<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. 1)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e) (2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Mutual Risk Management Ltd.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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)(1) 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):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] 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.:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
MRM MUTUAL RISK
MANAGEMENT LTD.
March 31, 1999
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of
Shareholders of Mutual Risk Management Ltd. (the "Company") to be held on May
19, 1999 at 9:00 A.M. at The Bermuda Cathedral Hall, 29 Church Street, Hamilton
HM 12, Bermuda. Your Board of Directors and management look forward to greeting
those shareholders who are able to attend.
At this Meeting you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following:
(1) the election of directors, (2) an increase in the number of authorized
Common Shares from 60 million to 180 million, (3) to approve the Company's 1998
Long-Term Incentive Plan, (4) the appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 and (5) such
other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote for these
proposals. The Meeting will also receive the Company's audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 as approved by the
Company's Board of Directors.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual
General Meeting in person and regardless of the number of shares you own, we
urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in
the enclosed envelope. You may attend the Annual General Meeting and vote in
person even if you have previously returned your card. We look forward to
meeting with you.
Sincerely,
ROBERT A. MULDERIG
Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
<PAGE>
MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
Notice of 1999 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
to be held Wednesday, May 19, 1999
The 1999 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of Mutual
Risk Management Ltd. (the "Company") will be held on May 19, 1999 at 9:00 A.M.
at The Bermuda Cathedral Hall, 29 Church Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda. The
Annual General Meeting is being held to consider and act upon the following
matters:
1. To elect directors;
2. To approve an increase in the Authorized Share Capital by increasing
the number of Common Shares from 60 million to 180 million;
3. To approve the Company's 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
4. To approve the recommendation by the Board of Directors that Ernst
& Young be appointed as the Company's independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1999; and
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
The Meeting will also receive the Company's audited financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and the report of the auditors
thereon. If you do not expect to be present at the Meeting, please sign, date
and fill in the enclosed form of proxy and return it by mail in the enclosed
addressed envelope. All instruments appointing proxies to be used at the Meeting
must be deposited at the offices of the Company's transfer agent, Boston
EquiServe Limited Partnership, P.O. Box 8040, Boston, MA 02266-8040, or with the
Secretary of the Company at the Company's offices at 44 Church Street, Hamilton
HM 12, Bermuda, not later than 5:00 P.M. Bermuda time on May 14, 1999. Shares
represented by instruments appointing proxies that are not so deposited will not
be voted at the Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
_________________________________
RICHARD E. O'BRIEN
Secretary
Hamilton, Bermuda
March 31, 1999
<PAGE>
MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION BY MUTUAL
RISK MANAGEMENT LTD. (THE "COMPANY") OF PROXIES TO BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS (THE "MEETING") TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999 AT
9:00 A.M. AT THE BERMUDA CATHEDRAL HALL, 29 CHURCH STREET, HAMILTON HM 12,
BERMUDA.
The close of business on February 26, 1999 has been fixed as the record
date for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of the
Meeting and vote thereat. The Company expects to mail this proxy material to
shareholders on or about April 12, 1999 together with a copy of the Company's
Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company
will reimburse brokers, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries for their
reasonable charges and expenses incurred in forwarding proxy material to
beneficial owners of shares. In addition to solicitation by mail, certain
officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally. These
officers and employees will receive no compensation other than their regular
salaries.
No action will be taken at the Meeting with respect to approval or
disapproval of the audited Financial Statements of the Company for the year
ended December 31, 1998.
Any person giving a proxy may revoke it by depositing an instrument in
writing executed by him or by his attorney authorized in writing at the
registered office of the Company at any time up to the close of business on the
last business day preceding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, with the
Chairman of the Meeting or in any other manner permitted by law. All properly
executed proxies, not theretofore revoked, will be voted on any poll taken at
the Meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein. If any other
matters are properly presented to the Meeting for action, the proxy holders will
vote the proxies (which confer discretionary authority to vote on such matters)
in accordance with their judgment. If no instructions are given with respect to
any particular matter, the proxy authorizes a vote in favor of such matter and
it will be voted accordingly. Any proxy given may, however, be revoked by the
shareholder executing it at any time before it is voted by a later dated proxy,
written revocation sent to the Secretary of the Company or attendance at the
Meeting and voting in person. Proxies must be duly executed and deposited at the
office of the Company's transfer agent, Boston EquiServe Limited Partnership, in
Boston, or with the Secretary of the Company at the Company's office in Bermuda,
prior to 5:00 P.M. Bermuda time on May 14, 1999, in order to be voted at the
Meeting.
<PAGE>
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
No person who has been a director or officer of the Company and no person
who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company and no
associate or affiliate of any such director, officer or proposed nominee has any
material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of
securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting except as
may hereinafter be disclosed.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
As of February 26, 1999, the Company had outstanding 41,645,987 Common
Shares, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Shares") entitled to be voted at
the Meeting. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Shares as of February 26, 1999, by each person
who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Company's
Common Shares, by each of the Company's directors and by all executive officers
and directors as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
Number Percent
--------------------------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Nicholas Company, Inc.(2) 3,276,988 7.87%
700 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
The Prudential Insurance Company of America (3) 2,854,522 6.85%
751 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102-3777
Jennison Associates LLC (4) 2,802,522 6.73%
466 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(5) 2,604,925 6.25%
100 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202
American Express Company (6) 2,363,450 5.68%
IDS Tower 10
Minneapolis, MN 55440
FMR Corporation(7) 2,172,000 5.22%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
Robert A. Mulderig(8) 879,361 2.11%
John Kessock, Jr. (9) 861,804 2.07%
Glenn R. Partridge(10) 285,055 *
Richard G. Turner(11) 354,279 *
James C. Kelly(12) 126,980 *
Roger E. Dailey(13) 94,549 *
David J. Doyle(14) - *
Arthur E. Engel(15) 63,972 *
Allan W. Fulkerson(16) 47,447 *
William F. Galtney, Jr.(17) 233,170 *
Beverly H. Patrick(13) 96,101 *
Jerry S. Rosenbloom(13) 66,673 *
Norman L. Rosenthal (18) 34,581 *
Joseph D. Sargent(13) 63,972 *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (16 persons) (19) 3,350,338 7.82%
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
- -----------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Includes Common Shares and Common Shares issuable pursuant to presently
exercisable options to acquire Common Shares and on conversion of the Zero
Coupon Convertible Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2015.
(2) Based on Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13G of Nicholas Company, Inc. dated
February 10, 1999.
(3) Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G of The Prudential Insurance
Company of America ("Prudential"), dated February 9, 1999. Prudential
indicates that it may have direct or indirect voting and/or investment
discretion over these securities which are held for the benefit of its
clients by separate accounts, registered investment companies and
affiliates and, accordingly, that it is reporting the combined holdings of
these entities for the purpose of administrative convenience. For purposes
of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Prudential is deemed to be a
beneficial owner of such securities; however, Prudential expressly
disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(4) Based on Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13G of Jennison Associates LLC dated
February 4, 1999.
(5) Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
dated February 12, 1999. These securities are owned by various individual
and institutional investors which T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. ("Price
Associates") serves as an investment adviser with power to direct
investment and/or sole power to vote the securities. For purposes of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Price Associates is deemed to be a
beneficial owner of such securities; however, Price Associates expressly
disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such securities.
(6) Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G of American Express Company dated
December 31, 1998.
(7) Based on Schedule 13G of FMR Corporation dated February 1,1999
(8) Does not include 94,116 Common Shares which are owned by trusts the
beneficiaries of which are members of Mr. Mulderig's family. Mr. Mulderig
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Includes options to acquire
85,103 Common Shares. Includes 330,323 Common Shares issuable on the
conversion of the Company's Zero Coupon Convertible Exchangeable
Subordinated Debentures.
(9) 776,701 of these shares are owned by the Kessock Family Trust. Does not
include 54,040 Common Shares owned by the Kessock Family Irrevocable Trust
as to which Mr. Kessock disclaims beneficial ownership. The beneficiaries
of these trusts include Mr. Kessock and members of his family. Includes
options to acquire 85,103 Common Shares.
(10) Includes options to acquire 52,605 Common Shares.
(11) Does not include 42,666 Common Shares held in the Children's Trust of the
Turner Family Trust as to which Mr. Turner disclaims beneficial ownership.
Includes options to acquire 73,355 Common Shares.
(12) Includes options to acquire 63,667 Common Shares.
(13) Includes options to acquire 62,500 Common Shares.
(14) Mr. Doyle acts as a co-trustee of certain trusts which beneficially own
94,116 Common Shares.
(15) Includes options to acquire 62,500 Common Shares. Mr. Engel may be deemed
the beneficial owner of 622,700 Common Shares owned by Mutual Indemnity
Ltd. in connection with a deferred variable annuity policy issued to Mr.
Engel.
(16) Includes options to acquire 42,500 Common Shares. Mr. Fulkerson may be
deemed the beneficial owner of 170,000 Common Shares held by ISF Limited
Partnership ("ISF"). Mr. Fulkerson is President of Century Capital
Management, Inc., which is a general partner of a general partner of ISF.
(17) Includes options to acquire 62,500 Common Shares. Also includes 129,198
Common Shares which are owned by Galtney Family Investors LP, a limited
partnership, of which Mr. Galtney is the General Partner.
(18) Includes options to acquire 22,500 Common Shares.
(19) Includes options to acquire 892,250 Common Shares and 330,323 Common Shares
issuable on the conversion of the Company's Zero Coupon Convertible
Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures.
3
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(Item 1 of Notice of Meeting)
The shareholders will be asked to elect four persons to the Board of
Directors to serve for a term of three years subject to the provisions of the
Company's Bye-Laws. The terms as directors of Messrs. Mulderig, Kessock, Jr.,
Partridge and Mrs. Patrick will expire at the Meeting and it is proposed that
they be re-elected as directors. It is the intention of the persons named in the
accompanying form of proxy to vote at the Meeting for the election as directors
of these persons. If such nominee should be unable to serve, an event not
currently anticipated, proxies will be voted for such person as shall be
designated by the Board of Directors of the Company to replace such nominee.
The following table shows certain information with respect to each person
nominated for election as a director and each person whose term of office as
director will continue after the Meeting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Director Term Principal Occupation
Name Age Since Expires & Business Experience
---- --- --------- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert A. Mulderig 46 1982 1999 Chief Executive Officer of the Company since
1982; Chairman of Legion Insurance Co.,
("Legion"); Director of Professional Risk
Management Services, Inc., The Galtney Group,
Inc. and The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Sons Ltd.
Also serves as a director or officer of a number
of unaffiliated captive insurance companies to
which the Company provides management services.
John Kessock, Jr. 50 1985 1999 President of the Company, Mutual Group Ltd. and
Legion; primarily responsible for marketing the
Company's programs since 1979; Chairman of
Commonwealth Risk Services L.P. ("CRS") and the
IPC Companies. Director, Ward North America, Inc.
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard G. Turner 48 1985 2001 Executive Vice President of the Company;
President of CRS since 1984; Vice President of
Marketpac International, a subsidiary of American
International Group from 1979 to 1984. Director
of Colonial Penn Insurance Company.
Glenn R. Partridge 45 1990 1999 Executive Vice President of the Company; Senior
Vice President of Legion; primarily responsible
for Legion's underwriting function since 1987;
Vice President of CRS 1983 to 1987.
Roger E. Dailey 65 1985 2000 Vice President of Equifax, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia
for more than five years until retirement in
1993. Currently a self employed consultant.
David J. Doyle 45 1977 2000 Partner in the law firm of Appleby, Spurling &
Kempe from 1978 to 1996. Specializes in
international corporate matters with particular
emphasis on insurance law; Director of Bermuda
subsidiaries of the Company. In March 1996, Mr.
Doyle joined the law firm of Conyers Dill &
Pearman, Hamilton, Bermuda;
Arthur E. Engel 52 1985 2000 Principal of The Marine Group, LLC.
Director of Mutual Indemnity Ltd. since 1981.
Allan W. Fulkerson 65 1988 2001 President and Director of Century Capital
Management, Inc., Chairman of Century Shares
Trust. Director of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.,
Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings Ltd., Wellington
Underwriting PLC and The Galtney Group, Inc.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William F. Galtney, Jr. 46 1988 2001 Chairman and CEO of The Galtney Group Inc.,
Houston, Texas; Director of Everest Re (Holdings)
Ltd.
Beverly H. Patrick 58 1985 1999 Speaker, Author and Consultant; President and CEO
of Professional Risk Management Services, Inc.
until 1994; formerly Director of the Office of
Member and Staff Benefits of the American
Psychiatric Association.
Jerry S. Rosenbloom 59 1991 2001 Frederick H. Ecker Professor of Insurance and
Risk Management and Academic Director, Certified
Employee Benefit Specialist Program, Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania. Director of
Annuity and Life Re (Holdings) Ltd.,
Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company, Terra Nova
Group and Trustee of Century Shares Trust.
Norman L. Rosenthal 47 1997 2000 President of Norman L. Rosenthal & Associates,
Inc. since August, 1996; Managing Director -
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc, from January 1992
until July, 1996; Director - Plymouth Rock
Assurance Company since July 1998.
Joseph D. Sargent 69 1988 2000 Chairman, Bradley, Foster & Sargent, Inc.; Vice
Chairman of Connecticut Surety Corporation;
Director, Trenwick Group, Inc., Policy Management
Systems Corp., EW Blanch Inc., Executive Risk
Inc., MMI Companies Inc., and Command Systems,
Inc.
</TABLE>
The Company's Board of Directors met four times during 1998. The Board of
Directors has an Executive Committee, an Investment Committee, an Audit
Committee, a Nominating Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Reinsurance
Security Committee. The Executive Committee is responsible for setting the
agenda of the Board and is comprised of Messrs. Mulderig, Kessock,
6
<PAGE>
Dailey, Fulkerson, Rosenbloom, Sargent and Mrs. Patrick. The Audit Committee is
responsible for overseeing the production of the Company's financial statements
and is comprised of Messrs. Rosenbloom, Rosenthal, Sargent and Mrs. Patrick. The
Audit Committee met four times in 1998. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for setting the remuneration of certain executive officers and the
directors of the Company and is comprised of Messrs. Engel, Rosenbloom, Sargent
and Mrs. Patrick. The Compensation Committee met four times in 1998. The
Nominating Committee is responsible for the nomination of directors for election
to office and is comprised of Messrs. Kessock, Fulkerson, Rosenbloom and Mrs.
Patrick. The Nominating Committee met twice in 1998. The Nominating Committee
will consider nominees for vacant or expiring directorships recommended by the
Company's members. Such recommendations should be submitted in writing to the
Secretary of the Company with a description of the proposed nominee's
qualifications and other relevant biographical information, and the nominee's
consent to serve as a director.
In 1998, outside directors received an annual fee of $25,000, plus $1,000
for each meeting attended. In addition, in 1998 the chairmen of the following
committees received the following additional fees: Compensation Committee,
$5,000; Investment Committee, $3,000; Nominating Committee, $500; Reinsurance
Security Committee, $2,000; and Audit Committee, $2,000. Members of the
Compensation Committee, other than the chairman, received an attendance fee of
$500 per meeting. $10,000 of the annual fees are paid in restricted Common
Shares, valued at ninety percent of the market value on the date of issuance. In
addition, the Company has a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which
directors may choose to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual
compensation until retirement. Amounts deferred will be invested in Common
Shares at ninety percent of market value or maintained in an interest bearing
account. The restricted stock and deferred compensation will be paid to a
director on his or her retirement from the Board pursuant to the Company's
retirement policy, on death or disability or in the event of a change in control
of the Company. Non-executive directors received an annual award of options to
purchase 7,500 Common Shares. The exercise price of such options is equal to the
market price of the Common Shares on the date of the award. The options have a
term of five years and are exercisable commencing six months after the grant
date.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation, including bonuses, paid or
accrued during the Company's last three fiscal years to the five highest paid
executive officers of the Company.
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary Compensation Table
--------------------------
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
------------------- ----------------------
Securities
Underlying
Name and Bonus Options Granted All Other
Principal Position Year Salary ($) ($) (#)(2) Compensation(1) ($)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert A. Mulderig 1998 500,000 614,485 60,000 12,500
Chairman and CEO 1997 452,350 486,842 64,000 11,309
1996 415,000 399,956 147,500 10,375
John Kessock, Jr. 1998 500,000 614,485 60,000 4,000
President 1997 452,350 486,842 64,000 4,000
1996 415,000 399,956 147,500 3,750
Richard G. Turner 1998 310,000 409,656 40,000 4,000
Executive Vice 1997 277,000 298,121 48,000 4,000
President 1996 255,000 245,756 117,500 3,750
Glenn R. Partridge 1998 310,000 380,395 40,000 4,000
Executive Vice 1997 242,000 260,452 45,000 4,000
President 1996 223,000 214,916 117,500 3,750
James C. Kelly 1998 250,000 307,242 33,333 6,250
Senior Vice 1997 200,000 215,250 55,000 5,000
President and CFO 1996 179,500 172,993 90,000 4,488
</TABLE>
- --------------------
(1) Consists of Company contributions to pension plans.
(2) Options have been restated to reflect the September 1997 two-for-one stock
split.
Stock Options
Stock options to directors and employees are awarded under the provisions
of the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and its 1998 Long Term
Incentive Plan (the "1998 LTIP"). (See Item 3). Options are awarded to employees
at the market price at the time of issuance for five year terms with 25%
becoming exercisable each year. During 1998, 399,999 options were issued to
seven executive officers of the Company.
8
<PAGE>
The following table provides certain information on options granted in
1998. The last two columns of the table present possible values of these grants
assuming certain rates of growth in the price of the Company's Common Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Option Grants In 1998
---------------------
Potential Realizable
Value at Assumed
Annual Rates of
Stock Price
Appreciation for
Individual Grants Option Term
------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------
Number of
Securities
underlying % of Total
Options Options Granted Exercise or
Granted to Employees in Base Price Expiration
Name (#) Fiscal Year ($/Sh) Date 5% ($) 10% ($)
---- -------- --------------- ------------ ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert A. Mulderig 60,000 5.94% 35.1875 12/16/03 583,299 1,288,939
John Kessock, Jr. 60,000 5.94% 35.1875 12/16/03 583,299 1,288,939
Richard G. Turner 40,000 3.96% 35.1875 12/16/03 388,866 859,293
Glenn R. Partridge 40,000 3.96% 35.1875 12/16/03 388,866 859,293
James C. Kelly 33,333 3.30% 35.1875 12/16/03 324,052 716,070
</TABLE>
The following table presents certain information with respect to the value
of options held by the Company's five most highly compensated executive
officers. The table presents information with respect to both exercisable and
unexercisable options.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregated Option Exercises In 1998 and Year End Option Values
--------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Shares Value Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Acquired on Realized Options at FY-End (#) at FY-End ($)/(2)/
Name Exercise (#) ($)/(1)/ (Exercisable/Unexercisable) (Exercisable/Unexercisable)
---- ----------------- --------- ------------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert A. Mulderig 46,666 1,233,003 85,103/245,065 2,036,618/4,159,818
John Kessock, Jr. 46,666 1,207,094 85,103/245,065 2,036,618/4,159,818
Richard G. Turner 26,666 603,894 73,355/185,479 1,798,760/3,261,243
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Glenn R. Partridge 46,666 1,018,059 52,605/183,229 1,181,448/3,232,275
James C. Kelly 20,000 500,938 63,667/157,334 1,546,475/2,658,148
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Represents difference between stock price and market price on date of
exercise.
(2) Based on the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on December 31,
1998 of $39.125.
Pension Plans
In 1990 the Company instituted two defined contribution pension plans which
are available to most of the Company's employees. Pursuant to these plans the
Company contributes up to 2.5% of an employee's salary. In 1998 the Company
adopted a deferred compensation plan for senior executives. The deferred
compensation plan allows eligible employees to defer receipt of any percentage
of his or her compensation by filing the appropriate election with the Company.
The deferred compensation plan is not funded by the Company although a rabbi
trust has been established to hold funds relating to the plan.
Report of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of four
independent directors who are not employed by the Company and who qualify as
non-employee directors for the purposes of Rule 16b-3 adopted under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Compensation Committee is responsible for
the Company's executive compensation programs which seek to relate the
compensation level of executives to the performance of the Company while
insuring the Company's ability to attract and retain the highest caliber
executives by providing appropriate incentives to deliver significant long-term
financial results for the benefit of shareholders. The Compensation Committee
determines the salary level of each of the top seven officers of the Company,
implements the Company's "Executive Bonus Plan" and determines all awards made
under the LTIP. The Compensation Committee also approves the salary levels of
all other employees of the Company who earn in excess of $50,000 per annum.
In 1997, the Compensation Committee retained an independent executive
compensation consulting firm to evaluate the appropriateness of the executive
compensation program. This firm carried out market research on the levels of
compensation of similarly situated executives and determined that the Company's
cash compensation package was appropriately structured, rewarding both
profitability and growth in shareholder value and delivering competitive levels
of compensation when compared to similarly situated executives. Base salaries of
the top executives generally approximated the midpoint of the range of
comparable salaries identified in this benchmarking survey. Total compensation,
including bonuses, generally exceeded the average total compensation packages
identified in the survey by approximately 10% on a combined basis which is a
reflection of the better than average performance of the Company in recent
years.
In order to meet the objectives described above, the Compensation Committee
has designed the Company's compensation program as follows :
10
<PAGE>
(1) Base salaries, the fixed regular components of pay, are set in relation to
the average level of base salaries identified in the market survey carried
out by the independent compensation consulting firm for similarly situated
executives.
(2) The Executive Bonus Plan operates to reward the executive only for better
than average financial performance by the Company. The Executive Bonus Plan
considers the following factors: (a) growth of operating income per Common
Share; (b) growth of Shareholders' equity plus dividends; (c) operating
income per Common Share compared to a budget adopted by the Board of
Directors; (d) operating expenses compared to budget; (e) the average market
price of the Company's Common Shares compared to its peer group; and (f) a
subjective appraisal of the executive's performance by the Compensation
Committee. More relative weight is given to the first two factors and these
two factors are measured on a cumulative basis over the previous five years.
(3) The awards made to date pursuant to the LTIP have consisted of stock
options. Stock options generally have a five year life and vest in four
equal annual amounts beginning one year after the grant. The option exercise
price has been set at the market value of the shares on the date of the
grant. These stock options are designed to reward executives and other
employees for the long term increase in shareholder value.
Aggregate awards under the Executive Bonus Plan in respect of 1998 earned
by the Company's seven executive officers aggregated $2,926,118. The
corresponding awards in respect of 1997 aggregated $2,129,122. In March 1999,
the base salary of Mr. Mulderig, the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
increased 5% to $525,000 and he was awarded a bonus of $614,485 in respect of
1998. The increase in base salary and bonus paid to Mr. Mulderig reflect the
same considerations applicable to all executive officers. This report has been
submitted by the Compensation Committee:
Arthur E. Engel Beverly H. Patrick Jerry S. Rosenbloom Joseph D. Sargent
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
Mr. Mulderig, the Company's CEO, is a director and a member of the
compensation committee of Professional Risk Management Services, Inc. and The
Galtney Group, Inc. of which Mr. Galtney is a director and executive officer.
Mr. Fulkerson, a director of the Company, is also a director of The Galtney
Group, Inc.
Performance Graph
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<PAGE>
The following line graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return
on the Company's Common Shares (assuming dividends are reinvested) since
December 1993 with its new and old peer groups. Also indicated on the graph is
the performance of the S&P 500 index for comparison with the Company's
performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEXED RETURNS
Base Years Ending
Period
Company Name/Index Dec 93(1) Dec 94 Dec 95 Dec 96 Dec 97 Dec 98
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mutual Risk Management Ltd. 100 88.88 156.41 170.34 277.99 365.60
S&P 500 Index 100 101.32 139.40 171.40 228.59 293.91
New Peer Group (2) (4) 100 107.22 148.71 175.35 260.25 314.44
Old Peer Group (3) 100 107.66 146.81 169.92 247.48 292.99
</TABLE>
/(1)/ The total return on investment (change in the Common Share price plus
reinvested dividends) for each of the periods for Mutual Risk Management Ltd,
the new and old peer groups and the S&P 500 index is based on the share price or
index at December 31, 1993.
/(2)/ Companies in the new peer group are as follows: American
International Group Inc., AON Corp., Chandler Insurance Co. Ltd., Chubb Corp.,
Crawford & Co., XL Capital Limited, First Health Group Corp., Frontier Insurance
Group, Inc., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Hilb Rogal & Hamilton Co., Marsh &
McLennan Companies Inc., Old Republic International Corp., Risk Capital
Holdings, Inc., and Zenith National Insurance Corp.
/(3)/ Companies in the old peer group used in the Company's proxy statement last
year are as follows: American International Group Inc., AON Corp., Chandler
Insurance Co. Ltd., Chubb Corp., Crawford & Co., Exel Limited, First Health
Group Corp., Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., General Reinsurance Corp., Hilb Rogal &
Hamilton Co., Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., Old Republic International Corp.,
Risk Capital Holdings, Inc., USF&G Corporation, Willis Corroon Plc and Zenith
National Insurance Corp.
/(4)/ USF&G Corporation was merged with and into St. Paul Companies on May 18,
1998, Willis Corroon Plc was acquired on November 9, 1998, and General
Reinsurance Corp. was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway on December 22, 1998.
Accordingly, each of USF&G Corporation, Willis Corroon Plc. and General
Reinsurance Corp. has been excluded from the new peer group.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company and its subsidiaries provide administrative and accounting
services to a number of unaffiliated insurance and reinsurance companies.
Certain officers, directors and employees of the Company serve as officers and
directors of these companies, generally without remuneration.
Effective July 1, 1990, Messrs. Turner, Partridge and Kelly, officers of
the Company, purchased 388,584, 388,584 and 100,000 Common Shares, respectively,
from subsidiaries of the Company. All of these shares were sold at $1.75 per
Common Share and each of the purchasers received a loan
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<PAGE>
from subsidiaries in the amount of the purchase price. These loans were
originally granted for a period of five years and bore interest at 7.7% per
annum. In the third quarter of 1994, the terms of these loans were extended and
the interest rate was reduced to 5.7%. The largest aggregate amount of
indebtedness outstanding at any time during the fiscal year 1998 was $388,683.
At the time the loans were repaid on March 31, 1998, there was $383,761 in
outstanding principal due and owing and $4,922 in accrued interest.
Mutual Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, has an investment of
approximately $3 million in Century Capital Partners L.P. ("Century
Capital"). This investment is made by the Mutual Finance pool which is
principally comprised of assets being invested for the benefit of participants
in the Company's IPC Programs. Century Capital is a limited partnership which
will invest in insurance and other financial services companies. The general
partner of Century Capital is CCP Capital, Inc. and the investment advisor is
Century Capital Management, Inc. Mr. Allan Fulkerson, a director of the Company,
is President and a director of CCP Capital Inc. and Century Capital Management,
Inc.
In connection with the Company's acquisition of The Hemisphere Group
Limited ("Hemisphere") in July 1996, the Company acquired a 40% interest in the
Hemisphere Trust Company Limited ("Hemisphere Trust"), a Bermuda "local" trust
company, which had formerly been an wholly owned subsidiary of Hemisphere. As a
"local" Bermuda company, at least 60% of the shares of Hemisphere Trust must be
owned by Bermudians. In compliance with this requirement, Mr. Robert A.
Mulderig, Chairman and CEO of the Company, acquired 60% of Hemisphere Trust for
$.2 million at the time of the Company's acquisition of Hemisphere. The amount
of the purchase price was equal to 60% of the book value of Hemisphere Trust on
the date of acquisition.
The Company and Mr. Mulderig have entered into a Shareholders' Agreement
relating to Hemisphere Trust which provides, amongst other things, that (i) the
Company has the option, subject to regulatory approval to acquire Mr. Mulderig's
interest in Hemisphere Trust at Mr. Mulderig's cost, plus interest at 6% per
annum; (ii) the Company has a pre-emptive right, also subject to regulatory
approval, over the shares held by Mr. Mulderig and (iii) no dividends or other
distributions can be made by Hemisphere Trust without the prior consent of the
Company. The Company will provide management services to Hemisphere Trust for an
annual fee of $.3 million.
Certain significant shareholders and directors of the Company represent or
are employed by entities which have purchased IPC Programs or other services
from the Company and its subsidiaries. These services are provided by the
Company based on arms-length negotiations.
INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED SHARE CAPITAL
(Item 2 of Notice of Meeting)
The Board of Directors recommends that Bye-Law No. 1 of the Company's Bye-
Laws be amended for the purpose of increasing the authorized share capital from
$23,551,835 to $24,751,835 which will increase the number of Common Shares,
$0.01 par value, that the Company is authorized to issue from 60 million to 180
million. This amendment to the Bye-Laws requires a simple majority of votes cast
at any general meeting of the shareholders.
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<PAGE>
The additional authorized shares may be used in the future for any proper
corporate purpose approved by the Board of Directors. Permissible uses might
include financings, corporate mergers or acquisitions, employee benefit
programs, acquisitions of property, funding of new product programs or
businesses, stock dividends, stock splits and other corporate purposes. The
Company does not have any specific plan, understanding or agreement for the
issuance or sale of any of the additional authorized shares. No further action
or authorization by the shareholders would be necessary prior to the issuance of
additional shares unless the applicable laws or regulations or the rules of any
stock exchange on which the Company's Common Shares may then be listed require
such approval. If the proposed amendment is approved, all or any of the
authorized Common Shares may be issued without first offering such shares to
existing shareholders for subscription. The issuance of such shares otherwise
than to existing shareholders on a pro rata basis could have the effect of
reducing an existing shareholder's proportionate interest.
As is presently the case, the availability for issuance of additional
Common Shares could enable the Board of Directors to render more difficult or
discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Company. For example, the
issuance of Common Shares in a public or private sale, merger or similar
transaction would increase the number of outstanding shares, thereby possibly
diluting the interest of a party attempting to obtain control of the Company.
The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened efforts to obtain control
of the Company.
If adopted, the Amendment will be effective on May 19, 1999.
PROPOSED APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY'S
1998 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
(Item 3 of Notice of Meeting)
The Board of Directors believes that the granting of stock and stock
related awards is an effective method of attracting and retaining valuable
employees, and of strengthening the identity of interests between such employees
and the Company. The Company has used all of the Common Shares authorised for
issuance under the Company's existing 1991 Long Term Incentive Plan. The Board
of Directors and the Company's Compensation Committee have adopted the 1998 LTIP
and reserved 5,000,000 Common Shares for issuance pursuant to this plan. It is
anticipated that all new stock awards will be made from the 1998 LTIP. The
shareholders are now asked to approve the 1998 LTIP. All defined terms used
below not otherwise defined herein have the meaning set forth in the 1998 LTIP,
unless otherwise indicated.
The 1998 LTIP is intended to provide the Company flexibility to adapt the
compensation of key employees in a changing business environment. The Incentive
Plan permits the granting of any or all of the following types of awards: (i)
Options, including Non-Qualified and Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Share
Appreciation Rights; (iii) Restricted Stock; (iv) Long Term Performance Awards;
(v) Performance Shares; (vi) Performance Units. The 1998 LTIP also incorporates
an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
14
<PAGE>
Officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries ("Employees"),
directors of the Company ("Directors") and consultants, contractors and other
providers of services to the Company and its subsidiaries ("Associates") are
eligible to receive awards under the 1998 LTIP. Directors who are not Employees
are not eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Committee (as defined below)
in its sole discretion determines which Employees, Directors and Associates
shall receive awards under the 1998 LTIP.
The 1998 LTIP is administered by a Committee (the "Committee") of Directors
consisting of not less than two non-Employee Directors who are appointed by the
Board of Directors. Members of the Committee serve for such period of time as
the Board of Directors may determine and may be removed by the Board at any
time, with or without cause.
All terms and conditions of options granted under the 1998 LTIP are
determined by the Committee including the selection of participants to whom
options will be granted, the type of options to be granted, the number of Shares
subject to each option, the exercise price of each option (except that the
exercise price for an Incentive Stock Option shall be no less than the fair
market value of the Shares on the date of grant), the expiration date of each
option (subject to a maximum of ten years from the date of grant), the vesting
schedule and any other material provisions.
The maximum number of Shares of the Company that may be made the subject of
the Awards granted under the 1998 LTIP is 5,000,000. In the event of any
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock
split affecting the Shares, which does not constitute a Change of Control (as
defined below), appropriate proportional adjustments may be made in the number
of shares reserved for issuance under the 1998 LTIP, the number of shares
subject to outstanding options and the option prices thereof, subject to the
required action by shareholders of the Company, if any.
Stock Options
Options granted under the 1998 LTIP may be of two types: (i) Incentive
Stock Options or (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options. Options may be granted alone,
in addition to or in tandem with other awards granted under the 1998 LTIP. Any
Option granted under the 1998 LTIP shall be in such form as the Committee may
from time to time approve. The exercise price per Share purchasable under an
Incentive Stock Option shall be 100% of the fair market value of a Share on the
date of the grant. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any
participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns more than 10% of the
voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of a subsidiary ("Ten
Percent Shareholder") shall have an exercise price per Share of not less than
110% of the fair market value per Share on the date of the grant. The exercise
price per Share purchasable under a Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be
determined by the Committee. To the extent required for "incentive stock option"
status under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the
15
<PAGE>
aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant) of the Shares with
respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a
participant during any calendar year shall not exceed $100,000.
Subject to the terms of the 1998 LTIP, Options may be exercised in whole or
in part at any time and from time to time during the term of the Option, by
giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of Shares
to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the
exercise price. Payment may be made by certified or bank check, or such other
instrument as the Committee may accept. As determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, at or after grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise
price of an Option may be made in the form of unrestricted Shares based on the
fair market value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised; provided,
however, that, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the right to make a
payment in the form of already owned Shares may be authorized only at the time
the Option is granted. The Company may, in the sole discretion of the Board,
cooperate in a "cashless exercise" of an Option. The cashless exercise shall be
effected by the participant's delivery to a securities broker of instructions to
sell a sufficient number of Shares to cover the costs and expense associated
therewith.
In general, a participant will not recognize income on the grant of a Non-
Qualified Stock Option. Upon exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the
participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price of
the Option, unless the Shares received are Restricted Stock, in which case,
unless the exercising participant elects to recognize such income, the income
recognition is deferred until the restrictions lapse or the Restricted Stock
becomes transferable. The Company will generally be entitled to a compensation
deduction in the same amount and at the same time as the participant recognizes
ordinary income and will comply with applicable withholding requirements with
respect to such compensation. There are no tax consequences to a participant or
to the Company if a Non-Qualified Stock Option lapses before it is exercised or
forfeited.
In general, a participant will not recognize income on the grant or
exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. Upon exercise, the excess, if any, of the
fair market value and the exercise price will be an item of tax preference for
purposes of the participant's alternative minimum tax. If a participant holds
Shares acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option for more than two
years after the date of grant and one year after the date of exercise (the
"Incentive Stock Option Holding Periods"), the participant will recognize, upon
a subsequent sale of the Shares, the excess, if any, of the sales proceeds over
the Option price as long-term capital gain. The Company will not be entitled to
a deduction in this instance. If the participant disposes of the Shares before
the Incentive Stock Option Holding Periods lapse, the participant will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price
and the fair market value of a Share on the date the Option is exercised, or the
amount of gain recognized on the sale, if less. The amount recognized as
ordinary income is added to the participant's basis in the Shares. The Company
will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of any ordinary income so
recognized. The participant will recognize as capital gain an amount equal to
the difference between the sales proceeds and the participant's basis in the
16
<PAGE>
Shares. If the Shares are not held for the Incentive Stock Option Holding
Periods and the amount realized upon sale is less than the exercise price, such
difference will be a capital loss to the participant. There are no tax
consequences to a participant or to the Company if an Incentive Stock Option
lapses before it is exercised or forfeited.
The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but no Option
shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted;
however, the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent
Shareholder may not exceed five years. No Option may be exercised by any person
after expiration of the term of the Option.
Share Appreciation Rights
The 1998 LTIP permits the grant of Share Appreciation Rights ("SARs"). SARs
may be granted alone ("Stand-Alone SARs") or in conjunction with all or part of
any Option granted under the 1998 LTIP ("Tandem SARs"). Upon the exercise of a
Stand-Alone SAR, a participant shall be entitled to receive, in cash and/or
Shares (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), an amount equal
to the excess, if any, of (I) the fair market value, as of the date such SAR (or
portion of such SAR) is exercised, of the Shares covered by such SAR (or portion
of such SAR) over (ii) the fair market value of the Shares covered by such SAR
(or a portion of such SAR) as of the date such SAR (or a portion of such SAR)
was granted. Upon the exercise of a Tandem SAR, a participant shall be entitled
to receive, upon surrender to the Company of all (or a portion) of an Option in
exchange for cash and/or Shares, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the fair
market value, as of the date such Option (or such portion thereof) is
surrendered, of the Shares covered by such Option (or such portion thereof) over
(ii) the aggregate exercise price of such Option (or such portion thereof).
Unless otherwise specified in the terms of an award, if a participant's service
terminates for any reason, SARs held by such participant shall be exercisable in
the same manner and within the same time periods applicable to Options, as
described above.
Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the participant will recognize
ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash or the fair market value of the
Common Shares received on the exercise date. The Company will generally be
entitled to a compensation deduction in the same amount and at the same time
that the participant holding a Stock Appreciation Right recognizes ordinary
income, and will comply with applicable withholding requirements with respect to
such compensation.
Restricted Stock
The Committee may condition the vesting of Restricted Stock upon the
attainment of specified performance goals or such other factors as the Committee
may determine, in its sole discretion, at the time of the award. Each
participant receiving a Restricted Stock award shall be issued a share
certificate in respect of such Restricted Stock. Such certificate shall be
registered in the name of such participant, and shall bear an appropriate legend
referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such award.
The Committee shall require that the share certificates evidencing Restricted
Stock be held in custody by the Company until the restrictions thereon shall
have lapsed,
17
<PAGE>
and that, as a condition of any Restricted Stock award, the participant shall
have delivered to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the
Shares covered by such award.
During a period set by the Committee commencing with the date of such award
(the "Restriction Period"), the participant shall not be permitted to sell,
transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock awarded under
the 1998 LTIP. The Committee may provide for the lapse of such restrictions in
installments and may accelerate or waive such restrictions in whole or in part,
based on service, performance and/or such other factors or criteria as the
Committee may determine in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise provided in the
terms of the award, once the participant has been issued a certificate or
certificates for Restricted Stock, the participant shall have, with respect to
the Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a shareholder of the Company,
including the right to vote the Shares, and the right to receive any cash
distributions or dividends. The Committee may permit or require the payment of
cash distributions or dividends to be deferred and, if the Committee so
determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Stock to the extent Shares are
available under the 1998 LTIP.
If and when the Restriction Period expires without a prior forfeiture of
the Restricted Stock subject to such Restriction Period, the certificates for
such Shares, without bearing the restrictive legend described above, shall be
delivered by the Company to the participant, in exchange for the share
certificate that contains such restrictive legend. Unless the participant elects
to recognize income at the time of an award of Restricted Stock, a participant
will not recognize taxable income until the Shares are no longer subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture or become transferable.
In either event, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to
the excess of the fair market value of such Shares at grant if an election is
made, or at the time the restrictions lapse or are removed (if the election is
not made), over any amount paid for such Shares (the "Bargain Element"). The
aforementioned election allows the participant to recognize the Bargain Element
as income in the year of the award by making an election with the Internal
Revenue Service within 30 days after the award is made. The Company generally
will be entitled to a deduction in the same amount and in the same year as the
recipient of Restricted Stock recognizes income. The Company must comply with
all applicable withholding requirements with respect to such income as a
condition of the deduction. Dividends or distributions received by a participant
on Restricted Stock during the restriction period are taxable to the participant
as ordinary compensation income and will be deductible by the Company unless the
aforementioned election is made, rendering dividends or distributions taxable to
the participant and not deductible by the Company.
Long-Term Performance Awards
Long-Term Performance Awards are awards that are payable in cash and/or
Shares (including Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units) in
accordance with the terms of the grant, based on Company, business unit and/or
individual performance, in each case as determined by the Committee. Prior to
award of a Long-Term Performance Award, the Committee shall determine the
nature, length and starting date of the performance period (the "performance
period")
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<PAGE>
for each Long-Term Performance Award. Performance periods may overlap and
participants may participate simultaneously with respect to Long-Term
Performance Awards that are subject to different performance periods and/or
different performance factors and criteria. Prior to award of a Long-Term
Performance Award, the Committee shall determine the performance objectives to
be used in awarding Long-Term Performance Awards and determine the extent to
which such Long-Term Performance Awards have been earned.
At the beginning of each performance period, the Committee shall determine
for each Long-Term Performance Award subject to such performance period the
range of dollar values or number of Shares to be awarded to the participant at
the end of the performance period if and to the extent that the relevant
measures of performance for such Long-Term Performance Award are met. Such
dollar values or number of Shares may be fixed or may vary in accordance with
such performance and/or other criteria as may be specified by the Committee.
In the event of special or unusual events or circumstances affecting the
application of one or more performance objectives to a Long-Term Performance
Award, the Committee may revise the performance objectives and/or underlying
factors and criteria applicable to the Long-Term Performance Awards affected, to
the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to avoid
unintended windfalls or hardships.
The earned portion of a Long-Term Performance Award may be paid currently
or on a deferred basis, together with such interest or earnings equivalent as
may be determined by the Committee. Payment shall be made in the form of cash or
whole Shares, including Restricted Stock, either in a lump sum payment or in
annual installments commencing as soon as practicable after the end of the
relevant performance period, all as the Committee shall determine at or after
grant. If and to the extent a Long-Term Performance Award is payable in Shares
and the full amount of such value is not paid in Shares, then the Shares
representing the portion of the value of the Long-Term Performance Award not
paid in Shares shall again become available for award under the 1998 LTIP. A
participant whose Long-Term Performance Award is payable in Shares or Restricted
Stock shall not have any rights as a shareholder until a share certificate has
been issued to such participant.
A participant receiving a Long-Term Performance Award will recognize
ordinary income when an award is paid, in an amount equal to the amount of cash
received or the fair market value of Shares received in payment. The Company
will generally be entitled to a corresponding deduction at such time, and must
comply with applicable tax withholding requirements with respect thereto. If
Restricted Stock is used in payment of a Long-Term Performance Award, the
participant's federal income tax consequences will be as described above under
"Restricted Stock."
Performance Shares
Performance Shares are awards of the right to receive Shares at the end of
a specified period upon the attainment of performance goals specified by the
Committee at the time of grant. At the expiration of the performance period, if
the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines that the
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<PAGE>
conditions specified in the Performance Share agreement have been satisfied, a
share certificate evidencing the number of Shares covered by the Performance
Share award shall be issued and delivered to the participant. A participant
shall not be deemed to be the holder of Shares, or to have the rights of a
holder of Shares, with respect to the Performance Shares unless and until a
share certificate evidencing such Shares is issued to such participant.
At the end of a performance period, the participant will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Shares received. The
Company generally will be entitled to a compensation deduction in the same
amount and at the same time as the recipient of a Performance Share award
recognizes ordinary income, and must comply with applicable withholding
requirements with respect thereto.
Performance Units
Performance Units are awards of the right to receive a fixed dollar amount,
payable in cash, at the end of a specified period upon the attainment of
performance goals specified by the Committee at the time of the grant. A
Performance Unit shall have a fixed dollar value. The Committee may condition
the vesting of Performance Units upon the attainment of specified performance
goals or such other factors or criteria as the Committee shall determine.
At the end of a performance period, the participant will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the cash received on such date. The Company
generally will be entitled to a compensation deduction in the same amount and at
the same time as the recipient of a Performance Unit award recognizes ordinary
income, and must comply with applicable withholding requirements with respect
thereto.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
This portion of the 1998 LTIP authorizes a total of 500,000 Common Shares
with respect to which options to purchase may be granted to Employees under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP"). The Common Shares that may be issued
pursuant to an award under the 1998 LTIP may be treasury shares or unissued
shares. The ESPP provides for an equitable adjustment in the number and price of
Common Shares available for purchase under the ESPP in the event the outstanding
Common Shares are increased or decreased through stock dividends,
recapitalizations, reorganizations or similar changes. The Committee has not
determined whether or not to implement the ESPP.
An Employee of the Company or a Participating Company will be eligible to
participate in the ESPP if the Employee, as of the last day of the month
immediately preceding the effective date of an election to purchase Common
Shares pursuant to the ESPP: (1) has been employed on a full-time basis for at
least six consecutive months or (2) has customarily worked more than 20 hours
per week over the preceding 24 consecutive months. Further, an Employee will not
be eligible to participate if such participation would permit such employee's
rights to purchase stock under all Employee stock
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<PAGE>
purchase plans of the Participating Companies which meet the requirements of
section 423(b) of the Code to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 in fair
market value (as determined pursuant to section 423(b)(8) of the Code) for each
calendar year in which such option is outstanding.
Eligible Employees may elect to participate in the ESPP during an Offering
which starts on the first day of each calendar quarter ("Offering Commencement
Date") and ends on the last day of such calendar quarter ("Offering Termination
Date"); provided that the initial Offering Commencement Date may be delayed
until the first day of the second month after adoption of the ESPP, if necessary
to permit Participants to make elections in accordance with the ESPP. Shares
will be deemed to have been purchased on the Offering Termination Date;
provided, that to the extent that a participant's account is not sufficient to
acquire whole shares only, fractional shares shall be credited to the
participant. Shares purchased will be credited to the Participant's account and
shall be held by the Company until the Participant requests a distribution of
his or her shares. Dividends paid on a Participant's Shares, if any, shall be
credited to the Participant's accounts and shall be accumulated and applied
toward the Participant's next purchase of Shares. The purchase price per share
offered under the ESPP will be 85% of the lesser of: (1) the Fair Market Value
per Share on the Offering Commencement Date, or if such date is not a trading
day, then on the next trading day thereafter or (2) the Fair Market Value per
Share on the Offering Termination Date, or if such date is not a trading day,
then on the next trading day thereafter. Participating Employees will be
provided with reports of their purchases not less frequently than annually.
An Eligible employee who wishes to participate in the ESPP shall file an
election form with the Board or Committee at least 15 days before the Offering
Commencement Date for the first Offering for which such election form is
effective, on which he may elect to have payroll deductions, of such amounts
designated by the Committee from time to time on the election form, made from
his or her compensation on each regular payday during the time he or she is a
participant in the ESPP. All payroll deductions shall be credited to the
participant's account under the ESPP.
All funds held or received by the Company under the ESPP may be used for
any corporate purpose until applied to the purchase Common Shares or refunded to
Employees and shall not be segregated from the general assets of the Company.
Common Shares purchased under the ESPP will be issued from the Company's
treasury stock or from the Company's authorized but unissued shares. The
Participating Companies shall pay all fees and expenses incurred (excluding
individual federal, state, local or other taxes) in connection with the ESPP.
Disposition of Shares Before Expiration of Statutory Holding Period. If a
participant disposes of Common Shares purchased under the ESPP less than one
year after the date of purchase, or more than one year after date of purchase
but within two years after the grant of the purchase right, he or she will be
deemed to have received compensation taxable as ordinary income in the amount of
the difference between the amount paid for the shares and the value of the
shares at the time of purchase. If the shares are sold or exchanged, the amount
of such ordinary income is added to the participant's basis in his or her shares
for purposes of determining capital gain or loss.
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Disposition of Shares After Expiration of Statutory Holding Period. If a
participant does not dispose of Common Shares purchased under the ESPP for at
least one year after the date of purchase and at least two years after the grant
of the purchase right, he or she will be deemed to have received compensation
taxable as ordinary income for the taxable year in which the disposition occurs
in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the 15% discount originally allowed, or
(b) the excess of the purchase price over (i) the amount actually received for
the shares if sold or exchanged or (ii) the fair market value of the shares on
the date of any other termination of his or her ownership (such as by gift). The
amount of such ordinary income is then added to the participant's basis in his
or her shares for purposes of determining capital gain or loss. The maximum
capital gain tax rate is 28%, but is reduced to 20% if the shares are held for
at least 12 months from the date of purchase.
If a participant dies before disposing of the Common Shares purchased under
the ESPP, he or she will be deemed to have realized compensation income taxable
as ordinary income in the taxable year closing with his or her death in an
amount equal to the lesser of clauses (a) and (b)(ii) as set forth in the
immediately preceding paragraph. A participant is deemed not to have realized
any capital gain or loss because of death.
The Company generally will not be entitled to a deduction with respect to
stock purchased under the ESPP, unless the shares are disposed of less than one
year after the Common Shares are purchased by the Employee, or less than two
years after each Offering Commencement Date.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the 1998 LTIP and the ESPP portion
of the 1998 LTIP, the Committee may modify, extend or renew outstanding options
or accept the surrender of unexercised options provided that no modification of
an option which adversely affects an optionee may be made without the consent of
such optionee and no incentive stock option may be modified, extended or renewed
if such action would cause it to cease to be an "incentive stock option" under
the Code, unless the optionee specifically acknowledges and consents to the tax
consequences of such action.
Insofar as permitted by law and the 1998 LTIP, the Committee may from time
to time suspend, terminate or discontinue the ESPP or revise or amend it with
respect to any shares at that time not subject to an option.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
(Item 3 of Notice of Meeting)
The Board of Directors recommends that Ernst & Young be appointed as
auditors of the Company to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of
shareholders. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the
Meeting and will be available to answer appropriate questions. Such
representatives of Ernst & Young will also be given an opportunity to make a
statement to the shareholders if they so wish.
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It is intended that the Common Shares represented by proxies solicited by
or on behalf of the Company will be voted in favor of the appointment of Ernst &
Young as auditors of the Company and authorizing the Directors to fix their
remuneration, unless otherwise indicated.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant to the Company's Bye-Laws, resolutions intended to be presented by
shareholders for action at the 2000 Annual General Meeting must comply with the
provisions of the Bermuda Companies Act, 1981 (the "Companies Act") and the Bye-
Laws and be deposited at the Company's head office not later than six weeks
prior to the 2000 Annual General Meeting.
Pursuant to United States securities law regulations, proposals intended to
be presented by shareholders for action at the 2000 Annual Meeting must comply
with such regulations and be received by the Secretary of the Company not later
than November 24, 1999 in order to be considered for inclusion in the
Company's proxy statement relating to such meeting.
COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT TO SEC
The Company is required to file with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission an annual report on Form 10-K containing certain information
with respect to the Company and its business and properties, including financial
statements and related schedules. The Form 10-K also contains a list of exhibits
filed as part of the report and the number of pages contained in each exhibit.
Upon the written request of any beneficial owner of the Company's Common
Shares, the Company will mail to such owner, without charge, a copy of its form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. In addition, upon payment to
the Company of $0.25 per page, the Company will mail to such owner a copy of any
or all of the exhibits listed in the report. Requests for copies of the Form 10-
K and/or exhibits should be addressed to: The Secretary, Mutual Risk Management
Ltd., 44 Church Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda.
VOTING
Each Common Share is entitled to one vote and, except where a greater
majority is required by the Companies Acts or the Company's Bye-Laws, any
question proposed for consideration at any general meeting will be decided upon
by a simple majority of votes cast. The election of directors will be by the
simple majority of votes cast. At the General Meeting a resolution put to the
vote of the Meeting will be decided on by a show of hands, unless a poll has
been demanded pursuant to the terms of the Company's Bye-Laws. If a poll has not
been demanded, a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has passed will
be final. If a poll has been demanded, then the result of such poll shall be
final.
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Abstentions are counted in determining the quorum of the Meeting. As a
result, on those proposals which require an affirmative vote of the majority of
those shareholders present at the Meeting or of the outstanding Common Shares,
an abstention has the effect of a vote against the proposal. Similarly, where
brokers report a non-vote, the shares are counted in determining the quorum of
the Meeting but they are not counted as having voted on the proposal. A non-
vote, therefore, has the effect of a vote against the proposal.
The shares represented by the enclosed form of proxy, duly executed and
deposited at the office of the Company's transfer agent, Boston EquiServe
Limited Partnership, in Boston, or with the Secretary of the Company at the
Company's office in Bermuda, prior to 5:00 P.M. Bermuda time on May 14, 1999,
will be voted at the Meeting. All properly executed proxies, not theretofore
revoked, will be voted on any poll taken at the Meeting in accordance with the
instructions contained therein. If no instructions are given with respect to any
particular matter, the proxy authorizes a vote in favor of such matter and it
will be voted accordingly.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to
amendments and variations with respect to the matters identified in the Notice
of Meeting and other matters which may properly come before the Meeting.
Each shareholder has the right to appoint a person, who need not be a
shareholder, other than the persons specified in the enclosed form of proxy to
attend and act for him and on his behalf at the Meeting. Such right may be
exercised by striking out the names of management's nominees in the enclosed
form of proxy and inserting the name of the person to be appointed in the blank
space provided in the form of proxy, signing the form of proxy and returning it
in the reply envelope provided.
By Order of the Board of Directors
_________________________________
RICHARD E. O'BRIEN
Secretary
Dated: March 31, 1999
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PROXY
MUTUAL RISK MANAGEMENT LTD.
44 CHURCH STREET
HAMILTON HM 12 BERMUDA
This Proxy is Solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors:
The Undersigned hereby appoints R.A. Mulderig, J. Kessock Jr., and R.E.
O'Brien as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby
authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all
the shares of common stock of Mutual Risk Management Ltd. held of record by the
undersigned on February 26, 1999, at the Annual General Meeting of shareholders
to be held on May 19, 1999 or any adjournment or postponement thereof. This
proxy also delegates discretionary authority with respect to any other business
which may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof.
See Reverse Side CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE See Reverse Side
- ------------------ ------------------
<PAGE>
[X] Please mark
votes as in
this example
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 1, 2, 3 and 4.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
NOMINEES: Robert A. Mulderig, John Kessock, Jr., Glenn R. Partridge and
Beverly H. Patrick.
FOR WITHHELD
ALL [_] [_] FROM ALL
NOMINEES NOMINEES
MARK HERE
FOR ADDRESS
[_] --------------------------------------- CHANGE AND [_]
For all nominees except as noted above NOTE BELOW
Signature:___________________________________ Date:___________
2. INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARE CAPITAL. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Increase capital from $23,551,835
to $24,751,835 by creation of [_] [_] [_]
additional 120 million Common Shares.
3. APPROVAL OF INCENTIVE PLAN. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
The Approval of the Company's 1998
Long-Term Incentive Plan as set [_] [_] [_]
forth in the Proxy Statement.
4. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE, the recommendation FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
that Ernst & Young be appointed as
the Company's independent auditors for [_] [_] [_]
the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
5. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.
When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If
a partnership please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Signature:___________________________________ Date:___________
