1
Exhibit 10.18
CRONOS CONTAINERS LIMITED
AND
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
SERVICE AGREEMENT
Fox & Xxxxxxx
0 Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X0X 0XX
Tel: 0000 000 0000
Fax: 0000 000 0000
E80
2
THIS AGREEMENT is made this 25th day of August 1998
BETWEEN:
(1) CRONOS CONTAINERS LIMITED a company incorporated in England and Wales
with company number 1543912 and whose registered office is at Orchard Lea,
Xxxxxxxxx Lane, Winkfield, WindsorSI-44RU ("the Company"); and
(2) XXXXXXX XXXXXXX of The Den, The Fisheries, Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx,
XX0 'I UH The Executive.
WHEREAS
(A) The Executive has been continuously employed by the Company or a Group
Company from 1st September 1985;
(B) The Company as from 1st June 1997 have employed the Executive in the
capacity as President of the Company.
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants contained
herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS
1 Interpretation
1.1 The headings and marginal headings to the clauses are for convenience
only and have no legal effect.
1.2 Any reference in this Agreement to any Act or delegated legislation
includes any statutory modification or re-enactment of it or the provision
E81
3
-2
1.3 In this Agreement:
"THE BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company and includes any
committee of the Board duly appointed by it.
"GROUP COMPANY" means any company which for the time being is a company having
an ordinary share capital (as defined in S.832 of the Income and Corporation
Taxes Act 1988) of which not less than 25 per cent is owned directly or
indirectly by the Company or its holding company applying the provisions of
S.838 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 in the determination of
ownership.
"CHAIRMAN" means the Chairman of the Board of any person or persons jointly
holding such office of the Company from time to time and includes any persons
exercising substantially the functions of a managing director or chief executive
officer of the Company.
2 Appointment and duration
2.1 The Company appoints the Executive and the Executive agrees to serve as
President of the Company or in such other appointment as may from time to time
be agreed. The Executive accepts that the Company may at its discretion direct
him to perform other duties or tasks commensurate with his role as a senior
Executive of the Company and the Executive agrees to perform such duties or
undertake such tasks as if they were specifically required under this Agreement.
No performance of any such duties or tasks by the Executive shall affect the
Executive's right to the remuneration provided for under this Agreement.
2.2 The appointment commenced on 1st June 1997 and shall continue (subject to
earlier termination as provided in this Agreement) until terminated by
E82
4
-3
either party giving to the other no less than ~~Calendar months notice.)
2.3 The Executive warrants that by virtue of entering into this Agreement or
any other agreement between a Group Company and the Executive, he will not be in
breach of any express or implied terms of any contract with or of any other
obligation to any third party binding upon him.
3 Duties of the Executive
3.1 The Executive shall at all times during the period of this Agreement:
3.1.1 devote the whole of his time, attention and ability to the duties
of his appointment;
3.1.2 faithfully and diligently perform those duties and exercise such powers
consistent with them which are from time to time assigned to or vested in him;
3.1.3 obey all lawful and reasonable directions of Chairman and/or the Board;
3.1.4 use his best endeavours to promote the interests of the Company and its
Group Companies;
3.1.5 keep the Chairman and/or the Board promptly and fully informed (in
writing if so requested) of his conduct of the business or affairs of the
Company and its Group Companies and provide such explanations as the Chairman
and/or the Board may require;
E83
5
-4
3.1.6 not at any time make any untrue or misleading statement relating to the
Company or any Group Company.
3.2 The Executive shall (without further remuneration) if and for so long as
the Company require during the period of this Agreement;
3.2.1 carry out the duties of his appointment on behalf of any Group Company;
3.2.2 act as an officer of any Group Company or hold any other appointment or
office as nominee or representative of the Company or any Group Company;
3.2.3 carry out such duties and the duties attendant on any such appointment as
if they were duties to be performed by him on behalf of the Company.
4 Place of work and residence
The Executive shall perform his duties at the Company's offices at Orchard Lea,
Xxxxxxxxx Lane, Winkfield, Windsor, Berkshire, England and/or such other place
of business of the Company to which the Company may relocate its Head Office
within the United Kingdom or such other place of business of the Company or of
any Group Company as the parties shall reasonably agree.
5 Pay
5.1 During his appointment
5.1.1 the Company shall pay to the Executive a salary at the rate of
E84
6
-5
pound sterling104,000.00 per year which shall accrue day-to-day and be payable
by equal monthly instalments in arrears on or about the 25th day of each month.
The salary shall be deemed to include any fees receivable by the Executive as a
Director of the Company or any Group Company, or of any other company or
unincorporated body in which he holds office as nominee or representative of the
Company or any Group Company; and
5.1.2 the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company's
discretionary bonus programme in accordance with its terms and conditions and
which pays a discretionary bonus based on Company and personal performance. The
entitlement to participate in the Company's discretionary bonus programme will
cease on termination of employment or if the Executive is placed on Garden
Leave;
5.2 The Executive's salary shall be reviewed by the Board annually on 1st
January and the rate of salary may be increased by the Company with effect from
that date and by such amount if any as it shall in its absolute discretion think
fit.
5.3 On termination of his employment by reason of redundancy the Executive
will be entitled to reasonable removal costs to enable him to return to
California and the cost of 2 one way tourist class airplane tickets to
California.
6 Pension
6.1 The Company does not operate a contracted-out pension scheme, so there is
no contracting-out certificate in force.
E85
7
-6
6.2 At the Company's discretion, the Executive may be entitled to participate
in the Company's Group Personal Pension Plan subject to the terms of the rules
from time to time which are available for inspection from the Human Resources
Department. The Company shall be entitled at any time to terminate the scheme or
the Executive's membership of it.
7 Insurance benefits
7.1 The Executive shall be entitled to participate at the Company's expense
in the Company's Life Assurance Scheme and Permanent Health Insurance Scheme for
himself and in the Company's private medical expenses insurance scheme for
himself, his spouse and dependent children, subject always to the rules of such
schemes, details of which are available from the Human Resources Department.
8 Car
8.1 The Company shall provide the Executive, for his sole business use and
private use by him and his spouse, with a car of a make, model and specification
selected by the Company (which in the reasonable opinion of the Board is
commensurate with the status of the Executive and the image of the Company).
8.2 The Company shall bear all standing and running expenses of the car
except for use of the car by the Executive for holiday purposes and any
additional insurance costs incurred to permit the Executive to use the car
outside the United Kingdom for private purposes and shall replace such car as
provided in the Company's car scheme in effect from time to time.
8.3 The Executive shall always comply with all regulations laid down by the
Company from time to time with respect to company cars; shall forthwith
E86
8
-7
notify the Company of any accidents involving his company car and of any charges
of moving driving offenses which are brought against him and, on the termination
of his appointment whether lawfully or unlawfully, shall forthwith return his
company car to the Company at its head office.
8.4 The Executive has a duty to produce and the Company has the right to
examine the Executive's current driving licence at the Company's request at any
time during normal working hours on reasonable notice throughout the terms of
the Executive's employment or his retention of the company car when at the
Company's risk or in the Company's ownership.
9 Expenses
9.1 The Company shall reimburse to the Executive on a monthly basis all
travelling, hotel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by him
in the proper performance of his duties subject to the production to the Company
of such vouchers or other evidence of actual payment of the expenses as the
Company may reasonably require.
9.2 Where the Company issues a company sponsored credit or charge card to the
Executive he shall use such card only for expenses reimbursable under clause 9.1
above, and shall return it to the Company forthwith on the termination of his
employment.
10 Holiday
10.1 In addition to English public holidays the Executive is entitled to 25
working days paid holiday in each holiday year (which runs from 1st January to
31st December each year) to be taken at such time or times as are agreed with
the Board. The Executive shall not without the consent of the Board carry
forward (save for a maximum of 5 days) any unused part of his holiday
E87
9
-8
entitlement to a subsequent holiday year.
10.2 For the holiday year during which his appointment commences or
terminates, the Executive is entitled to 2 working days holiday for each
complete calendar month of his employment by the Company during that holiday
year. On the termination of his appointment for whatever reason, the Executive
shall either be entitled to pay in lieu of outstanding holiday entitlement or be
required to repay to the Company any salary received for holiday taken in excess
of his actual entitlement. The basis for payment and repayment shall be 1/260 x
of the Executive's annual basic salary for each day.
11 Sickness
11.1 If the Executive is absent because of sickness (including mental
disorder) or injury he shall report this fact forthwith to the Human Resources
Department and if the Executive is so prevented for seven or more consecutive
days he shall provide a medical practitioner's statement on the eighth day and
weekly thereafter so that the whole period of absence is certified by such
statements. Immediately following his return to work after a period of absence
the Executive shall complete a Self-Certification form available from the Human
Resources Department detailing the reason for his absence.
11.2 If the Executive shall be absent due to sickness (including mental
disorder) or injury, duly certified in accordance with the provisions of
sub-clause 11.1 hereof, he shall be entitled to receive his full basic salary
for a period of 25 days absence in aggregate in any period of 12 consecutive
months or, in circumstances where the Executive is prevented from attending work
due to sickness for a continuous period in excess of six months, to receive his
full basic salary for a period of six months and thereafter such remuneration,
if any, as the Board shall from time to time determine provided that such
E88
10
-9
remuneration shall be inclusive of any statutory sick pay to which the Executive
is entitled under the provisions of the Social Security Contributions BENEFITS
XXX 0000 AND any Social Security Sickness Benefit or other benefits recoverable
by the Executive (whether or not recovered) may be deducted therefrom.
At any time during the period of his appointment, (but not normally more often
than once every second year) the Executive shall at the request and expense of
the Company permit himself to be examined by a registered medical practitioner
to be selected by the Company and shall authorise such medical practitioner to
disclose to and discuss with the Company's medical adviser the results of such
examination and any matters which arise from it in order that the Company's
medical adviser can notify the Company of any matters which, in his opinion,
might hinder or prevent the Executive (if during a period of incapacity) from
returning to work for any period or (in other circumstances) from properly
performing any duties of his appointment at any time.
12 Health and Safety at Work
The Company's current policy in respect of Health and Safety at Work which may
be varied or amended by the Company from time to time is set out in the
Company's employee manual. The Executive is required to acquaint himself with
the policy and to adhere to the same.
13 No Smoking Policy
The Company operates, for the benefit of the health and safety of employees and
visitors, a non-smoking policy on all Company premises except designated smoking
areas. The Executive shall always comply with such non-smoking policy as are
from time to time in force.
E89
11
-10
14 Confidentiality
14.1 The Executive acknowledges that during his employment with the Company he
will have access to and will be entrusted with confidential information and
trade secrets relating to the business of the Company, other Group Companies and
their customers and suppliers ("Confidential Information").
14.2 The Executive will not during the term of the appointment (otherwise than
in the proper performance of his duties and then only to those who need to know
Confidential Information) or thereafter (except with the written consent of the
Board or as required by law) knowingly or recklessly:
(a) divulge or communicate Confidential Information to any person
(including any representative of the press or broadcasting or other media);
(b) cause or facilitate any unauthorised disclosure of Confidential
Information through any failure by him to exercise all due care and diligence;
or
(c) make use of (other than for the benefit of any Group Company) any
Confidential Information which may have come to his knowledge during his
employment with the Company or in respect of which a Group. Company may be bound
by an obligation of confidence to any third party provided the Executive is or
has been made aware of such obligation of confidence. The Executive will also
use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the publication or disclosure of any
Confidential Information. These restrictions will not apply to Confidential
Information which, after the appointment has been terminated, has become
available to the public generally otherwise
E90
12
-11
than through unauthorised disclosure, or is disclosed in any legal proceedings.
14.3 All notes, memoranda and other records (whether in documentary form or
stored on computer disk or tape) made by the Executive during his employment
with the Company and which relate to the business of any Group Company shall
belong to such Group Company and the Executive shall, from time to time,
promptly hand over such notes, memoranda and other records to the Company (or as
the Company may direct).
15 Termination of agreement
15.1 Automatic termination
This Agreement shall automatically terminate:
15.1.1 on the Executive reaching his 65th birthday; or
15.1.2 if the Executive becomes prohibited by law from being a director; or
15.1.3 if he resigns his office.
15.2 Suspension
In order to investigate a complaint against the Executive of misconduct this
Company is entitled to suspend the Executive on full pay for so long as may be
reasonably necessary to carry out a proper investigation and hold a disciplinary
hearing.
E91
13
12
15.3 Immediate dismissal
The Company may by notice terminate this Agreement with immediate effect if the
Executive:
15.3.1 commits any act of gross misconduct or repeats or continues (after
written warning) any other material breach of his obligations under this
Agreement; or
15.3.2 is responsible for any conduct which in the reasonable and fair opinion
of the Board brings him, the Company or any Group Company into disrepute; or
15.3.3 is convicted of any criminal offence (excluding an offence under road
traffic legislation in the United Kingdom or elsewhere for which he is not
sentenced to any term of imprisonment whether immediate or suspended); or
15.3.4 commits any act of dishonesty whether relating to the Company, any Group
Company, any of its or their employees or otherwise; or
15.3.5 becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his
creditors generally; or
15.3.6 is in the reasonable and fair opinion of the Board incompetent in the
performance of his duties.
E92
14
13
15.5 Garden Leave
The Company shall have the right at its discretion during the period of notice
and any part thereof to place the Executive on leave, in which case he shall be
paid his basic salary and contractual benefits.
15.6 Miscellaneous
On termination of this Agreement for whatever reason, the Executive shall at the
request of the Company; resign (without prejudice to any claims which the
Executive may have against any company arising out of this Agreement or the
termination thereof) from all and any offices which he may hold as a Director of
the Company or of any Group Company and from all other appointments or offices
which he holds as nominee or representative of the Company or any
E93
15
14
Group Company; and
15. .2/ transfer without payment to the Company or as the Company
may direct any qualifying shares provided by it to him;
and if he should fail to do so within seven days the Company is hereby
irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to
sign any documents or do any things necessary or requisite to effect such
resignation(s) and/or transfer(s).
16 Provisions after Termination
16.1 The Executive agrees that he will not at any time after the termination
of this Agreement, either personally or by his agent, directly or indirectly:
16.1.1 represent himself as being in any way connected with or interested in the
business of the Company or any Group Company;
16.1.2 use or disclose to any person, firm or company any Confidential
Information directly or indirectly relating to the affairs of the Company or any
Group Company or to a customer of the Company or any Group Company which may
have been acquired by him in the course of or incidental to his employment by
the Company for his own benefit or for the benefit of others or to the detriment
of the Company or any Group Company or such customer. This restriction shall
continue to apply after the termination of this Agreement for a period of one
year but shall cease to apply to information or knowledge which may come into
the public domain otherwise than through unauthorised disclosure by the
Executive or any
E94
16
15
other person.
16.2 The Executive shall not for a period of 6 months after the termination of
this Agreement directly or indirectly and whether on his own behalf or on behalf
of any other business, concern, person, partnership, firm, company or other body
which is wholly or partly in competition with the business carried on by the
Company or any Group Company:
16.2.1 canvass, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or
approached for orders in respect of any services provided or goods dealt in by
the Company or any Group Company in respect of the provision or sale of which
the Executive was engaged during the last 12 months of his employment with the
Company, any person who at the date of termination of this Agreement was
negotiating with the Company or any Group Company for the supply of services or
goods or within 12 months prior to such date is or was a client or customer of
the Company or any Group Company or was in the habit of dealing with the Company
or any Group Company and with whom the Executive shall have dealt;
16.2.2 interfere or seek to interfere or take such steps as may interfere with
the continuance of supplies to the Company or any Group Company (or the terms
relating to such supplies) from any suppliers who have been supplying
components, materials or services to the Company or any Group Company at any
time during the last 12 months of this Agreement;
16.2.3 solicit or entice or endeavour to solicit or entice away from the Company
or any Group Company or offer or cause to be offered any employment to any
person employed by the
E95
17
16
Company or any Group Company in an executive capacity at the date of such
termination for whom the executive is responsible;
16.2.4 deal with any person or persons who or which at any time during the
period of 12 months prior to termination of this Agreement have been in the
habit of dealing under contract with the Company or any Group Company.
16.3 The restrictions contained in this clause are separate and severable and
enforceable accordingly and considered reasonable by the parties (the Executive
acknowledging the legitimate need for the Company and the Group Companies to
protect their business interests) but in the event that any such restriction
shall be found or held to be void in circumstances where it would be valid if
some part thereof where deleted or distance of application reduced, then the
parties agree that such restriction shall apply with such modification as may be
necessary to make it valid and effective.
17 General
17.1 Statutory particulars
The further particulars of terms of employment not contained in the body of this
Agreement which must be given to the Executive in compliance with the Employment
Rights Xxx 0000 are given in Schedule 1.
17.2 Prior agreements
Except for the Board of Directors Minutes of the Cronos Group SA dated 26th July
1997 (which indemnifies the Executive on the terms set out therein), the terms
of which shall continue to apply, this Agreement sets out
E96
18
17
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and is in substitution for
any previous contracts or employment or for services between the Company or any
of its Group Companies and the Executive (which shall be deemed to have been
terminated by mutual consent).
17.3 Accrued rights
The expiration or termination of this Agreement however arising shall not
operate to affect such of the provisions of this Agreement as are expressed to
operate or have effect after then and shall be without prejudice to any accrued
rights or remedies of the parties.
17.4 Proper law
The validity construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by
English law.
17.5 Acceptance of jurisdiction
All disputes claims or proceedings between the parties relating to the validity
construction or performance of this Agreement shall be subject to the
nonexclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice in England and Wales
("the High court") to which the parties irrevocably submit.
17.6 Notices
Any notice to be given by a party under this Agreement must be in writing and
must be given by delivery at or by sending by first class post or other faster
postal service, or telex, facsimile transmission or other means of
telecommunication in permanent written form (provided the addressee has his or
its own facilities for receiving such transmissions) to the last known
E97
19
18
postal address or relevant telecommunications number of the other party. Where
notice is given by sending in a prescribed manner it shall be deemed to have
been received when in the ordinary course of the means of transmission it would
be received by the addressee. To prove the giving of a notice it shall be
sufficient to show it was despatched. A notice shall have effect from the sooner
of its actual or deemed receipt by the addressee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HAVE EXECUTED THIS DOCUMENT AS
A DEED THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST BEFORE WRITTEN
Signed and delivered as a Deed by the Executive
in the presence of
Name
Address
Occupation
Signed and delivered as a Deed by -See~/Director and
E98
20
19
Director for and on behalf of the Company
/s/ [SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
-----------------------
E99
00
-00
XXXXXXXX 0
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXX 0000
The following is given to supplement the information given in the body of the
Agreement in order to comply with the requirements of the Act.
1 The Executive's employment by the Company commenced on
2 The Executive's period of continuous employment with the Company
commenced on
3 The Executive's hour of work are the normal hours of the Company from
9.00 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday each week together with such additional
hours as may be necessary so as properly to fulfil his duties.
4 No contracting out certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxx 0000 is held by the Company in respect of the Executive's
employment.
5 There is no formal disciplinary procedure applicable to this employment.
The Executive is expected to exhibit a high standard of propriety, integrity and
efficiency in all his dealing with and in the name of the Company and any Group
Company and may be suspended on basic pay together with contractual benefits or
required to take leave during any investigations which it may be necessary for
the Company to undertake.
6 If the Executive has any grievance relating to his employment (other than
one relating to a disciplinary decision) he should refer such grievance to the
Chairman of the Board and if the grievance is not resolved by discussion with
him it will be referred to the Board for resolution.
E100
22
-21
7 There are no collective agreements which directly affect the Executive's
terms and conditions of employment.
E101
23
CRONOS MANAGEMENT NV
AND
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
SERVICE AGREEMENT
Fox & Xxxxxxx
0 Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X0 X 2QA
Tel: 0000 000 0000
Fax: 0000 000 0000
E102
24
INDEX TO CLAUSES
1 Interpretation
2 Appointment and duration
3 Duties of the Executive
4 Place of work
5 Pay
6 Pension
7 Expenses
8 Holiday
9 Sickness
10 Disciplinary Procedures
11 Grievance Procedures
12 Confidentiality
13 Termination of agreement
14 Provisions after Termination
15 General
E103
25
SERVICE AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this 25th day of August 1998
BETWEEN:
(1) CRONOS MANAGEMENT NV a company incorporated in Netherlands Antilles and
whose branch office is at Room 0000-0, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Xxxxxxxx Xxx, Xxxx Xxxx ("xxx Company"); and
(2) XXXXXXX XXXXXXX of The Den, The Fisheries, Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx
XX0 l UH Pthe Executive.
WHEREAS
(A) The Executive has been continuously employed by the Company or a Group
Company from 1 September 1985;
(B) The Company as from 1 June 1997 have employed the Executive in the
capacity as President of the Company;
(C) This Service Agreement is ancillary to a Service Agreement of even date
between Cronos Containers Limited (a Group Company incorporated in England and
Wales) and the Executive ("the English Agreement").
E104
26
-2
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual obligations and covenants contained
herein, the adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1 INTERPRETATION
1.1 The headings and marginal headings to the clauses are for convenience
only and have no legal effect.
1.2 Any reference in this Agreement to any Act or delegated legislation
includes any statutory modification or re-enactment of it or the provision
referred to.
1.3 In this Agreement:
"THE BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company and includes any
committee of the Board duly appointed by it.
"GROUP COMPANY" means any company which for the time being is a company having
an ordinary share capital (as defined in S.832 of the Income and Corporation
Taxes Act 1988) of which not less than 25% is owned directly or indirectly by
the Company or its holding company applying the provisions of S.838 of the
Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 in determination of ownership.
"CHAIRMAN" means the Chairman of the Board or any person or persons jointly
holding such office of the Company from time to time and includes any persons
exercising substantially the functions of a managing director or chief executive
officer of the Company.
E105
27
-3
2 APPOINTMENT AND DURATION
2.1 The Company appoints the Executive and the Executive agrees to serve as
President of the Company or in such other appointment as may from time to time
be agreed. The Executive accepts that the Company may at its discretion direct
him to perform other duties or tasks commensurate with his role as President of
the Company and the Executive agrees to perform such duties or undertake such
tasks as if they were specifically required under this Agreement. No performance
of any such duties or tasks by the Executive shall affect the Executive's right
to the remuneration provided for under this Agreement.
2.2 The appointment commenced on 1st June 1997 and shall continue (subject
to earlier termination as provided in this Agreement) until terminated by either
party giving to the other not less than calendar months prior notice.
2.3 The Executive warrants that by virtue of entering into this Agreement or
any other agreement between a Group Company and the Executive, he will not be in
breach of any express or implied terms of any contract with or of any other
obligation to any third party binding upon him.
3 DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE
3.1 The Executive shall at all times during the period of this Agreement:
3.1.1 faithfully and diligently perform those duties and exercise such powers
consistent with them which are from time to time assigned to or vested in him;
E106
28
-4
3.1.2 obey all lawful and reasonable directions of Chairman and/or the Board;
3.1.3 use his best endeavours to promote the interests of the Company and its
Group Companies;
3.1.4 keep the Chairman and/or the Board promptly and fully informed (in
writing if so requested) of his conduct of the business or affairs of the
Company and its Group Companies and provide such explanations as the Chairman
and/or the Board may require;
3.1.5 not at any time make any untrue or misleading statement relating to the
Company or any Group Company.
3.2 The Executive shall (without further remuneration) if and for so long as
the Company require during the period of this Agreement:
3.2.1 carry out the duties of his appointment on behalf of any Group Company;
3.2.2 act as an officer of any Group Company or hold any other appointment or
office as nominee or representative of the Company or any Group Company;
3.2.3 carry out such duties and the duties attendant on any such appointment as
if they were duties to be performed by him on behalf of the Company.
4 PLACE OF WORK
The Executive shall perform his duties at such of its business premises
E107
00
-0
xxxxxxx xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx as the Company shall require from time to time.
5 Pay
5.1 During his appointment the Company shall pay to the Executive a salary at
the rate of pound sterling56,000 per year which shall accrue day-to-day and be
payable by equal monthly instalments in arrears on or about the 25th day of each
month. The salary shall be deemed to include any fees receivable by the
Executive as a Director of the Company or any Group Company, or of any other
company or unincorporated body in which he holds office as nominee or
representative of the Company or any Group Company.
5.2 The Executive's salary shall be reviewed by the Board annually on 1st
January and the rate of salary may be increased by the Company with effect from
that date and by such amount if any as it shall in its absolute discretion think
fit.
6 Pension
The Company does not operate a contracted-out pension scheme, so there is no
contracting-out certificate in force.
7 EXPENSES
7.1 The Company shall reimburse to the Executive on a monthly basis all
travelling, hotel, entertainment and other expenses reasonably incurred by
E108
30
-6
him in the proper performance of his duties subject to the production to the
Company of such vouchers or other evidence of actual payment of the expenses as
the Company may reasonably require.
7.2 Where the Company issues a company sponsored credit or charge card to the
Executive he shall use such card only for expenses reimbursable under clause 9.1
above, and shall return it to the Company forthwith on the termination of his
employment.
8 HOLIDAY
The Executive shall not be entitled to paid holiday leave save for that provided
in the English Agreement.
9 SICKNESS
9.1 If the Executive is absent because of sickness (including mental
disorder) or injury he shall report this fact forthwith to the Human Resources
Department of Cronos Containers Limited. The Company's policy in respect of
sickness is set out in the English Agreement and the Executive is bound by the
same.
10 DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
There is no formal disciplinary procedure applicable to this employment. The
Executive is expected to exhibit a high standard of propriety, integrity and
efficiency in all his dealings with and in the name of the Company and any Group
Company and may be suspended on basic pay or required to take leave during any
investigation which it may be necessary to undertake.
E109
31
-7
11 GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
If the Executive has any grievance relating to his employment (other than
relating to a disciplinary decision) he should refer such grievance to the
Chairman of the Board and if the grievance is not resolved by discussion with
him, it will be referred to the Board for resolution.
12 CONFIDENTIALITY
12.1 The Executive acknowledges that during his employment with the Company he
will have access to and will be entrusted with confidential information and
trade secrets relating to the business of the Company, other Group Companies and
their customers and suppliers ("Confidential Information").
12.2 The Executive will not during the term of the appointment (otherwise than
in the proper performance of his duties and then only to those who need to know
Confidential Information) or thereafter (except with the written consent of the
Board or as required by law) knowingly or recklessly:
a) divulge or communicate Confidential Information to any person
(including any representative of the press or broadcasting or other
media);
b) cause or facilitate any unauthorised disclosure of Confidential
Information through any failure by him to exercise all due care and
diligence; or
c) make use of (other than for the benefit of any Group Company) any
Confidential Information which may have come to his knowledge during his
employment with the Company or in respect of which a Group Company may be
bound by an obligation of confidence to any
E110
32
-8
third party provided the Executive is or has been made aware of such obligation
of confidence. The Executive will also use all reasonable endeavours to prevent
the publication or disclosure of any Confidential Information. These
restrictions will not apply to Confidential Information which, after the
appointment has been terminated, has become available to the public generally
otherwise than through unauthorised disclosure, or is disclosed in any legal
proceedings.
12.3 All notes, memoranda and other records (whether in documentary
form or stored on computer disk or tape) made by the Executive during his
employment with the Company and which relate to the business of any Group
Company shall belong to such Group Company and the Executive shall, from time to
time, promptly hand over such notes, memoranda and other records to the Company
(or as the Company may direct).
13 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
13.1 Automatic termination
This Agreement shall automatically terminate:
13.1.1 on the Executive reaching his 65th birthday; or
13.1.2 if the Executive becomes prohibited by law from being a director; or
13.1.3 if he resigns his office.
E111
33
-9
13.2 Suspension
In order to investigate a complaint against the Executive of misconduct the
Company is entitled to suspend the Executive on full pay for so long as may be
necessary to carry out a proper investigation and hold a disciplinary hearing.
13.3 Immediate dismissal
The Company may by notice terminate this Agreement with immediate effect if the
Executive:
13.3.1 commits any act of gross misconduct or repeats or continues (after
written warning) any other material breach of his obligations under this
Agreement; or
13.3.2 is responsible for any conduct which in the reasonable and fair opinion
of the Board brings him, the Company or any Group Company into disrepute; or
13.3.3 is convicted of any criminal offence (excluding an offence under road
traffic legislation in Hong Kong or elsewhere for which he is not sentenced to
any term of imprisonment whether immediate or suspended); or
13.3.4 commits any act of dishonesty whether relating to the Company, any Group
Company, any of its or their employees or otherwise; or
13.3.5 becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his
creditors generally; or
E112
34
-10
13.3.6 is in the reasonable and fair opinion of the Board incompetent in the
performance of his duties.
13.5 Garden Leave
The Company shall have the right at its discretion during the period of notice
and any part thereof to place the Executive on leave, in which case he shall be
paid his basic salary and contractual benefits.
13 Miscellaneous
On the termination of this Agreement for whatever reason, the Executive shall at
the request of the Company:
13.6.1 resign (without prejudice to any claims which the Executive
E113
35
-11
may have against any company arising out of this Agreement or the termination
thereof) from all and any offices which he may hold as a Director of the Company
or of any Group Company and from all other appointments or offices which he
holds as nominee or representative of the Company or any Group Company; and
3/_2 ~transfer without payment to the Company or as the Company may direct any
qualifying shares provided by it to him;
and if he should fail to do so within seven days the Company is hereby
irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to
sign any documents or do any things necessary or requisite to effect such
resignation(s) and/or transfer(s).
14 PROVISION AFTER TERMINATION
14.1 The Executive agrees that he will not at any time after the termination
of this Agreement, either personally or by his agent, directly or indirectly:
14.1.1 represent himself as being in any way connected with or interested in the
business of the Company or any Group Company;
14.1.2 use or disclose to any person, firm or company any Confidential
Information directly or indirectly relating to the affairs of the Company or any
Group Company or to a customer of the Company or any Group Company which may
have been acquired by him in the course of or incidental to his employment by
the Company for his own benefit or for the benefit of others or to the detriment
of the Company or any
E114
36
-12
Group Company or such customer. This restriction shall continue to apply after
the termination of this Agreement for a period of one year but shall cease to
apply to information or knowledge which may come into the public domain
otherwise than through unauthorised disclosure by the Executive or any other
person.
14.2 The Executive shall not for a period of 6 months after the termination of
this Agreement directly or indirectly and whether on his own behalf or on behalf
of any other business, concern, person, partnership, firm, company or other body
which is wholly or partly in competition with the business carried on by a the
Company or Group Company:
14.2.1 canvass, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or
approached for orders in respect of any services provided or goods dealt in by
the Company or any Group Company in respect of the provision or sale of which
the Executive was engaged during the last 12 months of his employment with the
Company, any person who at the date of termination of this Agreement was
negotiating with the Company or any Group Company for the supply of services or
goods or within 12 months prior to such date is or was a client or customer of
the Company or any Group Company or was in the habit of dealing with the Company
or any Group Company and with whom the Executive shall have dealt;
14.2.2 interfere or seek to interfere or take such steps as may interfere with
the continuance of supplies to the Company or any Group Company (or the terms
relating to such supplies) from any suppliers who have been supplying
components, materials or services to the Company or any Group Company
E115
37
-13
at any time during the last 12 months of this Agreement;
14.2.3 solicit or entice or endeavour to solicit or entice away from the Company
or any Group Company or offer or cause to be offered any employment to any
person employed by the Company or any Group Company in an executive capacity at
the date of such termination for whom the executive is responsible;
14.2.4 deal with any person or persons who or which at any time
during the period of 12 months prior to termination of this Agreement have been
in the habit of dealing under contract with the Company or any Group Company.
14.3 The restrictions contained in this clause are separate and severable and
enforceable accordingly and considered reasonable by the parties (the Executive
acknowledging the legitimate need for the Company and the Group Companies to
protect their business interests) but in the event that any such restriction
shall be found or held to be void in circumstances where it would be valid if
some part thereof where deleted or distance of application reduced, then the
parties agree that such restriction shall apply with such modification as may be
necessary to make it valid and effective.
15 GENERAL
15.1 Accrued rights
The expiration or termination of this Agreement however arising shall not
operate to affect such of the provisions of this Agreement as are expressed to
operate or have effect after then and shall be without prejudice to any accrued
rights or remedies of the parties.
E116
38
-14
15.2 Proper law
The validity construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by
Hong Kong law.
15.3 Acceptance of *jurisdiction
All disputes claims or proceedings between the parties relating to the validity
construction or performance of this Agreement shall be subject to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of the Hong Kong Courts (`the High
Court') to which the parties irrevocably submit.
15.4 Notices
Any notice to be given by a party under this Agreement must be in writing and
must be given by delivery at or by sending by first class post or other faster
postal service, or telex, facsimile transmission or other means of
telecommunication in permanent written form (provided the addressee has his or
its own facilities for receiving such transmissions) to the last known postal
address or relevant telecommunications number of the other party. Where notice
is given by sending in a prescribed manner it shall be deemed to have been
received when in the ordinary course of the means of transmission it would be
received by the addressee. To prove the giving of a notice it shall be
sufficient to show it was despatched. A notice shall have effect from the sooner
of its actual or deemed receipt by the addressee.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HAVE EXECUTED THIS DOCUMENT AS
A DEED THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST BEFORE WRITTEN
E117
39
-15
Signed and delivered as a deed by the Executive
FL
in the presence of
Name:
Address:
Occupation:
Signed and delivered as
a deed by [
Director and /I
Director
for and on behalf of the
Company
E118
