EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN’S AGREEMENT
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN’S AGREEMENT
This EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN’S AGREEMENT is dated March 31, 2015 (the “Agreement”) by and between VOLITIONRX LIMITED, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, an individual resident in the United Kingdom (“▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇”).
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) previously appointed ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ as a member of the Board and as Executive Chairman of the Board effective as of October 6, 2011; and
WHEREAS, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ accepted such appointment and is willing to continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board on the terms set forth herein and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Position. Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby agrees to continue to serve as Executive Chairman of the Board, provided, however, that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ continued service on the Board shall be subject to any necessary approval by the Company’s stockholders as required by applicable law and the Company’s governing documents.
2.
Duties.
a)
During the Directorship Term (as defined herein), ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall make reasonable business efforts to attend all Board meetings in person or via conference call, Board and management conference calls as appropriate, make himself available to the Company at mutually convenient times and places, attend external meetings and presentations when agreed on in advance, as appropriate and convenient, and perform such duties, services and responsibilities, and have the authority commensurate to such position.
b)
In his role of Executive Chairman, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the additional duties, responsibilities and authority of such position, as set forth in the bylaws of the Company and in the description of duties attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A, subject to the power of the Board to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities and authority.
c)
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Company and comply with his fiduciary duty obligations as imposed by Delaware law. The Company recognizes that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (i) is or may become a full-time executive employee of another entity and that his responsibilities to such entity must have priority and (ii) sits or may sit on the board of directors of other entities, subject to any limitations set forth by the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇ Act of 2002 and limitations provided by any exchange or quotation service on which the Company’s common stock is listed or traded. Notwithstanding the same, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will provide the Company with prior written notice of any future commitments to such entities and use reasonable business efforts to coordinate his respective commitments so as to fulfill his obligations to the Company and, in any event, will fulfill his legal obligations as a Director. Other than as set forth above, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will not, without the prior notification to the Board, engage in any other business activity which could materially interfere or conflict with the performance of his duties, services and responsibilities hereunder or which is in violation of the reasonable policies established from time to time by the Company, provided that the foregoing shall in no way limit his activities on behalf of (i) any current employer and its affiliates or (ii) the board of directors of any entities on which he currently sits. At such time as the Board receives such notification, subject to compliance with applicable law, the Board may require the resignation of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ if it determines that such business activity does in fact materially interfere with the performance of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ duties, services and responsibilities hereunder.
d)
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will at all times act as a fiduciary in the service and best interests of the Company. In addition, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to (i) provide all information regarding himself as the Company requires to satisfy its disclosure obligations under applicable securities laws; (ii) timely file with the Securities and Exchange Commission all reports and schedules required of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in his personal capacity by virtue of his relationship with the Company (e.g. Forms 3, 4 and 5 as contemplated by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
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3.
Compensation.
a)
Fees. Subject to adjustment from time to time at the discretion of the Board or a committee designated by the Board, effective for periods after March 1, 2015, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall receive £8,333.33 GBP per month. The Fees payable to ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ are inclusive of any duties performed by the individual as a director for any associated companies of the Company. The Fees shall be paid directly into your nominated bank account at the end of each calendar month.
b)
Stock. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be entitled to receive equity compensation as determined by the Board or a designated committee in its absolute discretion and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the award agreement and, if applicable, the governing plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ceases to be a member of Board at any time during the vesting period for any reason (such as resignation, withdrawal, death, disability or any other reason), then any unvested shares shall be irrefutably forfeited. Furthermore, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that all shares of the Company’s stock held by ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall be subject to any “lock up” agreement required to be signed by the Company’s officers in connection with any financing.
c)
Independent Contractor. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ status during the Directorship Term shall be that of an independent contractor and not, for any purpose, that of an employee or agent with authority to bind the Company in any respect. All payments and other consideration made or provided to ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ under this Section 3 shall be made or provided without withholding or deduction of any kind, and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall assume sole responsibility for discharging all tax or other obligations associated therewith.
d)
Expense Reimbursements. During the Directorship Term, the Company shall reimburse ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in attending any in-person meetings, provided that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ complies with the generally applicable policies, practices and procedures of the Company for submission of expense reports, receipts or similar documentation of such expenses.
4.
Directorship Term. The “Directorship Term,” as used in this Agreement, shall mean the period from the commencement of your appointment as a Director of the Company and terminating on the earliest of the following to occur (subject to compliance with applicable laws): (a) the death of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (b) the termination of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from his membership on the Board by the mutual agreement of the Company and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (c) the removal of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from the Board by the vote of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Company’s governing documents, (d) the failure of the stockholders to re-elect ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇; (e) the resignation by ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ from the Board; or (f) upon ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ becoming prohibited by law from acting as director.
5.
Director’s Representation and Acknowledgment. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ represents to the Company that his execution and performance of this Agreement shall not be in violation of any agreement or obligation (whether or not written) that he may have with or to any person or entity, including without limitation, any prior or current employer. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement (and any other agreement or obligation referred to herein) shall be an obligation solely of the Company, and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have no recourse whatsoever against any employee or stockholder of the Company or any of their respective affiliates with regard to this Agreement.
6.
Director Covenants.
a)
Unauthorized Disclosure. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees and understands that in ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ position with the Company, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will have has been and will be exposed to and receive information relating to the confidential affairs of the Company, including, but not limited to, technical information, business and marketing plans, strategies, customer information, other information concerning the Company’s products, promotions, development, financing, expansion plans, business policies and practices, and other forms of information considered by the Company to be confidential and in the nature of trade secrets. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that during the Directorship Term and thereafter, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will keep such information confidential and will not disclose such information, either directly or indirectly, to any third person or entity without the prior written consent of the Company, or use such information for his own benefit or for the benefit of any third person; provided, however, that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may, after giving prior notice to the Company to the extent practicable under the circumstances, disclose such information to the extent required by applicable laws or governmental regulations or judicial or regulatory process. Upon termination of the Directorship Term, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ will promptly return to the Company and/or destroy at the Company’s direction all property, notes, memoranda, writings, lists, files, reports, customer lists, correspondence, technical data, other product or document, and any summary or compilation of the foregoing, in whatever form, including, without limitation, in electronic form, which has been produced by, received by or otherwise submitted to ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ in the course or otherwise as a result of ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ position with the Company during or prior to the Directorship Term.
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b)
Non-Compete. It is accepted and acknowledged that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ may have business interests other than those of the Company and has declared any conflicts that are apparent at present. In the event that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ becomes aware of any potential conflicts of interest, these will be disclosed to the chairman and CEO as soon as apparent.
c)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guidelines. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to execute and comply at all times with the Company’s ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guidelines as well as any other policies adopted by the Company that are applicable to directors.
d)
Remedies. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees that any breach of the terms of this Section 6 would result in irreparable injury and damage to the Company for which the Company would have no adequate remedy at law; ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ therefore also agrees that in the event of said breach or any threat of breach, the Company shall be entitled to an immediate injunction and restraining order to prevent such breach and/or threatened breach and/or continued breach by ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and/or any and all entities acting for and/or with ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, without having to prove damages or paying a bond, in addition to any other remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity. The terms of this paragraph shall not prevent the Company from pursuing any other available remedies for any breach or threatened breach hereof, including, but not limited to, the recovery of damages from ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
e)
Survival. The provisions of this Section 6 shall survive any termination of the Directorship Term, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements of this Section 6.
7.
Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ for his activities as a member of the Board to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law and its governing documents. ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ agrees to enter into the Company’s standard indemnification agreement.
8.
Directors and Officers Insurance. The Company currently maintains an insurance policy under which the directors and officers of the Company are insured, subject to the limits of the policy, against certain losses arising from claims made against such directors and officers by reason of any acts or omissions covered under the policy in their respective capacities as directors or officers of the Company, including certain liabilities under securities laws. The Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such insurance policy or a reasonable equivalent policy in full force and effect.
9.
Non-Waiver of Rights. The failure to enforce at any time the provisions of this Agreement or to require at any time performance by the other party hereto of any of the provisions hereof shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or any part hereof, or the right of either party hereto to enforce each and every provision in accordance with its terms. No waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party hereto of any provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions at that time or at any prior or subsequent time.
10.
Notices. Every notice relating to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested; to:
If to the Company:
VolitionRx Limited
▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
#▇▇-▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Email: ▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
If to ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇:
Email: ___________
Either of the parties hereto may change their address for purposes of notice hereunder by giving notice in writing to such other party pursuant to this Section 10.
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11.
Binding Effect/Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, personal representatives, estates, successors (including, without limitation, by way of merger) and assigns. Notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall not assign all or any portion of this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.
12.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements referred to herein) sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, between them as to such subject matter.
13.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any application thereof to any circumstances, is invalid, in whole or in part, such provision or application shall to that extent be severable and shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement.
14.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws. The Delaware courts have non-exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware courts; provided, however, that neither party shall commence any such action or proceeding unless prior thereto the parties have in good faith attempted to resolve the claim, dispute or cause of action which is the subject of such action or proceeding through mediation by an independent third party.
15.
Legal Fees. The parties hereto agree that the non-prevailing party in any dispute, claim, action or proceeding between the parties hereto arising out of or relating to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any provision thereof (a “Dispute”), shall reimburse the prevailing party for reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such Dispute; provided, however, that ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall only be required to reimburse the Company for its fees and expenses incurred in connection with a Dispute if ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇’ position in such Dispute was found by the court, arbitrator or other person or entity presiding over such Dispute to be frivolous or advanced not in good faith.
16.
Modifications. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be modified, altered, amended or waived except by an instrument in writing duly signed by the party to be charged.
17.
Tense and Headings. Whenever any words used herein are in the singular form, they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply. The headings contained herein are solely for the purposes of reference, are not part of this Agreement and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
18.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Director Agreement to be executed by authority of its Board of Directors, and ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ has hereunto set his hand, on the day and year first above written
VOLITIONRX LIMITED
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Chief Executive Officer and Director
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
/s/ ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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EXHIBIT A
In his role as Executive Chairman, ▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ shall have the following duties:
·
Provide leadership to the Board for the development, implementation and monitoring of near- and long-term strategic plans for the Company.
·
Schedule Board meetings and work with committee chairs to coordinate the schedule for meetings.
·
Ensure the proper flow of information to the Board, reviewing the adequacy and timing of documentary materials in support of management’s proposals.
·
Oversee the preparation and distribution of proxy materials to stockholders.
·
Act as liaison between Board and management.
·
Working with the Nominations and Governance Committee, ensure proper committee structure, including assignment of members and committee chairs (including, without limitation, ensuring that such appointments meet all applicable qualification and independence requirements under applicable law and NYSE MKT requirements).
·
Ensure the Board fully discharges its duties
·
Ensure adequate lead time for effective study and discussion of business under consideration.
·
Consult periodically with the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) to obtain such information concerning the Company’s business, operations and strategic plans as may be necessary for the Board to discharge its duties.
·
Conduct executive sessions of the Board; prepare agenda for the same, after consultation with other directors.
·
Facilitate discussions of the Board regarding corporate strategy and critical issues facing the Company.
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