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                                                                   Exhibit 10.14


                              SKILLSOFT CORPORATION
                       RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


            THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 15th day of March, 1999,
between SkillSoft Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Thomas J. McDonald (the "Recipient").


                                    RECITALS:


            WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"), which Plan is hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference and
made a part of it; and

            WHEREAS, the Company regards Recipient as a valuable contributor to
the Company, and has determined that it would be in the interest of the Company
and its stockholders to sell the Stock (as defined below) to the Recipient as a
reward for past efforts and an incentive for continued service with the Company
and increased achievements in the future by Recipient;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter
set forth, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

            1. Restricted Stock Purchase. Contemporaneously with the execution
of this Agreement, the Company will issue to Recipient 100,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company (the "Stock") for a consideration of $0.175 per share
("Purchase Price"). Payment of the aggregate Purchase Price of $17,500.00 for
the Stock shall be made to the Company as follows: (i) $8,750.00 shall be paid
in cash, and (ii) $8,750.00 shall be made by delivery of a promissory note, in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, each upon execution of this Agreement.
Recipient shall pledge the non-vested Stock as security for the promissory note
pursuant to a security agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. All
shares of Stock issued hereunder shall be deemed issued to Recipient as fully
paid and nonassessable shares, and Recipient shall have all rights of a
stockholder with respect thereto, including the right to vote, receive dividends
(including stock dividends), participate in stock splits or other
recapitalizations, and exchange such shares in a merger, consolidation or other
reorganization. The Company shall pay any applicable stock transfer taxes.

            2. Repurchase Option.

                  (a) Transfer Restrictions. Except as provided in Section 3(f),
no Stock issued to the Recipient hereunder shall be sold, transferred by gift,
pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise transferred or disposed of by the Recipient
in contravention of Section 2 or Section 3 hereof other than by will or the laws
of descent and distribution (the "Permitted Transfers"). Except for Permitted
Transfers, no Stock issued to the Recipient hereunder shall be sold, transferred
by gift, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise transferred or disposed of by the


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Recipient prior to the date when the Recipient shall become vested in such Stock
pursuant to Section 4 hereof, and such Stock shall constitute "Non-Vested Stock"
until such date. Any attempt to transfer Stock in violation of this Section 2 or
Section 3 shall be null and void and shall be disregarded by the Company.

                  (b) Repurchase Option. Non-Vested Stock shall be subject to a
repurchase option in favor of the Company (the "Repurchase Option"). The
Repurchase Option shall be subject to the following terms and conditions. In the
event of the voluntary or involuntary termination of employment of Recipient
with the Company for any reason, with or without cause (including death or
disability), the Company shall, upon the date of such termination, have an
irrevocable, exclusive option for a period of three months from such date to
repurchase any or all of the Non-Vested Stock from Recipient or any person
receiving the Non-Vested Stock by operation of law or other involuntary
transfer, at the original Purchase Price for the Non-Vested Stock.

                  (c) Exercise of Repurchase Option. The Repurchase Option shall
be exercised by written notice by the Company to Recipient or his or her
executor and, at the Company's option, (i) by delivery to the Recipient or his
or her executor, with such notice, of a check in the amount of the original
Purchase Price for the Non-Vested Stock being repurchased (the "Repurchase
Amount"), or (ii) in the event the Recipient is indebted to the Company for all
or a portion of the Repurchase Amount, by cancellation by the Company of an
amount of such purchase money indebtedness equal to the Repurchase Amount for
the Stock being repurchased, or (iii) by a combination of (i) and (ii) so that
the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals such Repurchase
Amount. Upon delivery by the Company of such notice and payment of the
Repurchase Amount in any of the ways described above, the Company shall become
the legal and beneficial owner of the Non-Vested Stock being repurchased and all
rights and interest therein or related thereto, and the Company shall have the
right to transfer to its own name the number of shares of Stock being
repurchased by the Company, without further action by Recipient.

                  (d) Assignment of Repurchase Option. The Repurchase Option may
be assigned by the Company to any third party.

                  (e) Escrow of Stock. For purposes of facilitating the
enforcement of the provisions of this Section 2, Recipient agrees, immediately
upon receipt of the certificate(s) for the Stock, to deliver such
certificate(s), together with an Assignment Separate from Certificate in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C, executed in blank by Recipient and
Recipient's spouse (if required for transfer) with respect to each such stock
certificate, to the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, or their
designee, to hold in escrow for so long as such Stock remains subject to any
Repurchase Option of the Company pursuant to this Section 2, with the authority
to take all such actions and to effectuate all such transfers and/or releases as
may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the objectives of this Agreement
in accordance with the terms hereof. Stock may be held for an additional period
if subject to a Security Agreement as provided in this Agreement. Recipient
hereby acknowledges that the appointment of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary
of the Company (or their designee) as the escrow holder


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hereunder with the stated authorities is a material inducement to the Company to
make this Agreement and that such appointment is coupled with an interest and is
accordingly irrevocable. Recipient agrees that such escrow holder shall not be
liable to any party hereto (or to any other party) for any actions or omissions
unless such escrow holder is grossly negligent relative thereto. The escrow
holder may rely upon any letter, notice or other document executed by any
signature purported to be genuine and may resign at any time.

            3. First Refusal Right.

                  (a) Grant of Right. The Company is hereby granted the right of
first refusal (the "First Refusal Right"), exercisable in connection with any
proposed sale or other transfer of the Stock acquired by Recipient hereunder.
For purposes of this Section 3, the term "transfer" shall include any
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or other disposition for value of the Stock
intended to be made by the Owner (defined below), but shall not include any of
the Permitted Transfers under Section 3(f). For purposes of this Section 3, the
term "Owner" shall include the Recipient or any subsequent holder of the Stock
who derives his or her chain of ownership through a transfer permitted by
Section 3(f).

                  (b) Notice of Intended Disposition. In the event the Owner
desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for any or all of the Stock (the
shares subject to such offer to be hereinafter called, solely for the purposes
of this Section 3, the "Target Shares"), Owner shall promptly deliver to the
Secretary of the Company written notice (the "Disposition Notice") of the offer
and the basic terms and conditions thereof, including the proposed purchase
price.

                  (c) Exercise of Right. The Company (or its assignee) shall,
for a period of twenty (20) days following receipt of the Disposition Notice,
have the right to repurchase any or all of the Target Shares specified in the
Disposition Notice upon substantially the same terms and conditions specified
therein. Such right shall be exercisable by written notice (the "Exercise
Notice") delivered to Owner prior to the expiration of the twenty (20) day
exercise period. If the Exercise Notice pertains to all the Target Shares
specified in the Disposition Notice, then the Company (or its assignees) shall
effect the repurchase of such Target Shares, including payment of the purchase
price, not more than five (5) business days after delivery of the Exercise
Notice; and at such time Owner shall deliver to the Company the certificates
representing the Target Shares to be repurchased, each certificate to be
properly endorsed for transfer. The Target Shares so purchased shall thereupon
be canceled and cease to be issued and outstanding shares of the Company's
common stock. However, should the purchase price specified in the Disposition
Notice be payable in property other than cash or evidences of indebtedness, the
Company (or its assignees) shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the
form of cash equal in amount to the value of such property. If the Owner and the
Company (or its assignees) cannot agree on such cash value within ten (10) days
after the Company's receipt of the Disposition Notice, the valuation shall be
made by an appraiser of recognized standing selected by the Owner and the
Company (or its assignees) or, if they cannot agree on an appraiser within
twenty (20) days after the Company's receipt of the Disposition Notice, each
shall select an appraiser of recognized standing and the two appraisers shall
designate a third appraiser of recognized standing, whose appraisal shall be
determinative of


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such value. The closing shall then be held on the later of (i) the fifth
business day following delivery of the Exercise Notice or (ii) the 15th day
after such cash valuation shall have been made.

                  (d) Non-Exercise of Right. In the event the Exercise Notice is
not given to Owner within twenty (20) days following the date of the Company's
receipt of the Disposition Notice, Owner shall have a period of ninety (90) days
thereafter in which to sell or otherwise dispose of the Target Shares upon terms
and conditions (including the purchase price) no more favorable to the third
party purchaser than those specified in the Disposition Notice. The third-party
purchaser shall acquire the Target Shares subject to all the terms and
provisions of this Agreement. All transferees of the Target Shares shall be
required as a condition of such transfer to agree in writing (in a form
satisfactory to the Company) that such transferee shall receive and hold the
Target Shares subject to the provisions of this Agreement. In the event Owner
does not sell or otherwise dispose of the Target Shares within the specified
ninety (90) day period, the Company's First Refusal Right shall continue to be
applicable to any subsequent disposition of the Target Shares by Owner until
such right lapses in accordance with Section 5.

                  (e) Partial Exercise of Right. In the event the Company (or
its assignees) makes a timely exercise of the First Refusal Right with respect
to a portion, but not all, of the Target Shares specified in the Disposition
Notice, Owner shall have the option, exercisable by written notice to the
Company delivered within ninety (90) days after the date of the Disposition
Notice, to effect the sale of the Target Shares pursuant to one of the following
alternatives:

                        (i) sale or other distribution of all the Target Shares
            to a third-party purchaser in compliance with the requirements of
            Section 3(d), as if the Company did not exercise the First Refusal
            Right hereunder; or

                        (ii) sale to the Company (or its assignees) of the
            portion of the Target Shares which the Company (or its assignees)
            has elected to purchase, such sale to be effected in substantial
            conformity with the provisions of Section 3(c).

Failure of Owner to deliver timely notification to the Company under this
Section 3(e) shall be deemed to be an election by Owner to sell the Target
Shares pursuant to alternative (ii) above.

                  (f) Exempt Transfers. The Company's First Refusal Right under
this Section 3 shall not apply to transfers of the Stock by will or the laws of
descent and distribution; provided, however, that all of the terms of this
Agreement shall remain in effect as to such transferred Stock. In addition,
Recipient may transfer all or a portion of the Stock to (i) a revocable trust
for the sole benefit of Recipient, his or her spouse, or his or her lineal
descendants, or (ii) to his or her spouse, siblings, lineal descendants thereof,
parents, or his or her lineal descendants subject to a nonrevocable voting trust
of a duration of 10 years without the written permission of the Company,
provided said Recipient is trustee and prior written notice (together with a
copy of the trust agreement) is given the Company within thirty (30) days
thereafter. The trustee shall hold such Stock subject to all the provisions
hereof, and shall make


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no further transfers other than as provided herein. Upon the death, total
disability, or termination of employment of the transferor Recipient, the
successor trustee or any cotrustee (and any subsequent transferee) shall be
required to sell, transfer or present said Stock for purchase as provided
herein, for the price and on the terms hereafter set forth as if such successor
trustee and subsequent transferee were the transferor Recipient. Transferee
shall make no further transfers other than as provided herein, and any attempted
transfer in violation of this Section 3 shall be null and void and shall be
disregarded by the Company. All references herein to Stock shall be deemed to
include Stock owned by any such successor trustee or subsequent transferee,
except that payment for such trustee and transferee Stock shall be made to the
trustee and transferee instead of to the original Recipient or his or her
estate.

            4. Vesting. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "vest" shall
mean with respect to any share of the Stock that such share is no longer
Non-Vested Stock subject to repurchase at the original Purchase Price set forth
in Section 2. If Recipient would become vested in any fraction of a share of
Stock on any date, such fractional share shall not vest and shall remain
Non-Vested Stock until the Recipient becomes vested in the entire share.
Commencing on February 1, 1999 and continuing on the monthly anniversary of such
date, 1/36 of the Stock subject to this Agreement shall vest.

            5. Lapse. The Company's First Refusal Right under Section 3 above
shall lapse and cease to have effect upon the closing of the first underwritten
public offering of Common Stock of the Company that is pursuant to a
registration statement filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), covering the offer and sale of any Common Stock to the public
for the Company's account in a firmly underwritten offering for at least
$20,000,000.

            6. Corporate Transactions.

                  (a) Definition. For purposes of this Section 6, a "Corporate
Transaction" shall include any of the following stockholder-approved
transactions to which the Company is a party:

                        (i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is
            not the surviving entity, except for (1) a transaction the principal
            purpose of which is to change the state of the Company's
            incorporation, or (2) a transaction in which the Company's
            stockholders immediately prior to such merger or consolidation hold
            (by virtue of securities received in exchange for their shares in
            the Company) securities of the surviving entity representing more
            than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of such surviving
            entity immediately after such transaction;

                        (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
            substantially all of the assets of the Company unless the Company's
            stockholders immediately prior to such sale, transfer or other
            disposition hold (by virtue of securities received in exchange for
            their shares in the Company) securities of the purchaser


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            or other transferee representing more than fifty percent (50%) of
            the total voting power of such entity immediately after such
            transaction; or

                        (iii) any merger in which the Company is the surviving
            entity but in which the Company's stockholders immediately prior to
            such merger do not hold (by virtue of their shares in the Company)
            securities of the surviving entity held immediately prior to such
            transaction representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
            voting power of the surviving entity immediately after such
            transaction.

                  (b) Effect. In the event of any Corporate Transaction, (i) the
Company's Repurchase Option under Section 2 shall lapse and (ii) the Company's
First Refusal Right under Section 3 shall lapse.

            7. Additional Securities. The term "Stock" also refers to all
securities received in replacement of the Stock, as a stock dividend or as a
result of any stock split, recapitalization, merger, reorganization, exchange or
the like, and all new or additional securities or other properties to which
Recipient is entitled by reason of Recipient's ownership of the Stock
(hereinafter called "Additional Securities"). Recipient shall be entitled to
direct the Company to exercise any warrant or option received as Additional
Securities upon supplying the funds necessary to do so, in which event the
securities so purchased shall constitute Additional Securities, but the
Recipient may not direct Company to sell any such warrant or option. If
Additional Securities consist of a convertible security, Recipient may exercise
any conversion right, and any securities so acquired shall be deemed Additional
Securities. All Stock shall be subject to the restrictions contained in this
Agreement.

            8. Investment Representations.

                  (a) Investment Representations. This Agreement is made in
reliance upon the Recipient's representation to the Company, which by its
acceptance hereof the Recipient hereby confirms, that the shares of Stock to be
received by the Recipient will be acquired for investment for his or her own
account and not with a view to the sale or distribution of any part thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act.

                  (b) Availability of Exemptions. The Recipient understands that
the Stock is not registered under the Securities Act on the basis that the sale
provided for in this Agreement and the issuance of securities hereunder is
exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2)
thereof, and that the Company's reliance on such exemption is predicated on the
Recipient's representations set forth herein.

                  (c) Restrictions on Transfer. The Recipient understands that
the Stock may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of without
registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom, and that in the
absence of an effective registration statement covering the Stock or an
available exemption from registration under the Securities Act, the Stock must
be held indefinitely. In particular, the Recipient is aware that the Stock may
not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities
Act unless all of the


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conditions of the applicable Rules are met. Among the conditions for use of Rule
144 is the availability of current information to the public about the Company.
Such information is not now available, and the Company has no present plans to
make such information available. The Recipient represents that, in the absence
of an effective registration statement covering the Stock, it will sell,
transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Stock only in a manner consistent with its
representations set forth herein and then only in accordance with the provisions
of Section 8(d) hereof.

                  (d) Procedure for Transfer. The Recipient agrees that in no
event will it make a transfer or disposition of any of the Stock (other than
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act),
unless and until (i) the Recipient shall have notified the Company of the
proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a statement of
the circumstances surrounding the disposition, (ii) such transfer is made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2 and Section 3 above and (iii) if
requested by the Company, at the expense of the Recipient or transferee, the
Recipient shall have furnished to the Company either (A) an opinion of counsel,
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer may be
made without registration under the Securities Act or (B) a "no action" letter
from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the effect that the transfer of
such securities without registration will not result in a recommendation by the
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that action be taken with
respect thereto. The Company will not require such a legal opinion or "no
action" letter in any transaction in compliance with Rule 144.

            9. Legends; Stop Transfer.

                  (a) Required Legends. All certificates for shares of the Stock
shall bear the following legends:

            "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
            INVESTMENT AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE SALE
            OR DISTRIBUTION THEREOF. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
            UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR
            SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SAID ACT OR AN
            OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH
            REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED."

            "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE RESTRICTED BY THE
            TERMS OF, AND ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION AND A
            RIGHT OF REPURCHASE IN FAVOR OF THE COMPANY, AS PROVIDED IN A
            RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE
            HOLDER HEREOF, OR ITS SUCCESSOR, A COPY OF WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM
            THE COMPANY."


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                  (b) Additional Legends. The certificates for shares of the
Stock shall also bear any legend required by any applicable state securities
law.

            10. Lock-Up Agreement.

                  (a) Agreement. Recipient, if requested by the Company and the
lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock or other securities
of the Company (the "Lead Underwriter"), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell,
contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of
ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of
any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire
Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired
on the public market after such offering) during the 180-day period following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act, or such shorter period of time as the Lead Underwriter shall
specify. Recipient further agrees to sign such documents as may be requested by
the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agrees that the Company may
impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such Common Stock subject
until the end of such period. The Company and Recipient acknowledge that each
Lead Underwriter of a public offering of the Company's stock, during the period
of such offering and for the 180-day period thereafter, is an intended
beneficiary of this Section 10.

                  (b) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Section 10(a) shall not prohibit Recipient from transferring any shares of
Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
the Company's Common Stock to the extent such transfer is not otherwise
prohibited by this Agreement, either during Recipient's lifetime or on death by
will or intestacy to Recipient's immediate family or to a trust the
beneficiaries of which are exclusively Recipient and/or a member or members of
Recipient's immediate family; provided, however, that prior to any such
transfer, each transferee shall execute an agreement pursuant to which each
transferee shall agree to receive and hold such securities subject to the
provisions of Section 10 hereof. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term
"immediate family" shall mean spouse, lineal descendant, father, mother, brother
or sister of the transferor.

                  (c) No Amendment Without Consent of Underwriter. During the
period from identification as a Lead Underwriter in connection with any public
offering of the Company's Common Stock until the earlier of (i) the expiration
of the lock-up period specified in Section 10(a) in connection with such
offering or (ii) the abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead
Underwriter, the provisions of the Section 10 may not be amended or waived
except with the consent of the Lead Underwriter.

            11. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT CONFER UPON
RECIPIENT ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT WITH
THE COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE RIGHT
OF RECIPIENT OR THE COMPANY, OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, TO TERMINATE RECIPIENT'S
EMPLOYMENT WITH THE


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COMPANY AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE OR CHANGE THE TERMS OF
EMPLOYMENT OF RECIPIENT.

            12. Section 83(b) Election. Recipient hereby represents that he or
she understands (a) the contents and requirements of a timely election made
pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code or similar provision of
state law (collectively, an "83(b) Election"), (b) the application of Section
83(b) to the purchase of Stock by Recipient pursuant to this Agreement, (c) the
nature of the election to be made by Recipient under Section 83(b) and (d) the
effect and requirements of the 83(b) Election under relevant state and local tax
laws. Recipient further represents that he or she intends to file an election
pursuant to Section 83(b), the form of which Election is attached hereto as
Exhibit D, with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days following
purchase of the Stock hereunder, and a copy of such election with his or her
federal tax return for the calendar year in which the date of this Agreement
falls. Recipient covenants to inform the Company of any change in Recipient's
state of residency. Recipient shall provide the Company with a copy of any
timely 83(b) Election. If Recipient makes a timely 83(b) Election, Recipient
shall immediately pay Company the amount necessary to satisfy any applicable
federal, state, and local income and employment tax withholding requirements. If
Recipient does not make a timely 83(b) Election, Recipient shall, either at the
time that the restrictions lapse under this Agreement or at the time withholding
is otherwise required by any applicable law, pay the Company the amount
necessary to satisfy any applicable federal, state, and local income and
employment tax withholding requirements.

            13. Withholding. Recipient agrees to withholding of shares from
exercise for satisfaction of any applicable federal, state or local income tax
or employment tax withholding requirements.

            14. Distributions. The Company shall disburse to Recipient all
dividends, interest and other distributions paid or made in cash or property
(other than Additional Securities) with respect to Stock and Additional
Securities, less any applicable federal or state withholding taxes.

            15. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns.

            16. Notice. Any notice or other paper required to be given or sent
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be sufficiently given or served
hereunder to any party when transmitted by express or certified mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to the party to be served as follows:

      Company:          SkillSoft Corporation
                        20 Industrial Park Drive
                        Nashua, NH  03062
                        Attn:  Secretary


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      Recipient:        At Recipient's address as it appears under Recipient's
                        signature to this Agreement, or to such other address as
                        Recipient may specify in writing to the Company

Any party may designate another address for receipt of notices so long as notice
is given in accordance with this Section.

            17. Spousal Consent. Recipient shall cause his or her spouse to
execute the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as Exhibit E concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement or, if later, at the time Recipient becomes married.

            18. Delaware Law. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

                              SKILLSOFT CORPORATION
                              a Delaware corporation



                              By    /s/  Chuck Moran
                                 -----------------------------------



                              Its   President and CEO
                                 -----------------------------------



                              Recipient:



                                   /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
                              --------------------------------------
                              Thomas J. McDonald

                              Address:

                              218 West Hickory
                              Hinsdale, IL 60521


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                                    EXHIBIT A
                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

$8,750                                                            March 15, 1999

            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, Thomas J. McDonald, an
individual residing at 218 West Hickory, Hinsdale, IL 60521 ("Maker"), hereby
promises to pay to SkillSoft Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Payee"), on
the earlier of (i) March 15, 2004 or (ii) the date Maker ceases to be an
employee of Payee, for any reason, the principal sum of Eight Thousand Seven
Hundred Fifty Dollars ($8,750), in lawful money of the United States of America
and in immediately available funds, plus simple interest from the date hereof at
the rate of four and 83/100 percent (4.83%) per annum, payable in full on the
date such principal amount is due, provided however, that the last said
installment shall be in an amount necessary to repay in full the unpaid
principal and interest hereof.

            Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for
the actual number of days elapsed. Should interest not be paid when due
hereunder, it shall be added to the principal and thereafter bear like interest
as the principal, but such unpaid interest so compounded shall not exceed an
amount equal to simple interest on the unpaid principal at the maximum rate
permitted by law.

            This is the Promissory Note referred to in the Security Agreement of
even date herewith between Maker and Payee, and Payee is entitled to all the
benefits provided therein.

            (i) Prepayments. Maker reserves the right to prepay the outstanding
principal amount of this Note in full or in part at any time during the term of
this Note without notice and without premium or penalty.

            (ii) Events of Default and Remedies. Any one of the following
occurrences shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Note:

                  (a) Maker fails to make payment of full principal amount of
this Note as and when the same becomes due and payable in accordance with the
terms hereof.

                  (b) Maker becomes insolvent or bankrupt, commits any act of
bankruptcy, generally fails to pay its debts as they become due, becomes the
subject of any proceedings or action of any regulatory agency or any court
relating to insolvency, or makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
or enters into any agreement for the composition, extension, or readjustment of
all or substantially all of his or her obligations.

                  (c) Maker ceases to be an employee of Payee for any reason.

                  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder, the
entire unpaid principal balance of this Note (including accrued interest) shall,
at the option of the Payee and without notice or demand of any kind to Maker or
any other person,
<PAGE>   12
immediately become due and payable, and Payee shall have and may exercise any
and all rights and remedies available to it at law or in equity.

            (iii) Attorneys' Fees and Costs. Maker promises to pay on demand all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs of and expenses of Payee in connection with the
collection of amounts due hereunder, including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees incurred in connection therewith, whether or not any lawsuit is ever filed
with respect thereto.

            (iv) Miscellaneous.

                  (a) Waiver. Maker waives diligence, presentment, protest and
demand and also notice of protest, demand, dishonor and nonpayment of this Note.
No extension of time for the payment of this Note shall affect the original
liability under this Note of Maker. The pleading of any statute of limitations
as a defense to any demand against Maker is expressly waived by Maker to the
full extent permitted by law.

                  (b) Setoff. The obligation to pay Payee shall be absolute and
unconditional and the rights of Payee shall not be subject to any defense,
setoff, counterclaim or recoupment or by reason of any indebtedness or liability
at any time owing by Payee to Maker.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
Note as of the date first above written.


                                      MAKER

                                         /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Thomas J. McDonald


                                        2
<PAGE>   13
                                    EXHIBIT B
                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

            THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 15th day
of March 1999, by and between SkillSoft Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Secured Party"), and Thomas J. McDonald, an individual residing at 218 West
Hickory, Hindsale, IL 60521 ("Debtor").

            In consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the adequacy and receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

            1.    Definitions.  The following terms have the following
meanings:

                  (a) The term "Collateral" shall mean (i) the tangible assets
owned by Debtor as of the date hereof and described in Exhibit A attached hereto
and (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing Collateral. For purposes of this Security
Agreement, the term "Proceeds" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Collateral or proceeds thereof is sold, collected, exchanged or otherwise
disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and includes,
without limitation, all rights to payment, including return premiums, with
respect to any insurance relating thereto.

                  (b) The term "Obligations" shall mean all of the unpaid
principal sum of that certain Secured Promissory Note in the original principal
amount of $8,750.00 of even date herewith (the "Note") evidencing the
indebtedness of Debtor to Secured Party.

                  (c) The term "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as
the same may, from time to time, be in effect in the State of New Hampshire.

                  (d) Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning set
forth in the UCC unless otherwise set forth herein.

                  (e) The term "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set
forth in the Note.

            2. Grant of Security Interest. As collateral security for prompt and
complete payment and performance under the Obligations, Debtor hereby assigns,
conveys, grants, pledges and transfers to and creates in favor of Secured Party
a security interest in the Collateral, including all Proceeds of the foregoing
and all accessions to, substitutions and replacements for the foregoing. Debtor
shall, upon execution of this Security Agreement, and of the Note as Payee (as
such term is defined in the Note), deliver all certificates representing the
Collateral together with a stock power executed in blank by Debtor and Debtor's
spouse with respect to such stock certificates to the Secretary of Secured Party
to be held in escrow until full satisfaction of Debtor's obligations hereunder
and under the Note with the authority to take all such actions and to effectuate
all such transfers and/or releases as may be necessary or appropriate to
accomplish the objectives of this Security Agreement and the Note. In the event
that the Proceeds from the disposition



<PAGE>   14
of the Collateral are insufficient to fully satisfy the amounts due and owing
under the Note, Debtor shall, subject to the limitations set forth in the UCC,
be liable for any deficiency.

            3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Debtor represents,
warrants and covenants that:

                  (a) Title. Apart from the security interest in the Collateral
granted to Secured Party hereunder, Debtor has good and valid title to the
Collateral, free and clear of any and all liens, charges, claims, security
interests or encumbrances of any kind whatsoever.

                  (b) Transfer of Collateral. Debtor shall not sell, assign,
transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral or any interest
therein without the prior written consent of Secured Party. If any such
encumbrance is imposed, Debtor shall give Secured Party immediate written
notice.

                  (c) Perfection. Debtor shall, upon demand, do all such acts as
Secured Party may reasonably request to establish and maintain a perfected
security interest in the Collateral, including, without limitation, executing a
financing statement in the form prescribed by the New Hampshire Secretary of
State.

            4. Remedies. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default hereunder,
the entire unpaid principal balance of the Note shall, at the option of the
Payee and without notice or demand of any kind to Debtor or any other person,
immediately become due and payable, and Secured Party may proceed to exercise
any and all of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC and any
other remedies available at law or in equity, with respect to the Collateral.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Security
Agreement to be executed as of the date first above written.

                                    SECURED PARTY
                                    SKILLSOFT CORPORATION
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By:      /s/ Charles E. Moran
                                       ------------------------------------

                                    Its:    President and CEO
                                       ------------------------------------

                                    DEBTOR

                                        /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
                                    ---------------------------------------


                                       2
<PAGE>   15
                                    EXHIBIT A
                            DESCRIPTION OF COLLATERAL

             50,000 shares of Common Stock of SkillSoft Corporation
<PAGE>   16
                                    EXHIBIT C
                   STOCK ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE



            FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto SkillSoft Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
_______ (__________________________) shares of the Common Stock of the Company,
standing in his or her name on the books of SkillSoft Corporation, represented
by Certificate No. __ herewith, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ________________ attorney to transfer the said stock in the books of
SkillSoft Corporation with full power of substitution.

DATED: ________________


                                   _______________________________________
                                   (Signature)

                                   _______________________________________
                                   (Printed Name)
<PAGE>   17
                               EXHIBIT D
                      ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
                  OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

            The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code, to include in gross income for 1999 the amount of any compensation
taxable in connection with the taxpayer's receipt of the property described
below;

            1. The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable
year of the undersigned are:

            TAXPAYER'S NAME:
            SPOUSE'S NAME:

            TAXPAYER'S SOCIAL SECURITY NO.:
            SPOUSE'S SOCIAL SECURITY NO.:

            TAXABLE YEAR:  Calendar Year 1999

            ADDRESS:


            2. The property which is the subject of this election is: _______
shares of Common Stock of SkillSoft Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

            3. The property was transferred to the undersigned on _________,
1999.

            4. The property is subject to the following restriction:

            5. The fair market value of the property at the time of transfer
(determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction which by
its terms will never lapse) is: $0.175 per share x _______ shares = $__________.

            6. The undersigned paid $0.175 per share x _______ shares for the
property transferred or a total of $_______.

            The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person
for whom the services were performed in connection with the undersigned's
receipt of the above-described property. The undersigned taxpayer is the person
performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.
<PAGE>   18
            The undersigned will file this election with the Internal Revenue
Service office in which he or she files his or her annual income tax return not
later than 30 days after the date of transfer of the property. A copy of the
election also will be furnished to the person for whom the services were
performed. Additionally, the undersigned will include a copy of the election
with his or her income tax return for the taxable year in which property is
transferred. The undersigned understands that this election will also be
effective as an election under New Hampshire law.


Dated: __________________________   _________________________________________
                                                      Taxpayer


The undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.


Dated: __________________________   _________________________________________
                                                   Spouse of Taxpayer


                                       2
<PAGE>   19
                               EXHIBIT E
                           CONSENT OF SPOUSE

            I, Marianne McDonald, spouse of Thomas J. McDonald, have read and
approved the foregoing Agreement. In consideration of the right of my spouse to
purchase shares of SkillSoft Corporation, as set forth in the Agreement, I
hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of
any rights of the Agreement insofar as I may have any rights under such
community property laws of the State of New Hampshire or similar laws relating
to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the date of
the signing of the foregoing Agreement.


Dated:  ------------------------             /s/ Marianne McDonald
                                         --------------------------------
                                                   [Signature]



                                                 Marianne McDonald
                                         --------------------------------
                                                  [Printed Name]