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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K/A
Amendment No. 1
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file: 0-25674
SkillSoft Public Limited Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Republic of Ireland
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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None
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
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107 Northeastern Boulevard
Nashua, New Hampshire
(Address of principal executive offices)
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03062
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code:
(603) 324-3000
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class |
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Ordinary Shares, 0.11
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NASDAQ Global Market |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section
13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of
the Act). Yes o No þ
The approximate aggregate market value of voting shares held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of July 31, 2007 was $925,902,731.
On April 30, 2008, the registrant had outstanding 112,836,816 ordinary shares (issued or
issuable in exchange for the registrants outstanding American Depositary Shares (ADSs)).
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A is being filed as Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of SkillSoft Public Limited Company (the Registrant or the Company) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on March 31, 2008, for the purpose of amending the
following: Items 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
FORM 10-K/A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Directors
The following is a list of our directors and certain information, as of April 30, 2008, about
their background.
Charles E. Moran, age 53, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2006
and has served as a director and has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer
since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Moran is a founder of SkillSoft
Corporation and served as its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from
January 1998 until September 2002.
P. Howard Edelstein, age 53, has served as a director since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation
in September 2002. Mr. Edelstein has been the Chief Executive Officer of NYFIX, Inc. a provider of
innovative solutions that optimize trading efficiency, since September 2006. Prior to joining
NYFIX, Inc., Mr. Edelstein served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Warburg Pincus LLC from
January 2006 to September 2006. Mr. Edelstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Radianz, an Internet Protocol-based networking company for the global financial services industry,
from July 2003 to January 2006. Mr. Edelstein served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Warburg
Pincus LLC from January 2002 to July 2003. Mr. Edelstein is also a director of Alacra, a privately
held financial information company, and NYFIX, Inc.
Stewart K.P. Gross, age 48, has served as a director since our merger with SkillSoft
Corporation in September 2002. Since April 2005, Mr. Gross has served as Managing Director of
Lightyear Capital, LLC, a private equity firm concentrating on investments in the financial
services industry. Mr. Gross served as a director of SkillSoft Corporation from January 1998 to
September 2002. Mr. Gross was a Managing Director of Warburg Pincus LLC from July 1987 to December
2004. Mr. Gross is a director of BEA Systems, Inc., Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited and
several privately held companies and not-for-profit organizations.
James S. Krzywicki, age 56, has served as a director since October 1998. Mr. Krzywicki was the
President and Chief Executive officer of Treeno Software (formerly Docutron Systems), a provider of
web-based document management software solutions that work in small business environments and
connect with enterprise objectives, from April 2004 to December 2007. Mr. Krzywicki was Vice
President, Channel Services for Parametric Technology Corporation, a provider of software solutions
for manufacturers for product development and improvement, from April 2003 to April 2004.
William F. Meagher, Jr., age 69, has served as a director since March 2004. Mr. Meagher was
the Managing Partner of the Boston Office of Arthur Andersen LLP (Andersen) from 1982 until 1995,
and spent a total of 38 years with Andersen. Mr. Meagher was a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr.
Meagher is a trustee of Living Care Villages of Massachusetts, Inc. d/b/a North Hill, the Dana
Farber Cancer Institute and the Greater Boston YMCA. Mr. Meagher also is a director of Dover
Saddlery, a direct marketer and a leading specialty retailer of equestrian products, Mac-Gray, a
leader in the commercial laundry industry, and several not-for-profit organizations.
Ferdinand von Prondzynski, age 53, has served as a director since November 2001. Dr. von
Prondzynski has been the President of Dublin City University, one of Irelands leading higher
education institutions, since July 2000. From January 1991 to July 2000, Dr. von Prondzynski served
as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Social Services, the University of Hull, UK. Dr. von
Prondzynski is a director of Knockdrin Estates Ltd.
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Executive Officers
The following is a list of our executive officers and certain information, as of April 30,
2008, about their background. Mr. Morans background is included in the Directors section above.
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Name |
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Age |
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Position |
Charles E. Moran
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53 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Thomas J. McDonald
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58 |
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Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
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50 |
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Chief Operating Officer |
Mark A. Townsend
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55 |
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Executive Vice President, Technology |
Colm M. Darcy
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44 |
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Executive Vice President, Content Development |
Anthony P. Amato
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43 |
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Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |
Thomas J. McDonald, age 58, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President and Assistant Secretary since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002.
Mr. McDonald is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Chief Financial Officer, Vice
President, Operations, Treasurer and Secretary from February 1998 until our merger with SkillSoft
Corporation in September 2002.
Jerald A. Nine, Jr., age 50, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since February 2004.
Mr. Nine served as Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing and General Manager, Content
Solutions Division from our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002 to February 2004.
Mr. Nine is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Executive Vice President, Sales
and Marketing and General Manager, Books Division from December 2001 to February 2004 and as its
Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing from April 1998 to December 2001.
Mark A. Townsend, age 55, has served as our Executive Vice President, Technology since our
merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Townsend is a founder of SkillSoft
Corporation and served as its Vice President, Product Development from January 1998 until our
merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002.
Colm M. Darcy, age 44, has served as our Executive Vice President, Content Development since
our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. From April 2002 to September 2002, Mr.
Darcy served as our Executive Vice President, Research and Development and from January 2002 to
April 2002, Mr. Darcy served as Vice President of Solutions Management. Mr. Darcy also held various
positions with SkillSoft from 1995 to January 2002, most recently as Vice President, Strategic
Alliances. Prior to joining SkillSoft, Mr. Darcy held positions in Finance, Human Resources,
Training and Information Technology in the Republic of Irelands Department of Health and Child
Welfare.
Anthony P. Amato, age 43, has served as our Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting
Officer since August 2006. From May 2005 until August 2006, Mr. Amato served as Vice President of
Finance Operations and Treasury for SkillSoft. From May 2003 to May 2005, Mr. Amato served as
Director of International Finances/Corporate Treasurer for SkillSoft. Prior to joining SkillSoft,
Mr. Amato served as the Director of Finance of CMGI, Inc., a provider of technology and e-commerce
solutions, from May 2002 to December 2002. Mr. Amato also served as the Vice President of Finance
of NaviSite, a provider of IT hosting, outsourcing and professional services, from October 2001 to
May 2002.
There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, requires our
directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity
securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, initial reports of
ownership of our equity securities on a Form 3 and reports of changes in such ownership on a Form 4
or Form 5. Officers, directors and 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish
SkillSoft with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
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Based solely on a review of copies of such filings by our directors and executive officers and
10% shareholders or written representations from certain of those persons, we believe that all
filings required to be made by those persons during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 were
timely made.
Recommendation of Director Nominees by Shareholders
There have been no material changes in the last year to the procedures by which security
holders may recommend director nominees to our Board of Directors.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors,
officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We have posted
a current copy of the code on our website, www.SkillSoft.com. In addition, we intend to post on our
website all disclosures that are required by law or NASDAQ stock market listing standards
concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.
Audit Committee
The members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Gross and Meagher (Chair) and Dr. von
Prondzynski. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Meagher is an audit committee
financial expert as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The Board of Directors has
determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined under
applicable NASDAQ rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The compensation committee of our board of directors operates under the authority established
in the Compensation Committee Charter. The committees primary responsibility is to oversee our
executive compensation program. In this role, the compensation committee reviews and approves all
compensation decisions relating to our executive officers. In addition, the committee has
responsibilities related to our incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans.
Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program
The primary objectives of the compensation committee with respect to executive compensation
are to:
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ensure that a significant part of executive compensation is tied to the achievement
of corporate and individual performance objectives, which both promotes and rewards the
achievement of those objectives; |
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align long-term executive incentives with the creation of shareholder value; and |
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attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent. |
To achieve those objectives, the compensation committee evaluates and implements our executive
compensation program with the goal of setting compensation at levels the committee believes are
competitive with those of other companies in our industry and similar industries that compete with
us for executive talent. In addition, our executive compensation program ties a substantial portion
of each executives overall compensation to our financial performance, as measured by metrics such
as revenue, profitability and bookings, as well as key strategic goals such as customer
satisfaction. We also provide a portion of our executive compensation in the form of share options
that vest over time, which we believe helps to retain our executives and aligns their interests
with those of our shareholders by allowing them to participate in the longer term success of our
company as reflected in share price appreciation.
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In making compensation decisions, the compensation committee regularly receives input from an
independent compensation consulting firm engaged by the committee, Compensia. In addition to the
data and advice provided by Compensia, the committee also considers input from the chief executive
officer with respect to the performance and contributions of other members of the executive
management team. Compensia provides the committee with data on executive compensation paid by a
peer group of publicly traded companies in the software, education and training industries. This
peer group, which is periodically reviewed and updated by the committee with the assistance of
Compensia, consists of companies the committee believes are generally comparable to our company in
terms of size, (based on revenue, profitability and/or number of employees) or industry and/or
against which the committee believes we compete for executive talent. The benchmarking studys peer
group in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008 (fiscal 2008) was comprised of 23 companies,
including companies such as: Aspen Technology, Blackboard, Webex Communications, Akamai
Technologies, Tibco Software, The Advisory Board, Learning Tree International, Kenexa and The
Corporate Executive Board. Compensia also provides the compensation committee with information on
market trends and developments in executive compensation and ideas for structuring executive
compensation arrangements. In addition to the benchmarking data related to the peer group, the
committee considers data with respect to the amount of compensation paid to each executive officer
by compensation element for the prior four-year period. This enables the committee to evaluate
historical pay rate changes, the amount of incentive compensation earned as a percentage of base
pay, equity grant history and potential share ownership.
The compensation committee has established the following guidelines to assist it in making
executive compensation decisions. These guidelines are expressed, for a particular element of
compensation, as the target percentile of the range of that compensation element paid to similarly
situated executives of the companies in our benchmarking peer group. In general, the committee
targets our executive compensation program elements as follows:
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base salaries are targeted at the 25th percentile; |
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total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) is targeted at the
50th percentile; and |
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equity compensation is targeted at the 75th percentile. |
Based on this target positioning, overall compensation generally is targeted between the
50th and 75th percentiles. Variations to these targets may occur due to
factors such as the experience levels of particular individuals, their performance, their
importance within the organization, and market factors. The committee believes that this approach
provides market competitive pay to our executives in the short-term when performance merits it and
above median compensation when long-term performance merits it.
Components of our Executive Compensation Program
The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:
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base salary; |
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cash incentive bonuses; |
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share option awards; |
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employee benefits; and |
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severance benefits. |
Base Salary
Base salary is used to compensate executives for the normal performance of their duties, in
light of their experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities. In establishing base salaries
for our executive officers, the compensation committee considers data from our benchmarking peer
group, as well as a variety of other factors, including any contractual commitments to that
individual, the seniority of the individual, the level of the individuals responsibility, our
ability to replace the individual, and the base salary of the individual at his prior employment,
if applicable. Each of our executive officers, other than Mr. Amato, has an employment agreement
dating from either 1998 or 2002 that provides for a minimum annual base salary (see Employment
Agreements and Potential Termination Payments below). With the exception of Mr. Darcy (whose base
salary for fiscal 2008 was equal to the
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minimum base salary provided for in his employment agreement), the current base salaries of those
executives are in excess of their minimum base salaries as provided for in their employment
agreements, and those employment agreements are not a significant factor in the compensation
committees base salary decisions.
Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by the compensation committee. For fiscal 2008,
the committee reviewed a variety of industry information compiled by Compensia. The Compensia data
suggested that base salary adjustments would be appropriate to more closely align our executives
base salaries with the 25th percentile of the peer group data. Based on its review of
peer group data compiled by Compensia and other factors described above, the committee determined
that base salary adjustments in fiscal 2008 were appropriate to move the base salary levels of
certain executive officers to the 25th percentile of the peer group data. The table
set forth below shows the annual base salaries of our five executive officers listed in the Summary
Compensation Table included later in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (referred to as the named
executive officers), including (where applicable) the base salary increases approved by the
compensation committee, which were approved contingent upon and effective upon the closing of our
acquisition of Thomson NETg on May 14, 2007.
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Prior Base |
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Revised Base |
Name |
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Salary |
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Salary |
Charles E. Moran |
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$ |
250,000 |
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$ |
372,000 |
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Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
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$ |
225,000 |
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282,000 |
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Thomas J. McDonald |
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$ |
200,000 |
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$ |
252,000 |
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Colm M. Darcy |
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$ |
200,000 |
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$ |
200,000 |
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Mark A. Townsend |
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$ |
200,000 |
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$ |
200,000 |
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The compensation committee recently met to consider executive base salaries for the fiscal
year ending January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009). Based in part on recommendations provided to the
committee by executive management, and given that certain base salary changes were implemented
following the closing of our acquisition of Thomson NETg in May 2007, the committee determined that
base salary adjustments would not be made for fiscal 2009.
Cash Incentive Bonuses
The compensation committee establishes an executive incentive compensation program on an
annual basis. This program typically provides for quarterly and annual cash bonuses. The quarterly
incentive cash bonuses are intended to compensate executives for achievement of quarterly company
financial objectives. The annual cash incentive bonuses are generally intended to compensate
executives for the achievement of corporate strategic and financial objectives. Each executive
officer is assigned a target bonus under the incentive compensation program, expressed as a
percentage of the executives base salary, with more senior executives typically having a higher
percentage. The target bonus is split between quarterly and annual bonus opportunities. The
financial targets generally conform to the financial metrics contained in the internal operating
plan adopted by the board of directors. The compensation committee approves the objectives on which
bonus payments are based, the allocation of the target bonus between the quarterly and annual
components and among the various performance objectives, and the formula for determining potential
bonus amounts based on achievement of those objectives.
The executive incentive compensation program for fiscal 2008 covered the five named executive
officers. Each named executive officer was assigned a target bonus, expressed as a percentage of
his annual base salary. The amount of the target bonuses were set by the compensation committee
based on the benchmarking data provided by Compensia and the committees philosophy of setting
total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) at approximately the 50th
percentile of the benchmarking peer group. For fiscal 2008, the target bonuses of three of our
executive officers were increased in May 2007 by virtue of the base salary increases that took
effect then. In addition, the target bonus of Mr. Moran was increased in May 2007 from 110% to
135% of his annual base salary. These target bonus increases were pro rated based on the portion
of the year that the increased base salaries and, in
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the case of Mr. Moran, the increased target bonus percentage, were in effect. The table below
shows the target bonuses for the named executive officers, both as a percentage of annual base
salary and in dollars.
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As Percentage of |
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Name |
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Annual Base Salary |
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Pro Rated Amount |
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Charles E. Moran |
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110%/135 |
% |
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435,933 |
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Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
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85 |
% |
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225,569 |
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Thomas J. McDonald |
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75 |
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$ |
177,625 |
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Colm M. Darcy |
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75 |
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150,000 |
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Mark A. Townsend |
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75 |
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150,000 |
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For each named executive officer, 50% of his target bonus was allocated to quarterly bonus
opportunities and 50% was allocated to annual bonus opportunities. The quarterly bonuses under the
program were based on bookings objectives (50% of quarterly target bonus) and adjusted EBITDA
objectives (50% of quarterly target bonus); the annual bonuses were based on revenue objectives
(40% of annual target bonus), adjusted EBITDA objectives (40% of annual target bonus), and customer
satisfaction objectives (20% of annual target bonus). For purposes of the incentive compensation
program, adjusted EBITDA was defined as operating income, plus the amount of depreciation and
amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and
restatement-related expense. These performance metrics were selected by the compensation committee
because the committee believes these are the key operating metrics that are the basis for driving
shareholder value.
The maximum bonus that could be earned was 150% of the target bonus and the minimum was 0%.
For most performance metrics, three levels of targets were set, with 50% of the allocated target
bonus payable if the first performance level (level 1) was attained, 100% of the allocated target
bonus payable if the second performance level (level 2) was attained and 150% of the allocated
target bonus payable if the third performance level (level 3) was attained.
The compensation committee set the first quarter targets for each category of performance
objectives at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Because of the pending Thomson NETG acquisition, which
closed during the second quarter, the compensation committee did not set performance targets for
the second, third or fourth quarters or fiscal 2008 as a whole at the beginning of fiscal 2008.
Instead, the committee set the performance targets for the last two quarters and for fiscal 2008 in
the third quarter of fiscal 2008, following the consummation of the Thomson NETg acquisition and
the development of an operating plan for the combined company for the remainder of fiscal 2008.
The committee was not able to approve second quarter performance targets for the combined company
prior to the end of the second quarter due to the closing of the transaction during the quarter.
Accordingly, the committee approved a discretionary payment of the level 2 bonus opportunity for
the second quarter and reserved the right to pay the second quarter bonus opportunity at level 3 at
the end of the year based on the companys overall performance in fiscal 2008. The objectives
included in the fiscal 2008 executive incentive compensation program were set at levels that were
designed to be attainable if our business had what we consider to be a successful year, but were by
no means certain or even probable of being attained.
The bonuses actually paid under the fiscal 2008 executive incentive compensation program were
150% of the executives target bonus, as we attained level 3 performance with respect to all of the
performance metrics in the program for the first, third and fourth quarters and fiscal 2008 as a
whole, and based on the overall performance of the company in fiscal 2008, the committee approved a
level 3 payment for the second quarter as well. The following tables illustrate our performance as
compared to the quarterly and annual adjusted EBITDA targets and the annual revenue target.
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Performance Metric |
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Level 3 Target |
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Actual Result |
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Q1 Adjusted EBITDA
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$12.0 million or higher
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$13.4 million |
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Q2 Adjusted EBITDA
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n/a
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$22.3 million |
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Q3 Adjusted EBITDA
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$18.3 million or higher
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$21.3 million |
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Q4 Adjusted EBITDA
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$17.0 million or higher
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$22.7 million |
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FY08 Adjusted EBITDA
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$71.0 million or higher
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$79.7 million |
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FY08 Revenue
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$278.0 million or higher
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$281.2 million |
We do not publicly disclose our bookings and we consider our bookings targets to be
confidential information. For customer satisfaction, level 3 performance was a customer
satisfaction level of 95% or higher as measured by a customer survey, which we exceeded.
Share Options
Our share option program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our
executives. We believe that option grants provide our executives with a strong link to our
long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our
executives and our shareholders. In addition, the vesting feature of our option grants is intended
to promote executive retention by providing an incentive to our executives to remain in our employ
during the vesting period. We have considered from time to time the use of restricted shares and
other equity award mechanisms. However, based on Irish corporate law complexities associated with
restricted shares and other factors, the compensation committee has decided to use traditional
share option awards for the equity component of our executive compensation program.
It has been the practice of the compensation committee to grant options to our executive
officers every four years (after the completion of vesting of the previous grants) rather than on
an annual basis, although the committee continually evaluates the optimal approach for equity
compensation and this practice could change in the future. Our practice has been to grant an option
award to new executives upon hire, although we have not hired a new executive officer into the
organization for several years. All grants of options to our executives are approved by the
compensation committee.
In December 2006, the compensation committee approved significant option grants to our
executives, which were discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in our 2007
Proxy Statement. No share options or other equity awards were granted to our named executive
officers in fiscal 2008.
Our board of directors has adopted policies for option grants by the Company. One of the
primary purposes of these policies is to establish procedures for option grants that minimize the
opportunity or the perception of the opportunity for us to time the grant of options in a
manner that takes advantage of any material nonpublic information. Among the matters covered by
these policies are the following:
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All option grants will have an exercise price equal to the last reported sale price of
our ADSs on NASDAQ on the date of grant. |
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Our chief executive officer can continue to make option grants to non-executive
officers, subject to limitations imposed by the compensation committee. |
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Option grants to executive officers will be made only during a meeting of the
compensation committee or the board of directors, and may not be approved by written
consent. |
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Option grants to newly hired employees whether made by the chief executive officer,
the compensation committee or the board of directors will be made on the first trading
day of the month following their date of hire. |
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|
|
Options will not be granted by the compensation committee or the board of directors
during the quarter-end blackout periods under our insider trading policy; provided that
options may be approved during a meeting within a blackout period with the grant to be
effective as of and priced based on the trading price two days after the end of the
blackout period. |
|
|
|
|
We do not have any share ownership guidelines for our executives. |
-7-
Employee Benefits and Other Compensation
We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and
dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Executives are eligible to
participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other
employees. Under our 401(k) plan, we match 100% of the employees 401(k) contribution up to 3% of
eligible compensation, subject to various limitations (including a limit of $2,400 per employee
annually).
In addition, our chief financial officer, Tom McDonald, does not reside in New England.
Consequently, we make available to him housing and a car when he is in New Hampshire. We also
reimburse Mr. McDonald for the expenses associated with his travel to and from New Hampshire. For
additional information regarding these benefits, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table
below and the narrative description that follows.
Severance Benefits
We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The
employment agreements provide that the executive is entitled to specified severance benefits in the
event his employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by the executive for good
reason (each as defined in the employment agreement). In addition, all of our executive employment
agreements provide that the executive may elect to extend the vesting and exercisability of their
share options for a period of six months or one year (depending on the executive) following
employment termination, in some cases in exchange for a non-competition covenant or the performance
of consulting services. We have provided more detailed information about these arrangements, along
with estimates of their value, under the section Employment Agreements and Potential Termination
Payments below.
We do not consider specific amounts payable under these arrangements when establishing annual
compensation. We do believe, however, that providing these severance benefits helps us compete for
and retain executive talent.
Tax Considerations
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally disallows a tax
deduction for compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to our chief executive officer and our
four other most highly paid executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not
subject to the deduction limitation if specified requirements are met. We structure our share
option awards to comply with exemptions in Section 162(m) so that the compensation remains tax
deductible to us. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) on the other
components of our executive compensation program. We will structure arrangements to comply with the
Section 162(m) exceptions where we believe it to be feasible. However, the compensation committee
may, in its judgment, authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions in
Section 162(m) when it believes that such payments are appropriate to attract and retain executive
talent.
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the total compensation for the fiscal years ended January 31,
2007 (fiscal 2007) and January 31, 2008 (fiscal 2008) for our principal executive officer, our
principal financial officer and our other three most highly compensated executive officers who were
serving as executive officers on January 31, 2008. We refer to these officers as our named
executive officers.
-8-
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Non-Equity |
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Incentive |
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Name and |
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Stock |
|
Option |
|
Plan |
|
All Other |
|
|
Principal |
|
Fiscal |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Position |
|
Year |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($)(1) |
|
($)(2) |
|
($)(3) |
|
($) |
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Charles E. Moran, |
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2008 |
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|
$ |
335,146 |
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|
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$ |
1,607,804 |
|
|
$ |
653,901 |
|
|
$ |
10,334 |
|
|
$ |
2,607,185 |
|
President and CEO |
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|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,025,428 |
|
|
$ |
412,500 |
|
|
$ |
8,216 |
|
|
$ |
1,696,144 |
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Thomas J. McDonald, |
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2008 |
|
|
$ |
236,292 |
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|
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|
|
|
$ |
643,121 |
|
|
$ |
266,438 |
|
|
$ |
53,581 |
|
|
$ |
1,199,432 |
|
Chief Financial Officer
and Executive Vice
President |
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|
2007 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
543,165 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
48,462 |
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|
$ |
1,016,627 |
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Jerald A. Nine, Jr., |
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2008 |
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|
$ |
264,781 |
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|
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$ |
964,683 |
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$ |
338,354 |
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$ |
8,603 |
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$ |
1,576,421 |
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Chief Operating Officer |
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2007 |
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|
$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
648,502 |
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$ |
284,875 |
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$ |
7,735 |
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$ |
1,168,112 |
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Mark A. Townsend, |
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2008 |
|
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$ |
200,000 |
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|
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$ |
321,559 |
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$ |
225,000 |
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|
$ |
7,026 |
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$ |
753,585 |
|
Executive Vice President,
Technology |
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2007 |
|
|
$ |
200,000 |
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|
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|
|
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$ |
493,237 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
7,254 |
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$ |
925,491 |
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Colm M. Darcy, |
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2008 |
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$ |
200,000 |
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|
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$ |
321,559 |
|
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$ |
225,000 |
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$ |
5,495 |
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$ |
752,054 |
|
Executive Vice President,
Content Development |
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2007 |
|
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$ |
200,000 |
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|
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|
|
|
|
$ |
183,076 |
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,485 |
|
|
$ |
614,561 |
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(1) |
|
The amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount computed for financial statement
reporting purposes for fiscal 2007 and 2008, in accordance with SFAS 123R, of stock options
granted under our equity plans and include amounts from stock options granted in and prior to
the fiscal year in question. There can be no assurance that the SFAS 123R amounts will ever be
realized. The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 2 to our
audited financial statements for fiscal 2008, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
fiscal 2008. Generally, these options vest as to 25% of the shares subject to the option on the first
anniversary of the date of grant and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at
the end of each one month period thereafter over the remaining 36 months. Each option has a
term of ten or seven years, and generally expires shortly following the termination of the
executives employment. In addition, as described below under Employment Agreements and
Potential Termination Payments, the executive may elect to extend the vesting and
exercisability of these options following employment termination under certain circumstances. |
|
(2) |
|
The amounts in this column reflect cash bonus awards earned by our named executive officers
for performance under our executive incentive compensation programs. See Compensation
Discussion and Analysis Components of our Executive Compensation Program Cash Incentive
Bonuses above for a description of the fiscal 2008 program. |
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(3) |
|
All Other Compensation is comprised of the following: |
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Defined |
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Fiscal |
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Personal |
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Life Insurance |
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Contribution |
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Name |
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Year |
|
Benefits (a) |
|
Premiums (b) |
|
Plans (c) |
|
Vacation (d) |
Charles E. Moran |
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2008 |
|
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|
|
|
$ |
780 |
|
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$ |
2,400 |
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|
$ |
7,154 |
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2007 |
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|
1,008 |
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|
|
2,400 |
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|
|
4,808 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
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2008 |
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45,555 |
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|
780 |
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|
2,400 |
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|
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4,846 |
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|
2007 |
|
|
|
41,208 |
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|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
3,846 |
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
5,423 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
4,327 |
|
Mark A. Townsend |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
3,846 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
3,846 |
|
Colm M. Darcy |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
2,315 |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
3,077 |
|
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(a) |
|
The personal benefits for Thomas J. McDonald include $8,160 and $9,000 for use of an
apartment leased by SkillSoft for fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively, $5,350 and $4,920 for
use of a company-leased vehicle for fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively, $17,276 and $19,586
for personal travel for fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively and $10,422 and $12,049 for
reimbursement of tax obligations related to such personal benefits for fiscal 2007 and 2008,
respectively. |
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(b) |
|
Represents premiums paid for life insurance for which the named executive officer is the
named beneficiary. |
-9-
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(c) |
|
Reflects amounts paid pursuant to SkillSofts 401-K matching program, with limits of $100 per
pay period up to a maximum of $2,400 per year. |
|
(d) |
|
Includes amounts paid in fiscal 2007 and 2008 as accrued and unused vacation time per
SkillSofts policy. |
The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to a named
executive officer during fiscal 2008 under a non-equity incentive plan. We did not make any equity
awards to our named executive officers during fiscal 2008.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
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|
|
|
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Estimated Future Payouts Under Non- |
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
Threshold |
|
Target |
|
Maximum |
Name |
|
($)(2) |
|
($)(3) |
|
($)(4) |
Charles E. Moran |
|
|
149,713 |
|
|
|
435,933 |
|
|
|
653,901 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
|
|
61,421 |
|
|
|
177,625 |
|
|
|
266,438 |
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
|
|
78,006 |
|
|
|
225,969 |
|
|
|
338,954 |
|
Mark A. Townsend |
|
|
52,125 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
Colm M. Darcy |
|
|
52,125 |
|
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Reflects the threshold, target and maximum cash award amounts under our fiscal 2008 executive
incentive compensation program. The amounts actually paid to the named executive officers
under our fiscal 2008 executive incentive compensation program are shown above in the
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table. |
|
(2) |
|
Reflects the total minimum amount that could have been earned if the minimum targets for all
of the quarterly and annual metrics had been achieved. |
|
(3) |
|
Reflects the total amount that could have been earned if the targeted quarterly and annual
metrics had been achieved. |
|
(4) |
|
Reflects the total maximum amount that could have been earned if the targets for all of the
quarterly and annual metrics had been achieved. |
Information Relating to Equity Awards and Holdings
The following table sets forth information concerning share options that have not been
exercised and equity incentive plan awards for each of the named executive officers as of January
31, 2008. The named executive officers do not hold any restricted shares.
-10-
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
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Option Awards (10) |
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Equity |
|
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Incentive |
|
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Plan |
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|
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Awards: |
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Number of |
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
Underlying |
|
|
|
|
|
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Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Unexercised |
|
Option |
|
Option |
|
|
Options (#) |
|
Options (#) |
|
Unearned |
|
Exercise |
|
Expiration |
Name |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Options (#) |
|
Price ($) |
|
Date (10) |
Charles E. Moran |
|
|
710,219 |
(1) |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
9/27/2011 |
|
|
|
|
994,438 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.06 |
|
|
|
8/16/2012 |
|
|
|
|
541,666 |
(3) |
|
|
1,458,334 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.41 |
|
|
|
12/5/2013 |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
|
|
236,739 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
9/27/2011 |
|
|
|
|
946,959 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.06 |
|
|
|
8/16/2012 |
|
|
|
|
216,666 |
(3) |
|
|
583,334 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.41 |
|
|
|
12/5/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
|
|
232,859 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
9/27/2011 |
|
|
|
|
783,063 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.06 |
|
|
|
8/16/2012 |
|
|
|
|
325,000 |
(3) |
|
|
875,000 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.41 |
|
|
|
12/5/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark A. Townsend |
|
|
78,913 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.36 |
|
|
|
9/27/2011 |
|
|
|
|
891,977 |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.06 |
|
|
|
8/16/2012 |
|
|
|
|
108,333 |
(3) |
|
|
291,667 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.41 |
|
|
|
12/5/2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colm M. Darcy |
|
|
8,855 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.94 |
|
|
|
12/9/2008 |
|
|
|
|
32,645 |
(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16.44 |
|
|
|
7/2/2009 |
|
|
|
|
50,000 |
(6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
19.06 |
|
|
|
4/5/2011 |
|
|
|
|
54,167 |
(7) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5.55 |
|
|
|
5/8/2012 |
|
|
|
|
186,700 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.30 |
|
|
|
7/12/2012 |
|
|
|
|
29,167 |
(9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4.25 |
|
|
|
9/6/2012 |
|
|
|
|
108,333 |
(3) |
|
|
291,667 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6.41 |
|
|
|
12/5/2013 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These options were granted on September 27, 2001. The options vested as to 1/48th
of the shares subject to the option at the end of each successive one month period following
the grant date over 48 months. |
|
(2) |
|
These options were granted on August 16, 2002. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on August 16, 2003 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the
option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date
over the remaining 36 months. In addition, the shares subject to this option were allocated as
incentive stock options to the extent permissible under the Internal Revenue Code. |
|
(3) |
|
These options were granted on December 5, 2006. The options vest as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on December 5, 2007 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the
option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date
over the remaining 36 months. |
|
(4) |
|
These options were granted on December 9, 1998. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on December 9, 1999, 25% of the shares subject to the option on December
9, 2000, and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each one
month period following the second anniversary of the grant date over the remaining 24 months. |
|
(5) |
|
These options were granted on July 2, 1999. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on July 2, 2000, 25% of the shares subject to the option on July 2,
2001, and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each one month
period following the second anniversary of the grant date over the remaining 24 months. |
|
(6) |
|
These options were granted on April 5, 2001. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on January 15, 2002, 25% of the shares subject to the option on January
15, 2003, and 1/48th of the shares |
-11-
|
|
|
|
|
subject to the option at the end of each one month period following the second anniversary of
the grant date over the remaining 24 months. |
|
(7) |
|
These options were granted on May 8, 2002. The options vested as to 25% of the shares subject
to the option on December 31, 2002 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option
at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date over the
remaining 36 months. In addition, the shares subject to this option were allocated as
incentive stock options to the extent permissible under the Internal Revenue Code. |
|
(8) |
|
These options were granted on July 12, 2002. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on July 7, 2003 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the
option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date
over the remaining 36 months. |
|
(9) |
|
These options were granted on September 6, 2002. The options vested as to 25% of the shares
subject to the option on September 6, 2003 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the
option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date
over the remaining 36 months. |
|
(10) |
|
Each option has a term of seven or ten years, and generally expires shortly following the
termination of the executives employment. In addition, as described below under Employment
Agreements and Potential Termination Payments, the executive may elect to extend the vesting
and exercisability of these options following employment termination under certain
circumstances. |
None of our named executive officers exercised options in fiscal 2008, and none of our named
executive officers hold any restricted stock awards.
Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments
We have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers that provide for
termination payments under certain circumstances.
Charles E. Morans Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft
Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of
completion of the merger, with Charles E. Moran, to employ Mr. Moran as our President and Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Morans employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of
$225,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by our Board of Directors. Mr.
Morans current base salary is $372,000. In addition, Mr. Moran will be entitled to receive an
annual performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr.
Morans employment is at-will, but if Mr. Morans employment is terminated without cause or if he
resigns with good reason, each as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to
receive a payment equal to the sum of his base salary and target bonus for a period of one year
after the date of termination. In addition, if Mr. Moran is terminated without cause or if he
resigns with good reason, he may elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a
period of one year after the date of termination, if he agrees to be bound by the non-solicitation
and non-compete provisions contained in his employment agreement. If Mr. Morans termination is
voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant not to solicit
employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after the
termination of his employment.
Thomas J. McDonalds Employment Agreement. Thomas J. McDonald is a party to an employment
agreement dated February 2, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, SkillSoft Corporation. Under
the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McDonald is entitled to receive a base salary of
$135,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr.
McDonalds current base salary is $252,000. Mr. McDonald is also entitled to participate in any
bonus plans that SkillSoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. McDonald may
terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the
case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr.
McDonald. If Mr. McDonalds employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good
reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and
benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of
such a termination, Mr. McDonalds stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he
performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following
termination.
-12-
Jerald A. Nine Jr.s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft
Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of
completion of the merger, with Jerald A. Nine, to employ Mr. Nine as our Executive Vice-President,
Content Solutions and General Manager Books Division. Mr. Nines employment agreement provides for
a cash compensation plan that reflects the level established by our Board of Directors for the then
current fiscal year. Mr. Nines employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of
$200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors. Mr.
Nines current base salary is $282,000. In addition, Mr. Nine will be entitled to receive an annual
performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Nines
employment is at-will, but if Mr. Nines employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns
with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to receive a payment
equal to the sum of his base salary plus the then maximum performance bonus for a period of one
year. In addition, if Mr. Nine is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he
may elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a period of one year. If Mr. Nines
termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant
not to solicit employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after
the termination of his employment.
Mark A. Townsends Employment Agreement. Mark A. Townsend is a party to an employment
agreement dated January 12, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, SkillSoft Corporation. Under
the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Townsend is entitled to receive a base salary of
$145,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr.
Townsends current base salary is $200,000. Mr. Townsend is also entitled to participate in any
bonus plans that SkillSoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. Townsend may
terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the
case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr.
Townsend. If Mr. Townsends employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good
reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and
benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of
such a termination, Mr. Townsends stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he
performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following
termination.
Colm M. Darcys Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft
Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of
completion of the merger, with Mr. Darcy, to employ him as our Executive Vice President, Content
Development. Mr. Darcys employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of
$200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors and that
his participation in SkillSofts benefit plans shall be at the SkillSofts expense. Mr. Darcys
current base salary is $200,000. Pursuant to the employment agreement, on September 6, 2002, we
granted Mr. Darcy an option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.25
per share. The option grant vested as to 25% of the shares on September 6, 2003 and vests
thereafter in 48 equal monthly installments on each monthly anniversary of the date of the grant.
Mr. Darcy will also be reimbursed for certain supplemental travel expenses for him and his wife. In
addition, Mr. Darcy will be entitled to receive relocation expense reimbursement in the event Mr.
Darcy either relocates to Ireland at our request or returns there within three months after his
employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, each as defined in his
employment agreement. Mr. Darcys employment is at-will, but if his employment is terminated
without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to
the sum of $75,000 plus his base salary for a period of six months after the date of termination.
In addition, if Mr. Darcy is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he may
elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a period of six months after the date
of termination, if he agrees to be bound by the nonsolicitation and noncompete provisions contained
in his employment agreement. The employment agreement also includes a covenant not to solicit
employees and a covenant not to compete for a period extending until the later of six months after
the termination of his employment and September 6, 2006, if Mr. Darcys termination is voluntary
(other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause.
-13-
The table below shows the benefits potentially payable to each of our named executive officers
if he were to be terminated without cause or resign for good reason, or in the case of Messrs.
McDonald and Townsend, if he is terminated for any reason or resigns for good cause. These amounts
are calculated on the assumption that the employment termination took place on January 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Severance Payments |
|
Vesting of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary |
|
Target Bonus |
|
Options (1) |
|
Benefits |
|
Total |
Name |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
|
$ |
Charles E. Moran |
|
|
372,000 |
|
|
|
502,200 |
|
|
|
1,598,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,472,750 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald |
|
|
126,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
319,710 |
|
|
|
3,198 |
|
|
|
448,908 |
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. |
|
|
282,000 |
|
|
|
239,700 |
|
|
|
959,130 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,408,830 |
|
Mark A. Townsend |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159,855 |
|
|
|
9,507 |
|
|
|
269,362 |
|
Colm M. Darcy |
|
|
175,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
159,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
334,855 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These options would continue to vest for a specified period of time following the termination
event. We calculated a Black-Scholes value for the options for the extended period of time
following the termination event and have presented this incremental value in the above table. |
Compensation of Directors
Prior to November 1, 2007, each director who was not an employee of SkillSoft (each, an
Outside Director) received cash compensation as follows:
|
|
|
each Outside Director received an annual retainer of $30,000; |
|
|
|
|
the chairman of each of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee received
an additional annual retainer of $7,500; and |
|
|
|
|
each Outside Director who was a member of any standing committee (a Committee) of
the Board of Directors received a payment of $2,000 per Board or Committee meeting
attended up to a maximum of six meetings per year (including by conference telephone)
beyond regularly scheduled meetings (i.e. a maximum additional payment of $12,000),
provided that only one meeting payment would be made in the event such additional
meetings of the Board of Directors and one or more Committee were held on the same day. |
On September 27, 2007, our shareholders approved the following cash compensation effective
November 1, 2007:
|
|
|
each Outside Director receives an annual retainer of $30,000; |
|
|
|
|
the chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of
$20,000; |
|
|
|
|
the chairman of each of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $7,500; and |
|
|
|
|
each Outside Director who is a member of any Committee of the Board of Directors
receives an additional payment of $2,000 per Board or Committee meeting attended up to
a maximum of ten meetings per year (including by conference telephone) beyond regularly
scheduled meetings (i.e. a maximum additional payment of $20,000), provided that only
one meeting payment would be made in the event such additional meetings of the Board of
Directors and one or more Committee were held on the same day. |
Any director who is in office only for a portion of a fiscal year shall only be entitled to be
paid a pro-rated portion of such remuneration reflecting such portion of the year during which he
held office.
We also reimburse directors for expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of
Directors and Committees and for certain company-approved continuing education expenses.
-14-
We currently have five Outside Directors, each of whom is eligible for cash remuneration as
described above: P. Howard Edelstein, Stewart K.P. Gross, James S. Krzywicki, William F. Meagher,
Jr. and Dr. Ferdinand von Prondzynski. Mr. Meagher is the chair of the Audit Committee and Mr.
Gross is the chair of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee. As such, Messrs. Meagher and Gross received the additional retainer amounts described
above (pro rated for the balance of fiscal 2008 as a result of the November 1, 2007 effective
date).
In addition to the annual retainer and the payments described above, we grant Outside
Directors compensation in the form of share options for their services as members of the Board of
Directors. On September 27, 2007, our shareholders also approved changes to the number of share
options granted to Outside Directors, effective November 1, 2007. Prior November 1, 2007, on
initial election to the Board of Directors, each new Outside Director received an option to
purchase 25,000 ordinary shares under our 2001 Outside Director Option Plan (the Director Plan).
Each Outside Director who has been a director for at least six months received an option to
purchase 10,000 ordinary shares on January 1st of each year.
Beginning on November 1, 2007, on initial election to the Board of Directors, each new Outside
Director receives an option to purchase 50,000 ordinary shares (the Initial Grant) under our
Director Plan. Each Outside Director who has been a director for at least six months receives an
option to purchase 20,000 ordinary shares on January 1st of each year (the Annual
Grant).
All options granted under the Director Plan have a term of ten years and an exercise price
equal to the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of grant. The Initial Grant
becomes exercisable as to one-third of the shares subject to the option on each of the first three
anniversaries of the date of grant, provided the Outside Director remains a director on such dates.
The Annual Grant becomes fully exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided
the Outside Director remains a director on such date. Upon exercise of an option, the Outside
Director may elect to receive his ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. After termination as an
Outside Director, an optionee may exercise an option during the period set forth in his option
agreement. If termination is due to death or disability, the option will remain exercisable for 12
months. In all other cases, the option will remain exercisable for a period of three months.
However, an option may never be exercised later than the expiration of its ten-year term. An
Outside Director may not transfer options granted under the Director Plan other than by will or the
laws of descent and distribution. Only the Outside Director may exercise the option during his
lifetime. In the event of a merger of SkillSoft with or into another corporation or a sale of
substantially all of SkillSofts assets, the successor corporation may assume, or substitute a new
option in place of, each option. If such assumption or substitution occurs, the options will
continue to be exercisable according to the same terms as before the merger or sale of assets.
Following such assumption or substitution, if an Outside Director is terminated other than by
voluntary resignation, the option will become fully exercisable and generally will remain
exercisable for a period of three months. If the outstanding options are not assumed or substituted
for, the Board of Directors will notify each Outside Director that he has the right to exercise the
option as to all shares subject to the option for a period of 30 days following the date of the
notice. The option will terminate upon the expiration of the 30-day period. Unless terminated
sooner, the Director Plan will automatically terminate in 2011. The Board of Directors has the
authority to amend, alter, suspend, or discontinue the Director Plan, but no such action may
adversely affect any grant previously made under the Director Plan.
On January 1, 2008, Messrs. Meagher, Edelstein, Gross and Krzywicki and Dr. von Prondzynski
each were granted an option to purchase 20,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $9.56 per
share. Each such option was in accordance with the terms of the Director Plan described above.
-15-
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Outside
Directors for fiscal 2008.
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Pension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earned or |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonqualified |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Non-Equity |
|
Deferred |
|
All Other |
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
Awards |
|
Awards |
|
Incentive Plan |
|
Compensation |
|
Compensation |
|
Total |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) (1) |
|
Compensation ($) |
|
Earnings ($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
P. Howard Edelstein |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
|
$ |
599,395 |
|
Stewart K.P. Gross |
|
$ |
55,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
114,770 |
|
James S. Krzywicki |
|
$ |
46,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
105,395 |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
|
$ |
46,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
59,395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
105,395 |
|
William F. Meagher, Jr. |
|
$ |
56,625 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
97,242 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
153,867 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amounts in this column reflect the dollar amount computed for financial statement
reporting purposes for fiscal 2008, in accordance with SFAS 123R, of stock options granted
under our equity plans and include amounts from stock options granted in and prior to fiscal
2008. There can be no assurance that the SFAS 123R amounts will ever be realized. The
assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 2 to our audited financial
statements for fiscal 2008, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 filed
on March 31, 2008. |
|
|
|
As of January 31, 2008, each Outside Director holds options for the following aggregate number
of shares: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
Underlying |
|
|
Outstanding Share |
Name |
|
Options |
P. Howard Edelstein |
|
|
85,000 |
|
Stewart K.P. Gross |
|
|
85,000 |
|
James S. Krzywicki |
|
|
205,000 |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski |
|
|
85,000 |
|
William F. Meagher, Jr. |
|
|
75,000 |
|
-16-
The number of shares underlying share options granted to our Outside Directors in fiscal 2008
and the grant date fair value of such share options are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying Share |
|
Grant Date Fair Value |
|
|
Grant |
|
Option Grants in |
|
of Share Option Grants |
Name |
|
Date |
|
Fiscal 2008 |
|
in Fiscal 2008 |
P. Howard Edelstein
|
|
1/1/2008
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
93,052 |
|
Stewart K.P. Gross
|
|
1/1/2008
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
93,052 |
|
James S. Krzywicki
|
|
1/1/2008
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
93,052 |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski
|
|
1/1/2008
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
93,052 |
|
William F. Meagher, Jr.
|
|
1/1/2008
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
$ |
93,052 |
|
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, the members of the Compensation Committee of
our Board of Directors were Messrs. Gross (Chair) and Krzywicki. No executive officer of SkillSoft
has served as a director or member of the compensation committee of any other entity whose
executive officers served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee of SkillSoft.
During fiscal 2008, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring
disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis
required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with SkillSofts management. Based on this review and
discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to SkillSofts Board of Directors that the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:
Stewart K.P. Gross
James S. Krzywicki
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
The following table sets forth certain information as of April 30, 2008, with respect to the
beneficial ownership of our ADSs by:
|
|
|
each person known to SkillSoft to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding
securities; |
|
|
|
|
each director; |
|
|
|
|
our named executive officers; and |
|
|
|
|
the current directors and executive officers of SkillSoft as a group. |
The number of ADSs beneficially owned by each 5% shareholder, director or executive officer is
determined under rules of the SEC. Under such rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to
which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power or investment power and includes any
ADSs representing the ordinary shares which the individual has the right to acquire on or before
June 29, 2008 through the exercise of share options, and any reference in the footnotes to this
table to shares subject to share options refers only to share options that are so exercisable. For
purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding ADSs held by each person or entity, any
-17-
shares which that person or entity has the right to acquire on or before June 29, 2008 are
deemed to be outstanding but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity has
sole investment and voting power (or shares such power with his or her spouse) with respect to the
shares set forth in the following table. The inclusion herein of any shares deemed beneficially
owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares.
As of April 30, 2008, we had 112,836,816 ordinary shares outstanding. Our shareholders may
elect to hold their respective shares of our outstanding securities in the form of ordinary shares
or ADSs. In addition, holders of options to purchase ordinary shares of SkillSoft may, upon
exercise of their options, elect to receive such ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. The 5%
shareholders, directors and executive officers identified in the following table hold their
respective shares of SkillSoft outstanding securities in the form of ADSs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
|
Beneficial Ownership |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage |
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
ADSs |
|
Owned |
5% Shareholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. (1) |
|
|
22,174,500 |
|
|
|
19.6 |
|
Westfield Capital Management Company LLC (2) |
|
|
8,312,699 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
Wells Fargo & Company (3) |
|
|
7,078,591 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
Capital World Investors (4) |
|
|
6,500,000 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran (5) |
|
|
3,185,320 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
James S. Krzywicki (6) |
|
|
175,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Ferdinand von Prondzynski (7) |
|
|
62,510 |
|
|
|
* |
|
P. Howard Edelstein (8) |
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Stewart K.P. Gross (9) |
|
|
62,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
William F. Meagher, Jr. (10) |
|
|
53,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Other Named Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerald A. Nine, Jr. (11) |
|
|
1,743,642 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Mark A. Townsend (12) |
|
|
1,556,491 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
Thomas J. McDonald (13) |
|
|
1,553,018 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
Colm M. Darcy (14) |
|
|
308,289 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All current directors and executive officers as a group (11 persons)(15) |
|
8,885,770 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Less than 1% |
|
(1) |
|
On January 29, 2008, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. (WAM) filed Amendment No. 7 to
Schedule 13G with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership with respect to 22,174,500 ADSs,
consisting of 20,774,500 ADSs for which WAM has sole voting power, 1,400,000 for which WAM has
shared voting power and 22,174,500 ADSs for which WAM has sole dispositive power. This
information is reported in reliance on such filing. WAM is an investment adviser in
accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E) under the Exchange Act. The shares reported include
the shares held by Columbia Acorn Trust (Acorn), a Massachusetts business trust that is a
discretionary client of WAM. Acorn holds 17.1% of our shares. WAM and Acorn file jointly
pursuant to a Joint Filing Agreement dated January 29, 2008 among WAM and Acorn. The address
of WAM is 227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. |
-18-
|
|
|
(2) |
|
On January 10, 2008, Westfield Capital Management, Co., LLC (Westfield Capital) filed
Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership with respect to
8,312,699 ADSs, consisting of 5,682,758 ADSs for which Westfield Capital has sole voting power
and 8,312,699 ADSs for which Westfield Capital has sole dispositive power. This information is
reported in reliance on such filing. None of these shares are owned of record by Westfield
Capital, and are owned of record by certain mutual funds, institutional accounts and/or
separate accounts managed by Westfield Capital as an investment advisor. Westfield Capital is
an investment adviser in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E) of the Exchange Act.
Westfield Capital disclaims any beneficial interest in such shares. The address of Westfield
Capital is 1 Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. |
|
(3) |
|
On February 6, 2008, Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo) filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC
reporting beneficial ownership with respect to 7,078,591 ADSs, consisting of 5,082,271 ADSs
for which Wells Fargo has sole voting power and 7,078,591 ADSs for which Wells Fargo has sole
dispositive power. This information is reported in reliance on such filing. Wells Fargo is a
holding company in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii) under the Exchange Act. The shares
reported include the shares held by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (Wells Capital), a
subsidiary of Wells Fargo. Wells Capital holds 5.1% of our shares. The address of Wells Fargo
is 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94163. |
|
(4) |
|
On February 11, 2008, Capital World Investors (Capital World), a division of Capital
Research and Management Company, filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC reporting beneficial
ownership with respect to 6,500,000 ADSs. This information is reported in reliance on such
filing. Capital World is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 6,500,000 shares as a result of
Capital Research Management Company acting as investment adviser to various investment
companies. The address of Capital World is 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California
90071. |
|
(5) |
|
Represents 2,145,657 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Moran, 11 ADSs
held by Mr. Morans wife, 2,367 ADSs held in a family trust of which Mr. Moran is a trustee,
and 1,037,285 ADSs beneficially owned by Mr. Morans wife, as trustee of various trusts for
the benefit of Mr. Morans children. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 172,500 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Krzywicki. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 62,500 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Dr. von Prondzynski. |
|
(8) |
|
Represents 62,500 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Edelstein. |
|
(9) |
|
Represents 62,500 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Gross. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 52,500 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Meagher. |
|
(11) |
|
Includes 1,405,922 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Nine and 287,399
ADSs held by Mr. Nines wife as trustee of the Kimberly M. Nine Revocable Trust. Mr. Nine
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in trust. |
|
(12) |
|
Includes 1,048,940 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Townsend and
58,785 ADSs beneficially owned by Mr. Townsends wife as trustee of the MCM Trust. Mr.
Townsend disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in trust. |
|
(13) |
|
Includes 1,483,698 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. McDonald, 1,953
ADSs beneficially owned by Mr. McDonalds wife, as trustee for the benefit of Mr. McDonalds
family and 1,953 owned by Mr. McDonalds daughter. Mr. McDonald disclaims beneficial ownership
of the shares held in trust and by his daughter. |
|
(14) |
|
Represents 308,289 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options held by Mr. Darcy. |
|
(15) |
|
Includes 6,927,506 ADSs issuable upon exercise of share options by all current directors and
officers as a group. |
-19-
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information about the ordinary shares authorized for issuance
under our equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Number of |
|
(b) |
|
Available for |
|
|
Shares to be |
|
Weighted- |
|
Future Issuance |
|
|
Issued upon |
|
average Exercise |
|
under Equity |
|
|
Exercise of |
|
Price of |
|
Compensation |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
Outstanding |
|
Plans (Excluding |
|
|
Options, |
|
Options, |
|
Securities |
|
|
Warrants and |
|
Warrants and |
|
Reflected in |
Plan Category(1) |
|
Rights |
|
Rights |
|
Column (a)) |
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders |
|
6,641,445 |
(2) |
|
$ |
6.68 |
(2) |
|
|
4,044,695 |
(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
3,181,851 |
(4) |
|
|
11.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
9,823,296 |
|
|
$ |
8.18 |
|
|
|
4,044,695 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
This table excludes an aggregate of 6,807,467 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of
options that we assumed in connection with our merger with SkillSoft Corporation. The weighted
average exercise price of the excluded options is $5.43 per share. We assumed the SkillSoft
Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, 2001
Stock Incentive Plan and Books24x7.com, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan only insofar as they
related to options outstanding under the plans at the time of the merger, and we may not grant
any future options under any of those plans. |
|
(2) |
|
Excludes ordinary shares issuable under our 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan in connection
with the current offering period; such ordinary shares are included in column (c). |
|
(3) |
|
Consists of 2,114,513 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2002 Share Option Plan
(the 2002 Plan), 1,631,432 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 Employee
Share Purchase Plan and 298,750 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 Outside
Director Plan. |
|
(4) |
|
Consists of 3,181,763 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options under our 1996
Supplemental Stock Plan (the 1996 Plan) and 88 ordinary shares subject to outstanding
options under the Knowledge Well Group Limited 1998 Share Option Plan (the Knowledge Well
Group 1998 Plan). |
A description of the material terms of the 1996 Plan, the ForeFront 1996 Director Plan, the
ForeFront 1996 Plan, the Knowledge Well 1998 Plan and the Knowledge Well Group 1998 Plan is
included in Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on
Form 10-K for fiscal 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Policies and Procedures Regarding Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Person Transactions
Our Board of Directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any
transaction, arrangement or relationship in which SkillSoft is a participant, the amount involved
exceeds $50,000, and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% stockholders
(or their immediate family members), each of whom we refer to as a related person, has a direct
or indirect material interest.
If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship,
which we refer to as a related person transaction, the related person must report the proposed
related person transaction to our Vice President, Administration. The policy calls for the proposed
related person transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the Board of
Directors Audit Committee. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur
prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the
-20-
committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction. The
policy also permits the chairman of the committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve
proposed related person transactions that arise between committee meetings, subject to ratification
by the committee at its next meeting. Any related person transactions that are ongoing in nature
will be reviewed annually.
The committee will review and consider such information regarding the related person
transaction as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. The committee may approve or ratify
the transaction only if the committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the
transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, SkillSofts best interests. The committee may
impose any conditions on the related person transaction that it deems appropriate.
In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the SECs related
person transaction disclosure rule, the Board has determined that the following transactions do not
create a material direct or indirect interest on behalf of related persons and, therefore, are not
related person transactions for purposes of this policy:
|
|
|
interests arising solely from the related persons position as an executive officer of
another entity (whether or not the person is also a director of such entity), that is a
participant in the transaction, where (a) the related person owns in the aggregate less than
a 5% equity interest in such entity, (b) the related person and his or her immediate family
members are not involved in the negotiation of the terms of the transaction and do not
receive any special benefits as a result of the transaction, (c) the amount involved in the
transaction equals less than 1% of the annual consolidated gross revenues of the other entity
that is a party to the transaction, and (d) the amount involved in the transaction equals
less than 1% of SkillSofts annual consolidated gross revenues; and |
|
|
|
|
a transaction that is specifically contemplated by provisions of our Articles of
Association or Memorandum of Association. |
The policy provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers shall be
reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee in the manner specified in its charter.
On May 23, 2007, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee approved a payment of $500,000
to Howard Edelstein, a member of the Board of Directors, as a result of his key contributions in
connection with the NETg acquisition, which was consummated on May 14, 2007. This payment was
approved in accordance with our related person transaction policy.
The son-in-law of Charles Moran, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is
employed in our sales organization and receives annual compensation in excess of $120,000
(consistent with others in similar roles). This individual was hired before becoming Mr. Morans
son-in-law. Mr. Moran does not participate in the supervision of or compensation decisions
regarding this individual, and we believe the compensation of this individual is fair and
commensurate with what it would be if he had no relationship to Mr. Moran.
Director Independence
Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an independent director if,
in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship which would
interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a
director. Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines we adopted in connection with the settlement of
our securities class action litigation, our Board of Directors must propose director nominees for
election such that, should the shareholders elect those nominees, two-thirds of the members of our
Board of Directors will be independent directors. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are
available on our website at www.SkillSoft.com also include a heightened definition of independence
for purposes of that requirement.
-21-
Our Board has determined that none of Messrs. Gross, Krzywicki, Meagher or von Prondzynski has
a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the
responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an independent director as
defined under Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules and our Corporate
Governance Guidelines.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Auditors Fees
The following table summarizes the fees of Ernst & Young, our registered public accounting
firm, billed to us for each of the last two fiscal years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended |
|
Fee
Category |
|
January
31, 2008 |
|
|
January
31, 2007 |
|
Audit Fees(1) |
$ |
1,853,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,616,425 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit-Related Fees(2) |
|
252,835 |
|
|
|
456,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Fees(3) |
|
634,500 |
|
|
|
260,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Fees |
$ |
2,740,335 |
|
|
$ |
2,332,975 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our financial statements, the audit of our
internal control over financial reporting as set forth in Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, the review of the interim financial statements in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
other professional services provided or accrued for in connection with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2008 and January 31,
2007. |
|
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit and the review of our financial statements and which
are not reported under Audit Fees. These services relate to accounting consultations and
employee benefit plan audits. Due diligence and related work performed in connection with the
acquisition of NETg, which closed on May 14, 2007, totaled approximately $440,000 and $271,000
for the years ended January 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. |
|
(3) |
|
Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. Tax
compliance services, which relate to preparation of original and amended tax returns and
claims for refunds, accounted for $167,500 of the total tax fees billed in the fiscal year
ended January 31, 2008 and $165,000 of the total tax fees billed in the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2007. Tax advice and tax planning services relate to a transfer pricing analysis,
tax advice, assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and
acquisitions, employee benefit plans and requests for rulings or technical advice for taxing
authorities. |
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit
and non-audit services that are to be performed by our registered public accounting firm. These
policies and procedures generally provide that we will not engage our independent registered public
accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved
in advance by the Audit Committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to one of the
pre-approval procedures described below.
From time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are
expected to be provided to us by our registered independent public accounting firm during the next
12 months. Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be
provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.
The Audit Committee has also delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to
approve any audit or non-audit services to be provided to us by our registered public accounting
firm. Any approval of services by the Chair of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegated authority is reported on at the next
meeting of the Audit Committee.
-22-
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents Filed as a Part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March
31, 2008:
1. Financial Statements. The following documents are filed as Appendix B to our Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008 and are included as part of such
report:
Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity and Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules. All Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted since
they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included in our
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008.
3. Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits
are filed as part of and incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K/A.
-23-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Charles
E. Moran |
|
|
|
Charles E. Moran, |
|
|
|
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
Date:
May 23, 2008
-24-
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Title |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 10, 2002, by
and among SmartForce Public Limited Company, SkillSoft
Corporation and Slate Acquisition Corp. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on
Form 8-K dated June 14, 2002 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement among T.N.H. France SARL,
T.N.H. Holdings GmbH, The Thomson Corporation (Australia) Pty
Ltd, Thomson Information and Solutions Limited, Thomson
Global Resources, Thomson Learning Inc., SkillSoft Public
Limited Company and SkillSoft Corporation, dated October 25,
2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SkillSoft
PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2006 (File No.
000-25674)). |
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
Side Letter to Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2007,
by and among SkillSoft Public Limited Company, SkillSoft
Corporation, Thompson Learning Inc., Thomson Global
Resources, T.N.H. France SARL, T.N.H. Holdings GmbH, The
Thomson Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd., and Thomson
Information & Solutions Limited (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.2 of SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14,
2007 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
Memorandum of Association of SkillSoft PLC as amended on
March 24, 1992, March 31, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26,
2000, July 10, 2001, September 6, 2002 and November 19, 2002
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SkillSoft PLCs
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
Articles of Association of SkillSoft PLC as amended on July
6, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001,
September 6, 2002 and November 19, 2002 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to SkillSoft PLCs Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January
21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
Specimen certificate representing the ordinary shares of
SkillSoft PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
SkillSoft PLCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on April 29, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (including the form of
American Depositary Receipt), dated as of April 13, 1995 as
amended and restated as of September 4, 2002, among SkillSoft
PLC, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and each Owner and
Beneficial Owner from time to time of American Depositary
Receipts issued thereunder (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K
dated November 14, 2002 (File No. 000-256740)). |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
Amended and Restated Restricted Deposit Agreement (including
the form of American Depositary Receipt), dated as of
November 30, 1995 and amended and restated as of September 4,
2002, among SkillSoft PLC, The Bank of New York, as
Depositary, and each Owner and Beneficial Owner from time to
time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to SkillSoft PLCs
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2002 (File No.
000-25674)). |
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
Restricted Deposit Agreement(B) dated as of June 8, 1998 and
amended and restated as of September 4, 2002 among SkillSoft
PLC, The Bank of New York, and the owners and beneficial
owners of Restricted American Depositary Receipts
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to SkillSoft PLCs
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2002 (File No.
000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.1** |
|
1990 Share Option Scheme (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLCs Registration Statement on
Form F-1 declared effective with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 333-89904)). |
|
|
|
10.2** |
|
1994 Share Option Plan (Incorporated be reference to Exhibit
10.2 to SkillSoft PLCs Registration Statement on Form F-1
declared effective with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 333-89904)). |
-25-
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Title |
|
|
|
10.3** |
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement between CBT Systems USA,
Ltd. (formerly, Thornton Holdings, Ltd.) and its directors
and officers dated as of April 1995 (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLCs Registration
Statement on Form F-1 declared effective with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No.
333-89904)). |
|
|
|
10.4** |
|
Form of Indemnification Agreement between SmartForce (USA)
and its directors and officers dated as of September 6, 2002
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLCs
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January
31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on April 29, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.5** |
|
1996 Supplemental Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to SkillSoft PLCs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2006 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2006
(File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.6** |
|
2002 Share Option Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLCs Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2006 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8,
2006 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.7** |
|
2001 Outside Director Option Plan, as amended (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLCs Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31,
2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
December 10, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.8 ** |
|
Employment Agreement dated June 10, 2002 between SkillSoft
PLC and Charles E. Moran (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.31 to SkillSoft PLCs Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2002 (File No.
333-90872)). |
|
|
|
10.9** |
|
Employment Agreement dated as of June 10, 2002 between
SkillSoft PLC and Jerald A. Nine, Jr. (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.33 to SkillSoft PLCs Amendment No. 1
to Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2002 (File No.
333-90872)). |
|
|
|
10.10 |
|
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 10, 2002
between SkillSoft PLC and Warburg Pincus Ventures, L.P.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to SkillSoft
PLCs Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July
30, 2002 (File No. 333-90872)). |
|
|
|
10.11** |
|
Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998 between SkillSoft
Corporation and Mark A. Townsend (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.15 to SkillSoft PLCs Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2003
(File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.12** |
|
Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998 between SkillSoft
Corporation and Thomas J. McDonald (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.16 to SkillSoft PLCs Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2003
(File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.13** |
|
Employment Agreement dated effective September 6, 2002
between SkillSoft PLC and Colm Darcy (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.17 to SkillSoft PLCs Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April
29, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.14 |
|
Lease dated May 25, 2001, as amended between 1987 Tamposi
Limited Partnership and SkillSoft Corporation (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to SkillSoft PLCs Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31,
2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 13, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.15** |
|
Indemnification Agreement, dated November 13, 2003, by and
between SkillSoft Corporation and P. Howard Edelstein
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLCs
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October
31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). |
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|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Title |
|
|
|
10.16** |
|
Indemnification Agreement, dated March 4, 2004, by and
between SkillSoft Corporation and William Meagher.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to SkillSoft
PLCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 15, 2004 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.17** |
|
Lease agreement, dated June 9, 2004, as amended, by and
between Hewlett-Packard Company and SkillSoft Corporation
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to SkillSoft
PLCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 13, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.18 |
|
Pledge Agreement, dated January 31, 2007, by and between
Silicon Valley Bank and SkillSoft Corporation (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to SkillSoft PLCs Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31,
2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 13, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.19 |
|
Form of Director Option Agreement for initial grants under
the 2001 Director Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.2 to SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January
4, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.20** |
|
Form of Director Option Agreement for subsequent grants under
the 2001 Director Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.3 to SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January
4, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.21** |
|
Form of Option Agreement under 2002 Share Option Plan
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLCs
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31,
2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 9, 2004 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.22** |
|
Summary of Fiscal 2007 Executive Incentive Compensation
Program. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 2006 (File
No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.23 |
|
Release and Settlement Agreement (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLCs Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2005 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2005 (File
No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.24 |
|
Credit Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, among SkillSoft PLC,
SkillSoft Corporation, Credit Suisse, Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC, Keybank National Association, Silicon
Valley Bank, and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 of SkillSoft PLCs Current Report
on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on May 14, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.25 |
|
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, among
SkillSoft PLC, SkillSoft Corporation and the subsidiary
guarantors party thereto (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 of SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14,
2007 (File No. 000-25674)). |
|
|
|
10.26 |
|
Summary of Fiscal 2008 Executive Cash Incentive Compensation
Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to
SkillSoft PLCs Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 2007 (File No.
000-25674)). |
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
List of Significant Subsidiaries. |
|
|
|
23.1 |
|
Consent of
Ernst & Young LLP. |
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
|
|
|
31.3* |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Title |
|
|
|
31.4* |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Executive Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
32.2 |
|
Certification of SkillSoft PLCs Chief Financial Officer
pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
|
|
|
Filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on March 31, 2008. |
|
* |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
** |
|
Denotes management or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by registrant
pursuant to Item 15(c) of this report on Form 10-K. |
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