<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
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:
[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 Materials Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12
ACE Limited
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
ACE Limited
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transactions applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transactions 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>
LOGO
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
18 December 1997
Hamilton, Bermuda
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF ACE LIMITED:
The Annual General Meeting of ACE Limited (the "Company") will be held on
Friday, 6 February 1998, at 9:00 a.m. at the Princess Hotel, Pembroke,
Bermuda, for the following purposes:
1. To elect one director to hold office until 2000 and six directors to
hold office until 2001;
2. To consider and vote upon a special resolution (which is attached as
Exhibit A to the accompanying Proxy Statement) to amend Article Six of
the Company's Memorandum of Association and Article 4(a) of the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Association (the "Articles")
to decrease the Company's authorized share capital to U.S.$22,500,000,
divided into 300,000,000 Ordinary Shares, par value of U.S.$0.04166667
per share, and 10,000,000 other Shares, par value of U.S.$1.00 per
share, and to effect a three-for-one stock split of the Company's
Ordinary Shares,
3. To consider and vote upon a special resolution (which is attached as
Exhibit B to the accompanying Proxy Statement) to amend Article 33 of
the Company's Articles to clarify the setting of record dates in respect
of shareholder meetings and payments of dividends.
4. To ratify the appointment of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the Company's
independent accountants for the fiscal year ending 30 September 1998;
and
5. To transact such other further business, if any, as lawfully may be
brought before the meeting.
Only shareholders of record, as shown by the transfer books of the Company,
at the close of business on 13 December 1997 are entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Annual General Meeting.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE
FURNISHED FOR THAT PURPOSE, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN
TO ATTEND THE MEETING. IF YOU LATER DESIRE TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY FOR ANY
REASON, YOU MAY DO SO IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED PROXY STATEMENT.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INDIVIDUALS NOMINATED AS DIRECTORS, USE
OF THE PROXY AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, YOU ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY
STATEMENT ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Brian Duperreault,
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
ACE LIMITED
THE ACE BUILDING
30 WOODBOURNE AVENUE
HAMILTON HM 08 BERMUDA
19 DECEMBER 1997
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of ACE Limited (the "Company") is soliciting the
accompanying proxy to be voted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company to
be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 6 February 1998, at the Princess Hotel, 76
Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, Bermuda, and any adjournments thereof. When the
proxy is properly executed and returned, the Ordinary Shares it represents
will, subject to any direction to the contrary, be voted at the meeting in
favor of the matters specified in the "Notice of Annual General Meeting"
attached hereto.
Any shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it prior to its exercise by
providing the Secretary of the Company with written notice of revocation, by
voting in person at the Annual General Meeting or by executing a later-dated
proxy; provided, however, that the action is taken in sufficient time to
permit the necessary examination and tabulation of the subsequent proxy or
revocation before the vote is taken.
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on 13 December 1997 will
be entitled to vote at the meeting. As of the close of business on 13 December
1997, there were outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company entitled
to vote at the meeting, with each Ordinary Share entitling the holder of
record on such date to one vote (except that if, and so long as, the
Controlled Shares (defined generally to include all shares of the Company
directly, indirectly or constructively owned or beneficially owned by any
person or group of persons) of any person constitute 10% or more of the issued
Ordinary Shares, the voting rights with respect to the Controlled Shares owned
by such person shall be limited, in the aggregate, to a voting power of
approximately 10%, pursuant to a formula specified in the Company's Amended
and Restated Articles of Association).
The election of each nominee for director and the ratification of the
appointment of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the votes cast at the Annual General Meeting, provided there is a
quorum (consisting of not less than six shareholders present in person or by
proxy holding at least 50% of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to
vote at the Annual General Meeting). The proposal (the "Stock Split Proposal")
to amend the Company's Memorandum of Association and Amended and Restated
Articles of Association (the "Articles") to decrease the Company's authorized
share capital and to effect a three-for-one stock split of the Company's
Ordinary Shares and the proposal (the "Record Date Proposal") to amend the
Company's Articles to clarify the setting of record dates in respect of
shareholder meetings and payments of dividends require the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than two-thirds of the Ordinary Shares entitled to
vote thereon. The Company will appoint one or more inspectors of election to
count votes cast in person or by proxy. Ordinary Shares owned by shareholders
electing to abstain from voting with respect to any proposal will be counted
towards the presence of a quorum but will have the effect of a vote against
such proposal. "Broker non-votes" will be counted towards the presence of a
quorum but will not be considered present and voting with respect to elections
of directors or other matters to be voted upon at the Annual General Meeting.
Therefore, "broker non-votes" will have no effect on the outcome of any
proposal.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended 30 September 1997 accompanies this Proxy Statement.
This Proxy Statement, the attached Notice of Annual General Meeting and the
accompanying proxy card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about 19
December 1997.
Other than the approval of the minutes of the 1997 Annual General Meeting,
the Company knows of no specific matter to be brought before the Annual
General Meeting which is not referred to in the attached Notice of Annual
General Meeting. If any such matter comes before the meeting, including any
shareholder proposal properly made, the proxy holders will vote proxies in
accordance with their judgment.
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(ITEM A ON PROXY CARD)
The Company's Articles of Association provide that the Company's Board of
Directors shall be divided into three classes with the terms of office of each
class ending in successive years. The Company's Articles of Association
provide for a maximum of 20 directors and empower the Board of Directors to
fix the exact number of directors and appoint persons to fill any vacancies on
the Board until the next Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors has
set the number of directors at 16.
The Executive Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has nominated
Thomas J. Neff for election as a director of the Company to serve a two-year
term to expire at the Annual General Meeting in 2000 and until his successor
shall have been elected and shall have qualified. The Executive Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors has also nominated Brian Duperreault, Robert
M. Hernandez, Peter Menikoff, Glen M. Renfrew, Dermot F. Smurfit and Robert
Ripp for election as directors of the Company to serve three-year terms to
expire at the Annual General Meeting in 2001 and until their respective
successors shall have been elected and shall have qualified. Each of these
individuals is currently serving as a director of the Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THESE NOMINEES
AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
It is the intention of the persons named as proxies, subject to any
direction to the contrary, to vote in favor of the candidates nominated by the
Board of Directors. If any one or more of the nominees is unable or unwilling
to serve, the proxies will, subject to any direction to the contrary, be voted
for such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend.
Certain information with respect to the nominees for election as directors
proposed by the Company and the other directors whose terms of office as
directors will continue after the Annual General Meeting is set forth below.
NOMINEE FOR ELECTION TO TERM EXPIRING IN 2000
Thomas J. Neff, age 60, has served as a director of the Company since May
1997. Mr. Neff has served as President of Spencer Stuart U.S. (executive
search) since 1976. Mr. Neff is a director of various mutual funds managed by
Lord, Abbett & Co.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO TERMS EXPIRING IN 2001
Brian Duperreault, age 50, has served as a director and as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since October 1994. Prior
to joining the Company, Mr. Duperreault had been employed with American
International Group Inc. ("AIG") (insurance) since 1973 and served in various
senior executive positions with AIG and its affiliates from 1978 until
September 1994, most recently as Executive Vice President, Foreign General
Insurance and, concurrently, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
American International Underwriters Inc., a subsidiary of AIG, from April 1994
to September 1994. Mr. Duperreault was President of American International
Underwriters Inc. from 1991 to April 1994, and chief executive officer of AIG
affiliates in Japan and Korea from 1989 until 1991. Mr. Duperreault serves as
director of the Bank of N.T. Butterfield (Bermuda).
Robert M. Hernandez, age 53, has been a director of the Company since
September 1985. Mr. Hernandez has served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer of USX Corporation ("USX") (a diversified company) since December
1994, as Executive Vice President--Accounting & Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of USX from November 1991 until November 1994 and as Senior Vice
President--Finance & Treasurer from October 1990 to October 1991. Mr.
Hernandez is a director and chairman of RMI Titanium Company; a director of
Marinette Marine Corporation, Transtar, Inc. and USX; a trustee of the Compass
Capital Funds; a member of the boards of trustees of the Allegheny Health,
Education and Research Foundation and of Allegheny General Hospital; a
director of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry; and a member of
the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable.
2
<PAGE>
Peter Menikoff, age 56, has been a director of the Company since January
1986. Mr. Menikoff has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
CONEMSCO, Inc. (oil and gas drilling/production supplies, services and
equipment) since April 1997. Previously, Mr. Menikoff served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer of Tenneco Energy Resources
Corporation (energy) since June 1995. Mr. Menikoff has served as a Senior Vice
President of Tenneco, Inc. (diversified industrial) since June 1994. Mr.
Menikoff served as Executive Vice President of Case Corporation (agricultural
and construction equipment), a subsidiary of Tenneco, Inc., from November 1991
to June 1994. Mr. Menikoff served as Treasurer of Tenneco, Inc. from May 1989
to November 1991. Mr. Menikoff is a director of CONEMSCO, Inc.
Glen M. Renfrew, age 69, has been a director of the Company since August
1993. Mr. Renfrew retired as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
Reuters Holdings plc (communications) in March 1991, having served in such
capacity since 1981. Mr. Renfrew is a director of Shorewood (Bermuda) Ltd.,
Lolla Ltd. and Bluesurf Ltd.
Robert Ripp, age 56, has been a director of the Company since December 1989.
Mr. Ripp has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AMP
Incorporated (electrical connectors) since July 1994. Mr. Ripp served as Vice
President and Treasurer of International Business Machines Corporation
(electronic computer equipment) from July 1989 through September 1993. Mr. Ripp
is a director of Network Imaging Corp.
Dermot F. Smurfit, age 53, has been a director of the Company since August
1997. Mr. Smurfit has been Joint Deputy Chairman of Jefferson Smurfit Group plc
("Jefferson Smurfit") (paper, paperboard and packaging) since January 1984,
Chairman and Chief Executive of Jefferson Smurfit's continental European
operations since 1992 and has held a number of other senior positions with
Jefferson Smurfit. Mr. Smurfit is also a member of the Board of the
Confederation of European Paper Industries. Mr. Smurfit is a director of
Jefferson Smurfit and of Aon Groepe Nederland.
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS MEETING
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 1999
Jeffrey W. Greenberg, age 46, has been a director of the Company since
November 1995. Mr. Greenberg has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital Corp. ("MMRC") (insurance), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. ("Marsh & McLennan") since April
1996 and as a partner of MMRC from October 1995 to April 1996. Mr. Greenberg
held various positions with AIG and its affiliates from 1978 through June 1995,
having served as Executive Vice President--Domestic Brokerage Group from 1991
through June 1995. Mr. Greenberg is a director of Marsh & McLennan.
Meryl D. Hartzband, age 43 was elected as a director of ACE in May 1996. Ms.
Hartzband has served as a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan Capital Corporation
(commercial and investment banking), a subsidiary of J.P. Morgan & Co.
Incorporated ("J.P. Morgan") since August 1994. From 1982 through August 1994,
Ms. Hartzband was employed with J.P. Morgan in various capacities.
Donald Kramer, age 59 was elected as Vice Chairman and a director of ACE in
July 1996. Mr. Kramer served as Chairman or Co-Chairman of the Board of Tempest
Reinsurance Company Limited ("Tempest") since its formation in September 1993.
Tempest was acquired by the Company on 1 July 1996. Prior to the formation of
Tempest, he was President of Kramer Capital Corporation (venture capital
investments) from March to September 1993, President of Carteret Federal
Savings Bank (banking) from August 1991 to March 1993, Chairman of the Board of
NAC Re Corporation (reinsurance) from June 1985 to June 1993, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of KCP Holding Company (insurance) from July
1986 to August 1991 and of its affiliates, KCC Capital Managers (insurance
investments) and Kramer Capital Consultants, Inc. (insurance investments), as
well as Chairman of the Board of its subsidiary, National American Insurance
Company of California (insurance) from September 1988 to August 1991. Mr.
Kramer is a director of National Benefit Life Insurance Company of New York
City, a subsidiary of the Travelers Group, and Chairman of the Board of the
Brooklyn College Foundation.
3
<PAGE>
Walter A. Scott, age 60, has been a director of the Company since September
1989. Mr. Scott served as a consultant to the Company from October 1994 until
September 1996. Mr. Scott served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company from March 1991 until his retirement in September 1994
and as President and Chief Executive Officer from September 1989 to March 1991.
Mr. Scott is a director of Overseas Partners Limited, Pearman and Watlington
Limited and SCUUL Limited. Mr. Scott is also a trustee of Lafayette College.
Sidney F. Wentz, age 65, has been a director of the Company since May 1993.
Mr. Wentz has served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation (charitable foundation) since 1989. From February 1987
until July 1988, Mr. Wentz served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Crum & Forster, Inc. (insurance). Mr. Wentz is a director of Castle Energy
Corporation and a trustee of Morristown Memorial Hospital and Drew University.
Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2000
Michael G. Atieh, age 44, has been a director of the Company since September
1991. Mr. Atieh has served as Senior Vice President--Sales of Merck-Medco
Managed Care, Inc. (managed health care), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary
of Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck") (pharmaceuticals) since April 1994, as Vice
President--Public Affairs of Merck from January 1994 to April 1994 and as
Treasurer of Merck from April 1990 to December 1993. Mr. Atieh is a director of
Medco Containment Services, Inc.
Bruce L. Crockett, age 53, has been a director of the Company since May 1995.
Mr. Crockett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of COMSAT
Corporation ("COMSAT") (information services) from February 1992 until July
1996 and as President and Chief Operating Officer of COMSAT from April 1991 to
February 1992. Mr. Crockett has been an employee of COMSAT since 1980 and has
held various operational and financial positions including Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Crockett is a director of Eagele Eye Technologies,
Inc., GlobalTel Resources, Inc. International Business Network for World
Commerce & Industry, Ltd. and INROADS, Inc. and a director or trustee of funds
of AIM Management Group, Inc. Mr. Crockett is also a member of the Board of
Trustees of the University of Rochester.
Robert W. Staley, age 62, has been a director of the Company since January
1986. Mr. Staley has been employed with Emerson Electric Co. ("Emerson")
(electric equipment) since 1975, serving as Vice Chairman of Emerson since
November 1988. Mr. Staley is a director of Emerson.
Gary M. Stuart, age 57, has been a director of the Company since March 1988.
Mr. Stuart has served as Vice President and Treasurer of Union Pacific
Corporation (transportation) since January 1990.
There are no arrangements or understandings between any director and any
other person pursuant to which any director was or is selected as a director or
nominee.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the year ended 30 September 1997, there were five meetings of the
Board of Directors (including regularly scheduled and special meetings). All
incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of such meetings and
of the meetings held by all committees of the Board of which they were a member
(or of such meetings during such directors' tenure on the Board of Directors).
The Board of Directors has established four standing committees: the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Executive Committee and the Finance
Committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is composed entirely of non-management directors and
reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's external auditors and
their audit report. The Audit Committee is comprised of Sidney F. Wentz
(Chairman), Bruce L. Crockett, Meryl D. Hartzband, Thomas J. Neff and Glen M.
Renfrew. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the year ended 30
September 1997.
4
<PAGE>
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has responsibility for determining executive
compensation. The Compensation Committee is comprised of Bruce L. Crockett
(Chairman), Jeffrey W. Greenberg, Robert M. Hernandez, Thomas J. Neff and
Sidney F. Wentz. The Compensation Committee held four meetings during the year
ended 30 September 1997.
Executive Committee
Except as expressly limited by applicable law or the Company's Memorandum or
Articles of Association, the Executive Committee exercises all the powers and
authorities of the Board of Directors between meetings of the full Board of
Directors. The Executive Committee also has responsibility for nominating
directors. The Executive Committee will consider a shareholder's suggestion for
candidates if mailed to: Secretary, ACE Limited, The ACE Building, 30
Woodbourne Avenue, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda. Any such suggestion with respect to
directors to be elected at the Annual General Meeting to be held in 1997 must
be received not later than December 1998 and must comply with Article 40 of
the Company's Articles of Association. The Executive Committee is comprised of
Robert M. Hernandez (Chairman), Brian Duperreault, Jeffrey W. Greenberg, Donald
Kramer and Robert W. Staley. The Executive Committee held four meetings during
the year ended 30 September 1997.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for recommending asset allocations to
the Board of Directors, approving the guidelines which provide standards to
ensure portfolio liquidity and safety, and approving investment managers and
custodians for portfolio assets. The Finance Committee is comprised of Peter
Menikoff (Chairman), Michael G. Atieh, Robert Ripp, Walter A. Scott, Dermot F.
Smurfit and Gary M. Stuart. The Finance Committee held four meetings during the
year ended 30 September 1997.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the Company's 1995 Outside Directors Plan, non-management
directors of the Company are awarded an annual "retainer award" in the form of
Ordinary Shares having a fair market value of $25,000 (or a pro rata portion
thereof for less than full years of service). The retainer award is made as of
the date of the Company's annual general meeting, and the fair market value of
the Ordinary Shares is determined as of that date. The value of any fractional
share is generally distributed in cash. Directors vest in the retainer award
shares as of the day immediately preceding the next annual general meeting. All
retainer award shares become fully vested upon a "change in control" of the
Company (as defined in the plan), or if the director ceases service as a
director because of death or disability. If a director ceases service as a
director for any other reason, all unvested retainer award shares are
forfeited.
In addition, each director who serves as the chairman of any committee of the
Board during any plan year quarter is awarded a "committee chairman award" as
of the first business day of the next following plan quarter (generally ninety-
day periods following the annual general meeting), which award is the number of
Ordinary Shares having a fair market value, determined as of such date, of
$1,250 per quarter. All shares awarded as a committee chairman award are fully
vested at the time of award. In addition, a director may elect to receive his
committee chairman award in cash.
Directors are also paid $3,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of
Directors and $1,000 for attendance at each meeting of a committee of the Board
of Directors. Directors are also reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in
connection with Board service.
A director may elect to defer the receipt of Ordinary Shares or cash
otherwise payable.
CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
Certain shareholders of the Company and their affiliates, including the
employers of or entities otherwise associated with certain directors, have
purchased insurance from the Company on terms the Company believes were no more
favorable to these insureds than those made available to other customers.
5
<PAGE>
The Company pays to Bowring Bermuda, an affiliate of Marsh & McLennan, and
Tempest pays to Marsh & McLennan normal and customary commissions for
brokerage activities performed in connection with the placing of insurance
with the Company and Tempest, respectively. William M. Mercer, Incorporated
("Mercer"), an employee benefits consulting firm and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Marsh & McLennan, advises the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board
of Directors and receives customary fees in connection therewith.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Executive officers and directors of the Company are subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"). During the year ended 30 September 1997, (i) Michael G.
Atieh, Bruce L. Crockett, Robert M. Hernandez, Peter Menikoff, Robert Ripp,
Gary M. Stuart and Andrew J. Markey (a former director whose term of office
ended in February 1997) were late in reporting two dividend accruals that were
credited to their stock accounts with respect to Ordinary Shares of which they
elected to defer receipt under the ACE Limited 1995 Outside Directors Plan,
(ii) Peter Menikoff was late in reporting an acquisition of Ordinary Shares
and (iii) Keith P. White was late in reporting the acquisition through
marriage of indirect beneficial ownership of certain Ordinary Shares that his
wife had owned prior to their marriage. All such transactions have now been
reported.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF ORDINARY SHARES
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following tables set forth information, as of December 1997, with
respect to the beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares by Brian Duperreault,
the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (the Company's
"CEO"), the Company's other four most highly compensated executive officers
(the "Named Executive Officers"), each of the Company's directors and by all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise
indicated, the named individual has sole voting and investment power over the
Ordinary Shares under the column "Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned." The
Ordinary Shares owned by each director, each executive officer and by all
directors and executive officers as a group constitute less than one percent
of the outstanding Ordinary Shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ORDINARY
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED
------------------------ ------------
<S> <C>
Brian Duperreault...........................................
Donald Kramer...............................................
William J. Loschert.........................................
Christopher Z. Marshall.....................................
Dominic J. Frederico........................................
Michael G. Atieh............................................
Bruce L. Crockett...........................................
Jeffrey W. Greenberg (2)....................................
Meryl D. Hartzband (2)......................................
Robert M. Hernandez.........................................
Thomas J. Neff..............................................
Peter Menikoff..............................................
Glen M. Renfrew.............................................
Robert Ripp.................................................
Walter A. Scott.............................................
Dermot F. Smurfit...........................................
Robert W. Staley (2)........................................
Gary M. Stuart..............................................
Sidney F. Wentz.............................................
All directors and executive officers as a group (
individuals)...............................................
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) Includes Ordinary Shares which the reporting person has the right to
acquire within 60 days of December 1997 in the following amounts:
.
(2) Ms. Hartzband and Messrs. Greenberg and Staley serve as officers or are
otherwise affiliated with shareholders of the Company. The number of
Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by such shareholders is set forth
below.
Each of the Company's directors named below is an officer of or otherwise
affiliated with a shareholder of the Company. The following table sets forth
the name of each such director, the name of the affiliated shareholder (or the
ultimate parent of such shareholder) and the number of Ordinary Shares
beneficially owned as of December 1997, by such shareholder (or the
ultimate parent of such shareholder).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT
NUMBER OF OF
ORDINARY ORDINARY
NAME NAME OF SHAREHOLDER SHARES SHARES
- ---- ------------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Meryl D Hartzband........ J P Morgan & Co. Incorporated
Jeffrey W Greenberg...... Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
Robert W Staley.......... Emerson Electric Co.
</TABLE>
- --------
* Represents less than one percent of the outstanding Ordinary Shares.
OTHER BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth information regarding each person known by
the Company (including corporate groups) to own of record or beneficially own
more than five percent of the Company's outstanding Ordinary Shares as of the
dates indicated below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED CLASS
------------------------------------ ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Oppenheimer Group, Inc (1)................................
Oppenheimer Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York 10281
Franklin Resources, Inc (2)...............................
777 Mariners Island Boulevard
San Mateo, California 94404
Wellington Management Company (3).........................
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
American Express Financial Corporation (4)................
IDS Tower--10
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0010
Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P (5)..........................
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. (6).........................
100 E Prett St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
- --------
(1) Based upon information contained in a Schedule 13G by Oppenheimer Group,
Inc. ("Oppenheimer") on [DATE] and upon information obtained from
Oppenheimer as of [DATE]. According to such Schedule 13G, Oppenheimer is a
holding company which owns directly or indirectly the managing general
partner of Oppenheimer Capital. Such managing general partner, which is a
registered investment advisor, and persons to whom it has delegated the
authority, have the power on behalf of Oppenheimer Capital to direct the
use of dividends or proceeds of sale of the Ordinary Shares reported as
beneficially owned by Oppenheimer.
(2) Based upon information contained in a Form 13F filed with respect to the
quarter ended 30 September 1997 and upon information obtained from Franklin
Resources, Inc. as of December 1997. According to such Form 13F,
Franklin Resources, Inc. has shared dispositive power over all of the
reported Ordinary Shares, sole voting power with respect to
Ordinary Shares, shared voting power with respect to Ordinary
Shares and no voting power with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(3) According to information provided by Wellington Management Company, LLP
("WMC"), WMC is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
As of December 1997, WMC, in its capacity as investment adviser, may be
deemed to have beneficial ownership of Ordinary Shares that are
owned by numerous investment advisory clients, none of which is known to
have such interest with respect to more than five percent of the class. WMC
had shared voting power with respect to [3,108,750] Ordinary Shares and
shared dispositive power with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(4) Based upon information contained in a Form 13F filed with respect to the
quarter ended 30 September 1997 and information provided by American
Express Financial Corporation.
(5) Based upon information contained in a Form 13F filed with respect to the
quarter ended 30 September 1997. According to such Form 13F, Loomis Sayles
& Company, L.P. has sole dispositive power over all of the reported
Ordinary Shares, sole voting power with respect to Ordinary
Shares and no voting power with respect to Ordinary Shares.
(6) Based upon information obtained from T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. as of
December 1997. All such Ordinary Shares are held in investment advisory
accounts managed by T. Rowe Price.
Other than as disclosed above, there are no persons who own of record, or are
known by the Company to beneficially own, as of December 1997, more than
five percent of the Company's outstanding Ordinary Shares.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth, in summary form, compensation earned by the
Company's CEO and by the Named Executive Officers of the Company for the
periods presented.
8
<PAGE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
----------------------------------- ------------------------
SECURITIES
RESTRICTED UNDERLYING
NAME AND FISCAL OTHER ANNUAL STOCK OPTIONS/ ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION(1) YEAR SALARY BONUS(2) COMPENSATION(3) AWARDS(4) SARS(#) COMPENSATION(5)
--------------------- ------ -------- ---------- --------------- ------------ ---------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Brian Duperreault....... 1997 $531,258 $1,200,000 $221,693 $5,400,000(6) 60,000 $259,689
Chairman, President and 1996 468,720 650,000 191,241 585,000(6) 60,000 167,808
Chief Executive Officer
of ACE Limited 1995 450,000 400,000 181,949 2,350,000(7) 300,000 127,500
Donald Kramer........... 1997 468,750 475,000 2,750 270,000(6) 20,000 141,563
Vice Chairman of ACE 1996 112,500 337,500 -- 146,250(6) 25,000 67,500
Limited, President of
Tempest Reinsurance
Company Limited
130,163(8)
Dominic J. Frederico.... 1997 310,000 300,000 185,498 540,000(6) 30,000 91,500
President, A.C.E. 1996 267,507 127,500 121,884 117,000(6) 20,000 59,251
Insurance Co. Ltd.
49,725(8)
1995 168,381 130,000 102,270 -- 10,000 44,757
William J. Loschert..... 1997 326,250 250,000 141,807 270,000(6) 20,000 86,438
Chairman, ACE London 1996 311,250 131,250 53,322 117,000(6) 20,000 66,375
51,187(8)
1995 281,250 150,000 49,860 -- 20,000 64,688
Christopher Z. Marshall. 1997 308,750 225,000 3,473 270,000(6) 20,000 80,063
Chief Financial Officer 1996 286,254 127,500 -- 117,000(6) 20,000 62,063
of ACE Limited
49,725(8)
1995 256,250 150,000 -- -- 20,000 60,938
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Mr. Kramer's employment with the Company began on 1 July 1996. With
respect to the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, the salary reported
for Mr. Kramer represents Mr. Kramer's salary from 1 July 1996, the date
on which Tempest was acquired by the Company, through 30 September 1996
and the bonus reported for Mr. Kramer represents his bonus for the year
ended 30 September 1996 which the Company agreed to pay in connection with
its acquisition of Tempest. Mr. Frederico's employment with the Company
began on 9 January 1995.
(2) Bonuses for the year ended 30 September 1996 for Messrs. Kramer, Loschert,
Marshall and Frederico reflect their election to forgo up to 25% of their
annual bonus in return for the receipt of restricted Ordinary Shares with
a fair market value equal to 115% of the amount of the foregone bonus. See
Note 8 below.
(3) Other annual compensation for the year ended 30 September 1997 includes
commuting and living allowances in respect of Messrs. Duperreault,
Frederico and Loschert in the amounts of $ , $ and $ ,
respectively; for the year ended 30 September 1996 includes commuting and
living allowances in respect of Messrs. Duperreault, Frederico and
Loschert in the amounts of $170,004, $96,000 and $41,400, respectively;
and for the year ended 30 September 1995 includes commuting and living
allowances in respect of Messrs. Duperreault, Frederico and Loschert in
the amounts of $170,004, $99,501 and $45,247, respectively.
9
<PAGE>
(4) As of 30 September 1997, the number and value of restricted Ordinary
Shares held by each of the above named executive officers was: Mr.
Duperreault-- ($ ) , Mr. Kramer-- ($ ), Mr.
Frederico-- ($ ), Mr. Loschert-- ($ ) and Mr.
Marshall-- ($ ). Such values were determined by multiplying the
number of shares by $94.00 (the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on
the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on 30 September 1997).
(5) All other compensation with respect to the year ended 30 September 1997
represents contributions by the Company to defined contribution plans on
behalf of the named individuals for the above amounts.
(6) The value of the restricted shares awarded to the individuals in respect
of the year ended 30 September 1997 was determined by multiplying the
number of shares awarded by the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on
the NYSE on 12 November 1997 ($90.00), in each case the date of the award.
The value of the restricted shares awarded to the individuals in respect
of the year ended 30 September 1996 was determined by multiplying the
number of shares awarded by the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on
the NYSE on (i) with respect to Mr. Duperreault, 4 December 1996 ($59.50)
and (ii) with respect to the Named Executive Officers, 14 November 1996
($58.50), in each case the date of the award. The number of restricted
Ordinary Shares awarded to each of the above named executive officers was:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL FISCAL
NAME 1997 1996
---- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Brian Duperreault........................................... 60,000 10,000
Donald Kramer............................................... 3,000 2,500
Dominic J. Frederico........................................ 6,000 2,000
William J. Loschert......................................... 3,000 2,000
Christopher Z. Marshall..................................... 3,000 2,000
</TABLE>
Other than 50,000 restricted Ordinary Shares awarded to Mr. Duperreault in
1997, the restrictions with respect to one-third of the Ordinary Shares
lapse at the end of each of the first, second and third anniversary of the
date of the award. With respect to such 50,000 restricted Ordinary Shares,
10,000 restricted Ordinary Shares vest on 12 November 2000, 20,000
restricted Ordinary Shares vest on 12 November 2001, 20,000 restricted
Ordinary Shares vest on 12 November 2002. During the restricted period, the
executive officers are entitled to vote the Ordinary Shares and receive
dividends.
(7) The value of the restricted shares awarded to Mr. Duperreault during the
year ended 30 September 1995 was determined by multiplying the number of
shares awarded (100,000) by the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on
the NYSE on 9 November 1994 ($23.50), the date of the award. The
restrictions with respect to 40,000 shares lapsed on 30 September 1997 and
the restrictions with respect 20,000 shares lapsed on 30 September 1996.
The restrictions with respect to 20,000 shares will lapse on each of 30
September 1998 and 1999. During the restricted period, Mr. Duperreault is
entitled to vote the Ordinary Shares and receive dividends.
(8) The Company's executive officers, other than Mr. Duperreault, were given
the option to elect to forgo up to 25% of their annual bonus in return for
the receipt of restricted Ordinary Shares with a fair market value equal
to 115% of the amount of the foregone bonus. The value of the restricted
shares shown for Messrs. Kramer, Loschert, Marshall and Frederico was
determined by multiplying the number of shares acquired in respect of
their foregone bonuses by the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the
NYSE on 14 November 1996 ($58.50), the date of acquisition. The
restrictions with respect to one-third of the Ordinary Shares lapse at the
end of each of the first, second and third anniversary of the date of the
award. During the restricted period, the executive officers are entitled
to vote the Ordinary Shares and receive dividends.
The following table sets forth information concerning awards of stock
options under the Company's Equity Linked Incentive/Stock Appreciation Rights
Plan made to the Company's CEO and to the Named Executive Officers during the
year ended 30 September 1997. No stock appreciation rights ("SARs") were
awarded during the year ended 30 September 1997.
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF POTENTIAL REALIZED
TOTAL VALUE AT ASSUMED
OPTIONS ANNUAL RATES
NUMBER OF AWARDED TO OF STOCK PRICE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE OF APPRECIATION FOR
AWARDED IN IN BASE PRICE OPTION TERM
NAME FISCAL 1997 FISCAL 1997 ($/SH) EXPIRATION DATE ---------------------
- ---- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------------<S> <C>
5% 10%
----------------------- ------
Brian Duperreault....... 60,000 $90.00 12 November 2007 $3,396,000 $8,606,400
Donald Kramer........... 20,000 90.00 12 November 2007 1,132,000 2,868,800
William J. Loschert..... 30,000 90.00 12 November 2007 1,698,000 4,303,200
Christopher Z. Marshall. 20,000 90.00 12 November 2007 1,132,000 2,868,800
Dominic J Frederico..... 20,000 90.00 12 November 2007 1,132,000 2,868,800
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Options vest 50% at the end of the third year with the remainder vesting
at the end of the fourth year.
The following table sets forth information concerning the number of
unexercised SARs and stock options outstanding at 30 September 1997, and the
value of any unexercised in-the-money SARs and stock options outstanding at
such time, held by the Company's CEO and the Named Executive Officers.
OPTION/SAR VALUES AT 30 SEPTEMBER 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF
UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF IN-THE-
UNEXERCISED MONEY
NAME OPTIONS OPTIONS
---- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Brian Duperreault.................................
Donald Kramer.....................................
William J. Loschert...............................
Christopher Z. Marshall...........................
Dominic J. Frederico..............................
</TABLE>
[THERE WERE NO EXERCISES OF SARS OR OPTIONS DURING THE YEAR ENDED 30
SEPTEMBER 1997 BY THE COMPANY'S CEO OR ANY OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.]
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors has
responsibility for determining the compensation of the Company's officers.
None of the members of the Compensation Committee was an officer or employee
of the Company.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The following is intended to be a summary of the terms of the employment
agreements entered into between the Company and the executive officers named
below.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Brian Duperreault, pursuant
to which he is to serve as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. The agreement provides for a base salary of $550,000 per year,
subject to increase. Effective 1 January 1998, Mr. Duperreault's annual base
salary will be $700,000. The agreement also provides for an annual
discretionary bonus. Mr. Duperreault is also eligible to participate in the
Company's benefit plans. Pursuant to an Option and Restricted Share Agreement
and Plan entered into in connection with Mr. Duperreault's employment
agreement, Mr. Duperreault was awarded 100,000 restricted shares and options
to purchase 300,000 Ordinary Shares at $22.625 per Ordinary Share. The
restrictions with respect to 20,000 of the aforementioned restricted shares
expired on 30 September 1996 and the restrictions with respect to 40,000 of
the aforementioned restricted shares expired on 30 September 1997. The
11
<PAGE>
aforementioned restrictions expire with respect to 20,000 shares will lapse on
each of 30 September 1998 and 1999. The aforementioned options with respect to
100,000 Ordinary Shares became exercisable on 30 September 1997 and the
aforementioned options become exercisable with respect to 100,000 Ordinary
Shares on each of 30 September 1998 and 1999 and expire on 30 September 2004.
The restrictions with respect to the aforementioned restricted shares will
lapse, and the aforementioned options will become immediately exercisable, in
the event of Mr. Duperreault's death or disability, the termination of Mr.
Duperreault's employment without cause or in the event of a "change in
control" (as defined). In the event of termination of Mr. Duperreault's
employment with the Company for any other reason, Mr. Duperreault will forfeit
any options which were not exercisable on his termination date and any
restricted shares for which the restricted period had not yet lapsed. Mr.
Duperreault may exercise any of the options which were or which become
exercisable on his termination date for a period of one year if his
termination is by reason of his death or disability or by the Company without
cause and for 30 days if such termination is by the Company for cause or
voluntarily by Mr. Duperreault. The agreement also provides Mr. Duperreault
with customary executive benefits, including participation in the Company's
retirement plan, the Company's supplemental executive retirement plan, various
insurance plans, reimbursement of housing and certain personal travel expenses
and, generally, such other benefit programs as are available to the Company's
other senior executives. The agreement expires on 30 September 1998, and is
subject to automatic annual one-year renewals thereafter unless notice of non-
renewal is provided by the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, if,
following a change in control, Mr. Duperreault's employment is terminated
without cause, his salary and benefits will continue for 12 months and he will
be entitled to any previously awarded but unpaid bonus and a bonus for any
uncompleted fiscal year based upon the bonus for the last completed fiscal
year and the number of days in the then current fiscal year in which he was
employed. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Duperreault has agreed not to engage
in any activity in Bermuda or the Cayman Islands for a period of 12 months
following termination of his employment with the Company that would compete
with any business being conducted by the Company or its subsidiaries, or which
was actively being developed by the Company or its subsidiaries during the
term of Mr. Duperreault's employment.
A "change in control" under Mr. Duperreault's employment agreement is
generally deemed to occur when (i) any person becomes the beneficial owner of
50% or more of the voting stock of the Company, (ii) the majority of the Board
consists of individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the
members of the Board on the date of the Agreement; provided that any person
becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for
election was supported by three-quarters of the directors who then comprised
the Incumbent Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director; (iii)
the Company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of
all or substantially all of its assets; (iv) all or substantially all of the
assets or business of the Company are disposed of pursuant to a merger,
consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of the Company
immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion
as they owned the voting stock of the Company, all of the voting stock or
other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to
the business of the Company); or (v) the Company combines with another company
and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the
shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the combination hold,
directly or indirectly, 50% or less of the voting stock of the combined
company.
The Company has entered into an agreement with William J. Loschert which
currently provides for a base salary of $330,000 per year, subject to
increase, an annual discretionary bonus plus participation in the Company's
benefit plans. Effective 1 January 1998, Mr. Loschert's annual base salary
will be $375,000. The agreement also provides Mr. Loschert with customary
executive benefits, including participation in the Company's retirement plan,
the Company's supplemental executive retirement plan, various insurance plans,
reimbursement of housing and certain personal travel expenses and, generally,
such other benefit programs as are available to the Company's other senior
executives. The term of Mr. Loschert's agreement is automatically extended
with each extension of, and for the term of, Mr. Loschert's work permit,
unless notice of non-renewal is provided by either party. Upon Mr. Loschert's
resignation within six months after a "change in control" (as defined below),
if he makes certain good faith determinations regarding changes in the nature
of his duties, or upon termination without cause, Mr. Loschert's salary and
benefits are agreed to continue for the balance of his
12
<PAGE>
term of employment and any previously awarded but unpaid bonus is to be paid.
Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Loschert has agreed not to engage in any
activity in the United States, Bermuda or the Cayman Islands for a period of 24
months following his termination of employment with the Company that would
compete with the business of the Company.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Christopher Z. Marshall which
currently provides for a base salary of $315,000 per year, subject to increase
by the Company's Chief Executive Officer, an annual discretionary bonus plus
participation in the Company's benefit plans. Effective 1 January 1998, Mr.
Marshall's annual base salary will be $350,000. The agreement also provides Mr.
Marshall with customary executive benefits, including participation in the
Company's retirement plan, the Company's supplemental executive retirement
plan, various insurance plans and, generally, such other benefit programs as
are available to the Company's other senior executives. The agreement is for a
three-year term, but provides for automatic one-year extensions after the first
year of each three-year term, unless notice of non-renewal is provided by
either party. Upon Mr. Marshall's resignation within six months after a "change
in control" (as defined below), if he makes certain good faith determinations
regarding changes in the nature of his duties, or upon termination without
cause, Mr. Marshall's salary and benefits are agreed to continue for the
balance of his term of employment and any previously awarded but unpaid bonus
is to be paid. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Marshall has agreed not to engage
in any activity in the United States, Bermuda or the Cayman Islands for a
period of 24 months following his termination of employment with the Company
that would compete with the business of the Company.
As used in Messrs. Loschert's and Marshall's employment agreements, a "change
in control" generally means a change in the beneficial ownership of the
Company's voting stock, a change in the composition of the Company's Board of
Directors or a sale of the Company's assets if (A) any person (or group or
association, as defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, of persons) (other than (1) a trustee or other fiduciary of securities
held under an employee benefit plan of the Company, (2) a corporation owned
directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of the Company or (3) any person in which
the officer has a substantial equity interest) acquires 50% or more of the
combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company having a
right to vote at the election of directors; (B) there is a sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; or (C) there shall cease to be
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company whose members are either
(1) previous members of the Board of Directors or (2) recommended for election
by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors or a
committee thereof.
The Company has entered into an agreement with Dominic J. Frederico, pursuant
to which he is to serve as President, ACE Insurance Company, Ltd.. The
agreement currently provides for a base salary of $320,000 per year, subject to
increase, an annual discretionary bonus plus participation in the Company's
benefit plans. Effective 1 January 1998, Mr. Frederico's annual base salary
will be $375,000. Pursuant to his agreement, Mr. Frederico was awarded options
to purchase 10,000 Ordinary Shares at $22.875 per Ordinary Share. The options
become exercisable with respect to 5,000 Ordinary Shares on each of 9 January
1998 and 1999 and expire on 9 January 2005. The agreement also provides Mr.
Frederico with customary executive benefits, including participation in the
Company's retirement plan, the Company's supplemental executive retirement
plan, various insurance plans, reimbursement of housing and certain personal
travel expenses and, generally, such other benefit programs as are available to
the Company's other senior executives. The agreement expires on 1 January 1998,
and is subject to automatic annual one-year renewals thereafter unless notice
of non-renewal is provided by the Company. Upon termination without cause, Mr.
Frederico's salary and benefits are agreed to continue for 24 months and any
previously awarded but unpaid bonus is to be paid. Pursuant to the agreement,
Mr. Frederico has agreed not to engage in any activity in the United States,
Bermuda or the Cayman Islands for a period of 12 months following his
termination of employment with the Company that would compete with the business
of the Company.
13
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") is
comprised entirely of independent, non-management directors. The Committee has
responsibility for developing and implementing the Company's compensation
policy for senior management, and for determining the compensation for the
executive officers of the Company. The goal of the Committee is to achieve fair
compensation for the individuals and to enhance shareholder value by continuing
to closely align the financial rewards of management with those of the
Company's shareholders.
The Company's compensation program is structured to support the human
resource requirements of its business. The Company seeks to attract and retain
qualified executives who are creative, motivated and dedicated. With respect to
its executive officers, the Company competes with specialty insurance and
financial companies world-wide, although primarily with companies based in
North America and, more recently, the United Kingdom. The Committee is very
much aware of the unique circumstances which relate to the attraction and
retention of superior executives in Bermuda, and attempts to create and
administer a compensation program to achieve that result with consistency
throughout the Company.
Each executive's total compensation is generally comprised of three
components: base salary, annual incentive compensation awards and long-term
incentive compensation awards. The mix of an officer's total compensation is
generally based upon the seniority of the officer's position with more senior
officers receiving a greater percentage of their total compensation in the form
of incentive compensation.
Salary and incentive compensation awards are reviewed annually for
competitiveness and are determined in large part by reference to compensation
ranges for comparable positions at comparable companies based in Bermuda and
the United States. The Company takes the compensation of the upper quartile of
its applicable peer group into account in establishing annual incentive
compensation. Actual annual incentive compensation may be above or below such
target based on individual and corporate performance during the prior fiscal
year.
Because the Company's business activity can result in significant earnings
fluctuation from year to year, each executive's contribution to the advancement
of long-term corporate goals is also considered. These factors include, among
other things, underwriting and financial results, business production,
development of management team and strategic steps such as development of new
products and lines of business, geographical spread of business and
acquisitions.
BASE SALARY
In determining the salary of each senior executive, the Committee, is
assisted by William M. Mercer, Incorporated, an independent consulting firm,
which annually accumulates data from a number of comparable companies. The data
is analyzed to establish salary ranges for comparable positions in companies of
approximately equal size and complexity. The Company's Chief Executive Officer
makes recommendations to the Committee with respect to the base salary of each
senior executive other than himself. The Committee discusses these
recommendations, and the relevant data, and then determines the senior
executives' base salary. The Committee meets separately to determine the base
salary of the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
At the conclusion of each fiscal year, the Committee reviews with the
Company's Chief Executive Officer the performance of each senior executive
against goals established at the beginning of the year. Based upon the overall
performance of the Company and the contribution by the individuals in achieving
that performance by attaining the originally established goals (taking into
account any goals added or modified during the course of the year), the
Company's Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Committee annual incentive
compensation levels for each senior executive. The Committee considers his
recommendations, and the relevant data, and then determines the annual
incentive compensation for each senior executive. The Committee meets
separately to evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and
determine his annual incentive award.
14
<PAGE>
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
At the 1996 Annual General Meeting, shareholders adopted the 1995 Long-Term
Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan"). In furtherance of the objectives of the 1995
Plan, the Committee has established a set of goals, including:
(i) increasing officer ownership of the Company's outstanding shares to
approximately 2.5% of outstanding shares over a five to seven year
period;
(ii) award long-term incentive awards at more competitive levels
annually; and
(iii) providing capital accumulation opportunities that foster attraction
and retention of key management employees by linking their
interests with shareholder interest.
With respect to guidelines for administering the long-term incentive plan,
the Committee makes long-term compensation awards based on individual and
Company performance, and on the practices of a group of comparable companies.
While the 1995 Plan provides for a range of types of awards, the Committee
anticipates that over the next few years, awards generally will be in the form
of stock options and/or restricted stock. The Committee believes that awards
of stock options, which reward Company stock price appreciation over the long-
term, are particularly appropriate in light of the nature of the Company's
business and long-term business plans.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S FISCAL 1997 COMPENSATION
As set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above, Mr. Duperreault's
total annual compensation for the year ended 30 September 1997 was $1,952,951.
Such annual compensation consisted of base salary of $531,258 pursuant to Mr.
Duperreault's employment agreement described elsewhere herein, see
"--Employment Agreements," an annual discretionary bonus of $1,200,000 and
$221,693 in other annual compensation. In determining Mr. Duperreault's annual
bonus and long-term incentive compensation awards and adjustments to his base
salary, the Committee considered the Company's exceptional financial and
operating performance during the year ended 30 September 1997, as well as the
completion of certain strategic initiatives.
The Company is not a U.S. taxpayer, and therefore Section 162(m) of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code (which restricts the deductibility of certain
compensation under U.S. tax rules) is inapplicable to the Company's
compensation payments.
The foregoing report has been approved by all members of the Committee.
Sidney F. Wentz (Chairman)
Bruce Crockett
Robert M. Hernandez
Jeffrey W. Greenberg
15
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the dollar change in the cumulative
total shareholder return on the Company's Ordinary Shares from 25 March 1993
(the date on which the Company's Ordinary Shares were first traded on the NYSE)
through 30 September 1997 as compared to the cumulative total return of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the cumulative total return of the
Standard & Poor's Property-Casualty Insurance Index. The chart depicts the
value on each of 30 September 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 of a $100
investment made on 25 March 1993, with all dividends reinvested.
[GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG ACE LIMITED, S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Measurement Period S&P S&P PROPERTY-CASUALTY
(Fiscal Year Covered) Ace Limited 500 INDEX INSURANCE INDEX
- --------------------- ----------- --------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Measurement Pt-
03/23/93 $100 $100 $100
FYE 09/30/93 $117 $103 $100
FYE 09/30/94 $ 86 $139 $119
FYE 09/30/95 $126 $139 $119
FYE 09/30/96 $197 $167 $134
FYE 09/30/97 $353 $235 $207
</TABLE>
STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL
(Item B on Proxy Card)
By resolutions adopted on November 13, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted a
resolution declaring it advisable to amend Article 6 of the Company's
Memorandum of Association (the "Memorandum") to decrease the authorized share
capital of the Company to U.S.$22,500,000, divided into 300,000,000 Ordinary
Shares, par value of U.S.$0.04166667 per share, and 10,000,000 other Shares,
par value of U.S.$1.00 per share ("Other Shares") and to effect a 3-for-1 split
of the Company's Ordinary Shares. The Special Resolution of Members approving
the foregoing, and which contains the proposed revised Article 6 of the
Memorandum and Article 4(a) of the Company's Articles is set forth as Exhibit A
to this Proxy Statement. The Board of Directors directed that the amendment be
submitted for consideration by the stockholders at the Annual General Meeting.
The Company's Memorandum currently authorizes the issuance of up to 3,334,697
Callable Preferred Shares, 100,000,000 Ordinary Shares and 10,000,000 Other
Shares. As of December , 1997, there were , , Ordinary Shares
outstanding and no Callable Preferred Shares or Other Shares outstanding. In
addition, as of the same date, approximately , , Ordinary Shares were
reserved for issuance under the Company's employee benefit plans.
The Company's Board of Directors believes that the proposed 3-for-1 split of
the issued Ordinary Shares will result in a market price that should be more
attractive to a broader spectrum of investors and therefore should
16
<PAGE>
benefit both the Company and its stockholders. The issuance of Ordinary Shares
resulting from the split will be on a pro-rata basis and will not reduce the
stockholders' proportionate interests in the Ordinary Shares. In addition, as a
result of the stock split, the number of Ordinary Shares issuable under the
Company's benefit and compensation plans referred to above will be adjusted
accordingly. The increase in authorized Ordinary Shares will not affect the
present ratio of authorized but unissued Ordinary Shares to issued Ordinary
Shares, thus maintaining the same relative degree of flexibility for the
Company in meeting future stock needs. The Callable Preferred Shares were
originally issued prior to the Company's initial public offering (the "IPO") in
March 1993 and were redeemed in connection with the IPO. The Company's Board of
Directors does not currently intend to issue any Callable Preferred Shares and
therefor has decided to remove the Callable Preferred Shares from the Company's
authorized share capitalization. The Company's Board of Directors believes that
it has the flexibility to issue Other Shares with substantially identical terms
and conditions as the Callable Preferred Shares if the Company's Board of
Directors deems it advisable in the future to do so.
The authorized Ordinary Shares in excess of those presently outstanding will
be available for issuance at such times and for such purposes as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable without further action by the Company's
stockholders, except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations,
including stock exchange rules. These purposes may include additional stock
dividends, stock splits, employee benefit programs, corporate acquisitions or
other corporate purposes. The Board does not intend to issue any stock except
on terms or for reasons which the Board deems to be in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders. Because the holders of the Company's Ordinary
Shares do not have preemptive rights, the issuance of Ordinary Shares (other
than on a pro-rata basis to all current stockholders) would reduce the current
stockholders' proportionate interests. However, in any such event, stockholders
wishing to maintain their interests may be able to do so through normal market
purchases. Any future issuance of Ordinary Shares will be subject to the rights
of holders of outstanding Callable Preferred Shares or Other Shares the Company
may issue in the future.
If the proposed Amendment is approved by the stockholders, the Company will
apply to the New York Stock Exchange and Bermuda Stock Exchange for the listing
of the additional Ordinary Shares that would be issued as a result of the
split. Provided the listing application is approved by these stock exchanges,
the stock split would be accomplished by mailing to each stockholder of record
as of the close of business on the stock split record date a certificate
representing two additional Ordinary Shares for each Ordinary Share held by the
stockholder on that date.
PRESENT CERTIFICATES WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT THE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES
EVIDENCED THEREBY. PRESENT CERTIFICATES WILL NOT BE EXCHANGED FOR NEW
CERTIFICATES AND CERTIFICATES SHOULD NOT BE RETURNED TO THE COMPANY OR ITS
TRANSFER AGENT UNTIL THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE CERTIFICATES ARE
TRANSFERRED.
Under United States federal income tax laws, the receipt of additional
Ordinary Shares from the stock split will not constitute taxable income to the
stockholders; the cost or other tax basis to a stockholder of each share held
immediately prior to the split will be divided equally between the
corresponding three shares held immediately after the split; and the holding
period for each of the three shares will include the period for which the
corresponding share was held before the stock split record date. The laws of
jurisdictions other than the United States may impose income taxes on the
receipt by a stockholder of additional Ordinary Shares resulting from the
split; stockholders subject to such laws are urged to consult their tax
advisors.
Assuming transactions of an equivalent dollar amount, brokerage commissions
on purchases and sales of the common stock after the split and transfer taxes,
if any, may be somewhat higher than the split, depending on the specific number
of shares involved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL. Proxies will be so voted unless stockholders specify
otherwise in their proxies. The affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding Ordinary Shares is required for approval
17
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of this proposal. Consequently, any shares not voted (whether by abstention,
broker non-vote or otherwise) will have the same effect as votes against the
Stock Split Proposal. If this proposed Amendment is approved by the
shareholders the Company's Board of Directors will set and publicly announce a
record date for determining shareholders entitled to the stock split and the
effective date of the stock split.
RECORD DATE PROPOSAL
(Item C on the Proxy Card)
Article 33 of the Company's Articles currently provides that in lieu of or
apart from closing the share register, the Company's Board of Directors may
fix in advance a date as the record date for determining shareholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at a shareholders meeting and for determining the
shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend. Article 33 also
purports to limit the Board of Directors' ability to set a record date for
determining the shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend more
than 90 days prior to the date of payment.
The Company's Board of Directors believes that the purported 90-day
limitation is unclear and in any event unduly limits its flexibility to
declare dividends and has proposed to remove this limitation. The Company's
Board of Directors has generally set record dates for determining the
shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend and has no current
intention to change this practice but, if the Record Date Proposal is
approved, reserves the right to set the record date for determining the
shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend more than 90 days
prior to the payment date.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RECORD DATE
PROPOSAL. Proxies will be so voted unless stockholders specify otherwise in
their proxies. The affirmative vote of holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding Ordinary Shares is required for approval of this proposal.
Consequently, any shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or
otherwise) will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. If the
Record Date Proposal is approved by the shareholders, it will become effective
upon the filing of the Special Resolution of Members with the Registrar of
Companies of the Cayman Islands, which will occur as soon as reasonably
practicable after approval.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
(Item D on Proxy Card)
The appointment of independent accountants is approved annually by the Board
of Directors and ratified by the Company's shareholders. The decision of the
Board of Directors is based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee. In
making its recommendation, the Audit Committee reviews both the audit scope
and estimated fees for professional services for the coming year. The Board of
Directors has authorized the engagement of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the
Company's independent accountants for the year ended 30 September 1998. The
Company has had a working association with Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. since
1985; Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. has had the responsibility for examining the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries since
1985.
Representatives of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. will attend the Annual General
Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish. They
will also be available to answer questions at the meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COOPERS
& LYBRAND L.L.P. AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.
18
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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1998 ANNUAL MEETING
If you wish to submit a proposal to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
material for the next annual meeting, please send it to the Secretary, ACE
Limited, The ACE Building, 30 Woodbourne Avenue, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda. Under
the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, proposals must be received
no later than September 1998 to be eligible for inclusion in the 1998 Annual
General Meeting proxy statement.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
Solicitation will be made by mail, and may be made by directors, officers and
employees, personally or by telephone or telegram. Proxy cards and materials
also will be distributed to beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares through
brokers, custodians, nominees and other parties, and the Company expects to
reimburse such parties for their charges and expenses. Corporate Investor
Communications, Inc. has been retained to assist the Company in the
solicitation of proxies at a fee estimated not to exceed $4,000, plus out-of-
pocket expenses.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors of the Company does not know of any matters which may
be presented at the Annual General Meeting other than those specifically set
forth in the Notice of Annual General Meeting. If any other matters come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof, the persons named in the accompanying
form of proxy and acting thereunder will vote in accordance with their best
judgment with respect to such matters.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Brian Duperreault,
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
ACE LIMITED SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO.
Amendment of the Memorandum of Association and Amendment
of the Amended and Restated Articles of Association
RESOLVED, that
1.1 Article Six of the Company's Memorandum of Association shall be amended,
as set forth below, to effect a three-for-one split of the Company's
Ordinary Shares and to eliminate the Company's Callable Preferred Shares:
6. The share capital of the Company is U.S. $22,500,000, divided into
300,000,000 Ordinary Shares, par value of U.S. $0.0416667 per share,
and 10,000,000 other Shares, par value of U.S. $1.00 per share, which
may be issued in series, all of such shares with power for the Company
insofar as is permitted by law, to redeem, call or purchase any of its
shares and to increase or reduce the said capital subject to the
provisions of the Companies Law (Cap. 22) and the Articles of
Association and to issue any part of its capital, whether original,
redeemed, called or increased with or without any preference, priority
or special privilege or subject to any postponement of rights or to any
conditions or restrictions and so that unless the conditions of issue
shall otherwise expressly declare every issue of shares whether
declared to be preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers
hereinabove contained.
1.2 The first paragraph of Article 4(a) of the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Association (the "Articles") shall be amended as set forth
below:
(a) The authorised share capital shall be represented by Ordinary
Shares with respective rights as set forth in Part I below, and other
classes or series of Shares with respective rights to be determined
upon the creation thereof by action of the Directors from time to time
as set forth in Part II below.
1.3 Article 4(a) of the Articles shall be amended by deleting in its entirety
"Part I-Callable Preferred Shares" and by renumbering "Part II-Ordinary
Shares" as "Part I-Ordinary Shares" and "Part III-Other Classes or Series
of Shares" as "Part II-Other Classes or Series of Shares."
1.4 The officers of the Company are authorized and directed to do or cause to
be done any and all such acts and things and execute and deliver any and
all such documents and papers as they may deem necessary or appropriate to
carry out the purposes of the foregoing resolutions.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
ACE LIMITED SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO.
Amendment of Amended and Restated Articles of Association
RESOLVED, that
1.1 Article 33 of the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Association
shall be amended as set forth below:
33. In lieu of or apart from closing the register of Members, the
Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such
determination of Members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of the Members and for the purpose of determining the Members entitled
to receive payment of any dividend.
1.2 The officers of the Company are authorized and directed to do or cause to
be done any and all such acts and things and execute and deliver any and
all such documents and papers as they may deem necessary or appropriate to
carry out the purposes of the foregoing resolutions.
21
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ACE LIMITED
The ACE Building
30 Woodburne Avenue
Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Brian Duperreault, Christopher Z. Marshall,
Peter Mear and Keith P. White as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his
substitute, and hereby authorizes each of them to represent and to vote, as
designated below, all the Ordinary Shares of ACE Limited which the undersigned
is entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 6 February 1998
or any adjournment thereof.
(Continued on Reverse)
<PAGE>
ACE LIMITED
P.O. BOX 11138
NEW YORK, N.Y. 10203-0138
A. Election of Directors
For Election to Term Expiring in 2000: Thomas J. Neff
For Election to Term Expiring in 2001: Brian Duperreault, Robert M. Hernandez,
Peter Menikoff, Glen M. Renfrew, Dermot F. Smurfit and Robert Ripp
For _____ Withheld _____ Exceptions* _____
*Exceptions __________________________
To vote your shares for all Director nominees, mark the "For" box on Item A. To
withhold voting for all nominees, mark the "withheld" box. If you do not wish
your shares voted "For" a particular nominee, mark the "Exceptions" box and
enter the name(s) of the exception(s) in the space provided.
B. Proposal to Amend the Company's Memorandum of Association and Amended and
Restated Articles of Association to increase the Company's authorized share
capital and thereby effect a three-for-one stock split of the Company's
Ordinary Shares.
For _____ Against _____ Abstain _____
C. Proposal to Amend the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Association
to clarify the setting of record dates in respect of shareholder meetings
and payments of dividends.
For _____ Against _____ Abstain _____
D. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. as the
Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending 30 September
1998.
For _____ Against _____ Abstain _____
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other further
business, if any, as lawfully may be brought before the meeting.
If you have either an Address Change or Comments on the other side of the card,
mark here.
Address Change and/or Comments Mark Here _______
When signing as attorney, as executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate
name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
DATED _______________, 199__
SIGNED _________________________
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by
the undersigned shareholder.
If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted for the nominees listed above
and for the ratification of accountants.
Please sign exactly as name appears hereon. When shares are held by joint
tenants, both should sign.
Votes must be indicated (x) in Black or Blue ink. -
Sign, Date and Return Proxy Card Promptly Using the Enclosed Envelope.
