Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.16
GARTNER, INC.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

Gartner, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants you (or the “Grantee”) the number of performance stock units indicated in the notice of grant (a “PSU” or the “PSUs”) under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”) (this type of Award is referred to as Performance Shares under the Plan).  The date of this Agreement is [__] (the “Grant Date”).  Subject to the provisions of Appendix A, Appendix B (each attached hereto) and of the Plan, the principal features of this PSU grant are as follows:
Target Number of PSUs:  As provided in the notice of grant, subject to adjustment as provided under Performance Adjustment below.

Performance Adjustment: The performance conditions and performance goals applicable to the PSUs are as set forth in Appendix B.

Vesting Schedule:

Twenty-five percent (25%) of the PSUs eligible to vest (if any, as determined as set forth on Appendix B) shall vest on each of the first four anniversaries of the date hereof, or [__], [__] [__] and [__], subject to Grantee’s Continued Service through each such date.

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APPENDIX A
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE STOCK UNITS
1.Grant of PSUs.  The Company hereby grants to the Grantee under the Plan, as a separate incentive in connection with his or her employment and not in lieu of any salary or other compensation for his or her services, the number of Performance Stock Units (“PSUs”) indicated in the notice of grant, subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Agreement and the Plan. This type of Award is referred to as “Performance Shares” under the Plan. 

2.Company’s Obligation to Pay.  Each PSU has a value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.  Unless and until the PSUs have vested in the manner set forth in Paragraphs 3 or 4, the Grantee will have no right to payment of such PSUs.  Prior to actual payment of any vested PSUs, such PSUs will represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.  Payment of any vested PSUs will be made in Shares only.  In no event will the Grantee be permitted, directly or indirectly, to specify the taxable year of the payment of any PSUs payable under the Agreement. 

3.Vesting Schedule.  

		
	a.
	General Rule. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the PSUs awarded by this Agreement are scheduled to vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the notice of grant. PSUs scheduled to vest on a particular date will vest only if the Grantee remains in Continued Service (as defined below) through such date. Subject to the following subsections of this Paragraph 3, should the Grantee’s Continued Service end at any time (the “Termination Date”) while the PSUs remain outstanding, any unvested PSUs will be immediately cancelled.

		
	b.
	Termination of Continued Service due to Death or Disability. If the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service is due to the Grantee’s death or Disability, the unvested portion of the PSUs shall vest in full on the Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if a Grantee’s Continued Service terminates due to his or her death or Disability and the Grantee is eligible for a Retirement in accordance with the requirements set forth in Paragraph 28 of this Agreement, such termination of Continued Service shall be governed by this Paragraph 3(b) and shall not be treated as a Retirement.

		
	c.
	Termination of Continued Service due to Retirement-Eligible Voluntary Resignation During the Year of Grant. If termination of Continued Service is due to a voluntary resignation and the Grantee is eligible for a Retirement in accordance with the requirements set forth in Paragraph 28 of this Agreement, occurring during the calendar year in which the grant was made, the unvested portion of the PSUs shall continue to vest after the Termination Date as set forth in the notice of grant, despite the termination of Continued Service (subject to Paragraph 13(c) hereof); provided, that the target number of PSUs so granted will be reduced to equal the 

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percentage of days in that year in which the Grantee was in Continued Service (i.e., for the avoidance of doubt, the target number of PSUs will equal the number specified in the notice of grant, multiplied by the number of days from January 1 for which the Grantee was in Continued Service, divided by 365).
		
	d.
	Termination of Continued Service due to Retirement-Eligible Voluntary Resignation After the Year of Grant or Retirement-Eligible Termination without Cause. If the Grantee is eligible for a Retirement in accordance with the requirements set forth in Paragraph 28 of this Agreement and his or her termination of Continued Service is due to (i) a voluntary resignation occurring any time after the calendar year in which the grant was made, or (ii) an involuntary termination without Cause, other than pursuant to a Qualifying Termination (which treatment is governed exclusively by Paragraph 3(e)), the entire unvested portion of the PSUs shall continue to vest after the Termination Date as set forth in the notice of grant, despite the termination of Continued Service, subject to Paragraph 13(c) hereof.  

		
	e.
	Qualifying Termination following a Change of Control. Unless the Grantee’s employment, severance or other written agreement with the Company provides more favorable treatment, in the event that the Grantee’s Continued Service is involuntarily terminated without Cause (including as a result of the elimination of his or her position) during the twelve (12) months following a Change of Control (“Qualifying Termination”), the unvested portion of the PSUs shall vest on the Termination Date, with the performance goals hereunder being deemed achieved at one-hundred percent (100%) of the target level of performance. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) to the extent that the Grantee is eligible for a Retirement in accordance with the requirements set forth in Paragraph 28 of this Agreement and he or she experiences a Qualifying Termination, the vesting provisions set forth in this Paragraph 3(e) (not Paragraph 3(d)) shall control, and (ii) Section 13.10 of the Plan does not apply to the PSUs granted hereunder.

		
	f.
	Other Conditions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the vesting terms set forth in this Paragraph 3 are contingent upon the Grantee being in full compliance with all the terms of this Agreement at the time of vesting, and (ii) in the case of PSUs as to which the Performance Adjustment referred to in the notice of grant has not been made at the Termination Date, the PSUs that will be deemed vested on the Termination Date or otherwise pursuant to this Paragraph 3 shall be determined, and shall vest, when such Performance Adjustment has occurred.

4.Committee Discretion.  The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the PSUs at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan. If so accelerated, such PSUs will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Committee.  If the Committee, in its discretion, accelerates the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the PSUs and the PSUs are “deferred 

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compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, the payment of such accelerated PSUs nevertheless shall be made at the same time or times as if such PSUs had vested in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the notice of grant (whether or not the Grantee remains in Continued Service through such date(s)).  The immediately preceding sentence may be superseded in a future agreement or amendment to this Award Agreement only by direct and specific reference to the sentence.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such PSUs that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A are accelerated in connection with the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service (other than due to death), the PSUs that vest on account of the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service will not be considered due or payable until the Grantee has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  In addition, if the Grantee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of the Grantee’s separation from service, then any such accelerated PSUs otherwise payable within the six (6) month period following the Grantee’s separation from service instead will be paid on the date that is six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of the Grantee’s separation from service, unless the Grantee dies following his or her separation from service, in which case, the accelerated PSUs will be paid to the Grantee’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death, subject to Paragraph 8.  Thereafter, such PSUs shall continue to be paid in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth on the first page of this Agreement.  Each payment payable to a U.S. taxpayer under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).  For purposes of this Agreement, “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any final Treasury Regulations and other Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder, as each may be amended from time to time.

5.Payment after Vesting.  Any PSUs that vest in accordance with Paragraph 4 will be released to the Grantee (or in the event of the Grantee’s death, to his or her estate) in Shares as soon as practicable following the date of vesting, subject to Paragraph 8, but in no event later than the applicable two and one-half (2-1⁄2) month period of the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in the Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the PSUs are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, the vested PSUs will be released to the Grantee (or in the event of the Grantee’s death, to his or her estate) in Shares as soon as practicable following the date of vesting, subject to Paragraph 8, but in no event later than the end of the calendar year that includes the date of vesting or, if later, the fifteen (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month following the date of vesting (provided that the Grantee will not be permitted, directly or indirectly, to designate the taxable year of the payment). Further, if some or all of the PSUs that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A vest on account of the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service (other than due to death) in accordance with Paragraph 3, the PSUs that vest on account of the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service will not be considered due or payable until the Grantee has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.   In addition, if the Grantee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of the Grantee’s separation from service (other than due to death), then any accelerated PSUs will be paid to the Grantee no earlier than six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of the Grantee’s separation from service unless the Grantee dies following his or her separation from service, in which case, the PSUs will be paid to the Grantee’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death, subject to Paragraph 8.  Any PSUs that vest in accordance 

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with Paragraph 4 will be paid to the Grantee (or in the event of the Grantee’s death, to his or her estate) in Shares in accordance with the provision of such paragraph, subject to Paragraph 8.

6.Forfeiture.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, the balance of the PSUs that have not vested pursuant to Paragraphs 3 or 4 at the time the Grantee ceases to be in Continued Service will be forfeited and automatically transferred to and reacquired by the Company at no cost to the Company.  The Grantee shall not be entitled to a refund of any of the price paid for the PSUs forfeited to the Company pursuant to this Paragraph 6.

7.Death of Grantee.  Any distribution or delivery to be made to the Grantee under this Agreement will, if the Grantee is then deceased, be made to the administrator or executor of the Grantee’s estate (or such other person to whom the PSUs are transferred pursuant to the Grantee’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution).  Any such transferee must furnish the Company (a) written notice of his or her status as a transferee, (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to establish the validity of the transfer of these PSUs and compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to such transfer, and (c) written acceptance of the terms and conditions of this Performance Stock Unit grant as set forth in this Agreement.

8.Withholding of Taxes.  When the Shares are issued as payment for vested PSUs, the Grantee will recognize immediate U.S. taxable income if the Grantee is a U.S. taxpayer.  If the Grantee is a non-U.S. taxpayer, the Grantee may be subject to applicable taxes in his or her jurisdiction.  The Company (or the employing parent of the Company or Subsidiary) will withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise issuable in payment for vested PSUs that have an aggregate market value sufficient to pay the federal, state and local income, employment and any other applicable taxes required to be withheld by the Company (or the employing parent of the Company or Subsidiary) with respect to the Shares, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Grantee or the Company, as applicable, with respect to the Shares on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld or remitted is to be determined.  No fractional Shares will be withheld or issued pursuant to the grant of PSUs and the issuance of Shares thereunder.  The Company (or the employing parent of the Company or Subsidiary) may instead, in its discretion, withhold an amount necessary to pay the applicable taxes from the Grantee’s paycheck, with no withholding of Shares.  In the event the withholding requirements are not satisfied through the withholding of Shares (or, through the Grantee’s paycheck, as indicated above), no payment will be made to the Grantee (or his or her estate) for PSUs unless and until satisfactory arrangements (as determined by the Committee) have been made by the Grantee with respect to the payment of any income and other taxes which the Company determines must be withheld or collected with respect to such PSUs.  By accepting this Award, the Grantee expressly consents to the withholding of Shares and to any cash or Share withholding as provided for in this Paragraph 8.  All income and other taxes related to the Performance Stock Unit award and any Shares delivered in payment thereof are the sole responsibility of the Grantee.  In no event will the Company reimburse the Grantee for any taxes or other costs that may be imposed on the Grantee as result of Section 409A.

9.Rights as Stockholder.  Neither the Grantee nor any person claiming under or through the Grantee shall have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in 

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respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form) shall have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to the Grantee (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account).  Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this Agreement, any quarterly or other regular, periodic dividends or distributions (as determined by the Company) paid on Shares will accrue with respect to (i) unvested PSUs and (ii) PSUs that are vested but unpaid, and no such dividends or other distributions will be paid on PSUs nor PSUs that are vested but unpaid pursuant to Paragraph 4, and in each case will be subject to the same forfeiture provisions (if any), and be paid out at the same time or time(s), as the underlying PSUs on which such dividends or other distributions have accrued. After such issuance, recordation and delivery, the Grantee will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares. 

10.No Effect on Employment or Service.  The Grantee’s employment with the Company and any parent of the Company or Subsidiary is on an at-will basis only, subject to the provisions of applicable law.  Accordingly, subject to any written, express employment contract with the Grantee, nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall confer upon the Grantee any right to continue to be employed by the Company or any parent of the Company or Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company or the employing parent of the Company or Subsidiary, which are hereby expressly reserved, to terminate the employment of the Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without good cause.  Such reservation of rights can be modified only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company or the parent of the Company or Subsidiary employing the Grantee.  

11.Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company, in care of its Secretary at the Company’s headquarters, P.O. Box 10212, 56 Top Gallant Road, Stamford, CT 06902-7700, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

12.Grant is Not Transferable.  Except to the limited extent provided in Paragraph 7 above, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby shall not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process.  Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this grant, or of any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process, this grant and the rights and privileges conferred hereby immediately shall become null and void.  Notwithstanding the preceding, the Grantee may transfer (not for consideration and for bona fide estate planning purposes) the Performance Stock Units awarded under this Agreement to a revocable estate planning trust that is established solely for the benefit of Grantee and his or her immediate family.  Any such transfer will be permitted only if it is in compliance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish from time to time. Among other things, Grantee must acknowledge and agree that (a) for U.S. income tax purposes, all taxable income from the Performance Stock Units will be reported to Grantee alone, (b) if Grantee proposes to change the nature or character of the transferee trust, Grantee first must inform the Company and the Company may require that the Performance Stock Units be transferred back to Grantee alone, and (c) no additional other or further transfers of the Performance Stock Units will be permitted under any circumstance.

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13.Non-Competition. (a)(i) “Competitive Acts” shall mean: (A) the development, production, marketing or selling of (or assisting others to develop, produce, market or sell): (x) syndicated research that competes with the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (y) a product or service which is competitive with the existing or planned products or services of the Company with which Grantee was involved in or managed at any time during the last twenty-four (24) months of the Grantee’s Continued Service; and (B) the direct or indirect provision of services to, or solicitation of, the Company’s clients or known prospects with whom Grantee had contact, managed, or became aware of as a result of being employed by the Company, for the purposes of developing, producing, marketing or selling such competitive products or services.

(ii)    Grantee understands and agrees that the Company’s business is global in nature and that its clients are located throughout the world; therefore, a territorial limitation on the non-competition covenants set forth in Paragraph 13 would not allow the Company to adequately protect its legitimate business interests, and the absence of such a limitation is entirely reasonable under these circumstances.  In addition, Grantee agrees that the provisions of this Paragraph 14 are reasonable to protect and preserve the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the protection of the Company’s Confidential Information (as defined below) and the Company’s substantial investment made to develop and retain its Confidential Information, client base, accounts and related goodwill.

(iii)    The Company may, in its sole discretion, waive any portion of the Grantee’s obligations contained in Paragraph 13.  No such waiver shall be valid unless directly provided to Grantee, in writing, by the Company’s General Counsel or his/her designee.

(b)    Grantee agrees that, for a period of two (2) years following the termination of his or her Continued Service for any reason whatsoever (the “Restricted Period”), the Grantee will not, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity (whether as a consultant, analyst, sales person, independent contractor, independent business venturer, partner, member, employee or otherwise), directly or indirectly: (i) engage in any Competitive Acts; and/or (ii) entice, encourage, cause or invite any of the Company’s clients, known prospects, and vendors to discontinue, diminish, or otherwise adversely modify the business done with the Company, or otherwise interfere with the relationship between the Company and its clients, known prospects, and vendors.

(c)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event of the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service due to either a Retirement-eligible involuntary termination without Cause or a Retirement-eligible voluntary resignation (whether during or after the year of grant), as described in Paragraph 3(c) or Paragraph 3(d), as applicable (a “Retirement-Eligible Separation”), prior to the second (2nd) anniversary of the Grant Date, the Restricted Period shall initially last for two (2) years following such termination of Continued Service (the “Initial Retirement Restricted Period”); provided, that in order to receive vesting of any portion of the PSUs following the end of the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, the Grantee must comply with the following (in any event, subject to continued compliance with the terms of the Plan and this Agreement):

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(i)Initial Post-Restriction Tranche. Provide the Company’s Capital Appreciation Team (via email at Equity@Gartner.com) and the Company’s General Counsel with (x) no less than five (5) business days prior to the expiration of the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, a written acknowledgment that, in consideration for vesting of the first tranche of the PSUs that is scheduled to vest after the Initial Retirement Restricted Period (the “Initial Post-Restriction Tranche”), he or she is electing to, and shall, be subject to the provisions of this Paragraph 13 through the applicable vesting date for the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche (and in such case, the Restricted Period shall be extended through such vesting date), and (y) no less than five (5) business days prior to the applicable vesting date for the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche, a written confirmation that he or she has complied with the provisions of this Paragraph 13 from the end of the Initial Retirement Restricted Period and will comply with such provisions through the applicable vesting date for the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche. In the event that the Grantee does not timely provide either or both of such notices, any remaining unvested portion of the PSUs will be immediately cancelled upon the expiration of the applicable deadline set forth in this Paragraph 13(c)(i).

(ii)Second Post-Restriction Tranche. To the extent that any portion of the PSUs remains unvested following vesting of the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche, provide the Company’s Capital Appreciation Team (via email at Equity@Gartner.com) and the Company’s General Counsel with (x) no less than five (5) business days prior to the vesting of the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche, a written acknowledgment that, in consideration for the final tranche of the PSUs that is scheduled to vest after the Initial Retirement Restricted Period (the “Second Post-Restriction Tranche”), he or she is electing to, and shall, be subject to the provisions of this Paragraph 13 through the applicable vesting date for the Second Post-Restriction Tranche (and in such case, the Restricted Period shall be extended through such vesting date), and (y) no less than five (5) business days prior to the applicable vesting date for the Second Post-Restriction Tranche, a written confirmation that he or she has complied with the provisions of this Paragraph 13 from the end of the vesting date for the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche and will comply with such provisions through the vesting date for the Second Post-Restriction Tranche. In the event that the Grantee does not timely provide either or both of such notices, any remaining unvested portion of the PSUs will be immediately cancelled upon the expiration of the applicable deadline set forth in this Paragraph 13(c)(ii).

(iii)Illustration. For illustrative purposes only, if the Grantee were to incur a termination of Continued Service due to a Retirement-Eligible Separation three months after the Grant Date, (x) the Initial Retirement Restricted Period would extend to the date that is two years and three months following the Grant Date (and the first two tranches of the PSUs would vest during the Initial Retirement Restricted Period on the first and second anniversaries of the Grant Date, subject to the Grantee’s continued compliance with the terms of this Agreement), (y) in order to receive vesting of the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche, the Grantee would be required to (A) give written acknowledgment of continued applicability of this Paragraph 13 through the third anniversary of the Grant Date (i.e., the vesting date for the Initial Post-Restriction Tranche), no less than five business days prior to expiration of the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, and (B) give written confirmation of compliance with this Paragraph 13 through the third anniversary of the Grant Date, no less than five business days prior to the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and (z) in order to receive vesting of the Second Post-Restriction Tranche, the Grantee would be required to (A) give written acknowledgment of continued applicability of this Paragraph 13 

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through the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date (i.e., the vesting date for the Second Post-Restriction Tranche), no less than five business days prior to the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and (B) give written confirmation of compliance with this Paragraph 13 through the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date, no less than five business days prior to the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date.

(d)    Grantee agrees that, in addition to any and all other remedies available to the Company (at law, in equity, or as otherwise set forth in this Agreement), the Company shall be entitled to liquidated damages for any violation of Paragraph 13 during the Restricted Period (or, in the event of a Retirement-Eligible Separation, the Initial Retirement Restricted Period) in an amount equal to: (i) the final twelve (12) months’ salary, commissions, and bonus paid to the Grantee; and (ii) an additional amount equal to the aggregate dollar value of shares underlying any stock appreciation rights, performance stock units, and/or restricted stock units that vested (or, in the case of stock appreciation rights, vested and Grantee exercised) at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the Grantee’s termination of Continued Service.  The dollar value of each such share shall be equal to the closing price of Gartner stock on the date of grant of the applicable stock appreciation right, performance stock unit or restricted stock unit.  To the extent that Grantee chooses to receive the Initial Retirement Post-Restriction Tranche and/or the Second Post-Restriction Tranche but violates the provisions of Paragraphs 13(c)(i) and/or (ii), respectively, in addition to any and all other remedies available to the Company (at law, in equity, or otherwise set forth in this Agreement), the Company shall be entitled to liquidated damages equal to an amount equal to the aggregate dollar value of shares underlying any stock appreciation rights, performance stock units, and/or restricted stock units that vested (or, in the case of stock appreciation rights, vested and Grantee exercised) at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the violation of such Paragraph. Grantee agrees that the liquidated damages set forth herein are a reasonable approximation of the damages experienced by the Company for a violation of Paragraph 13, and are not to be deemed a penalty of any kind.

(e)    Grantee acknowledges that the time, geographic and scope limitations of the non-competition obligation set forth herein are fair and reasonable in all respects, and that Grantee will not be precluded from gainful employment if obligated to comply with the provisions hereof.  To the extent a court of appropriate jurisdiction finds the duration and/or geographic scope of the non-competition or non-solicitation restrictions to be unenforceable under applicable law, then it is the intention of the parties that such restriction be enforced to the fullest extent which the court deems reasonable.  In the event of Grantee’s breach or violation of this Paragraph 13, or good faith allegation by the Company of such breach or violation, the Restricted Period, the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, and the periods set forth in Paragraphs 13(c)(i) and (ii) (as applicable),shall be tolled until such breach or violation, or allegation thereof, has been duly cured or resolved.  

(f)    During the Restricted Period, the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, and the periods set forth in Paragraphs 13(c)(i) and (ii) (as applicable), the Grantee will notify (in writing and not less than 72 hours in advance) the Company’s General Counsel if he or she intends to become an employee or other service provider of any entity other than the Company (for example, but not by way of limitation, as an employee, consultant, analyst, sales person, independent contractor, agent, independent business venturer, partner or member). 

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14.Non‐Solicitation and No‐Hire.  The Grantee further agrees that, during the Restricted Period, the Initial Retirement Restricted Period, and the periods set forth in Paragraphs 13(c)(i) and (ii) (as applicable), the Grantee will not, directly or indirectly solicit, entice, or recruit employees of the Company to leave its employ, or offer or cause to be offered employment to any person who was employed by the Company at any time during the twelve (12) months prior to the termination of Grantee’s Continued Service.  General mass solicitations of employment that are not directed at the Company or any employee(s) of the Company shall not be prohibited by this Paragraph 14. For purposes of this Paragraph 14 (and the preceding Paragraph 13, the “Company” shall include the Company and its Subsidiaries).

15.Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under the Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  The rights and obligations of the Grantee under this Agreement may be assigned only with the prior written consent of the Company.

16.Restrictions on Sale of Securities.  The Shares issued as payment for vested PSUs awarded under this Agreement will be registered under the federal securities laws and will be freely tradable upon receipt.  However, the Grantee’s subsequent sale of the Shares will be subject to any market blackout-period that may be imposed by the Company and must comply with the Company’s insider trading policies, and any other applicable securities laws.

17.Binding Agreement.  Subject to the limitation on the transferability of this grant contained herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

18.Conditions for Issuance of Stock.  The shares of stock deliverable to the Grantee may be either previously authorized but unissued shares or issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company.  The Company shall not be required to transfer on its books or list in street name with a brokerage company or otherwise issue any certificate or certificates for Shares hereunder prior to fulfillment of all the following conditions:  (a) the admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such class of stock is then listed; and (b) the completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable; and (c) the obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency, which the Committee shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable; and (d) the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of vesting of the PSUs as the Committee may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience.

19.Plan Governs.  This Agreement is subject to all terms and provisions of the Plan.  In the event of a conflict between one or more provisions of this Agreement and one or more provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall govern.  Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

20.Committee Authority.  The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application 

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of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any PSUs have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Grantee, the Company and all other persons, and shall be given the maximum deference permitted by law.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

21.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  The Company, in its sole discretion, may decide to deliver any documents related to Performance Stock Units awarded under the Plan or future Performance Stock Units that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means.  The Grantee hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on‐line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

22.Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

23.Agreement Severable.  In the event that any provision in this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
24.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  The Grantee expressly warrants that he or she is not executing this Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.

25.Modifications to the Agreement; Clawback.  The Plan and this Agreement together the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  The Grantee expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Grantee, to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of Shares pursuant to this award of PSUs, provided that such revision would not materially reduce the economic benefits provided or intended to be provided under this Agreement.  Additionally, this Agreement and the award made hereunder shall be subject to any clawback policy which the Company may adopt from time to time as required by law or otherwise.

26.Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this award, the Grantee expressly warrants that he or she has received an award under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  The Grantee understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be modified, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time.

11

27.Governing Law.  This Agreement and the grant of PSUs shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Sections 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

28.Defined Terms:  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement without definition will have the meanings provided for in the Plan.  When used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms will have the following meanings:
“Confidential Information” means all information related to the operation of the Company's business and knowledge of the Company's assets, including, but not limited to, (i) financial information, (ii) products, (iii) product and services costs, prices, profits and sales, (iv) forecasts, (v) computer programs, (vi) data bases (and the documentation and information contained therein), (vii) computer access codes and similar information, (viii) software ideas, (ix) know-how, technologies, concepts and designs, (x) research projects and all information connected with research and development efforts, (xi) records, (xii) business relationships, methods and recommendations, (xiii) client lists (including identities of clients and prospective clients, identities of individual contracts at business entities which are clients or prospective clients, client spending, preferences, business or habits), (xiv) subscription or consultant termination dates, (xv) personnel files, (xvi) competitive analyses, (xvii) other confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets that have not been made available to the general public by the Company's senior management, and (xviii) non-public information provided to the Company by its clients, and other tangible or intangible assets and other information obtained by the Grantee in the course of his or her employment with the Company.
“Continued Service” means that the Grantee’s employment relationship is not interrupted or terminated by the Grantee, the Company, or any parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  The Grantee’s employment relationship will not be considered interrupted in the case of:  (i) any leave of absence approved in accordance with the Company’s written personnel policies, including sick leave, family leave, military leave, or any other personal leave; or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company and any parent, Subsidiary or successor; provided, however, that, unless otherwise provided in the Company’s written personnel policies, in this Agreement or under applicable laws, rules or regulations, or unless the Committee has otherwise expressly provided for different treatment with respect to this Agreement, (x) no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, and (y) any vesting shall cease on the ninety-first (91st) consecutive date of any leave of absence during which the Grantee’s employment relationship is deemed to continue and will not recommence until such date, if any, upon which the Grantee resumes service with the Company, its parent, Subsidiary or successor.  If the Grantee resumes such service in accordance with the terms of the Company’s military leave policy, upon resumption of service, the Grantee will be given vesting credit for the full duration of the Grantee’s leave of 

12

absence.  Continuous employment will be deemed interrupted and terminated for the Grantee if the Grantee’s weekly work hours change from full time to part time.  Part-time status for the purpose of vesting continuation will be determined in accordance with policies adopted by the Company from time to time, which policies, if any, shall supersede the determination of part-time status set forth in the Company’s posted “employee status definitions”.
“Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

“Retirement” means termination of the Grantee’s employment in accordance with the Company’s retirement policies, as in effect from time to time, if on the date of such termination, the Grantee is at least 55 years old, and his or her Continued Service has extended for at least ten (10) years.  
Your acceptance of this grant indicates your agreement and understanding that this grant is subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in the Plan and this Award Agreement, which includes the notice of grant and this Agreement.

As a condition to receiving this Performance Stock Unit grant and in consideration of such grant, you accept and agree to abide by the Agreement Regarding Certain Conditions of Employment provided to you in connection with such grant, including but not limited to the confidentiality and post-employment restrictions on competition set forth therein.  You hereby ratify, affirm and consent to those terms and conditions.  

13Exhibit

Exhibit 10.18

Enhanced Executive Rewards Policy
Revised January 30, 2020

As a member of Gartner’s Operating Committee employed in the United States, you play a vital role in the overall success of our Company. To that end, your total rewards plan has the following enhancements that are summarized in this Enhanced Executive Rewards Policy (this “Policy”):

		
	•
	Deferred Compensation Plan with discretionary match 

		
	•
	Charitable match limit of $20,000 per year under the Gartner Gives Program

		
	•
	Special equity vesting provisions in the event of retirement

		
	•
	Stock ownership guidelines

		
	•
	35 Paid Time Off (PTO) days

		
	•
	Enhanced severance benefits 

ERISA-Excess Benefit - Deferred Compensation Plan with Discretionary Match

This program allows you to contribute in excess of current 401(k) limits into Gartner’s non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP).  OC Members who defer salary or bonus under this plan may be eligible for an additional Company match in accordance with the terms of the plan.  The match is discretionary and determined by the Company each year prior to the enrollment period; refer to the Deferred Compensation Plan enrollment materials for current details.  

Historically, the way this plan has worked, if the Gartner match within the 401(k) plan is 100% on the first 4% you contribute, subject to an annual limit (which in 2020 = $7,200), the DCP would provide a mechanism for the match on the first 4% deferred to be not limited by the 401k match.  

To put the value of the DCP match in context, if you elected a 4% deferral on your base salary and bonus in the DCP and your base and bonus earnings = $700,000, the combination of your 401k match ($7,200) and your DCP match ($20,800) would equal $28,000.  Of course, if your base and bonus earnings are higher, the match would be higher too.  

To be eligible for discretionary excess DCP matching, you must elect your deferral rate during our end of year deferred compensation enrollment process.  In other words, you would first be eligible for the plan in the year following the first enrollment period.

Each year, the Company reserves the right to modify the underlying 401(k) plan and the 401(k) match as well as the enhanced discretionary match within the DCP. 

Gartner Gives - Enhanced Match Limit
Gartner is proud to support associates worldwide in their personal philanthropy by providing a global charity match program.  By providing matching funds to charitable organizations that our associates personally support, Gartner increases the impact of your donation in areas where associates live and work to maximize giving. Through your generous donations and fundraising efforts, we can make a difference!  Gartner associates have a matching opportunity of up to $5,000 per year.  The Operating Committee has a match limit of $20,000 per calendar year.  
Please refer to Gartner at Work for specifics on plan rules and our portal through which you can make charitable contributions.

Treatment of Equity Awards Upon Retirement 

Rule of 65 for awards granted prior to January 1, 2020: In 2015, for the Operating Committee only, we changed the treatment of equity upon retirement pursuant to the “Rule of 65” to provide for continued vesting based upon the “feathered-in” schedule set forth below:

		
	•
	For purposes of this Policy, the “Rule of 65” means that your age is 55 or more, your years of service total five or more, and the combination of your age and years of service is equal to 65 or more. Partial years will be counted solely to determine whether you satisfy the total of 65 or more, but will not be rounded. For purposes of illustration only, if you are 58 years and eight months old, and have six years and five months of service, your total age plus years of service would be equal to 65 years and one month (so your total would be 65). Thus, under this example, you would meet the age requirement (55+) and the years of service requirement (5+), and your total would be 65, so you would be considered to satisfy the Rule of 65.

		
	•
	If you retire pursuant to the Rule of 65, then you are eligible for the following treatment with respect to your outstanding awards under Gartner’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “LTIP”) that were made prior to January 1, 2020:

		
	◦
	You are eligible for one tranche (12 months) of vesting.

		
	◦
	If age 60, you are eligible for 1 more tranche (2 total) of continued vesting if you retire under the Rule of 65.

		
	◦
	If age 61, you are eligible for 2 more tranches (3 total) of continued vesting if you retire under the Rule of 65.

		
	◦
	If age 62, all tranches are eligible for continued vesting if you retire under the Rule of 65.

		
	◦
	Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in order to be eligible for continued vesting, you must sign a non-competition agreement.

		
	•
	For mid-year retirements, the same year’s PSU and SAR grant will be pro-rated for purposes of determining vesting under the Rule of 65.

Rule of 55 + 10 for awards granted on or after January 1, 2020: For all grants made on or after January 1, 2020, the “feathered-in” schedule and the Rule of 65 will no longer apply in the event of a retirement. Instead, if you retire after attaining age 55 or higher and have 10 or more years of service, you would qualify for a Retirement (as such term is defined in the award agreements under the LTIP) and be considered fully eligible for continued vesting of all tranches of unvested equity, subject to the terms of the award agreements under the LTIP. For mid-year retirements, the same year’s PSU and SAR grant will be pro-rated for purposes of determining vesting in the event of a Retirement.

For the avoidance of doubt, any grants made prior to 2020 will continued to be governed by the Rule of 65 in the event of a retirement and will be subject to the “feathered-in” schedule set forth above. Any grants made on or after January 1, 2020 are subject to the new definition of Retirement, and continuation of vesting in the event of a Retirement and exercisability of outstanding equity awards with an exercisability feature are as set forth in the award agreements under the LTIP.

Stock Holding Period Requirement

On May 1st of each year, your stock ownership position will be measured versus your then-current base salary.  The requirement is that the value of your owned shares plus the value of unvested performance share units and unvested restricted stock units equals or exceeds three (3) times the value of your base salary.

If your ownership position is under 3 times your base salary, you will be restricted from selling up to 50% of your released shares until the next May 1st measurement period and until you satisfy the requirements.

Paid-Time-Off (PTO) Program

Gartner understands the importance of time away from work and how it results in a better frame of mind to provide outstanding results.  As a senior leader of Gartner, you will be eligible for the highest level of PTO days, 35 days per year.

If your employment should terminate, you will be paid for any unused PTO in the year of termination, up to a maximum of 25 days.  The rate is based on your base salary only. 
Enhanced Severance Benefits

The role you play as a senior leader has a higher risk/reward than other roles.  In order to ensure that you are focused on your responsibilities, we have included an enhanced severance benefit.   

If you are terminated without Cause (including as a result of the elimination of your position), then you will be entitled to receive the following:

		
	•
	your current annual base salary through your termination date (and a lump sum payment equal to any accrued, unused PTO, up to a maximum of 25 days) plus continued base salary for a period of twelve months following the termination date, payable in accordance with Gartner’s regular payroll schedule as in effect from time to time;

		
	•
	the right to exercise all stock appreciation rights and other exercisable rights held by you that are vested as of the termination date for a period of 90 days following the termination date (unless more favorable rights are set forth in the award agreements governing such awards); and

		
	•
	reimbursement for COBRA premiums incurred, minus the contribution paid by active associates, to continue group health benefits under Gartner’s plan (or, at Gartner’s election, to obtain substantially similar health benefits through a third party carrier) for twelve months for you and any other family members (i.e., your spouse and any eligible children) for whom you have made the appropriate election.

In addition, to refresh your memory, in the event of certain terminations of your employment (other than a retirement, which is summarized above), your awards under the LTIP will be treated as follows (more detail can be found in Appendix A):
		
	•
	Termination due to death or Disability results in full and complete vesting of outstanding and unvested equity awards under the LTIP.

		
	•
	If you are terminated without Cause in the 12 months following a Change of Control, you are eligible for full and complete vesting of any outstanding and unvested equity awards under the LTIP.

		
	•
	“Cause,” “Change of Control” and “Disability” are each as defined in the LTIP.

In order to receive any enhanced severance benefits under this Policy (including, but not limited to, the enhanced equity award treatment described herein), you must execute and deliver a release of claims acceptable to Gartner within 60 days following termination.  Payment of amounts that are exempt from Section 409A (see Appendix B) will begin upon the expiration of the release’s revocation period, but payment of any Section 409A “deferred compensation” will begin only upon the expiration of the 60-day period (subject to any further delay required under Appendix B).

Except as provided in this Policy, you shall not be entitled to any other compensation, severance or other benefits upon a termination of your employment with Gartner, other than potential enhanced equity vesting under the LTIP in the event of certain terminations of employment, as described in this Policy (or as set forth in the award agreements under the LTIP, as applicable).

In Conclusion

These benefits are being offered to you to supplement the current benefits package offered to all associates.  You are not required to utilize these additional benefits, but may choose the ones that best meet your individual requirements. 
   
The receipt of these benefits is contingent upon your signature below.  By signing below, you acknowledge and agree that this Enhanced Executive Rewards Policy, together with those non-severance benefits offered generally to all Gartner associates, shall be the only benefits to which you are entitled, and that any and all other benefits or arrangements, whether oral or in writing, previously existing between you and Gartner have been superseded and extinguished by this Policy.

Benefits provided under this Policy are subject to Appendix A (Treatment of Equity Upon Certain Terminations of Employment) and B (Compliance with Code Section 409A), each of which are attached hereto and are incorporated by reference into this Policy.

Acknowledged

By:_______________________
 Print name:    

APPENDIX A
Treatment of Equity Upon Certain Terminations of Employment

Termination without Cause following a Change of Control.

		
	•
	For all grants under the LTIP made before January 1, 2019, if your employment is terminated without Cause (including as a result of the elimination of your position) during the 12-month period following a Change of Control, then, in addition to the payments and benefits described above under “Enhanced Severance Benefits,” all outstanding equity awards shall vest in full and all outstanding equity awards with an exercise feature shall be immediately exercisable, and shall remain exercisable for 12 months following the termination date.  For purposes of this Policy, in connection with a Change of Control only, “outstanding equity awards” includes all outstanding time-vesting equity awards and all outstanding performance-based equity awards as to which the performance criteria have not been certified, as of the termination date, by the Compensation Committee, and the performance criteria applicable to such performance-based equity awards shall be deemed achieved at target.

		
	•
	For grants under the LTIP made on or after January 1, 2019, vesting in the event of a termination of your employment without Cause in connection with a Change of Control and exercisability of outstanding equity awards with an exercisability feature are the same as set forth in the first bullet point above. These terms are set forth in the award agreements under the LTIP governing such awards.

Death and Disability. All vesting restrictions lapse in the event of death or Disability, as set forth in the award agreements under the LTIP.

Order of Operations for Treatment of Equity Awards Upon Terminations of Employment While Retirement-Eligible. For the avoidance of doubt, if you are eligible for a retirement pursuant to this Policy and your employment terminates without Cause (either not in connection with or within 12 months following a Change of Control), your equity awards will be treated as follows:

		
	•
	Termination without Cause (No Change of Control): 

		
	◦
	2015-2019 Awards: In the event that your employment terminates without Cause and you are retirement-eligible under the Rule of 65 as set forth in this Policy, your termination will be treated as a retirement under the Rule of 65, such that you will receive the equity award vesting treatment applicable to retirements under the Rule of 65.

		
	◦
	Post-2019 Awards: In the event that your employment terminates without Cause and you qualify for a Retirement under the terms of your equity award agreements under the LTIP, your termination will be treated as a Retirement, such that you will receive the treatment applicable to Retirements in the award agreements under the LTIP.

		
	•
	Termination without Cause (Within 12 Months Following Change of Control):

		
	◦
	2015-2018 Awards: If your employment terminates without Cause within the 12-month period following a Change of Control, your awards will be treated as set forth above in the first bullet point under “Termination without Cause Following a Change of Control.” Such treatment will apply regardless of whether you qualify for a retirement under the Rule of 65.

		
	◦
	Post-2018 Awards: If your employment terminates without Cause within the 12-month period following a Change of Control, your awards will be treated as set forth in the award agreements under the LTIP with respect to a “Qualifying Termination.” Such treatment will 

apply regardless of whether you qualify for a retirement under the Rule of 65 (or a Retirement under the terms of the award agreements under the LTIP, for awards granted after 2019).

APPENDIX B
Compliance with Code Section 409A

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the accompanying regulations (“Section 409A”) govern the payment of nonqualified deferred compensation.  Payments and benefits under this Policy are intended to be exempt from Section 409A to the maximum possible extent and, if not exempt, are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. 

The payments and benefits provided under this Policy are intended to be exempt from Section 409A under the short-term deferral and separation pay exceptions to the maximum permissible extent; accordingly, each installment payment (i.e., the amount due on each payroll date) will be treated as a separate payment.  

For any amounts provided under this Policy that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (i.e., not exempt from Section 409A):

		
	(a)
	if payable as a result of termination of employment and you are a “Specified Employee” (as determined by Gartner under Section 409A, which generally will include all U.S. OC Members) at that time, amounts that otherwise would be paid during the first six months following termination will be delayed and accumulated for a period of six months and paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh month; 

		
	(b)
	“termination of employment” means the date you experience a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A; and

		
	(c)
	Gartner will not accelerate any such payment except to the extent permitted under Section 409A.

Any reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided under this Policy will be administered in accordance with Section 409A, such that:  (a) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided during one year will not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or the in-kind benefits provided in any other year; (b) reimbursement of eligible expenses will be made on or before December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred; and (c) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or to exchange for another benefit.  

Nothing in the Policy or this Appendix B should be interpreted as an entitlement to or guarantee of any particular tax treatment, and in no event shall Gartner be liable for any tax, interest or penalty imposed on you under Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A.

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