Document:

EXHIBIT 4.22

Exhibit 4.22

Dated  27 May  2008

VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

and

Vittorio Colao

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

 

This agreement is made on  27 May 2008  between

	(1)	 	Vodafone Group Public Limited Company incorporated in the UK with registered number 1833679
whose registered office is at Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN (the
“Company”); and
	 
	(2)	 	Vittorio Colao of 22 Bramham Gardens, London, SW5 0JE (the “Executive”).

This agreement records the terms on which the Executive will serve the Company.

	1	 	Interpretation
	 
	 	 	In this agreement (and any schedules to it):
	 
	1.1	 	Definitions
	 
	 	 	“Board” means the board of directors of the Company from time to time or any person or
committee nominated by the board of directors as its representative for the purposes of this
agreement;
	 
	 	 	“Employment” means the employment governed by this agreement;
	 
	 	 	“Group” means the Company and any other company which is its subsidiary or in which the
Company or any subsidiary of the Company controls not less than 20% of the voting shares
(where “Subsidiary” has the meaning given to it by Section 736 of the Companies Act 1985);
	 
	 	 	“Group Company” means a member of the Group and “Group Companies” will be interpreted
accordingly;
	 
	 	 	“Listing Rules” means the Listing Rules made by the UK Listing Authority under section 74 of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
	 
	 	 	“Remuneration Committee” means the Remuneration Committee of the Board from time to time;
	 
	 	 	“Termination Date” means the date on which the Employment terminates; and
	 
	 	 	“UK Listing Authority” means the Financial Services Authority in its capacity as competent
authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
	 
	2	 	Commencement of Employment
	 
	2.1	 	The Employment will start on 29 July 2008 (the “Commencement Date”). The Employment will
continue until termination in accordance with the provisions of this agreement.
	 
	2.2	 	The Executive warrants that he is not prevented from taking up the Employment or from
performing his duties in accordance with the terms of this agreement by any obligation or duty
owed to any other party, whether contractual or otherwise.
	 
	3	 	Appointment and Duties of the Executive
	 
	3.1	 	The Executive will serve as Chief Executive of the Company.
	 
	3.2	 	The Executive will:

	 	 3.2.1	 	devote the whole of his working time, attention and skill to the Employment;

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	 	 3.2.2	 	fulfil with due diligence and to the best of his ability the obligations
incumbent upon him pursuant to his appointment;
	 
	 	 3.2.3	 	accept any offices or directorships as reasonably required by the Board;
	 
	 	 3.2.4	 	comply with all rules and regulations issued by the Company;
	 
	 	 3.2.5	 	obey the lawful directions of the Board; and
	 
	 	 3.2.6	 	promote the interests and reputation of the Group.

	3.3	 	The Executive accepts that, subject always to his consent, the Company may require him to
perform duties for any other Group Company whether for the whole or part of his working time.
The Company will remain responsible for the payments and benefits he is entitled to receive
under this agreement.
	 
	3.4	 	The Executive will promptly disclose to the Board full details of any wrongdoing of which he
is or becomes aware by any employee of any Group Company where that wrongdoing is material to
that employee’s employment by the relevant company or to the interests or reputation of any
Group Company.
	 
	3.5	 	At any time during the Employment the Company may require the Executive to undergo a medical
examination, related to the performance of the Executive’s role, by a medical practitioner
appointed by the Company. The Executive authorises that medical practitioner to disclose to
the Company any report or test results prepared or obtained as a result of that examination
which are relevant to the Employment and to discuss with it any matters arising out of the
examination which are relevant to the Employment or which might prevent the Executive properly
performing the duties of the Employment.
	 
	4	 	Hours
	 
	4.1	 	The Executive and the Company agree that the Executive is a managing executive for the
purposes of the Working Time Regulations 1998 (the “Regulations”) and is able to determine the
duration of his working time himself. As such, the exemptions in Regulation 20 of the
Regulations will apply to the Employment.
	 
	5	 	Interests of the Executive
	 
	5.1	 	The Executive will disclose promptly in writing to the Board all his interests (for example,
shareholdings or directorships) in any businesses whether or not of a commercial or business
nature except his interests in any Group Company.
	 
	5.2	 	Subject to clause 5.3, during the Employment the Executive will not be directly or indirectly
engaged or concerned in the conduct of any activity which is similar to or competes with any
activity carried on by any Group Company except as a representative of the Company or with the
written consent of the Board.
	 
	5.3	 	The Executive may not hold or be interested in investments which amount to more than five per
cent of the issued investments of any class of any one company whose investments are listed or
quoted on any recognised Stock Exchange or dealt in on the Alternative Investments Market.
	 
	5.4	 	The Executive may serve as a non-executive director of not more than one non-Group company
quoted on a recognised Stock Exchange.

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	5.5	 	The Executive will (and will procure that his “connected persons”, including his spouse and
dependent children) comply with all rules of law, including the Criminal Justice Act 1993, the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Model Code as set out in Annex 1 to Listing Rule
9 in the Financial Services Authority’s Listing Rules as amended from time to time and rules
or policies applicable to the Company from time to time in relation to the holding or trading
of securities.
	 
	5.6	 	Location
	 
	 	 	The Executive will work at the principal office of the Company or anywhere else within the
United Kingdom required by the Board. He may be required to travel and work outside the United
Kingdom from time to time.
	 
	6	 	Salary and Benefits
	 
	6.1	 	The Company will pay the Executive a salary of £975,000 per annum. Salary will be paid
monthly in arrears by bank credit transfer on or about the 28th day of each month.
Salary will be reviewed annually and the revised salary, if different, will take effect from 1
July.
	 
	6.2	 	The salary referred to in clause 6.1 includes director’s fees from the Group Companies and
any other companies in which the Executive is required to accept a directorship under the
terms of this Employment. To achieve this:

	 	6.2.1	 	the Executive will repay any fees he receives to the Company; or
	 
	 	6.2.2	 	his salary will be reduced by the amount of those fees; or
	 
	 	6.2.3	 	a combination of the methods set out in clauses 6.2.1 and 6.2.2 will be applied.

	 	 	References to fees in clause 6.2 exclude any fees received as a result of a directorship
held in accordance with clause 5.4.
	 
	6.3	 	In addition to the remuneration referred to in clause 6.1 above, the Executive will be
entitled to participate in short-term and long-term incentive plans and schemes in accordance
with the Company’s executive remuneration policy as determined by the Remuneration Committee
and approved by the Company’s shareholders in general meeting from time to time.
	 
	6.4	 	To assist in the performance of his duties under this agreement the Executive will, during
the continuance of the Employment be entitled to the benefits of the UK car policy as
applicable to directors of the Company from time to time, a copy of which policy has been
provided to the Executive.
	 
	6.5	 	The Executive may choose to be a member of the director’s section of the Company’s defined
contribution plan which currently provides a maximum Company contribution of 30% of basic
salary provided the Executive contributes at least 5%, The Executive has the opportunity to
choose the level of contribution and to select the investment funds and the type of pension
benefits that are ultimately bought with the pension fund. The plan provides life insurance
at currently four times salary which is effective from the Commencement Date. Further details
of the plan are contained in a booklet which will be provided to the Executive.
	 
	6.6	 	If the Executive elects not to join the plan the Company will provide a taxable cash
allowance of 30% in lieu of the Company pension contribution. The Executive will continue to
receive life insurance cover. If the Executive does not make a positive election either to

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	 	 	join or to opt out of the plan three months after the Commencement Date there will be
automatic enrolment in the plan at the minimum contribution rate which is 2% from the
Executive and 6% by the Company. The Executive may opt out of the plan at any time.
	 
	6.7	 	Without prejudice to the Company’s right to terminate the Employment at any time in
accordance with clause 10 if the Executive complies with any eligibility or other conditions
set by the Company and any insurer appointed by the Company from time to time (the “Insurer”),
the Executive will be provided with long-term disability insurance. The terms upon which this
insurance is provided and the level of cover will be in accordance with Company policy from
time to time but currently an income of two thirds of basic salary is provided up to
retirement on long-term total disability. The Executive understands and agrees that if the
Insurer fails or refuses to provide him with any benefit under the insurance arrangement
provided by the Company, the Executive will have no right of action against the Company in
respect of such failure or refusal.
	 
	6.8	 	If the Executive complies with any eligibility requirements or other conditions set by the
Company and any insurer appointed by the Company, the Executive and his partner and children
under 18 years of age or, children under 21 years of age if in full time education may
participate in the Company’s private health insurance arrangements at the Company’s expense
and subject to the terms of those arrangements from time to time. The Company reserves the
right at any time to withdraw this benefit or to amend the terms upon which it is provided.
	 
	6.9	 	The Executive is entitled to 28 days’ paid holiday each year (in addition to English Bank and
other public holidays) to be taken at times approved in advance by the Board. In addition the
Executive shall be entitled to an additional day’s holiday for each five years of continuous
service up to a maximum of 3 days. The leave year runs from 1 December to 30 November. The
Executive agrees that the provisions of Regulations 15(1)-(4) inclusive of the Regulations
(dates on which leave is taken) do not apply to the Employment.
	 
	 	 	Holiday entitlement will be calculated on a monthly basis and accrue on the basis of
completed whole calendar months of Employment. The Executive will be paid for any accrued
holiday not taken at the Termination Date. The Company may require the Executive to take
accrued holiday during any notice period.
	 
	6.10	 	Subject to the rights of the Company under clause 10.6 of this agreement, if the Executive
during this agreement is incapacitated by ill health or accident from performing his duties
under this agreement he will, during the period of any such incapacity be entitled to Company
Sick Pay Scheme subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Scheme – (full details of
which have been supplied to the Executive) if and for so long as such Scheme remains in force
but he shall not be entitled to receive any other remuneration under clause 6.1.
	 
	6.11	 	If the Executive is absent from work due to sickness or injury which is caused by the fault
of another person, and as a consequence recovers from that person or another person any sum
representing compensation for loss of salary under this agreement, the Executive will repay to
the Company any money it has paid to him as salary in respect of the same period of absence.
	 
	7	 	Expenses
	 
	7.1	 	The Company will refund to the Executive all reasonable expenses properly incurred by him in
performing his duties under this agreement, provided that these are incurred in

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	 	 	accordance with Company policy from time
to time. The Company will require the
Executive to produce receipts or other
documents as proof that he has incurred
any expenses he claims.
	 
	8	 	Confidentiality
	 
	8.1	 	Without prejudice to the common law duties which he owes to the Company, the Executive agrees
that he will not, except in the proper performance of his duties, copy, use or disclose to any
person any of the Company’s trade secrets or confidential information. This restriction will
continue to apply after the termination of the Employment without limit in time but will not
apply to trade secrets or confidential information which become public other than through
unauthorised disclosure by the Executive. The Executive will use his best endeavours to
prevent the unauthorised copying use or disclosure of such information.
	 
	 	 	For the purposes of this agreement trade secrets and confidential information include but
will not be limited to names of clients, suppliers, reports, papers, data and other
confidential information in any form prepared by the Company or acquired by it and any other
information in whatever form (written, oral, visual and electronic) concerning the
confidential affairs of the Company.
	 
	8.2	 	In the course of the Employment the Executive is likely to obtain trade secrets and
confidential information belonging or relating to other Group Companies and other persons. He
will treat such information as if it falls within the terms of clause 8.1 and clause 8.1 will
apply with any necessary amendments to such information. If requested to do so by the Company
the Executive will enter into an agreement with other Group Companies and any other persons in
the same terms as clause 8.1 with any amendments necessary to give effect to this provision.
	 
	8.3	 	Nothing in this agreement will prevent the Executive from making a “protected disclosure” in
accordance with the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996.
	 
	9	 	Intellectual Property Rights
	 
	9.1	 	The Executive will promptly inform the Company if he makes, creates or is involved in making
or generating an Invention, Work or Information during the Employment and will give the
Company sufficient details of it to allow the Company to assess the Invention, Work or
Information and to decide whether the Invention, Work or Information belongs to the Company.
The Company will treat any Invention, Work or Information which does not belong to it as
confidential.
	 
	 	 	“Invention” means any invention (whether patentable or not within the meaning of the Patents
Act 1977 or other applicable legislation in any other country) relating to or capable of
being used in the business of the Company.
	 
	 	 	“Work” means any discovery, design, database or other work (whether registrable or not and
whether a copyright work or not) which is not an Invention and which the Executive creates
or is involved in creating:

	 	9.1.1	 	in connection with or in the course of his Employment; or
	 
	 	9.1.2	 	relating to or capable of being used in those aspects of the businesses of the
Group Companies in which he is involved.

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	 	 	“Information” means any idea, method or information which is not an Invention or Work
generated by the Executive either:

	 	9.1.3	 	in connection with or in the course of the Employment, or
	 
	 	9.1.4	 	outside the course of the Employment, but relating to the business, finance or
affairs of any Group Company.

	9.2	 	The Executive is not entitled to any additional compensation for any Invention, Work or
Information; such achievements are compensated by base salary.
	 
	10	 	Termination and Suspension
	 
	10.1	 	The Employment will continue until terminated by either party giving written notice as set
out in clause 10.2.
	 
	10.2	 	Either party may terminate the Employment by giving not less than twelve months’ written
notice to the other.
	 
	10.3	 	Notwithstanding the other provisions of this agreement and in particular clause 10.2, the
Employment will automatically terminate (if not already terminated) on the Executive’s
60th birthday.
	 
	10.4	 	Once notice to terminate has been given by either party in accordance with clause 10.2 the
Company reserves the right, exercisable at any time and in its absolute discretion, to
terminate the Executive’s employment forthwith by notice in writing. In such event, the
Company shall pay the Executive in lieu of the unexpired period of notice the sums or sum
calculated and payable in accordance with clause10.5 (together the “PILON”). The PILON shall
not constitute a debt payable by the Company and from the Termination Date in accordance with
this Clause the Executive shall be obliged to mitigate his losses flowing from such
termination subject only to abiding by the obligations as set out in clause 12. For the
purposes of this clause and clause 10.5, the Executive’s obligation to mitigate shall be to
take such steps to mitigate as he would have been required to take at common law had he been
dismissed in breach of the terms of this agreement.
	 
	10.5	 	The amount of the PILON shall be such sum as the Executive would have received in salary (at
the rate in force, and applicable, at the Termination Date) had the employment continued
throughout the unexpired notice period less the aggregate of (a) any sums earned or received
by the Executive as a result of his obligation to mitigate his losses and (b) deductions for
income tax and employee’s national insurance contributions. The PILON shall be payable in
installments at the same intervals and on the same dates as salary payments would have been
made to the Executive had the employment continued. The Executive shall no later than the 15th
day of each month during which installments of the PILON are payable, provide to the Company a
statement of all sums earned or received by the Executive referable to the period for which
the next installment of the PILON falls to be made. In the absence of receipt of any such
statement, payment of the relevant installment of the PILON shall be delayed until 7 working
days after receipt of the statement.
	 
	10.6	 	The Company may terminate the Employment with immediate effect by giving written notice if
the Executive does not perform the duties of the Employment for a period of 130 days (whether
or not consecutive) in any period of 365 days because of sickness, injury or other incapacity.
This notice can be given whilst the Executive continues not to perform his duties or on expiry
of the 130 day period. In this clause, ‘days’ includes Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

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	10.7	 	The Company may terminate the Employment with immediate effect by giving written notice if
the Executive:

	 	10.7.1	 	if after due notice, he has not performed his duties under this agreement to the
standard required by the Board; or
	 
	 	10.7.2	 	commits any serious or persistent breach of his obligations under this agreement; or
	 
	 	10.7.3	 	is guilty of any gross misconduct or conducts himself (whether in connection with the
Employment or not) in a way which is harmful to any Group Company; or
	 
	 	10.7.4	 	is guilty of dishonesty or is convicted of an arrestable criminal offence (other than
a motoring offence which does not result in imprisonment) whether in connection with
the Employment or not; or
	 
	 	10.7.5	 	commits (or is reasonably believed by the Board to have committed) a breach of any
legislation in force which may affect or relate to the business of any Group Company;
or
	 
	 	10.7.6	 	becomes of unsound mind, is bankrupted or has a receiving order made against him or
makes any general composition with his creditors or takes advantage of any statute
affording relief for insolvent debtors; or
	 
	 	10.7.7	 	becomes disqualified from being a director of a company.

	10.8	 	The Executive will have no claim for damages or any other remedy against the Company if the
Employment is terminated for any of the reasons set out in clause 10.6 or 10.7.
	 
	10.9	 	When the Employment terminates the Company may deduct from any money due to the Executive
(including remuneration) any amount which he owes to any Group Company.
	 
	10.10	 	The Company may suspend the Executive from the Employment on full salary at any time, and
for any reason for a reasonable period to investigate any matter in which the Executive is
implicated or involved (whether directly or indirectly) and to conduct any related
disciplinary proceedings.
	 
	11	 	Garden Leave
	 
	11.1	 	At any time after notice to terminate the Employment is given by either party under clause 10
above, or if the Executive resigns without giving due notice and the Company does not accept
his resignation, the Company may require the Executive to comply with any or all of the
provisions in clauses 11.2 and 11.3 for a maximum period of six months (the “Garden Leave
Period”).
	 
	11.2	 	The Executive will not, without prior written consent of the Board, be employed or otherwise
engaged in the conduct of any activity, whether or not of a business nature during the Garden
Leave Period. Further, the Executive will not, unless requested by the Company:

	 	11.2.1	 	enter or attend the premises of the Company or any other Group Company; or
	 
	 	11.2.2	 	contact or have any communication with any customer or client of the Company or any
other Group Company in relation to the business of the Company or any other Group
Company; or

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	  	11.2.3	 	contact or have any communication with any employee, officer, director, agent or
consultant of the Company or any other Group Company in relation to the business of the
Company or any other Group Company; or
	 
	 	11.2.4	 	remain or become involved in any aspect of the business of the Company or any other
Group Company except as required by such companies.

	11.3	 	 The Company may require the Executive:

	 	11.3.1	 	to comply with the provisions of clause 14, save that he will not be required to
return his Company car; and
	 
	 	11.3.2	 	to immediately resign from any directorship which he holds in the Company, any other
Group Company or any other company where such directorship is held as a consequence or
requirement of the Employment, unless he is required to perform duties to which any
such directorship relates in which case he may retain such directorships while those
duties are ongoing. The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company to be his
attorney to execute any instrument and do anything in his name and on his behalf to
effect his resignation if he fails to do so in accordance with this clause 11.3.2.

	11.4	 	During the Garden Leave Period, the Executive will be entitled to receive his salary and all
contractual benefits (for example, his Company car, if any) in accordance with the terms of
this agreement. Any unused holiday accrued at the commencement of the Garden Leave Period and
any holiday accrued during any such Period will be deemed to be taken by the Executive during
the Garden Leave Period.
	 
	11.5	 	At the end of the Garden Leave Period, the Company may, but shall not in any way be obliged,
to exercise its rights under clause 10.4 and clause 10.5 to pay the Executive salary alone in
lieu of the balance of any period of notice given by the Company or the Executive, (less any
deductions the Company is required by law to make).
	 
	11.6	 	All duties of the Employment (whether express or implied), including without limitation the
Executive’s duties of fidelity, good faith and exclusive service, shall continue throughout
the Garden Leave Period save as expressly varied by this clause.
	 
	12	 	Restrictions after Termination of Employment
	 
	12.1	 	In this clause:
	 
	 	 	“Relevant Date” means the Termination Date or, if earlier, the date on which the Executive
commences any Garden Leave Period; and
	 
	 	 	“Restricted Period” means the period of 12 months commencing on the Relevant Date
	 
	12.2	 	The Executive is likely to obtain trade secrets and confidential information and personal
knowledge of and influence over customers and employees of the Group during the course of the
Employment. To protect these interests of the Company, the Executive agrees with the Company
that he will be bound by the following covenants:

	 	  12.2.1	 	during the Restricted Period he will not be employed in, or carry on for his own
account or for any other person, whether directly or indirectly, (or be a director of
any company engaged in) any business which is or is about to be in competition with any
business of the Company or any other Group Company being carried on by such company at
the Relevant Date provided he was concerned or involved with

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	 	 	 	that business to a material extent at any time during the 12 months prior to the
Relevant Date;
	 
	 	12.2.2	 	during the Restricted Period he will not (either on his own behalf or for or with any
other person), whether directly or indirectly, canvass or solicit in competition with
the Company or any other Group Company the custom of any person who at any time during
the 12 months prior to the Relevant Date was a customer of, or in the habit of dealing
with, the Company or (as the case may be) any other Group Company and in respect of
whom the Executive had access to confidential information or with whose custom or
business the Executive was personally concerned or employees reporting directly to him
were personally concerned;
	 
	 	12.2.3	 	during the Restricted Period he will not (either on his own behalf or for or with any
other person, whether directly or indirectly,) deal with or otherwise accept in
competition with the Company or any Group Company the custom of any person who was at
any time during the 12 months prior to the Relevant Date a customer of, or in the habit
of dealing with, the Company or (as the case may be) any Group Company and in respect
of whom the Executive had access to confidential information or with whose custom or
business the Executive was personally concerned;
	 
	 	12.2.4	 	during the Restricted Period he will not (either on his own behalf or for or with any
other person, whether directly or indirectly) canvass or solicit in competition with
the Company or any other Group Company the custom of any person who was negotiating
with the Company or any other Group Company for the supply of goods or services
(whether as customer, client, supplier, agent or distributor of the Company) during the
six months prior to the Relevant Date or who was a potential customer to whom the
Executive had made a presentation or a pitch and in respect of whom the Executive had
access to confidential information or with whose custom or business the Executive was
personally concerned;
	 
	 	12.2.5	 	during the Restricted Period he will not (either on his own behalf or for or with any
other person, whether directly or indirectly) deal with or otherwise accept in
competition with the Company or any other Group Company the custom of any person who
was negotiating with the Company or any other Group Company for the supply of goods or
services (whether as customer, client, supplier, agent or distributor of the Company)
during the six months prior to the Relevant Date or who was a potential customer to
whom the Executive had made a presentation or a pitch and in respect of whom the
Executive had access to confidential information or with whose custom or business the
Executive was personally concerned; and
	 
	 	12.2.6	 	during the Restricted Period he will not (either on his own behalf or for or with any
other person, whether directly or indirectly,) entice or try to entice away from the
Company or any other Group Company any person who was an F band employee or higher
employee (or equivalent) of such a company at the Termination Date and who had been
such an employee at any time during the six months prior to the Relevant Date and with
whom he had worked closely at any time during that period.

	12.3	 	Each of the paragraphs contained in clause 12.2 constitutes an entirely separate and
independent covenant. If any covenant is found to be invalid this will not affect the validity
or enforceability of any of the other covenants.

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	12.4	 	Following the Termination Date, the Executive will not represent himself as being in any way
connected with the businesses of the Company or of any other Group Company (except to the
extent agreed by such a company).
	 
	12.5	 	Any benefit given or deemed to be given by the Executive to any Group Company under the terms
of clause 12 is received and held on trust by the Company for the relevant Group Company. The
Executive will enter into appropriate restrictive covenants directly with other Group
Companies if asked to do so by the Company.
	 
	13	 	Offers on Liquidation
	 
	 	 	The Executive will have no claim against the Company if the Employment is terminated by
reason of liquidation in order to reconstruct or amalgamate the Company or by reason of any
reorganisation of the Company and the Executive is offered employment with the company
succeeding to the Company upon such liquidation or reorganisation and the new terms of
employment offered to the Executive are no less favourable to him than the terms of this
agreement.
	 
	14	 	Return of Company Property
	 
	14.1	 	At any time during the Employment (at the request of the Company) and in any event when the
Employment terminates, the Executive will immediately return to the Company:

	 	 14.1.1	 	all documents and other materials (whether originals or copies) made or compiled by
or delivered to the Executive during the Employment and concerning all the Group
Companies. The Executive will not retain any copies of any materials or other
information; and
	 
	 	 14.1.2	 	all other property belonging or relating to any of the Group Companies.

	14.2	 	When the Employment terminates the Executive will immediately return to the Company any car
provided to the Executive which is in the possession or under the control of the Executive.
	 
	14.3	 	If the Executive commences Garden Leave in accordance with clause 11 he may be required to
comply with the provisions of clause 14.1.
	 
	15	 	Directorships
	 
	15.1	 	The Executive’s office as a director of the Company or any other Group Company is subject to
the Articles of Association of the relevant company (as amended from time to time). If the
provisions of this agreement conflict with the provisions of the Articles of Association, the
Articles of Association will prevail.
	 
	15.2	 	The Executive must resign from any office held in any Group Company if he is asked to do so
by the Company.
	 
	15.3	 	If the Executive does not resign as an officer of a Group Company, having been requested to
do so in accordance with clause 15.2, the Company will be appointed as his attorney to effect
his resignation. By entering into this agreement, the Executive irrevocably appoints the
Company as his attorney to act on his behalf to execute any document or do anything in his
name necessary to effect his resignation in accordance with clause 15.2. If there is any doubt
as to whether such a document (or other thing) has been carried out within the authority
conferred by this clause 15.3, a certificate in writing (signed by any director or the

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	 	 	secretary of the Company) will be sufficient to prove that the act or thing falls within
that authority.
	 
	15.4	 	The termination of any directorship (or other office) held by the Executive will not
terminate the Executive’s employment or amount to a breach of terms of this agreement by the
Company with the exception that in the event that the company removes the title Chief
Executive (“CEO”) then the company will be deemed to have terminated the contract in
accordance with clauses 10.2 and 10.4.
	 
	15.5	 	During the Employment the Executive will not do anything which could cause him to be
disqualified from continuing to act as a director of any Group Company.
	 
	15.6	 	The Executive must not resign his office as a director of any Group Company without the
agreement of the Company.
	 
	16	 	Notices
	 
	16.1	 	Any notices given under this agreement must be given by letter or fax. Notice to the Company
must be addressed to its registered office at the time the notice is given. Notice to the
Executive must be given to him personally or sent to his last known address.
	 
	16.2	 	Except for notices given by hand, notices given by post will be deemed to have been given on
the next working day after the day of posting and notices given by fax will be deemed to have
been given in the ordinary course of transmission.
	 
	17	 	Statutory Particulars
	 
	17.1	 	The written particulars of employment which the Executive is entitled to receive under the
provisions of Part I of the Employment Rights Act 1996 are set out below, insofar as they are
not set out elsewhere in this agreement or in any other documents provided with this
agreement.

	 	 17.1.1	 	The Executive’s period of continuous employment will be deemed to have begun on 9
October 2006.
	 
	 	 17.1.2	 	The Company’s disciplinary rules and disciplinary and grievance procedures as set out
in the Employee Handbook from time to time are applicable to the Executive.
	 
	 	 17.1.3	 	The Company’s normal hours of work are 8.30am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am
to 4.00pm on Friday.
	 
	 	 17.1.4	 	There are no terms and conditions relating to collective agreements or to the
requirement to work outside the United Kingdom.

	17.2	 	The authorisation to the Company to request a medical examination is governed under the
Access to Medical Reports Act (1988).
	 
	18	 	Data Protection Act 1998
	 
	18.1	 	For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the “Act”) the Executive gives his consent
to the holding, processing and disclosure of personal data (including sensitive data within
the meaning of the Act) provided by the Executive to the Company for all purposes relating to
the performance of this agreement including, but not limited to:

	 	 18.1.1	 	administering and maintaining personnel records;

11

 

	 	  18.1.2	 	paying and reviewing salary and other remuneration and benefits;
	 
	 	  18.1.3	 	providing and administering benefits (including if relevant, pension, life assurance,
permanent health insurance and medical insurance);
	 
	 	  18.1.4	 	undertaking performance appraisals and reviews;
	 
	 	  18.1.5	 	maintaining sickness and other absence records;
	 
	 	  18.1.6	 	taking decisions as to the Executive’s fitness for work;
	 
	 	  18.1.7	 	providing references and information to future employers, and if necessary,
governmental and quasi-governmental bodies for social security and other purposes, the
Inland Revenue and the Contributions Agency;
	 
	 	  18.1.8	 	providing information to future purchasers of the Company or of the business in which
the Executive works; and
	 
	 	  18.1.9	 	transferring information concerning the Executive to a country or territory outside
the EEA.

	18.2	 	The Executive acknowledges that during his Employment he will have access to and process, or
authorise the processing of, personal data and sensitive personal data relating to employees,
customers and other individuals held and controlled by the Company. The Executive agrees to
comply with the terms of the Act in relation to such data and to abide by the Company’s data
protection policy issued from time to time.
	 
	19	 	Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
	 
	19.1	 	To the extent permitted by law, no person other than the parties to this agreement and the
Group Companies shall have the right to enforce any term of this agreement under the Contracts
(Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999. For the avoidance of doubt, save as expressly provided in
this clause the application of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 is
specifically excluded from this agreement, although this does not affect any other right or
remedy of any third party which exists or is available other than under this Act.
	 
	20	 	Indemnification and Insurance
	 
	20.1	 	The Executive will have the benefit of the following indemnity in relation to liability
incurred in his capacity as a Director of the Company. This indemnity is as wide as English
law currently permits:

	 	 20.1.1	 	The Company will provide funds to cover costs as incurred by the Executive in
defending legal proceedings brought against him in his capacity as, or as a result of
his being or having been, a Director of the Company including criminal proceedings and
proceedings brought by the Company itself or an Associated Company;
	 
	 	 20.1.2	 	The Company will indemnify the Executive in respect of any proceedings brought by
third parties, including both legal and financial costs of an adverse judgment brought
against him in his capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a Director
of the Company; and
	 
	 	 20.1.3	 	The Company will indemnify the Executive for liability incurred in connection with
any application made to a court for relief from liability, where the court grants such
relief.

12

 

	 	 	For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnity granted does not cover:

	 	 20.1.4	 	Unsuccessful defence of criminal proceedings, in which instance the Company would
seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;
	 
	 	 20.1.5	 	Unsuccessful defence of an action brought by the Company itself or an Associated
Company, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;
	 
	 	 20.1.6	 	Fines imposed by regulatory bodies;
	 
	 	 20.1.7	 	Fines imposed in criminal proceedings; and
	 
	 	 20.1.8	 	Liability incurred in connection with any application under Section 661(3) or (4) of
the Companies Act 2006 (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 1157 of
the Companies Act 2006 (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable
conduct), where the court refuses to grant the Executive relief, and such refusal is
final.

	20.2	 	It is a condition of the provision of this indemnity that the Executive shall notify the
Company without delay upon becoming aware of any claim or potential claim against him and that
the Executive shall have a duty to mitigate any loss incurred.
	 
	20.3	 	The Company maintains Directors and Officers insurance as additional cover for Directors
which, if the insurance policy so permits, may provide funds in circumstances where the law
prohibits the Company from indemnifying Directors. The Executive shall have the benefit of the
insurance to the extent applicable.
	 
	21	 	Miscellaneous
	 
	21.1	 	This agreement may only be modified by the written agreement of the parties.
	 
	21.2	 	The Executive cannot assign this agreement to anyone else.
	 
	21.3	 	References in this agreement to rules, regulations, policies, handbooks or other similar
documents which supplement it, are referred to in it or describe any pensions or other
benefits arrangement are references to the versions or forms of the relevant documents as
amended or updated from time to time. In the event of conflict, the terms of this agreement
shall prevail.
	 
	21.4	 	This agreement supersedes any previous written or oral agreement between the parties in
relation to the matters dealt with in it. It contains the whole agreement between the parties
relating to the Employment at the date the agreement was entered into (except for those terms
implied by law which cannot be excluded by the agreement of the parties). The Executive
acknowledges that he has not been induced to enter into this agreement by any representation,
warranty or undertaking not expressly incorporated into it. The Executive agrees and
acknowledges that his only rights and remedies in relation to any representation, warranty or
undertaking made or given in connection with this agreement (unless such representation,
warranty or undertaking was made fraudulently) will be for breach of the terms of this
agreement, to the exclusion of all other rights and remedies (including those in tort or
arising under statute).
	 
	21.5	 	Neither party’s rights or powers under this agreement will be affected if:

	 	  21.5.1	 	one party delays in enforcing any provision of this agreement; or

13

 

	 	 	 21.5.2	 	one party grants time to the other party.

	21.6	 	The Interpretation Act 1978 shall apply to this agreement in the same way as it applies to an
enactment.
	 
	21.7	 	References to any statutory provisions include any modifications or re-enactments of those
provisions.
	 
	21.8	 	Headings will be ignored in construing this agreement.
	 
	21.9	 	If either party agrees to waives his rights under a provision of this agreement, that waiver
will only be effective if it is in writing and it is signed by him. A party’s agreement to
waive any breach of any term or condition of this agreement will not be regarded as a waiver
of any subsequent breach of the same term or condition or a different term or condition.
	 
	21.10	 	This agreement is governed by and will be interpreted in accordance with the laws of England
and Wales. Each of the parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts as
regards any claim or matter arising under this agreement.

	 	 	 
	EXECUTED as a DEED on behalf of

	 	John Bond
	 
	 	 
	VODAFONE GROUP PLC

	 	Director
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	Stephen Scott
	 
	 	 
	 
	 

	 	Company Secretary

	 	 	 	 	 
	EXECUTED as a DEED by

VITTORIO COLAO

in the presence of:

	 	ü
ý
þ
	 	Vittorio Colao

Gerry McTaggart
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Witness’s signature
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Name
	 	 	 	 
	Address
	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Occupation

	 	 	 	Personal Assistant

14

 

Table of Contents

	 	 	 	 	 
	Contents	 	Page
	1 Interpretation
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	2 Commencement of Employment
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	3 Appointment and Duties of the Executive
	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	4 Hours
	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	5 Interests of the Executive
	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	6 Salary and Benefits
	 	 	3	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	7 Expenses
	 	 	4	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	8 Confidentiality
	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	9 Intellectual Property Rights
	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	10 Termination and Suspension
	 	 	6	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	11 Garden Leave
	 	 	7	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	12 Restrictions after Termination of Employment
	 	 	8	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	13 Offers on Liquidation
	 	 	10	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	14 Return of Company Property
	 	 	10	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	15 Directorships
	 	 	10	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	16 Notices
	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	17 Statutory Particulars
	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	18 Data Protection Act 1998
	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	19 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	20 Indemnification and Insurance
	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	21 Miscellaneous
	 	 	13EXHIBIT 4.26

Exhibit 4.26

	 	 	 
	Sir John Bond

Chairman

9 March 2009

	 	

Sir Samuel Jonah, KBE OSG

31A Killarney Road

Sandhurst,

Johannesburg

South Africa

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSHIP OF VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

Further to our discussions, this letter is to confirm the terms of your appointment as a
non-executive director of Vodafone Group Public Limited Company (the “Company”), without prejudice
to your obligations to the Company under English Law.

	1	 	Role
	 
	 	 	Your obligations and responsibilities as a non-executive director are to the Company and,
like all directors, you should act at all times in the best interests of the Company,
exercising your independent judgement on all matters. Non-executive directors have the same
general legal responsibilities to the Company as any other director. The Board as a whole is
collectively responsible for promoting the success of the Company by directing and
supervising the Company’s affairs. Your appointment as non-executive director of the Company
is subject to the Company’s Articles of Association (the “Articles”) and the latter will
prevail in the event of any conflict between them and the terms of this letter. A copy of
the current version of the Articles is included in your director information pack.
	 
	 	 	In my view, the role of the non-executive director has a number of key elements and I look
forward to your contribution in these areas:

	 	•	 	Strategy: you should constructively challenge and contribute to the development of
strategy;
	 
	 	•	 	Performance: you should scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed
goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance;
	 
	 	•	 	Risk: you should satisfy yourself that financial information is accurate and that
financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible; and
	 
	 	•	 	People: non-executive directors are responsible for determining appropriate levels
of remuneration of executive directors and have a prime role in appointing, and where
necessary removing, senior management and in succession planning.

	 	 	 
	Vodafone Group Plc

	 	Our ref: 053k-SM
	Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England

	 	T +44 1635 673915
	T +44 (0)1635 33251 F +44 (0)1635 580857 www.vodafone.com

	 	F +44 1635 580761
	 
	 	 
	Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire
RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

 

 

	2	 	Appointment and Term
	 
	 	 	Subject to the terms of this letter, your appointment will commence on 1 April 2009 (the
“Effective Date”). The Articles require that directors submit themselves for re-election by
shareholders periodically and as a Board we have resolved that all the Directors will submit
themselves for re-election every year1. The Nominations and Governance Committee
each year review and consider the submission of the Directors for re-election. In the event
that when you submit yourself for re-election you are not elected, your appointment as
director will automatically terminate. You will not be entitled to receive any compensation
from the Company in respect of the termination of your directorship. In accordance with the
recommendations of the Combined Code, after nine years’ service on the Board, a director may
not be considered independent and as a Company we have resolved not to ask our shareholders
to re-elect anyone with more than nine years’ Board service.
	 
	 	 	Overall, we anticipate a time commitment from you involving attendance at all Board meetings
(the Company currently has eight each year), the Annual General Meeting (usually held in
July each year) and at least one Company/site visit per year (this year we will be going to
South Africa in September). You will be expected to devote appropriate preparation time
ahead of each meeting. In addition, each of the principal Board Committees meets about four
or five times a year (and in some cases more frequently) and you should anticipate being a
member of at least one of these Committees in due course.
	 
	 	 	By accepting this appointment, you have confirmed that you are able to allocate sufficient
time to meet the expectations of your role. If you are unable to attend a Board meeting in
person, I hope, nevertheless, that you will be able to join those meetings either by
videoconference or teleconference facilities. I would be grateful if, before accepting
additional commitments that might affect the time you are able to devote to your role as a
non-executive director of the Company, you would seek my agreement.
	 
	3	 	Fees
	 
	 	 	As you will be a non-executive director of the Company, the Board as a whole will determine
your remuneration in accordance with the requirements of good corporate governance, the
Financial Services Authority’s Combined Code and the Financial Services Authority’s Listing
Rules. The fee for your services is £110,000 per annum and it is paid in equal instalments
monthly in arrears. You may elect to be paid either in cash or in the Company’s shares.
Please let me know if you may prefer to receive shares. You will also be entitled to be
repaid all travelling and other expenses properly incurred in performing your duties in
accordance with the Articles of Association. Directors who have to undertake
intercontinental travel to attend Board meetings are paid an additional allowance of £6,000
per meeting attended and as you are based in South Africa you will be entitled to receive
this payment. If you are invited to serve on one or more of the Committees of the Board (in
which case this will be covered in a separate communication setting out the Committee’s
terms of reference and any specific responsibilities that may be involved) no additional fee
will be payable, unless you are invited to Chair a Committee, in which case an additional
fee will be payable in equal instalments monthly in arrears for so long as you hold that
position. We currently pay the Chair of our Audit Committee an additional £25,000 per annum,
the Chair of our Remuneration Committee £20,000 per annum and the Chair of our Nominations &
Governance Committee £15,000 per annum. Payment of all fees will cease immediately after
your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company terminates for any reason.

 

			
	1	 	The Company’s Annual General Meeting this year will be
held on Tuesday 28 July 2009 and if you accept this appointment it is the
Company’s intention to submit you for election by the Company’s shareholders at
that meeting.

2 

 

	4	 	Dealing in the Company’s shares
	 
	 	 	You shall (and you shall procure that your “connected persons”, including your wife and
dependent children shall) comply with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Services Authority’s Model Code as
set out in the Listing Rules and rules and regulations laid down by the Company from time to
time in relation to dealing in the Company’s shares. Further guidance is provided in your
director information pack.
	 
	5	 	Competitive Businesses
	 
	 	 	In view of the sensitive and confidential nature of the Company’s business you agree that
for so long as you are a non-executive director of the Company you will not, without the
consent of the Board, which shall not be withheld unreasonably, be engaged or interested in
any capacity in any business or with any company which is, in the reasonable opinion of the
Board, competitive with the business of any company in the Group. In the event that you
become aware of any potential conflicts of interest, these should be disclosed to me and to
the Company Secretary as soon as possible.
	 
	6	 	Confidentiality
	 
	 	 	You agree that you will not make use of, divulge or communicate to any person (except in the
proper performance of your duties) any of the trade secrets or other confidential
information of or relating to any company in the Group which you have received or obtained
from or through the Company. This restriction shall continue to apply after the termination
of your appointment without limit in point of time but shall cease to apply to information
or knowledge which comes into the public domain otherwise than through your default or which
shall have been received by you from a third party entitled to disclose the same to you.
	 
	 	 	Your attention is also drawn to the requirements under both legislation and regulation as to
the disclosure of inside information. Consequently, you should avoid making any statements
that might risk a breach of these requirements without prior clearance from me or from the
Company Secretary. Please note that all media enquiries concerning the Company must be
referred immediately to the Group External Affairs Director.
	 
	7	 	Illness or Incapacity
	 
	 	 	If you are prevented by illness or incapacity from carrying out your duties for a period
exceeding three consecutive calendar months or at different times for a period exceeding in
aggregate three calendar months in any one period of twelve calendar months or if you become
prohibited by law or under the Articles of Association of the Company from being a
non-executive director of the Company, then the Company may terminate your appointment
immediately.
	 
	8	 	Effect of Termination
	 
	 	 	Upon termination of your appointment howsoever arising, you shall forthwith or upon request
of the Company, resign from office as a non-executive director of the Company and all other
offices held by you in any other companies in the Group and your membership of any
organisation acquired by virtue of your tenure of any such office, and should you fail to do
so, the Company is hereby irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in your name and on
your behalf to sign any documents and do anything necessary or requisite to give effect
thereto.

3 

 

	9	 	Return of Company Property
	 
	 	 	You agree that upon termination of your appointment as a non-executive director, you will
immediately deliver to the Company all property belonging to the Company or any member of
its Group, including all documents or other records made or compiled or acquired by you
during your appointment concerning the business, finances or affairs of the Group.
	 
	10	 	Independent Professional Advice
	 
	 	 	In accordance with the Financial Services Authority’s Combined Code, the Board has agreed
procedures for directors in the furtherance of their duties to take independent professional
advice if necessary, at the Company’s expense. A copy of the relevant Board resolution is
enclosed in your director information pack. Naturally, if you have any queries or
difficulties at any time please feel free to discuss them with me. I am also available at
all times to provide you with information and advice you may need.
	 
	11	 	Indemnification and Insurance
	 
	 	 	You will have the benefit of the following indemnity in relation to liability incurred in
your capacity as a Director of the Company. This indemnity is as wide as English law
currently permits:

	 	(i)	 	The Company will provide funds to cover costs as incurred by you in defending
legal proceedings brought against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being
or having been, a Director of the Company including criminal proceedings and
proceedings brought by the Company itself or an Associated Company;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	The Company will indemnify you in respect of any proceedings brought by third
parties, including both legal and financial costs of an adverse judgment brought
against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a
Director of the Company; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	The Company will indemnify you for liability incurred in connection with any
application made to a court for relief from liability, where the court grants such
relief.

For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnity granted does not cover:

	 	(i)	 	Unsuccessful defence of criminal proceedings, in which instance the Company
would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Unsuccessful defence of an action brought by the Company itself or an
Associated Company, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any
funds advanced;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Fines imposed by regulatory bodies;
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Fines imposed in criminal proceedings; and
	 
	 	(v)	 	Liability incurred in connection with any application under Section 144(3) or
(4) of the Companies Act 1985 (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section
1157 of the Companies Act 2006 (general power to grant relief in case of honest and
reasonable conduct), where the court refuses to grant you relief, and such refusal is
final. (For reference, a summary of these sections is appended to this letter).

	 	 	It is a condition of the provision of this indemnity that you shall notify the Company
without delay upon becoming aware of any claim or potential claim against you and that you
have a duty to mitigate any loss incurred.

4 

 

	 	 	The Company maintains Directors and Officers insurance as additional cover for Directors
which, if the insurance policy so permits, may provide funds in circumstances where the law
prohibits the Company from indemnifying Directors.
	 
	12	 	Review Process
	 
	 	 	The performance of individual directors and the whole Board and its committees is evaluated
annually. If, in the interim, there are any matters which cause you concern about your role,
please discuss them with me as soon as is appropriate.
	 
	13	 	Contract for Services
	 
	 	 	It is agreed that you will not be an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and
that this letter shall not constitute a contract of employment.

In this letter:

	 	 	 
	“Board”

	 	means the board of directors of the Company from time to
time or any person or committee nominated by the board of
directors as its representative or to whom (and to that
extent) it has delegated powers for the purposes of this
letter.
	 
	 	 
	“Group”

	 	means the Company and any other company which is its
subsidiary or in which the Company or any subsidiary of
the Company controls not less than 25% of the voting
shares (where “subsidiary” has the meaning given to it by
section 736 of the Companies Act 1985).

This letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law. Both parties submit
to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts as regards any claim or matter arising in
connection with the terms of this letter.

Please acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the terms of this letter by signing the enclosed copy
and returning it to the Company Secretary. I am greatly looking forward to working with you.

Kind regards.

Yours sincerely

John Bond

I hereby accept that the terms of this letter constitute the terms of my appointment as a
non-executive director of the Company.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Signed:

	 	 	 	Date:
	 	March 2009
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Sir Samuel Jonah	 	 	 	 

5

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