; provided, that such delegation does not (i) violate Applicable Law, or (ii) result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Company. Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” shall be deemed to include any subcommittee or officer of the Company to whom such powers have been delegated by the Committee. Any such delegation shall not limit the right of such subcommittee members or such an officer to receive Awards; provided, however, that such subcommittee members and any such officer may not grant Awards to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to himself or herself, a member of the Board, or any executive officer of the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee may also appoint agents who are not executive officers of the Company or members of the Board to assist in administering the Plan, provided, however, that such individuals may not be delegated the authority to grant or modify any Awards that will, or may, be settled in Shares.

3.6 Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law and to the extent not covered by insurance directly insuring such person, each officer or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates and member or former member of the Committee or the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against any cost or expense (including reasonable fees of counsel acceptable to the Committee) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the approval of the Committee), and advanced amounts necessary to pay the foregoing at the earliest time and to the fullest extent permitted, arising out of any act or omission to act in connection with the administration of the Plan, except to the extent arising out of such officer’s, employee’s, member’s, or former member’s own fraud or bad faith. Such indemnification shall be in addition to any right of indemnification the employees, officers, directors, or members or former officers, directors, or members may have under Applicable Law or under the by-laws of the Company or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything else herein, this indemnification will not apply to the actions or determinations made by an individual with regard to Awards granted to such individual under the Plan.

 

8


ARTICLE IV

SHARE LIMITATION

4.1 Shares. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 10,000,000 Shares (subject to any increase or decrease pursuant to this Article IV), which may be either authorized and unissued Shares or Shares held in or acquired for the treasury of the Company or both. The number of Shares that may be issued or used for reference purposes or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be subject to an annual increase on January 1 of each calendar year during the term of the Plan, equal to the lesser of (a) 0.5% of the aggregate number of ListCo Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) outstanding on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of ListCo Shares as is determined by the Board. The aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or used with respect to any Incentive Stock Option shall not exceed 10,000,000 Shares (subject to the overall limit of shares that may be used in the Plan) and the limits set forth in this Section 4.1 will be construed to comply with the applicable requirement of Section 422 of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall again be made available for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such Shares are (A) Shares tendered in payment of an Option, (B) Shares delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation, (C) Shares covered by a stock-settled Stock Appreciation Right or other Awards that were not issued upon the settlement of the Award, or (D) Shares subject to an Award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, or terminated without issuance of the full number of Shares to which the Award related (only to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture or termination).

4.2 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the Company’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Committee may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its Affiliate (“Substitute Awards”). Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Committee deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the overall share limit (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Additionally, subject to Applicable Law, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grants pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above); provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not Eligible Employees prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

9


4.3 Adjustments.

(a) The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization, or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) any issuance of bonds, debentures, or preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the Shares, (iv) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, (v) any sale or transfer of all or part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) any other corporate act or proceeding.

(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11.1:

(i) If the Company at any time subdivides (by any split, recapitalization or otherwise) the outstanding Shares into a greater number of Shares, or combines (by reverse split, combination, or otherwise) its outstanding Shares into a lesser number of Shares, then the respective exercise prices for outstanding Awards that provide for a Participant-elected exercise and the number of Shares covered by outstanding Awards shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(ii) Excepting transactions covered by Section 4.3(b)(i), if the Company effects any merger, consolidation, statutory exchange, spin-off, reorganization, sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets or business, or other corporate transaction or event in such a manner that the Company’s outstanding Shares are converted into the right to receive (or the holders of Shares are entitled to receive in exchange therefor), either immediately or upon liquidation of the Company, securities or other property of the Company or other entity, then, subject to the provisions of Section 11.1, (A) the aggregate number or kind of securities that thereafter may be issued under the Plan, (B) the number or kind of securities or other property (including cash) to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan (including as a result of the assumption of the Plan and the obligations hereunder by a successor entity, as applicable), or (C) the exercise or purchase price thereof, shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iii) If there shall occur any change in the capital structure of the Company other than those covered by Section 4.3(b)(i) or 4.3(b)(ii), any conversion, any adjustment, or any issuance of any class of securities convertible or exercisable into, or exercisable for, any class of equity securities of the Company, then the Committee shall adjust any Award and make such other adjustments to the Plan to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for, Participants under the Plan.

(iv) The Committee may adjust the Performance Goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or non-recurring events and other extraordinary items, impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, and the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, or other Company public filing.

 

10


(v) Any such adjustment determined by the Committee pursuant to this Section 4.3(b) shall be final, binding, and conclusive on the Company and all Participants and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and permitted assigns. Any adjustment to, or assumption or substitution of, an Award under this Section 4.3(b) shall be intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.424-1 (and any amendments thereto), to the extent applicable. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4.3 or in the applicable Award Agreement, a Participant shall have no additional rights under the Plan by reason of any transaction or event described in this Section 4.3.

ARTICLE V

ELIGIBILITY

5.1 General Eligibility. All current and prospective Eligible Individuals are eligible to be granted Awards. Eligibility for the grant of Awards and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.2 Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Eligible Employees who are employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or its Parents (if any) are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Eligibility for the grant of an Incentive Stock Option and actual participation in the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

5.3 General Requirement. The vesting and exercise of Awards granted to a prospective Eligible Individual are conditioned upon such individual actually becoming an Eligible Employee.

ARTICLE VI

STOCK OPTIONS

6.1 Options. Stock Options may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. Each Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be of one of two types: (a) an Incentive Stock Option or (b) a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.2 Grants. The Committee shall have the authority to grant to any Eligible Employee one or more Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock Options; provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to an Eligible Employee who is an employee of the Company, its Subsidiaries, or its Parents (if any). To the extent that any Stock Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Stock Option or the portion thereof which does not so qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.

6.3 Terms of Options. Options granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that except as otherwise permitted by Applicable Law in the case of a Participant located outside the United States, the per share exercise price of a Stock Option shall not be less than 100% (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, 110%) of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant.

(b) Stock Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee, provided that no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten (10) years (or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder, five (5) years) after the date the Option is granted.

 

11


(c) Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.3, Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. The Committee may, but shall not be required to, provide for an acceleration of vesting and exercisability in the terms of any Award Agreement upon the occurrence of a specified event.

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment exercise and waiting period provisions apply under Section 6.3(c), to the extent vested, Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Option term, by giving written notice of exercise (which may be electronic) to the Company specifying the number of Shares to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price (which shall equal the product of such number of Shares to be purchased multiplied by the applicable exercise price). The exercise price for the Stock Options may be paid upon such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Committee and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may establish payment terms that permit the Participant to deliver cash with a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price on the date of payment, or through a simultaneous sale through a broker of Shares acquired on exercise, all as permitted by Applicable Law. No Shares shall be issued until payment therefor, as provided herein, has been made or provided for.

(e) Non-Transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of grant or thereafter that a Non-Qualified Stock Option that is otherwise not transferable pursuant to this Section is transferable to a Family Member in whole or in part and in such circumstances, and under such conditions, as specified by the Committee. A Non-Qualified Stock Option that is transferred to a Family Member pursuant to the preceding sentence (i) may not be subsequently transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) remains subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Any Shares acquired upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option by a permissible transferee of a Non-Qualified Stock Option or a permissible transferee pursuant to a transfer after the exercise of the Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

(f) Termination by Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by reason of death or Disability, all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant (or in the case of the Participant’s death, by the legal representative of the Participant’s estate) at any time within a period of one (1) year from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that, in the event of a Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of Disability, if the Participant dies within such exercise period, all unexercised Stock Options held by such Participant shall thereafter be exercisable, to the extent to which they were exercisable at the time of death, for a period of one (1) year from the date of such death, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(g) Involuntary Termination Without Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is by involuntary termination by the Company without Cause (and for the avoidance of doubt, which determination of whether any such termination by the Company is without Cause shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable

 

12


at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(h) Voluntary Resignation. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if a Participant’s Termination of Service is voluntary (other than a voluntary termination described in Section 6.3(i) hereof) (a “Voluntary Termination of Service”), all Stock Options that are held by such Participant that are vested and exercisable at the time of the Participant’s Termination of Service may be exercised by the Participant at any time within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of such Termination of Service, but in no event beyond the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Options as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(i) Termination for Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of grant, or if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, if (i) a Participant’s Termination of Service (x) is for Cause or (y) is a Voluntary Termination of Service after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause or (ii) upon the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, all Stock Options, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

(j) Unvested Stock Options. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at the time of grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, Stock Options that are not vested as of the date of a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason shall terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

(k) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an Eligible Employee during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. In addition, if an Eligible Employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary, or any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three (3) months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by Applicable Law), such Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of the Plan not be necessary in order for the Stock Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend the Plan accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(l) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Stock Options. The Committee may (i) modify, extend, or renew outstanding Stock Options granted under the Plan (provided that the rights of a Participant are not reduced without such Participant’s consent and provided, further that such action does not subject the Stock Options to Section 409A of the Code without the consent of the Participant), and (ii) accept the surrender of outstanding Stock Options (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Stock Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Notwithstanding the foregoing, an outstanding Option may not be modified to reduce the exercise price thereof nor may a new Option at a lower price be substituted for a surrendered Option (other than adjustments or substitutions in accordance with Article IV), unless such action is approved by the stockholders of the Company.

 

13


(m) Other Terms and Conditions. The Committee may include a provision in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of such Option if the Participant has failed to exercise the Non-Qualified Stock Option as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Non-Qualified Stock Option exceeds the exercise price of such Non-Qualified Stock Option on the date of expiration of such Option, subject to Section 14.5. Stock Options may contain such other provisions, which shall not be inconsistent with any of the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem appropriate.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

7.1 Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the Plan, determined by the Committee, and the following:

(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to a Stock Appreciation Right shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law, the per share exercise price of a Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant

(b) Term. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not be greater than ten (10) years after the date the right is granted.

(c) Exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant. If the Committee provides that any such right is exercisable subject to certain terms and conditions, the Committee may waive those terms and conditions on the exercisability at any time at or after grant in whole or in part.

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to whatever installment and waiting period provisions applied under Section 7.1(c), Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised in whole or in part at any time in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement, by given written notice of exercise (which may be electronic) to the Company specifying the number of Stock Appreciation Rights being exercised.

(e) Payment. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in Shares equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) Share on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value (or if permitted by Applicable Law, the fair market value as of the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, which may be more or less than the Fair Market Value), of one (1) Share on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.

(f) Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason, Stock Appreciation Rights may remain exercisable following a Participant’s Termination of Service on the same basis as Stock Options would be exercisable following a Participant’s Termination of Service in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6.3(f) through 6.3(j).

(g) Non-Transferability. No Stock Appreciation Rights shall be transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all such rights shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant.

 

14


7.2 Automatic Exercise. The Committee may include a term or condition in an Award Agreement providing for the automatic exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right on a cashless basis on the last day of the term of the Stock Appreciation Right if the Participant has failed to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right as of such date, with respect to which the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying the Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Right on the date of expiration of such Stock Appreciation Right, subject to Section 14.5.

ARTICLE VIII

RESTRICTED STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

8.1 Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan. The Committee shall determine the Eligible Individuals to whom, and the time or times at which, grants of Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units shall be made, the number of shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to be awarded, the price (if any) to be paid by the Participant (subject to Section 8.2), the time or times within which such Awards may be subject to forfeiture, the vesting schedule and rights to acceleration thereof, and all other terms and conditions of the Awards. The Committee shall determine and set forth in the Award Agreement the terms and conditions for each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to the conditions and limitations contained in the Plan, including any vesting or forfeiture conditions during the applicable Restriction Period.

The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units upon the attainment of specified performance targets (including the Performance Goals) or such other factor as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion.

8.2 Awards and Certificates. Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(a) Restricted Stock:

(i) Purchase Price. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be fixed by the Committee. The purchase price for shares of Restricted Stock may be zero to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, and, to the extent not so permitted, such purchase price may not be less than par value. The purchase price of Restricted Stock shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(ii) Legend. Each Participant receiving Restricted Stock shall be issued a stock certificate in respect of such shares of Restricted Stock, unless the Committee elects to use another system, such as book entries by the transfer agent, as evidencing ownership of shares of Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be registered in the name of such Participant, and shall, in addition to such legends required by Applicable Law, bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

(iii) Custody. If stock certificates are issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any stock certificates evidencing such shares be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that, as a condition of any grant of Restricted Stock, the Participant shall have delivered a duly signed stock power or other instruments of assignment (including a power of attorney), each endorsed in blank with a guarantee of signature if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company, which would permit transfer to the Company of all or a portion of the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award in the event that such Award is forfeited in whole or part.

 

15


(iv) Rights as a Stockholder. Except as provided in Section 8.3(a) and this Section 8.2(a) or as otherwise determined by the Committee in an Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a holder of Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, the right to vote such shares, and, subject to and conditioned upon the full vesting of shares of Restricted Stock, the right to tender such shares; provided that the Award Agreement shall specify on what terms and conditions the applicable Participant shall be entitled to dividends payable on the Shares.

(v) Lapse of Restrictions. If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of the Restricted Stock, the certificates for such Shares shall be delivered to the Participant. All legends shall be removed from said certificates at the time of delivery to the Participant, except as otherwise required by Applicable Law or other limitations imposed by the Committee.

(b) Restricted Stock Units:

(i) Settlement. The Committee may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practical after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(ii) Right as a Stockholder. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units.

(iii) Dividend Equivalents. If the Committee so provides, a grant of Restricted Stock Units may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in Shares, and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be treated as employment income to the Participant to the extent required under Applicable Law.

8.3 Restrictions and Conditions.

(a) Restriction Period. (i) The Participant shall not be permitted to transfer shares of Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan or vest in Restricted Stock Units during the period or periods set by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”) commencing on the date of such Award, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and such agreement shall set forth a vesting schedule and any event that would accelerate vesting of the Restricted Stock and/or Restricted Stock Units. Within these limits, based on service, attainment of Performance Goals pursuant to Section 8.3(a)(ii), and/or such other factors or criteria as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion, the Committee may condition the grant or provide for the lapse of such restrictions in installments in whole or in part, or may accelerate the vesting of all or any part of any Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit and/or waive the deferral limitations for all or any part of any Award.

 

16


(ii) If the grant of shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or the lapse of restrictions or vesting schedule is based on the attainment of Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective Performance Goals and the applicable vesting percentage applicable to each Participant or class of Participants in the applicable Award Agreement prior to the beginning of the applicable fiscal year or at such later date as otherwise determined by the Committee and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions), and other similar types of events or circumstances.

(b) Termination. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or determined by the Committee at grant or, if no rights of the Participant are reduced, thereafter, upon a Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason during the relevant Restriction Period, all Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units still subject to restriction will be forfeited in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the Committee at grant or thereafter; provided, that if (i) a Participant’s Termination of Service (x) is for Cause or (y) is a Voluntary Termination of Service after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause or (ii) upon the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, all awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

ARTICLE IX

PERFORMANCE AWARDS

9.1 Performance Awards. The Committee may grant a Performance Award to a Participant payable upon the attainment of specific Performance Goals either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, which terms and conditions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period and the length of the Performance Period shall be determined by the Committee upon the grant of each Performance Award. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Performance Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable Performance Goals) need not be the same with respect to each Participant. Performance Awards will be settled in Shares, as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. In the event (a) a Participant’s Termination of Service (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a Voluntary Termination of Service after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause or (b) upon the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, all Performance Awards, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

ARTICLE X

OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS

10.1 Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant to Eligible Individuals Other Stock-Based Awards that are payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Shares, including but not limited to, Shares awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, Shares in payment of the amounts due under an incentive or performance plan sponsored or maintained by the Company, stock equivalent units, and Awards valued by reference to book value of Shares. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to or in tandem with other Awards granted under the Plan.

Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have authority to determine the Eligible Individuals, to whom, and the time or times at which, such Awards shall be made, the number of Shares to be awarded pursuant to such Awards, and all other conditions of the Awards. The Committee may also provide for the grant of Shares under such Awards upon the completion of a specified Performance Period. The Committee may condition the grant or vesting of Other Stock-Based Awards upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals as the Committee may determine, in its sole discretion.

 

17


10.2 Terms and Conditions. Other Stock-Based Awards made pursuant to this Article X shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement and subject to the following terms and conditions and shall be in such form and contain such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

(a) Non-Transferability. Subject to the applicable provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, Shares subject to Awards made under this Article X may not be transferred prior to the date on which the Shares are issued or, if later, the date on which any applicable restriction, performance, or deferral period lapses.

(b) Dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of an Award, subject to the provisions of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the recipient of an Award under this Article X shall not be entitled to receive, currently or on a deferred basis, dividends or Dividend Equivalents in respect of the number of Shares covered by the Award.

(c) Vesting. Any Award under this Article X and any Shares covered by any such Award shall vest or be forfeited to the extent so provided in the Award Agreement, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

(d) Price. Shares under this Article X may be issued for no cash consideration. Shares purchased pursuant to a purchase right awarded under this Article X shall be priced, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

10.3 Termination. In the event (a) a Participant’s Termination of Service (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a Voluntary Termination of Service after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause or (b) upon the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, all Other Stock-Based Awards, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

ARTICLE XI

CHANGE IN CONTROL PROVISIONS

11.1 Benefits. In the event of a Change in Control, and except as otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award Agreement, a Participant’s unvested Awards shall not vest automatically and a Participant’s Awards shall be treated in accordance with one or more of the following methods as determined by the Committee:

(a) Awards, whether or not then vested, shall be continued, be assumed, or have new rights substituted therefor, as determined by the Committee in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and restrictions to which shares of Restricted Stock or any other Award granted prior to the Change in Control are subject shall not lapse upon a Change in Control and the Restricted Stock or other Award shall, where appropriate in the sole discretion of the Committee, receive the same distribution as other Shares on such terms as determined by the Committee; provided that the Committee may decide to award additional Restricted Stock or other Awards in lieu of any cash distribution. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of Incentive Stock Options, any assumed or substituted Stock Option shall comply with the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1 (and any amendment thereto).

 

18


(b) The Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for the purchase of any Awards by the Company for an amount of cash equal to the excess (if any) of the Change in Control Price of the Shares covered by such Awards, over the aggregate exercise price of such Awards; provided, however, that if the exercise price of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right equals or exceeds the Change in Control Price, such Award may be cancelled for no consideration.

(c) The Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate all outstanding and unexercised Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or any Other Stock-Based Award that provides for a Participant-elected exercise, effective as of the date of the Change in Control, by delivering notice of termination to each Participant at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of consummation of the Change in Control, in which case during the period from the date on which such notice of termination is delivered to the consummation of the Change in Control, each such Participant shall have the right to exercise in full all of such Participant’s Awards that are then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercisability otherwise contained in the Award Agreements), but any such exercise shall be contingent on the occurrence of the Change in Control, and, provided that, if the Change in Control does not take place within a specified period after giving such notice for any reason whatsoever, the notice and exercise pursuant thereto shall be null and void.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for accelerated vesting or lapse of restrictions, of an Award at any time.

(e) In the event of a Change in Control, the Committee shall administer the Plan and all Awards hereunder in a manner that complies with Applicable Law, including but not limited to the Companies Act, and in accordance with Section 14.18 hereof.

ARTICLE XII

TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF PLAN

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board or the Committee may at any time, and from time to time, amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the Plan (including any amendment deemed necessary to ensure that the Company may comply with any Applicable Law), or suspend or terminate it entirely, retroactively or otherwise; provided, however, that, unless otherwise required by Applicable Law or specifically provided herein, the rights of a Participant with respect to Awards granted prior to such amendment, suspension, or termination may not be materially impaired without the consent of such Participant and, provided, further, that without the approval of the holders of the Shares entitled to vote in accordance with Applicable Law, no amendment may be made that would (i) increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (except by operation of Section 4.1); or (ii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Awards under the Plan; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing and without the approval of the holders of Shares, the Company may not (i) reduce the exercise price of any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right; (ii) grant a new Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right that has the effect of reducing the exercise price thereof; (iii) exchange any Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right for Shares, cash, or other consideration when the exercise price per Share under such Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share; or (iv) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of a Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right under the applicable listing standards of the national exchange on which the Shares are listed (if any). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board or the Committee may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement at any time without a Participant’s consent to comply with Applicable Law, including Section 409A of the Code. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Article IV or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall impair the rights of any holder without the holder’s consent.

 

19


ARTICLE XIII

UNFUNDED STATUS OF PLAN

The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payment as to which a Participant has a fixed and vested interest but which is not yet made to a Participant by the Company, nothing contained herein shall give any such Participant any right that is greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.

ARTICLE XIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

14.1 Legend. The Committee may require each person receiving Shares pursuant to a Stock Option or other Award under the Plan to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof. In particular, the Shares will not be offered or sold in the United Kingdom by means of any document other than: (i) to “qualified investors” for the purposes of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”) and any rules made or promulgated thereunder, (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in a requirement for the publication of a “prospectus” as defined in the Prospectus Regulation and/or Financial Services Act 2001 (the “FSMA”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning thereof or (iii) which would not be prohibited by section 21(1) of FSMA. In addition to any legend required by the Plan, the certificates for such Shares may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed or any national securities exchange system upon whose system the Shares are then quoted, and any Applicable Law, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. If the Shares are held in book-entry form, then the book-entry will indicate any restrictions on such Shares.

14.2 Share Registry and Certificates. Promptly following completion of the allotment and issuance of any Shares to a Participant pursuant to this Plan, the Company shall: (a) procure that the Participant and the relevant number of Shares allotted and issued to such Participant pursuant to this Plan are entered into the register of members (or such other relevant register) of the Company: (b) complete and despatch to such Participant the relevant certificates for such allotted and issued Shares; and (c) procure that all applicable corporate, governmental and regulatory filings in connection with such allotment and issuance of Shares are promptly made and submitted in accordance with Applicable Law.

14.3 Other Plans. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

14.4 No Right to Employment. Neither the Plan nor the grant of any Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed to terminate such employment at any time.

 

20


14.5 Withholding of Taxes. A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or one of its Affiliates, as applicable, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any income tax, social insurance contribution or other applicable taxes that are required to be withheld or accounted for in respect of an Award in the relevant employing jurisdiction. The Committee may (but is not obligated to), in its sole discretion, permit or require a Participant to satisfy all or any portion of the applicable taxes that are required to be withheld with respect to an Award by (a) the delivery of Shares (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) that have been both held by the Participant and vested for at least six (6) months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment under applicable accounting standards) having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability (or portion thereof); (b) having the Company withhold from the Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable to, or that would otherwise be retained by, the Participant upon the grant, exercise, vesting, or settlement of the Award, as applicable, a number of Shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such withholding liability; or (c) by any other means specified in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee.

14.6 Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan. The Committee shall determine whether cash, additional Awards, or other securities or property shall be used or paid in lieu of fractional Shares or whether any fractional shares should be rounded, forfeited, or otherwise eliminated.

14.7 No Assignment of Benefits. No Award or other benefit payable under the Plan shall, except as otherwise specifically provided by law or permitted by the Committee, be transferable in any manner, and any attempt to transfer any such benefit shall be void, and any such benefit shall not in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any person who shall be entitled to such benefit, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against such person.

14.8 Clawback Provisions. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains, or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to any Company clawback policy, including any claw-back policy adopted to comply with Applicable Law in the relevant jurisdictions in which Participants receive Awards (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as set forth in such clawback policy or the Award Agreement.

14.9 Listing and Other Conditions.

(a) Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, as long as the Shares are listed on a national securities exchange or system sponsored by a national securities association, the issuance of Shares pursuant to an Award shall be conditioned upon such Shares being listed on such exchange or system. The Company shall have no obligation to issue such Shares unless and until such Shares are so listed, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award with respect to such Shares shall be suspended until such listing has been effected.

(b) If at any time counsel to the Company shall be of the opinion that any sale or delivery of Shares pursuant to an Award is or may in the circumstances be unlawful or result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company under Applicable Law, the Company shall have no obligation to make such sale or delivery, or to make any application or to effect or to maintain any qualification or registration under the Securities Act or otherwise, with respect to Shares or Awards, and the right to exercise any Option or other Award shall be suspended until, in the opinion of said counsel, such sale or delivery shall be lawful or will not result in the imposition of excise taxes on the Company.

 

21


(c) Upon termination of any period of suspension under this Section 14.9, any Award affected by such suspension which shall not then have expired or terminated shall be reinstated as to all Shares available before such suspension and as to Shares which would otherwise have become available during the period of such suspension, but no such suspension shall extend the term of any Award.

(d) A Participant shall be required to supply the Company with certificates, representations, and information that the Company requests and otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining any listing, registration, qualification, exemption, consent, or approval the Company deems necessary or appropriate.

14.10 Governing Law. The Plan and actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

14.11 Construction. Wherever any words are used in the Plan in the masculine gender they shall be construed as though they were also used in the feminine gender in all cases where they would so apply, and wherever words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply.

14.12 Other Benefits. No Award granted or paid out under the Plan shall be deemed compensation for purposes of computing benefits under any retirement plan of the Company or its Affiliates or affect any benefit or compensation under any other plan now or subsequently in effect under which the availability or amount of benefits is related to the level of compensation.

14.13 Costs. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with administering the Plan, including expenses of issuing Shares pursuant to Awards hereunder.

14.14 No Right to Same Benefits. The provisions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant, and such Awards to individual Participants need not be the same in subsequent years.

14.15 Death/Disability. The Committee may in its discretion require the transferee of a Participant to supply it with written notice of the Participant’s death or Disability and to supply it with a copy of the will (in the case of the Participant’s death) or such other evidence as the Committee deems necessary to establish the validity of the transfer of an Award. The Committee may also require the agreement of the transferee to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan.

14.16 Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan satisfy, and be interpreted in a manner that satisfies, the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 as promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act so that Participants will be entitled to the benefit of Rule 16b-3, or any other rule promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and will not be subject to short-swing liability under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, if the operation of any provision of the Plan would conflict with the intent expressed in this Section 14.16, such provision to the extent possible shall be interpreted and/or deemed amended so as to avoid such conflict. In respect of Awards granted to Participants located outside the United States, the Committee may make appropriate adjustments determined in its sole discretion to comply with any similar Applicable Laws.

14.17 Deferral of Awards. The Committee may establish one or more programs under the Plan to permit selected Participants the opportunity to elect to defer receipt of consideration upon exercise of an Award, satisfaction of performance criteria, or other event that absent the election would entitle the Participant to payment or receipt of Shares or other consideration under an Award. The Committee may establish the election procedures, the timing of such elections, the mechanisms for payments of, and accrual of interest or other earnings, if any, on such amounts, Shares or other consideration so deferred, and such other terms, conditions, rules, and procedures that the Committee deems advisable for the administration of any such deferral program.

 

22


14.18 Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and Awards are intended to comply with or be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that any Award granted to a Participant is subject to Section 409A of the Code, it shall be paid in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including proposed, temporary, or final regulations or any other guidance issued by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any provision in the Plan that is inconsistent with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to be amended to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code and, to the extent such provision cannot be amended to comply therewith or be exempt therefrom, such provision shall be null and void. The Company shall have no liability to a Participant, or any other party, if an Award that is intended to be exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee or the Company and, in the event that any amount or benefit under the Plan becomes subject to penalties under Section 409A of the Code, responsibility for payment of such penalties shall rest solely with the affected Participants and not with the Company. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) that are otherwise required to be made under the Plan to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A of the Code) as a result of such employee’s separation from service (other than a payment that is not subject to Section 409A of the Code) shall be delayed for the first six (6) months following such separation from service (or, if earlier, until the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award Agreement) upon expiration of such delay period.

14.19 Successor and Assigns. The Plan shall be binding on all successors and permitted assigns of a Participant, including, without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator, or trustee of such estate.

14.20 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

14.21 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

ARTICLE XV

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

The Plan became effective on June 23, 2022, which is the date of its adoption by the Board and the date of the approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware.

ARTICLE XVI

TERM OF PLAN

No Award shall be granted pursuant to the Plan on or after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of the date that the Plan is adopted or the date of stockholder approval, but Awards granted prior to such tenth (10th) anniversary may extend beyond that date.

 

23


Annex to the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan

For Grants of Awards to Eligible Individuals

 

1.

The purpose of this Annex to the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan is to promote the success of the Company’s business for the benefit of its stockholders by enabling the Company to offer Eligible Individuals (as such term is amended by this Annex and which for the avoidance of doubt shall include Consultants and Non-Employee Directors) cash and stock-based incentives in order to attract, retain, and reward such individuals and strengthen the mutuality of interests between such individuals and the Company’s stockholders. The Annex to the Plan is effective as of the same date set forth in Article XV of the Plan.

 

2.

This Annex shall be regarded for the Companies Act purposes as separate from the Plan.

 

3.

The Committee may procure the grant of (i) Awards to Consultants and Non-Employee Directors and (ii) cash-based Awards to Eligible Individuals under the Rules of this Annex.

 

4.

Except as stated in this Annex, the Articles and Sections of the Plan shall apply to this Annex.

 

5.

A reference to an Eligible Employee in the Plan shall be taken for the purposes of this Annex to be a reference to an Eligible Individual (as such term is amended by this Annex).

 

6.

The following terms and definitions will apply for the purposes of this Annex:

 

  a)

Award” means any award under the Plan of any Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based Award, or Cash Award. All Awards shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of a written or electronic agreement executed by the Company and the Participant.

 

  b)

Cash Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10.3 of the Plan payable in cash at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

  c)

Consultant” means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant or other service provider to the Company or any Affiliate.

 

  d)

Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.

 

  e)

Eligible Individual” means an Eligible Employee, Non-Employee Director, or Consultant who is designated by the Committee in its discretion as eligible to receive Awards subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

  f)

Non-Employee Director” means a director or a member of the Board of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

  g)

Restricted Stock Units” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Committee to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

 

A-1


  h)

Termination of Service” means the termination of the applicable Participant’s employment with, or performance of services for, the Company and its Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, (a) if a Participant’s employment or services with the Company and its Affiliates terminates but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity, such change in status shall not be deemed a Termination of Service with the Company and its Affiliates and (b) a Participant employed by, or performing services for, an Affiliate that ceases to be an Affiliate shall also be deemed to have incurred a Termination of Service provided the Participant does not immediately thereafter become an employee of the Company or another Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, with respect to any Award that constitutes a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, a Participant shall not be considered to have experienced a “Termination of Service” unless the Participant has experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

7.

Section 3.1(e) shall be revised to read as follows:

“determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the Participant;”

 

8.

Section 3.1 shall be amended by adding the following at the end of such Section:

 

  j)

determine the amount of cash to be covered by each Award granted hereunder; and

 

  k)

determine whether and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in cash, Shares, other property, or a combination of the foregoing.

 

9.

The limits set out in Section 4.1 of the Plan shall apply to Awards or Cash Awards made under this Annex (on a cumulative basis to awards made under the main rules of the Plan).

 

10.

Section 6.2 shall be amended by the insertion of the following sentence at the end:

“The Committee shall have the authority to grant any Consultant or Non-Employee Director one or more Non-Qualified Stock Options.”

 

11.

Section 7.1(e) shall be amended to read as follows:

Payment. Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right a Participant shall be entitled to receive, for each right exercised, up to, but no more than, an amount in cash and/or Shares (as chosen by the Committee in its sole discretion) equal in value to the excess of the Fair Market Value of one (1) Share on the date that the right is exercised over the Fair Market Value (or if permitted by Applicable Law, the fair market value as of the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, which may be more or less than the Fair Market Value), of one (1) Share on the date that the right was awarded to the Participant.”

 

A-2


12.

The second sentence of Section 8.2(b)(iii) shall be amended to read as follows:

“Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares, and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement.”

 

13.

The fourth sentence of Section 9.1 shall be amended to read as follows:

“Performance Awards may be paid in cash, Shares, other property, or any combination thereof, in the sole discretion of the Committee as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.”

 

14.

The title of Article X shall be amended to read as follows: “OTHER STOCK-BASED AND CASH AWARDS”

 

15.

Section 10.3 will be replaced with the following:

10.3 Cash Awards. The Committee may from time to time grant Cash Awards to Eligible Individuals in such amounts, on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, including no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law, as it shall determine in its sole discretion. Cash Awards may be granted subject to the satisfaction of vesting conditions or may be awarded purely as a bonus and not subject to restrictions or conditions, and if subject to vesting conditions, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of such Cash Awards at any time in its sole discretion. The grant of a Cash Award shall not require a segregation of any of the Company’s assets for satisfaction of the Company’s payment obligation thereunder.

 

16.

Section 10.4 will be inserted at the end of Article X and read as follows:

10.4 Termination. In the event (a) a Participant’s Termination of Service (i) is for Cause or (ii) is a Voluntary Termination of Service after the occurrence of an event that would be grounds for a Termination of Service for Cause or (b) upon the Participant’s breach of any restrictive covenants to which the Participant is subject, all Other Stock-Based Awards and Cash Awards, whether vested or not vested, that are held by such Participant shall thereupon immediately terminate and expire as of the date of such Termination of Service.

 

17.

Section 14.4 shall be amended to read as follows:

No Right to Employment/Directorship/Consultancy. Neither the Annex to the Plan (or the Plan) nor the grant of any Award hereunder shall give any Participant or other employee, Consultant, or Non-Employee Director any right with respect to continuance of employment, consultancy, or directorship by the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Affiliate by which an employee is employed or a Consultant or Non-Employee Director is retained to terminate such employment, consultancy, or directorship at any time.”

 

A-3

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

POLESTAR AUTOMOTIVE HOLDING UK PLC

 

 

2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

 

 

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

The Plan’s purpose is to assist employees of the Company and its Designated Companies in acquiring a share ownership interest in the Company, and to help such employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.

The Plan consists of two components: the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component. The Section 423 Component is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes the grant of Options under the Non-Section 423 Component, which need not qualify as Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code; such Options granted under the Non-Section 423 Component shall be granted pursuant to separate Offerings containing such sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures as may be adopted by the Administrator and designed to achieve tax, securities laws or other objectives for Eligible Employees and the Designated Companies in locations within or outside of the United States. Except as otherwise provided herein or determined by the Administrator, the Non-Section 423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the Section 423 Component. Offerings intended to be made under the Non-Section 423 Component will be designated as such by the Administrator at or prior to the time of such Offering.

For purposes of this Plan, the Administrator may designate separate Offerings under the Plan, the terms of which need not be identical, in which Eligible Employees will participate, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Period(s) in each such Offering is identical, provided that the terms of participation are the same within each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component as determined under Section 423 of the Code. Solely by way of example and without limiting the foregoing, the Company could, but shall not be required to, provide for simultaneous Offerings under the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan.


ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

2.1.    “Administrator” means the Committee, or such individuals to which authority to administer the Plan has been delegated under Section 7.1 hereof.

2.2.    “Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, appointing a majority of the board of directors, by contract, or otherwise.

2.3.    “Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.

2.4.    “Applicable Law” means the requirements relating to the administration of the Plan under U.S. state corporate law, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the shares are listed or quoted, the laws of England and Wales, and any other applicable laws, including tax laws, of any U.S. or non-U.S. jurisdictions.

2.5.    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.6.    “Broker” means the financial institution designated by the Company to act as Broker for the Plan.

2.7.    “Business Combination Agreement” means that certain Business Combination Agreement by and among Gores Guggenheim, Inc., Polestar Automotive Holding Limited, Polestar Automotive (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Polestar Holding AB, Polestar Automotive Holding UK Limited and PAH UK Merger Sub Inc., dated as of September 27, 2021.

2.8.    “Class A ADS” means one American depositary share of the Company duly and validly issued against the deposit with the depositary of an underlying Class A Share.

2.9.    “Class A Share” means a Class A ordinary share in the share capital of the Company (and any shares or other securities into which such Class A Shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

2.10.    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations, or guidance.

2.11.    “Committee” means any committee of the Board duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan. If no committee is duly authorized by the Board to administer the Plan, the term “Committee” shall be deemed to refer to the Board for all purposes under the Plan. The Board may abolish any Committee or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority from time to time, and will retain the right to exercise the authority of the Committee to the extent consistent with Applicable Law.

 

2


2.12.    “Company” means Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and any successor thereto.

2.13.    “Compensation” of an Employee means the gross base compensation received by such Employee as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Company, including base salary, wages, prior week adjustment and overtime payments, commissions, annual incentive compensation or other payments made under any annual bonus program, vacation pay, holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay, and military leave pay but excluding payments made under any special or one-time bonus programs (e.g., retention or sign-on bonuses), education or tuition reimbursements, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements (including tax gross ups and taxable mileage allowance), imputed income arising under any group insurance or benefit program, income received in connection with any share options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units or other compensatory equity awards, fringe benefits, other special payments and all contributions made by the Company or any Designated Company for the Employee’s benefit under any employee benefit plan now or hereafter established. The Administrator, in its discretion, may establish a different definition of Compensation for an Offering, which for the Section 423 Component shall apply on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis. Further, the Administrator will have discretion to determine the application of this definition to Eligible Employees outside the United States.

2.14.    “Designated Company” means each Affiliate and Subsidiary, including any Affiliate and Subsidiary in existence on the Effective Date and any Affiliate and Subsidiary formed or acquired following the Effective Date, that has been designated by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan, in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, such designation to specify whether such participation is in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. A Designated Company may participate in either the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component, but not both. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Affiliate or Subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes in respect of the Company or any Designated Company participating in the Section 423 Component, then such disregarded Affiliate or Subsidiary shall automatically be a Designated Company participating in the Section 423 Component. If any Affiliate or Subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes in respect of any Designated Company participating in the Non-Section 423 Component, the Administrator may exclude such Affiliate or Subsidiary from participating in the Plan, notwithstanding that the Designated Company in respect of which such Affiliate or Subsidiary is disregarded may participate in the Plan.

2.15.    “Effective Date” means the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Company’s shareholders.

2.16.    “Eligible Employee” means any Employee of the Company or a Designated Company, except that the Administrator may exclude any or all of the following unless prohibited by Applicable Law, Employees:

(a)    who have been employed fewer than two years, or such shorter period as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion;

 

3


(b)    whose customary employment is not more than five months in a calendar year;

(c)    who are not employed by the Company or a Designated Company prior to the applicable Enrollment Date;

(d)    any Employee who is a “highly compensated employee” of the Company or any Designated Company (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code), or that is such a “highly compensated employee” (A) with compensation above a specified level, (B) who is an officer or (C) who is subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; or

(e)    any Employee who is a citizen or resident of a jurisdiction outside the United States (without regard to whether they are also a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) (a “Non-U.S. Eligible Employee”) if either (A) the grant of the Option is prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction governing such Employee, or (B) compliance with the laws of the jurisdiction would cause the Section 423 Component, any Offering thereunder or an Option granted thereunder to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code; provided that any exclusion shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering to all Employees in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(e).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Employee who, after the granting of the Option, would be deemed for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code to possess 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be an Eligible Employee. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code with regard to the attribution of share ownership shall apply in determining the share ownership of an individual, and shares which an Employee may purchase under outstanding Options shall be treated as shares owned by the Employee.

Further, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, (a) the Administrator may limit eligibility further within a Designated Company so as to only designate some Employees of a Designated Company as Eligible Employees, and (b) to the extent any restrictions in this definition are not consistent with applicable local laws, the applicable local laws shall control.

2.17.    “Employee” means any person who renders services to the Company or a Designated Company in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. “Employee” shall not include any director of the Company or a Designated Company who does not render services to the Company or a Designated Company in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or a Designated Company and meeting the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three months, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2), and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three (3)-month period, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2).

 

4


2.18.    “Enrollment Date” means the first date of each Offering Period.

2.19.    “Exercise Date” means the last day of each Purchase Period, except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.

2.20.    “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Exchange Act or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or interpretation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section or regulation.

2.21.    “Fair Market Value” means, for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder or as otherwise permitted by Applicable Law and determined by the Committee, as of any date and except as provided below, the last sales price reported for the Shares on the applicable date: (a) as reported on the principal national securities exchange in the United States on which it is then traded or (b) if the Shares are not traded, listed, or otherwise reported or quoted, the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Market Value in whatever manner it considers appropriate taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

2.22.    “Grant Date” means the first day of an Offering Period.

2.23.    “Matching Date” means, if the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines to credit Match Shares to a Participant, the date during the calendar month following the annual anniversary of the applicable Quarter End on which Match Shares are credited to the Participant’s Share Account.

2.24.    “Match Price” means the closing price of a Share on the Wednesday preceding the Matching Date (or on such other date during the week that includes the Matching Date, as determined by the Company).

2.25.    “Match Shares” means the Shares credited to a Participant’s Share Account pursuant to Appendix A of the Plan.

2.26.    “New Exercise Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b) hereof.

2.27.    “Non-Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan, together with the sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures, if any, adopted by the Administrator as a part of this Plan, in each case, pursuant to which Options may be granted to Eligible Employees that need not satisfy the requirements for Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” that are set forth under Section 423 of the Code.

2.28.    “Offering” means an offer under the Plan of an Option that may be exercised during an Offering Period as further described in Article 4 hereof. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, each Offering to the Eligible Employees shall be deemed a separate Offering, even if the dates

 

5


and other terms of the applicable Purchase Periods of each such Offering are identical and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. To the extent permitted by Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(1), the terms of each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component need not be identical, provided that the terms of the Section 423 Component and an Offering thereunder together satisfy Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(2) and (a)(3).

2.29.    “Offering Period” means one or more periods to be selected by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and with respect to which Options shall be granted to Participants. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion and may consist of one or more Purchase Periods. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an Offering Period exceed 27 months.

2.30.    “Option” means the right to purchase Shares pursuant to the Plan during each Offering Period.

2.31.    “Option Price” means the purchase price of a Share hereunder as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.

2.32.    “Parent” means any entity that is a parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.

2.33.    “Participant” means any Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.

2.34.    “Payday” means the regular and recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee.

2.35.    “Person” means any individual, entity, or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act).

2.36.    “Plan” means this Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including both the Section 423 Component and Non-Section 423 Component and any other sub-plans or appendices hereto, as amended from time to time.

2.37.    “Plan Account” means a bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Company in the name of each Participant.

2.38.    “Purchase Period” means each consecutive six (6)-month period commencing on such months within each Offering Period as established by the Administrator. The duration and timing of Purchase Periods may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Purchase Period exceed the duration of the Offering Period under which it is established.

2.39.    “Quarter” means, with respect to each calendar year during which the Plan is in effect, the following four calendar quarters: January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July through September 30 and October 1 through December 31. The duration and timing of the Quarter may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion.

 

6


2.40.    “Quarter End” means the last day of each Quarter (i.e., March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31). The timing of the Quarter End may be established or changed by the Administrator at any time, in its sole discretion.

2.41.    “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code, and the U.S. Department of Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder.

2.42.    “Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan that are intended to meet the requirements under Section 423(b) of the Code.

2.43.    “Shares” means any Class A Shares and/or Class A ADSs, as the context may require (and in either case, as determined by the Administrator in its discretion), and such other securities as may be substituted for such Shares pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof.

2.44.    “Share Account” means an account maintained in the Participant’s name at a stock brokerage or other financial services firm designated by the Company.

2.45.    “Subsidiary” means any entity that is a subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.

2.46.    “Tax-Related  Items” means any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, provincial, state and/or local taxes (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance contributions, fringe benefit tax, employment tax, stamp tax and any employer tax liability which has been transferred to a Participant) for which a Participant is liable in connection with his or her participation in the Plan.

2.47.    “Treas. Reg.” means U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations.

2.48.    “Withdrawal Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof.

ARTICLE 3

PARTICIPATION

3.1.    Eligibility.

(a)    Any Eligible Employee who is employed by the Company or a Designated Company on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and, for the Section 423 Component, the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.

(b)     No Eligible Employee shall be granted an Option under the Section 423 Component which permits the Participant’s rights to purchase Shares under the Plan, and to purchase shares under all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary subject to Section 423 of the Code, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of such shares (determined at the time such Option is granted) for each calendar year in which such Option is outstanding at any time. The limitation under this Section 3.1(b) shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

 

7


3.2.    Election to Participate; Payroll Deductions.

(a)    Each individual who is an Eligible Employee as of an Offering Period’s Enrollment Date may elect to participate in such Offering Period and the Plan by delivering to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company an enrollment form including a payroll deduction authorization (which may be in an electronic format or such other method as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s practices) (a “Participation Election”) no later than the period of time prior to the applicable Enrollment Date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Except as provided in Section 3.2(e) hereof, an Eligible Employee may participate in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction.

(b)    Subject to Section 3.1(b) hereof and except as may otherwise be determined by the Administrator, payroll deductions (i) shall equal at least 1% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date, but not more than 5% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date; and (ii) shall be expressed as a whole number percentage. Subject to Section 3.2(e) hereof, amounts deducted from a Participant’s Compensation with respect to an Offering Period pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be deducted each Payday through payroll deduction and credited to the Participant’s Plan Account.

(c)    Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, following at least one payroll deduction, a Participant may increase or decrease the percentage of Compensation or the fixed dollar amount designated in his or her enrollment form, subject to the limits of this Section 3.2, or may suspend his or her payroll deductions, at any time during an Offering Period; provided, however, that the Administrator may limit the number of changes a Participant may make to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period in the applicable Offering (and in the absence of any specific designation by the Administrator, a Participant shall be allowed one change to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period). Any such change or suspension of payroll deductions shall be effective with the first full payroll period following ten business days after the Company’s receipt of the new enrollment form (or such shorter or longer period as may be specified by the Administrator in the applicable Offering). In the event a Participant suspends his or her payroll deductions, such Participant’s cumulative payroll deductions prior to the suspension shall remain in his or her account and shall be applied to the purchase of Shares on the next occurring Exercise Date and shall not be paid to such Participant unless he or she withdraws from participation in the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1.

(d)    Upon the completion of an Offering Period, each Participant in such Offering Period shall automatically participate in the immediately following Offering Period at the same payroll deduction percentage as in effect at the termination of such Offering Period, unless such Participant delivers to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company a different Participation Election with respect to the successive Offering Period in accordance with Section 3.2(a) hereof, or unless such Participant becomes ineligible for participation in the Plan.

 

8


(e)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, in non-U.S. jurisdictions where participation in the Plan through payroll deductions is prohibited or otherwise problematic under applicable local laws (as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion), the Administrator may provide that an Eligible Employee may elect to participate through contributions to the Participant’s Plan Account in a form acceptable to the Administrator in lieu of or in addition to payroll deductions; provided, however, that, for any Offering under the Section 423 Component, the Administrator must determine that any alternative method of contribution is applied on an equal and uniform basis to all Eligible Employees in the Offering. Any reference to “payroll deductions” in this Section 3.2 (or in any other section of the Plan) will similarly cover contributions by other means made pursuant to this Section 3.2(e).

ARTICLE 4

PURCHASE OF SHARES

4.1.    Grant of Option. The Company may make one or more Offerings under the Plan, which may be successive or overlapping with one another, until the earlier of: (i) the date on which all Shares available under the Plan have been purchased or (ii) the date on which the Plan is suspended or terminates. No Offering shall commence prior to the date on which the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 is filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of the Plan. The Administrator shall designate the terms and conditions of each Offering in writing, including without limitation, the Offering Period and the Purchase Periods. Each Participant shall be granted an Option with respect to an Offering Period on the applicable Grant Date. Subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(b) hereof, the number of Shares subject to a Participant’s Option shall be determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to an Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s Plan Account on such Exercise Date by (b) the applicable Option Price; provided that in the case of the Section 423 Component only, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than 25,000 Shares (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof). The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of Shares that a Participant may purchase during any Purchase Periods under such future Offering Periods. Each Option shall expire on the last Exercise Date for the applicable Offering Period immediately after the automatic exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof, unless such Option terminates earlier in accordance with Article 6 hereof.

4.2.     Option Price. The Option Price shall equal not less than 85% of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a Share on (a) the applicable Grant Date and (b) the applicable Exercise Date, or such other price designated by the Administrator.

4.3.    Purchase of Shares.

(a)    On each Exercise Date for an Offering Period, each Participant shall automatically and without any action on such Participant’s part be deemed to have exercised the Participant’s Option to purchase at the applicable Option Price the largest number of whole Shares which can be purchased with the amount in the Participant’s Plan Account, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in advance of an Offering or in accordance with Applicable Law, any balance that is remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account (after exercise of such

 

9


Participant’s Option) as of the Exercise Date shall be carried forward into the next Offering Period, unless the Participant has properly elected to withdraw from the Plan, has ceased to be an Eligible Employee or with respect to the maximum limitations set forth in Section 3.1(b) and Section 4.1. Any balance not carried forward to the next Offering Period in accordance with the prior sentence shall promptly be refunded as soon as administratively practicable to the applicable Participant.

(b)    As soon as practicable following each Exercise Date, the number of Shares purchased by such Participant pursuant to Section 4.3(a) hereof shall be delivered (either in share certificate or book entry form), in the Company’s sole discretion, to either (i) the Participant or (ii) if applicable, the Participant’s Share Account. The Company may require that shares be retained in such Share Account or with such stock brokerage or other financial services firm for a designated period of time and/or may establish procedures to permit tracking of disqualifying dispositions of such shares.

4.4.    Transferability of Rights. An Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable, other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No option or interest or right to the Option shall be available to pay off any debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempt at disposition of the Option shall have no effect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Options will not be offered or sold by means of any document, other than: (i) to “qualified investors” for the purposes of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”) and any rules made or promulgated thereunder, (ii) in other circumstances which do not result in a requirement for the publication of a “prospectus” as defined in the Prospectus Regulation and/or Financial Services Act 2001 (the “FSMA”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning thereof or (iii) which would not be prohibited by section 21(1) of FSMA.

4.5.    Share Registry and Certificates. Promptly following completion of the allotment and issuance of any Options to a Participant pursuant to this Plan, the Company shall: (a) procure that the Participant and the relevant number of Options allotted and issued to such Participant pursuant to this Plan are entered into the register of members (or such other relevant register) of the Company: (b) complete and despatch to such Participant the relevant certificates for such allotted and issued Options; and (c) procure that all applicable corporate, governmental and regulatory filings in connection with such allotment and issuance of Shares are promptly made and submitted in accordance with Applicable Law.

ARTICLE 5

PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON SHARES

5.1.    Shares Reserved. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to rights granted under the Plan shall be 2,000,000 shares (the “Absolute Share Limit”); provided, the Absolute Share Limit may, but need not be, issued pursuant to Options granted under the Section 423 Component; and provided, further, that, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, the

 

10


Absolute Share Limit shall be automatically increased on the first day of each fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the Effective Date falls in an amount equal to the least of (x) 0.1% of the total number of ListCo Shares (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement) outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, (y) a lower number of ListCo Shares as determined by the Board and (z) 2,000,000. Shares made available for sale under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury Shares; provided, that under the Non-Section 423 Component, Shares may be purchased by the Broker on the open market on the Participant’s behalf. If any right granted under the Plan shall for any reason terminate without having been exercised, the Shares not purchased under such right shall again become available for issuance under the Plan.

5.2.    Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a)    Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under Option (or, with respect to Match Shares, not yet posted to the Participant’s Share Account), as well as the price per share and the number of Shares covered by each Option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares resulting from a share split, reverse share split, share dividend, combination, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization, arrangement or reclassification of the Shares, or any other increase or decrease in the number Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Shares subject to an Option.

(b)    Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

(c)    Merger, Share Sale or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the shares or assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, any

 

11


Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed sale or merger. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

5.3.    Insufficient Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date or Matching Date, as applicable, the number of Shares with respect to which Options are to be exercised or subject to Match Shares may exceed the number of Shares remaining available for sale or issuance under the Plan on such Exercise Date or Matching Date, the Administrator shall make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for issuance on such Exercise Date or Matching Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising Options to purchase Shares on such Exercise Date or eligible to receive Match Shares on such Matching Date, and unless additional Shares are authorized for issuance under the Plan, no further Offering Periods or Matching Dates shall take place and the Plan shall terminate pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof. If an Offering Period is so terminated, then the balance of the amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account which has not been applied to the purchase of Shares shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash within 30 days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).

5.4.    Rights as Shareholders. With respect to Shares subject to an Option or Match Shares, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a shareholder of the Company and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a shareholder. A Participant shall have the rights and privileges of a shareholder of the Company when, but not until, the Shares have been delivered to the Participant or deposited in the designated brokerage account following exercise of the Participant’s Option or the Matching Date, as applicable.

 

12


ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

6.1.    Cessation of Contributions; Voluntary Withdrawal.

(a)    A Participant may cease payroll deductions during an Offering Period and elect to withdraw from the Plan by delivering written notice of such election to the Company or an Agent designated by the Company in such form and at such time prior to the Exercise Date for such Offering Period as may be established by the Administrator (a “Withdrawal Election”). In the event a Participant elects to withdraw from the Plan, amounts then credited to such Participant’s Plan Account shall be returned to the Participant in one lump-sum payment in cash within 30 days after such election is received by the Company, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws), and the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan and the Participant’s Option for such Offering Period shall terminate upon receipt of the Withdrawal Election. 

(b)     A Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon the Participant’s eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.

(c)    A Participant who ceases contributions to the Plan during any Offering Period shall not be permitted to resume contributions to the Plan during that Offering Period.

6.2.    Termination of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee, for any reason, such Participant’s Option for the applicable Offering Period shall automatically terminate, the Participant shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan, and any balance on such Participant’s Plan Account shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of the Participant’s death, to the person or persons entitled thereto pursuant to Applicable Law, within 90 days after such cessation of being an Eligible Employee, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws). If a Participant transfers employment from the Company or any Designated Company participating in the Section 423 Component to any Designated Company participating in the Non-Section 423 Component, such transfer shall not be treated as a termination of employment, but the Participant shall immediately cease to participate in the Section 423 Component; however, any contributions made for the Offering Period in which such transfer occurs shall be transferred to the Non-Section 423 Component, and such Participant shall immediately join the then-current Offering under the Non-Section 423 Component upon the same terms and conditions in effect for the Participant’s participation in the Section 423 Component, except for such modifications otherwise applicable for Participants in such Offering. A Participant who transfers employment from any Designated Company participating in the Non-Section 423 Component to the Company or any Designated Company participating in the Section 423 Component shall not be treated as terminating the Participant’s employment and shall remain a Participant in the Non-Section 423 Component until the earlier of (i) the end of the current Offering Period under the Non-Section 423 Component, or (ii) the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period in which the Participant is eligible to participate following such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish different rules to govern transfers of employment between companies participating in the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component, consistent with the applicable requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

 

13


ARTICLE 7

GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1.    Administration.

(a)    The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of members of the Board. The Committee may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including without limitation, determining the Designated Companies participating in the Plan, establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant, determining enrollment and withdrawal deadlines and determining exchange rates. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.

(b)    It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i)     To establish and terminate Offerings;

(ii)    To determine when and how Options shall be granted and the provisions and terms of each Offering (which need not be identical);

(iii)    To select Designated Companies in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof; and

(iv)    To construe and interpret the Plan, the terms of any Offering and the terms of the Options and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, any Offering or any Option, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to administer the Plan, subject to Section 423 of the Code for the Section 423 Component.

(c)    The Administrator may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures, provided that the adoption and implementation of any such rules and/or procedures would not cause the Section 423 Component to be in noncompliance with Section 423 of the Code. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of participation elections, payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of share certificates which vary with local requirements.

 

14


(d)    The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Designated Companies or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 5.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.

(e)    All expenses and liabilities incurred by the Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Administrator may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Administrator, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested Persons. No member of the Board or Administrator shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the Options, and all members of the Board or Administrator shall be fully protected by the Company in respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation. Any and all risks resulting from any market fluctuations or conditions of any nature and affecting the price of Shares are assumed by the Participant.

7.2.    Designation of Affiliates and Subsidiaries. The Administrator shall designate from time to time the Affiliates and Subsidiaries that shall constitute Designated Companies, and determine whether such Designated Companies shall participate in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component; provided, however, that an Affiliate that does not also qualify as a Subsidiary may be designated only as participating in the Non-Section 423 Component. The Administrator may designate an Affiliate or Subsidiary, or terminate the designation of an Affiliate or Subsidiary, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company.

7.3.    Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant in the Plan. Statements of Plan Accounts shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Option Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

7.4.    No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary or to affect the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Participant) at any time, with or without cause, which right is expressly reserved.

7.5.    Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a)    The Board may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision), with respect to the Section 423 Component, or any other Applicable Law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any such amendment to the Plan in such a manner and to such a degree as required by Section 423 of the Code or such other law, regulation or rule.

 

15


(b)    If the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may in its discretion modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:

(i)    altering the Option Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Option Price;

(ii)    shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and

(iii)    allocating Shares.

Such modifications or amendments shall not require shareholder approval or the consent of any Participant.

(c)    Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan Account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).

7.6.    Use of Funds; No Interest Paid. All funds received by the Company by reason of purchase of Shares under the Plan shall be included in the general funds of the Company free of any trust or other restriction and may be used for any corporate purpose (except as may be required by applicable local laws). No interest shall be paid to any Participant or credited under the Plan (except as may be required by applicable local laws).

7.7.    Term; Approval by Shareholders. No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s shareholders within 12 months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Options may be granted prior to such shareholder approval; provided, however, that such Options shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the shareholders; provided, further that if such approval has not been obtained by the end of the 12-month period, all Options previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon terminate and be canceled and become null and void without being exercised.

7.8.    Effect Upon Other Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for employees of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume Options otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of limitation, the grant or assumption of Options in connection with the acquisition, by purchase, lease, merger, amalgamation, combination, arrangement, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, shares or assets of any corporation, firm or association.

 

16


7.9.    Conformity to Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and the participation in the Plan by any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemption rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

7.10.    Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under the Section 423 Component, if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years after the applicable Grant Date or (b) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to such Participant upon exercise of such Option. The Company may direct that any certificates evidencing shares acquired pursuant to the Plan refer to such requirement.

7.11.    Tax Withholding. At the time of any taxable event that creates a withholding obligation for the Company or any Parent, Affiliate or Subsidiary, the Participant will make adequate provision for any Tax-Related Items. In their sole discretion, and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Company or the Designated Company that employs or employed the Participant may satisfy their obligations to withhold Tax-Related Items by (a) withholding from the Participant’s wages or other compensation, (b) withholding a sufficient whole number of Shares otherwise issuable following exercise of the Option (or delivery of the Match Shares) having an aggregate value sufficient to pay the Tax-Related Items required to be withheld with respect to the Option and/or Shares, (c) withholding from proceeds from the sale of Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company, or (d) any other method as determined by the Administrator to be compliant with Applicable Laws.

7.12.    Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

7.13.    Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

7.14.    Conditions to Issuance of Shares.

(a)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option by a Participant or the delivery of Match Shares, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all Applicable Laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed or traded, and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.

 

17


(b)    All certificates for Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with U.S. and non-U.S. federal, provincial, state or local securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted, or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any certificate or book entry evidencing Shares to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.

(c)    The Administrator shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

(d)    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any Applicable Law, rule or regulation, the Company may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Option, record the issuance of Shares in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or share plan administrator).

If, pursuant to this Section 7.14, the Administrator determines that Shares will not be issued to any Participant, the Company is relieved from liability to any Participant except to refund to the Participant such Participant’s Plan Account balance, without interest thereon (except as may be required by applicable local laws).

7.15.    Equal Rights and Privileges. All Eligible Employees granted Options pursuant to an Offering under the Section 423 Component shall have equal rights and privileges under this Plan to the extent required under Section 423 of the Code so that the Section 423 Component qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Any provision of the Section 423 Component that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall, without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code. Eligible Employees participating in the Non-Section 423 Component need not have the same rights and privileges as each other, or as Eligible Employees participating in the Section 423 Component.

7.16.    Rules Particular to Specific Countries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms and conditions of the Plan with respect to Participants who are tax residents of a particular non-U.S. country or who are non-U.S. nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to an addendum to the Plan in the form of an appendix or sub-plan (which appendix or sub-plan may be designed to govern Offerings under the Section 423 Component or the Non-Section 423 Component, as determined by the Administrator). To the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in an appendix or sub-plan conflict with any provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the appendix or sub-plan shall govern. The adoption of any such appendix or sub-plan shall be pursuant to Section 7.1 above. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures, with respect to Participants who are non-U.S. nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions, regarding the exclusion of particular

 

18


Affiliates or Subsidiaries from participation in the Plan, eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, handling of payroll deductions or other contributions by Participants, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, data privacy security, payroll tax, withholding procedures, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold payroll deductions or contributions, provided that the adoption and implementation of any such rules and/or procedures would not cause the Section 423 Component to be in noncompliance with Section 423 of the Code.

7.17.    Section 409A. The Section 423 Component of the Plan and the Options granted pursuant to Offerings thereunder are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A. Neither the Non-Section 423 Component nor any Option granted pursuant to an Offering thereunder is intended to constitute or provide for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. The Non-Section 423 Component is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that any Option granted under the Plan may be or become subject to Section 409A or that any provision of the Plan may cause an Option granted under the Plan to be or become subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and/or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A or with an available exemption therefrom.

*    *    *    *    *

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC on June 23, 2022.

I hereby certify that the foregoing Plan was approved by the shareholders of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC on June 23, 2022.

Executed on June 23, 2022.

 

/s/ Jan Mikael Alkmark

Jan Mikael Alkmark

Director

 

19


APPENDIX A

COMPANY MATCH AND ALLOCATION OF MATCH SHARES

UNDER THE NON-SECTION 423 COMPONENT OF THE PLAN

1.1.    Purchase of Shares. Subject to the determination of the Committee in relation to the operation of the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan in each relevant participating jurisdiction, (a) with respect to each Non-U.S. Eligible Employee who has elected to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 3.2, the full amount credited to such Participant’s Plan Account, and (b) with respect to each Eligible Employee located in the United States who has elected to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 3.2, any amount credited to such Participant’s Plan Account that is in excess of the limitation set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the Plan, shall be transferred as soon as practicable following the close of each payroll period by the Company to the Broker, and the Company shall cause the Broker to use such amount to purchase Shares on the open market on the Participant’s behalf. Any balance remaining after such purchase shall be credited to the Participant’s Plan Account and shall be used to purchase additional Shares as of the next purchase date (in the case of any Eligible Employee located in the United States, to the extent the balance of the Participant’s Plan Account exceeds the limitation set forth in Section 3.1(b) of the Plan as of the applicable purchase date), which purchase date may be on such date as the Committee determines in its discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, Non-U.S. Eligible Employees shall not be eligible to participate in the purchase of Shares pursuant to Article 4 of the Plan.

1.2.    Eligibility to Receive Match Shares; Match Ratio. Under the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, determine to offer Match Shares to all Eligible Employees (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Eligible Employees located in the United States), which such determination shall be made prior to the beginning of the relevant Quarter and communicated to the applicable Participants. For each Eligible Employee who (i) is a Participant in the Plan and remains an Eligible Employee on each day from a Quarter End until the Matching Date for such Quarter End and (ii) retains the Company Shares purchased during an applicable Quarter from the Quarter End until the Matching Date for such Quarter End, the number of Match Shares shall be an amount equal to up to 100% of the number of Company Shares credited to the Participant’s Plan Account prior to the Exercise Date; provided, that in no event shall the aggregate value of Match Shares credited to the Participant’s Plan Account in respect of any calendar year exceed 1% of the Participant’s Compensation on the date the Shares to which such Match Shares relate were purchased unless the Committee, at its discretion, determines that a different limit should apply in respect of such calendar year. Any Match Shares may be subject to such additional terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, no Match Shares will be provided in respect of any Shares prior to the first anniversary of the date the Shares are credited to the Participant’s Plan Account.

1.3.    Matching Allocations. As soon as practicable following each Quarter End for which the Committee has determined to offer Match Shares pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Appendix A (but in any event no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which such Matching Shares are credited), for each Participant eligible to receive Match Shares, the Company shall cause to be allocated to the Participant’s Share Account that number

 

A-1


of Match Shares determined pursuant to this Appendix A. Match Shares shall be posted to the Participant’s Share Account, as applicable, as soon as practicable after, and credited to the Participant’s Share Account as of, each Matching Date.

1.4.    Broker Fees. The Company shall pay the Broker’s administrative charges for opening the Share Accounts for the Eligible Employees and the brokerage commissions on purchases made that are attributable to Match Shares and the purchase of Company Shares pursuant to Section 1.1 of this Appendix A. Eligible Employees shall pay all other expenses of their Share Accounts, including but not limited to the Broker’s fees attributable to the issuance of certificates for any and all Shares held in the Participant’s Share Account. Eligible Employees shall also pay the brokerage commissions and any charges associated with the sale of Shares held in the Participant’s Share Account.

 

A-2

EX-FILING FEES

Exhibit 107

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-8

(Form Type)

Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Table 1: Newly Registered Securities

 

               
Security Type   Security Class Title   Fee
Calculation
Rule
  Amount
Registered(1)(5)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Share
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
  Fee Rate   Amount of
Registration
Fee
               
Equity   Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, reserved for issuance pursuant to the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan   457(c) and 457(h)   117,856,318(2)   $8.45(4)   $995,885,888   0.0000927   $92,319
               
Equity   Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.01 per share, reserved for issuance pursuant to the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan   457(c) and 457(h)   22,000,000(3)   $8.45(4)   $185,900,000   0.0000927   $17,233
         
Total Offering Amounts     $1,181,785,888     $109,552
         
Total Fee Offsets        
         
Net Fee Due               $109,552

 

 

(1)

This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) covers Class A ordinary shares (“Class A Shares”) of Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC (the “Registrant”), that may become issuable under the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”), and (ii) the Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Employee Stock Purchase Plan”). Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement shall also cover additional Class A Shares which may become issuable by reason of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or other similar transaction effected without consideration which results in the increase in the number of the Registrant’s outstanding Class A Shares.

 

(2)

Represents Class A Shares, which will be issued in the form of American depositary shares (“ADSs”) and which are issuable pursuant to the Equity Plan being registered herein. These Class A Shares consist of ordinary shares reserved and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Equity Plan, ordinary shares that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the Equity Plan pursuant to the share counting, share recycling and other terms and conditions of the Equity Plan, and ordinary shares that may become reserved and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Equity Plan pursuant to the “evergreen” provision of the Equity Plan.

 

(3)

Represents Class A Shares, which will be issued in the form of ADSs and which are issuable pursuant to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan being registered herein. These Class A Shares consist of ordinary shares reserved and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, ordinary shares that may again become available for delivery with respect to awards under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan pursuant to the share counting, share recycling and other terms and conditions of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and ordinary shares that may become reserved and available for delivery with respect to awards under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan pursuant to the “evergreen” provision of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

 

(4)

Estimated for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of the Class A ADSs reported on The Nasdaq Global Market on August 26, 2022, which was approximately $8.45 per Class A ADS.

 

(5)

The Class A ADSs issuable upon deposit of the securities registered hereby and that may be evidenced by American depositary receipts have been and will be registered pursuant to one or more separate registration statements on Form F-6.