<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.23


                          CENTENNIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.



                          EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT

                                 John C. Nugent
<PAGE>


                          CENTENNIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                          Executive Retention Agreement


      THIS EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT by and between Centennial Technologies,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and John C. Nugent (the
"Executive") is made as of February 26, 1999 (the "Effective Date").

      WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many
publicly-held corporations, the possibility of a change in control of the
Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions
which it may raise among key personnel, may result in the departure or
distraction of key personnel to the detriment of the Company and its
stockholders, and

      WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to
reinforce and encourage the continued employment and dedication of the Company's
key personnel without distraction from the possibility of a change in control of
the Company and related events and circumstances.

      NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive
remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the
severance benefits set forth in this Agreement in the event the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated under the circumstances described
below subsequent to a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.1).

      1.    Key Definitions.

      As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:

                                       2
<PAGE>

            1.1 "Change in Control" means an event or occurrence set forth in
any one or more of subsections (a) through (d) below (including an event or
occurrence that constitutes a Change in Control under one of such subsections
but is specifically exempted from another such subsection):

                  (a) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership of
any capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person
beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) 30% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any
acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition pursuant to the
exercise, conversion or exchange of any security exercisable for, convertible
into or exchangeable for common stock or voting securities of the Company,
unless the Person exercising, converting or exchanging such security acquired
such security directly from the Company or an underwriter or agent of the
Company), (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company
or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (iv) any acquisition by any
corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i) and (ii)
of subsection (c) of this Section 1.1; or

                  (b) such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below)
do not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of
Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term "Continuing
Director" means at any date a member of the Board (i) who was a member of the
Board on the date of the execution of this Agreement or (ii) who was nominated
or elected subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who
were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose
election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the
directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or
election; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from this clause (ii)
any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by
or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  (c) the consummation of a merger, consolidation,
reorganization, recapitalization or statutory share exchange involving the
Company or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company (a "Business Combination"), unless, immediately following such
Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is satisfied: (i) all
or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the then-outstanding shares of common
stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors, respectively, of the resulting
or acquiring corporation in such Business Combination (which shall include,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through
one or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred
to herein as the "Acquiring Corporation") in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities,
respectively; and (ii) no Person (excluding the Acquiring Corporation or any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company
or by the Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20%
or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring
Corporation, or of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities
of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
Combination); or

                  (d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

            1.2 "Change in Control Date" means the first date during the Term
(as defined in Section 2) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs,
(b) the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date
on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a
Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement


                                       4
<PAGE>

the "Change in Control Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date
of such termination of employment.

            1.3   "Cause" means:

                  (a) the Executive's willful and continued failure
substantially to perform his reasonable assigned duties as an officer of the
Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical
or mental illness or any failure after the Executive gives notice of termination
for Good Reason), which failure is not cured within 30 days after a written
demand for substantial performance is received by the Executive from the Board
of Directors of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which
the Board of Directors believes the Executive has not substantially performed
the Executive's duties; or

                  (b) the Executive's willful engagement in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

      For purposes of this Section 1.3, no act or failure to act by the
Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or
omission was in the best interests of the Company.

            1.4 "Good Reason" means the occurrence, without the Executive's
written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a)
through (g) below. Notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or
circumstance, such occurrence shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason if,
prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination (each as
defined in Section 3.2(a)) given by the Executive in respect thereof, such event
or circumstance has been fully corrected and the Executive has been reasonably
compensated for any losses or damages resulting therefrom (provided that such
right of correction by the Company shall only apply to the first Notice of
Termination for Good Reason given by the Executive).

                  (a) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent in
any material respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority or responsibilities in effect
immediately prior to the earliest to occur of (i) the Change in Control Date,
(ii) the date of the execution by the Company of the initial written agreement
or instrument providing for the Change in


                                       5
<PAGE>

Control or (iii) the date of the adoption by the Board of Directors of a
resolution providing for the Change in Control (with the earliest to occur of
such dates referred to herein as the "Measurement Date"), or any other action or
omission by the Company which results in a diminution in such position,
authority or responsibilities;

                  (b) a reduction in the Executive's annual base salary as in
effect on the Measurement Date or as the same was or may be increased from time
to time;

                  (c) the failure by the Company to (i) continue in effect any
material compensation or benefit plan or program (including without limitation
any life insurance, medical, health and accident or disability plan and any
vacation program or policy) (a "Benefit Plan") in which the Executive
participates or which is applicable to the Executive immediately prior to the
Measurement Date, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing
substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan or
program, (ii) continue the Executive's participation therein (or in such
substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both
in terms of the amount of benefits provided and the level of the Executive's
participation relative to other participants, than the basis existing
immediately prior to the Measurement Date or (iii) award cash bonuses to the
Executive in amounts and in a manner substantially consistent with past practice
in light of the Company's financial performance;

                  (d) a change by the Company in the location at which the
Executive performs his principal duties for the Company to a new location that
is both (i) outside a radius of 35 miles from the Executive's principal
residence immediately prior to the Measurement Date and (ii) more than 20 miles
from the location at which the Executive performed his principal duties for the
Company immediately prior to the Measurement Date; or a requirement by the
Company that the Executive travel on Company business to a substantially greater
extent than required immediately prior to the Measurement Date;

                  (e) the failure of the Company to obtain the agreement, in a
form reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, from any successor to the Company
to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as required by Section 6.1;

                  (f) a purported termination of the Executive's employment
which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the
requirements of


                                       6
<PAGE>

Section 3.2(a), which purported termination shall not be effective for purposes
of this Agreement; or

                  (g) any failure of the Company to pay or provide to the
Executive any portion of the Executive's compensation or benefits due under any
Benefit Plan within seven days of the date such compensation or benefits are
due, or any material breach by the Company of any employment agreement with the
Executive.

      In addition, the termination of employment by the Executive for any reason
or no reason during the 30-day period beginning on the first anniversary of the
Change in Control Date shall be deemed to be termination for Good Reason for all
purposes under this Agreement.

      For purposes of this Agreement, any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive, binding and final. The
Executive's right to terminate his employment for Good Reason shall not be
affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

            1.5 "Disability" means the Executive's absence from the full-time
performance of the Executive's duties with the Company for 180 consecutive
calendar days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company
or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative.

      2. Term of Agreement. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of
the parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the Effective Date and shall
expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as defined
below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the Term, (b) the date 24
months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still employed by
the Company as of such later date, or (c) the fulfillment by the Company of all
of its obligations under Sections 4 and 5.2 and 5.3 if the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates within 24 months following the Change in
Control Date. "Term" shall mean the period commencing as of the Effective Date
and continuing in effect through March 31, 2001; provided, however, that
commencing on April 1, 2001 and each April 1 thereafter, the Term shall be
automatically extended for one additional year unless, not later than 90 days
prior to the scheduled expiration of the Term (or any extension thereof), the
Company shall have given the Executive written notice that the Term will not be
extended.

                                       7
<PAGE>

      3. Employment Status; Termination Following Change in Control.

            3.1 Not an Employment Contract. The Executive acknowledges that this
Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company
any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement
does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the
Executive's employment with the Company terminates for any reason and
subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be
entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to
Section 1.2.

            3.2   Termination of Employment.

                  (a) If the Change in Control Date occurs during the Term, any
termination of the Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive
within 24 months following the Change in Control Date (other than due to the
death of the Executive) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other
party hereto (the "Notice of Termination"), given in accordance with Section 7.
Any Notice of Termination shall: (i) indicate the specific termination provision
(if any) of this Agreement relied upon by the party giving such notice, (ii) to
the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) specify the Date of
Termination (as defined below). The effective date of an employment termination
(the "Date of Termination") shall be the close of business on the date specified
in the Notice of Termination (which date may not be less than 15 days or more
than 120 days after the date of delivery of such Notice of Termination), in the
case of a termination other than one due to the Executive's death, or the date
of the Executive's death, as the case may be.

                  (b) The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth
in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or
the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting any such fact or circumstance in enforcing the
Executive's or the Company's right hereunder.

                  (c) Any Notice of Termination for Cause given by the Company
must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or
circumstance(s) which constitute(s) Cause. Prior to any Notice of Termination
for Cause being given (and


                                       8
<PAGE>

prior to any termination for Cause being effective), the Executive shall be
entitled to a hearing before the Board of Directors of the Company at which he
may, at his election, be represented by counsel and at which he shall have a
reasonable opportunity to be heard. Such hearing shall be held on not less than
15 days prior written notice to the Executive stating the Board of Directors'
intention to terminate the Executive for Cause and stating in detail the
particular event(s) or circumstance(s) which the Board of Directors believes
constitutes Cause for termination. Any such Notice of Termination for Cause must
be approved by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of
Directors.

                  (d) Any Notice of Termination for Good Reason given by the
Executive must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or
circumstance(s) which constitute(s) Good Reason.

      4.    Benefits to Executive.

            4.1 Stock Acceleration. If the Change in Control Date occurs during
the Term, then, effective upon the Change in Control Date, (a) each outstanding
option to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the Executive,
not otherwise fully exercisable or automatically exercisable in full upon a
Change in Control, shall become immediately exercisable in full, (b) each
outstanding restricted stock award shall be deemed to be fully vested and no
longer subject to a right of repurchase by the Company and (c) notwithstanding
any provision in any applicable option agreement to the contrary, each such
option shall continue to be exercisable by the Executive (to the extent such
option was exercisable on the Date of Termination) for a period of six months
following the Date of Termination.

            4.2 Compensation. If the Change in Control Date occurs during the
Term and the Executive's employment with the Company terminates within 24 months
following the Change in Control Date, the Executive shall be entitled to the
following benefits:

                  (a) Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. If the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (other than
for Cause, Disability or Death) or by the Executive for Good Reason within 24
months following the Change in Control Date, then the Executive shall be
entitled to the following benefits:

                                       9
<PAGE>

                        (i)   the Company  shall pay to the Executive in
a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of
the following amounts:

                              (1)   the sum of (A) the  Executive's base
salary through the Date of Termination, (B) the product of (x) the annual bonus
paid or payable (including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned
but deferred) for the most recently completed fiscal year and (y) a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through
the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (C) the amount
of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation or compensatory
time off pay, in each case to the extent not previously paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (A), (B), and (C) shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Accrued Obligations"); and

                              (2)   the  amount  equal  to  (A) two  and
one-half multiplied by (B) the sum of (x) the Executive's highest annual base
salary from the Company during the five-year period prior to the Change in
Control Date and (y) the Executive's highest annual bonus from the Company
during the five-year period prior to the Change in Control Date.

                        (ii)  for  30   months   after   the   Date   of
Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the
appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue to
provide benefits to the Executive and the Executive's family at least equal to
those which would have been provided to them if the Executive's employment had
not been terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect
on the Measurement Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and his family,
in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies; provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive a
particular type of benefits (e.g., health insurance benefits) from such employer
on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and his family as those being
provided by the Company, then the Company shall no longer be required to provide
those particular benefits to the Executive and his family;

                        (iii) to  the  extent  not  previously  paid  or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive outplacement
assistance commensurate with the Executive's position as well as any other
amounts or benefits


                                       10
<PAGE>

required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive
following the Executive's termination of employment under any plan, program,
policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Other Benefits"); and

                        (iv)  for  purposes of  determining  eligibility
(but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree
benefits to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive shall be considered
to have remained employed by the Company until 30 months after the Date of
Termination.

                  (b) Resignation without Good Reason; Termination for Death or
Disability. If the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the
Company within 24 months following the Change in Control Date, excluding a
termination for Good Reason, or if the Executive's employment with the Company
is terminated by reason of the Executive's death or Disability within 24 months
following the Change in Control Date, then the Company shall (i) pay the
Executive (or his estate, if applicable), in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
after the Date of Termination, the Accrued Obligations and (ii) timely pay or
provide to the Executive the Other Benefits.

                  (c) Termination for Cause. If the Company terminates the
Executive's employment with the Company for Cause within 24 months following the
Change in Control Date, then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive, in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination, the sum of (A) the
Executive's annual base salary through the Date of Termination and (B) the
amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each case to
the extent not previously paid, and (ii) timely pay or provide to the Executive
the Other Benefits.

                                       11
<PAGE>

            4.3   Taxes.

                  (a) In the event that the Company undergoes a "Change in
Ownership or Control" (as defined below), the Company shall, within 30 days
after each date on which the Executive becomes entitled to receive (whether or
not then due) a Contingent Compensation Payment (as defined below) relating to
such Change in Ownership or Control, determine and notify the Executive (with
reasonable detail regarding the basis for its determinations) (i) which of the
payments or benefits due to the Executive (under this Agreement or otherwise)
following such Change in Ownership or Control constitute Contingent Compensation
Payments, (ii) the amount, if any, of the excise tax (the "Excise Tax") payable
pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), by the Executive with respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment
and (iii) the amount of the Gross-Up Payment (as defined below) due to the
Executive with respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment. Within 30 days
after delivery of such notice to the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a
response to the Company (the "Executive Response") stating either (A) that he
agrees with the Company's determination pursuant to the preceding sentence or
(B) that he disagrees with such determination, in which case he shall indicate
which payment and/or benefits should be characterized as a Contingent
Compensation Payment, the amount of the Excise Tax with respect to such
Contingent Compensation Payment and the amount of the Gross-Up Payment due to
the Executive with respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment. The amount
and characterization of any item in the Executive Response shall be final;
provided, however, that in the event that the Executive fails to deliver an
Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company's initial
determination shall be final. Within 90 days after the due date of each
Contingent Compensation Payment to the Executive, the Company shall pay to the
Executive, in cash, the Gross-Up Payment with respect to such Contingent
Compensation Payment, in the amount determined pursuant to this Section 4.3(a).

                  (b) For purposes of this Section 4.3, the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings:

                        (i)   "Change in  Ownership  or  Control"  shall
mean a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the
ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in
accordance with Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                        (ii)  "Contingent  Compensation  Payment"  shall
mean any payment (or benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or
supplied (under this Agreement or otherwise) to a "disqualified individual" (as
defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that is contingent (within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a Change in Ownership or
Control of the Company.

                        (iii) "Gross-Up Payment" shall mean an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the amount of the Excise Tax payable with respect to a
Contingent Compensation Payment and (ii) the amount necessary to pay all
additional taxes imposed on (or economically borne by) the Executive (including
the Excise Taxes, state and federal income taxes and all applicable withholding
taxes) attributable to the receipt of such Gross-Up Payment. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, all taxes attributable to the receipt of the Gross-Up
Payment shall be computed assuming the application of the maximum tax rates
provided by law.

            4.4 Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 4 by seeking
other employment or otherwise. Further, except as provided in Section
4.2(a)(ii), the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 4
shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of
employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any
amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or otherwise.

      5.    Disputes.

            5.1 Settlement of Disputes; Arbitration. All claims by the Executive
for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to and determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company and shall be in writing. Any denial by the
Board of Directors of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be
delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons
for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The
Board of Directors shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the Executive for a
review of the decision denying a claim. Any further dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively
by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction.

                                       13
<PAGE>

            5.2 Expenses. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal, accounting and other fees and expenses which
the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any claim or contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others
regarding the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive regarding the amount of any payment or benefits
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment
at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Code.


            5.3 Compensation During a Dispute. If the Change in Control Date
occurs during the Term and the Executive's employment with the Company
terminates within 24 months following the Change in Control Date, and the right
of the Executive to receive benefits under Section 4 (or the amount or nature of
the benefits to which he is entitled to receive) are the subject of a dispute
between the Company and the Executive, the Company shall continue (a) to pay to
the Executive his base salary in effect as of the Measurement Date and (b) to
provide benefits to the Executive and the Executive's family at least equal to
those which would have been provided to them, if the Executive's employment had
not been terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect
on the Measurement Date, until such dispute is resolved either by mutual written
agreement of the parties or by an arbitrator's award pursuant to Section 5.1.
Following the resolution of such dispute, the sum of the payments made to the
Executive under clause (a) of this Section 5.3 shall be deducted from any cash
payment which the Executive is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 4; and if
such sum exceeds the amount of the cash payment which the Executive is entitled
to receive pursuant to Section 4, the excess of such sum over the amount of such
payment shall be repaid (without interest) by the Executive to the Company
within 60 days of the resolution of such dispute.

                                       14
<PAGE>

      6.    Successors.

            6.1 Successor to Company. The Company shall require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company
would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure
of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the
effectiveness of any succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall
constitute Good Reason if the Executive elects to terminate employment, except
that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such
succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in
this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as defined above and any
successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

            6.2 Successor to Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still
be payable to the Executive or his family hereunder if the Executive had
continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be
paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal
representatives or administrators of the Executive's estate.


      7. Notice. All notices, instructions and other communications given
hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable
nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at
7 Lopez Road, Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887, and to the Executive at Ness
Acre, Ness Acre Lane, Willason, South Wirral L63 2TJ, UNITED KINGDOM (or to such
other address as either the Company or the Executive may have furnished to the
other in writing in accordance herewith). Any such notice, instruction or
communication shall be deemed to have been delivered five business days after it
is sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage
prepaid, or one business day after it is sent via a reputable nationwide
overnight courier service. Either party may give any notice, instruction or
other communication hereunder using any other means, but no such notice,
instruction


                                       15
<PAGE>

or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly delivered unless and
until it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.

      8.    Miscellaneous.

            8.1 Employment by Subsidiary. For purposes of this Agreement, the
Executive's employment with the Company shall not be deemed to have terminated
solely as a result of the Executive continuing to be employed by a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company.

            8.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and
effect.

            8.3 Injunctive Relief. The Company and the Executive agree that any
breach of this Agreement by the Company is likely to cause the Executive
substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of any such
breach, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, the Executive
shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive relief.

            8.4 Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

            8.5 Waivers. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach
of, or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the
Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any
subsequent time.

            8.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

            8.7 Tax Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be
paid net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or
local law.

            8.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and
supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications, representations


                                       16
<PAGE>

or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or
representative of any party hereto; and any prior agreement of the parties
hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein is hereby terminated
and cancelled.

            8.9 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first set forth above.

                                    CENTENNIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                    By:________________________________


                                    Title:_____________________________



                                    -----------------------------------
                                    John C. Nugent




                                       17