7 Aug 2014 07:00
For immediate release
7 August 2014
Minds + Machines Group Limited
("MMX", the "Company" or "Group")
Share Incentive Scheme
Minds + Machines Group Limited (AIM:MMX), the publicly quoted owner and operator of Internet top-level domains, announces that it has adopted a new share incentive scheme. As set out in the Company's Readmission document published earlier this year, the Company has been considering implementing a replacement incentive compensation scheme across the Group for its directors and employees to better attract, retain and reward employees. Employee attraction and retention are key factors for MMX as it continues to build its operations and launch gTLDs, as it competes with major technology players to recruit staff.
Accordingly, the Company has replaced its existing 2012 Stock Option Plan with a Restricted Stock Unit ("RSU") Plan as its primary incentive compensation scheme, with the vesting of awards granted under the Plan subject to both continued employment as well as company and individual performance criteria.
The number of options and grants to be made under the RSU Plan and the outstanding Stock Option Plan is limited to 12.5 per cent. of the issued share capital and is the intended maximum planned distribution (the "Plan Limit"). Awards of RSUs will be made on adoption of the Plan and annually thereafter based on performance over a prescribed period to be determined by the Board. The Plan provides, inter alia, that: upon vesting each RSU granted will entitle the RSU holder to receive one new ordinary share at a nil exercise price or such other exercise price as may be determined by the Board; that unvested RSUs are forfeited upon termination of employment; in most instances RSU awards granted will fully vest on a change in control of the Company; and RSU awards will be adjusted for certain changes in the Company's capital structure.
The Company intends to make the initial awards immediately following publication of its interim results for the six month ended 30 June 2014.
Further Information:
Minds + Machines Group Limited
Antony Van Couvering Tel: +1 310 452 1491
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nomad) Tel: +44(0)20 7628 3396
Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish
N+1 Singer (Broker)
Shaun Dobson/Ben Wright Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3000
gth media relations
Toby Hall Tel: +44(0)20 7822 7493 / +44 (0)7713 341072
For further information, please go to www.mindsandmachines.com/investors
About Minds + Machines Group Limited
Minds + Machines Group Limited is a publicly traded operating company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange focused on the new generic top-level domain ('New gTLD') space. Top-level domains, such as .com and .net, are regulated by ICANN. ICANN is currently expanding the number of new generic top-level domains from the current 23 to over 1000 through its 'New gTLD program'. The Group is one of the leading applicants for, and owner and/or operator of, New gTLDs under this programme.
About Minds + Machines' Registry and Registrar operations
Minds + Machines' registry operations are delivered by its wholly owned registry services providers: Minds + Machines Limited (Ireland), which works internationally with commercial organisations, cities, not-for-profits and entrepreneurs to operate New gTLDs; and Minds and Machines Limited (UK), which partners with the official promotional organization for London, London & Partners, to operate the .london New gTLD. In addition, the Group wholly owns Minds + Machines Registrar Limited (Ireland) and Minds and Machines Registrar UK Limited, each an ICANN accredited registrar. Further information on Minds + Machines' registry and registrar operations can be found at www.mm-registry.com and www.mindsandmachines.com, respectively.