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EX-31.3 - EX-31.3 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO - SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COex-313.htm
EX-31.4 - EX-31.4 SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO - SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COex-314.htm


 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
________________
 
Form 10-K/A
Amendment No. 1
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)
 
R
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010
 
or
£
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from          to          

Commission file: 0-25674

SkillSoft Public Limited Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Republic of Ireland
None
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
107 Northeastern Boulevard
03062
Nashua, New Hampshire
(Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(603) 324-3000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Ordinary Shares, €0.11
NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes R No £

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes £ No R

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes R No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was require to submit and post such files). Yes £ No £

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 
Large accelerated filer R
Accelerated filer £
 
 
Non-accelerated filer £
Smaller reporting company £
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes £     No R

The approximate aggregate market value of voting shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 31, 2009 was $816,030,064.

On May 27, 2010, the registrant had outstanding 95,799,634 ordinary shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A is being filed as Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of SkillSoft Public Limited Company (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 25, 2010, for the purpose of amending the following: Items 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

 
 

 


 
SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
FORM 10-K/A
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 


UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 


 
 

 


Directors

The following is a list of our directors and certain information, as of April 30, 2010, about their background.

Charles E. Moran, age 55, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors in November 2006 and has served as a director and has held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Moran is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer from January 1998 until September 2002. Mr. Moran is also a director of Higher One. Mr. Moran’s leadership, executive, managerial, business and technology company experience, along with his 12 years with us and 15 years in the e-learning industry, qualify him to serve as a director.

P. Howard Edelstein, age 55, has served as a director since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Edelstein served as Chief Executive Officer of NYFIX, Inc., a provider of innovative solutions that optimize trading efficiency, from September 2006 to December 2009. Prior to joining NYFIX, Inc., Mr. Edelstein served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Warburg Pincus LLC from January 2006 to September 2006. Mr. Edelstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Radianz, an Internet Protocol-based networking company for the global financial services industry, from July 2003 to January 2006. Mr. Edelstein is also a director of Alacra, Ness Technologies, Inc., and NYFIX, Inc. In the last five years, Mr. Edelstein has served on the Board of Directors of each of the following public companies:  Ness Technologies, Inc., PalmSource and NYFIX, Inc. Mr. Edelstein’s executive, managerial, leadership, global business and technology company experience qualify him to serve as a director.

James S. Krzywicki, age 58, has served as a director since October 1998. Since January 2010, Mr. Krzywicki has served as Chief Executive Officer of Screendragon Limited, a provider of collaboration and knowledge management solutions. Prior to joining Screendragon, Mr. Krzywicki served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Open Learning Exchange, a social benefit organization dedicated to advancing worldwide education, from January 2008 until January 2010. Mr. Krzywicki was the President and Chief Executive officer of Treeno Software (formerly Docutron Systems), a provider of web-based document management software solutions that work in small business environments and connect with enterprise objectives, from April 2004 to December 2007. Mr. Krzywicki was Vice President, Channel Services for Parametric Technology Corporation, a provider of software solutions for manufacturers for product development and improvement, from April 2003 to April 2004. Mr. Krzywicki’s executive, managerial, leadership, business and technology company experience qualify him to serve as a director.

William F. Meagher, Jr., age 71, has served as a director since March 2004. Mr. Meagher was the Managing Partner of the Boston Office of Arthur Andersen LLP (“Andersen”) from 1982 until 1995, and spent a total of 38 years with Andersen. Mr. Meagher was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Meagher is a trustee of Living Care Villages of Massachusetts, Inc. d/b/a North Hill, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Greater Boston YMCA. Mr. Meagher is also a director of Mac-Gray Corporation. In the last five years, Mr. Meagher has served on the Board of Directors of each of the following public companies: Dover Saddlery and Mac-Gray Corporation. Mr. Meagher’s 38 years of public accounting experience and his leadership, business and financial experience qualify him to serve as a director.

Ferdinand von Prondzynski, age 55, has served as a director since November 2001. Dr. von Prondzynski has been the President of Dublin City University (DCU), one of Ireland’s leading higher education institutions, since July 2000. From January 1991 to July 2000, Dr. von Prondzynski served as Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Social Services, the University of Hull, UK. Dr. von Prondzynski is a member of Ireland's National Competitiveness Council. Dr. von Prondzynski is also a director of Knockdrin Estates Ltd. and several private companies. Dr. von Prondzynski’s leadership role at DCU and his financial and business experience qualify him to serve as a director.

William J. Boyce, age 62, has served as a director since March 2009.  Mr. Boyce was a founding partner of Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital firm, where he was responsible for that firm’s investments in telecommunication and telecommunication software companies. In 1993, Mr. Boyce retired from Highland and has been an active private investor since that time.  Prior to founding Highland, Mr. Boyce was an early investor and cellular system operator through a joint venture with Continental Cablevision, and was one of the original board members of the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA), helping establish and shape the cellular telephone industry.  Mr. Boyce also served as Vice President and a corporate officer of Affiliated Publications, Inc., where he was responsible for that company’s initial investment in McCaw Communications. Mr. Boyce's vision and wide-ranging business experience qualify him to serve as a director.


 
 

 
 
Executive Officers

The following is a list of our executive officers and certain information, as of April 30, 2010, about their background. Mr. Moran’s background is included in the “Directors” section above.

Name
Age
Position
Charles E. Moran
55
President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas J. McDonald
60
Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
52
Chief Operating Officer
Mark A. Townsend
57
Executive Vice President, Technology
Colm M. Darcy
46
Executive Vice President, Content Development
Anthony P. Amato
45
Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer

Thomas J. McDonald, age 60, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. McDonald also served as our Assistant Secretary from September 2002 until April 2010, and has served as our Secretary since April 2010. Mr. McDonald is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Operations, Treasurer and Secretary from February 1998 until our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002.

Jerald A. Nine, Jr., age 52, has served as our Chief Operating Officer since February 2004. Mr. Nine served as Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing and General Manager, Content Solutions Division from our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002 to February 2004. Mr. Nine is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing and General Manager, Books Division from December 2001 to February 2004 and as its Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing from April 1998 to December 2001.

Mark A. Townsend, age 57, has served as our Executive Vice President, Technology since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. Mr. Townsend is a founder of SkillSoft Corporation and served as its Vice President, Product Development from January 1998 until our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002.

Colm M. Darcy, age 46, has served as our Executive Vice President, Content Development since our merger with SkillSoft Corporation in September 2002. From April 2002 to September 2002, Mr. Darcy served as our Executive Vice President, Research and Development and from January 2002 to April 2002, Mr. Darcy served as Vice President of Solutions Management. Mr. Darcy also held various positions with SkillSoft from 1995 to January 2002, most recently as Vice President, Strategic Alliances. Prior to joining SkillSoft, Mr. Darcy held positions in Finance, Human Resources, Training and Information Technology in the Republic of Ireland’s Department of Health and Child Welfare.

Anthony P. Amato, age 45, has served as our Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer since August 2006. From May 2005 until August 2006, Mr. Amato served as our Vice President of Finance Operations and Treasury. From May 2003 to May 2005, Mr. Amato served as our Director of International Finances/Corporate Treasurer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Amato served as the Director of Finance of CMGI, Inc., a provider of technology and e-commerce solutions, from May 2002 to December 2002. Mr. Amato also served as the Vice President of Finance of NaviSite, a provider of IT hosting, outsourcing and professional services, from October 2001 to May 2002.

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, requires our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, initial reports of ownership of our equity securities on a Form 3 and reports of changes in such ownership on a Form 4 or Form 5. Officers, directors and 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish SkillSoft with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on a review of copies of such filings by our directors and executive officers and 10% shareholders or written representations from certain of those persons, we believe that all filings required to be made by those persons during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 were timely made, except that Mr. Townsend filed one Form 4 late.

 
 
 

 
 
Recommendation of Director Nominees by Shareholders

There have been no material changes in the last year to the procedures by which security holders may recommend director nominees to our Board of Directors.
 
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. We have posted a current copy of the code on our website, www.SkillSoft.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or NASDAQ stock market listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

Audit Committee

The members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Meagher (Chair) and Boyce and Dr. von Prondzynski. Stewart Gross served as a member of the Audit Committee until the completion of his term as a director on September 30, 2009.  Mr. Boyce was appointed a member of the Audit Committee on September 30, 2009. The board of directors has determined that Mr. Meagher is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 407(d)(5)(ii) of Regulation S-K. The board of directors has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined under applicable NASDAQ rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.


Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The compensation committee of our board of directors operates under the authority established in the Compensation Committee Charter. The committee’s primary responsibility is to oversee our executive compensation program. In this role, the compensation committee reviews and approves all compensation decisions relating to our executive officers. In addition, the committee has responsibilities related to our incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans.

Objectives and Philosophy of Our Executive Compensation Program

The primary objectives of the compensation committee with respect to executive compensation are to:

 
·
ensure that a significant part of executive compensation is tied to the achievement of corporate and individual performance objectives, which both promotes and rewards the achievement of those objectives;
 
·
align long-term executive incentives with the creation of shareholder value; and
 
·
attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent.

To achieve those objectives, the compensation committee evaluates and implements our executive compensation program with the goal of setting compensation at levels the committee believes are competitive with those of other companies in our industry and similar industries that compete with us for executive talent. In addition, our executive compensation program ties a substantial portion of each executive’s overall compensation to our financial performance, as measured by metrics such as revenue, adjusted EBITDA, earnings per share and bookings, as well as to the achievement of strategic initiatives. We also provide a portion of our executive compensation in the form of share options that vest over time, which we believe helps to retain our executives and aligns their interests with those of our shareholders by allowing them to participate in the longer term success of our company as reflected in share price appreciation.

In making compensation decisions, the compensation committee regularly receives input from an independent compensation consulting firm engaged by the committee, Compensia. Compensia provides the committee with data on executive compensation paid by a peer group of publicly traded companies in the software, education and training industries. This peer group, which is periodically reviewed and updated by the committee as appropriate with the assistance of Compensia, consisted of companies the committee believes are generally comparable to our company in terms of size (based on revenue, market capitalization, profitability and/or number of employees) or industry and/or against which the committee believes we could compete for executive talent. The peer group used for purposes of presenting information to the committee at the beginning of fiscal 2010 was comprised of the following 23 companies: Aspen Technology, Blackbaud, Blackboard, Capella Education, Digital River, Informatica, K12, Lincoln Educational Services, Microstrategy, Morningstar, Nobel Learning Communities, Omniture, Quest Software, Taleo, Strayer Education, Tibco Software, The Advisory Board, Learning Tree International, Kenexa, The Corporate Executive Board, The Princeton Review, The Ultimate Software Group, and Websense. Compensia also provides the compensation committee with information on market trends and developments in executive compensation and ideas for structuring executive compensation arrangements. In addition to the benchmarking data related to the peer group, the committee considers data with respect to the amount of compensation paid to each executive officer by compensation element for the prior four-year period. This enables the committee to evaluate historical compensation changes, the amount of incentive compensation earned as a percentage of base pay, equity grant history and potential share ownership against historical company performance.

 
 

 

In addition to the data and advice provided by Compensia, the committee also considers input from our chief executive officer. That input is communicated to the committee at its request and at meetings of the committee, which our chief executive officer attends, and includes information with respect to the performance and contributions of other members of the executive management team. When asked by the committee, our chief executive officer provides recommendations with respect to financial and operational objectives in the executive incentive compensation program, and offers his view regarding the overall structure of the plans.

The compensation committee has established the following guidelines to assist it in making executive compensation decisions. These guidelines are expressed, for a particular element of compensation, as the target percentile of the range of that compensation element paid to similarly situated executives of the companies in our benchmarking peer group. In fiscal 2010, the committee changed the guideline for total cash compensation upon achievement of company goals to the 75th percentile of our peer group from the 50th percentile. In making this change, the committee considered the peer group data provided by Compensia, the performance of the executive management team over an extended period of time and its desire to enhance the retentive value of the total cash compensation program.

In general, the committee targets our executive compensation program elements as follows:

 
·
base salaries are targeted at the 25th percentile of our peer group;
 
·
total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) is targeted at the 75th percentile of our peer group; and
 
·
equity compensation is targeted at the 75th percentile of our peer group.

Variations to these targets may occur due to factors such as the experience levels of particular individuals, their performance, their importance within the organization and market factors. The committee believes that this approach (with a lower base salary) ties a more significant percentage of incentive compensation to company performance and provides market competitive pay to our executives in the short-term when performance merits it and above median compensation when long-term performance merits it.

Components of our Executive Compensation Program

The primary elements of our executive compensation program are:

 
·
base salary;
 
·
cash incentive bonuses;
 
·
share option awards;
 
·
employee benefits; and
 
·
severance benefits.

Base Salary

Base salary is used to compensate executives for the normal performance of their duties, in light of their experience, skills, knowledge and responsibilities. In establishing base salaries for our executive officers, the compensation committee considers data from our benchmarking peer group, as well as a variety of other factors, including any contractual commitments to that individual, the seniority of the individual, the level of the individual’s responsibility, our ability to replace the individual, and the base salary of the individual at his prior employment, if applicable. Each of our executive officers, other than Mr. Amato, has an employment agreement dating from either 1998 or 2002 that provides for a minimum annual base salary (see “Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments” below). With the exception of Mr. Darcy (whose base salary for fiscal 2010 was equal to the minimum base salary provided for in his employment agreement), the current base salaries of those executives are in excess of their minimum base salaries as provided for in their employment agreements, and those employment agreements are not a significant factor in the compensation committee’s base salary decisions.

Base salaries are reviewed at least annually by the compensation committee. In fiscal 2010, the committee did not adjust the base salaries of our executive officers.  The benchmarking data presented by Compensia and the committee’s assessment of the performance of the executive officers both indicated that an increase in the base salary of each of the named executive officers was warranted.  However, in light of the economic conditions prevailing in early fiscal 2010 and the general salary freezes implemented by management to control expenses, and at the recommendation of management, the committee decided not to increase the base salaries of our named executive officers, as defined below, for fiscal 2010.

 
 
 

 
 
Cash Incentive Bonuses

The compensation committee establishes an executive incentive compensation program on an annual basis. This program typically provides for quarterly and annual cash bonuses that are tied to achievement of company-specific objectives. The quarterly incentive cash bonuses are intended to compensate executives for achievement of quarterly company financial objectives. The annual cash incentive bonuses are generally intended to compensate executives for the achievement of corporate strategic and financial objectives. Each executive officer is assigned a target bonus under the incentive compensation program, with more senior executives typically having a higher target bonus as a percentage of his base salary. The target bonus is split evenly between quarterly and annual bonus opportunities. The financial targets generally conform to the financial metrics contained in the internal operating plan adopted by the board of directors at the beginning of each fiscal year. The compensation committee approves the objectives on which bonus payments are based, the allocation of the target bonus between the quarterly and annual components and among the various performance objectives, and the formula for determining potential bonus amounts based on achievement of those objectives using budgeted or plan objectives established at the beginning of the fiscal year.

The executive incentive compensation program for fiscal 2010 covered the five named executive officers. Each named executive officer was assigned a target bonus, with more senior executives typically having a higher target bonus as a percentage of his base salary. The amount of the target bonuses were set by the committee based on the benchmarking data provided by Compensia and the committee’s philosophy of setting total cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) at approximately the 75th percentile of the benchmarking peer group. The table below shows the target bonuses for the named executive officers, both as a percentage of annual base salary and in dollars, for fiscal 2010.


Name
 
As a Percentage of Base Salary
   
Target Amount
 
             
Charles E. Moran
    198 %   $ 736,300  
Thomas J. McDonald
    123 %   $ 309,100  
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
    130 %   $ 367,400  
Colm M. Darcy
    105 %   $ 210,900  
Mark A. Townsend
    105 %   $ 210,900  

For each named executive officer, 50% of his target bonus was allocated to quarterly bonus opportunities and 50% was allocated to annual bonus opportunities. The quarterly bonuses under the program were based on revenue (50% of quarterly target bonus) and adjusted EBITDA objectives (50% of quarterly target bonus); the annual bonuses were based on revenue objectives (20% of annual target bonus), adjusted EBITDA objectives (50% of annual target bonus), bookings objectives (20% of annual target bonus) and strategic objectives (10% of annual target bonus). For purposes of the incentive compensation program, adjusted EBITDA was defined as net income, plus (in the case of expense items) or minus (in the case of income or gain items) depreciation and amortization, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation, restatement expenses, merger and integration related expenses, interest expense, interest income, other income/(expense), income/(loss) from discontinued operations, business realignment strategy feasibility expenses, and the provision or benefit from income taxes. These performance metrics were selected by the compensation committee because the committee believes these are the key operating metrics that are the basis for driving shareholder value.

The maximum bonus that could be earned, based on the quarterly and annual bonus metrics described above, was 150% of the target bonus and the minimum was 0%. For most performance metrics, three levels of targets were set, with 50% of the allocated target bonus payable if the first performance level (level 1) was attained, 100% of the allocated target bonus payable if the second performance level (level 2) was attained and 150% of the allocated target bonus payable if the third performance level (level 3) was attained.

In addition, in fiscal 2010 the committee included a new executive incentive compensation element based on our diluted earnings per share performance for fiscal 2010. If the annual diluted earnings per share target was achieved, the executive would receive a bonus equal to 50% of the total incentive compensation earned by that executive under the fiscal 2010 program based on the quarterly and annual bonus metrics described above.

When adopting the program for fiscal 2010, the compensation committee set the quarterly and annual targets for each category of performance objectives based on its internal operating plan.  The objectives included in the fiscal 2010 executive incentive compensation program were set at levels that were designed to be attainable if our business had what we consider to be a successful year, but were by no means certain or even probable of being attained.

The bonuses actually paid under the fiscal 2010 executive incentive compensation program, based on the quarterly and annual bonus metrics described above, were 150% of the executive’s target bonus. We attained level 3 performance with respect to all of the performance metrics in the program for the annual and first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2010. The following tables illustrate our performance as compared to the quarterly and annual adjusted EBITDA targets and the annual revenue target.

 
 

 
 
 
Performance Metric
 
Level 3 Target
 
Actual Result
Q1 Adjusted EBITDA
 
$26.0 million or higher
 
$32.7 million
Q1 Revenue
 
$77.5 million of higher(1)
 
$76.4 million
Q2 Adjusted EBITDA
 
$27.0 million or higher
 
$30.8 million
Q2 Revenue
 
$76.5 million or higher
 
$78.9 million
Q3 Adjusted EBITDA
 
$27.0 million or higher
 
$32.1 million
Q3 Revenue
 
$76.0 million or higher
 
$80.4 million
Q4 Adjusted EBITDA
 
$25.0 million or higher
 
$26.7 million
Q4 Revenue
 
$75.0 million or higher
 
$79.2 million
FY10 Adjusted EBITDA
 
$105.0 million or higher
 
$122.3 million
FY10 Revenue
 
$305.0 million or higher
 
$315.0 million

 
(1)
SkillSoft’s revenue targets were based on foreign exchange rates in effect at January 31, 2009. Revenue can be positively or negatively impacted due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Consequently, revenue results for purposes of determining the level of performance achieved was actual revenue, adjusted based on foreign exchange rates in effect at January 31, 2009.

We do not publicly disclose our bookings or bookings targets. We consider our actual and targeted bookings to be confidential information and we believe that disclosure of that information could be used by others in a manner that causes us competitive harm. The bookings objectives included in the fiscal 2010 executive incentive compensation program were set at levels that were designed to be attainable, but were by no means certain or even probable of being attained. For the strategic initiatives objective, the committee reviewed the initiatives undertaken by us in fiscal 2010 and determined that level 3 performance had been achieved.

The target for the new diluted earnings per share objective for fiscal 2010 was $0.61 or higher.  We achieved diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2010 of $0.72.  As a result, we paid each named executive officer an additional bonus of 50% of the bonus earned by that executive under the fiscal 2010 program based on the quarterly and annual bonus metrics described above, such that each named executive officer received a bonus equal to 225% of his target bonus.

In August 2009, the compensation committee determined that a one-time discretionary cash bonus should be paid to each of the named executive officers, in the amounts set forth in the table below.  These bonuses were intended to reward the named executive officers for our financial and operational performance during the first two quarters of fiscal 2010 significantly exceeding our internal targets with respect to a number of different metrics, and the successful implementation by the executives of cost-savings initiatives during the first two quarters of fiscal 2010.  These bonuses were in addition to the bonuses earned under our executive incentive compensation program for fiscal 2010.

Name
 
Amount
 
Charles E. Moran
  $ 630,000  
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
  $ 375,000  
Thomas J. McDonald
  $ 270,000  
Colm M. Darcy
  $ 112,500  
Mark A. Townsend
  $ 112,500  

Share Options

Our share option program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executives. We believe that option grants provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture and help to align the interests of our executives and our shareholders. In addition, the vesting feature of our option grants is intended to promote executive retention by providing an incentive to our executives to remain in our employ during the vesting period.

It has been the practice of the compensation committee to grant options to our executive officers every four years (after the completion of vesting of the previous grants) rather than on an annual basis, although the committee continually evaluates the optimal approach for equity compensation and this practice could change in the future. Our practice has been to grant an option award to new executives upon hire, although we have not hired a new executive officer into the organization for several years. All grants of options to our executives are approved by the compensation committee.

Late in fiscal 2007, the compensation committee approved significant option grants to our executives.  No share options or other equity awards were granted to our named executive officers in fiscal 2008, fiscal 2009 or fiscal 2010.

 
 
 

 
 
Our board of directors has adopted policies for option grants. One of the primary purposes of these policies is to establish procedures for option grants that minimize the opportunity — or the perception of the opportunity — for us to time the grant of options in a manner that takes advantage of any material nonpublic information. Among the matters covered by these policies are the following:

 
·
All option grants to executive officers, and all option grants to other employees except options granted under a limited discounted option grant program to non-executive employees, will have an exercise price equal to the last reported sale price of our ADSs on NASDAQ on the date of grant.
 
·
Our chief executive officer can continue to make option grants to non-executive officers, subject to limitations imposed by the compensation committee.
 
·
Option grants to executive officers will be made only during a meeting of the compensation committee or the board of directors, and may not be approved by written consent.
 
·
Option grants to newly hired employees — whether made by the chief executive officer, the compensation committee or the board of directors — will be made on the first trading day of the month following their date of hire.
 
·
Options will not be granted by the compensation committee or the board of directors during the quarter-end blackout periods under our insider trading policy; provided that options may be approved during a meeting within a blackout period with the grant to be effective as of — and priced based on the trading price — two days after the end of the blackout period.

We do not have any share ownership guidelines for our executives.

Employee Benefits and Other Compensation

We maintain broad-based benefits that are provided to all employees, including health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance and a 401(k) plan. Executives are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, in each case on the same basis as other employees. Under our 401(k) plan, we match 100% of the employees’ 401(k) contributions up to 3% of eligible compensation, subject to various limitations (including a limit of $2,400 per employee annually).

In addition, our chief financial officer, Tom McDonald, does not reside in New England. Consequently, we make available to him housing and a car when he is in New Hampshire. We also reimburse Mr. McDonald for the expenses associated with his travel to and from New Hampshire. For additional information regarding these benefits, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table below and the narrative description that follows.

Severance Benefits

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our named executive officers. The employment agreements provide that the executive is entitled to specified severance benefits in the event his employment is terminated by us without “cause” or by the executive for “good reason” (each as defined in the employment agreement). In addition, all of our executive employment agreements provide that the executive may elect to extend the vesting and exercisability of their share options for a period of six months or one year (depending on the executive) following employment termination, in some cases in exchange for a non-competition covenant or the performance of consulting services. We have provided more detailed information about these arrangements, along with estimates of their value, under the section “Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments” below.  We believe that providing these severance benefits helps us compete for and retain executive talent.

Tax Considerations

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (referred to as the Code), generally disallows a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1.0 million paid to our chief executive officer and our three other executive officers (other than our chief financial officer) whose compensation is required to be disclosed to our shareholders by reason of being among our most highly compensated officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the deduction limitation if specified requirements are met. We structure our share option awards to comply with exemptions in Section 162(m) so that the compensation remains tax deductible to us. We periodically review the potential consequences of Section 162(m) on the other components of our executive compensation program. We will structure arrangements to comply with the Section 162(m) exceptions where we believe it to be feasible. However, the compensation committee may, in its judgment, authorize compensation payments that do not comply with the exemptions in Section 162(m) when it believes that such payments are appropriate to attract and retain executive talent.

Section 409A of the Code applies to plans, agreements and arrangements that provide for the deferral of compensation, and imposes penalty taxes on employees and other service providers if those plans, agreements and arrangements do not comply with Section 409A.  We have structured our share option grants and our severance arrangements to be exempt from or comply with, Section 409A.


 
 

 


Executive Compensation

The following table sets forth the total compensation for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2008 (fiscal 2008), January 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009) and January 31, 2010 (fiscal 2010) for our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our other three most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers on January 31, 2010. We refer to these officers as our named executive officers.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 
Name and
Principal Position
 
Fiscal Year
 
 
Salary ($)
   
Bonus ($)
   
Stock Awards ($)
   
Option Awards ($)
   
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (1)
   
All Other Compensation ($) (2)
   
 
Total ($)
 
                                             
Charles E. Moran
2010
    372,000       --       --       --       2,286,649       10,334       2,668,983  
President & CEO
2009
    372,000       --       --       --       590,806       10,334       973,140  
 
2008
    335,146       --       --       --       653,901       10,334       999,381  
                                                           
Thomas J. McDonald
2010
    252,000       --       --       --       965,465       54,865       1,272,330  
CFO & Executive Vice President
2009
    252,000       --       --       --       222,076       56,690       530,766  
 
2008
    236,292       --       --       --       266,438       53,581       556,311  
                                                           
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
2010
    282,000       --       --       --       1,201,637       8,603       1,492,240  
COO
2009
    282,000       --       --       --       281,648       8,603       572,251  
 
2008
    264,781       --       --       --       338,354       8,603       611,738  
                                                           
Mark A. Townsend
2010
    200,000       --       --       --       587,019       7,026       794,045  
Executive Vice President, Technology
2009
    200,000       --       --       --       176,250       7,026       383,276  
 
2008
    200,000       --       --       --       225,000       7,026       432,026  
                                                           
Colm M. Darcy
2010
    200,000       --       --       --       587,019       7,026       794,045  
Executive Vice President, Content Development
2009
    200,000       --       --       --       176,250       7,026       383,276  
 
2008
    200,000       --       --       --       225,000       5,495       430,495  

 
(1)
The amounts in this column reflect cash bonus awards earned by our named executive officers for performance under our executive incentive compensation programs and a one-time discretionary cash bonus paid in August 2009. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Components of our Executive Compensation Program — Cash Incentive Bonuses” above for a description of the fiscal 2010 program and these discretionary cash bonuses.

 
(2)
All Other Compensation is comprised of the following:

Name
 
Fiscal Year
 
Personal Benefits ($) (a)
   
Life Insurance Premiums ($) (b)
   
Defined Contribution Plans ($) (c)
   
Vacation
($) (d)
 
                             
Charles E. Moran
 
2010
    --       780       2,400       7,154  
   
2009
    --       780       2,400       7,154  
   
2008
    --       780       2,400       7,154  
                                     
Thomas J. McDonald
 
2010
    46,839       780       2,400       4,846  
   
2009
    48,664       780       2,400       4,846  
   
2008
    45,555       780       2,400       4,846  
                                     
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
 
2010
    --       780       2,400       5,423  
   
2009
    --       780       2,400       5,423  
   
2008
    --       780       2,400       5,423  
                                     
Mark A. Townsend
 
2010
    --       780       2,400       3,846  
   
2009
    --       780       2,400       3,846  
   
2008
    --       780       2,400       3,846  
                                     
Colm M. Darcy
 
2010
    --       780       2,400       3,846  
   
2009
    --       780       2,400       3,846  
   
2008
    --       780       2,400       2,315  

 
(a)
The personal benefits for Thomas J. McDonald include $9,000, $9,000 and $9,840 for use of an apartment leased by us for fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, $4,920, $4,500 and $4,044 for use of a company-leased vehicle for fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, $19,586, $17,426 and $20,566 for personal travel for fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, and $12,049, $17,738 and $12,389 for reimbursement of tax obligations related to such personal benefits for fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively.
 
(b)
Represents premiums paid by us for life insurance for which the named executive officer is the named beneficiary.
 
(c)
Reflects amounts paid by us pursuant to our 401(k) matching program, with limits of $100 per pay period, up to a maximum of $2,400 per year.
 
(d)
Includes amounts paid in fiscal 2008, 2009 and 2010 as accrued and unused vacation time per our policy.
 
 
 

 
 
The following table sets forth information concerning each grant of an award made to a named executive officer during fiscal 2010 under a non-equity incentive plan. We did not make any equity awards to our named executive officers during fiscal 2010.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS IN FISCAL 2010
 
       
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)
 
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Threshold ($) (2)
   
Target ($) (3)
   
Maximum ($) (4)
 
                       
Charles E. Moran
 
5/29/09
    349,743       736,300       1,656,675  
                             
Thomas J. McDonald
 
5/29/09
    146,823       309,100       695,475  
                             
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
 
5/29/09
    174,515       367,400       826,650  
                             
Mark A. Townsend
 
5/29/09
    100,178       210,900       474,525  
                             
Colm M. Darcy
 
5/29/09
    100,178       210,900       474,525  

 
(1)
Reflects the threshold, target and maximum cash award amounts under our fiscal 2010 executive incentive compensation program. The amounts actually paid to the named executive officers under our fiscal 2010 executive incentive compensation program are shown above in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.
 
(2)
Reflects the total minimum amount that could have been earned if the minimum targets for all of the quarterly and annual metrics had been achieved.
 
(3)
Reflects the total amount that could have been earned if the targeted quarterly and annual metrics had been achieved.
 
(4)
Reflects the total maximum amount that could have been earned if the maximum targets for all of the quarterly and annual metrics had been achieved.

Information Relating to Equity Awards and Holdings

The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding share options and equity incentive plan awards for each of the named executive officers as of January 31, 2010. The named executive officers do not hold any restricted shares.

 
 

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2010 FISCAL YEAR-END

   
Option Awards (5)
 
 
 
Name
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
Equity Incentive Plan Awards:  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)
 
Option Exercise Price ($)
 
 
Option Expiration Date (5)
                         
Charles E. Moran
    710,219 (1)               6.36  
9/27/2011
      244,438 (2)               4.06  
8/16/2012
      1,541,666 (3)     458,334 (3)         6.41  
12/5/2013
                               
Thomas J. McDonald
    206,739 (1)                 6.36  
9/27/2011
      631,959 (2)                 4.06  
8/16/2012
      616,666 (3)     183,334 (3)         6.41  
12/5/2013
                               
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
    78,359 (1)                 6.36  
9/27/2011
      925,000 (3)     275,000 (3)         6.41  
12/5/2013
                               
Mark A. Townsend
    24,904 (1)                 6.36  
9/27/2011
      595,986 (2)                 4.06  
8/16/2012
      308,333 (3)     91,667 (3)         6.41  
12/5/2013
                               
Colm M. Darcy
    155,889 (3)     91,667 (3)         6.41  
12/5/2013
      50,000 (4)                 19.06  
4/5/2011


 
(1)
These options were granted on September 27, 2001. The options vested as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each successive one month period following the grant date over 48 months. In addition, the shares subject to this option were allocated as incentive stock options to the extent permissible under the Internal Revenue Code.
 
(2)
These options were granted on August 16, 2002. The options vested as to 25% of the shares subject to the option on August 16, 2003 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date over the remaining 36 months. In addition, the shares subject to this option were allocated as incentive stock options to the extent permissible under the Code.
 
(3)
These options were granted on December 5, 2006. The options vested as to 25% of the shares subject to the option on December 5, 2007 and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each one month period following the first anniversary of the grant date over the remaining 36 months.
 
(4)
These options were granted on April 5, 2001. The options vested as to 25% of the shares subject to the option on January 15, 2002, 25% of the shares subject to the option on January 15, 2003, and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option at the end of each one month period following the second anniversary of the grant date over the remaining 24 months.
 
(5)
Each option has a term of seven or ten years, and generally expires shortly following the termination of the executive’s employment. In addition, as described below under “Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments”, the executive may elect to extend the vesting and exercisability of these options following employment termination under certain circumstances.
 

 
 
 

 
The following table sets forth information concerning the exercise of stock options during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 for each of our named executive officers. No restricted stock vested during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.

 
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN FISCAL YEAR 2010
 
   
Option Awards
 
Name
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)
   
Value Realized on Exercise (1)
($)
 
             
Charles E. Moran
    -       -  
Thomas J. McDonald
    -       -  
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
    3,500       11,200  
Mark A. Townsend
    -       -  
Colm M. Darcy
    50,000       113,415  
_____________

 
(1)
The value realized on exercise is calculated as the difference between the actual sales price of the shares underlying the options exercised and the applicable exercise price of those options.
 

Employment Agreements and Potential Termination Payments

We have entered into employment agreements with our named executive officers that provide for termination payments under certain circumstances.

Charles E. Moran’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Charles E. Moran, to employ Mr. Moran as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Moran’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $225,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by our Board of Directors. Mr. Moran’s current base salary is $372,000. In addition, Mr. Moran will be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Moran’s employment is at-will, but if Mr. Moran’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, each as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of his base salary and maximum target bonus for a period of one year after the date of termination. In addition, if Mr. Moran is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he may elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a period of one year after the date of termination, if he agrees to be bound by the non-solicitation and non-compete provisions contained in his employment agreement. If Mr. Moran’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant not to solicit employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after the termination of his employment.

Thomas J. McDonald’s Employment Agreement. Thomas J. McDonald is a party to an employment agreement dated February 2, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, SkillSoft Corporation. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. McDonald is entitled to receive a base salary of $135,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr. McDonald’s current base salary is $252,000. Mr. McDonald is also entitled to participate in any bonus plans that SkillSoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. McDonald may terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr. McDonald. If Mr. McDonald’s employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of such a termination, Mr. McDonald’s stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following termination.

Jerald A. Nine Jr.’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Jerald A. Nine, to employ Mr. Nine as our Executive Vice-President, Content Solutions and General Manager Books Division. Mr. Nine’s employment agreement provides for a cash compensation plan that reflects the level established by our Board of Directors for the then current fiscal year. Mr. Nine’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors. Mr. Nine’s current base salary is $282,000. In addition, Mr. Nine will be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus based on performance metrics established by the Board of Directors. Mr. Nine’s employment is at-will, but if Mr. Nine’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of his base salary plus the then maximum performance bonus for a period of one year. In addition, if Mr. Nine is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he may elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a period of one year. If Mr. Nine’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause, the covenant not to solicit employees and the covenant not to compete will extend for a period of one year after the termination of his employment.

 
 
 

 
 
Mark A. Townsend’s Employment Agreement. Mark A. Townsend is a party to an employment agreement dated January 12, 1998 with our predecessor corporation, SkillSoft Corporation. Under the terms of the employment agreement, Mr. Townsend is entitled to receive a base salary of $145,000, which may be increased in accordance with our regular salary review practices. Mr. Townsend’s current base salary is $200,000. Mr. Townsend is also entitled to participate in any bonus plans that SkillSoft may establish for its senior executives. Either we or Mr. Townsend may terminate the employment agreement at will for any reason upon three months prior notice in the case of termination by us, or upon two months prior notice in the case of termination by Mr. Townsend. If Mr. Townsend’s employment is terminated for any reason or if he resigns with good reason, as defined in his employment agreement, he will be entitled to continuation of salary and benefits for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, in the event of such a termination, Mr. Townsend’s stock options will continue to vest and be exercisable if he performs consulting services for us of up to ten hours per week during the six months following termination.

Colm M. Darcy’s Employment Agreement. In connection with our merger with SkillSoft Corporation, we entered into an employment agreement, effective on September 6, 2002, the date of completion of the merger, with Mr. Darcy, to employ him as our Executive Vice President, Content Development. Mr. Darcy’s employment agreement provides that he will be paid a base salary of $200,000 per year to be reviewed for increases at least annually by the Board of Directors and that his participation in SkillSoft’s benefit plans shall be at SkillSoft’s expense. Mr. Darcy’s current base salary is $200,000. Pursuant to the employment agreement, on September 6, 2002, we granted Mr. Darcy an option to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $4.25 per share. The option grant vested as to 25% of the shares on September 6, 2003 and vests thereafter in 48 equal monthly installments on each monthly anniversary of the date of the grant. Mr. Darcy will also be reimbursed for certain supplemental travel expenses for him and his wife. In addition, Mr. Darcy will be entitled to receive relocation expense reimbursement in the event Mr. Darcy either relocates to Ireland at our request or returns there within three months after his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, each as defined in his employment agreement. Mr. Darcy’s employment is at-will, but if his employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the sum of $75,000 plus his base salary for a period of six months after the date of termination. In addition, if Mr. Darcy is terminated without cause or if he resigns with good reason, he may elect to continue vesting of the options granted to him for a period of six months after the date of termination, if he agrees to be bound by the nonsolicitation and noncompete provisions contained in his employment agreement. The employment agreement also includes a covenant not to solicit employees and a covenant not to compete for a period extending until the later of six months after the termination of his employment and September 6, 2006, if Mr. Darcy’s termination is voluntary (other than for good reason) or we terminate him for cause.

The table below shows the benefits potentially payable to each of our named executive officers if he were terminated without cause or resigned for good reason, or in the case of Messrs. McDonald and Townsend, if he were terminated for any reason or resigned for good cause. These amounts are calculated on the assumption that the employment termination took place on January 31, 2010.

   
Severance Payments
                   
Name
 
Base Salary ($)
   
Target Bonus ($)
   
Extended Vesting of Options (1) ($)
   
Benefits ($)
   
Total ($)
 
                               
Charles E. Moran
    372,000       1,104,450       1,353,612       --       2,830,062  
                                         
Thomas J. McDonald
    126,000               319,710       3,752       449,462  
                                         
Jerald A. Nine, Jr.
    282,000       551,100       812,167       --       1,645,267  
                                         
Mark A. Townsend
    100,000               159,855       9,943       269,738  
                                         
Colm M. Darcy
    175,000               159,855       --       334,855  

 
(1)
These options would continue to vest for a specified period of time following the termination event. We calculated a Black-Scholes value for the options for the extended period of time following the termination event and have presented this incremental value in the above table.

Compensation of Directors

Each director who is not an employee of SkillSoft (each, an “Outside Director”) receives cash compensation as follows:

 
·
each Outside Director receives an annual retainer of $30,000;
 
·
the chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $20,000;
 
·
the chairman of each of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $7,500; and
 
·
each Outside Director who is a member of any Committee of the Board of Directors receives an additional payment of $2,000 per Board or Committee meeting attended up to a maximum of ten meetings per year (including by conference telephone) beyond regularly scheduled meetings (i.e. a maximum additional payment of $20,000), provided that only one meeting payment would be made in the event such additional meetings of the Board of Directors and one or more Committee were held on the same day.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Any director who is in office only for a portion of a fiscal year shall only be entitled to be paid a pro-rated portion of such remuneration reflecting such portion of the year during which he held office.

We also reimburse directors for expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees and for certain company-approved continuing education expenses.

We currently have five Outside Directors, each of whom is eligible for cash remuneration as described above: P. Howard Edelstein, James S. Krzywicki, William F. Meagher, Jr., Dr. Ferdinand von Prondzynski and William J. Boyce. Mr. Meagher is the chair of the Audit Committee, Mr. Krzywicki is the chair of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Boyce is the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

In addition to the annual retainer and the payments described above, we grant Outside Directors compensation in the form of share options for their services as members of the Board of Directors. On initial election to the Board of Directors, each new Outside Director receives an option to purchase 50,000 ordinary shares (the “Initial Grant”) under our Director Plan. Each Outside Director who has been a director for at least six months receives an option to purchase 20,000 ordinary shares on January 1 st  of each year (the “Annual Grant”).

All options granted under the Director Plan have a term of ten years and an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the ordinary shares on the date of grant. The Initial Grant becomes exercisable as to one-third of the shares subject to the option on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, provided the Outside Director remains a director on such dates. The Annual Grant becomes fully exercisable on the first anniversary of the date of grant, provided the Outside Director remains a director on such date. Upon exercise of an option, the Outside Director may elect to receive his ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. After termination as an Outside Director, their options will remain exercisable for 12 months. However, an option may never be exercised later than the expiration of its ten-year term. An Outside Director may not transfer options granted under the Director Plan other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Only the Outside Director may exercise the option during his lifetime. In the event of a merger of SkillSoft with or into another corporation or a sale of substantially all of SkillSoft’s assets, the successor corporation may assume, or substitute a new option in place of, each option. If such assumption or substitution occurs, the options will continue to be exercisable according to the same terms as before the merger or sale of assets. Following such assumption or substitution, if an Outside Director is terminated other than by voluntary resignation, the option will become fully exercisable and generally will remain exercisable for a period of three months. If the outstanding options are not assumed or substituted for, the Board of Directors will notify each Outside Director that he has the right to exercise the option as to all shares subject to the option for a period of 30 days following the date of the notice. The option will terminate upon the expiration of the 30-day period. Unless terminated sooner, the Director Plan will automatically terminate in 2011. The Board of Directors has the authority to amend, alter, suspend, or discontinue the Director Plan, but no such action may adversely affect any grant previously made under the Director Plan.

On January 1, 2010, Messrs. Meagher, Edelstein, Boyce and Krzywicki and Dr. von Prondzynski each were granted an option to purchase 20,000 ordinary shares at an exercise price of $10.48 per share. Each such option was in accordance with the terms of the Director Plan described above.

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our Outside Directors for fiscal 2010.

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 2010

Name
 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
   
Option Awards ($) (1)
   
Total ($)
 
P. Howard Edelstein
  $ 48,000       75,672     $ 123,672  
Stewart K.P. Gross (2)
  $ 55,000       75,672     $ 130,672  
James S. Krzywicki
  $ 52,500       75,672     $ 128,172  
Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  $ 48,000       75,672     $ 123,672  
William F. Meagher, Jr.
  $ 70,000       75,672     $ 145,672  
William J. Boyce
  $ 49,378       201,652     $ 251,030  

 
(1)
The amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value of stock options granted under our equity plans in fiscal 2010. The grant date fair value was determined by using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. There can be no assurance that these amounts will ever be realized. The assumptions we used to calculate these amounts are included in Note 9 to our audited financial statements for fiscal 2010, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2010 filed on March 25, 2010. As of January 31, 2010, each continuing Outside Director held options for the following number of shares: Mr. Edelstein: 125,000, Mr. Krzywicki: 115,000, Mr. Meagher: 115,000, Dr. von Prondzynski: 125,000 and Mr. Boyce: 70,000.
 
(2)
Mr. Gross retired by rotation and did not seek re-election to the Board of Directors at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held September 30, 2009.
 

 
 
 

 
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors are Messrs. Krzywicki (Chair) and Boyce. Mr. Gross served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee until the completion of his term as a director on September 30, 2009.  Mr. Krzywicki was appointed to serve as Chairman following the completion of Mr. Gross’s term as a director. Mr. Boyce became a member of the Compensation Committee in April 2010. No executive officer of SkillSoft has served as a director or member of the compensation committee of any other entity whose executive officers served as a director or member of the Compensation Committee of SkillSoft. During fiscal 2010, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with SkillSoft’s management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to SkillSoft’s Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this filing.

By the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors:

James S. Krzywicki
William J. Boyce


As of May 27, 2010, 100% of the Company’s shares were held by SSI Investments III Limited.  Our current directors and named executive officers do not hold any of the Company’s shares or options to purchase the Company's shares.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information about the ordinary shares authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of January 31, 2010.

Plan Category (1)
 
(a)
Number of Shares to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
(b)
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding options, Warrants and Rights ($)
 
(c)
Number of Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))
                   
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    5,969,265 (2)     8.49 (2)     2,837,057 (3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    2,215,669 (4)     10.00       --  
                         
      8,184,934       7.31       2,837,057  

 
(1)
This table excludes an aggregate of 3,801,704 ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of options that we assumed in connection with our merger with SkillSoft Corporation. The weighted average exercise price of the excluded options is $6.12 per share. We assumed the SkillSoft Corporation 1998 and 2001 Stock Incentive Plans and the Books24x7.com, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan only insofar as they related to options outstanding under the plans at the time of the merger, and we may not grant any future options under any of those plans.
 
(2)
Excludes ordinary shares issuable under our 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan in connection with the current offering period; such ordinary shares are included in column (c).
 
(3)
Consists of 1,901,076 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2002 Share Option Plan (the “2002 Plan”), 867,231 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2004 Employee Share Purchase Plan and 68,750 ordinary shares reserved for issuance under the 2001 Outside Director Plan.
 
(4)
Consists of 2,215,669 ordinary shares subject to outstanding options under our 1996 Supplemental Stock Plan (the “1996 Plan”).

We assumed the 1996 Plan in connection with our merger with SmartForce in 2002. Under the 1996 Plan, all employees, with the exception of directors and executive officers were eligible to receive grants of nonstatutory options. The 1996 Plan expired in October 2006.

 
 

 



Our Board of Directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the review of any transaction, arrangement or relationship in which SkillSoft is a participant, the amount involved exceeds $50,000, and one of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% stockholders (or their immediate family members), each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” has a direct or indirect material interest.

If a related person proposes to enter into such a transaction, arrangement or relationship, which we refer to as a “related person transaction,” the related person must report the proposed related person transaction to our Vice President, Administration. The policy calls for the proposed related person transaction to be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entry into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the committee will review, and, in its discretion, may ratify the related person transaction. The policy also permits the chairman of the audit committee to review and, if deemed appropriate, approve proposed related person transactions that arise between audit committee meetings, subject to ratification by the audit committee at its next meeting. Any related person transactions that are ongoing in nature will be reviewed annually.

The committee will review and consider such information regarding the related person transaction as it deems appropriate under the circumstances. The committee may approve or ratify the transaction only if the committee determines that, under all of the circumstances, the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, SkillSoft’s best interests. The committee may impose any conditions on the related person transaction that it deems appropriate.

In addition to the transactions that are excluded by the instructions to the SEC’s related person transaction disclosure rule, the Board has determined that the following do not constitute a material direct or indirect interest on behalf of related persons and, therefore, are not related person transactions for purposes of this policy:

 
·
interests arising solely from the related person’s position as an executive officer of another entity (whether or not the person is also a director of such entity), that is a participant in the transaction, where (a) the related person owns in the aggregate less than a 5% equity interest in such entity, (b) the related person and his or her immediate family members are not involved in the negotiation of the terms of the transaction and do not receive any special benefits as a result of the transaction, (c) the amount involved in the transaction equals less than 1% of the annual consolidated gross revenues of the other entity that is a party to the transaction, or (d) the amount involved in the transaction equals less than 1% of SkillSoft’s annual consolidated gross revenues; and
 
·
a transaction that is specifically contemplated by provisions of our Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association.

The policy provides that transactions involving compensation of executive officers shall be reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee in the manner specified in its charter.

The son-in-law of Charles Moran, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, is employed in our sales organization and receives annual compensation in excess of $120,000 (consistent with others in similar roles). This individual was hired before becoming Mr. Moran’s son-in-law. Mr. Moran does not participate in the supervision of or compensation decisions regarding this individual, and we believe the compensation of this individual is fair and commensurate with what it would be if he had no relationship to Mr. Moran.

Director Independence

Under applicable NASDAQ rules, a director will only qualify as an “independent director” if, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, that person does not have a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines we adopted in connection with the settlement of our securities class action litigation, our Board of Directors must propose director nominees for election such that, should the shareholders elect those nominees, two-thirds of the members of our Board of Directors will be independent directors. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at www.SkillSoft.com also include a heightened definition of independence for purposes of that requirement.

Our Board has determined that none of Messrs. Boyce, Krzywicki and Meagher or Dr. von Prondzynski has a relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Marketplace Rules and our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 
 

 
 

The following table summarizes the fees of Ernst & Young, our registered public accounting firm, billed to us for each of the last two fiscal years.

Fee Category
 
Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2010
   
Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2009
 
             
Audit Fees (1)
  $ 1,567,000     $ 1,664,000  
Audit-Related Fees (2)
  $ 106,000     $ 20,000  
Tax Fees (3)
  $ 462,000     $ 1,780,000  
                 
Total Fees
  $ 2,135,000     $ 3,464,000  

 
(1)
Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of our financial statements, the audit of our internal control over financial reporting, the review of the interim financial statements in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, other professional services provided or accrued for in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2010 and January 31, 2009.
 
(2)
Audit-related fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit and the review of our financial statements and which are not reported under “Audit Fees.” These services relate to employee benefit plan audits and accounting consultation services performed in connection with due diligence reviews from potential buyers of the Company.
 
(3)
Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services. Tax compliance services, which relate to preparation of original and amended tax returns and claims for refunds, accounted for $181,000 of the total tax fees billed in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 and $209,500 of the total tax fees billed in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. Tax advice and tax planning services relate to a transfer pricing analysis, tax advice, assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, employee benefit plans and requests for rulings or technical advice related to matters concerning various taxing authorities.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our registered public accounting firm. These policies and procedures generally provide that we will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm to render audit or non-audit services unless the service is specifically approved in advance by the Audit Committee or the engagement is entered into pursuant to one of the pre-approval procedures described below.

From time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to us by our registered independent public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or type of services to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.

The Audit Committee has also delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve any audit or non-audit services to be provided to us by our registered public accounting firm. Any approval of services by the Chair of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegated authority is reported on and ratified at the next meeting of the Audit Committee.

 
 

 

 

 
(a)
Documents Filed as a Part of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2010:

 
1.
Financial Statements. The following documents are filed as Appendix B to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2010 and are included as part of such report:

Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
2.
Financial Statement Schedules. All Financial Statement Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 25, 2009.

 
3.
Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding such Exhibits are filed as part of and incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K/A.


 
 

 


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
 
SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
  
 
 
By:  
/s/ Charles E. Moran   
   
Charles E. Moran, 
 
   
Chairman of the Board, President
 and Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
Date: May 28, 2010


 
 

 
 

Exhibit No.
 Title
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 10, 2002, by and among SmartForce Public Limited Company, SkillSoft Corporation and Slate Acquisition Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 14, 2002 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
2.2
Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement among T.N.H. France SARL, T.N.H. Holdings GmbH, The Thomson Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd, Thomson Information and Solutions Limited, Thomson Global Resources, Thomson Learning Inc., SkillSoft Public Limited Company and SkillSoft Corporation, dated October 25, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
2.3
Side Letter to Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2007, by and among SkillSoft Public Limited Company, SkillSoft Corporation, Thompson Learning Inc., Thomson Global Resources, T.N.H. France SARL, T.N.H. Holdings GmbH, The Thomson Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd., and Thomson Information & Solutions Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
3.1
Memorandum of Association of SkillSoft PLC as amended on March 24, 1992, March 31, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001, September 6, 2002 and November 19, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
3.2
Articles of Association of SkillSoft PLC as amended on July 6, 1995, April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001, September 6, 2002, November 19, 2002 and May 3, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2010 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
4.1
Specimen certificate representing the ordinary shares of SkillSoft PLC (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
4.2
Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (including the form of American Depositary Receipt), dated as of April 13, 1995 as amended and restated as of September 4, 2002, among SkillSoft PLC, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and each Owner and Beneficial Owner from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2002 (File No. 000-256740)).
 
4.3
Amended and Restated Restricted Deposit Agreement (including the form of American Depositary Receipt), dated as of November 30, 1995 and amended and restated as of September 4, 2002, among SkillSoft PLC, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and each Owner and Beneficial Owner from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2002 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
4.4
Restricted Deposit Agreement (B) dated as of June 8, 1998 and amended and restated as of September 4, 2002 among SkillSoft PLC, The Bank of New York, and the owners and beneficial owners of Restricted American Depositary Receipts (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 14, 2002 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.1**
Form of Indemnification Agreement between CBT Systems USA, Ltd. (formerly, Thornton Holdings, Ltd.) and its directors and officers dated as of April 1995 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLC’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 333-89904)).
 
10.2**
Form if Indemnification Agreement between SmartForce (USA) and its directors and officers dated as of September 6, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2003 (File No. 000 25674)). 
 
   
   

 
 

 


Exhibit No.
 Title
10.3** 
Book24x7.com, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). 
 
10.4** 
1994 Share Option Plan (Incorporated be reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 declared effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 1995 (File No. 333-89904)). 
 
 10.5**
1996 Supplemental Stock Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.6**
1998 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)). 
 
10.7**
 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to SkillSoft PLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21, 2003 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.8**
 2001 Outside Director Option Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.9**
2002 Share Option Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 8, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.10**
2004 Employee Share Purchase Plan, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Appendix C to SkillSoft PLC's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2004 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.11**
Employment Agreement dated June 10, 2002 between SkillSoft PLC and Charles E. Moran, as amended December 23, 2008 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.12**
Employment Agreement dated as of June 10, 2002 between SkillSoft PLC and Jerald A. Nine, Jr., as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.13
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of June 10, 2002 between SkillSoft PLC and Warburg Pincus Ventures, L.P. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to SkillSoft PLC’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2002 (File No. 333-90872)).
 
10.14**
Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998 between SkillSoft Corporation and Mark A. Townsend, as amended December 29, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.15**
Employment Agreement dated January 12, 1998 between SkillSoft Corporation and Thomas J. McDonald, as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.16**
Employment Agreement dated effective September 6, 2002 between SkillSoft PLC and Colm Darcy, as amended December 23, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
   
   

 
 

 


   
Exhibit No.
Title
10.17
Lease dated May 25, 2001, as amended between 1987 Tamposi Limited Partnership and SkillSoft Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.18**
Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between SkillSoft Corporation and its directors and officers dated as of March 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to SkillSoft PLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.19
Lease agreement, dated June 9, 2004, as amended, by and between Hewlett-Packard Company and SkillSoft Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.20**
Form of Director Option Agreement for initial grants under the 2001 Director Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.21**
Form of Director Option Agreement for subsequent grants under the 2001 Director Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 4, 2006 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.22**
Form of Option Agreement under 2002 Share Option Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2004 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.23
Release and Settlement Agreement (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2005 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.24
Credit Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, among SkillSoft PLC, SkillSoft Corporation, Credit Suisse, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Keybank National Association, Silicon Valley Bank, and the lenders party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.25
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated May 14, 2007, among SkillSoft PLC, SkillSoft Corporation and the subsidiary guarantors party thereto (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2007 (File No. 000-25674)). 
 
10.26
Amendment No.1, dated July 7, 2008, to Credit Agreement and to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, each dated May 14, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 11, 2008 (File No. 000-25674)). 
 
10.27
Summary of Fiscal 2009 Executive Cash Incentive Compensation Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2008 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.28
Summary of Fiscal 2010 Executive Cash Incentive Compensation Program (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 4, 2009 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.29
Transaction Agreement, dated February 12, 2010, between SkillSoft PLC and SSI Investments III Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2010 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.30
Expenses Reimbursement Agreement, dated February 11, 2010, between SkillSoft PLC and SSI Investments III Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2010 (File No. 000-25674)).
 
10.31
First Amending Agreement to the Transaction Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2010, between SkillSoft PLC and SSI Investments III Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2010 (File No. 000-25674)).

 
 

 


 
Exhibit No.
 
Title
10.32
Restated Expenses Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2010, between SkillSoft PLC and SSI Investments III Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to SkillSoft PLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2,2010 (File No. 000-25674)).
21.1†
List of Significant Subsidiaries.
 
23.1†
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
 
31.1†
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
31.2†
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
31.3*
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.4*
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1†
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.2†
Certification of SkillSoft PLC’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a- 14(b)/Rule 15d-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
__________

Filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2009.
Filed herewith. 
**
Denotes management or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed by registrant pursuant to Item 15(c) of this report on Form 10-K.