Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

ALKERMES plc

 

2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan

 

SECTION 1.    GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN; DEFINITIONS

 

The name of the plan is the Alkermes plc 2011 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is established in connection with a business combination transaction pursuant to which Alkermes, Inc. (the “Company”) would become a wholly owned subsidiary of a new holding company to be named Alkermes plc, an Irish public limited company (the “Parent”). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers, employees, Non-Employee Directors and other key persons (including consultants and prospective employees) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Parent and its Subsidiaries largely depend for the successful conduct of their business to acquire a proprietary interest in the Parent. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in the Parent’s welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests with those of the Parent and its stockholders, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Parent’s and its Subsidiaries’ behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Parent and its Subsidiaries.

 

The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

 

“Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Administrator” means the compensation committee of the Board or a similar committee performing the functions of the compensation committee and which is comprised of not less than two Non-Employee Directors who are independent.

 

“Award” or “Awards,” except where referring to a particular category of grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Cash-Based Awards and Performance Share Awards.

 

“Award Certificate” means a written or electronic certificate setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Certificate is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Parent.

 

“Cash-Based Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to receive a cash-denominated payment.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.

 

“Covered Employee” means an employee who is a “Covered Employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

“Effective Date” means the date set forth in Section 18.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Fair Market Value” of the Stock on any given date for purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, means the fair market value of the Stock determined in good faith by the Administrator; provided, however, that if the Stock is admitted to quotation on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”), NASDAQ Global Market or another national securities exchange, the determination shall be made by reference to the closing price reported by NASDAQ or such other exchange. If the market is closed on such date, the determination shall be made by reference to the last date preceding such date for which the market is open.

 

“Incentive Stock Option” means any Stock Option designated and qualified as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

 

“Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who is not also an employee of the Parent or any Subsidiary.

 

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

 

“Option” or “Stock Option” means any option to purchase shares of Stock granted pursuant to Section 5.

 

“Performance-Based Award” means any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

 

“Performance Criteria” means the criteria that the Administrator selects for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for an individual for a Performance Cycle. The Performance Criteria (which shall be applicable to the organizational level specified by the Administrator, including, but not limited to, the Parent or a unit, division, group, or a Subsidiary) that will be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, net income (loss) (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), changes in the market price of the Stock, economic value-added, initiation or completion of clinical trials, results of clinical trials, drug development or commercialization milestones, collaboration milestones, operational measures including production capacity and capability, hiring and retention of key managers, expense management, capital raising transactions, sales or revenue, acquisitions or strategic transactions, operating income (loss), cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on capital, assets, equity, or investment, stockholder returns, gross or net profit levels, operating margins, earnings (loss) per share of Stock and sales or market shares, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or as compared to results of a peer group.

 

“Performance Cycle” means one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Criteria will be measured for the purpose of determining a grantee’s right to and the payment of a Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Share Award or Cash-Based Award. Each such period shall not be less than 12 months.

 

“Performance Goals” means the specific goals established in writing by the Administrator for a Performance Cycle based upon the Performance Criteria.

 

“Performance Share Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals.

 

“Restricted Stock Award” means an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at such purchase price (which may be zero) as determined by the Administrator, shares of Stock subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Administrator may determine at the time of grant.

 

“Restricted Stock Unit Award” means an Award of phantom stock units to a grantee.

 

“Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (ii) a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the successor entity and the holders of the Parent’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the successor entity immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (iii) the sale of all of the Stock to an unrelated person or entity.

 

“Sale Price” means the value as determined by the Administrator of the consideration payable, or otherwise to be received by stockholders, per share of Stock pursuant to a Sale Event.

 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

“Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Parent, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

 

“Subsidiary” means the Company and any corporation or other entity in which the Parent has at least a 50 percent interest, either directly or indirectly.

 

“Ten Percent Owner” means an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10 percent of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Parent or any parent or subsidiary corporation of the Parent, within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code.

 

SECTION 2.    ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN; ADMINISTRATOR AUTHORITY TO SELECT GRANTEES AND DETERMINE AWARDS

 

(a)                        Administration of Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator.

 

(b)                        Powers of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

 

(i)             to select the individuals to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;

 

(ii)          to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Cash-Based Awards and Performance Share Awards, or any combination of the 

 

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foregoing, granted to any one or more grantees;

 

(iii)       to determine the number of shares of Stock to be covered by any Award;

 

(iv)      to determine and modify from time to time the terms and conditions, including restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award, which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees, and to approve the form of written (or electronic) instruments evidencing the Awards;

 

(v)         subject to the provisions of Sections 6(d) and 7(a), to accelerate at any time the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion of any Award;

 

(vi)      subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend at any time the period in which Stock Options may be exercised; and

 

(vii)   at any time to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including related written and electronic instruments); to make all determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan.

 

All decisions and interpretations of the Administrator shall be binding on all persons, including the Parent, Subsidiaries and Plan grantees.

 

(c)                         Delegation of Authority to Grant Options. Subject to applicable law, the Administrator, in its discretion, may delegate to a subcommittee comprised of one or more members of the Board all or part of the Administrator’s authority and duties with respect to the granting of Options to employees who are not subject to the reporting and other provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Any such delegation by the Administrator shall include a limitation as to the amount of Options that may be

 

granted during the period of the delegation and shall contain guidelines as to the determination of the exercise price and the vesting criteria. The Administrator may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall not invalidate any prior actions of the Administrator’s delegate or delegates that were consistent with the terms of the Plan.

 

(d)                        Award Certificates. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Certificates that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include, without limitation, the term of an Award and the provisions applicable in the event employment or service terminates.

 

(e)                         Indemnification. Subject to Section 200 of the Irish Companies Act 1963, neither the Board nor the Administrator, nor any member of either or any delegate thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with the Plan, and the members of the Board and the Administrator (and any delegate thereof) shall be entitled in all cases to indemnification and reimbursement by the Parent in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under the Parent’s articles or bylaws or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage which may be in effect from time to time and/or any indemnification agreement between such individual and the Parent.

 

(f)                          Foreign Award Recipients. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Parent and its Subsidiaries operate or have employees or other individuals eligible for Awards, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (i) determine which Subsidiaries shall be covered by the Plan; (ii) determine which individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (iii) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws; (iv) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent the Administrator determines such actions to be necessary or advisable (and such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Section 3(a) hereof; and (v) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that the Administrator determines to be necessary or advisable to obtain approval or comply with any local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Exchange Act or any other applicable United States securities law, the Code, or any other applicable United States governing statute or law.

 

SECTION 3.    STOCK ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION

 

(a)                        Stock Issuable.

 

(i)             The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to (i) 19,750,000 ordinary shares, plus (ii) the number of shares of Stock underlying any grants under the Plan that are forfeited, canceled, repurchased or 

 

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terminated (other than by exercise) from and after the date the Plan is approved by shareholders. For purposes of this limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards that are forfeited, canceled or otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Shares tendered or held back upon exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the exercise price or tax withholding shall not be available for future issuance under the Plan. In addition, upon net exercise of Options, the gross number of shares exercised shall be deducted from the total number of shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall limitations, shares of Stock may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type or types of Award; provided, however, that Stock Options with respect to no more than 4,000,000 shares of Stock may be granted to any one individual grantee during any one calendar year period and no more than 19,750,000 shares of the Stock may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options. The shares available for issuance under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares of Stock or shares of Stock reacquired by the Parent.

 

(b)                        Effect of Awards. The grant of any full value Award (i.e., an Award other than an Option) shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a)(i), as an Award of 1.8 shares of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award and shall be treated similarly if returned to reserve status when forfeited or canceled as provided in Section 3(a). The grant of an Option shall be deemed, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 3(a)(i), as an Award for one share of Stock for each such share of Stock actually subject to the Award.

 

(c)                         Changes in Stock. Subject to Section 3(d) hereof, if, as a result of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other similar change in the Parent’s capital stock, the outstanding shares of Stock are increased or decreased or are exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities of the Parent, or additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Parent or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Stock or other securities, or, if, as a result of any merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Parent the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the Parent or any successor entity (or a parent or subsidiary thereof), the Administrator shall make an appropriate or proportionate adjustment in (i) the maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, including the maximum number of shares that may be issued in the form of Incentive Stock Options, (ii) the number of Stock Options that can be granted to any one individual grantee and the maximum number of shares that may be granted under a Performance-Based Award, (iii) the number and kind of shares or other securities subject to any then outstanding Awards under the Plan, (iv) the repurchase price, if any, per share subject to each outstanding Restricted Stock Award, (v) the number of Stock Options automatically granted to Non-Employee Directors, and (vi) the price for each share subject to any then outstanding Stock Options under the Plan, without changing the aggregate exercise price (i.e., the exercise price multiplied by the number of Stock Options) as to which such Stock Options remain exercisable. The Administrator shall also make equitable or proportionate adjustments in the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards and the exercise price and the terms of outstanding Awards to take into consideration cash dividends paid other than in the ordinary course or any other extraordinary corporate event. The adjustment by the Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued under the Plan resulting from any such adjustment, but the Administrator in its discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares.

 

(d)                        Mergers and Other Transactions. Except as the Administrator may otherwise specify with respect to particular Awards in the relevant Award documentation, in the case of and subject to the consummation of a Sale Event, all Options that are not exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the Sale Event shall become fully exercisable as of the effective time of the Sale Event, all other Awards with time-based vesting, conditions or restrictions shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective time of the Sale Event and all other Awards with conditions and restrictions relating to the attainment of performance goals may become vested and nonforfeitable in connection with a Sale Event in the Administrator’s discretion. Upon the effective time of the Sale Event, the Plan and all outstanding Awards granted hereunder shall terminate, unless provision is made in connection with the Sale Event in the sole discretion of the parties thereto for the assumption or continuation of Awards theretofore granted by the successor entity, or the substitution of such Awards with new Awards of the successor entity or parent thereof, with appropriate adjustment as to the number and kind of shares and, if appropriate, the per share exercise prices, as such parties shall agree (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder). In the event of such termination, the Parent shall make or provide for a cash payment to the grantees holding Options, in exchange for the cancellation thereof, in an amount equal to the difference between (A) the Sale Price multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options (to the extent then exercisable (after taking into account any acceleration hereunder) at prices not in excess of the Sale Price) and (B) the aggregate exercise price of all such outstanding Options.

 

(e)                         Substitute Awards. The Administrator may grant Awards under the Plan in substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees, directors or other key persons of another corporation in connection with the merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Parent or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Parent or a Subsidiary of property or stock of the employing corporation. The Administrator may direct that the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances. Any substitute Awards granted under the Plan shall not count against the share limitation set forth in Section 3(a)(i).

 

SECTION 4.    ELIGIBILITY

 

Grantees under the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other employees, Non-Employee Directors and key persons 

 

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(including consultants and prospective employees) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as are selected from time to time by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

SECTION 5.    STOCK OPTIONS

 

Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the Administrator may from time to time approve.

 

Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Parent or any Subsidiary that is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall be deemed a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(a)                         Stock Options Granted to Employees and Key Persons. The Administrator in its discretion may grant Stock Options to eligible employees and key persons of the Parent or any Subsidiary. Stock Options granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to the following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator shall deem desirable. If the Administrator so determines, Stock Options may be granted in lieu of cash compensation at the optionee’s election, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may establish.

 

(i)             Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant but shall not be less than 100 percent of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the option price of such Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than 110 percent of the Fair Market Value on the grant date.

 

(ii)          Option Term and Termination. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the Administrator, but no Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten years after the date the Stock Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option that is granted to a Ten Percent Owner, the term of such Stock Option shall be no more than five years from the date of grant. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, if a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent), the portion of each Stock Option held by the grantee that is not then exercisable shall be immediately forfeited. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, the grantee may exercise the exercisable portion of his Stock Options until the earlier of three months after such date of termination or the expiration of the stated term of such Stock Option.

 

(iii)       Exercisability; Rights of a Stockholder. Stock Options shall become exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the Administrator at or after the grant date. The Administrator may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

 

(iv)      Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in part, by giving written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company’s delegate, specifying the number of shares to be purchased. In the case of a Stock Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, payment of the purchase price must be made by reduction in the number of shares of Stock issuable upon such exercise, based, in each case, on the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise. If the Administrator determines not to use the above payment method or in the case of the exercise of Incentive Stock Options, then payment of the purchase price may be made by one or more of the following methods:

 

(A)  In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable to the Administrator;

 

(B)  Subject to the consent of the Administrator and on the basis of such form of surrender agreement as the Administrator may specify, through the delivery (or attestation to the ownership) of shares of Stock owned by the optionee. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the exercise date; or

 

(C)  By the optionee delivering to the Parent a properly executed exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly deliver to the Parent cash or a check payable and acceptable to the Parent for the purchase price; provided that in the event the optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements of indemnity and other agreements as the Administrator shall prescribe as a condition of such payment procedure.

 

Payment instruments will be received subject to collection. The transfer to the optionee on the records of the Parent or of the transfer agent of the shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from the optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the provisions of the Stock Option) by the Parent of the full purchase price for such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Option Award Certificate or applicable provisions of laws (including the satisfaction of any withholding taxes that the Parent is obligated to withhold with respect to the optionee). In the event an 

 

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optionee chooses to pay the purchase price by previously-owned shares of Stock through the attestation method, the number of shares of Stock transferred to the optionee upon the exercise of the Stock Option shall be net of the number of attested shares. In the event that the Parent establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the exercise of Stock Options, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless exercise of Stock Options may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

(v)         Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for “incentive stock option” treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the shares of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan and any other plan of the Company or its parent and subsidiary corporations become exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000. To the extent that any Stock Option exceeds this limit, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(b)                        Stock Options Granted to Non-Employee Directors.

 

(i)             Automatic Grant of Options.

 

(A)  Upon becoming a member of the Board, each Non-Employee Director who is not then a consultant to the Parent or its Subsidiaries shall be granted on such day a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire 35,000 shares of Stock, which shall vest ratably over the three calendar years following the date of grant, plus an additional Stock Option to acquire a number of shares of Stock equal to the product of 25,000 multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which equals the number of months remaining until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Parent and the denominator of which equals 12, which shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

(B)  Each Non-Employee Director who is serving as Director of the Parent on each annual meeting of stockholders, beginning with the 2012 annual meeting, shall automatically be granted on such day a Non-Qualified Stock Option to acquire 25,000 shares of Stock, which shall vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that no grant shall be made to an individual who ceases to be a member of the Board on such day.

 

(C)  The exercise price per share for the Stock covered by a Stock Option granted under this Section 5(b) shall be equal to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Stock Option is granted.

 

(D)  The Administrator, in its discretion, may grant additional Non-Qualified Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors. Any such grant may vary among individual Non-Employee Directors.

 

(ii)          Exercise; Termination.

 

(A)  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an Option granted under this Section 5(b) shall become vested and exercisable in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in this Section 5(b). An Option issued under this Section 5(b) shall not be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

 

(B)  Options granted under this Section 5(b) may be exercised only by notice to the Parent (or the Parent’s delegate) specifying the number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the full purchase price of the shares to be purchased may be made by one or more of the methods specified in Section 5(a)(iv). An optionee shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.

 

(C)  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, if a Non-Employee Director’s relationship with the Parent and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, the portion of each Stock Option held by the Non-Employee Director that is not then exercisable shall be immediately forfeited. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator on or after the date of grant, the Non-Employee Director may exercise the exercisable portion of his Stock Options only to the extent set forth in his Stock Option Award Certificates.

 

(iii)       Shares Available for Grant. Grants of Stock Options contemplated by this Section 5(b) shall consist of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the Alkermes plc Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, and if there are no such shares of Stock remaining, then such grants shall consist of shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance pursuant to the Plan.

 

SECTION 6.    RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

(a)                        Nature of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each Restricted Stock Award Certificate

 

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shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees.

 

(b)                        Rights as a Stockholder. Upon the grant of a Restricted Stock Award and payment of any applicable purchase price, a grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the voting of the Restricted Stock, subject to such conditions contained in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. Unless the Administrator shall otherwise determine, (i) uncertificated Restricted Stock shall be accompanied by a notation on the records of the Parent or the transfer agent to the effect that they are subject to forfeiture until such Restricted Stock are vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and (ii) certificated Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such Restricted Stock is vested as provided in Section 6(d) below, and the grantee shall be required, as a condition of the grant, to deliver to the Company such instruments of transfer as the Administrator may prescribe.

 

(c)                         Restrictions. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as specifically provided herein or in the Restricted Stock Award Certificate. If a grantee’s employment (or other service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent), any Restricted Stock that has not vested at the time of termination shall automatically, without any requirement of notice to such grantee from, or other action by or on behalf of, the Parent or its Subsidiaries, be deemed to have been reacquired by the Parent at its original purchase price (if any) from such grantee or such grantee’s legal representative simultaneously with such termination of employment (or other service relationship), and thereafter shall cease to represent any ownership of the Parent by the grantee or rights of the grantee as a stockholder. Following such deemed reacquisition of unvested Restricted Stock that are represented by physical certificates, a grantee shall surrender such certificates to the Parent upon request without consideration.

 

(d)                        Vesting of Restricted Stock. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions on which the non-transferability of the Restricted Stock and the Parent’s right of repurchase or forfeiture shall lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any such Restricted Stock granted to employees shall have a performance-based goal, the restriction period with respect to such shares shall not be less than one year, and in the event any such Restricted Stock granted to employees shall have a time-based restriction, the total restriction period with respect to such shares shall not be less than three years; provided, however, that Restricted Stock with a time-based restriction may become vested incrementally over such three-year period. The Administrator may waive the foregoing restriction in the case of a grantee’s death, disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Restricted Stock and shall be deemed “vested.” Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in this Section 6, a grantee’s rights in any shares of Restricted Stock that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or other service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent) and such shares shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6(c) above.

 

SECTION 7.    RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS

 

(a)                        Nature of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Administrator shall determine the restrictions and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock Unit Award at the time of grant. Conditions may be based on continuing employment (or other service relationship) and/or achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. The terms and conditions of each Restricted Stock Unit Award Certificate shall be determined by the Administrator, and such terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and grantees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any such Restricted Stock Unit Award granted to employees shall have a performance-based goal, the restriction period with respect to such Award shall not be less than one year, and in the event any such Restricted Stock Unit Award granted to employees shall have a time-based restriction, the total restriction period with respect to such Award shall not be less than three years; provided, however, that any Restricted Stock Unit Award with a time-based restriction may become vested incrementally over such three-year period. The Administrator may waive the foregoing restriction in the case of a grantee’s death, disability or retirement or upon a Sale Event. At the end of the restriction period, the Restricted Stock Unit Award, to the extent vested, shall be settled in the form of shares of Stock. To the extent that a Restricted Stock Unit Award is subject to Section 409A, it may contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion in order for such Award to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

(b)                        Election to Receive Restricted Stock Unit Awards in Lieu of Compensation. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit a grantee to elect to receive a portion of future cash compensation otherwise due to such grantee in the form of a Restricted Stock Unit Award. Any such election shall be made in writing and shall be delivered to the Company no later than the date specified by the Administrator and in accordance with Section 409A and such other rules and procedures established by the Administrator. Any such future cash compensation that the grantee elects to defer shall be converted to a fixed number of phantom stock units (which may be fully vested) based on the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date the compensation would otherwise have been paid to the grantee if such payment had not been deferred as provided herein. The Administrator shall have the sole right to determine whether and under what circumstances to permit such elections and to impose such limitations and other terms and conditions thereon as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

(c)                         Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee shall have the rights as a stockholder only as to shares of Stock acquired by the grantee 

 

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upon settlement of a Restricted Stock Unit Award; provided, however, that the grantee may be credited with dividend equivalent rights with respect to the phantom stock units underlying his Restricted Stock Unit Award, subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.

 

(d)                        Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in Section 7(a), a grantee’s right in all Restricted Stock Unit Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent).

 

SECTION 8.    CASH-BASED AWARDS

 

Grant of Cash-Based Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any grantee in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator shall determine at the time of grant. The Administrator shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash to which the Cash-Based Award pertains, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Administrator. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the

 

Award and may be made in cash or in shares of Stock, as the Administrator determines. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator pursuant to the authority reserved in this Section 8, a grantee’s right in all Cash-Based Awards that have not vested shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent).

 

SECTION 9.    PERFORMANCE SHARE AWARDS

 

(a)                        Nature of Performance Share Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, grant Performance Share Awards independent of, or in connection with, the granting of any other Award under the Plan. The Administrator shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be granted, the Performance Goals, the Performance Cycles, and such other limitations and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.

 

(b)                        Rights as a Stockholder. A grantee receiving a Performance Share Award shall have the rights of a stockholder only as to shares actually received by the grantee under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the Award but not actually received by the grantee. A grantee shall be entitled to receive shares of Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Performance Share Award Certificate (or in a performance plan adopted by the Administrator).

 

(c)                         Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator either in the Award Certificate or, subject to Section 15 below, in writing after the Award Certificate is issued, a grantee’s rights in all Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the grantee’s termination of employment (or cessation of service relationship) with the Parent and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including if a Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Parent).

 

SECTION 10.    PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS TO COVERED EMPLOYEES

 

(a)                        Performance-Based Awards. Any Covered Employee who is selected by the Administrator may be granted one or more Performance-Based Awards payable upon the attainment of Performance Goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of the Performance Criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for any Performance Cycle. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall performance of the Parent or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business unit, or an individual. The Administrator, in its discretion, may adjust or modify the calculation of Performance Goals for such Performance Cycle in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the rights of an individual (i) in the event of, or in anticipation of, any unusual or extraordinary corporate item, transaction, event or development, (ii) in recognition of, or in anticipation of, any other unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Parent or its Subsidiaries, or the financial statements of the Parent or its Subsidiaries, or (iii) in response to, or in anticipation of, changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, or business conditions provided however, that the Administrator may not exercise such discretion in a manner that would increase the Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee. Each Performance-Based Award shall comply with the provisions set forth below.

 

(b)                        Grant of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to each Performance-Based Award granted to a Covered Employee, the Administrator shall select, within the first 90 days of a Performance Cycle (or, if shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code) the Performance Criteria for such grant, and the Performance Goals with respect to each Performance Criterion (including a threshold level of performance below which no amount will become payable with respect to such Award). Each 

 

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Performance-Based Award will specify the amount payable, or the formula for determining the amount payable, upon achievement of the various applicable performance targets. The Performance Criteria established by the Administrator may be (but need not be) different for each Performance Cycle and different Performance Goals may be applicable to Performance-Based Awards to different Covered Employees.

 

(c)                         Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Following the completion of a Performance Cycle, the Administrator shall meet to review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Cycle have been achieved and, if so, to also calculate and certify in writing the amount of the Performance-Based Awards earned for the Performance Cycle. The Administrator shall then determine the actual size of each Covered Employee’s Performance-Based Award, and, in doing so, may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance-Based Award for a Covered Employee if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate.

 

(d)                        Maximum Award Payable. The maximum Performance-Based Award payable to any one Covered Employee under the Plan for any twelve month period constituting all or part of a Performance Cycle is 4,000,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(b) hereof) or $25 million in the case of a Performance-Based Award that is a Cash-Based Award.

 

SECTION 11.    TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS

 

(a)                        Transferability. Except as provided in Section 11(b) below, during a grantee’s lifetime, his or her Awards shall be exercisable only by the grantee, or by the grantee’s legal representative or guardian in the event of the grantee’s incapacity. No Awards shall be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered or disposed of by a grantee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. No Awards shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution, or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void.

 

(b)                        Administrator Action. Notwithstanding Section 11(a), the Administrator, in its discretion, may provide either in the Award Certificate regarding a given Award or by subsequent written approval that the grantee (who is an employee or director) may transfer his or her Non-Qualified Stock Options to his or her immediate family members, to trusts for the benefit of such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners, provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Parent to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award.

 

(c)                         Family Member. For purposes of Section 11(b), “family member” shall mean a grantee’s child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the grantee’s household (other than a tenant of the grantee), a trust in which these persons (or the grantee) have more than 50 percent of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which these persons (or the grantee) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which these persons (or the grantee) own more than 50 percent of the voting interests.

 

(d)                        Designation of Beneficiary. Each grantee to whom an Award has been made under the Plan may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise any Award or receive any payment under any Award payable on or after the grantee’s death. Any such designation shall be on a form provided for that purpose by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator. If no beneficiary has been designated by a deceased grantee, or if the designated beneficiaries have predeceased the grantee, the beneficiary shall be the grantee’s estate.

 

SECTION 12.    TAX WITHHOLDING

 

(a)                        Payment by Grantee. Each grantee shall, no later than the date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the grantee for Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Parent or its Subsidiaries, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld by the Parent or its Subsidiaries with respect to such income. The Parent and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the grantee. The Parent’s obligation to deliver evidence of book entry (or stock certificates) to any grantee is subject to and conditioned on tax withholding obligations being satisfied by the grantee.

 

(b)                        Payment in Stock. In connection with its obligations to withhold Federal, state, city or other taxes from amounts paid to grantees, the Parent or its Subsidiaries may make any arrangements that are consistent with the Plan as it may deem appropriate. Without limitation of the preceding sentence, the Parent shall have the right to reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise required to be issued to a grantee (or other recipient) in an amount that would have a Fair Market Value on the date of such issuance equal to all Federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be required to be withheld by the Parent or its Subsidiaries pursuant to any statute or other governmental regulation or ruling and paid to any Federal, state, city or other taxing authority.

 

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SECTION 13.    SECTION 409A AWARDS.

 

To the extent that any Award is determined to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a grantee who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the grantee’s separation from service, or (ii) the grantee’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. Further, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

 

SECTION 14.    TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE, ETC.

 

For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a termination of employment:

 

(a)   a transfer to the employment of the Parent from a Subsidiary or from the Parent to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another;

 

(b)   an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for any other purpose approved by the Parent or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, if the employee’s right to re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Administrator otherwise so provides in writing; or

 

(c)   the transfer in status from one eligibility category under Section 4 hereof to another category.

 

SECTION 15.    AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION

 

The Board may, at any time, amend or discontinue the Plan and the Administrator may, at any time, amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder’s consent. Except as provided in Section 3(c) or 3(d), without prior stockholder approval, in no event may the Administrator exercise its discretion to reduce the exercise price of outstanding Stock Options or effect repricing through cancellation and re-grants. To the extent required under the rules of any securities exchange or market system on which the Stock is listed, to the extent determined by the Administrator to be required by the Code to ensure that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan are qualified under Section 422 of the Code, or to ensure that compensation earned under Awards qualifies as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, Plan amendments shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Parent entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders. Nothing in this Section 15 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Section 3(d).

 

SECTION 16.    STATUS OF PLAN

 

With respect to the portion of any Award that has not been exercised and any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a grantee, a grantee shall have no rights greater than those of a general creditor of the Parent unless the Administrator shall otherwise expressly determine in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Administrator may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Parent’s obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder, provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the foregoing sentence.

 

SECTION 17.    GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a)                        No Distribution. The Administrator may require each person acquiring Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Parent in writing that such person is acquiring the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

 

(b)                        Delivery of Stock Certificates. Stock certificates to grantees under the Plan shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Parent or a stock transfer agent of the Parent shall have mailed such certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Parent. Uncertificated Stock shall be deemed delivered for all purposes when the Parent or a Stock transfer agent of the Parent shall have given to the grantee by electronic mail (with proof of receipt) or by United States mail, addressed to the grantee, at the grantee’s last known address on file with the Parent or any Subsidiary, notice of issuance and recorded the issuance in its records (which may include electronic “book entry” records). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Parent shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing shares of Stock pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Administrator has determined, with advice of counsel (to the extent the Administrator deems such advice necessary or advisable), that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the shares of Stock are listed, quoted or traded. All Stock certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state or foreign jurisdiction, securities or other laws, rules and quotation system on which 

 

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the Stock is listed, quoted or traded. The Administrator may place legends on any Stock certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Stock. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Administrator may require that an individual make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Administrator, in its discretion, deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Administrator shall have the right to require any individual to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Administrator.

 

(c)                         Stockholder Rights. Until Stock is deemed delivered in accordance with Section 17(b), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights of a stockholder will exist with respect to shares of Stock to be issued in connection with an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of a Stock Option or any other action by the grantee with respect to an Award.

 

(d)                        Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation plans or arrangements, including trusts, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan and the grant of Awards do not confer upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Parent or any Subsidiary.

 

(e)                         Trading Policy Restrictions. Option exercises and other Awards under the Plan shall be subject to the Parent’s insider trading policies and procedures, as in effect from time to time.

 

(f)                          Forfeiture of Awards under Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If the Parent is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Parent , as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any grantee who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall reimburse the Parent for the amount of any Award received by such individual under the Plan during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as the case may be, of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.

 

(g)                         Section 60 of Irish Companies Act 1963. The Parent and any Subsidiary incorporated in Ireland may do all such things as are contemplated by the Plan except to the extent that they are prohibited by Section 60 of the Irish Companies Act 1963. Nothing in this Section 17 (g) shall prohibit anything which may be done as contemplated by the Plan by a Subsidiary which is incorporated outside of Ireland.

 

SECTION 18.    EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN

 

The Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. No grants of Stock Options and other Awards may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date and no grants of Incentive Stock Options may be made hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved by the Board.

 

SECTION 19.    GOVERNING LAW

 

This Plan and all Awards and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, applied without regard to conflict of law principles.

 

SECTION 20.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION

 

All disputes and differences arising out of the Plan or otherwise in connection therewith may be referred by the Parent to arbitration pursuant to the procedures set forth in the applicable grant agreement of any grantee so affected.

 

11Exhibit 10.1

 

WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN

 

Effective June 1, 2014

 

 

WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 
 EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PLAN

 

ARTICLE I
  PURPOSE

 

This Watts Water Technologies, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Plan”) provides severance benefits to Eligible Executives upon certain terminations of employment.  The Plan shall be effective June 1, 2014 (the “Effective Date”).

 

The Plan is intended (1) to be exempt from Code section 409A, and (2) to be a welfare plan which is unfunded and is maintained by an employer for the purpose of providing benefits for a select group of management or “highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation section 2520.104-24.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with these intentions.

 

ARTICLE II
  DEFINED TERMS

 

Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Cause” shall mean (a) an act constituting a felony; (b) fraud or dishonesty that results in or is likely to result in economic damage to the Company; or (c) willful misconduct in the performance of duties.

 

“Change in Control” shall mean the consummation of (a) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to an unrelated person or entity, (c) a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the outstanding shares of Stock are converted into or exchanged for a different kind of securities of the successor entity and the holders of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately prior to such transaction do not own a majority of the outstanding voting power of the successor entity immediately upon completion of such transaction, or (d) the sale of all of the Stock to an unrelated person or entity.  For this purpose, “Stock” means the Class A Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company.

 

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

“Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (or its successor).  The Committee shall be the “named fiduciary” for purposes of ERISA.

 

“Company” shall mean Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

 

“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Article I.

 

“Eligible Executive” shall have the meaning set forth in Article III.

 

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended.

 

 

“Good Reason” shall mean, without an Eligible Executive’s written consent, (a) a reduction of more than ten percent (10%) in the Eligible Executive’s annual base salary and annual bonus target opportunity as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control; (b) the Eligible Executive’s mandatory relocation to an office more than fifty (50) miles from the primary location at which Eligible Executive is required to perform Eligible Executive’s duties immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control; or (c) a material reduction in the Eligible Executive’s responsibilities, duties or authority as in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control.  In each case, Eligible Executive must provide the Company with notice of the facts giving rise to a claim that “Good Reason” exists within 90 days of the initial existence of such Good Reason event, and the Company shall have a right to remedy such event within 30 days after receipt of Eligible Executive’s notice.  It is intended that terminations for Good Reason under the Plan qualify as involuntary terminations under Code section 409A and this definition shall be interpreted consistent with that intent.

 

“Plan” shall mean this Watts Water Technologies, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, as amended from time to time.

 

“Protection Period” shall mean the 24-month period beginning on the date of the first instance of a Change in Control.

 

“Termination of Employment” shall mean an individual’s termination of employment with the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

ARTICLE III
  ELIGIBILITY

 

An officer of the Company will be eligible for participation in the Plan and considered an “Eligible Executive” only if, at the time of his Termination of Employment, he has been designated as an Eligible Executive by the Committee.  A listing of such Eligible Executives is contained in Appendix A to the Plan.  The Committee shall revise the listing of Eligible Executives from time to time in its sole discretion.

 

ARTICLE IV
  TERMINATION OUTSIDE PROTECTION PERIOD

 

If an Eligible Executive’s Termination of Employment does not occur during the Protection Period, this Article IV shall govern the Eligible Executive’s eligibility for Plan benefits.

 

4.1                               Entitlement to Benefits

 

An Eligible Executive who (a) is involuntarily terminated without Cause and (b) signs and does not revoke a separation agreement in accordance with the timeframe established by the Committee, will be entitled to receive Plan benefits under this Article IV.  Such separation agreement shall contain a release of claims against the Company and its affiliates and such restrictive covenants (e.g., non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement covenants) as the Committee determines appropriate in its sole discretion.

 

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An Eligible Executive will not be eligible for severance benefits under this Article IV if his employment terminates due to his division, location or other business unit being sold.

 

4.2                               Amount of Benefits

 

An Eligible Executive entitled to benefits under this Article IV shall receive a lump sum payment, net of all applicable tax withholding, within 60 days of his Termination of Employment.  The amount of the lump sum payment shall equal the sum of:

 

(a)                                 the monthly premium the Eligible Executive would have to pay for COBRA medical coverage (based on his coverage in effect at Termination of Employment) times 12, and

 

(b)                                 the Eligible Executive’s annual base salary on the date of his Termination of Employment.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Eligible Executive is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company at the time of his Termination of Employment, the amount in subsection (b) shall be multiplied by two.

 

ARTICLE V
  TERMINATION DURING PROTECTION PERIOD

 

If an Eligible Executive’s Termination of Employment occurs during the Protection Period or under the circumstances described in Section 5.4, this Article V shall govern the Eligible Executive’s eligibility for Plan benefits.

 

5.1                               Entitlement to Benefits

 

An Eligible Executive who is involuntarily terminated without Cause or resigns for Good Reason will be entitled to receive Plan benefits under this Article V.

 

5.2                               Amount of Benefits

 

An Eligible Executive entitled to benefits under this Article V shall receive a lump sum payment, net of all applicable tax withholding, within 60 days of his Termination of Employment.  The amount of the lump sum payment shall equal the sum of:

 

(a)                                 the monthly premium the Eligible Executive would have to pay for COBRA medical coverage (based on his coverage in effect at Termination of Employment) times 24, and

 

(b)                                 two times the sum of the Eligible Executive’s annual base salary and target annual bonus immediately prior to the commencement of the Protection Period.

 

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5.3                               Excise Tax

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, if upon or following a Change in Control, the tax imposed by Code section 4999 or any similar or successor tax (the “Excise Tax”) applies, solely because of the Change in Control, to any payments, benefits and/or amounts received by an Eligible Executive under the Plan or otherwise, including, without limitation, any amounts received or deemed received, within the meaning of any provision of the Code, by the Eligible Executive as a result of (and not by way of limitation) any automatic vesting, lapse of restrictions and/or accelerated target or performance achievement provisions, or otherwise, applicable to outstanding grants or awards to the Eligible Executive under any of the Company’s incentive plans (collectively, the “Total Payments”), then the Total Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) so that the maximum amount of the Total Payments (after reduction) shall be one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount which would cause the Total Payments to be subject to the Excise Tax; provided that such reduction to the Total Payments shall be made only if the total after-tax benefit to the Eligible Executive is greater after giving effect to such reduction than if no such reduction had been made.  If such a reduction is required, the Company shall reduce or eliminate the Total Payments by first reducing or eliminating any cash severance benefits, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of stock options, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of other equity awards, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Total Payments, in each case in reverse order beginning with the payments which are to be paid the farthest in time from the Change in Control.  The preceding provisions of this Section 5.3 shall take precedence over the provisions of any other plan, arrangement or agreement governing the Eligible Executive’s rights and entitlements to any benefits or compensation.

 

All determinations required under this Section shall be made by the Company’s independent auditors at the Company’s expense and in accordance with Code section 280G.

 

5.4                               Termination Before Protection Period

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, an Eligible Executive who is involuntarily terminated without Cause in the six-month period immediately preceding the commencement of the Protection Period will be entitled to receive a benefit under this Section 5.4 equal to the amount described in Section 5.2 less the amount described in Section 4.2 for such Eligible Executive (regardless of whether the amount described in Section 4.2 is actually paid).  The amount payable under this Section 5.4 shall be paid in a lump sum payment, net of all applicable tax withholding, within 60 days of the first instance of a Change in Control.

 

ARTICLE VI
  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

6.1                               General Administration

 

The Committee shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the Plan and for carrying out the provisions hereof.  The Committee shall have the full authority and discretion to make, amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan and decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Plan, as may arise in connection with this Plan.  Any such action taken by the Committee shall be final and

 

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conclusive on any party.  To the extent the Committee has been granted discretionary authority under the Plan, the Committee’s prior exercise of such authority shall not obligate it to exercise its authority in a like fashion thereafter.  The Committee shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or engaged by the Company with respect to the Plan.  The Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to such agents, including employees of the Company, such administrative or other duties as it sees fit.

 

6.2                               Claims for Benefits

 

(a)                                 Filing a Claim.  An Eligible Executive or his authorized representative may file a claim for benefits under the Plan.  Any claim must be in writing and submitted to the Committee at the Company’s corporate headquarters office.  Claimants will be notified in writing of approved claims, which will be processed as claimed. A claim is considered approved only if its approval is communicated in writing to a claimant.

 

(b)                                 Denial of Claim.  In the case of the denial of a claim respecting benefits paid or payable with respect to an Eligible Executive, a written notice will be furnished to the claimant within 90 days of the date on which the claim is received by the Committee.  If special circumstances (such as for a hearing) require a longer period, the claimant will be notified in writing, prior to the expiration of the 90-day period, of the reasons for an extension of time; provided, however, that no extensions will be permitted beyond 90 days after the expiration of the initial 90-day period.

 

(c)                                  Reasons for Denial.  A denial or partial denial of a claim will be dated and will clearly set forth:

 

(i)                                     the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

 

(ii)                                  specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

 

(iii)                               a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

 

(iv)                              an explanation of the procedure for review of the denied or partially denied claim set forth below, including the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.

 

(d)                                 Review of Denial.  Upon denial of a claim, in whole or in part, a claimant or his duly authorized representative will have the right to submit a written request to the Committee for a full and fair review of the denied claim by filing a written notice of appeal with the Committee within 60 days of the receipt by the claimant of written notice of the denial of the claim.  A claimant or the claimant’s authorized representative will have, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits and may submit issues and comments in writing.  The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the

 

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claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

 

If the claimant fails to file a request for review within 60 days of the denial notification, the claim will be deemed abandoned and the claimant precluded from reasserting it.  If the claimant does file a request for review, his request must include a description of the issues and evidence he deems relevant.  Failure to raise issues or present evidence on review will preclude those issues or evidence from being presented in any subsequent proceeding or judicial review of the claim.

 

(e)                                  Decision Upon Review.  The Committee will provide a prompt written decision on review.  If the claim is denied on review, the decision shall set forth:

 

(i)                                     the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination;

 

(ii)                                  specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the adverse determination is based;

 

(iii)                               a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits; and

 

(iv)                              a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Plan and the claimant’s right to obtain the information about such procedures, as well as a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under ERISA section 502(a).

 

A decision will be rendered no more than 60 days after the Committee’s receipt of the request for review, except that such period may be extended for an additional 60 days if the Committee determines that special circumstances (such as for a hearing) require such extension.  If an extension of time is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the claimant before the end of the initial 60-day period.

 

(f)                                   Protection Period Terminations.  If an Eligible Executive files a claim related to a Termination of Employment occurring during the Protection Period, all of the time periods related to the Committee’s decisions described in this Section 6.2 shall be reduced by two-thirds (e.g., from 90 days to 30 days).

 

(g)                                  Limitations Period.  Any suit or legal action initiated by a claimant under the Plan must be brought by the claimant no later than one year following a final decision on the claim for benefits by the Committee.  The one-year limitation on suits for benefits will apply in any forum where a claimant initiates such suit or legal action.

 

6.3                               Indemnification

 

To the extent not covered by insurance, the Company shall indemnify the Committee, each employee, officer, director, and agent of the Company, and all persons formerly serving in such capacities, against any and all liabilities or expenses, including all legal fees relating thereto, arising in connection with the exercise of their duties and responsibilities with respect to the Plan, provided

 

6

 

however that the Company shall not indemnify any person for liabilities or expenses due to that person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

ARTICLE VII
  TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF PLAN

 

7.1                               Termination of Plan

 

The Company’s Board of Directors may terminate the Plan at any time, without prior notice.  Upon termination of the Plan, except with respect to benefits due resulting from a Termination of Employment prior to such Plan termination, all rights to benefits hereunder, if any, shall cease.  Any separation agreement executed by an Eligible Executive under Section 4.1 shall survive the Plan’s termination.

 

7.2                               Amendment of Plan

 

The severance benefits provided for in the Plan are not vested benefits.  Accordingly, the Company reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion, to amend or modify the Plan at any time, in whole or in part, including any or all of the provisions of the Plan, by action of its Board of Directors, without prior notice.

 

7.3                               Protection Period Changes

 

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, no amendment or termination of the Plan, including revisions to the listing of Eligible Executives, may occur during the Protection Period without the written consent of all Eligible Executives.

 

7.4                               Successors to the Company

 

The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Plan in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform them if such succession had not taken place.

 

ARTICLE VIII
  MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.1                               Funding

 

The benefits provided herein shall be funded by the Company’s general assets.  The Plan shall constitute an unfunded mechanism for the Company to pay Plan benefits to Eligible Executives determined to be entitled to payments hereunder.  No fund or trust is created with respect to the Plan, and no Eligible Executive shall have any security or other interest in the assets of the Company.

 

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8.2                               No Contract of Employment

 

The Plan does not constitute or imply the existence of an employment contract between the Company or any affiliate and any Eligible Executive.  Employment with the Company is “at will.”

 

8.3                               Governing Law

 

To the extent not governed by federal law, the Plan shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware notwithstanding any conflict of law principles.

 

8.4                               Severability

 

In the event any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or illegal for any reason, any illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, but the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted.

 

8.5                               Words and Headings

 

Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and the singular shall include the plural, and vice versa, unless qualified by the context.  Any headings used herein are included for ease of reference only, and are not to be construed so as to alter the terms hereof.

 

THIS PLAN WAS ADOPTED BY THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON MAY 26, 2014.

 

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APPENDIX A

 

ELIGIBLE EXECUTIVES

(as of June 1, 2014)

 

Dean P. Freeman

Kenneth R. Lepage

Elie Melhem

Robert J. Pagano, Jr.

Navalpakkam Ramakrishnan

Mario Sanchez

A. Suellen Torregrosa

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