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VERTICAL AEROSPACE LTD.
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Date: July 1, 2025
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By:
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/s/ Stuart Simpson
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Stuart Simpson
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Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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Circular to Shareholders Relating to an Annual General Meeting
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Press release of Vertical Aerospace Ltd. dated July 1, 2025
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1. |
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 (the “Ratification of Appointment of
Auditors Proposal”);
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2. |
To approve by ordinary resolution, that the Vertical Aerospace Ltd. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), be amended and restated to, among other things, increase the share reserve, amend
rules relating to Plan stock limits, amend the rules relating to the treatment of awards upon the occurrence of a change in control, as well as certain other amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency, in the form set forth
in Schedule A of this Circular (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”).
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3. |
To approve by ordinary resolution the adjournment of the AGM to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the meeting, there are not
sufficient votes to approve the proposals No. 1 – 2 (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
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1. |
BY WAY OF ORDINARY RESOLUTION, to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 (the “Ratification of Appointment of Auditors Proposal”).
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2. |
BY WAY OF ORDINARY RESOLUTION, to approve that the Vertical Aerospace Ltd. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), be amended and restated to, among other
things, increase the share reserve, amend rules relating to Plan stock limits, amend the rules relating to the treatment of awards upon the occurrence of a change in control, as well as certain other amendments for the purposes of
clarity and consistency, in the form set forth in Schedule A of this Circular (the “Plan Amendment Proposal”).
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3. |
BY WAY OF ORDINARY RESOLUTION, to approve the adjournment of the AGM to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the
time of the meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve the proposals No. 1 – 2 (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
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Board adoption:
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9 December 2021
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Stockholders’ approval:
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14 December 2021
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| Expiry date: |
14 December 2031 |
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Date of amendment and restatement
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Amendment and restatement change:.
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27 January 2023
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Schedule 3 addition - approved by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors.
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16 September 2024
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Rule 3.1 - change in Stock limit as approved by Stockholders on 16 September 2024.
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| [5 August 2025 |
Amendment changes as approved by Stockholders on 5 August 2025.]
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1. Meaning of words used
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3 |
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2. Granting Awards
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6 |
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3. Stock limits
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8 |
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4. Vesting and exercise of Awards
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10 |
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5. Lapsing
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11 |
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6. Settlement of Awards
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11 |
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7. Investigations
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12 |
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8. Dealing Restrictions
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13 |
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9. Holding Period
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13 |
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10. Leaving
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14 |
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11. Mobile Participants
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15 |
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12. Corporate events
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16 |
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13. Exchange of Awards
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17 |
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14. Variations in stock capital
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18 |
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15. Tax
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19 |
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16. Terms of employment
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19 |
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17. General
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18. Administration
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22 |
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19. Changing the Plan and termination
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22 |
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20. Governing law and jurisdiction
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23 |
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Schedule 1 Awards granted to US Taxpayers
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23
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Schedule 2 US Incentive Stock Options
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27 |
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Schedule 3 Awards to French Participants
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31 |
| 1. |
Meaning of words used
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| 1.1 |
General
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(i) |
is anticipated by the Board to complete within three months after the date of Leaving; or
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(ii)
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has completed within 12 months prior to the date of Leaving.
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(i) |
redundancy within the meaning of the UK Employment Rights Act 1996 (or an overseas equivalent);
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(ii) |
death; or
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(iii) |
any other reason, at the discretion of the Board;
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(i) |
when Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market and the Nasdaq Global Select Market), (ii) listed on any national market system
or (iii) quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Market Value shall be the closing sales price for Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for Stock on the date in
question, the closing sales price for Stock on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines in its discretion that an alternative definition of Market Value should be used in connection with the grant, exercise, vesting, settlement or payout of any Award, it may specify such
alternative definition in the Award terms. Such alternative definition may include a price that is based on the opening, actual, high, low, or average selling prices of Stock on the applicable securities exchange on the given date, the
trading date preceding the given date, the trading date next succeeding the given date, or an average of trading days.;
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(ii) |
if the Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Market Value shall be the mean of the high
bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Stock on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for Stock on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable; or
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(iii) |
if the Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities
dealer, its Market Value shall be established by the Board in its discretion;
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(i) |
in relation to a Conditional Award, a Participant becoming entitled to the Stock;
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(ii) |
in relation to an Option, the Option becoming exercisable; and
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(iii)
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in relation to a Phantom Award, a Participant becoming entitled to the
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| 1.2 |
Interpretation
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| 1.3 |
Award tranches
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| 2. |
Granting Awards
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| 2.1 |
Eligibility
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| 2.2 |
Timing of grant
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| 2.3 |
Making an Award
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| 2.4 |
Terms of Awards
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| 2.4.1 |
the Award Date;
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2.4.2 |
the Award type;
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2.4.3 |
the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or the basis for calculating the number of shares of Stock;
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2.4.4 |
the Vesting Date;
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2.4.5 |
in the case of an Option, the Exercise Period and any amount payable to exercise the Option;
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2.4.6 |
if the Award is subject to any Performance Conditions, details of those Performance Conditions and the applicable Performance Period;
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2.4.7 |
details of any Other Conditions;
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2.4.8 |
whether Dividend Equivalents will apply;
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2.4.9 |
details of any Holding Period; and
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2.4.10 |
whether the Participant may be required to enter into any election for a particular tax and/or social security treatment in respect of an Award and/or any Stock and any consequences of failing to make the election.
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| 2.5 |
Performance Conditions
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| 2.6 |
Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons
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| 2.7 |
Other Conditions
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| 2.8 |
Malus and Clawback
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| 2.9 |
Administrative errors
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| 2.9.1 |
in error, it will be deemed never to have been granted and/or will immediately lapse; and/or
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2.9.2 |
which is inconsistent with any provisions in this Plan, it will take effect only to the extent permissible under the Plan and will otherwise be deemed never to have been granted and/or will immediately lapse.
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| 2.10 |
Phantom Awards
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| 3. |
Stock limits
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| 3.1 |
Number of Stock
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3.1.1 |
for Awards granted to employees of the Group (excluding Awards granted at any time to (i) the Group’s Chief Executive Officer; or (ii) any Non-Employee
Director), 9,045,000 shares of Stock, or, if greater and if determined by the Board to be
required to fulfil the purposes of the Plan, up to an amount equal to 5% of the Company’s issued Stock from time to time;
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3.1.2 |
for Awards granted at any time to Non-Employee Directors (excluding the Chair of the Board), an amount that does not exceed 1% of the Company’s issued Stock from time to time; and
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3.1.3 |
for Awards granted at any time to the Group’s Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board, an amount that does not exceed 3.4% of the Company’s issued
Stock from time to time.
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| 3.2 |
Calculating the number of Stock
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| 3.3 |
Substitute Awards
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| 3.4 |
Director limit
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| 4. |
Vesting and exercise of Awards
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| 4.1 |
Timing of Vesting
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| 4.1.1 |
the Vesting Date;
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4.1.2 |
the date it is decided that any Performance Conditions are satisfied; and
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4.1.3 |
the date it is decided that any Other Conditions are satisfied, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
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| 4.2 |
Extent of Vesting
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| 4.3 |
Fractions
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| 4.4 |
Overriding discretion
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| 4.4.1 |
the wider performance of the Group;
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4.4.2 |
the conduct, capability or performance of the Participant;
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4.4.3 |
the experience of stakeholders;
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4.4.4 |
any windfall gains;
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4.4.5 |
the total value that would otherwise be received by the Participant compared to the maximum value that the Award was intended to deliver; or
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4.4.6 |
any other reason at the discretion of the Board.
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| 4.5 |
Process for exercise of Options
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| 4.6 |
Option tranches
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| 4.6.1 |
an Option is made up of different tranches; and
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4.6.2 |
the Option is exercised,
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| 4.7 |
Option repricing
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| 5. |
Lapsing
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| 6. |
Settlement of Awards
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| 6.1 |
Delivery of Stock or cash
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| 6.2 |
Phantom Award payment
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| 6.3 |
Dividend Equivalents
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6.3.1 |
for Conditional Awards and Phantom Awards, an amount equal to the dividends, the record date for which falls between the Award Date and Vesting, multiplied by the number of shares of Stock in respect of which the Award Vests; or
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6.3.2 |
for Options, an amount equal to the dividends, the record date for which falls between the Award Date and exercise, multiplied by the number of shares of Stock in respect of which the Award is exercised.
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| 6.4 |
Nominee
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| 6.5 |
Cash alternative
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| 6.6 |
Stock transfer tax
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| 7. |
Investigations
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| 7.1 |
Relevant investigation
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| 7.2 |
Impact of investigation
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| 7.2.1 |
the Participant’s Award will not Vest;
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7.2.2 |
if it is an Option, exercise will be suspended; and
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7.2.3 |
where relevant, the Participant’s Award will not be settled,
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| 8. |
Dealing Restrictions
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| 8.1 |
Application of rule
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| 8.2 |
Impact of Dealing Restrictions
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| 8.2.1 |
an Unvested Award will not Vest until the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply;
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8.2.2 |
any exercise will take effect as soon as practicable after the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply;
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8.2.3 |
if an Exercise Period would otherwise end before the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply, it will be extended to end 30 days after the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply and “Exercise Period” will be understood accordingly; and
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8.2.4 |
the delivery of Stock or cash to settle an Award will not occur until the Dealing Restrictions cease to apply,
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| 9. |
Holding Period
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| 9.1 |
Application of rule
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| 9.2 |
Impact of Holding Period
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| 9.2.1 |
to the Participant’s personal representatives on death;
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9.2.2 |
to a nominee in accordance with rule 9.3 (Nominee);
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9.2.3 |
in accordance with rule 15.1 (Withholding);
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9.2.4 |
under the Malus and Clawback Policy;
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9.2.5 |
in connection with an event described in rule 12 (Corporate events) or rule 14.1 (Adjustments to Awards); or
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9.2.6 |
otherwise with the agreement of the Board,
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| 9.3 |
Nominee
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| 9.4 |
Phantom and cash-settled Awards
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| 9.5 |
Proof of ownership
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| 10. |
Leaving
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| 10.1 |
Leaving – before Vesting
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10.1.1 |
Where a Participant Leaves before Vesting, the Award will lapse on the date the Participant Leaves, unless other provisions of this rule 10 (Leaving) apply or the Board determines
otherwise.
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10.1.2 |
If a Participant Leaves for a Good Leaver Reason before Vesting:
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(i) |
the Award will Vest and, for an Option, be exercisable, only to the extent prescribed by rule 10.3 (Good Leavers - Vesting and exercise);
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(ii) |
if the Award Vests pursuant to rule 10.1.2(i) above, it will Vest on the date of Leaving, unless the Board determines that it should Vest on a different date (which may be, but shall be no later than, the originally stated Vesting Date).
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10.1.3 |
If a Participant is a CIC Leaver, the Award will Vest in full on the date of Leaving and, for an Option, be exercisable for a period of 3 months from Vesting
(or such other period as the Board decides) and will then lapse.
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| 10.2 |
Leaving – after Vesting
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| 10.2.1 |
continue in accordance with the Plan; and
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10.2.2 |
in the case of an Option, be exercisable for a period of 3 months (12 months in the case of the Participant’s death) from the date the Participant Leaves (or such longer
period as the Board decides) and will then lapse, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
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| 10.3 |
Good Leavers – Vesting and exercise
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10.3.1 |
an Award will only Vest:
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(i) |
to the extent that the Board decides any Performance Conditions have been satisfied as measured over the Performance Period, or if the Performance Period has not yet ended, to the extent the Board estimates any Performance Conditions would be satisfied over the Performance Period (or such other period as the Board decides is appropriate);
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(ii) |
to the extent that the Board decides any Other Conditions have been satisfied, unless the Board decides otherwise; and
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(iii) |
pro-rata to reflect the period from the Award Date until the date the Participant Leaves, as a proportion of the period from the Award Date until the Vesting Date, unless the Board decides otherwise,
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10.3.2 |
Options will be exercisable for a period of 3 months from Vesting (or such other period as the Board decides) and will then lapse.
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10.4
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Summary dismissal
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10.5
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Leaving – Exercise Period
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10.6
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Leaving – Ongoing restrictions
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| 10.6.1 |
any Holding Period will continue to apply unless the Board determines otherwise, except on death, where any Holding Period will cease to apply; and
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10.6.2 |
the Malus and Clawback Policy will continue to apply to the Award unless and to the extent it is waived or varied by the Board.
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| 11. |
Mobile Participants
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| 11.1 |
Application of rule
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| 11.2 |
Cancellation
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| 11.3 |
Notifying Participants
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| 12. |
Corporate events
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| 12.1 |
Change of Control
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12.1.1 |
a person (or a group of persons acting together) obtains Control of the Company as a result of making an offer to acquire all of the Company’s Stock (including pursuant to a merger or
consolidation as a result of which Stock of the Company is converted into or exchanged for the right to receive cash, stock, securities or other property or are cancelled) ;
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12.1.2 |
a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the business and assets of the Group is made to an acquiring person, entity or group; or
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12.1.3 |
the Board determines that any other event substantially equivalent to those set out in 12.1.1 or 12.1.2 above has taken place,
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12.1.4 |
for a CIC Leaver, always Vest in full on the on the date of Leaving;
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12.1.5 |
in the event that rule 13 (Exchange of Awards) applies, Vest on the date applicable to the New Awards granted under that rule;
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12.1.6 |
in all other cases, continue to Vest in accordance with the terms of the Plan, whilst maintaining so far as possible the Market Value of the shares of Stock
and terms subject to the Award that are substantially the same immediately prior to the relevant completion date.
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| 12.2 |
Schemes of arrangement
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| 12.3 |
Winding up / liquidation
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| 12.4 |
Vesting and exercise
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12.4.1 |
an Award will Vest:
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(i) |
to the extent that the Board determines any applicable Performance Conditions or Other Conditions that in either case were due to have been satisfied by the relevant date have been satisfied, unless the Board determines otherwise; and
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(ii) |
the Board will have discretion to take into account any other factors it believes to be relevant in determining the extent to which an Award will Vest in the circumstances,
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12.4.2 |
Where an Option Vests pursuant to this rule 12.4 (Vesting and exercise) or was already Vested, it will be exercisable for a period of months, or such other period as the Board decides, from the date of the relevant
event and then will lapse. This will not extend any Exercise Period that would otherwise apply to an Award.
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| 12.5 |
Malus and Clawback
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| 12.6 |
Holding Period
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| 12.7 |
Other events
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| 13. |
Exchange of Awards
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| 13.1 |
Application of rule
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13.2
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Timing of exchange
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13.3
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Exchange terms
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| 13.3.1 |
be a right to acquire such number of shares of Stock (or equivalent rights to cash or other securities) as have, immediately after grant of the New Award, a
total Market Value substantially the same as the total Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the Award immediately before its release; and
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13.3.2 |
be on terms otherwise materially identical to the terms applicable to the Award immediately before the Award’s release.
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13.4
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Interpretation following exchange
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| 14. |
Variations in stock capital
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| 14.1 |
Adjustments to Awards
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| 14.1.1 |
a variation in the issued stock capital of the Company, including a stock capitalization or rights issue, open offer, sub-division, consolidation or reduction of
stock capital;
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14.1.2 |
stock dividend or distribution, other than an ordinary cash dividend; or
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14.1.3 |
any other transaction which the Board decides will materially affect the value of the Stock,
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| 14.2 |
Notice of Adjustments
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| 14.3 |
Early Vesting
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14.3.1 |
immediately prior to, and conditional on, the relevant event;
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14.3.2 |
to the extent that the Board determines any applicable Performance Conditions or Other Conditions have been satisfied, unless the Board decides otherwise;
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14.3.3 |
pro-rata to reflect the period from the Award Date until the date of Vesting, as a proportion of the period from the Award Date to date of Vest, unless the Board determines otherwise;
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14.3.4 |
with the continued application of the Malus and Clawback Policy, unless and to the extent the Board decides otherwise;
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14.3.5 |
with the continued application of any Holding Period, unless and to the extent the Board decides otherwise,
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| 15. |
Tax
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| 15.1 |
Withholding
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15.1.1 |
withhold such amounts from a Participant (including deducting such amounts from any cash payment owed to the Participant) and retain some or all of it;
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15.1.2 |
sell some or all of the Stock to which the Participant is entitled under the Plan on behalf of the Participant;
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15.1.3 |
allow the Participant to deliver a written or electronic notice that the Participant has directly or indirectly placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Stock then issuable upon exercise or
vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company or its designee in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such
proceeds is then made to the Company or its designee upon settlement of such sale;
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15.1.4 |
reduce some of the Stock to which the Participant is entitled under the Plan on behalf of the Participant; or
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15.1.5 |
make such other withholding arrangements as it considers necessary or desirable,
to meet any liability for Taxation, to collect any outstanding exercise price and to meet any applicable dealing and/or currency exchange costs and other associated costs.
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| 15.2 |
Participant indemnity
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| 16. |
Terms of employment
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| 16.1 |
Application
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| 16.2 |
Not part of employment contract
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| 16.3 |
No future expectation
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| 16.4 |
Decisions and discretion
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| 16.5 |
No compensation
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16.5.1 |
any loss or reduction of rights or expectations under the Plan in any circumstances (including lawful or unlawful termination of employment);
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16.5.2 |
any exercise of a discretion or a decision taken in relation to an Award or to the Plan, or any failure or delay to exercise a discretion or take a decision; and
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16.5.3 |
the operation, suspension, termination or amendment of the Plan.
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| 16.6 |
Waiver
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| 17. |
General
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| 17.1 |
Data protection
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17.1.1 |
any data protection policies applicable to any relevant Member of the Group; and
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17.1.2 |
any applicable privacy notices.
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| 17.2 |
Consents and filings
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| 17.3 |
Source of Stock
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| 17.4 |
Notices
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| 17.5 |
Bankruptcy
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| 17.6 |
Not pensionable
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| 17.7 |
Not transferable
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| 17.8 |
Currency conversions
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| 17.9 |
Limitation on payments by directors and executive officers
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| 18. |
Administration
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| 18.1 |
Administration of the Plan
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| 18.2 |
Board decisions
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| 18.3 |
Severance of rules
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18.3.1 |
such provision will be deleted; and
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18.3.2
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the remaining provisions will continue in full force
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| 18.4 |
Language
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| 19. |
Changing the Plan and termination
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| 19.1 |
General power
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| 19.2 |
Stockholder consent
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19.2.1 |
increase the limit imposed in rule 3.1 (Number of Stock) on the maximum amount of Stock which may be issued under the Plan;
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19.2.2 |
reduce the price per share of any outstanding Option granted under the Plan or cancel any Option in exchange for cash or another Award in violation of rule 4.7
(option repricing); and
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19.2.3 |
make any change which requires stockholder approval under applicable laws, including the rules of the New York Stock Exchange or any other exchange on which the Stock is traded.
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| 19.3 |
Participant consent
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19.3.1 |
the Board will invite each disadvantaged Participant to indicate whether or not they approve the change; and
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19.3.2 |
the majority of the Participants (by number of Participants or number of shares of Stock) who were invited and who make an indication approve the change.
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19.3.3 |
benefit the administration of the Plan;
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19.3.4 |
comply with or take account of a change in legislation; and/or
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19.3.5 |
obtain or maintain favorable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment of any Member of the Group or any present or future Participant.
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| 19.4 |
Notice of change
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| 19.5 |
International variations
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| 19.6 |
Termination of the Plan
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| 20. |
Governing law and jurisdiction
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| 1. |
Introduction
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| 2. |
Meaning of words used
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| 3. |
Exercise of Options
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| 3.1 |
Timing for Exercise
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| 3.2 |
Permissible delay
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| 4. |
Settlement of Awards
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| 4.1 |
Timing for payment
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| 4.2 |
Permissible delay
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| 4.3 |
Leavers
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4.3.1 |
to the US Taxpayer’s personal representatives in the event of the US Taxpayer’s subsequent death;
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|
|
4.3.2 |
to a nominee on behalf of the US Taxpayer;
|
|
|
4.3.3 |
in accordance with rule 15.1 (Withholding) to fund any liability for Tax (as well as any outstanding exercise price and any applicable dealing and/or currency exchange costs and other associated costs);
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|
|
4.3.4 |
due to any Malus and/or Clawback being triggered; or
|
|
|
4.3.5 |
if the Board decides otherwise.
|
| 5. |
Dividend Equivalents
|
| 6. |
No extension of Short-Term Deferral Period
|
| 6.1 |
Delay for investigations
|
| 6.2 |
Dealing Restrictions
|
| 6.3 |
Holding Period
|
| 7. |
Changes to Awards
|
| 7.1 |
Conditions
|
| 7.2 |
Adjustments
|
| 7.3 |
Takeovers and restructurings
|
| 7.4 |
Exchange of Awards
|
| 7.5 |
Changing the Plan or Awards
|
| 8. |
General
|
| 8.1 |
Intention
|
| 8.2 |
No guarantee
|
| 8.3 |
Conflict
|
| 1. |
Purpose
|
| 2. |
Meaning of words used
|
|
|
(i) |
is subject to US federal income taxation on the Award Date or who is expected to become subject to US federal income taxation following the Award Date; and
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|
|
(ii) |
is an employee (as determined in accordance Section 3401(c) of the Code) of:
|
|
|
(a) |
the Company;
|
|
|
(b) |
a Member of the Group that is a “subsidiary corporation” (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) with respect to the Company; or
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|
|
(c) |
a Member of the Group that is a “parent corporation” (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code) with respect to the Company.
|
| 3. |
Grant of Incentive Stock Options
|
| 3.1 |
Eligible individuals
|
| 3.2 |
Award Date
|
| 4. |
Exercise Price and Expiration Date
|
| 4.1 |
Generally
|
| 4.2 |
Greater Than 10% Stockholders
|
| 4.3 |
Market Value
|
| 5. |
Individual limit
|
| 6. |
Exercise of Incentive Stock Options
|
| 6.1 |
Transfers
|
| 6.2 |
Continuous employment
|
| 7. |
Dividend Equivalents
|
| 8. |
Incentive Stock Option tax treatment
|
| 8.1 |
Disqualifying disposition
|
| 8.2 |
Notice
|
| 9. |
Changes
|
| 9.1 |
Modification, Extension, Adjustment or Renewal
|
| 9.2 |
Substitute Awards
|
| 10. |
General
|
| 10.1 |
Maximum number of Stock granted as Incentive Stock Options
|
| 10.2 |
Intention
|
| 10.3 |
No guarantee
|
| 10.4 |
Conflict
|
| 1. |
Purpose
|
| 1.1 |
This French Schedule sets out the terms and conditions applicable to Qualified Awards granted to Eligible French Employees.
|
| 1.2 |
This French Schedule makes certain variations to the terms of the Vertical Aerospace Ltd. 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), in order to satisfy French securities laws, exchange control, corporate
law and tax requirements, so that Qualified Awards may qualify for the specific tax and social security treatment in France under Sections L. 225-197-1 to L. 225-197-6 of the French Commercial Code.
|
| 1.3 |
The rules of the Plan shall apply, subject to the modifications contained in this French Schedule, whenever the Board decides to grant Qualified Awards to Eligible French Employees. Nothing in this French Schedule prevents other
forms of Award being granted to Eligible French Employees on a non-tax advantaged basis under the rules of the Plan, unamended by this French Schedule. This French Schedule only applies to, and amends the Plan for, Qualified Awards.
|
| 1.4 |
The Plan was approved by the shareholders of the Company on 14 December 2021. This French Schedule to the Plan was approved by the Board (or, as relevant, a committee duly authorized by it) on 27 January 2023.
|
| 2. |
Meaning of words used
|
| 2.1 |
Unless provided otherwise or unless the context requires otherwise, capitalized terms used but not defined in this French Schedule shall have the meaning
assigned to them in the Plan.
|
| 2.2 |
The terms of Qualified Awards under this French Schedule shall be the same as those for Conditional Awards under the Plan, except to the extent that this French Schedule provides otherwise. References to Conditional Awards in the
Plan shall apply to, and include, Qualified Awards, but modified by the special terms of this French Schedule. References to the Plan in the Plan and in this French Schedule will include the French Schedule and, where the French
Schedule amends the Plan, the Plan will be interpreted accordingly.
|
| 2.3 |
The following definitions shall apply to Qualified Awards granted in accordance with this French Schedule:
|
|
|
(i) |
the 30 calendar days prior to the announcement of the half-year or annual financial reports of the Company; or
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|
|
(ii) |
where there is material information (as defined under article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) and repealing Directive
2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Directives 2003/124/EC, 2003/125/EC and 2004/72/EC) that has not been made public and which could, if disclosed to the public, significantly impact on the value of
Stock and where the French Participant is either:
|
|
|
(a) |
a member of the board of directors or supervisory board, or exercising the functions of general manager or deputy general manager, of the Company; or
|
|
|
(b) |
an employee,
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|
|
(i) |
is granted for no consideration;
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|
|
(ii) |
satisfies the requirements of a Conditional Award under the Plan; and
|
|
|
(iii) |
complies with the requirements of this French Schedule at the Award Date.
|
| 3. |
Interpretation
|
| 3.1 |
It is intended that Qualified Awards granted under this French Schedule shall qualify for the special tax and social security treatment applicable to free shares granted under Sections L. 225-197-1 to L. 225-197-6 of the French
Commercial Code, as amended, and in accordance with the relevant provisions set forth by French tax and social security laws, but the Company does not undertake to maintain this status.
|
| 3.2 |
The Plan, the terms of the French Schedule and the terms upon which a Qualified Award has been granted shall be interpreted and, where necessary, deemed to be modified, accordingly and in
|
| 3.3 |
In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this French Schedule and the Plan and/or any other documents related to the Plan, the provisions of this French Schedule will prevail for grants of Qualified Awards made to
Eligible French Employees.
|
| 3.4 |
If for any reason a Conditional Award does not, but was originally intended to, satisfy the requirements of the French tax authorities for specific tax and social security treatment, the Company or Board (or, as relevant, a
committee duly authorized by it) can take such actions, including changing the Vesting Date and/or applying or amending a Holding Period, as it considers reasonably
necessary to achieve such treatment, and the Plan, the terms of this French Schedule and the terms of the Conditional Award shall be interpreted and, where necessary, modified accordingly.
|
| 3.5 |
No Member of the Group (including a French Group Member) shall be liable for any adverse consequences, legal, tax or otherwise, if and to the extent that the French tax and social security treatment is unavailable.
|
| 4. |
Eligibility
|
| 5. |
Vesting Period
|
| 5.1 |
A French Participant becomes beneficially entitled to receive all or a portion of the Stock subject to the French Participant’s Qualified Award at Vesting, subject to
the remaining provisions of this Plan and the French Schedule.
|
| 5.2 |
The Vesting Period for a Qualified Award will be of a period or periods specified by the Board at the time the Qualified Award is granted, but in each case must be at least:
|
|
|
5.2.1 |
a one year period as calculated from the Award Date, where a Holding Period applies; or
|
|
|
5.2.2 |
a two year period as calculated from the Award Date, where no Holding Period applies,
|
| 5.3 |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan except for section 12.1, section 12.2 and section 13 (Corporate events and adjustments) of this French Schedule, Qualified Awards cannot Vest prior to the expiration of a one-year
period as calculated from the Award Date, or such other period as is required to comply with the minimum mandatory vesting period applicable to Qualified Awards under Section L. 225-197-1 of the French Commercial Code, as amended, or
the relevant sections of the French Tax Code or the French Social Security Code, as amended, to benefit from the specific tax and social security treatment applicable to Qualified Awards. This section 5.3 applies even if the French
Participant is no longer an employee.
|
| 6. |
Holding Period
|
| 6.1 |
Subject only to section 12.1, section 12.2 and section 13 (Corporate events and adjustments) of this French Schedule, the:
|
|
|
6.1.1 |
expiry of a Holding Period (if any) applicable to a Qualified Award; and
|
|
|
6.1.2 |
sale or transfer of Stock delivered pursuant to a Qualified Award,
|
| 6.2 |
Subject to section 12.1, section 12.2 and section 13 (Corporate events and adjustments) of this French Schedule, where:
|
|
|
6.2.1 |
a Qualified Award is granted with a Vesting Period of less than 2 years under section 5.2.2; and/or
|
|
|
6.2.2 |
all or a portion of a Qualified Award Vests less than 2 years after the Award Date,
|
| 7. |
Dividend Equivalents
|
| 8. |
Closed Periods
|
| 8.1 |
The Stock delivered to a French Participant pursuant to a Qualified Award may not be sold or transferred by or on behalf of a French Participant during a Closed
Period, so long as the French requirements regarding Closed Periods are applicable to the Stock underlying the Qualified Award.
|
| 8.2 |
Nothing in this section 8 (Closed Periods) allows a French Participant to deal at a time prohibited by Dealing Restrictions.
|
| 9. |
French plan limits
|
| 9.1 |
At the Award Date of any Qualified Award, the total number of Stock granted subject to Qualified Awards and subject to awards under any other employee share plan of
the Company where such awards are granted subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Articles L.225-197-1 et seq. of the French Commercial Code and are (or are similar in substance to) a conditional right to acquire Stock (other than an option) for no or limited cost (up to 5 percent of the Market Value of the Stock), must not exceed 10
percent of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company.
|
| 9.2 |
However, this relevant percentage may be increased to 30 percent if Qualified Awards are granted to all Eligible French Employees. Where this percentage is increased to 30 percent, Qualified Awards
|
| 9.3 |
For the purposes of the limits in this section 9 (French plan limits):
|
|
|
9.3.1 |
to the extent the Qualified Award has Vested and a Holding Period does not apply or has expired, the Stock does not need to be counted; and
|
|
|
9.3.2 |
to the extent a Qualified Award has lapsed, the lapsed Stock does not need to be counted.
|
| 10. |
French individual limit
|
| 11. |
Delivery of Stock only
|
| 12. |
Death or Disability
|
| 12.1 |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, immediately upon the death of a French Participant:
|
|
|
12.1.1 |
the French Participant’s Qualified Awards will become deliverable in full; and
|
|
|
12.1.2 |
any applicable Holding Period will expire and the French Participant’s heirs are free to transfer or dispose of the Stock.
|
| 12.2 |
If a French Participant Leaves due to Disability:
|
|
|
12.2.1 |
any Unvested Qualified Award will:
|
|
|
(i) |
continue to Vest in accordance with the terms of the Plan, unless the Board determines that an earlier Vesting Date should apply; and
|
|
|
(ii) |
Vest only to the extent that the Board determines any conditions have been satisfied and pro rata to reflect the period from the Award Date until the date the
Participant ceases employment, as a proportion of the period from the Award Date until the Vesting Date, unless the Board decides otherwise;
|
|
|
12.2.2 |
any Holding Period will cease to apply upon Leaving; and
|
|
|
12.2.3 |
where the Qualified Award was granted subject to the Malus and Clawback Policy, these provisions will continue to apply to the Qualified Award unless and to the extent they are waived or varied by the Board.
|
| 13. |
Corporate Events and Adjustments
|
| 14. |
Taxation and payment
|
| 14.1 |
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, French Participants shall be ultimately liable and responsible for all Taxation that they are legally required to pay in connection with Qualified Awards.
|
| 14.2 |
To the extent a Qualified Award qualifies for French specific tax and social security treatment under Sections L. 225-197-1 to L. 225-197-6 of the French Commercial Code, the French Participant is responsible for reporting the
receipt of any French Taxation under the Plan, and making payment, to the French tax authorities.
|
| 14.3 |
To the extent a Qualified Award or a Conditional Award does not so qualify, or is subject to Taxation outside of France, the Taxation, withholding and payment provisions of the Plan continue to apply to the Qualified Award or
Conditional Award, unamended by this French Schedule.
|
| 15. |
Disqualification of Qualified Awards
|
| 15.1 |
If the Board intends that a Qualified Award will no longer qualify for the specific tax and social security treatment in France applicable to Conditional Awards granted under Sections L. 225-197-1 to L. 225- 197-6 of the French
Commercial Code, as amended, the Board may, provided it is authorized to do so under the Plan, determine to lift, shorten or terminate any restrictions then applicable to the Vesting or delivery of the Qualified Award or to the sale
of the Stock underlying the Qualified Award which may have been imposed under this French Schedule or in the applicable Award documents.
|
| 15.2 |
In the event that a Qualified Award no longer qualifies under the French tax and social security regime, the French Participant shall be ultimately liable and responsible for all taxes and/or social security contributions that the
French Participant is legally required to pay in connection with the Qualified Award and the tax withholding and payment provisions of the Plan will apply unamended by this French Schedule.
|
| 16. |
Amendment
|
| 1. |
To cast your vote, you may:
|
|
|
• |
Attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting in person;
|
|
|
• |
Vote online. The web address for online voting is www.proxyvote.com and is also on the enclosed proxy card. Online
voting is available 24 hours a day;
|
|
|
• |
Vote by phone. Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions by calling 1-800-690-6903; or
|
|
|
• |
Vote by mail. Mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card, return it in the postage-paid envelope provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
|
| 2. |
If you choose to vote online, you do not need to return the proxy card.
|
| 3. |
To be valid, all votes online or by phone must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 4, 2025. All votes by mail must be received not
less than 24 hours before the time appointed for the holding of the Annual General Meeting.
|
| 4. |
A shareholder of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the above Annual General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on his/her behalf. A proxy need not be a shareholder of the
Company.
|
| 5. |
A shareholder of the Company which is a corporation is entitled to appoint its authorized representative or proxy to vote on its behalf.
|
| 6. |
When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, the proxy must include the full title as such.
|
| 7. |
In the case of joint shareholders, each owner should sign personally. All holders must sign.
|
| 8. |
If the shareholder does not insert a proxy of his/her own choice it shall be assumed that they wish to appoint the chairman of the meeting to act for them.
|
| 9. |
Every shareholder shall have one vote for each share in the Company he, she or it holds. Unless the shareholder indicates to the contrary, all votes in respect of his shareholding will be cast in the same
way. Any alterations made in this form must be initialed.
|
| 10. |
If this form is returned without any indication as to how the person appointed proxy shall vote (including as to any other matter coming before the meeting), the proxy will exercise his or her discretion as
to how he or she votes or whether he or she abstains from voting. If the shareholder returns this form appointing the chairman of the meeting to act for them without any further indication as to how the chairman should vote, it shall
be assumed that they wish to vote in accordance with the Board’s recommendations.
|
| 11. |
The proxy may vote at his or her discretion on any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
|