Document:

EX-10.1

Dated this 20th day of October, 2010

BETWEEN:

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

and

George P. Reeth

 

RETIREMENT AND ADVISORY

AGREEMENT

1

THIS AGREEMENT is made on the 20th day of October 2010, between:

Validus Holdings, Ltd. a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda with its registered office
located at 29 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM08, Bermuda (the “Company”); and

George P. Reeth (the “Executive”) of 29 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda;

WHEREAS, the Executive has decided to retire from his current employment with the Company and any
applicable Group Company and to resign as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and the
boards of directors of any applicable Group Company, effective as of the Retirement Date; and

WHEREAS, the Parties have agreed to terminate the Executive’s Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement dated December 12, 2005 (the “Terminated Employment Agreement”), such termination
to be effective on November 15, 2010, and to set forth herein the terms and conditions of the
Executive’s employment as Special Advisor to the Board following the Retirement Date (as defined
below).

WHEREAS the Parties have agreed to amend the Restricted Share Award Agreements between the Parties
dated 15 November 2005, 24 July 2007, 3 March 2008, 7 May 2008, 25 September 2009, 12 March 2010
(the “Restricted Share Award Agreements”) and the Stock Option Agreement between the
Parties dated 15 November 2005 (the “Stock Option Agreement”) and to set forth herein the
way in which these agreements are amended following termination of the Terminated Employment
Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and
valuable consideration, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

	1.	 	Interpretation

	 	1.1.	 	In this Agreement (including the Recitals) unless the context otherwise requires, the
following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:

	 	1.1.1.	 	“Accrued Obligations” shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid salary under the
Terminated Employment Agreement up to and including the Retirement Date; (ii) any unpaid
or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Company policy, including amounts
due under Section 4.04 of the Terminated Employment Agreement, to the extent incurred
prior to the Retirement Date; (iii) any accrued but unpaid benefits provided for in
Section 4.03 of the Terminated Employment Agreement up to and including the Retirement
Date; (iv) rights to indemnification by virtue of the Executive’s position as an officer
or director of the Company or its subsidiaries or other affiliates and the benefits
under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy maintained by the Company,
in accordance with its terms thereof; and (v) any other obligations the Company owes to
the Executive and which remain unperformed under the Terminated Employment Agreement as
at the Retirement Date.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	1.1.2.	 	 	“Advisory Period” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 4.1 below.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.3.	 	 	“Affiliate” or “Affiliates” means any subsidiary of the Company.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.4.	 	 	“Agreement” shall mean this agreement.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.5.	 	 	“Awards” shall mean the restricted stock awards and share options as set out in Schedule 3.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.6.	 	 	“Base Salary” shall be as set forth in Schedule 1 hereto.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.7.	 	 	“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	1.1.8.	 	“Cause” means (a) theft or embezzlement by the Executive with respect to the
Company or its Affiliates; (b) malfeasance or gross negligence in the performance of the
Executive’s duties; (c) the commission by the Executive of any felony or any crime
involving moral turpitude relating to the Executive’s employment; (d) willful and
prolonged absence from work by the Executive (other than by reason of disability due to
physical or mental illness or at the direction of the Company or its Affiliates) without
the same being corrected within ten (10) days after being given written notice thereof;
(e) failure by the Executive to perform his duties and responsibilities hereunder to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Company without the same being corrected within thirty
(30) days after being given written notice thereof, as determined by the Company in good
faith; (f) continued and habitual use of alcohol by the Executive to an extent which
materially impairs the Executive’s performance of his duties without the same being
corrected within ten (10) days after being given written notice thereof; (g) the
Executive’s use of illegal drugs without the same being corrected within ten (10) days
after being given written notice thereof; or (h) the material breach by the Executive of
any of the covenants contained in this Agreement without, in the case of any breach
capable of being corrected, the same being corrected within ten (10) days after being
given written notice thereof.

	 	1.1.9.	 	“Confidential Information” means information that is not generally known to
the public and that was or is used, developed or obtained by the Company or its
Affiliates in connection with their business. It shall not include information (a)
required to be disclosed by court or administrative order, (b) lawfully obtainable from
other sources or which is in the public domain through no fault of the Executive; or (c)
the disclosure of which is consented to in writing by the Company.

	 	1.1.10.	 	“Dollars” or “$”shall mean United States dollars.

	 	1.1.11.	 	“Early Termination” shall have the meaning attributed to such term in
Clause 11.

	 	1.1.12.	 	“Group Company” shall mean any company which is from time to time a holding
company (as defined by Section 86 of the Companies Act 1981, but irrespective of whether
it is a Bermuda company or an overseas company) of the Company, a subsidiary company (as
so defined) of the Company, a subsidiary company (as so defined) of a holding company
(as so defined) of the Company or in which the Company owns at least 50% of the issued
share capital.

	 	1.1.13.	 	“Parties” shall mean the parties to this Agreement collectively, “Party”
means any one of them.

	 	1.1.14.	 	“Permanent Disability” shall mean those circumstances where the Executive is unable
to continue to perform the usual customary duties of his job under this Agreement for a
period of six (6) months in the Advisory Period because of physical, mental or emotional
incapacity resulting from injury, sickness or disease. Any questions as to the existence
of a Permanent Disability shall be determined by a qualified, independent physician
selected by the Company and approved by the Executive (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld). The determination of any such physician shall be final and
conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

	 	1.1.15.	 	“Retirement Date” shall mean November 15, 2010.

	 	1.2.	 	In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:

	 	1.2.1.	 	References to statutory provisions shall be construed as references to those
provisions as amended or re-enacted or as their application is modified by other
provisions from time to time and shall include references to any provisions of which
they are re-enactments (whether with or without modification);

	 	1.2.2.	 	References to clauses and schedules are references to clauses hereof and schedules
hereto; references to sub-clauses or paragraphs are, unless otherwise stated, references
to sub-clauses of the clause or paragraphs of the schedule in which the reference
appears;

	 	1.2.3.	 	References to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and references to
the masculine shall include the feminine and/or neuter and vice versa; and

	 	1.2.4.	 	References to persons shall include, natural persons, companies, partnerships,
associations and bodies of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated.

	2.	 	 Position

	 	2.1.	 	The Executive hereby agrees to serve the Company in the position designated in
Schedule 1 subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter contained.

	 	2.2.	 	The Company and the Executive agree that the Employment Act 2000 (as amended from time
to time) in Bermuda (“Bermuda Employment Act 2000”) shall apply generally to the
Executive’s employment under this Agreement as though the Executive is working wholly or
mainly in Bermuda and falls within the definition of “employee” under the Bermuda
Employment Act 2000.

	3.	 	Place of Employment

	 	3.1.	 	The principal place of employment shall be the Company’s offices at 29 Richmond Road,
Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda. The Executive shall work in any place in Bermuda which the Board
may require for the proper performance and exercise of his duties and powers, and he may be
required to travel to such places outside of Bermuda on the business of the Company in such
manner and on such occasions as the Company may from time to time reasonably require.

	4.	 	Term of Employment

	 	4.1.	 	The employment of the Executive (subject to Early Termination as provided below) shall
continue for a period of twelve (12) months following the Retirement Date (the
“Advisory Period”) and may be extended thereafter by mutual agreement of the
Parties on such terms and conditions as mutually agreed by the Parties.

	 	4.2.	 	Where applicable, it is a condition precedent to this Agreement that the Executive
holds and continues to hold a valid work permit from the Bermuda Department of Immigration.
The Company shall be responsible for obtaining, maintaining and renewing a suitable work
permit (for the purposes of the Executive’s employment following the Retirement Date) by
the Bermuda government authorities and the Company shall be responsible for permit fees.
The Executive shall use his best efforts to assist the Company in obtaining, maintaining
and renewing his suitable work permit.

	 	4.3.	 	If the Executive accepts employment with any other company or organization during the
Advisory Period, he shall give 30 days’ prior written notice to terminate this Agreement to
the Company, provided, however, that if the Executive fails to give such notice, such
failure shall be deemed to be a material breach of this Agreement as defined in clause (h)
of the definition of “Cause” set forth in Clause 1.1.8 above.

	5.	 	Retirement

	 	5.1.	 	The Executive shall retire from employment with the Company and each applicable Group
Company as of the Retirement Date and upon such retirement the Terminated Employment
Agreement shall be deemed to have terminated in accordance with its terms. The Executive
shall resign as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company and any applicable board
of directors of a Group Company, in each case, effective as of the Retirement Date by
executing a resignation letter, the form of which is attached hereto as Schedule 2.

	6.	 	Normal Hours and Holidays

	 	6.1.	 	During the Advisory Period, the Executive shall be available within normal hours of
employment between 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, for advisory services as needed by
the Board or any member thereof.

	7.	 	Remuneration and Reimbursement Upon Executive’s Retirement

	 	7.1.	 	On the Retirement Date, the Executive will be entitled to (i) an annual bonus for
service in 2010 consistent with past practice and in accordance with the Terminated
Employment Agreement and on terms similar to those offered to other senior executives of
the Company and (ii) payment of the Accrued Obligations and payments of amounts set forth
in Clauses (i) and (ii) shall be paid no later than 15 March 2011. All unvested Awards
shall continue to vest in accordance with Clauses 7.2 and 7.4 of this Agreement.

	 	7.2.	 	Notwithstanding Section 5.02 of the Terminated Employment Agreement, Sections 2 (b),
(c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of the Restricted Share Award Agreements, any Early Termination
(other than by the Company for breach by the Executive of the restrictions set forth in
Clause 13) or expiration of this Agreement all unvested restricted stock awards set forth
on Schedule 3 hereto shall continue to vest as scheduled thereon, subject only to
the Executive’s continued compliance with the restrictions set for in Clause 13 below. If
at any time the Executive violates any of the restrictions set forth in Clause 13, all
vesting of restricted stock awards held by the Executive shall cease and all unvested
restricted stock awards then held by the Executive shall be forfeited by the Executive.

	 	7.3.	 	Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company reserves the right to settle any restricted
stock awards set out on Schedule 3 in cash under exceptional circumstances, in its
sole discretion.

	 	7.4.	 	Notwithstanding any provision of Section (e) of the Stock Option Agreement between the
Company and the Executive, all Company Stock Options held by the Executive shall continue
to be exercisable until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant (as
defined in the Stock Option Award Agreement).

	8.	 	Settlement of Benefits and Release Agreement

8.1. Upon the Early Termination or expiration of this Agreement and any renewal of this
Agreement, the Executive agrees that he will execute and deliver to the Company a General
Release in favor of the Company in the form attached hereto as Schedule 4.

8.2. All amounts due to the Executive pursuant to Clause 7 of this Agreement, to the extent not
already paid, will be settled as soon as practicable following delivery of the executed General
Release, provided the Executive has not revoked the General Release as of the payment date.

	9.	 	Remuneration During the Advisory Period

	 	9.1.	 	During the Advisory Period, the Executive shall be entitled to the Base Salary free of
all deductions, whether by way of Government Social Insurance or Payroll Tax, or any other
payment of that nature, which the Company will fund at its sole expense as well as the
benefits set forth in Schedule 1 hereto.

	10.	 	Expenses

	 	10.1	 	The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable expenses incurred by him
in the course of performing his advisory services under this Agreement.

	11.	 	Early Termination

	 	11.1.	 	(a) At any time during the Advisory Period, this Agreement may be terminated by the
Company for Cause by its giving the Executive 30 days’ prior notice in writing; (b) At any
time during the Advisory Period, this Agreement may be terminated by the Executive by
giving the Company 30 days’ prior notice in writing; (c) This Agreement shall be terminated
immediately upon his death (each of the aforementioned circumstances in Clauses (a) through
(c) being referred to as “Early Termination”).

	 	11.2.	 	In the event of a termination (or purported termination) by the Company without Cause,
or termination whether by operation of law or by the Company due to the Executive’s
Permanent Disability or upon the Executive’s death (provided that at the time of
termination or death there is no Cause upon which the Company could rely to terminate him),
the Executive,(or the Executive’s estate in the case of death) shall be entitled to receive
a payment representing the cash value of all of the payments and benefits for the entire
term of the Advisory Period under this Agreement that the Executive would have been
entitled to receive had termination or death not occurred and all unvested Awards shall
continue to vest as scheduled on Schedule 3. For the avoidance of doubt, this cash payment
shall include the Base Salary and the Accrued Obligations (insofar as they remain unpaid).

	 	11.3.	 	If this Agreement is terminated for Cause or the Executive accepts employment with any
other company or organization or otherwise terminates this Agreement during the Advisory
Period, then the Executive shall be entitled only to a payment representing the cash value
of all of the payments and benefits under this Agreement (including the Base Salary and the
Accrued Obligations) up to the date of termination. All unvested Awards shall continue to
vest in accordance with Clauses 7.2 and 7.4 of this Agreement.

	 	11.4.	 	The Company shall have the right, in its discretion, upon termination by notice by
either Party, to pay the Executive in lieu of any notice; provided, however, that the
provisions of this Agreement relating to termination for Cause, execution of the General
Release and the services to be provided during the Advisory Period remain unaffected by any
payment in lieu of notice.

	12.	 	Witness in Proceedings following Termination

	 	12.1.	 	Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 11, at any time or from time to time
after termination of employment, howsoever arising, the Executive shall, upon the
reasonable request of the Company, appear as witness for the Company in any proceedings in
which the Company may be involved, upon payment of the Executive’s reasonable fees and
expenses.

	13.	 	Confidentiality; Restrictive Covenants

	 	13.1.	 	The Executive acknowledges that during his employment with the Company, he will become
familiar with trade secrets and other Confidential Information concerning the Company or
its Affiliates, and that his services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to
the Company. In addition, the Executive hereby agrees that at any time during the Advisory
Period, and for a period ending eighteen (18) months thereafter (the “Non-competition
Period”) will not without the prior written consent of the Company directly or
indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for or in
any manner engage in any business competing with the businesses of the Company or its
Affiliates as such businesses exist or are in process or being planned as of the date of
termination of this Agreement , within any geographical area in which the Company or its
Affiliates engage or plan to engage in such businesses. It shall not be considered a
violation of this Clause 13.1 for the Executive to be a passive owner of not more than 2%
of the outstanding stock of any class of a corporation which is publicly traded, so long as
the Executive has no active participation in the business of such corporation. It shall
also not be considered a violation of this Clause 13.1 for the Executive to directly or
indirectly own, manage, control, participate in, consult with, render services for or in
any manner engage in any business for any brokerage company or any company which has a
brokerage arm of its business; provided, that such ownership, management, control,
participation, consultation, rendering of services or engagement is limited to the
insurance or reinsurance brokerage aspects of such company’s business.

	 	13.2.	 	The Executive shall upon the termination of his employment hereunder immediately
deliver up to the Company all Confidential Information and all fee schedules, lists of
clients, correspondence and other documents, papers, data (whether written, photographic or
electronic) and property belonging to the Company or related to any of the matters referred
to in Clause 13.1 which may have been prepared by him or have come into his possession in
the course of his employment hereunder and shall not retain any copies thereof.

	 	13.3.	 	The Executive hereby agrees that (a) during the Advisory Period and for a period of
eighteen (18) months thereafter (the “Non-solicitation Period”) the Executive will
not, directly or indirectly through another entity, induce or attempt to induce any
employee of the Company or its Affiliates to leave the employ of the Company or its
Affiliates, or in any way interfere with the relationship between the Company or its
Affiliates and any employee thereof or otherwise employ or receive the services of any
individual who was an employee of the Company or its Affiliates at any time during such
Non-solicitation Period.

	 	13.4.	 	During the Non-solicitation Period, the Executive will not induce or attempt to induce
any customer, supplier, client, insured, reinsured, reinsurer, broker, licensee or other
business relation of the Company or its Affiliates to cease doing business with the Company
or its Affiliates.

	 	13.5.	 	While the restrictions aforesaid are considered by the Parties to be reasonable in all
the circumstances it is agreed that if any of such restrictions shall, taken together, be
adjudged to go beyond what is reasonable in all the circumstances for the protection of the
legitimate interests of the Company or any Group Company but would be adjudged reasonable
if part of the wording thereof were deleted or modified the said restrictions shall apply
with such words deleted or modified.

	 	13.6.	 	The restrictions set forth in this Clause 13 shall remain in full force and effect for
the entirety of the Non-Competition Period and Non-solicitation Period, as applicable,
notwithstanding any Early Termination or the expiration of this Agreement.

	14.	 	Change of Control

	 	14.1.	 	The Executive’s compensation, benefits and obligations as set forth under this
Agreement shall remain unaffected by any change of ownership or control affecting the
Company or any Group Company.

	15.	 	Untrue Statements

	 	15.1.	 	The Executive shall not knowingly at any time make any untrue statement in relation to
the Company or any Group Company or any employee, director or officer of the Company or any
Group Company and in particular shall not after the termination of this Agreement
wrongfully represent himself as being employed by or connected (except as an advisor during
the Advisory Period) with the Company or any Group Company.

	16.	 	Notices

	 	16.1.	 	Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be properly
served by sending the same by prepaid recorded post, facsimile or by delivering the same by
hand to the address of the Party or Parties in question as set out in Schedule 1
(or such other address as such Party or Parties shall notify the other Parties of in
accordance with this clause). Any notice sent by post as provided in this clause shall be
deemed to have been served five business days after dispatch and any notice sent by
facsimile as provided in this clause shall be deemed to have been served at the time of
dispatch and in proving the service of the same it will be sufficient to prove in the case
of a letter that such letter was properly stamped, addressed and placed in the post; and in
the case of a facsimile that such facsimile was duly dispatched to a current facsimile
number of the addressee.

	17.	 	Taxes

	 	17.1.	 	The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement all applicable
taxes, including, but not limited to, income, employment and social insurance taxes, as
shall be required by law.

	18.	 	Successors And Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries

	 	18.1.	 	This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be enforceable by, and may be assigned
by the Company to, any purchaser of all or substantially all of the Company’s business or
assets or any successor to the Company (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger,
consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise). The Company will require any such purchaser or
successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such assignment had
taken place.

	 	18.2.	 	The Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable
by the Executive by assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the
Company; provided, however, that if the Executive shall die, all amounts then payable to
the Executive hereunder shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the
Executive’s devisee, legatee or other designee or, if there be no such designee, to the
Executive’s estate.

	19.	 	Miscellaneous

	 	19.1	 	It is intended that this Agreement will comply with Sections 409A and 457A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and any regulations and guidelines
promulgated thereunder, to the extent the Agreement is subject thereto, and the Agreement
shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. If an amendment of the
Agreement is necessary in order for it to comply with Sections 409A or 457A of the Code,
the parties hereto will negotiate in good faith to amend the Agreement in a manner that
preserves the original intent of the parties to the extent reasonably possible.

	 	19.2	 	Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Executive is
deemed to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section
409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code then with regard to any payment or benefit that is required to be
delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code (after taking into account any
applicable exceptions to such requirement), such payment or benefit shall be made or
provided on the date that is the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period
measured from the date of the Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is
defined in the Treasury Regulations issued under Section 409A) or (ii) the date of the
Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period,
all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 19.2 (whether they would have
otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay)
shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive in a lump sum and any remaining payments and
benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal
payment dates specified for them herein. To the extent that the foregoing applies to the
provision of any ongoing welfare benefits to the Executive that would not be required to be
delayed if the premiums therefor were paid by the Executive, the Executive shall pay the
full costs of premiums for such welfare benefits during the Delay Period and the Company
shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums paid by the
Executive during the Delay Period promptly after its conclusion.

	 	19.3	 	With respect to any reimbursement or in-kind benefit arrangements of the Company and
its subsidiaries that constitute deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, the
following conditions shall be applicable: (i) the amount eligible for reimbursement, or
in-kind benefits provided, under any such arrangement in one calendar year may not affect
the amount eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, under such
arrangement in any other calendar year (except that the health and dental plans may impose
a limit on the amount that may be reimbursed or paid), (ii) any reimbursement must be made
on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
expense was incurred, and (iii) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not
subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Whenever a payment under this
Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g.,
“payment shall be made within thirty (30) days after termination of employment”), the
actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of
the Company. Whenever payments under this Agreement are to be made in installments, each
such installment shall be deemed to be a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.

	 	19.4	 	Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any allowance or
reimbursement provided for under this Agreement shall be paid to the Executive no later
than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year during which Early
Termination or the termination of this Agreement occurs..

19.5 Notwithstanding the expiration or termination of this Agreement, howsoever arising, such
expiration or termination shall not operate to affect such of the provisions hereof as are
expressed or intended to remain in full force and effect.

19.6 If any of the clauses, conditions, covenants or restrictions of this Agreement shall be
found to be void but would be valid if some part thereof were deleted or modified, then such
clause, condition, covenant or restriction shall apply with such deletion or modification as may
be necessary to make it valid and effective.

19.7 This Agreement (together with any documents referred to herein) constitutes the whole
agreement between the Parties relating to its subject matter.

19.8 This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which when executed and delivered
shall constitute an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.

19.9 This Agreement and Schedule 1 shall stand as the Statement of Employment required
under Section 6 of the Employment Act 2000.

19.10 The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the rights of the Parties hereunder shall
be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the Islands of
Bermuda without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The Parties to this Agreement
hereby irrevocably agree that the courts of Bermuda shall have exclusive jurisdiction in respect
of any dispute, suit, action, arbitration or proceedings (“Proceedings”) which may arise
out of or in connection with this Agreement and waive any objection to Proceedings in the courts
of Bermuda on the grounds of venue or on the basis that the Proceedings have been brought in an
inconvenient forum.

2

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be bound hereby, have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	/s/ Edward J. Noonan

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	Name: Edward J. Noonan

Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of

Directors

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	/s/ George P. Reeth

	 	 	 	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	Name: George P. Reeth

3

Schedule 1

	 	1.	 	Position: Special Advisor to the Board to advise the Board on all matters the Board
deems it requires advice from the Executive.

	 	2.	 	Base Salary: $664,350 per annum, payable monthly on the last working day of each month
in arrears in twelve (12) equal installments.

	 	3.	 	Other Benefits and Perquisites:

	 	a.	 	Such major medical, life insurance and disability insurance coverage as
is, or may during the Advisory Period, be provided generally for senior executive
officers of the Company as set forth from time to time in the applicable plan
documents;

	 	b.	 	In addition to the public holidays referenced in the Public Holidays Act
of 1947 and fifteen (15) paid days off for sick leave, a maximum of four (4) weeks
of paid vacation annually during the term of the Advisory Period; and

	 	c.	 	Benefits under any plan or arrangement available generally for senior
executive officers of the Company, subject to and consistent with the terms and
conditions and overall administration of such plans as set forth from time to time
in the applicable plan documents.

	 	4.	 	Addresses for Notices:

	 	a.	 	To the Company:

Name: Validus Holdings, Ltd.

Attention: Chairman of the Board

Address: 29 Richmond Road, 4th Floor, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda

Fax: +1 (441) 278-9009

	 	b.	 	To the Executive:

Name: George P. Reeth

Address: 29 Richmond Road, 4th Floor, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda

Fax: +1 (441) 278-9009

And to:

Name: George P. Reeth

Address: 12 Dellwood Parkway East, Madison New Jersey, 07940 USA

Fax: +1 973 443 9139

	 	5.	 	Dress Code: The Executive is expected and required to dress in accordance with the
Company’s current policy on Office Attire.

	 	6.	 	Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure: The procedures can be found in the Employee
Handbook.

4

Schedule 2

Date: November [  ], 2010 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

29 Richmond Road

Pembroke HM 08

Bermuda

Dear Sirs

I, George P. Reeth, hereby resign as director and as officer of any of (i) Validus Holdings, Ltd.
(the “Company”) and (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, of which I am a director or
officer, effective as of the date of this letter.

Yours faithfully,

George P. Reeth

5

Schedule 3

[Intentionally Omitted]

6

Schedule 4

DEED OF GENERAL RELEASE

THIS Deed of General Release is made on the      day of              20[  ],

BETWEEN:

Validus Holdings, Ltd. a company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda with its registered office
located at 29 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda (the “Company”); and

George P. Reeth (the “Executive”) of 29 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda:

	 	1.	 	Termination of Employment. The Executive and the Company acknowledge that
Executive’s last day of employment with the Company is [              ], 20[  ] (the
“Termination Date”).

	 	2.	 	Full Release. In consideration of the promises and payments of the amounts set
forth in the Retirement and Advisory Agreement, by and between the Company and Executive,
dated as of October 20th, 2010 (the “Retirement Agreement”) the
Executive, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns
(hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Releasors”), hereby fully releases
and discharges the Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents, insurers,
subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, successors and assigns (all such persons, firms,
corporations and entities being deemed beneficiaries hereof and are referred to herein as
the “Company Entities”) from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, obligations,
costs, losses, liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character, whether or not
known, suspected or claimed, which the Releasors have, through the date of this Agreement,
against the Company Entities arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s
employment; provided, however, that this shall not be a release with respect to any amounts
and benefits owed to Executive pursuant to the Retirement Agreement upon termination of
employment, Annual Bonus and Awards in the Company, employee benefit plans of the Company
or Executive’s right to indemnification and directors’ and officers’ insurance. For the
avoidance of doubt, despite the Executive agreeing to this release, all unvested Awards (as
defined in the Retirement Agreement) shall continue to vest in accordance with Clause 7 of
the Retirement Agreement.

	 	3.	 	Executive undertakes that he will continue to abide by the terms of clause 13 of the
Retirement Agreement and further will instigate no proceedings in any jurisdiction or
tribunal with respect to any actions, causes of action, claims, obligations, costs, losses,
liabilities, damages and demands of whatsoever character (including but not limited to
claims under the Bermuda Employment Act 2000 and the Bermuda Human Rights Act 1981) arising
out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment or termination of his employment.

	 	4.	 	Informed and Voluntary Signature. No promise or inducement has been made other than
those set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement is executed by Executive without reliance
on any representation by Company or any of its agents. Executive hereby acknowledges that
he has read and understands this Agreement and that he affixes his signature hereto
voluntarily and of his own free will.

	 	5.	 	The Executive has been advised to consult with an attorney prior to executing this
Agreement and has been given a full and fair opportunity to do so.

	 	6.	 	This deed shall be governed in all respects by the laws of Bermuda.

	 	7.	 	In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Moreover, if any
one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is held to be excessively broad
as to duration, scope, activity or subject, such provisions will be construed by limiting
and reducing them so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable
law.

	 	8.	 	This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

	 	9.	 	The paragraph headings used in this Agreement are included solely for convenience and
shall not affect or be used in connection with the interpretation of this Agreement.
Capitalized words and phrases in this Agreement shall have the same meanings as in the
Agreement between the Company and the Executive.

	 	10.	 	This Agreement and the Retirement Agreement represent the entire agreement between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereto and may not be amended except in writing
signed by the Company and Executive. If any dispute should arise under this Agreement, it
shall be settled in accordance with the terms of the Retirement Agreement.

	 	11.	 	This Agreement shall be binding on the executors, heirs, administrators, successors and
assigns of Executive and the successors and assigns of Company and shall inure to the
benefit of the respective executors, heirs, administrators, successors and assigns of the
Company Entities and the Releasors.

[Signature Page Follows]

7

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be bound hereby, have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 
	 	

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	

	 	 	 
	 	Name: Edward J. Noonan

Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of

Directors

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	 

	 	 	 
	 	

	 	 	 
	 	Name: George P. Reeth

8zmtp_ex101.htm

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

Binding Letter Agreement

 

This Binding Letter Agreement is by and between Jiangsu Leimone Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Jiangsu Leimone”), Zoom Technologies, Inc. (“Zoom Technologies”), Zoom Telephonics, Inc. (“Zoom Telephonics”) and Tianjin Tong Guang Group Digital Communication Co. Ltd (“Tianjin Tong Guang”), (Jiangsu Leimone, Zoom Technologies and Zoom Telephonics collectively hereinafter “the Parties” and individually each a “Party”)  and is effective as of October 18, 2010 (“Effective Date”).

The Parties agree as follows:

1)  Zoom Telephonics and Tianjin Tong Guang agree that upon execution of this Binding Letter Agreement that the License Agreement By and Between Zoom Telephonics , Inc. and Tianjin Tong Guang Group Digital Communication Co., Ltd dated  January 28, 2009 (the “Tianjin Tong Guang License”) shall be terminated.

a.  Tianjin Tong Guang shall comply with the “Effect of Termination” provisions set forth in Article 8 of the Tianjin Tong Guang License, including the relevant sell-off period.  Tianjin Tong Guang consents to Jiangu Leimone assuming any and all rights and remedies surviving termination of the Tianjin Tong Guang License.

b.  Zoom Telephonics for itself, its members, officers, directors, joint-venturers, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, successors, assigns and any and all other persons or entities claiming by or through it (collectively the “Zoom Telephonics Releasors”) specifically releases and forever discharges Tianjin Tong Guang as well as its members, officers, directors, joint-venturers, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, successors and assigns from any and all claims, actions, suits, damages, liability, losses or expenses of whatever kind and nature, from the beginning of time through the date of this Release related to the termination of the Tianjin Tong Guang License.  This release is subject and conditioned upon Tianjin Tong Guang’s compliance with the “Effect of Termination” provisions in Article 8 of the Tianjin Tong Guang License.

c.  Tianjin Tong Guang for itself, its members, officers, directors, joint-venturers, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys,  parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, successors, assigns and any and all other persons or entities claiming by or through it (collectively the “Tianjin Tong Guang Releasors”) specifically releases and forever discharges Zoom Telephonics as well as its members, officers, directors, joint-venturers, shareholders, partners, employees, agents, representatives, attorneys, parent companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, successors and assigns from any and all claims, actions, suits, damages, liability, losses or expenses of whatever kind and nature, from the beginning to time through the date of this Release related to the Tianjin Tong Guang License.

  

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2)  Contemporaneously with the execution of this Binding Letter Agreement, Zoom Telephonics shall assign to Jiangsu Leimone its complete ownership of certain Zoom trademarks in the People’s Republic of China as set forth in the Trademark Purchase and Assignment Agreement of Zoom Marks in the PRC attached as Exhibit 1 herewith.

3)  Contemporaneously with the execution of the Trademark Purchase and Assignment Agreement of Zoom Marks in the PRC, Jiangsu Leimone and Zoom Telephonics shall execute the License Back Agreement attached as Exhibit 2 herewith, which provides Zoom Telephonics the royalty-free right to use certain Zoom trademarks in the PRC in connection with telecommunications and computer peripheral products and related services.

4)  Contemporaneously with the execution of the Trademark Purchase and Assignment Agreement of Zoom Marks in the PRC, Zoom Telephonics and Jiangsu Leimone shall execute the License Agreement attached as Exhibit 3 herewith granting Jiangsu Leimone the right to use certain Zoom trademarks except within the PRC.

 

5)  Contemporaneously with the execution of the Trademark Purchase and Assignment Agreement of Zoom Marks in the PRC, Zoom Telephonics and Jiangsu Leimone shall enter into the Domain Name Assignment and Transfer Agreement attached as Exhibit 4 herewith providing for the assignment of the domain name zoom.com to Jiangsu Leimone.

6)  In the event that Zoom Telephonics desires to sell all or a portion of its worldwide rights in the Zoom Marks subsequent to the completion of the transactions set forth in this Binding Letter Agreement, Zoom Technologies and its subsidiaries shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the Zoom Marks on the same or better terms than were offered by a third party which Zoom Telephonics is willing to accept (“Right of First Refual”).

A.  Upon receipt of an offer to sell all or a portion of its worldwide rights in the Zoom Marks that Zoom Telephonics is willing to accept (“Offer”), Zoom Telephonics shall promptly notify Zoom Technologies of the terms of such Offer.

B.  The Right of First Refusal shall be exercised by Zoom Technologies at its sole discretion on behalf of itself or on behalf of any of its subsidiaries.

C.  If within ten (10) days following Zoom Technologies’ receipt of the notice and terms of the Offer, Zoom Technologies shall deliver either i)  a written acceptance notice (the “Acceptance Notice”) to Zoom Telephonics stating its desire, or the desire of one of its subsidiaries to exercise the Right of First Refusal with respect to the purchase of the Zoom Marks, or ii) a written decline notice (the “Decline Notice”) to Zoom Telephonics stating its desire to decline the Offer.  Upon receipt of an Acceptance Notice from Zoom Technologies, then Zoom Telephonics will have ten (10) days to determine if it can find another offer that is superior for Zoom Telephonics (the “Superior Offer”), and if so then Zoom Telephonics will submit the Superior Offer to Zoom Technologies and Zoom Technologies shall then have ten (10) days thereafter to review and decide if it will accept or decline the Superior Offer.  If Zoom Technologies sends a Notice of Acceptance of the original Offer and Zoom Telephonics does not thereafter submit a Superior Offer, or if Zoom Technologies submit a Notice of Acceptance of the Superior Offer, then thereafter Zoom Technologies or its subsidiary and Zoom Telephonics shall negotiate in good faith to enter into an agreement based upon the terms set forth.  Upon receipt of a Decline Notice,  Zoom Telephonics can proceed to completion of the sale to the third party with the same terms of the Offer.  If neither Notice is received by Zoom Telephonics within ten days of the delivery of the Offer to Zoom Technologies, then Zoom Telephonics can proceed as if it received a Decline Notice.  In the event that after the Decline Notice has been given by Zoom Technologies to Zoom Telephonics , the  terms of the Offer have changed to the advantage of the third party (the “Better Offer”), then Zoom Telelphonics shall resubmit the Better Offer to Zoom Technologies, and Zoom Technologies shall have ten (10) days thereafter to review and decide if it will accept or decline the Better Offer.

 

  

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D.  [Deleted intentionally.]

E.  The Right of First Refusal shall not apply in the event that Zoom Telephonics sells any of the ZOOM trademarks as part of the sale of the company Zoom Telephonics, or as part of a sale of Zoom Telephonics any product rights assets, other than mobile phone rights assets, such as for example dial-up modem product rights assets, cable modem product rights assets, ADSL product rights assets, Wi-Fi product rights assets, or all Zoom Telephonics Product rights assets.  For a proposed sale of any ZOOM trademarks as part of a sale of Zoom Telephonics mobile phone product rights assets, the Right of First Refusal shall apply provided the right is exercised with respect to all of the assets in the proposed deal.

 

7)  Within ten (10) business days of signing of this agreement and all the definitive agreements attached as Exhibits 1-4 herewith, Zoom Technologies shall issue and deliver to Zoom Telephonics or its assignees a stock certificate representing Eighty Thousand (80,000) shares of common stock of Zoom Technologies, as a consideration and payment for the sale, assignment and license of Zoom domain name, logo and trademark contemplated hereunder (the “Consideration Shares”). Zoom Telephonics understands and acknowledges that the Consideration Shares shall represent restricted securities of Zoom Technologies and therefore shall be subject to transfer restrictions under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and volume limitations set forth hereinbelow. In addition, a stock certificate representing such Consideration Shares shall bear a standard Securities Act restrictive legend.  The parties hereto agree that the Consideration Shares represent the sole consideration payable to Zoom Telephonics by Zoom Technologies hereunder and Zoom Technologies shall not pay to Zoom Telephonics any other fee, expense or cost in connection herewith. Zoom Telephonics understands that the Consideration Shares are “restricted securities” and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities law and Zoom Telephonics may not transfer or otherwise dispose of the Consideration Shares unless the Consideration Shares are registered for resale with the Securities and Exchange Commission or exempt from registration.

 

The parties hereto agree that Zoom Technologies shall permit Zoom Telephonics to transfer or otherwise dispose of the Consideration Shares, subject to compliance with state and federal securities laws, as follows:

(i)  up to 20,000 of the Consideration Shares – after six months from the Effective Date of this Binding Letter Agreement,

(ii)  up to 40,000 of the Consideration Shares – after nine months from the Effective Date of this Binding Letter Agreement,

 

  

3

  

(iii) up to 60,000 of the Consideration Shares – after twelve months from the Effective Date of this Binding Letter Agreement, and

(iv) up to 80,000 of the Consideration Shares – after fifteen months from the Effective Date of this Binding Letter Agreement.

8)  Upon execution by all the Parties, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all discussions, negotiations, agreements and past dealings, either oral or written, between or among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof. Any change, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be in writing and signed by the Party against whom enforcement is sought.

9)  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and bind (i) any and all heirs, successors in interest, assigns, officers, directors and employees of the Parties, and (ii) any persons or entities that acquire all or substantially all of the assets or a portion of the assets of the Parties.

10)  This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its rules regarding conflicts of laws.

 

11)  Each Party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the State of Delaware.

12)  The Parties shall not take any actions or fail to undertake any action which would frustrate the purpose of this Agreement.

13)  No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted against any of the Parties because that Party or its attorneys drafted the provision.

14)  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement are held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision(s) of this Agreement.

 

15)  The Parties agree to work to effectuate all the terms of this Agreement in good faith.

 

16)  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered to the other Party shall be deemed an original. The executed page(s) from each original may be joined together and attached to one such original and shall thereupon constitute one and the same instrument.

  

4

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Binding Letter Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	
/s/ Lei Gu  

	 	 	
/s/ Frank B. Manning

	 
	
Mr. Lei Gu  

	 	 	
Mr. Frank Manning

	 
	
Chairman 

Jiangsu Leimone Electronics Co., Ltd. 

Wholly owned subsidiary of 

Zoom Technologies, Inc.

	 	 	
Chairman and President 

Zoom Telephonics, Inc.

	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	
/s/Lei Gu  

	 	 	
/s/Lei Gu  

	 
	
Mr. Lei Gu  

	 	 	
Mr. Lei Gu  

	 
	
Chairman 

Zoom Technologies, Inc.

	 	 	

Chairman

Tianjin Tong Guang Group Digital

Communication Co., Ltd

	 

 

 

  

5

  

EXHIBIT 1

Trademark Purchase and Assignment Agreement of Zoom Marks in the PRC

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

6

  

EXHIBIT 2

License Back Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

7

  

EXHIBIT 3

License Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

8

  

EXHIBIT 4

Domain Name Assignment and Transfer Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

9

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