Document:

exv4w6

Exhibit 4.6

 

RULES OF THE

REED ELSEVIER GROUP PLC LONG-TERM

INCENTIVE PLAN 2010

 

Adopted by the directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc on 21 April 2010

 

 

THE REED ELSEVIER GROUP PLC LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN 2010

1. Definitions

1.1 In this Plan, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the
following meanings:

Capital Reorganisation means any variation in the share capital or reserves of a Qualifying Company
(including, without limitation, by way of capitalisation issue, rights issue, sub-division,
consolidation, or reduction);

Committee means the remuneration committee of the board of directors of the Company or other duly
authorised committee;

Company means Reed Elsevier Group plc;

Control has the meaning given to it by section 995 of the Income Taxes Act 2007;

Date of Grant means the date on which a Performance Share Award is granted;

Dealing Restrictions means any restrictions on, or requirement for approvals for dealing in Shares
whether under the Company’s, RE PLC’s or RE NV’s share dealing rules, the provisions of the Model
Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Companies, the provisions of the Listing
Rules of the UK Listing Authority or the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or any of their
equivalents in any applicable jurisdiction;

Dividend Equivalent means a right to a cash payment or Shares in accordance with Rule 5;

Dutch Share means an ordinary share in the capital of RE NV or shares representing those shares
following any Capital Reorganisation of RE NV and includes an American Depositary Share
representing a Dutch Share;

Employee means any employee of a member of the Group or a Qualifying Company;

Group means the Company and every company which is under the Control of the Company and member of
the Group will be construed accordingly;

Normal Vesting Date means the date, following the end of the Performance Period, on which the
Committee determines the extent to which the Performance Target has been satisfied or, if there are
Dealing Restrictions in place on that date, such later date when those Dealing Restrictions lift;

Participant means any individual who holds a subsisting Performance Share Award (including, where
the context permits, the legal personal representatives of a deceased Participant);

Performance Period means the period, as specified in Rule 3.5(c), after which the Performance
Target is measured;

Page 1

 

Performance Share Award means, unless Schedule 5 applies, a right granted under Rule 3 to receive
Shares without payment and references to Performance Shares will be construed accordingly;

Performance Target means the conditions set out in Schedule 1, or such other conditions determined
by the Committee in accordance with Rule 3.3, measured after the end of the Performance Period;

Plan means this Reed Elsevier Group plc Long-term Incentive Plan 2010 as amended from time to time;

Pro-rated Number means such number of Shares as is determined by multiplying the number of Shares
comprised in a Performance Share Award by A/B where A is the number of complete calendar months
which the Participant was an Employee during the Performance Period and B is 36;

Qualifying Company means each of RE PLC and RE NV;

RE NV means Reed Elsevier NV;

RE PLC means Reed Elsevier PLC;

Rules means these Plan rules;

Share means a UK Share and/or a Dutch Share and Shareholder will be construed accordingly;

Termination Date means the date on which an Employee ceases to be employed by a Qualifying Company
or any member of the Group;

UK Share means an ordinary share in the capital of RE PLC or shares representing those shares
following any Capital Reorganisation of RE PLC and includes an American Depositary Share
representing a UK Share; and

Vesting means the Participant becoming absolutely entitled to receive the Shares comprised in his
Performance Share Award in accordance with these Rules and Vest and Vested will be construed
accordingly.

1.2 Where the context permits the singular will include the plural and vice versa and the masculine
will include the feminine. Headings will be ignored in construing the Plan.

1.3 References to any act of Parliament will include any statutory modification, amendment or re
enactment thereof.

1.4 The Committee may establish additional schedules to the Plan for the benefit of employees
outside the UK, based on the Plan but modified to take account of local tax, exchange control or
securities laws in overseas territories.

2. Eligibility

2.1 The Committee may select any Employee to participate in the Plan, except:-

	(a)	 	a director of the Company or of a Qualifying Company or

Page 2

 

	(b)	 	any Employee who is under notice of termination of employment at the Date of Grant, unless
the Committee determines otherwise.

3. Grant of Performance Share Awards

3.1 Subject to Dealing Restrictions, Performance Share Awards may be granted at any time.

3.2 The grant of a Performance Share Award is conditional upon a Participant agreeing to comply
with any arrangements specified by the Company for the payment of tax and social security
contributions in respect of Shares to which he is or may become entitled under the Plan including,
without limitation (i) the right to sell on the Participant’s behalf sufficient Shares to satisfy
any tax or social security contributions liability on his part for which any member of the Group
may be liable and (ii) entering into any election under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Income Tax
(Earnings & Pensions) Act 2003 specified by the Company.

3.3 Performance Share Awards will be granted on the basis that they only Vest to the extent that
the Performance Target has been satisfied.

3.4 The Committee may make the grant of Performance Share Awards subject to any other conditions it
determines appropriate including requiring a Participant to agree to comply with certain
post-employment restrictive covenants.

3.5 Performance Share Awards will be granted by deed. Each Participant will receive information
(electronically or in hard copy) following the Date of Grant summarising the main terms of his
Performance Share Award. This summary may include the following information:

	a)	 	the number of Shares subject to the Performance Share Award — and in what proportion they
comprise UK Shares and Dutch Shares;
	 
	b)	 	details of the Performance Target applicable to the Performance Share Award;
	 
	c)	 	the Performance Period;
	 
	d)	 	the terms of any other conditions imposed pursuant to Rules 3.2 and 3.4;
	 
	e)	 	whether or not the Performance Share Award carries a right to Dividend Equivalents;
	 
	f)	 	which (if any) Schedules to the Plan will apply to the Performance Share Award;
	 
	g)	 	any other information as the Committee may determine.

4. Normal Vesting of Performance Share Awards

4.1 Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, the number of Shares, if any, which Vest under a
Performance Share Award will be determined by the Committee by reference to the extent to which the
Performance Target has been fulfilled, and any other conditions to which the Performance Share
Award is subject, have been fulfilled or waived.

Page 3

 

4.2 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, Performance Share Awards will Vest, in accordance
with Rule 4.1, on the Normal Vesting Date and any balance which does not Vest will immediately
lapse. Any Vested Performance Shares will be transferred to Participants as soon as reasonably
practicable after that date, subject to any Dealing Restrictions.

5. Entitlement to Dividend Equivalents

5.1 If a Performance Share Award has been granted on the basis that it carries Dividend
Equivalents, the Participant will, subject to Rule 5.3, be entitled to a cash payment equal in
value to the ordinary dividends (excluding any associated tax credit) which would have been paid on
the Vested Performance Shares during the period commencing at the start of the Performance Period
and ending on the earlier of (i) the end of the Performance Period and (ii) the Vesting of the
Performance Share Award.

5.2 The cash payment to which the Participant becomes entitled under Rule 5.1:

	(a)	 	will be calculated (in such manner as the Committee sees fit) by reference to the currency of
payment of the underlying dividend (and paid in such currency as the Committee sees fit);
	 
	(b)	 	will be calculated without any entitlement to interest (or other type of investment return)
in the period between the dividend payment date and Vesting;
	 
	(c)	 	will be paid (subject to such deductions as are required by law) within one month of Vesting;
and
	 
	(d)	 	will be calculated by reference to ordinary dividends and without regard to special dividends
or distributions or dividends-in-specie.

5.3 Instead of making a cash payment, the Committee may in its discretion satisfy any entitlement
to Dividend Equivalents arising in accordance with Rule 5.1 by transferring existing Shares with an
equivalent value (as determined at the time of Vesting).

5.4 For the avoidance of doubt, any payment referred to in this Rule 5 does not represent an
entitlement to actual dividends on the underlying Shares, by reason of the Participant not being
beneficial owner of the Shares at that time.

6. Cessation of employment 

Participant gives or receives notice

6.1 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, in the event that a Participant gives or receives
notice of termination of employment for any reason other than those set out in Rules 6.2 and 6.4, a
Performance Share Award will automatically lapse on the date on which notice is given or received.

Approved Leaver

6.2 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, in the event that the Participant ceases to be an
Employee before the Normal Vesting Date by reason of:

Page 4

 

	a)	 	redundancy (as defined in section 139 of the Employment Rights Act 1996);
	 
	b)	 	retirement with the consent of the Company;
	 
	c)	 	the sale of the company or business in which the Participant is employed out of the Group; or
	 
	d)	 	any other reason the Committee, in its absolute discretion, determines:

the Performance Share Award will continue in force over a Pro-rated Number of Shares until the end
of the Performance Period and will lapse as to the balance on the Termination Date. The Performance
Share Award will Vest on the Normal Vesting Date in accordance with Rule 4.

6.3 The Committee has discretion to vary the application of Rule 6.2 and determine that a
Participant’s Performance Share Award should instead be treated as set out in Rule 6.4 or, in
exceptional circumstances, in any other way the Committee determines appropriate.

Death, Injury, Disability and Ill-health.

6.4 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, in the event that the Participant ceases to be an
Employee before the Normal Vesting Date by reason of death, injury, disability or ill-health:

the Performance Share Award will Vest over a Pro-rated Number of Shares subject to an assessment of
performance based on progress made against the Performance Target at the Termination Date as
determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion. Such determination will take place as soon
as practicable after the Termination Date and to the extent that the Performance Share Award does
not Vest on the date of determination, it will immediately lapse.

	6.5	 	The Committee has discretion to vary the application of Rule 6.4 and determine that:

	a)	 	a Participant’s Performance Share Award should be treated as set out in Rule 6.2 above
instead; or
	 
	b)	 	the Performance Target will be waived and/or the Performance Share Award will Vest in full on
or shortly after the Termination Date as determined by the Committee. To the extent that the
Performance Share Award does not Vest, it will immediately lapse.

7. Claw-Back Arrangements

Breach of Restrictive Covenants

7.1 If a Participant breaches any term of his post-termination restrictive covenants (such breach
to be determined by the Committee acting fairly and reasonably), any unvested Performance Share
Awards will lapse on the date of the Committee’s determination and the Committee may require him to
pay to the Company or any other member of the Group, within seven days of written demand from the
Company, the Relevant Amount (as defined in Rule 7.2 below).

Page 5

 

7.2 The Relevant Amount is an amount equal to A minus both B and C where:

A is an amount equal to the pre-tax gain realised by the Participant in respect of any Performance
Share Awards and Dividend Equivalents in the period beginning six months before the Termination
Date and ending when the Participant’s restrictive covenants cease to apply. For these purposes,
the gain will be the sum of the market value of the Vested Shares when received by the Participant
and the related Dividend Equivalents, and such gain will be determined irrespective of whether the
Participant has sold or retained the Shares he acquired;

B is an amount equal to the tax and social security charges and liabilities incurred by the
Participant in respect of A; and

C is any payment of the Claw-back Amount, determined in accordance with Rule 7.4 below, in respect
of A.

Materially misstated financial or other data

7.3 If the Committee, within two years of the Vesting of a Performance Share Award, considers in
good faith that the Vesting of the relevant Performance Share Award and/or the payment of Dividend
Equivalents was determined on the basis of materially misstated financial or other data (the
Incorrect Award), it will, unless it determines otherwise, recover the Claw-back Amount (as defined
in Rule 7.4 below) by taking one or more of the following actions:

	a)	 	reduce any outstanding unvested Performance Share Awards by the Claw-back Amount; and/or
	 
	b)	 	reduce any future Performance Share Awards by the Claw-back Amount; and/or
	 
	c)	 	require the Participant to pay to the Company, within thirty days of a written demand from
the Company, the Claw-back Amount.

7.4 The Claw-back Amount is the difference in value between (i) the Incorrect Award and (ii) the
Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalents which would have Vested or been payable had the
correct data, as determined by the Committee acting fairly and reasonably, been used. This may be
expressed as a number of Shares or a monetary amount or a combination thereof as the Committee
considers appropriate. In determining the Claw-back Amount, the Committee may take into account
such matters as it sees fit including, but not limited to:

	(a)	 	the difference between the number of Shares under the Incorrect Award and the number of
Shares the Committee considers should have Vested had the correct data been used;
	 
	(b)	 	any gain made by the Participant on the sale of Shares comprised in the Incorrect Award;
	 
	(c)	 	any tax and/or dealing costs incurred by the Participant in connection with the Incorrect
Award, and
	 
	(d)	 	whether the Participant has made a payment pursuant to Rules 7.1 to 7.2 which would take
account of Shares subject to an Incorrect Award.

Page 6

 

7.5 By accepting a Performance Share Award, a Participant will be bound by this Rule 7
notwithstanding (i) that it will only be applicable after the release of Shares under these Rules
and (ii) whether or not the essential terms of this Rule 7 have been separately notified to each
Participant.

8. Change of Control of a Qualifying Company

8.1 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, if any person:

	(a)	 	obtains Control of a Qualifying Company as a result of making an offer to acquire Shares
which is either unconditional or is made on a condition such that if it is satisfied the
person making the offer will have Control of that Qualifying Company;
	 
	(b)	 	becomes bound or entitled to acquire Shares under sections 979 and 983 of the Companies Act
2006 (or in relation to RE NV becomes entitled to acquire compulsorily Shares held by minority
shareholders); or
	 
	(c)	 	obtains Control of a Qualifying Company in pursuance of a compromise or arrangement
sanctioned by the Court under section 899 of the Companies Act 2006 (or in relation to RE NV
under any equivalent legislative provision in the Netherlands),

then any unvested Performance Share Awards over Shares in that Qualifying Company (but not those in
the other Qualifying Company) will Vest in respect of a Pro-rated Number within 30 days of the
relevant event, subject to the Performance Target. The Performance Target will be assessed based on
progress made against targets as at the date of the relevant event as determined by the Committee
in its absolute discretion.

8.2 To the extent that a Performance Share Award over Shares in that Qualifying Company
does not Vest as a result of the relevant event, it will immediately lapse.

9. Change of Control of the Company

Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the provisions of Rule 8 will apply with any necessary
changes in the event that any person (either alone or together with any person acting in concert
with him) obtains Control of the Company and the Shares comprised in Performance Share Awards which
may Vest as a result of the relevant event will be Shares in both Qualifying Companies.

10. Internal Reorganisation 

10.1 Rules 8 and 9 will not apply if the purpose and effect of the change of Control or scheme of
arrangement is:

	(a)	 	to create a new holding company for the relevant Qualifying Company, such company having
substantially the same Shareholders and proportionate shareholdings as those of the Qualifying
Company immediately prior to the scheme of arrangement;
	 
	(b)	 	to give one Qualifying Company Control (directly or indirectly) of the other Qualifying
Company;

Page 7

 

	(c)	 	the person obtaining Control of the Company is one of the Qualifying Companies or a company
under the Control of one or both of them; or
	 
	(d)	 	the Company remains under the ultimate Control of the Shareholders of the Qualifying
Companies immediately prior to the relevant transaction affecting the Company.

10.2 If Rule 10.1 applies:

	(a)	 	Performance Share Awards will not Vest as a result of the relevant event;
	 
	(b)	 	Performance Share Awards will instead be exchanged for equivalent awards over such shares as
the Committee determines appropriate;
	 
	(c)	 	the Committee may make any modifications to the relevant Performance Target as it determines
appropriate.

10.3 The Committee may vary the application of this Rule 10 so that it applies to Performance Share
Awards over Shares in both Qualifying Companies or over Shares in only one Qualifying Company.

10.4 Where Rule 10 applies, a Participant will not be treated as ceasing to be an Employee until he
ceases to be employed by a company which is either the relevant holding company or a subsidiary of
the holding company (within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006).

11. Rollover on a change of control

11.1 The Committee may determine that Rules 8 or 9 will not apply on a change of Control of a
Qualifying Company or the Company (as applicable) and may, with the consent of the person obtaining
Control, (i) determine that the Performance Share Awards will be rolled over in accordance with
either the provisions of Rule 10.2 or Rule 11.2 or (ii) allow the Participants to choose between
Vesting under Rules 8 or 9 as applicable and rollover in accordance with, as determined by the
Committee, Rule 10.2 or Rule 11.2.

11.2 The Committee can determine that Performance Share Awards are rolled over in accordance with
the following terms:-

	(a)	 	the Performance Target will be assessed based on progress made against targets as at the date
of the relevant event as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion;
	 
	(b)	 	to the extent that the Performance Target has been met, the Performance Share Award will be
exchanged for an equivalent award over such shares as agreed between the Committee and the
person obtaining Control, and will Vest on the Normal Vesting Date subject to the Participant
remaining in employment within the acquirer group of companies (unless Rules 6.2 to 6.5 apply)
and will be subject to the Rules as they last had effect in relation to the Performance Share
Award that was rolled-over; and
	 
	(c)	 	to the extent that the Performance Target has not been met, the Performance Share Award will
immediately lapse.

Page 8

 

11.3 For the avoidance of doubt, in Rules 8, 9, 10 and 11, “Committee” means those people who were
members of the Committee immediately before the event by virtue of which the applicable Rule
applies.

12. Voluntary winding up

The provisions of Rule 8 will apply with such changes as may be necessary in the event that notice
is duly given of a resolution for a voluntary winding up of a Qualifying Company provided
that, all references in Rule 8 to the date of the relevant event will be treated as
references to the date on which notice is given for the voluntary winding-up of a Qualifying
Company.

13. Adjustment of awards

13.1 In the event of:

	(a)	 	any Capital Reorganisation; or

	(b)	 	the implementation by a Qualifying Company of a demerger or the payment by a Qualifying
Company of a super-dividend which would otherwise materially affect the value of a Performance
Share Award,

the number of Shares in that Qualifying Company comprised in a Performance Share Award may be
adjusted in such manner as the Committee determines.

14. Source of Shares

14.1 A Participant’s entitlement to Shares under this Plan will be satisfied from purchases on a
recognised stock exchange. No new Shares will be issued or Shares transferred out of treasury in
connection with the Plan.

15. Rights attaching to shares transferred pursuant to Performance Share awards

15.1 All Shares transferred on the Vesting of a Performance Share Award will rank pari passu in all
respects with the Shares in issue at the date of Vesting except in respect of any rights attaching
to such Shares by reference to a record date prior to the date of Vesting.

15.2 Any Shares acquired by a Participant under this Plan will be subject to the articles of
association of the relevant Qualifying Company from time to time.

16. Administration, amendment and Termination

16.1 The decision of the Committee will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Plan
including the exercise of any discretion under the Rules, the interpretation of the Rules and any
dispute relating to any matter in connection with the Rules.

16.2 The Committee may at any time discontinue the grant of further Performance Share
Awards or amend any of the provisions of the Plan in any way it thinks fit and such changes may
affect Performance Share Awards already granted.

Page 9

 

16.3 Without prejudice to any provision of the Plan which provides for the lapse of a Performance
Share Award, the Committee may not cancel a Performance Share Award unless the Participant agrees
in writing to such cancellation.

16.4 The Committee may terminate the Plan at any time. The termination of the Plan will not affect
existing Performance Share Awards.

17. General

Trustee funding

17.1 Any member of the Group may provide money to the trustees of any trust or any other person to
enable them or him to acquire Shares to be held for the purposes of satisfying Performance Share
Awards under the Plan, or enter into any guarantee or indemnity for these purposes, to the extent
not prohibited by the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

Discretionary nature of the Plan

17.2 The rights and obligations of a Participant under the terms and conditions of his office or
employment will not be affected by his participation in the Plan or any right he may have to
participate in the Plan.

17.3 Participation in this Plan does not imply any right to receive Performance Share Awards on the
same or any other basis in any other year.

17.4 The terms of the Plan do not entitle the Participant to the exercise of any discretion in his
favour.

17.5 An individual who participates in the Plan waives all and any rights to compensation or
damages in consequence of the termination of his office or employment with RE PLC, RE NV or any
member of the Group for any reason whatsoever insofar as those rights arise, or may arise, from his
ceasing to have rights under the Plan as a result of such termination or from the loss or
diminution in value of such rights. If necessary, the Participant’s terms of employment will be
varied accordingly.

Changes to a Qualifying Company’s capital structure

17.6 The existence of any Performance Share Award will not affect in any way the right or power of
the Company, the Qualifying Companies or their shareholders to
make or authorise any or all adjustments, recapitalisations, reorganisations or other changes in
the Company’s or either of the Qualifying Company’s capital structure, or any merger or
consolidation of the Company or Qualifying Companies, or any issue of shares, bonds, debentures,
preferred or prior preference stocks ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the
Shares or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or Qualifying
Companies or any sale or transfer of all or any part of their assets or business, or any other
corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

Notices

17.7 Any notice or other document which has to be given to a Participant under or in connection
with the Plan may be delivered or sent by post to him at his home

Page 10

 

address according to the records
of his employing company or sent by email or fax to any email address or fax number according to
the records of his employing company or, in either case, such other address as may appear to the
Company to be appropriate.

17.8 Notices sent by post to a Participant in the UK or US will be deemed to have been given two
days after the date of posting. However notices sent to a Participant in other countries will be
deemed to have been given on the seventh day after the date of posting.

17.9 Notices sent by email or fax, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, will be deemed to
have been received on the day after sending.

17.10 Any notice or other document required to be given to the Company under or in connection with
the Plan may be delivered or sent by post to it at its registered office (or such other place or
places as the Committee may from time to time determine and notify to Participants) or sent by
email or fax to any email address or fax number notified to the sender.

No transfer of Performance Share Awards

17.11 A Participant may not transfer, assign, charge or otherwise dispose of Performance Share
Awards, or any rights in respect of them, except on the transmission of Performance Share Awards on
the death of a Participant to his personal representatives or the assignment of a Performance Share
Award, with the prior consent of the Committee, subject to any terms and conditions the Committee
imposes. Any such attempted transfer will result in the lapse of the Performance Share Award.

Awards non-pensionable

17.12 Performance Share Awards and Dividend Equivalents under the Plan are not pensionable.

Taxation

17.13 Any liability of a Participant to taxation in respect of a Performance Share Award will be
for the account of the relevant Participant. By accepting a Performance Share Award, a Participant
agrees to comply with any arrangements specified by the Company for the payment of taxation
(including, without limitation, arranging the sale of sufficient Shares to enable the Company or
any member of the Group to satisfy its obligations in respect of deduction of taxation at source)
and to enter into any election specified by the Company under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the Income Tax
(Employment & Pensions) Act 2003 in respect of shares to which he is or may become entitled under
the Plan.

Stamp Duty

17.14 The Company or, where the Committee so directs, any member of the Group, will pay the
appropriate stamp duty on behalf of Participants in respect of any transfer of Shares on the
Vesting of a Performance Share Award.

Page 11

 

Data Protection

17.15 By accepting the grant of a Performance Share Award, a Participant consents to the holding
and processing of personal data provided by him to a Qualifying Company or any member of the Group,
and any other persons for all purposes related to the operation of the Plan and acknowledges that
the personal information may be transferred to, and stored at, a destination outside the European
Economic Area (“EEA”), and may also be processed by staff operating outside the EEA who work for a
Qualifying Company or any member of the Group or for one of their service providers. The Company
will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that a Participant’s personal data is treated
securely under appropriate contractual arrangements.

Governing Law

17.16 This Plan will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England.

Page 12

 

SCHEDULE 1

Performance Target

General

1. The following provisions apply to Performance Share Awards granted under the Plan, unless the
Committee determines otherwise at the Date of Grant in respect of any Performance Share Award.

2. Except as otherwise provided for in the Rules, the Performance Targets applicable to Performance
Share Awards will be measured after the end of the Performance Period for such Performance Share
Award.

3. There are three separate measures of equal weighting: a Relative Total Shareholder Return
measure (TSR Measure), a Return on Invested Capital measure (ROIC Measure) and an Adjusted Earnings
per Share measure (EPS Measure).

4. To the extent that the Performance Target is not satisfied, Performance Share Awards will lapse.

The TSR Measure

5.1 The Vesting of one third of the Performance Share Award is subject to the TSR ranking of Reed
Elsevier measured over the Performance Period. The portion of a Performance Share Award subject to
the TSR Measure is referred to as the “TSR Tranche”.

5.2 Three distinct comparator groups will be used — a Sterling Comparator Group, a Euro Comparator
Group and a US Dollar Comparator Group. The TSR performance of RE PLC ordinary shares (based on RE
PLC’s London listing) will be measured against the Sterling Comparator Group, the TSR performance
of RE NV ordinary shares (based on RE NV’s Amsterdam listing) will be measured against the Euro
Comparator Group; and the TSR performance of RE PLC ADRs and RE NV ADRs (based on the New York
listing) will be measured against the US Dollar Comparator Group. The TSR performance will be
measured separately against each comparator group and each ranking achieved will produce a payout,
if any, in respect of one third of the TSR Tranche. The proportion of the TSR Tranche which Vests
will be the sum of the payouts achieved against the three comparator groups.

5.3 TSR will be measured in local currency.

5.4 TSR for any company will be the percentage increase or decrease in the market value of a share
over the relevant Performance Period and shall take account of dividends and other distributions
paid in the course of that period (each such dividend being deemed to be reinvested in the shares
of each relevant company from the date of payment of the dividend to the last day of the
Performance Period).

5.5 Each comparator group comprises companies which were selected on the following basis: -

	 	•	 	they are included in a relevant market index as at 31 December 2009— FTSE100 for
the Sterling Comparator Group; Euronext100 and the

Page 13

 

	 	 	 	DAX30 for the Euro Comparator Group; and the S&P500 for the US Dollar Comparator Group;

	 	•	 	they are nearest in size to Reed Elsevier in terms of market capitalisation;

	 	 	excluding:

	 	•	 	companies with mainly domestic revenues (as they do not reflect the global nature
of the Qualifying Companies’ customer base);
	 
	 	•	 	those engaged in extractive industries (as they are exposed to commodity cycles);
and
	 
	 	•	 	financial services companies (as they have a different risk/reward profile).

Relevant listed global peers operating in businesses similar to those of Reed Elsevier not
otherwise included are added to the relevant comparator group.

Set out below are the comparators included in each comparator group:

	 	 	 	 	 
	STERLING	 	 	 	 
	COMPARATOR GROUP	 	EURO COMPARATOR GROUP	 	US DOLLAR COMPARATOR GROUP
	AGGREKO

	 	ACCOR
	 	3M
	ASTRAZENECA

	 	ADIDAS
	 	ADOBE SYSTEMS
	AUTONOMY CORP.

	 	AHOLD
	 	AGILENT TECHS.
	BAE SYSTEMS

	 	AIR LIQUIDE
	 	AIR PRDS. & CHEMS.
	BRITISH AIRWAYS

	 	AKZO NOBEL
	 	AMAZON.COM
	BRITISH AMERICAN
TOBACCO

	 	ALSTOM
	 	ANALOG DEVICES
	BUNZL

	 	ASML HOLDING
	 	APPLIED MATS.
	BURBERRY GROUP

	 	BASF
	 	AVON PRODUCTS
	COBHAM

	 	BMW
	 	BAXTER INTL.
	COMPASS GROUP

	 	CARREFOUR
	 	BECTON DICKINSON
	DMGT

	 	CHRISTIAN DIOR
	 	CATERPILLAR
	DIAGEO

	 	DAIMLER
	 	COLGATE-PALMOLIVE
	EXPERIAN

	 	DEUTSCHE POST
	 	CORNING
	GLAXOSMITHKLINE

	 	EADS
	 	CUMMINS
	INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS

	 	ESSILOR INTL.
	 	DEERE
	IMPERIAL TOBACCO GROUP

	 	HEINEKEN
	 	DOW CHEMICAL
	INFORMA

	 	HERMES INTL.
	 	DUN & BRADSTREET
	INMARSAT

	 	K + S
	 	E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS
	INTERNATIONAL POWER

	 	LAFARGE
	 	EBAY
	INTERTEK GROUP

	 	LAGARDERE GROUPE
	 	EMERSON ELECTRIC
	INVENSYS

	 	LINDE
	 	FICO
	JOHNSON MATTHEY

	 	LVMH
	 	FORD MOTOR
	KINGFISHER

	 	MAN
	 	GENZYME
	NATIONAL GRID

	 	METRO
	 	H.J. HEINZ
	PEARSON

	 	MICHELIN
	 	ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS
	RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP

	 	PERNOD-RICARD
	 	JOHN WILEY
	REXAM

	 	PHILIPS ELTN. KONINKLIJKE
	 	JOHNSON CONTROLS
	ROLLS-ROYCE GROUP

	 	PORTUGAL TELECOM SGPS
	 	JUNIPER NETWORKS
	SABMILLER

	 	PPR
	 	LIFE TECHNOLOGIES
	SAGE GROUP

	 	RENAULT
	 	MCDONALDS
	SHIRE

	 	SAINT-GOBAIN
	 	MCGRAW-HILL
	SMITH & NEPHEW

	 	SAP
	 	MICRON TECHNOLOGY
	SMITHS GROUP

	 	SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
	 	MOTOROLA
	THOMAS COOK GROUP

	 	SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT
	 	NEWS CORP

Page 14

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	STERLING	 	 	 	 
	COMPARATOR GROUP	 	EURO COMPARATOR GROUP	 	US DOLLAR COMPARATOR GROUP
	TUI TRAVEL

	 	THALES
	 	NIKE
	UNILEVER (LSE)

	 	THYSSENKRUPP
	 	NVIDIA
	UNITED BUSINESS MEDIA

	 	TNT
	 	PACCAR
	VODAFONE

	 	UNILEVER (AEX)
	 	PPG INDUSTRIES
	WOLSELEY

	 	VALLOUREC
	 	SPECTRA ENERGY
	WPP

	 	VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT
	 	TEXAS INSTS.
	 

	 	VOLKSWAGEN
	 	THOMSON REUTERS (NYSE)
	 

	 	WOLTERS KLUWER
	 	UNITED TECHNOLOGIES
	 

	 	 	 	YUM! BRANDS

5.6 Any changes in the comparator groups as a result of delisting or consolidation will be
treated in accordance with the methodology agreed by the Committee at its sole discretion from time
to time. In determining the methodology to be applied, the Committee will have due regard to market
practice, ensure a consistent application of the agreed methodology and be open and transparent
about the methodology applied.

5.7 The TSR ranking against the US Dollar Comparator Group will be calculated using the weighted
average of the TSRs of the RE PLC ADRs and the RE NV ADRs over the relevant period of measurement.

5.8 The number of Performance Shares in each third of the TSR Tranche which Vest will be calculated
as follows and will be added together to determine the total number of Performance Shares within
the TSR Tranche which are capable of Vesting:

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Vesting percentage of
	 	 	each third of the TSR
	TSR ranking within the relevant TSR comparator group	 	Tranche
	Below Median
	 	 	0	%
	Median
	 	 	30	%
	Upper quartile (top 25th percentile)
	 	 	100	%

5.9 Vesting is on a straight-line basis for ranking between median and upper quartile.

5.10 The averaging period applied for TSR measurement purposes is the six months before the start
of the Performance Period and the last six months of the Performance Period.

The ROIC Measure

6.1 The Vesting of one third of the Performance Share Award relates to the percentage return on
invested capital of the combined businesses of the Qualifying Companies. Vesting relates to the
percentage ROIC for the last financial year of the relevant Performance Period. The portion of a
Performance Share Award subject to the ROIC Measure is referred to as the ‘ROIC Tranche’.

6.2 With respect to Performance Share Awards granted in 2010, for any part of the ROIC Tranche to
Vest, the percentage ROIC for financial year 2012 must exceed the percentage ROIC for financial
year 2009, calculated on the same basis.

Page 15

 

6.3 The following definitions are relevant for ROIC:

	 	(i)	 	Invested capital = arithmetic average of the opening and closing capital
employed stated before financing and tax balances for the combined businesses of the
Qualifying Companies adjusted for major acquisition timing for the financial year
with all cumulative amortisation and impairment charges for acquired intangible
assets and goodwill added back and excluding the gross up to goodwill in respect of
deferred tax liabilities established on the acquisition of intangible assets
retranslated at the average and hedge exchange rates applicable to the financial
year before the start of the Performance Period . In addition, any exceptional
restructuring and acquisition related charges (net of tax) over the Performance
Period are capitalised for these purposes and the effect of changes in exchange
rates and movements in the net pension deficits are excluded.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Return = adjusted operating profit for the combined businesses of the
Qualifying Companies before amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible
assets and goodwill, exceptional restructuring and acquisition related charges and
grossed up to exclude the equity share of taxes in joint ventures and further
adjusted to exclude movements in the net pension financing credit, after applying
the effective rate of tax used for adjusted earnings calculations and using exchange
rates to match those used in the calculation of invested capital.

In order to ensure that the performance score achieved is a fair reflection of underlying business
performance, the Committee retains discretion to determine the treatment of major disposals and
acquisitions that require board approval. Any significant adjustments made to the final performance
score will be disclosed to shareholders.

6.4 The number of Performance Shares in the ROIC Tranche which are capable of Vesting will be
determined as follows:

	 	 	 	 	 
	ROIC Percentage -  measured in respect of last	 	Vesting percentage of
	financial year of the Performance Period	 	ROIC Tranche
	Below 10.2%
	 	 	0	%
	10.2%
	 	 	60	%
	11.2% or above
	 	 	100	%

6.5 Vesting is on a straight-line basis for performance between the minimum and maximum levels.

The EPS Measure

7.1 The Vesting of one third of the Performance Share Award relates to the average growth in
Adjusted Earnings per Share at constant currencies (Adjusted EPS) of the Qualifying Companies
measured, except as stated in Rule 7.2 below, over the Performance Period. The portion of the
Performance Share Award subject to the EPS Measure is referred to as the ‘EPS Tranche‘.

Page 16

 

7.2 With respect to Performance Share Awards granted in 2010, Average Adjusted EPS Growth is
measured over financial years 2011 and 2012 of the Qualifying Companies. In addition, for any part
of the EPS Tranche of the 2010 Performance Share Awards to Vest, Average Adjusted EPS Growth must
be positive over the three financial years of the Qualifying Companies ending 31 December 2012.

7.3 The following definitions apply in respect of Adjusted EPS:

	 	(i)	 	Adjusted EPS Growth = the arithmetic mean of the growth in Adjusted EPS
at constant currencies achieved by the Qualifying Companies over a relevant
financial year;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Average Adjusted EPS Growth = the average of the Adjusted EPS Growth over
the relevant period of measurement;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Adjusted Earnings = adjusted reported earnings. Adjustments include
amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill, exceptional
restructuring and acquisition related charges, gains/losses on business disposals
and other non-operating items, related tax effects and movements in deferred tax
balances not expected to crystallise in the near term. The Committee retains
discretion to adjust for changes in the net pension financing credit;
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Adjusted Earnings Per Share = Adjusted Earnings divided by the Number of
Shares;
	 
	 	(v)	 	Number of Shares = weighted average number of shares in issue excluding
shares held in treasury or by the Reed Elsevier Group plc Employee Benefit Trust;
and
	 
	 	(vi)	 	Constant currencies = refers to measurement at constant rates of exchange
using the prior full year average and hedge rates.

The Committee has discretion to adjust this definition of Adjusted EPS to take account of any
changes in recognised accounting standards or practice, fiscal regime or capital structure, to
ensure consistent measurement and accountability.

7.4 The number of Performance Shares in the EPS Tranche which are capable of Vesting will be
determined as follows:

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Vesting percentage
	Average Adjusted EPS Growth	 	of EPS Tranche
	Below 5% per annum
	 	 	0	%
	5% per annum
	 	 	60	%
	9% or above per annum
	 	 	100	%

7.5 Vesting is on a straight-line basis for performance between the minimum and maximum levels.

Page 17

 

Determining satisfaction of targets at end of Performance Period

8.1 Following the end of the relevant Performance Period the Committee will:

	 	(a)	 	calculate and confirm with the auditors the Average Adjusted EPS Growth and
ROIC over the relevant period of measurement; and
	 
	 	(b)	 	arrange for a reputable provider of such information to calculate and report
to the Committee on the TSR performance. If at the end of the Performance Period, any
of the companies in the comparator groups have undergone a change in circumstances
(such as delisting, the cessation of trading or merger with another company), the
Committee may determine the appropriate treatment for such companies in accordance
with its stated methodology for the purpose of determining their TSR and TSR ranking.

Adjustments

9. The Committee may make such adjustments to the Performance Target applicable to outstanding
Performance Share Awards as it considers appropriate to take account of any factors which are
relevant in the opinion of the Committee and in particular if there is an event which causes it to
consider that the Performance Target, or any part of it, is no longer a fair measure of
performance. The amended Performance Target shall be at least as challenging as the one originally
set.

10. The Committee has discretion to adjust the definition or method of calculation of Adjusted EPS
and ROIC (or any other applicable term or measure) as set out in this Schedule to take account of
any changes in recognised accounting standards or practice, fiscal regime or capital structure, to
ensure consistent measurement and accountability.

11. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs 9, 10 and 12, the Committee may, in
consultation with the auditors, make the following adjustments in relation to the calculations to
be carried out in accordance with this Schedule:

	 	(a)	 	any adjustments it considers appropriate if an event occurs giving rise to an
adjustment of Performance Share Awards under Rule 13 of the Plan;
	 
	 	(b)	 	any adjustments it considers appropriate to the calculation of TSR for each
of the companies in the comparator group to take account of local market factors; and
	 
	 	(c)	 	any adjustments it considers appropriate if there is any modification in the
calculation of TSR or in relation to the relevant international accounting standard
used to calculate EPS or ROIC.

Overriding Power

12. In determining the level of Vesting of a Performance Share Award under the Plan, the Committee
will take into account the overall business performance of the Qualifying Companies and the Group
over the relevant performance period and any other factors that it considers appropriate and may
modify the Vesting level if it considers that such a modification would result in a fairer outcome.

Page 18

 

SCHEDULE 2

US Participants

This Schedule was adopted by the directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc on 21 April 2010.

The Rules of the Plan apply to Performance Share Awards granted to US participants subject to the
modifications contained in this Schedule.

	 	(A)	 	In this Schedule, terms shall have the same meaning as in Rule 1 of the Rules
unless modified by this Schedule.
	 
	 	(B)	 	US Participant. Rule 1 is revised by the addition of the following
definition of “US Participant”:
	 
	 	 	 	US Participant means a Participant who is subject to United States taxation by
reason of being a United States national, or resident in the United States for
United States tax purposes;
	 
	 	(C)	 	“Retirement” means, for the purposes of the application of Rule 6.2(b) of the
Plan in relation to a US Participant, circumstances which the Committee determines on
a case by case basis and in its absolute discretion to constitute retirement
(irrespective of whether or not applicable retirement eligible criteria have been
met);
	 
	 	(D)	 	Normal Vesting — Release of Shares. Rule 4.2 shall have the additional
requirement that if Shares are to be released to a US Participant, they shall in all
instances be released no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which
Vesting occurs.
	 
	 	(E)	 	Dividend Equivalent — Cash Payment. Rule 5.2(c) shall have the additional
requirement that any cash payment to the US Participant under this Rule shall in all
instances be released no later than March 15 of the year following the year in which
Vesting occurs.
	 
	 	(F)	 	Dividend Equivalent — Shares in Lieu of Cash. Rule 5.3 shall have the
additional requirement that if Shares are to be released to a US Participant in lieu
of cash, they shall in all instances be released no later than March 15 of the year
following the year in which Vesting occurs.
	 
	 	(G)	 	Approved Leaver. Rule 6.2 shall have the additional requirement that the
Shares released to a US Participant shall in all instances be transferred to the US
Participant on or before March 15 of the year following the year in which Vesting
occurs.
	 
	 	(H)	 	Death, Injury, Disability and Ill-health. Rule 6.4 shall have the additional
requirement that the Shares released to a US Participant or to a US Participant’s
personal representative following the US Participant’s cessation of employment by
reason of death, injury, disability or ill-health shall in all instances be
transferred to the US

Page 19

 

	 	 	 	Participant or the Participant’s personal representative on or before March 15 of
the year following the year in which the US Participant’s cessation of employment
occurs.

	 	(I)	 	Award Rollover. Except to the extent consistent with the requirements of
Section 409A of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) for the deferral of
compensation without penalty or additional tax or unless an exception to the
application of Code Section 409A applies, Rule 11 shall not apply to any Performance
Share Award held by a US Participant if, at the time the election provided by Rule 11
is available to the US Participant, it has Vested. In such case, the Rules of the
Plan shall apply to the Performance Share Award without regard to Rule 11.
	 
	 	(J)	 	Application of Code Section 409A. Although neither the Committee nor any
member of the Group guarantees any particular tax treatment to a US Participant,
awards granted pursuant to this Schedule are intended to be exempt from Section 409A
of the Code under the exception for short-term deferrals set forth in Section
1.409A-1(b)(4) of the United States Income Tax Regulations (which requires, in the
case of an employer with a fiscal year ending 31 December, that Shares in satisfaction
of an award be transferred to the US Participant no later than March 15 of the
calendar year following the calendar year in which the award is no longer subject to a
substantial risk of lapsing) and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in
accordance with such intent.

Page 20

 

SCHEDULE 3

ELSEVIER REED FINANCE BV

The Rules of the Plan apply to Performance Share Awards granted to employees of Elsevier Reed
Finance BV (“ERF”), or of companies under the Control of ERF, subject to the modifications
contained in this Schedule.

	 	(A)	 	In this Schedule, terms shall have the same meaning as in Rule 1 of the Rules unless
modified by this Schedule.
	 
	 	(B)	 	The definition of Group shall be construed as including ERF and every company which
is under the Control or ERF.
	 
	 	(C)	 	Performance Share Awards shall not be granted under this Schedule without the
agreement of the supervisory board of ERF.

Page 21

 

SCHEDULE 4

French Participants

This Schedule was adopted by the directors of Reed Elsevier Group plc on 21 April 2010.

The purpose of this Schedule is to make certain variations to the terms of the Plan in order to
satisfy French securities laws, exchange control, corporate law and tax requirements (especially
the provisions of Articles L.225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code (FCC)) to qualify for
favourable income tax and social security treatment in France.

The Rules of the Plan apply to Performance Share Awards granted to French participants subject to
the modifications contained in this Schedule.

1. Definitions

	1.1	 	The definitions of Performance Share Award and Group in Rule 1.1 are deleted and
replaced with the following definitions:
	 
	 	 	Performance Share Award means a non-transferable, unfunded and conditional right granted
under Rule 3 to receive Shares without payment and references to Performance Shares will be
construed accordingly;
	 
	 	 	Group means the Company and (i) any company in which the Company holds, directly or
indirectly, at least 10 per cent of the share capital or voting rights; and (ii) any
company holding, directly or indirectly, at least 10 per cent of the share capital or
voting rights of the Company and (iii) any company for which at least 50 per cent of the
share capital or voting rights are held by a company which holds at least 50 per cent of
the share capital of the Company and member of the Group will be construed accordingly;
	 
	1.2	 	The following new definitions will be added for the purpose of Performance Share Awards
granted under this Schedule:
	 
	 	 	Defined Disability means a disability of the second or third category under the meaning of
Article L.341-4 of the French Social Security Code;
	 
	 	 	Eligible Individual means:

	 	•	 	any salaried employee of a member of the Group, or a corporate officer holding
the duties of Chairman of the Board, General Manager, Deputy General Managers, or
member of the Directory Board or Manager (respectively President du Conseil
d’administration, Directeur Général, Directeurs Généraux Délégués, membres du
Directoire and Gérant) of any member of the Group,
	 
	 	•	 	who is a salaried employee of the Company or any member of the Group who does
not hold 10% or more (taking into account any unvested Performance Share Awards
under this Plan or any other share plan subject to provisions of articles
L.225-197-1 et seq. of the

Page 22

 

	 	 	 	FCC) of the share capital of RE NV or RE PLC, or would, as a result of a grant
being made under this Plan, hold 10% or more of the share capital of RE NV or RE
PLC.

	 	 	Holding Period means a two-year period following the transfer of Shares under the Plan to a
Participant, during which the Shares cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of;

2. Rule 2 (Eligibility)

	 	 	In Rule 2.1, the word “Employee” will be replaced by “Eligible Individual”.

3. Rule 4 (Normal Vesting of Performance Share Awards) 

	3.1	 	Rule 4.1 shall be supplemented with the following provision:
	 
	 	 	“The Normal Vesting Date for Performance Share Awards will not be before the second
anniversary of the Date of Grant. Furthermore, if a Performance Share Award would otherwise
Vest in accordance with any provision of the Plan or of this Schedule 4 (except as provided
under Rule 6.5, as amended by paragraph 6.1 of this Schedule 4, (death and Defined
Disability)) before the second anniversary of the Date of Grant, the Performance Share
Award will not so Vest but will continue until the second anniversary of the Date of Grant,
or a later date as determined by the Committee, when it will Vest”.
	 
	3.2	 	The last sentence of Rule 4.2 will be deleted and replaced with the following:
	 
	 	 	“Any Vested Performance Shares will be transferred, as soon as reasonably practicable after
that date, subject to any Dealing Restrictions, to a share account administered in the name
of and for the benefit of the Participant by an account keeper (teneur de compte)
designated by the Committee. Participants will have full shareholder voting and dividend
rights on the transferred shares.
	 
	 	 	Any Shares transferred will be held by the account keeper on behalf of the Participant for
the duration of the Holding Period, except as provided under Rule 6.5, as amended by
paragraph 6.1 of this Schedule 4, (death and Defined Disability), or as otherwise provided
for in the FCC or in the French tax Code as an exception to the Holding Period.
	 
	 	 	On expiry of the Holding Period, the participant will be free to dispose of the Shares.”

4. Rule 5 (Entitlement to Dividend Equivalents)

	 	 	A Performance Share Award granted under this Schedule shall only be granted on the basis
that it carries a right to Dividend Equivalents to the extent permitted under the FCC and
the French Tax Code and without jeopardising the favourable tax and social security regime
applicable to the related Performance Share Awards.

Page 23

 

5. Rules 6.2 and 6.3 (Approved Leaver)

	5.1	 	Shares which Vest in accordance with Rule 6.2 will be subject to the Holding Period.
	 
	5.2	 	Rule 6.3 will not apply to Performance Share Awards granted under this Schedule.

6. Rules 6.4 and 6.5 (Death, Injury, Disability and ill-health)

	6.1	 	Rules 6.4 and 6.5 will be deleted and replaced with the following new Rules:

6.4 Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, in the event that the Participant ceases
to be an Employee before the Normal Vesting Date by reason of injury, disability or
ill-health (excluding Defined Disability), the Participant’s Performance Share Award
will be treated in accordance with Rule 6.2 and any Shares which Vest will be subject to
the Holding Period.

6.5 Notwithstanding any other Rule of the Plan, where a Participant ceases employment
before the Normal Vesting Date by reason of death or Defined Disability:

	 	a)	 	the Performance Share Award will Vest over a Pro-rated Number of Shares
subject to an assessment of performance based on progress made against the Performance
Target at the Termination Date as determined by the Committee in its absolute
discretion. Such determination will take place as soon as practicable after the
Termination Date and to the extent that the Performance Share Award does not Vest on
the date of determination, it will immediately lapse; or
	 
	 	b)	 	the Performance Target will be waived and/or the Performance Share Award will
Vest in full on or shortly after the Termination Date as determined by the Committee.
To the extent that the Performance Share Award does not Vest, it will immediately
lapse.

	 	 	Any Shares which Vest in accordance with this Rule 6.5 will be transferred to the
Participant (or, in the case of death, to the personal representatives of the Participant)
as soon as practicable following Vesting, and will not be subject to any Holding Period.

7. Rules 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 (Change of Control, Internal Reorganisation, Rollover,
Winding up, Adjustment of Awards) 

	 	 	Rules 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the Plan will apply in accordance with Article
L.225-197-1-III of the FCC to the extent that the Committee intends the Performance Share
Awards to maintain favourable tax treatment under this Schedule 4. However, in the event
the Committee does not intend to maintain such favourable tax treatment, Rules 8, 9, 10,
11, 12 and 13 of the Plan will prevail notwithstanding any possible detrimental tax or
social security consequences for the Participant.

8. Rule 16 (Administration, amendment and termination)

Page 24

 

	 	 	Rule 16.2 will be supplemented with the following words:
	 
	 	 	“provided that the changes do not affect the French qualifying status of the Performance
Share Awards granted under Schedule 4 and provided that no such changes will adversely
affect the rights of any Participant without such Participant’s consent”

9. Rule 17.11 (No transfer of Performance Share Awards)

	 	 	In Rule 17.11, the following words will be deleted:

	 	 	“or the assignment of a Performance Share Award, with the prior consent of the Committee,
subject to any terms and conditions the Committee imposes”

10. Rule 17.13 (Taxation) 

	 	 	In Rule 17.13, the following words will be deleted:
	 
	 	 	“and to enter into any election specified by the Company under Chapter 2 of Part 7 of the
Income Tax (employment & Pensions) Act 2003 in respect of shares to which he is or may
become entitled under the Plan”
	 
	 	 	In Rule 3.2, the wording after (ii) will be deleted.

11. Severability

The terms of the Plan, as amended by this Schedule 4, are severable and if any one or more
provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable under French law, in whole or in
part, the remaining provisions will nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

Page 25

 

SCHEDULE 5

Cash Alternative

If deemed necessary in order to ensure compliance with tax and legal country specific requirements
(e.g. exchange control and securities laws) in the countries in which the Plan operates then,
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in these Rules:

	 	(A)	 	The Committee may decide to satisfy a Performance Share Award by paying to the
Participant an amount equal to the market value (as determined in its discretion) of the
number of Shares which would otherwise be transferred following Vesting or an amount
determined on such other reasonable basis as the Committee may decide (which could for
example, allow for the deduction of any applicable expenses).
	 
	 	(B)	 	The Committee may grant a Performance Share Award on the basis that it will be
satisfied in cash, as opposed to Shares, as set out in (A) above.

Page 26exv4waw1

Exhibit
4(a).1 

FOR INFORMATION ONLY

The securities offered pursuant to the rights issue have not been and will not be registered
under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless in a
transaction that is registered thereunder or exempt from the registration requirements thereof. No
public offer has been or will be made in or into the United States.

 

 

EXECUTION VERSION

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 20 May 2010

Between:

	(1)	 	NATIONAL GRID PLC, a public company incorporated under the laws of England with registered
number 04031152, whose registered office is at 1-3 Strand, London WC2N 5EH (the Company);
	 
	(2)	 	[•];
	 
	(3)	 	[•];
	 
	(4)	 	[•], [•] ([•] and, together with [•], the Joint Sponsors); and
	 
	(5)	 	[•], ([•] and, together with [•] and [•], the Joint Bookrunners, the Joint Global
Co-ordinators and the Underwriters).

Whereas:

(A) The Company proposes to offer the New Shares by way of rights at the Issue Price on the terms
and subject to the conditions set out in the Prospectus and, where applicable, to be set out in the
Provisional Allotment Letter.

(B) The Directors have authority under section 551 of the Companies Act to allot the New Shares.

(C) The Underwriters have agreed on a several basis, on the terms and subject to the conditions set
out in this Agreement, to underwrite the Underwritten Shares in their Due Proportions and may (but
are not obliged to) seek sub-underwriters on the basis of the Press Announcement and the
Preliminary Results Announcement.

(D) The Company will apply for admission of the New Shares to the Official List and for admission
of the New Shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities. Each
of the Joint Sponsors has agreed to act as sponsor for the purpose of the Prospectus to be issued
in connection with the Rights Issue and Admission.

(E) The consideration received by the Company for the issue and allotment of the New Shares for the
Issue Price shall be the transfer of certain Newco Ordinary Shares and Newco Preference Shares by
the Newco Subscriber to the Company in accordance with the Subscription and Transfer Agreement.

(F) The Joint Global Co-ordinators have agreed to act as global co-ordinators in relation to the
Rights Issue on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement.

(G) The Joint Bookrunners have agreed to act as joint bookrunners in relation to the Rights Issue
on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement.

(H) Each of the Directors has irrevocably undertaken with the Company, subject to the publication
of the Prospectus, to either (i) apply under the Rights Issue for all of the New Shares to which he
or she will be entitled as a Qualifying Shareholder; or (ii) sell sufficient of

 Page 1

 

his or her Nil Paid Rights during the nil paid dealing period to meet the costs of taking up the
balance of his or her entitlements to New Shares under the Rights Issue.

(I) The Rights Issue is to be made (i) outside the United States within the meaning of and pursuant
to Regulation S (Regulation S) under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)
and (ii) within the United States only to a limited number of persons reasonably believed to be
“qualified institutional buyers” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (Rule
144A) or persons that are Directors of the Company who are “accredited investors” within the
meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act (Regulation D) and, pursuant to an exemption from,
or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

Now it is agreed as follows:

1. Definitions

1.1 In this Agreement:

Acceptance Date means 11 June 2010 or such later date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may
agree in writing, being no later than 16 June 2010;

Accounts means the audited consolidated accounts of the Group for the three years ended 31 March
2008, 2009 and 2010 (including, without limitation, the related directors’ and auditors’ reports,
the consolidated income statement, the balance sheets, the consolidated cashflow statement, the
consolidated statement of total recognised gains and losses, the reconciliation of movements in
shareholders’ funds and all related notes) incorporated by reference into the Prospectus;

Accounts Date means 31 March 2010;

Accredited Investors has the meaning given in Regulation D;

AI Letter means the letter in the agreed form, to be delivered by certain Qualifying Shareholders
in the United States who are both Accredited Investors and Directors of the Company in connection
with their participation in the Rights Issue;

Admission means the admission of the New Shares to the Official List becoming effective in
accordance with the Listing Rules and the admission of such shares (nil paid) to trading on the
London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities becoming effective in accordance with the
Admission and Disclosure Standards;

Admission and Disclosure Standards means the current Admission and Disclosure Standards published
by the London Stock Exchange;

Adverse Interest means any option, pledge, lien, claim, mortgage, charge, equity, trust, any other
right or interest of any third party and any other encumbrance of any kind and including, for the
avoidance of doubt, any pre-emptive or similar right;

affiliate has the meaning given in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D or Rule 405 under the Securities
Act, as applicable;

 Page 2

 

Annual Report means the annual report and accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2010
to be published on the Publication Date;

Annual Results means the annual results of the Company, whether in preliminary or audited form, for
the year ended 31 March 2010;

associate has the meaning ascribed in section 345 of the Companies Act 2006;

Auditors means PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP;

Banks means [•], [•], [•] and [•] and Bank shall mean any one of them;

Banks’ Counsel means [•];

Banks’ Engagement Letters means the [•] Engagement Letter and the [•] Engagement Letter;

Board means the board of directors of the Company or a duly constituted and authorised committee
thereof;

Business Day means any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a bank or public holiday in England
and Wales;

Capita means Capita Registrars Limited;

City Code means the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers;

Claims means any and all claims, actions, liabilities, demands, proceedings, regulatory or
governmental investigations, judgments or awards whatsoever (and in each case whether or not
successful, compromised or settled and whether joint or several) threatened, asserted, established
or instituted against or otherwise involving any Indemnified Person and Claim shall be construed
accordingly;

Companies Act means the Companies Act 2006 to the extent in force from time to time;

Company’s Counsel means Linklaters LLP;

Conditions means the conditions set out in Clause 2.1;

CREST means the relevant system (as defined in the Regulations) in respect of which Euroclear is
the Operator (as defined in the Regulations);

[•] Indemnified Persons means:

	(a)	 	[•] and any subsidiary, branch or affiliate of [•];
	 
	(b)	 	a person who is, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement, a director, officer,
partner, employee or agent of an undertaking specified in paragraph (a) above; and
	 
	(c)	 	[•], its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls [•]within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and [•]’s

 Page 3

 

	 	 	respective affiliates, subsidiaries, branches, associates and holding companies and the
subsidiaries of such subsidiaries, branches, affiliates, associates and holding companies
and each of such person’s respective directors, officers, employees and agents,

and [•] Indemnified Person shall be construed accordingly;

Dealing Day means a day on which dealings in domestic equity market securities may take place on
the London Stock Exchange;

Directors means the persons named in the Prospectus as directors of the Company;

Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules means the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules of the
FSA made under section 73A of FSMA;

Draft Annual Report means the draft annual report and accounts of the Company for the year ended 31
March 2010, in the agreed form;

Draft Prospectus means the draft prospectus in the agreed form;

Due Proportions has the meaning set out in Clause 9.1;

Environmental Laws has the meaning given to it in paragraph 26.1 of Schedule 3;

Euroclear means Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited;

Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

Excluded Shareholders means, subject to certain exceptions, Ordinary Shareholders with registered
addresses in the Excluded Territories on the Record Date;

Excluded Territories means the United States, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, South Africa and
Switzerland;

Facilities has the meaning given to it in paragraph 11.3 of Schedule 3;

FCPA has the meaning given to it in paragraph 29.1 of Schedule 3;

FSA means the Financial Services Authority acting in its capacity as the competent authority for
the purposes of Part VI of the FSMA and in the exercise of its functions in respect of the
admission of securities to the Official List of the Financial Services Authority otherwise than in
accordance with Part VI of the FSMA, including, where the context so permits, any committee,
employee, officer or servant to whom any function of the Financial Services Authority may for the
time being be delegated;

FSA Rules means the FSA Handbook of Rules and Guidance as amended from time to time;

FSMA means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended;

Fully Paid Rights means fully paid rights to subscribe for New Shares;

 Page 4

 

Group means the Company and its subsidiaries and its subsidiary undertakings and Group Company
means any one of them;

Hazardous Materials has the meaning given to it in paragraph 26.1 of Schedule 3;

HMRC means Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs;

IFRS means International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union;

Indemnified Person means any and each [•] Indemnified Person, [•] Indemnified Person and [•]
Indemnified Person;

Intellectual Property Rights means patents, trade marks, service marks, logos, get-up, trade names,
rights in designs, copyright (including rights in computer software), internet domain names, moral
rights, utility models, rights in know how, rights in databases and other intellectual property
rights, in each case whether registered or unregistered and including applications for the grant of
any such rights and all rights or forms of protection having equivalent or similar effect anywhere
in the world;

Investor Letter means the QIB Letter or the AI Letter;

Issue Price means 335 pence per New Share;

IT Systems means the information technology used by members of the Group or required for use in
their business, including hardware, proprietary and third party software, networks, peripherals and
associated documentation;

Joint Bookrunners means [•], [•] and [•] and Joint Bookrunner shall mean any one of them;

Joint Global Co-ordinators means [•], [•] and [•]and Joint Global Co-ordinator shall mean any one
of them;

Joint Sponsors means [•]and [•] and Joint Sponsor shall mean either of them;

Limitation has the meaning given in Clause 13.9;

Listing Rules means the Listing Rules of the FSA made under section 73A of the FSMA;

London Stock Exchange means London Stock Exchange plc;

Losses means any and all loss, damage, cost, liability, demand, charge or expense (including legal
fees) and taxation, in each case whether joint or several, which any Indemnified Person may suffer
or incur (including, but not limited to all Losses suffered or incurred in investigating, preparing
for or disputing or defending or settling any Claim and/or in establishing its right to be
indemnified or to receive a contribution pursuant to Clause 13 or in seeking advice regarding any
Claim or in any way related to in connection with the indemnity contained in Clause 13 or the
provisions of Clause 14) and Loss shall be construed accordingly;

 Page 5

 

Material Adverse Change means a change in, or any development involving a prospective change in or
affecting, the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), or in the earnings,
liquidity, management, funding position, business affairs or operations, solvency or prospects of
the Group, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, which is, or is reasonably
likely to be, material in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission;

[•] Engagement Letter means the engagement letter between [•] and the Company dated 20 May 2010;

[•] Indemnified Persons means:

	(a)	 	[•] and any subsidiary, branch or affiliate of [•];
	 
	(b)	 	a person who is, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement, a director, officer,
partner, employee or agent of an undertaking specified in paragraph (a) above; and
	 
	(c)	 	[•], its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls [•] within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and [•]’s respective
affiliates, subsidiaries, branches, associates and holding companies and the subsidiaries of
such subsidiaries, branches, affiliates, associates and holding companies and each of such
person’s respective directors, officers, employees and agents,

and [•] Indemnified Person shall be construed accordingly;

Money Laundering Laws has the meaning given to it in paragraph 28 of Schedule 3;

[•] Engagement Letter means the engagement letter between [•] and the Company dated 20 May 2010;

[•] Indemnified Persons means:

	(a)	 	[•] [•] and any subsidiary, branch or affiliate of [•] or [•];
	 
	(b)	 	a person who is, on or at any time after the date of this Agreement, a director, officer,
partner, employee or agent of an undertaking specified in paragraph (a) above; and
	 
	(c)	 	[•], [•], their selling agents and each person, if any, who controls [•] or [•] within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and [•]’s and
[•]’s respective affiliates, subsidiaries, branches, associates and holding companies and the
subsidiaries of such subsidiaries, branches, affiliates, associates and holding companies and
each of such person’s respective directors, officers, employees and agents,

and [•] Indemnified Person shall be construed accordingly;

Newco means National Grid Jersey Investments Three Limited, a company incorporated in Jersey in
connection with the Rights Issue;

 Page 6

 

Newco A Preference Shares means 250,000,000 redeemable ‘A’ preference shares of £0.0001 each in the
capital of Newco;

Newco B Preference Shares means 250,000,000 redeemable ‘B’ preference shares of £0.0001 each in the
capital of Newco;

Newco Counsel means Ogier, solicitors and advocates of Whiteley Chambers, Don Street, St Helier,
Jersey JE4 9WG;

Newco Ordinary Shares means ordinary shares of £1.00 each in the capital of Newco;

Newco Preference Shares means Newco ‘A’ Preference Shares and Newco ‘B’ Preference Shares;

Newco Subscriber means [•] in its capacity as subscriber for the Newco Ordinary Shares and the
Newco Preference Shares under the terms and subject to the conditions of the Subscription and
Transfer Agreement;

New Shares means 990,439,017 new Ordinary Shares which are to be allotted pursuant to the Rights
Issue;

Nil Paid Rights means the New Shares in nil paid form provisionally allotted to Qualifying
Shareholders in connection with the Rights Issue;

OECD Convention has the meaning given to it in paragraph 29.1 of Schedule 3;

OFAC has the meaning given to it in paragraph 29.9 of Schedule 3;

Official List means the Official List of the FSA;

Option Agreement means the initial subscription and put and call option deed relating to Newco
Ordinary Shares to be entered into on the date hereof between the Company, Newco and the Newco
Subscriber providing, inter alia, for the subscription of certain Newco Ordinary Shares by the
Newco Subscriber and the Company;

Ordinary Shareholders means holders of Ordinary Shares;

Ordinary Shares means ordinary shares of 1117/43 pence each in the capital of
the Company;

Participating Security has the meaning given to it in the Regulations;

Preliminary Results Announcement means the preliminary statement of annual results for the year
ended and as at 31 March 2010, in the agreed form and to be dated the date of this Agreement;

Presentation Materials means the written materials in the agreed form used and to be used by the
Company in presentations to institutional investors in connection with the Rights Issue and/or the
Annual Results;

Press Announcement means the press announcement in the agreed form to be dated the date of this
Agreement giving details of, inter alia, the Rights Issue;

 Page 7

 

Previous Announcements means all documents issued and announcements (other than the Press
Announcement and the Rule 135c Press Announcement) made by or on behalf of the Company or any
member of the Group to the public or the press since the Accounts Date and before the date of this
Agreement;

Principal Group Company means each of National Grid Gas plc, National Grid Electricity Transmission
plc, New England Power Company, Massachusetts Electric Company, The Narragansett Electric Company,
Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, National Grid Metering Limited, Utility Metering Services
Limited, National Grid Grain LNG Limited LNG, Boston Gas Company (incorporated in the US), National
Grid Electric Services LLC, National Grid Generation LLC, New England Electric Transmission
Corporation, Nantucket Electric Company, KeySpan Gas East Corporation, The Brooklyn Union Gas
Company, NGG Finance plc, British Transco Finance Inc., British Transco International Finance BV,
National Grid Property Limited, National Grid Holdings One plc, Lattice Group plc, National Grid
USA, Niagara Mohawk Holdings, Inc., National Grid Commercial Holdings Limited, National Grid Gas
Holdings Limited, National Grid (US) Holdings Limited, National Grid Holdings Limited and KeySpan
Corporation;

Prospectus means the prospectus (comprising a prospectus for the purposes of the FSMA, the Listing
Rules and the Prospectus Rules) in the agreed form to be published by the Company in connection
with the Rights Issue, together with the documents incorporated by reference therein;

Prospectus Directive means the EU Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC);

Prospectus Rules means the Prospectus Rules of the FSA made under s73A of the FSMA;

Provisional Allotment Letter means the form of renounceable provisional allotment letter, in the
agreed form, to be issued or made available by the Company, subject to Clause 4.6, to Qualifying
Non-CREST Holders in connection with the Rights Issue;

Publication Date means the date on which the Company is to publish the Prospectus being 25 May 2010
or such later date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree in writing;

QIBs or qualified institutional buyers, has the meaning given in Rule 144A under the Securities
Act;

QIB Letter means the letter, in the agreed form, to be delivered by Qualifying Shareholders in the
United States who are QIBs in connection with their participation in the Rights Issue;

QIB Rump Letter means the letter, in the agreed form, to be delivered by subscribers for the New
Shares that were not originally taken up in the Rights Issue, who are located in the United States;

Qualifying CREST Holders means Qualifying Shareholders who hold Ordinary Shares in uncertificated
form;

Qualifying Non-CREST Holders means Qualifying Shareholders who hold Ordinary Shares in certificated
form;

 Page 8

 

Qualifying Shareholders means Ordinary Shareholders on the register of members of the Company as at
the Record Date (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company as the direct or indirect
holder of treasury shares);

Qualifying US Shareholders means Qualifying Shareholders in the United States who are either QIBs
or certain Directors of the Company who are Accredited Investors;

Receiving Agent or Registrar means Capita;

Receiving Agent Agreement means the receiving agent agreement in the agreed form to be entered into
on the date hereof between the Company, Newco, the Newco Subscriber and the Receiving Agent in
relation to the Rights Issue;

Record Date means the close of business on 19 May 2010;

Regulations means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755);

Regulation D has the meaning given to it in Recital (I);

Regulation S has the meaning given to it in Recital (I);

Regulatory Information Service means any of the services set out in Schedule 12 to the Listing
Rules;

Relevant Documents means the Prospectus, any Supplementary Prospectus, the Summaries of the
Prospectus, the Provisional Allotment Letters, any explanatory documents which may accompany the
Prospectus and/or Provisional Allotment Letters, the Shareholder Guide, the QIB Letter, the AI
Letter, the QIB Rump Letter, the Presentation Materials, the Preliminary Results Announcement, the
Press Announcement, the 135c Press Announcement and any other documents, announcements or other
communications issued in connection with the Rights Issue or the offering of the New Shares;

Rights Issue means the offer of New Shares on the basis set out in Recital (A);

Rule 135c means Rule 135c under the Securities Act;

Rule 135c Press Announcement means the Rule 135c compliant press announcement in the agreed form to
be dated the date of this Agreement giving details of the Rights Issue, to be made available in the
United States;

Rule 144A has the meaning given to it in Recital (I);

Sanctions has the meaning given to it in paragraph 29.9 of Schedule 3;

Securities Act means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

Selling Restrictions means the selling restrictions set out in Schedule 5;

Settlement Bank means [•];

 Page 9

 

Settlement Date means the date for settlement of the Joint Bookrunners’ payment obligations to the
Company pursuant to Clauses 8.6 and of the Underwriters’ payment obligations to the Company
pursuant to Clause 9.2;

Shareholder Guide means the guide for Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders, explaining in plain
English the terms and conditions of the Rights Issue and the options available to Qualifying
Non-CREST Shareholders in respect of the Provisional Allotment Letter, in the agreed form;

Specified Warranties means paragraphs 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 2.9, 7.1(a) and (e), 9.1, 9.2, 10,
11.2, 11.3 (last sentence only), 11.6, 12.2, 14.1, 14.2, 15.4, 15.5(b) and (c), 15.6 (solely in
relation to any Group Company other than the Company), 18(iii), 20, 23, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3 and 26.2
of Schedule 3;

Subscription and Transfer Agreement means the subscription and transfer deed in the agreed form to
be entered into on the date hereof between the Company, Newco and the Newco Subscriber providing,
inter alia, for the acquisition by the Company from the Newco Subscriber of the Newco Preference
Shares and certain Newco Ordinary Shares;

Summaries of the Prospectus means the translations of the section of the Prospectus entitled
“Summary” prepared in connection with the passporting of the Prospectus into Cyprus, France,
Germany, Greece and Spain, including any supplements thereto;

Supplementary Prospectus means any supplementary prospectus published by the Company pursuant to
section 87G of the FSMA;

taken up has the meaning given in Schedule 1;

tax or taxes or taxation means all taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges or withholdings of any
nature whatsoever imposed by a tax authority of any jurisdiction, together with all penalties,
charges and interest relating to any of the foregoing and regardless of whether the person
concerned is primarily or directly liable or not and regardless of whether or not such taxes,
levies, imposts, duties, charges, withholdings, penalties and interest are attributable directly or
primarily to the person concerned, including (without limitation) corporation tax, advance
corporation tax, income tax, capital gains tax, VAT, duties of customs and excise, national
insurance contributions, capital duty, stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, stamp duty land tax and
any other transfer tax or duty, all taxes, duties or charges replaced by or replacing any of them,
and all other taxes on gross or net income, profits or gains, distributions, receipts,
importations, sales, use, occupation, franchise, value added, and personal property;

Time of Procurement means a time falling within the period commencing at 7.00 a.m. on the first
Dealing Day following the Acceptance Date and ending on the third Dealing Day following the
Acceptance Date, as is notified to the Company by the Joint Bookrunners as the time of procurement
with respect to their endeavours to procure subscribers for such number of New Shares equivalent to
the number of Underwritten Shares which are not taken up by Qualifying Shareholders, in accordance
with Clause 8.4;

 Page 10

 

Transaction Bank Account means the cash account in the name of the Receiving Agent to be
established in accordance with the Receiving Agent Agreement;

Transfer Taxes means stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax, capital duty or any similar issuance or
transfer tax or duty and any related costs, fines, penalties or interest (if any) whether of the
United Kingdom, Jersey or elsewhere;

Transaction Documents means this Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, the Option
Agreement and the Receiving Agent Agreement;

UK Listing Authority means the Financial Services Authority acting in its capacity as the competent
authority for the purposes of Part VI of the FSMA and in the exercise of its functions in respect
of the admission of securities to the Official List otherwise than in accordance with Part VI of
the FSMA;

Underwriters means [•], [•] and [•], and Underwriter means any of them;

Underwritten Shares means 990,439,017 New Shares;

United Kingdom or UK means Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

United States or U.S. means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any
state of the United States of America and the District of Columbia;

Untraceable Shareholders means those Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders in relation to whom notices
or other communications have been returned undelivered on two consecutive occasions when such
notices have been sent by post to such a Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholder at their registered
address (or, in the case of shareholders whose registered address is not in the United Kingdom, any
address given to the Company for sending notices);

VAT means value added tax chargeable under or pursuant to the Value Added Tax Act 1994 or the EC
Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax and any other sales, purchase
or turnover tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in the United Kingdom or elsewhere;

Verification Materials means the materials in the agreed form confirming the accuracy of certain
information contained in the Prospectus, the Press Announcement, the Presentation Materials and any
Supplementary Prospectus and including copies of the documents referred to therein and a schedule
of forward-looking statements and statements of directors’ belief and expectation contained in the
Prospectus, the Press Announcement, the Presentation Materials and any Supplementary Prospectus;

Warranties means the representations, warranties and undertakings set out in Clause 11 and
Schedule 3 and Warranty shall be construed accordingly;

Working Capital Memorandum means the cash flow and working capital memorandum prepared by the
Company, in the agreed form, relating to the Group, dated the Publication Date; and

 Page 11

 

Working Capital Report means the cash flow and working capital report prepared by the Auditors in
the agreed form relating to the Group for the period to 30 November 2011 and dated the Publication
Date.

	1.2	 	In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:
	 
	(a)	 	a reference to certificated or certificated form in relation to a share or other security is
a reference to a share or other security title to which is recorded on the relevant register
of the share or other security as being held in certificated form;
	 
	(b)	 	a reference to uncertificated or uncertificated form in relation to a share or other security
is a reference to a share or other security title to which is recorded on the relevant
register of the share or other security as being held in uncertificated form, and title to
which, by virtue of the Regulations, may be transferred by means of CREST;
	 
	(c)	 	words and expressions defined in the Companies Act shall bear the same meaning, including,
for the avoidance of doubt, holding company, subsidiary undertaking and subsidiary;
	 
	(d)	 	headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement;
	 
	(e)	 	any reference to an enactment is a reference to it as from time to time amended, consolidated
or re enacted (with or without modification) (but, in the case of any amendment, consolidation
or re-enactment effected after the date of Admission, only insofar as it applies in relation
to a period before Admission and provided that no such amendment, consolidation or
re-enactment shall increase or extend the liability of any party to this Agreement) and
includes all instruments or orders made under the enactment;
	 
	(f)	 	references in this Agreement to any document expressed to be in the agreed form means a
document in the form initialled, for the purpose of identification only, by Company’s Counsel
and Banks’ Counsel, or as otherwise expressly confirmed as being in the agreed form by
communications between the Banks’ Counsel and the Company’s Counsel, subject to any changes
which the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree in writing;
	 
	(g)	 	any reference to recitals, clauses and schedules are to recitals, clauses and schedules to
this Agreement, and references to paragraphs are to paragraphs in the schedule in which such
references appear, and the schedules to this Agreement form part of the Agreement;
	 
	(h)	 	each reference in this Agreement to the Joint Sponsors (or either of them), the Joint Global
Co-ordinators (or any of them), the Joint Bookrunners (or any of them) or the Underwriters (or
any of them), by any description or in any capacity, includes a reference to it in each other
capacity in which it may act pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise expressly confirmed with
the agreement of the Company in connection with the Rights Issue;

 Page 12

 

	(i)	 	any reference to the Joint Sponsors, the Joint Global Co-ordinators, the Joint Bookrunners
and/or the Underwriters approving or agreeing the form of a Relevant Document, shall be a
reference to such approval or agreement being given solely for the purposes of this Agreement;
and
	 
	(j)	 	unless otherwise stated, references to time are references to London time.

2. Conditions

2.1 The Banks’ respective obligations under this Agreement (save for the obligations of the Joint
Sponsors under Clause 3.6) are conditional on:

	(a)	 	the Company having complied with all of its obligations and undertakings under this Agreement
and under the terms and conditions of the Rights Issue which fall to be performed or satisfied
prior to Admission and which, in any such case, all of the Joint Bookrunners consider (acting
in good faith) to be, singly or in the aggregate, material in the context of the Group, the
Rights Issue or Admission;
	 
	(b)	 	publication of both the Press Announcement and the Preliminary Results Announcement through a
Regulatory Information Service by no later than 7.00 a.m. on the date of this Agreement;
	 
	(c)	 	approval of the Prospectus as a prospectus by the UK Listing Authority and the Prospectus
being filed with the FSA in accordance with the Prospectus Rules and the FSMA by no later than
2.00 p.m. on the Publication Date and made available to the public by no later than 5.00 p.m.
on the Publication Date;
	 
	(d)	 	the posting of the Provisional Allotment Letters to Qualifying Non-CREST Shareholders (other
than Untraceable Shareholders) and the sending of a CREST instruction to credit the CREST
accounts of Qualifying CREST Shareholders as contemplated in the Prospectus and in accordance
with Clause 4.6;
	 
	(e)	 	the Warranties on the part of the Company contained in this Agreement being true and accurate
in all respects and not misleading in any respect on and as of the date of this Agreement and
at all times before Admission as if they had been repeated by reference to the facts and
circumstances then existing;
	 
	(f)	 	(i) no event referred to in section 87G(1) of the FSMA arising between the time of
publication of the Prospectus and Admission, and (ii) no Supplementary Prospectus being
published by or on behalf of the Company before Admission, in each case which all of the Joint
Bookrunners consider (acting in good faith) to be, singly or in the aggregate, material in the
context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission;
	 
	(g)	 	Admission occurring not later than 8.00 a.m. on 26 May 2010 or such later time and/or date
(not later than 1 June 2010) as the Company may agree with the Joint Bookrunners;
	 
	(h)	 	each condition to enable the Nil Paid Rights and the Fully Paid Rights to be admitted as a
Participating Security in CREST (other than Admission) being satisfied on or before the
Publication Date;

 Page 13

 

	(i)	 	delivery of all the documents referred to in Parts A, B, C, and D (if relevant and if prior
to Admission) of Schedule 2 by the Company to the Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of the
Banks) by the dates and times envisaged therein;
	 
	(j)	 	in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners (acting in good faith), there having been no
Material Adverse Change at any time prior to Admission;
	 
	(k)	 	in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners (acting in good faith), there being no
information in the Prospectus (and/or in any other publication or announcement issued or to be
issued by the Company on or after the date of this Agreement but prior to or at the same time
as publication of the Prospectus) that is material in the context of the Group, the Rights
Issue or Admission that is not contained in the Draft Prospectus and there being no other
material (in the foregoing context) differences between the Prospectus and the Draft
Prospectus; and
	 
	(l)	 	delivery of the Annual Report to the FSA’s document viewing facility prior to the Prospectus
having been approved by the UK Listing Authority and following such delivery, notification to
a Regulatory Information Service of such delivery by no later than close of business on the
Publication Date.

2.2 The Joint Bookrunners may, in their absolute discretion and subject to such conditions as they
consider appropriate, acting jointly:

	(a)	 	extend the time or date for satisfaction of any condition set out in Clause 2.1, in which
case a reference in this Agreement to the satisfaction of such condition shall be to its
satisfaction by the time or date as so extended; or
	 
	(b)	 	waive the satisfaction of any such condition, other than those conditions in Clauses 2.1(c)
and 2.1(g) in whole or in part,

by giving written notice to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of the Joint
Bookrunners under this Clause 2.2:

	 	(i)	 	may be exercised by the Joint Bookrunners, acting jointly, and
except where provided otherwise herein, for whatever reason or on whatever basis
that they consider to be practicable, appropriate or advisable to them; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	are conferred on the Joint Bookrunners, and may be exercised by
the Joint Bookrunners, acting jointly, in their respective capacities as such,
and not in any representative or fiduciary capacity.

2.3 If any condition set out in Clause 2.1 is not satisfied (or waived by the Joint Bookrunners,
acting jointly, in their absolute discretion, in accordance with Clause 2.2), or becomes incapable
of being satisfied, by the required time and date therefor then (following consultation with the
Company to the extent practicable):

	(a)	 	each of the Joint Sponsors, for itself in its capacity as sponsor only, shall be entitled to
terminate this Agreement insofar as it relates to the obligations of such Joint Sponsor in its
capacity as sponsor and, in the event of such termination, the obligations of such Joint
Sponsor in its capacity as sponsor under this Agreement

 Page 14

 

	 	 	shall cease and determine, without prejudice to any liability for any prior breach of this
Agreement (including, without limitation, breach of any of the representations, warranties
and undertakings contained herein); and

	(b)	 	in the event of such termination, a terminating Joint Sponsor, for itself in its capacity as
sponsor only, shall be entitled to require (and shall require) the other parties to remove or
procure the removal of its name and all references to it from any application made to the UK
Listing Authority and/or the London Stock Exchange, in connection with Admission, and if both
of the Joint Sponsors (each in their capacity as sponsor) exercise their right to terminate,
such application shall be withdrawn.

2.4 If any condition set out in Clause 2.1 is not satisfied (or waived by the Joint Bookrunners,
acting jointly, in their absolute discretion, in accordance with Clause 2.2), or becomes incapable
of being satisfied, by the required time and date therefor then (following consultation with the
Company to the extent practicable):

	(a)	 	each of the Joint Bookrunners shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement in its entirety
and, in the event of such termination, the obligations of all of the parties (save for the
obligations and agreements of the Company (where applicable) under Clauses 10.5, 11 (other
than 11.10), 12, 13, 14, 16 and 19 to 28 inclusive and each other provision necessary for a
party to enforce those Clauses) under this Agreement shall cease and determine, without
prejudice to any liability for any prior breach of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, breach of any of the Warranties contained herein);
	 
	(b)	 	the Company shall announce, in terms agreed with the Joint Bookrunners and as soon as
practicable following such agreement, that the Rights Issue has not become unconditional and
will not take place, and that this Agreement has terminated; and
	 
	(c)	 	subject to Clause 2.4(b), the Company shall not (and the Company shall use all reasonable
endeavours to procure that no member of the Group will) for a period of 90 days following such
time and date circulate, distribute, publish, issue or make (nor authorise any other person to
circulate, distribute, publish, issue or make) any press or other public announcement or any
advertisement, statement or communication which names or references the circumstances of
termination or the Banks in any manner whatsoever, without having received the prior written
consent of the Joint Bookrunners to the release of the press or other public announcement,
advertisement, statement or communication (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed and it being acknowledged by the Banks that this Clause 2.4(c) will not prevent the
Company from issuing or making any announcement in order to comply with law or regulation,
provided that the Company shall have consulted with the Joint Bookrunners in relation thereto,
to the extent reasonably practicable, and taken into account their reasonable requirements),

provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the obligations of the Banks under this Agreement shall
not remain subject to any of the conditions set out in this Clause 2 nor be capable of termination
at any time after Admission.

 Page 15

 

2.5 The Company shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that each of the conditions referred
to in Clause 2.1 is satisfied within the relevant time.

3. Application for listing, admission to trading and to CREST

3.1 The Company undertakes to apply to:

	(a)	 	the UK Listing Authority for admission of the New Shares to the Official List;
	 
	(b)	 	the London Stock Exchange for admission to trading of the New Shares (nil paid and fully
paid) on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities; and
	 
	(c)	 	Euroclear for admission of each of the Nil Paid Rights and Fully Paid Rights as a
Participating Security in CREST.

The Company shall use all reasonable endeavours to obtain permission: (a) for the admission of the
New Shares to the Official List; (b) for admission to trading of the New Shares on the London Stock
Exchange’s main market for listed securities (subject only to the allotment of the New Shares); and
(c) for admission of each of the Nil Paid Rights and Fully Paid Rights as a Participating Security
in CREST (subject only to Admission) as soon as practicable and, in any event, prior to the
Publication Date.

3.2 The Company undertakes to apply for formal approval of the Prospectus for the purposes of, and
in accordance with, the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules and shall use all reasonable
endeavours to obtain such approval as soon as practicable and in any event before despatching the
Prospectus.

3.3 The Company shall supply all information, give all undertakings, execute all documents, pay all
fees and do or procure to be done all things in each case as may be necessary or required: (a) by
the UK Listing Authority and/or the London Stock Exchange for the purposes of obtaining formal
approval of the Prospectus and obtaining Admission; or (b) to comply with the Listing Rules, the
Prospectus Rules the Admission and Disclosure Standards, the FSMA and the Companies Act; or (c) by
Euroclear for the purposes of obtaining permission for the admission of the Nil Paid Rights and the
Fully Paid Rights as a Participating Security in CREST.

3.4 The Company shall notify the Joint Bookrunners immediately of any matter referred to in section
87G(1) of the FSMA which arises between the time that the Prospectus is formally approved by the UK
Listing Authority and 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date. The Company shall deal with every such
matter in accordance with section 87G of the FSMA, the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules and
the Company shall not publish or cause to be published any Supplementary Prospectus: (i) without
having previously consulted with the Joint Bookrunners and taken into account their reasonable
requirements; and (ii) which names or references the Banks in any manner whatsoever without the
prior written consent of the Joint Bookrunners.

3.5 The Company shall procure (to the extent that it lies in its power to do so) to be communicated
or delivered to the Joint Bookrunners all such information and documents (signed by the appropriate
person where so required) as the Joint Bookrunners may reasonably require to enable them to
discharge their obligations hereunder and pursuant to or

 Page 16

 

in connection with obtaining Admission, the Rights Issue or as may be required to comply with the
requirements of the FSMA, the FSA or the London Stock Exchange.

3.6 Each Joint Sponsor shall use its reasonable endeavours to provide to the Company such
assistance as the Company shall reasonably request in connection with the procedural steps required
for the performance of the obligations of the Company set out in Clauses 2.1(c) and 2.1(g).

3.7 If, as a result of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, any Underwriter prima facie
becomes subject to an obligation to make a mandatory offer for the Company under the City Code, the
Company agrees to support an application to the Panel for a waiver thereof (whether pursuant to
note 7 to Rule 9.1 of the City Code or otherwise).

4. Approval, release and delivery of documents

4.1 The Company confirms to the Banks that a meeting or meetings of the Board or a duly authorised
committee of the Board has been held which has:

	(a)	 	authorised the Company to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the
Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement and the Receiving Agent Agreement;
	 
	(b)	 	approved the form and release of the Press Announcement and the Preliminary Results
Announcement;
	 
	(c)	 	approved the form of the Prospectus, the Provisional Allotment Letters, the Annual Report,
the Presentation Materials, and taken responsibility for and authorised and approved the form
and publication of the Prospectus, the Provisional Allotment Letters, the Annual Report, the
Form 20-F and each of the other Relevant Documents, as appropriate;
	 
	(d)	 	approved the making of the Rights Issue;
	 
	(e)	 	approved the making of the applications for Admission;
	 
	(f)	 	approved the making of an application to Euroclear for admission of each of the Nil Paid
Rights and the Fully Paid Rights as a Participating Security in CREST; and
	 
	(g)	 	authorised all necessary steps to be taken by the Company in connection with each of the
above matters.

4.2 Before the Press Announcement is released, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery
of, the documents referred to in Part A of Schedule 2 to the Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of
the Banks).

4.3 The Company shall procure delivery of the Press Announcement and the Preliminary Results
Announcement to a Regulatory Information Service for release not later than 7.00 a.m. on the date
of this Agreement (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may
agree) and authorises the Joint Bookrunners to deliver the Press Announcement and/or the
Preliminary Results Announcement to any potential

 Page 17

 

sub-underwriters of the New Shares. The Company shall procure delivery of the Annual Report to the
FSA’s document viewing facility upon the Prospectus having been approved by the UK Listing
Authority and following such delivery shall, no later than close of business on the Publication
Date, notify a Regulatory Information Service of such delivery.

4.4 Before publishing and despatching the Prospectus, the Company shall deliver, or procure the
delivery of, the documents referred to in Part B of Schedule 2 to the Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of
each of the Banks).

4.5 Subject only to the UK Listing Authority having formally approved the Prospectus for the
purpose of the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules, the Company shall:

	(a)	 	make the Prospectus available in accordance with paragraph 3.2 of the Prospectus Rules and
make available to the Banks such number of copies of the Prospectus as they may reasonably
require; and
	 
	(b)	 	despatch the Prospectus to such Ordinary Shareholders who have requested hard copies of the
Prospectus other than, save as may be agreed with the Joint Bookrunners, the Excluded
Shareholders or their agents or intermediaries (except where the Company and the Joint
Bookrunners are satisfied that such action would not result in the contravention of any
registration or other legal requirement in any jurisdiction);
	 
	(c)	 	publish the Prospectus; and
	 
	(d)	 	procure the passporting of the Prospectus to Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, the Republic of
Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands and Spain.

in each case, on the Publication Date.

4.6 The Company shall procure that:

	(a)	 	the Provisional Allotment Letters are despatched to Qualifying Non-CREST Holders other than:
(i) the Untraceable Shareholders; and (ii) Excluded Shareholders or their agents or
intermediaries, except where the Company and the Joint Bookrunners are satisfied that such
action would not result in the contravention of any registration or other legal requirement in
any jurisdiction, by the last post on the Publication Date (or such later date as may be
agreed with the Joint Bookrunners in writing);
	 
	(b)	 	the Registrar instructs Euroclear to credit the stock accounts in CREST of Qualifying CREST
Holders other than Qualifying CREST Holders with a registered address in one of the Excluded
Territories or their agents or intermediaries, except where the Company and the Joint
Bookrunners are satisfied that such action would not result in the contravention of any
registration or other legal requirement in any jurisdiction, with their entitlements to Nil
Paid Rights so that they are credited at 8.00 a.m. on the first Dealing Day after the
Publication Date (or such later date as may be agreed with the Joint Bookrunners in writing);
	 
	(c)	 	no copies of the Prospectus or the Provisional Allotment Letters shall be posted to Excluded
Shareholders nor shall the stock accounts in CREST of Qualifying CREST

 Page 18

 

	 	 	Holders with a registered address in one of the Excluded Territories be credited with Nil
Paid Rights unless they have either: (i) supplied the Company with an address in the United
Kingdom for the giving of notices to them; or (ii) otherwise established to the
satisfaction of the Company and the Joint Bookrunners that: (a) in the case of Ordinary
Shareholders in the United States, they are Qualifying US Shareholders; or (b) in the case
of other Excluded Shareholders, they make take up their entitlements to the New Shares in
accordance with an applicable exemption from local securities laws;
	 
	(d)	 	the Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter shall specify to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Joint Bookrunners such procedures to ensure that the Nil Paid Rights and
the Fully Paid Rights are not taken up by or for the account or benefit of any person resident
in the United States; provided, however, that such procedures may permit such persons who are
Qualifying US Shareholders to take up their rights upon delivery of an Investor Letter to the
Company and the Joint Bookrunners; and
	 
	(e)	 	the Provisional Allotment Letters shall specify to the reasonable satisfaction of the Joint
Bookrunners procedures to ensure that the Nil Paid Rights and Fully Paid Rights are not taken
up by or for the account or benefit of any person resident in the United States; provided
however that such procedures may permit Qualifying US Shareholders to take up their rights
pursuant to an Investor Letter.

For the avoidance of doubt, the fact of the Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter having
been initialled for the purpose of identification by Company’s Counsel and Banks’ Counsel, or
having otherwise been evidenced as being in the agreed form by communications between the Banks’
Counsel and the Company’s Counsel, will constitute evidence of the satisfaction of the Joint
Bookrunners as to the matters referred to in (d) and (e) above.

4.7 No later than the date of this Agreement, the Company shall give the Settlement Bank an undated
letter from the Company to Euroclear confirming that each condition to enable each of the Nil Paid
Rights and the Fully Paid Rights to be admitted as a Participating Security in CREST has been
satisfied. Immediately after Admission, the Settlement Bank shall date the letter and deliver it to
Euroclear.

4.8 The Company undertakes to procure that as soon as practicable on the Publication Date the
relevant announcements referred to in paragraphs 9.5.5R and 9.6.4R of the Listing Rules shall be
lodged with a Regulatory Information Service as required by such paragraphs.

4.9 Prior to Admission, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery of, the documents
referred to in Part C of Schedule 2 to Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of the Banks).

4.10 Before despatching and publishing any Supplementary Prospectus, the Company shall deliver, or
procure the delivery of, the documents referred to in Part D of Schedule 2 to the Bank’s Counsel
(on behalf of each of the Banks).

4.11 On or prior to the Time of Procurement, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery of,
the documents referred to in Part E of Schedule 2 to the Bank’s Counsel (on behalf of each of the
Banks).

 Page 19

 

4.12 On or prior to 7.00 a.m. on the Settlement Date, the Company shall deliver, or procure the
delivery of, the documents referred to in Part F of Schedule 2 to the Bank’s Counsel (on behalf of
each of the Banks).

5. Appointments

5.1 The Company confirms its appointment of [•] and [•] as joint sponsors in connection with the
proposed Admission of the New Shares.

5.2 The Company confirms that the appointments in Clause 5.1 confers on each of the Joint Sponsors
all powers, authorities and discretions which are necessary for, or incidental to, the performance
of its function as Joint Sponsor (including the power to appoint sub agents or to delegate any of
its powers, authorities or discretions to such of its affiliates as the Joint Sponsor deems
appropriate and/or to such non-affiliates as the Joint Sponsor deems appropriate and to whom the
Company consents (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company will ratify
and confirm all actions which either of the Joint Sponsors and its sub-agents and delegates
lawfully and properly take on behalf of the Company pursuant to this appointment.

5.3 The Company acknowledges and agrees that none of the Banks are responsible for and has not
authorised and will not authorise the contents of the Prospectus, any Supplementary Prospectus or
any other Relevant Document and that none of the Banks has been requested to verify, nor are, nor
shall be, responsible for verifying, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of any information in
any of the Relevant Documents (or any supplement or amendment to any of the foregoing).

5.4 The Company consents to each of the Joint Sponsors disclosing to the FSA, at any time before or
after Admission, any information which the relevant Joint Sponsor in its absolute discretion deems
to relate to the Company and to address non-compliance with the Listing Rules and/or the Disclosure
Rules and Transparency Rules in connection with the Rights Issue provided that where such Joint
Sponsor believes it to be permitted by applicable law or regulation and reasonably practicable such
Joint Sponsor notifies the Company prior to making, and consults as to the timing and manner of,
such disclosure.

5.5 The Company irrevocably authorises each of the Banks to give to the Registrar and/or Euroclear
any instructions consistent with this Agreement and/or the Relevant Documents that it reasonably
considers to be necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of its functions as joint sponsor,
joint bookrunner, joint global co-ordinator or underwriter (as the case may be) in connection with
the Rights Issue, Admission and the application for New Shares to be transferred through and held
in dematerialised form through CREST.

5.6 The Company acknowledges that the Joint Sponsors’ responsibilities as sponsors pursuant to the
Listing Rules are owed solely to the FSA and that agreeing to act as sponsor does not of itself
extend any duties or obligations to any one else, including the Company.

5.7 The Company undertakes to each Joint Bookrunners that it will at any time from the date of this
Agreement provide to the Joint Bookrunners all information and assistance and do or procure
anything to be done that may be reasonably requested by the Joint Boookrunners or that may be
required by the Joint Bookrunners to satisfy their obligations under, or in

 Page 20

 

connection with the Rights Issue, the Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules and the Disclosure Rules
and Transparency Rules including (without limitation) to satisfy its obligations to, and comply
with the requirements of, the FSA and the London Stock Exchange and all applicable laws and
regulations in connection with the Rights Issue and the Company’s applications for Admission and to
provide to the FSA any information or explanation that the FSA may reasonably require for the
purpose of verifying whether the Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules and/or the Disclosure Rules
and Transparency Rules are being, and have been complied with by the Joint Bookrunners and/or by
the Company.

5.8 The Company confirms the appointment of each of the Joint Bookrunners as a joint bookrunner to
the Rights Issue and each Joint Bookrunner confirms its acceptance of this appointment upon and
subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

5.9 The Company confirms that the appointments in Clause 5.8 confer on each of the Joint
Bookrunners all powers, authorities and discretions which are necessary for, or incidental to, the
performance of its functions as joint bookrunner (including the power to appoint sub agents or to
delegate any of its powers, authorities or discretions to such of its affiliates as the Joint
Bookrunner deems appropriate and/or to such non-affiliates as the Joint Bookrunner deems
appropriate and to whom the Company consents (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed). The Company will ratify and confirm all actions which a Joint Bookrunner and its
sub-agents and delegates lawfully and properly take pursuant to this appointment.

5.10 The Company confirms the appointment of each of the Joint Global Co-ordinators as a global
co-ordinator to the Rights Issue and each Joint Global Co-ordinator confirms its acceptance of this
appointment upon and subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

5.11 The Company confirms that the appointments in Clause 5.10 confer on each of the Joint Global
Co-ordinators all powers, authorities and discretions which are necessary for, or incidental to,
the performance of its functions as joint global co-ordinator (including the power to appoint sub
agents or to delegate any of its powers, authorities or discretions to such of its affiliates as
the Joint Global Co-ordinator deems appropriate and/or to such non-affiliates as the Joint Global
Co-ordinator deems appropriate and to whom the Company consents (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company will ratify and confirm all actions which a Joint
Global Co-ordinator and its sub-agents and delegates lawfully and properly take pursuant to this
appointment.

5.12 The Company will provide the Receiving Agent with all necessary authorisations and information
to enable the Receiving Agent to perform its duties in connection with the Rights Issue.

6. Allotment

6.1 Subject to the UK Listing Authority having granted permission for the New Shares to be admitted
to the Official List and the London Stock Exchange having granted permission for the New Shares
(nil paid and fully paid) to be admitted to trading on its main market for listed securities the
Company shall provisionally allot the New Shares (nil paid) on the Publication Date to all
Qualifying Shareholders at the Issue Price pursuant to a resolution of

 Page 21

 

the Board. The allotment of the New Shares shall be made upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set out in the Prospectus and to be set out in the Provisional Allotment Letter (to the
extent that New Shares are to be allotted in certificated form) and on the basis referred to in
Clause 6.3. New Shares representing the aggregate of fractions of New Shares shall be provisionally
allotted as directed by the Joint Bookrunners and dealt with in accordance with Clause 7.

6.2 The Company may only exercise its right in paragraph 2.2.8 of Part III of the Prospectus in
relation to Qualifying CREST Holders to allot and issue the Nil Paid Rights, the Fully Paid Rights
or the New Shares in certificated form if it has first obtained the Joint Bookrunners’ written
consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

6.3 By not later than 7.00 a.m. on the first Dealing Day after the Acceptance Date the Company will
confirm the provisional allotments of the New Shares which have been taken up pursuant to a
resolution of the Board and cancel the provisional allotments of the New Shares which have not been
taken up. By not later than the third Dealing Day after the Acceptance Date, the Company will allot
a number of New Shares equal to the number of New Shares for which provisional allotments were not
taken up in favour of the persons who, pursuant to Clauses 8.4 and/or 9.1, are to subscribe for
such New Shares, pursuant to a resolution of the Board. The consideration received by the Company
for the issue and allotment of the New Shares to Qualifying Shareholders and subscribers procured
by the Joint Bookrunners shall be the transfer of the Newco Ordinary Shares and Newco Preference
Shares by the Newco Subscriber to the Company in accordance with the Subscription and Transfer
Agreement.

6.4 In the event of any Section 87G Matter (as defined in Clause 6.5) arising after publication of
the Prospectus and prior to 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date:

	(a)	 	where a Supplementary Prospectus is (or is to be) issued two or fewer Business Days prior to
the Acceptance Date, the Joint Bookrunners may give notice to the Company of an extension to
the timetable for the Rights Issue, such that the timetable for the Acceptance Date shall be
extended to the date which is three Business Days after the date of issue of the relevant
Supplementary Prospectus (or such later date as agreed between the Company and the Joint
Bookrunners) in which case Clauses 6.4(b) and (c) below shall apply;
	 
	(b)	 	the periods within which the Banks shall be required to perform their obligations under this
Agreement which are due for performance after the Acceptance Date shall be extended mutatis
mutandis and the Company shall make a public announcement, at the request of the Joint
Bookrunners and at a time and in a form satisfactory to them (acting reasonably), of the
extension of the timetable for the Rights Issue; and
	 
	(c)	 	the Company shall execute such documents and do such acts and things as are reasonably
necessary for the purpose of giving full effect to the extension of the timetable for the
Rights Issue as contemplated by Clause 6.4(a) above.

6.5 For the purpose of Clause 6.4, a Section 87G Matter means any matter referred to in Section 87G
of the FSMA which arises between the time that the Prospectus is formally approved by the FSA and
11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date.

 Page 22

 

6.6 The New Shares, when issued and fully paid, will rank pari passu in all respects with the
existing issued Ordinary Shares, save for the right to receive the final dividend of 24.84 pence
per Ordinary Share proposed to be paid in respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2010, and
will be free from all liens, charges, encumbrances and equitable interests.

7. Placing of fractional entitlements

7.1 Immediately following the close of business on the Publication Date, the Company shall inform
each of the Joint Bookrunners of the number of New Shares representing the aggregate of fractional
entitlements. The Joint Bookrunners shall (acting as agents for the Company) use their reasonable
endeavours to procure that all or as many as is reasonably practicable of those Nil Paid Rights in
respect of such New Shares are placed through the London Stock Exchange at a premium in excess of
the expenses of placing (including, without limitation, any applicable brokerage and commissions
and any irrecoverable VAT) as soon as practicable prior to 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date.

7.2 The Settlement Bank shall as soon as practicable inform the Company and the Receiving Agent of
the number of New Shares to be issued to placees procured pursuant to Clause 7.1 (and specifying
the number requested to be issued in certificated form and the number requested to be issued in
uncertificated form). As soon as reasonably practicable after the Settlement Bank shall have so
notified the Company:

	(a)	 	the Company shall deliver to the Settlement Bank, or as it shall direct, nil paid split
Provisional Allotment Letters in respect of those Nil Paid Rights so issued which placees have
requested to receive in certificated form, in the names and denominations required by them;
and
	 
	(b)	 	the Company shall procure that the Receiving Agent instructs Euroclear to credit the stock
accounts in CREST (notified by the Settlement Bank) with the number of Nil Paid Rights that
they require in respect of those Nil Paid Rights so placed which placees have requested to
receive in uncertificated form,

and after the Company has complied with its obligations in Clauses 7.2(a) and 7.2(b), the
Settlement Bank shall forthwith account to the Receiving Agent for the net proceeds of the placing
of those Nil Paid Rights that have been placed and the Company shall ensure that the net proceeds
of sale are dealt with in accordance with Clause 7.3.

7.3 It shall be a term of each placing referred to in Clause 7.1 that the proceeds of that placing
shall be paid to the Transaction Bank Account.

7.4 The Joint Bookrunners shall have absolute discretion to procure such placees of Nil Paid Rights
as they think fit and to determine the number of Nil Paid Rights with which each such placees is
issued.

7.5 If the Nil Paid Rights referred to in Clause 7.1 have not been placed by the time set out in
Clause 7.1, they shall be dealt with in accordance with Clause 8 and Clause 9 (to the extent
relevant) as if they were New Shares not taken up. Any net proceeds of placing in respect of such
Nil Paid Rights receivable by the Joint Bookrunners pursuant to Clause 8.4 or

 Page 23

 

payable by the Joint Bookrunners pursuant to Clause 9.2 will be paid to the Transaction Bank
Account.

8. Underwritten Shares not taken up

8.1 If, by 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date, all the Underwritten Shares shall have been taken up,
or are subsequently deemed to have been taken up pursuant to Schedule 1, the Underwriters’
obligations under Clauses 8 and 9 shall cease forthwith.

8.2 Whether or not any Underwritten Shares shall have been taken up shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 and the parties agree to give effect to the provisions
of Schedule 1.

8.3 By not later than 7.00 a.m. on the Business Day following the Acceptance Date, the Company will
(or will procure that the Receiving Agent will) notify the Joint Bookrunners in writing of the
number of Underwritten Shares which have not been taken up.

8.4 The Joint Bookrunners will severally endeavour to procure subscriber(s) for New Shares
equivalent to the number of Underwritten Shares which are not taken up (or, at their discretion,
for so many of the New Shares in respect of which subscribers can be found) upon the terms (in so
far as the same are applicable) of the Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter as soon as
reasonably practicable and in any event by not later than 4.30 p.m. on the second Dealing Day after
the Acceptance Date if an amount which is not less than the total of the Issue Price multiplied by
the number of such New Shares for which subscriber(s) are able to be so procured and the expenses
of procurement (including any applicable brokerage and commissions and amounts in respect of VAT
which are not recoverable) can be obtained. Any subscribers so procured by the Joint Bookrunners
shall subscribe for the New Shares at the Issue Price and any amount in excess of the Issue Price
shall be paid by the subscriber and received by the Settlement Bank on the basis that the same
shall be applied in meeting the Joint Bookrunners’ expenses of procuring such subscription
(including any applicable brokerage and commissions and amounts in respect of VAT which are not
recoverable) and that any balance remaining shall be received as agent for and payable to
non-accepting Qualifying Shareholders in accordance with Clause 8.7. The Joint Bookrunners shall
not be obliged to endeavour to procure such subscriber(s) and may, at any time on or after the
Acceptance Date, cease or decline to endeavour to procure any such subscriber(s) if, in their
opinion, it is unlikely that any such subscriber(s) can be so procured by such time and on the
terms referred to above, or if the procurement of subscribers would give rise to a breach of law,
whereupon the Joint Bookrunners shall not be under any obligation to endeavour to procure any such
subscriber(s) pursuant to this Clause 8.4.

8.5 Each Joint Bookrunner severally agrees to comply with the terms of the Selling Restrictions in
seeking to procure subscribers for the purpose of Clause 8.4. Subject to compliance with the
Selling Restrictions, each Joint Bookrunner shall have absolute discretion to use its reasonable
endeavours to procure such subscribers in the manner and otherwise as it thinks fit. The Joint
Bookrunners shall, by agreement between themselves, determine the number of New Shares which each
such subscriber subscribes for.

 Page 24

 

8.6 The Settlement Bank shall:

	(a)	 	by not later than the third Dealing Day after the Acceptance Date inform the Company of the
number of New Shares to be issued in each of certificated form and uncertificated form to
subscribers procured pursuant to Clause 8.4; and
	 
	(b)	 	in respect of the amounts received by the Settlement Bank in accordance with Clause 8.4 (and
after deduction of the expenses of procuring subscribers, including amounts in respect of VAT
which are not recoverable), by not later than the fifth Dealing Day after the Acceptance Date
(such date to be the Settlement Date) procure payment to:

	 	(i)	 	the Transaction Bank Account of the Issue Price (in accordance
with the terms of the Receiving Agent’s Agreement) in respect of the New Shares
for which subscribers are procured pursuant to Clause 8.4; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the Receiving Agent (in accordance with the terms of the
Receiving Agent’s Agreement) on behalf of the persons, and in the proportions,
referred to in Clause 8.7 of the balance,

	 	 	against the issue of (a) New Shares in certificated form in such names and denominations as
specified by the Settlement Bank pursuant to Clause 8.6(a) in respect of the New Shares to
be issued in certificated form; and (b) New Shares in uncertificated form by Euroclear
crediting the Joint Bookrunners’ (or their nominees’) stock accounts in CREST (in each case
as nominee for the subscribers for the New Shares) (notified by the Settlement Bank) with
the number of New Shares specified by the Settlement Bank pursuant to Clause 8.6(a) in
respect of the New Shares to be issued in uncertificated form.

8.7 The Company shall procure that the Receiving Agent makes payment of the amount received by the
Receiving Agent pursuant to Clause 8.6(b)(ii) to the non-accepting Qualifying Shareholders to whom
New Shares were provisionally allotted pro rata to their lapsed provisional entitlements as soon as
practicable after receipt (save that individual amounts of less than £5.00 will not be so paid but
will be paid to the Transaction Bank Account). If the Nil Paid Rights were in certificated form
when they lapsed, such payment shall be made to the person whose name and address appears on page
one of the Provisional Allotment Letter relating to those Nil Paid Rights. If the Nil Paid Rights
were in uncertificated form when they lapsed, such payment shall be made to the person registered
as the holder of those Nil Paid Rights when they were disabled in CREST.

8.8 No Joint Bookrunner shall be responsible, whether to the Company, any Qualifying Shareholder,
any other shareholder or otherwise, for any loss or damage to any person arising from any such
transactions as are mentioned in this Clause 8 or for any insufficiency or alleged insufficiency of
any dealing price at which subscribers for Nil Paid Rights and New Shares may be procured by it or
for the timing of any such subscription or for any determination by that Joint Bookrunner to cease
or decline to endeavour to procure such subscribers save to the extent that such loss or damage is
finally judicially determined to have resulted from the fraud or wilful default of such Joint
Bookrunner.

 Page 25

 

9. Underwriting

9.1 If and to the extent that the Joint Bookrunners are unable to procure subscribers in accordance
with Clause 8.4, the Underwriters, each as underwriter, shall procure subscribers or themselves
subscribe for, by direct issue at the Issue Price, the Underwritten Shares not otherwise taken up
and for which subscribers are not procured under Clause 8.4. The obligations of the Underwriters in
this Clause 9.1 are several and not joint or joint and several and each Underwriter shall be
responsible only for its proportionate share of the Underwritten Shares not otherwise taken up as
set out in Schedule 6 (the Due Proportions) and for the avoidance of doubt no Underwriter shall
have any liability or obligation in respect of any default by another.

9.2 Each Underwriter shall, not later than the close of business on the fifth Dealing Day after the
Acceptance Date, pay, or procure payment of, the Issue Price for the New Shares subscribed for by
it under Clause 9.1 (or for which it, or anyone on its behalf, has procured subscribers) to the
Transaction Bank Account against credit of fully paid securities representing those New Shares to
the uncertificated securities account of such Underwriter as notified by it to the Company and the
Receiving Agent. Upon compliance with this Clause 9.2 by the relevant Underwriter, that Underwriter
will be under no further liability to the Company, in respect of its obligations under Clause 9.1.

9.3 Any subscription for New Shares under Clause 8.4 or Clause 9.1 will be made on the terms and
conditions and on the basis of the information contained in the Prospectus and the Provisional
Allotment Letters (except as regards the time and method for acceptance and payment) so far as they
are applicable, subject to the memorandum and articles of association of the Company and, in the
case of any subscription under Clause 9.1, on the terms of this Agreement. The consideration
received by the Company for the issue and allotment of the New Shares shall be the transfer of
certain Newco Ordinary Shares and Newco Preference Shares by the Newco Subscriber to the Company in
accordance with the Subscription and Transfer Deed.

9.4 The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Joint Bookrunners and the Underwriters may
exercise any and all rights against subscribers for the New Shares procured by the Joint
Bookrunners and/or the Underwriters pursuant to Clauses 8.4 and 9.1 in respect of failure to pay
for any New Shares.

9.5 The Joint Bookrunners may, at their absolute discretion, arrange for the Rights Issue to be
sub-underwritten either through entities pertaining to their respective groups or third parties
outside their respective groups.

9.6 Each Joint Bookrunner undertakes to the Company to:

	(a)	 	consult with the Company on the identity of persons with whom it proposes to enter into
sub-underwriting letters and to offer sub-underwriting participation to a list of potential
sub-underwriters (such list having been agreed with the Company prior to the date hereof,
which list shall, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a non-exclusive list of potential
sub-underwriters). However, it is agreed that, subject to having offered sub-underwriting
participations to the potential sub-underwriters on the aforementioned list, the final
decision as to the identity of any sub-underwriters shall be for the Joint Bookrunners; and

 Page 26

 

	(b)	 	procure that the sub-underwriting letters into which it enters contain undertakings by the
relevant sub-underwriter in a substantially similar form to that in Clauses 9.7 and 9.8 (save
that there shall not be scope for a sub-underwriter to seek consent of the Company) provided
such letters may in addition include exceptions for:

	 	(i)	 	short selling activity in the ordinary course of business, either
by a fund managed by the relevant sub-underwriter or the relevant
sub-underwriter’s fund manager which has not entered into a sub-underwriting
commitment, or on a different trading book from the sub-underwriter’s
sub-underwriting commitment, provided that the resultant short position is not
closed out directly or indirectly using shares subscribed for by the
sub-underwriter by way of fulfilment of the sub-underwriting commitment;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	short selling activity to delta hedge existing positions in
convertible bonds or derivatives related to the Ordinary Shares; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	selling Ordinary Shares already held by the sub-underwriter or
its affiliates at the date of the sub-underwriting commitment.

9.7 Without prejudice to Clause 9.5, each Underwriter severally undertakes that from the date of
this Agreement up until the earlier of the Time of Procurement and: (i) the third Business Day
following the Acceptance Date; (ii) the date following the Acceptance Date on which the Joint
Bookrunners determine that it is reasonably likely that it will not be possible to place a
significant portion of any New Shares not taken up; and (iii) the date following the Acceptance
Date on which the Joint Bookrunners determine that the take up of New Shares pursuant to the Rights
Issue has been such that it will not be necessary to undertake a rump placing, it will not, without
the consent of the Company, enter into any transaction involving the Ordinary Shares or securities,
derivatives or other instruments (other than any securities or derivatives that reference any
existing and established sector or market index, provided that the weighting of the Ordinary Shares
of any such sector or market index does not exceed 15%) relating to the Ordinary Shares, which is
intended (directly or indirectly) to have the economic effect of hedging or otherwise mitigating
the economic risk associated with the underwriting commitments under this Agreement.

9.8 The Company acknowledges that the restriction in Clause 9.7 shall not apply to:

	(a)	 	transactions to facilitate client orders; or
	 
	(b)	 	any hedging activities in relation to the Nil Paid Rights and/or the Ordinary Shares
undertaken with a view to achieving a substantially market-neutral position in respect of such
Underwriter and/or its affiliates during the term of the undertaking contained in this Clause
9.8 (but allowing for daily trading fluctuations and it also be understood that the
determination of what is a market-neutral position shall not take into account such
Underwriter’s underwriting commitment); or
	 
	(c)	 	proprietary positions in the Company’s securities or in derivatives related to the Company’s
securities entered into prior to the date of this Agreement; or
	 
	(d)	 	transactions constituting ordinary course market making activity.

 Page 27

 

For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Underwriters shall be restricted in carrying out
transactions for the account of their customers, in customer facilitation transactions, provided
that those transactions are carried out in the ordinary course of their businesses.

10. Commissions and expenses

10.1 In consideration of the Banks agreeing to provide their services under this Agreement, the
Company shall pay:

	(a)	 	to the Underwriters, a commission of 2 per cent. of an amount equal to the Issue Price
multiplied by the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares, to be divided amongst the
Underwriters in accordance with their Due Proportions; and
	 
	(b)	 	to each of the Underwriters, at the discretion of the Company, an additional commission of up
to 0.75 per cent. of an amount equal to the Issue Price multiplied by the aggregate number of
Underwritten Shares multiplied by the Underwriter’s Due Proportion.

10.2 The commissions and fees set out in Clause 10.1 shall be payable in full upon the
Underwriters’ obligations under this Agreement becoming unconditional and shall be paid by the
Company together with an additional amount in respect of any applicable VAT (in accordance with
Clause 10.6).

10.3 The Company shall pay the commissions and fees payable pursuant to this Agreement by not later
than the fifth Dealing Day following the Acceptance Date or, if earlier, (in the case only of any
costs and expenses incurred by the Banks in connection with the Rights Issue, which are payable
under Clause 10.5) on the first Dealing Day after the date on which the Banks’ obligations under
this Agreement cease in accordance with Clauses 2.3, 2.4, 8.1 or 15. Without prejudice to their
right to receive payment directly from the Company pursuant to this Clause 10.3, the Joint
Bookrunners shall be entitled and are authorised to deduct some or all of such fees and any other
fee and any expense which the Company has agreed to pay the Banks from (i) the Total Preference
Subscription Price as set out in the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, as relevant, for the
Newco Preference shares; and (ii) any amount otherwise payable by the Banks to the Company under
this Agreement.

10.4 Out of the commissions referred to in this Clause 10, the Underwriters shall pay or procure
the payment of any sub-underwriting commissions payable to such persons (if any) as the Joint
Bookrunners may procure to subscribe for Underwritten Shares.

10.5 In addition to the commissions and fees referred to in Clause 10.1, the Company shall pay
(whether or not the Banks’ obligations under this Agreement become unconditional or this Agreement
is terminated) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Rights Issue, the allotment
and issue of the New Shares and this Agreement together with an additional amount in respect of any
applicable VAT (to be payable in accordance with Clause 10.6) (other than, for the avoidance of
doubt, Tax to the extent that it arises or is increased as a consequence of the receipt of
remuneration payable under this Agreement including commissions payable pursuant to this Clause
10). This shall include (but shall not be limited to) the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock
Exchange listing and trading fees, other regulatory fees and expenses, printing and advertising
costs, postage, the Receiving Agent’s charges, its own and the Banks’ properly incurred legal and
other properly incurred

 Page 28

 

out-of-pocket expenses, all accountancy and other professional fees, public relations fees and
expenses and all Transfer Taxes pursuant to or in connection with the allotment, issue and/or
delivery of the New Shares to or the subscription for the New Shares by the Qualifying
Shareholders, the Underwriters or persons procured by the Joint Bookrunners or the Underwriters
pursuant to the Rights Issue or the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of this
Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent
Agreement, and the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and
against any such Transfer Taxes. The Company shall not be liable for any Transfer Taxes (i) arising
as a result of any subsequent sales of, transfers of or agreements to sell or transfer the New
Shares by any person following the subscription for New Shares by such person under the Rights
Issue, or (ii) which are payable under sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (save to
the extent such Transfer Taxes arise in respect of Qualifying Shareholders taking up New Shares in
accordance with their Provisional Allotment Letters) to the extent that such Transfer Taxes exceed
the Transfer Taxes which would have arisen if the existence and effect of those sections were
ignored, or (iii) to the extent that such Transfer Taxes are finally judicially determined to have
resulted from the fraud, gross negligence or wilful default of such Indemnified Person or (iv) in
relation to the allotment, issue, delivery or transfer of the Newco Ordinary Shares or the Newco
Preference Shares (which Transfer Taxes (if any), shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be dealt with
under the terms of the Option Agreement or Subscription and Transfer Agreement, as applicable). The
Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable on request pay or reimburse the Banks the amount of
any expenses which are to be borne by the Company and which the Banks have paid.

10.6 VAT

	(a)	 	Amounts payable by the Company to a Bank or an Indemnified Person for any supply (for VAT
purposes) made by a Bank or Indemnified Person under or pursuant to this Agreement are
expressed exclusive of amounts payable in respect of VAT.
	 
	(b)	 	If the performance by a Bank or an Indemnified Person (for the purposes of this Clause 10.6
only, each a payee) of any of its obligations under this Agreement shall represent for VAT
purposes the making by a payee of any supply to the Company (for the purposes of this Clause
10.6 only, a payer) that is subject to VAT at a positive rate, the relevant payer shall pay in
addition to such consideration (if any) payable for the supply an amount equal to any VAT
properly chargeable on such supply (if any) within 14 days presentation of a valid VAT invoice
in respect of such supply.
	 
	(c)	 	Subject to Clause 10.6(d), where a sum (a Relevant Sum) is payable or is to be reimbursed by
a payer to a payee in respect of any cost, charge, fee or expense, and such cost, charge, fee
or expense includes an amount in respect of VAT, which is borne by the relevant payee on the
supply or supplies for which the cost, charge, fee or expense in question is all or any part
of the consideration, the relevant payer shall pay to the relevant payee in respect of such
VAT an amount equal to the amount of such VAT which the relevant payee certifies is not
recoverable by it (or by the representative member of a VAT group of which it is a member) by
repayment or credit (such certificate to be conclusive in the absence of manifest error) such
payment to be made within 14 days of the later of (i) the date upon which payment of

 Page 29

 

	 	 	VAT in respect of the Relevant Sum has been made by the relevant payee and (ii) the date on
which certification in accordance with this Clause 10.6(c) is produced to the relevant
payer.
	 
	(d)	 	If the Relevant Sum constitutes for VAT purposes the reimbursement of costs, charges, fees or
expenses incurred by a payee as agent of a payer excluding where the relevant payee acts as an
agent for the payer and Section 47(2A) or 47(3) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 or an
equivalent provision in another relevant jurisdiction) applies, the relevant payer shall pay
to the relevant payee an amount equal to the element included in the costs, charges, fees or
expenses in respect of VAT (that is to say the part of the costs, charges, fees or expenses
which relates to the VAT chargeable on any supply or supplies for which such costs or expenses
are all or any part of the consideration) provided that in such case relevant payee shall use
its reasonable endeavours to procure that, as soon as reasonably practicable, the person
making the supply or supplies in respect of which the costs, charges, fees or expenses are
incurred issues a valid VAT invoice to the relevant payer that names the relevant payer as the
recipient of the relevant supply or supplies.

11. Representations, warranties and undertakings

11.1 The Company represents, warrants and undertakes to the Banks that each Warranty is true and
accurate and not misleading at the date of this Agreement, at the Publication Date, at Admission,
at the Acceptance Date, at any Time of Procurement, at the Settlement Date and on the date of
publication of any Supplementary Prospectus, in each case by reference to the facts and
circumstances then existing. The Company acknowledges that each of the Banks is entering into this
Agreement in reliance on such representations, warranties and undertakings. Each representation,
warranty and undertaking shall be construed separately and shall not be limited or restricted by
reference to or inference from the terms of any other representation, warranty and undertaking or
any other term of this Agreement. Warranties shall be deemed to be given under this Clause in
relation to the relevant document, announcement or event on the basis that any reference in any
such Warranty to something being done or something being the case in relation to such document,
announcement or event which is expressed in the future tense shall be regarded, to the extent the
context requires, as being expressed in the present tense.

11.2 The Company shall not be liable under Clause 11.1 in respect of any Losses suffered or
incurred by any Underwriter solely as a result of subscribing for, or a decision to subscribe for,
New Shares pursuant to its obligations under Clause 9 of this Agreement which arise as a result of
a breach by the Company of any of the Specified Warranties when repeated after Admission (or if any
such Warranty when repeated after Admission ceases to be true, accurate and not misleading) to the
extent such breach arises or occurs (or such Warranty when repeated ceases to be true, accurate and
not misleading) as a direct or indirect result of, or is attributable to or would not have arisen
but for, an event, fact, matter or circumstance which:

	(a)	 	arises or occurs after Admission and on or before the Acceptance Date and which is fairly
disclosed in any Supplementary Prospectus published before the time when the relevant
Warranties are repeated;

 Page 30

 

	(b)	 	arises or occurs after the Acceptance Date and which is fairly disclosed by the Company
through a Regulatory Information Service announcement published before the time when the
relevant Warranties are repeated,

provided that the Company shall not be relieved from liability under this Clause 11 to the extent
such breach arises or occurs (or such Warranty when repeated ceases to be true, accurate and not
misleading) as a direct or indirect result of, or is attributable to or would not have arisen but
for, any breach of law or regulation or agreement, or any fraud, neglect or default, of or by the
Company, any member of the Group or any of their respective officers, employees or agents.

11.3 The Company shall not knowingly cause or permit (and shall procure that no other member of the
Group nor any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents shall cause or
(so far as they are able using their best endeavours) permit) any event to occur or omit to do
anything between the date of this Agreement and the earlier of (a) the date which is 90 days after
the Settlement Date; or (b) the date on which the Banks’ obligations under this Agreement cease in
accordance with Clauses 2.3, 2.4, 8.1 or 15 which would make any statement in Schedule 3 untrue,
inaccurate or misleading if, in such case, such statement were repeated at such date by reference
to the facts and circumstances then existing.

11.4 The Company shall promptly notify the Joint Bookrunners (giving reasonable details) if it
comes to the knowledge of the Company or any Director that (and the Company undertakes to make
reasonable enquiries to ascertain whether) (a) any statement in Schedule 3 was breached or untrue,
inaccurate or misleading at the date of this Agreement; or (b) any statement in Schedule 3 which
relates to a fact, matter or event after such statement was given will or is reasonably likely to
prove to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading; or (c) any statement in Schedule 3 would be breached
or untrue, inaccurate or misleading if repeated by reference to the facts and circumstances
existing at any time during the period referred to in Clause 11.2; or (d) if the Company is in
breach of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

11.5 The Company agrees that the Banks and any sub-underwriter who subscribes for New Shares shall
be entitled to the same remedies and rights of action against the Company, and to the same extent,
as any person who subscribes for any New Shares pursuant to the Rights Issue on the basis of the
Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter.

11.6 The certificates to be delivered pursuant to paragraph 28 of Part B of Schedule 2, paragraph
17 of Part C of Schedule 2, paragraph 12 of Part D of Schedule 2, paragraph 4 of Part E of Schedule
2 and paragraph 8 of Part F of Schedule 2 will have effect as a representation and warranty, as of
their date, by the Company to the Banks as to the matters contained therein.

11.7 References in this Agreement to a representation, warranty or undertaking being (or not being)
true and accurate or not being (or being) misleading in any material respect or in all material
respects (or similar expressions) and other references to materiality in relation to a
representation, warranty or undertaking shall, save where expressly provided otherwise, mean
material in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission. In that connection and
otherwise in this Agreement in relation to references to a matter which would or might be material
in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission (or similar expressions) a matter shall,
without limitation, be deemed to be so material if it would, in the opinion of

 Page 31

 

any Bank (acting in good faith), have been material for disclosure to potential sub-underwriters or
other subscribers for New Shares had such matter existed when such sub-underwriters or other
subscribers for New Shares were sought for the New Shares.

11.8 The representations, warranties and undertakings referred to in this Clause 11 shall remain in
full force and effect notwithstanding completion of all matters and arrangements referred to in, or
contemplated by, this Agreement.

11.9 Where any of the warranties, representations and undertakings are qualified by reference to
awareness and/or knowledge and/or information and/or belief, that reference shall be deemed to
include a statement to the effect that it has been given after making due and careful enquiry.

11.10 The provisions of Schedule 7 of this Agreement shall have effect as undertakings, on the part
of the persons specified in the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 7, to each of the Banks.

12. Exclusions of liability

12.1 Without prejudice to Clause 12.2, no claim shall be made by the Company or any of its
subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or associates, or any of the directors, officers or employees
of any of them in any jurisdiction against any Indemnified Person to recover any Loss or Claim
suffered or incurred by any person and which arises, directly or indirectly, out of or is
attributable to, based upon or connected with, anything done or omitted to be done by any
Indemnified Person in connection with the Rights Issue, Admission or acting as sponsor to the
Company, or the arrangements contemplated by the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any
amendment or supplement to any of them), or this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription
and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement or any other agreement relating to the
Rights Issue except (solely in connection with the matters referred to in Clauses 13.1 (f) and (g))
to the extent that the Loss or Claim is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the
fraud, gross negligence or wilful default of the relevant Indemnified Person.

12.2 The Company agrees that no Indemnified Person is acting as a financial adviser (other than [•]
strictly on the basis set out in the [•]Engagement Letter and [•] strictly on the basis set out in
the [•] Engagement Letter) or as fiduciary to the Company or any other person in providing the
services contemplated in this Agreement or in respect of the timing, terms, structure or price of
the Rights Issue, irrespective of whether any such Indemnified Person has provided input to the
Company with respect thereto. No claim shall be made by the Company or any of its subsidiary
undertakings, affiliates or associates or any of the directors, officers or employees of any of
them against any Indemnified Person in respect of the timing, terms or structure of the Rights
Issue, including the setting of the Issue Price at a level that is too high or too low. Nothing in
this Clause shall exclude or restrict any duty or liability of any Indemnified Person which it has
under the FSMA or arrangements for regulating any such Indemnified Person thereunder to any extent
prohibited by those arrangements. It is acknowledged by all parties that:

	(a)	 	the Indemnified Persons may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve
interests that differ from those of the Company or any other person; and

 Page 32

 

	(b)	 	no Indemnified Person has advised the Company or any other person as to any general financial
or strategic advice or any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any
jurisdiction, the Company and any other person have consulted its own legal, tax, investment,
accounting or regulatory advisers to the extent they deem appropriate, and no Indemnified
Person shall have any responsibility to the Company or any other person with respect thereto.

12.3 Notwithstanding any rights or claims which the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings,
affiliates or associates or any of the directors, officers or employees of any of them may have or
assert against the Banks in connection with this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription
and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement, the Rights Issue, or any of the other
arrangements contemplated by the Relevant Documents, or any of them, or this Agreement, the Option
Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement, no claim will
be brought by the Company and the Company will procure that no claim is bought by any of its
subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or associates or any of the directors, officers, partners or
employees of any of them against any director or any other officer and/or partner and/or employee
of any Indemnified Person in respect of any conduct, action or omission by the individual concerned
in connection with this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or
the Receiving Agent Agreement or the Rights Issue, or any of the other arrangements contemplated by
the Relevant Documents, or any of them, or this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription
and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement.

13. Indemnities

13.1 The Company agrees to fully and effectively indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified
Person (and whether or not any Loss or Claim is suffered or incurred or arises in respect of
circumstances or events existing or occurring before, on or after the date of this Agreement and
regardless of the jurisdiction in which such Loss or Claim is suffered or incurred) from and
against any and all Losses or Claims, whatsoever, as incurred, if such Losses or Claims, arise,
directly or indirectly, out of, or are attributable to, based upon or connected with, anything done
or omitted to be done by any person (including by the relevant Indemnified Person) in connection
with the Rights Issue, Admission or acting as sponsor to the Company, or the arrangements
contemplated by the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any amendment or supplement to any of
them), or this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the
Receiving Agent Agreement or any other agreement relating to the Rights Issue, including but not
limited to:

	(a)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of the Relevant Documents,
or any of them (or any amendment or supplement to any of them) not containing or fairly
presenting, or being alleged not to contain or not to fairly present, all information required
to be contained therein, or any statement therein being or being alleged to be in any respect
not based on reasonable grounds, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made;
and/or

	(b)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue or inaccurate
statement of a material fact contained in the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any
amendment or supplement to any of them), or any statement of a

 Page 33

 

	 	 	material fact being alleged to be untrue or inaccurate, or an omission or alleged omission
to state in the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any amendment or supplement to any
of them) a material fact, necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and/or
	 
	(c)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any breach or alleged
breach by the Company of any of its obligations, including any of the Warranties,
representations, covenants and undertakings set out in this Agreement, the Option Agreement,
the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement or out of the
arrangements contemplated by the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any amendment or
supplement to any of them) or this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and
Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement or any other agreement entered into or to
be entered into relating to the Rights Issue; and/or
	 
	(d)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred, in connection with or arising out of
the issue, publication or distribution of the Relevant Documents, or any of them (or any
amendment or supplement to any of them) and/or any other documents or materials relating to
the application for Admission; and/or
	 
	(e)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred, in connection with or arising out of
any failure or alleged failure by the Company or any of the Directors or any of its or his
agents, employees or advisers to comply with the Companies Act, the FSMA, the Listing Rules,
the Prospectus Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Regulations and the rules,
practices and procedures laid down by CREST, the rules and regulations of the London Stock
Exchange and the Admission and Disclosure Standards or any other requirement or statute or
regulation in any jurisdiction in relation to the application for Admission, the Rights Issue,
or the allotment and issue of the New Shares or the arrangements contemplated by the Relevant
Documents, or any of them (or any amendment or supplement to any of them), or this Agreement,
the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement
or any other agreement entered into or to be entered into relating to the Rights Issue; and/or
	 
	(f)	 	any and all Losses or Claims whatsoever, as incurred or suffered by such Indemnified Person:

	 	(i)	 	as a person who has communicated or approved the contents of any
financial promotion (other than the Relevant Documents, or any of them, or any
amendment or supplement to any of them) made in connection with the Rights Issue
or the application for Admission for the purpose of section 21 of the FSMA;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	(in the case of each of the Joint Sponsors) in its capacity as
sponsor to the Company’s application for Admission; and/or

	(g)	 	the carrying out, or performance, by any Indemnified Person of its duties, obligations and
services under or in connection with the Rights Issue or Admission or this

 Page 34

 

	 	 	Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving
Agent Agreement, either before or after the date of this Agreement,

provided that: (i) the indemnity contained in Clauses 13.1(d), (f) and (g) shall not apply
to any Losses or Claims to the extent that such Losses or Claims are finally judicially determined
to have resulted from the fraud, gross negligence or wilful default of that Indemnified
Person; and (ii) the indemnity in this Clause 13.1 shall not apply to any Losses for which the
Company is not liable under Clause 11.1 pursuant to Clause 11.2. An Indemnified Person shall also
not be entitled to any indemnity from the Company under this Clause 13 to the extent it relates to
(i) any Tax to the extent that it arises or is increased as a consequence of the receipt of
remuneration payable under this Agreement including commissions payable pursuant to Clause 10, (ii)
any amounts in respect of VAT as is covered by the provisions of Clause 10.6, and (iii) any
Transfer Tax as is covered by the provisions of Clause 10.5 or which would be covered but for the
application of any exclusion therein.

13.2 Each Indemnified Person shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to the Company
of any action commenced against it after receipt of a written notice of any Claim or the
commencement of any action or proceeding in respect of which a Claim for indemnification may be
sought under this Clause 13, insofar as may be consistent with the terms of any relevant insurance
policy and provided that to do so would not, in such Indemnified Person’s view be prejudicial to it
(or to any Indemnified Person connected to it) or to any obligation of confidentiality or other
legal or regulatory obligation which that Indemnified Person owes to any third party or to any
regulatory request that has been made of it, but failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve
the Company from any liability hereunder.

13.3 Legal advisers for an Indemnified Person shall be selected by the relevant Bank connected to
that Indemnified Person. The Company may participate at its own expense in the defence of any
action commenced against it provided however that legal advisers for the Company shall not (except
with the consent of the relevant Indemnified Person) also be legal advisers for the Indemnified
Person.

13.4 In no event shall the Company be liable for fees and expenses of more than one legal adviser
(in addition to any local legal advisers) separate from its own legal advisers for all Indemnified
Persons in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.

13.5 The Company agrees that if it becomes aware of any Claim relevant for the purposes of this
Clause 13 or any matters which may give rise to a Claim, it shall promptly notify the Banks thereof
and shall provide the Banks with such information and copies of such documents relating to the
claim as the Banks may reasonably request.

13.6 The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Banks, settle or compromise or
consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in
respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Clause 13 or Clause 14
(whether or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such
settlement, compromise or consent:

 Page 35

 

	(a)	 	includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability arising out
of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim; and
	 
	(b)	 	does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act
by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

13.7 No Bank or any Indemnified Person shall, without consulting with the Company and having regard
to any reasonable requests of the Company (provided that in the Joint Bookrunners’ opinion, the
Banks’ and Indemnified Persons’ interests will not be prejudiced in doing so), settle or compromise
or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or
proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any Claim whatsoever in
respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Clause 13 or Clause 14
(whether or not any of the Banks or Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties thereto).

13.8 Each Indemnified Person which is not a party to this Agreement will have the right, under the
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, to enforce its rights against the Company under this
Clause 13 as amended from time to time, provided that each of the Banks (without obligation) will
have sole conduct of any action on behalf of each Indemnified Person connected to it. Save as set
out above and other than in respect of Clause 14, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has
no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this
Agreement but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is
available apart from that Act.

13.9 The Company shall promptly notify each of the Banks of any limitation, restriction or
exclusion (whenever arising and whether relating to the time period during which a Claim can be
made, the quantum of a Claim or otherwise) on the extent to which the Company or any Group Company
may claim against any third party or parties and/or of any waiver or release of any right of the
Company or any Group Company to so claim (each a Limitation) in respect of anything which may
arise, directly or indirectly, out of or is based upon or is in connection with the Rights Issue,
Admission or the subject matter of the obligations or services to be performed under this
Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent
Agreement or in connection with the Rights Issue or the arrangements contemplated by the Relevant
Documents, or any of them (and any amendment or supplement to any of them) or this Agreement. Where
any damage or loss is suffered by the Company for which any Indemnified Person would otherwise be
jointly and severally liable with any third party or third parties to the Company, or any of its
relevant subsidiary undertakings, affiliates, or associates, the extent to which such damage or
loss will be recoverable from the Indemnified Person shall be limited so as to be in proportion to
the contribution of the Indemnified Person to the overall fault for such damage or loss, as agreed
between the parties, or, in the absence of agreement, as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction, but in any event, the Indemnified Person shall have no greater liability than if the
Limitation did not apply.

13.10 The degree to which any Indemnified Person shall be entitled to rely on the work of any
adviser to the Company and/or any of its subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or associates or any
other third party will be unaffected by any Limitation (as defined in Clause 13.9) which the
Company may have agreed with any third party.

 Page 36

 

13.11 Insofar as the Company has engaged any adviser (a capped adviser) on the basis that its
liability to the Company arising out of any default by it or otherwise in connection with the
Rights Issue, Admission, or the arrangements contemplated by the Relevant Documents or this
Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent
Agreement is subject to any limitation, exclusion or restriction of liability, the liability of
each Indemnified Person to the Company or any other person in respect of any default by that
Indemnified Person under this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer
Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement or otherwise in connection with the Rights Issue, or the
arrangements contemplated by the Relevant Documents or this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the
Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the Receiving Agent Agreement shall not exceed the amount
for which that Indemnified Person would have been liable after deducting any additional amount
which that Indemnified Person would have been entitled to recover from the capped adviser, in the
absence of the limitation, exclusion or restriction of the capped adviser’s liability, by way of
contribution to that Indemnified Person, in respect of the matter concerned.

13.12 If an Indemnified Person is liable for any liability suffered by, or is liable to make any
contribution to, any person other than the Company in respect of the performance of its obligations
under this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement or the
Receiving Agent Agreement, the Company will indemnify that Indemnified Person for any amount which
it would have been entitled to recover from a third party or parties by way of contribution in
respect of the matter concerned (pursuant to the Civil Liability (Contributions) Act 1978 or
otherwise) but for a Limitation.

13.13 All sums payable to an Indemnified Person pursuant to this Clause 13 shall be paid within 14
days of written demand by such Indemnified Person.

13.14 No person guilty of fraud or fraudulent misrepresentations (within the meaning of section
11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

13.15 The provisions of this Clause 13 will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the
completion of all matters and arrangements referred to in or contemplated by this Agreement, the
Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement and/or the Receiving Agent Agreement.

13.16 No party to this Agreement shall be entitled to recover damages or obtain recovery, payment,
reimbursement or indemnity under a Transaction Document to the extent that such party has already
obtained (and retained) recovery, payment, reimbursement or indemnity in respect of the same matter
under any other Transaction Document.

14. Contribution

14.1 If the indemnification provided for in Clause 13 is for any reason (including because such
indemnification would be contrary to public policy), unavailable to or insufficient to hold
harmless an Indemnified Person in respect of any Losses or Claims referred to therein, then the
Company shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such Losses or Claims incurred by such
Indemnified Person, as incurred:

 Page 37

 

	(a)	 	in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company
on the one hand and of the Banks on the other hand from the Rights Issue and offering of New
Shares pursuant to this Agreement; or
	 
	(b)	 	if the allocation provided by Clause 14.1(a) is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in Clause
14.1(a) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Banks on
the other hand in connection with the acts or statements or omissions which resulted in such
Losses or Claims as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

14.2 The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Banks on the other hand
in connection with the Rights Issue and the offering of New Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall
be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of
New Shares pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting commissions or expenses) received by the
Company and the total fees and commissions received by the Banks bear to the total gross proceeds
from the offering of New Shares.

14.3 The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Banks on the other hand will be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such act or alleged act or untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material
fact relates to information supplied by the Company, or by the Banks and the parties’ relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such act, statement
or omission.

14.4 The Company and the Banks agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Clause 14 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Banks were treated
as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Clause 14. The aggregate amount of Losses or
Claims incurred by an Indemnified Person and referred to above in this Clause 14 will be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses properly incurred by such Indemnified Person in investigating,
preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
act or alleged act or untrue or inaccurate or alleged untrue or inaccurate statement or omission or
alleged omission.

14.5 Notwithstanding the provisions of this Clause 14:

	(a)	 	no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to recover from any individual party more by way of a
contribution under Clause 14 than it would have been able to recover from such party had the
indemnities in Clause 13 been available to such Indemnified Person; and
	 
	(b)	 	the Company shall not be liable to pay any amount pursuant to Clause 14 in excess of the
amount it would have been liable to pay had the indemnities in Clause 13 been available to
such Indemnified Person.

 Page 38

 

14.6 Notwithstanding the provisions of Clauses 13 and 14, no Bank shall be required to contribute
pursuant to this Clause 14 any amount in excess of the underwriting commission received by it (and
which is not liable to pay to any other underwriter, sub-underwriter or intermediary under this
Agreement or otherwise) in relation to the New Shares underwritten or subscribed for by such Bank
pursuant to this Agreement.

14.7 No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (whether within the meaning of Section 11(f)
of the Securities Act or otherwise) will be entitled to contribution in respect of Losses or Claims
arising from such fraudulent misrepresentation from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

15. Termination

15.1 If at any time on or before Admission:

	(a)	 	any matter or circumstance arises as a result of which any of the Conditions (i) has become
incapable of satisfaction (and will not be waived by the Joint Bookrunners, in accordance with
Clause 2.2) at the required time(s) (if any); and (ii) will not continue to be satisfied at
Admission; or
	 
	(b)	 	there has been (i) a breach by the Company of any of the Warranties or undertakings
respectively contained in or given pursuant to Clause 11 or any other provision of this
Agreement; or (ii) any of the Warranties contained in Clause 11 or Schedule 3 is not or has
ceased to be, true, accurate and not misleading; or
	 
	(c)	 	it shall come to the notice of any Joint Bookrunner that any statement contained in any
Relevant Document (or any amendment or supplement thereto), other than the Provisional
Allotment Letters, the QIB Letter, the AI Letter or the QIB Rump Letter is or has become
untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any respect, or any matter has arisen, which would, if
such document had been issued at that time, constitute an omission from such Relevant Document
(or any amendment or supplement thereto), and which all of the Joint Bookrunners consider,
acting in good faith, to be (singly or in the aggregate) (i) material in the context of the
Group, the Rights Issue or Admission or any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; or (ii) such as to make it impracticable, inappropriate or inadvisable to proceed
with the Rights Issue or Admission; or
	 
	(d)	 	(i) in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, any matter referred to in section 87G of
FSMA has arisen between the publication of the Prospectus and Admission, or (ii) any
Supplementary Prospectus has been published or is due to be published by the Company, in each
case the effect of which (either singly or together with any other event referred to in this
Clause 15) is, in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, material
in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission, or such as to make it, in the
opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, impracticable, inappropriate or
inadvisable to proceed with the Rights Issue or Admission; or
	 
	(e)	 	the Company’s application to the FSA for admission of the New Shares to the Official List
and/or the Company’s application to the London Stock Exchange for

 Page 39

 

	 	 	admission to trading of the New Shares on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed
securities is withdrawn by the Company and/or refused by the FSA or London Stock Exchange (as
appropriate); or
	 
	(f)	 	in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, there has been, whether
or not foreseeable at the date of this Agreement, a Material Adverse Change; or
	 
	(g)	 	if:

	 	(i)	 	there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial
markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, any member state of the
European Union or the international financial markets, any outbreak of
hostilities or escalation thereof, any act of terrorism or war or other calamity
or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in
national or international political, financial or economic conditions or
exchange controls or exchange rates, in each case which all of the Joint
Bookrunners consider to be (either singly or together with any other event
referred to in this Clause 15) such as to make it, in the opinion of all of the
Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, impracticable, inappropriate or
inadvisable to proceed with the Rights Issue or Admission; or
	 
	 	(ii)	 	trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or
limited by the London Stock Exchange on any exchange or over the counter market,
or if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock
Exchange or any exchange in any member state of the European Union, the Nasdaq
Global Market or the London Stock Exchange has been suspended or limited, or
minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for
prices have been required, by any of such exchanges or by such system or by
order of any governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in
commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United
States, the United Kingdom or in the European Union, the effect of which (either
singly or together with any other event referred to in this Clause 15) is, in
the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, material in
the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission, or is such as to make
it, in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith,
impracticable, inappropriate or inadvisable to proceed with the Rights Issue or
Admission;
	 
	 	(iii)	 	a banking moratorium has been declared by the United Kingdom,
the United States, a member state of the European Union, or New York
authorities, the effect of which (either singly or together with any other event
referred to in this Clause 15) is, in the opinion of all of the Joint
Bookrunners, acting in good faith, material in the context of the Group, the
Rights Issue or Admission, or is such as to make it, in the opinion of all of
the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith, impracticable, inappropriate or
inadvisable to proceed with the Rights Issue or Admission; or

 Page 40

 

	 	(iv)	 	there has occurred an adverse change or a prospective adverse
change since the date of this Agreement in taxation in the United Kingdom,
United States or any member state of the European Union affecting the New Shares
or the transfer thereof or exchange controls have been imposed by the United
Kingdom, the United States or a member state of the European Union, the effect
of which (either singly or together with any other event referred to in this
Clause 15) is, in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good
faith, material in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission, or
is such as to make it, in the opinion of all of the Joint Bookrunners, acting in
good faith, impracticable, inappropriate or inadvisable to proceed with the
Rights Issue or Admission,

then (a) each of the Joint Sponsors, for itself in its capacity as sponsor only, acting in good
faith (following consultation with the Company to the extent practicable), shall be entitled to
terminate this Agreement insofar as it relates to the obligations of such Joint Sponsor in its
capacity as sponsor and, in the event of such termination, the obligations of such Joint Sponsor in
its capacity as sponsor shall cease and determine, and the provisions of Clause 2.3(b) shall apply,
and (b) the Joint Bookrunners, acting in good faith (following consultation with the Company to the
extent practicable), shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement in its entirety and, in the
event of such termination, this Agreement shall cease to have any further effect and the provisions
of Clause 2.4(a) shall apply. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights of the Joint Bookrunners under
this Clause 15.1:

	 	(A)	 	may be exercised by the Joint Bookrunners, and except where provided
otherwise herein, for whatever reason or on whatever basis that they consider to be
practicable, appropriate or advisable to them; and
	 
	 	(B)	 	are conferred on the Joint Bookrunners, and may be exercised by any Joint
Bookrunner, in its capacity as such, and not in any representative or fiduciary
capacity.

15.2 The termination of this Agreement (save to the extent specified in this Clause 15.2) pursuant
to Clauses 2.3, 2.4 and 15.1 shall be without prejudice to:

	(a)	 	any claim in respect of a breach of this Agreement prior to the termination;
	 
	(b)	 	any obligation of the Company in respect of New Shares which have already been issued,
subscribed for and paid for at the time of such termination; and
	 
	(c)	 	the provisions of Clauses 1, 10.5, 11 (other than 11.10), 12, 13 and 14, this Clause 15.2,
and Clauses 19 to 28 (inclusive), which will continue to apply.

15.3 Any notice of termination to be given by a Joint Sponsor or a Joint Bookrunner pursuant to
Clause 15.1 may be given in accordance with Clause 15.4 or Clause 23. Any notice given in
accordance with Clause 23 shall be copied to each other party to this Agreement provided however
that failure to do so will not invalidate such notice.

15.4 The Joint Sponsors or the Joint Bookrunners may give a notice pursuant to Clause 15.1 by
telephone to either the Chief Executive or the Group Tax & Treasury Director, or in

 Page 41

 

the event that such persons are unavailable, any Executive Director, on behalf of the Company, such
notice to take effect at the time such notice is given by telephone.

The contact details for the Chief Executive and Group Tax & Treasury Director will be provided to
the Joint Bookrunners by the Company on the date of this Agreement.

Where notice is given by telephone, the relevant Joint Sponsor or Joint Bookrunner shall as soon as
reasonably practicable and, in any event, within 12 hours, give the Company (in accordance with
Clause 23 and copied to each other party to this Agreement) a notice which:

	(a)	 	states that notice pursuant to Clause 15.1 has been given by telephone on or around a certain
time on a certain date;
	 
	(b)	 	specifies the name of (i) the representative of the Joint Sponsors or the Joint Bookrunners
and (ii) the officer involved in such telephone call; and
	 
	(c)	 	sets out the substance of the text which was read over the telephone,

provided however that failure to do so will not invalidate such notice.

16. Withholding and grossing up

16.1 All sums payable to the Banks or any other Indemnified Person under this Agreement shall be
paid free and clear of all deductions or withholdings without set-off or counterclaim unless the
deduction or withholding is required by law, in which event the relevant person making the payment
shall pay such additional amount as shall be required to ensure that the net amount received by the
Banks or any other Indemnified Person will equal the full amount which would have been received by
it had no such deduction or withholding been made.

16.2 If the HM Revenue & Customs or any other tax authority brings into charge to tax (or into any
computation of income, profit or gains for the purposes of any charge to tax) or would do so but
for the utilisation of any tax relief any sum payable to the Banks or any other Indemnified Person
(in this clause 16 only a payee) under this Agreement (other than any remuneration paid pursuant to
this Agreement including the commissions due under Clause 10) then the person liable to make such
payment shall pay such additional amount as shall be required to ensure that the total amount paid,
less the tax chargeable thereon or that which would be so chargeable but for the availability of
relief in respect of that charge to tax (except to the extent that such relief arises in respect of
the losses, costs, expenses or other items which have given rise to the sum payable, in which case
such relief (or part thereof) shall be ignored) is equal to the amount that would otherwise be so
received under this Agreement (any such additional payments being made on demand of the Bank, or
the Indemnified Person concerned).

16.3 If any payment is made by the Company to a person (the “recipient”) pursuant to this Agreement
which results in the Company making an additional payment under Clause 16.1 or Clause 16.2, and the
recipient subsequently in its sole and absolute discretion determines that: (i) a refund of tax or
a credit against tax is attributable to any deduction or withholding giving rise to the payment or
part thereof, and that refund or credit has actually been obtained by the recipient; or (ii) tax
has actually been saved as a result of incurring the relevant loss, liability, damage, cost, charge
or expense to which the payment relates, in each case the recipient shall pay an amount to the
Company which the recipient determines in its sole opinion (such

 Page 42

 

determination to be conclusive) will leave the recipient (after that payment) in no better or worse
position than it would have been in had the additional payment not been required to be made by the
Company. Nothing in this Clause 16.3 shall oblige a recipient to disclose any information nor shall
anything herein prevent a recipient from arranging its tax and commercial affairs in whatever
manner it thinks fit.

17. Miscellaneous

17.1 For the avoidance of doubt, the Company acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for any
due diligence carried out in relation to the Rights Issue and that none of the Banks nor any of
their advisers shall be responsible to the Company or any Director for any due diligence in
relation thereto or for verifying the accuracy or fairness of any information published by or on
behalf of the Company in connection with the Rights Issue.

17.2 The Company agrees that for the purpose of the Rights Issue (including for the purposes of
seeking to procure any sub-underwriters for the Underwritten Shares) and of obtaining Admission,
none of the Banks shall be responsible for the provision of or obtaining advice as to the
requirements of any applicable laws or regulations of any jurisdictions nor shall any such person
be responsible where it or the Company has acted in the absence of such advice or in reliance on
any advice obtained by the Company in respect thereof.

17.3 The Company acknowledges that the representations, warranties, undertakings and indemnities
contained in this Agreement are given to the Banks in connection with Admission and the Rights
Issue in each case whether in their capacities as underwriters or sponsors and references in this
Agreement to Banks shall be construed accordingly.

17.4 Notwithstanding that each Bank may act as the Company’s agent in connection with the Rights
Issue, each of such persons and its agents may:

	(a)	 	receive and keep for its own benefit any commissions, fees, brokerage or other benefits paid
to or received by it in connection with the Rights Issue, and shall not be liable to account
to the Company for any such commissions, fees, brokerage or other benefits; and
	 
	(b)	 	keep or deal in any New Shares for which it may subscribe for its own use and benefit.

17.5 For the avoidance of doubt, the rights and obligations of each of the Banks under this
Agreement are several, not joint or joint and several. Each of the Banks shall (except as otherwise
agreed among them) have the right separately to protect and enforce its rights under this Agreement
by whatever lawful means it deems fit, including, without limitation, commencing any legal
proceedings without joining any of the others in any proceedings.

17.6 The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) each of the Banks is acting solely pursuant to a
contractual relationship with the Company on an arm’s length basis with respect to the Rights Issue
(including in connection with determining the terms of the Rights Issue) and not, in relation to
the Rights Issue, as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to the Company or any other person; and
(ii) none of the Banks owes any duties or obligations to the Company of any nature whatsoever, save
as expressly set out in this Agreement, provided however in each

 Page 43

 

case that this shall not exclude or restrict any duty or liability that any of them have under FSMA
or arrangements for regulating any of them thereunder to any extent prohibited thereby.

17.7 The Company understands (i) that [•]([•]) is the parent company of [•] of which [•] is a
wholly-owned subsidiary and that [•] and its subsidiaries and affiliates are a financial services
group, and (ii) that each of [•], [•] and [•] is part of its own financial services group (for the
purposes of this Clause 17.7, each referred to as a group). Each of the Banks and [•] is a full
service securities firm and commercial bank engaged in activities and businesses including among
others, securities, commodities and derivatives trading, foreign exchange and other brokerage
activities, research publication, and principal investing, as well as providing investment,
corporate and private banking, asset and investment management, financing and financial advisory
services and other commercial services and products to a wide range of corporations, governments
and individuals from which conflicting interests or duties, or a perception thereof, may arise.
Accordingly, in no circumstance shall any Bank or any other member of their respective groups have
any liability by reason of members of the group conducting such other businesses or activities,
acting in their own interests or in the interests of other clients in respect of matters affecting
the Company, its affiliates or any other company, including where in so acting members of the group
act in a manner which is adverse to the interests of the Company or its affiliates. In addition, as
a result of duties of confidentiality, each of the Banks and the other members of their respective
groups may be prohibited from disclosing information to the Company or such disclosure may be
inappropriate and the Company agrees that no member of the respective groups will be under a duty
to use or to disclose any non-public information acquired from, or during the course of carrying on
business for, any other person. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that, in the ordinary
course of business, each of the Banks and other parts of their respective groups at any time (i)
may invest on a principal basis or manage funds that invest, make or hold long or short positions,
finance positions or trade or otherwise effect transactions, for their own accounts or the accounts
of customers, in equity, debt or other securities or financial instruments (including derivatives,
bank loans or other obligations) of the Company or any other company that may be involved in any
proposed transaction, and (ii) may provide or arrange financing and other financial services to
other companies that may be involved in any proposed transaction or a competing transaction, in
each case whose interests may conflict with those of the Company.

17.8 The Company agrees to indemnify each Bank against any loss incurred by such Bank as a result
of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due hereunder and such judgment or
order being expressed and paid in a currency (the Judgment Currency) other than pounds sterling and
as a result of any variation between: (i) the rate of exchange at which the pounds sterling amount
is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order; and (ii) the
rate of exchange at which such Bank is able to purchase pounds sterling, at the business date
nearest the date of judgment, with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by the
relevant Bank. The foregoing indemnity shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any
such judgment or order as aforesaid. The terms rate of exchange shall include any premiums and
costs or exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversions into, the relevant
currency.

 Page 44

 

18. Receiving Agent

The Company confirms that it has instructed the Receiving Agent to act as receiving agent in
connection with the Rights Issue and as registrar in relation to the Nil Paid Rights and the Fully
Paid Rights and to perform the obligations assigned to it under the Prospectus, the Provisional
Allotment Letters and this Agreement as receiving agent.

19. Time of the essence

Any time, date or period mentioned in this Agreement may be extended by mutual agreement between
the Company and the Banks but as regards any time, date or period originally fixed, or any time,
date or period so extended, time shall be of the essence.

20. Waiver

20.1 Any right or remedy of the Banks under this Agreement shall only be waived or varied by an
express waiver or variation in writing.

20.2 No failure or delay by the Banks in exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall
impair such right or remedy or operate or be construed as a waiver or variation of the right or
remedy or preclude its exercise at any subsequent time. No single or partial exercise of any such
right or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise of such right or remedy or the
exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights, powers and remedies of the Banks provided in
this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers and remedies provided by law.

21. Third Party Rights

21.1 Except as provided in Clause 13.8, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights
under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Agreement. The
Banks and the Company may agree to terminate this Agreement or vary any of its terms without the
consent of any Indemnified Person which is not a party to this Agreement or any other third party.
The Banks will have no responsibility to any Indemnified Person which is not a party to this
Agreement or any other third party under or as a result of this Agreement.

21.2 No variation of this Agreement shall be valid unless it is in writing and signed by or on
behalf of each of the Banks and the Company.

22. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is or is held to be invalid or unenforceable, then so far as it
is invalid or unenforceable it has no effect and is deemed not to be included in this Agreement.
This shall not invalidate any of the remaining provisions of this Agreement. The parties shall use
all reasonable endeavours to replace any invalid or unenforceable provision by a valid provision
the effect of which is as close as possible to the intended effect of the invalid or unenforceable
provision.

 Page 45

 

23. Notices

23.1 Any notice to be given under, or in connection with, this Agreement shall be in writing and be
signed by or on behalf of the party giving it. It shall be served by sending it by fax to the
number set out in Clause 23.2 or by delivering it by hand, or sending it by pre-paid recorded
delivery, special delivery or registered post, to the address set out in Clause 23.2 marked for the
attention of the relevant party (or as otherwise notified from time to time under this Agreement).

Any notice so served shall be deemed to have been duly received:

	(a)	 	in the case of delivery by hand, when delivered;
	 
	(b)	 	in the case of fax, at the time of transmission; and
	 
	(c)	 	in the case of pre paid recorded delivery, special delivery or registered post, on the
Dealing Day following the date of posting,

provided that if delivery by hand or fax occurs on a day which is not a Dealing Day or after
6.00 p.m. on a Dealing Day, service shall be deemed to occur at 9.00 a.m. on the following Dealing
Day.

23.2 The fax numbers and addresses of each of the Banks and the Company for the purpose of
Clause 23.1 are:

	 	 	 	 	 

	(i)

	 	the Company:
	 	1-3 Strand
	 

	 	 	 	London WC2N 5EH
	 

	 	 	 	Fax number: +44 (0)20 7004 3221
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	For the attention of: Company Secretary and General
Counsel
	 
	 	 	 	 
	(ii)

	 	[•]
	 	[•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Fax Number: [•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	For the attention of: ECM Syndicate Desk
	 
	 	 	 	 
	(iii)

	 	[•]
	 	[•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Fax Number: [•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	For the attention of: ECM Syndicate Desk
	 
	 	 	 	 
	(iv)

	 	[•]
	 	[•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Fax number: [•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	For the attention of: Head of Equity Capital Markets

 Page 46

 

	 	 	 	 	 

	(v)

	 	[•]
	 	[•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	Fax number: [•]
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	For the attention of: Head of Equity Capital Markets

24. Further assurances

The Company shall register the New Shares in the names of the successful applicants, and shall
provide, and shall procure that the Directors shall provide, all information and assistance that a
Bank may reasonably require for the purposes of this Agreement and execute (or procure to be
executed) each document and do (or procure to be done) each act and thing that an Underwriter may
reasonably request in order to give effect to the Rights Issue or Admission.

25. Assignment

No party may assign, or purport to assign: (i) this Agreement; (ii) all or any of their respective
rights or obligations arising under or out of this Agreement; or (iii) the benefit of all or any of
the other parties’ obligations under this Agreement.

26. Entire agreement

This Agreement, together with the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, the
Banks’ Engagement Letters and any other documents referred to in this Agreement, constitutes the
entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and
supersedes all agreements, understandings, undertakings, representations, warranties and
arrangements of any nature whatsoever between the parties relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement or any other agreement referred
to in, or entered into in connection with, this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall
prevail.

27. Counterparts

27.1 This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.

27.2 Delivery of an executed counterpart signature page of this Agreement by e-mail (PDF) or
telecopy shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. In
relation to each counterpart, upon confirmation by or on behalf of the signatory that the signatory
authorises the attachment of such counterpart signature page to the final text of this Agreement,
such counterpart signature page shall take effect together with such final text as a complete
authoritative counterpart.

28. Governing law

28.1 This Agreement and the relationship among the parties to it and any non-contractual
obligations which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be governed by and
interpreted in accordance with English law.

 Page 47

 

28.2 All parties to this Agreement agree that the courts of England are (subject to Clause 28.3(a))
to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute (including claims for set-off and
counterclaims) which may arise out of or in connection (i) with the creation, validity, effect,
interpretation or performance of, or of the legal relationships established by, this Agreement or
otherwise arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, and (ii) with any non-contractual
obligations which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement and for such purposes all
parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

28.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 28.2, in the event that any Bank or any of such
Bank’s Indemnified Persons becomes subject to proceedings brought by a third party (the Foreign
Proceedings) in the courts of any country other than England (including, without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing, in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States) (the
Foreign Jurisdiction), such Bank shall be entitled, without objection by the Company, either:

	(a)	 	to join the Company or any other person to the Foreign Proceedings; and/or
	 
	(b)	 	to bring separate proceedings for any breach of this Agreement and/or for a contribution or
an indemnity against the Company or any other person in the Foreign Jurisdiction, provided
that such separate proceedings arise out of or are in connection with the subject matter of
the Foreign Proceedings.

28.4 Each of the parties to this Agreement irrevocably waives any objection to the jurisdiction of
any courts referred to in this Clause 28.

28.5 Each party to this Agreement irrevocably agrees that a judgment and/or order of any court
referred to in this Clause 28 based on any matter arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement (including but not limited to the enforcement of any indemnity) shall be conclusive and
binding on it and may be enforced against it in any other jurisdiction, whether or not (subject to
due process having been served on it) it participates in the relevant proceedings.

28.6 The Company agrees to appoint an agent for service of process in any Foreign Jurisdiction
other than England in which any other party is subject to legal suit, action or proceedings based
on or arising under this Agreement within 14 days of receiving written notice of such legal suit,
action or proceedings and the request to appoint such agent for service. In the event that the
Company does not appoint such an agent within 14 days of the notice requesting it to do so, such
other party may appoint a commercial agent for service for the Company on the Company’s behalf and
at the Company’s expense and the Company agrees that subject to being notified of such appointment
in writing, service upon such commercial agent will constitute service upon the Company.

 Page 48

 

SCHEDULE 1

NEW SHARES TAKEN UP

1. Subject to paragraph 2 below, in this schedule MTM instruction means a many-to-many instruction
which:

	(a)	 	on its settlement has the effect as described in paragraph 2.2.2 of Part III of the
Prospectus;
	 
	(b)	 	has been properly authenticated in accordance with Euroclear’s specifications as referred to
in that paragraph; and
	 
	(c)	 	contains the information required by that paragraph.

2. The Company may, having consulted with the Joint Bookrunners and taken into account their
reasonable comments, treat an MTM instruction which constitutes a properly authenticated
dematerialised instruction (the first instruction) as not constituting a valid acceptance in
accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(iii) of Part III of the Prospectus if at the time at which the
Registrar receives a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction giving details of the first
instruction, the Company or the Registrar is or has received actual notice from Euroclear of any of
the matters specified in regulation 35(5)(a) of the Regulations in relation to the first
instruction.

3. A New Share shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as having been taken up if:

	(a)	 	the New Share in nil paid form is in certificated form and the following requirements have
been satisfied by 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date:

	 	(i)	 	a Provisional Allotment Letter relating to that New Share has
been lodged for acceptance by the person to whom it was provisionally allotted
or by a renouncee of the right to accept allotment together with a cheque or
other remittance for the full amount payable in respect of that New Share, in
accordance with the terms of the Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter
(or the Company exercises any discretion it has in the Prospectus to treat the
Provisional Allotment Letter as binding notwithstanding these requirements); and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the Company has not, with the Joint Bookrunners’ consent,
rejected the Provisional Allotment Letter for any reason; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	the Receiving Agent has not been notified that the cheque or
other remittance has not been accepted by the drawee on first presentation.

	(b)	 	the New Share in nil paid form is in uncertificated form and:

	 	(i)	 	an MTM instruction in respect of those New Shares settles by
11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date; or

 Page 49

 

	 	(ii)	 	an MTM instruction in respect of those New Shares constitutes a
valid acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(iii) of Part III of the
Prospectus and settles by 2.00 p.m. on the Acceptance Date; or

	(c)	 	the following has occurred:

	 	(i)	 	an MTM instruction in respect of those New Shares constitutes a
valid acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(iii) of Part III of the
Prospectus; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the MTM instruction has not settled by 2.00 p.m. on the
Acceptance Date (or by such later time or date as the Company and the Joint
Bookrunners decide); and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	the Company and the Joint Bookrunners are not entitled to
assume, in accordance with sub-paragraph (vii) of paragraph 2.2.2 of Part III of
the Prospectus, that there has been a breach of any of the representations,
warranties or undertakings set out or referred to in paragraph 2.2.2(vi) of Part
III of the Prospectus because it is aware of a reason outside the control of the
CREST member or CREST sponsor that sent the MTM instruction for its failure to
settle; or

	(d)	 	the following has occurred:

	 	(i)	 	an MTM instruction in respect of those New Shares constitutes a
valid acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(iii) of Part III of the
Prospectus;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	the MTM has not settled by 2.00 p.m. on the Acceptance Date (or
by such later time or date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners decide);
	 
	 	(iii)	 	the Company is entitled to assume, in accordance with
sub-paragraph (vii) of paragraph 2.2.2 of Part III of the Prospectus, that there
has been a breach of any of the representations, warranties or undertakings set
out or referred to in paragraph 2.2.2(iv) of Part III of the Prospectus because
it is not aware of a reason outside the control of the CREST member or CREST
sponsor that sent the MTM instruction for its failure to settle; and
	 
	 	(iv)	 	the Company exercises its discretion not to reject the acceptance
constituted by the MTM instruction; or

	(e)	 	an MTM instruction in respect of those New Shares does not constitute a valid acceptance in
accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(vii) of Part III of the Prospectus and the Company exercises
its discretion not to reject the acceptance constituted by the MTM instruction; or
	 
	(f)	 	a Director has irrevocably undertaken to the Company to subscribe for such New Share.

 Page 50

 

4. For the avoidance of doubt the Banks have no liability or obligation under this Agreement in
relation to any New Shares if the New Shares in nil paid form are in certificated form and:

	(a)	 	the acceptance of the Provisional Allotment Letter in respect of those New Shares is rejected
after 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date due to the failure to provide satisfactory evidence of
identity to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 in the manner contemplated in
the Press Announcement, the Prospectus and the Provisional Allotment Letter; or
	 
	(b)	 	the cheque or other remittance for which is dishonoured after 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance
Date except if each party has been notified that the cheque or other remittance has been
dishonoured by 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date.

5. If (but only if) the parties so agree, New Shares will be deemed to have been taken up by
11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date if the New Shares in nil paid form are in certificated form and:

	(a)	 	a cheque or other remittance for the full amount payable in respect of those New Shares (and
whether or not the cheque or other remittance is honoured) is received by 11.00 a.m. on the
Acceptance Date from an authorised person (as defined in the FSMA) identifying those New
Shares and agreeing to lodge the relevant Provisional Allotment Letter properly completed in
due course; or
	 
	(b)	 	the relevant Provisional Allotment Letter and a cheque or other remittance for the full
amount payable in respect of those New Shares (and whether or not the cheque or other
remittance is honoured) are received by 11.00 a.m. on the first Dealing Day after the
Acceptance Date by post and the cover bears a legible postmark of not later than 11.00 a.m. on
the Acceptance Date.

6. If the parties decide to extend the time for settlement of MTM instructions in accordance with
paragraphs 3(c)(iii) or 3(d)(ii) of this Schedule 1 the Company shall forthwith ask Euroclear not
to disable the Nil Paid Rights until the end of that extension.

7. As soon as practicable after 11.00 a.m. on the Acceptance Date and by not later than 2.30 p.m.
on the Acceptance Date, the Company shall, following consultation with the Joint Bookrunners,
exercise its discretion in paragraphs 3(d)(iv) and 3(e) of this Schedule 1 reasonably.

8. If the Company, having consulted with the Joint Bookrunners and taken into account their
reasonable comments, accepts:

	(a)	 	an alternative properly authenticated dematerialised instruction from a CREST member or
(where applicable) a CREST sponsor in accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(vii)(c) of Part III of
the Prospectus; or
	 
	(b)	 	an alternative instruction or notification from a CREST member or CREST sponsored member or
(where applicable) a CREST sponsor in accordance with paragraph 2.2.2(vii)(e) of Part III of
the Prospectus,

 Page 51

 

as constituting a valid acceptance in respect of any New Shares, those New Shares are deemed to
have been taken up.

9. Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Schedule 1, in all other cases, with respect to
all Qualifying Shareholders, a New Share shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, be treated as
not having been taken up.

10. Notwithstanding anything in this Schedule 1, a New Share shall not be treated as taken up for
the purposes of this Agreement in circumstances where the relevant acceptance has been withdrawn
pursuant to section 87Q of the FSMA provided that such New Share shall not subsequently be treated
as taken up in accordance with this Schedule 1.

 Page 52

 

SCHEDULE 2

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

Part A

Immediately after the execution of this Agreement and, in any event, before the release of the
Press Announcement, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery, to Banks’ Counsel (on
behalf of each of the Banks) in the agreed form, or to the extent not in agreed form, in a form
acceptable to the Joint Bookrunners, of:

1. Certified copy of the Press Announcement.

2. Copy of the Draft Prospectus.

3. Copy of the Draft Annual Report, in the agreed form.

4. Certified copy of the Presentation Materials, in the agreed form.

5. Certified copy of the Verification Materials duly signed by or on behalf of each Director
prepared in connection with the Press Announcement and dated the date of this Agreement and copies
of all evidence supporting answers in the notes.

6. Certified copy of the Verification Materials duly signed by or on behalf of each Director
prepared in connection with the Presentation Materials and dated the date of this Agreement and
copies of all evidence supporting answers in the notes.

7. Certified copy of the signed minutes of the meetings of the Board, or a duly authorised
committee thereof, approving the Draft Annual Report, the Draft Prospectus, the Press Announcement,
this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, the Receiving Agent
Agreement, the Verification Materials and (where appropriate) the other documents referred to in
this Agreement and authorising the steps to be taken by the Company in connection with the Rights
Issue, including the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Option Agreement,
the Subscription and Transfer Agreement and the Receiving Agent Agreement in the agreed form and
the execution of any powers of attorney in relation to the execution of this Agreement, the Option
Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, the Receiving Agent Agreement and any other
agreement to be entered into in connection with the Rights Issue.

8. Certified copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Board appointing any committee such as is
referred to in paragraph 7 above.

9. Certified copy of the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement and the
Receiving Agent Agreement dated the date of this Agreement.

10. A certified copy of any power of attorney under which any party executes this Agreement.

The Joint Bookrunners may, in their absolute discretion, elect that delivery of any of the
documents referred to in this Part A of Schedule 2 may be deferred and in lieu of any such

 Page 53

 

delivery require delivery of the relevant document in a form reasonably satisfactory to them at a
later time specified by the Joint Bookrunners.

 Page 54

 

Part B

Prior to publication of the Prospectus, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery, to
Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of the Banks), in the agreed form, or to the extent not in agreed
form, in a form acceptable to the Joint Bookrunners, of:

1. Certified copy of the Prospectus bearing evidence of the formal approval of the FSA, pursuant to
the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules.

2. Certified copy of the signed Application for Admission of Securities to the Official List
certified by a Director or the Secretary of the Company.

3. Certified copy of the signed Application for Admission to Trading issued by the London Stock
Exchange certified by a Director or the Secretary of the Company (Form 1 of the Admission and
Disclosure Standards).

4. Certified copy of the security application forms in respect of the Nil Paid Rights and the Fully
Paid Rights that have been given to Euroclear.

5. Letter from the Company to the FSA identifying any items from the schedules or building blocks
of the Prospectus Rules which have not been included because they are not applicable.

6. Certified copy of “Form A” to be submitted to the FSA in accordance with paragraph 3.1.1(1) of
the Prospectus Rules for approval of a prospectus in accordance with Part VI of the FSMA.

7. Original letter from the Company to the Banks relating to the following: (i) paragraphs 8.3.4,
8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules; (ii) the fact that there has been no significant change in
the financial and trading position (including the indebtedness position) of the Group since the
Accounts Date, (iii) the sufficiency of the Company’s working capital, and (iv) extraction of
financial information, in the agreed form and dated the Publication Date.

8. Original letter from the Company’s Counsel to the Banks relating to the declaration required
from the Joint Sponsors pursuant to paragraphs 8.3.4, 8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules, in the
agreed form and dated the Publication Date.

9. Original letters to the Banks signed by each of the Directors authorising the publication of the
Prospectus, accepting responsibility for information contained in the Prospectus and acknowledging
their understanding of their responsibilities under the Listing Rules and the Disclosure Rules and
Transparency Rules in accordance with paragraph 8.3.4 of the Listing Rules, in the agreed form.

10. Original letters to the Company and the Banks by each of the Directors accepting responsibility
for the information contained in the Prospectus including a power of attorney granting power to any
one director to execute and deliver documents in connection with the Rights Issue.

 Page 55

 

11. Certified copy of the Verification Materials, duly signed by or on behalf of each Director and
by each of the other persons responsible for the replies thereto prepared in connection with the
Prospectus and dated the Publication Date and copies of all evidence supporting answers in the
notes.

12. Certified copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Board, or a duly authorised committee
thereof, approving the Relevant Documents and (where appropriate) the other documents referred to
in this Agreement and authorising the steps to be taken by the Company in connection with the
Rights Issue, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Deed and/or the arrangements
contemplated by this Agreement.

13. Copy of the Auditor’s UK engagement letter and international arrangement letter signed by the
Auditor and addressed to the Company and each Bank.

14. Original of the Working Capital Report, duly signed by the Auditors, dated the Publication
Date.

15. Original of the Working Capital Memorandum, duly signed by the Company and dated the
Publication Date.

16. Original of the pro forma financial information report duly signed by the Auditors and dated
the Publication Date.

17. Original letters duly signed by the Auditors in the agreed form and dated the Publication Date:

	(a)	 	in relation to the Working Capital Report;
	 
	(b)	 	(i) confirming the correct extraction of financial information contained in the Prospectus;
(ii) in respect of the capitalisation and indebtedness statement in included in the
Prospectus; and (iii) in relation to the statement in the Prospectus that there has been no
significant change in the financial and trading position of the Group;
	 
	(c)	 	in relation to paragraphs 8.4.8(1), 8.4.8(2) and 8.4.9(3) of the Listing Rules (to be
addressed to the Joint Sponsors);
	 
	(d)	 	consenting to the inclusion of their reports and of references thereto in the form and
context in which they appear in the Prospectus; and
	 
	(e)	 	in relation to the accuracy of the tax information included in Part X of the Prospectus.

18. Original of a SAS 72 letter duly signed by the Auditors in the agreed form and dated the
Publication Date.

19. Original of a SAS 72 “lookalike” letter duly signed by the Auditors in the agreed form and
dated the Publication Date.

20. Original of a signed Rule 10b-5 disclosure letter of each of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed
form, and Banks’ Counsel dated the Publication Date.

 Page 56

 

21. Original of a signed “no registration”, “Investment Company Act” and “US tax disclosure”
opinion of Company’s Counsel in the agreed form and dated the Publication Date.

22. Original of a signed “no registration” opinion of Banks’ Counsel dated the Publication Date.

23. Original of a signed opinion of each : (i) of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form, as English
legal advisers to the Company; and (b) Banks’ Counsel, as English legal advisers to the Banks dated
the Publication Date.

24. Original of a signed legal opinion of Newco Counsel, as Jersey legal advisers to the Company,
in the agreed form dated the same date as the date of this Agreement.

25. Certified copy of each of the other documents stated in the Prospectus as being available for
inspection.

26. Certified copy of the Provisional Allotment Letter.

27. Memorandum of advice on Directors’ responsibilities for the Prospectus and potential
liabilities in connection with the Rights Issue, in the agreed form.

28. Original letter in the form of Part A of Schedule 4 signed by a director or secretary of the
Company authorised to do so.

The Banks may, in their absolute discretion, elect that delivery of any of the documents referred
to in this Part B of Schedule 2 may be deferred and in lieu of any such delivery require delivery
of the relevant document in a form reasonably satisfactory to them at a later time specified by the
Banks.

 Page 57

 

Part C

Prior to Admission, the Company shall deliver, or procure the delivery, to Banks’ Counsel (on
behalf of each of the Banks), in the agreed form, or to the extent not in agreed form, in a form
acceptable to the Joint Bookrunners, of:

1. Certified copy of the resolution of the Board provisionally allotting the New Shares as referred
to in Clause 6.1 and approving and authorising the despatch or publication of the Provisional
Allotment Letters.

2. Copy of the signed Application for Admission of Securities to the Official List in relation to
the New Shares in the form required by paragraph 3.3.2(1)R of the Listing Rules, signed by a
Director or the Secretary of the Company.

3. Original and signed Application for Admission to Trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE Form
1) in relation to the New Shares, signed by a Director or the Secretary of the Company.

4. Copy of the Participating Securities application forms in respect of the Fully Paid Rights and
the Nil Paid Rights given by the Company to Euroclear certified by a Director or the Secretary of
the Company.

5. Copy of an undated letter from the Company addressed to Euroclear confirming that the conditions
for admission of the Nil Paid Rights and the Fully Paid Rights to CREST are satisfied.

6. Certified copy of the CREST enablement letter confirming that the conditions for admission of
the New Shares to CREST are satisfied.

7. Original letter from the Company to the Banks relating to the following: (i) paragraphs 8.3.4,
8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules; (ii) the fact that there has been no significant change in
the financial and trading position (including indebtedness) of the Group since the Accounts Date,
(iii) the sufficiency of the Company’s working capital, and (iv) extraction of financial
information, in the agreed form and dated the date of Admission.

8. Original signed letter to the Banks from Company’s Counsel relating to the declaration required
from the Joint Sponsors pursuant to paragraphs 8.3.4, 8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules, in the
agreed form and dated the date of Admission.

9. Original of a signed bring-down UK letter of the Auditors to the Banks, in the agreed form and
dated the date of Admission.

10. Original of a bring-down SAS 72 comfort letter duly signed by the Auditors, in the agreed form
and dated the date of Admission.

11. Original of a bring-down SAS 72 “lookalike” comfort letter duly signed by the Auditors, in the
agreed form and dated the date of Admission.

12. Original of a signed Rule 10b-5 disclosure letter of each of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed
form, and Banks’ Counsel dated the date of Admission.

 Page 58

 

13. Original of a signed “no registration”, “Investment Company Act” and “US tax disclosure”
opinion of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form and dated the date of Admission.

14. Original of a signed “no registration” opinion of Banks’ Counsel dated the date of Admission.

15. Original of a signed opinion of each of: (i) Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form, as English
legal advisers to the Company; and (b) Banks’ Counsel, as English legal advisers to the Banks dated
the date of Admission.

16. Original of a signed legal opinion of Newco Counsel, as Jersey legal advisers to the Company,
in the agreed form dated the same date as the date of Admission.

17. Original letter in the form of Part A of Schedule 4 signed by a director or secretary of the
Company authorised to do so.

 Page 59

 

Part D

Before despatching and publishing any Supplementary Prospectus, the Company shall deliver, or
procure the delivery, to Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of the Banks) in the agreed form, or to
the extent not in agreed form, in a form acceptable to the Joint Bookrunners, of:

1. Original letter from the Company to the Banks relating to the following: (i) paragraphs 8.3.4,
8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules; (ii) the fact that there has been no significant change in
the financial and trading position (including indebtedness) of the Group since the Accounts Date,
(iii) the sufficiency of the Company’s working capital, and (iv) extraction of financial
information, in the agreed form and dated the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

2. Original signed letter to the Banks from the Company’s Counsel relating to the declaration
required from the Joint Sponsors pursuant to paragraphs 8.3.4, 8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing
Rules, in the agreed form and dated the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

3. Original signed bring-down UK comfort letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form and dated the
date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

4. Original signed letter from the Auditors relating to the declaration required from the Joint
Sponsors pursuant to paragraphs 8.4.8 and 8.4.9 of the Listing Rules, in the agreed form and dated
the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

5. Original of a signed bring-down SAS 72 letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form and dated
the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

6. Original of a signed bring down SAS 72 “lookalike” letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form
and dated the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

7. Original of a signed Rule 10b-5 disclosure letter of each of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed
form, as US legal advisers to the Company and Banks’ Counsel dated the date of such Supplementary
Prospectus.

8. Original of a signed “no registration”, “Investment Company Act” and “US tax disclosure” opinion
of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form and dated the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

9. Original of a signed “no registration” opinion of Banks’ Counsel dated the date of such
Supplementary Prospectus.

10. Original of a signed opinion of each of: (i) Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form, as English
legal advisers to the Company; and (b) Banks’ Counsel, as English legal advisers to the Banks,
dated the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

11. Original of a signed legal opinion of Newco Counsel, as Jersey legal advisers to the Company,
in the agreed form dated the same date as the date of such Supplementary Prospectus.

 Page 60

 

12. Original letter in the form of Part B of Schedule 4 signed by a director or secretary of
the Company authorised to do so.

Page 61

 

 

Part E

On or prior to the Time of Procurement the Company will deliver, or procure the delivery, to Banks’
Counsel (on behalf of each of the Banks), of:

1. Original signed bring-down UK comfort letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form and dated the
Time of Procurement.

2. Original of a signed bring-down SAS 72 letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form and dated
the Time of Procurement.

3. Original of a signed bring-down SAS 72 “look-a-like” letter from the Auditors, in the agreed
form and dated the Time of Procurement.

4. Original letter in the form of Part B of Schedule 4 signed by a director or secretary of the
Company authorised to do so.

Page 62

 

 

Part F

On or prior to 7.00 a.m. on the Settlement Date the Company will deliver, or procure the delivery,
to Banks’ Counsel (on behalf of each of the Banks), of:

1. Original of a signed bring-down SAS 72 letter from the Auditors, in the agreed form and dated
the Settlement Date.

2. Original of a signed bring-down SAS 72 “look-a-like” letter from the Auditors, in the agreed
form and dated the Settlement Date.

3. Original of a signed Rule 10b-5 disclosure letter of each of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed
form, and Banks’ Counsel pertaining to the Time of Procurement and the Settlement Date, dated the
Settlement Date.

4. Original of a signed “no registration”, “Investment Company Act and US tax disclosure” opinion
of Company’s Counsel, in the agreed form pertaining to the Time of Procurement and the Settlement
Date, dated the Settlement Date.

5. Original of a signed “no registration” opinion of Banks’ Counsel pertaining to the Time of
Procurement and the Settlement Date, dated the Settlement Date.

6. Original of a signed opinion of each of: (i) Company’s Counsel in the agreed form, as English
legal advisers to the Company; and (b) Banks’ Counsel, as English legal advisers to the Banks,
pertaining to the Time of Procurement and the Settlement Date, dated the Settlement Date.

7. Original of a signed legal opinion of Newco Counsel, as Jersey legal advisers to the Company, in
the agreed form dated the Settlement Date.

8. Original letter in the form of Part B of Schedule 4 signed by a director or secretary of the
Company authorised to do so.

Page 63

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND UNDERTAKINGS

1. Compliance

1.1 The Company and each Principal Group Company (and any holding company thereof) has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a company with limited liability under the laws of the
country of its incorporation with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate the
properties which it owns, leases and operates and to own its other assets and carry on its business
as presently carried on and as intended to be carried on as described in the Prospectus.

1.2 The Group has conducted and is conducting its business, in all material respects, in accordance
with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, the United States and, to the
knowledge of the Company, elsewhere and there is no order, decree or judgment of any court or any
governmental or other competent authority or agency of the United Kingdom, the United States or
elsewhere outstanding against any Group Company or any person for whose acts any Group Company is
vicariously liable which adversely affects or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse
effect on the financial position of the Company or the Group as a whole.

1.3 All orders, registrations, licences, qualifications, permissions, clearances, approvals,
authorisations and consents which are material for carrying on the business of the Group have been
obtained and are in full force and effect and, so far as the Company is aware, there are no
circumstances which might lead to any of such orders, registrations, licences, qualifications,
permissions, clearances, approvals, authorisations and consents being revoked, suspended, varied
(in any material respect) or refused renewal.

1.4 All sums due in respect of the issued share capital of the Company at the date of this
Agreement have been paid to and received by the Company. None of the owners or holders of any of
the share capital of the Company shall, with effect from Admission, have any pre-emptive or other
rights, in his capacity as such, in relation to the Group other than as set out in the articles of
association of the Company.

1.5 The Company is the beneficial owner free from all Adverse Interests of the whole of the issued
share capital of each Principal Group Company, other than for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation,
KeySpan Gas East Corporation and the Brooklyn Union Gas Company, each of which has issued or will
be issuing a golden share under the order of the NY Public Service Commission, which in each case
is held by GSS Holdings, Inc. or another nominee of the NY Public Service Commission.

1.6 The Company and the Directors have at all times complied with the provisions of the Company’s
memorandum and articles of association and the Companies Act in all material respects and have the
right, power and authority under the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, or
pursuant to a resolution passed in a general meeting, to enter into and perform this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the power to pay commissions, fees, costs and expenses provided for
in this Agreement), the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement and the Receiving
Agent Agreement, to make the Rights Issue, to allot and issue the New Shares in certificated and
uncertificated form, to issue the Relevant Documents in the manner proposed without any sanction or

Page 64

 

 

consent by members of the Company or any class of them and to enter into any other agreement in
connection with the Rights Issue to which it is, or is to be, a party, and, subject to Admission,
there are no other consents, authorisations or approvals required by the Company in connection with
the entering into and the performance of this Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and
Transfer Agreement and the Receiving Agent Agreement and the actions referred to in this
paragraph 1.6 which have not been irrevocably and unconditionally obtained. The Company’s existing
Ordinary Shares are participating securities in, and have not been suspended from, CREST.

1.7 The allotment and issue of the New Shares, the Rights Issue, the issue and distribution of the
Relevant Documents and any other document by or on behalf of the Company in connection with
Admission or the Rights Issue (a) will comply, in all material respects, with all agreements to
which any Group Company is a party or by which any such Group Company is bound; (b) will comply, in
all material respects, with all applicable laws and regulations of the United Kingdom (including,
without limitation, the Companies Act, the FSMA, the Listing Rules, the Prospectus Rules, the
Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules, the Admission and Disclosure Standards) and all applicable
laws and regulations of the United States and, to the knowledge of the Company, elsewhere; (c) will
comply with the memorandum and articles of association of the Company; (d) will not exceed or
infringe any restrictions or the terms of any contract, indenture, security, obligation, commitment
or arrangement by or binding upon the board of directors of any Group Company or their respective
properties, revenues or assets or result in the implementation of any right of pre emption or any
other material provision thereof, or result in the imposition or variation of any rights or
obligations of the Company save where any such excess or infringement would not be, singly or in
the aggregate, material in the context of the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission; and (e) is not
likely to result in any other party being relieved of any material obligation or becoming entitled
to exercise any material right (including any termination right or option) or in the Company or the
Group losing any material benefit, right or licence which it currently enjoys or in a material
liability or obligation of the Company or the Group being created or a liability or obligation of
the Company or the Group being materially increased.

1.8 The New Shares will, upon allotment, be free from all Adverse Interests and will rank pari
passu in all respects with the existing issued shares in the issued share capital of the Company
save for the right to receive the final dividend of 24.84 pence per Ordinary Share proposed to be
paid in respect of the year ended 31 March 2010, and there will be no restrictions on the
subsequent transfer of the New Shares pursuant to the memorandum and articles of association of the
Company or under English law.

1.9 The New Shares conform to all statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus, and such
description conforms to the rights set out in the Company’s articles of association.

1.10 The Company has complied and is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements
of Euroclear and the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.

1.11 This Agreement, the Option Agreement, the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, the Receiving
Agent Agreement and the other agreements to be entered into by the Company in connection with
Admission and the Rights Issue have been duly authorised, executed and

Page 65

 

 

delivered on behalf of the Company and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the
Company enforceable against it in accordance with their terms.

1.12 The Rights Issue (including without limitation, the creation, allotment and issue of the New
Shares and the publication and distribution of the Relevant Documents) will be conducted in all
material respects in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Relevant Documents and the
Company has not contravened in any material respect the laws, rules and regulations applicable to
the Rights Issue in each jurisdiction in which the New Shares are offered.

1.13 Save as pursuant to the employee share plans described in paragraph 13 of Part XI of the
Prospectus, there are no rights (conditional or otherwise) (i) to require the issue of any shares
or other securities (including without limitation, any loan capital) or securities convertible into
or exchangeable for, or warrants, rights or options to purchase, or obligations, commitments or
intentions to create the same or (ii) to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares or other
securities of the Company or any Principal Group Company (or any holding company thereof) other
than for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, KeySpan Gas East Corporation and the Brooklyn Union
Gas Company, each of which has issued or will be issuing a golden share under the order of the NY
Public Service Commission, which in each case is held by GSS Holdings, Inc. or another nominee of
the NY Public Service Commission.

1.14 No member of the Group or any person acting on its behalf (for the avoidance of doubt no
representation is being made with respect to the Banks or any of their respective affiliates) has
taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or which has constituted or which might
reasonably be expected to cause or result in stabilisation or manipulation of the price of any
security of the Company.

1.15 The Company has not paid or agreed to pay to any person any compensation for soliciting
another to purchase any New Shares (except as contemplated in this Agreement).

2. Relevant Documents

2.1 The Prospectus (when read together with any Supplementary Prospectus) fairly presents (or when
issued and published will fairly present) the information contained therein and does not and will
not, as of its date and on the dates on which this Warranty is deemed repeated (and if amended or
supplemented as of the date of such amendment or supplement), contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

2.2 All statements of fact included in the Relevant Documents are (or when issued and published
will be) fairly presented and true and accurate in all material respects and are not (or when made
will not be) misleading in any material respect.

2.3 Without prejudice to the representations in 2.1 and 2.2 above, the Relevant Documents contain,
or will when published contain, all particulars and information required by, and comply, or will
when published comply with (to the extent applicable) the memorandum and articles of association of
the Company, the Companies Act, the FSMA, the

Page 66

 

 

Listing Rules, the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules, the Prospectus Rules, the rules and
requirements of the London Stock Exchange and the FSA and, in all material respects, all other
requirements of statute, statutory regulation or any regulatory body.

2.4 All expressions of opinion, intention, belief or expectation contained in any Relevant Document
(following publication, if applicable) are, and were on the respective dates thereof, or will be,
when published, truly and honestly held by the Directors, are fairly based and have been made on
reasonable grounds after due and careful consideration and enquiry.

2.5 There are no facts or matters known, or which could on due and careful enquiry have been known,
to the Company or any of the Directors omitted from any Relevant Document (following publication,
if applicable), the omission of which would make any expression of opinion, intention, belief or
expectation contained in a Relevant Document misleading in any material respect.

2.6 Having regard to the particular nature of the Company and the Group and the Company’s share
capital and the other matters referred to in section 87A of the FSMA, the Prospectus contains all
information about the Group which is or might be material for disclosure to potential investors and
their professional advisers and which they would reasonably require and reasonably expect to find
there for the purpose of making an informed assessment of the matters specified in section 87A(2)
of the FSMA in a form which is comprehensible and easy to analyse.

2.7 Statements in Parts, V, X, and XI of the Prospectus, insofar as they purport to constitute a
summary of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate in all material respects.

2.8 There are no matters other than those disclosed with sufficient prominence in the Prospectus or
otherwise in writing to the UK Listing Authority which the Company considers should be taken into
account by the UK Listing Authority in considering the application for Admission.

2.9 All information provided by the Company, its subsidiary undertakings or any of its or their
officers or employees to the Banks and/or the Auditors in connection with their due diligence
enquiries or similar requests for information (including, without limitation, for the purposes of
the Working Capital Report and/or any other report prepared by the Auditors in connection with the
Rights Issue and in respect of any updates thereto) has been supplied in good faith and, so far as
the Company is aware, such information was when supplied, and remains, true and accurate in all
material respects and not misleading in any material respect and no further information has been
withheld, the absence of which might reasonably be considered to make such information inaccurate
or misleading in any material respect or which might reasonably have affected the contents of the
Working Capital Report and/or any other such report.

3. Verification Materials

The Verification Materials have been approved at a meeting of the Board or a duly authorised
committee thereof and have been prepared in good faith with due care and the replies given

Page 67

 

 

have been prepared or approved by persons having appropriate knowledge and responsibility to enable
them properly to provide such replies.

4. Previous Announcements

With respect to all Previous Announcements, all statements of fact contained therein were at the
date of the relevant Previous Announcement and, save to the extent corrected in any document or
announcement issued or made by or on behalf of the Company subsequent thereto, remain true and
accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any material respect and all material
estimates, expressions of opinion or intention or belief or expectation contained therein were at
the date of the relevant Previous Announcement made on reasonable grounds and were truly and
honestly held and were fairly based and there were no facts known (or which could on reasonable
enquiry have been known) the omission of which would make any statement of a material fact or
estimate or statement or expression of opinion, intention, belief or expectation in any of the
Previous Announcements misleading and all Previous Announcements complied in all material respects
with the memorandum and articles of association of the Company, the Companies Act, the FSMA, the
Listing Rules, the Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules, the Prospectus Rules, all applicable
rules and requirements of the London Stock Exchange and the FSA and all other requirements of
applicable statute, statutory regulation or any regulatory body. There is no existing profit
forecast outstanding in respect of the Company, the Group taken as a whole, or any member thereof.

5. Derogation

All statements made or information provided by or on behalf of the Company to the London Stock
Exchange or the UK Listing Authority (including in connection with any application for certain
information to be omitted from the Prospectus) are (or, when made, will be) true, complete and
accurate in all material respects and are not (or, when made, will not be) misleading in any
material respect. There is no information which has not been disclosed in writing to the London
Stock Exchange or the UK Listing Authority in connection with such an application which by its
omission makes such a statement untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect or which
is otherwise material for disclosure to the London Stock Exchange or the UK Listing Authority.

6. Accounts

6.1 The Accounts:

	(a)	 	have been prepared and audited in accordance with and comply with IFRS, the Companies Act,
the Companies Act 1985 and all applicable laws and regulations in the United Kingdom;
	 
	(b)	 	give a true and fair view of the financial condition and of the state of affairs of the
Company and the Group as at the end of each of the relevant financial periods (including the
Accounts Date) and of the profit, loss, cash flow and changes in equity of the Company and the
Group for such periods;

Page 68

 

 

	(c)	 	are in accordance with IFRS applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved;
	 
	(d)	 	either make proper provision for or, where appropriate, in accordance with IFRS, include a
note in respect of all liabilities (which includes, for the avoidance of doubt, the tax
liabilities) or commitments, whether actual, deferred, contingent or disputed of the Group;
and
	 
	(e)	 	have been prepared after due and careful enquiry by the Company and, where applicable, its
subsidiaries, and are prepared on the basis set out in the Prospectus consistently with the
accounting policies of the Group.

6.2 The summary and selected financial information on the Group set out in the Prospectus has been
duly and carefully extracted from the Accounts and has been properly compiled on a basis consistent
with the accounting policies applied in the Accounts.

6.3 The information contained in the statement of capitalisation and indebtedness set out in the
Prospectus presents fairly the information contained therein, has been accurately extracted from
the Company’s records and properly compiled on the basis described therein and on a basis that is
consistent with the accounting policies applied in the Accounts. The information contained in the
statement of capitalisation and indebtedness is in accordance with the Listing Rules, the
Prospectus Rules and the Admission and Disclosure Standards, and the assumptions used in the
preparation of such statement are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to
give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.

6.4 Save to the extent set out in the Accounts, no Group Company has any off-balance sheet
financing, investment or liability material for disclosure in the Prospectus.

6.5 The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and has been designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal
executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

6.6 The Directors have established procedures which provide a reasonable basis for them to make
proper judgements on an ongoing basis as to the financial position and prospects of the Company and
each Group Company.

6.7 Each of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting
controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that:

	(a)	 	transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorisation;

Page 69

 

 

	(b)	 	transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements by the
Company on a consolidated basis in conformity with IFRS and the Companies Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder and to maintain accountability for assets;
	 
	(c)	 	access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorisation; and
	 
	(d)	 	the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

6.8 There are no, and during the past three years have been no (i) material weaknesses in the
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (whether or not remedied) of the Company or
the Group, (ii) change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting of the Company
or the Group that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company’s internal controls over financial reporting, of the Company or the Group, or (iii) fraud
that involves any member of management of the Company or of any member of the Group, in each case
of grade A or B status, or, to the extent material, any other employee of the Company or any member
of the Group.

6.9 The Auditors, who have audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements and supporting
notes as at and for the years ended 31 March 2008, 2009 and 2010, are independent auditors with
respect to the Group, as required by the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules.

7. Position since Accounts Date

7.1 Since the Accounts Date:

	(a)	 	each Group Company has carried on its respective business in all material respects in the
ordinary course, and there has been no Material Adverse Change;
	 
	(b)	 	there has been no material impairment to charges in respect of any assets of the Company or
of any Group Company and there has been no material increase in the provisions of the Company
or of any Group Company;
	 
	(c)	 	save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 16 of Part XI of the Prospectus, no Group Company
has, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, entered into or assumed or incurred
any material contract, oral or written commitment (whether in respect of capital expenditure
or otherwise), borrowing, indebtedness in the nature of borrowing, guarantee, liability
(including contingent liability) or any other material agreement or obligation;
	 
	(d)	 	no debtor has been released by the Company to an extent which is material in relation to the
Group taken as a whole on terms that he pays less than the book value of his debt and no debt
of such material amount owing to the Company or any Group Company has been deferred,
subordinated or written off or has proven irrecoverable to any material extent;
	 
	(e)	 	no Group Company has been involved in any transaction which has resulted or is likely to
result in any material liability for Tax on the Company or any Group

Page 70

 

 

	 	 	Company other than a transaction in the ordinary course of business or which is provided
for in the Accounts; and
	 
	(f)	 	no Group Company has been in default in any material respect under any agreement or
arrangement to which any Group Company is a party and which is or might be material and there
are no circumstances likely to give rise to such violation or default.

8. PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma financial information in Part IX of the Prospectus presents fairly the
information shown therein, has been duly and carefully prepared in accordance with the Prospectus
Rules and all other applicable requirements and guidelines, has been properly compiled on the bases
described therein and is presented on a basis consistent with the accounting policies of the Group;
all the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and appropriate to give effect
to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein.

9. Working Capital Report

9.1 The Working Capital Report has been approved by the Directors or a duly authorised committee
thereof and has been made after due and careful enquiry and consideration. All statements of fact
therein are true and accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any material respect,
all expressions of opinion, intention, belief or expectation contained therein are made on
reasonable grounds after due and careful enquiry and consideration and are honestly held by the
Directors and are fairly based, there are no other facts known or which could on reasonable enquiry
have been known to the Company, the omission of which would make any such statement or expression
in the Working Capital Report misleading in any material respect, all the bases and assumptions on
which the Working Capital Report is based are, in the opinion of the Company, reasonable and, in
the Company’s opinion, there are no other material assumptions on which the Working Capital Report
ought to have been based which have not been made. In this paragraph 9.1 and in paragraph 9.2,
“material” shall mean material in the context of the cash flow and working capital projections or
the Working Capital Report.

9.2 The cash flow and working capital projections contained in the Working Capital Report have been
prepared by the Company on a reasonable basis after due and careful enquiry and take into account
all material matters and sensitivities of which the Company is aware concerning the Company and
each of its consolidated subsidiaries.

9.3 The Company is of the opinion that, after taking into account existing available bank and other
facilities and the net proceeds of the Rights Issue, the Group has sufficient working capital for
its present requirements, that is for at least 18 months from the date of the Prospectus.

10. no significant change

Since the Accounts Date, there has been no significant change in the financial or trading position
of the Group.

Page 71

 

 

11. Guarantees, indemnities, borrowings and default

11.1 Save for guarantees or indemnities given by any Group Company in the ordinary course of
business and save for any indemnities given by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and save as
expressly disclosed in Part VIII of the Prospectus, no Group Company has given or has agreed to
give any guarantee or indemnity or similar obligation in favour of a third party and no Group
Company has any current or prospective liability in respect of such guarantee, indemnity or similar
obligation, howsoever arising, which could have a material adverse effect on the Group or on the
Rights Issue or Admission.

11.2 No event has occurred nor have any circumstances arisen (and the making and completion of the
Rights Issue and the allotment and issue of the New Shares will not give rise to any such event or
circumstance) so that any person is or would be entitled, or could, with the giving of notice or
lapse of time or the fulfilment of any condition or the making of any determination, become
entitled, to require repayment before its stated maturity of, or, so far as the Company is aware,
to take any step to enforce any security for, any indebtedness of any member of the Group which is
material in the context of the Group’s borrowings or working capital projections and no person to
whom any indebtedness, which is material in the context of the Group’s borrowings or working
capital projections, of any member of the Group is owed has demanded or, so far as the Company is
aware, threatened to demand repayment of, or taken or threatened to take any step to enforce any
guarantee, indemnity or other security for, the same.

11.3 All of the Group’s borrowing facilities referred to in the Working Capital Report (together,
for the purpose of this paragraph 11.3, the Facilities) have been duly executed on behalf of the
relevant Group Company and are in full force and effect. To the best of the knowledge, information
and belief of the Company, all undrawn amounts under such Facilities are or will be capable of
drawdown and there is nothing known, or which could on reasonable enquiry be known, to the Company
that would give cause for undrawn amounts under any Facilities not being available for drawing as
and when required.

11.4 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 5.4 of Part IV, paragraphs 2.1.3 and 2.4 of Part V
and Appendix A to the Chairman’s Letter in Part I of the Prospectus, there are no companies,
undertakings, partnerships or joint ventures in existence whose results are not consolidated with
the results of the Group, but whose default would affect the indebtedness or increase the
contingent liabilities of the Group to an extent which would be reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the financial or trading position of the Group or on the Rights Issue or
Admission.

11.5 The amounts borrowed by each Group Company do not exceed any limitation on its borrowing
contained in its articles of association, any debenture or other deed or document binding upon it.

11.6 No event or circumstance exists, has occurred or arisen or, so far as the Company is aware, is
about to occur which constitutes or results in, or would with the giving of notice and/or lapse of
time and/or the making of a relevant determination, constitute, or result in, termination of or a
default or the acceleration or breach of any obligation under any agreement, instrument or
arrangement to which any Group Company is a party or by which any such Group Company or any of its
properties, revenues or assets are bound, which would,

Page 72

 

 

or could reasonably be expected (singly or in the aggregate) to give rise to a Material Adverse
Change.

12. Taxation

Taxation Compliance

12.1 Each Group Company (duly and within appropriate time limits) has made all material returns,
given all material notices and supplied all material information required to be supplied to all
relevant tax authorities and maintained all material records required to be maintained for tax
purposes and all such information was and remains complete and accurate in all material respects
and all such returns and notices were and remain complete and accurate in all material respects and
were made on a proper basis and each Group Company has, paid all material taxes required to be paid
by it and any other material assessment, fine or penalty levied against it to the extent that any
of the foregoing is due and payable and except to the extent that any of the forgoing is currently
being contested in good faith.

12.2 Save as expressly disclosed in the Prospectus, no Group Company is involved in any dispute or
investigation with any tax authority, nor has any enquiry been raised by any tax authority in
respect of any Group Company, which could give rise to a Material Adverse Change.

13. JERSEYCO

13.1 JerseyCo is and has since the date of its first board meeting been resident in the United
Kingdom and nowhere else for UK tax purposes and JerseyCo will, whilst the JerseyCo Ordinary Shares
and/or the JerseyCo Preference Shares are held by JerseyCo Subscriber (and immediately following
the transfer of the JerseyCo Ordinary Shares and/or the JerseyCo Preference Shares to the Company)
remain resident in the United Kingdom and nowhere else for UK tax purposes;

13.2 No share register of JerseyCo is, nor at any time up to the date on which JerseyCo Subscriber
is no longer to hold an interest in JerseyCo’s share capital will be, located or kept in the United
Kingdom by or on behalf of JerseyCo.

14. Litigation

14.1 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 15 of Part XI of the Prospectus, no Group Company nor
any of its officers or agents or employees is involved, or has within the last 12 months
immediately preceding the date of this Agreement been involved, in any civil, criminal,
arbitration, administrative, governmental or other proceedings or governmental regulatory or
similar investigation or enquiry, whether as plaintiff, defendant or otherwise which, by itself or
with other proceedings, is of material importance in the context of the Group or may have a
significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability.

14.2 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 15 of Part XI of the Prospectus, no litigation or
arbitration, administrative, governmental, civil, criminal or other proceedings nor governmental,
regulatory or similar investigation or enquiry are pending or, so far as the Company is aware, have
been threatened by or against any Group Company or any of their

Page 73

 

 

respective officers or (so far as the Company is aware) agents or employees in relation to the
affairs of any Group Company and, to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the
Company and the Directors, there are no facts or circumstances likely to give rise to any such
litigation or arbitration, administrative, criminal, governmental, civil, or other proceedings or
governmental, regulatory or similar investigation or enquiry, in each case, to an extent which, by
itself or with other proceedings, is of material importance in the context of the Group or may have
a significant effect on the Company’s or the Group’s financial position or profitability taken as a
whole.

14.3 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 15 of Part XI of the Prospectus, no Group Company nor
any of its officers or agents or employees in relation to the affairs of any Group Company has been
a party to any undertaking or assurance given to any court or governmental agency or the subject of
any injunction which is still in force and which, by itself or with other proceedings, is of
material importance in the context of the Group or may have a significant effect on the Company’s
or the Group’s financial position or profitability taken as a whole.

14.4 For the purpose of this paragraph 14, proceedings includes any action by any governmental,
public or regulatory authority (including any investment exchange or any authority or body which
regulates investment business or takeovers or which is concerned with regulatory, licensing,
competition taxation matters or matters concerning Intellectual Property Rights).

15. Arrangements with Directors and shareholders

15.1 There are no loans made by any Group Company to any of the shareholders of the Company and/or
any of the directors of any Group Company and/or any associate of any of them to the extent
material.

15.2 There are no debts owing to any Group Company by any of the shareholders of the Company and/or
any of the directors of any Group Company and/or any associate of any of them to the extent
material.

15.3 Except for the articles of association of the Company and any service agreement with a
Director, there are no existing contracts or engagements to which any Group Company is a party and
in which any of the directors of any Group Company and/or any associate of any of them is
interested other than matters subject to paragraph 1 of Annex1R to Chapter 11 of the Listing Rules.

15.4 The Company is not aware of any claim, demand or right of action against any Group Company
otherwise than for accrued remuneration in accordance with their contracts of employment by any
officer or employee (or former officer or employee) of the Group and/or any associate of them which
is or might reasonably be expected to be material.

15.5 So far as the Company is aware, (a) no Director nor any person connected with such Director is
in breach of any restrictive covenant, employment agreement or contract for services which would or
might affect the Company or any other Group Company; (b) no employees of the Group nor any person
connected with any such employee is in breach of any restrictive covenant, employment agreement or
contract for services which would or might

Page 74

 

 

have a material adverse effect on the Company or any other Group Company; and (c) so far as the
Company is aware, there are no circumstances which might give rise to any claim of such a breach or
any other dispute with any employer, former employer or other person for whom any Director or
employee of the Group provides or has provided services which is or might reasonably be expected to
be material.

15.6 No Director has given notice of termination of his contract of employment or terms of
appointment or has indicated an intention to resign from the Company or Group Company. So far as
the Company is aware, no director of any Group Company has given notice of termination of his terms
of appointment or has indicated to the Company or to the relevant Group Company an intention to
resign where such termination or resignation is or might reasonably be expected to be material.

16. related party transactions

16.1 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 17 of Part XI of the Prospectus, the Company or any
Group Company has not entered into any related party transaction (within the meaning set out in the
IFRS) in the period covered by the financial information contained in the Prospectus.

17. Competition

17.1 No Group Company is a party to (or is concerned in) any agreement, arrangement, concerted
practice or course of conduct which infringes, or of which particulars have or should have been
delivered to any relevant governmental or other authority in any jurisdiction under any relevant
legislation in any territory regarding anti-competitive or restrictive trade or business practices
or which falls within Articles 81 and/or 82 of the EC Treaty, or otherwise.

17.2 No Group Company is, or has been, in connection with its business or that of any other Group
Company, engaged in any practice which contravenes any such legislation as is referred to in the
preceding paragraph or, so far as the Company is aware, is under investigation by any authority
referred to in the preceding paragraph or which is the subject of undertakings to any such
authority and, so far as the Company is aware, none of the practices carried on by any Group
Company contravenes or may contravene any such legislation or is likely to be subject to such
investigation.

18. Insurance

(i) The Group is insured to what the Company reasonably believes to be adequate levels for its
business and the businesses of the Group Companies, (ii) all such insurances are in full force and
effect and to the best knowledge, information and belief of the Company, there are no circumstances
existing which could render any such insurances void or voidable and (iii) so far as the Company is
aware, there is no material insurance claim pending, threatened or outstanding in relation to any
Group Company and all premiums due in respect of all insurances have been duly paid. Neither the
Company nor any Group Company has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for in the
12 months prior to the date of this Agreement and neither the Company nor any other Group Company
has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and
when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary
to continue its

Page 75

 

 

business. The Company reasonably believes that the Group has appropriate disaster recovery
arrangements in place if its premises or systems become unusable for any reason.

19. Information technology

19.1 In the 12 months prior to the date of this Agreement, the Group did not suffer any failures or
bugs in or breakdowns of any IT Systems used in connection with the businesses of the Group which
have caused any material disruption or interruption in or to its use and the Company is not aware
of any fact or matter which may so materially disrupt, interrupt or affect the use of such
equipment following the date of this Agreement on the same basis as it is presently used.

19.2 Each Group Company is validly licensed to use the software which is material for use in its
business.

20. Rating

The Company has not received notice of any intended or potential downgrading of the rating assigned
to any of the Company’s (or any other member of its Group’s) credit or debt by a “nationally
recognized statistical rating organization”, as that term is defined by the US Securities and
Exchange Commission for the purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act, which would or
might reasonably be expected to be material.

21. Share options

21.1 The particulars of the share option schemes or share incentive plans contained in the
Prospectus and, in particular, the information as to the dates on which options and awards may be
exercised or vest and the number of options and awards granted (conditionally or otherwise) on or
before the date of this Agreement are accurate in all material respects and not misleading in any
material respect.

22. Pension schemes

Save as expressly disclosed in paragraphs 8 and 14 of Part XI of the Prospectus (it being
acknowledged that arrangements referred to in paragraph 7 of Part XI of the Prospectus may also be
available to other employees) or in note 30 to the National Grid plc financial statements, the
Group is not paying, and is not under any liability (actual or contingent) to pay or secure (other
than by payment of employers’ contributions under national insurance or social security
legislation), any pension or other benefit on retirement, death or disability or on the attainment
of a specified age or on the completion of a specified number of years of service.

23. Labour matters

No labour problem, dispute, slow-down, stoppage or disturbance involving the employees of the
Company or any other Group Company exists, or so far as the Company is aware, is threatened and the
Company is not aware of any existing or threatened labour disturbances by the employees of any
suppliers, manufacturers, clients or contractors of the Company or any other Group Company, which,
in each case, is or is reasonably likely to be material.

Page 76

 

 

24. Agreements

There is no agreement, undertaking, instrument or arrangement requiring the creation, allotment,
issue, redemption or repayment, or the grant to any person of the right (whether conditional or
not) to require the allotment, issue, redemption or repayment, of any shares in the capital of the
Company or any Principal Group Company (or any holding company thereof) (including, without
limitation, an option or right of pre-emption or conversion) which is or might reasonably be
expected to be material.

25. Insolvency

25.1 No Group Company is unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 123 of the
Insolvency Act 1986.

25.2 Since April 2007, no order has been made, petition presented (other than such petitions that
the Company reasonably believes to be frivolous) or resolutions passed for the winding up of any
Group Company and no meeting has been convened for the purpose of winding up any Group Company.

25.3 Since April 2007, so far as the Company is aware, no steps have been taken for the appointment
of an administrator or receiver (including an administrative receiver) of all or any part of the
assets of any Group Company.

26. Environmental

26.1 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 7 of Part V of the Prospectus, and so far as the
Company is aware, neither the Company nor any other Group Company is in violation of any federal
state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common
law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or
administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human
health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, noise, surface water,
groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws
and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants,
contaminants, biological materials, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or
petroleum products or nuclear or radioactive material (collectively, Hazardous Materials) or to the
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
Hazardous Materials (collectively, Environmental Laws)) which is or might reasonably be expected to
be material.

26.2 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 7 of Part V of the Prospectus, there are no material
claims, proceedings, actions or investigations pending against the Group with respect to
non-compliance with or liability (whether actual or prospective), obligation or duty under
Environmental Laws nor, so far as the Company is aware, have any such claims, proceedings, actions
or investigations been threatened.

26.3 The Company and all other Group Companies have all material permits, licences, authorisations
and approvals for their respective businesses required under any applicable Environmental Laws and
are each in compliance with their requirements in all material respects.

Page 77

 

 

27. Regulatory

27.1 Each Group Company required to be licensed is duly licensed in its jurisdiction of
incorporation and domicile and, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material, is duly
licensed or authorised in each other jurisdiction where it is required to be licensed or authorised
to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus.

27.2 Save as expressly disclosed in paragraph 15 of Part XI of the Prospectus, no Group Company nor
any of its officers has failed to comply in any material respect with any statutory provision or
any rules, regulations, directions, requirements, notices and provisions of any regulatory body
applying to such Group Company in relation to its business.

28. Money Laundering

The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in
compliance with the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and
regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued,
administered or enforced by any applicable governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering
Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or
body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money
Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge, information and belief of the Company,
threatened.

29. United States securities regulations

29.1 None of the Company, nor any other Group Company, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any
director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company, is aware of or has taken any action
that could result in a violation by such persons of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,
as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder (the FCPA) (including, without limitation,
making use of the mail or any means or instrument of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance
of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorisation of the payment of any money, or other
property, gift, promise to give, or authorisation of the giving of anything of value to any
“foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political office, in
contravention of the FCPA), the OECD Convention on Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in
International Business Transactions (the OECD Convention) or any similar law or regulation, to
which the Company, any other member of the Group, any director, officer, agent, employee of any
member of the Group or, to the knowledge of the Company, any affiliate is subject; and the Company,
each Group Company and to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of
any Group Company or affiliate have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA, the
OECD Convention and any applicable similar law or regulation applicable to it or to them and have
instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably
expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

29.2 None of the Company, its affiliates (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or any
person acting on its or their behalf (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the
Banks or any of their affiliates or persons acting on its or their behalf, as to whom the Company
makes no representation, warranty or undertaking) has engaged or will engage in

Page 78

 

 

any “directed selling efforts” (within the meaning of Rule 902(c) of Regulation S under the
Securities Act) with respect to the New Shares, the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights.

29.3 The Company is a “foreign issuer” (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act).

29.4 The Company reasonably believes that there is no “substantial U.S. market interest” (as
defined in Rule 902(j) of Regulation S under the Securities Act) in any of the New Shares, the Nil
Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights or any security of the same class or series as the New Shares,
the Provisional Allotment Letters, the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights.

29.5 None of the Company, its affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them (which, for
the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the Banks or any of their affiliates or persons acting on
its or their behalf, as to whom the Company makes no representation, warranty or undertaking) has
engaged or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the
meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) in the United States in connection
with any offer or sale of the New Shares, the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights and nor will
any such person offer or solicit any offers to buy any New Shares the Fully Paid Rights or Nil Paid
Rights in any manner involving a public offering in the United States within the meaning of Section
4(2) of the Securities Act.

29.6 None of the Company, its affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them (which, for
the avoidance of doubt, shall not include the Banks or any of their affiliates or persons acting on
its or their behalf, as to whom the Company makes no representation, warranty or undertaking) has,
directly or indirectly, (a) made or will make offers or sales to buy any security, (b) solicited or
will solicit offers or sales to buy any security, or (c) otherwise negotiated or will negotiate in
respect of any security, in any case under circumstances that would require the registration of the
New Shares the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights under the Securities Act.

29.7 The Company is not and, immediately after giving effect to the Rights Issue and the
application of the proceeds thereof as set forth in the Prospectus or any Supplementary Prospectus,
will not be, an “investment company” as such term is defined in the U.S. Investment Company Act of
1940.

29.8 Neither the Company nor, so far as the Company is aware, any officer, agent, employee or other
person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any Group Company has, in connection
with the business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries: (i) used any corporate funds for any
unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political
activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government
official or employee from corporate funds; or (iii) made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff,
influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

29.9 None of the Company, any Group Company, any director, officer or, to the knowledge of the
Company, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Company, is currently the subject of any sanctions
administered by The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC)
or any similar sanctions or measures imposed by the European Union and for the United Nations
and/or her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions) and
the Company will not directly or indirectly

Page 79

 

 

use the proceeds of the Rights Issue or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds
to any other joint venture partner or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any
person subject to any Sanctions.

29.10 The Company does not believe that it is and does not expect to become (whether as a result of
the receipt and application of the proceeds of the sale of the New Shares, the Provisional
Allotment Letters, or the Fully Paid Rights or otherwise) a “passive foreign investment company”
within the meaning of section 1297 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

29.11 The Company shall use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Registrar shall attach a
legend substantially to the following effect to each of the certificates for, or other written
evidence of, the New Shares, the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights, which are delivered to
subscribers in the United States in certificated form:

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY
STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR
OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904
OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) IN A TRANSACTION PURSUANT TO ANOTHER EXEMPTION
FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, AND,
IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION
OF THE UNITED STATES. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION
PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOR RESALES OF THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE FOREGOING, THE SHARES MAY NOT BE DEPOSITED INTO ANY
UNRESTRICTED DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FACILITY IN RESPECT OF SHARES ESTABLISHED OR MAINTAINED BY A
DEPOSITARY BANK. EACH HOLDER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THESE SHARES, REPRESENTS THAT IT UNDERSTANDS AND
AGREES TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

29.12 For so long as any of the New Shares, the Nil Paid Rights or the Fully Paid Rights are
“restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) of the US Securities Act, the Company will
not, and will not permit any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act), to
resell in the United States any of the New Shares, the Provisional Allotment Letters, the Nil Paid
Rights or the Fully Paid Rights that have been re-subscribed for by them.

Save where expressly otherwise provided and subject to the definition of Material Adverse Change in
Clause 1.1, when the scope of any warranty, representation or undertaking given in this Schedule 3
is otherwise qualified by expressions such as material, in any material respect or any similar or
analogous expression, such expression shall be construed to mean material in the context of the
Company, the Group, the Rights Issue or Admission.

Page 80

 

 

SCHEDULE 4

LETTER OF CONFIRMATION

Part A

[On the letterhead of the Company]

	 	 	 

	To:

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]

[ ] 2010

Dear Sirs

We refer to the Underwriting Agreement between us dated 20 May 2010 (the Underwriting Agreement)
and to the conditions set out in Clause 2.1 of the Underwriting Agreement (the Conditions).
References in this letter to Clauses are to Clauses of the Underwriting Agreement and words and
expressions defined in the Underwriting Agreement have the same meaning herein.

We hereby confirm that:

	(a)	 	we have complied in all material respects with all our obligations under the Underwriting
Agreement which fall to be performed to date;
	 
	(b)	 	each of the Conditions, other than that contained in Clause 2.1(g), is satisfied as at the
delivery of this letter;
	 
	(c)	 	we are not aware of any reason why the Conditions will not continue to be satisfied until
Admission; and
	 
	(d)	 	none of the representations, warranties or undertakings referred to in Clause 11 of the
Underwriting Agreement was breached or unfulfilled or untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the
date of the Underwriting Agreement in any respect and, so far as we are aware, there has been
no change in circumstances such that if repeated by reference to the facts and circumstances
subsisting at the date hereof any of such representations, warranties or undertakings would be
breached or unfulfilled or untrue or inaccurate or misleading in any respect.

We undertake to notify you immediately if the confirmations contained in this letter could not
continue to be given by us at any time prior to Admission (in each case by reference to the facts
and circumstances then existing).

 Page 81

 

	 	 	 

	Yours faithfully

	 	 
	 

Director/Secretary
	 	 
	
	 	 

 Page 82

 

Part B

[On the letterhead of the Company]

	 	 	 

	To:

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]
	 
	 	 
	 

	 	[•]

[ ] 2010

Dear Sirs

We refer to the Underwriting Agreement between us dated 20 May 2010 (the Underwriting Agreement).
Words and expressions defined in the Underwriting Agreement have the same meaning herein.

We hereby confirm that:

	(a)	 	we have complied in all material respects with all of our obligations under the Underwriting
Agreement which fall to be performed to date; and
	 
	(b)	 	none of the representations, warranties or undertakings referred to in Clause 11 of the
Underwriting Agreement was breached or unfulfilled or untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the
date of the Underwriting Agreement in any respect and so far as we are aware there has been no
change in circumstances such that if repeated by reference to the facts and circumstances
subsisting at the date hereof any of such representations, warranties or undertakings would be
breached or unfulfilled or untrue or inaccurate or misleading in any respect.

	 	 	 

	Yours faithfully

	 	 
	Director/Secretary

	 	 
	
	 	 

 Page 83

 

SCHEDULE 5

SELLING RESTRICTIONS

United States

1. Each of the Banks severally, and not jointly or jointly and severally, acknowledges that none of
the Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or the New Shares have been or will be registered under the
Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an
exemption from or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities
Act; and agrees, represents, warrants and undertakes that (i) neither the Prospectus nor any
Provisional Allotment Letter will be sent directly or indirectly by it to the Excluded
Shareholders, with the exception of persons reasonably believed to be QIBs; (ii) none of the Banks
nor any of their respective affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has solicited
or will solicit offers for, or has offered, sold or procured subscribers or purchasers for or will
offer, sell or procure subscribers or purchasers for, Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New
Shares by means of, or has engaged or will engage in any form of, any general solicitation or
general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act) or otherwise in
any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act,
(iii) the Banks, nor any of their respective affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their
behalf, has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts (within the meaning of
Regulation S under the Securities Act) with respect to the Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or
New Shares, and (iv) neither the Banks, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has offered
or sold or solicited offers for or procured subscribers or purchasers for and will offer or sell,
or solicit offers for or procure subscribers or purchasers for, the Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid
Rights or New Shares, as contemplated by this Agreement at any time, except (A) through its US
registered broker-dealer affiliate to or from persons in the United States whom it reasonably
believes are QIBs, or if any such person is buying for one or more institutional accounts of which
such person is acting as fiduciary or agent, only when such Bank reasonably believes that each such
account is a QIB, and pursuant to an exemption from or in a transaction not subject to the
registration requirements of the Securities Act (US Sales); or (B) in offshore transactions within
the meaning, and meeting the requirements, of Rule 903 under Regulation S of the Securities Act. In
connection with any US Sales, each of the Banks severally agrees that it will procure an executed
QIB Rump letter from any subscriber for the New Shares that were not originally taken up in the
Rights Issue, who is located in the United States. European Economic Area

European Economic Area

2. In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the
Prospectus Directive 2003/71/EC (each, a Relevant Member State), with effect from and including the
date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the Relevant
Implementation Date), each of the Company, and the Banks severally, and not jointly or jointly and
severally, represents and warrants it has, to the best of its knowledge, not made and will not make
an offer of any Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New Shares to the public in that Relevant
Member State prior to the publication of the Prospectus in relation to the Nil Paid Rights, Fully
Paid Rights or New Shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant
Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the
competent

 Page 84

 

authority in the Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive,
except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer
of any Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New Shares to the public in that Relevant Member State
at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been
implemented in that Relevant Member State:

	(a)	 	to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets or,
if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
	 
	(b)	 	to any legal entity which has two or more of: (i) an average of at least 250 employees during
the last financial year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000; and (iii) an
annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated
accounts;
	 
	(c)	 	to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the
Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners for any
such offer; and
	 
	(d)	 	in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, subject
to obtaining the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners for any such offer, provided that no
such offer of Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New Shares shall result in a requirement
for the publication by the Company, or any of the Banks of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3
of the Prospectus Directive.

3. For the purposes of this provision, the expression “an offer of any Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid
Rights or New Shares to the public” in relation to any Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New
Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of
sufficient information on the terms of the Rights Issue and any Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights
or New Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any
Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New Shares, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member
State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State.

United Kingdom

4. Each of the Banks represents, warrants and undertakes to the Company that it has only
communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated in
the United Kingdom any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the
meaning of Section 21 of FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue and or sale of the Nil
Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights or New Shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does
not apply to the Company.

 Page 85

 

SCHEDULE 6

UNDERWRITERS AND DUE PROPORTIONS

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Underwriting	 	 
	 	 	 	 	commitment (no. of	 	 
	 	 	 	 	Underwritten	 	 
	Name	 	Address	 	Shares)	 	Due Proportion (%)
	[•]
	 	[•]
	 	330,146,339
	 	331/3
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	Fax number: [•]	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	For the attention

of: ECM Syndicate

Desk	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]
	 	[•]
	 	330,146,339
	 	331/3
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	Fax number: [•]	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	For the attention

of: ECM Syndicate

Desk	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]
	 	[•]
	 	330,146,339
	 	331/3
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	Fax number: [•]	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	For the attention

of: Head of Equity

Capital Markets	 	 	 	 

 Page 86

 

SCHEDULE 7

UNDERTAKINGS

1. The Company will duly perform all of its obligations in connection with the Rights Issue arising
pursuant to this Agreement, any of the Relevant Documents, the Option Agreement, the Subscription
and Transfer Agreement and the Receiving Agent Agreement (and will, in the case of the Option
Agreement and the Subscription and Transfer Agreement, procure that Newco duly performs all of its
obligations thereunder) or otherwise and (a) will not, without the prior written consent (not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Joint Bookrunners, seek to modify, vary or supplement any
of the terms and conditions of any of those agreements, or of the Rights Issue or to extend the
period(s) during which the Rights Issue is open for application or acceptance, and will not seek to
modify, vary or supplement any of the terms and conditions of any such agreement or grant any
release, waiver or indulgence in relation to any obligation of another party to any such agreement
or extension of time for performance of any such obligation and will duly and promptly enforce all
rights it may have under each such agreement.

2. The Company will promptly provide to the Banks, during the period commencing on the Publication
Date and ending on the date that is 90 days after the Settlement Date, as many copies of the
Prospectus and any Supplementary Prospectus thereto as they may reasonably request.

3. The Company will comply with the FSMA, the Listing Rules and the Prospectus Rules so as to
permit the completion of the distribution of the New Shares as contemplated in this Agreement and
in the Relevant Documents in compliance therewith and in compliance with all other applicable laws
or regulations, in each case, insofar as they are relevant to the Rights Issue.

4. If it shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of the Company and its advisers or the Joint
Bookrunners or their legal advisers, at any such time, until the Settlement Date to amend or
supplement any Relevant Documents in order to comply with the requirements of the FSMA, the Listing
Rules and/or the Prospectus Rules (as the case may be) and/or ensure that the Relevant Documents
remain true and accurate in all respects and not misleading up to the Settlement Date, the Company
will promptly prepare and (if required) file with the FSA (or procure the filing with the FSA of)
such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make
such Relevant Documents comply with such requirements. Before amending or supplementing any
Relevant Documents, the Company will furnish the Joint Bookrunners with a copy of each such
proposed amendment or supplement, and will not make any such proposed amendment or supplement
without the prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Joint
Bookrunners, provided always that, subject to the terms of Clause 3.4, (i) nothing in this
paragraph shall prevent the Company or the Directors from complying with their obligations at law
or under the Prospectus Rules, the Listing Rules or the FSMA having taken into account any requests
of the Joint Bookrunners which are reasonable in the context of the Rights Issue or the Banks’
obligations under this Agreement; and (ii) this paragraph shall be without prejudice to the rights
of the Banks pursuant to Clauses 2.3, 2.4 and Clause 15.

5. As at the date of any amended Relevant Document or supplement to a Relevant Document prepared by
the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the

 Page 87

 

Warranties contained in Schedule 3 hereof will be true and accurate with respect to any Relevant
Document as so amended or supplemented as if repeated as at such date.

6. The Company undertakes to use all reasonable endeavours to procure Admission not later than 8.00
a.m. on 26 May 2010 (or such later time and/or date, being no later than 1 June 2010, as the
Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree).

7. The Company undertakes that:

	(a)	 	the Company shall not and the Company shall procure that no member of the Group will, between
the date hereof and the Settlement Date, circulate, distribute, despatch, publish, issue or
make (or authorise any other person to circulate, distribute, despatch, publish, issue or
make), either individually or jointly with any other person, any press or public announcement
or communication concerning the Company, the Group or any member of the Group or the Rights
Issue, or any other transaction, or otherwise relating to the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, financial or trading condition or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects
of the Company, the Group or any member of the Group (except for routine communications in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), whether in response to
enquiries or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Joint Bookrunners (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Company shall not, and the Company
shall procure that no member of the Group will, without the prior written consent of the Joint
Bookrunners (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), take any steps which
may lead to the Company being required by law, the FSA or the London Stock Exchange to make
any such announcement or communication, except in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice;
	 
	(b)	 	for a period from the Settlement Date to 27 July 2010, the Company shall not and the Company
shall procure that no member of the Group will circulate, distribute, despatch, publish, issue
or make (or authorise any other person to circulate, distribute, despatch, publish, issue or
make), either individually or jointly with any other person, any press or public announcement
or communication concerning the Company, the Group or any member of the Group or the Rights
Issue, or any other transaction, or otherwise relating to the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, financial or trading condition or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects
of the Company, the Group or any member of the Group (except for routine communications in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), whether in response to
enquiries or otherwise, without having first consulted with the Joint Bookrunners and the
Company shall not, and the Company shall procure that no member of the Group will, without
having first consulted with the Joint Bookrunners, take any steps which may lead to the
Company being required by law, the FSA or the Exchange to make any such announcement or
communication, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
and
	 
	(c)	 	the Company shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that employees of the Company and
its subsidiaries and advisers to and agents of the Company observe the restrictions set out in
paragraph 7(a) and paragraph 7(b) of this Schedule 7 as if they were parties thereto.

 Page 88

 

8. The Company shall not, and the Company shall procure that no member of the Group will: (i)
between the date hereof and the Settlement Date, without the prior written consent of the Joint
Bookrunners (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); and (ii) from the day
immediately following the Settlement Date until 27 July 2010, without having first consulted with
the Joint Bookrunners (and taken into account any of their requests which are reasonable in the
context of the Rights Issue or the Joint Bookrunners’ obligations under this Agreement), take any
step which would be materially inconsistent with, or represent a material departure from or new
development in, any disclosure or expression of policy or intention or statement contained in the
Prospectus or which could be material and adverse to the condition of the Company or the Group.

Furthermore, for a period from the date hereof up until 27 July 2010, the Company will discuss with
the Joint Bookrunners the entry into or variation of any agreement, commitment, transaction or
arrangement which is or may be material in the context of the business or affairs of the Company or
the Group or in relation to the Rights Issue or any material new developments in its sphere of
activity and any material change in the Company’s financial condition or in the performance of its
business.

9. The Company undertakes to each of the Banks that, during a period of 6 months from the date of
Admission, it will not, without the prior written consent of the Joint Bookrunners, directly or
indirectly, offer, issue, lend, sell or contract to sell, issue options in respect of, or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce an offering or issue of, any Ordinary Shares (or
any interest therein or in respect thereof) or any other securities exchangeable for or convertible
into, or substantially similar to, Ordinary Shares or enter into any transaction with the same
economic effect as, or agree to do, any of the foregoing, save that the above restrictions shall
not apply in respect of (a) the issue of New Shares pursuant to the Rights Issue; (b) Ordinary
Shares issued following the Record Date pursuant to the exercise of options under share option
schemes or otherwise pursuant to share incentive plans in existence on the date of Admission and
described in paragraph 13 of Part XI of the Prospectus; or (c) Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to
the Company’s scrip dividend scheme.

10. The Company undertakes that it will not take, directly or indirectly, any action which was or
is designed to, or might reasonably have been expected to, constitute or result in, the
stabilisation, maintenance or manipulation of the price of the Ordinary Shares or any other
security of the Company or any instrument evidencing rights to Ordinary Shares or any such other
security.

11. The Company will provide the Registrar with all necessary authorisations, information and
instructions to enable the Registrar to perform their duties in accordance with and as contemplated
by the terms and conditions of the Rights Issue, this Agreement and the Relevant Documents.

12. The Company undertakes that it will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of New
Shares in the manner specified in the Prospectus under the heading “Use of Proceeds” and that it
will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Rights Issue, or lend, contribute or
otherwise make available such proceeds to any affiliate, joint venture partner or other person or
entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or entity who, a the time of such
financing, is the subject of any Sanctions or in any other manner that will

 Page 89

 

result in a violation by any such person (including any person participating in the Rights Issue,
whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of the Sanctions.

13. The Company undertakes to observe and comply with the provisions in respect of overseas
shareholders set out in paragraph 2.5 Part III of the Prospectus.

14. In connection with the offer, allotment, issue and sale of Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights
and New Shares, the Company undertakes that (i) inside the United States, it will offer and sell
the Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights and New Shares only to, and allow subscription only by,
those persons whom it reasonably believes to be QIBs or, in the case of Directors only, Accredited,
Investors; and (ii) and outside the United States, the Company will offer and sell and allow the
subscription for the Nil Paid Rights, Fully Paid Rights and New Shares only in compliance with
Regulation S of the Securities Act. In connection with any sales under (i) of this paragraph, the
Company agrees that it will procure an executed QIB letter or, in the case of the Directors only,
an executed AI Letter from any Qualifying Shareholder who participates in the Rights Issue.

 Page 90

 

In witness whereof this Agreement has been duly executed under hand by the Company and by
each of [•], [•], [•] and [•] or its duly authorised attorneys the day and year first above
written.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

	SIGNED BY

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	for and on behalf of

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	NATIONAL GRID PLC

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	SIGNED BY

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	for and on behalf of

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	SIGNED BY

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	for and on behalf of

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	SIGNED BY

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	for and on behalf of

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	SIGNED BY

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 
	for and on behalf of

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	[•]

	 	 	)	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	)	 	 	 

	 	 

 Page 91

 

CONTENTS

	 	 	 	 	 
	CLAUSE	 	PAGE
	1.DEFINITIONS

	 	 	2	 
	2.CONDITIONS

	 	 	13	 
	3.APPLICATION FOR LISTING, ADMISSION TO TRADING AND TO CREST

	 	 	16	 
	4.APPROVAL, RELEASE AND DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

	 	 	17	 
	5.APPOINTMENTS

	 	 	20	 
	6.ALLOTMENT

	 	 	21	 
	7.PLACING OF FRACTIONAL ENTITLEMENTS

	 	 	23	 
	8.UNDERWRITTEN SHARES NOT TAKEN UP

	 	 	24	 
	9.UNDERWRITING

	 	 	26	 
	10.COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES

	 	 	28	 
	11.REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND UNDERTAKINGS

	 	 	30	 
	12.EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY

	 	 	32	 
	13.INDEMNITIES

	 	 	33	 
	14.CONTRIBUTION

	 	 	37	 
	15.TERMINATION

	 	 	39	 
	16.WITHHOLDING AND GROSSING UP

	 	 	42	 
	17.MISCELLANEOUS

	 	 	43	 
	18.RECEIVING AGENT

	 	 	45	 
	19.TIME OF THE ESSENCE

	 	 	45	 
	20.WAIVER

	 	 	45	 
	21.THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

	 	 	45	 
	22.SEVERABILITY

	 	 	45	 
	23.NOTICES

	 	 	46	 
	24.FURTHER ASSURANCES

	 	 	47	 
	25.ASSIGNMENT

	 	 	47	 
	26.ENTIRE AGREEMENT

	 	 	47	 
	27.COUNTERPARTS

	 	 	47	 
	28.GOVERNING LAW

	 	 	47	 
	SCHEDULE 1 NEW SHARES TAKEN UP

	 	 	49	 
	SCHEDULE 2 DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

	 	 	53	 
	SCHEDULE 3 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND UNDERTAKINGS

	 	 	64	 

 Page I

 

	 	 	 	 	 
	CLAUSE	 	PAGE
	SCHEDULE 4 LETTER OF CONFIRMATION

	 	 	81	 
	SCHEDULE 5 SELLING RESTRICTIONS

	 	 	84	 
	SCHEDULE 6 UNDERWRITERS AND DUE PROPORTIONS

	 	 	86	 
	SCHEDULE 7 UNDERTAKINGS

	 	 	87	 

 Page II

 

20 MAY 2010

NATIONAL GRID PLC

[•]

[•]

[•]

[•]

 

RIGHTS ISSUE UNDERWRITING

AGREEMENT

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00174-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00174-of-00352.parquet"}]]