Document:

<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit 10.23
                                                                EXECUTION COPY

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

         This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of the 11th
day of May, 2000 (the "Effective Date"), between FirstMark Communications Europe
SA, a company incorporated in Luxembourg and having its registered address at 3
rue Jean Piret, Luxembourg ("FMCE"), and Timothy A. Samples (the "Holder").

         FMCE hereby grants to the Holder for services rendered options (the
"Options") to purchase Shares at the Exercise Prices set forth herein, in all
respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions contained in this
Agreement.

         This Agreement witnesses as follows:

1.       DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1      In the Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following
         words have the following meanings:

         "THE BOARD"                the board of directors of FMCE or a duly
                                    authorized committee of the duly directors;

         "CAUSE"                    has the meaning set forth in the Employment
                                    Agreement;

         "CHANGE IN CONTROL"        change in control shall have occurred when
                                    (i) any person or entity (other than persons
                                    controlling, controlled by or under common
                                    control with FMCE) shall have become the
                                    beneficial owner of equity interests
                                    representing more than 50% of the voting
                                    power of all outstanding equity securities
                                    of FMCE, (ii) FMCE shall have consummated
                                    any merger or consolidation if, as a result
                                    thereof, the shareholders of FMCE
                                    immediately prior to such transaction do not
                                    beneficially own equity interests
                                    representing more than 50% of the voting
                                    power of all outstanding equity securities
                                    of the resulting or surviving entity or its
                                    parent entity, or (iii) FMCE shall have sold
                                    all or substantially all of its consolidated
                                    assets;

<PAGE>

         "EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT"     the Agreement dated of even date herewith
                                    between Services and the Holder relating to
                                    the Holder's employment by Services;

         "THE EXERCISE PRICE"       the amount payable per Share on the exercise
                                    of an Option which amount is set forth
                                    herein;

         "GOOD REASON"              has the meaning set forth in the Employment
                                    Agreement; "GROUP" the group of companies
                                    comprising FMCE and any parent or
                                    subsidiary company;

         "GROUP COMPANY"            FMCE and any other company within the Group;

         "IPO"                      an initial public offering by FMCE of its
                                    Shares which is registered with the United
                                    States Securities and Exchange Commission or
                                    with a recognized investment exchange in
                                    Europe;

         "OPTION"                   a right to acquire Shares granted pursuant
                                    to this agreement;

         "SERVICES"                 Firstmark Communications Services Europe
                                    Ltd.

         "SHARES"                   shares of common stock in the capital of
                                    FMCE with a par value of U.S.$1.50 per share
                                    (or any shares representing them);

         "SUBSIDIARY"               a company incorporated which for the time
                                    being is under the control of FMCE;

         "TAX LIABILITY"            as defined in clause 5.

1.2      In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

         (a)      a reference to a statute or statutory provision includes any
                  statute or statutory provision which modifies, consolidates,
                  reenacts or supersedes it; and

         (b)      words in the singular include the plural and vice versa and
                  words in a specified gender include any other gender.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

2.       OPTIONS

         GRANT/EXERCISE PRICE

2.1      For services rendered by the Holder to FMCE, the Board, with effect
         from the date of this Agreement, grants to the Holder Options to
         subscribe for the following numbers of Shares at the following prices:

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

             Number of Shares                 Exercise Price per Share

<S>                                                 <C>
               (i)   1136                            U.S.$4,401

              (ii)   1136                            U.S.$8,803

             (iii)   1136                            U.S.$26,408

              (iv)    1136                           U.S.$44,014
</TABLE>

         On the exercise of an Option, the Exercise Price may be paid in cash
         or, at the discretion of FMCE, by delivery to FMCE of Shares of an
         appropriate value or other form of legal consideration. A payment of
         the Exercise Price in cash shall be in US$ or in such other currency as
         FMCE agrees with the Holder.

         TERM

2.2.     No Option shall be exercisable after midnight on the day before the
         tenth anniversary of the date it was granted.

         VESTING

2.3      Options granted to the Holder under 2.1(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall
         each vest 20 (twenty) per cent on February 2, 2001, and thereafter on
         each subsequent anniversary at the rate of 20 (twenty) per cent per
         annum for four additional years, provided, however, that the Holder
         remains employed by Services. In addition, if the Holder is terminated
         by Services without Cause, or the Holder terminates employment for Good
         Reason, (i) on or before two (2) years from February 2, 2000, an
         additional 40% of the aggregate number of Options originally granted
         hereunder will become vested on the date of termination, (ii) after two
         (2) years, but prior to four (4) years from February 2, 2000, 80% of
         the aggregate number of Options originally granted hereunder will be
         vested on the date of termination, and (iii) on or after four (4) years
         from February 2, 2000, 100% of the aggregate number of Options
         originally granted hereunder will be vested on the date of

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         termination. Such vesting shall be subject to the overriding conditions
         for exercise set out in clauses 2.4 and 2.5.

         NORMAL EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

2.4      Save as provided in clause 2.5, and subject to clause 2.6, an Option
         shall only be exercisable :

         (a)      on the occurrence of or, if FMCE so agrees with the Holder,
                  immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, in
                  which event vesting of the right to exercise the Option shall
                  be accelerated so that it can be exercised in full; and

         (b)      on the occurrence of an IPO, in which event vesting of the
                  right to exercise the Option shall continue to be determined
                  according to the original vesting provisions as set out in
                  clause 2.3.

         EXCEPTIONAL EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

2.5      Notwithstanding clauses 2.3 and 2.4, in circumstances that it deems to
         be exceptional, FMCE may in its discretion determine that an Option
         shall become exercisable on such terms as to accelerated or immediate
         vesting, the time limit for exercise, rights of repurchase in favor of
         FMCE or otherwise as FMCE deems fit. Any such terms shall be binding on
         the Holder and the Holder shall enter into an agreement in writing with
         FMCE accordingly.

         ROLL-OVER OF OPTIONS

2.6      If a company (the "Acquiring Company") obtains effective majority
         voting control of FMCE as a result of a Change in Control, FMCE and the
         Acquiring Company may, by an agreement in writing made in connection
         with such Change in Control, provide that all (or such proportion as
         they shall determine) of the Options shall be surrendered by the Holder
         in consideration of the grant to the Holder of new and equivalent
         rights (the "New Options") over shares in the Acquiring Company or any
         parent or subsidiary of the Acquiring Company. The terms of such New
         Options shall, subject to appropriate adjustments, reflect the terms
         set forth herein with respect to the Options and shall be contained in
         the said agreement and disclosed to the Holder, and such new terms
         shall for all purposes supersede the said original terms; it being
         understood that nothing in this clause 2.6 shall affect the rights of
         the Holder to exercise Options pursuant to clauses 2.4 and 2.5, and
         that, without limiting the rights of the Holder under this clause 2.6,
         any New Options obtained by the Holder pursuant to this clause 2.6,
         shall immediately and fully vest.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

         TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

2.7      Save at the discretion of FMCE, an Option may not be transferred,
         assigned or charged and any purported transfer, assignment or charge
         shall cause the Option to lapse.

         LAPSE OF OPTIONS

2.8      An Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable on the first to the
         occur of the following events:

         (a)      the tenth anniversary of the date of the grant;

         (b)      90 days after the termination of the Holder's employment with
                  Services other than for Cause, or by reason of the death or
                  disability of the Holder, except as provided in (e);

         (c)      the termination of the Holder's employment with Services by
                  Services for Cause or by the Holder without Good Reason;

         (d)      the date specified by FMCE in the event of the early exercise
                  of the Option being sanctioned under clause 2.5;

         (e)      90 days after termination of the Holder's employment with
                  Services for Good Reason, or two years after such termination
                  in the case of a termination for Good Reason following a
                  Change in Control or termination of the Holder's employment
                  with Services other than for Cause after a Change in Control;
                  or

         (f)      one year after the termination of the Holder's employment with
                  Services by reason of the death or disability of the Holder.

         EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

2.9.     An Option shall be exercised by notice in writing (in the form
         prescribed by FMCE) given by the Holder to FMCE in respect of all or
         some of the Shares comprised in the Option, and such notice shall be
         accompanied by the aggregate Exercise Price payable and shall be
         effective on the date of its receipt or deemed receipt by FMCE
         according to clause 2.1. FMCE shall give reasonable notice to the
         Holder of relevant events, including an imminent IPO or Change in
         Control, and in such notice shall provided to the Holder such
         explanation as FMCE considers appropriate of the Holder's rights under
         this Agreement and any steps that may need to be taken to exercise
         those rights.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

2.9.1    Subject to clause 2.9.6, as soon as reasonably practicable after the
         date of exercise of an Option according to clause 2.9 FMCE shall

         (a)      issue to the Holder such Shares which are to be issued
                  pursuant to the exercise of an Option; or

         (b)      procure the transfer to the Holder of such Shares which are to
                  be transferred pursuant to the exercise of an Option

         and cause to be registered in his name the number of Shares specified
         in the notice of exercise.

2.9.2    An Option may only be exercised in respect of a whole number of Shares,
         not a fraction of a Share.

2.9.3    When an Option is exercised only in part, the balance shall remain
         exercisable on the same terms as originally applied to the whole Option
         and an endorsement to that effect shall be noted on the Agreement as
         soon as reasonably practicable after the partial exercise.

2.9.4    Save for any right determined by reference to a date preceding the date
         upon which Shares are issued, Shares issued upon the exercise of an
         Option shall rank equally with the Shares then in issue. Shares
         transferred upon the exercise of an Option will be transferred without
         the benefit of any rights attaching to them by reference to a record
         date preceding the date of exercise.

2.9.5    The Holder shall be bound by FMCE's statutes and by-laws as they apply
         to such Shares.

2.9.6    The issue of Shares to the Holder pursuant to the exercise of an Option
         shall be subject to there being sufficient authorized and unissued
         Shares as authorized by FMCE in general meeting which FMCE undertakes
         to procure.

         THE RE-GRANT AND RE-PRICING OF OPTIONS

2.10     FMCE may, with the consent in writing of the Holder, make arrangements
         for and implement:

         (a)      the cancellation of any Options held by him and the grant in
                  substitution therefor of new Options granted under this
                  Agreement over such numbers of Shares and at such Exercise
                  Prices as may be agreed between FMCE and the Holder;

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

         (b)      the repricing of any Options held by him at such new Exercise
                  Prices and with such other new terms as may be agreed between
                  FMCE and the Holder.

         ADJUSTMENT OF OPTIONS

2.11     The number or amount of Shares that are the subject of an Option and/or
         the relative Exercise Price may be adjusted in such manner as FMCE
         considers to be fair and reasonable upon the occurrence of any
         capitalization issue or offer by way of rights (including an open
         offer) or upon any sub-division, reduction or consolidation or other
         variation of the capital of FMCE after the date on which the Option is
         granted, provided that no adjustment shall cause the adjusted Exercise
         Price to be less than the par value of a Share.

3.       OTHER RESTRICTIONS

         RIGHT OF REPURCHASE

3.1      Prior to an IPO, for a period of ninety (90) days following the
         termination of the employment of the Holder with Services for any
         reason, FMCE shall have the right to repurchase any portion of the
         Shares then held by the Holder at a purchase price equal to Fair Market
         Value as of the date of repurchase by FMCE. For purposes of this clause
         3, the "Fair Market Value" on any date (the "Valuation Date") shall be
         determined by the Board or its designee in good faith.

         LOCK-IN

3.2      In the event of the occurrence of an IPO, the Holder shall not sell,
         lend, charge, grant any options for the purchase of or otherwise
         dispose of any Shares held by him without the prior written consent of
         FMCE or the underwriters managing such IPO for a period commencing 7
         days prior to and ending 180 days (or such longer period not exceeding
         360 days as the underwriters may require) after the closing date of the
         IPO. In connection with the IPO and any other underwritten public
         offering of equity securities of FMCE, the Holder shall agree to be
         bound by any lock-up agreement requested by the managing underwriters
         so long as the principal stockholders of FMCE are bound by the same
         restrictions.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

4.       GENERAL PROVISIONS

         ADMINISTRATION

4.1      This Agreement shall be administered and implemented by the Board (or
         any committee of the Board to which such authority is delegated) acting
         on behalf of FMCE and the Board's (or such committee's) decision on all
         disputes shall be final.

         AMENDMENT

4.2      This Agreement may be amended solely by written consent of each of the
         parties hereto.

         NOTICES

4.3      Any notice or other written communication under or in connection with
         this Agreement may be given by FMCE to the Holder or by the Holder to
         FMCE (c/o the Secretary to FMCE) either by hand, by post, by facsimile
         transmission or by e-mail. Notices shall be deemed given at the time
         delivered personally by hand, 5 days after posting pre-paid if posted
         within any country or 15 days if posted internationally, and when
         receipt is acknowledged if sent by facsimile transmission or e-mail.

         TAXATION

4.4      FMCE shall not be accountable for any income tax, social security or
         equivalent liability ("the Tax Liability") to which the Holder may
         become subject in respect of any assessable income deriving from the
         grant of the Option, the exercise of the Option, or otherwise deriving
         from his participation in this Agreement.

4.4.1    The Holder shall indemnify any Group Company which, according to the
         applicable tax or social security regulations, may be required to make
         a withholding for the Tax Liability out of the Holder's current
         compensation. Pursuant to such indemnity, to the extent that the
         Holder's current compensation is insufficient to satisfy the
         withholding of the Tax Liability the Holder shall enter into such
         arrangements as the relevant Group Company requires to make such
         withholding, including:

         (a)      making a cash payment to FMCE to cover the Tax Liability; or

         (b)      appointing FMCE as agent and/or attorney for the sale of such
                  number of Shares as may be required to be sold to satisfy the
                  Tax Liability.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

         MISCELLANEOUS

4.5      FMCE shall at all times keep available sufficient authorised and
         unissued Shares to satisfy the exercise to the full extent still
         possible of any Options (excluding those the exercise of which is to be
         satisfied by the transfer of already issued Shares) taking account of
         any other obligations of FMCE to issue unissued Shares.

4.5.1    Subject to applicable law, FMCE may enter into arrangements (including
         the payment of money or making of loans) with the Holder on such terms
         as it thinks fit whereby, on exercise of an Option, already issued
         Shares may be transferred to the Holder in satisfaction of his rights
         under this Agreement.

4.5.2    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
         the laws of Luxembourg.

         SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL

4.6      All terms and conditions of this Agreement are subject to the approval
         of those persons who own more than 75% of the voting power of all the
         outstanding interests of FMCE in accordance with Section 280G of the
         Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, under U.S. law and
         regulations thereunder.

         ASSIGNMENT

4.7      FMCE shall be entitled to assign its rights under this Agreement to a
         transferee of substantially all the assets of FMCE or to any of its
         associated companies by whom the Holder shall for the time being be
         employed or on behalf of which he shall at any time work.

         HOLDING COMPANY IPO

4.8      If an initial public offering in respect of the business of FMCE and
         its associated companies is effected through a holding company for FMCE
         rather than through FMCE ("Holdings"), FMCE shall cause Holdings to
         take such actions as may be necessary to convert or exchange the Shares
         and Options held by the Holder into shares and options of Holdings
         having terms reasonably equivalent to such Shares and Options, subject
         to such adjustments as are determined by FMCE to be fair and
         reasonable. Each substitute option of Holdings shall be subject to all
         of the other terms and conditions of the original Option to which it
         relates, including the vesting schedule. In connection with such
         conversion or exchange, FMCE shall have the right to assign all of its
         rights and obligations under this Agreement to Holdings, and references
         in this Agreement (including the definitions) to FMCE shall be deemed
         thereafter to refer to Holdings rather than FMCE.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

AS WITNESS the hands of the parties hereto the day and year first above written

Signed by
For and on behalf of /s/
                     ------------------------------

FIRSTMARK COMMUNICATIONS EUROPE SA
In the presence of /s/
                   --------------------------------

Signed by TIMOTHY A. SAMPLES
In the presence of /s/ Timothy A. Samples
                   --------------------------------

                                       -10-<PAGE>

                                                              Exhibit 10.24

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT AND STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS PURSUANT TO THE
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 1996

Employer's name:       FIRSTMARK COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES EUROPE
                       LIMITED ("the Company")

Address:               Hillgate House, 26 Old Bailey, London EC4M 7HW

Employee Name:         Bob Koenig

Address:               21 Grosvenor Crescent Mews London SW1 7EX

In order to comply with the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 this
statement gives particulars of your terms of employment with the Company and
certain other matters, which form part of your contract of employment unless
expressly indicated otherwise.

1.    Commencement of Employment

1.1   Your period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on 1st
      April 2000.

1.2   No employment with a previous employer counts as part of your period of
      continuous employment with the Company.

2.    Job Title and Duties

2.1   You are employed as Chief Financial Officer or in such other position as
      the Company may from time to time assign you to.

2.2   You will perform such duties as may be required of you by your manager.
      The Company may require that you perform duties for any associated company
      from time to time.

2.3   Whilst in the Company's employment you must:-

      (a)   during your hours of work devote the whole of your time, attention
            and abilities to the business of the Company,

      (b)   use your utmost endeavours to promote the interests of the Company
            and observe the utmost good faith towards the Company, and

      (c)   comply with all the Company's rules, regulations and policies from
            time to time in force.

3.    Remuneration

3.1   Your basic salary is (pound)150,000 per annum (or such other sum as shall
      be agreed from time to time) payable in equal monthly instalments one
      month in arrears on or around the last working day of the month. The
      Directors of the Company shall, with effect from the date of commencement
      of your employment, grant to you an option to subscribe for 615 stock
      options of FirstMark Communications Europe SA ("FMCE") at a subscription
      price at the time of your offer the then market value being $US 5,000 per
      share. The grant of stock options shall be subject to, and shall be
      governed by, scheme rules to be established by FMCE. The grant of 615
      stock options will vest over a period of four years from the date of
      commencement of your employment with vesting in each case taking place
      quarterly. In the event that the Company is entitled to summarily dismiss
      you under Clause 9.3 or where you have committed any breach or default of
      the provisions contained in clause 13 and 14
<PAGE>

      hereof giving rise to a right of lawful termination, your entitlement to
      stock options (whether such stock is vested or unvested) will cease
      forthwith. Such cessation will be subject to the specific terms contained
      in the scheme rules.

3.2   The Company shall be entitled to deduct from your salary or from party
      other payments due to you any amount which the Company is required by law
      to deduct (including without limitation PAYE or National Insurance) and
      any amount which is owed by you to the Company.

      You will be entitled to Company benefits available to senior executives,
      including but not necessarily limited to health care, disability
      insurance, life cover and a contributory pension scheme.

4.    Hours of Work

      Your hours of work are such as may be required for the proper performance
      of your duties, normally between core hours of 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. and
      at such other times as may be appropriate without any additional
      remuneration.

5.    Holidays and Holiday Pay

5.1   You are entitled to 25 days paid holiday in each holiday year in addition
      to UK public holidays. The Company's holiday year runs from 1 January to
      31 December.

5.2   If your employment commenced or terminates part way through the holiday
      year your holiday entitlement will be assessed on a pro rata basis for
      each complete month of service. Deductions from the salary or other
      amounts otherwise due to you on termination of employment will be made in
      respect of any holidays taken in excess of entitlement.

5.3   Upon termination of your employment you will be entitled to pay in lieu of
      any unused holiday entitlement The Company may require you to take unused
      holidays during your notice period.

5.4   Holidays must be taken at times agreed by the Company and sufficient
      notice of intention to take holiday must be given to your manager, whose
      prior written agreement to the specified dates is required,

5.5   Any holiday entitlement which remains unused at the end of the holiday
      year cannot be carried over into the next holiday year.

6.    Sickness or other absence

6.1   If you are absent from work for any reason and your absence has not
      previously been authorised by the Company you must inform the Company by
      10:00 am. on your first day of absence.

6.2   In respect of absence due to sickness, injury, or accident, which
      continues for 7 or fewer calendar days, you must on your return to work
      provide written reasons for your absence to your manager. In respect of
      absence due to sickness, injury or accident which continues for more than
      7 calendar days you must, on the eighth calendar day, provide the Company
      with a medical certificate stating the reason for absence. Thereafter,
      medical certificates must be provided to the Company on a weekly basis.

6.3   If you are absent from work due to sickness, injury or accident and comply
      with the requirements in this clause 6 you will be paid your normal salary
      less any Statutory Sick Pay or other benefits to which you are entitled.
      Salary shall only be paid in respect of the first 6 weeks' absence,
      whether consecutive or aggregated over any 12 month period.

<PAGE>

      Thereafter, any sick pay in excess of Statutory Sick Pay is entirely at
      the Company's discretion.

6.4   The Company reserves the right to require you, at any time, to undergo a
      medical examination conducted by a doctor nominated by the Company, at the
      Company's expense, and to provide a medical report.

6.5   If your sickness, injury or accident is caused by the act or omission of a
      third party you must, at the Company's request, include in any claim for
      damages against such third party a claim in respect of moneys paid by the
      Company under clause 6.3 and must refund to the Company any damages
      recovered under that head.

7.    Pension

      The Company does not operate a pension scheme applicable to your
      employment and a contracting-out certificate under the Pension Schemes Act
      1993 is not in force in respect of your employment.

8.    Expenses

      The Company shall reimburse you in respect of all expenses reasonably
      incurred by you in the proper performance of your duties, subject to you
      providing such receipts or other evidence as the Company may require.

9.    Notice

9.1   Your contract of employment may be terminated you giving the Company
      twelve months written notice and by the Company giving you twelve months
      written notice of termination.

9.2   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      by paying to you a sum equal to your salary and all other contractual
      benefits for the relevant period of notice (or the unexpired portion if
      notice has already been given by either party).

9.3   The Company reserves the right to terminate your employment without notice
      or payment in lieu of notice if you are guilty of gross misconduct.

9.4   Your employment shall in any event expire automatically on the date you
      reach your 60th birthday.

10.   Grievance and Disciplinary matters

10.1  if you have a grievance relating to your employment you should raise the
      matter with your immediate manager. If the matter remains unresolved you
      may take it further following the Company's normal grievance procedure a
      copy of which can be found in the employee handbook.

10.2  Details of the disciplinary rules applicable to all employees are set out
      in the Company's disciplinary procedure, a copy of which can be found in
      the employee handbook.

10.3  The grievance and disciplinary procedures in this clause 10 are not
      contractually binding on the Company and the Company may alter them, or
      omit any or all of their stages where it considers it appropriate.
<PAGE>

11.   Place of Work

11.1  Your normal place of work will be at the company offices located for the
      time being at 1 James Street London or such other premises that the
      Company or associated companies may use from time to time.

11.2  Your duties may require you to travel on business for the Company to other
      locations both in the United Kingdom and other countries.

11.3  You may be required to work at any of the Company's premises (or premises
      of any associated company) or at the premises of the Company's or an
      associated company's customers or suppliers within or outside the United
      Kingdom from time to time. You will be reimbursed for any expenses
      properly incurred in connection with such duties in accordance with the
      Company's expenses policy as amended from time to time.

12.   Collective Agreements

      There are no collective agreements applicable to you or which affect your
      terms of employment.

13.   Confidentially

13.1  You will not, either during your employment (except in the proper
      performance of your duties) or at any time (without limit) after the
      termination of your employment:

      (a)   divulge or communicate to any person, company, business entity or
            other organisation;

      (b)   use for your own purposes or for any purposes other than those of
            the Company or any associated company; or

      (c)   through any failure to exercise due care and diligence, cause any
            unauthorised disclosure of any trade secrets or Confidential
            Information relating to the Company or any associated company. These
            restrictions shall cease to apply to any information which shall
            become available to the public generally otherwise than through your
            default.

13.2  "Confidential Information" shall include, but not be limited to, details
      of suppliers and their terms of business, details of customers and their
      requirements, the prices charged to and terms of business with customers,
      business plans, marketing plans and sales forecasts, financial
      information, results and forecasts (save to the extent tat these are
      included in published audited accounts), details relating to any
      commercial, financial or operational activity of the Company or any
      associated company, any proposals relating to the acquisition or disposal
      of a company or business or any part thereof or to any proposed expansion
      or contraction of activities, details of employees, directors and officers
      and of the remuneration and other benefits paid to them, information
      relating to research activities, inventions, secret processes, designs,
      formulae and product lines, any information which you are told is
      confidential and any information which has been given to the Company or
      any associated company in confidence by customers, suppliers or other
      persons.

13.3  All notes, memoranda, records, lists of customers and suppliers and
      employees, correspondence, documents, computer and other discs and tapes,
      data listings, codes, designs and drawings and other documents and
      material whatsoever (whether made or created by you or otherwise) relating
      to the business of the Company or any associated company (and any copies
      of the same):
<PAGE>

      (a)   shall be and remain the property of the Company or the relevant
            associated company; and

      (b)   shall be handed over by you to the Company or to the relevant
            associated company on demand and in any event forthwith on the
            termination of your employment.

14.   Post Termination Restrictions

14.1  In relation to the restrictions set out in this clause 14,

      (a) "Relevant Business" means any business undertaken by the Company and
      associated companies at the date of termination of your employment with
      which you were involved to a material degree in the 12 months immediately
      preceding the date of such termination.

      (b) "Relevant Person" means any person, company or other organisation who
      or which at any time in the period of 12 months immediately preceding the
      date of termination of your employment, was a supplier or customer of, or
      who had regular dealings with, the Company or any associated company and
      with whom or which you had contact or about whom or which you obtained
      Confidential Information during your employment.

      (c) "Relevant Employee" means any person who, at the date of termination
      of your employment, was employed by the Company or an associated company
      at a senior level and with whom you had material contact during the period
      of 12 months immediately preceding the date of termination of your
      employment.

      (d) "Restricted Period" means the period or 12 months after termination of
      your employment, provided that this period may at the discretion of the
      Company be reduced by any period during which you are not required to
      perform all or any of your duties pursuant to clause 19 of this statement.

14.2  You will not during the Restricted Period solicit or seek to entice away
      from the Company or any associated company the business or trade of a
      Relevant Person with the intention of supplying products or services to
      that Relevant Person so as to compete or seek to compete with any Relevant
      Business.

14.3  You will not during the Restricted Period supply products or services to
      or otherwise have business dealings with any Relevant Person in the course
      of any business or entity which is or seeks to be in competition with any
      Relevant Business.

14.4  You will not during the Restricted Period for your benefit or on behalf of
      any business or entity, offer employment to or in any way try to entice
      away a Relevant Employee from the Company or any associated company.

14.5  You will not during the Restricted Period be engaged on your own account
      or as a director, employee, partner, consultant, agent or otherwise in any
      business or entity which is or seeks to be in competition with any
      Relevant Business.

14.6  Following termination of your employment, you shall not in any way hold
      yourself out or permit yourself to be held out as being interested in or
      in anyway connected with the business of the Company or any associated
      company.
<PAGE>

14.7  The restrictions set out in this clause 14 apply whether you act for your
      own benefit or on behalf of any company, other organisation or person and
      whether you act directly or indirectly.

15.   Inventions

15.1  If you make any invention (within the meaning of the Patents Act 1977),
      whether patentable or not, which relates to, or is capable of being used
      in, any business of the Company or its associated companies with which you
      are (at the time of making the invention) or have been (within the 2 years
      before that time) concerned to a material degree, you must disclose it to
      the Company immediately to enable the Company to determine whether, under
      the applicable law, the invention is the property of the Company.

15.2  As between you and the Company, the ownership of all inventions made by
      you will be determined in accordance with section 39 of the Patents Act
      1977.

15.3  If an invention does not belong to the Company, the Company shall have the
      option to acquire for itself or its nominee your rights therein within
      three months of disclosure pursuant to clause 15.1 above on fair and
      reasonable terms to be agreed or, in default of agreement within one month
      of the exercise of the option, to be acquired at a price determined by an
      independent expert to be nominated in default of agreement, at the request
      of either you or the Company, by the President for the time being of the
      Chartered Institute of Patent Agents.

16.   Data Protection and Records

      By signing this statement, you acknowledge and agree that the Company is
      permitted to process data and sensitive personal data (as defined in the
      Data Protection Act 1998) relating to you as part of its personnel and
      other records and may use such information in the course of the Company's
      business in accordance with the Company's registrable particulars (as
      defined by section 16 (1) of the Data Protection Act 1998). You agree that
      the Company may disclose such information to its associated companies and
      to third parties whether within the European Economic Area or elsewhere in
      the event that such disclosure is, in the Company's view, required for the
      proper conduct of the Company's business or that of any associated
      company. This clause applies to information held, used or disclosed in any
      medium.

17.   Previous Contracts

17.1  The contractual terms in this statement shall be in substitution for all
      or any existing contracts of employment entered into between you and the
      Company.

17.2  Except as set out in this statement, your offer of employment letter dated
      30 November 1999 and except as be mutually agreed in writing there are no
      other contractual terms governing your employment with the Company. Any
      representation or statement (whether written or oral) made to you in
      connection with your employment and not incorporated in this statement or
      your offer of employment letter or mutually agreed in writing, shall be
      extinguished and have no effect.

18.   Definitions

      In this statement "associated company" means any holding company for the
      time being of the Company or any subsidiary for the time being of the
      Company or any such holding company (other than the Company). The
      expressions "holding company" and "subsidiary" shall have the meanings set
      out in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985.
<PAGE>

19.   Garden Leave

      After notice to terminate your employment has been given by you or the
      Company, the Company may in its absolute discretion: require you to
      perform only such duties (including without limitation research projects)
      as it may allocate to you; require you not to perform any of your duties;
      require you not to have any contact with customers or suppliers of the
      Company or any associated company; require you not to have any contact
      with such employees of the Company or any associated company as the
      Company shall determine; exclude you from the premises of the Company or
      any associated company provided always that throughout the period of any
      such action referred to in this clause your salary and contractual
      benefits shall not cease to accrue or be paid or provided subject to the
      other provisions of this statement. You acknowledge that such action
      referred to in this clause taken on the part of the Company shall not
      constitute a breach of this statement nor shall you have any claim against
      the Company or any associated company in respect of any such action. You
      shall during any such period of garden leave remain readily contactable
      and available for work and, should you fail to make yourself available for
      work having been requested by the Company to attend, you shall,
      notwithstanding any other provision of this statement, forfeit your right
      to salary and contractual benefits in respect of such period of
      non-availability.

20.   Severability

      Each and every provision in this statement shall be read as a separate and
      distinct undertaking and the invalidity, legality or unenforceability of
      any part of this statement shall not affect the validity, legality or
      enforceability of the remainder.

21.   Waiver

      No waiver by either party of any of their respective rights hereunder
      shall be deemed a continuing waiver of any such rights hereunder.

22.   Assignment

      The Company shall, upon giving you written notice, be entitled to assign
      this statement to any of its associated companies and you agree to accept
      any such assignment.

23.   Notices

23.1  Any notice to be given under this statement shall be sufficiently served:

23.2  In the case of the Employee, by being delivered either personally to him
      or sent by first class post, registered post or recorded delivery to his
      usual or last known residential address; and

23.3  In the case of the Company, by being personally delivered at, or sent by,
      first class post, registered post or recorded delivery addressed to the
      office first written above.

23.4  Any such notice in sub-clauses 23.2 and 23.3 shall be deemed served on the
      second day following that on which it was posted.

24.   Health & Safety

      As an employee you have personal responsibilities to do everything
      possible to prevent injury to yourself and to others, including:
<PAGE>

      o     working safely and efficiently by using protective equipment
            provided and by meeting statutory requirements

      o     adhering to health and safety procedures and rules for securing a
            safe work place

      o     reporting accidents or defects that have led, or may lead, to injury

      o     co-operating in the investigation of accidents to aid prevention of
            a recurrence.

      A copy of the Company's Health and Safety Policy and Procedure is posted
      on notice boards, and it is your duty to acquaint yourself with the
      various requirements set out therein.

25.   Employees Property

      The Company does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss
      of, theft or damage to employees' personal property.

26.   Personal Records

      You are required to inform your manager on any matter affecting your
      personal records, such as change of private address, marital status, next
      of kin, qualifications etc.

27.   Amendments

      The Company reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions of your
      employment from time to time, and any amendments will be notified to you
      in writing.

28.   Choice of law and jurisdiction

      This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with
      English law and the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
      the English courts.

Dated

/s/ Jackie Cluer            5.6.00
-----------------------------------
Signed by Jackie Cluer
for and on behalf of the Company

I acknowledge that I have received a duplicate copy of this statement, have read
and understood the same and agree to be bound by all the contractual terms
contained in it.

Dated

/s/ Bob Koenig
-----------------------------------
Signed by Bob Koenig

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00013-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00013-of-00352.parquet"}]]