UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrantþ
Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Filed by the Registrant  x                Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

o¨

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o¨

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)14a-6(e)(2))

þx

Definitive Proxy Statement

o¨

Definitive Additional Materials

o¨

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Crawford & Company

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

þx

No fee required.

¨
o

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 (1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

 (2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

 (3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

 (4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

 (5)

Total fee paid:

¨
o

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

o¨

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 (1)

Amount Previously Paid:

 (2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 (3)

Filing Party:

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Date Filed:


LOGO

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
PROPOSAL 2 -- ADVISORY VOTE APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL 3 -- ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTE
PROPOSAL 4 -- RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
OTHER MATTERS
March 28, 2012


(CRAWFORD LOGO)
March 25, 2011
Dear Shareholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Company’s 20112012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on Thursday,Wednesday, May 5, 2011,9, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Company’s headquarters, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

The official Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and form of Proxy are included with this letter and contain information about the annual meeting and the various matters on which you are being asked to vote.

As is our custom, a brief report will be made immediately after the annual meeting on the Company’s 20102011 activities and the outlook for 2011.2012. We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting.Whether or not you plan to attend, it is important that you sign and return your Proxy, or vote electronically by telephone or through the Internet, promptly, as your vote is important to the Company.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, officers, and employees, we wish to thank you for your continued interest in and support of Crawford & Company.

Sincerely,
-s- Jeffrey T. Bowman
Jeffrey T. Bowman

Sincerely,

LOGO

Jeffrey T. Bowman

President and Chief Executive Officer


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

P.O. Box 5047

Atlanta, Georgia 30302

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 9, 2012

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Crawford & Company (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s headquarters, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, 30319, on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect nine (9) directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;

2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 2012 fiscal year; and

3. To transact any and all other such business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Information relating to the above matters is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2012. Only shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of the close of business on March 7, 2012 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2012:

The proxy statement and 2011 annual report are available athttps://materials.proxyvote.com/224633. If you need directions to the annual meeting, please call (404) 300-1000.


CRAWFORD & COMPANY
P.O. Box 5047
Atlanta, Georgia 30302
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 5, 2011
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Crawford & Company (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s headquarters, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, 30319, on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect nine (9) directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified;
2. To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of certain of the Company’s executive officers;
3. To vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation;
4. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 2011 fiscal year; and
5. To transact any and all other such business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Information relating to the above matters is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement dated March 25, 2011. Only shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of the close of business on March 7, 2011 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company are not entitled to be voted at the annual meeting.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 5, 2011:
The proxy statement and 2010 annual report are available at https://materials.proxyvote.com/224633. If you need directions to the annual meeting, please call(404) 300-1000.
By Order of The Board of Directors,
-s- Allen W. Nelson

LOGO

Allen W. Nelson,

Secretary

Atlanta, Georgia
March 25, 2011

Atlanta, Georgia

March 28, 2012

It is important that your shares of Class B Common Stock be represented at the annual meeting whether or not you are able to attend. Accordingly, please complete and sign the enclosed Proxy and return it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope, or vote your Proxy electronically by telephone or through the Internet as soon as possible. Signing and returning the Proxy, or submitting it electronically, will not affect your right to attend and vote in person at the annual meeting.

This Proxy is being solicited with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company by the Board of Directors of the Company. Proxies are not being solicited with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company.


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

P.O. Box 5047

Atlanta, Georgia 30302

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be Held on May 9, 2012

The 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Crawford & Company, and any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), will be held at the headquarters of the Company, located at 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319 on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy are first being mailed or delivered electronically to shareholders and made available on the Internet athttps://materials.proxyvote.com/224633, on or about March 28, 2012. Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 is also being delivered with the Proxy Statement and is also made available on the Internet at the web address above.

Why am I being furnished this Proxy Statement and Proxy?

You are being furnished this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy Card, or “Proxy,” because you own shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. A Proxy is a legal designation of another person to vote the stock that you own. That other person is called a “proxy.” If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a proxy, a proxy card or a form of proxy.

All of the Company’s shareholders on the Record Date, described below, are being furnished a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement. However, only holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock are entitled to vote on the matters subject to a vote at the Annual Meeting. The Proxy Statement describes the matters which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. It also gives you information so that you can make an informed voting decision on those matters.

If you sign and return the Proxy, you are appointing J.T. Bowman, W.B. Swain and A.W. Nelson as your representatives at the Annual Meeting. Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson will vote your shares of Class B Common Stock at the Annual Meeting as you instruct them on the Proxy. This way, your shares will be voted at your direction whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we request that you complete, sign and return your Proxy, vote by telephone or vote over the Internet in advance of the Annual Meeting just in case your plans change.

Who is furnishing the Proxy Statement and Proxy?

The Board of Directors of the Company is furnishing this Proxy Statement and Proxy to solicit proxies on its behalf to vote at the Annual Meeting.

How do I know if I am entitled to vote? What is a record date?

Only shareholders of record of our Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on March 7, 2012, which we refer to as the “Record Date,” are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

How many shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding? How many votes is each share of Class B Common Stock entitled to at the Annual Meeting?

As of the Record Date, we had outstanding 24,697,172 shares of Class B Common Stock and each share is entitled to one vote for each of the director nominees to be elected at the Annual Meeting, and one vote on each other matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.


I own shares of Class A Common Stock. Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?

This Proxy Statement is being mailed and delivered electronically to holders of our Class A Common Stock as of the Record Date for information only. Shares of Class A Common Stock are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, no Proxy is being requested, and no Proxy should be returned, with respect to such shares.

Other than with respect to voting rights, what are the differences between Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock?

The Company’s two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company’s ability to pay greater cash dividends on the Class A Common Stock than on the Class B Common Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of Class A Common Stock must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of Class B Common Stock, unless approved by the holders of 75% of the Class A Common Stock, voting as a class.

How many votes do you need to hold the Annual Meeting?

In order for us to conduct business at the Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum at the Annual Meeting, which means that a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock as of the Record Date must be present. Shares of Class B Common Stock will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum if those shares are:

voted over the Internet or by telephone,

properly submitted via Proxy (even if the Proxy does not provide voting instructions), or

present at the Annual Meeting and voted in person.

Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a registered holder (such as a broker or bank) holding shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the registered holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that particular proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Please note that banks and brokers which have not received voting instructions from their clients may not vote their clients’ shares on the election of directors, but may, although they are not required to, vote such shares with respect to the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor.

On what items am I being asked to vote?

You are being asked to vote on two items:

the election of nine (9) directors; and

the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for our 2012 fiscal year.

How may I vote on all of the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting?

With respect to the election of directors, you may:

vote FOR all nominees;

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and vote FOR the remaining nominees; or

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nine (9) nominees.

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Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to cast an affirmative vote for up to nine (9) director nominees. Cumulative voting is not permitted. The nine nominees for director who receive the highest number of votes cast, in person or by Proxy, at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors. Votes withheld, abstentions and broker non-votes, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

With respect to the ratification of our independent auditor, you may:

vote FOR the proposal;

vote AGAINST the proposal; or

ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

The vote required to approve this proposal is a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock present in person or represented by Proxy. For these purposes, abstentions and broker non-votes, as applicable, are neither counted as votes cast for or against the proposal and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.

How do I vote?

You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person, or you may choose to submit your Proxy by any of the following methods:

Voting by telephone or through the Internet. Signing and returning the Proxy, or submitting it electronically, will not affect your right to attend and vote in person at the annual meeting.

This Proxy is being solicited with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company by the Board of Directors of the Company. Proxies are not being solicited with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company.


CRAWFORD & COMPANY
P.O. Box 5047
Atlanta, Georgia 30302
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be Held on May 5, 2011
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), will be held at the headquarters of the Company, located at 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319 on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. This Proxy Statement and the form of Proxy are first being mailed or delivered electronically to shareholders and made available on the Internet at https://materials.proxyvote.com/224633, on or about March 25, 2011. Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 is also being delivered with the Proxy Statement.
Why am I being furnished this Proxy Statement and Proxy?
You are being furnished this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Proxy Card, or “Proxy,” because you own shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. A Proxy is a legal designation of another person to vote the stock that you own. That other person is called a “proxy.” If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a proxy, a proxy card or a form of proxy.
All of the Company’s shareholders on the Record Date, described below, are being furnished a copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting. However, only holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock are entitled to vote on the matters subject to a vote at the Annual Meeting. The Proxy Statement describes the matters which will be voted on at the Annual Meeting. It also gives you information so that you can make an informed voting decision.
If you sign and return the Proxy, you are appointing J.T. Bowman, W.B. Swain and A.W. Nelson as your representatives at the Annual Meeting. Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson will vote your shares of Class B Common Stock at the Annual Meeting as you instruct them on the Proxy. This way, your shares will be voted at your direction whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, it is a good idea to complete, sign and return your Proxy, vote by telephone or vote over the Internet in advance of the Annual Meeting just in case your plans change.
Who is furnishing the Proxy Statement and Proxy?
The Board of Directors of the Company is furnishing this Proxy Statement and Proxy to solicit proxies on its behalf to vote at the Annual Meeting.
How do I know if I am entitled to vote? What is a record date?
Only shareholders of record of our Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on March 7, 2011, which we refer to as the “Record Date,” are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the Annual Meeting.
How many shares of Class B Common Stock are outstanding? How many votes is each share of Class B Common Stock entitled to at the Annual Meeting?
As of the Record Date, we had outstanding 24,697,172 shares of Class B Common Stock and each share is entitled to one vote for each of the director nominees and one vote on each other matter acted upon at the Annual Meeting.


I own shares of Class A Common Stock. Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?
This Proxy Statement is being mailed to shareholders of our Class A Common Stock as of the Record Date for information only. Shares of Class A Common Stock are not entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, no Proxy is being requested and no Proxy should be returned with respect to such shares.
Other than with respect to voting rights, what are the differences between Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock?
Other than with respect to voting rights, the Company’s two classes of stock have essentially identical rights, except that, under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors may pay greater or equal (but not lesser) cash dividends on the Class A Common Stock than on the Class B Common Stock. In addition, generally with respect to mergers or similar transactions in which shares of the Company’s common stock are proposed to be exchanged, holders of Class A Common Stock must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of Class B Common Stock, unless approved by the holders of 75% of the Class A Common Stock, voting as a class.
How many votes do you need to hold the Annual Meeting?
In order for us to conduct business at the Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum at the Annual Meeting, which means that a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock as of the Record Date must be present. Your vote will be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum if you:
• vote over the Internet or by telephone,
• properly submit a Proxy (even if you do not provide voting instructions), or
• attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.
Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a registered holder (such as a broker or bank) holding shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the registered holder does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that particular proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Please note that banks and brokers which have not received voting instructions from their clients may not vote their clients’ shares on the election of directors, the advisory vote on compensation of certain of our executive officers or the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation, but may, although they are not required to, vote such shares with respect to the ratification of the appointment of independent auditor.
On what items am I being asked to vote?
You are being asked to vote on four items:
• the election of nine (9) directors;
• an advisory vote on the compensation of certain of our executive officers;
• an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation; and
• the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the Company’s 2011 fiscal year.
How may I vote on all of the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting?
With respect to the election of directors, you may:
• vote FOR all nominees;
• WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and vote FOR the remaining nominees; or
• WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nine (9) nominees.


2


Each share of Class B Common Stock is entitled to cast an affirmative vote for up to nine (9) director nominees. Cumulative voting is not permitted. The nine nominees for director who receive the highest number of votes cast, in person or by Proxy, at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors. Votes withheld, abstentions and broker non-votes, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
With respect to the advisory vote on the compensation of certain executive officers and the ratification of our independent auditor, you may:
• vote FOR the proposal;
• vote AGAINST the proposal; or
• ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.
The vote required to approve these proposals is a majority of the shares of Class B Common Stock present in person or represented by Proxy. For these purposes, abstentions and broker non-votes, as applicable, are neither counted as votes cast for or against a proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
With respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation, you may:
• vote ONE YEAR;
• vote TWO YEARS;
• vote THREE YEARS; or
• ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.
The advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation that receives a plurality (that is, the largest number) of votes cast will be the preference selected by shareholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered to be votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this advisory vote.
How do I vote?
You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person, or you may choose to submit your Proxy by any of the following methods:
• Voting by Mail.Mail.    If you choose to vote by mail, simply complete the enclosed Proxy, date and sign it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your shares will be voted in accordance with the instructions on your Proxy unless it is properly revoked by you.
• Voting by Telephone.  You may vote your shares by telephone by calling the toll-free telephone number provided on the Proxy. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day, and the procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on the Proxy. The procedures allow you to give a proxy to vote your shares and to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by telephone, you should not return your Proxy.
• Voting by Internet.  You also may vote your shares through the Internet by signing on to the website identified on the Proxy and following the procedures described on the website. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day, and the procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on the Proxy. The procedures allow you to give a proxy to vote your shares and to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by Internet, you should not return your Proxy.
What if I return my Proxy but do not provide voting instructions?
If you properly execute and return your Proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions with respect to one or more matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors as to all such matters.
If you signinstructions on your Proxy and returnunless it without marking any voting instructions,is properly revoked by you.

Voting by Telephone.    You may vote your shares will be voted FORby telephone by calling the election of all director nominees, FOR the advisory votetoll-free telephone number provided on the compensation of certain of our executive officers,


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for TWO YEARSProxy. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day, and the procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor of the Company for the 2011 fiscal year, as well as in the discretion of the persons named as proxies on all other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Are votingProxy. The procedures different if I hold my shares in the name ofallow you to give a broker, bank or other nominee?
If you are a shareholder whose shares are held in “street name,” (i.e., in the name of a broker, bank or other record holder), you must either direct the record holder of your shares howproxy to vote your shares or obtainand to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded. If you vote by telephone, you should not return your Proxy.

Voting by Internet.    You also may vote your shares through the Internet by signing on to the website identified on the Proxy and following the procedures described on the website. Internet voting is available 24 hours a Proxy, executed in your favor, fromday, and the record holderprocedures are designed to be ableauthenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on the Proxy. The procedures allow you to vote at the Annual Meeting.

We encourage shareholders who hold shares in street name to provide instructions to that record holder on howgive a proxy to vote your shares. Providing voting instructions ensuresshares and to confirm that your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting.instructions have been properly recorded. If shares are held through a brokerage account, the brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, mayyou vote the shares without instructions. On certain “routine” matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of auditors, brokerage firms have authority under New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, rules to vote their customers’ shares if the customers doby Internet, you should not provide voting instructions. When a brokerage firm votes its customers’ shares on a routine matter without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted for or against the routine matter. The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the year 2011 is considered a routine matter.
On “non-routine” matters, if the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the shareholder, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that proposal, which is considered a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the Annual Meeting, but not for determining the number of shares voted for or against the non-routine matter. The proposals relating to the election of directors, the advisory vote on the compensation of certain executive officers and the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation are each considered non-routine matters.
What if I change my mind after I return my Proxy?your Proxy.
Any shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by the execution of another Proxy bearing a later date or by written notification to the Secretary of the Company. Shareholders who are present at the Annual Meeting will have the opportunity to revoke their Proxy and vote in person if they so desire.
How can I obtain a copy of the 2010 Annual Report onForm 10-K and the 2010 Annual Report to Shareholders?
Our Annual Report onForm 10-K (“Annual Report”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 is enclosed herewith. Our Annual Report, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” and our Annual Report to Shareholders, are available free of charge upon written request to the Secretary, Crawford & Company, P. O. Box 5047, Atlanta, Georgia 30302 and on the Company’s web site www.crawfordandcompany.com.
Who is paying for the expenses of this solicitation?
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In an effort to have as large a representation at the Annual Meeting as possible, special solicitation of proxies may, in certain instances, be made personally, or by telephone, electronic mail or by mail by one or more of our employees. We will also reimburse brokers, banks, nominees or other fiduciaries for the reasonable clerical expenses of forwarding the proxy material to their principals, the beneficial owners of the Company’s Class A or Class B Common Stock.


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PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees and Voting
Currently, the Board of Directors is fixed at ten members. From and after the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will be fixed at nine members and, in accordance therewith, the Board has nominated the nine persons listed below as directors, to hold office until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. Each nominee, except Harsha V. Agadi and Joia M. Johnson, was elected by the shareholders at the Company’s previous annual meeting on May 4, 2010. Mr. Agadi is a member of the present Board of Directors and was appointed as a member of the Board on August 3, 2010. Ms. Johnson is a member of the present Board of Directors and was appointed as a member of the Board on February 1, 2011. Mr. Agadi was recommended to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by Mr. Ogburn and Ms. Johnson was recommended to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by Dr. Benson. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting, any of the nominees should be unable to serve, the persons named in the Proxy will vote for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors or, as an alternative, the Board of Directors could reduce the size of the Boardand/or the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director for his or her full term until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
Nominee Information
The following gives certain information as to each person nominated by our Board of Directors for election as a director:
Harsha V. Agadi, age 48, is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friendly’s Ice Cream Corp., a family friendly restaurant which provides signature sandwiches and ice cream desserts. Mr. Agadi joined Friendly’s Ice Cream Corp. on August 16, 2010. From December 26, 2004 until December 2, 2009, Mr. Agadi was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Church’s Chicken, a franchised quick service chicken restaurant. In addition, from 2000 until the present Mr. Agadi was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GHS Holdings, LLC, an investing and restaurant consulting business. He serves on the boards of Bijoux Terner and Sbarro’s Pizza as well as the Fuqua School of Business and the SKSVMA College of Engineering. Mr. Agadi was appointed as a member of the Board on August 3, 2010. The Board believes Mr. Agadi’s experience in establishing global brands and improving the operations of companies he has led qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.
P. George Benson, age 64, is the President of the College of Charleston, a position he has held since February 2007. From June 1998 until January 2007, he was Dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. Dr. Benson also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Primerica, Inc. and AGCO, Inc. Dr. Benson’s distinguished professional background in academics and leadership positions at the College of Charleston and University of Georgia, together with the experience he brings to the Board as a director of the Company for more than five years, led to the Board’s decision to nominate Dr. Benson for reelection to our Board.
Jeffrey T. Bowman, age 57, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Bowman was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 1, 2008. Prior to that, from January 1, 2006 he was Chief Operating Officer — Global Property & Casualty of the Company in charge of the U.S. Property & Casualty and International Operations segments. From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005, he was President of Crawford & Company International, Inc. managing the Company’s international operations. Mr. Bowman has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2008. The Board believes Mr. Bowman’s executive leadership, and the extensive industry expertise he has developed working in senior management, uniquely qualify Mr. Bowman to continue to serve as a director of the Company.
Jesse C. Crawford, age 62, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Media Services, Inc., an Atlanta, Georgia based provider of electronic media services for television, film and archival clients, and was appointed to this position on January 15, 2010. Prior to that and since September, 1984, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Communications, Inc., a full-service provider of teleproduction services including audio/video production and post production, multimedia title design, satellite services, animation, and special


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effects. Mr. Crawford has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1986. Mr. Crawford’s significant experience in senior management of a services company with both international and disaster recovery components, as well as the significant knowledge base acquired by having served as a director of the Company for more than 20 years qualify him to continue to serve on the Board.
James D. Edwards, age 67, is a retired partner of Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Edwards has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. Mr. Edwards also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Cousins Properties, Inc., Transcend Services, Inc. and Huron Consulting Group, Inc. Mr. Edwards’ significant financial expertise developed through 30 years’ experience in public accounting, as well as his public company board experience in varied industries, were important considerations in the Board’s belief that Mr. Edwards is highly qualified to serve on our Board.
Russel L. Honoré, age 63, Lieutenant General (U.S. Army, Ret.), has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. From 2004 through 2008, Gen. Honoré served as a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army, holding the post of Commanding General, First U.S. Army. Since his retirement in February 2008, Gen. Honoré has been self employed as a public speaker. Gen. Honoré has significant experience relating to disaster preparedness, particularly including his role as commander of the joint task force responsible for coordinating military relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The Board believes Gen. Honoré is highly qualified to serve as a director as a result of his significant public service background and his high level management insight and experience related to catastrophes and similar large-scale operations.
Joia M. Johnson, age 51,

Are voting procedures different if I hold my shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee?

If you are a shareholder whose shares are held in “street name,” (i.e., in the name of a broker, bank or other record holder), you must either direct the record holder of your shares how to vote your shares or obtain a Proxy, executed in your favor, from the record holder to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.

We encourage shareholders who hold shares of Class B Common Stock in street name to provide instructions to that record holder on how to vote those shares. Providing voting instructions ensures that your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting. If shares are held through a brokerage account, the brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, may vote the shares without instructions. On certain “routine” matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of auditors, brokerage firms have authority under New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE,” rules to vote their customers’ shares if the customers do not provide voting instructions. When a brokerage firm votes its customers’ shares on a routine matter without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted for or against the routine matter. The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the year 2012 is considered a routine matter.

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On “non-routine” matters, if the brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from the shareholder, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that proposal, which is considered a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at the Annual Meeting, but not for determining the number of shares voted for or against the non-routine matter. The proposal relating to the election of directors is considered a non-routine matter.

What if I return my Proxy but do not provide voting instructions?

If you properly execute and return your Proxy but do not indicate any voting instructions with respect to one or more matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Directors as to all such matters.

Specifically, your shares will be voted FOR the election of all director nominees and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor of the Company for the 2012 fiscal year, as well as in the discretion of the persons named as proxies on all other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

What if I change my mind after I return my Proxy?

Any shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted by the execution of another Proxy bearing a later date or by written notification to the Secretary of the Company. Shareholders who are present at the Annual Meeting will have the opportunity to revoke their Proxy and vote in person if they so desire.

How can I obtain a copy of the 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders?

Our Annual Report to the Shareholders (which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K) (“Annual Report”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 is enclosed herewith. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” and our Annual Report are available free of charge upon written request to the Secretary, Crawford & Company, P. O. Box 5047, Atlanta, Georgia 30302 and on the Company’s web site www.crawfordandcompany.com.

Who is paying the expenses of this solicitation?

The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In an effort to have as large a representation at the Annual Meeting as possible, special solicitation of proxies may, in certain instances, be made personally, or by telephone, electronic mail or by mail by one or more of our employees. We will also reimburse brokers, banks, nominees or other fiduciaries for the reasonable clerical expenses of forwarding the proxy material to their principals, the beneficial owners of the Company’s Class A or Class B Common Stock.

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees and Voting

Currently, the Board of Directors is fixed at nine members and, in accordance therewith, the Board has nominated the nine persons listed below to be elected as directors, to hold office until the Company’s next annual meeting and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. Each nominee is a current director who was elected by the shareholders at the Company’s previous annual meeting on May 5, 2011. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting, any of the nominees should be unable to serve, the persons named in the Proxy may vote for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors or, as an alternative, the Board of Directors could reduce the size of the Board and/or the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director for his or her full term until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

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Nominee Information

The following gives certain information as to each person nominated by our Board of Directors for election as a director:

Harsha V. Agadi, age 49, is the Executive Chairman of Quizno’s, LLC, a quick service sandwich chain, a position he has held since February 2012. From August 16, 2010 until February 2012, Mr. Agadi was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friendly’s Ice Cream Corp., a restaurant chain which provides sandwiches and ice cream desserts. From December 26, 2004 until December 2, 2009, Mr. Agadi was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Church’s Chicken, a franchised quick service chicken restaurant. In addition, from 2000 until present Mr. Agadi has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GHS Holdings, LLC, an investing and restaurant consulting business. He serves on the boards of Quizno’s, LLC and Orient Express Hotels, Ltd. Mr. Agadi was appointed as a member of the Board on August 3, 2010. The Board believes Mr. Agadi’s experience in establishing global brands and improving the operations of companies he has led qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.

P. George Benson, age 65, is the President of the College of Charleston, a position he has held since February 2007. From June 1998 until January 2007, he was Dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. Dr. Benson also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Primerica, Inc. and AGCO, Inc. Dr. Benson’s distinguished professional background in academics and leadership positions at the College of Charleston and University of Georgia, together with the experience he brings to the Board as a director of the Company for more than six years, led to the Board’s decision to nominate Dr. Benson for reelection to our Board.

Jeffrey T. Bowman, age 58, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Bowman was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 1, 2008. Prior to that, from January 1, 2006 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer — Global Property & Casualty of the Company and was in charge of the Company’s then-existing U.S. Property & Casualty and International Operations segments, which segments have subsequently been realigned. From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005, he was President of Crawford & Company International, Inc. managing the Company’s international operations. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2008. Mr. Bowman has a designation of Fellow of the Certified Chartered Accountants from the United Kingdom based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The Board believes Mr. Bowman’s executive leadership, and the extensive industry expertise he has developed working in senior management, uniquely qualify Mr. Bowman to continue to serve as a director of the Company.

Jesse C. Crawford, age 63, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Media Services, Inc., an Atlanta, Georgia based provider of electronic media services for television, film and archival clients, and was appointed to this position on January 15, 2010. Prior to that and since September 1984, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Communications, Inc., a full-service provider of teleproduction services including audio/video production and post production, multimedia title design, satellite services, animation, and special effects. Mr. Crawford has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1986. Mr. Crawford’s significant experience in senior management of a services company with both international and disaster recovery components, as well as the significant knowledge base acquired by having served as a director of the Company for more than 25 years qualify him to continue to serve on the Board.

James D. Edwards, age 68, is a retired partner of Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Edwards has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2005. Mr. Edwards also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Cousins Properties, Inc., Transcend Services, Inc. and Huron Consulting Group, Inc. Mr. Edwards’ significant financial expertise developed through 30 years’ experience in public accounting, as well as his public company board experience in varied industries, were important considerations in the Board’s belief that Mr. Edwards is highly qualified to serve on our Board.

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Russel L. Honoré, age 64, Lieutenant General (U.S. Army, Ret.), has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2009. From 2004 through 2008, Gen. Honoré served as a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army, holding the post of Commanding General, First U.S. Army. Since his retirement in February 2008, Gen. Honoré has been self employed as a public speaker. Gen. Honoré has significant experience relating to disaster preparedness, particularly including his role as commander of the joint task force responsible for coordinating military relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The Board believes Gen. Honoré is highly qualified to serve as a director as a result of his significant leadership experience, public service background and his high level management insight and experience related to catastrophes and similar large-scale operations.

Joia M. Johnson, age 52, is the Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Hanesbrands Inc., a marketer of innerwear, outerwear and hosiery apparel based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Ms. Johnson joined Hanesbrands Inc. in January 2007. From January 2001 until January 2007 she was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for RARE Hospitality International, Inc., a publicly traded restaurant franchise owner and operator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Johnson serves on the H. J. Russell & Company board and on several professional and civic boards. Ms. Johnson was appointed as a member of the Board on February 1, 2011. The Board determined that her experience establishing and leading corporate legal functions, and particularly her leadership in the area of corporate social responsibility, qualify her to serve as a director of the Company.

Charles H. Ogburn, age 56, served as an Executive Director of Arcapita Inc., an international private equity firm, from March 2001 until his retirement on July 31, 2010. Mr. Ogburn has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2009. Mr. Ogburn also serves as a member of the board of directors of Caribou Coffee Company and as a trustee of The Cook & Bynum Fund, a mutual fund. Mr. Ogburn has extensive experience in international business matters as well as financial counseling to public and private companies in various life-cycle stages, which experience the Board considered in determining that it believes Mr. Ogburn remains qualified to serve on the Board.

E. Jenner Wood, III, age 60, is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division, a position he has held since April 2010. From June 2002 until April 2010, he was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, Central Group. Mr. Wood has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. Mr. Wood also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Oxford Industries, Inc. and Georgia Power Company. Mr. Wood’s experience in financing matters for companies in various industries and of various sizes, as well as his experience gained from sitting as a member of the board of other publicly-traded companies and the depth of his experiences with Crawford, led to the Board’s decision that Mr. Wood is highly qualified to serve on our Board.

Shareholder Vote

Each share of Class B Common Stock may:

vote FOR the election of the nine (9) nominees for director;

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and vote FOR the remaining nominees; or

WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nine (9) nominees.

Election of directors is determined by a plurality of votes. The nine nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. Cumulative voting is not permitted. Votes withheld, or abstentions, and broker non-votes, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of its nominees for director.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following are the names, positions held, and ages of each executive officer of the Company as of March 26, 2012:

Name

Office

Age

J. T. Bowman

President and Chief Executive Officer58

W. B. Swain

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer48

A. W. Nelson

Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Secretary for RARE Hospitality International, Inc., a publicly traded restaurant franchise owner and operator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Johnson serves on the H. J. Russell & Company board and on several professional and civic boards. Ms. Johnson was appointed as a member of the Board on February 1, 2011. Her experience in managing operations and in establishing and leading corporate legal functions, and particularly her leadership in the area of corporate social responsibility, qualify her to serve as a director of the Company.
Charles H. Ogburn, age 55, served as an Chief Administrative Officer
47

K. B. Frawley

Executive Director of Arcapita Inc., an international private equity firm, from March 2001 until his retirement on July 31, 2010. Mr. Ogburn has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 2009. Mr. Ogburn also serves as a member of the board of directors of Caribou Coffee Company and as a trustee of The Cook & Bynum Fund, a mutual fund. Mr. Ogburn has extensive experience in international business matters as well as financial counseling to public and private companies in various life-cycle stages, which experience the Board considered in determining that it believes Mr. Ogburn remains qualified to serve on the Board.
E. Jenner Wood, III, age 59, is the Chairman of the Board,Vice President, and Chief Executive Officer, of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division, a position he has held since April 2010. From June 2002 until April 2010, he was Chairman of the Board,Americas
60

D. A. Isaac

Executive Vice President, and Chief Executive Officer, of SunTrust Bank, Central Group. Mr. Wood has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. Mr. Wood also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Oxford Industries,The Garden City Group, Inc.47

I. V. Muress

Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer — Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific54

G. T. Gibson

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer59

M. F. Reeves

Executive Vice President, Global Markets59

D.M. Lisenbey

Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer and Georgia Power Company. Mr. Wood’s experience in financing matters for companies in various industries and of various sizes, as well as his experience gained from sitting as a member of the board of other publicly-traded companies and the depth of his experiences with Crawford, led to the Board’s decision that Mr. Wood is highly qualified to serve on our Board.
Shareholder Vote
Each share of Class B Common Stock may:
President, Broadspire Services, Inc.
48
  • vote FOR the election of the nine (9) nominees for director;
• WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more of the nominees and vote FOR the remaining nominees; or
• WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nine (9) nominees.


6P. G. Porter


Election of directors is determined by a plurality of votes. The nine nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. Cumulative voting is not permitted. Votes withheld, or abstentions, and broker non-votes, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR each of its nominees for director.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following are the names, positions held, and ages of each of the executive officers of the Company:
Name
Office
Age
J. T. BowmanPresident and Chief Executive Officer57
W. B. SwainExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer47
A. W. NelsonExecutive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer46
K. B. FrawleyChief Executive Officer, Property & Casualty — Americas59
D. A. IsaacChief Executive Officer, The Garden City Group, Inc.46
K. F. MartinoChief Executive Officer & President, Broadspire Services, Inc.52
I. V. MuressChief Executive Officer, Property & Casualty — EMEA & Asia-Pacific53
G. T. GibsonChief Strategy Officer58
M. F. ReevesExecutive Vice President, Global Markets58
P. G. PorterSenior Vice President60
B. S. Flynn  Senior Vice President61

B. S. Flynn

Executive Vice President52

P. R. Austin

Senior Vice President52

R. J. Cormican

Senior Vice President64

W. F. Bell

Vice President and Controller   51  
P. R. AustinSenior Vice President51
R. J. CormicanSenior Vice President63
W. F. BellVice President and Controller50
Mr. Bowman was appointed to his present position with the Company on January 1, 2008. From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer — Global Property & Casualty of the Company, and was in charge of the Company’s U.S. Property & Casualty and International Operations segments. From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005 he was President of Crawford & Company International, Inc. managing the Company’s international operations.
Mr. Swain was appointed to his present position with the Company on October 6, 2006 and from May 2, 2006 acted as interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Prior to that and from January 1, 2000 he was Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company.
Mr. Nelson was appointed to his present position with the Company on January 7, 2008. From October 17, 2005 through January 6, 2008 he was Executive Vice President — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company. Prior to that and from October 1997 he served in various positions with BellSouth Corporation, a telecommunications company, most recently as Chief Compliance Counsel. In that capacity he was in charge of all legal compliance issues facing BellSouth domestically and internationally.
Mr. Frawley was appointed to his present position as CEO — Americas in charge of the Company’s U.S. Property & Casualty segment and certain international operations in all the Americas effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from February 23, 2005 when he joined the Company, he was responsible for the Legal Settlement Administration segment of the Company’s business. Prior to joining the Company and since 1996 he was Chief Compliance Officer — Insurance Division for Prudential Financial, Inc. which, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services.


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Mr. Isaac was appointed to his current position with The Garden City Group, Inc. (“GCG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in October 2006. Prior to that and from February 2000 he was President of GCG.
Mr. Martino was appointed to his present position as CEO & President, Broadspire Services, Inc. effective December 29, 2008. Prior to that and from November 27, 2007, when he joined the Company, he was President of Broadspire Services, Inc., responsible for operations. Prior to joining the Company and since February 1999, he was employed by Specialty Risk Services, a claims administration and risk management services provider, where he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President — Account Management.
Mr. Muress was appointed to his present position as CEO — EMEA/Asia-Pacific, in charge of the Company’s European, Middle Eastern, African and Asia-Pacific operations effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from January 2006 he was CEO-EMEA and from August 2002, when he joined the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, until January 2006 he was CEO — UK & Ireland, in charge of the Company’s operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Mr. Gibson was appointed to his present position in charge of Global Strategy, Projects and Development effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from January 2006 he was Chief Executive Officer — The Americas, in charge of the international operations for the Company in the Americas outside of the United States. From January 2000 to January 2006 he was Chief Executive Officer — Canada in charge of the Company’s Canadian operations.
Mr. Reeves was appointed to his present position in charge of Global Markets effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from November 1, 2004 he was Senior Vice President — Corporate Multinational Risks, responsible for the strategy, sales and account management of the Company’s relationship with the Fortune 1000 market. From November 1, 2002 to November 1, 2004 he was Senior Vice President — Technical Services (UK) responsible for the Company’s Technical Services service line in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Porter was appointed to his current position January 19, 2005 and was interim Senior Vice President — Claims Management from December 15, 2004. Prior to that and from May 1, 2001 he was Senior Vice President in charge of business development for Claims Management Services.
Mr. Flynn was appointed to his present position in charge of the Company’s global information technology operations effective December 10, 2007. Prior to joining the Company and since May 2001 he was Senior Vice President-Technology of BCD Travel USA, LLC, a travel management company.
Ms. Austin was appointed to her present position with the Company on April 24, 2006. Prior to joining the Company and since October 1998 she was Vice President-Human Resources of D. S. Waters of America LP, a bottled water distributor.
Mr. Cormican was appointed to his present position February 15, 2005. Prior to joining the Company from August 2002 until February 2005 he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Assurance America Corporation, an insurance holding company.
Mr. Bell was appointed to his present position with the Company December 4, 2006. Prior to joining the Company and since December 2002, he was Controller of Rock-Tenn Company, a producer of paperboard and packaging.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Independence
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a majority of our directors will be independent directors under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, as in effect from time to time. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines include certain categorical independence standards to assist the Board in determining director independence. The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on our website at www.crawfordandcompany.com by clicking on the “Corporate Governance” tab, and are available in print to any shareholder that requests it.


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As required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors reviewed and analyzed the relationships of each director and director nominee with the Company and its management. The purpose of the review was to determine whether any particular relationships or transactions involving directors or director nominees, or their respective affiliates or immediate family members, were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent for purposes of serving on the Board and any of its Committees.
As a result of this review, the Board has determined, pursuant to the listing standards of the NYSE and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, that all director nominees are independent for purposes of serving on the Board of Directors, except Mr. Bowman, who is an employee of the Company. Mr. Wood’s employer, SunTrust Banks, Inc., is a customer of the Company and, in the ordinary course of its business, provides certain banking services to the Company, including as an agent and lender under the Company’s credit facility. The Board has determined that the payments to or from the Company with respect to SunTrust Banks, Inc., as a percentage of either entity’s consolidated gross revenues are immaterial and, because the Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust’s business, such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features, and such relationships do not affect Mr. Wood’s independence. For additional information regarding this relationship, see “Information with Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions.”
Standing Committees and Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings
The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Executive Committee; the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and the Compensation Committee. Prior to May 4, 2010, the Board of Directors had three standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Executive Committee; and the Nominating/Corporate Governance/Compensation Committee. On May 4, 2010, the Nominating/Corporate Governance/Compensation Committee was separated into two committees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee, and in connection therewith, the Board made certain changes in committee membership.
The Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee currently consists of Mr. Crawford as Chairman, and Messrs. Bowman and Ogburn as members. Prior to May 4, 2010, the Executive Committee consisted of Mr. Crawford as Chairman, and Messrs. Bowman, Ogburn and Clarence H. Ridley as members. The Executive Committee may exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors between its meetings with respect to all matters not specifically reserved by law to the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee held four meetings during 2010.
The Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Edwards as Chairman and Messrs. Wood and Ogburn as members. Prior to May 4, 2010, the Audit Committee consisted of Mr. Edwards as Chairman, and Messrs. Ridley and Ogburn as members. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards andRule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Edwards is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by Item 407(d) of SECRegulation S-K. In making such determination, the Board took into consideration, among other things, the express provision in Item 407(d) of SECRegulation S-K that the determination that a person has the attributes of an audit committee financial expert shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, nor shall it affect the duties and obligations of other Audit Committee members or the Board.
The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter, approved by our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee appoints and discharges our independent auditor, reviews with the independent auditor the audit plan and results of the audit engagement, reviews the scope and results of our internal auditing procedures and the adequacy of our accounting controls, approves professional services provided by the independent auditor, reviews the independence of the independent auditor, and approves the independent auditor’s audit and non-audit fees.
The Audit Committee also reviews and approves related party transactions in accordance with the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy. The Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy is designed to eliminate


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conflicts of interest and improper valuation issues, and applies to the Company’s directors, officers, shareholders holding 5% or more of the Company’s stock and family members or controlled affiliates of such persons. For purposes of the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy, a “related party transaction” is a transaction between the Company and any related party, other than transactions generally available to all employees and certain de minimis transactions.
The Audit Committee held five meetings during 2010.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Dr. Benson as Chairman, and Messrs. Honoré and Crawford as members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee actively reviews and selects director nominees for the Board and advises and makes recommendations to the Board on all matters concerning corporate governance and directorship practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also identifies and evaluates nominees for director according to the guidelines stated in this written charter, and will also consider director candidates recommended by shareholders on the same terms. Except as described below, given evolving needs and challenges of the Company, the Committee does not believe it is appropriate to specify criteria for directors, but rather believes that appropriate candidates should show evidence of leadership in their particular field, have the interest and ability to devote sufficient time to carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities, and that the Board as a whole should have diversity of experience (which may, at any one or more times, include differences with respect to personal, educational or professional experience, gender, ethnicity, geographic origin and location, and age) and the ability to exercise sound business judgment, possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. Pursuant to our Bylaws, except for persons who hold shares entitled to ten percent or more of the voting power of the Company, no person shall be eligible for nomination or renomination to the Board after such person has reached the age of 70. In selecting directors, the Board generally seeks a combination of active or former senior officers of businesses, academics and entrepreneurs whose backgrounds are relevant to the Company’s mission, strategy, operations and perceived needs.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held five meetings during 2010.
Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Wood as Chairman, and Messrs. Agadi, Edwards and Ogburn as members. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee formulates and approves the salary, grants of stock options, performance share units and restricted stock and other compensation to the Chief Executive Officer and, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, salaries, grants of stock options, performance share units and restricted stock and other compensation for all other officers of the Company. This Committee held three meetings in 2010. For additional information about the Compensation Committee’s processes and its role, as well as the role of executive officers and compensation consultants in determining compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.
Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors
Non-management and independent directors are required to meet regularly without management participation. During 2010, there were four meetings of non-management and independent directors. Mr. Ogburn, as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, presides at these meetings.
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Attendance
During 2010, the Board of Directors held five meetings. Each of the Company’s directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees thereof of which such director was a member (during the period that he or she served). The Company encourages all directors to attend each annual meeting. The Company also holds a full Board meeting the same day as the annual meeting to further encourage all directors to attend the annual meeting. At the 2010 annual meeting, all director nominees who were then members of the Board attended.


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Corporate Governance Guidelines, Committee Charters and Code of Business Conduct
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, committee charters, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on its website at www.crawfordandcompany.com under the tab “Corporate Governance,” and are also available without charge in print to any shareholder who makes a request by writing to Corporate Secretary, Legal Department, Crawford & Company, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319.
Leadership Structure
The Chairman of the Board presides at all meetings of the Board and the shareholders, and exercises such other powers and duties as the Board may assign him. Generally, the Chairman of the Board provides leadership to the Board and works with the Board to define its structure and activities in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Company believes that the members of the Board possess considerable and unique knowledge of the challenges and opportunities the Company faces, and therefore are in the best position to evaluate the needs of the Company and how best to organize the capabilities of our directors and executives to meet those needs. As a result, the Company believes that the decision as to who should serve as Chairman and as President and Chief Executive Officer, and whether the offices should be combined or separate, is properly the responsibility of the Board, to be exercised from time to time in appropriate consideration of then-existing facts and circumstances.
Mr. Ogburn has served as a member of the Board since February 2009 and as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since January 1, 2010. The Board currently believes that, based on the skills and responsibilities of the various Board members and management, and in light of the general economic, business and competitive environment facing the Company, such separation of the chairman and chief executive officer roles enhances (i) appropriate oversight of management by the Board, (ii) Board independence, (iii) the accountability to our shareholders by the Board and (iv) our overall leadership structure. Furthermore, we believe that maintenance of separation of the chairman function from that of the chief executive officer currently allows the chief executive officer to properly focus on managing the business, rather than requiring a significant portion of his efforts to be spent on also overseeing Board matters.
Risk Management
The Company takes a comprehensive approach to risk management and seeks to include risk management principles in all of its management processes. This comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes pursuant to which management provides information to the Board to support the Board’s role in oversight, approval and decision-making.
The Board maintains oversight responsibility for the management of the Company’s risks, and closely monitors the information it receives from management to provide oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate levels of risk taking within the business.
Our Board also reviews, at least biannually, the Company’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program to ensure that an appropriate ERM process is in place. This review includes a discussion of the major risk exposures identified by senior management, the key strategic plan assumptions considered during the assessment and steps implemented to monitor and mitigate such exposures on an ongoing basis.
In addition to these reviews, our executives with responsibility for various business functionalities provide the Board and its committees with periodic updates regarding the Company’s strategies and objectives, and the risks inherent thereto. Members of management most knowledgeable of relevant issues attend Board meetings to provide additional insight into items being discussed, including risk exposures. In addition, our directors have access to Company management at all times and at all levels to discuss any matters of interest, including those related to risk. The Board and its committees call special meetings when necessary to address specific issues.
The Board has delegated oversight for matters involving certain specific areas of risk exposure to its committees. Each committee reports to the Board of Directors at regularly scheduled Board meetings, and more frequently if appropriate, with respect to the matters and risks for which the committee provides oversight.


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The Audit Committee oversees the integrity of our financial statements, risks related to our financial reporting process and internal controls, the internal audit function, the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance, and the Company’s corporate finance matters, including its capital structure. The Audit Committee also provides oversight with respect to the Company’s risk management process, including, as required by the NYSE, discussing with management the Company’s significant financial risk exposures, steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures and our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.
Our Compensation Committee is responsible primarily for the design and oversight of the Company’s executive compensation policies, plans and practices. A key objective of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that the Company’s overall executive compensation program appropriately links pay to performance and aligns the interests of the Company’s executives with its shareholders, while seeking to encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with the Company’s long-term strategy. The Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of the Company’s overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company employees.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to our corporate governance, including Board and director performance, director succession and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance documents.
Director Compensation
During 2010, each non-employee member of the Board was entitled to receive an aggregate of $60,000 in cash and stock.

Mr. Bowman was appointed to his present position with the Company on January 1, 2008. From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer — Global Property & Casualty of the Company, and was in charge of the Company’s then-existing U.S. Property & Casualty and International Operations segments, which segments have subsequently been realigned. From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005 he was President of Crawford & Company International, Inc., managing the Company’s international operations.

Mr. Swain was appointed to his present position with the Company on October 6, 2006 and from May 2, 2006 acted as Senior Vice President and interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Prior to that and from January 1, 2000 he was Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company.

Mr. Nelson was appointed to his present position with the Company on January 7, 2008. From October 24, 2006 through January 7, 2008 he was Executive Vice President — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company. From October 17, 2005 through October 24, 2006 he was Senior Vice President — General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company.

Mr. Frawley was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President, CEO — Americas in charge of the Company’s Americas segment effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from February 23, 2005 when he joined the Company, he was responsible for the Company’s then legal settlement administration division.

Mr. Isaac was appointed to his current position with The Garden City Group, Inc. (“GCG”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, on May 6, 2008. Prior to that and from October 2006 he was Chief Executive Officer of GCG. Prior to that and from February 2000 he was President of GCG.

Mr. Muress was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President, CEO — Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific (“EMEA/AP”), in charge of the Company’s EMEA/AP segment effective January 7,

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2008. Prior to that and from January 2006 he was CEO-EMEA and from August 2002, when he joined the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, until January 2006 he was CEO — U.K. & Ireland, in charge of the Company’s operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Mr. Gibson was appointed to his present position in charge of Global Strategy, Projects and Development effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from January 2006 he was Chief Executive Officer — The Americas, in charge of the international operations for the Company in the Americas outside of the United States. From January 2000 to January 2006 he was Chief Executive Officer — Canada in charge of the Company’s Canadian operations.

Mr. Reeves was appointed to his present position in charge of Global Markets effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from November 1, 2004 he was Senior Vice President — Corporate Multinational Risks, responsible for the strategy, sales and account management of the Company’s relationships with entities within the Fortune 1000.

Ms. Lisenbey was appointed to her present position as Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer and President, Broadspire Services, Inc., effective March 20, 2012. Prior to that and from July 2008, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer — Medical Management of Broadspire Services, Inc. Prior to that and from October 2007 she was Senior Vice President — Medical Management of Broadspire Services, Inc. Prior to that and from January 2007 she was Vice President of Operations of Broadspire Services, Inc.

Mr. Porter was appointed to his current position January 19, 2005 and was interim Senior Vice President — Claims Management from December 15, 2004.

Mr. Flynn was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President in charge of the Company’s global information technology operations on March 20, 2012. Prior to March 20, 2012 and from December 10, 2007 he was Senior Vice President in charge of the Company’s global information technology operations. Prior to joining the Company and since May 2001 he was Senior Vice President-Technology of BCD Travel USA, LLC, a travel management company.

Ms. Austin was appointed to her present position with the Company on April 24, 2006.

Mr. Cormican was appointed to his present position with the Company on February 15, 2005.

Mr. Bell was appointed to his present position with the Company on December 4, 2006.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a majority of our directors will be independent directors under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, as in effect from time to time. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines include certain categorical independence standards to assist the Board in determining director independence. The full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines can be found on our website at www.crawfordandcompany.com by clicking on the “Corporate Governance” under the “About Us” tab, and are available in print to any shareholder that requests it.

As required by our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors reviewed and analyzed the relationships of each director and director nominee with the Company and its management. The purpose of the review was to determine whether any particular relationships or transactions involving directors or director nominees, or their respective affiliates or immediate family members, were inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent for purposes of serving on the Board and any of its Committees.

As a result of this review, the Board has determined, pursuant to the listing standards of the NYSE and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, that all director nominees are independent for purposes of serving on the

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Board of Directors, except Mr. Bowman, who is an employee of the Company. In making the independence determinations, the Board considered that Mr. Wood’s employer, SunTrust Banks, Inc., is a customer of the Company and, in the ordinary course of its business, provides certain banking services to the Company. The Board has determined that the payments to or from the Company with respect to SunTrust Banks, Inc., as a percentage of either entity’s consolidated gross revenues, are immaterial and do not affect Mr. Wood’s independence. For additional information regarding this relationship, see “Information with Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions.” While not a current nominee, the Board had also determined that Clarence H. Ridley was independent during the time he served on, and prior to his retirement from, the Board in 2011.

Standing Committees and Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

The Board of Directors has four standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Executive Committee; the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and the Compensation Committee.

The Executive Committee.    The Executive Committee currently consists of Mr. Crawford as Chairman, and Messrs. Bowman and Ogburn as members. The Executive Committee may exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors between its meetings with respect to all matters not specifically reserved by law to the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee held five meetings during 2011.

The Audit Committee.    The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Edwards as Chairman, Ms. Johnson and Messrs. Wood and Ogburn as members. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Edwards is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by Item 407(d) of SEC Regulation S-K. In making such determination, the Board took into consideration, among other things, the express provision in Item 407(d) of SEC Regulation S-K that the determination that a person has the attributes of an audit committee financial expert shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, nor shall it affect the duties and obligations of other Audit Committee members or the Board.

The Audit Committee has adopted a written charter, approved by our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee appoints and discharges our independent auditor, reviews with the independent auditor the audit plan and results of the audit engagement, reviews the scope and results of our internal auditing procedures and the adequacy of our accounting controls, approves professional services provided by the independent auditor, reviews the independence of the independent auditor, and approves the independent auditor’s audit and non-audit fees.

The Audit Committee also reviews and approves related party transactions in accordance with the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy. The Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy is designed to eliminate conflicts of interest and improper valuation issues, and applies to the Company’s directors, officers, shareholders holding 5% or more of the Company’s stock and family members or controlled affiliates of such persons. For purposes of the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy, a “related party transaction” is a transaction between the Company and any related party, other than transactions generally available to all employees and certain de minimis transactions. The Audit Committee held five meetings during 2011.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Dr. Benson as Chairman, and Messrs. Honoré and Crawford as members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee actively reviews and selects director nominees for the Board and advises and makes recommendations to the Board on all matters concerning corporate governance and directorship practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also identifies and

9


evaluates nominees for director according to the guidelines stated in this written charter, and will also consider director candidates recommended by shareholders on the same terms. Except as described below, given evolving needs and challenges of the Company, the Committee does not believe it is appropriate to specify criteria for directors, but rather believes that appropriate candidates should show evidence of leadership in their particular field, have the interest and ability to devote sufficient time to carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities, and that the Board as a whole should have diversity of experience (which may, at any one or more times, include differences with respect to personal, educational or professional experience, gender, ethnicity, geographic origin and location, and age) and the ability to exercise sound business judgment, possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. Pursuant to our Bylaws, except for persons who hold shares entitled to ten percent or more of the voting power of the Company, no person shall be eligible for nomination or renomination to the Board after such person has reached the age of 70. In selecting directors, the Board generally seeks a combination of active or former senior officers of businesses, academics and entrepreneurs whose backgrounds are relevant to the Company’s mission, strategy, operations and other perceived needs. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings during 2011.

Compensation Committee.    The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. Wood as Chairman and Messrs. Agadi, Edwards and Ogburn as members. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee formulates and approves the salary, equity compensation awards and other compensation payable to the Chief Executive Officer and, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, salaries, equity compensation awards and other compensation for all other officers of the Company. This Committee held nine meetings in 2011. For additional information about the Compensation Committee’s processes and its role, as well as the role of executive officers and compensation consultants in determining compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

Executive Sessions of Non-Management Directors

Non-management and independent directors are required to meet regularly without management participation. During 2011, there were four meetings of non-management and independent directors. Mr. Ogburn, as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, presides at these meetings.

Meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Attendance

During 2011, the Board of Directors held five meetings. Each of the Company’s directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees thereof of which such director was a member (during the period that he or she served). The Company encourages all directors to attend each annual meeting. The Company also holds a full Board meeting the same day as the annual meeting to further encourage all directors to attend the annual meeting. At the 2011 annual meeting, all director nominees who were then members of the Board attended.

Corporate Governance Guidelines, Committee Charters and Code of Business Conduct

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, committee charters, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on its website at www.crawfordandcompany.com under “Corporate Governance,” located under the tab “About Us,” and are also available without charge in print to any shareholder who makes a request by writing to Corporate Secretary, Legal Department, Crawford & Company, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

Leadership Structure

The Chairman of the Board presides at all meetings of the Board and the shareholders, and exercises such other powers and duties as the Board may assign him. Generally, the Chairman of the Board provides leadership

10


to the Board and works with the Board to define its structure and activities in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Company believes that the members of the Board possess considerable and unique knowledge of the challenges and opportunities the Company faces, and therefore are in the best position to evaluate the needs of the Company and how best to organize the capabilities of our directors and executives to meet those needs. As a result, the Company believes that the decision as to who should serve as Chairman and as President and Chief Executive Officer, and whether the offices should be combined or separate, is properly the responsibility of the Board, to be exercised from time to time in appropriate consideration of then-existing facts and circumstances.

Mr. Ogburn has served as a member of the Board since February 2009 and as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board since January 1, 2010. The Board currently believes that, based on the skills and responsibilities of the various Board members and management, and in light of the general economic, business and competitive environment facing the Company, such separation of the chairman and chief executive officer roles enhances (i) appropriate oversight of management by the Board, (ii) Board independence, (iii) the accountability to our shareholders by the Board and (iv) our overall leadership structure. Furthermore, we believe that maintenance of separation of the chairman function from that of the chief executive officer currently allows the chief executive officer to properly focus on managing the business, rather than requiring a significant portion of his efforts to be spent on also overseeing Board matters.

Risk Management

The Company takes a comprehensive approach to risk management and seeks to include risk management principles in all of its management processes. This comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes pursuant to which management provides information to the Board to support the Board’s role in oversight, approval and decision-making. The Board maintains oversight responsibility for the management of the Company’s risks, and closely monitors the information it receives from management to provide oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate levels of risk taking within the business. Our Board also periodically reviews the Company’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program to ensure that an appropriate ERM process is in place. This review includes a discussion of the major risk exposures identified by senior management, the key strategic plan assumptions considered during the assessment and steps implemented to monitor and mitigate such exposures on an ongoing basis.

In addition to these reviews, our executives with responsibility for various business functions provide the Board and its committees with periodic updates regarding the Company’s strategies and objectives, and the risks inherent thereto. Members of management most knowledgeable of relevant issues attend and present at Board meetings to provide additional insight into items being discussed, including risk exposures. In addition, our directors have access to Company management at all times and at all levels to discuss any matters of interest, including those related to risk. The Board and its committees call special meetings from time to time as appropriate to address specific issues.

The Board has delegated oversight for matters involving certain specific areas of risk exposure to its committees. Each committee reports to the Board of Directors at regularly scheduled Board meetings, and more frequently if appropriate, with respect to the matters and risks for which the committee provides oversight.

The Audit Committee oversees the integrity of our financial statements, risks related to our financial reporting process and internal controls, the internal audit function, the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance, and the Company’s corporate finance matters, including its capital structure. The Audit Committee provides oversight with respect to the Company’s risk management process, including, as required by the NYSE, discussing with management the Company’s significant financial risk exposures, steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures and our policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management.

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Our Compensation Committee is responsible primarily for the design and oversight of the Company’s executive compensation policies, plans and practices. A key objective of the Compensation Committee is to ensure that the Company’s overall executive compensation program appropriately links pay to performance and aligns the interests of the Company’s executives with its shareholders, while seeking to encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with the Company’s long-term strategy. The Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of the Company’s overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company employees.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees risks related to our corporate governance, including Board and director performance, director succession and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and other governance documents.

Director Compensation

Each non-employee member of the Board was entitled to receive an aggregate of $60,000 in cash and stock for service to the Company in 2011. The cash portion of the compensation was paid quarterly in $7,500 increments. The remainder of such compensation was paid in restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, and was paid in February 2012 to individuals who were on the Board on December 31, 2011. Annual restricted share grants to directors vest on the January 1 next following the grant date. In addition to the foregoing, each non-employee director was entitled to receive $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. Further, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee were also each entitled to a retainer of $3,000 per quarter, and the Chairman of each of the Executive, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees was also entitled to a retainer of $2,500 per quarter. The chairman of the Board was also entitled to receive $90,000 in restricted shares of Class A common stock, paid in quarterly increments. This restricted share grant vested on January 1, 2012. Directors who also serve as employees of the Company do not receive separate compensation for their service to the Board.

The following table provides compensation information for the year ended December 31, 2011 for each individual who served as a non-management member of our Board of Directors during 2011. See “Summary Compensation Table” for information relating to Mr. Bowman’s compensation.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

Name

  Fees
Earned
or Paid in
Cash
   Stock
Awards(1)
   Stock
Option
Awards(1)
   Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(2)
   All Other
Compensation(3)
   Total 

Harsha V. Agadi

  $52,500    $29,999              $1,017    $83,516  

P. George Benson

   50,000     29,999               1,017     81,016  

Jesse C. Crawford

   55,000     29,999               1,017     86,016  

James D. Edwards

   62,000     29,999         $1,222     1,017     94,238  

Russel L. Honoré

   39,000     29,999               1,017     70,016  

Joia M. Johnson

   29,500     29,999               1,017     60,516  

Charles H. Ogburn

   55,000     118,392               2,635     176,027  

Clarence H. Ridley(4)

   8,500     29,999               1,017     39,516  

E. Jenner Wood, III

   60,000     29,999               1,017     91,016  

(1)

Represents the grant date fair value of awards calculated utilizing the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). See Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report regarding assumptions

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underlying the valuation of equity awards. The stock awards were made pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. At December 31, 2011, the aggregate number of stock option awards outstanding for each non-employee director was as follows: Dr. Benson 36,000; Mr. Crawford 27,000; Mr. Edwards 39,000; and Mr. Wood 33,000.

(2)

For 2011, Mr. Edwards had $1,222 in preferential earnings from the Crawford & Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).

(3)

Represents dividends paid on restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, and wasstock.

(4)

Mr. Ridley did not stand for re-election at the 2011 annual meeting.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Management Directors

The Compensation Committee has approved director stock ownership guidelines with specified equity ownership targets for non-management members of our Board. Non-management Board members are required to own shares in the Company equal in value to their annual cash retainer (currently $30,000). Current non-management members of the Board are in compliance with the applicable ownership targets.

Communications with our Board and Shareholder Nominees

Individuals may communicate with our Board by sending a letter to Board of Directors, Crawford & Company, P. O. Box 1261, Tucker, Georgia 30085-1261. Your letter will be shared with all members of our Board and may, at the discretion of our Board, be shared with Company management, unless your letter requests otherwise. Communications that are specifically intended for non-employee directors should be addressed to “Chairman of the Board,” Board of Directors, Crawford & Company at this same address.

Any shareholder who certifies that he or she is the continuous record owner of at least one percent (1%) of the common stock of the Company for at least one year prior to the submission of a candidate and who provides a written statement that he or she intends to continue ownership of the shares through the date of the applicable annual meeting of shareholders may submit a nomination for director. The candidate must meet the qualifications stated in the Company’s by-laws and the submission must be made to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at P. O. Box 1261, Tucker, Georgia 30085, no more than 180 days and no less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of this Proxy Statement. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review all candidates submitted by shareholders for consideration as director nominees pursuant to its general practices and the guidelines stated in its charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines before determining whether to submit any nominee to the full Board for consideration.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following discussion and analysis of our compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices are focused primarily on our executive officers, with additional detail provided for our CEO, CFO and the other three most highly-compensated executive officers, as determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules and as set out in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, whom we collectively refer to as our “named executive officers.” The fundamental philosophy of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation is to ensure that our compensation programs will enable us to attract and retain key executives critical to our long-term success, through the establishment of a performance-oriented environment that rewards the achievement of both short- and long-term strategic management goals, with the attendant enhancement of shareholder value. This philosophy is implemented through the core principles of “pay for performance” and aligning management’s interests with our shareholders’ interest to support long-term value creation and to encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with the Company’s long-term strategy. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews these compensation programs, and makes adjustments as appropriate to accomplish these objectives. The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program

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is appropriately structured to achieve our objectives, including attracting and retaining talented executives, and holders of in excess of 92.4% of our shares voted to approve, on an advisory basis, our executive compensation at our 2011 annual meeting of shareholders. Accordingly, no significant changes were made to the structure of our executive compensation program in 2011. The Company currently conducts say-on-pay votes every two years, and expects the next say-on-pay vote in connection with the 2013 annual meeting.

Role of the Compensation Committee and Administration of Compensation

The role of the Compensation Committee, among other responsibilities, is to (1) annually review the Company’s goals and objectives relative to CEO and executive officer compensation, including, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, consideration of the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the value and construct of compensation packages for comparable officers at comparable companies and the awards given to the Company’s executive officers in past years, (2) annually review, evaluate and update, as appropriate, the components of the Company’s executive compensation programs in view of those goals and objectives, and set compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers, (3) annually evaluate the CEO’s and the other executives’ performance in light of established goals and objectives, and approve compensation to be paid with respect to such performance, including certifying the degree of achievement of performance goals under the terms of performance-based compensation programs, (4) review and approve the adoption, terms and operation of the Company’s compensation plans for executives, including incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and (5) in light of the foregoing, consider and grant bonuses, stock options, performance share units, restricted stock and other discretionary awards, as appropriate, under the Company’s incentive compensation and equity-based plans. As noted above, the Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of the Company’s overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company executives, including our named executive officers.

Role of Certain Senior Executive Officers in Executive Compensation Matters

Our executive officers also play an important role with respect to the setting and determination of the annual cash portion of executive compensation, including base salary and any annual cash incentive compensation. Certain of the Company’s most senior executive officers make recommendations to our Compensation Committee with respect to the setting of performance goals for executive officers under our incentive compensation plans and the assessment of the performance of executive officers who are direct reports to such officers. As a result of regular interaction, the Compensation Committee believes these senior executive officers are best able to provide appropriate personal insight as to the performance of their direct reports as well as overall performance trends of executives of the Company. Our Compensation Committee relies, in part, on this information in connection with its overall assessment as to the adequacy and appropriateness of executive compensation as well as the compensation programs of the Company as a whole. Our Compensation Committee considers any such recommendations when determining overall individual compensation.

Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee’s charter provides for the Compensation Committee to retain and terminate, as deemed necessary, any compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of director, CEO or executive compensation. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to select such consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. In 2011, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance, LLC to advise it on executive and general compensation matters for the Company, including the design of short and long-term incentive compensation alternatives. Pay Governance, LLC does not have a relationship with, nor did it provide any services to, the Company other than the engagement by the Compensation Committee.

Benchmarking

During 2011, the Compensation Committee directed the Company to commission an executive compensation market study. The Company engaged Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC (“Pearl Meyer”) for the study.

14


Pearl Meyer does not have a relationship with, nor did it provide service to, the Company other than its engagement for analysis of our executive compensation programs. Compensation of the Company’s executive officers was benchmarked against compensation paid to a selected comparator group of the Company. Compensation was benchmarked in five areas: (i) base salary, (ii) short-term incentives as a percentage of base salary, (iii) total cash, (iv) long-term incentives as a percentage of base salary, and (v) total direct compensation. Due to the limited number of direct competitors of the Company that are both publicly traded and of a similar size, a comparator group of similarly sized companies, pulled from the insurance and professional services industries, was developed. Pearl Meyer used publicly disclosed compensation data contained in proxy statements, as well as proprietary surveys purchased from third-party consulting firms to acquire market compensation data for companies in the comparator group as well as broader general industry practice. These independently conducted surveys generally included data from numerous organizations from across various industry groupings and specific international regions and allowed for comparisons to be made on the basis of scope measures relevant to the Company. The Compensation Committee took the findings of the market study into consideration for its review of our executive officer compensation.

2011 Comparator Group

The 2011 comparator group consisted of the following companies:

Robert Half International, Inc.

SFN Group, Inc.

Arthur J Gallagher & Company

Stewart Information Services

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

National Financial Partners, Inc.

Brown & Brown, Inc.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.

Elements of Compensation

In executing its role with respect to compensation matters, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors, including recommendations from senior executive officers and any compensation consultants, both described above, the recent historical (and expected) performance of the individual executive officer, the Company’s historical financial results and shareholder return, cumulative compensation history (to the extent that it impacts pay receivable currently and in the future), internal pay equity (i.e., compensation levels of our senior executives relative to each other) and the appropriate level of risk-taking, all as described below.

In 2011, there were three key elements in the Company’s executive compensation program: (1) base salary, (2) annual incentives and (3) long-term incentives. The Compensation Committee views base salary as the reward for individual job performance and merit. Annual incentives are designed to reward achievement of specified goals on a company-wide or business unit level, as applicable. Long-term incentives are designed to reward delivery of shareholder value and are designed to encourage employee retention. The Compensation Committee did not follow a precise formula for allocating between these three key elements of compensation to its executive officers. Each element of compensation operates independently of the other and is designed to motivate towards, and reward, a different component of results, thus the Compensation Committee does not believe it is appropriate that payment (or lack thereof) of one element in any period generally should impact payment of any other elements. However, the Compensation Committee reviews information that compares each element of compensation, both separately and in the aggregate, to amounts paid for positions with similar duties and responsibilities at comparable or peer group companies, and believes it appropriate to target each element of compensation near the median, or midpoint of compensation paid by such companies.

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Compensation and Risk Management

The Compensation Committee does not believe that our executive compensation programs encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking. By dividing our executives’ compensation into three key elements, the Compensation Committee believes it appropriately weights the performance compensation our executives may earn between short-term and long-term goals. Additionally, both short-term and long-term incentive compensation awards are capped at a set percentage of an executive’s applicable target award, affording protection against disproportionately large incentives. Our long-term compensation is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, and any such awards are both earned and vested over time. We believe multiple-year performance goals coupled with delayed vesting encourages our executives’ sustained focus on the long-term performance of the Company.

The Compensation Committee has also approved executive stock ownership guidelines with specified equity ownership targets for certain Board elected officers. The CEO is required to own shares of stock of the Company equal in value to three times his annual base salary. Executive vice presidents (which includes the remainder of our named executive officers) are required to own shares of stock of the Company equal in value to two times their annual base salary. Certain other Board elected officers are required to own shares of stock of the Company equal in value to their annual base salary. All Board elected officers subject to these guidelines who were employed by the Company on March 1, 2009 have until December 31, 2013 to meet the applicable ownership targets. Any individual hired, promoted or elected by the Board after March 31, 2009 has three years from the date of such hiring, promotion or election, as applicable, to comply with the applicable ownership targets. We currently expect that all individuals subject to these guidelines will comply therewith in a timely manner. Should an officer fail to meet or show sustained progress toward meeting the applicable ownership requirement, such failure may result in any one or more of the following: a reduction or elimination in any future long-term or other equity incentive awards that such person may otherwise have been entitled to receive; an obligation to use the net after-tax proceeds of any cash bonus paid by the Company to purchase shares of the Company’s stock; or a requirement that any cash bonus to which such individual would otherwise be entitled be paid solely in shares of the Company’s stock.

The Compensation Committee believes long-term incentives, when coupled with our executive stock ownership guidelines, promote appropriate alignment of our executives’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.

Base Salary Compensation

With respect to certain executive officers, including the named executive officers, the Company deemed it appropriate to enter into written employment arrangements with such persons. These employment arrangements typically provide for, among other things, a minimum base salary, which was determined based on, among other things, negotiations with the applicable person, and the Compensation Committee’s overall compensation philosophy discussed above, at the time of hire or the entry into such agreement, as applicable.

The Compensation Committee re-evaluates the base salary of the CEO on an annual basis. In re-evaluating the base salary for the CEO, the Compensation Committee looks primarily at the year over year performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee also performs an assessment of the personal performance of the CEO during the preceding year and external circumstances which may have impacted that performance which were not within the control of the Company or the CEO. For both establishing and re-evaluating the base salary of the CEO, the Compensation Committee also looks at market conditions, both within the Company’s industry peer group and otherwise, including competitive market data to see how the CEO’s pay level compares to that of CEOs at other comparable companies. Consistent with the Company’s decision to not award merit-based salary increases to its executive officers, Mr. Bowman did not receive a merit-based salary increase in 2011.

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Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Annual cash incentive awards are intended to align our annual performance and results with the compensation paid to the persons who are most responsible for such performance, and to motivate and reward achievement of operational and strategic business goals. For 2011, the Compensation Committee approved target awards under the Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”), a component of the Crawford & Company 2007 Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan”), for our executive officers, including all of our named executives, other than Mr. Isaac. Mr. Isaac did not participate in the STIP, but instead was eligible to receive annual incentive compensation as described below.

Under the STIP, each participating executive officer is provided clear goals that can, from year to year, include corporate, segment and individual targets, weighted appropriately for the executive’s position in the Company. Each annual performance metric is adjusted to eliminate the impact of movements in exchange rates so that individuals do not benefit from or are not negatively impacted by the movement in exchange rates. Accordingly, the actual results disclosed in this discussion may not agree to our published results. In addition, notwithstanding any individual executive’s goals, for 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that overall Company performance, as determined by consolidated operating earnings, was a critical performance measure that would serve as a minimum requirement to be met for any STIP payout to be considered. As a result, and after consideration and review of the Company’s expected results, the Compensation Committee determined that STIP awards would only be considered for payout if consolidated operating earnings exceeded $50,212,000.

For 2011, the Compensation Committee correlated Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson’s performance goals solely to corporate-wide performance, based on their level of responsibility and Company oversight obligations. The awards to these named executive officers were subject to the Company achieving levels of performance in the following metrics deemed critical to the Company’s overall success: (1) revenues, (2) operating earnings and (3) workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable.

Based upon his level of seniority in the Company and his specific oversight responsibilities, for 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate that the STIP eligibility for Mr. Muress be based 20% on the metrics outlined above, 70% on EMEA/AP segment performance, based on the same three metrics used to evaluate Company performance, and 10% on personal performance.

For both Company and EMEA/AP segment metrics, both achievement and payouts were weighted 30% for revenues, 50% for operating earnings and 20% for workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. More weight was allocated to operating earnings as the Compensation Committee believed this was the most critical of the three metrics.

The Compensation Committee set minimum (or threshold), target and maximum performance metrics to be achieved in 2011 and set payouts for each participant (as a percentage of base salary) based on achievement of each metric after taking into account market-competitive factors and any contractually mandated payout levels contained in applicable employment agreements. The maximum award payable to Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson was 250% of their respective target award. The maximum award payable to Mr. Muress was 200% of his target award. The Compensation Committee retains negative discretion to reduce any overall award payouts. The STIP awards granted by the Compensation Committee as well as the actual STIP award paid to Messrs. Bowman, Swain, Muress and Nelson are set forth below.

    Target Award
(as a percentage
of salary)
  Target Award
(in dollars)
   Actual Award
(in dollars)
   Actual Award
(as a percentage
of salary)
  Actual Award
(as a percentage
of target)
 

Mr. Bowman

   49.0 $357,700    $625,013     85.6  174.7

Mr. Swain

   36.0    144,000     251,767     62.9    174.8  

Mr. Muress

   47.5    314,223     382,712     57.9    121.8  

Mr. Nelson

   36.0    153,000     266,573     62.7    174.2  

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STIP awards were deemed earned only if achievement of the performance metrics exceeded the specified threshold level. Threshold levels for Company metrics were based on 95% of the target level. Threshold levels for EMEA/AP segment metrics were set at a percentage of the target goals as follows: (i) 95% of the target level for revenues and workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable and (ii) 96% of the target level for operating earnings. If actual performance did not equal or exceed the threshold level of any metric, no payout was made under that metric. Target goals were derived from the Company’s 2011 internal operating plan. For the Company metrics, the maximum goals were set at a percentage of the target goals as follows: (i) 110% of the target level for revenues and workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable and (ii) 130% of the target level for operating earnings. For the EMEA/AP segment metrics, the maximum goals were set at a percentage of the target goals as follows: (i) 110% of the target level for revenues and workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable and (ii) 200% of the target level for operating earnings.

If actual performance equaled target levels, participating executive officers were entitled to 100% of the STIP award applicable to that metric. If actual performance for one or more metrics was between threshold and target levels, or target and maximum levels, the participating executive officers were entitled to a ratable portion of the STIP award based upon linear formulas.

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the Company metrics in 2011.

    

Threshold

   

Target

   

Maximum

   

Actual

 

Revenues

  $969,683,000    $1,020,719,000    $1,122,791,000    $1,107,226,000  

Operating Earnings

  $59,627,000    $62,765,000    $81,595,000    $77,013,000  

Workdays outstanding in Total Accounts Receivable

   69.4 days or less     66.1 days or less     59.5 days or less     67.6 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the EMEA/AP segment metrics in 2011.

   

Threshold

  

Target

  

Maximum

  

Actual

 

EMEA/AP Revenues

 $282,134,000   $296,983,000   $326,681,000   $326,874,000  

EMEA/AP Operating Earnings

 $22,328,000   $23,258,000   $46,516,000   $27,176,000  

EMEA/AP Workdays outstanding in Total Accounts Receivable

  88.5 days or less    84.3 days or less    75.9 days or less    89.0 days  

For 2011, Mr. Isaac’s annual incentive compensation was determined pursuant to his negotiated employment agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Isaac’s annual incentive compensation is determined by comparing the pre-tax income of GCG in the relevant performance year to the average annual pre-tax income in the preceding five years. No amount is payable if there has been less than 10% growth in pre-tax income. If pre-tax income grows by at least 10%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $250,000; if pre-tax income grows by at least 15%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $500,000; and if pre-tax income grows by at least 20%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $750,000. In 2011, applying the formula in the employment agreement, Mr. Isaac earned $750,000.

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Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The Compensation Committee designed the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program with a goal of incentivizing management towards the long-term future success of the Company. Long-term incentive compensation is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan and the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan. For 2011, long-term compensation for executive officers of the Company (“LTIP”) was awarded under the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan and the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan. With respect to certain senior executives (i.e., those potentially subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)), LTIP awards that are intended to be fully tax-deductible are also subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan.

Under the terms of the LTIP, each executive officer was granted an award of performance share units that were eligible to be earned based on the earnings per share of the Company for 2011. The Compensation Committee believes performance share units are an appropriate form of award and earnings per share is an appropriate metric because they are designed to motivate achievement of long-term business and performance goals and to align pay with long-term shareholder value. The performance goals for the LTIP goals were derived from the Company’s 2011 internal operating plan.

If the Company’s 2011 earnings per share was at least $0.49, 50% of the performance share units would have been earned. If the Company’s 2011 earnings per share was $0.55, the “target” level, 100% of the performance share units would have been earned. If the Company’s 2011 earnings per share was $0.61, 150% of the performance share units would have been earned. The percentage of performance share units earned was to be adjusted ratably for earnings per share between $0.49 and $0.61. None of these performance share units would have been earned for earnings per share of less than $0.49. For purposes of the LTIP, the earnings per share performance was deemed to be $0.84, thus 150% of the performance share units were deemed earned.

33% of the earned LTIP awards vested as of December 31, 2011. Up to 50% of the remaining unvested earned LTIP awards may vest on December 31, 2012 if the cumulative earnings per share for the 2011-2012 fiscal year periods equal or exceed $1.18. Any remaining unvested earned LTIP awards may vest on December 31, 2013 if the cumulative earnings per share for the 2011-2013 fiscal year periods equal or exceed $1.86.

Other Elements of Compensation

Based on market competitive and internal factors, the Compensation Committee believes that it is appropriate that our executive officers be eligible to participate in other compensation plans offered to our employees. Mr. Swain participates in a noncontributory qualified retirement plan that was frozen as of December 31, 2002. All U.S. based named executive officers are also eligible to participate in a qualified 401(k) plan and a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan. Our executive officers are also offered the opportunity to participate in a similar nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Benefits under the qualified and nonqualified retirement plans are not directly tied to Company performance. The Company also provides life insurance benefits, automobile allowances and reimbursement of club dues for certain of our executives, including the named executive officers, as noted in the Summary Compensation Table, below. The named executive officers also participate in employment arrangements that provide severance and change-in-control protection.

Impact of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) provides that annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers is not deductible for the Company unless it is performance-based. It is the policy of the Compensation Committee to have incentive compensation for the Company’s named executive officers qualify

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for full tax deductibility for the Company to the extent feasible and consistent with our overall compensation philosophy. The Company’s Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan, effective for 2008 and future years, is designed to allow the Compensation Committee to structure short-term incentive compensation (annual incentive awards) and long-term incentive compensation (equity-based awards) under that plan so that the resulting compensation will be qualified ‘performance-based compensation’ eligible for deductibility without limitation under Code Section 162(m). However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to pay appropriate compensation, even if it may result in the non-deductibility of certain amounts under federal tax law. No payments made by the Company in 2011 were subject to the non-deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).

Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation

The following table includes information concerning compensation paid to, or accrued by the Company for, our named executive officers at December 31, 2011.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

 Year  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)(1)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(2)
  All
Other
Compensation
($)(3)
  Total
($)
 

J.T. Bowman

  2011   $730,000   $   $448,165   $   $625,013   $3,814   $110,115   $1,917,107  

President and Chief

  2010    730,000        214,167        507,871    2,677    111,852    1,566,567  

Executive Officer

  2009    730,000        373,332        40,185    2,518    127,211    1,273,246  

W.B. Swain

  2011    400,000        229,500        251,767    36,395    27,740    945,402  

Executive Vice

  2010    400,000        89,100        203,363    22,193    18,908    733,564  

President — Chief

  2009    400,000        184,600        16,177    28,060    35,841    664,678  

Financial Officer

         

I.V. Muress(4)

  2011    661,522        191,283        382,712        84,457    1,319,974  

Executive Vice

  2010    617,035        59,400        290,498        79,423    1,046,356  

President; Chief

Executive Officer — EMEA/AP

  2009    601,896        123,069        299,006        77,696    1,101,667  

D.A. Isaac

  2011    700,000        115,875        750,000        6,021,818    7,587,693  

Executive Vice

  2010    647,500        523,620        600,000        5,012,537    6,783,657  

President; Chief

Executive Officer — The Garden City Group, Inc

  2009    630,000                        2,477,220    3,107,220  

A.W. Nelson

  2011    425,000        229,500        266,573    462    21,248    942,783  

Executive Vice

  2010    425,000        89,100        216,073    420    14,188    744,781  

President — General

Counsel; Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer

  2009    425,000        231,775        17,188    552    9,050    683,565  

(1)

The values of equity-based awards in February 2011 to individuals who were on the Board on December 31, 2010. Annual restricted share grants to directors vest on the January 1 next followingthis column represent the grant date. In addition to the foregoing, each non-employee director was entitled to receive $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. Further, the Chairmandate fair value of the Board andawards in accordance with ASC 718. However, pursuant to SEC rules these values are not reduced by an estimate for the Chairmanprobability of forfeiture. See Note 10 of the Audit Committee were also each entitled to a retainer of $3,000 per quarter, and the Chairman of eachconsolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Executive, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees was also entitled to a retainer of $2,500 per quarter. Directors who also serve as employees of the Company do not receive separate compensationCompany’s Annual Report for their service to the Board.

The following table provides compensation information for the year ended December 31, 20102011 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.

(2)

Represents the following amounts for each individual who served as2011: (i) Mr. Bowman: $3,814 preferential earnings from the Deferred Compensation Plan; (ii) Mr. Swain: $4,653 preferential earnings from the Deferred Compensation Plan and $31,742 actuarial increase in pension value; and (iii) Mr. Nelson: $462 preferential earnings from the Deferred Compensation Plan.

(3)

Represents the following amounts for 2011: (i) Mr. Bowman: a non-management member of our Board of Directors during 2010. See “Summary Compensation Table” for information relating$11,025 Company contribution to Mr. Bowman’s compensation.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
                         
           Change in
       
           Pension
       
           Value and
       
  Fees
        Nonqualified
       
  Earned
     Stock
  Deferred
       
  or Paid in
  Stock
  Option
  Compensation
  All Other
    
Name
 Cash  Awards(1)  Awards(1)  Earnings  Compensation  Total 
 
Harsha V. Agadi $12,500  $14,999           $27,499 
P. George Benson  43,000   29,999            72,999 
Jesse C. Crawford  53,000   29,999            82,999 
James D. Edwards  55,000   29,999            84,999 
Russel L. Honoré  46,500   29,999            76,499 
J. Hicks Lanier(2)  15,667               15,667 
Charles H. Ogburn  62,000   29,999            91,999 
Clarence H. Ridley(3)  39,000   29,999            68,999 
E. Jenner Wood, III  44,000   29,999            73,999 


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(1)Represents the grant date fair value of awards calculated utilizing the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). See Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards. The stock awards were made pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. At December 31, 2010, the aggregate number of stock option awards outstanding for each non-employee director was as follows: Dr. Benson 36,000; Mr. Crawford 30,000; Mr. Edwards 39,000; Mr. Lanier, 15,000; Mr. Ridley 42,000; and Mr. Wood 36,000.
(2)Mr. Lanier did not stand for re-election at the 2010 annual meeting.
(3)Not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.
Communications with our Board and Shareholder Nominees
Individuals may communicate with our Board by sending a letter to Board of Directors, Crawford & Company P. O. Box 1261, Tucker, Georgia30085-1261. Your letter will be shared with all members of our BoardSavings and may, atInvestment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”); a $75,000 Company contribution to the discretion of our Board, be shared withDeferred Compensation Plan; $1,564 in country club dues; a $14,400 automobile allowance; $1,200 for spousal trip expense; and a $6,926 premium payment on term life insurance; (ii) Mr. Swain: a $11,025 Company management, unless your letter requests otherwise. Communications thatcontribution to the 401(k) Plan; a $16,132 Company contribution to the Deferred Compensation

20


Plan; $319 in country club dues; $120 dividend on restricted stock; and a $144 premium payment on term life insurance; (iii) Mr. Muress: a $66,153 Company contribution to the U.K. pension fund and a $18,304 automobile allowance; (iv) Mr. Isaac: $6,000,018 in commissions paid pursuant to his employment agreement, and as described in more detail below under “Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements;” a $9,800 Company contribution to The Garden City Group, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan; and a $12,000 automobile allowance; and (v) Mr. Nelson: a $6,431 Company contribution to the 401(k) Plan; a $10,397 Company contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan; $2,282 in country club dues; a $144 premium payment on term life insurance; and a $1,994 automobile allowance.

(4)

Compensation for Mr. Muress is paid in British pounds sterling and converted to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate in effect for each particular year. Amounts paid are specifically intended for non-employee directors should be addressed to “Chairman ofdetermined based on payments in the Board,” Board of Directors, Crawford & Company at this same address.

Any shareholder who certifies that he or she is the continuous record owner of at least one percent (1%) of the common stockfiscal year of the Company, for at least oneand not the fiscal year priorof the Company’s international subsidiaries, which may differ from the fiscal year of the Company.

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

The Company maintains the Executive Stock Bonus Plan under which awards of performance share units, restricted stock or stock options may be granted to specified employees of the Company. Non-equity incentive plan cash awards are paid pursuant to the Company’s STIP. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to awards granted during or for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 to each of our named executive officers.

Name and Position

 Grant
Date
 Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
  Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
  

All
Other
Stock Awards:

Number of
Shares of

Stock or
Units (#)

  

All
Other
Option Awards:

Number of
Securities

Underlying
Options (#)

  

Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and

Option
Awards

 
  Threshold
($)
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
    

J. T. Bowman

 3/29/11 $   $   $    37,500    75,000    112,500           $255,000  

J. T. Bowman

 12/30/11                          16,134(3)       65,667  

J. T. Bowman(1)

 3/29/11      357,700    894,250                          

W. B. Swain

 3/29/11              22,500    45,000    67,500            153,000  

W. B. Swain(1)

 3/29/11      144,000    360,000                          

I. V. Muress

 3/29/11              15,000    30,000    45,000            102,000  

I. V. Muress(1)

 3/29/11      314,223    628,446                          

D. A. Isaac

 7/1/11              7,500    15,000    22,500            77,250  

D. A. Isaac(4)

   250,000    500,000    750,000                          

A. W. Nelson

 3/29/11              22,500    45,000    67,500            153,000  

A. W. Nelson(1)

 3/29/11      153,000    382,500                          

(1)

Represents the potential payout of awards granted under the STIP. These awards were subject to the submissionattainment of a candidatecertain performance targets. The performance targets and who provides a written statement that he or she intendstarget award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.” Actual amounts paid under the plan to continue ownership of the shares through the date of the applicable annual meeting of shareholders may submit a nomination for director. The candidate must meet the qualifications statednamed executive officers are reported in the Company’s by-laws andSummary Compensation Table under the submission must be made“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

(2)

Represents the potential number of performance share units payable under the LTIP. These awards were subject to the Nominatingattainment of certain performance targets. The performance targets and Corporate Governance Committee at P. O. Box 1261, Tucker, Georgia 30085, no more than 180 daystarget award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and no less than 120 days prior toAnalysis — Long-Term Incentive Compensation.” Actual amounts earned under the anniversary date of this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee will review all candidates submittedplan by shareholders for consideration as director nominees pursuant to its general practices and the guidelines stated in its charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines before determining whether to submit any nominee to the full Board for consideration.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis of our compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices are focused primarily on ournamed executive officers with additional detail provided for our CEO, CFO andare reported in the other three most highly-compensated executive officers, as determinedSummary Compensation Table under the “Stock Awards” column.

(3)

Represents stock grant per the terms of Mr. Bowman’s employment agreement.

(4)

Represents the potential payout of previously approved incentive awards in accordance with applicable SEC rules and as set out in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, whom we collectively refer to as our “named executive officers.” The fundamental philosophy of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation is to ensure that our compensation programs will enable us to attract and retain key executives critical to our long-term success, through the establishment of a performance-oriented environment that rewards the achievement of both short- and long-term strategic management goals, with the attendant enhancement of shareholder value. This philosophy is implemented through the core principles of “pay for performance” and aligning management’s interests with our shareholders’ interest to support long-term value creation. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews these compensation programs, and makes adjustments as appropriate to accomplish these objectives.

Role of the Compensation Committee and Administration of Compensation
The role of the Compensation Committee, among other responsibilities, is to (1) annually review the Company’s goals and objectives relative to CEO and executive officer compensation, including, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, consideration of the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the value and construct of compensation packages for comparable officers at comparable companies and the awards given to the Company’s executive officers in past years, (2) annually review, evaluate and update, as appropriate, the components of the Company’s executive compensation programs in view of those goals and objectives, and set compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers, (3) annually evaluate the CEO’s and the other executives’ performance in light of established goals and objectives, and approve compensation to be paid


13


with respect to such performance, including certifying the degree of achievement of performance goals under the terms of performance-based compensation programs, (4) review and approveMr. Isaac’s employment agreement entered into in 2011. Actual amounts paid to Mr. Isaac are reported in the adoption, terms and operation of the Company’s compensation plans for executives, including incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans, and (5) in light of the foregoing, to consider and grant bonuses, stock options, performance share units, restricted stock and other discretionary awards, as appropriate,Summary Compensation Table under the Company’s incentive compensation“Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

21


Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2011

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2011 for each of our named executive officers.

  Option Awards  Stock Awards 

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
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested (#)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan  Awards:

Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(3)
 

J. T. Bowman

  22,500           $8.82    1/29/2012                  
  15,000            4.70    1/28/2013                  
  30,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
  125,200            6.36    9/15/2014                  
  250,000            4.40    5/6/2018                  
                      16,667(1)   67,835          
                              75,000(2)   305,250  

W. B. Swain

  7,500            8.82    1/29/2012                  
  5,000            4.70    1/28/2013                  
  10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
                      10,000(1)   40,700          
                              45,000(2)   183,150  

I. V. Muress

  10,000            5.20    10/29/2012                  
  5,000            4.70    1/28/2013                  
  10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
                      6,667(1)   27,135          
                              30,000(2)   122,100  

D. A. Isaac

  4,500            8.82    1/29/2012                  
  3,000            4.70    1/28/2013                  
  20,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
                              15,000(2)   61,050  

A. W. Nelson

                      10,000(1)   40,700          
                              45,000(2)   183,150  

(1)

Remaining shares vest on December 31, 2012.

(2)

Remaining shares vest in two equal installments on December 31, 2012 and equity-based plans.

The Compensation Committee generally does not follow a precise formula for allocating betweenDecember 31, 2013, subject to satisfaction of specified performance targets.

(3)

Based on the three key elements (described below) of compensation to its executive officers. Each element of compensation operates independently of the other and is designed to motivate towards, and reward, a different component of results, thus the Compensation Committee does not believe it is appropriate that payment (or lack thereof) of one element in any period generally should impact payment of any other elements. However, the Compensation Committee reviews information that compares each element of senior executive compensation, both separately and in the aggregate, to amounts paid for positions with similar duties and responsibilities at comparable or peer group companies, and believes it appropriate to target each element of compensation near the median, or midpoint, of compensation paid by such companies.

Role of Certain Senior Executive Officers in Executive Compensation Matters
Our executive officers also play an important role with respect to the setting and determination of the annual cash portion of executive compensation, including base salary and any annual cash incentive compensation. Certain of the Company’s most senior executive officers make recommendations to our Compensation Committee with respect to the setting of performance goals for executive officers under our incentive compensation plans and the assessment of the performance of executive officers who are direct reports to such officers. As a result of regular interaction, these senior executive officers are able to provide personal insight as to the performance of their direct reports as well as overall performance trends of executives of the Company. Our Compensation Committee relies, in part, on this information in connection with its overall assessment as to the adequacy and appropriateness of executive compensation as well as the compensation programs of the Company as a whole. Our Compensation Committee considers any such recommendations when determining overall individual compensation. Our Compensation Committee has approved ranges of cash compensation for our executive officers (other than our CEO) and, within those constructs, due to the nature of the working relationship between the CEO and such other executives, and the nature and level of the regular interaction, believes it is appropriate for our CEO to make the final determination with respect to such decisions within those ranges.
Compensation Consultants
The Compensation Committee’s charter provides for the Compensation Committee to retain and terminate, as deemed necessary, any compensation consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of director, CEO or executive compensation. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to select such consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. In 2010, Mercer Human Resource Consulting (“Mercer”) was engaged to review and advise the Company and the Compensation Committee on executive and general compensation matters for the Company.
During 2010, the Company paid Mercer and its affiliates fees totaling $418,010, of which $26,464 were paid to Mercer and related to executive compensation matters. The other services provided related to human resources matters and actuarial services. The other services provided by Mercer and its affiliates typically have not been presented to the Compensation Committee for approval as the Compensation Committee does not believe that the nature, scope or amount of these services negatively affects the executive compensation consulting services that Mercer provides to the Company and Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee determined that the other services provided in 2010 did not affect the objectivity or quality of Mercer’s executive compensation consulting services to the Compensation Committee.


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Elements of Compensation
In executing its role with respect to compensation matters, the Compensation Committee considers a variety of factors, including recommendations from senior executive officers and any compensation consultants, both described above, the recent historical (and expected) performance of the individual executive officer, the Company’s historical financial results and shareholder return, cumulative compensation history (to the extent that it impacts pay receivable currently and in the future) and internal pay equity (i.e., compensation levels of our senior executives relative to each other), all as described below.
In 2010, there were three key elements in the Company’s executive compensation program:
Pay Element
What the Element Rewards
Purpose of the Pay Element
Base SalaryIndividual job performance and merit.Provide competitive level of guaranteed cash compensation. Reward performance (at individual and Company levels).
Annual IncentivesCompany-wide or business unit, as applicable, achievement of targeted revenue, operating earnings (1), accounts receivable management or other identified performance objectives, as deemed appropriate.Provide focus on meeting annual financial and other operational goals that are designed to lead to our long-term success.
Long-term IncentivesDelivery of shareholder value. Vesting periods designed to encourage employee retention.
Provide a blended focus on:

•   Increase in stock price;

•   Increase in earnings per share;

•   Net income; and

•   Executive ownership of stock.
(1)The term “operating earnings” as referred to in this section is discussed and defined in Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Compensation and Risk Management
The Compensation Committee does not believe that our executive compensation programs encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking. By dividing our executives’ compensation into multiple key elements, the Compensation Committee believes it properly weights the performance compensation eligible to be earned by our executives appropriately between short-term and long-term goals. Additionally, both short-term and long-term incentive compensation awards are capped at a set percentage of an executive’s applicable target award, adding protection against disproportionately large incentives. Our long-term performance compensation is payable in sharesper share closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and any such awards vest over time. We believe this delayed vesting encourages our executives’ sustained focus on the long-term performanceNYSE on December 30, 2011 (the last trading day of the Company. The Compensation Committee believes these long-term incentives, when coupled with our executive stock ownership guidelines, promote appropriate alignment2011) of our executives’ interests with those of the Company’s shareholders.
Our executive stock ownership guidelines set out specified equity ownership targets for members of our Board and certain Board elected officers. Non-management Board members are required to own shares in the Company equal in value to their annual cash retainer (currently $30,000). Current non-management members of the Board have until December 31, 2011 to meet the applicable ownership targets. The CEO is required to own shares in the Company equal in value to three times his annual base salary. Executive vice presidents (which includes the remainder of our named executive officers) are required to own shares in the Company equal in value to two times their annual base salary. Certain other Board elected officers are required to own shares in the Company equal in value to their annual base salary. All Board elected officers subject to these guidelines who were employed by the Company on March 1, 2009 have until December 31, 2013 to meet the applicable ownership targets. Any individual hired, promoted or elected to the Board after March 31, 2009 has three years from the date of such hiring, promotion
$4.07.

22


Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table provides information concerning stock awards vested during the most recent fiscal year with respect to the named executive officers.

   Option Awards(1)   Stock Awards 

Name

  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise (#)
   Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
   Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)
   Value Realized
on Vesting ($)
 

J. T. Bowman

             88,806    $361,441  

W. B. Swain

             43,633     177,586  

I. V. Muress

             29,039     118,189  

D. A. Isaac

             7,500     30,525  

A. W. Nelson

             43,783     178,197  

(1)


15


or election, as applicable, to comply with the applicable ownership targets. We currently expect that all individuals subject to these guidelines will comply therewith in a timely manner.
Base Salary Compensation
With respect to certain executive officers, including the named executive officers, the Company deemed it appropriate to enter into written employment arrangements with such persons. These employment arrangements typically provide for, among other things, a minimum base salary, which was determined based on, among other things, negotiations with the applicable person, and the Compensation Committee’s overall compensation philosophy discussed above, at the time of hire or the entry into such agreement, as applicable.
In addition, the Compensation Committee has approved, and we have implemented, a comprehensive Wage and Salary Administration Policy applicable to employees of the Company and its U.S. subsidiaries. This policy includes a program for grading each position, including executive officer positions, to ensure appropriate levels of base salary are paid to each executive officer as compared to similar positions within the Company and at the benchmarked companies. The policy sets forth grade levels and salary ranges for those grade levels, and provides for annual merit adjustments within those ranges and tied to individual job performance as measured primarily through annual performance reviews. Based on a variety of data (including published national surveys, recent and anticipated Company performance and other relevant information), the Compensation Committee annually considers the budget for merit-based salary increases and any adjustments to salary ranges for the next fiscal year. If determined to be appropriate, the Compensation Committee establishes guidelines for individual salary adjustments based primarily on the individual’s performance review, as described above under “Role of Senior Executive Officers in Executive Compensation Matters.”
Based on recent Company performance and general economic conditions, senior management recommended, and the Compensation Committee agreed, that it was appropriate to not provide any merit-based salary increases to our executive officers in 2010. The freeze on merit increases did not apply to executive officers of GCG or to the Company’s international executive officers due to recent positive performance of those segments.
The Compensation Committee re-evaluates the base salary of the CEO on an annual basis. In re-evaluating the base salary for the CEO, the Compensation Committee looks primarily at the year over year performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee also performs an assessment of the personal performance of the CEO during the preceding year and external circumstances which may have impacted that performance which were not within the control of the Company or the CEO. For both establishing and re-evaluating the base salary of the CEO, the Compensation Committee also looks at market conditions, both within the Company’s industry peer group and otherwise, including competitive market data to see how the CEO’s pay level compares to that of CEOs at other comparable companies. Consistent with the Company’s decision to not award merit-based salary increases to its executive officers, Mr. Bowman did not receive a merit-based salary increase in 2010.
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
The parameters for annual incentive cash compensation are set by our Compensation Committee in annual incentive programs adopted by the Compensation Committee or in letter or employment agreements entered into with our executive officers as described above.
For 2010, the Compensation Committee continued the operation of a comprehensive Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”) applicable to, among others, the named executive officers. The STIP, as a component of the Crawford & Company 2007 Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan”), approved by the shareholders at the 2007 annual meeting, is intended to continue the direct linkage between our annual short term performance and compensation to the persons who are most responsible for such performance in accordance with the Compensation Committee’s overall compensation philosophy discussed above. Under the terms of the STIP, each participating executive officer is provided clear goals that can, from year to year, include corporate, segment and individual targets, weighted appropriately for the employee’s position in the Company. In 2010, the goals were developed by our executives, in consultation with Mercer, and were reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. Each actual performance metric is adjusted to eliminate the impact of


16


movements in exchange rates so that individuals do not benefit from or are not negatively impacted by the movement in exchange rates. Accordingly, the actual results disclosed in this discussion may not agree to our published results.
Achievement of STIP performance targets is designed to result in the payment of meaningful cash bonuses. If maximum Company, segmentand/or individual targeted goals, as applicable and as discussed below, are exceeded, the STIP allows for payment of up to 250% of the STIP target bonus amounts, subject to “negative discretion” retained by the Compensation Committee to reduce any overall award payouts. With respect to certain executives (i.e.,those potentially subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) (discussed below)), bonuses under the STIP are designed to be fully deductible and are awarded under the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan.
Notwithstanding any individual employee’s goals, for 2010 the Compensation Committee determined that overall Company performance, as determined by consolidated operating earnings, was a critical performance measure that would serve as a minimum requirement to be met for any 2010 STIP payout to be considered. As a result, and after consideration and review of the Company’s expected results, the Compensation Committee determined that 2010 STIP awards would only be considered for payout if consolidated operating earnings exceeded $49,096,800. Such amount was determined after review and consideration of certain internal company projections and operating forecasts.
Annual incentive award opportunities and payouts for eachNone of the named executive officers are discussed below. Threshold, target, and maximum incentive award levels (as a percentage of base salary) for the named executive officers were determined after taking into account, among other market-competitive factors, the information provided by Mercer as to the level and amount of the Company’s historical annual incentive compensation and any contractually mandated payout levels containedexercised stock options in any applicable employment contracts.
Mr. Bowman
The 2010 STIP award granted by the Compensation Committee for Mr. Bowman provided for a target incentive award of 32.5% of his base salary as of January 1, 2010, or $237,250. Based on his level of responsibility and Company oversight obligations, the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate to correlate Mr. Bowman’s performance metrics solely to corporate-wide performance, and targets were based on three metrics deemed critical to the Company’s overall success: 2011.

Pension Benefits at December 31, 2011

The Company maintains a non-contributory retirement plan, the Crawford & Company Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), for the benefit of substantially all of the U.S. employees of the Company who were employed on or before December 31, 2002. The Retirement Plan provides for annual retirement benefits at a normal retirement age of 65 (the “Normal Retirement Age”) equal to 2% of the participant’s total compensation (as defined in the Retirement Plan) for all credited years of service under the Plan. The benefits are not affected by Social Security benefits payable to the participant; however, they are actuarially reduced for retirements before the Normal Retirement Age or if the retiree selects benefits other than an individual life-time annuity. Of our named executive officers, only Mr. Swain participates in the Retirement Plan, and he has 10 years of credited years of service under this plan. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the Retirement Plan were frozen. In place of the accruals under the now frozen Retirement Plan, the Company may make a discretionary contribution to the 401(k) Plan for eligible employees based on years of service, compensation and the Company’s financial results. The following table provides information concerning the pension benefits at December 31, 2011 with respect to the named executive officers.

Name

  

Plan Name

  Number of
Years of
Credited
Service (#)
   Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefits
($)
   Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 

J. T. Bowman

         $    $      —  

W. B. Swain

  Crawford & Company Retirement Plan   10     157,235       

I. V. Muress

                 

D. A. Isaac

                 

A. W. Nelson

                 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain executive officers to provide benefits that would otherwise be payable under the Retirement Plan and/or Defined Contribution Plan but for limitations placed on covered compensation and benefits thereunder pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the SERP were also frozen as to the Retirement Plan. The SERP was amended to allow the Company, if it elects to make a discretionary contribution

23


to the Defined Contribution Plan for eligible employees, to also make an additional SERP service contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan for participants in the SERP. The following table provides information concerning the nonqualified deferred compensation with respect to the named executive officers.

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(1)
   Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)(2)
   Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY
($)
   Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
   Aggregate
Balance
at Last FYE
($)(3)
 

J. T. Bowman

  $    $75,000    $10,847    $    $279,033  

W. B. Swain

   61,336     16,132     13,234     10,982     285,412  

I. V. Muress

                         

D. A. Isaac

                         

A. W. Nelson

        10,397     1,313          35,094  

(1) revenues, (2) operating earnings and (3) workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. 20% of his STIP award was based on revenues, 60% was based on operating earnings and 20% was based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. The Compensation Committee determined, with input from our executives and Mercer, that these three metrics and percentage allocations provided the most appropriate measures for evaluation of the Company’s annual performance. More weight was allocated to operating earnings as the Compensation Committee believes this is the most critical of the three metrics.
Mr. Bowman’s 2010 STIP award was deemed earned only if achievement of the performance metrics exceeded specified threshold levels. Threshold levels were based on a percentage of the target levels as follows: (1) for revenues, the threshold level was set at 95% of the target level; (2) for operating earnings, the threshold level was set at 90% of the target level; and (3) for workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable, the threshold level was set at 95% of the target level. In addition to the requirement that threshold operating earnings be exceeded for any payout under the 2010 STIP to be made, if the threshold levels of any other metric were not exceeded, Mr. Bowman was not entitled to any payout allocated to that specific metric under the 2010 STIP award.
If target levels were achieved, Mr. Bowman would be entitled to 100% of the 2010 STIP award. If maximum levels of the performance metrics were achieved, Mr. Bowman was entitled to 250% of the 2010 STIP award. If the achievement of performance metrics was in between threshold and target levels, or in between target and maximum levels, Mr. Bowman was entitled to a ratable portion of the 2010 STIP award based upon linear formulas.
                 
  
Threshold
  
Target
  
Maximum
  
Actual
 
 
Revenues
 $940,034,000  $989,509,000  $1,038,984,000  $1,035,574,000 
Operating Earnings
 $55,234,000  $61,371,000  $79,782,000  $75,695,000 
Workdays outstanding in Total Accounts Receivable
  66.5 days or less   63.3 days or less   57.0 days or less   59.9 days 


17


Based on the actual performance of the Company during 2010, Mr. Bowman’s STIP award earned from each of the three categories was: (1) $113,719 based on actual revenues; (2) $308,472 based on actual operating earnings, and (3) $85,680 based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. This resulted in a total earned STIP award of $507,871.
Mr. Swain
The 2010 STIP award granted by the Compensation Committee for Mr. Swain provided for a target incentive award of 23.75% of his base salary, or $95,000. Mr. Swain’s performance metrics and threshold, target and maximum goals were identical to Mr. Bowman’s, discussed above, for the reasons discussed above applicable to Mr. Bowman. Based on the actual performance of the Company during 2010, Mr. Swain’s STIP award earned from each of the three categories was: (1) $45,536 based on actual revenues; (2) $123,519 based on actual operating earnings, and (3) $34,308 based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. This resulted in a total earned STIP award of $203,363.
Mr. Muress
The 2010 STIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Muress provided for a target incentive award of 47.5% of his base salary, or $291,406 based on the exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2010. Based upon his level of seniority in the Company and his specific oversight responsibilities, the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate that Mr. Muress’ performance metrics be based 30% on the metrics outlined above for Mr. Bowman (with allocation among this 30% in the same proportion as Mr. Bowman’s total allocation), and 70% on the “UCA division” performance, which consists of portions of the Company’s International Operations segment from the United Kingdom, Australia, continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The Compensation Committee believes this pro-ration of Mr. Muress’ bonus opportunity based on the performance of the total Company and the division he manages appropriately ties and weights various performance metrics. The Company does not make separate resource allocation decisions, and does not separately report financial results, for the UCA division.
Mr. Muress’ UCA division performance metrics were based on the same three metrics used to evaluate Company performance, which categoriesThese amounts were also deemed indicative of the UCA division’s overall success. As a result, 20% of his STIP award eligibility attributable to UCA division performance was based on revenue, 60% was based on operating earnings, and 20% was based on workdays outstandingincluded in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. As with total Company performance, more weight was allocated to operating earnings as the Compensation Committee believed this was the most critical of the three metrics to overall success.
                 
  
Threshold
  
Target
  
Maximum
  
Actual
 
 
UCA Revenues
 $259,940,000  $273,621,000  $300,983,000  $290,873,000 
UCA Operating Earnings
 $19,175,000  $21,305,000  $42,610,000  $25,132,000 
UCA Workdays outstanding in Total Accounts Receivable
  89.9 days or less   85.6 days or less   77.0 days or less   89.0 days 
Mr. Muress’ performance metrics and threshold, target and maximum goals“Salary” for total Company performance were identical to Mr. Bowman’s, discussed above, for the reasons discussed above applicable to Mr. Bowman. Based on the actual performance of the Company during 2010, Mr. Muress’ STIP award earned from each of those three metrics was: (1) $33,763 based on actual revenues; (2) $93,262 based on actual operating earnings, and (3) $26,876 based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. Based on the actual performance of the UCA division during 2010, Mr. Muress’ STIP award earned from each of the three metrics was: (1) $66,520 based on actual revenues; (2) $144,375 based on actual operating earnings, and (3) $8,388 based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. This resulted in a total earned STIP award paid to Mr. Muress for 2010 performance of $373,184.
Mr. Isaac
Employees of GCG, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, such as Mr. Isaac, did not participate in the 2010 STIP. Instead, the annual incentive compensation for Mr. Isaac was determined pursuant to his negotiated


18


employment agreement, which links his bonus to the pre-tax income of GCG. Pre-tax income of GCG is determined before taxes but after expense and interest on borrowed funds (if any) at the Company’s prevailing rate of interest. Under this agreement, for 2008 and later performance years, growth is measured by comparing the pre-tax income in the relevant performance year to the average actual pre-tax income in the three preceding years. No amount is payable if cumulative performance exhibits less than 10% growth. His employment agreement provides for a threshold, target and maximum incentive award of $250,000, $400,000 and $600,000, respectively. In 2010, Mr. Isaac earned the maximum of $600,000 available as annual incentive compensation as cumulative performance exceeded 20% compound annual growth.
Mr. Nelson
The 2010 STIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Nelson provided for a target incentive award of 23.75% of his base salary, or $100,938. Mr. Nelson’s performance metrics and threshold, target and maximum goals were identical to Mr. Bowman’s, discussed above, for the reasons discussed above applicable to Mr. Bowman. Based on the actual performance of the Company during 2010, Mr. Nelson’s STIP award earned among the three categories was: (1) $48,382 based on the actual revenues; (2) $131,239 based on actual operating earnings, and (3) $36,452 based on workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable. This resulted in a total earned STIP award of $216,073.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
After consulting with Mercer and the evaluation of other competitive considerations, the Compensation Committee designed the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program with a goal of incentivizing management towards the long-term future success of the Company. Long-term incentive compensation is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan and the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan, and any award earned in 2010 vests in equal, annual installments over three years, with the first installment vesting on December 31, 2010. Under the terms of that plan, officers and other key employees of the Company may be granted performance share unit awards, restricted stock awards or stock option awards (collectively “Awards”). The Compensation Committee makes all determinations regarding Awards under this program to the CEO and approves Awards for other executive officers, including the other named executive officers, based on recommendations of the CEO. The number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock covered by such Awards is generally based upon the grade level of the executive officer under the Company’s Wage and Salary Administration Policy. In addition to Awards made in accordance with the annual long-term incentive compensation program, performance share unit awards, restricted stock awards or stock option awards may be granted by the Compensation Committee to the CEO and the other named executive officers under certain agreements (as discussed in further detail below under “Employment andChange-in-Control Arrangements”).
For 2010, long-term compensation for executive officers of the Company (the “Long-Term Incentive Plan” or “LTIP”) was awarded under the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan. With respect to certain senior executives (i.e.,those potentially subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)), LTIP awards that are intended to be fully tax-deductible are also subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan.
Under the terms of the 2010 LTIP, each executive officer was granted an award of performance share units that were eligible to be earned based on the earnings per share of the Company for 2010. If the Company’s 2010 earnings per share was at least $0.44, 50% of these performance share units would have been earned. If the Company’s 2010 earnings per share was $0.50, the “target” level, 100% of these performance share units would have been earned. If the Company’s 2010 earnings per share was $0.56, 150% of these performance share units would have been earned. If the Company’s 2010 earnings per share exceeded $0.62 for 2010, 200% of these performance share units would have been earned. The percentage of performance share units earned was to be adjusted ratably for earnings per share between $0.44 and $0.62. None of these performance share units would have been earned for earnings per share of less than $0.44. The earnings per share levels were determined by setting the threshold amount equal to the lower-end of the initial earnings per share guidance publicly forecast by the Company for 2010 and setting the maximum amount equal to certain stretch targets in excess of certain amounts calculated in accordance with internal


19


budget and forecast amounts. Based on additional analysis of the Company’s 2010 performance, specifically associated to special credits and charges in the Company’s 2010 financial results related to (i) a tax credit connected to the acquisition of Broadspire Management Services, Inc. and (ii) additional goodwill impairment charges related to the Broadspire segment, the Committee concluded that, for purposes of the 2010 LTIP, the earnings per share performance would be deemed to be $0.50 for 2010, thus 100% of the performance share units were deemed earned.
Long-term incentive compensation for each of the named executive officers is discussed below. Target awards for the named executive officers were determined after taking into account, among other market-competitive factors, the information provided by Mercer as to the type, level and amount of the Company’s historical long-term incentive compensation.
Mr. Bowman
The 2010 LTIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Bowman provided for a grant of 50,000 performance share units at “target” performance levels. Based on actual performance under the LTIP, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, all 50,000 of the performance share units were earned.
Mr. Swain
The 2010 LTIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Swain provided for a grant of 30,000 performance share units at “target” performance levels. Based on actual performance under the LTIP, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, all 30,000 of the performance share units were earned.
Mr. Muress
The 2010 LTIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Muress provided for a grant of 20,000 performance share units at “target” performance levels. Based on actual performance under the LTIP, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, all 20,000 of the performance share units were earned.
In addition to the 2010 LTIP award, effective as of March 24, 2006 and as previously disclosed, Mr. Muress was awarded a grant of 50,000 performance share units under the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan, with any earned portion of the award payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Performance goals for this award were based on compound growth during a five-year period, beginning in 2006 and ending in 2010, with partial accelerated payment if growth targets were achieved during the2006-2008 measurement period. The growth targets were a measure of the increase in pre-tax income for the Company’s United Kingdom operations. The Company does not separately make resource allocation decisions, and does not report financial results, for its United Kingdom operations. If growth of 7.5% was achieved, then 25% of the award would be earned. If growth of 10% was achieved, then 50% of the award would be earned. If growth of 15% was achieved, then 100% of the award would be earned. As of the end of the 2008 period, growth of 15% was achieved, thus 50% of the award, or 25,000 of the performance share units, was earned on an accelerated basis, and had vested as of October 31, 2008. As of the end of the 2010 period, growth of 15% was achieved, thus the remaining 25,000 performance share units were earned based on the performance during the2006-2010 performance period.
Mr. Isaac
As a result of grants of performance shares required to be made to him pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, described below, the Compensation Committee determined that it was not appropriate for Mr. Isaac to participate in the 2010 LTIP.
Mr. Nelson
The 2010 LTIP award granted by the Compensation Committee to Mr. Nelson provided for a grant of 30,000 performance share units at “target” performance levels. Based on actual performance under the LTIP, as adjusted by the Compensation Committee, all 30,000 of the performance share units were earned.


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Other Elements of Compensation
Based on market competitive and internal factors, the Compensation Committee believes that it is appropriate that our executive officers be eligible to participate in other compensation plans offered to our employees. Mr. Swain participates in a noncontributory qualified retirement plan that was frozen as of December 31, 2002. All U.S. based named executive officers are also eligible to participate in a qualified 401(k) plan and a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan. Our executive officers are also offered the opportunity to participate in a similar nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Benefits under the qualified and nonqualified retirement plans are not directly tied to Company performance. The Company also provides life insurance benefits, automobile allowances and reimbursement of club dues for certain of our executives, including the named executive officers, as noted2011 in the Summary Compensation Table, below.
Impact of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) provides that annualTable.

(2)

These amounts were also reported in “All Other Compensation” for 2011 in the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)

Of these balances, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation in excess of $1 million paidsummary compensation tables in previous years’ proxy statements: Mr. Bowman — $193,186, Mr. Swain — $205,692 and Mr. Nelson — $23,384. This information is provided to certain executive officers is not deductible for the Company unless it is performance-based. It is the policy of the Compensation Committee to have incentive compensation for the Company’s named executive officers qualify for full tax deductibility for the Company toclarify the extent feasible and consistent with our overallto which these balances represent previously reported compensation philosophy. The Company’s Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan, effective for 2008 and future years, is designed to allow the Compensation Committee to structure short-term incentive compensation (annual incentive awards) and long-term incentive compensation (equity-based awards) under that plan so that the resulting compensation will be qualified ‘performance-based compensation’ eligible for deductibility without limitation under Code Section 162(m)(rather than additional, currently earned compensation). However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to pay appropriate compensation, even if it may result in the non-deductibility of certain amounts under federal tax law. No payments made by the Company in 2010 were subject to the non-deductibility limitations of Code Section 162(m).


21

EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

The Company has entered into agreements with certain named executive officers that contain provisions regarding employment and payments upon a change in control. In addition, the Company maintains various benefit plans that provide for accelerated vesting in the event of a termination of employment, including in connection with a change in control. These agreements and plans are summarized below.

Employment and Severance Agreements

Mr. Bowman

In August 2009, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bowman, currently effective through August 7, 2013 and automatically renewable for subsequent two-year periods unless Mr. Bowman or the Company give notice of termination six months prior to the applicable termination date. The agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of $730,000 (subject to increase by the Compensation Committee) and an annual cash bonus based upon the achievement of performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee, as well as severance and other benefits, including a monthly car allowance and payment of life insurance premiums. In 2011, Mr. Bowman was also entitled to receive an award of shares with a fair market value equal to $65,667 (rounded down to the nearest whole share). The employment agreement also generally provides that Mr. Bowman is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.


Summary of Cash and Certain Other Compensation
The following table includes information concerning compensation paid to, or accrued by the Company for, our named executive officers at December 31, 2010.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
                                     
              Change in
    
              Pension
    
              Value and
    
            Non-Equity
 Nonqualified
    
            Incentive
 Deferred
 All
  
        Stock
 Option
 Plan
 Compensation
 Other
  
    Salary
 Bonus
 Awards
 Awards
 Compensation
 Earnings
 Compensation
 Total
Name and Principal Position
 Year ($) ($) ($)(1) ($)(1) ($) ($)(2) ($)(3) ($)
 
J.T. Bowman  2010  $730,000  $  $214,167  $  $507,871  $2,677  $111,852  $1,566,567 
President and Chief  2009   730,000      373,332      40,185   2,518   127,211   1,273,246 
Executive Officer  2008   700,000      577,500   636,900   595,831   381   95,490   2,606,102 
W.B. Swain  2010   400,000      89,100      203,363   22,193   18,908   733,564 
Executive Vice  2009   400,000      184,600      16,177   28,060   35,841   664,678 
President — Chief  2008   400,000      462,000      248,808      26,865   1,137,673 
Financial Officer                                    
I.V. Muress(4)  2010   617,035      59,400      290,498      79,423   1,046,356 
Executive Vice  2009   601,896      123,069      299,006      77,696   1,101,667 
President; Chief Executive  2008   759,957      308,000      515,506      98,807   1,682,270 
Officer — EMEA/A-P                                    
D.A. Isaac  2010   647,500      523,620      600,000      5,012,537   6,783,657 
Executive Vice  2009   630,000                  2,477,220   3,107,220 
President; Chief Executive  2008   630,000                  2,259,564   2,889,564 
Officer — The Garden City Group, Inc                                    
A.W. Nelson  2010   425,000      89,100      216,073   420   14,188   744,781 
Executive Vice  2009   425,000      231,775      17,188   552   9,050   683,565 
President — General  2008   425,000      462,000      264,357   97   43,445   1,194,899 
Counsel; Corporate Secretary and Chief
Administrative Officer
                                    
(1)The values of equity-based awards in this column represent the grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with ASC 718. However, pursuant to SEC rules these values are not reduced by an estimate for the probability of forfeiture. See Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report for year ended December 31, 2010 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.
(2)Represents the following amounts for 2010: (i) Mr. Bowman: $2,677 earnings from the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan; (ii) Mr. Swain: $4,227 earnings from the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan and $17,966 actuarial increase in pension value; and (iii) Mr. Nelson: $420 earnings from the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Due to a clerical error, prior years’ amounts were not previously disclosed.
(3)Represents the following amounts for 2010: (i) Mr. Bowman: a $11,025 Company contribution to the Crawford Savings and Investment Plan; a $75,000 Company contribution to the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan; $2,545 in country club dues; a $16,320 automobile allowance; and a $6,962 premium payment on term life insurance; (ii) Mr. Swain: a $11,025 Company contribution to the Crawford Savings and Investment Plan; a $7,703 Company contribution to the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan; and a $180 premium payment on term life insurance; (iii) Mr. Muress: a $61,699 Company contribution to the U.K. pension fund; and a $17,724 automobile allowance; (iv) Mr. Isaac: $4,989,983 in commissions paid pursuant to his employment agreement, and as described in more detail below under “Employment andChange-in-Control Arrangements;” a $9,800 Company contribution to a 401(k) Investment Plan; a $12,000 automobile allowance; and a $754 premium payment on term life insurance; and (v) Mr. Nelson: a $6,431 Company contribution to the Crawford Savings and Investment Plan; a $5,166 Company contribution to the Crawford Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan; $2,411 in country club dues; and a $180 premium payment on term life insurance.
(4)Compensation for Mr. Muress is paid in British pounds sterling and converted to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate in effect for each particular year. Amounts paid are determined based on payments in the fiscal year of the Company, and not the fiscal year of the Company’s international subsidiaries, which may differ from the fiscal year of the Company.


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Grant of Plan-Based Awards
The Company maintains the Executive Stock Bonus Plan under which awards of performance share units, restricted stock or stock options may be granted to specified employees of the Company. Non-equity incentive plan cash awards are paid pursuant to the Company’s STIP. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to awards granted during or for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 to each of our named executive officers.
                                         
                             Grant
 
                       All
  All
  Date
 
              Estimated Possible
  Other
  Other
  Fair
 
     Estimated Possible
  Payouts Under Equity
  Stock Awards:
  Option Awards:
  Value
 
     Payouts Under Non-Equity
  Incentive Plan
  Number of
  Number of
  of Stock
 
     Incentive Plan Awards  Awards(2)  Shares of
  Securities
  and
 
Name and
 Grant
  Threshold
  Target
  Maximum
  Threshold
  Target
  Maximum
  Stock or
  Underlying
  Option
 
Position
 Date  ($)  ($)  ($)  (#)  (#)  (#)  Units (#)  Options(#)  Awards 
 
J. T. Bowman  2/19/10  $  $  $   25,000   50,000   100,000        $148,500 
J. T. Bowman  12/31/10                     27,023(3)     65,667 
J. T. Bowman(1)  2/19/10      237,250   593,125                   
W. B. Swain  2/19/10            15,000   30,000   60,000         89,100 
W. B. Swain(1)  2/19/10      95,000   237,500                   
I. V. Muress  2/19/10            10,000   20,000   40,000         59,400 
I. V. Muress(1)  2/19/10      291,406   582,812                   
D. A. Isaac(4)     250,000   400,000   600,000                   
A. W. Nelson  2/19/10            15,000   30,000   60,000         89,100 
A. W. Nelson(1)  2/19/10      100,938   252,344                   
(1)Represents the potential payout of awards granted under the STIP. These awards were subject to the attainment of certain performance targets. The performance targets and target award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.” Actual amounts paid under the plan to the named executive officers are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.
(2)Represents the potential number of performance share units payable under the LTIP. These awards were subject to the attainment of certain performance targets. The performance targets and target award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Long-Term Incentive Compensation.” Actual amounts paid under the plan to the named executive officers are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Stock Awards” column.
(3)Represents stock grant per the terms of Mr. Bowman’s employment agreement.
(4)Represents the potential payout of previously approved incentive awards in accordance with the terms of Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement entered into in 2006.


23


Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2010
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the outstanding equity awards at December 31, 2010 for each of our named executive officers.
                                     
  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
                          Equity
 
                          Incentive
 
                       Equity
  Plan Awards:
 
                       Incentive
  Market or
 
                       Plan Awards:
  Payout
 
        Equity
           Market
  Number of
  Value of
 
        Incentive
           Value of
  Unearned
  Unearned
 
        Plan Awards:
        Number
  Shares or
  Shares,
  Shares,
 
  Number of
  Number of
  Number of
        of Shares
  Units of
  Units or
  Units or
 
  Securities
  Securities
  Securities
        or Units
  Stock
  Other
  Other
 
  Underlying
  Underlying
  Underlying
  Option
     of Stock
  That
  Rights
  Rights
 
  Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Unexercised
  Exercise
  Option
  That
  Have Not
  That Have
  That Have
 
  Options (#)
  Options (#)
  Unearned
  Price
  Expiration
  Have Not
  Vested
  Not Vested
  Not Vested
 
Name
 Exercisable  Unexercisable  Options(#)  ($)  Date  Vested (#)  ($)(6)  (#)  ($)(6) 
 
J. T. Bowman(1)  13,000        $10.00   1/30/2011     $     $ 
   22,500         8.82   1/29/2012             
   15,000         4.70   1/28/2013             
   30,000         6.66   2/3/2014             
   125,200         6.36   9/15/2014             
   166,667   83,333(2)     4.40   5/6/2018             
                  450(3)  1,094       
                  18,055(3)  43,874       
                  33,333(4)  80,999       
                  10,000(5)  24,300       
W. B. Swain  8,000         10.00   1/30/2011             
   7,500         8.82   1/29/2012             
   5,000         4.70   1/28/2013             
   10,000         6.66   2/3/2014             
                  300(3)  729       
                  10,833(3)  26,324       
                  20,000(4)  48,600       
                  1,200(3)  2,916       
I. V. Muress  10,000         5.20   10/29/2012             
   5,000         4.70   1/28/2013             
   10,000         6.66   2/3/2014             
                  150(3)  365       
                  7,222(3)  17,549       
                  13,333(4)  32,399       
D. A. Isaac  2,000         10.00   1/30/2011             
   3,000         9.70   4/24/2011             
   4,500         8.82   1/29/2012             
   3,000         4.70   1/28/2013             
   20,000         6.66   2/3/2014             
A. W. Nelson                 450(3)  1,094       
                  10,833(3)  26,324       
                  20,000(4)  48,600       
(1)Excludes shares of Class A Common Stock with a fair market value of $65,667 which will be deemed awarded, earned and vested for accounting purposes on December 31, 2011 in accordance with the terms of Mr. Bowman’s employment agreement.
(2)Remaining shares will become exercisable on May 6, 2011.
(3)Remaining shares vest on December 31, 2011.
(4)Remaining shares vest in equal installments on December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.
(5)Remaining shares vested on January 1, 2011.
(6)Based on the per share closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2010 of $2.43.


24


Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information concerning stock awards vested during the most recent fiscal year with respect to the named executive officers.
                 
  Option Awards(1)  Stock Awards 
  Number of
     Number of
    
  Shares Acquired
  Value Realized
  Shares Acquired
  Value Realized
 
Name
 on Exercise (#)  on Exercise ($)  on Vesting (#)  on Vesting ($) 
 
J. T. Bowman        122,945  $298,757 
W. B. Swain        52,533   127,655 
I. V. Muress        59,289   144,072 
D. A. Isaac        78,000   189,540 
A. W. Nelson        51,533   125,225 
(1)None of the named executive officers exercised stock options in 2010.
Pension Benefits at December 31, 2010
The Company maintains a non-contributory Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”) for the benefit of substantially all of the U.S. employees of the Company who were employed on or before December 31, 2002. The Retirement Plan provides for annual retirement benefits at a normal retirement age of 65 (the “Normal Retirement Age”) equal to 2% of the participant’s total compensation (as defined in the Retirement Plan) for all credited years of service under the Plan. The benefits are not affected by Social Security benefits payable to the participant; however, they are actuarially reduced for retirements before the Normal Retirement Age or if the retiree selects benefits other than an individual life-time annuity. Credited years of service under the Retirement Plan for Mr. Swain is 10 years. Of our named executive officers, only Mr. Swain participates in the Retirement Plan. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the Retirement Plan were frozen. In place of the accruals under the now frozen Retirement Plan, the Company may make a discretionary contribution to the Company’s Defined Contribution Plan (the “Defined Contribution Plan”) for eligible employees based on years of service, compensation and the Company’s financial results. The following table provides information concerning the pension benefits at December 31, 2010 with respect to the named executive officers.
                 
        Present
    
     Number of
  Value of
  Payments
 
     Years of
  Accumulated
  During Last
 
     Credited
  Benefits
  Fiscal Year
 
Name
 
Plan Name
  Service (#)  ($)  ($) 
 
J. T. Bowman        $  $ 
W. B. Swain  Crawford & Company Retirement Plan   10   125,493    
I. V. Muress             
D. A. Isaac             
A. W. Nelson             
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The Company maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain executive officers to provide benefits that would otherwise be payable under the Retirement Planand/or Defined Contribution Plan but for limitations placed on covered compensation and benefits thereunder pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the SERP were also frozen as to the Retirement Plan. The SERP was amended to allow the Company, if it elects to make a discretionary contribution to the Defined Contribution Plan for eligible employees, to also make an additional SERP service contribution to the


25


Deferred Compensation Plan for participants in the SERP. The following table provides information concerning the nonqualified deferred compensation with respect to the named executive officers.
                     
  Executive
  Registrant
  Aggregate
  Aggregate
  Aggregate
 
  Contributions
  Contributions
  Earnings
  Withdrawals/
  Balance
 
  in Last FY
  in Last FY
  in Last FY
  Distributions
  at Last FYE
 
Name
 ($)(1)  ($)(2)  ($)  ($)  ($)(3) 
 
J. T. Bowman $  $75,000  $7,251     $193,186 
W. B. Swain  25,421   7,703   11,449      205,692 
I. V. Muress               
D. A. Isaac               
A. W. Nelson     5,166   1,139      23,384 
(1)These amounts were also included in “Salary” for 2010 in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)These amounts were also reported in “All Other Compensation” for 2010 in the Summary Compensation Table.
(3)Of these balances, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation in summary compensation tables in previous years’ proxy statements: Mr. Bowman — $102,650, Mr. Swain — $149,799 and Mr. Nelson - $14,364. This information is provided to clarify the extent to which these balances represent previously reported compensation (rather than additional, currently earned compensation).
EMPLOYMENT ANDCHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into various agreements with certain of the named executive officers that contain provisions regarding employment andchange-in-control, as described below:
J. T. Bowman:On August 7, 2009, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Bowman outlining his employment terms. The term of the employment agreement ends on August 6, 2011, subject to automatic two-year extensions, unless earlier terminated or not extended by either party. Mr. Bowman’s employment agreement specifies a six month prior written notice of termination, and neither Mr. Bowman nor the Company elected to exercise that right prior to February 7, 2011, thus Mr. Bowman’s contract will, on August 7, 2011, automatically extend for a two-year period, and will terminate on August 7, 2013 (unless further extended).
Under the employment agreement, if Mr. Bowman resigns for good reason (as defined in the agreement), if the Company terminates his employment without cause (as defined in the agreement), or if Mr. Bowman’s employment terminates within one year following a change in control (as defined in the agreement) for any reason other than cause, death or disability, Mr. Bowman will be entitled to the following:

payment of accrued compensation and benefits;

an amount equal to two times his base salary at termination;

24


a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus based on actual performance;

reimbursement for group health plan costs for 18 months following termination, or, if earlier, until Mr. Bowman becomes eligible for other group health benefits; and

immediate vesting of all outstanding stock options (which will remain exercisable for 90 days from the termination date).

Payment and benefits under the employment agreement are subject to Mr. Bowman signing a restrictive covenant agreement and release. In addition, the employment agreement contains non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants, as well as to certain other covenants, for specified periods after the termination of employment.

In the event any payments made to Mr. Bowman would be subject to the excise tax imposed on “parachute” payments by the Internal Revenue Code, the Company will reduce the payments to Mr. Bowman so that no portion of the payments would be subject to the excise tax, but only if such a reduction would result in Mr. Bowman receiving a greater amount after taxes.

Mr. Swain

In October 2006, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Swain. The agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of $290,000, subject to increases from time to time, as well as other benefits, including a company provided car. The employment agreement also generally provides that Mr. Swain is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.

Mr. Muress

In January 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Muress, which automatically terminates when Mr. Muress turns 65, or normal retiring age applicable to directors from time to time. The agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of £150,000, inclusive of any directors’ fees payable to him and subject to increases from time to time, as well as severance and other benefits. The employment agreement also generally provides that Mr. Muress is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.

The employment agreement is terminable by either party with six months notice. If the Company terminates Mr. Muress’s employment without the requisite notice, subject to certain exceptions, Mr. Muress is entitled to receive a payment in the amount of his annual base salary at the time of the termination.

Mr. Isaac

Effective January 1, 2011, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Isaac. The employment agreement is effective through December 31, 2015, and automatically renews for successive one-year periods, unless advance notice of nonrenewal is given by either party during the then-current period. The agreement provides for an annual base salary of $700,000, annual commission payments of 3.1% of GCG’s gross fee revenues and annual and long-term incentive compensation, as well as severance and other benefits. The employment agreement also generally provides that Mr. Isaac is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.

If Mr. Isaac’s employment is terminated as a result of death or disability, he is entitled to receive:

continued payment of his base salary for a period of six months;

continued payment of commissions based on qualifying business initiated prior to his death or disability for two years following his termination;

payment of a pro rata portion of his annual incentive compensation for the year of death; and

continued payment of his annual incentive compensation for two years following his termination.

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If Mr. Isaac’s employment is terminated by Mr. Isaac for good reason (as defined in the agreement) or by the Company other than for cause (as defined in the agreement), and such termination is not within three months prior to or twelve months after a change in control (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Isaac is entitled to receive the following:

payment of his base salary, annual incentive compensation and commissions on revenue derived from qualifying business initiated prior to the termination for twelve months following termination; and

continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for twelve months.

If Mr. Isaac terminates his employment for good reason or the Company terminates his employment without cause, and such termination occurs within three months prior or twelve months after a change in control, Mr. Isaac is entitled to receive the same benefits described above for a period of eighteen months.

Receipt of termination payments and benefits under the employment agreement is conditioned on Mr. Isaac signing a general release. In addition, the employment agreement contains non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality and other restrictive covenants applicable during employment and for specified periods following termination of employment.

In the event that the Company divests all (or substantially all) of its interest in GCG, Mr. Isaac will be entitled to a special bonus payment based on 3% of the net sales price of the interest that is sold.

In the event that payments to and benefits of Mr. Isaac would be subject to the excise tax imposed on certain “parachute” payments by the Internal Revenue Code, such payments and benefits will be reduced by the amount necessary to avoid the excise tax.

Mr. Nelson

In November 2005, the Company entered into a change-in-control and severance agreement with Mr. Nelson. This agreement provides that if Mr. Nelson’s employment is terminated in connection with a change in control or for any reason other than cause, Mr. Nelson will be entitled to the following:

an amount equal to his annual base salary at the time of his termination;

an amount equal to the prorated portion of any bonuses or incentives, based on actual performance, for the performance period in which the termination occurs;

continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for eighteen months; and

accelerated vesting of all outstanding option awards, which will be exercisable for 90 days following the date of termination.

Payment and benefits under the agreement are subject to Mr. Nelson agreeing to mutually acceptable confidentiality, non-solicitation, cooperation and other reasonable and customary provisions at the time of his termination.

Equity Incentive Plans and Awards

LTIP awards issued the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan are subject to accelerated vesting in the event of an executive’s termination of employment as a result of death, disability, retirement or separation from service in connection with a change-in-control of the Company. In the event of an executive’s termination of employment as a result of death, disability or retirement, the executive’s unvested earned performance awards are fully vested as of the date such awards would have otherwise become vested had the executive remained employed by the Company. In the event of an executive’s termination of employment in connection with a change-in-control of the Company, the executive’s unvested earned performance awards are vested on a pro-rata basis (based on the elapsed time of the vesting period) as of the date of such change-in-control.

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Pension and Other Benefits

Upon retirement or other termination of employment, the certain named executive officers are entitled to pension and other retirement benefits under the Retirement Plan and SERP. See “Executive Compensation — Pension Benefits” for information about the pension and other retirement benefits payable to the named executive officers under the Retirement Plan and SERP. In addition, upon termination of employment due to disability, our executives are entitled to disability benefits under Company sponsored disability plans.

Termination and Change-in-Control Table for 2011

The following table summarizes the compensation and other benefits that would have become payable to each of our named executive officers assuming their employment had terminated on December 31, 2011, given the named executive officer's base salary as of that date. In addition, the following table summarizes the compensation that would become payable to each of our named executive officers assuming that a change in control of the Company had occurred on December 31, 2011.

In reviewing this table, please note the following:

For amounts payable as stock awards, we assumed (i) unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest; (ii) unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest; and (iii) unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis. For additional information regarding the potential payouts, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Long-Term Incentive Compensation” and “Summary Compensation Table — Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

The amounts shown for stock awards were determined by reference to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2011 (the last trading day of 2011) of $4.07. We assumed out-of-the-money options were not exercised.

Life insurance program benefits payable upon death represent the death benefit payable to the officer’s beneficiaries by the life insurance company.

27


Benefits and Payments

  Change in
Control
   Termination
Without  Cause
  Termination for
Good Reason
  Retirement   Death   Disability 

J. T. Bowman

          

Cash Severance

  $1,460,000    $1,460,000   $1,460,000   $    $365,000    $365,000  

Stock Awards

   133,502     133,502    133,502    133,502     133,502     133,502  

Health Benefits

   (1   (1  (1              

Life Insurance

                     2,000,000       

Disability Benefits

                          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   1,593,502     1,593,502    1,593,502    133,502     2,498,502     498,502  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

W. B. Swain

          

Cash Severance

                            

Stock Awards

   40,700         40,700    40,700     40,700     40,700  

Life Insurance

                     600,000       

Disability Benefits

                          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   40,700         40,700    40,700     640,700     40,700  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

I.V. Muress

          

Cash Severance

   661,522     661,522                    

Stock Awards

   27,135         27,135    27,135     27,135     27,135  

Life Insurance

                            

Disability Benefits

                            
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   688,657     661,522    27,135    27,135     27,135     27,135  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

D. A. Isaac

          

Cash Severance

   (3   700,000(4)   700,000(4)        350,000     350,000  

Stock Awards

                            

Health Benefits

        (5  (5       (6   (6

Life Insurance

                     1,500,000       

Disability Benefits

                          (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        700,000    700,000         1,850,000     350,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A. W. Nelson

          

Cash Severance

   425,000     425,000                    

Stock Awards

   40,700         40,700    40,700     40,700     40,700  

Health Benefits

   (5   (5  (5              

Life Insurance

                     150,000       

Disability Benefits

                          (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   465,700     425,000    40,700    40,700     190,700     40,700  
  

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Mr. Bowman is entitled to an annual salary of $730,000 (subject to annual review and increase by the Compensation Committee) and is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus based upon the achievement of performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Bowman is also eligible to receive long-term incentive awards as determined by the Compensation Committee. In addition, the Company agreed to grant Mr. Bowman restricted stock awards under the Executive Stock Bonus Plan with a fair market value equal to approximately $65,667 on each of December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, provided that, in order to receive such awards, Mr. Bowman must remain in the employ of the Company on each such date.

The employment agreement generally permits Mr. Bowman to participate in all employee benefit arrangements available to members of management of the Company. Further, under the employment agreement, Mr. Bowman is entitled to receive a monthly car allowance, and will also receive payment of premiums on a term life insurance policy with a face amount of not less than $2 million (or such lesser amount that can be purchased for the standard rate cost of a $2 million policy). Per the terms of the agreement, the Company made a discretionary contribution equal to $33,000 to Mr. Bowman’s account under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Beginning on January 1, 2010, and each year thereafter that Mr. Bowman remains employed by the Company on January 1 of such calendar year, the Company will make a contribution to Mr. Bowman’s account under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan that is equal to (i) the greater of (a) $75,000 or (b) 3.5% of Mr. Bowman’s cash compensation plus 2.5% of Mr. Bowman’s excess compensation (each as defined in the Deferred Compensation Plan) for such year, reduced by (ii) the lesser of the Company’s matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan or the limit on elective deferrals under the Internal Revenue Code.
Under the employment agreement, if Mr. Bowman resigns for “good reason,” or if the Company terminates his employment without “cause” or if Mr. Bowman’s employment terminates for any reason (other than for cause or due to his death or disability) within one year following a “change in control,” subject to Mr. Bowman signing a


26


restrictive covenants agreement and release, Mr. Bowman will be entitled to the following: (i) payment of accrued compensation and benefits; (ii) an amount equal to two times his base salary at termination, (iii) a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus and incentives based on actual performance, (iv) reimbursement for group health plan costs for 18 months following termination, of employment, or until Mr. Bowman becomes eligible for other group health benefits; and (v) immediate vestingbenefits.

(2)

Disability payments of all outstanding stock options (which will remain exercisable for 90 days from the termination date).

$11,500 per month would be payable through age 65.

(3)

In the event any payments made to Mr. Bowman would be subject to the excise tax imposed on “parachute” payments by the Internal Revenue Code,that the Company divests all (or substantially all) of its interest in GCG, Mr. Isaac will reduce the paymentsbe entitled to Mr. Bowman so that no portiona special bonus payment based on 3% of the payments would be subject to the excise tax, but only if such a reduction would result in Mr. Bowman receiving a greater amount after taxes. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Bowman has agreed to certain covenants which impose restrictions on the solicitation of employees and customers, protect certain confidential informationnet sales price of the Company, and require cooperation in litigation, as well as to certain other covenants, for specified periods after the termination of employment.

In connection with Mr. Bowman being named CEO, the Committee also granted to Mr. Bowman a stock option to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, which vests at a rate of 331/3% per year, beginning on May 6, 2009.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides certain information about amounts potentially payable to Mr. Bowman in the event of his termination or upon a change in control of the Company and assumes such event occurred on December 31, 2010.
                             
Payments and
 Termination Upon
  Termination
  Termination
             
Benefits upon
 Change in
  Without
  for Good
           All Other
 
Termination
 Control(5)  Cause(5)  Reason(4)  Retirement  Death  Disability  Terminations 
 
Compensation:
                            
Base Salary $1,460,000  $1,460,000  $1,460,000  $  $365,000  $365,000    
Stock Awards(7)  215,932(1)(2)(3)(4)  125,966(3)(4)  215,932(1)(2)(3)  215,932(1)(3)  215,932(1)(3)  215,932(1)(3)    
Benefits and Perquisites:
                            
Life Insurance              2,000,000       
Disability Benefits                 (6)   
                             
Total
 $1,675,932  $1,585,966  $1,675,932  $215,932  $2,580,932  $580,932(6)   
interest that is sold.

(1)Unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest.
(2)Unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis.
(3)Unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest.

(4)Unvested stock options will fully vest.
(5)Prior to the compensation amounts being paid and awards vesting, the Company and Mr. Bowman must agree to mutually acceptable terms of confidentiality, non-solicitation and cooperation, as well as other reasonable and customary terms of a severance agreement. Mr. Bowman would also be entitled to a prorated portion of any bonuses or incentives, based on actual performance, for the performance period during which the termination occurs. If Mr. Bowman timely elects continued medical coverage under COBRA, he and his covered dependents are entitled to reimbursement for group health plan costs for 18 months following termination of employment, or until Mr. Bowman becomes eligible for other group health benefits.
(6)Mr. Bowman would also be entitled to disability payments totaling $11,500 per month, payable though age 65.
(7)Based on the December 31, 2010 closing price of $2.43 per share for Class A Common Stock; assumesout-of-the-money options are not exercised.


27


W. B. Swain:On October 6, 2006, the Company issued a letter agreement outlining employment terms with Mr. Swain. The letter agreement set Mr. Swain’s initial annual base salary at $290,000, subject to increases from time to time, and indicated his eligibility to participate in all other executive benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s senior officers. Mr. Swain’s base salary is currently $400,000. Mr. Swain’s letter agreement also awarded a restricted stock grant of 6,000 shares of Class A Common Stock under the provisions of the Executive Stock Bonus Plan, which vests at a rate of 20% per year. Currently, 4,800 shares of Class A Common Stock have vested under the terms of that award.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides certain information about amounts potentially payable to Mr. Swain in the event of his termination or upon a change in control of the Company and assumes such event occurred on December 31, 2010.
                         
  Termination
                
Payments and
 Upon Change
  Termination
             
Benefits upon
 in
  Without
           All Other
 
Termination
 Control  Cause  Retirement  Death  Disability  Terminations 
 
Compensation:
                        
Stock Awards(5) $78,569(1)(2)(3) $2,916(3) $78,569(1)(3) $78,569(1)(3) $78,569(1)(3)   
Benefits and Perquisites:
                        
Life Insurance           600,000       
Disability Benefits              (4)   
                         
Total
 $78,569  $2,916  $78,569  $678,569  $78,569    
(1)Unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest.
(2)Unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis.
(3)Unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest.
(4)Mr. Swain would also be entitled to disability payments totaling $11,500 per month, payable though age 65.
(5)Based on the December 31, 2010 closing price of $2.43 per share for Class A Common Stock; assumesout-of-the-money options are not exercised.
I. V. Muress:On January 16, 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Muress outlining his employment terms. The employment agreement set Mr. Muress’ annual base salary at £150,000 per year inclusive of any directors’ fees payable to him, which was subject to increases from time to time. Mr. Muress’ annual base salary is currently £391,834 per year. Based on the 2010 average rate of exchange between the British pound and the U.S. dollar, Mr. Muress’ base salary is equivalent to $601,896. The employment agreement also provides for Mr. Muress’ participation in a U.K. contributory pension plan, as well as other perquisites and participation in certain executive benefit and incentive plans which are generally offered to the Company’s other senior officers. The employment agreement also subjects Mr. Muress to certain confidentiality, solicitation and non-competition restrictions and requirements. The Company may at any time and in its absolute discretion terminate the employment agreement with immediate effect and make a termination payment in lieu of notice. This termination payment will consist solely of Mr. Muress’ base salary (at the rate payable when the notice is given) and will not include any bonus, pension contributions or any other benefits, and will be subject to deductions for income tax and national insurance contributions.


28


POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides certain information about amounts potentially payable to Mr. Muress in the event of his termination or upon a change in control of the Company and assumes such event occurred on December 31, 2010.
                         
  Termination
                
Payments and
 Upon
  Termination
             
Benefits upon
 Change in
  Without
           All Other
 
Termination
 Control(5)  Cause(5)  Retirement  Death  Disability  Terminations 
 
Compensation:
                        
Base Salary $601,896  $601,896  $  $  $    
Stock Awards(5)  50,313(1)(2)(3)(4)  (3)(4)  50,313(1)(3)  50,313(1)(3)  50,313(1)(3)   
Benefits and Perquisites:
                        
Life Insurance           3,039,828       
Disability Benefits              664,962    
                         
Total
 $652,209  $601,896  $50,313  $3,090,141  $715,275    
(1)Unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest.
(2)Unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis.
(3)Unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest.
(4)Unvested stock options will fully vest.
(5)Based on the December 31, 2010 closing price of $2.43 per share for Class A Common Stock; assumesout-of-the-money options are not exercised.
D. A. Isaac:Effective as of January 1, 2006, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Isaac. The employment agreement originally provided that it would terminate on December 31, 2010, however the term automatically renews for successive one year periods unless cancelled prior to the end of the then-current period pursuant to its terms. Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement automatically renewed and will terminate on December 31, 2011 (unless further renewed). The employment agreement set Mr. Isaac’s initial annual base salary at $600,000. Mr. Isaac’s current base salary is $700,000.
Pursuant to certain negotiated terms, the employment agreement provides for annual incentive compensation based on growth in GCG’s pretax income. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a minimum annual incentive payment of $250,000 if GCG’s pretax income grows by at least 10% over the average of the previous 3 years’ pretax income. Mr. Isaac is entitled to an annual incentive payment of $400,000 if GCG’s pretax income grows by at least 15% over the average of the past 3 years’ pretax income. Mr. Isaac is entitled to a maximum annual incentive payment of $600,000 if GCG’s pretax income grows by at least 20% over the average of the previous 3 years’ pretax income.
The employment agreement also provided for a restricted stock grant of 25,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock under the Executive Stock Bonus Plan, which grant vested as of January 1, 2007. The employment agreement further provided for a performance share unit grant of up to 312,000 units under the Executive Stock Bonus Plan, with any earned portion of the award payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. Mr. Isaac was awarded 250,000 performance share units in 2006 and was awarded 62,000 performance share units in 2007.
Based on applicable performance goals negotiated with Mr. Isaac at the time of entry into his employment agreement, Mr. Isaac was eligible to earn up to 312,000 additional performance share units based on certain performance metrics. Based on actual performance, Mr. Isaac earned all 312,000 performance share units.
Mr. Isaac earned 234,000 of these performance share units based on GCG pre-tax income growth for the2006-2008 period. As allowed by the employment agreement, in 2009 Mr. Isaac elected a distribution of 150,000 shares of the 234,000 shares earned in the 2006-period. The remaining 84,000 of earned but undistributed shares will be distributed to Mr. Isaac in 2011. Mr. Isaac earned the balance of the 78,000 unearned performance share units based on GCG pre-tax income growth for the period beginning on January 1, 2006 and ending on


29


December 31, 2010. He received a distribution of 162,000 shares in 2011, representing the balance of the award earned.
Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement also provides for annual commission payments of 3% of GCG’s gross fee revenues, and that he is eligible to participate in all other executive benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s senior officers.
Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement provides for (i) continued payment of his base salary, for a period of 6 months following his death or disability, (ii) continued payment of the commission amountsannual incentive compensation and commissions on revenue derived from qualifying business initiated prior to his death or disabilitythe termination for a period of 2 years following his death or disability, and (iii) payment of a pro rata portion of his annual incentive compensation and performance share units through the date of his termination of employment due to death or disability. The employment agreement provides that in the event that Mr. Isaac’s employment with the Company is terminated either by Mr. Isaac for “good reason” or by the Company without cause, and such termination is not within 3 months prior to or 12 months after a “change in control,” the Company will (i) continue payment of Mr. Isaac’s base salary for a period of 12twelve months following his termination, continue payment of the commission amounts on revenue derived from qualifying business initiated prior to Mr. Isaac’s termination for a period of 12 months following Mr. Isaac’s termination, and payment of a pro rata portion of Mr. Isaac’s performance share units through the date of his termination of employment. Additionally, the Company will provide continuationtermination.

(5)

Continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for a period of 12 months, under COBRA. The employment agreement also provides that in the event that Mr. Isaac’s employment with the Company is terminated either by Mr. Isaac for “good reason” or by the Company without cause, and such termination is within 3 months prior to or 12 months after a “change in control,” the Company will (i) continue payment of Mr. Isaac’s base salary for a period of 18 months following his termination, continue payment of the commission amounts on revenue derived from business initiated prior to Mr. Isaac’s termination for a period of 18 months following Mr. Isaac’s termination, and payment of a pro rata portion of Mr. Isaac’s performance share units through the date of his termination of employment. Additionally, the Company will provide continuationeighteen months.

(6)

Continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for a periodtwelve months.

(7)

Short-term disability payments of 18$31,500 per month for 6 months, under COBRA.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides certain information about amounts potentiallyfollowed by long-term disability payments of $15,000 per month, would be payable to Mr. Isaacthrough age 65.

28


REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s executive compensation programs are administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

E. JENNER WOOD, III, CHAIRMAN

CHARLES H. OGBURN

JAMES D. EDWARDS

HARSHA V. AGADI

29


STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

Security Ownership of Management

The following table sets forth information, as of March 7, 2012, as to shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by each current director, each of the named executive officers, and all current directors and executive officers as of such date as a group. As of March 7, 2012, there were 29,557,554 shares of Class A Common Stock and 24,697,172 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

  Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership(1)
  Percent of
Total Shares
Outstanding(2)
 

Name

 Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B 

Harsha V. Agadi

  96,142              

P. George Benson(3)

  72,786              

Jeffrey T. Bowman(4)

  771,261        2.6    

Jesse C. Crawford(5)

  12,164,539    12,836,881    41.2    52.0

James D. Edwards(6)

  75,786    2,000          

Russel L. Honoré

  36,786              

Joia M. Johnson

  18,462    8,700          

Charles H. Ogburn(7)

  201,422              

E. Jenner Wood, III(8)(9)

  70,536              

W. Bruce Swain(10)

  174,628              

Ian V. Muress(11)

  134,652              

David A. Isaac(12)

  227,694    2,038          

Allen W. Nelson

  142,908              

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
(22 persons)(13)

  14,837,376    12,852,212    50.2    52.0  

(1)

Except as otherwise indicated in the event of his termination or uponfollowing footnotes, the persons possessed sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares set forth opposite their names.

(2)

Except where a change in controlpercentage is specified, the person’s ownership represents less than 1% of the Company and assumes such event occurred on December 31, 2010.

                         
Payments and
 Termination
  Termination
  Termination
          
Benefits upon
 Upon Change in
  Without
  for Good
        All Other
 
Termination
 Control(1)  Cause(1)  Reason(1)  Death(1)  Disability(1)  Terminations 
 
Compensation:
                        
Base Salary $1,050,000  $700,000  $700,000  $350,000  $350,000    
Incentives                  
Commissions  (2)  (3)  (3)  (4)  (4)   
Stock Awards(7)                  
Benefits and Perquisites:
                        
Life Insurance           1,500,000       
Disability Benefits              (5)   
TaxGross-up
  (6)  (6)  (6)  (6)  (6)  (6)
                         
Total
 $1,050,000  $700,000  $700,000  $1,850,000  $350,000    
(1)Mr. Isaac’s compensation amountsoutstanding shares. Shares not outstanding which are subject to a claw-back provision in the event he violates the terms of the non-competition, non-disclosure or non-disparagement provisions of his employment agreement.
(2)Mr. Isaac’s commission payments continue for a period of 18 months following terminations related to a change in control.
(3)Mr. Isaac’s commission payments continue for a period of 1 year following terminations either without “cause” or for “good reason.”


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(4)Mr. Isaac’s commission payments continue for a period of 2 years following terminations related to death or disability.
(5)Mr. Isaac would also be entitled to short-term disability payments of $31,500 per month for 6 months, followed by long-term disability payments of $15,000 per month, payable though age 65.
(6)Termination payments are limited to the maximum amount payable without triggering excise tax obligations under section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.
(7)Based on the December 31, 2010 closing price of $2.43 per share for Class A Common Stock; assumesout-of-the-money options are not exercised.
A. W. Nelson:On September 20, 2005, the Company issued a letter agreement outlining employment terms with Mr. Nelson. The letter agreement set Mr. Nelson’s initial annual base salary at $250,000, which was subject to increase from time to time; Mr. Nelson’s annual base salary is currently $425,000. The letter agreement provided foroptions exercisable within sixty (60) days by a grant of 5,000 shares of restricted stock of the Company’s Class A Common Stock under the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan, vesting at a rate of 20% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. Currently, all 5,000 shares of the grant have vested. Mr. Nelson’s letter agreement also provides that he will be eligible to participate in all other executive benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s senior officers. On November 22, 2005, the Company entered into a Change of Control and Severance Agreement with Mr. Nelson. The agreement provides thatnamed individual or persons in the event Mr. Nelson’s employment withgroup are deemed to be outstanding for the Company is terminated due to the Company being bought or sold such that there is a change in control, or if Mr. Nelson’s employment is terminated other than for cause, the Company agrees to provide one (1) yearpurposes of Mr. Nelson’s then current base salary. Additionally, all stock options granted to Mr. Nelson will immediately vest and become exercisable for a ninety (90) day period following the datecomputing percentage ownership of termination. The agreement also provides that, prior to the severance amounts being paid and options vesting, the Company and Mr. Nelson agree to mutually acceptable terms of confidentiality, non-solicitation, cooperation and other reasonable and customary terms of a severance agreement at the time of his termination of employment.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
The following table provides certain information about amounts potentially payable to Mr. Nelson in the event of his termination or upon a change in control of the Company and assumes such event occurred on December 31, 2010.
                     
  Termination
             
  Upon
             
Payments and
 Change
  Termination
          
Benefits upon
 in
  Without
        All Other
 
Termination
 Control(7)  Cause(7)  Death  Disability  Terminations 
 
Compensation:
                    
Base Salary $425,000  $425,000  $  $    
Stock Awards(6)  76,018(1)(2)(3)(4)  (4)  76,018(1)(3)  76,018(1)(3)   
Benefits and Perquisites:
                    
Life Insurance         150,000       
Disability Benefits           (5)   
                     
Total
 $501,018  $425,000  $226,018  $76,018    
(1)Unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest.
(2)Unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis.
(3)Unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest.
(4)Unvested stock options will fully vest.
(5)Mr. Nelson would also be entitled to disability payments totaling $11,500 per month, payable though age 65.
(6)Based on the December 31, 2010 closing price of $2.43 per share for Class A Common Stock; assumesout-of-the-money options are not exercised.
(7)Prior to the compensation amounts being paid and awards vesting, the Company and Mr. Nelson must agree to mutually acceptable terms of confidentiality, non-solicitation and cooperation, as well as other reasonable and customary terms of a severance agreement.


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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Company’s executive compensation programs are administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) ofRegulation S-K with management and based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
E. JENNER WOOD, III, CHAIRMAN
CHARLES H. OGBURN
JAMES D. EDWARDS
HARSHA V. AGADI


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STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
Security Ownership of Management
The following table sets forth information, as of March 1, 2011, as tooutstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by each current directorsuch individual or nominee for election as a director, each of the named executive officers, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. As of March 1, 2011, there were 28,782,546

(3)

Includes 36,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 24,697,172subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012.

(4)

Includes 420,200 shares of Class BA Common Stock outstanding.

                 
     Percent of
 
  Amount and Nature of
  Total Shares
 
  Beneficial Ownership(1)  Outstanding(2) 
Name
 Class A  Class B  Class A  Class B 
 
Harsha V. Agadi  47,782          
P. George Benson(3)  65,793          
Jeffrey T. Bowman(4)  628,437      2.2%   
Jesse C. Crawford(5)  12,135,846   12,835,881   42.2   52.0%
James D. Edwards(6)  68,793   2,000       
Russel L. Honoré  29,793          
Joia M. Johnson  10,169          
Charles H. Ogburn(7)  130,420          
Clarence H. Ridley(8)  71,793   7,000       
E. Jenner Wood, III(3)(9)  66,543          
W. Bruce Swain(10)  147,041          
Ian V. Muress(11)  110,422          
David A. Isaac(12)  230,149   2,038       
Allen W. Nelson  109,349          
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (23 persons)(13)  14,390,574   12,849,512   50.0   52.0 
subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012.

(1)Except as otherwise indicated in the following footnotes, the persons possessed sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares set forth opposite their names.
(2)Except where a percentage is specified, the person’s ownership represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares. Shares not outstanding which are subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days by a named individual or persons in the group are deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of computing percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by such individual or the group.
(3)Includes 36,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
(4)Includes 359,366 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
(5)Includes 30,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by Jesse C. Crawford include 53,691 shares held in trust for his son over which he has sole voting and shared dispositive power, 379,921 shares held by Crawford Partners L.P. over which he shares voting and dispositive power, 7,392,091 shares held in the Estate of Virginia C. Crawford over which he has sole voting power and shared dispositive power and 3,524,409 shares held in four Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts over which his spouse has sole voting and dispositive power.

(5)

Includes 27,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by Jesse C. Crawford include 53,691 shares held in trust for his son over which he has sole voting and shared dispositive power, 7,392,091 shares held in the Estate of Virginia C. Crawford over which he has sole voting power and shared dispositive power, 3,049,406 shares held in three Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) over which his wife is trustee and he has no voting power, but has indirect dispositive power pursuant to a substitution power in the GRATs, and 275,000 shares held in an irrevocable trust over which his wife is trustee and he has no voting powers, but has indirect dispositive power pursuant to a substitution power in the trust. See Note (2) to the table set forth under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” below with respect to the Class B Common Stock.

(6)Includes 39,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.


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(7)The shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Ogburn include 8,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held in an account in his spouse’s name over which he shares voting and dispositive power.
(8)Includes 42,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
(9)Mr. Wood is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division. Mr. Wood disclaims beneficial ownership in any shares held by SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, which shares are not reflected in the table. See “Information With Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.”
(10)Includes 22,500 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
(11)Includes 25,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
(12)Includes 30,500 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by David A. Isaac include 37,100 shares held in four trusts for his children over which he has no voting or dispositive power and 1,464 shares over which he shares voting and dispositive power. Mr. Isaac shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock shown as beneficially owned.
(13)Includes 7,835,167 shares of Class A Common Stock and 10,903,119 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which voting or dispositive power is shared and 742,866 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 1, 2011.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information concerning each person (including any “group” as the term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act) knownOwners” below with respect to the Company to be the “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined by the rules of the SEC, of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of March 1, 2011:
         
    Percentage of
   
  Amount and Nature of
 Class B Shares
   
Name and Address
 Beneficial Ownership Outstanding   
 
Jesse C. Crawford 12,835,881(1)(2)  52.0%  
Crawford Media Services, Inc.
6 West Druid Hills Drive, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
        
Crawford Partners, L.P.  10,466,931(1)  42.4   
55 Park Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
        
F&C Asset Management plc 1,938,359(3)  7.8   
80 George Street
Edinburgh EH2 3BU, United Kingdom
        
SunTrust Banks, Inc.  1,602,188(2)  6.5   
c/o SunTrust Bank
55 Park Place
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
        
Linda K. Crawford 1,459,977  5.9   
57 N. Green Bay Road
Lake Forest, Illinois 60045
        
Stock.

(1)

(6)The shares shown as beneficially owned by Jesse C. Crawford include 49,238 shares held in trust for his son over which he has sole voting and shared dispositive power; 10,466,931 shares held by Crawford Partners, L.P. over which he shares voting and dispositive power; and 384,912 shares in a trust over which he shares voting and dispositive power.


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(2)As of December 31, 2010. Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust Bank”) on January 28, 2011. According thereto, the shares are held by certain subsidiaries of SunTrust Bank in various fiduciary and agency capacities. SunTrust Bank has sole voting power with respect to 1,168,038 of such shares. SunTrust Bank has sole dispositive power with respect to 1,217,276 of such shares. SunTrust Bank disclaims any beneficial interest in any such shares. Included in the shares beneficially owned by SunTrust Bank are 384,912 shares held in a trust over which SunTrust Banks and Jesse C. Crawford share voting and dispositive power.
(3)As of December 31, 2010. Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by F&C Asset Management plc (“F&C”) on February 11, 2011. According thereto, F&C has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares.
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS
For information on the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy, please refer to the Audit Committee discussion under Standing Committees and Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings.
SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,602,188Includes 39,000 shares of Class BA Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of the CompanyMarch 7, 2012.

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(7)

The shares shown as of January 28, 2011. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Bank has advised us that it exercises voting authority with respect tobeneficially owned by Mr. Ogburn include 12,000 shares of Class BA Common Stock held in fiduciaryan account in his spouse’s name over which he shares voting and agency capacities. In the ordinary coursedispositive power.

(8)

Includes 33,000 shares of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, SunTrust Bank and its affiliates provide certain financial servicesClass A Common Stock subject to the Company. SunTrust Bank serves as the administrative agent for the Company’s credit facility and participates as a lender in the syndicationoptions exercisable within sixty (60) days of that credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship with SunTrust Bank, which also serves as trustee for the Crawford & Company Retirement Plan and the Crawford & Company Employee Disability Income Plan. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for payment of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. JennerMarch 7, 2012.

(9)

Mr. Wood III, a director of the Company, is Chairman, of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as Mr. Wood disclaims beneficial ownership in any shares held by SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of December 31, 2010. Onlyits subsidiaries, which shares are not reflected in the Company’stable. See “Information With Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.”

(10)

Includes 15,000 shares of Class A Common Stock is authorized for issuance under these plans. Allsubject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of the Company’s equity compensation plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

             
        Number of Securities
 
        Remaining Available for
 
  Number of Securities to
  Weighted-Average
  Future Issuance Under Equity
 
  be Issued Upon Exercise
  Exercise Price of
  Compensation Plans
 
  of Outstanding Options,
  Outstanding Options,
  (Excluding Securities Reflected
 
  Warrants and Rights
  Warrants And Rights
  in Column (a))
 
Plan Category
 (a)  (b)  (c) 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  2,655,978(1) $5.20(2)  7,837,130(3)
March 7, 2012.

(1)

(11)Shares issuable pursuant to the outstanding options under the Company’s stock option plans (1,680,555 shares), the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (311,294 shares), and the U.K. ShareSave Scheme (664,129 shares).
(2)Includes exercise prices for outstanding options under the Company’s stock option plans, the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and the U.K. ShareSave Scheme.


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(3)RepresentsIncludes 25,000 shares which may be issued under the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (787,343 shares), the Executive Stock Bonus Plan (4,665,153 shares), the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (1,384,634), and the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (1,000,000). Includes 27,023 shares that were granted and were earned but were not vested or issued at December 31, 2010. Excludes all share grants that were unearned at December 31, 2010.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and officers, and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC and the NYSE reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports are required, the Company believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2010, all of its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all applicable filing requirements, except for one late Form 4 filing, due to clerical error, for Mr. Ogburn pertaining to a single transaction involving the purchase of 4,840 shares Class A Common Stock.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
PriorStock subject to May 4, 2010,options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012.

(12)

Includes 23,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by David A. Isaac include 37,100 shares held in four trusts for his children over which he has no voting or dispositive power and 1,464 shares over which he shares voting and dispositive power. Mr. Isaac shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the Nominating/Corporate Governance/Compensation Committee consisted of Mr. J. Hicks Lanier (who did not stand for reelection at the 2010 Annual Meeting) and Messrs. Benson, Honoré and Wood. Beginning on May 4, 2010, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Wood, Ogburn, Edwards and Agadi (beginning September 7, 2010). None of the foregoing individuals were officers or employees of the Company. None of the members of the Compensation Committee serve as members of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,602,188 shares of Class B Common Stock shown as beneficially owned.

(13)

Includes 8,114,167 shares of the Company as of January 28, 2011. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Bank has advised us that it exercises voting authority with respect toClass A Common Stock and 10,903,119 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which voting or dispositive power is shared and 718,200 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 7, 2012. Also includes 100,726 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Kenneth F. Martino, who resigned as an executive officer as of March 20, 2012, and excludes 29,306 shares of Class A Common Stock held by Danielle M. Lisenbey, who was appointed as an executive officer as of March 20, 2012.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth certain information concerning each person (including any “group” as the term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act) known to the Company to be the “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined by the rules of the SEC, of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of March 7, 2012:

Name and Address

  Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
   Percentage of
Class B Shares
Outstanding

Jesse C. Crawford

Crawford Media Services, Inc.

6 West Druid Hills Drive, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30329

   12,836,881(1)(2)    52.0%

Crawford Partners, L.P.

55 Park Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

   10,466,931(3)    42.4

BlackRock, Inc.

40 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

   1,547,461(4)    6.3

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

303 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

   1,555,938(2)    6.3

Linda K. Crawford

57 N. Green Bay Road

Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

   1,459,977    5.9

(1)

The shares shown as beneficially owned by Jesse C. Crawford include 49,238 shares held in trust for his son over which he has sole voting and shared dispositive power and 384,912 shares held in a trust of which he shares voting and dispositive power.

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(2)

As of December 31, 2011. Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust Bank”) on February 8, 2012. According thereto, the shares are held by certain subsidiaries of SunTrust Bank in various fiduciary and agency capacities. In the ordinary course of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, SunTrust Bank and its affiliates provide certain financial serviceshas sole voting power with respect to the Company.1,121,788 of such shares. SunTrust Bank serves as the administrative agent for the Company’s credit facility and participates as a lenderhas sole dispositive power with respect to 1,171,026 of such shares. SunTrust Bank disclaims any beneficial interest in any such shares. Included in the syndication of that credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship withshares beneficially owned by SunTrust Bank are 384,912 shares held in a trust over which also serves as trustee for theSunTrust Banks and Jesse C. Crawford & Company Retirement Planshare voting and thedispositive power.

(3)

Mr. Crawford & Company Employee Disability Income Plan. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for paymenthas sole voting and dispositive power of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. Jenner Wood, III,shares held by Crawford Partners, L.P.

(4)

As of December 31, 2011. Based upon a director of the Company, is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, Central Group.

PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY VOTE APPROVING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provide shareholdersSchedule 13G filed with the right to vote to approve,SEC by BlackRock, Inc. on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosedFebruary 9, 2012. According thereto, BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares.

INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND

RELATED TRANSACTIONS

For information on the Company’s Related Party Transactions Policy, please refer to the Audit Committee discussion under “Standing Committees and Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings,” above.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,555,938 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of December 31, 2011. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Bank has advised us that it exercises voting authority with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock held in fiduciary and agency capacities. In the ordinary course of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, SunTrust Banks and its affiliates provide certain financial services to the Company. SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Banks, Inc., participates as a lender in the Company’s credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship with SunTrust Bank. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for payment of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. Jenner Wood, III, a director of the Company, is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth certain information concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2011. Only the Company’s Class A Common Stock is authorized for issuance under these plans. All of the Company’s equity compensation plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

Plan Category

  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights 
(b)
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under  equity
compensation Plans
(excluding securities reflected
in column (a))
(c)
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   2,108,215(1)    $5.04(2)     7,801,602(3)  

(1)

Shares issuable pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules ofoutstanding options under the SEC. This advisory stockholder vote is commonly referred toCompany’s stock option plans (1,347,655 shares), the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as the“say-on-pay” vote.


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Our executive compensation program has been designed to implement certain core compensation principles, including “pay for performance” and alignment of management’s interests with our shareholders’ interests to support long-term value creation. In the course of establishing our 2010 compensation programs and awarding compensation, our management and Compensation Committee determined what it considered appropriate levels and types of performance-based incentives to motivate our named executive officers to achieve short-term andlong-term business goals, after reviewing data and analyses regarding the median market compensationamended (116,794 shares), and the company’s business expectationsU.K. ShareSave Scheme (643,766 shares).

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(2)

Includes exercise prices for 2010. We believe that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately and is working to ensure management’s interests are aligned with our shareowners’ interests to support long-term value creation. Please readoutstanding options under the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, includingCompany’s stock option plans, the accompanying compensation tables and related narrative, of this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation philosophy and programs, including information about the fiscal year 2010 compensation of our named executive officers.

Thesay-on-pay vote gives you1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as a shareholder the opportunity to express your views on the compensation of our named executive officers. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation or our named executive officersamended, and the philosophy, objectives, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly,U.K. ShareSave Scheme.

(3)

Represents shares which may be issued under the Board of Directors recommends that shareholders approve1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (740,920 shares), the following advisory resolution:

“RESOLVED, thatExecutive Stock Bonus Plan (4,750,112 shares), the shareholders of Crawford & Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and any accompanying footnotes and narratives disclosed in this proxy statement.”
Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Compensation Committee, the Board or the Company. However, it will provide information to our management and Compensation Committee regarding investor sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices, which managementNon-Employee Director Stock Plan (1,310,570), and the Compensation Committee will be ableInternational Employee Stock Purchase Plan (1,000,000). Includes 16,134 shares that were granted and were earned but were not vested or issued at December 31, 2011. Excludes all share grants that were unearned at December 31, 2011.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and officers, and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial owners of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC and the NYSE reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by the SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports are required, the Company believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2011, all of its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all applicable filing requirements, except for: one late Form 4 filing for Mr. Crawford, two late Form 4 filings for Mr. Frawley, and one late Form 4 filing for Mr. Muress, all due to failure to timely provide transaction detail for accurate filing.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs. Wood, Ogburn, Edwards and Agadi. None of the foregoing individuals were officers or employees of the Company. None of the members of the Compensation Committee serve as members of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,555,938 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of December 31, 2011. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Bank has advised us that it exercises voting authority with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock held in fiduciary and agency capacities. In the ordinary course of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, SunTrust Banks and its affiliates provide certain financial services to the Company. SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Banks, Inc., participates as a lender in the Company’s credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship with SunTrust Bank. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for payment of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. Jenner Wood, III, a director of the Company, is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division.

PROPOSAL 2 — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Ernst & Young LLP has been selected by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to serve as independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year 2012. Ernst & Young has served as the independent auditor of the Company since the Company’s 2002 fiscal year. Although the selection and appointment of an independent auditor is not required to be submitted to a vote of shareholders, the Board of Directors has decided, as in the past, to ask the Company’s shareholders to ratify this appointment. Despite the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor and the ratification by the shareholders of that selection, the

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Audit Committee has the power at any time to select another auditor for 2012, without further shareholder action. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires, and to respond to appropriate questions. In addition, a report of the Audit Committee in connection with the independence of the auditor, as well as other matters, follows the Board’s recommendation on this matter below.

Fees Paid to Ernst & Young LLP

In addition to performing the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Ernst & Young LLP provides some other permitted services to the Company and its foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Ernst & Young LLP has advised the Company that it has billed or will bill the Company the below indicated amounts for the following categories of services for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

   2011   2010 

Audit fees(1)

  $2,724,045    $2,501,247  

Audit related fees(2)

   367,805     304,142  

Tax fees(3)

   403,676     499,374  

All other fees

          
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $3,495,526    $3,304,763  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

Audit fees include the annual financial statement audit, the audit of internal control over financial reporting, and statutory audits required internationally.

(2)

Audit related fees include: service organization control reports, accounting consultations, and attest services related to consider when determining executive compensation for the remainderacquisitions.

(3)

Tax fees consist principally of fiscal 2011 and beyond.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the advisory vote approving executive compensation.
PROPOSAL 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION VOTE
The Dodd-Frank Act and Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 also require us to provide shareholders the right to vote, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, on the frequency with which the Company should include an advisory vote on executive compensation, similar to that contained in Proposal 2, at future annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders may vote for a“say-on-pay” vote to occur every one, every two or every three years, or may abstain from voting.
The Board recommends that asay-on-pay shareholder advisory vote, similar to that contained in Proposal 2, be included in the Company’s proxy statement every two years.
As described in more detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this proxy statement, our executive compensation programs are designed to support, among other things, long-term value creation. At this critical stage for the Company, in light of continued economic uncertainty and its impact on our various business units, we believe an overly significant focus on the production of results in or for any one period could distract management from this value-creating, longer term focus.
In support of this position, our core compensation principles ensure management’s interests are aligned with those of our shareholders and, for that reason, we believe it is appropriate that a significant portion of compensation be “at risk” over a multi-year period. As a result, and to increase focus on longer term results, we grant equity awards with multi-year performance targets and service periods. Additionally, we thoroughly and carefully review and consider any proposed changes to our executive compensation programs prior to implementation in order to maintain consistency in approach and credibility in execution, which are critical to motivate and retain executive officers and other employees. Full and proper implementation and execution, and evidence thereof, is often a multi-year process.


37


Furthermore, we have a long history of shareholder engagement on various governance matters and initiatives, including executive compensation matters, which is a key component of our overall corporate governance. We maintain, and expect to continue to maintain, appropriate lines of communication with shareholders outside of the formal shareholder resolution process, which we believe reduces the need for and value of more frequent formal resolutions. We remain open and accountable to shareholders.
As a result of the foregoing, in order to most appropriately align the evidenced results and evaluation of our executive compensation programs, reduce the potential for management distraction and in light of our history of shareholder accountability, we believe that it is most appropriate, and recommend that the Company’s shareholders vote in support of, an advisory vote on executive compensation every TWO YEARS.
Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board or the Company. However, consistent with our record of shareholder engagement, we expect the Board to give due consideration to the preference selectedprofessional services rendered by a majority of shareholders when making a determination as to the frequency with which the Company will hold an advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote for “TWO YEARS” on the advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation.
PROPOSAL 4 — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
Ernst & Young LLP has been selected by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to serve as independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year 2011. Ernst & Young also served as the independent auditor of the Company for the Company’s 2008, 2009tax compliance and 2010 fiscal years. Although the selectiontax planning and appointment of an independent auditor is not required to be submitted to a vote of shareholders, the Board of Directors has decided, as in the past, to ask the Company’s shareholders to ratify this appointment. Despite the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor and the ratification by the shareholders of that selection, the Audit Committee has the power at any time to select another auditor for 2011, without further shareholder action. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires, and to respond to appropriate questions. In addition, a report of the Audit Committee in connection with the independence of the auditor, as well as other matters, follows the Board’s recommendation on this matter below.
Fees Paid to Ernst & Young LLP
In addition to performing the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Ernst & Young LLP provides some other permitted services to the Company and its foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Ernst & Young LLP has advised the Company that it has billed or will bill the Company the below indicated amounts for the following categories of services for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
         
  2010  2009 
 
Audit fees(1) $2,501,247  $2,382,560 
Audit related fees(2)  304,142   330,324 
Tax fees(3)  499,374   522,898 
All other fees      
         
Total $3,304,763  $3,235,782 
         
advice.

The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves in addition to all audit services, all non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor. On an ongoing basis, management communicates specific projects and categories of services to the Audit Committee on which advance approval is requested. The Audit Committee reviews these requests and votes by resolution its approval or rejection of such non-audit services after due deliberation.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor for 2012.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In fulfilling its responsibilities to review the Company’s financial reporting process, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent auditor the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committee, as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditor the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosure required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence

34


Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence. In determining the independence of the auditor, the Audit Committee has considered, among other matters, whether the provision of services, other than those related to the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s internal auditors and independent auditor the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors and independent auditor, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee further discussed those items contained in NYSE Listing Rules Section 303(A)(6) and otherwise complied with the obligations stated therein.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(1)Audit fees include the annual financial statement audit, the audit of internal control over financial reporting, and statutory audits required internationally.
(2)Audit related fees include: SAS 70 reports, accounting consultations, and attest services related to acquisitions.
(3)Tax fees consist principally of professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP for tax compliance and tax planning and advice.
The Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves in addition to all audit services, all non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor. On an ongoing basis, management communicates specific projects and categories


38


of services to the Audit Committee on which advance approval is requested. The Audit Committee reviews these requests and votes by resolution its approval or rejection of such non-audit services after due deliberation.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor for 2011.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
In fulfilling its responsibilities to review the Company’s financial reporting process, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent auditor the audited financial statements to be contained in the Annual Report onForm 10-K, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the system of internal controls. The independent auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committee, as amended. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditor the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosure required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. In determining the independence of the auditor, the Audit Committee has considered, among other matters, whether the provision of services, other than those related to the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.
The Audit Committee discussed with the Company’s internal auditors and independent auditor the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Audit Committee meets with the internal auditors and independent auditor, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Audit Committee further discussed those items contained in NYSE Listing Rules Section 303(A)(6) and otherwise complied with the obligations stated therein. The Audit Committee held five meetings during fiscal year 2010.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
JAMES D. EDWARDS, CHAIRMAN

CHARLES H. OGBURN

E. JENNER WOOD, III

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

JOIA M. JOHNSON

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any shareholder proposal to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later than November 28, 2012 for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act, the Board of Directors may exercise discretionary voting authority at the 2013 Annual Meeting under proxies it solicits to vote on a proposal made by a shareholder that the shareholder does not seek to have included in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8, unless the Company is notified about the proposal prior to November 28, 2012 and the shareholder satisfies the other requirements of Rule 14a-4(c).

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters other than those as described herein to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters come before the Annual Meeting, however, the persons named in the Proxy will vote such Proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.

March 28, 2012

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LOGO


LOGO

Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64945
St. Paul, MN 55164-0945

    COMPANY #

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to be presented at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later than November 26, 2011 for inclusionvote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy statement for that meeting in accordance withcard.
LOGO

Rule 14a-8INTERNET – www.eproxy.com/crd under

Use the Exchange Act. Pursuant toRule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act, the Board of Directors may exercise discretionary voting authority at the 2012 Annual Meeting under proxies it solicitsInternet to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 8, 2012.

LOGO

PHONE1-800-560-1965

Use a proposal made by a shareholder that the shareholder does not seektouch-tone telephone to have includedvote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 8, 2012.

LOGOMAIL – Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the Company’spostage-paid envelope provided.
If you vote your proxy statement pursuantby Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need toRule 14a-8, unless the Company is notified about the proposal prior to November 26, 2011 and the shareholder satisfies the other requirements ofRule 14a-4(c).
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other matters other than those as described herein to be brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters come before the Annual Meeting, however, the persons named in the mail back your Proxy will vote such Proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
March 25, 2011


39


CROWFORD LOGO


(GRAPHIC)
Shareowner ServicesSM P.O. Box 64945 St. Paul, MN 55164-0945 COMPANY # Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card. ? INTERNET — www.eproxy.com/crd Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 4, 2011. ? PHONE — 1-800-560-1965 Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 4, 2011. ? MAIL — Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card. TO VOTE BY MAIL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL ITEMS BELOW, SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD. The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2, and 4 and for “Two Years” on Item 3. 1. Proposal to elect the nine (9) nominees listed below as Directors (except as indicated to the contrary below). 01?H. V. Agadi 04?J. C. Crawford 07?J. M. Johnson ? Vote FOR ? Vote WITHHELD 02?P. G. Benson 05?J. D. Edwards 08?C. H. Ogburn all nominees from all nominees 03?J. T. Bowman 06?R. L. Honoré 09?E. J Wood, III (except as marked) (Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) 2. Proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. ? For ? Against ? Abstain 3. Proposal to vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation. ? One Year ? Two Years ? Three Years ? Abstain 4. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 2011 fiscal year. ? For ? Against ? Abstain THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, AND 4 AND “TWO YEARS” ON PROPOSAL 3. Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below: ? ? Date Signature(s) in Box Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy.Card.

TO VOTE BY MAIL AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL ITEMS BELOW,

SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.

LOGO  Please detach here  LOGO

  
       The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1 and 2.       
 1. Proposal to elect the nine (9) nominees listed below as Directors (except as indicated to the contrary below). 
  01 H. V. Agadi 04 J. C. Crawford 07 J. M. Johnson  ¨    Vote FOR ¨ Vote WITHHELD 
  02 P. G. Benson 05 J. D. Edwards 08 C. H. Ogburn              all nominees  from all nominees 
  03 J. T. Bowman 06 R. L. Honoré 09 E. J Wood, III          (except as marked)   
                 
 (Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)  

    

    

       
 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 2012 fiscal year.  ¨    For        ¨  �� Against        ¨    Abstain 
 THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTEDFOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2. 
 Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:    ¨              Date 

 

 
                 
         

    

    

       
         Signature(s) in Box 
         Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons should sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the Proxy. 
                 
  
                         


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 9, 2012

2:00 p.m.

Crawford & Company

Worldwide Headquarters

1001 Summit Boulevard

Atlanta, Georgia 30319

 


(GRAPHIC)
CRAWFORD & COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS May 5, 2011 2:00 p.m. Crawford & Company Worldwide Headquarters 1001 Summit Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30319 Crawford & Company 1001 Summit Boulevard Atlanta, Georgia 30319 proxy This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on May 5, 2011. The shares of Class B common stock you hold in your account will be voted as you specify on the reverse side. If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR” Items 1, 2, and 4 and for “TWO YEARS” on Item 3. By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint J. T. Bowman, W. B. Swain, and A. W. Nelson, and each of them with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments. See reverse for voting instructions. 111436
LOGOCrawford & Company
1001 Summit Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia 30319proxy

 

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on May 9, 2012.

The shares of Class B common stock you hold in your account will be voted as you specify on the reverse side.

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR” Items 1, and 2.

By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint J. T. Bowman, W. B. Swain, and A. W. Nelson, and each of them with full power of substitution, to vote your shares on the matters shown on the reverse side and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments.

See reverse for voting instructions.