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Exhibit 10.1    
    

 
  Xyratex Ltd
  2004 Stock Option Plan  
  

1.     Purpose of This Plan

        The
purpose of this Xyratex Ltd 2004 Stock Option Plan is to enhance the long-term shareholder value of Xyratex Ltd by offering opportunities to eligible
individuals to participate in the growth in value of the equity of Xyratex Ltd. 

2.     Definitions and Rules of Interpretation

        2.1    Definitions.    This Plan uses the following defined terms: 

        "Administrator" means the Board or the Committee. 

        "Affiliate" means a "parent" or "subsidiary" (as each is defined in Section 424 of the Code) of the Company and any other entity
that the Board or Committee designates as an "Affiliate" for purposes of this Plan. 

        "Applicable Law" means any and all laws of whatever jurisdiction, within or without the United States, and the rules of any stock exchange
or quotation system on which Shares are listed or quoted, applicable to the taking or refraining from taking of any action under this Plan, including the administration of this Plan and the issuance
or transfer of Options or Option Shares. 

        "Board" means the board of directors of the Company. 

        "Change of Control" means any transaction or event that the Board specifies as a Change of Control under Section 10.4. 

        "Code" means the United States of America Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

        "Committee" means a committee composed of Company Directors appointed in accordance with the Company's charter documents and
Section 4. 

        "Company" means Xyratex Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (no. 31989). 

        "Company Director" means a member of the Board. 

        "Consultant" means an individual who, or an employee of any entity that, provides bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate not in
connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, but who is not an Employee. 

        "Director" means a member of the board of directors of the Company or an Affiliate. 

        "Divestiture" means any transaction or event that the Board specifies as a Divestiture under Section 10.5. 

        "Employee" means a regular employee of the Company or an Affiliate, including an Officer or Director, who is treated as an employee in the
personnel records of the Company or an Affiliate, but not individuals who are classified by the Company or an Affiliate as: (i) leased from or otherwise employed by a third party,
(ii) independent contractors, or (iii) intermittent or temporary workers. The Company's or an Affiliate's classification of an individual as an "Employee" (or as not an "Employee") for
purposes of this Plan shall not be altered retroactively even if that classification is changed retroactively
for another purpose as a result of an audit, litigation or otherwise. An Optionee shall not cease to be an Employee due to transfers between locations of the Company, or between the Company and an
Affiliate or between Affiliates, or to any successor to the Company or an Affiliate that assumes the Optionee's Options under Section 10. Neither service as a Director nor receipt of a
director's fee shall be sufficient to make a Director an "Employee." 

        "Exchange Act" means the United States of America Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

 

        "Executive" means, if the Company has any class of any equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, an
individual who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or who is a "covered employee" under Section 162(m) of the Code, in either case because of the individual's relationship with
the Company or an Affiliate. If the Company does not have any class of any equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, "Executive" means any (i) Director,
(ii) officer elected or appointed by the Board, or (iii) beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of the Company's equity securities. 

        "Expiration Date" means, with respect to an Option, the date stated in the Option Agreement as the expiration date of the Option or, if no
such date is stated in the Option Agreement, then the last day of the maximum exercise period for the Option, disregarding the effect of an Optionee's Termination or any other event that would shorten
that period. 

        "Fair Market Value" means the value of Shares as determined under Section 17.2. 

        "Fundamental Transaction" means any transaction or event described in Section 10.3. 

        "Grant Date" means the date the Administrator approves the grant of an Option. However, if the Administrator specifies that an Option's
Grant Date is a future date or the date on which a condition is satisfied, the Grant Date for such Option is that future date or the date that the condition is satisfied. 

        "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code and
designated as an Incentive Stock Option in the Option Agreement for that Option. 

        "Nonstatutory Option" means any Option other than an Incentive Stock Option. 

        "Officer" means an officer of the Company or an Affiliate as defined in Rule 16a-1 adopted under the Exchange Act. 

        "Option" means a right to purchase Shares of the Company granted under this Plan. 

        "Option Agreement" means the document evidencing the grant of an Option. 

        "Option Price" means the price payable under an Option for Shares, not including any amount payable in respect of withholding or other
taxes. 

        "Option Shares" means Shares covered by an outstanding Option or purchased under an Option. 

        "Optionee" means: (i) a person to whom an Option has been granted, including a holder of a Substitute Option, and (ii) a
person to whom an Option has been transferred in accordance with all applicable requirements of Sections 6.5, 7(g), and 16. 

        "Plan" means this Xyratex Ltd 2004 Stock Option Plan. 

        "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 adopted under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. 

        "Qualified Domestic Relations Order" means a "qualified domestic relations order" as defined in, and otherwise meeting the requirements
of, Section 414(p) of the Code, except that reference to a "plan" in that definition shall be to this Plan. 

        "Scheme of Arrangement" means that certain scheme of arrangement under Section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 of the United Kingdom,
which contemplates the cancellation of the outstanding shares of Xyratex Group Limited in consideration of the issuance of common shares of the Company to the former shareholders of Xyratex Group
Limited and the issuance of new shares of Xyratex Group Limited to the Company, for the purpose of establishing a new Bermuda parent company for Xyratex Group Limited's business. 

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        "Securities Act" means the United States of America Securities Act of 1933. 

        "Share" means a common share of U.S.$0.01 par value in the capital of the Company or other securities substituted for such a common share
under Section 10. 

        "Substitute Option" means an Option granted in substitution for, or upon the conversion of, an option granted by another entity to
purchase equity securities in the granting entity. 

        "Termination" means that the Optionee has ceased to be, with or without any cause or reason, an Employee, Officer, Director or Consultant.
However, unless so determined by the Administrator, "Termination" shall not include a change in status from an Employee, Officer, Director or Consultant to another such status or the cessation of
status as an Employee, Officer, Director or Consultant while retaining another such status. An event that causes an Affiliate to cease being an Affiliate shall be treated as the "Termination" of that
Affiliate's Employees, Officers, Directors, and Consultants except for any Optionee who otherwise continues to be an Employee, Officer, Director or Consultant. 

        2.2    Rules of Interpretation.    Any reference to a "Section," without more, is to a Section of this Plan. Captions
and titles are used for convenience in this Plan and shall not be used to determine the meaning of any provision of this Plan. Except when otherwise indicated by the context, the singular includes the
plural and vice versa. Any reference to a statute is also a reference to the applicable rules and regulations adopted under that statute. Any reference to a statute, rule or regulation, or to a
section of a statute, rule or regulation, is a reference to that statute, rule, regulation, or section as amended from time to time, both before and after the effective date of this Plan and including
any successor provisions. 

3.     Shares Subject to this Plan; Term of this Plan

        3.1    Number of Option Shares.    Subject to adjustment under Section 10, the maximum number of Shares that
may be issued under this Plan is 5,000,000. 

        3.2    Source of Shares.    The source of Option Shares shall be authorized but unissued Shares. If an Option is
terminated, expires, or otherwise becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares that were subject to the Option shall revert to this Plan and shall again be
available for future issuance under this Plan. Shares actually issued under this Plan shall not be available for regrant even if repurchased by the Company. 

        3.3    Term of this Plan    

        (a)   This
Plan shall become effective on the later of the date it is adopted by the Board or the date the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. If the Scheme of
Arrangement does not become effective, this Plan shall not become effective. If the Company's shareholders do not approve this Plan within 12 months after the date of adoption by the Board, all
Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan (other than Substitute Options that are Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan in substitution for options intended to qualify as incentive
stock options under Section 422 of the Code that were granted under the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock Option Plan) shall become Nonstatutory Options. 

        (b)   This
Plan has no set termination date. However, it may be terminated as provided in Section 13. Moreover, no Incentive Stock Option may be granted after the time
described in Section 7(b). 

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4.     Administration

        4.1    General    

        (a)   The
Board shall have ultimate responsibility for administering this Plan. The Board may delegate certain of its responsibilities to a Committee, which shall consist of
at least two Company Directors; provided, however, that after the expiration of any reliance period that may apply pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(f)(1)-(3) and
for so long as the Company is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall consist solely of at
least two Company Directors who are "outside directors" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code. The Board or the Committee may further delegate its responsibilities to any Employee of the
Company or any Affiliate (a "Delegate"). Where this Plan specifies that an action is to be taken or a determination made by the Board, only the Board
may take that action or make that determination. Where this Plan specifies that an action is to be taken or a determination made by the Committee, only the Committee may take that action or make that
determination. Where this Plan references the "Administrator," the action may be taken or the determination made by the Board or the Committee or any Delegate; provided, however, that only the Board
or the Committee may approve grants of Options. However, all actions and determinations by any Administrator or Delegate are subject to the provisions of this Plan. 

        (b)   So
long as the Company has registered and outstanding a class of equity securities under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Committee shall consist of Company
Directors who are "Non-Employee Directors" as defined in Rule 16b-3 and, after the expiration of any transition period permitted by Treasury Regulations
Section 1.162-27(h)(3), who are "outside directors" as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code. 

        4.2    Authority of Administrator.    Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, the Administrator shall have the
authority: 

        (a)   to
grant Options, including Substitute Options; 

        (b)   to
determine the Fair Market Value of Shares; 

        (c)   to
determine the Option Price of Options; 

        (d)   to
select the Optionees; 

        (e)   to
determine the times Options are granted; 

        (f)    to
determine the number of Shares subject to each Option; 

        (g)   to
determine the types of payment that may be used to purchase Option Shares; 

        (h)   to
determine the types of payment that may be used to satisfy withholding tax obligations; 

        (i)    to
determine the other terms of each Option, including but not limited to the time or times at which an Option may be exercised, whether and under what conditions an
Option is assignable, and whether an Option is a Nonstatutory Option or an Incentive Stock Option; 

        (j)    to
modify or amend any Option; 

        (k)   to
authorize any person to sign any Option Agreement or other document related to this Plan on behalf of the Company; 

        (l)    to
determine the form of any Option Agreement or other document related to this Plan, and whether that document, including signatures, may be in electronic form; 

        (m)  to
interpret this Plan and any Option Agreement or document related to this Plan; 

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        (n)   to
correct any defect, remedy any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Option Agreement or any other document related to this Plan; 

        (o)   to
adopt, amend, and revoke rules and regulations under this Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans and Plan addenda; 

        (p)   to
adopt, amend, and revoke rules and procedures relating to the operation and administration of this Plan to accommodate non-U.S. Optionees and the
requirements of Applicable Law such as: (i) rules and procedures regarding the conversion of local currency, withholding procedures and the handling of stock certificates to comply with local
practice and requirements, and (ii) sub-plans and Plan addenda for non-U.S. Optionees; 

        (q)   to
determine whether a transaction or event should be treated as a Change of Control, a Divestiture or neither; 

        (r)   to
determine the effect of a Fundamental Transaction, a Change of Control or a Divestiture; and 

        (s)   to
make all other determinations the Administrator deems necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. 

        4.3    Scope of Discretion.    Subject to the last sentence of this Section 4.3, on all matters for which this
Plan confers the authority, right or power on the Board or the Committee to make decisions, that body may make those decisions in its sole and absolute discretion. Moreover, but again subject to the
last sentence of this Section 4.3, in making those decisions the Board or the Committee need not treat all persons eligible to receive Options, all Optionees, all Options or all Option Shares
the same way. However, the discretion of the Board or the Committee is subject to the specific provisions and specific limitations of this Plan, as well as all rights conferred on specific Optionees
by Option Agreements and other agreements. 

5.     Persons Eligible to Receive Options

        5.1    Eligible Individuals.    Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.6, Options may be granted to, and
only to, Employees, Officers, Directors and Consultants, including to prospective Employees, Officers, Directors and Consultants conditioned on the beginning of their service for the Company or an
Affiliate. 

        5.2    Section 162(m) Limitation.    No Employee or prospective Employee may be granted one or more Options
within any fiscal year of the Company to purchase more than 1,000,000 Shares, subject to adjustment under Section 10. After the expiration of any reliance period that may apply pursuant to
Treasury Regulations Section 1.162-27(f)(1)-(3) and for so long as the Company is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, Options may
be granted only by the Committee (and, notwithstanding Section 4.1 and Section 4.2(a), not by the Board). If an Option is cancelled without being exercised or if the Option Price of an
Option is reduced, that cancelled or repriced Option shall continue to be counted against the limit on Options that may be granted to any individual under this Section 5.2. 

6.     Terms and Conditions of Options

        The
following rules apply to all Options: 

        6.1    Price.    After the expiration of any reliance period that may apply pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.162-27(f)(1)-(3) and for so long as the Company is a "publicly held corporation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, and except as otherwise provided
in Section 6.6, no Option may have an Option Price less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Grant Date. In 

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no
event will the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of the Shares issuable under the Option. The Option Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall be subject to
Section 7(e).

        6.2    Term.    No Option shall be exercisable after its Expiration Date. No Option may have an Expiration Date that
is more than ten years after its Grant Date. 

        6.3    Vesting.    An Option shall be exercisable, subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the
Option Agreement, (a) on the Grant Date, (b) in accordance with a schedule specified in the Option Agreement related to the Grant Date, the date the Optionee's employment or service
begins, or a different date specified in the Option Agreement, or (c) as otherwise determined at any time by the Administrator pursuant to Section 9.4 or by the Board pursuant to
Section 10.3, Section 10.4, Section 10.5, Section 10.6 or Section 10.7. 

        6.4    Form of Payment    

        (a)   Subject
to Sections 6.4(b), 6.4(c) and 6.4(d), the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form and method of payment for exercising an Option. 

        (b)   Subject
to Section 6.4(d), acceptable forms of payment for Option Shares are cash, check or wire transfer. 

        (c)   In
addition, the Administrator may permit payment to be made by any of the following methods: 

        (i)    other
Shares, or the designation of other Shares, which (A) in the case of Shares acquired upon exercise of an option (whether or not under this Plan) have been
owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the Option Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; 

        (ii)   provided
that a public market exists for the Shares, through a "same day sale" commitment from the Optionee and a broker-dealer that is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers (an "NASD Dealer") under which the Optionee irrevocably elects to exercise the Option and the NASD Dealer irrevocably
commits to forward an amount equal to the Option Price, directly to the Company, upon receipt of the Option Shares; 

        (iii)  provided
that a public market exists for the Shares, consideration received by the Company under a procedure under which an NASD Dealer advances funds on behalf of the
Optionee or sells Option Shares on behalf of the Optionee (a "Cashless Exercise Procedure"), provided that if the Company extends or arranges for the extension of credit to an Optionee under any
Cashless Exercise Procedure, no Officer or Director may participate in that Cashless Exercise Procedure; 

        (iv)  with
respect only to Optionees who are neither Officers nor Directors as of the date of exercise, one or more full recourse promissory notes bearing interest at a fair
market value rate that is also at least sufficient to avoid imputation of interest under Sections 483, 1274 and 7872 of the Code and with such other terms as the Administrator specifies, except that
the Company shall at all times comply with any applicable margin rules of the Federal Reserve; and 

        (v)   any
combination of the methods of payment permitted by any paragraph of this Section 6.4. 

        (d)   If
the Option Price for an Option is denominated in British Pounds Sterling, then any payment to be made pursuant to this Plan in connection with the exercise of the
Option shall be made in United States Dollars, based on a currency exchange rate selected by the Administrator in 

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its
sole discretion with reference to one or more currency exchange rates applicable on the date the Option is considered exercised pursuant to Section 9.2, and rounded to the next higher whole
cent per Share, unless full payment is made by the Optionee in British Pounds Sterling and in accordance with Sections 6.4(b), 9.2(b) and (if applicable) 9.2(c). 

        6.5    Nonassignability of Options.    Except as set forth in the Option Agreement and in Sections 9.4(c) and 16 of
this Plan, no Option shall be assignable or otherwise transferable by the Optionee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. However, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may permit an Option to be transferred and exercised in accordance with a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. 

        6.6    Substitute Options    

        (a)   The
Board may cause the Company to grant Substitute Options in connection with the acquisition, other than the acquisition described in Section 6.6(b), by the
Company or an Affiliate of equity securities of any entity (including by merger, amalgamation, tender offer or other similar transaction) or all or a portion of the assets of any entity. Any such
substitution shall be effective when the acquisition closes. Substitute Options may be Nonstatutory Options or Incentive Stock Options. Unless and to the extent specified otherwise by the Board, each
Substitute Option shall have the same terms and conditions as the option it replaces, except that (subject to Section 10) each Substitute Option shall be an Option to purchase the number of
Shares determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion (rather than equity securities of the granting entity) and shall have an Option Price that, as determined by the Board in its sole
and absolute discretion, properly reflects the substitution. 

        (b)   The
Board shall cause the Company to grant Substitute Options in connection with the issuance to the Company of new shares of Xyratex Group Limited pursuant to the
Scheme of Arrangement. Such Substitute Options shall be granted to, and only to, all holders of stock options granted by Xyratex Group Limited under the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock Option Plan who sign
option substitution agreements delivered to them by Xyratex Group Limited, in substitution for all such stock options granted by Xyratex Group Limited under the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock Option Plan with
respect to which such option substitution agreements are signed. Each such substitution shall be effective at the time the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. Each such Substitute Option shall be
an option to purchase a number of Shares equal to the number of Xyratex Group Limited class A preferred ordinary shares subject to the existing Xyratex Group Limited option that it replaces
multiplied by 1.036378, less any fractional share. Each such Substitute Option shall have an Option Price, denominated in the same currency as the exercise price for the option that it replaces
(either United Kingdom Pounds Sterling or United States Dollars), equal to the exercise price for the option it replaces divided by 1.036378 and rounded to the next higher whole penny or cent per
Share. Each such Substitute Option shall have the same designation (as an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Option), vesting schedule and Expiration Date as the option it replaces. Subject to
Section 6.6(c), each such Substitute Option shall have such other terms as the Board shall determine. This Plan shall be deemed for all purposes a continuation of the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock
Option Plan. 

        (c)   If,
in the absence of this Section 6.6(c), any one or more provisions of this Plan or the Option Agreement would cause any Substitute Option designated as an
Incentive Stock Option (a "Substitute ISO") to give the holder of such Substitute ISO any additional benefit (an "Additional
Benefit") which the holder did not have before the substitution and which would cause the substitution to constitute a "modification" (within the meaning of
Section 424(h)(3) of the Code) of the option that the Substitute ISO replaces, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or the Option Agreement, the Additional Benefit shall not
apply to such Substitute ISO. If, in the absence of this Section 6.6(c), the inapplicability to this Plan or the Option Agreement of any 

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one
or more provisions of the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock Option Plan or any option agreement thereunder would cause any Substitute ISO to give the holder of such Substitute ISO any Additional Benefit
which the holder did not have before the substitution and which would cause the substitution to constitute a "modification" (within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code) of the option
that the Substitute ISO replaces, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or the Option Agreement, any and all such provisions of the Xyratex plc 2000 Stock Option Plan or option
agreement thereunder are incorporated herein by this reference and shall apply to such Substitute ISO. 

7.     Incentive Stock Options

        The
following rules apply only to Incentive Stock Options and only to the extent these rules are more restrictive than the rules that would otherwise apply under this Plan. With the
consent of the Optionee, or where this Plan provides that an action may be taken notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Administrator may deviate from the requirements of this Section,
notwithstanding that any Incentive Stock Option modified by the Administrator will thereafter be treated as a Nonstatutory Option. 

        (a)   The
Expiration Date of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be later than ten years from its Grant Date, with the result that no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised
after the expiration of ten years from its Grant Date. 

        (b)   No
Incentive Stock Option may be granted more than ten years from the date this Plan was adopted by the Board. 

        (c)   Options
intended to be incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code that are granted to any single Optionee under all incentive stock option plans of the
Company and its Affiliates, including Incentive Stock Options granted under this Plan, may not vest at a rate of more than $100,000 in Fair Market Value of stock (measured on the grant dates of the
options) during any calendar year. For this purpose, an option vests with respect to a given share of stock the first time its holder may purchase that share. This vesting limitation shall be applied
by, to the extent necessary to satisfy this $100,000 rule, deferring the exercisability of certain options that were intended to be incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code when
granted. The stock options or portions of stock options whose exercisability will be deferred are those with the highest option prices, whether granted under this Plan or any other equity compensation
plan of the Company or any Affiliate that permits that treatment. Those "deferred" options or portions of options shall become exercisable on the first day of the first calendar year during which the
"deferred" options or portions of options satisfy the vesting requirements of this Section 7(c), the other provisions of this Plan, and any other controlling documents, including requirements
relating to the expiration and termination of options. However, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.6(c), the exercisability of an Option or portion of an Option shall not be deferred
beyond the Option's Expiration Date and any Option or portion thereof that cannot be so deferred because of the Option's Expiration Date shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Option exercisable in
accordance with its original vesting schedule. This Section 7(c) shall not cause an Incentive Stock Option to vest before its original vesting date or cause an Incentive Stock Option that has
already vested to cease to be vested. The vesting limitation set forth in this Section 7(c) shall be applied to a Substitute ISO (as defined in Section 6.6(c)) on an integrated basis
with the option that it replaces, treating, solely for purposes of applying this Section 7(c) in the case of a Substitute ISO, (i) the plan under which the replaced option was granted as
an incentive stock option plan of an Affiliate, (ii) the stock covered by the replaced option as stock, (iii) the grant date of the Substitute ISO as the date the replaced option was
granted, and (iv) the Fair Market Value of the stock as of the date the replaced option was granted as the value of such stock as of such date determined pursuant to the plan referred to in
(i) above. Thus, for example, a Substitute ISO will 

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be
treated as vesting prior to the calendar year of, and not on, the effective date of the substitution if and to the extent the option that it replaces vested prior to such calendar year pursuant to
the plan referred to in (i) above. 

        (d)   Any
Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder must have an Expiration Date that is not later than five years from its Grant Date, with the result that
no such Option may be exercised after the expiration of five years from the Grant Date. A "Ten Percent Shareholder" is any person who, directly or by
attribution under Section 424(d) of the Code, owns stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Affiliate on the
Grant Date. 

        (e)   Except
as otherwise provided in Section 6.6, the Option Price of an Incentive Stock Option shall never be less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the
Grant Date or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder (as defined in Section 7(d)), less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares at the Grant
Date. 

        (f)    Except
as otherwise provided in Section 6.6, Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. If an Optionee changes status from an Employee to a
Consultant or non-Employee Officer or Director, that Optionee's Incentive Stock Options shall become Nonstatutory Options if not exercised within the time period described in
Section 7(h). 

        (g)   No
rights under an Incentive Stock Option may be transferred by the Optionee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the life of the
Optionee, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Optionee. The Company's compliance with a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, or the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option by a
guardian or conservator appointed to act for the Optionee, shall not violate this Section 7(g). 

        (h)   An
Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Option if it remains exercisable after, but is not exercised within, the three-month period beginning on the
day the Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason other than the Optionee's death or disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Code). If employment ceases due to death, an Incentive
Stock Option shall continue to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if it remains exercisable after, but is not exercised within, that three-month period provided it is exercised before the
Expiration Date. If employment ceases due to disability, an Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Option if it remains exercisable after, but is not exercised within, one year
after the Optionee ceases to be an Employee. Nothing in this Section 7(h) shall be relevant for purposes of determining the period after any Optionee ceases to be an Employee for any reason
during which the Optionee may exercise any of his or her Options pursuant to this Plan, which period may be shorter than the period set forth in this Section 7(h) after which an Incentive Stock
Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Option. 

8.     Consulting or Employment Relationship

        Nothing
in this Plan or in any Option Agreement, and no Option, shall: (a) interfere with or limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment or
consultancy of any Optionee at any time, whether with or without cause or reason, and with or without the payment of severance or any other compensation or payment, or (b) interfere with the
application of any provision in any of the Company's or any Affiliate's charter documents or Applicable Law relating to the election, appointment, term of office, or removal of a Director or Officer. 

9.     Exercise of Options

        9.1    In General.    An Option shall be exercisable in accordance with this Plan and the Option Agreement under which
it is granted. 

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        9.2    Time of Exercise.    An Option shall be considered exercised when the Company receives: (a) written
notice of exercise, in a form consistent with this Plan and approved by the Administrator, from the person entitled to exercise the Option, (b) full payment, or provision for payment, in a form
and method consistent with this Plan and approved by the Administrator, for the Shares for which the Option is being exercised, and (c) full payment, or provision for payment, in a form and
method consistent with this Plan and approved by the Administrator, of all applicable withholding taxes due upon or by reason of exercise. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. 

        9.3    Issuance of Option Shares.    Subject to Section 9.4(c), the Company shall issue Option Shares in the
name of the person properly exercising the Option. If the Optionee is that person and so requests, the Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause the Option Shares to be issued in
the name of the Optionee and the Optionee's spouse. The Company shall endeavor to issue Option Shares promptly after an Option is exercised. However, until Option Shares are actually issued, as
evidenced by the appropriate entry on the register of members of the Company or its transfer agent, no right to vote or receive dividends or other distributions, and no other rights as a shareholder,
shall exist with respect to the Option Shares, even though the Optionee has completed all the steps necessary to exercise the Option. No adjustment shall be made for any dividend, distribution, or
other right for which the record date precedes the date the Option Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 10. 

        9.4    Termination    

        (a)    In General.    Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator at any time,
including in the Option Agreement, and as otherwise provided in Sections 9.4(b), (c), (d) and (e), after an Optionee's Termination the Optionee's Options shall be exercisable to the extent (but
only to the extent) they are vested on the date of that Termination and only during the period ending 30 days after the Termination. However, in no event may any Option be exercised after its
Expiration Date. To the extent the Optionee does not exercise an Option within the time specified for exercise, the Option shall automatically terminate. 

        (b)    Leaves of Absence.    Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator at any time,
including in the Option Agreement, no Option may be exercised more than 30 days after the beginning of a leave of absence other than an Approved Leave. However, in no event may any Option be
exercised after its Expiration Date. Options shall not continue to vest during a leave of absence other than an Approved Leave. An "Approved Leave" is
either a leave of absence of three months or less approved by the Administrator, or a leave of absence approved by the Administrator with employment or service guaranteed on return. 

        (c)    Death or Disability.    Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator at any
time, including in the Option Agreement, if an Optionee's Termination is due to death or disability (as determined by the Administrator with respect to Nonstatutory Options and as defined in
Section 22(e) of the Code with respect to Incentive Stock Options), all Options of that Optionee to the extent exercisable at the date of that Termination may be exercised for one year after
that Termination. However, in no event may any Option be exercised after its Expiration Date. In the case of Termination due to death, an Option may be exercised as provided in Section 16. In
the case of Termination due to disability, if a guardian or conservator has been appointed to act for the Optionee and been granted this authority as part of that appointment, that guardian or
conservator may exercise the Option on behalf of the Optionee. Death or disability occurring after an Optionee's Termination shall not cause the Termination to be treated as having occurred due to
death or disability. To the extent an Option is not so exercised within the time specified for its exercise, the Option shall automatically terminate. 

        (d)    Divestiture.    If an Optionee's Termination is due to a Divestiture, the Administrator
may take any one or more of the actions described in Section 10.3 or 10.4. 

10

 

        (e)    Termination for Cause.    If an Optionee's Termination is due to cause, all of the
Optionee's Options shall automatically terminate and cease to be exercisable at the time of Termination. "Cause" means (i) an Optionee's
disclosure of confidential information about the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) an Optionee's employment by a competitor of the Company or any Affiliate, (iii) an Optionee's engagement
in any activity that is in competition with the Company or any Affiliate, or (iv) an Optionee's admission or conviction of a felony, misdemeanor or other illegal conduct against the Company. 

10.   Certain Transactions and Events

        10.1    In General.    Except as provided in this Section 10, no change in the capital structure of the
Company, merger, amalgamation, sale or other disposition of assets, change of control, issuance by the Company of shares of any class of securities convertible into shares of any class, conversion of
securities, or other transaction or event shall require or be the occasion for any adjustments of the type described in this Section 10. 

        10.2    Changes in Capital Structure.    In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, recapitalization,
combination or reclassification of stock, stock dividend, spin-off, or similar change to the
capital structure of the Company (not including a Fundamental Transaction or Change of Control), the Board shall make whatever adjustments it concludes are appropriate to: (a) the type of
Options and the number of Shares subject to Options that may be granted under this Plan, (b) the type of Options and the number of Shares subject to Options that may be granted to any
individual under this Plan, and (c) the Option Price and number and class of securities issuable under each outstanding Option. The specific adjustments shall be determined by the Board in its
sole and absolute discretion. Unless the Board specifies otherwise, any securities issuable as a result of any such adjustment shall be rounded to the next lower whole security. The Board need not
adopt the same rules for each Option or each Optionee. 

        10.3    Fundamental Transactions.    If the Company merges or amalgamates with another entity in a transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving entity or if, as a result of any transaction or event, other securities are substituted for the Shares or Shares may no longer be issued (each a  "Fundamental
Transaction"), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan except Section 6.6(c), the Board shall do one or more of the
following contingent on the closing or completion of the Fundamental Transaction: (a) arrange for the substitution of options on equity securities other than Shares (including, if appropriate,
equity securities of an entity other than the Company) in exchange for Options, (b) accelerate the vesting and termination of outstanding Options, in whole or in part, so that Options can be
exercised before or otherwise in connection with the closing or completion of the transaction or event but then terminate, and (c) cancel Options in exchange for cash payments to Optionees. The
Board need not adopt the same rules for each Option or each Optionee.

        10.4    Changes of Control.    The Board may also, but need not, specify that other transactions or events constitute
a "Change of Control". The Board may do that either before or after the transaction or event occurs. Examples of transactions or events that the Board
may treat as Changes of Control are: (a) the Company or an Affiliate is a party to a merger, consolidation, amalgamation, or other transaction in which the beneficial shareholders of the
Company, immediately before the transaction, beneficially own securities representing 50% or less of the total combined voting power or value of the Company immediately after the transaction,
(b) any person or entity, including a "group" as contemplated by Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, acquires securities holding 30% or more of the total combined voting power or value
of the Company, or (c) as a result of or in connection with a contested election of Company Directors, the persons who were Company Directors immediately before the election cease to constitute
a majority of the Board. In connection with a Change of Control, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan except Section 6.6(c), the Board may take any one or more of the actions
described in Section 10.3. In addition, the Board may extend the date for the 

11

 

exercise
of Options (but not beyond their original Expiration Date). The Board need not adopt the same rules for each Option or each Optionee. 

        10.5    Divestiture.    If the Company or an Affiliate sells or otherwise transfers equity securities of an Affiliate
to a person or entity other than the Company or an Affiliate, or leases, exchanges or transfers all or any portion of its assets to such a person or entity, then the Board, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may specify that such transaction or event constitutes a "Divestiture". In connection with a Divestiture, notwithstanding any other
provision of this Plan except Section 6.6(c), the Board may take
one or more of the actions described in Section 10.3 or 10.4 with respect to Options held by, for example, Employees, Officers, Directors or Consultants for whom that transaction or event
results in a Termination. The Board need not adopt the same rules for each Option or each Optionee.

        10.6    Dissolution.    If the Company adopts a plan of dissolution, the Board may, in its sole and absolute
discretion, cause Options to be fully vested and exercisable (but not after their Expiration Date) before the dissolution is completed but contingent on its completion. To the extent not exercised
before the earlier of the completion of the dissolution or their Expiration Date, Options shall terminate just before the dissolution is completed. The Board need not adopt the same rules for each
Option or each Optionee. 

        10.7    Cut-Back to Preserve Benefits.    If, in connection with any transaction or event addressed in
this Section 10, the Administrator determines that the net after-tax amount to be realized by any Optionee would be greater if the Administrator did not accelerate vesting for, or
make all or any portion of any cash payments to, that Optionee in accordance with any other provision of this Section 10, then and to that extent the Administrator may decide not: (a) to
accelerate vesting for that Optionee, or (b) to make such cash payments to that Optionee. 

11.   Withholding and Tax Reporting

        11.1    Tax Withholding    

        (a)    General.    Whenever Option Shares are issued or become free of restrictions, the
Company may require the Optionee to remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable tax withholding requirement, whether the related tax is imposed on the Optionee or the Company.
The Company shall have no obligation to deliver Option Shares or release Option Shares from an escrow until the Optionee has satisfied those tax withholding obligations. Whenever payment in
satisfaction of Options is made in cash, the payment will be reduced by an amount sufficient to satisfy all tax withholding requirements. 

        (b)    Method of Payment.    The Optionee shall pay any required withholding using the forms
of consideration described in Section 6.4(b), except that, in the discretion of the Administrator, the Company may also permit the Optionee to use any of the forms of payment described in
Section 6.4(c). Any required withholding shall be paid using the currency, and in accordance with any applicable currency exchange rate, provided for in Section 6.4(d). The Administrator
may also permit Option Shares to be withheld to pay required withholding. If the Administrator permits Option Shares to be withheld, the Fair Market Value of the Option Shares withheld shall not
exceed the amount determined by the applicable minimum statutory withholding rates, and shall be determined as of the date that the amount of tax to be withheld or tendered for this purpose is to be
determined. 

        11.2    Reporting of Dispositions.    Except as otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, any holder of Option
Shares acquired under an Incentive Stock Option shall promptly notify the Administrator in writing of the sale or other disposition of any of those Option Shares if the disposition occurs during:
(a) the longer of two years after the Grant Date of the Incentive Stock Option and one 

12

 

year
after the date the Incentive Stock Option was exercised, or (b) such other period as the Administrator has established. 

12.   Compliance with Law

        The
grant of Options and the issuance and subsequent transfer of Option Shares shall be subject to compliance with all Applicable Law, including all applicable securities laws. Options
may not be exercised, and Option Shares may not be transferred, in violation of Applicable Law. Thus, for example, Options may not be exercised unless: (a) a registration statement under the
Securities Act is then in effect with respect to the related Option Shares, or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, those Option Shares may be issued in accordance with an
applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws. In addition, Options may not be granted or exercised, and Option Shares may not
be issued, under this Plan unless and until the consent of the Bermuda Monetary Authority is obtained. The failure or inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body the authority
considered by the Company's legal counsel to be necessary or useful for the lawful issuance of any Option Shares or their subsequent transfer shall relieve the Company of any liability for failing to
issue those Option Shares or permitting their transfer. As a condition to the exercise of any Option or the transfer of any Option Shares, the Company may require the Optionee to satisfy any
requirements or qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to comply with or evidence compliance with any Applicable Law. 

13.   Amendment or Termination of this Plan or Outstanding Options

        13.1    Amendment and Termination.    The Board may at any time amend, suspend, or terminate this Plan. 

        13.2    Shareholder Approval.    The Company shall obtain the approval of the Company's shareholders for any amendment
to this Plan if shareholder approval is necessary or desirable to comply with any Applicable Law or with the requirements applicable to the grant of Options intended to be Incentive
Stock Options. The Board may also, but need not, require that the Company's shareholders approve any other amendments to this Plan. 

        13.3    Effect.    No amendment, suspension, or termination of this Plan, and no modification of any Option even in
the absence of an amendment, suspension, or termination of this Plan, shall impair any existing contractual rights of any Optionee unless the affected Optionee consents to the amendment, suspension,
termination, or modification. However, no such consent shall be required if the Board determines in its sole and absolute discretion that the amendment, suspension, termination, or modification:
(a) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Option to satisfy Applicable Law, to meet the requirements of any accounting standard or to avoid any adverse accounting
treatment, or (b) in connection with any transaction or event described in Section 10, is in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. The Board may, but need not, take the
tax consequences to affected Optionees into consideration in acting under the preceding sentence. Termination of this Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted
to it under this Plan with respect to Options granted before the termination or Option Shares issued under such Options even if those Option Shares are issued after the termination. 

14.   Reserved Rights

        14.1    Nonexclusivity of this Plan.    This Plan shall not limit the power of the Company or any Affiliate to adopt
other incentive arrangements including, for example, the grant or issuance of stock options, stock, or other equity-based rights under other plans or independently of any plan. 

        14.2    Unfunded Plan.    This Plan shall be unfunded. Although bookkeeping accounts may be established with respect
to Optionees, any such accounts will be used merely as a convenience. The 

13

 

Company
shall not be required to segregate any assets on account of this Plan, the grant of Options, or the issuance of Option Shares. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be deemed to be a
trustee of stock or cash to be awarded under this Plan. Any obligations of the Company to any Optionee shall be based solely upon contracts entered into under this Plan, such as Option Agreements. No
such obligation shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge or other encumbrance on any assets of the Company. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall be required to give any security or bond
for the performance of any such obligation. 

15.   Special Arrangements Regarding Option Shares

        15.1    Escrows and Pledges.    To enforce any restrictions on Option Shares, the Administrator may require their
holder to deposit the certificates representing Option Shares, with stock powers or other transfer instruments approved by the Administrator endorsed in blank, with the Company or an agent of the
Company to hold in escrow until the restrictions have lapsed or terminated. The Administrator may also cause a legend or legends referencing the restrictions to be placed on the certificates. Any
Optionee who delivers a promissory note as partial or full consideration for tax withholding obligations may be required by the Administrator to pledge (or grant a security interest in) and deposit,
with the Company, some or all of the Option Shares as collateral to secure the payment of the note. However, the Administrator may require or accept other or additional forms of collateral to secure
the note and, in any event, the Company will have full recourse against the maker of the note, notwithstanding any pledge (or security interest) or other collateral, unless stated otherwise in the
Option Agreement and the note. 

        15.2    Market Standoff.    Optionees shall be prohibited from selling any Option Shares for a period of
180 days after the effective date of the registration statement filed under the Securities Act with respect to the initial public offering of the Company's stock. In addition, if requested by
the Company or a representative of its underwriters, Optionees or certain Optionees shall be prohibited from selling some or all of their Option Shares during a period not to exceed 180 days
after the effective date of any other registration statement of the Company (other than a registration statement on Form S-8 or S-4 or an
equivalent).

16.   Beneficiaries

        An
Optionee may file a written designation of one or more beneficiaries who are to receive the Optionee's rights under the Optionee's Options after the Optionee's death. An
Optionee may change such a designation at any time by written notice. If an Optionee designates a beneficiary, the beneficiary may exercise the Optionee's Options after the Optionee's death. If an
Optionee dies when the Optionee has no living beneficiary designated under this Plan, the Company shall allow the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate to exercise the Optionee's Options
or, if there is none, the person entitled to exercise the Optionee's Options under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent and distribution. In any case, no Option may be exercised after its
Expiration Date. 

17.   Miscellaneous

        17.1    Governing Law.    This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken under this Plan shall be governed by
the substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

        17.2    Determination of Value.    Fair Market Value shall be determined as follows: 

        (a)    Listed Stock.    If the Shares are traded on any established stock exchange or quoted
on a national market system, Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for the Shares as quoted on that stock exchange or system for the date the value is to be determined (the  "Value Date") as reported in The Wall Street Journal or a similar publication. If no sales are reported
as having occurred on the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall be that closing sales price for the last 

14

 

preceding
trading day on which sales of Shares are reported as having occurred. If no sales are reported as having occurred during the five trading days before the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall
be the closing bid for Shares on the Value Date. If Shares are listed on multiple exchanges or systems, Fair Market Value shall be based on sales or bids on the primary exchange or system on which
Shares are traded or quoted. 

        (b)    Stock Quoted by Securities Dealer.    If Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market system, Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked
prices on the Value Date. If no prices are quoted for the Value Date, Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices on the last preceding trading day on which any bid
and asked prices were quoted. 

        (c)    No Established Market.    If Shares are not traded on any established stock exchange or
quoted on a national market system and are not quoted by a recognized securities dealer, the Administrator will determine Fair Market Value in good faith. The Administrator will consider the following
factors, and any others it considers significant, in determining Fair Market Value: (i) the price at which other securities of the Company have been issued to purchasers other than Employees,
Officers, Directors, or Consultants, (ii) the Company's net worth, prospective earning power, dividend-paying capacity, and non-operating assets, if any, and (iii) any other
relevant factors, including the economic outlook for the Company and the Company's industry, the Company's position in that industry, the Company's goodwill and other intellectual property, and the
values of securities of other businesses in the same industry. 

        17.3    Reservation of Shares.    During the term of this Plan, the Company will at all times reserve and keep
available such number of Shares as are still issuable under this Plan. 

        17.4    Electronic Communications.    Any Option Agreement, notice of exercise of an Option, or other document
required or permitted by this Plan may be delivered in writing or, to the extent determined by the Administrator, electronically. Signatures may also be electronic if permitted by the
Administrator.

        17.5    Notices.    Unless the Administrator specifies otherwise, any notice to the Company under any Option Agreement
or with respect to any Option or Option Shares shall be in writing (or, if so authorized by Section 17.4, communicated electronically), shall be addressed to the Secretary of the Company, and
shall be effective only when received by the Secretary of the Company. 

Date
of adoption of this Plan by the Board: April 15, 2004 

Date
of approval of this Plan by the shareholders: April 22, 2004 

Effective
date of this Plan:                        , 2004 (See Section 3.3(a).) 

15

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.1

Xyratex Ltd 2004 Stock Option PlanQuickLinks
 -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

 
 

Exhibit 10.1    
    

 
  XYRATEX LTD  
    
    2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN  
  

        1.    Purpose.    This Plan is intended to provide Employees of the Company's Designated Subsidiaries an opportunity
to purchase Stock through accumulated payroll deductions, and to constitute an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. It shall be deemed for all purposes
a continuation of the Prior Plan, which will be terminated by XGL at the Effective Time. 

        2.    Definitions.    

        (a)   "Administrator" means the Board or the committee of the Board or persons appointed by the Board from time to time to
administer this Plan pursuant to Section 13. 

        (b)   "Anticipated Pay Dates" means (i) the last business day on or before the 15th day of each calendar
month, and (ii) the last business day of each calendar month. 

        (c)   "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. 

        (d)   "Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

        (e)   "Company" means Xyratex Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company (no. 31989). 

        (f)    "Compensation" means, except as otherwise determined by the Board from time to time, all regular,
straight-time gross earnings of a Participant, including commissions but exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium, long-term disability, worker's compensation,
automobile allowances, relocation, gross-ups, recognition awards and expense reimbursements (including without limitation automobile, travel, entertainment and moving expenses) and of
incentive payments, bonuses, and any other form of compensation. 

        (g)   "Continuous Employment" means the absence of any interruption in or termination of service as an Employee. Continuous
Employment shall not be considered interrupted in the case of a leave of absence agreed to in writing by the Company, provided that either (i) the leave does not exceed 90 days or
(ii) re-employment upon expiration of the leave is guaranteed by contract or statute. 

        (h)   "Designated Subsidiaries" means the Subsidiaries that have been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole
discretion to participate in this Plan. 

        (i)    "Different Pay Date" means any Pay Date in a series of Pay Dates that differs from the Anticipated Pay Dates. 

        (j)    "Effective Date" means the date the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. 

        (k)   "Effective Time" means the time on the Effective Date at which the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective. 

        (l)    "Employee" means, as of any date, any person, including a person who is an officer of the Company or any Subsidiary on
such date, who both (i) was employed by any of the Company's Designated Subsidiaries throughout the one-month period ending on such date, and (ii) is customarily employed, as
of such date, by any of the Company's Designated Subsidiaries for at least 20 hours per week and for at least 5 months per calendar year. Whether an individual qualifies as an Employee
shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, by reference to Section 3401(c) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder; unless the Administrator makes a
contrary determination, the Employees shall, for all purposes of this Plan, be those individuals who satisfy the employment criteria set forth above and are carried as employees by any of the
Company's Designated Subsidiaries for regular payroll purposes or are on a leave of absence described in the definition of "Continuous Employment" in this Section 2. Employment at any time
prior to the Effective Time by a corporation that becomes a Designated 

 

Subsidiary
at the Effective Time shall constitute employment by a Designated Subsidiary at such prior time for all purposes of this Plan. 

        (m)  "Offering Date" means the first Trading Day of an Offering Period, provided that it means June 1, 2004 with
respect to the Offering Period beginning on that date. 

        (n)   "Offering Period" means a period established by the Administrator, or otherwise established, pursuant to Section 4
during which payroll deductions are accumulated from one or more Participants and applied to the purchase of Stock. 

        (o)   "Participant" means an Employee who is a participant in the Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time or has
elected to participate in this Plan pursuant to Section 5. 

        (p)   "Pay Date" means, as to any Designated Subsidiary, any date on which the employees of the Designated Subsidiary receive
their regular payments of Compensation, which, for each Designated Subsidiary throughout the period of its status as such during the term of this Plan, is anticipated to be the Anticipated Pay Dates. 

        (q)   "Plan" means this Xyratex Ltd 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 

        (r)   "Prior Plan" means that certain Xyratex Group Limited 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan adopted on April 16, 2002
for the benefit of eligible employees of certain designated subsidiaries of XGL, as amended and restated on April 15, 2004. 

        (s)   "Purchase Date" means such Trading Days during each Offering Period of this Plan as may be established by the
Administrator, or are otherwise established, pursuant to Section 8 or Section 17. 

        (t)    "Purchase Price" shall mean, for any Offering Period, the per-share price of the shares subject to a Purchase
Right exercised during such Offering Period determined pursuant to Section 7(b)(iv). 

        (u)   "Purchase Right" means a right to purchase Stock granted or issued in substitution for a right to purchase shares of XGL
stock pursuant to Section 7. 

        (v)   "Scheme of Arrangement" means that certain scheme of arrangement under Section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 of
the United Kingdom, which contemplates the cancellation of the outstanding shares of Xyratex Group Limited in consideration of the issuance of common shares of the Company to the former shareholders
of Xyratex Group Limited and the issuance of new shares of Xyratex Group Limited to the Company, for the purpose of establishing a new Bermuda parent company for Xyratex Group Limited's business. 

        (w)  "Stock" means the Company's common shares of U.S.$0.01 par value of the capital of the Company. 

        (x)   "Subsidiary" means, from time to time, any corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting
shares are held by the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company. 

        (y)   "Trading Day" means any day on which regular trading occurs on any established stock exchange or market system on which
the Stock is traded. 

        (z)   "XGL" means Xyratex Group Limited, a private company limited by shares registered in England and Wales
under the Companies Act 1985, as amended. 

2

 

        3.    Eligibility.    

        (a)    Regular Participation.    Any person who is, or will be, an Employee on an Offering Date shall be eligible to
participate in this Plan in the corresponding Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Section 5. 

        (b)    No Participation by 5% Shareholders.    Notwithstanding subsection (a), an Employee shall not participate in
this Plan during an Offering Period if immediately after the grant of a Purchase Right on the corresponding Offering Date, the Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to the
Employee under Section 424(d) of the Code) would own stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary. For
this purpose, an Employee is treated as owning stock that he or she could purchase by the exercise of Purchase Rights or other options. 

        4.    Offering Periods.    

        The
first Offering Period under this Plan shall begin on June 1, 2004 (even though this Plan shall become effective after that date) and shall end on August 31, 2004.
Thereafter, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator: 

        (a)   a
new Offering Period shall begin on the first Trading Day after the last Purchase Date for an Offering Period; 

        (b)   the
duration of each Offering Period beginning after the Effective Date shall be 3 months (measured from the first Trading Day of the first month to the last
Trading Day of the third month); and 

        (c)   an
Offering Period shall terminate on the first date that no Participants are enrolled in it. 

        5.    Participation.    

        (a)   Any
person who is, or will be, an Employee on an Offering Date on or after September 1, 2004 may become a Participant in this Plan by completing a subscription
agreement, in such form or forms as the Administrator may approve from time to time, and delivering it to the Administrator not later than the 10th business day preceding such Offering
Date, unless another time for filing the subscription agreement is set by the Administrator for all Employees with respect to the Offering Period beginning on such Offering Date. The subscription
agreement shall authorize payroll deductions pursuant to this Plan equal to a specified whole dollar amount (which shall not be less than $10 or more than $200) per Pay Date (but in no event greater
than 20% of the amount of Compensation received by the Participant on the Pay Date), and shall have such other terms as the Administrator may specify from time to time. 

        (b)   At
the end of an Offering Period, each Participant enrolled in the Offering Period who remains an Employee shall be automatically enrolled in the next succeeding
Offering Period (a "Re-enrollment") unless, in a manner specified by the Administrator and not less than one business day before the Offering Date for such succeeding Offering Period
(unless another time for notifying the Administrator is set by the Administrator for all Employees with respect to such succeeding Offering Period), the Participant notifies the Administrator in
writing that the Participant does not wish to be re-enrolled. Re-enrollment shall be at the withholding amount specified in the Participant's most recent subscription agreement
unless the Participant changes that amount to an amount permitted by subsection (a) by timely written notice. No
Participant whose participation has terminated by operation of Section 10 shall be automatically re-enrolled. 

        (c)   Each
Employee who is a participant in the Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically enrolled in the Offering Period beginning on
June 1, 2004 and ending on August 31, 2004, with participation beginning at the Effective Time, which will be after June 1, 

3

 

2004.
Such Employee's subscription agreement for purposes of this Plan shall be the subscription agreement that was in effect for purposes of the Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time. 

        6.    Payroll Deductions.    

        (a)   Each
Participant shall have withheld from his or her Compensation received on each Pay Date during each Offering Period (excluding any Pay Date prior to the Effective
Date) the lesser of (i) 20% of the amount of such Compensation received by the Participant on such Pay Date, or (ii) such fixed amount, expressed in United States dollars, as is
specified by the Participant in his or her applicable subscription agreement, as determined pursuant to subsection (c), which shall not be less than $10 or more than $200. With appropriate notice to
Participants, the Administrator may revise the minimum and maximum dollar amounts set forth in Section 5(a) and this Section 6(a) on a prospective basis at any time and from time to
time. In addition, such minimum and maximum dollar amounts reflect the Company's anticipation that the Pay Dates for each Participant, throughout the term of this Plan, will be the Anticipated Pay
Dates. If at any time or from time to time during the term of this Plan any Pay Date for any Participant is a Different Pay Date, the Administrator may increase or decrease the dollar amount specified
by such Participant in his or her applicable subscription agreement, as determined pursuant to subsection (c), as well as the minimum and maximum dollar amounts otherwise applicable to such
Participant pursuant to Section 5(a) and this Section 6(a), to such amounts as may be necessary or appropriate to generate pursuant to this Section 6 approximately the same total
amount of payroll deductions with respect to such Participant for each Offering Period ending after the date of the first Different Pay Date as would have resulted if the Pay Dates had been the
Anticipated Pay Dates rather than the Different Pay Dates, assuming no change in such Participant's Compensation, no withdrawal of payroll deductions and no termination of such Participant's
employment at any time during any such Offering Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(a), payroll deductions pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall terminate
with respect to a Participant prior to the end of an Offering Period to the extent provided in Section 10. 

        (b)   All
payroll deductions made by a Participant shall be made in United States dollars and credited to the Participant's account under this Plan as soon as administratively
feasible after the withholding occurs. For each Participant who is a participant in the Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time, the entire balance in the Participant's account under the
Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time, including any payroll deduction made by the Participant as of the latest pay date under the Prior Plan that precedes the Effective Date, shall be
transferred and credited to the Participant's
account under this Plan as of the Effective Time. A Participant may not make any additional payments into his or her account under this Plan. 

        (c)   A
Participant may reduce the amount of his or her payroll deductions to zero at any time during an Offering Period, effective 15 days after the Participant files
with the Administrator a new subscription agreement authorizing the change. A Participant may make any other change in the amount of his or her payroll deductions to an amount permitted by
Section 5(a), effective on an Offering Date, by completing a new subscription agreement authorizing the change, in such form or forms as the Administrator may approve from time to time, and
delivering it to the Administrator not less than one business day before such Offering Date. 

        7.    Purchase Rights.    

        (a)    Grant of Purchase Rights.    On the Offering Date for each Offering Period beginning after the Effective Date,
each Participant shall be granted a Purchase Right to purchase shares of Stock on each Purchase Date for such Offering Period. 

4

 

        (b)    Terms of Purchase Rights.    Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) or, if subsection
(c) does not apply, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Purchase Right shall have the following terms: 

	(i)
	Except
as otherwise provided in Section 7(b)(ii), a Purchase Right granted to a Participant to purchase shares of Stock on each Purchase Date for an Offering Period shall be
for a number of shares of Stock determined by dividing (A) the Participant's payroll deductions accumulated on or prior to such Purchase Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Purchase Date, expressed in United States dollars, by (B) the per-share purchase price determined pursuant to Section 7(b)(iv) for the shares of Stock subject to such
Purchase Right.

	(ii)
	In
no event will any Purchase Right (taken together with all other rights then outstanding to purchase stock of the Company or any Subsidiary under this and all other similar stock
purchase plans of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries) give any Participant the right to purchase stock of the Company or any Subsidiary at a rate per calendar year which accrues in excess of
$25,000 of fair market value of such stock, determined at the applicable Offering Date.

	(iii)
	On
the Offering Date, each Participant shall be granted a Purchase Right to purchase during the Offering Period the number of shares of Stock determined by dividing
(A) $25,000 multiplied by the number of (whole or part) calendar years in the Offering Period, by (B) the fair market value of a share of Stock on the Offering Date.

	(iv)
	The
per-share purchase price of the shares subject to a Purchase Right shall be 85% of the lower of the fair market values of a share of Stock on (A) the Offering
Date on which the Purchase Right was granted, or (B) the Purchase Date, rounded to the next higher whole cent. The fair market value of a share of Stock on a given date shall be the closing
price of a share of Stock on the Nasdaq National Market (or, if determined by the Administrator to be the primary market on which the Stock is traded, a stock exchange or other market system on which
the Stock is traded) for such date, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or a similar publication, or the fair market value per share determined by
the Administrator for such date if no such price is reported, provided that if the fair market value of any share so determined for such date is expressed in British pounds sterling or any other
currency that is not United States dollars, the fair market value of such share on such date shall instead be the United States dollars equivalent of the fair market value so determined, based on a
currency exchange rate selected by the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion with reference to one or more currency exchange rates applicable on such date, and rounded to the next higher
whole cent.

	(v)
	Payment
for shares purchased by the exercise of Purchase Rights shall be made only through payroll deductions under Section 6.

	(vi)
	Upon
purchase or disposition of shares acquired by the exercise of a Purchase Right, the Participant shall pay, or make provision adequate to the Administrator for payment of, all
federal, state and other tax (and similar) withholdings that the Administrator determines, in its discretion, are required due to the acquisition or disposition, including without limitation any such
withholding that the Administrator determines in its discretion is necessary to allow the Company and/or the Designated Subsidiaries to claim tax deductions or other benefits in connection with the
acquisition or disposition. 

5

 

	(vii)
	During
his or her lifetime, a Participant's Purchase Right is exercisable only by the Participant.

	(viii)
	The
Purchase Rights will in all respects be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan, as interpreted by the Administrator from time to time.

	(ix)
	All
shares purchased by the exercise of Purchase Rights pursuant to this Plan shall be subject (A) to a prohibition against transfer during a period of 180 days after
the effective date of the registration statement filed under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the initial public offering of the Stock, and (B) if and to
the extent requested by the Company or a representative of an underwriter of its securities, to a prohibition against transfer during a period not to exceed 180 days after the effective date of
any other registration statement or similar document filed under the laws of any country with respect to a public offering of any class of the Company's shares. 

        (c)    Substitution of Purchase Rights for the Offering Period Beginning on June 1, 2004.    At the Effective
Time, each Participant who is a participant in the Prior Plan immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be issued a Purchase Right to purchase shares of Stock on the Purchase Date for the Offering
Period beginning on June 1, 2004 in substitution for such Participant's right (as it existed immediately prior to the Effective Time) to purchase shares of XGL stock on the last business day of
the same offering period under the Prior Plan. The terms of such Purchase Right shall be as set forth in subsection (b), subject to the following adjustments: 

	(i)
	Section 7(b)(i) shall
be applied to such Purchase Right in the manner indicated therein even though such Purchase Right is issued in substitution for a
pre-existing purchase right rather than being granted under this Plan.

	(ii)
	Section 7(b)(iii) shall
not apply to the Offering Period beginning on June 1, 2004 or to the Offering Date for such Offering Period.

	(iii)
	Notwithstanding
Section 7(b)(iv), the per-share purchase price determined pursuant to Section 7(b)(iv) for the shares of Stock subject to such
Purchase Right shall be the lower of (a) 85% of the fair market value of an A preferred ordinary share of XGL on June 1, 2004 (as determined pursuant to the Prior Plan) divided by
1.036378, rounded to the next higher whole cent, or (b) 85% of the closing price of a share of Stock on the Nasdaq National Market (or, if determined by the Administrator to be the primary
market on which the Stock is traded, a stock exchange or other market system on which the Stock is traded) for August 31, 2004, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or a similar publication, or of the fair market value per share determined by the Administrator for such date if no such price is reported, rounded in either case to
the next higher whole cent and provided that if the fair market value of any share so determined for either date is expressed in British pounds sterling or any other currency that is not United States
dollars, the fair market value of such share on such date shall instead be the United States dollars equivalent of the fair market value so determined, based on a currency exchange rate selected by
the Administrator in its sole and absolute discretion with reference to one or more currency exchange rates applicable on such date, and rounded to the next higher whole cent.

	(iv)
	Notwithstanding
Section 7(b)(v), payment for shares purchased by the exercise of such Purchase Right may also be made from the portion of the balance in the Participant's
account transferred from the Participant's account under the Prior Plan pursuant to Section 6(b). 

6

 

	(v)
	Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Plan, the terms of such Purchase Right shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 7(c)(v) to the extent, if any, necessary
for the substitution of such Purchase Right for the applicable outstanding purchase right under the Prior Plan to qualify as "issuing or assuming a stock option in a transaction to which
section 424(a) applies" within the meaning of Section 424(a) of the Code and Section 1.425-1(a) of the Treasury Regulations. 

        8.    Purchase Dates; Purchase of Shares; Refund of Excess Cash.    

        (a)   The
Administrator shall establish one or more Purchase Dates for each Offering Period beginning after the Effective Date, and may revise or add Purchase Dates from time
to time prior to the Offering Date for any such Offering Period. August 31, 2004 and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the last Trading Day of each November, February, May and
August thereafter and during the term of this Plan shall be Purchase Dates. 

        (b)   Each
Participant's Purchase Right shall be exercised automatically on each Purchase Date during each Offering Period, to purchase the maximum number of full shares at
the applicable price using the Participant's accumulated payroll deductions. 

        (c)   The
shares purchased upon exercise of a Purchase Right shall be deemed to be transferred to the Participant on the Purchase Date. 

        (d)   Any
cash remaining in a Participant's payroll deduction account after the purchase of shares on a Purchase Date shall be carried forward in that account for application
on the next Purchase Date, provided that upon a Participant's withdrawal of payroll deductions or termination of employment during an Offering Period, any such cash shall be refunded to the
Participant as set forth in Section 10. 

        9.    Registration and Delivery of Share Certificates.    

        (a)   Shares
purchased by a Participant under this Plan will be registered in the name of the Participant. 

        (b)   Certificates
evidencing the shares purchased upon the exercise of Purchase Rights on any Purchase Date shall be delivered to the Participants as soon as administratively
feasible thereafter, unless the Administrator determines that the Company, instead of the delivery of share certificates, shall (i) deliver a certificate (or equivalent) to a broker for
crediting to the Participant's account or (ii) make a notation in the Participant's favor of noncertificated shares on the Company's stock records. 

        10.    Withdrawal of Payroll Deductions; Termination of Employment.    

        (a)   A
Participant may withdraw all, but not less than all, of the payroll deductions credited to his or her account under this Plan by giving written notice to the
Administrator thereof not less than one business day before any Purchase Date for an Offering Period and in a form the Administrator prescribes from time to time. All payroll deductions for the
Participant will cease within 15 days after such notice is given, all payroll deductions credited to the Participant's account will be refunded as soon as administratively feasible after such
notice is given, the Participant's Purchase Right will automatically terminate on the date of receipt of the notice and no purchase of shares will be made for the Participant on such Purchase Date or
any subsequent Purchase Date for such Offering Period. A Participant's withdrawal of payroll deductions during an offering will not affect the Participant's eligibility to participate in a succeeding
offering or in any similar plan that may be adopted by the Company. 

        (b)   Upon
termination of a Participant's Continuous Employment for any reason, including retirement, disability or death, all payroll deductions credited to the Participant's
account will be 

7

 

refunded,
as soon as administratively feasible after termination, to the Participant or, in the case of death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 14, the Participant's
Purchase Right will automatically terminate and no further purchase of shares will be made for the Participant; provided, however, that if a Participant ceases to be employed by a Designated
Subsidiary because of the commencement of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Designated Subsidiary, all funds then credited to such Participant's payroll
deduction account shall be applied to the purchase of whole shares of Stock at the next Purchase Date, and any funds remaining after such purchase shall be refunded to the Participant as soon as
administratively feasible thereafter. 

        11.    Use of Funds; No Interest.    

        Amounts
withheld from Participants' Compensation under this Plan or transferred to their accounts under this Plan from their accounts under the Prior Plan shall constitute general funds
of the Company, may be used for any corporate purpose and need not be segregated from other funds. No interest shall accrue on a Participant's payroll deductions. 

        12.    Number of Shares Reserved.    

        (a)   The
following number of shares of Stock are reserved for issuance under this Plan, and such number may be issued at any time before termination of this Plan: 

	(i)
	Beginning
on the Effective Date, 100,000 shares of Stock; and

	(ii)
	Beginning
on December 1, 2004 and on each anniversary of such date up to and including December 1, 2023, an additional number of shares of Stock equal to the least of
(A) 500,000, (B) 1% of the aggregate number of shares of capital stock of the Company outstanding on
such anniversary, or (C) such number of shares of Stock as is determined by the Board for such anniversary at any time before such anniversary. 

        (b)   If
the total number of shares that would otherwise be subject to Purchase Rights granted on an Offering Date exceeds the number of shares then available under this Plan
(after deduction of all shares for which Purchase Rights have been exercised or are then outstanding), the Administrator shall make a pro-rata allocation of the available shares in a
manner that it determines to be as uniform and equitable as practicable. In such event, the Administrator shall give written notice of the reduction and allocation to each Participant. 

        (c)   The
Administrator may, in its discretion, transfer shares reserved for issuance under this Plan into a plan or plans of similar terms, as approved by the Board,
providing for the purchase of shares of Stock to employees of Subsidiaries designated by the Board that do not (or do not thereafter) participate in this Plan. Such additional plans may, without
limitation, provide for variances from the terms of this Plan to take into account special circumstances (such as foreign legal restrictions) affecting the employees of the designated Subsidiaries. 

        13.    Administration.    

        (a)   This
Plan shall be administered by an Administrator, who shall be the Board or such committee of the Board or such directors, officers, and/or employees of the Company
as the Board may appoint from time to time. All costs and expenses incurred in administering this Plan shall be paid by the Company, provided that any taxes applicable to an Employee's participation
in this Plan may be charged to the Employee by the Company. Any brokerage fees for the purchase of shares by a Participant shall be paid by the Company, but brokerage fees for the resale of shares by
a Participant shall be borne by the Participant. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, to the overall supervision of the Board and to the limitations of Section 423 of the Code,
(i) the Administrator may administer and interpret this Plan in any manner it believes to be desirable, 

8

 

(ii) any
determination, decision or action of the Administrator in connection with the administration, interpretation or application of this Plan or any right granted under this Plan shall be
final, conclusive and binding on the Company and all persons, (iii) the Administrator shall have all powers necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Plan and discharge its duties hereunder
and (iv) no member of the Administrator shall be liable for any such determination, decision or action. 

        (b)   If
the Administrator in its discretion so elects, it may engage a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution to assist in the purchase of shares, delivery of
reports, or other administrative aspects of this Plan. If the Administrator so elects, each Participant shall be deemed upon enrollment in the Plan to have authorized the establishment of an account
on his or her behalf at such institution. Shares purchased by a Participant under the Plan shall be held in the account in the name in which the share certificate would otherwise be issued. 

        14.    Designation of Beneficiary.    

        (a)   A
Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the Participant's account under this Plan in the
event of the Participant's death. 

        (b)   A
designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a Participant, and in the absence of a
beneficiary validly designated under this Plan who is living at the time of the Participant's death, the Administrator shall deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the
Participant's estate, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the Administrator's knowledge), the Administrator, in its discretion, may deliver such shares and/or cash to the
spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant or, if no spouse, dependent, or relative is known to the Administrator, then to such other person as the Administrator may
designate. Such delivery shall relieve the Company of further liability with respect to this Plan on account of the deceased Participant. If more than one beneficiary is designated, each beneficiary
shall receive an equal portion of the account unless the Participant has given express contrary written instructions. 

        15.    Assignment.    

        (a)   Neither
payroll deductions credited to a Participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of a Purchase Right or to receive shares under this Plan may be
assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in Section 14) by the Participant. Any such attempt
at assignment, transfer, pledge, or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Administrator may treat such act as an election to withdraw payroll deductions in accordance with
Section 10. 

        (b)   A
Participant's right to purchase shares under this Plan shall be exercisable only during the Participant's lifetime and only by him or her. 

        16.    Reports.    

        Individual
accounts will be maintained for each Participant in this Plan. Statements of account will be given to Participants as soon as administratively feasible following each Purchase
Date, setting forth the amounts of the payroll deductions, per-share purchase price, number of shares purchased, and remaining cash balance, if any. 

        17.    Adjustments in Event of Certain Corporate Transactions.    

        (a)   In
the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, spin-off, split-off,
split-up, combination of shares, offering of rights, or other similar change in the capital structure of the Company (excluding, however, the conversion of any 

9

 

convertible
securities of the Company and any transaction or event described in Section 17(b)), the Board, subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, may make such
adjustment, if any, as it deems appropriate in the number, class, and per-share purchase price of the shares subject to Purchase Rights under this Plan and in the number of shares reserved
for issuance under this Plan, and/or may provide for an additional Purchase Date, on such date before, on or after the date of such corporate transaction and in conjunction with such other terms as
the Board shall deem appropriate, and promptly so notify all Participants in writing. The Board's determination as to any such adjustment or provision shall be final, binding, and conclusive. Unless
the Board specifies otherwise, any shares issuable as a result of any such adjustment shall be rounded to the next lower whole share. Except as expressly provided herein, no issue by the Company of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of
shares of Stock subject to a Purchase Right. 

        (b)   In
the event of the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger or amalgamation of the Company with another entity in a transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving entity, or any other transaction(s) or event(s) as a result of which other shares are substituted for the shares of Stock or shares of Stock may no longer be
issued, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board shall arrange for (i) each Participant as of the date of such transaction or event to become a participant as of such date in
a new employee stock purchase plan adopted by the successor or surviving corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, and effective as of such date, with the same elections, designations and
account balance in effect under the new plan immediately after such transaction or event as were in effect under this Plan immediately prior to such transaction or event (except for any modifications
thereto that may be necessary to reflect any differences in provisions between this Plan and the new plan), and (ii) the substitution pursuant to such new plan of purchase rights with respect
to shares of the successor or surviving corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, for the Purchase Rights, unless the Board decides to take such other action as it deems appropriate, including
without limitation providing for the termination of this Plan and for a Purchase Date to occur on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of such termination (and promptly so notifying all
Participants in writing). 

        18.    Equal Rights and Privileges.    

        All
Employees shall have equal rights and privileges with respect to this Plan so that the Plan qualifies as an "employee stock purchase plan" within the meaning of Section 423 of
the Code and the related Treasury Regulations. Any provision of this Plan which is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board
be reformed to comply with the requirements of Section 423. This Section 18 shall take precedence over all other provisions of this Plan. 

        19.    Amendment or Termination.    

        (a)   The
Board may modify, amend, alter or terminate this Plan at any time, including without limitation an amendment to outstanding Purchase Rights and an amendment which
does not cause unfavorable financial accounting treatment for the Company or any Designated Subsidiary (including changes with respect to the current Offering Period or any Purchase Date therein) if
the continuation of the Plan or any Offering Period would result in financial accounting treatment for the Plan that is different from the financial accounting treatment in effect on the Effective
Date. No amendment shall be effective unless it is approved by the shareholders of the Company within 12 months after the date it is adopted by the Board if it would: 

	(i)
	Increase
the number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under this Plan; or 

10

 

	(ii)
	Change
the designation of the employees (or class of employees) eligible for participation in this Plan. 

        (b)   The
Board may elect to terminate all outstanding Purchase Rights at any time, except to the extent that exercisability of such Purchase Rights has been accelerated
pursuant to Section 17(b). If this Plan is terminated, the Board may elect to terminate all outstanding Purchase Rights either immediately or upon completion of the purchase of shares on the
next Purchase Date, or may elect to permit Purchase Rights to expire in accordance with their terms (with participation to continue through such expiration dates). If Purchase Rights are terminated
before expiration, all funds contributed to this Plan that have not been used to purchase shares shall be refunded to Participants as soon as administratively feasible. 

        20.    Notices.    

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

        21.    Shareholder Approval.    

        This
Plan shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for their approval within 12 months after the date this Plan is adopted by the Board. 

        22.    Rights as an Employee.    

        Nothing
in this Plan shall be construed to give any person the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or to affect the Company's or any Subsidiary's right to
terminate the employment of any person at any time with or without cause. 

        23.    Conditions upon Issuance of Shares.    

        (a)   Shares
shall not be issued with respect to a Purchase Right unless and until the exercise of such Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant
thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including without limitation the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange or stock quotation system upon which the shares may then be listed, and
shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance. 

        (b)   As
a condition to the exercise of a Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising such Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law. 

        (c)   The
terms and conditions of Purchase Rights granted hereunder to, and the purchase of Stock by, persons subject to Section 16 of the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall comply with the applicable provisions of Rule 16b-3 of such Act. This Plan shall be deemed to contain, and such Purchase Rights shall
contain, and the Stock issued upon exercise thereof shall be subject to, such additional conditions and restrictions as may be required by Rule 16b-3 to qualify for the maximum
exemption from Section 16 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to Plan transactions. 

        24.    Term of Plan.    

        This
Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Time and continue in effect for a term of 20 years unless sooner terminated under any other provision of this Plan. 

This
Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on May 28, 2004.

This Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on June 6, 2004. 

11

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.1

XYRATEX LTD 2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

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