Document:

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.17
                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  THIS AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Amendment"), made
as of this 5th day of November, 2002, by and between Cronos Containers Inc., a
California corporation (the "Employer"), and John M. Foy (the "Employee"),

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

                  WHEREAS, Employer and Employee entered into an Employment
Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1999, as amended on December 1, 1999, on
December 1, 2000, on December 1, 2001 and on October 15, 2002 (hereinafter, the
"Employment Agreement"); and

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to paragraph "First" of the Employment
Agreement, Employer agreed to employ Employee, and Employee agreed to serve in
the employ of the Employer, on an exclusive and full-time basis, as the Senior
Vice President of Employer, through November 30, 2003, subject to earlier
termination pursuant to the provisions of the Employment Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, Employer and Employee desire to extend the term of
the Employment Agreement; and

                  WHEREAS, Employer and Employee wish to confirm that Employee
shall be entitled to certain medical benefits in the event Employee is
terminated by Employer and Employee qualifies for severance benefits;

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EXHIBIT 10.17

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

                  1.       Extension of Term of Employment Agreement. Employer
agrees to employ the Employee, and the Employee agrees to serve in the employ of
the Employer, on an exclusive and full-time basis, in the position identified
for Employee in the Employment Agreement, subject to the supervision and
direction of that person or persons set forth in the Employment Agreement,
through November 30, 2004, unless such period is sooner terminated pursuant to
the provisions of paragraphs "FIFTH," "SIXTH," or "SIXTEENTH" of the Employment
Agreement.

                  2.       Severance Benefit -- Medical. In the event that
Employee's employment with the Employer terminates under circumstances that
would entitle him to the payment of severance under the Employment Agreement or
Employer's severance policy, then and in such event, Employee shall be entitled
to the same percentage of Employee-paid health and group term-life insurance
benefits as were provided to him and to his family under the plans of the
Employer as of the date of termination of Employee's employment for that period
of time for which Employee is paid severance benefits under the Employment
Agreement or the severance policy, as the case may be. For purposes of Title X
of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended
("COBRA"), the date of the "qualifying event" for Employee and his covered
dependents shall be the date upon which the health benefits coverage provided
hereunder terminates.

                  3.       Continuance in Force of Employment Agreement. Other
than as specifically amended hereby, the terms and provisions of the Employment
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

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EXHIBIT 10.17

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer and the Employee have signed
this Amendment, effective as of the date and year first above written.

                                      "EMPLOYER"

                                      CRONOS CONTAINERS INC.

                                      By /s/ DENNIS J. TIETZ
                                      ------------------------------

                                           Dennis J. Tietz

                                      Its   Director
                                      ------------------------------

                                      "EMPLOYEE"

                                       /s/ JOHN M. FOY
                                      ------------------------------

                                        John M. Foy

                                                                         - E15 -<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.18

                            CRONOS CONTAINERS LIMITED

                                       AND

                                   JOHN KIRBY

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                SERVICE AGREEMENT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    Edwin Coe
                                2 Stone Buildings
                                  Lincoln's Inn
                                 London WC2A 3TH

                              Ref: RJH/ZS/66-10846

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EXHIBIT 10.18

INDEX TO CLAUSES

1    Interpretation

2    Appointment and duration

3    Duties of the Executive

4    Place of work and residence

5    Pay

6    Pension

7    Insurance benefits

8    Car

9    Expenses

10   Holiday

11   Sickness

12   Confidentiality

13   Termination of agreement

14   Provisions after Termination

15   General

                  Schedule 1        Particulars Required by the Employment
                                    Rights Act 1996

                  Schedule II                Severance policy

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EXHIBIT 10.18

SERVICE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT is made this 29th day of February 2000.

BETWEEN:-

(1)      CRONOS CONTAINERS LIMITED a company incorporated in England and Wales
         with company number 1543912 and whose registered office is at Orchard
         Lea, Winkfield Lane, Winkfield, Windsor SL4 4RU ("the Company"); and

(2)      JOHN KIRBY of The Annex, Scripetts Lodge, Forest Green Road, Holyport,
         Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 2NN ("the Executive").

WHEREAS:

(A)      The Executive employment with the Company commenced on 1 January 1985

(B)      The Company has appointed the Executive in the capacity as Senior Vice
         President - Operations of the Company.

NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants contained
herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:-

1        INTERPRETATION

         1.1      The headings and marginal headings to the clauses are for
                  convenience only and have no legal effect.

         1.2      Any reference in this Agreement to any Act or delegated
                  legislation includes any statutory modification or
                  re-enactment of it or the provision referred to.

         1.3      In this Agreement:

                  'THE BOARD' means the Board of Directors of the Company and
includes any committee of the

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EXHIBIT 10.18

Board duly appointed by it.

                  'GROUP COMPANY' means any company which for the time being is
a company having an ordinary share capital (as defined in s 832 of the Income
and Corporation Taxes Act 1988) of which not less than 25 per cent is owned
directly or indirectly by the Company or its holding company applying the
provisions of s 838 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 in the
determination of ownership

                                    'CHAIRMAN' means the Chairman of the Board
         or any person or persons jointly holding such office of the Company
         from time to time and includes any person(s) exercising substantially
         the functions of a managing director or chief executive officer of the
         Company.

2        APPOINTMENT AND DURATION

         2.1      The Company appoints the Executive and the Executive agrees to
                  serve as Senior Vice President - Operations of the Company or
                  in such other appointment as may from time to time be agreed.
                  The Executive accepts that the Company may at its discretion
                  direct him to perform other duties or tasks not within the
                  scope of his normal duties and the Executive agrees to perform
                  such duties or undertake such tasks as if they were
                  specifically required under this Agreement provided
                  performance of any such duties or tasks by the Executive shall
                  not affect the Executive's right to the remuneration provided
                  for under this Agreement.

         2.2      The appointment commenced on 1 April 1999 and shall continue
                  (subject to earlier termination as provided in this Agreement)
                  until 30 November 2001 and thereafter shall continue until
                  terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 3
                  months written notice.

         2.3      The Company may from time to time appoint any other person or
                  persons to act jointly with the Executive in his appointment.

         2.4      The Executive warrants that by virtue of entering into this
                  Agreement or any other agreement between a Group Company and
                  the Executive, he will not be in breach of any express or
                  implied terms of any contract with or of any other obligation
                  to any third party binding upon him.

3        DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE

         3.1      The Executive shall at all times during the period of this
                  Agreement:

                  3.1.1    devote the whole of his time, attention and ability
                           to the duties of his appointment;

                  3.1.2    faithfully and diligently perform those duties and
                           exercise such powers consistent with them which are
                           from time to time assigned to or vested in him;

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  3.1.3    obey all lawful and reasonable directions of Chairman
                           of the Company and/or the board;

                  3.1.4    use his best endeavours to promote the interests of
                           the Company and its Group Companies;

                  3.1.5    keep the Chairman and/or the Board promptly and fully
                           informed (in writing if so requested) of his conduct
                           of the business or affairs of the Company and its
                           Group Companies and provide such explanations as the
                           Chairman and/or the Board may required;

                  3.1.6    not at any time make any untrue or misleading
                           statement relating to the Company or any Group
                           Company.

                  3.1.7    not take any action prejudicial to the interests of
                           the Company or any Group Company.

         3.2      The Executive shall (without further remuneration) if and for
                  so long as the Company require during the period of this
                  Agreement:

                  3.2.1    carry out the duties of his appointment on behalf of
                           any Group Company;

                  3.2.2    act as an officer of any Group Company or hold any
                           other appointment or office as nominee or
                           representative of the Company or any Group Company;

                  3.2.3    carry out such duties and the duties attendant on any
                           such appointment as if they were duties to be
                           performed by him on behalf of the Company.

4        PLACE OF WORK AND RESIDENCE

         The Executive shall perform his duties at the business premises of the
         Company at Orchard Lea, Winkfield Lane, Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire,
         England and/or such other place of business of the Company or of any
         Group Company as the Company requires.

5        PAY

         5.1      During his appointment the Company shall pay the Executive:-

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  5.1.1    a salary at the rate of (pound)99,856.00 per year as
                           from 1 January 2000 which shall accrue day-to-day and
                           be payable by equal monthly instalments in arrears on
                           or about the 25th day of each month. The salary shall
                           be deemed to include any fees receivable by the
                           Executive as a Director of the Company or any Group
                           Company, or of any other company or unincorporated
                           body in which he holds office as nominee or
                           representative of the Company or any Group Company;
                           and

                  5.1.2    The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the
                           Company's discretionary bonus programme in accordance
                           with its terms and conditions and which pays a
                           discretionary bonus based on Company and personal
                           performance. The entitlement to participate in the
                           Company's discretionary bonus programme will cease on
                           termination of employment or if the Executive is
                           placed on garden leave pursuant to the provisions of
                           clause 13.5 hereof

         5.2      The Executive's salary may be reviewed by the Board annually
                  on 1st January and the rate of salary may be increased by the
                  Company with effect from that date and by such amount if any
                  as it shall in its absolute discretion think fit;

6        PENSION

         6.1      The Company does not operate a contracted-out pension scheme,
                  so there is no contracting out certificate in force.

         6.2      At the Company's discretion, the Executive may be entitled to
                  participate in the Company's Group Personal Pension Plan
                  subject to the terms of the rules from time to time which are
                  available for inspection from the Human Resources Department.
                  The Company shall be entitled at any time to terminate the
                  plan or the Executive's membership of it.

         6.3      The Company will continue to make the current level of
                  payments into the Executive's pension scheme with Windsor Life
                  Retirements Savings Account for the duration of the
                  Executive's employment. Entitlement to such payments will
                  cease on termination of the Executive's employment.

7        INSURANCE BENEFITS

         7.1      The Executive shall be entitled to participate at the
                  Company's expense in the Company's Life Assurance Scheme and
                  Permanent Health Insurance Scheme and in the Company's private
                  medical

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  expenses insurance scheme, for himself, his spouse and
                  dependent children subject always to the rules of such schemes
                  details of which are available from the Human Resources
                  Department.

8        CAR

         8.1      Subject to the Executive holding a current full driving
                  licence the Company shall provide the Executive for his sole
                  business use and private use by him and his spouse with a car
                  of a make, model and specification selected by the Company
                  (which in the reasonable opinion of the Board is commensurate
                  with the status of the Executive and the image of the
                  Company). The entitlement to the provision of a company car
                  shall cease on the termination of his employment.

         8.2      The Company shall bear all standing and running expenses of
                  the car except for use of the car by the Executive for holiday
                  purposes and any additional insurance costs incurred to permit
                  the Executive to use the car outside the United Kingdom for
                  private purposes and shall replace such car as provided in the
                  Company's car scheme policy in effect from time to time. The
                  entitlement to fuel consumed during private use of the car
                  shall cease should the Company place the Executive on garden
                  leave to the provisions of clause 13.5 hereof.

         8.3      The Executive shall always comply with all regulations laid
                  down by the Company from time to time with respect to company
                  cars; shall forthwith notify the Company of any accidents
                  involving his company car and of any charges of driving
                  offences which are brought against him and, on the termination
                  of his appointment, shall forthwith return his company car to
                  the Company at its head office.

         8.4      The Executive has a duty to produce and the Company has a
                  right to examine the current driving licence of the Executive
                  at the request of the Company at any time during normal
                  working hours on reasonable notice throughout the term of the
                  Executive's employment or his retention of the company car
                  when at the risk of the Company or in the ownership of the
                  Company.

         8.5      From 3 August 2001 the Executive agrees that he will not be
                  entitled to the use of a company car in consideration of which
                  he will receive an annual car allowance in the sum of
                  (pound)11,100 which will be added to and paid together with
                  his basic salary as provided in clause 5.1.1 above.

9        EXPENSES

         9.1      The Company shall reimburse to the Executive on a monthly
                  basis travelling, hotel, entertainment and other expenses
                  reasonably incurred by him in the proper performance of his
                  duties subject to

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  the production to the Company of such vouchers or other
                  evidence of actual payment of the expenses as the Company may
                  reasonably require

         9.2      Where the Company issues a company sponsored credit or charge
                  card to the Executive he shall use such card only for expenses
                  reimbursable under clause 9.1 above, and shall return it to
                  the Company forthwith on the termination of his employment

10       HOLIDAY

         10.1     In addition to English public holidays the Executive is
                  entitled to 25 working days paid holiday in each year (which
                  runs from 1st January to 31 December) to be taken at such time
                  or times as are agreed with the Board. The Executive shall not
                  without the consent of the Board carry forward (save for a
                  maximum of 5 days) any unused part of his holiday entitlement
                  to a subsequent holiday year.

         10.2     For the holiday year during which his appointment commences or
                  terminates, the Executive is entitled to 2 working days
                  holiday for each complete calendar month of his employment by
                  the Company during that holiday year. On the termination of
                  his appointment for whatever reason, the Executive shall
                  either be entitled to pay in lieu of outstanding holiday
                  entitlement or be required to repay to the Company any salary
                  received for holiday taken in excess of his actual
                  entitlement. The basis for payment and repayment shall be
                  1/260 x of the Executive's annual basic salary for each day.

11       SICKNESS

         11.1     If the Executive is absent because of sickness (including
                  mental disorder) or injury he shall report this fact forthwith
                  to the Human Resources Department and if the Executive is so
                  prevented for seven or more consecutive days he shall provide
                  a medical practitioner's statement on the eighth day and
                  weekly thereafter so that the whole period of absence is
                  certified by such statements. Immediately following his return
                  to work after a period of absence the Executive shall complete
                  a Self-Certification form available from the Human Resources
                  Department detailing the reason for his absence.

         11.2     If the Executive shall be absent due to sickness (including
                  mental disorder) or injury duly certified in accordance with
                  the provisions of clause 11.1 hereof, he shall be entitled to
                  his full basic salary hereunder for a period up to six months
                  of continuous absence or for 25 days absence in aggregate in
                  any period of 12 months and thereafter such remuneration, if
                  any, as the Board shall from time

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  to time determine provided that such remuneration shall be
                  inclusive of any statutory sick pay to which the Executive is
                  entitled under the provisions of the Social Security Benefits
                  Act 1992 and any Social Security Sickness Benefit or other
                  benefits recoverable by the Executive (whether or not
                  recovered) may be deducted therefrom.

         11.3     For Statutory Sick Pay purposes the Executive's qualifying
                  days shall be his normal working days.

         11.4     At any time during the period of his appointment, (but not
                  normally more often than once every second year) the Executive
                  shall at the request and expense of the Company permit himself
                  to be examined by a registered medical practitioner to be
                  selected by the Company and shall authorise such medical
                  practitioner to disclose to and discuss with the Company's
                  medical adviser the results of such examination and any
                  matters which arise from it in order that the Company's
                  medical adviser can notify the Company of any matters which,
                  in his opinion, might hinder or prevent the Executive (if
                  during period of incapacity) from returning to work for any
                  period or (in other circumstances) from properly performing
                  any duties of his appointment at any time.

12       CONFIDENTIALITY

         12.1     The Executive acknowledges that during his employment with the
                  Company he will have access to and will be entrusted with
                  confidential information and trade secrets relating to the
                  business of the Company, other Group Companies and their
                  customers and suppliers ("Confidential Information").

         12.2     The Executive will not during the term of the appointment
                  (otherwise than in the proper performance of his duties and
                  then only to those who need to know Confidential Information)
                  or thereafter (except with the written consent of the Board or
                  as required by law):

                  (a)      divulge or communicate to any person (including any
                           representative of the press or broadcasting or other
                           media);

                  (b)      cause or facilitate any unauthorised disclosure
                           through any failure by him to exercise all due care
                           and diligence; or

                  (c)      make use of (other than for the benefit of any Group
                           Company)

                  any Confidential Information which may have come to his
                  knowledge during his employment with the Company or in respect
                  of which a Group Company may be bound by an obligation of
                  confidence to any third party provided the Executive is or has
                  been made aware of such obligation

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  or confidence. The Executive will also use all reasonable
                  endeavours to prevent the publication or disclosure of any
                  Confidential Information. These restrictions will not apply to
                  Confidential Information which, after the appointment has been
                  terminated, has become available to the public generally
                  otherwise than through unauthorised disclosure, or is
                  disclosed in any legal proceeds.

         12.3     All notes, memoranda and other records (whether in documentary
                  form or stored on computer disk or tape) made by the Executive
                  during his employment with the Company and which relate to the
                  business of any Group Company shall belong to such Group
                  Company and the Executive shall, from time to time, promptly
                  hand over such notes, memoranda and other records to the
                  Company (or as the Company may direct).

13       TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

         13.1     AUTOMATIC TERMINATION

         This Agreement shall automatically terminate:

                  13.1.1   on the Executive reaching his 65th birthday; or

                  13.1.2   if the Executive becomes prohibited by law from being
                           a director; or

                  13.1.3   if he resigns his office;

         13.2     SUSPENSION

                  In order to investigate a complaint against the Executive of
                  misconduct the Company is entitled to suspend the Executive on
                  full pay for so long as may be necessary to carry out a proper
                  investigation and hold a disciplinary hearing.

         13.3     IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL

                  The Company may terminate this Agreement summarily without
                  notice if the Executive:

                  13.3.1   commits any act of gross misconduct or repeats or
                           continues (after written warning) any other material
                           breach of his obligations under this Agreement; or

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                  13.3.2   is guilty of any conduct which in the reasonable
                           opinion of the Board brings him, the Company or any
                           Group Company into disrepute; or

                  13.3.3   is convicted of any criminal offence (excluding an
                           offence under road traffic legislation in the United
                           Kingdom or elsewhere for which he is not sentenced to
                           any term of imprisonment whether immediate or
                           suspended); or

                  13.3.4   commits any act of dishonesty whether relating to the
                           Company, or Group Company, any of its or their
                           employees or otherwise; or

                  13.3.5   becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or
                           composition with his creditors generally; or

                  13.3.6   is in the reasonable opinion of the Board incompetent
                           in the performance of his duties.

         13.4     PAYMENT ON TERMINATION

                  On the termination of this Agreement the terms and provisions
                  of the Company's severance policy as set out in Schedule II
                  hereto shall apply to the Executive. In the event of a
                  termination without good cause the Executive will be entitled
                  to be paid an amount equal to the greater of the Executive's
                  annual basic salary under this Agreement for the balance of
                  the term of this Agreement as set out in clause 2.2 above or
                  the amount calculated due under the severance policy.

         13.5     PAY IN LIEU

                  The Company shall be entitled (but not obliged) to pay to the
                  Executive his salary (at the rate then payable under clause 5
                  hereof) and contractual benefits for the unexpired portion of
                  his entitlement to notice.

         13.6     GARDEN LEAVE

                  The Company shall have the right at its discretion during the
                  period of notice and any part thereof to assign the Executive
                  to any other duties or to change the Executive's duties as and
                  when required by the Company or to place the Executive on
                  leave, in either case paying the basic salary and benefits
                  excluding bonus due to the Executive.

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EXHIBIT 10.18

         13.7     MISCELLANEOUS

                  On the termination of this Agreement for whatever reason, the
                  Executive shall at the request of the Company resign (without
                  prejudice to any claims which the Executive may have against
                  any company arising out of this Agreement or the termination
                  thereof) from all and any offices which he may hold as a
                  Director of the Company or of any Group Company and from all
                  other appointments or offices which he holds as nominee or
                  representative of the Company or any Group Company and if he
                  should fail to do so within seven days the Company is hereby
                  irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in his name and
                  on his behalf to sign any documents or do any things necessary
                  or requisite to effect such resignation(s) and/or transfer(s).

14       PROVISION AFTER TERMINATION

         14.1     The Executive agrees that he will not at any time after the
                  termination of this Agreement, either personally or by his
                  agent, directly or indirectly:-

                  14.1.1   represent himself as being in any way connected with
                           or interested in the business of the Company or any
                           Group Company;

                  14.1.2   use or disclose to any person, firm or company any
                           confidential information directly or indirectly
                           relating to the affairs of the Company or any Group
                           Company or to a customer of the Company or any Group
                           Company which may have been acquired by him in the
                           course of or incidental to his employment by the
                           Company for his own benefit or for the benefit of
                           others or to the detriment of the Company or any
                           Group Company or such customer. This restriction
                           shall continue to apply after the termination of this
                           Agreement but shall cease to apply to information or
                           knowledge which may come into the public domain
                           otherwise than through unauthorised disclosure by the
                           Executive or any other person.

         14.2     The Executive shall not for a period of 6 months after the
                  termination of this Agreement directly or indirectly and
                  whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other business,
                  concern, person, partnership, firm, company or other body
                  which is wholly or partly in competition with the business
                  carried on by the Company or any Group Company:

                  14.2.1   canvass, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed
                           or solicited or approached for orders in respect of
                           any services provided or goods dealt in by the
                           Company or any Group

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EXHIBIT 10.18

                           Company in respect of the provision or sale of which
                           the Executive was engaged during the last 12 months
                           of his employment with the Company, any person who at
                           the date of termination of this Agreement was
                           negotiating with the Company or Group Company for the
                           supply of services or goods or within 12 prior to
                           such date is or was a client or customer of the
                           Company or any Group Company or was in the habit of
                           dealing with the Company or Group Company and with
                           whom the Executive shall have dealt.

                  14.2.2   interfere or seek to interfere or take such steps as
                           may interfere with the continuance of supplies to the
                           Company or any Group Company (or the terms relating
                           to such supplies) from any suppliers who have been
                           supplying components, materials or services to the
                           Company or any Group Company at any time during the
                           last 12 months of this Agreement;

                  14.2.3   solicit or entice or endeavour to solicit or entice
                           away from the Company or any Group Company or offer
                           or cause to be offered any employment to any person
                           employed by the Company or any Group Company in an
                           executive capacity at the date of such termination
                           for whom the executive is responsible;

                  14.2.4   deal with any person or persons who or which at any
                           time during the period of 12 months prior to
                           termination of this Agreement have been in the habit
                           of dealing under contract with the Company or any
                           Group Company.

         14.3     The restrictions contained in this clause are separate and
                  severable and enforceable accordingly and considered
                  reasonable by the parties (the Executive acknowledging the
                  legitimate need for the Company and the Group Companies to
                  protect their business interests) but in the event that any
                  such restriction shall be found or held to void in
                  circumstances where it would be valid if some part thereof
                  were deleted or distance of application reduced, then the
                  parties agree that such restriction shall apply with such
                  modification as may be necessary to make it valid and
                  effective.

15       GENERAL

         15.1     STATUTORY PARTICULARS

                  The further particulars of terms of employment not contained
                  in the body of this Agreement which must be given to the
                  Executive in compliance with the Employment Rights Act 1996
                  are given in Schedule 1.

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EXHIBIT 10.18

         15.2     PRIOR AGREEMENTS

                  This Agreement sets out the entire agreement and understanding
                  of the parties and is in substitution for any previous
                  contracts of employment or for services between the Company or
                  any of its Group Companies and the Executive (which shall be
                  deemed to have been terminated by mutual consent).

         15.3     ACCRUED RIGHTS

                  The expiration or termination of this Agreement however
                  arising shall not operate to affect such of the provisions of
                  this Agreement as are expressed to operate or have effect
                  after then and shall be without prejudice to any accrued
                  rights or remedies of the parties.

         15.4     PROPER LAW

                  The validity construction and performance of this Agreement
                  shall be governed by English law.

         15.5     ACCEPTANCE OF JURISDICTION

                  All disputes claims or proceedings between the parties
                  relating to the validity construction or performance of this
                  Agreement shall be subject to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
                  of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales ('the High
                  Court') to which the parties irrevocably submit.

         15.6     NOTICES

                  Any notice to be given by a party under this Agreement must be
                  in writing and must be given by delivery at or by sending by
                  first class post or other faster postal service, or telex,
                  facsimile transmission or other means of telecommunication in
                  permanent written form (provided the addressee has his or its
                  own facilities for receiving such transmission) to the last
                  known postal address or relevant telecommunications number of
                  the other party. Where notice is given by sending in a
                  prescribed manner it shall be deemed to have been received
                  when in the ordinary course of the means of transmission it
                  would be received by the addressee. To prove the giving of a
                  notice it shall be sufficient to show it was despatched. A
                  notice shall have effect from the sooner of its actual or
                  deemed receipt by the addressee.

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EXHIBIT 10.18

IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HAVE EXECUTED THIS DOCUMENT AS
A DEED THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST BEFORE WRITTEN

Signed and delivered as

a deed by the Executive                            /s/ JOHN KIRBY

                                                   John Kirby

in the presence of                                 /s/ KAY CUZNER

Name:                                              Kay Cuzner

Address:                                           Hollyberry

                                                   12 Swaledale

                                                   Bracknell

                                                   Berkshire

Occupation:                                        H.R. Manager

Signed and delivered as a deed

By  /s/ PETER J. YOUNGER

Peter J Younger

Director

and

/s/ DENNIS J. TIETZ

Dennis J. Tietz

Director

for and on behalf of the Company

                                                                         - E30 -

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.18

                                   SCHEDULE 1

                           Employment Rights Act 1996

The following information is given to supplement the information given in the
body of the Agreement in order to comply with the requirements of the Act

1        The Executive's appointment by the Company commenced on 1 April 1999.

2        The Executive's period of continuous employment with the Company began
         on 1 January 1985.

3        The Executive's hours of work are the normal hours of the Company from
         9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday each week together with such
         additional hours as may be necessary so as properly to fulfil his
         duties.

4        No Contracting-Out Certificate pursuant to provisions of the Pensions
         Scheme Act 1993 is held by the Company in respect of the Executive's
         employment.

5        There is no formal disciplinary procedure applicable to this
         employment. The Executive is expected to exhibit a high standard of
         proprietary, integrity and efficiency in all his dealings with and in
         the name of the Company and Group Company and may be suspended on basic
         pay and benefits (excluding bonus) or required to take leave during any
         investigations which it may be necessary for the Company to undertake.

6        If the Executive has any grievance relating to his employment (other
         than one relating to a disciplinary decision) he should refer such
         grievance to the Chairman and if the grievance is not resolved by
         discussion with him it will referred to the Board for resolution.

7        There are no collective agreements which directly or indirectly affect
         the Executive's terms and conditions of employment.

                                                                         - E31 -

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