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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE
COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY
RULE 14A-6(E)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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Notes:
Reg. (S) 240.14a-101.
SEC 1913 (3-99)
[LOGO] HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
DATE:. Thursday, June 6, 2002
TIME: 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time
PLACE: Metropolitan Club
66th Floor
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
[LOGO] HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES
April 26, 2002
Greetings to the stockholders of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. I
am pleased to invite you to attend our third Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. Central
Daylight Time at the Metropolitan Club located on the 66th Floor at 233 South
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois.
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders accompanying this letter
describes the business we will be transacting at the meeting. After the meeting
we will respond to any questions you, our stockholders, may have.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting in person, I urge you
to sign and date the enclosed Proxy Card and return it as soon as possible so
that your shares will be represented at the meeting. The vote of every
stockholder is important!
I look forward to seeing you on June 6th.
Sincerely,
/s/ Piers Marmion
Piers Marmion
Chief Executive Officer
Chairman of the Board of Directors
HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303
-----------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
-----------------
DATE:. Thursday, June 6, 2002
TIME: 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time
PLACE: Metropolitan Club
66th Floor
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Dear Stockholders:
At our annual meeting, we will ask you to
I. Elect three (3) directors;
II. Adopt a proposal to amend and restate the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I and the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare
Program II; and
III. Transact any other business that may properly come before the annual
meeting, or any adjournment of the annual meeting.
If you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on April 19,
2002, you will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment of
the meeting. A stockholder list will be available at our offices located at 233
South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago, IL 60606 beginning May 23, 2002 during
normal business hours, for examination by any stockholder registered on our
stock ledger as of April 19, 2002, for any purpose germane to the annual
meeting. Your attention is called to the accompanying Proxy Card and Proxy
Statement.
A copy of our Annual Report to Stockholders (including our Annual Report to
the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K) for the year ended
December 31, 2001 is enclosed.
Sincerely,
/s/ Stephanie W. Abramson
Stephanie W. Abramson
Secretary
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting
in person, please sign and return the proxy in the enclosed postage prepaid
envelope so your shares may be voted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Voting Information............................................................................... 1
Description of Our Capital Stock................................................................. 2
Voting Securities of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.................................... 3
Proposal I--Election of Directors................................................................ 5
Board Meetings and Committees................................................................. 7
Director Compensation......................................................................... 8
Executive Compensation........................................................................ 9
Summary Compensation Table.................................................................... 9
Option Grant Table............................................................................ 12
Aggregated Option Exercises and Year-End Option Values........................................ 13
Employment Agreements......................................................................... 13
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation................................... 16
Report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on Executive Compensation...... 16
Performance Graph............................................................................. 19
Report of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors....................................... 21
Independent Auditors.......................................................................... 22
Proposal II--Amendment and Restatement of the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I and
the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II........................................... 22
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................................................... 29
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.......................................... 29
Stockholder Proposals for Next Year's Annual Meeting............................................. 29
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.................................................. 30
Other Matters.................................................................................... 30
Appendix--1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I, as Amended
1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II, as Amended
VOTING INFORMATION
Proxy Solicitation. We are furnishing you with this Proxy Statement in
connection with the solicitation of your proxy for our Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on June 6, 2002. This solicitation is being made by
mail. We may also use our officers and other employees to solicit proxies from
stockholders, personally or by telephone, facsimile, letter or electronic mail.
We will pay all costs associated with our solicitation of proxies. If we
request nominees and brokers to solicit their principals and customers for
their proxies, we will reimburse the nominees and brokers for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be
held on June 6, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time at the Metropolitan
Club located on the 66th Floor at 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois.
This Proxy Statement was first mailed to our stockholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the annual meeting on or about May 6, 2002.
Record Date. Each share of our common stock that you own as of April 19,
2002 entitles you to one vote. On April 19, 2002 there were 18,045,872 shares
of our common stock outstanding.
Quorum. A quorum of stockholders is necessary for us to hold a valid
meeting. If at least a majority of our common stock is present in person or by
proxy, a quorum will exist. The inspector of election appointed for the annual
meeting will determine whether a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are counted as present to establish a quorum. A broker non-vote
occurs when a broker votes on some matters on the Proxy Card and not others
because he or she does not have authority to do so.
Voting. You may vote on the proposals presented at the annual meeting in one
of two ways:
. By Proxy: You can vote your shares by signing, dating and returning the
enclosed Proxy Card. If you do this, the individuals named on the card
will vote your shares in the manner you indicate. You may specify on your
Proxy Card how you would like your shares voted. If you do not indicate
instructions on the card, your shares will be voted for the election of
the individuals nominated for directors, and for the proposal to amend and
restate the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I and the 1998
Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II; or
. In Person: You may come to the annual meeting and cast your vote.
If you grant us a proxy, you may nevertheless revoke your proxy at any time
before it is exercised by (1) sending notice to our Secretary in writing; (2)
providing to us a later-dated proxy; or (3) attending the annual meeting in
person and voting your shares. Merely attending the annual meeting, without
further action, will not revoke your proxy.
Required Vote. A plurality of the voting power present or represented and
entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required for the election of
directors (Proposal I). This means that the three director nominees receiving
the highest number of votes cast will be elected. Only votes "FOR" or "AGAINST"
will affect the outcome. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not counted for
purposes of the election of directors.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented and
entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve the amendment and
restatement of the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I and the 1998
Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II. Broker non-votes are not entitled
to vote on this matter and do not affect the outcome. Abstentions will have the
same effect as votes "AGAINST" Proposal II.
Under New York Stock Exchange rules, if your broker holds your shares in its
name, the broker is permitted to vote your shares on the election of directors
even if it does not receive voting instructions from you. Your broker, however,
will not be permitted to vote your shares to approve the amendment and
restatement of the 1998
Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I and the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program II unless it receives voting instructions from you.
Votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the
annual meeting.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for our
authorized capital stock to consist of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01
par value per share, of which 19,485,404 shares were issued and outstanding on
April 19, 2002 and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per
share, none of which has been issued. Our common stock is included for
quotation on the Nasdaq National Stock Market under the symbol "HSII."
Each stockholder is entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be
voted upon by the stockholders. The holders of common stock do not have
cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Holders of common stock
are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when dividends are declared from
time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available, after
payment of dividends required to be paid on outstanding preferred stock, if
any. To date, we have not declared any dividends. In the event of our
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are
entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities
and accrued but unpaid dividends and liquidation preferences on any outstanding
preferred stock. The shares of common stock have no preemptive or conversion
rights and are not subject to our further calls or assessment. There are no
redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.
2
VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our common stock by (1) our directors (2) each of our named
executive officers and our former Chief Executive Officer (3) each person known
to us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding shares of
common stock and (4) all of our directors and executive officers, as a group.
Common
Shares (1) %
---------- ---
Number of shares outstanding on April 19, 2002, except as noted below, was................. 18,045,872(2) 100
The following are the directors, named executive officers, and only persons known by us
to own beneficially more than 5% of either class of voting security on April 19, 2002:
(3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Piers Marmion (11)......................................................................... 16,767 *
David C. Anderson (10) (11)................................................................ 199,432 1.1
Richard I. Beattie......................................................................... 0 0
Thomas J. Friel (10) (11).................................................................. 277,608 1.5
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. (12)............................................................... 3,750 *
Philip A. Laskawy.......................................................................... 0 0
Bengt Lejsved (11)......................................................................... 45,458 *
Dr. Jurgen B. Mulder (11).................................................................. 146,977 *
Gerard R. Roche (11)....................................................................... 317,261 1.8
Robert W. Shaw (12)........................................................................ 7,840 *
Carlene M. Ziegler (9) (12)................................................................ 9,620 *
Stephanie W. Abramson (11)................................................................. 6,250 *
John T. Gardner (10) (11).................................................................. 73,989 *
Brian M. Sullivan (11) (13) (18)........................................................... 612,149 3.4
Patrick S. Pittard (11) (19)............................................................... 565,092 3.1
Eminence Capital, LLC (14)................................................................. 1,350,000 7.5
High Rock Capital LLC and High Rock Asset Management LLC (15).............................. 1,237,700 6.9
Putnam Investments, LLC (16)............................................................... 1,183,957 6.6
State Street Research & Management Company (17)............................................ 981,300 5.4
On April 19, 2002, the shares beneficially owned by all executive officers and directors as
a group (16 persons) were: 1,717,101 9.5
--------
* Represents holdings of less than one percent (1%).
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each beneficial owner has the
sole voting and investment power over the number of shares listed adjacent
to his or her name.
(2) Number excludes 1,439,532 shares of common stock held in treasury.
(3) The mailing address for each executive officer and director is 233 South
Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303.
(4) The mailing address for Eminence Capital, LLC is 200 Park Avenue, Suite
3300, New York, New York 10166.
(5) The mailing address for High Rock Capital LLC and High Rock Asset
Management LLC is 28 State Street, 18th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(6) The mailing address for Putnam Investments, LLC is One Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109.
(7) The mailing address for State Street Research & Management Company is One
Financial Center, 30th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
3
(8) In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the
percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to
options held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable
within 60 days of April 19, 2002, are deemed issued and outstanding. These
shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing
percentage ownership of any other stockholder.
(9) Number includes 1,000 shares beneficially owned by Ms. Ziegler through
participation in her 401(k) plan and 1,000 shares beneficially owned by
her husband through his participation in his 401(k) plan. Ms. Ziegler
disclaims beneficial ownership of the 1,000 shares owned by her husband.
(10) Number includes shares held by the trustee of the Heidrick & Struggles,
Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing and Pension Plan for the benefit of the person
listed.
(11) Number includes the right of each of Messrs. Marmion, Anderson, Friel,
Lejsved, Mulder, Roche, Gardner, Sullivan and Pittard and of Ms. Abramson
to acquire beneficial ownership of 8,397, 89,314, 18,204, 6,929, 37,658,
10,862, 4,973, 5,793, 327,871 and 6,250, respectively, shares of common
stock within 60 days through the exercise of options granted under the
1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
(12) Number includes the right of each of Mr. Knowling, Mr. Shaw and Ms.
Ziegler to acquire beneficial ownership of 3,750, 7,840 and 7,620,
respectively, shares of common stock within 60 days through the exercise
of options granted under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program
II.
(13) In May and June 2001, Mr. Sullivan entered into two forward sale contracts
relating in the aggregate to up to 400,000 shares of his common stock.
Upon expiration in May and June 2003, Mr. Sullivan may, at his election,
settle these forward sale contracts in either cash or stock. Depending
upon the trading price of the common stock prior to settlement, he may
relinquish up to 400,000 shares. Mr. Sullivan does not have the right to
vote the shares of common stock subject to these forward sale contracts.
(14) Number is based on information contained in Schedule 13D filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2001. Eminence disclaims
any economic interest or beneficial ownership of the shares covered
pursuant to the Schedule 13D.
(15) Number is based on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2002. Of the 1,237,700
shares shown in the table above, High Rock Capital LLC claims sole voting
power of 905,500 shares and sole dispositive power of 1,162,400 shares and
High Rock Asset Management LLC claims sole voting power of 75,300 shares
and sole dispositive power of 75,300 shares. By virtue of their
relationship as affiliated companies, each of High Rock Capital LLC and
High Rock Asset Management LLC may be deemed to have beneficial ownership
of 1,237,700 shares.
(16) Number is based on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2002. Of the 1,183,957
shares shown in the table above, Putnam Investments, LLC claims shared
voting power of 305,820 shares, shared dispositive power of 1,183,957
shares and beneficial ownership of 1,183,957 shares; Putnam Investment
Management, LLC claims shared dispositive power of 796,434 shares and
beneficial ownership of 796,434 shares and The Putnam Advisory Company,
LLC claims shared voting power of 305,820 shares, shared dispositive power
of 387,523 shares and beneficial ownership of 387,523 shares. Putnam
Investments, LLC, Putnam Investment Management, LLC and The Putnam
Advisory Company, LLC are all subsidiaries of Marsh & McLennan Companies,
Inc.
(17) Number is based on information contained in Schedule 13G filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2002. State Street
disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares covered pursuant to the
Schedule 13G.
(18) Number includes 20,000 shares owned by the Sullivan Generation Family
Trust.
(19) Information is as of October 18, 2001.
4
PROPOSAL I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and
Restated Bylaws provide that our Board of Directors will consist of not fewer
than eight and not more than fifteen directors, as determined by resolution of
the Board. Our Board of Directors has eleven members, six of whom are our
employees and five of whom are non-employees. Our Board of Directors has set
the number of members at nine effective at the conclusion of the Board meeting
scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the annual meeting to take into
account the decision of Dr. Jurgen Mulder not to stand for reelection at the
expiration of his term in 2002 and the resignation of Mr. Shaw who has informed
us that he intends to resign from the Board of Directors effective after such
meeting of the Board.
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes for purposes of
election. One class is elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve
for a three-year term. We propose that three directors be elected at the annual
meeting to hold office for a three-year term expiring in 2005. Except for Mr.
Shaw, directors who are not standing for election this year will continue in
office for the remainder of their respective terms.
Our Board of Directors has recommended and nominated the following persons
to be elected to our Board of Directors, each for a three-year term: Messrs.
Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Philip A. Laskawy and Gerard R. Roche.
The enclosed Proxy will be voted FOR electing the three nominees unless a
specification is made to withhold the vote. Proxies cannot be voted for more
than three nominees.
The election of the three nominees for new terms will, in accordance with
our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated
Bylaws, be decided by a plurality vote of voting power present or represented
and entitled to vote at the annual meeting.
If any nominee ceases to be a candidate for election for any reason, the
Proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by our Board of
Directors and for the other nominees designated on your Proxy Card. Our Board
of Directors currently has no reason to believe that any nominee will not
remain a candidate for election as a director or will be unwilling to serve as
a director if elected. There are no family relations among any directors,
executive officers, or persons nominated to become a director.
Below is certain information about each director nominee and those directors
whose terms of office will continue after the annual meeting.
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
Principal Occupation and Director
Name Age Five-Year Employment History Since
---- --- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Robert E. Knowling, Jr. 46 Mr. Knowling has served as Chairman and Chief Executive 09/2000
Officer of Internet Access Technologies, Inc., a software
development company, since February 2001. Prior thereto,
Mr. Knowling was Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Covad Communications, a national broadband
service provider of high speed internet and network access,
from July 1998 to November 2000. Covad Communications
filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 on August 15, 2001.
Prior to that, Mr. Knowling was Executive Vice President of
Operations and Technologies and Vice President of Network
Operations at US West Communications, a broadband service
provider, from March 1996 to July 1998. Mr. Knowling serves
on the Board of Directors of Hewlett-Packard Company and
Ariba, Inc.
5
Principal Occupation and Director
Name Age Five-Year Employment History Since
---- --- ------------------------------- --------
Philip A. Laskawy 61 Mr. Laskawy is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive 03/2002
Officer of Ernst & Young, a global public accounting and
auditing firm. Mr. Laskawy was elected to these positions in
1994 and served in such capacities until he retired on June 30,
2001. Mr. Laskawy also serves on the board of directors for
The Progressive Corporation, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Company and Henry Schein, Inc.
Gerard R. Roche.. 70 Mr. Roche has been our Senior Chairman since the merger of 02/1999
Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. into Heidrick & Struggles
International, Inc. in 1999 (the "Merger"). Mr. Roche joined
Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. in 1964 and was a member of the
Board of Directors of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. from 1970
until the Merger.
CLASS 2003 DIRECTORS
(Directors with Terms Expiring in 2003)
Principal Occupation and Director
Name Age Five-Year Employment History Since
---- --- ------------------------------------------------------------- --------
Bengt Lejsved..... 57 Mr. Lejsved has served as Regional Managing Partner, 02/1999
Northern Europe and New Markets, and our Managing
Partner, Europe, since October 2001. Previously, Mr. Lejsved
served as Area Managing Partner, New Markets, since January
2001 and as our Area Managing Partner, Northern and Eastern
Europe, since the Merger. He was a member of the Board of
Directors of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. from
1994 until the Merger.
Piers Marmion..... 43 Mr. Marmion has served as our Chairman of the Board of 03/2001
Directors since December 2001 and our Chief Executive
Officer since October 2001. Previously, Mr. Marmion served
as Chief Operating Officer and President-International of
Heidrick & Struggles Executive Search from August of 2000
until October 2001. From 1990 to 1997, Mr. Marmion was
employed with Spencer Stuart & Associates as Managing
Director-Selector Europe and Managing Director, Spencer
Stuart UK, and from 1994 to 2000 as the worldwide Chief
Operating Officer and Head of Europe and Asia.
Robert W. Shaw.... 54 Mr. Shaw serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 09/1999
ArcSight, Inc., an enterprise security management company.
Previous to this position, Mr. Shaw was the Chief Executive
Officer of Silicon Valley Internet Capital, LLC, a venture
capital firm from March of 2000 to July of 2001. Mr. Shaw
served as the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the
Board of Directors of USWeb/CKS Corp., an internet
professional services firm, from 1998 to February 2000.
Carlene M. Ziegler 45 Ms. Ziegler has served as the Managing Partner of Artisan 12/1999
Partners Limited Partnership, an asset management firm, since
January 1995.
6
CLASS 2004 DIRECTORS
(Directors with Terms Expiring in 2004)
Principal Occupation and Director
Name Age Five-Year Employment History Since
---- --- -------------------------------------------------------------- --------
David C. Anderson. 60 Mr. Anderson has served as our President and Chief Operating 02/1999
Officer since October 2001. Previously, Mr. Anderson served
as the President and CEO of Heidrick & Struggles Executive
Search from June 2000 to October 2001. Prior to this position,
Mr. Anderson served as President-Americas since September
1999 and as our North American Managing Partner from 1998
until September 1999 and the Office Managing Partner of the
Dallas office since 1992. He was a member of the Board of
Directors of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. from 1992 until the
Merger.
Richard I. Beattie 63 Mr. Beattie has served as Chairman of the Executive 03/2002
Committee of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, an international
law firm, since 1991 and has practiced law at Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett since 1968. Mr. Beattie also serves as a
member of the board of directors of Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Thomas J. Friel... 54 Mr. Friel has held various practice leadership and management 02/1999
positions since joining us in 1979 including his current
position of Chairman, International Technology Practice.
Mr. Friel was President of Heidrick & Struggles Ventures
from June 2000 to October 2001, President, Global Practices
from September 1999 to June 2000, Office Managing Partner
of the Menlo Park office, Worldwide Practice Managing
Partner for the International Technology Practice and
Managing Partner for Asia Pacific. He was a member of the
Board of Directors of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. from 1983
until the Merger.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
During 2001, our Board of Directors met nine times and acted four times by
written consent. All directors attended 75% or more of the meetings of the
Board and the committees of which they were members. In 2001, our Board of
Directors had three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee and the Nominating and Board Governance Committee.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee consists of three directors (Messrs.
Knowling and Laskawy and Ms. Ziegler) who each meet the independence and
experience requirements of the Nasdaq listing standards. The Audit Committee
recommends to our Board of Directors the appointment of independent public
accountants to audit annually our books and records, meets with and reviews the
activities and the reports of our independent public accountants and reports
the results of the review to our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee also
periodically reviews the activities of our finance staff and the adequacy of
our internal controls. During 2001, the Audit Committee met three times. Until
December 12, 2001, the members of the Audit Committee were Messrs. Robert
Louis-Dreyfus and Knowling and Ms. Ziegler. From December 12, 2001, the date of
Mr. Louis-Dreyfus' resignation from the Board of Directors, until the
appointment of Mr. Laskawy as chairman of the Audit Committee in March 2001,
the Audit Committee consisted of Mr. Knowling and Ms. Ziegler. In February of
2001, the Audit Committee met with our independent auditors to discuss the
results of the 2001 audit and additional work related to our special charges.
The Audit Committee gave a report to the full Board of Directors at its March
meeting.
7
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee consists of three
non-employee directors (Messrs. Knowling and Shaw and Ms. Ziegler) and until
December 12, 2001, consisted of Messrs. Robert Louis-Dreyfus and Shaw and Ms.
Ziegler. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Knowling will replace
Mr. Shaw as Chairman of the Compensation Committee when Mr. Shaw resigns from
the Board of Directors in June. The duties of the Compensation Committee are
generally to review employment, development, reassignment and compensation
matters involving executive officers and key employees as may be appropriate,
including matters relating to salary, bonus, stock options and other incentive
arrangements. In September of 2000, we formed a Subcommittee of the
Compensation Committee, which consisted of two non-employee directors
(initially Mr. Louis-Dreyfus and Ms. Ziegler and, as of December 12, 2001, Mr.
Knowling and Ms. Ziegler) to administer all aspects of the compensation of our
executive officers and directors, including performance-based compensation.
During 2001, the Compensation Committee met six times and acted five times by
written consent.
Nominating and Board Governance Committee. On March 4, 2001, our Board of
Directors formed a Nominating and Board Governance Committee, which consisted
of two non-employee directors (Ms. Ziegler and Mr. Knowling) and Mr. Pittard,
our then Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. In December of 2001,
the Board appointed Mr. Marmion to replace Mr. Pittard. The Nominating and
Board Governance Committee makes recommendations to our Board of Directors
concerning (1) candidates for nomination to our Board of Directors; (2) the
number and duties of, and membership on, committees of our Board of Directors;
(3) compensation of our Board of Directors and (4) succession plans for our
executive officers. The Committee also evaluates the performance of members of
our Board of Directors. The Committee is working towards achieving greater
independence of our Board of Directors with the goal of a majority of our Board
being comprised of independent directors. Stockholders may propose candidates
for consideration by the Committee by delivering notice to our Secretary at our
principal executive offices (233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago,
Illinois 60606-6303). The notice must be delivered in accordance with the
requirements of our Amended and Restated Bylaws and include a description of
the qualifications of the suggested nominee and any information that is
required by the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
concerning the suggested nominee and his or her direct or indirect securities
holdings, or other interests, in us. During 2001, the Nominating and Board
Governance Committee met three times.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
None of our directors who are also employees receives any compensation for
serving as directors. For 2001, all of our non-employee directors (except for
Mr. Louis-Dreyfus who did not accept compensation) received compensation in the
form of an annual retainer of $30,000 in cash, an additional cash payment of
$4,000 for acting as chairman of any committee and $1,000 for each board and
committee meeting attended. In addition, it was our practice to grant our
non-employee directors options to purchase 15,000 shares of our common stock
upon election to the Board. In December of 2001, the Board of Directors decided
that it would be in our best interests to compensate our non-employee directors
in a manner that would better align the interests of the directors with our
stockholders. Accordingly, instead of the cash compensation and option grants
described above, it approved a Director Deferred Compensation Plan pursuant to
which our non-employee directors will be awarded annually on the date of our
annual meeting of stockholders a number of restricted stock units equal in
value to $30,000. The restricted stock units will be payable, and the directors
will receive shares of our common stock, upon the earliest of the third
anniversary of the date of grant, the date on which a director ceases to serve
on the Board and the date of a change in control. We reimburse all members of
our Board of Directors for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection
with attending meetings.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTING ROBERT E. KNOWLING,
JR., PHILIP A. LASKAWY AND GERARD R. ROCHE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS EACH FOR
A TERM OF THREE (3) YEARS.
8
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following tables and narrative text discuss the compensation awarded to,
earned by or paid to (i) our former Chief Executive Officer, (ii) our Chief
Executive Officer and (iii) our four most highly compensated executive officers
(other than the Chief Executive Officer) who were serving as executive officers
as of December 31, 2001 during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001, 2000
and 1999.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long-Term Compensation
-------------------------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
---------------------------------- ----------------------- ---------
Restricted
Stock Securities Long-Term All Other
Name and Salary Bonus Other Annual Award ($) Underlying Incentive Compensation
Principal Position Year ($) ($) Compensation ($) (26) Options (#) Payouts ($)
------------------ ---- ------- --------- ---------------- ---------- ----------- --------- ------------
Patrick S. Pittard.... 2001 525,000 100,000 -- 1,012,813(3) -0- -- 9,317,700(5)
Former President, 2000 700,000 2,212,000 53,093(2) -- 178,785(4) -- 265,045(6)
Chief Executive 1999 700,000 1,650,000 -- -- 149,086 -- 12,376(6)
Officer and Chairman
of the Board(1)
Piers Marmion......... 2001 576,688 522,294 428,763(8) 2,722,500(9) -0- -- 15,378(11)
Chief Executive 2000 254,209 324,298 -- 2,850,000(10) 179,909(4) -- 2,881(11)
Officer and Chairman 1999 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
of the Board(7)
David C. Anderson..... 2001 600,000 600,000 -- 1,361,250(12) -0- -- 4,880(14)
President and Chief 2000 500,000 1,200,000 -- -- 116,268(4) -- 303,045(14)
Operating Officer 1999 400,000 1,060,000 -- -- 82,984(13) -- 12,376(14)
Stephanie W. Abramson. 2001 485,833 300,000 68,798(16) -- 25,000 -- 2,880(17)
Chief Legal Officer, 2000 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chief Corporate 1999 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Development Officer
and Secretary(15)
John T. Gardner....... 2001 425,000 617,780(18) -- -0- -0- -- 4,880(21)
Vice Chairman Board 2000 345,833 782,571 -- 50,194(19) 19,242(4) -- 207,654(21)
Services 1999 275,000 1,202,100 -- 165,466(20) 10,889(13) -- 12,376(21)
Brian M. Sullivan..... 2001 400,000 1,100,000 -- -0- -0- -- 4,880(25)
Vice Chairman Client 2000 400,000 1,704,070 -- 222,236(23) 17,201(4) -- 12,873(25)
Services(22) 1999 133,333 225,100 -- 35,146(24) 5,880(13) -- -0-
--------
(1) Mr. Pittard retired from the company as of October 1, 2001.
(2) This amount includes $37,771 in legal fees to negotiate Mr. Pittard's
employment contract.
(3) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Pittard under his employment agreement. The dollar value reflected
in the table is based on the fair market value (as determined in
accordance with the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I) of
our common stock on March 30, 2001. The restricted stock units vested on
October 29, 2001 and were converted into shares of our common stock. Mr.
Pittard held no restricted stock units as of December 31, 2001.
(4) This amount represents options granted to Messrs. Pittard, Marmion,
Anderson, Gardner and Sullivan pursuant to the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I. A portion of the options were earned in 2000 but
were granted on March 6, 2001.
(5) This amount represents monies paid under Mr. Pittard's retirement
agreement along with 2001 compensation for expenses relating to group term
life insurance ($2,880).
(6) For 2000, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
group term life insurance ($2,880), employer profit sharing contributions
($7,993), employer 401(k) matching contributions ($2,000) and the total
cash payout under the Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan which we
9
terminated in 2000. The Plan, to which contributions ceased in 1997,
included both an optional employee contribution and a discretionary
employer contribution and was fully funded by investments ($252,172). For
1999, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to group
term life insurance ($2,880), employer profit sharing contributions
($7,496) and employer 401(k) matching contributions ($2,000).
(7) Mr. Marmion joined us in August 2000 as Chief Operating Officer and
President--International, Heidrick & Struggles Executive Search, and was
elected Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2001, and Chairman of the
Board on December 21, 2001. Salary, Bonus and Other Compensation for 2001
was calculated as of December 31, 2001 using an exchange rate of 1 British
Pound Sterling to 1.4543 U.S. Dollars.
(8) This amount represents the amount of the loans forgiven for the years 2000
and 2001 pursuant to Mr. Marmion's employment contract and a payment by us
for National Insurance Contributions in connection with social charges
related to the loan forgiveness.
(9) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Marmion under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on December 31, 2001. The
150,000 restricted stock units awarded will vest at the rate of one-third
per year commencing on January 2, 2003, and will vest immediately upon a
change in control of the Company.
(10) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Marmion pursuant to his employment agreement. The dollar value
reflected in the table is based on the fair market value (as determined in
accordance with the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I) of
our common stock on August 25, 2000. The 50,000 restricted stock units
awarded will all vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant and
will vest immediately upon a change in control of the Company.
(11) For 2001, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
pension ($13,350), health insurance benefits ($1,558), and life insurance
($470). For 2000, this amount represents compensation for expenses
relating to health insurance benefits.
(12) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Anderson under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on December 31, 2001. The
75,000 restricted stock units awarded will vest at the rate of one-third
per year commencing on January 2, 2003, and will vest immediately upon a
change in control of the Company.
(13) This amount represents options granted to Messrs. Anderson, Gardner and
Sullivan pursuant to the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
A portion of the options were earned in 1999 but were granted on March 6,
2000.
(14) For 2001, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
group term life insurance ($2,880) and employer 401(k) matching
contributions ($2,000). For 2000, this amount represents compensation for
expenses relating to group term life insurance ($2,880), employer profit
sharing contributions ($7,993), employer 401(k) matching contributions
($2,000), compensation for cancellation of options to purchase common
shares of LeadersOnline, Inc. granted in 2000 ($38,000) and the total cash
payout under the Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan which we terminated in 2000. The Plan, to which
contributions ceased in 1997, included both an optional employee
contribution and a discretionary employer contribution and was fully
funded by investments ($252,172). For 1999, this amount represents
compensation for expenses relating to group term life insurance ($2,880),
employer profit sharing contributions ($7,496) and employer 401(k)
matching contributions ($2,000).
(15) Ms. Abramson joined us in February 2001.
(16) This amount includes $40,756 in imputed interest and $28,042 in taxes we
paid on her behalf pursuant to Ms. Abramson's employment agreement.
(17) For 2001, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
group term life insurance ($2,880).
(18) This amount represents $432,446 of compensation which is deferred, at the
election of Mr. Gardner, until January 1, 2012, or until termination of
employment which ever occurs first. The deferred compensation is scheduled
to be paid in annual installments for a period of 5 years after the
payment commencement date.
10
(19) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Gardner under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with our 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on March 6, 2001. All of the
restricted stock units were earned in 2000 but were awarded on March 6,
2001. All of the 1,429 restricted stock units awarded will vest on the
third anniversary of the date of grant and will vest immediately upon a
change in control of the Company.
(20) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Gardner under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with our 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on March 6, 2000. All of the
restricted stock units were earned in 1999 but were awarded on March 6,
2000. All of the 4,063 restricted stock units awarded will vest on the
third anniversary of the date of grant and will vest immediately upon a
change in control of the Company.
(21) For 2001, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
group term life insurance ($2,880) and employer 401(k) matching
contributions ($2,000). For 2000, this amount represents compensation for
expenses relating to group term life insurance ($2,880), employer profit
sharing contributions ($7,993), employer 401(k) matching contributions
($2,000) and the total cash payout under the Heidrick & Struggles, Inc.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan which we terminated in 2000. The
Plan, to which contributions ceased in 1997, included both an optional
employee contribution and a discretionary employer contribution and was
fully funded by investments ($194,781). For 1999, this amount represents
compensation for expenses relating to group term life insurance ($2,880),
employer profit sharing contributions ($7,496) and employer 401(k)
matching contributions ($2,000).
(22) Mr. Sullivan joined us in September 1999.
(23) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Sullivan under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on March 6, 2001. All of the
restricted stock units were earned in 2000 but were awarded on March 6,
2001. All of the 6,327 restricted stock units awarded will vest on the
third anniversary of the date of grant and will vest immediately upon a
change in control of the Company.
(24) This amount represents the dollar value of restricted stock units awarded
to Mr. Sullivan under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I.
The dollar value reflected in the table is based on the fair market value
(as determined in accordance with our 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I) of our common stock on March 6, 2000. All of the
restricted stock units were earned in 1999 but were awarded on March 6,
2000. All of the 863 restricted stock units awarded will vest on the third
anniversary of the date of grant and will vest immediately upon a change
in control of the Company.
(25) For 2001, this amount represents compensation for expenses relating to
group term life insurance ($2,880) and employer 401(k) matching
contributions ($2,000). For 2000, this amount represents compensation for
expenses relating to group term life insurance ($2,880), employer profit
sharing contributions ($7,993) and employer 401(k) matching contributions
($2,000).
(26) As of December 31, 2001, Messrs. Marmion, Anderson, Gardner and Sullivan
held 200,000, 75,000, 5,492, and 7,190 restricted stock units,
respectively, with a value as of that date of $3,630,000, $1,361,250,
$99,680 and $130,499, respectively. We do not pay dividends on restricted
stock units.
11
OPTION GRANT TABLE
(options granted in fiscal year 2001)
Individual Grants
-------------------------------------------------
% of Total
Options
Number of Granted Grant
Securities to Date
Underlying Employees Exercise Present
Options in Fiscal Price Expiration Value
Name and Principal Position Granted Year ($/Sh) Date ($/Sh)
--------------------------- ---------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------
Patrick S. Pittard................................ N/A
Former President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
Piers Marmion..................................... N/A
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
David C. Anderson................................. N/A
President and Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie W. Abramson............................. 25,000(1) 2.7% $31.7188 2/12/06 $17.93(2)
Chief Legal Officer, Chief Corporate Development
Officer and Secretary
John T. Gardner................................... N/A
Vice Chairman Board Services
Brian M. Sullivan................................. N/A
Vice Chairman Client Services
--------
(1) Of these options, 25% vest on each of the first four anniversaries of
February 12, 2001, and immediately upon a change in control of the Company.
(2) The present value of the option at the date of the grant was determined
using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The present value of options
granted in 2001 is estimated using the following assumptions: average
risk-free interest rate of return of 4.9%, dividend rate of 0%, expected
volatility of 61.3% and expected option life of 5 years. The actual return
of value, if any, that the individual may realize will depend on the excess
of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is
exercised, so that there can be no assurance the value realized will be at
or near the value estimated based upon the Black-Scholes model.
12
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
Value of
Number of unexercised in-the-
Shares Unexercised money options at
Acquired Options at Fiscal Fiscal Year-End
on Realized Year-End Exercisable/
Exercise Value Exercisable/ Unexercisable ($)
Name (#) (1) ($) Unexercisable (#) (2)
---- -------- -------- ----------------- -------------------
Patrick S. Pittard................................ 0 0 327,871/0 618,707/0
Former President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
Piers Marmion..................................... 0 0 0/179,909 0/0
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
David C. Anderson................................. 0 0 46,880/152,372 $63,910/$146,014
President and Chief Operating Officer
Stephanie W. Abramson............................. 0 0 0/25,000 0/0
Chief Legal Officer, Chief Corporate Development
Officer and Secretary
John T. Gardner................................... 0 0 916/29,215 $2,490/$36,142
Vice Chairman Board Services
Brian M. Sullivan................................. 0 0 1,176/21,905 0/0
Vice Chairman Client Services
--------
(1) None of our named executive officers exercised stock options in 2001.
(2) Number computed based on the excess of $18.15, the closing price of our
common stock on December 31, 2001, over the stock option exercise price.
The actual value, if any, that the individual may realize will depend on
the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the
option is exercised, so that there can be no assurance the value realized
will be at or near the value estimated.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Piers Marmion. In connection with his appointment as Chief Executive
Officer, we entered into a new three-year employment agreement with Mr. Marmion
effective January 1, 2002. The 2002 agreement provides for Mr. Marmion to
receive a base salary of $650,000 and to participate, pursuant to the 1998
Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I, as amended ("GSP"), in the
Performance Share Program ("PSP"), annual Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"),
and Management Stock Option Plan ("MSOP") at the levels determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Under the 2002 agreement, if
Mr. Marmion's employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for "good
reason," or if his employment terminates at the expiration of the agreement
without renewal, we will pay him an amount equal to one year of base salary and
target bonus in accordance with our severance plan for top management and we
will pay his target bonus pro rated for the number of months he was employed in
the year of termination or expiration. The 2002 agreement supersedes the
agreement signed by Mr. Marmion for a term of four and one half years when he
joined us in August of 2000. In entering into the 2002 agreement, Mr. Marmion
waived his rights under the 2000 agreement that required us to pay him a
minimum annual base compensation of (Pounds)428,000 ($622,440) and bonus of
(Pounds)658,675 ($957,911) for each of 2001, 2002 and 2003. (Dollar amounts
relating to the 2000 agreement are calculated as of December 31, 2001, using an
exchange rate of 1 British Pound Sterling to 1.4543 U.S. Dollars.)
In 2000 and 2001, we loaned Mr. Marmion an aggregate of (Pounds)1,317,350
($1,915,822) on an interest-free basis payable by Mr. Marmion on January 31,
2005. Pursuant to his 2000 agreement, we have forgiven (Pounds)294,824
($383,165) through December 31, 2001, and we will forgive the entire principal
amount of the loan over the period ending January 31, 2005, if Mr. Marmion is
in our employ on the applicable forgiveness dates and immediately in the event
we terminate his employment without cause or he resigns for good reason. In the
event Mr. Marmion resigns without good reason or we terminate Mr. Marmion's
employment for cause, he is required to repay the entire outstanding principal
amount of the loan immediately.
13
In December 2001, we awarded Mr. Marmion 150,000 restricted stock units
which vest over a three-year period commencing January 2, 2003 provided he is
in our employ on the vesting dates. In March of 2002, we granted Mr. Marmion
options to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock at $18.40 per share
pursuant to the MSOP and 50,000 performance share units pursuant to the PSP,
both of which are maintained under our amended GSP, subject to stockholder
approval.
David C. Anderson. In connection with his appointment as Chief Operating
Officer, we entered into a new three-year employment agreement with Mr.
Anderson effective January 1, 2002. The 2002 agreement provides for Mr.
Anderson to receive a base salary of $600,000 and to participate, pursuant to
the GSP, in the PSP, annual MIP and MSOP at the levels determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Under the 2002 agreement, if
Mr. Anderson's employment is terminated without cause, if he resigns for "good
reason" or if his employment terminates at the expiration of his employment
agreement without renewal, we will pay him an amount equal to one year of base
salary and target bonus in accordance with our severance plan for top
management and we will pay his bonus pro rated for the number of months he was
employed in the year of termination or expiration. The 2002 agreement
supersedes the agreement signed by Mr. Anderson in 2000 which provided for a
six-month paid leave of absence with the consent of the Board of Directors.
In December 2001, in connection with his appointment as Chief Operating
Officer, we awarded to Mr. Anderson 75,000 restricted stock units vesting over
a three-year period commencing January 2, 2003 provided he is in our employ on
the vesting dates. On January 18, 2002 we granted him options to purchase
25,000 shares of our common stock at $18.15 per share. The options vest at the
rate of one-third per year commencing on December 31, 2002, provided Mr.
Anderson is in our employ on the vesting dates. In March of 2002, we granted
Mr. Anderson options to purchase 60,000 shares of our stock at $18.40 per share
pursuant to the MSOP and 30,000 performance share units pursuant to the PSP,
both of which are maintained under our amended GSP, subject to stockholder
approval.
John Gardner. Mr. Gardner was elected a Vice Chairman as of October 1, 2001.
Consistent with our management compensation policies adopted in December 2001,
Mr. Gardner is not employed under an individual employment contract but
participates in our management compensation plans at the top tier as determined
by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors in December 2001 and
March 2002. Accordingly, Mr. Gardner is receiving an annual base salary of
$500,000 for 2002 and is eligible for a target bonus of 100% of base salary in
accordance with our annual MIP. In addition, in March of 2002, we granted Mr.
Gardner options to purchase 50,000 shares of our common stock at $18.40 per
share pursuant to the MSOP and 25,000 performance share units pursuant to the
PSP, both of which are maintained under our amended GSP, subject to stockholder
approval.
Brian Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan joined us in September 1999 when we merged our
company with Sullivan & Company, a privately held executive search firm
specializing in financial services. Mr. Sullivan was elected a Vice Chairman as
of October 1, 2001. In February 2002, Mr. Sullivan began a leave of absence and
has stated that he intends to return to full-time employment not later than
December 31, 2002. Mr. Sullivan received base compensation at the rate of
$400,000 per year through March 31, 2002 and will continue to be eligible for
benefits during his leave of absence. The Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors decided to defer a decision as to any change in the terms of his
cash compensation and his participation in the management compensation plans
until his return to full-time employment.
At the time of the merger, Mr. Sullivan signed a five-year employment
agreement providing for him to be engaged as a search consultant and to have
other duties assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer or the regional or
office managing partner and the title, "Managing Partner, Global Financial
Institutions Practice." The agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$400,000 and an annual minimum bonus of $1,600,000 for 2000 and 2001 and
thereafter participation in our regular consultant cash compensation program.
In recognition of our lower revenues in 2001, we asked Mr. Sullivan and certain
other employees who had the right to minimum bonus payments to accept lower
amounts. Mr. Sullivan accepted $1,100,000 in payment of his 2001 bonus.
14
Mr. Sullivan's agreement provides that if he resigns from his employment
prior to September 2, 2003 except for "good reason" he is required to pay to us
an amount based on previous anticipated revenue generation. Mr. Sullivan's
agreement defines "good reason" to mean failure to pay the cash compensation to
which he is entitled under the agreement, a material breach by us of the
agreement or a substantial and sustained diminution of his duties. Mr. Sullivan
must notify us if he believes there is good reason and we have the opportunity
to cure within 30 days. The agreement also provides that unless Mr. Sullivan's
employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for "good reason," he may
not be employed by or invest or participate in a competing business in the
United States or the United Kingdom for the "competition period" which is the
lesser of half the period remaining under the agreement or twelve months. The
agreement defines a competing business as the furnishing of executive search
and related consulting services and any business or venture which engages in or
provides executive search and related consulting services substantially similar
to the whole or any significant part of the services rendered by Mr. Sullivan
in his employment with us. In addition, during the competition period, the
agreement restricts Mr. Sullivan from soliciting or hiring in any capacity any
of our or our affiliates' employees, consultants, officers or directors unless
their employment has been terminated by us.
Stephanie W. Abramson. We entered into an employment agreement with Ms.
Abramson on December 28, 2000, employing her as Chief Legal Officer, Chief
Corporate Development Officer and Secretary. Pursuant to her employment
agreement, on February 14, 2001, we loaned Ms. Abramson $925,000 on an
interest-free basis payable by her on December 31, 2004, provided that we will
forgive the loan in whole over a four-year period if Ms. Abramson is in our
employ on the forgiveness dates and we will forgive the loan on the date of
termination of employment if we terminate her employment without cause or she
resigns for "good reason." The employment agreement provides that she may
resign for "good reason" if, among other things, her position is eliminated or
if there is a substantial diminution of the responsibilities associated with
her position. Our new management team has decided to pursue a near-term
strategy of internal growth rather than growth by acquisition and as of January
2002 decided to eliminate the role of a corporate development officer. Ms.
Abramson's employment agreement provides that if she resigns for good reason,
she will receive on the date of resignation an amount equal to one year of base
and target bonus compensation and the entire principal amount of her loan will
be forgiven. She has agreed to stay in our employ and to defer collection of
these amounts until June 30, 2002, and we have agreed to pay a pro rata share
of her target bonus for 2002 based on the number of months worked.
Patrick S. Pittard. Patrick Pittard was our Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer until he retired as of October 1, 2001. In October of 2001,
we entered into a retirement agreement with Mr. Pittard pursuant to which we
settled all of our obligations under his employment agreement to pay him salary
and benefits through 2005 and to pay him a pension. We paid Mr. Pittard in cash
$6.7 million to settle our obligation to pay him a pension of at least $1
million per year for life at age 60 and approximately $2.7 million representing
the present value discounted at the rate of 10% of the guaranteed salary and
benefits we were obligated to pay him through 2005. In addition, we modified
all of Mr. Pittard's options to buy our common stock so that they would
automatically vest on the date of retirement and so that they would be
exercisable for their originally scheduled period. We also accelerated vesting
of 35,000 unvested restricted stock units, which upon vesting were
automatically converted into shares of our common stock. The retirement
agreement provides for a period of two years during which Mr. Pittard cannot
solicit our employees to leave our employ and cannot compete with us.
All of the named executive officers are participants in our Change in
Control Severance Plan (the "CIC Plan") at the top tier and in our severance
plan (the "Severance Plan") at the top management level. In addition, they are
eligible to participate in our Deferred Compensation Plan.
We established and maintain the CIC Plan in order to secure, in our best
interests and the best interest of our stockholders, the continued services,
dedication and objectivity of certain of our key employees in the event of any
threat or occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the CIC Plan). The
CIC Plan provides that upon our termination of a participant's employment
without cause or the participant's resignation for good reason (as those terms
are defined in the CIC Plan) within the two-year period commencing on a change
in control, we will pay such participant a lump-sum cash payment equal to one
or two times the sum of the participant's base salary and bonus amount (as
defined in the CIC Plan). Top-tier executives will receive two times base
salary and bonus. The
15
participant is also entitled to any accrued, but unpaid compensation, as well
as the continuation of certain benefits. In addition, for top-tier executives,
upon the occurrence of a change in control, we will accelerate the vesting of
certain awards granted to such participants under the GSP and other
compensatory plans maintained by us will be automatically accelerated and such
participants may receive golden parachute gross-up payments. In order to
receive any severance payments under the CIC Plan, the participant must waive
his or her rights to any severance payments that he or she is entitled to
receive under any other severance plan or employment agreement maintained by
us. Each participant must also agree to abide by certain restrictive covenants,
including covenants barring the participant from competing with us or
soliciting any of our customers or employees for a period of one year.
The Severance Plan provides severance benefits which are payable to a
participant upon the involuntary termination of such participant's employment
for any reason other than cause (as defined in the Severance Plan).
Participants in the Severance Plan will not be eligible to receive benefits in
the cases of voluntary resignation, commencement of a leave of absence,
retirement, death or disability. In cases where the participant's employment is
terminated by reason of the transfer to an affiliated business, the sale of the
Company or all or part of its assets or the outsourcing of a division,
department, business unit or function, benefits will be provided only if a new
offer of employment with us or any of our affiliates has not been made to the
affected participant. Executive officers participating in the Severance Plan at
the top management level would receive a severance payment equal to one year of
base salary plus target bonus amount. All severance payments, however, are
capped at two times the participant's "annual compensation" (as defined in the
Department of Labor Regulations). To receive any payment of severance benefits
under the Severance Plan in excess of two weeks' base salary, the participant
must sign a release.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee consists of three non-employee directors (Messrs.
Knowling and Shaw and Ms. Ziegler) and until December 12, 2001, consisted of
Messrs. Robert Louis-Dreyfus and Shaw and Ms. Ziegler. The Board of Directors
has determined that Mr. Knowling will replace Mr. Shaw as Chairman of the
Compensation Committee when Mr. Shaw resigns from the Board of Directors in
June 2002. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is currently or
has been, at any time, one of our officers or employees. None of our executive
officers currently serves or in the past has served as a member of the Board of
Directors or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more
executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Mr. Shaw currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of ArcSight, Inc. and is a
holder of an equity interest in and a member of the board of directors of
Silicon Valley Internet Capital, LLC, a company in which we made a $10 million
investment. See "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS." Mr. Shaw does
not participate in the approval of the equity component of compensation of our
executive officers. From time to time, our Chief Executive Officer, certain
other officers and outside consultants may attend meetings of the Compensation
Committee but none of our officers may be present during discussions or
deliberations regarding his or her own compensation nor may they vote on any
matters brought before the Compensation Committee.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Compensation Policy. We believe that executive compensation should be
directly linked to increased stockholder value. Our compensation program is
designed to support achieving our key business objectives, to align the
executive officers' interests with those of our stockholders and to enable us
to attract, retain and reward key personnel. It has been and currently is our
policy to position our total compensation for our executive officers and other
key employees at levels competitive with those of other major executive
recruiting firms. Because many of these organizations are privately held, much
of the compensation data is derived from executives and search consultants
recruited by us and our understanding of pay practices and trends within the
industry.
16
Relationship of Company Performance to Executive Compensation. Our executive
compensation is comprised of two components: base salary and incentives (cash
and non-cash), each of which is intended to serve the overall compensation
program. Our salary levels are intended to be consistent with competitive pay
practices and level of responsibility, with salary increases reflecting
competitive trends, our overall financial performance, and general economic
conditions as well as a number of factors relating to the particular employee
including his/her performance and the level of experience, ability and
knowledge required for the job.
In October 2001, in connection with the commencement of a new management
team, we decided to discontinue the existing management structure that
consisted of an Office of the CEO that oversaw area and office managing
partners and practice managing partners throughout our network. Instead, the
Chief Executive Officer created a global operating committee (which we call the
"GOC") that consists of a smaller number of managers who have a larger scope of
responsibility and whose compensation is tied to our profits as a whole. The
GOC consists of 20 senior employees including the Chief Operating Officer, a
Vice Chairman, Board Services, and a Vice Chairman, Client Services, as well as
the Chief Financial, Chief Legal and Chief Human Resources Officers. Other
members include other corporate officers, regional managers and practice
leaders. In order to reinforce the spirit of partnership among the GOC and to
demonstrate the importance of their roles, the Compensation Committee approved
the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer that we create a
comprehensive management compensation plan in which members of the GOC would
participate as a group rather than have individual contracts or other
arrangements with varying incentives and other terms. Accordingly, the
Compensation Committee approved amendments to the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles
GlobalShare Program I which created a management compensation program that
consists of a Performance Share Program ("PSP"), an annual Management Incentive
Plan ("MIP") and a Management Stock Option Plan ("MSOP") and it approved levels
of participation in some or all of those plans for GOC members appropriate to
their individual roles.
These plans provide for participants to receive annual and longer-term
incentive compensation. The MIP is an annual bonus program designed to link
participant performance with the attainment of pre-established Company,
strategic business unit and individual performance goals. It provides for
annual bonus compensation ranging from targets of 50% to 100% of base
compensation to higher percentages based on actual performance. Participants
receive cash with any excess over target paid in shares of our common stock on
a deferred basis, on the condition that they are actively employed by us on the
payment date. The MSOP is designed to align the interests of management and
stockholders with its common goal of increasing stockholder value. It provides
for grants of options annually as a percentage of base compensation. Generally,
the options vest over a three-year period, are forfeited in the event the
participant is not in our employ on the vesting date and have a five-year term.
In addition, participants who receive options under the MSOP must abide by
certain restrictive covenants, including covenants barring the participant from
competing with us, soliciting any of our customers or employees and disclosing
any confidential information such participant received in connection with his
or her employment. The PSP provides long-term incentive compensation based on
our cumulative performance (for example, profitability) and the price of our
common stock measured at the end of a three-year award cycle. Under this
program, a participant receives a grant expressed in shares that are earned if
we have reached specific performance goals at the end of the three-year cycle.
Depending upon actual performance versus target and whether the participant
remains employed by us as of the payout date, he or she may earn a fewer or
greater number of performance share units (from 0% to 150% of those initially
granted). The value of an award at the end of the three-year award cycle will
be equal to the product of the number of performance share units earned
multiplied by the fair market value of the shares of our common stock on the
payout date.
In the past, we have made grants of options and restricted stock units to
consultants and managers as part of their annual bonus compensation. The
options and restricted stock units granted for that purpose provided for
vesting over periods from three to five years and for continued vesting after
termination of employment provided the employee did not violate covenants not
to compete and not to solicit our employees. In the future, we do not intend to
use such options and restricted stock units as part of our consultants' annual
bonus compensation and instead we intend to use equity incentives in accordance
with the MSOP and the PSP.
17
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer. For the period January 1
through September 30, 2001, we paid Patrick S. Pittard, our former Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer, a base salary of $525,000 based on an
annual rate of $700,000. At our 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the
stockholders approved the material terms of an incentive compensation plan
created for Mr. Pittard. This plan included a performance-based award and a
discretionary award based on strategic considerations determined by the Board
of Directors. In October 2001 at the time of Mr. Pittard's retirement, the
Compensation Committee considered the following factors when reviewing the
performance portion of Mr. Pittard's bonus: growth in our revenue and earnings
per share on a fully diluted basis and growth of our total stockholder return
compared to the average total stockholder return of S&P Small Cap companies and
certain other peer companies. The Compensation Committee considered the
following factors when reviewing the discretionary portion of his bonus: his
job responsibility and scope; industry competitive data in executive search
companies; business generation; and individual performance, including
leadership, organization development, and stockholder and investor relations.
The Compensation Committee did not attach any specific weighting to any one
factor, and noted that some factors were more subjective than others. The
Compensation Committee did not award Mr. Pittard any bonus as a
performance-based award. The Compensation Committee did award to Mr. Pittard a
discretionary bonus of $100,000 in recognition of his role in facilitating our
goal of a smooth management transition. We also paid Mr. Pittard approximately
$9.6 million in cash to settle amounts we owed to him pursuant to his
employment agreement when he retired as of October 1, 2001. The payments we
made to Mr. Pittard to settle his employment contract are further described
under the caption "Employment Agreements--Patrick S. Pittard."
Mr. Marmion became our Chief Executive Officer on October 1, 2001, having
served as the Chief Operating Officer and President--International of our
executive search division since joining us in August 2000. In 2001, we paid Mr.
Marmion a base salary of (Pounds)443,728 ($645,313) before deducting
(Pounds)47,188 ($68,626) of National Insurance Contributions required to be
paid by him in accordance with his 2000 contract. Although under his 2000
contract Mr. Marmion was entitled to a guaranteed bonus of approximately
(Pounds)658,675 ($957,911) for 2001, with his consent, we paid him
approximately 44% of his target bonus of $1.2 million or $522,294. This
percentage was slightly lower than the 50% of target paid to managers
generally. We also forgave (Pounds)263,471 ($383,165) of the loan made to Mr.
Marmion in August of 2000 pursuant to his 2000 contract. (Dollar amounts
relating to the 2000 agreement are calculated as of December 31, 2001, using an
exchange rate of 1 British Pound Sterling to 1.4543 U.S. Dollars). In
recognition of Mr. Marmion's waiver of his rights to guaranteed base and bonus
compensation pursuant to his 2000 contract, we awarded to him in December of
2001 150,000 restricted stock units which vest at the rate of 50,000 per year
commencing in January 2003. For 2002, we set Mr. Marmion's level of
participation in the MIP at a target of 100% of base salary ($650,000) and in
the MSOP and the PSP at 100,000 options and 50,000 units, respectively, taking
into account the scope and responsibility of his position, industry competitive
data in executive search companies, his past salary and his individual
performance including leadership and organization development and investor
relations.
Policy with respect to the $1 million deduction limit. Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally limits the tax
deductibility of annual compensation paid to our five most highly compensated
executive officers to $1 million, unless certain requirements are met. The
Subcommittee of the Compensation Committee is obligated to recognize and reward
performance which increases stockholder value. The Subcommittee believes that
if the stockholders approve the amendment and restatement of the GSP at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, payments to these executives will meet the
requirements for deductibility pursuant to Section 162(m) but the Compensation
Committee will exercise its discretion in determining whether or not to conform
compensation plans and awards payable to these executive officers to the
deductibility requirements of Section 162(m).
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Robert W. Shaw (Chairman)
Robert E. Knowling, Jr.
Carlene M. Ziegler
18
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph compares the quarterly percentage change in
our cumulative total stockholder return with the cumulative total stockholder
return of two groups: the Nasdaq Composite Index and a Peer Group constructed
by us. Cumulative total stockholder return for each of the periods shown in the
graph is measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on April 27, 1999, the
date public trading of our common stock began, and assumes the reinvestment of
any dividends paid.
The Peer Group is comprised of four publicly traded companies that are
engaged principally, or in significant part, in executive search consulting
and/or Internet-based recruiting. We believe that they constitute the best
approximation of a peer group among companies that were publicly traded for the
period being evaluated. Many of our direct competitors who specialize in senior
level executive search are privately held firms.
The returns of each company have been weighted according to their respective
stock market capitalization at the beginning of each measurement period for
purposes of arriving at a Peer Group average. The members of the Peer Group are
Caldwell Partners International, Inc., Korn/Ferry International, TMP Worldwide,
Inc., and Whitehead Mann Group PLC.
The stock price performance depicted in this graph is not necessarily
indicative of future price performance. This graph will not be deemed to be
incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating this Proxy
Statement into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent we
specifically incorporate this information by reference, and shall not otherwise
be deemed soliciting material or deemed filed under those Acts.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Stockholder Return
Among Heidrick & Struggles International, Nasdaq Composite Index and Peer Group
[CHART]
Measurement
Period/1/ HSII Nasdaq Peer Group
4/27/99 100.00 100.00 100.00
6/30/99 135.71 101.29 92.54
9/30/99 136.16 103.55 94.46
12/31/99 301.79 153.44 201.78
3/31/00 286.61 172.43 212.70
6/30/00 450.89 149.55 204.79
9/30/00 366.96 138.49 226.02
12/31/00 300.45 93.16 152.19
3/31/01 206.70 69.39 106.18
6/30/01 145.21 81.49 159.06
9/30/01 101.93 56.52 76.38
12/31/01 129.64 73.54 114.26
19
Measurement Period(1) HSII($) NASDAQ($) Peer Group($)
--------------------- ------- --------- -------------
4/27/99........ 100.00 100.00 100.00
6/30/99........ 135.71 101.29 92.54
9/30/99........ 136.16 103.55 94.46
12/31/99....... 301.79 153.44 201.78
03/31/00....... 286.61 172.43 212.70
06/30/00....... 450.89 149.55 204.79
09/30/00....... 366.96 138.49 226.02
12/31/00....... 300.45 93.16 152.19
03/31/01....... 206.70 69.39 106.18
06/30/01....... 145.21 81.49 159.06
09/30/01....... 101.93 56.52 76.38
12/31/01....... 129.64 73.54 114.26
--------
(1) Based on $100 invested on April 27, 1999 in our common stock, the Nasdaq
Composite Stock Index and the Peer Group Index. Total return assumes
reinvestment of dividends.
20
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of three directors
each of whom meets the independence and experience requirements of the Nasdaq
listing standards, Messrs. Laskawy and Knowling and Ms. Ziegler. Another
non-employee director, Mr. Shaw also served on the Audit Committee from January
1 to June 14, 2001. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter
adopted by the Board of Directors, which was filed as Exhibit A to the 2001
Proxy Statement. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the
selection of our independent auditors. Accordingly, on April 17, 2002, the
Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board of
Directors accepted the recommendation that we dismiss Arthur Andersen LLP as
our independent auditors and appoint KPMG LLP to serve as our independent
auditors for 2002. On April 18, 2002, we filed a current report on Form 8-K
with the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that there were no
disagreements with Arthur Andersen on any matter of accounting principle or
practice, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure.
Management is responsible for our internal controls and the financial
reporting process. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an
independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Audit
Committee's responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In this context, in connection with our financial statements for 2001, the
Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and Arthur Andersen.
Management represented to the Audit Committee that our consolidated financial
statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. The Audit Committee discussed with Arthur Andersen matters required
to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61. Arthur Andersen also
provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures required by the
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and the Audit Committee discussed
with Arthur Andersen that firm's independence. Based upon the Audit Committee's
discussion with management and the independent auditors, and the Audit
Committee's review of the representation of management and the report of the
independent auditors to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the audited, consolidated financial statements be
included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2001, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following captions set forth the fees billed by Arthur Andersen for
professional services rendered in 2001.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Arthur Andersen for professional services
rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and the
review of the various consolidated financial statements included in our
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q were $686,887.
Financial Information Systems Design and Implementation Fees
There were no fees billed by Arthur Andersen for professional services
rendered for information technology services relating to financial information
systems design and implementation.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Arthur Andersen for professional services
rendered for all other services including audit related services and tax
services were $1,488,457.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of all services
other than audit services by Arthur Andersen is compatible with maintaining the
auditor's independence.
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
Philip A. Laskawy (Chairman)
Robert E. Knowling, Jr.
Carlene M. Ziegler
21
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Our Board of Directors has appointed KPMG LLP as our independent auditors
for 2002. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at our annual
meeting and will be provided the opportunity to make a statement at the annual
meeting.
PROPOSAL II
AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM
I AND THE 1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM II
We adopted and maintain the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I,
as amended (the "GSP") to serve as a means to attract, reward and retain
selected management employees (we call them the "Participants"). We also
adopted and maintain the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II, as
amended, pursuant to which we may make awards to non-employee directors and
independent contractors (the "GSP II" and together with the GSP, the "Overall
Program"). Our management believes that our future success and profitability
depends in large measure on the ability of our executive compensation program
to continue to attract, reward and retain highly qualified individuals. In an
effort to better achieve these goals, and as described in the Compensation
Committee's Report above, we have decided to restructure our current executive
compensation program, tying it more closely to performance - both of the
Company and the Participant. In order to facilitate this approach we have
decided to implement new equity compensation programs, including our
Performance Share Program and Management Stock Option Plan. We have also
determined that it would be beneficial to revise the annual cash bonus
component of our compensation program and to this end we have developed the
Management Incentive Plan. In order to accommodate the implementation of these
new plans and programs pursuant to the Overall Program and to devise a more
effective compensatory program for tax law purposes, the Board of Directors has
adopted, subject to your approval, and recommends that you approve an amendment
and restatement of the GSP and an amendment and restatement of the GSP II in
order to conform to the GSP, as amended and restated. We have highlighted
several of the proposed changes to be made pursuant to the amendment and
restatement of the GSP below. These proposed changes will also be made to the
GSP II. Certain minor clarifying and updating changes of an administrative
nature would be made as well.
The material terms of the GSP are also summarized below. For the most part,
these material terms are identical to those of the GSP II. Because this is a
summary, it may not contain all the information that you may consider
important. In order to aid your understanding, the full text of the GSP and the
GSP II, as they are proposed to be amended and restated, is included as an
appendix to this Proxy Statement. Copies will also be available at the Annual
Meeting.
The approval of the amendment and restatement of the GSP and the GSP II
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or
represented and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If our
stockholders do not approve the amendment and restatement of the GSP and the
GSP II, the amendments will not be effective and the GSP and the GSP II will
continue to operate in accordance with its current terms in full force and
effect.
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE GSP AND PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE GSP
Generally. The total number of shares of our common stock that can be
issued pursuant to awards under the Overall Program, subject to adjustment in
accordance with certain anti-dilution provisions, will not exceed an aggregate
amount equal to forty percent of the highest number of shares which are issued
and outstanding from time to time during the term of the Overall Program,
provided that in no event will the sum of the total number of shares authorized
or reserved for issuance upon the exercise or issuance of all awards granted
under the Overall Program plus the total amount of the Company's issued and
outstanding shares exceed the number of shares authorized for issuance under
our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The market value of a
share as of April 19, 2002, our record date, was $21.97, which was the closing
price of a share on that day as reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotation composite tape.
22
Under the Overall Program, we may make Awards in the form of options, which
may be incentive stock options, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code") (which are tax advantageous for the Participant
but with respect to which we do not receive a deduction) or non-qualified stock
options; stock appreciation rights granted as a means to exercise options or
designated portions thereof, or as independent awards; or other awards that are
valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, the fair
market value of shares (collectively "Awards"). The option price per share is
determined by the Compensation Committee but shall not be less than 100% of the
fair market value of a share on the date of grant. Options granted under the
GSP will be exercisable at such time and upon such terms and conditions as may
be determined by the Compensation Committee. Awards may be paid in shares, cash
or a combination thereof.
Administration. The GSP will be administered by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee will have the authority to select the Participants
to whom Awards will be granted under the GSP, determine the size and terms of
an Award, and determine the time when grants of Awards will be made. The
Compensation Committee is authorized to interpret the GSP, establish, amend and
rescind any rules and regulations relating to the GSP, and make any other
determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of
the GSP.
Eligibility. Our employees and directors and employees of our subsidiaries
and affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the GSP. Participants
shall be selected by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, from
among those eligible. It is expected that the approximate number of persons to
whom Awards will be granted under the GSP is 120.
Options. Except as otherwise provided in the GSP or in an applicable Award
agreement, an option may be exercised for all, or any part, of the shares for
which it is then exercisable. The purchase price for the shares as to which an
option is exercised shall be paid to us in full at the time of exercise (i) in
cash, (ii) in shares having a fair market value equal to the aggregate option
price for the shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as
may be imposed by the Compensation Committee, (iii) partly in cash and partly
in such shares, or (iv) through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a
broker to deliver promptly to us an amount equal to the aggregate option price
for the shares being purchased, in each case, at the election of the
Participant. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights
of a stockholder with respect to shares subject to any option until the
Participant has given written notice of exercise of the option, paid in full
for such shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed
by the Compensation Committee pursuant to the GSP.
Stock appreciation rights. The Compensation Committee may grant to a
Participant a stock appreciation right independent of an option or in
conjunction with an option or designated portion thereof at the time the
related option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or cancellation
of the related option. The exercise price per share shall be an amount
determined by the Compensation Committee, but in no event will such amount be
less than the greater of (i) the fair market value of a share on the date the
stock appreciation right is granted or, in the case of a stock appreciation
right granted in conjunction with an option, or a portion thereof, the option
price of the related option, and (ii) an amount permitted by applicable laws,
rules, by-laws, or policies of regulatory authorities or stock exchanges.
Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the Participant will be
entitled to receive, with respect to each share to which such stock
appreciation right relates, an amount in cash and/or shares, as the case may
be, equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value of a share on the date of
exercise over (ii) the exercise price of the stock appreciation right.
Furthermore, each stock appreciation right granted in conjunction with an
option, or a portion thereof, shall entitle a Participant to surrender to us
the unexercised option, or any portion thereof, and to receive from us in
exchange therefore an amount equal to (a) the excess of (1) the fair market
value of a share on the exercise date over (2) the option price per share,
times (b) the number of shares covered by the option, or portion thereof, which
is surrendered. The Compensation Committee may impose conditions upon the
exercisability of stock appreciation rights and also retains the right to grant
limited stock appreciation rights that are exercisable upon the occurrence of
specified contingent events.
23
Other Share-Based Awards. The Compensation Committee may grant, in its sole
discretion, other Awards of shares and Awards that are valued in whole or in
part by reference to, or that are otherwise based on, the fair market value of
shares ("Other Share-Based Awards"). Certain of such Other Share-Based Awards
("Performance-Based Awards") may be granted on the basis of objective
performance criteria as established and approved by the Compensation Committee
in writing for a performance period established by the Compensation Committee
(i) while the outcome for that performance period is substantially uncertain
and (ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period
to which the performance goal relates or, if less, the number of days which is
equal to 25% of the relevant performance period. Performance criteria may be
based on one or more of the following criteria: consolidated earnings before or
after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization); net income; operating income; earnings per share; book value per
share; return on stockholders' equity; expense management; return on
investment; improvements in capital structure; profits or profitability,
including of an identifiable business unit or product; maintenance or
improvement of profit margins; price per share; market share; revenues or
sales; cash flow; working capital; and return on assets. The foregoing criteria
may relate to the Company, one or more of its subsidiaries or affiliates or one
or more of its divisions or units, or any combination of the foregoing. In
addition, to the degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any
successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without
regard to extraordinary items. The Compensation Committee shall determine
whether, with respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals
have been met with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, to so
certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. The
amount of the Performance-Based Award actually paid to a given Participant may
be less than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula,
at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
Tax Withholding. We may make such provisions as we deem appropriate to
withhold any taxes due in connection with any Award, and may require the
Participant to satisfy any relevant tax requirements before authorizing any
issuance of shares to a Participant, including having shares otherwise issuable
to the Participant pursuant to the GSP withheld to satisfy the minimum federal,
state and local withholding tax liability.
Adjustments Upon Certain Events. In the event of any change in the
outstanding shares by reason of any share dividend or split, reorganization,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of
shares or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to stockholders of
shares other than regular cash dividends, the Compensation Committee, in its
sole discretion, may make such substitution or adjustment as it deems equitable
to the number or kind of shares or securities issued or reserved under the GSP,
the option price of any options granted under the GSP or to any other affected
terms of any Awards.
Amendments or Termination. The Board of Directors may amend, alter or
discontinue the GSP, but, if necessary to obtain an exemption from Section 16
of the Act or Section 162(m) of the Code, no amendment, alteration or
discontinuation shall be made which, (i) without the approval of our
stockholders, would increase the total number of shares reserved for the
purposes of the GSP, or (ii) without the consent of a Participant, would impair
any of the rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such
Participant under the GSP. However, the Compensation Committee may amend the
GSP in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of Awards
meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws.
Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a summary description of
the United States federal income tax consequences generally arising with
respect to options, stock appreciation rights and performance Share units
granted pursuant to the GSP.
The grant of an option or stock appreciation right will create no tax
consequences for the Participant or us. A Participant will not generally
recognize taxable income upon exercising an incentive stock option (except that
the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an option other than an
incentive stock option, the Participant must generally recognize ordinary
income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the freely transferable
and nonforfeitable shares acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise
price. Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, the Participant must
generally recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value
of the freely transferable and nonforfeitable shares received.
24
Upon a disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock
option before the end of the applicable incentive stock option holding periods,
the Participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of
(i) the fair market value of the shares at the date of exercise of the
incentive stock option minus the exercise price, or (ii) the amount realized
upon the disposition of the incentive stock option shares minus the exercise
price. Otherwise, a Participant's disposition of shares acquired upon the
exercise of an option (including an incentive stock option for which the
incentive stock option holding periods are met) or stock appreciation right
generally will result in capital gain or loss measured by the difference
between the sale price and the Participant's tax basis in such shares (the tax
basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized
as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the option or stock
appreciation right).
Performance Share units are taxable to the Participant as ordinary income at
the time they are paid out, notwithstanding that they may be paid out in
shares. They are also subject to applicable federal, state, and local
withholding taxes at that time. With respect to any withholding that may be due
prior to settlement of performance share units, we shall have the right to
reduce the number of a Participant's performance share units by the amount of
any required withholding. In such case, we shall arrange to provide for the
payment of such taxes or withholding to the appropriate taxing authorities.
We generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount
recognized as ordinary income by the Participant in connection with an option,
stock appreciation right or Performance Share unit. We generally is not
entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain
to a Participant. Accordingly, we will not be entitled to any tax deduction
with respect to an incentive stock option if the Participant holds the shares
for the incentive stock option holding periods prior to disposition of the
shares.
Section 162(m) of the Code limits the ability of publicly held companies to
deduct compensation paid during a fiscal year to a "covered employee" (as
defined in Section 162(m)) in excess of one million dollars, unless such
compensation qualifies as "performance-based compensation" (as defined in
Section 162(m)) or meets another exception specified in Section 162(m).
Generally, Awards granted under the GSP should be deductible by us without
regard to the limit set by Section 162(m). However, the GSP does permit Awards
to be granted that would be subject to such limit and that would not qualify as
"performance-based compensation" or meet another exception specified in Section
162(m). In such case, our deductions with respect to such Awards would be
subject to the limitations imposed by Section 162(m).
Awards that are granted, accelerated or enhanced upon the occurrence of a
change in control may give rise, in whole or in part, to "excess parachute
payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and, to such extent,
will be non-deductible by us and subject to a 20% excise tax by the Participant.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
Making Cash Awards. Currently, the GSP does not provide for Awards to be
made which are not based upon, or related to, the value of Company stock. In
order to centralize decisions regarding management compensation under the GSP
and to satisfy the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, we propose to
provide the ability to grant cash Awards under the GSP.
Cash Awards under the GSP would be payable to Participants in cash (or, in
the Compensation Committee's discretion, in Company stock) and would be in such
form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Compensation Committee
determines, including, without limitation, the right to receive a payment upon
the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event
and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Subject to the provisions of
the GSP, the Compensation Committee may determine to whom and when cash Awards
will be made, the amount payable under the cash Award, and all other terms and
conditions of such cash Awards.
25
We also propose that with respect to all cash Awards granted in any one
fiscal year to any Participant under the Overall Program, the maximum amount
such Participant may receive under such cash Awards shall be $3,000,000.
In addition, we are asking for your approval to amend the GSP to permit the
Compensation Committee to adjust cash Awards in the event of the occurrence of
events of the nature described under the caption, "Adjustments upon Certain
Events," which affect us, any of our affiliates or business units or the
financial statements thereof or the bases for the computation of any Award.
Limits on Share-Based Awards. Our new compensation policy is to limit the
number of employees to whom we make Awards under the GSP to top managers and
consultants responsible for the highest levels of revenue and to make the value
of the Awards more meaningful in order to tie management and those consultants
closely to our profits. In addition, since Participants in our PSP can earn
from 0 to 150% of the number of units granted depending upon our performance
over a three-year period, we cannot know at the time we make an Award the
number of shares that may ultimately be awarded to a Participant at the end of
a three-year cycle. Accordingly, we are asking you to approve an increase from
275,000 to 400,000 in the maximum aggregate number of shares covered by Awards
granted to any one Participant in any one fiscal year under the Overall Program.
Currently, the GSP provides for a $2,000,000 cap on the value when paid out
of Performance-Based Awards that may be granted to a Participant in any one
year. As we are proposing that cash Awards be added to the GSP and such cash
Awards may be granted as Performance-Based Awards in addition to Share-Based
Awards, for the sake of clarity we propose to eliminate this cap and instead
rely upon the separate caps on the number of shares underlying all Share-Based
Awards (400,000) granted to, and the amount of all cash Awards earned by, any
one Participant in a fiscal year as described under "Making Cash Awards" above.
Currently, the GSP does not limit the length of a performance period with
respect to which a specific Performance-Based Award can be calculated. We are
asking you to approve an amendment that would limit to ten years all
performance periods established by the Compensation Committee.
The Overall Program permits us to grant incentive stock options but does not
limit the number of shares that can be subject to them. Although we do not at
this time contemplate granting incentive stock options, we are asking you to
approve an amendment that would limit to 2,000,000 the number of shares that
can be subject to incentive stock options.
Currently, the GSP provides that no option shall be exercisable more than
ten years after the date it is granted. In some jurisdictions outside the
United States, Participants incur unfavorable tax consequences if they are
granted options that cannot be exercisable for more than ten years.
Accordingly, we are asking you to approve an amendment that would eliminate
that restriction except with respect to incentive stock options.
Authority to Grant Awards Under the GSP. Currently, the Board may, by
specific resolution, constitute the Chief Executive Officer a committee of one
having the authority to grant Awards pursuant to the GSP. We believe this power
should be restricted to the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, we are asking
you to approve an amendment that would eliminate the power of the Board to
delegate this authority to the Chief Executive Officer.
Change in Control. Currently, the GSP provides that in the event of a
change in control, the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion, may take
such actions as it deems necessary or desirable with respect to any Award,
including, without limitation, the acceleration of the vesting of an Award, the
payment in cash in exchange for the cancellation of an Award and/or the
issuance of substitute Awards. The Compensation Committee has exercised its
discretion with respect to outstanding options and restricted stock units in
favor of immediate vesting in the event of a change in control as defined under
the GSP. In December of 2001, we
26
adopted a Change in Control Severance Plan providing for the immediate vesting
of outstanding options, restricted stock units and other Awards made under the
GSP held by participants in the Change in Control Severance Plan in the event
of a change in control as defined in the Change in Control Severance Plan. In
order to eliminate the exercise of Compensation Committee discretion in the
future and provide for consistent treatment of Awards under the GSP, we are
asking for approval of an amendment that would make automatic, upon a change in
control, (i) acceleration of vesting and exercisability of Awards carrying a
right to exercise, (ii) lapsing of any restrictions, deferral of settlement and
forfeiture conditions applicable to any other Award granted under the GSP and
(iii) with respect to any Award subject to achievement of performance
objectives and conditions under the GSP, the deemed satisfaction of such
performance objectives and other conditions at target, unless otherwise
provided by the Compensation Committee, as of the time of the change in control.
In addition, we believe that all of the management plans we maintain should
have consistent definitions of material terms. Accordingly, we are asking you
to approve an amendment that would change the definition of the term "change in
control" under the GSP to match the definition contained in the Change in
Control Severance Plan. The principal difference in the definition is that the
Change in Control Severance Plan requires that in order for a "Change in
Control" to occur a person must become the beneficial owner of 30% or more of
the combined voting power of our then outstanding securities while the
definition in the GSP currently requires only 20% or more.
27
NEW PROGRAM BENEFITS
GRANTED SUBJECT TO STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL
1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM I (1) (2)
2002 2002
Annual Number of
Target Performance
Name and Position Bonus ($)+ Share Units*
----------------- ---------- ------------
Piers Marmion (CEO).................................................... 650,000 50,000
David C. Anderson (President and COO).................................. 600,000 30,000
Stephanie W. Abramson (Chief Legal Officer, Chief Corporate Development
Officer, Secretary).................................................. 550,000 0
John T. Gardner (Vice Chairman, Board Services)........................ 500,000 25,000
Brian M. Sullivan++ (Vice Chairman, Client Services)................... -- --
Executive Officer Group (7)............................................ 3,230,000 125,000
Non-Executive Director Group (5)....................................... -- --
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group (79), (14)**...................... 10,875,000 255,000
--------
+ Actual annual bonus earned by a Participant under the MIP can range from 0%
to 150% of target based upon Company, strategic business unit and individual
performance.
++ The Compensation Committee has deferred making any awards to Mr. Sullivan
until his return to full-time employment.
* Actual number of performance share units earned by a Participant under the
PSP can range from 0% to 150% of the number granted, based upon attainment
of Company performance goals relating to such grants.
** For 2002, approximately 79 employees who are not executive officers were
awarded cash bonuses under the MIP and approximately 14 employees who are
not executive officers were awarded performance share units.
(1) No such benefits are currently contemplated being granted, or were
previously granted, under the 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program
II.
(2) Grants of options under the MSOP made in March 2002 are not listed because
they did not require stockholder approval.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND AND
RESTATE THE 1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM I AND THE 1998
HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM II
28
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In June 2000, we entered into a strategic alliance with Silicon Valley
Internet Capital, LLC ("SVIC"), a newly formed San Francisco-based company in
the business of creating and providing operating support for Internet
infrastructure companies. As part of the alliance, we are the preferred global
executive search firm for SVIC's companies. We also invested $10 million to
obtain an approximately 3% equity interest in SVIC as part of a financing in
which 22 investors including us contributed approximately $84 million at $2.00
per share. Mr. Shaw, one of our directors, owns approximately 12% of the equity
of SVIC and is a member of the board of directors. Mr. Shaw is the Chief
Executive Officer of ArcSight, Inc., a company in which SVIC has an equity
interest. In February of 2001, we voted to permit SVIC to change from a
corporation to a limited liability company. In the third quarter of 2001, we
wrote off our entire investment in SVIC.
Pursuant to the respective employment agreements, we loaned on an interest
free basis an aggregate of (Pounds)658,675 ($957,911) to Mr. Marmion on each of
September 30, 2000 and June 30, 2001; $925,000 to Ms. Abramson on February 14,
2001; $700,000 to Mr. Knox Millar, our Chief Human Resources Officer, on July
3, 2001 and $250,000 to Mr. Kevin Smith, our Chief Financial Officer, on April
19, 2002, respectively. The terms of the loans to Mr. Marmion and Ms. Abramson
are described under the section entitled "EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS--Piers Marmion
and --Stephanie W. Abramson." According to Mr. Millar's employment agreement,
he is required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the loan on June
30, 2004 provided that we will forgive $350,000 of the outstanding principal
amount on June 30, 2002, unless we terminate Mr. Millar's employment for cause
prior to that date and we will forgive the balance on June 30, 2003, if Mr.
Millar is in our employ on that date. We will forgive the outstanding principal
amount of the loan immediately if we terminate Mr. Millar's employment without
cause or if he resigns for "good reason." He will repay the outstanding
principal amount of the loan if we terminate his employment for cause or if,
after June 30, 2002, he resigns other than for good reason. According to Mr.
Smith's employment agreement, he is required to repay the outstanding principal
amount of the loan on January 8, 2005; provided that the outstanding principal
amount will be forgiven over a three-year period if Mr. Smith is in our employ
on each of the forgiveness dates and will be forgiven immediately on the date
of termination of employment if his employment is terminated without cause or
he resigns for "good reason."
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that our officers and directors,
and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of our
equity securities file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership
on Forms 4 or 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These officers,
directors and individuals, entities or groups holding ten percent (10%) or more
of our outstanding shares of common stock are also required by the Securities
and Exchange Commission rules to furnish us with copies of all forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of the forms received by us or
written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that, during
2001, all forms required under Section 16(a) applicable to our officers,
directors, and individuals, entities or groups holding ten percent (10%) or
more of our outstanding shares of common stock were filed on a timely basis
with the exception of John T. Gardner's Form 3 and Brian M. Sullivan's Form 3,
each of which was filed approximately 5 months late.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR'S ANNUAL MEETING
Advance Notice Procedures. Under our Amended and Restated Bylaws, no
business may be brought before an annual meeting unless it is specified in the
notice of the meeting or is otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board or by a stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting who
has delivered advance notice to us. The advance notice must contain certain
information specified in our Amended and Restated Bylaws and be delivered to
our Secretary at our principal executive offices (233 South Wacker Drive, Suite
4200, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303) not less than sixty (60) days nor more than
ninety (90) days prior to
29
the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting. These
requirements are separate from and in addition to the Securities and Exchange
Commission's requirements that a stockholder must meet in order to have a
stockholder proposal included in our Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended ("SEC Rule 14a-8").
Stockholder Proposals to be Included in the Proxy Statement. Proposals of
our stockholders intended to be presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive
offices by January 26, 2003. Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal
for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2003 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in SEC Rule
14a-8. A proposal which does not comply with the applicable requirements of SEC
Rule 14a-8 will not be included in our proxy materials for the 2003 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
We incorporate by reference herein our annual report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. All reports and other documents we file
pursuant to Sections 13(a)(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to
the date of this Proxy Statement also will be deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing these reports
and documents. Any statement incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein
will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Proxy
Statement to the extent that any statement contained herein or in any other
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes this statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Proxy Statement. We will not update this Proxy
Statement for events occurring subsequent to the date of this Proxy Statement.
You may read and copy any materials we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room at
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and
Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission
maintains an Internet site that contains our reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information at http://www.sec.gov.
We will provide without charge a copy of any of the foregoing documents
incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to documents, unless
these exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the document).
Requests for these documents should be made to Stephanie W. Abramson in care of
Heidrick & Struggles, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200, Chicago, Illinois
60606.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the above is the only business we
are aware of that is to be acted upon at the annual meeting. If, however, other
matters should properly come before us at the annual meeting, the persons
appointed by your signed proxy will vote on those matters according to their
best judgment.
By the order of the Board of
Directors,
Stephanie W. Abramson
Secretary
Chicago, Illinois
April 26, 2002
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE US THE EXPENSE
OF FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR
PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
30
APPENDIX A
1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES
GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM I, AS AMENDED
1. Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the Program is to aid the Company and its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates in securing and retaining certain individuals who are members of the
Board or employees of the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and to
motivate such individuals to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company,
its Subsidiaries and Affiliates by providing incentives through the granting of
Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the added interest which
such individuals will have in the welfare of the Company as a result of their
proprietary interest in the Company's success.
2. Definitions
The following capitalized terms used in the Program have the respective
meanings set forth in this Section:
(a) Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor thereto.
(b) Affiliate: Any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly,
has at least a five percent ownership interest.
(c) Award: The grant of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Other
Stock-Based Award, or Cash Award pursuant to such terms, conditions,
requirements and limitations as the Board may establish in order to fulfill
the objectives of the Program.
(d) Beneficial Owner: As such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act
(or any successor rule thereto).
(e) Board: The Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) Cash Award: Awards granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Program.
(g) Cause: The (i) failure to perform duties which is not cured within
thirty (30) days of receiving written notice, (ii) conviction or plea of
guilty or no contest to (x) a felony or (y) a crime involving moral
turpitude or (iii) willful malfeasance or misconduct which is materially
injurious to the Company.
(h) Change in Control: The occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any Person (other than the Company, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of stock of the Company), becomes the Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30
percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
then-outstanding securities;
(ii) during any period of 24 months (not including any period prior
to June 30, 2002), individuals who, at the beginning of such period,
constitute the Board, and any new director (other than (A) a director
nominated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company
to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(h)(i), (iii) or (iv)
hereof, (B) a director nominated or proposed by any Person who has
publicly announced or advised the Company of an intention to take or to
consider taking actions (including, but not limited to, an actual or
threatened proxy contest) which, if consummated, would constitute a
Change in Control, or (C) a director nominated by any Person who is the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing 10 percent or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's securities) whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved in advance by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either
were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(iii) the consummation of any transaction or series of transactions
under which the Company is merged or consolidated with any other company
(other than a merger or consolidation (A) which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent
corporation) more than 66 2/3 percent of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its
parent corporation outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation and (B) after which no Person holds 30 percent or more of
the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the
Company or such surviving entity or its parent corporation);
(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(v) any other event occurs which the Board determines, in its
discretion, to be a Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur
with respect to a Participant by reason of any event which would
otherwise constitute a Change in Control if, immediately after the
occurrence of such event, (x) the Company ceases to be subject to the
requirement to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Act and no more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company or any acquiror or successor to substantially all
of the business of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by any
entity subject to such requirements and (y) individuals (which may or
may not include the Participant) who were executive officers of the
Company immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, own, directly
or indirectly, on a fully diluted basis, (1) 25% or more of the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or any acquiror or
successor to substantially all of the business of the Company or (2) 25%
or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company or any acquiror or successor to substantially
all of the business of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors.
(i) Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
thereto.
(j) Committee: The Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k) Company: Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. a Delaware
corporation, and any successor thereto.
(l) Disability: (i) A physical or mental condition entitling the Company
to terminate the Participant's employment agreement between the Participant
and the Company or (ii) in the absence of such a provision for disability
termination or in the absence of an employment agreement, a physical or
mental incapacity of a Participant which entitles the Participant to
benefits under the long-term disability plan applicable to the Participant
and maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate.
(m) Deferred Compensation Plan: The Heidrick & Struggles International,
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(n) Effective Date: The date on which the Program takes effect, as
defined pursuant to Section 22 of the Program.
(o) Fair Market Value: As of any date, the value of a Share as determined
by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the value of a Share as of any date
shall be the closing price of a Share as reported on such date on the
Composite Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which the
Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if no Composite Tape exists
for such national securities exchange on such date, then on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to
trading, or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted on a national
securities exchange, the per Share closing price on such date as quoted on
the
2
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (or
such market in which such prices are regularly quoted), or, if there is no
market on which the Shares are regularly quoted, the Fair Market Value shall
be the value established by the Committee in good faith. If no sale of
Shares shall have been reported on such Composite Tape or such national
securities exchange on such date or quoted on the National Association of
Securities Dealer Automated Quotation System on such date, then the
immediately preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so
reported or quoted shall be used.
(p) LSAR: A limited stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section
9(d) of the Program.
(q) Other Stock-Based Awards: Awards granted pursuant to Section 10 of
the Program.
(r) Option: A stock option granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Program.
(s) Option Price: The purchase price per Share of an Option, as
determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Program.
(t) Participant: An individual who is selected by the Committee to
participate in the Program pursuant to Section 6 of the Program.
(u) Performance-Based Awards: Certain Cash Awards or Other Stock-Based
Awards granted in accordance with Section 12 of the Program.
(v) Person: As such term is defined in Section 3 of the Act or as such
term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Act (or any
successor section thereto).
(w) Program: The 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program I, as it
may be amended from time to time.
(x) Retirement: Termination of employment with the Company or a
Subsidiary after such Participant has attained age sixty-five (65); or, with
the prior written consent of the Committee that such termination be treated
as a Retirement hereunder, termination of employment under other
circumstances.
(y) Share: A share of common stock, par value $0.01 per Share, of the
Company.
(z) Stock Appreciation Right: A stock appreciation right granted pursuant
to Section 9 of the Program.
(aa) Subsidiary: A subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(f)
of the Code (or any successor section thereto).
3. Shares Subject to the Program
The total number of Shares authorized or reserved for issuance upon the
exercise or issuance of all Awards under the Program and the 1998 Heidrick &
Struggles GlobalShare Program II ("Program II") (herein collectively referred
to as the "Overall Program"), subject to adjustments upon certain events
described in Section 14 of the Program, shall not exceed an aggregate amount
equal to forty percent (40%) of the highest number of Shares which are issued
and outstanding from time to time during the term of the Overall Program;
provided, however, that in no event will the sum of the total number of Shares
authorized or reserved for issuance upon the exercise or issuance of all Awards
granted under the Overall Program plus the total amount of the Company's issued
and outstanding Shares exceed the number of Shares authorized for issuance
under the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; and
provided, further, that the total number of Shares with respect to which
incentive stock options ("ISOs") may be granted shall not exceed 2,000,000.
4. Per-Person Award Limitations
(a) Share Award Limitations. The aggregate maximum number of Shares with
respect to which Awards may be granted under the Overall Program during a
calendar year to any Participant in either the Program or Program II shall be
400,000. The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued Shares or treasury Shares or Shares which are authorized and issued
and have been acquired by or on behalf of the Company or the Overall Program
and are available for Awards under the Overall Program. The issuance of
3
Shares or the payment of cash upon the exercise of an Award (other than a Cash
Award) shall reduce the total number of Shares available under the Overall
Program, as applicable. Shares which are subject to Awards which are forfeited,
terminated, or expire unexercised may be granted again under the Overall
Program.
(b) Cash Award Limitations. For all Cash Awards granted under the Overall
Program in any one fiscal year to any Participant in either the Program or
Program II, the maximum amount such Participant may receive under such Cash
Awards shall be $3,000,000.
5. Administration
The Program shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its
duties and powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting
solely of at least two individuals who are each "non-employee directors" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto) and
"outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any
successor section thereto). The Committee is authorized to interpret the
Program, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to
the Program, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or
desirable for the administration of the Program. The Committee may correct any
defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Program in
the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any
decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the
Program, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion
and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned (including,
but not limited to, Participants and their beneficiaries or successors).
6. Eligibility
Employees and directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates
are eligible to be granted Awards under the Program. Participants shall be
selected by the Committee, in its sole discretion, from among those eligible,
and the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion, the number of Shares
or the amount of cash with respect to which Awards will be granted to each
Participant.
7. Limitations
No Award may be granted under the Program after the tenth anniversary of the
Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
8. Terms and Conditions of Options
Options granted under the Program shall be, as determined by the Committee,
non-qualified options or ISOs for federal income tax purposes, as outlined and
evidenced by the related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the
foregoing and the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and
conditions, not inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) Option Price. The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the
Committee, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value of a Share on the date an Option is granted.
(b) Exercisability. Options granted under the Program shall be
exercisable at such time and upon such terms and conditions as may be
determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an ISO granted under the
Program be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date it is granted.
(c) Exercise of Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Program or
in an Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to
time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes
of Section 8 of the Program, the exercise date of an Option shall be the
later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if
applicable, (A) the date payment is received by the Company under (i), (ii)
or (iii) below, or (B) the date irrevocable instructions are delivered to a
broker for sale of such Shares, in accordance with (iv) below. The purchase
price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the
Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant
(i) in cash, (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the
aggregate Option Price for the Shares
4
being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by
the Committee, (iii) partly in cash and partly in such Shares, or (iv)
through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver
promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate Option Price for
the Shares being purchased. No Participant shall have any rights to
dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to
an Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise of the
Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any
other conditions imposed by the Committee pursuant to the Program.
9. Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights
(a) Grants. The Committee also may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right
independent of an Option, or (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right in connection with
an Option, or a portion thereof. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (A) may be granted at the time the
related Option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or cancellation
of the related Option, (B) shall cover the same Shares covered by the Option
(or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine), and (C) shall
be subject to the same terms and conditions as such Option except for such
additional limitations as are contemplated by this Section 9 (or such
additional limitations as may be included in an Award agreement).
(b) Terms. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall
be an amount determined by the Committee but in no event shall such amount be
less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the
Stock Appreciation Right is granted or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation
Right granted in conjunction with an Option or a portion thereof, the Option
Price of the related Option, and (ii) an amount permitted by applicable laws,
rules, by-laws or policies of regulatory authorities or stock exchanges. Each
Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall entitle a
Participant upon exercise to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair
Market Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the exercise price per
Share, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right.
Each Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a
portion thereof, shall entitle a Participant to surrender to the Company the
unexercised Option, or any portion thereof, and to receive from the Company in
exchange therefor an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market
Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the Option Price per Share,
times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof,
which is surrendered. The date a notice of exercise is received by the Company
shall be the exercise date. Payment shall be made to the Participant in Shares
or in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash, valued at such Fair Market
Value, all as shall be determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights
may be exercised from time to time upon actual receipt by the Company of
written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares with respect to which
the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. No fractional Shares will be
issued in payment for Stock Appreciation Rights, but instead cash will be paid
for a fraction or, if the Committee should so determine, the number of Shares
will be rounded downward to the next whole Share.
(c) Limitations. The Committee may impose, in its discretion, such
conditions upon the exercisability or transferability of Stock Appreciation
Rights as it may deem fit.
(d) Limited Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant LSARs that
are exercisable upon the occurrence of specified contingent events. Such LSARs
may provide for a different method of determining appreciation, may specify
that payment will be made only in cash and may provide that any related Awards
are not exercisable while such LSARs are exercisable. Unless the context
otherwise requires, whenever the term "Stock Appreciation Right" is used in the
Program, such term shall include LSARs.
10. Other Stock-Based Awards
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards of Shares, Awards of
restricted Shares and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference
to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares ("Other
Stock-Based Awards"). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and
dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including,
without limitation, the right to receive one or more Shares (or the equivalent
cash value of such Shares) upon the completion of a specified period of
service, the
5
occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Other
Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards
granted under the Program. Subject to the provisions of the Program, the
Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based Awards will be
made; the number of Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such
Other Stock-Based Awards; whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be
settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares; and all other
terms and conditions of such Awards (including, without limitation, the vesting
provisions thereof).
11. Cash Awards
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards which are not valued
in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on the Fair Market
Value of, Shares and which may be paid to Participants in cash (or, in the
Committee's discretion in Shares) ("Cash Awards"). Such Cash Awards shall be in
such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine,
including, without limitation, the right to receive a payment upon the
completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or
the attainment of performance objectives. Cash Awards may be granted alone or
in addition to any other Awards granted under the Program. Subject to the
provisions of the Program, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Cash
Awards will be made; the amount payable under such Cash Awards, the form of
such payment, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including,
without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof).
12. Performance-Based Awards
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Other Stock-Based
Awards granted under Section 10 and certain Cash Awards granted under Section
11 may be granted on the basis of performance of the Company
("Performance-Based Awards"), and designated as Performance-Based Awards;
provided, however, that the Committee may grant other Awards that are not
intended to be Performance-Based Awards (even though such Awards are subject to
the attainment of specified performance goals) and not designated as such. A
Participant's Performance-Based Award shall be determined based on the
attainment of written performance goals approved by the Committee for a
performance period established by the Committee of up to ten (10) years (i)
while the outcome for that performance period is substantially uncertain and
(ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to
which the performance goal relates or, if less, the number of days which is
equal to 25 percent of the relevant performance period. The performance goals,
which must be objective, shall be based upon one or more of the following
criteria: (i) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii)
operating income; (iv) earnings per Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi)
return on stockholders' equity; (vii) expense management; (viii) return on
investment; (ix) improvements in capital structure; (x) profits or
profitability, including of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi)
maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) price per Share; (xiii)
market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii)
working capital and (xviii) return on assets. The foregoing criteria may relate
to the Company, one or more of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or one or more of
its divisions or units, or any combination of the foregoing, and may be applied
on an absolute basis and/or be relative to one or more peer group companies or
indices, or any combination thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In
addition, to the degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any
successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without
regard to extraordinary items. The Committee shall determine whether, with
respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals have been met
with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, to so certify and
ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. No
Performance-Based Awards will be paid for such performance period until such
certification is made by the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based
Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount
determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the
Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award determined by the
Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the Participant at such
time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of
such performance period; provided, however, that a Participant may, if and to
the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent with the provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code, elect to defer payment of a Performance-Based Award.
6
13. Tax Withholding
A Participant shall have the duty to pay to the Company an amount equal to
the taxes required by any government to be withheld or otherwise deducted and
paid by the Company as a result of the exercise by the Participant of any Award
or the delivery to the Participant of any cash or Shares pursuant to any Award.
Shares shall not be delivered to the Participant until such time as such
payment has been made. The Committee may, in its discretion and subject to such
rules as it may adopt, permit or, in the absence of the receipt of payment
therefore within prescribed time periods, permit the Participant to pay all or
a portion of the withholding taxes (federal, state, local and other) by
electing to have the Company withhold Shares, otherwise issuable, or by
delivering Shares already owned by the Participant, in each case, having a Fair
Market Value equal to all or any portion of the withholding tax to be satisfied
in this manner. However, in no event will the amount of Shares withheld exceed
the amount necessary to satisfy the required minimum statutory withholding. The
Company may also withhold any such withholding taxes from any cash payments
made hereunder.
14. Adjustments Upon Certain Events
Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Program to the contrary, the
following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Program:
(a) Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares
after the Effective Date by reason of any Share dividend or split,
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off,
combination or exchange of Shares or other corporate exchange, or any
distribution to stockholders of Shares other than regular cash dividends, or
in the event any of the foregoing events or any similar event affects the
Company, any Affiliate or any business unit, or the financial statements of
the Company or any Affiliate or the bases for the computation of any Award,
the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any Person may
make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable,
as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Program or pursuant to outstanding
Awards, (ii) the limits on Awards set forth in Sections 3 and 4 hereof,
(iii) the Option Price and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such Awards
(including, without limitation, the amount payable thereunder or any
performance objectives set with respect thereto).
(b) Change in Control. Except as otherwise provided in an Award
agreement, in the event of a Change in Control: (i) any Award carrying a
right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall
become fully exercisable and vested as of the time of the Change in Control;
(ii) the restrictions, deferral of settlement, and forfeiture conditions
applicable to any other Award granted under the Program shall lapse and such
Awards shall be deemed fully vested as of the time of the Change in Control;
and (iii) with respect to any Award subject to achievement of performance
objectives and conditions under the Program, such performance objectives and
other conditions will be deemed to be met at target, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee, as of the time of the Change in Control. The
Company shall deliver Shares or make payments with respect to such Awards to
a Participant as may be required by this Section 14(b) within an
administratively feasible period of time following the Change in Control;
provided, however, that if a Participant has previously elected to defer
payment of any such Award and elects, pursuant to the provisions of the
Deferred Compensation Plan, to reaffirm such deferral, such deferred Award
will be paid in accordance with such election. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the Committee in its sole discretion and without
liability to any Person may take such actions, if any, as it deems necessary
or desirable with respect to any Award (including, without limitation, (x)
the payment of a cash amount in exchange for the cancellation of an Award
and/or (y) the requiring of the issuance of substitute Awards that will
substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected Awards
previously granted hereunder) as of the time of the Change in Control. Any
such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the
Company and all Participants.
15. Certain Securities and Tax Law Matters
(a) Securities Laws.
(i) The Company shall be under no obligation to effect the registration
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any successor
statute) of any Shares to be issued hereunder or to effect similar
7
compliance under the laws of any state or other jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be
obligated to cause to be issued or delivered any certificates evidencing
Shares pursuant to the Program unless and until the Company is advised by
its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in
compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority
and the requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded.
The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of
certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the terms hereof, that the
recipient of such Shares make such covenants, agreements and
representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.
(ii) The exercise of any Option granted hereunder shall only be effective
at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the
issuance and delivery of Shares pursuant to such exercise is in compliance
with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the
requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded. The
Company may, in its sole discretion, defer the effectiveness of any exercise
of an Option granted hereunder in order to allow the issuance of Shares
pursuant thereto to be made pursuant to registration or an exemption from
registration or other methods for compliance available under federal or
state securities laws. The Company shall inform the Participant in writing
of its decision to defer the effectiveness of the exercise of an Option
granted hereunder. During the period that the effectiveness of the exercise
of an Option has been deferred, the Participant may, by written notice,
withdraw such exercise and obtain the refund or any amount paid with respect
thereto.
(b) Section 162(m): The Committee may modify the terms of any Award
(including by means of accelerated or deferred payouts) relating to
compensation that does not constitute "qualified performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise
does not qualify for an exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code in order to
permit the deductibility of such compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code
by the Company.
16. No Right to Employment; No Obligation of Uniform Treatment
The granting of an Award under the Program shall impose no obligation on the
Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to continue the employment of a
Participant and shall not lessen or affect the Company's, Subsidiary's or
Affiliate's right to terminate the employment of such Participant. No
Participant, officer, employee or director shall have any claim to be granted
any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of
treatment of Participants or any other Persons.
17. Successors and Assigns
The Program shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company
and a Participant, including without limitation, any beneficiary of such
Participant, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or
trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or
representative of the Participant's creditors.
18. Nontransferability of Awards
Except to the extent provided by the Committee, an Award shall not be
transferable or assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. Any Awards exercisable or Shares deliverable
after a Participant's death shall be exercisable by or delivered to a
beneficiary as designated in writing by the Participant. If no beneficiary is
so designated, such Award shall be exercisable by or such Shares will be
delivered to the Participant's estate. The Participant may change his or her
designated beneficiary under this Program by filing with the Committee written
notice of such change.
19. Amendments or Termination
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Program, but, if necessary to
obtain an exemption from Section 16 of the Act or Section 162(m) of the Code,
no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made
8
which, (a) without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, would
(except as is provided in Section 14 of the Program), increase the total number
of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Program, or (b) without the consent
of a Participant, would impair any of the rights or obligations under any Award
theretofore granted to such Participant under the Program; provided, however,
that the Committee may amend the Program in such manner as it deems necessary
to permit the granting of Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other
applicable laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Board may
not amend, alter or discontinue the provisions relating to Section 14(b) of the
Program after the occurrence of a Change in Control.
20. International Participants
With respect to Participants who reside or work outside the United States of
America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) "covered employees"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its
sole discretion, amend the terms of the Program or Awards with respect to such
Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law.
21. Choice of Law
The Program shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed in
the State of Illinois.
22. Effectiveness of the Program
The Program shall be effective as of June 9, 1998. No new Awards may be
granted under the Program after June 8, 2008.
9
APPENDIX B
1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES
GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM II, AS AMENDED
1. Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the Program is to aid the Company and its Subsidiaries and
Affiliates in rewarding certain individuals who are independent contractors to
or non-employee directors of the Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and
to motivate such individuals to exert their best efforts on behalf of the
Company, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates by providing incentives through the
granting of Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the added
interest which such individuals will have in the welfare of the Company as a
result of their proprietary interest in the Company's success.
2. Definitions
The following capitalized terms used in the Program have the respective
meanings set forth in this Section:
(a) Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor thereto.
(b) Affiliate: Any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly,
has at least a five percent ownership interest.
(c) Award: The grant of an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Other
Stock-Based Award, or Cash Award pursuant to such terms, conditions,
requirements and limitations as the Board may establish in order to fulfill
the objectives of the Program.
(d) Beneficial Owner: As such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act
(or any successor rule thereto).
(e) Board: The Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) Cash Award: Awards granted pursuant to Section 11 of the Program.
(g) Cause: The (i) failure to perform duties which is not cured within
thirty (30) days of receiving written notice, (ii) conviction or plea of
guilty or no contest to (x) a felony or (y) a crime involving moral
turpitude or (iii) willful malfeasance or misconduct which is materially
injurious to the Company.
(h) Change in Control: The occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any Person (other than the Company, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the
Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as
their ownership of stock of the Company), becomes the Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 30
percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
then-outstanding securities;
(ii) during any period of 24 months (not including any period prior
to June 30, 2002), individuals who, at the beginning of such period,
constitute the Board, and any new director (other than (A) a director
nominated by a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company
to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(h)(i), (iii) or (iv)
hereof, (B) a director nominated or proposed by any Person who has
publicly announced or advised the Company of an intention to take or to
consider taking actions (including, but not limited to, an actual or
threatened proxy contest) which, if consummated, would constitute a
Change in Control, or (C) a director nominated by any Person who is the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing 10 percent or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's securities) whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was approved in advance by a vote
of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either
were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason
to constitute at least a majority thereof;
(iii) the consummation of any transaction or series of transactions
under which the Company is merged or consolidated with any other company
(other than a merger or consolidation (A) which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent
corporation) more than 66-2/3 percent of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its
parent corporation outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation and (B) after which no Person holds 30 percent or more of
the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the
Company or such surviving entity or its parent corporation);
(iv) the consummation of a plan of complete liquidation of the
Company or of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets; or
(v) any other event occurs which the Board determines, in its
discretion, to be a Change in Control.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not occur
with respect to a Participant by reason of any event which would
otherwise constitute a Change in Control if, immediately after the
occurrence of such event, (x) the Company ceases to be subject to the
requirement to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Act and no more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company or any acquiror or successor to substantially all
of the business of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by any
entity subject to such requirements and (y) individuals (which may or
may not include the Participant) who were executive officers of the
Company immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, own, directly
or indirectly, on a fully diluted basis, (1) 25% or more of the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or any acquiror or
successor to substantially all of the business of the Company or (2) 25%
or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
securities of the Company or any acquiror or successor to substantially
all of the business of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors.
(i) Code: The US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor thereto.
(j) Committee: The Compensation Committee of the Board.
(k) Company: Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. a Delaware
corporation, and any successor thereto.
(l) Deferred Compensation Plan: The Heidrick & Struggles International,
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(m) Effective Date: The date on which the Program takes effect, as
defined pursuant to Section 22 of the Program.
(n) Fair Market Value: As of any date, the value of a Share as determined
by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee. Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, the value of a Share as of any date
shall be the closing price of a Share as reported on such date on the
Composite Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which the
Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if no Composite Tape exists
for such national securities exchange on such date, then on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to
trading, or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted on a national
securities exchange, the per Share closing price on such date as quoted on
the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System
(or such market in which such prices are regularly quoted), or, if there is
no market on which the Shares are regularly quoted, the Fair Market Value
shall be the value established by the Committee in good faith. If no sale of
Shares shall have been reported on such Composite Tape or such national
securities exchange on such date or quoted on the National Association of
Securities Dealer Automated Quotation System on such date, then the
immediately preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so
reported or quoted shall be used.
2
(o) LSAR: A limited stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section
9(d) of the Program.
(p) Other Stock-Based Awards: Awards granted pursuant to Section 10 of
the Program.
(q) Option: A stock option granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Program.
(r) Option Price: The purchase price per Share of an Option, as
determined pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Program.
(s) Participant: An individual who is selected by the Committee to
participate in the Program pursuant to Section 6 of the Program.
(t) Performance-Based Awards: Certain Cash Awards or Other Stock-Based
Awards granted in accordance with Section 12 of the Program.
(u) Person: As such term is defined in Section 3 of the Act or as such
term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Act (or any
successor section thereto).
(v) Program: The 1998 Heidrick & Struggles GlobalShare Program II, as it
may be amended from time to time.
(w) Share: A share of common stock, par value $0.01 per Share, of the
Company.
(x) Stock Appreciation Right: A stock appreciation right granted pursuant
to Section 9 of the Program.
(y) Subsidiary: A subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of
the Code (or any successor section thereto).
3. Shares Subject to the Program
The total number of Shares authorized or reserved for issuance upon the
exercise or issuance of all Awards under the Program and the 1998 Heidrick &
Struggles GlobalShare Program I ("Program I") (herein collectively referred to
as the "Overall Program"), subject to adjustments upon certain events described
in Section 14 of the Program, shall not exceed an aggregate amount equal to
forty percent (40%) of the highest number of Shares which are issued and
outstanding from time to time during the term of the Overall Program; provided,
however, that in no event will the sum of the total number of Shares authorized
or reserved for issuance upon the exercise or issuance of all Awards granted
under the Overall Program plus the total amount of the Company's issued and
outstanding Shares exceed the number of Shares authorized for issuance under
the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; and provided,
further, that the total number of Shares with respect to which incentive stock
options ("ISOs") may be granted shall not exceed 2,000,000.
4. Per-Person Award Limitations
(a) Share Award Limitations. The aggregate maximum number of Shares with
respect to which Awards may be granted under the Overall Program during a
calendar year to any Participant in either the Program or Program I shall be
400,000. The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and
unissued Shares or treasury Shares or Shares which are authorized and issued
and have been acquired by or on behalf of the Company or the Overall Program
and are available for Awards under the Overall Program. The issuance of Shares
or the payment of cash upon the exercise of an Award (other than a Cash Award)
shall reduce the total number of Shares available under the Overall Program, as
applicable. Shares which are subject to Awards which are forfeited, terminated,
or expire unexercised may be granted again under the Overall Program.
(b) Cash Award Limitations. For all Cash Awards granted under the Overall
Program in any one fiscal year to any Participant in either the Program or
Program I, the maximum amount such Participant may receive under such Cash
Awards shall be $3,000,000.
3
5. Administration
The Program shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its
duties and powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting
solely of at least two individuals who are each "non-employee directors" within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto) and
"outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any
successor section thereto). The Committee is authorized to interpret the
Program, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to
the Program, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or
desirable for the administration of the Program. The Committee may correct any
defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Program in
the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any
decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the
Program, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion
and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned (including,
but not limited to, Participants and their beneficiaries or successors).
6. Eligibility
Independent contractors to and non-employee directors of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the
Program. Participants shall be selected by the Committee, in its sole
discretion, from among those eligible, and the Committee shall determine, in
its sole discretion, the number of Shares or the amount of cash with respect to
which Awards will be granted to each Participant.
7. Limitations
No Award may be granted under the Program after the tenth anniversary of the
Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
8. Terms and Conditions of Options
Options granted under the Program shall be, as determined by the Committee,
non-qualified options or ISOs for US federal income tax purposes, as outlined
and evidenced by the related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the
foregoing and the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and
conditions, not inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) Option Price. The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the
Committee, but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair
Market Value of a Share on the date an Option is granted.
(b) Exercisability. Options granted under the Program shall be
exercisable at such time and upon such terms and conditions as may be
determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an ISO granted under the
Program be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date it is granted.
(c) Exercise of Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Program or
in an Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to
time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes
of Section 8 of the Program, the exercise date of an Option shall be the
later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if
applicable, (A) the date payment is received by the Company under (i), (ii)
or (iii) below, or (B) the date irrevocable instructions are delivered to a
broker for sale of such Shares, in accordance with (iv) below. The purchase
price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the
Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant
(i) in cash, (ii) in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the
aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased and satisfying such
other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee, (iii) partly in cash
and partly in such Shares, or (iv) through the delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal
to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased. No Participant
shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with
respect to Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given
written notice of exercise of the Option, paid in full for such Shares and,
if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed by the Committee
pursuant to the Program.
4
9. Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights
(a) Grants. The Committee also may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right
independent of an Option, or (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right in connection with
an Option, or a portion thereof. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (A) may be granted at the time the
related Option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or cancellation
of the related Option, (B) shall cover the same Shares covered by the Option
(or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine), and (C) shall
be subject to the same terms and conditions as such Option except for such
additional limitations as are contemplated by this Section 9 (or such
additional limitations as may be included in an Award agreement).
(b) Terms. The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall
be an amount determined by the Committee but in no event shall such amount be
less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the
Stock Appreciation Right is granted or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation
Right granted in conjunction with an Option or a portion thereof, the Option
Price of the related Option, and (ii) an amount permitted by applicable laws,
rules, by-laws or policies of regulatory authorities or stock exchanges. Each
Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall entitle a
Participant upon exercise to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair
Market Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the exercise price per
Share, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right.
Each Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a
portion thereof, shall entitle a Participant to surrender to the Company the
unexercised Option, or any portion thereof, and to receive from the Company in
exchange therefor an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market
Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the Option Price per Share,
times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof,
which is surrendered. The date a notice of exercise is received by the Company
shall be the exercise date. Payment shall be made to the Participant in Shares
or in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash, valued at such Fair Market
Value, all as shall be determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights
may be exercised from time to time upon actual receipt by the Company of
written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares with respect to which
the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. No fractional Shares will be
issued in payment for Stock Appreciation Rights, but instead cash will be paid
for a fraction or, if the Committee should so determine, the number of Shares
will be rounded downward to the next whole Share.
(c) Limitations. The Committee may impose, in its discretion, such
conditions upon the exercisability or transferability of Stock Appreciation
Rights as it may deem fit.
(d) Limited Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant LSARs that
are exercisable upon the occurrence of specified contingent events. Such LSARs
may provide for a different method of determining appreciation, may specify
that payment will be made only in cash and may provide that any related Awards
are not exercisable while such LSARs are exercisable. Unless the context
otherwise requires, whenever the term "Stock Appreciation Right" is used in the
Program, such term shall include LSARs.
10. Other Stock-Based Awards
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards of Shares, Awards of
restricted Shares and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference
to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares ("Other
Stock-Based Awards"). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and
dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including,
without limitation, the right to receive one or more Shares (or the equivalent
cash value of such Shares) upon the completion of a specified period of
service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance
objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any
other Awards granted under the Program. Subject to the provisions of the
Program, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based
Awards will be made; the number of Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise
related to) such Other Stock-Based Awards; whether such Other Stock-Based
Awards shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares;
and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including, without
limitation, the vesting provisions thereof).
5
11. Cash Awards
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards which are not valued
in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on the Fair Market
Value of, Shares and which may be paid to Participants in cash (or, in the
Committee's discretion, in Shares) ("Cash Awards"). Such Cash Awards shall be
in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall
determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive a payment upon
the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event
and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Cash Awards may be granted
alone or in addition to any other Awards granted under the Program. Subject to
the provisions of the Program, the Committee shall determine to whom and when
Cash Awards will be made; the amount payable under such Cash Awards, the form
of such payment, and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including,
without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof).
12. Performance-Based Awards
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Other Stock-Based
Awards granted under Section 10 and certain Cash Awards granted under Section
11 may be granted on the basis of performance of the Company
("Performance-Based Awards"), and designated as Performance-Based Awards;
provided, however, that the Committee may grant other Awards that are not
intended to be Performance-Based Awards (even though such Awards are subject to
the attainment of specified performance goals) and not designated as such. A
Participant's Performance-Based Award shall be determined based on the
attainment of written performance goals approved by the Committee for a
performance period established by the Committee of up to ten (10) years (i)
while the outcome for that performance period is substantially uncertain and
(ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to
which the performance goal relates or, if less, the number of days which is
equal to 25 percent of the relevant performance period. The performance goals,
which must be objective, shall be based upon one or more of the following
criteria: (i) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii)
operating income; (iv) earnings per Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi)
return on stockholders' equity; (vii) expense management; (viii) return on
investment; (ix) improvements in capital structure; (x) profits or
profitability, including of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi)
maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) price per Share; (xiii)
market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii)
working capital and (xviii) return on assets. The foregoing criteria may relate
to the Company, one or more of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or one or more of
its divisions or units, or any combination of the foregoing, and may be applied
on an absolute basis and/or be relative to one or more peer group companies or
indices, or any combination thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In
addition, to the degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any
successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without
regard to extraordinary items. The Committee shall determine whether, with
respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals have been met
with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, to so certify and
ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. No
Performance-Based Awards will be paid for such performance period until such
certification is made by the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based
Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount
determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the
Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award determined by the
Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the Participant at such
time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of
such performance period; provided, however, that a Participant may, if and to
the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent with the provisions of
Section 162(m) of the Code, elect to defer payment of a Performance-Based Award.
13. Tax Withholding
A Participant shall have the duty to pay to the Company an amount equal to
the taxes required by any government to be withheld or otherwise deducted and
paid by the Company as a result of the exercise by the Participant of any Award
or the delivery to the Participant of any cash or Shares pursuant to any Award.
Shares shall not be delivered to the Participant until such time as such
payment has been made. The Committee may, in
6
its discretion and subject to such rules as it may adopt, permit or, in the
absence of the receipt of payment therefore within prescribed time periods,
permit the Participant to pay all or a portion of the withholding taxes
(federal, state, local and other) by electing to have the Company withhold
Shares, otherwise issuable, or by delivering Shares already owned by the
Participant, in each case, having a Fair Market Value equal to all or any
portion of the withholding tax to be satisfied in this manner. However, in no
event will the amount of Shares withheld exceed the amount necessary to satisfy
the required minimum statutory withholding. The Company may also withhold any
such withholding taxes from any cash payments made hereunder.
14. Adjustments Upon Certain Events
Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Program to the contrary, the
following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Program:
(a) Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares
after the Effective Date by reason of any Share dividend or split,
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off,
combination or exchange of Shares or other corporate exchange, or any
distribution to stockholders of Shares other than regular cash dividends, or
in the event any of the foregoing events or any similar event affects the
Company, any Affiliate or any business unit, or the financial statements of
the Company or any Affiliate or the bases for the computation of any Award,
the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any Person may
make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable,
as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Program or pursuant to outstanding
Awards, (ii) the limits on Awards set forth in Sections 3 and 4 hereof,
(iii) the Option Price and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such Awards
(including, without limitation, the amount payable thereunder or any
performance objectives set with respect thereto).
(b) Change in Control. Except as otherwise provided in an Award
agreement, in the event of a Change in Control: (i) any Award carrying a
right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall
become fully exercisable and vested as of the time of the Change in Control;
(ii) the restrictions, deferral of settlement, and forfeiture conditions
applicable to any other Award granted under the Program shall lapse and such
Awards shall be deemed fully vested as of the time of the Change in Control;
and (iii) with respect to any Award subject to achievement of performance
objectives and conditions under the Program, such performance objectives and
other conditions will be deemed to be met at target, unless otherwise
provided by the Committee, as of the time of the Change in Control. The
Company shall deliver Shares or make payments with respect to such Awards to
a Participant as may be required by this Section 14(b) within an
administratively feasible period of time following the Change in Control;
provided, however, that if a Participant has previously elected to defer
payment of any such Award and elects, pursuant to the provisions of the
Deferred Compensation Plan, to reaffirm such deferral, such deferred Award
will be paid in accordance with such election. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the Committee in its sole discretion and without
liability to any Person may take such actions, if any, as it deems necessary
or desirable with respect to any Award (including, without limitation, (x)
the payment of a cash amount in exchange for the cancellation of an Award
and/or (y) the requiring of the issuance of substitute Awards that will
substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected Awards
previously granted hereunder) as of the time of the Change in Control. Any
such determination by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the
Company and all Participants.
15. Certain Securities and Tax Law Matters
(a) Securities Laws.
(i) The Company shall be under no obligation to effect the registration
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or any successor
statute) of any Shares to be issued hereunder or to effect similar
compliance under the laws of any state or other jurisdiction.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be
obligated to cause to be issued or delivered any certificates evidencing
7
Shares pursuant to the Program unless and until the Company is advised by
its counsel that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in
compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority
and the requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded.
The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance and delivery of
certificates evidencing Shares pursuant to the terms hereof, that the
recipient of such Shares make such covenants, agreements and
representations, and that such certificates bear such legends, as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.
(ii) The exercise of any Option granted hereunder shall only be effective
at such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the
issuance and delivery of Shares pursuant to such exercise is in compliance
with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the
requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded. The
Company may, in its sole discretion, defer the effectiveness of any exercise
of an Option granted hereunder in order to allow the issuance of Shares
pursuant thereto to be made pursuant to registration or an exemption from
registration or other methods for compliance available under federal or
state securities laws. The Company shall inform the Participant in writing
of its decision to defer the effectiveness of the exercise of an Option
granted hereunder. During the period that the effectiveness of the exercise
of an Option has been deferred, the Participant may, by written notice,
withdraw such exercise and obtain the refund or any amount paid with respect
thereto.
(b) Section 162(m): The Committee may modify the terms of any Award
(including by means of accelerated or deferred payouts) relating to
compensation that does not constitute "qualified performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code or otherwise
does not qualify for an exemption from Section 162(m) of the Code in order to
permit the deductibility of such compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code
by the Company.
16. No Right to Continued Relationship; No Obligation of Uniform Treatment
The granting of an Award under the Program shall impose no obligation on the
Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate to continue the independent contractor
relationship between it and any Participant and shall not lessen or affect the
Company's, Subsidiary's or Affiliate's right to terminate its relationship with
such Participant. No Participant, officer, employee or director shall have any
claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for
uniformity of treatment of Participants or any other Persons.
17. Successors and Assigns
The Program shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company
and a Participant, including without limitation, any beneficiary of such
Participant, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or
trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or
representative of the Participant's creditors.
18. Nontransferability of Awards
Except to the extent provided by the Committee, an Award shall not be
transferable or assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution. Any Awards exercisable or Shares deliverable
after a Participant's death shall be exercisable by or delivered to a
beneficiary as designated in writing by the Participant. If no beneficiary is
so designated, such Award shall be exercisable by or such Shares will be
delivered to the Participant's estate. The Participant may change his or her
designated beneficiary under this Program by filing with the Committee written
notice of such change.
19. Amendments or Termination
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Program, but, if necessary to
obtain an exemption from Section 16 of the Act or Section 162(m) of the Code,
no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which, (a) without
the approval of the stockholders of the Company, would (except as is provided
in Section 14
8
of the Program), increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes
of the Program, or (b) without the consent of a Participant, would impair any
of the rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such
Participant under the Program; provided, however, that the Committee may amend
the Program in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of
Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Board may not amend, alter
or discontinue the provisions relating to Section 14(b) of the Program after
the occurrence of a Change in Control.
20. International Participants
With respect to Participants who reside or work outside the United States of
America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) "covered employees"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its
sole discretion, amend the terms of the Program or Awards with respect to such
Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law.
21. Choice of Law
The Program shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be performed in
the State of Illinois.
22. Effectiveness of the Program
The Program shall be effective as of June 9, 1998. No new Awards may be
granted under the Program after June 8, 2008.
9
================================================================================
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU APPROVE EACH OF THE PROPOSALS LISTED
BELOW.
================================================================================
[Front]
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING
This Proxy is Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4200
Chicago, Illinois 60606-6303
I hereby appoint Stephanie W. Abramson and Kevin J. Smith, or each of them as
Proxies, with full power of substitution to vote, as directed, all the shares of
common stock of Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. held of record by me as
of April 19, 2002 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 6,
2002 or any adjournment of the meeting. This Proxy authorizes each of them to
vote in their discretion on any matter that may properly come before the annual
meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (Mark only one box).
FOR [_] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [_]
all nominees listed below to vote for all nominees listed below
(except as marked to the
contrary below)
Nominees: Robert E. Knowling, Jr., Philip A. Laskawy and Gerard R. Roche
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, strike a
line through the nominee's name in the list above.)
II. AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE
PROGRAM I AND THE 1998 HEIDRICK & STRUGGLES GLOBALSHARE PROGRAM II (MARK
ONLY ONE BOX).
FOR [_] AGAINST [_] ABSTAIN [_]
III. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER
BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OF
THE MEETING.
This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein
by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be
voted FOR Proposals I and II.
Please sign your name on the reverse side of this Proxy Card exactly as it
appears below.
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(Affix Mailing Label Here)
[Reverse Side]
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.
IF YOU HOLD SHARES AS JOINT TENANTS, BOTH YOU AND THE CO-OWNER MUST SIGN. If you
are signing as executor, trustee, guardian or in another representative
capacity, please provide your full title. If you are a corporation, please sign
in full corporate name by the president or other authorized officer. If you are
a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person.
---------------------------------------
Your signature
---------------------------------------
Signature of co-owner, if held jointly
YOUR VOTE MUST BE INDICATED (X) IN BLACK OR BLUE INK. :