UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.         )

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¨Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

o  Preliminary Proxy Statement

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þ  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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LOGO


TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD MAY 19, 2011
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 2011
PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTORS STANDING FOR ELECTION AT THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING
CLASS I -- TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2011 ANNUAL MEETING
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE CONTINUE
CLASS III -- TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
CLASS II -- TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
PENSION BENEFITS
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL 3: ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF THE SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
PROPOSAL 5: APPROVAL OF USE OF CERTAIN PERFORMANCE CRITERIA UNDER THE SYKES ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
PROPOSAL 6 RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
OTHER MATTERS


(SYKES LOGO)
400 North Ashley Drive

Tampa, Florida 33602

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 19, 201117, 2012

To the Shareholders of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the “Company”) will be held at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel, 200 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, May 19, 2011,17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect four directors to hold office until the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;
2. To a hold a shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation;
3. To hold a shareholder advisory vote on the frequency of advisory voting to approve executive compensation;
4. To approve the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan;
5. To approve the performance criteria under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan;
6. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors of the Company; and
7. To transact any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

1.To elect two directors to hold office until the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders;

2.To hold a shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation;

3.To approve the Fifth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-employee Director Fee Plan;

4.To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors of the Company; and

5.To transact any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 30, 2010,22, 2012, will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. Information relating to the matters to be considered and voted on at the Annual Meeting is set forth in the proxy statement accompanying this Notice.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO
James T. Holder
Secretary
By Order of the Board of Directors,
-s- James T. Holder
James T. Holder
Secretary

April 14, 2011

13, 2012

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 201117, 2012

This proxy statement and our 20102011 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at:

https://materials.proxyvote.com/871237

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

To assure your representation at the Annual Meeting, please vote on the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting by completing the enclosed proxy and mailing it promptly in the enclosed envelope. If your shares are held in street name by a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the nominee will supply you with a proxy card to be returned to it. It is important that you return the proxy card as quickly as possible so that the nominee may vote your shares. If your shares are held in street name by a nominee, you may not vote such shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a power of attorney or legal proxy from such nominee authorizing you to vote the shares, and you present this power of attorney or proxy at the Annual Meeting.


LOGO

(SYKES LOGO)
400 North Ashley Drive

Tampa, Florida 33602

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR
2011

2012 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the “Company”) for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel, 200 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, May 19, 2011,17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

This Proxy Statement and the annual report to shareholders of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2010,2011 are first being mailed on or about April 19, 2011,17, 2012 to shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

SHAREHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

The record date for the Annual Meeting is March 30, 2011.22, 2012. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, 46,700,24843,419,788 shares of common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the inspector of elections appointed for the Annual Meeting, who will also determine whether a quorum is present for the transaction of business. The Company’s Bylaws provide that a quorum is present if the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or represented by proxy. At the Annual Meeting, if a quorum exists, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election. Abstentions will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Shares held by nominees for beneficial owners will also be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present if the nominee has the discretion to vote on at least one of the matters presented, even though the nominee may not exercise discretionary voting power with respect to other matters and even though voting instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner (a “broker non-vote”). At the Annual Meeting, if a quorum exists, directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the election. Approval of the other proposals will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast in determining whether a Proposal has been approved.

Shareholders are requested to vote by completing the enclosed Proxy and returning it signed and dated in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Shareholders are urged to indicate their votes in the spaces provided on the Proxy. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company will be voted in accordance with the directions given in the Proxy. Where no instructions are indicated, signed Proxies will be voted FOR each of the proposals listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Returning your completed Proxy will not prevent you from voting in person at the Annual Meeting, should you be present and wish to do so.


Any shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is exercised by:

• 

filing with the Secretary of the Company written notice of revocation,

• submitting a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date than the previous Proxy, or
• appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person.


submitting a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date than the previous Proxy, or

appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement may be exercised only at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment of the Annual Meeting and will not be used for any other meeting. Proxies solicited by this Proxy Statement will be returned to the Board of Directors and will be tabulated by an inspector of elections designated by the Board of Directors.

The cost of solicitation of Proxies by mail on behalf of the Board of Directors will be borne by the Company. Proxies also may be solicited by personal interview or by telephone by directors, officers, and other employees of the Company without additional compensation. The Company also has made arrangements with brokerage firms, banks, nominees, and other fiduciaries that hold shares on behalf of others to forward proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of such shares. The Company will reimburse such record holders for their reasonableout-of-pocket expenses.

PROPOSAL 1:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s Board of Directors currently is comprised of 11 individuals, and is divided into three classes (designated “CLASS I,” “CLASS II,” and “CLASS III”), as nearly equal in number as possible, with each class serving a three-year term expiring at the third annual meeting of shareholders after its election. The term of the three current CLASS IIII directors will expire at the Annual Meeting. Mr. Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr., whose term is expiring at this meeting, and who has served on the Board for more than 20 years, has notified the Board that he will retire and not stand for re-election this year. The Company’s Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has determined to reduce the size of the Board of Directors by one following the end of Mr. Bodenheimer’s term, (resulting in a 10 member Board) and have nominated H. Parks Helms, Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D., James K. Murray, Jr.Charles E. Sykes, and James S. MacLeodWilliam J. Meurer to stand for re-election as CLASS IIIII directors, whose terms will all expire at the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

In the event any nominee is unable to serve, the persons designated as proxies will cast votes for such other person in their discretion as a substitute nominee. The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that the nominees named herein will be unavailable or, if elected, will decline to serve.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD:

The Board of Directors recommends the following nominees for election as directors in the Class specified and urges each shareholder to vote “FOR” the nominees. Executed proxies in the accompanying form will be voted at the Annual Meeting “FOR” the election as directors of the nominees named below, unless authority to do so is withheld.


2


DIRECTORS STANDING FOR ELECTION AT THE 20112012 ANNUAL MEETING

CLASS III — TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING

Name

Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

Charles E. Sykes

49

Charles E. Sykes was elected to the Board of Directors in August 2004 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Company’s founder and former Chairman, John H. Sykes. Mr. Charles Sykes joined the Company in September 1986 and has served in numerous capacities throughout his years with the Company. Mr. Charles Sykes was appointed as Vice President of Sales, North America in 1999 and between the years of 2000 to 2003 served as Group Executive, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Alliances, and Senior Vice President of Global Operations. Mr. Sykes was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in July, 2003 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2004. Mr. Sykes received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985. He currently serves on the board of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the University of Tampa, Vice-Chairman of the Tampa Bay Partnership, as a director of Feeding America of Tampa Bay, Inc. and is a member of the Florida Council of 100.

As the chief executive officer of the Company, Mr. Sykes provides the Board with information gained from hands-on management of Company operations, identifying near-term and long-term goals, challenges and opportunities. As the son of the Company’s founder and having worked for the Company for his full career, he brings a continuity of mission and values on which the Company was established.

3


Name

Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

William J. Meurer

68

William J. Meurer was elected to the Board of Directors in October 2000 and is a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Previously, Mr. Meurer was employed for 35 years with Arthur Andersen LLP where he served most recently as the Managing Partner for Arthur Andersen’s Central Florida operations. Since retiring from Arthur Andersen in 2000, Mr. Meurer has been a private investor and consultant. Mr. Meurer also serves on the Board of Trustees for Lifelink Foundation, Inc. and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Eagle Family of Funds and Walter Investment Management Corporation.

As former managing partner of an international public accounting firm, Mr. Meurer brings to our Board relevant experience with financial accounting, audit and reporting issues, SEC filings and complex corporate transactions.

4


DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE CONTINUE

CLASS II — TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

Name

Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

Paul L. Whiting


68

Paul L. Whiting was elected to the Board of Directors in December 2003 and was elected Non-Executive Chairman in August 2004. He is also a member of the Board’s Audit Committee. Since 1997, Mr. Whiting has been President of Seabreeze Holdings, Inc., a privately held investment company. From 1991 through 1996, Mr. Whiting held various positions within Spalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc., including Chief Executive Officer. Presently, Mr. Whiting sits on the boards of TECO Energy, Inc. (a public company), Florida Investment Advisors, Inc., The Bank of Tampa and its holding company, The Tampa Banking Co. Mr. Whiting also serves on the board of the Florida West Coast Public Broadcasting, Inc. as well as the boards of various civic organizations, including, among others, the Academy Prep Center of Tampa, Inc., a full scholarship, private, college preparatory middle school for low-income children, where he is the Board President.

Mr. Whiting’s public company CEO, CFO and director experience as well as his private investment company business experience provides a unique combination of leadership, financial and business analytical skills, business judgment and investment banking knowledge to the Board as the Company’s non-executive Chairman.

Mark C. Bozek

52

Mark C. Bozek was elected to the Board of Directors in August 2003 and is a member and Chairman of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee. Mr. Bozek is the President of Galgos Entertainment, a privately held media company which he founded in January 2003. From March 1997 until February 2003, Mr. Bozek served as the Chief Executive Officer of HSN (f/k/a Home Shopping Network). From April 1993 until February 1996, Mr. Bozek served as the Vice President of Broadcasting for QVC.

Mr. Bozek’s experience as a public company CEO in a call center enabled business equips him to provide industry insight to the Board and management on strategic and business planning and operations as well as employee relations, development and management succession.

5


Name

Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

Lt. General Michael DeLong (Ret.)

66

Lt. General Michael DeLong (USMC Retired) was elected to the Board of Directors in September 2003 and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Since October 2003, Lt. Gen. DeLong has served as Vice Chairman of Shaw Arabia Limited, President of Shaw CentCom Services, LLC, and Senior Vice President of the Shaw Group, Inc. On February 19, 2008, Lt. Gen. DeLong was named Vice President of Boeing International Corporation. From 1967 until his retirement on November 1, 2003, Lt. Gen. DeLong led a distinguished military career, most recently serving as the Deputy Commander, United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. He holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Management from Central Michigan University and an honorary Doctorate in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College and graduated from the Naval Academy as an Aero Engineer.

Gen. DeLong’s military career, together with his international business executive experience, allows him to bring to the Board leadership and skills in strategic analysis and judgment as well as a knowledge of international business and political environments.

6


Name

Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

Iain A. Macdonald

67

Iain A. Macdonald was originally elected to the Board of Directors in 1998 and served until 2001, when he resigned for personal reasons. Mr. Macdonald was re-elected to the Board of Directors in May 2004 and since then has been a member of the Audit Committee. During the past 10 years, Mr. Macdonald has served on the boards of a series of technology-based business ventures in the UK, which he has assisted to develop and obtain funding. He was a founding partner, and is currently Chairman of Yakara plc, a developer of SMS and IVR telecommunications software solutions and a member of the Board of Northern AIM VCT plc, which is a venture capital investment fund. From 2008 to 2011 he served on the Board of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s economic development agency. Prior to joining the Company’s Board in 1998, Mr. Macdonald served as a director of McQueen International Ltd. from 1996 until its acquisition by the Company.

Having served as a director of an entity in the UK which was acquired by the Company in 1998, Mr. Macdonald offers a unique institutional viewpoint and depth of industry knowledge. He also brings to the Board considerable leadership, international business, financial and governmental experience.

7


CLASS I — TERM EXPIRES AT THE 20112014 ANNUAL MEETING

Name

Age   
Name
Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

H. Parks Helms

   7576    

H. Parks Helms has served as a director of the Company since its inception in 1977 and is a member and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Helms is President and Managing Partner of the law firm of Helms, Henderson & Associates, P.A., in Charlotte, North Carolina and has been with the firm, and its predecessor firm, Helms, Cannon, Henderson & Porter, P.A. for more than the past five years. Mr. Helms has held numerous political appointments and elected positions, including as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and as Chairman of the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Board of County Commissioners.

Mr.Helms has served for more than 30 years on the Company’s Board, supporting institutional continuity with Company and industry knowledge accumulated through all phases of industry and economic cycles, and through the Company’s expansion over that period. He also brings considerable legal, transactional and business skills to the Board.


3

8


Name

Age   
Name
Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D.

   5657    

Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D. was elected to the Board of Directors in May of 1998 and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Dr. McClintock-Greco is currently the Medical Director and President of Age-Less Medicine, practicing quality of life and aesthetic medicine.medicine, and is also President of Age-Less Vitamins and Nutrients, Inc. From 1998 through 2005, Dr. McClintock-Greco was President and Chief Executive Officer of Greco & Assoc. Consulting, a healthcare consulting firm, and in that capacity served as the vice presidentVice President of Medical Affairs for Entrusted Healthcare Management Services for the State of Florida. Until 1998, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Tampa General HealthPlan, Inc. (HealthEase) and had spent the past 11 years in the health care industry as both a private practitioner in Texas and a managed care executive serving as the Regional Medical Director with Humana Health Care Plan. Dr. McClintock-Greco serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Managed Care Organizations (FAMCO). Dr. McClintock-Greco also serves on the board of several charitable organizations.

Dr. McClintock-Greco has considerable experience in multiple facets of the health care industry, both in private practice and administration, bringing to the Company valuable perspective regarding the Company’s health care related services, as well as business experience, diversity of viewpoint and judgment..judgment.

4

9


Name

Age   
Name
Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

James K. (Jack) Murray, Jr.

   7576    

James K. Murray, Jr., was elected to the Board of Directors in May 2005 and is a member and Chairman of the Finance Committee and a member of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee. Mr. Murray currently serves as Chairman of Murray Corporation, a private venture capital enterprise based in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Murray also serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of HealthEdge Investment Fund II, and is Chairman of the Investment Committee of this private equity fund focused primarily on investments in the health care field. In 1970, Mr. Murray was one of the founders of a company that is today HealthPlan Services, Inc. and PlanVista, Inc., which was acquired by The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (NYSE:DNB) in 1978. From 1978 through 1993, Mr. Murray served in various capacities for Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, including President of Dun & Bradstreet Credit Services, and from 1990 through 1993, served in various capacities including President, principal executive officer and Chairman for the Reuben H. Donnelley Corp., a publisher of telephone yellow pages. In 1994, Mr. Murray and several other financial partners acquired HealthPlan Services from Dun & Bradstreet. In May 1995, HealthPlan Services became a public company and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Murray retired from HealthPlan Services in 2000. Mr. Murray serves on the boards of the University of Tampa, Canterbury Towers, Tampa Bay Research Institute and The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal ChurchSociety where he also serves as Treasurer.

its Treasurer, a member of its Executive Committee and a member of its Investment Committee for their endowment.

Mr. Murray’s diverse experience in both the public company and private venture capital arenas allows him to bring to the Board significant leadership skills as well as business, transactional and financial analytic skills.

5

10


Name

Age   
Name
Age

Principal Occupation and Other Information

James S. MacLeod

   6364    

James S. MacLeod was elected to the Board of Directors in May 2005 and is a member of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee and the Finance Committee. Mr. MacLeod has served as in various positions at CoastalStates Bank in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina since February 2004 and is currently its President. Mr. MacLeod also serves on the Board of Directors of CoastalStates Bank and has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CoastalSouth Bancshares, its holding company.company since 2011. From June 1982 to February 2004, he held various positions at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the last 7 years serving as its Executive Vice President. Mr. MacLeod has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Tampa, a Master of Science in Real Estate and Urban Affairs from Georgia State University and a Masters in City Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Mr. MacLeod is currently a Trustee and serves as the Chairman of the UniversityGovernance and Valuation Committees of Tampa, Hilton Head Preparatory School and the Allianz Funds.

As a result of his extensive financial services background, Mr. MacLeod brings to the Board valuable financial analytical skills and experience, a deep understanding of cash transaction and management issues, as well as business acumen and judgment.

6


DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE CONTINUE
CLASS III — TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2012 ANNUAL MEETING
Name
Age
Principal Occupation and Other Information
Charles E. Sykes48
Charles E. Sykes was elected to the Board of Directors in August, 2004 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Company’s founder and former Chairman, John H. Sykes. Mr. Charles Sykes joined the Company in September, 1986 and has served in numerous capacities throughout his years with the Company. Mr. Charles Sykes was appointed as Vice President of Sales, North America in 1999 and between the years of 2000 to 2003 served as Group Executive, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Global Alliances, and Senior Vice President of Global Operations. Mr. Sykes was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in July, 2003 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in August 2004. Mr. Sykes received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University in 1985. He currently serves as Chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the University of Tampa, Secretary-Treasurer of the Tampa Bay Partnership, a director of America’s Second Harvest of Tampa and is a member of the Florida Council of 100.

As the chief executive officer of the Company, Mr. Sykes provides the Board with information gained from hands-on management of Company operations, identifying near-term and long-term goals, challenges and opportunities. As the son of the Company’s founder and having worked for the Company for his full career, he brings a continuity of mission and values on which the Company was established.


7


Name
Age
Principal Occupation and Other Information
Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr. 81
Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr. was elected to the Board of Directors in 1991 and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Finance Committee. Mr. Bodenheimer has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Zickgraf Enterprises, Inc. and Nantahala Lumber in Franklin, North Carolina for more than the past five years. Mr. Bodenheimer is retired as president of the First Citizens Bank & Trust Company in North Carolina, where he was employed for 30 years. Mr. Bodenheimer is also a retired Brigadier General in the United States Army and from 1994 to 2008 owned Zickgraf Hardwood Flooring Company, an international wood flooring company with extensive operations in Central Europe, the UK and Japan.

Mr. Bodenheimer has served for 20 years on the Company’s Board, supporting institutional continuity with Company and industry knowledge accumulated through all phases of industry and economic cycles, and through the Company’s expansion over that period. He also brings considerable business experience and judgment as well as financial and international business acumen and diversity of viewpoint and experience.
William J. Meurer67
William J. Meurer was elected to the Board of Directors in October 2000 and is a member and Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Previously, Mr. Meurer was employed for 35 years with Arthur Andersen LLP where he served most recently as the Managing Partner for Arthur Andersen’s Central Florida operations. Since retiring from Arthur Andersen in 2000, Mr. Meurer has been a private investor and consultant. Mr. Meurer also serves on the Board of Trustees for Lifelink Foundation, Inc. and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Eagle Family of Funds and Walter Investment Management Corporation.

As former managing partner of an international public accounting firm, Mr. Meurer brings to our Board relevant experience with financial accounting, audit and reporting issues, SEC filings and complex corporate transactions.

8


CLASS II — TERM EXPIRES AT THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
Name
Age
Principal Occupation and Other Information
Paul L. Whiting67
Paul L. Whiting was elected to the Board of Directors in December of 2003 and was elected Non-Executive Chairman in August, 2004. He is also a member of the Board’s Audit Committee. Since 1997 Mr. Whiting has been President of Seabreeze Holdings, Inc., a privately held consulting and investment company. From 1991 through 1996, Mr. Whiting held various positions within Spalding & Evenflo Companies, Inc., including Chief Executive Officer. Presently, Mr. Whiting sits on the boards of TECO Energy, Inc. (a public company), Florida Investment Advisors, Inc., The Bank of Tampa and its holding company, The Tampa Banking Co. Mr. Whiting also serves on the boards of various civic organizations, including, among others, the Academy Prep Center of Tampa, Inc., a full scholarship, private, college preparatory middle school for low-income children, where he is the Board President.

Mr. Whiting’s public company CEO, CFO and director experience as well as his private investment company business experience provides a unique combination of leadership, financial and business analytical skills, business judgment and investment banking knowledge to the Board as the Company’s non-executive Chairman.
Mark C. Bozek51
Mark C. Bozek was elected to the Board of Directors in August of 2003 and is a member and Chairman of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee. Mr. Bozek is the President of Galgos Entertainment, a privately held film production company which he founded in January 2003. From March 1997 until February 2003, Mr. Bozek served as the Chief Executive Officer of HSN (f/k/a Home Shopping Network). From April 1993 until February 1996, Mr. Bozek served as the Vice President of Broadcasting for QVC.

Mr. Bozek’s experience as a public company CEO in a call center enabled business equips him to provide industry insight to the Board and management on strategic and business planning and operations as well as employee relations, development and management succession.


9


Name
Age
Principal Occupation and Other Information
Lt. Gen Michael DeLong (Retired)65
Lt. General Michael DeLong (USMC Retired) was elected to the Board of Directors in September of 2003 and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Since October 2003, Lt. Gen. DeLong has served as Vice Chairman of Shaw Arabia Limited, President of Shaw CentCom Services, LLC, and Senior Vice President of the Shaw Group, Inc. On February 19, 2008, Lt. Gen. DeLong was named President of Boeing Middle East, Ltd. From 1967 until his retirement on November 1, 2003, Lt. Gen. DeLong led a distinguished military career, most recently serving as the Deputy Commander, United States Central Command at Mac Dill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. He holds a Master’s Degree in Industrial Management from Central Michigan University and an honorary Doctorate in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College and graduated from the Naval Academy as an Engineer.

Gen. DeLong’s military career, together with his international business executive experience allows him to bring to the Board leadership, and skills in strategic analysis and judgment as well as a knowledge of international business and political environments.

10


Name
Age
Principal Occupation and Other Information
Iain A. Macdonald66
Iain A. Macdonald was originally elected to the Board of Directors in 1998 and served until 2001, when he resigned for personal reasons. Mr. Macdonald was re-elected to the Board of Directors in May of 2004 and since then has been a member of the Audit Committee. During the past 10 years, Mr. Macdonald has served on the boards of a series of technology-based business ventures in the UK which he has assisted to develop and obtain funding. He is currently Chairman of Yakara plc, a developer of SMS telecommunications software solutions and a member of the Board of Northern AIM VCT plc, which is a venture capital investment fund. In 2008 he joined the Board of Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s economic development agency. Prior to joining the Company’s Board in 1998, Mr. Macdonald served as a director of McQueen International Ltd. from 1996 until its acquisition by the Company.

Having served as a director of an entity in the UK which was acquired by the Company in 1998, Mr. Macdonald offers a unique institutional viewpoint and depth of industry knowledge. He also brings to the Board considerable leadership, international business, financial and governmental experience.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company maintains a corporate governance page on its website which includes key information about its corporate governance initiatives, including its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, and charters for the committees of the Board of Directors. The corporate governance page can be found at www.sykes.com, by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then on “Corporate Governance.”

The Company’s policies and practices reflect corporate governance initiatives that are compliant with the listing requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the corporate governance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including:

the Board of Directors has adopted clear corporate governance policies;

a majority of the board members are independent of the Company and its management;

• the Board of Directors has adopted clear corporate governance policies;
• a majority of the board members are independent of the Company and its management;
• all members of the key board committees — the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Finance Committee — are independent;
• the independent members of the Board of Directors meet regularly without the presence of management;
• the Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees which is monitored by its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

all members of the key board committees — the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Finance Committee — are independent;

the independent members of the Board of Directors meet regularly without the presence of management;

11


the Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees which is monitored by its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;

the charters of the Board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities; and

the Company’s Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of complaints received by the Company, including the Board and the Audit Committee, regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. These procedures are described under “Communications With Our Board” below.

• the charters of the Board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities; and
• the Company’s Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment, on a confidential basis, of complaints received by the Company, including the Board and the Audit Committee, regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. These procedures are described under “Communications With Our Board” below.

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions

In order to ensure that material transactions and relationships involving a potential conflict of interest for any executive officer or director of the Company are in the best interests of the Company, under the Code of Ethics adopted by the Board of Directors for all of our employees and directors, all such conflicts of interest are required to be reported to the Board of Directors, and the approval of the Board of Directors must be obtained in advance for the Company to enter into any such transaction or relationship. Pursuant to the Code of Ethics, no officer or employee of the Company may, on behalf of the Company, authorize or approve any transaction or relationship, or enter into any agreement, in which such officer, director or any member of his or her immediate family, may have a personal interest without such Board approval. Further, no officer or employee of the Company may, on behalf of the Company, authorize or approve any transaction or relationship, or enter into any agreement, if they are aware that an executive officer or a director of the Company, or any member of any such person’s family, may have a personal interest in such transaction or relationship, without such Board approval.

The Company’s Audit Committee reviews all conflict of interest transactions involving executive officers and directors of the Company, pursuant to its charter.

In the course of their review of a related party transaction, the Board and the Audit Committee considers:

the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction;

• the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction;
• the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction;
• the importance of the transaction to the Company;
• the importance of the transaction to the related person;
• whether the transaction would impair the judgment of the director or executive officer to act in the best interests of the Company; and
• any other matters the Board or Committee deems appropriate.

the importance of the transaction to the Company;

the importance of the transaction to the related person;

whether the transaction would impair the judgment of the director or executive officer to act in the best interests of the Company; and

any other matters the Board or Committee deems appropriate.

Any member of the Board or the Audit Committee who has a conflict of interest with respect to a transaction under review may not participate in the deliberations or vote respecting approval of the transaction, provided, however, that such director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum.

Related Party Transactions

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the

The Company paid $78,418 tohas maintained for several years, an aircraft timesharing agreement with JHS Leasing of Tampa, Inc., an entity owned by Mr. John H. Sykes, former(former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,

12


and father of Charles E. Sykes, the Company’s current principal shareholder,President, CEO and a director) for the use of its corporate aircraft. The lease of the aircraft, is pursuant to a writtenwhich agreement which has been approved by the Audit Committee and the Board. On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews a


12


report which provides the details of each use of this aircraft by management, including the business purpose, the passengers, and the destination of each flight as well as the cost toHowever, the Company did not use the aircraft at any time during the year ended December 31, 2011, and accordingly, there were no amounts paid to determine that each such use isJHS Leasing of Tampa, Inc., in accordanceconnection with Company policy.the timesharing agreement. The timesharing agreement was mutually terminated by the parties in March 2012. On January 25, 2008, the Company entered into a real estate lease with Kingstree Office I, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. John Sykes relating to the Company’s call center in Kingstree, South Carolina. On May 21, 2008, the Audit Committee of the Board reviewed this transaction and recommended approval to the full Board, which also approved the transaction. During the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the Company paid $395,950 to Kingstree Office I, LLC as rent on the Kingstree facility.

Leadership Structure

Upon contemplating the 2005 retirement of Mr. John Sykes, the Company’s founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, the Board elected to change the leadership structure to separate the Chief Executive Officer position from that of the Chairman of the Board. The Board determined in 20042005 that the change in leadership created an opportune time to change the leadership structure, and that the Company would benefit from having an independent non-employee Chairman who could provide a diversity of view and experience in consultation with the newly elected President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board continues to believe that the Company is best served by having this bifurcated leadership structure.

Risk Oversight

The Board has determined that the role of risk oversight will currently remain with the full Board as opposed to having responsibility delegated to a specific committee. Management has created an enterprise risk management committee which is primarily responsible for identifying and assessing enterprise risks, developing risk responses and evaluating residual risks. The chairperson of the management committee reports directly to the full Board.

Director Independence

In accordance with NASDAQ rules, the Board affirmatively determines the independence of each director and nominee for election as a director in accordance with guidelines it has adopted, which include all elements of independence set forth in the NASDAQ listing standards. Based upon these standards, at its meeting held on March 23, 2011,21, 2012, the Board determined that each of the following non-employee directors is independent and has no material relationship with the Company, except as a director and shareholder of the Company:

           
 (1) Paul L. Whiting  (6) Iain A. Macdonald
 (2) F. P. Bodenheimer, Jr.   (7) James S. MacLeod
 (3) Mark C. Bozek  (8) Linda McClintock-Greco, MD
 (4) Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong (Ret.)  (9) William J. Meurer
 (5) H. Parks Helms  (10) James K. Murray, Jr.

(1)

  Paul L. Whiting  (6)  Iain A. Macdonald

(2)

  F. P. Bodenheimer, Jr.  (7)  James S. MacLeod

(3)

  Mark C. Bozek  (8)  Linda McClintock-Greco, MD

(4)

  Lt. General Michael DeLong (Ret.)  (9)  William J. Meurer

(5)

  H. Parks Helms  (10)  James K. Murray, Jr.

Nominations for Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for screening potential director candidates and recommending qualified candidates to the Board for nomination. The Committee considers all relevant

13


criteria including, age, skill, integrity, experience, education, time availability, stock exchange listing standards, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Committee has a specific goal of creating and maintaining a board with the heterogeneity, skills, experience and personality that lend to open, honest and vibrant discussion, consideration and analysis of Company issues, and accordingly the Committee also considers individual qualities and attributes that will help create the desired heterogeneity.


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The Committee may use various sources for identifying and evaluating nominees for directors including referrals from our current directors, management and shareholders, as well as input from third party executive search firms retained at the Company’s expense. If the Committee retains one or more search firms, such firms may be asked to identify possible nominees, interview and screen such nominees and act as a liaison between the Committee and each nominee during the screening and evaluation process. The Committee will review the resume and qualifications of each candidate identified through any of the sources referenced above, and determine whether the candidate would add value to the Board. With respect to candidates that are determined by the Committee to be potential nominees, one or more members of the Committee will contact such candidates to determine the candidate’s general availability and interest in serving. Once it is determined that a candidate is a good prospect, the candidate will be invited to meet the full Committee which will conduct a personal interview with the candidate. During the interview, the Committee will evaluate whether the candidate meets the guidelines and criteria adopted by the Board, as well as exploring any special or unique qualifications, expertise and experience offered by the candidate and how such qualifications, expertiseand/or experience may complement that of existing Board members. If the candidate is approved by the Committee, as a result of the Committee’s determination that the candidate will be able to add value to the Board and the candidate expresses his or her interest in serving on the Board, the Committee will then review its conclusions with the Board and recommend that the candidate be selected by the Board to stand for election by the shareholders or fill a vacancy or newly created position on the Board.

Mr. Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr., whose term is expiring at this meeting, and who has served on the Board for more than 20 years, has notified the Board that he will retire and not stand for re-election this year. The threeBoard of Directors, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has determined to reduce the number of Board members from 11 to 10 following the end of Mr. Bodenheimer’s term. The remaining two Class IIII directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting have allboth been nominated by the Committee to stand for re-election.

The Committee will consider qualified nominees recommended by shareholders who may submit recommendations to the Committee in care of our Corporate Secretary, 400 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602. Any shareholder nominating an individual for election as a director at an annual meeting must provide written notice to the Secretary of the Company, along with the information specified below, which notice must be received at the principal business office of the Company no later than the date designated for receipt of shareholders’ proposals as set forth in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual shareholders’ meeting. If there has been no such prior public disclosure, then to be timely, a shareholder’s nomination must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal business office of the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event that less than 70 days notice of the date of the meeting is given to the shareholders or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is made, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made.

To be considered by the Committee, shareholder nominations must be accompanied by: (1) the name, age, business and residence address of the nominee; (2) the principal occupation or employment of the nominee for at

14


least the last ten years and a description of the qualifications of the nominee; (3) the number of shares of our stock that are beneficially owned by the nominee; (4) any legal proceedings involving the nominee during the previous ten years and (5) any other information relating to the nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, together with a written statement from the nominee that he or she is willing to be nominated and desires to serve, if elected. Also, the shareholder making the nomination should include: (1) his or her name and record address, together with the name and address of any other shareholder known to be supporting the nominee; and (2) the number of shares of our stock that are beneficially owned by the shareholder making the nomination and by any other supporting shareholders. Nominees for director who are recommended by our shareholders will be evaluated in the same manner as any other nominee for director.


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We may require that the proposed nominee furnish us with other information as we may reasonably request to assist us in determining the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a director. At any meeting of shareholders, the Chairman of the Board may disregard the purported nomination of any person not made in compliance with these procedures.

Communications with our Board

Shareholders and other parties interested in communicating with our Board of Directors may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, 400 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602. Under the process for such communications established by the Board of Directors, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to all members of the Board a summary of the correspondence. Directors may at any time review a log of all correspondence received by the Company that is addressed to the Board or any member of the Board and request copies of any such correspondence. Correspondence that, in the opinion of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, relates to concerns or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters is summarized and the summary and a copy of the correspondence is forwarded to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Additionally, at the direction of the Audit Committee, the Company has established a worldwide toll free hotline administered by an independent third party through which employees may make anonymous submissions regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. Reports of any anonymous submissions are sent to the Chairman of the Audit Committee as well as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company.

MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

The Board

Each director is expected to devote sufficient time, energy and attention to ensure diligent performance of his or her duties and to attend all Board, committee and shareholders’ meetings. The Board met sixnine times during 2010,2011, of which four were regularly scheduled meetings and twofive were unscheduled meetings. The Board also acted twiceonce by unanimous written consent in 2010.2011. All directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they served during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.2011. All of the directors except for Dr. Linda McClintock-Greco attended the 20102011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 10, 2010.

19, 2011.

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Committees of the Board

The Board has four standing committees to facilitate and assist the Board in the execution of its responsibilities. The Board may also establish special committees as needed to assist the Board with review and consideration of non-routine matters. The standing committees are the Audit Committee, Finance Committee, the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. All the committees are comprised solely of non-employee, independent directors. Charters for each committee are available on the Company’s website atwww.sykes.com by first clicking on “Investor Relations” and


15


then on “Corporate Governance.” The charter of each committee is also available in print to any shareholder who requests it. The table below shows membership for the entire year 20102011 for each of the standing Board committees
         
      Nominating and Corporate
 Compensation and Human Resource
Non-employee Directors
 Audit Committee Finance Committee Governance Committee Development Committee
 
Paul L. Whiting X      
Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr   X X  
Mark C. Bozek       Chair
Lt. Gen. Michael P. DeLong (Ret)     X  
Dr. Linda McClintock-Greco     X  
H. Parks Helms     Chair  
Iain A. Macdonald X      
James S. MacLeod X X   X
William J. Meurer Chair X    
James K. Murray, Jr.    Chair   X
Employee Director        
Charles E. Sykes        
No. of Meetings in 2010 9 4 4 6
committees.

Non-employee Directors

 Audit Committee Finance Committee Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee
 Compensation and Human Resource
Development Committee

Paul L. Whiting

 X   

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr

  X X 

Mark C. Bozek

    Chair

Lt. General Michael P. DeLong (Ret.)

   X 

Dr. Linda McClintock-Greco

   X 

H. Parks Helms

   Chair 

Iain A. Macdonald

 X   

James S. MacLeod

 X X  X

William J. Meurer

 Chair X  

James K. Murray, Jr.

  Chair  X

Employee Director

        

Charles E. Sykes

    

No. of Meetings in 2011

 10 7 4 9

Audit Committee.Committee. The Audit Committee serves as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process and internal control system. The Committee’s responsibilities, which are discussed in detail in its charter, include, among other things, the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the Company’s independent auditing firm, as well as reviewing the independence, qualifications, and activities of the auditing firm. The Company’s independent auditing firm reports directly to the Committee. All proposed transactions between the Company and the Company’s officers and directors, or an entity in which a Company officer or director has a material interest, are reviewed by the Committee, and the approval of the Committee is required for such transactions. In 2010,2011, the Audit Committee held nineten meetings. The Board has determined that Mr. Meurer is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee is governed by a written charter, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Finance Committee.The principal purpose of the Finance Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in evaluating significant investments and other financial commitments by the Company. The Committee has the authority to review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to debt and equity limits, equity issuances, repurchases of Company stock or debt, policies relating to the use of derivatives, and proposed mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or investments by the Company that require approval by the full Board. The Committee

16


also has authority to approve capital expenditures not previously approved by the Board of Directors. The level of authority applies to capital expenditures in excess of $2 million but less than $5 million. This authority is used, and the Committee convened only, when management recommends a decision prior to the next Board meeting. In 2010,2011, the Finance Committee held fourseven meetings. The Committee is governed by a written charter, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to: (a) identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries; (b) recommend to the Board of Directors director nominees for election at the annual meeting of shareholders or for election by the Board of Directors to fill open seats between annual meetings; (c) recommend to the Board of Directors committee appointments for directors; (c)(d) develop and recommend to the


16


Board of Directors corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company; and (d)(e) monitor the Company’s compliance with good corporate governance standards. In 2010,2011, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings. The Committee is governed by a written charter, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee.The Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee’s responsibilities, which are discussed in detail in its charter, include, among other things, the establishment of the base salary, incentive compensation and any other compensation for the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and to review and approve the President and Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations for the compensation of certain executive officers reporting to him. This Committee also monitors the Company’s management incentive cash and equity based bonus compensation arrangements and other executive officer benefits, and evaluates and recommends the compensation policy for the directors to the full Board for consideration. The Committee also determines compensation and benefits of the Company’s non-employee directors. The Company engaged Mercer Human Resource Consulting to conduct a review of its total compensation program for executive officers and to assist the Committee in establishing a competitive compensation program for its executive officers that motivates performance and that is aligned with the interests of its shareholders. This Committee is also responsible for providing oversight and direction regarding the Company’s employee health and welfare benefit programs as well as training and development. In 2010,2011, the Committee held sixnine meetings. The Committee is governed by a written charter, which is reviewed on an annual basis.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None

None.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Directors who are executive officers of the Company receive no compensation for service as members of either the Board of Directors or any committees of the Board.

ThirdFourth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan

In May 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved the Third Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan. In May 2011, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Board adopted the Fourth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan (the “2004 Fee Plan”). adjusting certain cash compensation components of the 2004 Fee Plan.

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The 2004 Fee Plan provides that all new non-employee directors joining the Board will receive an initial grant of shares of common stock on the date the new director is elected or appointed, the number of which will be determined by dividing $60,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date a new director is elected or appointed, rounded to the nearest whole number of shares. The initial grant of shares vests in twelve equal quarterly installments, one-twelfth on the date of grant and an additional one-twelfth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The award lapses with respect to all unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company, and any unvested shares are forfeited.

The 2004 Fee Plan also provides that each non-employee director will receive, on the day after the annual shareholders meeting, an annual retainer for service as a non-employee director (the “Annual Retainer”). The Annual Retainer consists of shares of the Company’s common stock and cash. ThePrior to May 20, 2011, the total value of the Annual Retainer iswas $77,500, payable $32,500 in cash and the remainder paid in stock, the amount of which iswas determined by dividing $45,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, rounded to the nearest whole number of shares.


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On May 20, 2011, the amount of the cash portion of the Annual Retainer was increased from $32,500 to $50,000 resulting in an increase in the total value of the Annual Retainer from $77,500 to $95,000.


In addition to the Annual Retainer award, the 2004 Fee Plan also provides for any non-employee Chairman of the Board to receive an additional annual cash award of $100,000, and each non-employee director serving on a committee of the Board to receive an additional annual cash award in the following amounts:
     
Position
 Amount
 
Audit Committee    
Chairperson $20,000 
Member $10,000 
Compensation & Human Resource Development Committee    
Chairperson $12,500 
Member $7,500 
Finance Committee    
Chairperson $12,500 
Member $7,500 
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee    
Chairperson $12,500 
Member $7,500 

Position

  Amount 

Audit Committee

  

Chairperson

  $20,000  

Member

  $10,000  

Compensation & Human Resource Development Committee

  

Chairperson

  $15,000  

Member

  $7,500  

Finance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

The Annual Grantannual grant of shares vests in eight equal quarterly installments, one-eighth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders, and an additional one-eighth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The annual grant of cash, including all amounts paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board and all amounts paid to non-employee directors serving on committees of the Board, are paid in equal installments throughout the year. The Annual Grant of shares vests in eightfour equal quarterly installments, one-eighthone-fourth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders, and an additional one-eighthone-fourth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The award lapses with respect to all unpaid cash and unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the company, and any unvested shares and unpaid cash are forfeited.

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The Board may pay additional cash compensation to any non-employee director for services on behalf of the Board over and above those typically expected of directors, including but not limited to service on a special committee of the Board.


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The following table contains information regarding compensation paid to the non-employee directors during fiscal year ending December 31, 2010,2011, including cash and shares of the Company’s common stock.
                             
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h)
          Change in
    
          Pension
    
          Value and
    
          Nonqualified
    
  Fees Earned
     Non-Equity
 Deferred
    
  or Paid in
 Stock
 Option
 Incentive Plan
 Compensation
 All other
  
  Cash
 Awards
 Awards
 Compensation
 Earnings
 Compensation
 Total
Name
 ($)(1) ($)(2) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.   47,500   45,004               92,504 
Mark C. Bozek  45,000   45,004               90,004 
Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong (Ret)  40,000   45,004               85,004 
H. Parks Helms  45,000   45,004               90,004 
Iain Macdonald  42,500   45,004               87,504 
James S. MacLeod  57,500   45,004               102,504 
Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D.   40,000   45,004               85,004 
William J. Meurer  60,000   45,004               105,004 
James K. Murray, Jr.   52,500   45,004               97,504 
Paul L. Whiting  142,500   45,004               187,504 

(a)

 (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h) 

Name

 Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash

($)(1)
  Stock
Awards

($)(2)
  Option
Awards

($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)
  Change in
Pension

Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
  All Other
Compensation

($)
  Total
($)
 

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.

  60,625    44,992                    105,617  

Mark C. Bozek

  60,000    44,992                    104,992  

Lt. General Michael DeLong (Ret.)

  53,125    44,992                    98,117  

H. Parks Helms

  58,125    44,992                    103,117  

Iain Macdonald

  55,625    44,992                    100,617  

James S. MacLeod

  70,625    44,992                    115,617  

Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D.

  53,125    44,992                    98,117  

William J. Meurer

  73,125    44,992                    118,117  

James K. Murray, Jr.

  65,625    44,992                    110,617  

Paul L. Whiting

  155,625    44,992                    200,617  

(1)
(1)

Amounts shown include the cash portion of the annual retainers and amounts paid for services on Board committees paid to each non-employee director in 2010.2011. The fees earned by Mr. Whiting include $100,000 for service as non-employee Chairman of the Board.

(2)

The amounts shown in column (c) represent the Annual Retainer amounts paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. The amounts are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (formerly FAS 123(R)). See Notes 1 and 2526 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20102011 filed on March 8, 2011February 29, 2012 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Executive Summary

Sykes is a complex global business serving sophisticated and demanding clients, and with thin operating margins.margins and high historical and potential cash flows. Our business and financial strategies require careful expense management while providing superior customer service and value. This requires experienced executive leadership with sound business judgment, a passion for service excellence, and a desire to succeed. The primary and overriding objective in determining executive compensation is to align the elements of that compensation with the interests of our shareholders; the ultimate goal being to increase and optimize shareholder value. Our executive compensation

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strategy is also aligned with our business strategy and talent requirements by being sufficiently competitive on fixed compensation elements (such as base salary) while emphasizing variable compensation elements (such as short-term and long-term incentives) to drive targeted performance and to reward results.


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In many ways, 2010 was a unique and challenging year for Sykes. The following are a few key financial and operating results for 2011 and for the key factors that negatively impacted2009-2011 performance period:

Revenues for 2011 increased 4.2% year over year to $1.169 billion

On a constant currency basis, revenues for 2011 decreased 1.2% year over year, less than the Company’s6.2% erosion in the 2011 revenue base due to end-of-life client programs

Revenues for the 2009-2011 performance in 2010:period were $3.174 billion, which exceeded the incentive target by 9.1%.

• Global macroeconomic and political factors negatively impacted the Company, resulting in a global slowdown in volume across 90% of clients in the second quarter of 2010
• Currency exchange rate movements occurred in certain currencies without an established foreign exchange market to hedge these risks, resulting in lower reported operating income as compared to the Company’s operating plan
• Planning and integration efforts related to the largest acquisition in the Company’s history, resulted in some strained resources and less visibility in goal setting
• Migration of approximately 20% of the Company’s EMEA business to a new country location resulted in some short-term disruption and costs but with strong long-term benefits expected
However, even

Adjusted Operating Income for 2011 decreased 3.2% year over year to $83.17 million, with the many challenges, the Company did achieve significantly more synergies from the acquisition than anticipated and only missed its threshold earnings goal by approximately 13 percentage points. Asdecline largely a result of these$11.2 million in unfavorable foreign exchange rates

Adjusted Operating Income for the 2009-2011 performance period was within 2 percentage points of the incentive target

Cash flow from operating activities for 2011 was a record $102.6 million and other factors,more than double the Company did not achieve many of its financial performance goals for 2010. prior year’s $45.1 million

These results are directly reflected in the Company’s 20102011 executive compensation levels as follows:

Short-term incentives were earned at 82.5% of the target award opportunity

Performance shares tied to the 2009-2011 performance period related to revenue were earned at 150% of target

Performance shares tied to the 2009-2011 performance period related to operating income were earned at 98% of target

In the light of the strong alignment between pay and performance, and after reviewing and considering the strong level of shareholder support for the Company’s executive compensation program, as expressed by an 88% affirmative vote on the 2011 Say on Pay proposal, the Company has made only a few changes to the program for 2012, including:

Base salaries for executives, including the named executive officers (“NEOs”), but excluding the CEO, were increased by 2%

The base salary of the CEO was not increased

With respect to performance shares for the 2012-2014 performance period, the performance range was widened to a Threshold goal at 95% of target and a Maximum goal at 110% of target, with a corresponding reduction to the payout opportunity at Threshold from 80% to 50% of target. The compounded annual growth rate for the revenue target was lowered from 5% to 3% and the compounded annual growth rate for the income target was lowered from 6% to 4%

The Company uses Adjusted Operating Income as a performance measure in order to eliminate certain one time or non-performance related items. For the 2009-2011 performance period, Adjusted Operating Income excluded: (a) depreciation and amortization related to asset write ups in connection with the ICT acquisition,

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(b) costs to obtain synergies, (c) transaction costs and (d) restructuring and impairment charges related to the acquisition.

Our Executive Leadership Team

The Company is fortunate to have in place a very stable and seasoned senior executive leadership team, each team member having years of experience in their respective fields of expertise. The names of the Company’s NEOs, their titles and total years with the Company in various capacities are:

Name

  Base salaries for named executive officers were not increased in 2010,TitleTenure

Charles E. Sykes

President and Chief Executive Officer25 yrs

W. Michael Kipphut

Exec. VP and Chief Financial officer12 yrs

James C. Hobby

Exec. VP of Global Operations8 yrs

Lance R. Zingale

Exec. VP of Global Sales and Client Management6 yrs

James T. Holder

Exec. VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary11yrs

The remaining members of the senior executive team are:

Name

TitleTenure 

David L. Pearson

  No short-term cash incentives were earned under the short-term incentive plan (referred to as the High Performance Plan (“HPP”))Exec. VP and Chief Information Officer
15 yrs  

Jenna R. Nelson

  The performance-based shares tied to2008-2010 performance were earned at 150%Exec. VP of target reflecting the significant over achievement in years 2008 and 2009Global Human Resources
18 yrs  

Daniel L. Hernandez

  The performance-based shares tied to2010-2012 performance may not be earned based on the shortfall in the first year resultsExec. VP of the three-year performance cycleGlobal Strategy
8 yrs  
• The value of all executive stock ownership and outstanding equity awards declined with the decline in the Company’s stock price during the year
• A discretionary bonus was awarded to a wide group of employees, including the named executive officers, at a level below the threshold payout under the HPP plan in order to recognize and reward the significant accomplishments that were achieved during the year (see page 24 of this CD&A for additional detail regarding the 2010 discretionary bonuses)

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to enhance shareholder value by attracting and retaining the talent and experience best suited to manage, guide and build our business. This requires fair and competitive base salaries and benefits designed to attract and retain qualified executives, as well as carefully designed incentive compensation programs to link the interests of the executives to the long-term interests of our shareholders.

In evaluating and determining the complete compensation packages for the Company’s executive officers generally, and the named executive officersNEOs specifically, the Committee reviews relevant market data provided by its consultant which includes an evaluation of the multiple components of the executive compensation and benefit packages paid to similarly situated executives of similarly situated peer companies. TheAlthough the market pay data is only one of many factors considered when making pay determinations, the Committee believes that it


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should set compensation of its executives in the generalgenerally seeks to position pay opportunities within a range of 80% to 120% of the 50th percentile of compensation paid to similarly situated executives of the companies comprising the Compensation Peer Group.pay level. However, variations from this objective may occur as dictated by the experience level of the individual and other market factors. The Committee recognizes, however, that long-term, equity incentive compensation awards may lift the total direct compensation of its executives above the 50th percentile of the Compensation Peer Group, but if that occurs, it will be as a result of the Company’s achievement of long term goals specifically targeted at increasing shareholder value.

A significant percentage of the target total compensation to our senior executives is allocated to performance-based incentives as a result of the philosophy mentioned above. Although there is no pre-established policy for the allocation between either cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term performance-based incentive compensation, in 20102011 the Committee continued the structure utilized in 2008 and 2009,recent years, which determined performance-based incentives as a percentage of base salary validated against current market data. A significant percentage of the target total direct compensation to our executive officers in fiscal years 2007 through 2010 has beenis in the form of non-cash, long-term equity incentive awards.

A chart showing the relative percentages of cash, target

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short term and target long term incentive compensation of the NEOs for 2011 is included below in the section entitled “Elements of Compensation.”

Roles and Responsibilities in Determining Executive Compensation

The Role of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee.Committee.    The Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee (referred to in this Analysis as the “Committee”) of the Board has been charged with the responsibility for establishing, implementing and continually monitoring adherence with the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Committee’s goal is to ensure that the form and amount of compensation and benefits paid to its senior leadership team, specifically including the named executive officers, is fair, reasonable and sufficiently competitive to attract and retain high quality executives who can lead the Company to achieve the goals that the Board believes will maximize shareholder value. For executives other than the CEO, executive compensation matters are first considered by the Committee, which then makes recommendations to the Board, which then considers and approves or disapproves the Committee’s recommendations. As it relates to the compensation of the Company’s CEO, the Committee meets first with the CEO to obtain information regarding performance, objectives and expectations, discusses the matter with the Board and then makes a final compensation determination.

The Role of the Chief Executive Officer.Officer.    The Committee meets periodically with the Chief Executive Officer.CEO to discuss and review executive compensation. The CEO provides the Committee with the appropriate business context for executive compensation decisions as well as specific recommendations for each of the executives, including the named executive officers, but excluding the CEO. TheAdditionally, the Chairman of the Committee meets periodically with the CEO is not involved in conversations regarding his own compensation.

to discuss the Committee’s views on the CEO’s compensation and proposals for adjustments to be considered by the Committee.

The Role of Senior Management.    The Committee periodically meets with representatives of Human Resources, Finance, and Legal. These individuals provide the Committee with requested data, information, and advice regarding the executive compensation program, specifically with regard to incentive plan designs, performance measures and goals, and disclosure. These representatives are not involved in conversations regarding their own compensation.

TheThe Role of Outside Consultants.Independent Consultants.    In accordance with the Committee’s Charter,charter, the Committee has the authority to retain any outside counsel, consultants or other advisors to the extent deemed necessary and appropriate, including the sole authority to approve the terms of engagement and fees related to services provided. Pursuant to the authority under the Committee’s charter,In prior years, the Committee directly engaged Mercer Human Resource Consulting, a division of Marsh & McLennan Companies (“Mercer”), to conduct aprovide services in connection with the review and analysis of its total compensation program for all executive officers, specifically including the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer as well as the other named executive officers. Mercer provided the Committee with relevant market data and alternatives to consider when making compensation decisions for the President and Chief


21


Executive Officer, and on the recommendations being made by management for executives other than the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Committee paid Mercer $82,664 for the services provided to it during 2010.
compensation. Mercer was also engaged by management of the Company to provide executive and global compensation reviews and to provide advice regarding Company retirement and savings plans, benefits, expatriate compensation and mergers and acquisitions. The Company paid Mercer $485,014 for these services provided during 2010 and the Committee approved the engagement of Mercer by management and reviewed and approved the fees for such services.
In the fall of 2010, the Committee carefully considered the decision to engage Mercer in light of the potential conflicts of interest that could result from the concurrent engagement of Mercer by management. Given the magnitude of other services provided by Mercer to the Company, the Committee determined that it should engage an independent consultant that would provide no other services to the Company. After conducting a search process, in which all members of the Committee and the Chairman of Board participated, Pearl Meyer & Partners (PM&P) was selected as the new independent consult. PM&P is directly engaged by and directed by the Committee, and provides no other services to the Company. PM&P began working for the Committee in the fall of 2010 with respect to 2010 incentive compensation awards

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and 2011 executive compensation decisions. When appropriate, the Committee has discussions with its consultant without management present to ensure candor and impartiality.

The Role of Peer Group Data.Data.    In making its compensation decisions for 2010,2011, the Committee compared the Company’s pay and performance levels against a peer group of twelve (12) otherten (10) publicly traded companies which the Committee believes compete with the Company in the customer contact management segment and for executive talent as well (the “Compensation Peer Group”). The composition of the Compensation Peer Group is reviewed annually to determine whether there are new companies which should be added, or existing companies which should be deleted. The Committee made several changes to the composition of the Compensation Peer Group from 2010 to 2011 due to acquisitions and cessation of various previously included companies to be publicly traded. Additionally, the Committee included two companies that are in the employee staffing business, have similar business models to the Company, and which the Committee believes compete with the Company for executive talent.

The companies included in the Compensation Peer Group and used as the basis for comparison and analysis by the Committee for fiscal year 2010with respect to 2011 compensation decisions were:

Genpact, Ltd.

Kforce, Inc.

Convergys Corporation

Stream Global Services

West Corp

StarTek, Inc.

Alliance Data Systems

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

APAC Customer Services, Inc.

Spherion Corp.

 
•   Genpact, Ltd. •   StarTek, Inc.
•   Kforce, Inc. •   TechTeam Global, Inc.
•   ExlService Holdings, Inc. •   Alliance Data Systems
•   Convergys Corporation•   TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
•   ICT Group, Inc. •   APAC Customer Services, Inc.
•   MPS Group, Inc. •   Spherion Corp.
There were no changes to the peer group between 2009 and 2010.

As in prior years, the peer group analysis and data are one of many factors considered by the Committee and the Board in making its final pay determinations. Other important factors include the current and expected performance of the Company, the current and expected performance of the executive and internal pay equity.

Executive Compensation Analysis

As in prior years, the Committee requested, reviewed, and discussed an independent analysis of the executive compensation program for the Company’s NEOs provided by its consultant. The analysis included a review of pay competitiveness, pay and performance alignment, the long-term incentive plan design, and an overall risk assessment of the executive compensation program. The following were the significant findings from this analysis, considering the executive team in the aggregate:

analysis:

 

Base salaries were generally positioned at the 50th percentile

 

Target total cash compensation (salary plus target short-term incentive opportunity) was generally positioned at the 50th percentile


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Long-term incentive grant values were positioned near the 75th percentile, but the aggregate equity grant rate (as a percent of shares outstanding) was below the 25th percentile

 

Total direct compensation (target total cash compensation plus long-term incentive grant value) was positioned slightly above the 50th percentile

 

Company performance (across a variety of financial and operating metrics) on a1-year and3-year basis was generally positioned at the 75th percentile

• The overall program strikes a balance between risks and rewards, and is not believed to encourage executives to take undue risks that could materially harm the Company

The overall program strikes a balance between risks and rewards, and is not believed to encourage executives to take undue risks that could materially harm the Company

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The above analysis results reflect the executive team in aggregate. As expected, there is variation by executive (with regard to pay competitiveness) and by performance measure (with regard to relative performance). This study was completed in August 20092010 and was one of many inputs into the Committee’s decisions with regard to 20102011 executive compensation.

Elements of Compensation

The compensation program for our executives includes several direct compensation components. Those components are base salary, annual cash incentive awards and equity-based incentive awards, which are granted in the form of performance — performance–based restricted stock (or restricted stock units), and time-vested restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. Our executives are also permitted to participate in our 401(k) plan which is available to all employees, as well as our non-qualified executive deferred compensation plan. The purpose of the deferred compensation plan is to provide our executives with the ability to take advantage of tax deferred savings which may not be fully available to them under our 401(k) plan.

The relative percentages between base salary, annual cash incentive targets and long term equity based incentive targets as compared to total target compensation for the NEOs for 2011 were as follows:

Name

  Total Direct
Compensation
  Base
Salary
  Annual
Cash
Incentive
  Long
Term
Equity
Incentive
 

Charles E. Sykes

   100  25  25  50

W. Michael Kipphut

   100  32  23  45

James C. Hobby

   100  32  23  45

Lance R. Zingale

   100  32  23  45

James T. Holder

   100  45  23  32

Base Salary

Base salary is designed to provide each executive with a fixed amount of annual compensation that is competitive with the marketplace. Having a certain level of fixed compensation provides stability which allows our executives to remain focused on business issues. Base salaries for the named executive officers are determined for each executive based on his or her position and responsibility, and are further informed by using market data provided to the Committee by its consultant. Base salary ranges of our executives are designed so that salary opportunities for a given position will be approximately between 80% and 120% of the midpoint of the base salaries of similarly positioned executives in the Compensation Peer Group.market data midpoint. During its review of base salaries for executives, the Committee primarily considers (a) the market data provided by its consultant, (b) internal review of the executive’s compensation, both individually and relative to other officers, and (c) individual performance of the executive. Salary levels are typically considered annually as part of the Company’s performance review process as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility. Merit based increases to salaries of our executive leadership team, other than the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, are based on the Committee’s assessment of the individual’s performance, with input from the President and Chief Executive Officer. As summarized earlier, a review of relevant market data in 2009indicated thatCEO. In considering adjustments for 2011, the base salariesCommittee’s recommendation to the Board was also impacted by the larger revenue size and complexity of the named executive officers wereCompany following the acquisition of ICT Group, Inc. in line with the benchmarking parameters established by the Committee. Although the Company generally outperformed the Compensation Peer Group, the Committee determined that the compensation of the named executive officers related to Company performance was being adequately addressed through yearly and long term incentive bonuses. Accordingly,prior year. Based on its

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review, the Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved that there be no adjustments madethe following market-based and merit-based increases to the base salaries for 2011:

Named Executive Officer

  2010 Annual Base
Cash Compensation
   2011 Annual Base
Cash Compensation
   % Increase 

Charles E. Sykes

  $550,000    $625,000     13.6

W. Michael Kipphut

  $400,000    $415,978     4.0

James C. Hobby

  $366,000    $369,973     1.1

Lance R. Zingale

  $322,000    $360,132     11.8

James T. Holder

  $270,000    $300,340     11.2

In 2012, based upon a similar review as conducted for 2011, the Committee made no salary adjustment for the CEO, and upon the recommendation of the named executive officers in 2010.


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Committee, the Board approved salary increases of 2% for each of the other NEOs.


Performance-Based Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

The annual cash incentive component of the total direct compensation paid to our executive leadership team is designed to reward achievement of pre-determined annual corporate, and sometimes individual, performance goals, reward current performance by basing payment on the achievement of quantifiable performance measures that reflect contributions to the success of our business, and encourage actions by the executives that contribute directly to our operating and financial results. In fiscal year 2010,2011, the annual cash incentive opportunity for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, and all other executive officers, was determined based solely upon the achievement of pre-determined corporate financial goals.

At the beginning of the year, the Committee sets minimum, target and maximum levels for the portion of the cash incentive component of total direct compensation that is determined by reference to corporate financial performance. Threshold performance represents the minimum performance that still warrants incentive recognition for that particular goal, and is paid at 50% of the target award level. Maximum performance represents the highest level likely to be attained and is paid at 150% of the target award level. No annual performance-based cash incentive compensation determined by reference to corporate financial performance is paid to any executive of the Company if our financial results do not exceed the threshold determined for that year.

At the beginning of each year, the Committee also sets the award percentage tied to salary for the President and Chief Executive OfficerCEO and recommends an award percentage for each of the other members of the executive leadership team that they will receive if the performance goals are met. The Committee’s goal in setting target award levels is to create a compensation program such that the potential incentive awards, when combined with each officer’s base salary, will provide a fully competitive total cash compensation opportunity, with the portion of compensation “at risk” (i.e., the target award level) being reflective of the level of that officer’s accountability for contributing to bottom line financial results, and the degree of influence that officer has over results. In setting these percentages, the Committee considers these factors as well as data from the market assessment provided by its consultant. In 2010,2011, the target award opportunities were set at 100% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 70% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 30% and 60%70% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. These target award opportunities were unchanged from 2009.

For fiscal year 2010,2011, the Committee met with management and reviewed the Company’s operating plan for 20102011 to establish the target financial goalgoals of the Company on which the annual performance-based cash incentive compensationcom-

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pensation awards would be based. The performance measure selected for the 2011 short-term incentive plan was Adjusted Operating Income. Adjusted Operating Income is defined as Operating Income less (a) depreciation and amortization related to write-ups in connection with acquisitions, (b) costs to obtain synergies in connection with acquisitions, (c) transaction costs associated with entity acquisitions and dispositions, (d) restricting and impairment charges related to acquisitions and dispositions, and (e) any effects (positive or negative) from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Committee determinedbelieves that threshold goalAdjusted Operating Income, as defined, is an effective and appropriate measure of the Company’s operating performance on an annual basis. The performance target for 2011 was Adjusted Operating Income of $92.5 million. The Company’s actual Adjusted Operating Income for 2011 was $86.2 million. This performance result yielded a short-term incentive payout equal to be $91,777,00082.5% of consolidated earnings before taxes. Because the Company did not achieve the threshold performance levels, no executive officer received atargeted payout under this plan for 2010 performance.

each participant.

Named Executive Officer

  Target Short-Term
Incentive Payment(1)
   Actual Short-Term
Incentive Payment
 

Charles E. Sykes

  $609,058    $502,473  

W. Michael Kipphut

  $289,247    $238,629  

James C. Hobby

  $254,053    $209,594  

Lance R. Zingale

  $246,891    $203,685  

James T. Holder

  $147,050    $121,317  

(1)

The amounts in this column are based upon a percentage of base cash compensation, and therefore, reflect salary adjustments which are made during the calendar year.

Discretionary Bonuses

After reviewing, discussing, and considering the overall performance of the Company in 2010, the Committee believed that the lack of payment of any performance-based cash incentives did not seem to adequately align pay with performance. In reaching this conclusion, the CEO presented and the Committee discussed the following factors:
• The 2010 goal-setting process was uniquely challenged by the pending acquisition of ICT Group
• The Company successfully closed and integrated the ICT Group acquisition, achieving more than 150% of the targeted synergies related to the acquisition
• The Company successfully migrated key portions of its business to new country locations


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• Significant and unusual currency movements reduced EBIT to a level below the Company’s operating plan, but adjusted operating income increased year over year
• Absent the unfavorable currency movements, many of which related to currencies for which there is no established foreign exchange market for hedging, the Company would have achieved the threshold level of EBIT and therefore cash incentives would have been earned at 50% of target
Based on the above factors, the CEO proposed a discretionary bonus to recognize and reward the significant accomplishments during the year and to partially overcome the severe effect that currency fluctuations had on cash incentive awards (from a payout of 50% of target to a zero payout). The recommended discretionary bonus payout was set at a maximum of 40% of target for each participant under the cash incentive plan (i.e. below the threshold payout level of the cash incentive plan).
The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed this issue, including discussions with its independent consultant and the Finance Committee of the Board. The Compensation Committee also considered the fact that such bonuses would result in a reduction in total cash compensation year over year for each participant and position executive compensation below the 50th percentile market pay level. Based on these factors and considerations, the Compensation Committee recommended and the Board approved the discretionary bonuses for 2010 performance paid to a total of 716 employees, which included the following discretionary bonus amounts for the named executive officers (as reported in the Bonus column of the Summary Compensation Table):
     
  2010 Discretionary
Named Executive Officer
 Performance Bonus
 
Charles E. Sykes $220,000 
W. Michael Kipphut $112,001 
James C. Hobby $80,521 
Lawrence R. Zingale $77,281 
James T. Holder $43,201 
The Compensation Committee believes this action to be responsible and appropriate given the unique facts and circumstances involved in assessing 2010 performance. Nonetheless, the Compensation Committee also believes that discretionary bonuses should be, and have been, a rare occurrence.
Additionally, There were discretionary bonuses paid for 2010 performance due to unique facts and circumstances involved in March,assessing 2010 performance, as well as the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, a special recognition cash bonus to various individuals for extraordinary efforts in connection with the successful acquisition of ICT Group, Inc. The amountduring that year, all as described in this section of each bonus was determined by a review of each individual’s specific contribution, including objective criteria such as additional hours worked and subjective criteria such as specialized expertise. Included in the group of 33 employees receiving a special recognition bonusproxy for last year’s annual shareholder meeting. There were W. Michael Kipphut, who received $187,500, and James T. Holder, who received $106,250.
The Compensation committee confirmed that the non-performance relatedno discretionary bonuses paid to named executive officers did not exceed the limits on deductibility prescribed by section 162(m) of the Code and were therefore fully deductible by the Company.
for 2011 performance.

Performance-Based, Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation

The performance-based, long-term performance-based equity incentive compensation component of total direct compensation for our executives is designed to encourage them to focus on long-term Company performance and provides an opportunity for executive officers and certain designated key employees to increase their ownership stake in the Company. The Committee utilizes a combination of performance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units for executives


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and key employees in foreign countries who would incur unfavorable tax consequences due to local tax laws if they were to receive restricted stock) and time vestedtime-vested stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). The Committee believes both of these components of performance-based, long-term equity incentive compensation directly align the interests of the Company’s executives with the interests of its shareholders by requiring achievement of both long-term operating results that are the drivers of long-term value creation and actual increases in the Company’s stock price
price. For 2011, the grant mix for the Named Executive Officers was 2/3 performance-vested restricted stock and 1/3 time-vested stock appreciation rights. The performance-vested restricted stock is earned based on cumulative performance over a 3-year performance period and the time-vested stock appreciation rights vest ratably over a 3-year period.

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The Committee’s goal in setting target long-term equity incentive award levels is to create a complete compensation program, such that the potential annual cash and long-term equity incentive awards, when combined with each officer’s base salary, will provide a fully competitive total compensation opportunity, with there being a significant portion of potential compensation “at risk.” In setting award percentages (which are tied to salary), the Committee considers the level of each officer’s accountability for contributing to bottom line financial results, and the degree of influence that officer has over results, as well as data from the market assessment provided by its consultant.

In setting financial targets, the Committee recognizes the benefit of rewarding achievement of revenue and income goals independently. Due

With respect to the effort and skill necessary to translate top line revenue into the desired level of bottom line net income, the Committee determined that one-third of the performance-based long-term equity incentive compensation would be based upon attainment of revenue goals and two-thirds would be based upon the attainment of income goals, all as recommended by the Committee to the Board each year. The Committee believes that incentives tied to revenue, income andperformance-vested restricted stock, performance provide a balanced program most closely aligning management and shareholder interests.

Utilizing this framework, the Committee meets with management each year to review the proposed operating plan for the upcoming year, and in conjunction with the Board approval of an operating plan, together with growth goals for the succeeding two years, sets the financial targets for the next three-year performance cycle. The Committee first utilized this method for determining long-term incentive compensation on a three-year performance cycle for the performance cycle beginning January 1, 2005 and has continued utilizing this method through 2010. Under the established framework, the SARs vest in increments of1/3 for each year of the performance cycle.2011. The performance basedperformance-based restricted stock awards vest at the 80% level ifof target for achieving the threshold goal and at 150% of target is achievedfor achieving the maximum goal, with straight-line interpolation between threshold and increases proportionately to 100% at the actual target level. The awards vest proportionately between 100% and 150% in the event the actual results are between the target and the maximumbetween target level award.and maximum. Below is a discussion of the performance-based, long-term, equity incentive compensation performance cycles affectingspecific design elements of each performance-vested restricted stock grant that was either awarded in or has a payout potential in the years covered by this disclosure.

20062007 through 20082009 Performance Cycle.For the3-year cycle ending in 2008(2006-2008)2009 (2007-2009), the Committee made awards of performance-vestingperformance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units, as the case may be) and time-vestingtime-vested SARs. The target award percentages for performance basedperformance-based restricted stock were set at 133% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 80% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 67% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 67% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 40% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 33% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for two-thirds of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, increased during fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 (measured as of December 31, 2008) at least in an amount equal to 10% compounded annual growth over the amount reported for the 2005 fiscal year. The target goal for one-third of the performance-based restricted share awards was that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations, increased during fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 (measured as of December 31, 2008) at least in an amount equal to 4% compounded annual growth over the amount reported for


26


the 2005 fiscal year. The SAR awards vested in equal one-third amounts on each of March 29, 2007, March 29, 2008 and March 29, 2009. The financial targets were achieved at the 150% level and the stock was delivered to the award recipients on March 30, 2009.
2007 through 2009 Performance Cycle.  For the3-year cycle ending in 2009(2007-2009), the Committee made awards of performance-vesting restricted stock (or restricted stock units as the case may be) and time-vesting SARs. The target award percentages for performance based restricted stock were set at 133% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer, 80% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer, and between 20% and 67% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 67% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer, 40% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer, and between 20% and 33% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for two thirds2/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (measured from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009) equals at least $110,210,000.$106,134,000. The target goal for one third1/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards is that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (measured from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009) equals at least $1,992,000,000.$1,932,000,000. Based on actual results, 150% of the performance-based restricted stock awards were earned,
earned.

2008 through 2010 Performance Cycle.For the3-year cycle ending in 2010(2008-2010), the Committee made awards of performance-vestingperformance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units, as the case may be) and time-vestingtime-vested SARs. The target award percentages for performance basedperformance-based restricted stock were set at 133% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 80% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 67% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 67% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 40% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 33% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for two thirds2/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, during fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010 (measured from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010) equals at least $183,720,000. In December, 2009 the Committee

27


recommended, and the Board approved, that this target be adjusted downward by the sum of: (a) depreciation related to assets acquired in the 2010 acquisition of ICT Group, Inc. (the ICT Transaction) that were revalued for accounting purposes and will be depreciated in the future, and amortization of intangibles related to the ICT Transaction; (b) costs to obtain synergies from the ICT Transaction; (c) ICT Transaction costs; and (d) restructuring and impairment charges incurred in 2010 related to the ICT Transaction. The target goal for one third1/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards is that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2008, 2009 and 2010 (measured from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010) equals at least $2,388,953,000. Based on actual results, 150% of the performance-based restricted stock awards were earned.

2009 through 2011 Performance Cycle.For the3-year cycle ending in 2011(2009-2011), the Committee made awards of performance-vestingperformance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units, as the case may be) and time-vestingtime-vested SARs. The target award percentages for performance basedperformance-based restricted stock were set at 183% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 93% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 93% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 92% of base salary for the President and


27


Chief Executive Officer, CEO, 47% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 23% and 47% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for two thirds2/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, during fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011 (measured from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011) equals at least $230,351,000. In December 2009 the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that this target be adjusted downward by the sum of: (a) depreciation related to assets acquired in the 2010 acquisition of ICT Group, Inc. (the ICT Transaction) that were revalued for accounting purposes and will be depreciated in the future, and amortization of intangibles related to the ICT Transaction; (b) costs to obtain synergies from the ICT Transaction; (c) ICT Transaction costs; and (d) restructuring and impairment charges incurred in 2010 related to the ICT Transaction. The target goal for one third1/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards is that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011 (measured from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011) equals at least $2,821,514,000.
Based on actual results, 98% of the income performance-based restricted stock awards were earned, and 150% of the revenue performance-based restricted stock awards were earned.

2010 through 2012 Performance Cycle.Cycle.    For the3-year cycle ending in 2012(2010-2012), the Committee made awards of performance-vestingperformance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units, as the case may be) and time-vestingtime-vested SARs. The target award percentages for performance basedperformance-based restricted stock were set at 183% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 93% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 20% and 93% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 92% of base salary for the President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, 47% of base salary for the Chief Financial Officer,CFO, and between 23% and 47% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for two thirds2/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, during fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012 (measured from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012) equals at least $326,468,000. In December 2009 the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, that this target be adjusted downward by the sum of: (a) depreciation related to assets acquired in the 2010 acquisition of ICT Group, Inc. (the ICT Transaction) that were revalued for accounting purposes and will be depreciated in the future, and amortization of intangibles related to the ICT

28


Transaction; (b) costs to obtain synergies from the ICT Transaction; (c) ICT Transaction costs; and (d) restructuring and impairment charges incurred in 2010 related to the ICT Transaction. The target goal for one third1/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards is that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2010, 2011 and 2012 (measured from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2012) equals at least $4,038,850,000.

2011 through 2013 Performance Cycle.    For the 3-year cycle ending in 2013 (2011-2013), the Committee made awards of performance-vested restricted stock (or restricted stock units, as the case may be) and time-vested SARs. The target award percentages for performance-based restricted stock were set at 200% of base salary for the President and CEO, 93% of base salary for the CFO, and between 20% and 93% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers, members of the executive leadership team and other key employees. The target award percentages for SARs were set at 100% of base salary for the President and CEO, 47% of base salary for the CFO, and between 23% and 47% of base salary for each of the other named executive officers and members of the executive leadership team. The target goal for 2/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards was established by the Committee to be that income from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statement of Operations, during fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013 (measured from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013), less (a) depreciation and amortization related to write-ups in connection with acquisitions, (b) costs to obtain synergies in connection with acquisitions, (c) transaction costs associated with acquisitions and dispositions, (d) restructuring and impairment charges related to the acquisitions and dispositions referenced in (c) above, and (e) any effects, (positive or negative) from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, equals at least $270,982,000. The target goal for 1/3 of the performance-based restricted share awards is that gross revenue from operations of the Company, as reported in its audited Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013 (measured from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013) equals at least $3,761,735,000.

The amount each named executive officer received as performance-based, long-term equity incentive compensation for each of the three-year measurement periods beginning in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 20102011 has been reported in the summary compensation table in the Stock Awards column.

Executive Deferred Compensation

Participation in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DC“EDC Plan”) is limited to employees at the Director level and above within the Company’s organizational structure (in ascending order, Directors, Senior Directors, Executive Directors, Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Executive Vice Presidents and the President). Participants in the DCEDC Plan may elect to defer any amount of base compensation and bonus. The Company matches a portion of amounts deferred by participants at the level of Vice President and above on a


28


quarterly basis as follows: 50% match on salarycompensation deferred, up to a total match of $12,000.00$12,000 per year for Senior Vice Presidents and above and $7,500.00$7,500 per year for Vice Presidents. No match is made on deferrals by other participants. The matching contributions made to the DCEDC Plan by the Company are made in the form of Company common stock.

Compensation deferred by a participant while participating in the DCEDC Plan is deferred until such participant’s retirement, termination, disability or death, or a change in control of the Company, as defined in the DCEDC Plan, and in such event is paid out to the participant or his beneficiary. Under current tax law, a participant does not recognize income with respect to deferred compensation until it is paid to him or her. Upon payment, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the sum of the cash and the fair market value of

29


the shares of stock received, and the Company will be entitled to a deduction equal to the income recognized by the participant.

Distributions of a participant’s deferred compensation and Company stock contributed as matching contributions isare made as soon as administratively feasible six months after retirement or termination of employment, unless the participant dies or becomes disabled while still an employee, in which case both distributions are made on the first day of the second month following the death or disability.

In the event the participant terminates employment (for reasons other than death, disability or retirement) without participating in the DCEDC Plan for three years, the matching contributions and earnings attributable thereto are forfeited. In the event that a participant terminates employment after three years but less than five years of participation in the DCEDC Plan, the participant forfeits 67% of the matching contribution and earnings. In the event a participant terminates employment after five years but less than seven years of participation in the DCEDC Plan, the participant forfeits 33% of the matching contribution and earnings. In the event a participant terminates employment after seven years of participation in the DCEDC Plan, the participant is entitled to retain all of the matching contribution and earnings.

In the event of a distribution of benefits as a result of a change in control, the Company will increase the benefits for the Senior Vice Presidents and the Presidentparticipants by an amount sufficient to offset the income tax obligations created by the distribution of benefits.

Participants forfeit undistributed matching contributions if the participant is terminated for “cause” as defined in the DCEDC Plan or the participant enters into a business or employment which the Company’s Chief Executive OfficerCEO determines to be in violation of any non-compete agreement between the participant and the Company.

Other Elements of the Compensation Program

Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for the named executive officers and other members of the senior management team, which vary by position from 150% to 400% of base salary. These guidelines, which allow the executives five (5) years beginning January 1, 2008 to acquire this amount of stock, were adopted in 2006. The Committee will reviewreviews share ownership of the Company’s executives on an annual basis to ensure that the executive officers are aware of where each stands in relation to the established guidelines. For purposes of the guidelines, stock ownership includes fully vested stock options, directly held common stock, time-vested restricted stock, performance shares and indirectly held shares that are considered beneficially owned under applicable SEC rules. We believe that these guidelines are appropriate to encourage our executive officers to hold a sufficient amount of our equity to create a mutuality of interest between our executive officers and our shareholders. The Committee reviews the status of officer stock ownership on an annual basis to monitor compliance. There are no additional stock holding periodsperiod requirements for shares acquired upon exercise of SARs or upon the vesting of performance-based


29


restricted stock. As of the date hereof,December 31, 2011, all named executive officers are in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines.

Clawback Policyand Anti-Hedging Policies

The Board has not yet adopted a specific clawback policyand anti-hedging policies beyond the requirements already created by various provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley. However, the Board intends to adopt a fully compliant clawback policyand anti-hedging policies as soon as practical following the issuance of final rules and regulations by the SEC in enacting the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act.

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Change-in-Control Provisions

We have change of control provisions in the employment agreements with our President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer,CFO, as well as in all of the equity incentive agreements with all of our executives and key employees. The change of control provisions in the two employment agreements are “double-trigger” arrangements, meaning that payments are only made if there is a change in control of the Company and the officer’s employment is terminated without cause, or the officer terminates employment for good reason, as such terms are defined in their respective employment agreements. All of our employment agreements with the named executive officers, and the other executive officers, contain severance agreements ranging from one to three years in the event of termination by the Company other than for cause, but do not contain change of control provisions.cause. These agreements are discussed in greater detail on page 4043 under “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.” The differences between the change of control provisions contained in the expired 2001 Equity Incentive Plan and those contained in the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan are discussed on page 54 in Proposal 4: Approval of the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan under “Change-in-Control Provisions.” We believe that providing these agreements helps increase our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management personnel and encourage their continued dedication without distraction from concerns over job security relating, among other things, to a change in control of the Company.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

The Company provides named executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company and the Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. For our named executive officers, the amount of compensation shown under the Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table represents less than 2% of their total compensation for the year. These amounts represent mainly Company matches to the DCEDC Plan, excess group term life insurance premiums and additional compensation paid to the named executive officers related to the cost of executive physicals and other health and welfare benefits. The Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to named executive officers.

The named executive officers are permitted to fly in business class when traveling overseas on business and are permitted to attend sporting events utilizing Company paid tickets that are not otherwise utilized in connection with business development.

Tax and Accounting Implications

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

As part of its role, the Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides that the Company may not deduct compensation of


30


more than $1,000,000 per year that is paid to certain individuals. The Company believes that compensation paid under the management incentive plans is generally fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. However, in certain situations, the Committee may approve compensation that will not meet these requirements in order to ensure competitive levels of total compensation for its executive officers.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was signed into law, changing the tax rules applicable to nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. Final regulations have now become effective and the Company has amended its agreements containing deferred compensation components to comply with

31


those regulations. A more detailed discussion of the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements is provided on page 2829 under the heading “Executive Deferred Compensation.”

Accounting for Equity Based Compensation

Beginning on January 1, 2006, the Company began accounting for stock-based payments, including those under its long-term incentive programs, in accordance with the requirements of FASB ASC Topic 718 (formerly FAS Statement 123(R)).

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COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) ofRegulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

THE COMPENSATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Mark C. Bozek, Chairman

James K. Murray, Jr.

James S. MacLeod


31

33


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid to, or earned by each of the named executive officers for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2010,2011, December 31, 20092010 and December 31, 2008.2009. The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of the named executive officers which are summarized under the section entitled “Employment Agreements” below. When setting the total compensation for each of the named executive officers, the Committee considers all of the executive’s current compensation, including equity and non-equity based compensation.

The named executive officers were not entitled to receive payments which would be characterized as “Bonus” payments for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20092011 or December 31, 2008.2009. Amounts listed under column (g), “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” were paid in accordance with parameters determined by the Committee at its March 7, 2011 and December 2, 2008 and December 5, 2007 meetings, respectively, and were paid in March 20102012 and March 2009,2010, respectively.

                                     
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
              Change in
    
              Pension Value
    
              and
    
            Non-Equity
 Nonqualified
    
        Stock
 Option
 Incentive Plan
 Deferred
 All Other
  
    Salary
 Bonus
 Awards
 Awards
 Compensation
 Compensation
 Compensation
  
    ($)
 ($)
 ($)
 ($)
 ($)
 Earnings
 ($)
  
Name and Principal Position
 Year (1) (2) (3) (3) (4) ($) (5) Total ($)
 
Charles E. Sykes  2010   549,994   220,000   1,008,811   504,180   0   0   37,530   2,320,515 
President and Chief Executive  2009   571,147   0   1,008,837   504,167   582,570   0   29,303   2,696,024 
Officer  2008   500,000   0   666,998   333,333   465,000   0   25,401   1,990,732 
W. Michael Kipphut  2010   400,005   299,501   373,507   186,680   0   0   40,561   1,300,254 
Senior Vice President & Chief  2009   415,390   0   373,519   186,665   296,588   0   30,540   1,302,702 
Financial Officer  2008   374,558   0   294,944   147,400   290,282   0   32,949   1,140,133 
James C. Hobby  2010   335,504   80,521   313,282   156,581   0   0   37,022   922,910 
Senior Vice President —  2009   348,408   0   313,288   156,569   213,226   0   28,245   1,059,736 
Global  2008   310,866   0   203,432   101,667   202,374   0   23,063   841,402 
Operations                                    
Lawrence R. Zingale  2010   322,005   77,281   300,673   150,281   0   0   33,602   883,842 
Senior Vice President —  2009   334,390   0   300,686   150,270   204,646   0   23,999   1,013,991 
Global  2008   316,769   0   203,432   101,667   206,217   0   15,677   843,762 
Sales and Client Management                                    
James T. Holder  2010   270,005   149,451   126,063   62,996   0   0   27,958   636,473 
Senior Vice President —  2009   280,390   0   126,075   63,003   114,399   0   21,497   605,364 
General Counsel and  2008   249,565   0   98,267   49,118   123,784   0   19,573   540,307 
Corporate Secretary                                    

(a)

 (b)  (c)  (d)  (e)  (f)  (g)  (h) (i)  (j) 

Name and Principal
Position

 Year  Salary
($)(1)
  Bonus
($)(2)
  Stock
Awards
($)(3)
  Option
Awards

($)(3)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation

($)(4)
  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings

($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)(5)
  Total ($) 

Charles E. Sykes

  2011    609,058        1,250,610    624,999    502,473     27,044    3,014,183  

President and Chief

  2010    549,994    220,000    1,008,811    504,180         37,530    2,320,515  

Executive Officer

  2009    571,147        1,008,837    504,167    582,570     29,303    2,696,024  

W. Michael Kipphut

  2011    413,210        388,429    194,135    238,629     31,859    1,266,262  

Executive Vice President

  2010    400,005    299,501    373,507    186,680         40,561    1,300,254  

& Chief Financial Officer

  2009    415,390        373,519    186,665    296,588     30,540    1,302,702  

James C. Hobby

  2011    362,933        345,470    172,665    209,594     26,975    1,117,637  

Executive Vice President,

  2010    335,504    80,521    313,282    156,581         37,022    922,910  

Global Operations

  2009    348,408        313,288    156,569    213,226     28,245    1,059,736  

Lawrence R. Zingale

  2011    352,701        336,284    168,071    203,685     25,980    1,086,721  

Executive Vice President,

  2010    322,005    77,281    300,673    150,281         33,602    883,842  

Global Sales and Client Management

  2009    334,390        300,686    150,270    204,646     23,999    1,013,991  

James T. Holder

  2011    294,101        140,249    70,070    121,317     18,952    644,689  

Executive Vice President,

  2010    270,005    149,451    126,063    62,996         27,958    636,473  

General Counsel and

  2009    280,390        126,075    63,003    114,399     21,497    605,364  

Corporate Secretary

         

(1)
(1)

The amounts shown in column (c) include amounts resulting from a 27th pay period that fell into 2009.

(2)

The amounts shown in column (d) include discretionary bonuses earned in 2010.

(3)

The amounts shown in column (e) and (f) represent awards pursuant to long term incentive bonus programs (restricted stock and stock appreciation rights respectively) established by the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee. The amounts are valued based on the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation Stock Compensation” (formerly FAS 123(R)). Amounts for 2008 have been recalculated using the same methodology in accordance with

34


SEC rules. See Notes 1 and 2526 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual


32


Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20102011 filed on March 8, 2011February 29, 2012 for a discussion of the relevant assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

(4)

The amounts in column (g) reflect the cash awards to the named individuals pursuant to annual performance basedperformance-based incentive programs established by the Committee and discussed in more detail on page 2425 under the heading “Performance Based“Performance-Based Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.”

(5)

The amounts shown in column (i) reflect for each named executive officer:

matching contributions allocated by the Company to each of the named executive officers pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan described in more detail on page 29 under the heading “Executive Deferred Compensation;”

• matching contributions allocated by the Company to each of the named executive officers pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan described in more detail on page 28 under the heading “Executive Deferred Compensation;”
• reimbursement for premiums attributable to increased coverage for vision, dental and group medical insurance benefits;
• the cost of premiums for term life and disability insurance benefits; and
• the Company’s matching contribution to the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Employees’ Savings Plan and Trust.

reimbursement for premiums attributable to increased coverage for vision, dental and group medical insurance benefits;

the cost of premiums for term life and disability insurance benefits; and

the Company’s matching contribution to the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated Employees’ Savings Plan and Trust.

The amount in column (i) for Mr. Kipphut also includes a country club membership paid by the Company.


33

35


GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

The following table provides information about equity and non-equity awards granted to the named executives in 2010,2011, including (i) the grant date, (ii) the estimated future payouts under the non-equity incentive plan awards, (iii) the estimated future payouts under equity incentive plan awards, which consist of shares of restricted stock, (iv) all other stock awards which consist of shares of the Company’s stock contributed as matching contributions under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, (v) all other option awards, which consist of Stock Appreciation Rights and the base price of those Stock Appreciation Rights, and (vi) the fair value of the equity awards on the date of grant.

                                             
                (i)
 (j)
    
                All Other
 All Other
   (l)
                Stock
 Option
 (k)
 Grant
    Estimated Future Payouts
 Estimated Future Payouts
 Awards:
 Awards:
 Exercise
 Date Fair
    Under Non-Equity Incentive
 Under Equity Incentive Plan
 Number of
 Number of
 or Base
 Value of
    Plan Awards(1) Awards(2) Shares of
 Securities
 Price
 Stock and
  (b)
 (c)
 (d)
 (e)
 (f)
 (g)
 (h)
 Stock or
 Underlying
 of Option
 Option
(a)
 Grant
 Threshold
 Target
 Maximum
 Threshold
 Target
 Maximum
 Units
 Options
 Awards
 Awards
Name
 Date ($) ($) ($) (#) (#) (#) (#)(3) (#)(4) ($/sh) ($)
 
Charles E. Sykes  3/05            33,758   42,245   63,336         23.88   1,008,811 
   3/05                        49,381   23.88   504,180 
   3/05   275,000   550,000   825,000                      
   3/31                     525      22.84   11,991 
W. Michael Kipphut  3/05            12,499   15,641   23,450         23.88   373,507 
   3/05                        18,284   23.88   186,680 
   3/05   140,000   280,000   420,000                      
   3/31                     341      22.84   7,788 
   6/30                     168      14.23   2,391 
   9/30                     132      13.58   1,793 
James C. Hobby  3/05            10,484   13,119   19,669         23.88   313,282 
   3/05                        15,336   23.88   156,581 
   3/05   100,650   201,300   301,950                      
   3/31                     525      22.84   11,991 
Lawrence R. Zingale  3/05            10,061   12,591   18,877         23.88   300,673 
   3/05                        14,719   23.88   150,281 
   3/05   96,600   193,200   289,800                      
   3/31                     141      22.84   3,220 
   6/30                     194      14.23   2,761 
   9/30                     237      13.58   3,218 
   12/31                     136      20.26   2,755 
James T. Holder  3/05            4,219   5,279   7,915         23.88   126,063 
   3/05                        6,170   23.88   62,996 
   3/05   54,000   108,000   162,000                      
   3/31                     525      22.84   11,991 

   (b)
Grant
Date
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)
  Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
  (i)
All  Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units

(#)(3)
  (j)
All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)(4)
  (k)
Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/sh)
  (l)
Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards
($)
 

(a)

Name

  (c)
Threshold
($)
  (d)
Target
($)
  (e)
Maximum
($)
  (f)
Threshold
(#)
  (g)
Target
(#)
  (h)
Maximum
(#)
     

Charles E. Sykes

  3/07                53,528    66,985    100,428            18.67    1,250,610  
  3/07                                88,028    18.67    624,999  
  3/07    304,529    609,058    913,586                              
  3/31                            606        19.77    11,981  

W. Michael Kipphut

  3/07                16,625    20,805    31,192            18.67    388,429  
  3/07                                27,343    18.67    194,135  
  3/07    144,623    289,247    433,870                              
  3/31                            394        19.77    7,789  
  6/30                            156        21.53    3,359  
  9/30                            56        14.95    837  

James C. Hobby

  3/07                14,786    18,504    27,742            18.67    345,470  
  3/07                                24,319    18.67    172,665  
  3/07    127,026    254,053    381,079                              
  3/31                            606        19.77    11,981  

Lawrence R. Zingale

  3/07                14,393    18,012    27,004            18.67    336,284  
  3/07                                23,672    18.67    168,071  
  3/07    123,445    246,891    370,336                              
  3/31                            153        19.77    3,025  
  6/30                            180        21.53    3,875  
  9/30                            259        14.95    3,872  
  12/31                            77        15.66    1,206  

James T. Holder

  3/07                6,003    7,512    11,262            18.67    140,249  
  3/07                                9,869    18.67    70,070  
  3/07    73,525    147,050    220,576                              
  3/31                            606        19.77    11,981  

(1)
(1)

These amounts are based on the individual’s current salary and position.


34


(2)
(2)

Where amounts are shown in columns (f) and (h), then the amounts shown in column (f) reflect the Long-Term Incentive Stock Grant minimum which is 80% of the target amount shown in column (g), and the amount shown in column (h) is 150% of such target amount. The target amount shown is an absolute target.

36


These amounts are based on the individual’s current salary and position. The grant date fair value of the long-term incentive plan awards are based upon the target amounts shown in column (g).

(3)

The amounts shown in column (i) reflect the number of shares of stock granted to each named executive officer as matching contributions pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

(4)

The amounts shown in column (j) reflect the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to each named executive officer as part of the Long-Term Incentive awards as described in more detail on page 2526 under the heading “Performance-Based, Long-Term, Equity Incentive Compensation.” The actual number of shares underlying the Stock Appreciation Rights cannot be determined until such time as the Stock Appreciation Rights vest and are exercised and the spread between the fair value on the date of exercise and the base price is known. The fair value of the Stock Appreciation Rights included in column (l) is the amount determined pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718 (formerly FAS Statement 123(R)).


35

37


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table provides information on the holdings of stock option and stock awards by the named executives as of December 31, 2010.2011. The table includes both exercisable and unexercisable options together with the exercise price and the expiration date; unvested Stock Appreciation Rights; the number of shares and market value of unvested matching contributions to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; and the number of shares of long term incentive (“LTI”) restricted stock together with the market value of those shares.

                                     
  Option Awards Stock Awards
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j)
                  Equity
                Equity
 Incentive
      Equity
         Incentive
 Plan
      Incentive
         Plan
 Awards:
      Plan
         Awards:
 Market or
      Awards:
       Market
 Number of
 Payout Value
      Number of
     Number
 Value of
 Unearned
 of Unearned
  Number of
 Number of
 Securities
     of Shares
 Shares or
 Shares, Units
 Shares, Units
  Securities
 Securities
 Underlying
     or Units
 Units of
 or Other
 or Other
  Underlying
 Underlying
 Unexercised
 Option
   of Stock
 Stock That
 Rights That
 Rights That
  Unexercised
 Unexercised
 Unearned
 Exercise
 Option
 That Have
 Have Not
 Have Not
 Have Not
  Options (#)
 Options (#)
 Options
 Price
 Expiration
 Not Vested
 Vested
 Vested
 Vested
Name
 Exercisable Unexercisable (#) ($) Date (#) ($) (#) ($)
 
Charles E. Sykes                                    
2008-2010 LTI RS(3)
                       55,960   1,133,750 
2008-2010 SARs(4)
     15,432      17.87   01/02/18             
2009-2011 LTI RS(5)
                       58,038   1,175,850 
2009-2011 SARs(6)
  22,649   45,298      19.69   01/05/19             
2010-2012 LTI RS(7)
                       33,758   683,937 
2010-2012 SARs(8)
     49,381      23.88   03/05/20             
W. Michael Kipphut                                    
2006-2008 SARs(1)
  20,731         14.56   03/29/16             
2007-2009 SARs(2)
  19,093         17.64   01/02/17             
2008-2010 LTI RS(3)
                       24,745   501,334 
2008-2010 SARs(4)
  13,648   6,824      17.87   01/02/18             
2009-2011 LTI RS(5)
                       21,488   435,347 
2009-2011 SARs(6)
  8,386   16,771      19.69   01/05/19             
2010-2012 LTI RS(7)
                       12,498   253,209 
2010-2012 SARs(8)
     18,284      23.88   03/05/20             
James C. Hobby                                    
2007-2009 LTI SARs(2)
  13,169         17.64   01/02/17             
2008-2010 LTI RS(3)
                       17,068   345,798 
2008-2010 SARs(4)
  9,414   4,706      17.87   01/02/18             
2009-2011 LTI RS(5)
                       18,023   365,146 
2009-2011 SARs(6)
  7,034   14,067      19.69   01/05/19             
2010-2012 LTI RS(7)
                       10,483   212,386 
2010-2012 SARs(8)
     15,336      23.88   03/05/20             
EDC Match(9)                 1,534   31,071       
Lawrence R. Zingale                                    
2008-2010 LTI RS(3)
                       17,068   345,798 
2008-2010 SARs(4)
     4,706      17.87   01/02/18             
2009-2011 LTI RS(5)
                       17,298   350,457 
2009-2011 SARs(6)
     13,501      19.69   01/05/19             
2010-2012 LTI RS(7)
                       10,061   203,836 
2010-2012 SARs(8)
     14,719      23.88   03/05/20             
EDC Match(9)                 1,426   28,881       
James T. Holder                                    
2008-2010 LTI RS(3)
                       8,245   167,044 
2008-2010 SARs(4)
     2,274      17.87   01/02/18             
2009-2011 LTI RS(5)
                       7,252   146,926 
2009-2011 SARs(6)
     5,660      19.69   01/05/19             
2010-2012 LTI RS(7)
                       4,218   85,457 
2010-2012 SARs(8)
     6,170      23.88   03/05/20             


36

   Option Awards  Stock Awards 

(a)

 (b)  (c)  (d) (e)  (f)  (g)  (h)  (i)  (j) 

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

($)
  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

($)
 

Charles E. Sykes

         

2008-2010 SARs(3)

  15,432         17.87    01/02/18                  

2009-2011 LTI RS(4)

                           58,038    908,875  

2009-2011 SARs(5)

  45,298    22,649     19.69    01/05/19                  

2010-2012 LTI RS(6)

                           33,758    683,937  

2010-2012 SARs(7)

  16,461    32,920     23.88    03/05/20                  

2011-2013 LTI RS(8)

                           53,562    838,781  

2011-2013 SARs(9)

      88,028     18.67    03/07/21                  

W. Michael Kipphut

         

2006-2008 SARs(1)

  20,731         14.56    03/29/16                  

2007-2009 SARs(2)

  19,093         17.64    01/02/17                  

2008-2010 SARs(3)

  20,472         17.87    01/02/18                  

2009-2011 LTI RS(4)

                           21,488    336,502  

2009-2011 SARs(5)

  16,772    8,385     19.69    01/15/19                  

2010-2012 LTI RS(6)

                           12,498    195,719  

2010-2012 SARs(7)

  6,095    12,189     23.88    03/05/20            

2011-2012 LTI RS(8)

                           16,635    260,504  

2011-2013 SARs(9)

      27,343     18.67    03/07/21                  

James C. Hobby

         

2007-2009 SARs(2)

  13,169         17.64    01/02/17                  

2008-2010 SARs(3)

  14,120         17.87    01/02/18                  

2009-2011 LTI RS(4)

                           18,023    282,240  

2009-2011 SARs(5)

  14,068    7,033     19.69    01/05/19            

2010-2012 LTI RS(6)

                           10,483    164,164  

2010-2012 SARs(7)

  5,112    10,224     23.88    03/05/20                  

2011-2013 LTI RS(8)

                           14,796    231,705  

2011-2013 SARs(9)

      24,319     18.67    03/07/21                  

Lawrence R. Zingale

         

2008-2010 SARs(3)

  4,706         17.87    01/02/18                  

2009-2011 LTI RS(4)

                           17,298    270,887  

2009-2011 SARs(5)

  6,751    6,750     19.69    01/05/19                  

2010-2012 LTI RS(6)

                           10,061    157,555  

2010-2012 SARs(7)

  4,907    9,812     23.88    03/05/20                  

2011-2013 LTI RS(8)

                           14,402    225,535  

2011-2013 SARs(9)

      23,672     18.67    03/07/21                  

EDC Match(10)

                   920    14,403          

James T. Holder

         

2008-2010 SARs(3)

  2,274         17.87    01/02/18                  

2009-2011 LTI RS(4)

                           7,252    113,566  

2009-2011 SARs(5)

  2,830    2,830     19.69    01/05/19                  

2010-2012 LTI RS(6)

                           4,218    66,054  

2010-2012 SARs(7)

  2,057    4,113     23.88    03/05/20                  

2011-2013 LTI RS(8)

                        6,006    94,054  

2011-2013 SARs(9)

      9,869     18.67    03/07/21                  

38


(1)
(1)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2006-2008 performance measurement period.

(2)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2007-2009 performance measurement period.

(3)The figures in this row represent restricted shares that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2008-2010 performance measurement period.
(4)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2008-2010 performance measurement period.

(5)(4)

The figures in this row represent restricted shares that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2009-2011 performance measurement period.

(6)(5)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2009-2011 performance measurement period.

(7)(6)

The figures in this row represent restricted shares that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2010-2012 performance measurement period.

(8)(7)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the2010-2012 performance measurement period.

(8)

The figures in this row represent restricted shares that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the 2011-2013 performance measurement period.

(9)

The figures in this row represent Stock Appreciation Rights that were issued to the named executive officer in connection with the long-term incentive award for the 2011-2013 performance measurement period.

(10)

The figures in this row represent restricted shares granted to the named executive officer as matching contributions by the Company under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

39


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table provides information for the named executive officers on (1) stock option exercises during 2010,2011, including the number of shares acquired upon exercise and the value realized; and (2) the number of shares acquired upon vesting of matching contributions under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, and the value realized upon the vesting of such shares.

                 
  Options Awards Stock Awards
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
  Number of Shares
 Value Realized
 Number of Shares
 Value Realized
  Acquired On Exercise
 on Exercise
 Acquired on Vesting
 on Vesting
Name
 (#) ($) (#) ($)
 
Charles E. Sykes                
EDC Matching Contr.(1)        525   11,991 
2007 LTI RS        56,689   1,343,529 
2007 SARs(2)  10,572   246,962       
2008 SARs(3)  7,253   169,430       
W. Michael Kipphut                
EDC Matching Contr.(1)        641   11,972 
2007 LTI RS(2)        25,068   594,112 
James C. Hobby                
EDC Matching Contr.(1)        352   8,034 
2007 LTI RS(2)        17,290   409,773 


37


   Options Awards   Stock Awards 

(a)

  (b)   (c)   (d)   (e) 

Name

  Number of Shares
Acquired On Exercise

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

(#)
   Value Realized
on Vesting

($)
 

Charles E. Sykes

        

EDC Matching Contr.(1)

             606     11,981  

2008 LTI RS(2)

             55,960     1,024,628  

W. Michael Kipphut

        

EDC Matching Contr.(1)

             606     11,985  

2008 LTI RS(2)

             24,745     453,081  

James C. Hobby

        

EDC Matching Contr.(1)

             2,136     35,112  

2008 LTI RS(2)

             17,068     312,515  

Lawrence R. Zingale

        

EDC Matching Contr.(1)

             1,176     18,914  

2008 LTI RS(2)

             17,068     312,515  

James T. Holder

        

EDC Matching Contr.(1)

             606     11,981  

2008 LTI RS(2)

             8,245     150,966  

                 
  Options Awards Stock Awards
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
  Number of Shares
 Value Realized
 Number of Shares
 Value Realized
  Acquired On Exercise
 on Exercise
 Acquired on Vesting
 on Vesting
Name
 (#) ($) (#) ($)
 
Lawrence R. Zingale                
EDC Matching Contr.(1)        234   3,945 
2007 LTI RS(2)        17,290   409,773 
2007 SARs(3)  1,133   26,943       
2008 SARs(4)  1,169   27,799       
2009 SARs(5)  1,161   27,609       
James T. Holder                
EDC Matching Contr.(1)        525   11,991 
2007 LTI RS(2)        7,993   189,434 
2007 SARs(3)  496   11,587       
2008 SARs(4)  534   12,474       
2009 SARs(5)  444   10,372       
(1)
(1)

Reflects the Company’s matching contributions in the form of shares of its common stock held for the account of the named executive officer in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan which vested during fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.2011.

(2)

Reflects the number of restricted shares vested (column (d)) and value at the time of vesting (column (e)) from the grant of a long term incentive award to the named executive officer relating to the 2007 — 20092008 – 2010 performance period

(3)Reflects the number of stock appreciation rights granted in 2007 which were exercised by the named executive officer during 2010 (column (b)) and the value of the stock appreciation rights exercised (column (c)).
(4)Reflects the number of stock appreciation rights granted in 2008 which were exercised by the named executive officer during 2010 (column (b)) and the value of the stock appreciation rights exercised (column (c)).
(5)Reflects the number of stock appreciation rights granted in 2009 which were exercised by the named executive officer during 2010 (column (b)) and the value of the stock appreciation rights exercised (column (c)).period.

PENSION BENEFITS

The Company does not maintain any pension plans for the benefit of its executive officers.

40


NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

Pursuant to the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ( the “Plan”(the “EDC Plan”), certain executives, including the named executive officers, may defer all or any portion of their base salary, and all or any portion of their performance basedperformance-based, non-equity incentive compensation. Deferral elections are made on or before December 31st of each year for amounts to be deferred from income earned with respect to the following year. The table below shows

38


the investment options available under the Deferred Compensation Plan and their annual rate of return for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010,2011, as reported by the Compensation Committee of the Plan.
           
  Rate
    Rate
 
Name of Fund
 of Return  Name of Fund of Return 
 
Invesco Mid Cap Core Equity Fund A  12.52  Wells Fargo Adv. Money Market Fund A  7.75 
Columbia Small Cap Index A  25.71  PIMCO Total Return A  8.36 
Janus Balanced Fund Class S  7.51  Columbia Small Cap Value I A  25.72 
Van Kampen Comstock R  15.32  American Century Inf-Adj Bond Inv.  5.49 
Wells Fargo Adv. Index Fund A  14.49  Invesco Small Cap Growth Fund A  26.28 
American Funds Growth Fund of America R3  11.95  Wells Fargo Adv. International Equity A  15.29 
Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value A  24.36       

Name of Fund

  Rate
of Return
  

Name of Fund

  Rate
of Return
 

Vanguard Prime Money Market Investor Fund

   00.04 Goldman Sachs Mid Cap Value A Fund   (06.61)% 

Prudential Total Return Bond A Fund

   07.57 Principal MidCap S&P 40-0 Index R3 Fund   (02.40)% 

PIMCO Real Return A Fund

   11.11 Goldman Sachs Small Cap Value A Fund   00.42

Janus Balanced S Fund

   01.07 Principal SmallCap S&P 600 Index R3 Fund   00.12

John Hancock Disciplined Value A Fund

   00.00 MFS New Discovery R3 Fund   (10.42)% 

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index R3 Fund

   01.34 Manning & Napier World Opp. A Fund   (16.14)% 

MainStay Large Cap Growth R2 Fund

   (00.62)%    

Distributions of the participants’ deferred compensation and any vested Company stock matching contributions are made as soon as administratively feasible six months after retirement or termination of employment, unless the participant dies or becomes disabled while still an employee, in which case both distributions are made as soon as administratively feasible.

In the event the participant terminates employment (for reasons other than death, disability or retirement) without participating in the plan for three years, the matching contributions and earnings attributable thereto are forfeited. In the event that a participant terminates employment after three years but less than five years of participation in the Plan, the participant forfeits 67% of the matching contribution and earnings. In the event a participant terminates employment after five years but less than seven years of participation in the Plan, the participant forfeits 33% of the matching contribution and earnings.

In the event of a distribution of benefits as a result of a change in control, the Company will increase the benefits for the Senior Vice Presidents, Executive Vice Presidents and the President by an amount sufficient to offset the income tax obligations created by the distribution of benefits.

Participants forfeit undistributed matching contributions if the participant is terminated for “cause” as defined in the Plan or the participant enters into a business or employment which the Company’s chief executive officerCEO determines to be in violation of any non-compete agreement between the participant and the Company.

41


The following table shows information regarding contributions by the named executive officers, the Company’s matching contributions, aggregate earnings on contributions during fiscal year 2010,2011, and the aggregate balance at year end. There were no distributions from the plan to named executive officers during fiscal year 2010.

                     
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
  Executive
 Company
 Aggregate
   Aggregate
  Contributions
 Contribution
 Earnings
 Aggregate
 Balance at
  in Last
 in Last
 in Last
 Withdrawals/
 Last Fiscal
  Fiscal Year(1)
 Fiscal Year(2)
 Fiscal Year
 Distributions
 Year End(3)
Name
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Charles E. Sykes  24,000   11,991   (9,272)  0   221,796 
W. Michael Kipphut  30,800   11,972   (22,645)  0   414,877 
James C. Hobby  113,445   11,991   45,367   0   646,980 
Lawrence R. Zingale  24,000   11,955   654   0   128,924 
James T. Holder  24,000   11,991   (3,403)  0   200,809 


39

2011.


(a)

  (b)   (c)   (d)  (e)   (f) 

Name

  Executive
Contributions
in Last

Fiscal  Year(1)
($)
   Company
Contribution
in Last
Fiscal Year(2)

($)
   Aggregate
Earnings
in Last
Fiscal Year

($)
  Aggregate
Withdrawals/

Distributions
($)
   Aggregate
Balance at
Last Fiscal
Year End(3)

($)
 

Charles E. Sykes

   24,000     11,981     (24,780       232,997  

W. Michael Kipphut

   34,793     11,985     (40,014       421,641  

James C. Hobby

   133,036     11,981     (51,099       740,898  

Lawrence R. Zingale

   28,216     11,978     (14,220       154,901  

James T. Holder

   47,528     11,981     (28,760       231,558  

(1)
(1)

The amounts shown are included in the amounts of “salary” in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)

The amounts shown are included in the amounts of “Other Compensation” in column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table.

(3)

The amounts shown include 100% of the aggregate executive and Company contributions which have all been reported in the Summary Compensation Table.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table summarizes the equity compensation plans under which the equity securities of Sykes may be issued as of December 31, 2010:

             
  (a) (b) (c)
      Number of Securities
  Number of
   Remaining Available for
  Securities to be
 Weighted Average
 Future Issuance Under
  Issued Upon
 Exercise Price of
 Equity Compensation
  Exercise of
 Outstanding
 Plans (Excluding
  Options, Warrants
 Options, Warrants
 Securities Reflected in
  and Rights and Rights Column (a))
 
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders(1)
  70,275   8.54(2)  6,065,744 
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders  81,310(3)     N/A(3)
Totals  151,585       6,065,744 
2011:

   (a)  (b)  (c) 
   Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Options, Warrants
and Rights
  Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
  Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
 

Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders(1)

   11,871    5.89(2)   4,157,072  

Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders

   92,258(3)       N/A(3) 

Totals

   104,129        4,157,072  

(1)
(1)

Includes shares of common stock of Sykes authorized for awards under the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. Also includes shares of common stock of Sykes reserved for issuance under the 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan.

(2)

Represents the weighted average exercise price of stock options only.

42


(3)

Represents shares of common stock of Sykes issued as matching grants under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan for executives described on page 2829 above. There is no specific number of shares reserved for issuance under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.

Shares awarded under all of the above plans may be from Sykes’ authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or shares acquired in the open market. For a summary of the terms of Sykes’ equity compensation plans, see Note 2526 of our consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20102011 and incorporated herein by reference.

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE OF CONTROL

The tables below reflect the amount of compensation to each of the named executive officers of the Company in the event of a termination of such executive’s employment. The amount of compensation payable to each named executive officer upon voluntary termination, involuntarynot-for-cause termination, termination following a change of control and in the event of a disability or death of the executive is shown below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2010,2011, and thus includes amounts earned through


40


such time and are estimates of the amounts which would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s separation from the Company.

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer’s employment terminates, he is entitled to receive amounts earned during his term of employment. Depending upon the date of a termination, such amounts may include:

non-equity incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year;

shares which have vested and for which the restrictions have lapsed under Long-Term Incentive compensation awards;

• non-equity incentive compensation earned during the fiscal year;
• shares which have vested and for which the restrictions have lapsed under Long-Term Incentive compensation awards;
• shares to be issued as a result of the vesting of SARs under Long-Term Incentive compensation awards;
• amounts contributed to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; and
• unused vacation pay.

shares to be issued as a result of the vesting of SARs under Long-Term Incentive compensation awards;

amounts contributed to the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan; and

unused vacation pay.

Payments Made Upon Termination by the Company Without Cause, or by the Executive with Good Reason

In the event the employment of Mr. Sykes or Mr. Kipphut is terminated by the Company prior to the expiration of any renewal period for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in their respective employment agreements), or if such officer terminates his employment agreement prior to the expiration of the renewal period for good reason (as defined in their respective employment agreements, other than a termination by the officer in connection with a change of control (as defined in his employment agreement)), the officer will be entitled to the following payments:

Mr. Sykes will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his annual base salary.

43


Mr. Kipphut will be entitled to receive an amount equal to his annual base salary, plus an amount equal to the maximum annual performance bonus he could earn under the performance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating.

• Mr. Sykes will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his annual base salary.
• Mr. Kipphut will be entitled to receive an amount equal to his annual base salary, plus an amount equal to the maximum annual performance bonus he could earn under the performance based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating.

In the event that such officer terminates his employment agreement in connection with a change of control, such officer will be entitled to receive the benefits listed under the heading “Payments Made Upon a Change of Control” below.

In the event of the termination by the Company of the employment of any named executive officer other than Mr. Sykes or Mr. Kipphut for any reason other than death, disability or cause, they will be entitled to receive an amount equal to their annual base salary.

Except as provided below, the foregoing amounts are to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon such officer’s separation from service. If such officer is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining


41


payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above.
Payments Made Upon Death or Disability
In the event of the death or disability of a named executive officer, in addition to the benefits listed under the heading “Payments Made Upon Termination” above, the named executive officer will receive benefits under the Company’s disability plan or payments under the Company’s life insurance plan, as appropriate. The Company pays for life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage for its executive team in amounts equal to twice the executive’s base salary, up to a maximum of $500,000. The Company also pays for short term disability for its executives with a benefit of 70% of base salary, up to a maximum of $2,500 per week, and long term disability utilizing multiple plans. The base long term disability plan provides for a benefit to the executives of 70% of base salary, up to a maximum of $15,000 per month. The base long term disability plan is supplemented with two individual policy plans designed to provide the executives with long term disability insurance approximating 75% of covered compensation.
Payments Made Upon a Change of Control
The Company has entered into employment agreements with Mr. Sykes and Mr. Kipphut which contain change of control payment provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, if Mr. Sykes or Mr. Kipphut terminates their employment in connection with a change of control (as defined in their employment agreement), instead of the benefits listed under the heading “Payments Made Upon Termination,” they will receive the following benefits:
Mr. Sykes.  Mr. Sykes will be entitled to receive an amount equal to three times his then current base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Sykes in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of three. The target bonus amount is to be determined under the performance based bonus plan in which Mr. Sykes is then participating. In addition, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentivesand/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Sykes.
Mr. Kipphut.  Mr. Kipphut will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his then current base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Kipphut in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of two. The target bonus amount is to be determined under the performance based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating. In addition, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentivesand/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Kipphut.
Except as provided below, the foregoing amounts are to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon such officer’s separation from service. If such officer is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above.


42Payments Made Upon Death or Disability

In the event of the death or disability of a named executive officer, in addition to the benefits listed under the heading “Payments Made Upon Termination” above, the named executive officer will receive benefits under the Company’s disability plan or payments under the Company’s life insurance plan, as appropriate. The Company pays for life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage for its executive team in amounts equal to twice the executive’s base salary, up to a maximum of $500,000. The Company also pays for short term disability for its executives with a benefit of 70% of base salary, up to a maximum of $2,500 per week, and long term disability utilizing multiple plans. The base long term disability plan provides for a benefit to the executives of 70% of base salary, up to a maximum of $15,000 per month. The base long term disability plan is supplemented with two individual policy plans designed to provide the executives with long term disability insurance approximating 75% of covered compensation.

Payments Made Upon a Change of Control

The Company has entered into employment agreements with Mr. Sykes and Mr. Kipphut which contain change of control payment provisions. Pursuant to these provisions, if Mr. Sykes or Mr. Kipphut terminates their employment in connection with a change of control (as defined in their employment agreement), instead of the benefits listed under the heading “Payments Made Upon Termination,” they will receive the following benefits:

Mr. Sykes.    Mr. Sykes will be entitled to receive an amount equal to three times his then current base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Sykes in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of three. The target bonus amount is to be

44


determined under the performance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Sykes is then participating. In addition, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentives and/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Sykes.

Mr. Kipphut.    Mr. Kipphut will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two times his then current base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Kipphut in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of two. The target bonus amount is to be determined under the performance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating. In addition, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentives and/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Kipphut.

Except as provided below, the foregoing amounts are to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon such officer’s separation from service. If such officer is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above.

The named executive officers of the Company, other than Mr. Sykes and Mr. Kipphut, do not have change of control provisions in their respective employment agreements, but under various equity incentive agreements, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentivesand/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of the executive in the event of a change in control.

45


Charles E. Sykes

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control of the Company for Charles E. Sykes, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, as if such termination had occurred on December 31, 2010:

                     
  Company Initiated Executive Initiated
  Before
 After
      
  Change in
 Change in
      
  Control
 Control
      
  Termination
 Termination
   Voluntary
  
  w/o Cause
 w/o Cause
   Termination
  
  or for Good
 or for Good
 Voluntary
 for “Good
 Change in
  Reason
 Reason
 Termination
 Reason”
 Control
Type of Benefit
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Severance Pay  1,100,000   1,650,000   0   1,100,000   1,650,000 
Bonus Payment  0   1,650,000   0   0   1,650,000 
Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration  0   3,973,229   0   0   3,973,229 
Stock Option Vesting Acceleration  0   62,702   0   0   62,702 
Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration  0   0   0   0   0 
Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution  0   79,762   0   0   79,762 
Total  1,100,000   7,415,693   0   1,100,000   7,415,693 
W.  Michael Kipphut
2011:

   Company Initiated   Executive Initiated 

Type of Benefit

  Before
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   After
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   Voluntary
Termination
($)
  Voluntary
Termination
for “Good
Reason”

($)
   Change in
Control

($)
 

Severance Pay

   1,250,000     1,875,000       1,250,000     1,875,000  

Bonus Payment

        1,875,000            1,875,000  

Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration

        3,767,483            3,767,483  

Stock Option Vesting Acceleration

                      

Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration

                      

Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution

        83,790            83,790  

Total

   1,250,000     7,601,273       1,250,000     7,601,273  

W. Michael Kipphut

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control of the Company for W. Michael Kipphut, the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,CFO, as if such termination had occurred on December 31, 2010:

                     
  Company Initiated Executive Initiated
  Before
 After
      
  Change in
 Change in
      
  Control
 Control
      
  Termination
 Termination
   Voluntary
  
  w/o Cause
 w/o Cause
   Termination
  
  or for Good
 or for Good
 Voluntary
 for “Good
 Change in
  Reason
 Reason
 Termination
 Reason”
 Control
Type of Benefit
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Severance Pay  400,000   800,000   0   400,000   800,000 
Bonus Payment  420,000   840,000   0   420,000   840,000 
Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration  0   1,552,645   0   0   1,552,645 
Stock Option Vesting Acceleration  0   25,869   0   0   25,869 
Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration  0   0   0   0   0 
Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution  0   149,198   0   0   149,198 
Total  820,000   3,367,712   0   820,000   3,367,712 
2011:


43

   Company Initiated   Executive Initiated 

Type of Benefit

  Before
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   After
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   Voluntary
Termination
($)
  Voluntary
Termination
for “Good
Reason”

($)
   Change in
Control

($)
 

Severance Pay

   415,978     831,956       415,978     831,956  

Bonus Payment

   436,777     582,369       436,777     582,369  

Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration

        1,301,080            1,301,080  

Stock Option Vesting Acceleration

                      

Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration

                      

Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution

        151,360            151,360  

Total

   852,755     2,867,035       852,755     2,867,035  

46


James C. Hobby

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control of the Company for James C. Hobby, the Company’s Executive Vice President Global Operations, as if such termination had occurred on December 31, 2010:

                     
  Company Initiated Executive Initiated
  Before
 After
      
  Change in
 Change in
      
  Control
 Control
      
  Termination
 Termination
   Voluntary
  
  w/o Cause
 w/o Cause
   Termination
  
  or for Good
 or for Good
 Voluntary
 for “Good
 Change in
  Reason
 Reason
 Termination
 Reason”
 Control
Type of Benefit
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Severance Pay  335,500   335,500   0   0   0 
Bonus Payment  0   0   0   0   0 
Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration  0   1,227,595   0   0   1,227,595 
Stock Option Vesting Acceleration  0   19,266   0   0   19,266 
Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration  0   31,079   0   0   31,079 
Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution  0   232,666   0   0   232,666 
Total  335,500   1,846,106   0   0   1,510,606 
2011:

   Company Initiated   Executive Initiated 

Type of Benefit

  Before
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   After
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   Voluntary
Termination
($)
   Voluntary
Termination
for “Good
Reason”

($)
   Change in
Control

($)
 

Severance Pay

   369,973     369,973                 

Bonus Payment

                         

Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration

        1,116,027               1,116,027  

Stock Option Vesting Acceleration

                         

Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration

                         

Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution

        266,441               266,441  

Total

   369,973     1,752,441               1,382,468  

Lawrence R. Zingale

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control of the Company for Lawrence R. Zingale, the Company’s Executive Vice President Global Sales and Client Management, as if such termination had occurred on December 31, 2010:

                     
  Company Initiated Executive Initiated
  Before
 After
      
  Change in
 Change in
      
  Control
 Control
      
  Termination
 Termination
   Voluntary
  
  w/o Cause
 w/o Cause
   Termination
  
  or for Good
 or for Good
 Voluntary
 for “Good
 Change in
  Reason
 Reason
 Termination
 Reason”
 Control
Type of Benefit
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Severance Pay  322,000   322,000   0   0   0 
Bonus Payment  0   0   0   0   0 
Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration  0   1,192,098   0   0   1,192,098 
Stock Option Vesting Acceleration  0   18,943   0   0   18,943 
Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration  0   28,891   0   0   28,891 
Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution  0   46,364   0   0   46,364 
Total  322,000   1,608,296   0   0   1,286,296 
2011:


44

   Company Initiated   Executive Initiated 

Type of Benefit

  Before
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   After
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   Voluntary
Termination
($)
   Voluntary
Termination
for “Good
Reason”

($)
   Change in
Control

($)
 

Severance Pay

   360,132     360,132                 

Bonus Payment

                         

Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration

        1,077,032               1,077,032  

Stock Option Vesting Acceleration

                         

Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration

        14,407               14,407  

Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution

        55,704               55,704  

Total

   360,132     1,507,276               1,147,144  

47


James T. Holder

The following table shows the potential payments upon termination or a change of control of the Company for James T. Holder, the Company’s Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, as if such termination had occurred on December 31, 2010:

                     
  Company Initiated Executive Initiated
  Before
 After
      
  Change in
 Change in
      
  Control
 Control
      
  Termination
 Termination
   Voluntary
  
  w/o Cause
 w/o Cause
   Termination
  
  or for Good
 or for Good
 Voluntary
 for “Good
 Change in
  Reason
 Reason
 Termination
 Reason”
 Control
Type of Benefit
 ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
 
Severance Pay  270,000   270,000   0   0   0 
Bonus Payment  0   0   0   0   0 
Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration  0   521,878   0   0   521,878 
Stock Option Vesting Acceleration  0   8,661   0   0   8,661 
Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration  0   0   0   0   0 
Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution  0   72,215   0   0   72,215 
Total  270,000   872,754   0   0   602,754 
2011:

   Company Initiated   Executive Initiated 

Type of Benefit

  Before
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   After
Change in
Control
Termination
w/o Cause
or for Good
Reason

($)
   Voluntary
Termination
($)
   Voluntary
Termination
for “Good
Reason”

($)
   Change
in
Control

($)
 

Severance Pay

   300,340     300,340                 

Bonus Payment

                         

Stock Grants Vesting Acceleration

        450,633               450,633  

Stock Option Vesting Acceleration

                         

Deferred Compensation Vesting Acceleration

                         

Payment for Taxes Resulting from Deferred Compensation Distribution

        83,273               83,273  

Total

   300,340     834,246               533,906  

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

Charles E. Sykes.    The Company and Mr. Sykes are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated December 30, 2008. The material terms and conditions of the agreement are summarized below. Under the agreement, Mr. Sykes serves as President and Chief Executive OfficerCEO of the Company. The initial term of the agreement expired on July 31, 2009, but automatically renewed, and will continue to be automatically renewed, for successive one-year terms unless one of the parties provides written notice of its intent not to renew the agreement at least 180 days prior to the expiration of any renewal term. Under the agreement, Mr. Sykes’ annual base salary was originally set at $550,000, subject to increase at the Company’s discretion. Most recently, on March 7, 2011 the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board increased Mr. Sykes’ annual base salary to $625,000. Mr. Sykes also is entitled to participate in a performance basedperformance-based bonus plan based upon the achievement of such goals as may be determined by the Compensation Committee, and to participate in such other bonus programs and benefit plans as are generally made available to other executive officers of the Company.

If the agreement is terminated by the Company prior to the expiration of a renewal period for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in the agreement), or if the agreement is terminated by Mr. Sykes prior to the expiration of the renewal period for good reason (as defined below), the Company is required to pay Mr. Sykes an amount equal to two times his annual base salary, and Mr. Sykes is prohibited for a period of two years from soliciting the Company’s employees and competing with the Company in any area in which the Company’s clients were conducting business during the initial term or any renewal term of the agreement. If the agreement is terminated by Mr. Sykes following a change of control of the Company (as defined in the agreement) prior to the expiration of the initial term or any renewal period, the Company is required to pay

48


Mr. Sykes an amount equal to three times his annual base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Sykes in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of three. The target bonus


45


amount is to be determined under the performance basedperformance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Sykes is then participating. Except as provided below, the foregoing amounts are to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon his separation from service. If Mr. Sykes is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above.

Also, in the event the agreement is terminated by Mr. Sykes in connection with a change of control of the Company, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentivesand/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Sykes.

“Good reason” for Mr. Sykes’ termination of the agreement is defined in the agreement as: (i) a change of control of the Company (as defined in the agreement), (ii) a good faith determination by Mr. Sykes that the Company has breached the employment agreement, (iii) a material adverse change in working conditions or status, (iv) the deletion of, or change in, any of the titles of CEO or President, (v) a significant relocation of Mr. Sykes’ principal office, (vi) a significant increase in travel requirements, or (vii) an impairment of Mr. Sykes’ health to an extent that made the continued performance of his duties under the agreement hazardous to his physical or mental health or his life.

The agreement provides that if Mr. Sykes’ employment is terminated by the Company due to his death, disability or for cause, or voluntarily by Mr. Sykes other than for good reason, then the Company will have no obligation to pay him any salary, bonus or other benefits other than those payable through the date of termination, and Mr. Sykes may not solicit any of the Company’s employees or compete directly or indirectly with the Company during the term of the agreement and for a period of one year after its termination, regardless of the reason for its termination. The agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions.

W. Michael Kipphut.    The Company and Mr. Kipphut are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated December 30, 2008, the material terms and conditions of which are summarized below. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Kipphut will serve as an executive of the Company. Mr. Kipphut serves as Executive Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer.CFO. The initial term of the agreement expired on March 5, 2009, but was automatically renewed, and will continue to be automatically renewed, for successive one-year terms unless one of the parties provides the other with written notice of its intent not to renew the agreement at least 30 days prior to the expiration of a renewal term. Under the agreement, Mr. Kipphut’s annual base salary was originally set at $400,000, subject to increase at the Company’s discretion. Most recently, on MarchDecember 7, 2011, and effective on February 29, 2012, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Kipphut’s annual base salary to $415,978.$424,298. Mr. Kipphut also is entitled to participate in a performance basedperformance-based bonus plan based upon the achievement of such

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goals as may be determined by the Compensation Committee, and to participate in such other bonus programs and benefit plans as are generally made available to other executive officers of the Company.


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If the agreement is terminated by the Company prior to the expiration of a renewal period for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in the agreement), or if the agreement is terminated by Mr. Kipphut prior to the expiration of the renewal period for good reason (as defined below), the Company is required to pay Mr. Kipphut an amount equal to his annual base salary, plus an amount equal to the maximum annual performance bonus he could earn under the performance basedperformance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating. If the agreement is terminated by Mr. Kipphut following a change in control of the Company (as defined in the agreement) prior to the expiration of the renewal period, the Company is required to pay Mr. Kipphut an amount equal to twice his annual base salary, plus an amount determined by multiplying the annual target bonus designated or otherwise indicated for Mr. Kipphut in the year such change of control occurs by a factor of two. The target bonus amount is to be determined under the performance basedperformance-based bonus plan in which Mr. Kipphut is then participating. Except as provided below, the foregoing amounts are to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon his separation from service. If Mr. Kipphut is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above.

Also, in the event the agreement is terminated by Mr. Kipphut in connection with a change of control of the Company, all stock options, stock grants or other similar equity incentivesand/or compensation programs will immediately accelerate and become fully vested and exercisable at the option of Mr. Kipphut.

“Good reason” for Mr. Kipphut’s termination of the agreement is defined in the agreement as: (i) a change of control of the Company (as defined in the agreement), (ii) a good faith determination by Mr. Kipphut that the Company has breached the employment agreement, (iii) a material adverse change in working conditions or status, (iv) the deletion of, or change in, any of the titles of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,CFO, (v) a significant relocation of Mr. Kipphut’s principal office, (vi) a change in reporting such that Mr. Kipphut is required to report to someone other than the CEO, or (vii) a significant increase in travel requirements.

The agreement provides that if Mr. Kipphut’s employment is terminated by the Company due to his death, disability or for cause, or voluntarily by Mr. Kipphut other than for good reason, then the Company will have no obligation to pay him any salary, bonus or other benefits other than those payable through the date of termination.

The agreement provides that Mr. Kipphut may not solicit any of the Company’s employees or compete directly or indirectly with the Company during the term of the agreement and for one year after its expiration in any area in which the Company’s clients were conducting business during the initial term or any renewal term of the agreement. The agreement contains customary confidentiality provisions.

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James Hobby.The Company and Mr. Hobby are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated December 29, 2008, the material terms and conditions of which are summarized below. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Hobby will serve as an executive of the Company. Mr. Hobby serves as Executive Vice President, Global Operations. The agreement will continue until terminated by one of the parties. Under the agreement, Mr. Hobby’s annual base salary was originally set at $335,500,$366,000, subject to increase at the Company’s


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discretion. Most recently, on MarchDecember 7, 2011, and effective on February 29, 2012, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resources Development Committee, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Hobby’s annual base salary to $369,973.$377,372. He also is entitled to participate in a performance basedperformance-based bonus plan based upon the achievement of such goals as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and to standard executive fringe benefits.

If the agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in the agreement), the Company is required to pay Mr. Hobby an amount equal to his weekly base salary for 52 weeks after the termination of the agreement. Except as provided below, the foregoing amount is to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon his separation from service. If Mr. Hobby is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above. If Mr. Hobby’s employment is terminated by the Company due to his death, disability or cause, or voluntarily by Mr. Hobby, then the Company will have no obligation to pay him any salary, bonus or other benefits other than those payable through the date of termination. In any event, Mr. Hobby may not compete with the Company in any area in which the Company’s clients were conducting business during the term of the agreement, or solicit the Company’s employees, for a period of one year after termination of his employment. The agreement also contains customary confidentiality provisions.

Lawrence R. Zingale.    The Company and Mr. Zingale are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated December 29, 2008, the material terms and conditions of which are summarized below. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Zingale will serve as an executive of the Company. Mr. Zingale serves as Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Client Management. The agreement will continue until terminated by one of the parties. Under the agreement, Mr. Zingale’s annual base salary was originally set at $322,000, subject to increase at the Company’s discretion. Most recently, on MarchDecember 7, 2011, and effective on February 29, 2012, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Zingale’s annual base salary to $360,132.$367,335. He also is entitled to participate in a performance basedperformance-based bonus plan based upon the achievement of such goals as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and to standard executive fringe benefits.

If the agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in the agreement), the Company is required to pay Mr. Zingale an amount equal to his weekly base salary for 52 weeks after the termination of the agreement. Except as provided below, the foregoing amount is to be

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paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon his separation from service. If Mr. Zingale is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section��Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service


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(or, (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above. If Mr. Zingale’s employment is terminated by the Company due to his death, disability or cause, or voluntarily by Mr. Zingale, then the Company will have no obligation to pay him any salary, bonus or other benefits other than those payable through the date of termination. In any event, Mr. Zingale may not compete with the Company in any area in which the Company’s clients were conducting business during the term of the agreement, or solicit the Company’s employees, for a period of one year after termination of his employment. The agreement also contains customary confidentiality provisions.

James T. Holder.    The Company and Mr. Holder are parties to an amended and restated employment agreement, dated December 29, 2008, the material terms and conditions of which are summarized below. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Holder will serve as an executive of the Company. Mr. Holder serves as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. The agreement will continue until terminated by one of the parties. Under the agreement, Mr. Holder’s annual base salary was originally set at $270,000, subject to increase at the Company’s discretion. Most recently, on MarchDecember 7, 2011, and effective on February 29, 2012, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, the Board of Directors increased Mr. Holder’s annual base salary to $300,340.$306,347. He also is entitled to participate in a performance basedperformance-based bonus plan based upon the achievement of such goals as may be determined by the Compensation Committee and to standard executive fringe benefits.

If the agreement is terminated by the Company prior to the expiration of the renewal period for any reason other than death, disability, or cause (as defined in the agreement), the Company is required to pay Mr. Holder an amount equal to his weekly base salary for 52 weeks after the termination of the agreement. Except as provided below, the foregoing amount is to be paid biweekly in equal installments over 52 weeks, commencing immediately upon his separation from service. If Mr. Holder is determined to be a “specified employee” on the date of his “separation from service” (each as defined in Section 409(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations), to the extent that he is entitled to receive any benefit or payment upon such separation from service under the employment agreement that constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code before the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service, such benefits or payments will not be provided or paid to him on the date otherwise required to be provided or paid. Instead, all such amounts shall be accumulated and paid in a single lump sum on the first business day after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service (or, if earlier, within fifteen (15) days following his date of death). All remaining payments and benefits otherwise required to be paid or provided on or after the date that is six months after the date of his separation from service will be paid or provided or paid in accordance with the payment schedule described above. The agreement also provides that if Mr. Holder’s employment is terminated by the Company due to his death, disability or cause, or voluntarily by Mr. Holder, then the Company will have no obligation to pay him any salary, bonus or other benefits other than those payable through the

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date of termination. In any event, Mr. Holder may not compete with the Company in any area in which the Company’s clients were conducting business during the term of the agreement, or solicit the Company’s employees, for a period of one year after termination of his employment. The agreement also contains customary confidentiality provisions.

PROPOSAL 2:

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) we are providing our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the


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compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. Because the shareholder vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board. However, the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTEFOR “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON YOUR PROXY, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTEDFOR “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

PROPOSAL 3:

ADVISORY VOTE ONAPPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION2004 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR FEE PLAN

As part

The non-employee directors of the Board’s commitmentCompany are currently compensated with both cash and equity awards pursuant to excellence in corporate governance, and as required by the Section 14Aprovisions of the Exchange Act, the Board is providing the Company’s shareholders with an opportunity to provide an advisory vote to determine whether the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation should occur every one, two or three years.

Fourth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Directors Fee Plan (the “2004 Fee Plan”).

The Board recommends that the advisory vote on executive compensation be presented to shareholders on an annual basis. We believe an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow us to obtain information on shareholders’ viewspurpose of the compensation2004 Fee Plan is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits of our named executive officers on a more consistent basis, and will provide our Board and Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee with frequent input from shareholders on our compensation programs. Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding upon the Board.

The proxy card provides shareholders withincentive inherent in increased ownership of common stock of the opportunity to choose among four options (holding the vote every one, two or three years, or abstaining) and, therefore, shareholders will not be voting to approve or disapprove the recommendationCompany by members of the Board of Directors.
Directors who are not employees by providing for the payment of a portion of each non-employee director’s compensation in common stock. It is believed that such ownership further aligns the interests of such non-employee directors with the shareholders of the Company, thereby promoting the long-term profits and growth of the Company, and encourages such non-employee directors to remain directors of the Company. It is also believed that the 2004 Fee Plan will encourage qualified persons to become directors of the Company.

The 2004 Fee Plan provides that all new non-employee directors joining the Board will receive an initial grant of shares of common stock on the date the new director is elected or appointed, the number of which will be determined by dividing $60,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date a new director is elected or appointed, rounded to the nearest whole number of shares. The initial grant of shares vests in twelve equal quarterly installments, one-twelfth on the date of grant and an additional one-twelfth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The award lapses with respect to all unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company, and any unvested shares are forfeited.

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The 2004 Fee Plan also provides that each non-employee director will receive, on the day after the annual shareholders meeting, an annual retainer for service as a non-employee director (the “Annual Retainer”). The Annual Retainer consists of shares of the Company’s common stock and cash. Currently, the total value of the Annual Retainer is $95,000, payable $50,000 in cash (effective as of May 20, 2011) and the remainder paid in stock, the amount of which is determined by dividing $45,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, rounded to the nearest whole number of shares.

In addition to the Annual Retainer award, the 2004 Fee Plan also provides for any non-employee Chairman of the Board to receive an additional annual cash award of $100,000, and each non-employee director serving on a committee of the Board to receive an additional annual cash award in the following amounts:

Position

  Amount 

Audit Committee

  

Chairperson

  $20,000  

Member

  $10,000  

Compensation & Human Resource Development Committee

  

Chairperson

  $15,000  

Member

  $7,500  

Finance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

The annual grant of shares vests in eight equal quarterly installments, one-eighth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders, and an additional one-eighth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The annual grant of cash, including all amounts paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board and all amounts paid to non-employee directors serving on committees of the Board, vests in four equal quarterly installments, one-fourth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders, and an additional one-fourth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of grant. The award lapses with respect to all unpaid cash and unvested shares in the event the non-employee director ceases to be a director of the company, and any unvested shares and unpaid cash are forfeited.

The Board may pay additional cash compensation to any non-employee director for services on behalf of the Board over and above those typically expected of directors, including but not limited to service on a special committee of the Board.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARDProposed Amendment

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS SHAREHOLDERS VOTE TO HOLD THE ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ON YOUR PROXY, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR A VOTE EVERY YEAR.
PROPOSAL 4:
APPROVAL OF THE SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The

In March 2012, the Board of Directors adoptedapproved the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity IncentiveFifth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan (the “2011 Plan) on March 23, 2011, subject to shareholder approval at“Amendment”) upon the Annual Meeting, and the 2011 Plan will become effective when shareholder approval is obtained. The material terms of the 2011 Plan are summarized below and are qualified in their entirety by the terms of the 2011 Plan, which is attached at Appendix “A” to this Proxy Statement and can be accessed athttp://www.sec.gov. You also can obtain a printed copy by writing to the Secretary, Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, 400 North Ashley Drive, 28th Floor, Tampa, Florida 33602.


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General
The Company previously had in effect the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which expired by its terms on March 14, 2011. In order to maintain a plan which provides a mechanism to provide equity incentive compensation to the Company’s employees in accordance with the compensation philosophyrecommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting. The 2004 Fee Plan has only two years remaining of its ten year term. The Amendment would amend the 2004 Fee Plan to provide that the annual equity retainer award under the 2004 Fee Plan would be determined by the Board believes it is inof Directors each year, with the best interestaggregate amount of the Companyequity awards being subject only to adopt a replacement plan with the same material terms and conditions as the 2001 Plan.
The 2011 Plan provides for the grant of awards with respect to a maximum of 5,732,978 shares of Common Stock. This number constitutes the number of shares that were available under the 2001 Plan at2004 Fee Plan. Therefore, if the time of expiration. AsAmendment is approved, future changes in the 2001 Plan has expired, no more grants will be made under that plan. The expirationamount of the 2001 Plan will not affect awards previously granted under that plan, and previously granted awards will continue to be governed by that plan.
Purposeequity award dur-

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ing the final two years of the 20112004 Fee Plan

The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to provide incentives to certain employees of, and certain non-employees who provide services to, the Company and its subsidiaries, in order to encourage them to remain in the employ of or to faithfully provide services to the Company and its subsidiaries and to increase their interest in the Company’s success.
Administration and Duration of the 2011 Plan
The 2011 Plan is administered by the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board, or by any other committee appointed by the Board that shall consist of (currently 157,072 shares), would not fewer than two members of the Board, each of whom shall qualify (at the time of appointment to the committee and during all periods of service on the committee) in all respects as a “non-employee director” as defined inRule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act, of 1934, as amended, and as an independent director s in accordance with NASDAQ rules. The Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the 2011 Plan (the “Compensation Committee) is authorized,be subject to the provisions of the 2011 Plan, to establish such rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the 2011 Plan, and to make such determinations under, and such interpretations of, and to take such steps in connection with, the 2011 Plan and plan awards as it may deem necessary or advisable. Any authority granted to the Compensation Committee may also be exercised by the Board. To the extent permitted by applicable law and with certain exceptions, the Compensation Committee may delegate any or all of its powers or duties under the 2011 Plan to such person or persons as it shall appoint, pursuant to such condition or limitationsshareholder approval, so long as the Compensation Committee may establish.
The 2011 Plan will have a duration of ten years from the date that the Board of Directors adopted the plan. Accordingly, the 2011 Plan will terminate on March 23, 2021, unless sooner terminated by the Board. Upon such termination, the outstanding awards granted under the 2011 Plan will remain in effect until their exercise, expiration, or termination. The Board may at any time terminate the 2011 Plan, or amend the 2011 Plan as it shall deem advisable, including any amendment deemed by the Board to be necessary or advisable to assure conformity of the 2011 Plan and any incentive stock options granted thereunder to the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, as now or hereafter in effect and to assure conformity with any requirements of other applicable state or federal laws or regulations.


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Types of Awards
The 2011 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant awards in the form of options to purchase Common Stock, stock appreciation rights, and other stock-based awards. The employees to whom plan awards are granted and the terms of the awards granted, including thetotal number of shares of Common Stock subject to such awards, shall be within the discretion of the Compensation Committee, subject to the terms and conditions set for the in the 2011 Plan.
Options to Purchase Common Stock.  The 2011 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant options to purchase Common Stock. These options may be in the form of “incentive stock options,” which are options that meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or “nonqualified stock options,” which are options that do not meet such requirements.
Except for incentive stock options granted to shareholders owning more the 10% of the voting power of all classes of the Company’s capital stock, the per share exercise price of an incentive stock option granted or to be granted pursuant to the 2011 Plan, as determined by the Compensation Committee, shall be an amount notis less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date that the option is granted. For purposes of the 2011 Plan, the “fair market value” of a share of Common Stock is defined as the closing price of a share of Stock as reported by the securities market on the date preceding such grant, or if such date is not a trading day, the closing price of a share of Stock as reported by the securities market on the last trading day preceding such date on which a sale was reported.
The term of each option granted pursuant to the 2011 Plan shall be as determined by the Compensation Committee, but in no event shall the term of an option exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.
Payment of the option price may be made in cash or by check, or if approved by the Compensation Committee, by delivery of shares of Common Stock equivalent in fair market value to the option price, or by a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at the election of the optionee and subject to the terms of the applicable stock option agreement. In the event an optionee exercises an option by surrendering shares of Common Stock as payment of the exercise price, the 2011 Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant a replacement option equal to the number of share surrendered as payment.
Subjectshares available under the 2004 Fee Plan. The amount of the cash portion of the Annual Retainer has always been subject to the termsBoard’s discretion, without the need for shareholder approval.

For 2012, subject to shareholder approval of each stock option agreement, options granted under the 2011 Plan may be exercised in whole or in part. Upon exercise of an option, the employee must pay in full the option price for the shares of Common Stock being purchased.

Stock Appreciation Rights.  The 2011 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant “stock appreciation rights” to eligible participants. A stock appreciation right is a right to receive, without payment to the Company, and amount of cash or shares of Common Stock, as determined by the Compensation Committee, equal to the amount by which the fair market value of a share of Common Stock exceeds the grant priceAmendment at the time of exercise.
UnderAnnual Meeting, the 2011 Plan, stock appreciation rights may be granted either alone or in tandem with stock options. With respect to stand-alone stock appreciation rights, the grant price, term, method of exercise, method of payment, and other terms and conditions of each such right will beBoard determined by the Compensation Committee, except that the grant price must be equal to at least the fair market valueequity portion of the Company’s Common Stock on the grant date. Tandem stock appreciation rights will have terms and conditions corresponding to the related options. To the extent that a tandem stock appreciation right is exercised, the related option will no longerAnnual Retainer award should be exercisable. No stock appreciation right may have a term of more than ten years from the date of grant.


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Other Stock-Based Awards.  In addition to stock options and stock appreciation rights, the 2011 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant other awards that are valued or determine in whole or in part by reference to or otherwise based on the Company’s Common Stock. Such awards may include restricted stock, stock units, so-called “phantom stock,” and stock options containing terms or provisions differing from stock options granted pursuant to other parts of the 2011 Plan.
Shares Subject to Awards
The 2011 Plan provides for the grant of awards with respect to a maximum of 5,732,978 shares of Common Stock. This number constitutesset at the number of shares that were available underdetermined by dividing $75,000 (an increase of $30,000 from 2011) by the 2001 Plan at the time of expiration. Asclosing price of the date of this Proxy Statement, no awards have been granted to employees under the 2011 Plan. At this time, it is not known which employees, if any, will receive grants under the 2011 Plan or the number of shares that will be covered by any such grants. Such determinations will be made from time to time by the Compensation Committee. To the extent that awards granted under the 2011 Plan expire or terminate without having been exercised in full, the Common Stock subject to those expired or terminated awards will become available for further award grants under the 2011 Plan. Provision is made under the 2011 Plan for appropriate adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the 2011 Plan, and covered by each award granted thereunder and any related exercise or purchase price, in the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, merger, reorganization, stock split, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or otherwise.
Eligibility and Extent of Participation
All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who are designated by the Compensation Committee for participation in the 2011 Plan are eligible to receive awards under the 2011 Plan. As of the date hereof, there were approximately 42,000 individuals employed by the Company and its subsidiaries who are eligible to participate in the 2011 Plan. However, no incentive stock option shall be granted to any employee who immediately after such option is granted, own capital stock of the Company possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of capital stock of the Company unless the option prices at the time such incentive stock option is granted is at least 110% of the fair market value of the shares subject to the incentive stock option and such incentive stock option is not exercisable by its terms after the expiration of five years from the date of its grant. The Compensation Committee may also, in the exercise of its discretion, grant awards under the 2011 Plan to non-employees, except that incentive stock options may not be granted to such non-employees.
An incentive stock option shall be granted under the 2011 Plan to an employee only if the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the option is granted) of the Common Stock for which options are exercisable for the first time by such employee during any calendar year does not exceed $100,000. Except as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, no participant in the 2011 Plan is eligible to receive, at the time of grant, awards relating to more than 200,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2011 Plan during any calendar year.
In certain circumstances involving mergers, reorganizations, transactions involving the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of more the 50% of the Common Stock by any person or group of related persons without the prior approval of the Board (a “Change in Control”), any plan awards under the 2011 Plan that are unvested as of the date of the Change in Control will immediately become fully vested as of the date of the Change of Control, and any restrictions or other conditions applicable to outstanding awards will lapse on such date.


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Limitations on Transferability and Effect of Death or Termination of Employment
Except as otherwise provided by the Compensation Committee, awards granted under the 2011 Plan are generally not transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Compensation Committee will determine, either in an award agreement or otherwise, the extent to which an award may be exercised subsequent to the death of the employee or the termination of the employee’s employment. However, any incentive stock options granted under the 2011 Plan must terminate not later than three months after the participant’s termination of employment for any reason other than disability or death, and it must terminate not later than twelve months after the participant’s termination of employment as a result of disability.
Repricing
Neither the Board nor the Compensation Committee will amend the plan to permit a transaction that would have the effect of repricing a stock option or SAR without obtaining shareholder approval of such amendment. For this purpose “repricing” means any transaction that would have the effect of repricing a stock option or SAR under applicable financial accounting standards or, with respect to underwater stock options, the cancellation of such options in exchange for replacement options or a buyout of underwater stock options for cash.
Change-of-Control Provisions
The change-of-control provisions in the equity incentive agreements with key employees of the Company, including the named executive officers, are dictated by the equity plan under which they are granted. The expired 2001 Equity Incentive Plan provided that equity grants would vest upon preliminary change-of-control events such as: (a) the adoption of a plan of reorganization, merger or share exchange; and (b) the approval of the Board of an agreement providing for the sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of the Company. The 2011 Plan requires completion of the subject events before vesting occurs.
Federal Income Tax Considerations
Incentive Stock Options.  Under current federal tax law, the holder of an option that qualifies as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code generally does not recognize income for federal income tax purposes at the time of the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option (but the spread between the exercise price and the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of exercise generally will constitute a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax). The optionee generally will be entitled to long-term capital gain treatment upon the sale of share acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option if the shares have been held for more than tow years from the date of grant of the option and for more than one year after exercise, and the Company will not be entitled to any deduction for federal income tax purposes. If the optionee disposes of the stock before the expiration of either of these holding periods (a “disqualifying disposition”), the gain realized on the disposition will be compensation income to the optionee to the extent the fair market value of the underlyingCompany’s common stock on the date of exercise (or, if less,the 2012 Annual Meeting, and the amount realized on disposition of the underlying stock) exceeds the applicable exercise price and a corresponding deduction will be allowed to the Company.
Nonqualified Stock Options.  Under current federal tax law, an optionee does not recognize income for federal income tax purposes upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option but must recognize ordinary income upon exercise to the extentcash portion of the excessAnnual Retainer for 2012 should remain at $50,000.

The Amendment would also change the vesting period for the annual equity award, from a two-year vesting period (consisting of the fair market value of the underlying shareseight equal quarterly installments, one-eighth on the date of exercise over the exercise pricegrant and an additional one-eighth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the option. The Company generally will be entitleddate of grant), to a deduction in the same amount and at the same time as ordinary income is recognized by the optionee. A subsequent dispositionone-year vesting period (consisting of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a nonqualified option typically will give rise to capital gain or loss to the extent the


54


amount realized from the sale differs from the fair market value of the sharesfour equal quarterly installments, one-fourth on the date of exercise. This capital gain or loss will be long-term gain or loss if the shares sold had been held for more than one year aftergrant and an additional one-fourth on each successive third monthly anniversary of the date of exercise.
Stock appreciation rights.  Amounts received upongrant).

To become effective, the exercise of a stock appreciation right are taxed as ordinary income when received. The Company is generally allowed an income tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary incomeAmendment must be approved by the participant.

Other stock-based awards.  Amounts received byshareholders at the participant upon the grant of other stock-based awards are ordinarily taxed as ordinary income when received. However, if such other stock-based awards consist of property subject to restrictions, the amounts generally will not be taxed until the restrictions lapse or until the participant makes an election under Section 83(b)Annual Meeting. A copy of the Code. The CompanyFifth Amended and Restated 2004 Fee Plan is generally allowed an income tax deduction at the same time and in the same amount recognizedattached to this proxy statement as ordinary income by the Participant.
Compliance with Section 162(m).  The 2011 Plan should allow certain stock options, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based awards to be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)Exhibit 1.

Each of the Code. However, the Compensation Committee may, from time to time, award compensation that is not deductible under Section 162(m).

Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes castCompany’s non-employee directors who are serving on the Proposal atboard after the Annual Meeting will be required for approvalreceive an additional $30,000 worth of the 2011 Plan. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes castcommon stock on the Proposal.
day after the Annual Meeting, and a shortened vesting period for the entire equity award as described above, if the Amendment is approved.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE APPROVAL OF THE SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED 2011 EQUITY INENTIVEAMENDMENT TO THE 2004 FEE PLAN DESCRIBED ABOVE AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE 2011 PLAN.AMENDMENT. EXECUTED AND UNMARKED PROXISPROXIES IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE 2011 PLAN.

PROPOSAL 5:
APPROVAL OF USE OF CERTAIN PERFORMANCE CRITERIA UNDER THE
SYKES ENTERPRISES INCORPORATED 2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee, approved and adopted the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan on March 23, 2011. The 2011 Plan is being submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval at the 2011 Annual Meeting. The 2011 Plan contains provisions designed to cause certain long-term incentive awards issued under the 2011 Plan to comply with Section 162(m) under the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 162(m) imposes an annual deduction limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation paid to “covered employees,” that is the chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated officers of the Company. The deduction limit does not apply to “qualified performance-based compensation.” If the 2011 Plan is approved by the shareholders, stock options granted under the 2011 Plan will be considered qualified performance-based compensation because the stock options will be granted at no less than fair market value on the grant date. The


55


same is true for stock appreciation rights awarded under the 2011 Plan. However, other types of awards, such as awards of restricted stock, must satisfy additional requirements. Specifically, the awards must be subject to performance goals, the “material terms” of which have been approved by shareholders. The Company intends that most long-term incentive awards issued to covered employees under the 2011 Plan will comply with Section 162(m), and the Company is seeking approval of the performance criteria adopted by the Board of Directors on March 23, 2011, described below, in order to preserve deductibility under Section 162(m) with respect to such awards.
The 2011 Plan allows the Company’s Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee to award long-term incentive awards in the form of restricted stock and other stock-based awards that vest on the basis of specific performance targets determined at the time of grant. Under the 2011 Plan, the performance targets for awards are required to relate to one or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis,and/or for specified subsidiaries or other business units of the Company: (1) earnings (net of or including dividends); (2) EBIT or EBITDA; (3) gross or net revenue or changes in annual revenues; (4) cash flow(s) (including operating or net cash flow(s)); (5) financial return ratios; (6) total shareholder return, shareholder return based on growth measures or the attainment by the shares of a specified value for a specified period of time, share price or share price appreciation; (7) earnings growth or EPS growth; (8) return measures, including return or net return on assets, net assets, equity, capital or gross sales; (9) adjusted pre-tax margin; (10) pre-tax profits; (11) operating margins, operating profits;and/or operating expenses; (12) dividends; (13) net income or net operating income or adjusted income from operations; (14) growth in operating earnings or growth in EPS; (15) value of assets; (16) market share or market penetration with respect to specific designated products or product groupsand/or specific geographic areas; (17) aggregate product price and other product measures; (18) expense or cost levels; (19) reduction of losses, loss ratios or expense ratios; (20) reduction in fixed costs; (21) operating cost management; (22) cost of capital; (23) debt reduction; (24) productivity improvements; (25) average inventory turnover; (26) satisfaction of specified business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (27) advertising efficiency; (28) customer satisfaction based on specified objective goals or a Company-sponsored customer survey; (29) employee diversity goals or employee turnover; (30) specified objective social goals; (31) safety record; (32) management of employment practices and employee benefits; (33) supervision of litigation and information technology; and (34) goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries or joint ventures. The targeted level or levels of performance with respect to such business criteria may be established at such levels and in such terms as the Committee may determine, in its discretion, including in absolute terms, as a goal relative to performance in prior periods, or as a goal compared to the performance of one or more comparable companies or an index covering multiple companies.
Under the 2011 Plan, the value of the performance-based awards made to employees if the performance goals are fully attained will not exceed the current value of the shares of restricted stock or the stock underlying other stock-based awards at the end of the performance period. The largest performance-based award that can be granted to an employee in any one calendar year will be limited to 200,000 shares. As a result, the maximum amount that any employee could earn under the 2011 Plan if the performance goals for the award are fully attained would be limited to the fair market value of not more than 200,000 shares of Company stock .
The amount of long-term incentive awards to be paid in the future to the Company’s current and future covered employees under the 2011 Plan cannot be determined at this time, as actual amounts will be based on the discretion of the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee in determining the awards and actual performance. Nothing in this proposal precludes the Company or the Committee from making any payment or granting awards that do not qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m).


56


A summary of the principal features of the 2011 Plan is set forth above under the heading “Proposal 4 — Approval of the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan.”
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the Proposal at the Annual Meeting will be required for approval of the criteria set forth above. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast on the Proposal.
RECOMMENDATIONADOPTION OF THE BOARD
AMENDMENT UNLESS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE APPROVAL OF THE CRITERIA SET FORTH ABOVE TO BE USED IN MAKING PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS UNDER THE 2011 PLAN AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THESE CRITERIA. EXECUTED AND UNMARKED PROXIS IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN FAVOR OF THESE CRITERIA.
PROXY IS MARKED OTHERWISE.

PROPOSAL 6
4:

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 20112012 and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20112012 and express an opinion thereon. Although the Company is not required to seek shareholder ratification of this appointment, the Board believes it to be sound corporate governance to do so. If the appointment is not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider the appointment of, but will not be required to engage, a different auditing firm.

Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. Those representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

55


RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL AND URGES EACH SHAREHOLDER TO VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. EXECUTED AND UNMARKED PROXIES IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN FAVOR OF RATIFICATION.

AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE

The Audit Committee is comprised solely of independent directors and, among other things, is responsible for:

• 

Serving as an independent and objective party to monitor the Company’s financial reporting process and internal control system.


57


The appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registered public accounting firm employed by the Audit Committee (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, and each such registered public accounting firm reports directly to the Audit Committee.

Reviewing and appraising the Company’s internal auditing function.

Providing an open avenue of communication among the Company’s registered public accounting firm, financial and senior management, those involved in the Company’s internal auditing function, and the Board of Directors.

• The appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registered public accounting firm employed by the Audit Committee (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, and each such registered public accounting firm reports directly to the Audit Committee.
• Reviewing and appraising the Company’s internal auditing function.
• Providing an open avenue of communication among the Company’s registered public accounting firm, financial and senior management, those involved in the Company’s internal auditing function, and the Board of Directors.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors

The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors which exceed $50,000. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. The Chairman of the Audit Committee has been given the authority to grant pre-approvals, and each such pre-approval is then submitted to the full Committee at the next meeting for consideration and approval. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date.

56


Service Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The fees charged by Deloitte & Touche LLP for professional services rendered in connection with all audit and non-audit related matters for the years ended December 31, 20102011 and December 31, 20092010 were as follows:

         
  2010 2009
 
Audit Fees(1) $3,074,032  $2,167,711 
Audit-Related Fees(2) $-0-  $278,222 
Tax Fees $-0-  $-0- 
All Other Fees $-0-  $-0- 

   2011   2010 

Audit Fees(1)

  $2,547,359    $3,074,032  

Audit-Related Fees(2)

  $36,639    $—        

Tax Fees

  $—          $—        

All Other Fees

  $—          $—        

(1)
(1)

Fees for audit services in 20102011 and 20092010 consisted of (a) audits of the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting, (b) reviews of the Company’s quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements, and (c) annual stand alone statutory audits.

(2)

Fees for audit-related services in 20092011 principally included services in connection with the acquisition of ICT Group.due diligence

57


Report of the Audit Committee

In connection with the financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the Audit Committee has:

(1) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management,

(2) discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditors”), the matters required to be discussed by the statement on SAS 114,Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, VOL. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the PCAOB in Rule 3200T, and


58


(3) received the written disclosures and letter from the Auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the Auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the Auditors the Auditors’ independence.

Based upon these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board at the March 7, 201121, 2012 meeting of the Board that the Company’s audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report onForm 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20102011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board has approved this inclusion.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

William J. Meurer, Chairman

Iain A. Macdonald

Paul L. Whiting

James S. MacLeod

March 23, 2011

21, 2012

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


59

58


SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock as of April 14, 2011,9, 2012, for each director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table herein, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.

                         
        Stock Settled
    
        Stock
    
        Appreciation
    
      Options
 Rights
    
      Currently
 Vested and
 Total Stock
 Percent of
      Exercisable Or
 Vesting
 and Stock
 Total
  Common
 Common
 Exercisable
 Within 60
 Based
 Outstanding
Name
 Stock Stock Units(1) Within 60 Days Days(2) Holdings Stock
 
Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.   23,473   294   0   0   23,767   *
Mark C. Bozek  16,687   294   10,000   0   26,981   *
Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong (Ret)  18,313   294   0   0   18,607   *
H. Parks Helms(3)  16,252   294   0   0   16,546   *
Iain Macdonald  15,102   294   0   0   15,396   *
James S. MacLeod(4)  24,928   294   0   0   25,222   *
Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D.   24,102   294   0   0   24,396   *
William J. Meurer  39,297   294   10,000   0   49,591   *
James K. Murray, Jr.(5)  21,483   294   0   0   21,777   *
Charles E. Sykes(6)  350,435   0   0   1,075   351,510   *
Paul L. Whiting(7)  76,961   294   0   0   77,255   *
W. Michael Kipphut(8)  170,058   0   0   8,006   178,064   *
Lawrence R. Zingale(9)  100,349   0   0   328   100,677   *
James C. Hobby(10)  103,060   0   0   2,060   105,120   *
James T. Holder(11)  40,933   0   0   158   41,091   *
All directors and executive officers as a group — 18 persons  1,156,847   2,940   33,300   13,948   1,207,035   2.6%

Name

  Common
Stock
   Common
Stock Vesting
at the 2012
Shareholder’s
Meeting(1)
   Options
Currently
Exercisable Or
Exercisable
within 60 days
   Stock-Settled
Stock
Appreciation
Rights
Vested and
Vesting
within 60
days(2)
   Total Stock
and Stock
Based
Holdings
   Percent of
Total
Outstanding
Stock
 

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.

   25,684     258               25,942     *  

Mark C. Bozek

   18,898     258     10,000          29,156     *  

Lt. Gen. Michael DeLong (Ret)

   20,524     258               20,782     *  

H. Parks Helms(3)

   16,100     258               16,358     *  

Iain Macdonald

   20,659     258               20,917     *  

James S. MacLeod(4)

   27,139     258               27,397     *  

Linda McClintock-
Greco, M.D.

   26,313     258               26,571     *  

William J. Meurer

   51,508     258               51,766     *  

James K. Murray, Jr.(5)

   24,694     258               24,952     *  

Charles E. Sykes(6)

   443,346                    443,346     *  

Paul L. Whiting(7)

   64,172     258               64,430     *  

W. Michael Kipphut(8)

   198,707               2,006     200,713     *  

Lawrence R. Zingale(9)

   139,278                    139,278     *  

James C. Hobby(10)

   119,062                    119,062     *  

James T. Holder(11)

   53,909                    53,909     *  

Others

   128,274               571     128,845     *  

All directors and executive officers as a group — 18 persons

   1,378,267     2,580     10,000     2,577     1,393,424     3.2

*

Less than 1.0%

 
(1)

Shares of common stock that will become payable under the 2004 Non-Employee Director Fee Plan to all non-employee directors serving on the date of the Company’s 20112012 annual meeting of shareholders.

 
(2)

Shares of common stock which may be acquired within sixty days upon the exercise of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), assuming that the fair market value of a share of the Company’s stock (as defined in the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan) is $19.21$16.12 on the date of exercise. The SARs represent the right to receive that number of shares of common stock determined by dividing (i) the total number of shares of stock subject to the SARs being exercised, multiplied by the amount by which the fair market value (as defined in the

59


Plan) of a share of stock on the day the right is exercised exceeds the fair market value of a share of stock on the date of grant of the SAR, by (ii) the fair market value of a share of stock on the exercise date.

 
(3)

Excludes 600 shares held by Mr. Helms’ spouse over which Mr. Helms disclaims beneficial ownership.


60


(4)
(4)

Includes 2,500 shares held by Mr. MacLeod in an IRA.

 
(5)

Excludes 1,000 shares held by a family member in which Mr. Murray disclaims beneficial ownership. Includes shares held by Murray Corporation, of which Mr. Murray is an officer and principal shareholder.

 
(6)

Includes 296,540405,884 shares of restricted stock issued as part of the various equity-based, long-term incentive awards and 18,333 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Sykes is a beneficiary.

 
(7)

Includes 58,90043,900 shares owned jointly by Mr. Whiting and other family members. Excludes 300 shares of common stock held by Mr. Whiting’s wife in which Mr. Whiting disclaims beneficial ownership.

 
(8)

Includes 107,828134,277 shares of restricted stock issued as part of the various equity-based, long-term incentive awards.

 
(9)

Includes 85,844113,603 shares of restricted stock issued as part of the various equity-based, long-term incentive awards.

 
(10)

Includes 88,334119,062 shares of restricted stock issued as part of the various equity-based, long-term incentive awards.

 
(11)

Includes 35,27648,192 shares of restricted stock issued as part of the various equity-based, long-term incentive awards.

60


Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

As of April 4, 2011,6, 2012, the Company’s records and other information available from outside sources indicated that the following shareholders were beneficial owners of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The information below is as reported in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not aware of any other beneficial owner or more than 5% of the Company’s common stock.

         
  Amount and Nature of
 
  Beneficial Ownership
 
  Common Stock 
Name
 Shares  Percent 
 
Wellington Management Company, LLP(1)
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
  6,052,635   12.9%
John H. Sykes(2)  3,982,564   8.5%
Artisan Partners, LP(3)
875 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800
Milwaukee, WI 53202
  3,867,494   8.3%
BlackRock, Inc.(4)
40 East 52nd Street
New York, New York, 10022
  3,854,222   8.2%
Wells Capital Management, Inc.(5)
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
  3,153,384   6.7%
Fidelity Management & Research Co. 
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
  2,584,073   5.5%


61


   Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
Common Stock
 

Name

  Shares   Percent 

Wellington Management Company, LLP(1)

280 Congress Street

Boston, MA 02210

   5,434,093     12.2

Artisan Partners, LP(2)

875 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 800

Milwaukee, WI 53202

   4,419,394     10.0

John H. Sykes(3)

P.O.Box 20327

Tampa, Florida 33623

   3,553,257     7.9

BlackRock, Inc.(4)

40 East 52nd Street

New York, New York, 10022

   3,076,372     6.9

FMR LLC(5)

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02109

   2,888,574     6.5

The Vanguard Group, Inc.(6)

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

   2,265,068     5.1

(1)
(1)

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Wellington Management Co., LLP (“Wellington”) on February 14, 2011.2012. Wellington is an investment adviser in accordance with Rule 240 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(2)

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Artisan Partners Holdings LP (“Artisan”) on April 9, 2012. Artisan is an investment adviser registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

(2)(3)Represents

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Mr. John H. Sykes on February 15, 2012. Mr. Sykes is the beneficial owner of these shares which are owned by Mr. John Sykes through Jopar Investments Limited Partnership, a North Carolina limited partnership in which(“Jopar”). Mr. Sykes is the sole limited partner of Jopar and the sole shareholderowns all of the limited partnership’soutstanding capital stock of Jopar’s sole general partner. Excludespartner, Jopar Investments, Inc., a North Carolina corporation. The amount of shares shown excludes 7,950 shares owned by Mr. Sykes’ wife, as to which Mr. Sykes disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Sykes’ business address is P.O. Box 2044, Tampa, Florida 33601-2044.

33601-2044.(4)
(3)All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Artisan Partners LP on February 11, 2011.
(4)

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) on February 8, 2011. Wells Fargo13, 2012. BlackRock is a parent holding company or control person in accordance withRule 13d-1(b)(1)(iii) (G).

61


(5)All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”) on January 20, 2011. Wells Fargo is a parent holding company registered under Section 240 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Wells Fargo filed the Schedule 13G on its own behalf and on behalf of certain of its subsidiaries. Aggregate beneficial ownership reported by Wells Fargo & Company is on a consolidated basis and includes any beneficial ownership separately reported therein by a subsidiary.
(6)

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by FMR, LLC (“FMR”) on February 14, 2011.2012. FMR is a parent holding company in accordance with Section 240 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940.

(6)

All information is based upon the Schedule 13G filed with the Security and Exchange Commission by The Vanguard Group-, Inc. (“Vanguard”) on February 8, 2012. Vanguard is a registered investment adviser in accordance with section 240 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

During the year ended December 31, 2010,2011, the executive officers and directors of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on a timely basis, all required reports relating to transactions involving equity securities of the Company beneficially owned by them. The Company has relied solely on the written representation of its executive officers and directors and copies of the reports they have filed with the Commission in providing this information.

DEADLINEREQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING DEADLINES, FOR RECEIPTSUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDERPROXY PROPOSALS

The deadline

AND NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS

Under the rules of the SEC and our Bylaws, if a shareholder wants to nominate a person to stand for submission of shareholder proposals pursuant toRule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,election as amended, for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2012a director at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders isor introduce an item of business at an Annual Meeting of Shareholders and have us include such proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the nomination or proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices at 400 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602, by December 10, 2011. Pursuant14, 2012. The nomination or proposal should be sent to the Company’sattention of the Secretary of the Company.

Under our Bylaws, onlya shareholder proposals submitted onmust follow certain procedures to nominate persons for election as directors or prior to such date may be brought beforeintroduce an item of business at an Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The procedures for nominating a director are described above under the meeting.

heading “Corporate Governance—Nominations for Directors.”


The procedures for introducing an item of business at the Annual Meeting include providing a written notice of each proposed item of business that must include:

(a)a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting,

(b)the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s stock books, of the shareholders proposing such business,

(c)the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by the shareholder,

(d)any material interest of the shareholder in such business, and

(e)the same information required by clauses (b), (c) and (d) above with respect to any other shareholder that, to the knowledge of the shareholder proposing such business, supports such proposal.

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OTHER MATTERS

Management knows of no matter to be brought before the Annual Meeting which is not referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by Proxy will be voted with respect thereto in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting them.

By Order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO
James T. Holder
Secretary

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EXHIBIT 1

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

2004 NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR FEE PLAN

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

1.1 DEFINITIONS.    Whenever the following terms are used in this Plan they shall have the meanings specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary:

(a)“Board”: The Board of Directors of the Company.

(b)“Common Stock”: The Company’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

(c)“Company”: Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated or any successor or successors thereto.

(d)“Nonemployee Director”: An individual duly elected or chosen as a Director of the Company who is not also an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries.

(e)“Plan”: The Plan set forth in this instrument as it may, from time to time, be amended.

(f)“Share”: A fully paid, non-assessable share of Common Stock.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Plan is to secure for the Company and its shareholders the benefits of the incentive inherent in increased ownership of Common Stock of the Company by members of the Board of Directors

-s- James T. Holder
James T. Holder
Secretary


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APPENDIX A
SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1.  PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS
(a) Purpose.  This Plan, known as the “Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan”, is intended to provide incentives to certain employees of and certain non-employees who provide services to Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and its subsidiaries, in order to encourage them to remain in the employ of or to faithfully provide services to the Company and its subsidiaries and to increase their interest in the Company’s success. It is intended that this purpose be effected through awards or grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, and various other rights with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock, as provided herein, to such eligible persons.
(b) Definitions.  The following terms shall have the following respective meanings unless the context requires otherwise:
(1) The term “Administrator” shall mean the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board or such other committee, individual or individuals appointed or delegated authority pursuant to Section 2 to administer the Plan.
(2) The term “Affiliate” or “Affiliates” shall have the meaning set forth inRule 12b-2 promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
(3) The term “Beneficial Owner” shall mean beneficial owner as defined inRule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
(4) The term “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.
(5) The term “Change in Control” shall mean (i) the reorganization, merger, share exchange or consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations or other entities as a resultwho are not employees of which the holders of the Stock as a group would receive less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the capital stock or other interests of the surviving or resulting corporation or entity; (ii) the consummation of a plan of liquidation or the dissolution of the Company; (iii) the sale or transfer (other than as a security for obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary) of substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than a sale or transfer to an entity at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by persons in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale; or (iv) the acquisition of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Stock by any person within the meaning of Rule 13(d)(3) under the Exchange Act, if such acquisition is not preceded by a prior expression of approval by the Board, provided that the term “person” shall not include (A) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B)by providing for the payment of a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit planportion of each Nonemployee Director’s compensation in Common Stock. It is expected that such ownership will further align the interests of such Nonemployee Directors with the shareholders of the Company, orthereby promoting the long-term profits and growth of the Company, and will encourage such Nonemployee Directors to remain directors of the Company. It is also expected that the Plan will encourage qualified persons to become directors of the Company.

ARTICLE III. INITIAL GRANT OF SHARES

In consideration of joining the Board, upon the initial election of a Subsidiary, (C)Nonemployee Director to the Board, such Non-employee Director shall receive an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuantaward of Shares. The number of Shares shall be determined by dividing a dollar amount to be determined from time to time by the Board (to be set at $60,000) by an offeringamount equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date the Nonemployee Director is elected, rounded to the nearest whole number of Shares. The initial grant of Shares shall vest in twelve equal quarterly installments, one-twelfth on the date of grant and an additional one-twelfth on each of each third monthly anniversary of the date of grant thereafter. The award shall lapse with respect to all unvested Shares in the event the Non-employee Director ceases to be a Director of the Company, and such unvested Shares shall be forfeited.

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ARTICLE IV. ANNUAL RETAINER AWARD

In consideration of their services as members of the Board, each Nonemployee Director shall be entitled to receive an annual retainer award consisting of Shares and cash in such amount as shall be determined from time to time by the Board, with the number of Shares being subject to the number of Shares remaining available for grant hereunder.

In addition to the annual retainer award determined as described above, any non-employee Chairman of the Board shall receive an additional annual cash award of $100,000, and each non-employee director serving on a committee of the Board shall receive an additional annual cash award in the following amounts:

Position

  Amount 

Audit Committee

  

Chairperson

  $20,000  

Member

  $10,000  

Compensation & Human Resource Development Committee

  

Chairperson

  $15,000  

Member

  $7,500  

Finance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

  

Chairperson

  $12,500  

Member

  $7,500  

The total annual equity retainer award for each Non-employee Director provided for in this Article IV, which was granted in 2011 and each prior year shall vest in eight equal quarterly installments, one-eighth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders and an additional one-eighth on each third monthly anniversary of such securities,date thereafter. The total annual equity retainer award for each Non-employee Director provided for in this Article IV granted in 2012 and each year thereafter shall vest in four equal quarterly installments, one-fourth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders and an additional one-fourth on each third monthly anniversary of such date thereafter. The total annual cash compensation shall vest in four quarterly installments, one-fourth on the day following the annual meeting of shareholders and an additional one-fourth on each third monthly anniversary of such date thereafter. The award shall lapse with respect to all unvested Shares and unpaid cash in the event the Non-employee Director ceases to be a Director of the Company, and such unvested Shares and cash shall be forfeited.

The provisions of this Article IV for the annual retainer award to Nonemployee Directors shall not limit the ability of the Board to provide for additional compensation payable to Nonemployee Directors for services on behalf of the Board over and above those typically expected of Directors. The Board will determine the cash compensation for any Non-employee director serving on a special committee of the Board.

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ARTICLE V. ADMINISTRATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

5.1 ADMINISTRATION.    The Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board shall have such powers as may be necessary to discharge its duties hereunder. The Board may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, and may from time to time consult with legal counsel who may be counsel to the Company. All decisions and determinations by the Board shall be final and binding on all parties.

5.2 AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.    The Board may alter or (D) a corporation owned directlyamend this Plan from time to time or indirectlymay terminate it in its entirety; provided, however, that, any amendment which must be approved by the shareholders of the Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of any national securities exchange or securities listing service upon which the Shares are traded or quoted shall not be effective unless and until such approval is obtained. Presentation of the Plan or any amendment thereof for shareholder approval shall not be construed to limit the Company’s authority to offer similar or dissimilar benefits in plans that do not require shareholder approval.

5.3 ADJUSTMENTS.    In the event of any change in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or any other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing, the number or kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan automatically shall be adjusted so that the proportionate interest of the Nonemployee Directors shall be maintained as before the occurrence of such event. Such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes with respect to the Plan.

5.4 SUCCESSORS.    The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Plan in the same proportionsmanner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor of or to the Company, including without limitation any persons acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company whether by sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the “Company” for the purpose of this Plan), and the heirs, beneficiaries, executors and administrators of each Nonemployee Director.

ARTICLE VI. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

Subject to adjustment as their ownershipprovided in this Plan, the total number of stock inShares of Common Stock which may be issued under this Plan shall initially be Four Hundred Fifty Thousand (450,000). Shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the Company.

(6) The term “Code” shall meanforegoing.

ARTICLE VII. GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1 NO CONTINUING RIGHT TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR.    Neither the Internal Revenue Codeadoption or of 1986,this Plan, nor any document describing or referring to this Plan, or any successor thereto,part thereof, shall confer upon any Nonemployee Director any right to continue as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

(7) The term “Company” shall mean Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.


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(8) The term “Compensation Committee” shall mean the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board of Directors, or its successor committee.
(9) The term “Employee” shall mean a person who is employed by the Company or any Subsidiary, including an officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary who is also an employeesubsidiary of the Company or any Subsidiary.
(10)Company.

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7.2 GOVERNING LAW.    The term “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor thereto, as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

(11) The term “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to a share of Stock as of any given date, (a) if the Stock is readily tradable on an established securities market within the meaning of section 409A of the Code, the closing price of a share of Stock as reported by the securities market on the day preceding such date, or, if such date is not a trading day, the closing price of a share of Stock as reported by the securities market on the last trading day preceding such date on which a sale was reported (if there is more than one established securities market on which the Stock is traded, the Administrator shall determine the appropriate market for purposes of determining Fair Market Value), or (b) if the Stock is not readily tradable on an established securities market within the meaning of section 409A of the Code, the Administrator shall determine the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock in a manner consistent with the requirements of section 409A of the Code and all other applicable rules and regulations.
(12) The term “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted under this Plan and which is an incentive stock option within the meaning of section 422 of the Code, or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute.
(13) The term “Option” or “Options” shall mean the option to purchase Stock in accordance with Section 4 on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Administrator, whether or not such option is an Incentive Stock Option.
(14) The term “Other Stock-Based Awards” shall mean awards of Stock or other rights made in accordance with Section 5 on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Administrator.
(15) The term “Participant” shall mean an Employee or non-employee who has been designated for participation in the Plan.
(16) “Performance Goals” shall mean the achievement of performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee pursuant to this Plan for Employees who have received grants with performance-vesting. One or more of the following business criteria for the Company, on a consolidated basis,and/or specified subsidiaries or business units of the Company (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used exclusively by the Compensation Committee in establishing performance objectives: (1) earnings (net of or including dividends); (2) EBIT or EBITDA; (3) gross or net revenue or changes in annual revenues; (4) cash flow(s) (including operating or net cash flow(s)); (5) financial return ratios; (6) total shareholder return, shareholder return based on growth measures or the attainment by the shares of a specified value for a specified period of time, share price or share price appreciation; (7) earnings growth or EPS growth; (8) return measures, including return or net return on assets, net assets, equity, capital or gross sales; (9) adjusted pre-tax margin; (10) pre-tax profits; (11) operating margins, operating profits;and/or operating expenses; (12) dividends; (13) net income or net operating income or adjusted income from operations; (14) growth in operating earnings or growth in EPS; (15) value of assets; (16) market share or market penetration with respect to specific designated products or product groupsand/or specific geographic areas; (17) aggregate product price and other product measures; (18) expense or cost levels; (19) reduction of


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losses, loss ratios or expense ratios; (20) reduction in fixed costs; (21) operating cost management; (22) cost of capital; (23) debt reduction; (24) productivity improvements; (25) average inventory turnover; (26) satisfaction of specified business expansion goals or goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (27) advertising efficiency; (28) customer satisfaction based on specified objective goals or a Company-sponsored customer survey; (29) employee diversity goals or employee turnover; (30) specified objective social goals; (31) safety record; (32) management of employment practices and employee benefits; (33) supervision of litigation and information technology; and (34) goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries or joint ventures. One or more of the foregoing business criteria described in subparagraphs (1) through (34) shall be exclusively used in establishing performance objectives for grants to executive officers that are intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).
(17) The term “Person” shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
(18) The term “Plan” shall mean the Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.
(19) The term “Plan Awards” or “Awards” shall mean awards or grants of stock Options and various other rights with respect to shares of Stock.
(20) The term “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean the right to receive, without payment to the Company, an amount of cash or Stock as determined in accordance with Section 4, based on the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the relevant valuation date exceeds the grant price.
(21) The term “Stock” shall mean shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share.
(22) The term “Subsidiary” shall mean any “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
(23) The term “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean an individual who owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporations within the meaning of Code section 422.
Section 2.  ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation and Human Resource Development Committee of the Board, or by any other committee appointed by the Board that shall consist of not fewer than two members of the Board, each of whom shall qualify (at the time of appointment to the committee and during all periods of service on the committee) in all respects as a “non-employee director” as defined inRule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and as an outside director as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code and TreasuryRegulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3) or any other regulations under Code Section 162(m). The Administrator shall administer the Plan and perform such other functions as are assigned to it under the Plan. The Administrator is authorized, subject to the provisions of the Plan, from time to time, to establish such rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, and to make such determinations under, and such interpretations of, and to take such steps in connection with, the Plan and the Plan Awards as it may deem necessary or advisable, in each case in its sole discretion. The Administrator’s decisions and determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made selectively


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among Participants, whether or not they are similarly situated. Any authority granted to the Administrator may also be exercised by the Board. To the extent that any permitted action taken by the Board conflicts with any action taken by the Administrator, the Board action shall control. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Administrator may delegate any or all of its powers or duties under the Plan, including, but not limited to, its authority to make awards under the Plan to grant waivers pursuant to Section 7, to such person or persons as it shall appoint, pursuant to such conditions or limitations as the Administrator may establish;provided, however,that the Administrator shall not delegate its authority to amend or modify the Plan pursuant to the provisions of Section 13(b). To the extent of any such delegation, the term “Administrator” when used herein shall mean and include any such delegate.
Section 3.  STOCK AVAILABLE FOR PLAN AWARDS
(a) Stock Subject to Plan.  The Stock to be subject to or related to Plan Awards may be either authorized and unissued shares or shares held in the treasury of the Company. The maximum number of shares of Stock with respect to which Plan Awards may be granted under the Plan, subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 10, shall be 5,732,978.
(b) Computation of Stock Available for Plan Awards.  For the purpose of computing the total number of shares of Stock remaining available for Plan Awards under this Plan at any time while the Plan is in effect, the total number of shares determined to be available pursuant to subsections (a) and (c) of this Section 3 shall be determined by the Administrator pursuant to the following rules:
(1) While an Award is outstanding, it shall be counted against the authorized pool of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan, regardless of its vested status.
(2) The grant of an Option or Other Stock-Based Awards shall reduce the shares available for grant under the Plan by the number of shares subject to such Award.
(3) The grant of a Tandem SAR (as defined in Section 4) shall not further reduce the number of shares available for grant in excess of the number of shares subject to the related Option (i.e., there is no double counting of Options and their related Tandem SARs).
(4) The grant of an SAR independent of an Option shall reduce the number of shares available for grant by the number of SARs granted.
(5) The Committee shall in each case determine the appropriate number of shares to deduct from the authorized pool in connection with the grant of any Other Stock-Based Awards.
(6) To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than in shares, the shares reserved for such Award shall not be deducted from the authorized Share pool.
(7) To the extent shares are withheld from any Award by the Company to pay taxes applicable to any Award, such shares shall be deducted from the authorized Share pool.
(8) Shares tendered by a participant to pay the exercise price of any Option or to satisfy tax-withholding obligations relating to any Award shall not be added to the authorized share pool.
(b) Terminated, Expired or Forfeited Plan Awards.  The shares involved in the unexercised or undistributed portion of any terminated, expired or forfeited Plan Award shall be made available for further Plan Awards.
(c) Limit on Individual Awards.  Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator as permitted by the last sentence of this Subsection 3(d), no Participant shall, in any calendar year, be granted any Options, SARs, or Other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to which such Participant may acquire more than 200,000 shares of Stock or


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SARs in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 10 of this Plan. The Administrator may, in its discretion, grant Options, SARs or Other Stock-Based Awards pursuant to which a Participant may acquire more than 200,000 shares of Stock or SARs, but, in such event, the shares of Stock or SARs acquired in excess of 200,000 shall not meet the exception for “performance-based compensation” under section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.
Section 4.  OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
(a) Grant of Options.
(1) The Administrator, at any time and from time to time while the Plan is in effect, may grant Options to such Employees and non-employees as the Administrator may select, subject to the provisions of this Section 4 and Section 3. Subject to any limitations set forth in the Plan, the Administrator shall have complete discretion in determining: (a) the eligible individuals to be granted an Option; (b) the number of shares of Stock to be subject to the Option; (c) whether the Option is to be an Incentive Stock Option or a nonqualified stock option;providedthat, Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a Subsidiary; and (d) any other terms and conditions of the Option as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(2) Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Incentive Stock Options: (a) will be exercisable at a purchase price per share of not less than One Hundred percent (100%) (or, in the case of a Ten Percent Stockholder, one hundred and ten percent (110%)) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant; (b) will be exercisable over not more than ten (10) years (or, in the case of a Ten Percent Stockholder, five (5) years) after the date of grant; (c) will terminate not later than three (3) months after the Participant’s termination of employment for any reason other than disability or death; (d) will terminate not later than twelve (12) months after the Participant’s termination of employment as a result of a disability (within the meaning of Code section 424); and (e) will comply in all other respects with the provisions of Code section 422.
(3) Nonqualified stock options will be exercisable at purchase price per share           of not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of grant. The number of shares of Stock covered by the nonqualified stock option shall be fixed by the Administrator on the date of grant. Nonqualified stock options will be exercisable during such periods or on such date as determined by the Administrator and shall terminate at such time as the Administrator shall determine. Nonqualified stock options shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as are determined by the Administrator.
(4) Each award agreement evidencing an Incentive Stock Option shall provide that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Stock (as determined on the date of the option grant) that may be purchased by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year pursuant Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan or any other plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries exceeds $100,000, then such option as to the excess shall be treated as a nonqualified stock option. This limitation shall be applied by taking stock options into account in the order in which they were granted.
(b) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(1) The Administrator, at any time and from time to time while the Plan is in effect, may grant Stock Appreciation Rights to such Employees and non-employees as it may select, subject to the provisions of this Section 4 and Section 3. Each Stock Appreciation Right may relate to all or a portion of a specific Option granted under the Plan and may be granted concurrently with the Option to which it relates or at any time prior to the exercise, termination or expiration of such Option (a “Tandem SAR”), or may be granted independently of any Option, as determined by the Administrator. If the Stock Appreciation Right is granted independently of an Option, the grant price of such right shall be the Fair Market Value of Stock on the date of grant of such Stock Appreciation


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Right;provided, however, that the Administrator may, in its discretion, fix a grant price in excess of the Fair Market Value of Stock on such grant date. The grant price of a Tandem SAR shall be equal to the exercise price of the related Option. The number of shares of Stock covered by the Stock Appreciation Right shall be fixed by the Administrator on or before the date of grant.
(2) Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant shall be entitled to receive, without payment to the Company, either (A) that number of shares of Stock determined by dividing (i) the total number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right being exercised by the Participant, multiplied by the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the day the right is exercised exceeds the grant price (such amount being hereinafter referred to as the “Spread”), by (ii) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the exercise date; or (B) cash in an amount determined by multiplying (i) the total number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Appreciation Right being exercised by the Participant, by (ii) the amount of the Spread; or (C) a combination of shares of Stock and cash, in amounts determined as set forth in clauses (A) and (B) above, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion;provided, however, that, in the case of a Tandem SAR, the total number of shares which may be received upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right for Stock shall not exceed the total number of shares subject to the related Option or portion thereof, and the total amount of cash which may be received upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right for cash shall not exceed the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the total number of shares subject to the related Option or portion thereof.
(c) Terms and Conditions.
(1) Each Option and Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be exercisable on such date or dates, during such period, for such number of shares and subject to such further conditions, including but not limited to the attainment of Performance Goals, as shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion and set forth in the provisions of the award agreement with respect to such Option and Stock Appreciation Right;provided, however, that a Tandem SAR shall not be exercisable prior to or later than the time the related Option could be exercised; andprovided, further, that in any event no Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised beyond ten (10) years from the date of grant.
(2) The Administrator may impose such conditions as it may deem appropriate upon the exercise of an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, including, without limitation, a condition that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised only in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Administrator from time to time and consistent with the Plan.
(3) With respect to Options issued with Tandem SARs, the right of a Participant to exercise the Tandem SAR shall be cancelled if and to the extent the related Option is exercised, and the right of a Participant to exercise an Option shall be cancelled if and to the extent that shares covered by such Option are used to calculate shares or cash received upon exercise of the Tandem SAR.
(4) If any fractional share of Stock would otherwise be issued to a Participant upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, the Participant shall be paid a cash amount equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date of exercise.
(d) Award Agreement.  Each Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall be evidenced by an award agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Administrator from time to time shall approve.


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(e) Payment for Option Shares.
(1) Payment for shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of an Option granted hereunder shall be made in such manner as is provided in the applicable award agreement.
(2) Any payment for shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of an Option granted hereunder shall be made in cash. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if permitted by the Award Agreement or otherwise permitted by the Administrator, the payment may be made by delivery of shares of Stock beneficially owned by the Participant, or attestation by the Participant to the ownership of a sufficient number of shares of Stock, or by a combination of cash and Stock, at the election of the Participant;provided, however, that any shares of Stock so delivered or attested shall have been beneficially owned by the Participant for a period of not less than six (6) months prior to the date of exercise. Any such shares of Stock so delivered or attested shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of such exercise. The Administrator shall determine whether and if so the extent to which actual delivery of share certificates to the Company shall be required. The Administrator also may authorize payment in accordance with a cashless exercise program under which, if so instructed by the Participant, Stock may be issued directly to the Participant’s broker upon receipt of the Option purchase price in cash directly to the broker.
(3) To the extent that the payment of the exercise price for the Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option is made with shares of Stock as provided in this Section 4(e)(2), then, at the discretion of the Administrator, the Participant may be granted a replacement Option under the Plan to purchase a number of shares of Stock equal to the number of shares tendered or attested to as permitted in Section 4(e)(2) hereof, with an exercise price per share equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such replacement Option and with a term extending to the expiration date of the original Option.
Section 5.  STOCK AND OTHER STOCK-BASED AND COMBINATION AWARDS
(a) Grants of Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Administrator, at any time and from time to time while the Plan is in effect, may grant Other Stock-Based Awards to such Employees or non-employees as it may select. Such Plan Awards pursuant to which Stock is or may in the future be acquired, or Plan Awards valued or determined in whole or part by reference to or otherwise based on Stock, may include, but are not limited to, awards of restricted Stock or Plan Awards denominated in the form of “stock units”, grants of so-called “phantom stock” and options containing terms or provisions differing in whole or in part from Options granted pursuant to Section 4. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted either alone, in addition to, in tandem with or as an alternative to any other kind of Plan Award, grant or benefit granted under the Plan or under any other employee plan of the Company or Subsidiary, including a plan of any acquired entity. Each Other Stock-Based Award shall be evidenced by an award agreement in such form as the Administrator may determine.
(b) Terms and Conditions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code, the Administrator shall have the authority to determine the time or times at which Other Stock-Based Awards shall be made, the number of shares of Stock or stock units and the like to be granted or covered pursuant to such Plan Awards (subject to the provisions of Section 3) and all other terms and conditions of such Plan Awards, including, but not limited to, whether such Plan Awards shall be subject to the attainment of Performance Goals, and whether such Plan Awards shall be payable or paid in cash, Stock or otherwise. The Administrator may, in its discretion, condition the vesting of any Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan on satisfaction of (i) any minimum period of continued employment with the Company by the Employee the Administrator determines to be appropriate (“service vesting”), (ii) satisfaction of any of one or more Performance Goals the Administrator determines to be appropriate (“performance vesting”), or (iii) any combination of service vesting and performance vesting requirements the Administrator determines appropriate.


A-7


(c) Consideration for Other Stock-Based Awards.  In the discretion of the Administrator, any Other Stock-Based Award may be granted as a Stock bonus for no consideration other than services rendered.
(d) Performance Based Awards.  The Administrator may, in its discretion, designate any Other Stock-Based Award to be granted to a Participant as a Performance-Based Award intended to qualify as “performance-based” compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Any such Other Stock-Based Award granted to a Participant under this Plan designated as a Performance-Based Award shall become vested or issuable to the Participant only upon the achievement of such Performance Goals as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors may specify in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) Each such Performance-Based Award shall specify the number of shares to which it pertains.
(2) The performance period with respect to each such Performance-Based Award shall be determined by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant.
(3) For each Participant’s award, the Compensation Committee shall specify the Performance Goals that are to be achieved. These Performance Goals shall be selected by the Compensation Committee within the first ninety (90) days of the performance period.
(4) Each Participant’s Performance-Based Award shall specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may not exceed a maximum specified by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant, or that the number of shares of Stock issued with respect thereto may not exceed the maximum specified by the Compensation Committee on the date of grant.
(5) Each award shall specify the time and manner of payment of Performance-Based Awards that have been earned. No payment shall be made with respect to a Participant’s Performance-Based Award until (i) the end of the Performance Period and (ii) the Compensation Committee has certified in writing that the Performance Goals with respect to such Performance-Based Award have been met.
(6) Any Performance-Based Award may specify that any such amount may be paid by the Corporation in the form of shares of Stock, or, in the Compensation Committee’s discretion, in cash, or any combination thereof, and may either grant to the Participant or reserve to the Compensation Committee the right to elect among those alternatives; provided, however, that no form of consideration or manner of payment that would causeRule 16b-3 to cease to apply to this Plan shall be permitted.
(7) Any such shares or cash shall be delivered to the Participant no later than two and one-half (21/2) months after the date on which the Compensation Committee has confirmed that the Performance Goals for the Performance-Based Award were satisfied during the performance period.
Section 6.  AWARDS TO PARTICIPANTS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES
In order to facilitate the granting of Plan Awards to Participants who are foreign nationals or who reside or work outside of the United States of America, the Administrator may provide for such special terms and conditions, including without limitation substitutes for Plan Awards, as the Administrator may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Such substitutes for Plan Awards may include a requirement that the Participant receive cash, in such amount as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion, in lieu of any Plan Award or share of Stock that would otherwise have been granted to or delivered to such Participant under the Plan. The Administrator may approve any supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for purposes of this Section 6 without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate


A-8


officer of the Company may certify any such documents as having been approved and adopted pursuant to properly delegated authority;provided, however,that no such supplements, amendments, restatements or alternative versions shall include any provision that is inconsistent with the terms of the Plan as then in effect. Participants subject to the laws of a foreign jurisdiction may request copies of, or the right to view, any materials that are required to be provided by the Company pursuant to the laws of such jurisdiction.
Section 7.  PAYMENT OF PLAN AWARDS AND CONDITIONS THEREON
(a) Issuance of Shares.  Certificates for shares of Stock issuable pursuant to a Plan Award shall be issued to and registered in the name of the Participant who received such Award. The Administrator may require that such certificates bear such restrictive legend as the Administrator may specify and be held by the Company in escrow or otherwise pursuant to any form of agreement or instrument that the Administrator may specify. If the Administrator has determined that deferred dividend equivalents shall be payable to a Participant with respect to any Plan Award pursuant to Section 5(d), then concurrently with the issuance of such certificates, the Company shall deliver to such Participant a cash payment or additional shares of Stock in settlement of such dividend equivalents.
(b) Substitution of Shares.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (b) or any other provision of the Plan, but subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code, the Administrator may specify that a Participant’s Plan Award shall not be represented by certificates for shares of Stock but shall be represented by rights approximately equivalent (as determined by the Administrator) to the rights that such Participant would have received if certificates for shares of Stock had been issued in the name of such Participant in accordance with subsection (a) (such rights being called “Stock Equivalents”). Subject to the provisions of Section 10 and the other terms and provisions of the Plan, if the Administrator shall so determine, each Participant who holds Stock Equivalents shall be entitled to receive the same amount of cash that such Participant would have received as dividends if certificates for shares of Stock had been issued in the name of such Participant pursuant to subsection (a) covering the number of shares equal to the number of shares to which such Stock Equivalents relate.
(c) Effect of Competitive Activity.  Anything contained in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if the employment of any Participant shall terminate, for any reason other than death, while any Plan Award granted to such Participant is outstanding hereunder, and such Participant has not yet received the Stock covered by such Plan Award or otherwise received the full benefit of such Plan Award, such Participant, if otherwise entitled thereto, shall receive such Stock or benefit only if, during the entire period from the date of such Participant’s termination to the date of such receipt, such Participant shall have (1) made himself or herself available, upon request, at reasonable times and upon a reasonable basis, to consult with, supply information to and otherwise cooperate with the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to any matter that shall have been handled by him or her or under his or her supervision while he or she was in the employ of the Company or of any Subsidiary, and (2) refrained from engaging in any activity that is directly or indirectly in competition with any activity of the Company or any Subsidiary. In the event of a Participant’s failure to comply with any condition set forth in this subsection (c), such Participant’s rights under any Plan Award shall be forfeited and cancelled forthwith;provided, however, that the failure to comply with such condition may at any time (whether before, at the time of or subsequent to termination of employment) be waived by the Administrator upon its determination that in its sole judgment there shall not have been and will not be any such substantial adverse effect.
(d) Effect of Adverse Conduct.  Anything contained in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, all rights of a Participant under any Plan Award shall cease on and as of the date on which it has been determined by the Administrator that such Participant at any time (whether before or subsequent to termination of such Participant’s employment) acted in a manner Adverse to the best interests of the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof.


A-9


(e) Tax and Other Withholding.  Prior to any distribution of cash, Stock or any other benefit available under a Plan Award (including payments under Section 5(d) and Section 7(b)) to any Participant, appropriate arrangements (consistent with the Plan and any rules adopted hereunder) shall be made for the payment of any taxes and other amounts required to be withheld by federal, state or local law. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any Plan Award granted, any payment due under a Plan Award, or any other payment otherwise due by the Company to the Participant, the amount of all federal, state or local taxes due in respect of a Plan Award or any payment under a Plan Award, and to take any other action the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any tax obligation incident to a Plan Award.
(f) Substitution.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, but subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code, may substitute a Plan Award for another Plan Award or Plan Awards of the same or different type.
Section 8.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF PLAN AWARDS
(a) Restrictions on Transfer of Awards.  Plan Awards shall not be assignable or transferable by the Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution except that the Participant may, with the consent of the Administrator, transfer without consideration Plan Awards that do not constitute Incentive Stock Options to the Participant’s spouse, children or grandchildren (or to one or more trusts for the benefit of any such family members or to one or more partnerships in which any such family members are the only partners).
(b) Attachment and Levy.  No Plan Award shall be subject, in whole or in part, to attachment, execution or levy of any kind, and any purported transfer in violation hereof shall be null and void. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no domestic relations order purporting to authorize a transfer of a Plan Award, or to grant to any person other than the Participant the authority to exercise or otherwise act with respect to a Plan Award, shall be recognized as valid.
Section 9.  DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARIES
Anything contained in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, a Participant may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries under the Plan, subject to such limitations as to the classes and number of beneficiaries and contingent beneficiaries and such other limitations as the Administrator from time to time may prescribe. A Participant may from time to time revoke or change any such designation of beneficiary. Any designation of a beneficiary under the Plan shall be controlling over any other disposition, testamentary or otherwise;provided, however, that if the Administrator shall be in doubt as to the entitlement of any such beneficiary to receive any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award, or if applicable law requires the Company to do so, the Administrator may recognize only the legal representative of such Participant, in which case the Company and the Administrator shall not be under any further liability to anyone. In the event of the death of any Participant, the term “Participant” as used in the Plan shall thereafter be deemed to refer to the beneficiary designated pursuant to this Section 9 or, if no such designation is in effect, the executor or administrator of the estate of such Participant, unless the context otherwise requires.
Section 10.  MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, STOCK DIVIDENDS, ETC.
(a) Adjustments.  In the event of any merger, consolidation, reorganization, stock split, stock dividend or other event affecting Stock, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the total number of shares available for Plan Awards and in all other provisions of the Plan that include a reference to a number of shares, and in the numbers of


A-10


shares covered by, and other terms and provisions (including but not limited to the grant or exercise price of any Plan Award) of outstanding Plan Awards.
(b) Administrator Determinations.  The foregoing adjustments and the manner of application of the foregoing provisions shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Any adjustment, substitution or change pursuant to this Section 10 made with respect to a Stock Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be made only the extent consistent with such intent, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. The Administrator shall not make any adjustment, substitution or change pursuant to this Section 10 that would cause any award under the Plan that is otherwise exempt from section 409A of the Code to become subject to section 409A of the Code, or that would cause an award under the Plan that is subject to section 409A of the Code to fail to satisfy any requirement under section 409A of the Code. Any such adjustment may provide for the elimination of any fractional share which might otherwise become subject to a Plan Award.
Section 11.  ACCELERATION OF PAYMENT OR MODIFICATION OF PLAN AWARDS
(a) Acceleration and Modification.  The Administrator, in the event of the death of a Participant or in any other circumstance, may accelerate distribution of any Plan Award in its entirety or in a reduced amount, in cash or in Stock, or modify any Plan Award, in each case on such basis and in such manner as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion, but subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code, and for Performance-Based Awards, subject to the requirements of Section 5(e)(5) above that no payment shall be made with respect to a Performance-Based Award until (i) the end of the Performance Period and (ii) the Compensation Committee has certified in writing that the Performance Goals with respect to such Performance-Based Award have been met.
(b) Change in Control.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, but subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of section 409A of the Code, unless the Administrator determines otherwise at the time of grant, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, (1) any Plan Awards outstanding as of the date of such Change in Control, and that are not then vested, shall become fully vested, and (2) any restrictions or other conditions applicable to any outstanding Awards shall lapse, and such Plan Awards shall become free of all restrictions and conditions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a successor corporation or other entity as contemplated in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 1(b)(5) hereof agrees to assume the outstanding Plan Awards or to substitute substantially equivalent awards, then the outstanding Plan Awards issued hereunder shall not be immediately exercisable, but shall remain exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable award agreements.
Section 12.  RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER
A Participant shall not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any share covered by any Plan Award until such Participant shall have become the holder of record of such share.
Section 13.  TERM, AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS
(a) Term.  Unless terminated earlier pursuant to subsection (b), the Plan shall terminate on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the effective date of the Plan.
(b) Amendment, Modification and Termination of Plan.  The Board may, at any time, amend or modify the Plan or any outstanding Plan Award, including without limitation, to authorize the Administrator to make Plan Awards payable in other securities or other forms of property of a kind to be determined by the Administrator, and such other amendments as may be necessary or desirable to implement such Plan Awards, and may terminate the


A-11


Plan or any provision thereof. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Board shall not have the authority, unless shareholder approval is obtained, to reprice any Plan Award currently outstanding, either directly, by lowering the purchase price for a previously granted Option or Stock Appreciation Right award, or indirectly, by canceling outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights and subsequently replacing or regranting such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with a lower purchase price.
(c) Limitation.  Subject to the provisions of subsection (e), no amendment to or termination of the Plan or any provision hereof, and no amendment or cancellation of any outstanding Plan Award, by the Board, the Administrator or the stockholders of the Company, shall, without the written consent of the affected Participant, adversely affect any outstanding Plan Award.
(d) Survival.  The Administrator’s authority to act with respect to any outstanding Plan Award and the Board’s authority to amend the Plan shall survive termination of the Plan.
(e) Amendment for Changes in Law; Amendment to Avoid Section 409A Violations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Board and Administrator shall have the authority to amend outstanding Plan Awards and the Plan to take into account changes in law and tax and accounting rules as well as other developments, and to grant Plan Awards that qualify for beneficial treatment under such rules, without stockholder approval (unless otherwise required by law or the applicable rules of any securities exchange on which the Stock is then traded) and without Participant consent. Further, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Board and the Administrator shall have the right to amend the Plan and any outstanding Plan Awards or adopt other policies and procedures applicable to the Plan and Plan Awards (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect) without Participant consent as may be necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereto, even if the amendment reduces, restricts or eliminates rights granted under the Plan or the Plan Award prior to the amendment.
Section 14.  INDEMNIFICATION AND EXCULPATION
(a) Indemnification.  Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Board and the Administrator shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any and all loss, cost, liability or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such person in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which such person may be or become a party or in which such person may be or become involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by such person in settlement thereof (with the Company’s written approval) or paid by such person in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, except a judgment in favor of the Company based upon a finding of such person’s lack of good faith;subject, however, to the condition that, upon the institution of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against such person, such person shall in writing give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such person undertakes to handle and defend it on such person’s behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other right to which such person may be entitled as a matter of law or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify or hold such person harmless.
(b) Exculpation.  Each member of the Board and the Administrator, and each officer and employee of the Company, shall be fully justified in relying or acting in good faith upon any information furnished in connection with the administration of the Plan by any appropriate person or persons other than such person. In no event shall any person who is or shall have been a member of the Board, or the Administrator, or an officer or employee of the Company, be held liable for any determination made or other action taken or any omission to act in reliance upon


A-12


any such information, or for any action (including the furnishing of information) taken or any failure to act, if in good faith.
Section 15.  EXPENSES OF PLAN
The entire expense of offering and administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its participating Subsidiaries;provided,that the costs and expenses associated with the redemption or exercise of any Plan Award, including but not limited to commissions charged by any agent of the Company, may be charged to the Participants.
Section 16.  FINALITY OF DETERMINATIONS
Each determination, interpretation, or other action made or taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan by the Board or the Administrator shall be final and shall be binding and conclusive for all purposes and upon all persons, including, but without limitation thereto, the Company, its Subsidiaries, the stockholders, the Administrator, the directors, officers, and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Participants, and their respective successors in interest.
Section 17.  NO RIGHTS TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR TO PLAN AWARD
(a) No Right to Employment.  Nothing contained in this Plan, or in any booklet or document describing or referring to the Plan, shall be deemed to confer on any Participant the right to continue as an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether for the duration of any performance period, restriction period, or vesting period under a Plan Award, or otherwise, or affect the right of the Company or Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any Participant for any reason.
(b) No Right to Award.  No Employee or other person shall have any claim or right to be granted a Plan Award under the Plan. Receipt of an Award under the Plan shall not give a Participant or any other person any right to receive any other Plan Award under the Plan. A Participant shall have no rights in any Plan Award, except as set forth herein and in the applicable award agreement.
Section 18.  GOVERNING LAW AND CONSTRUCTION
The Plan and all actions taken hereunder shall be governed by and the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Titles and headings to Sections are for purposes of reference only, and shall in no way limit, define or otherwise affectFlorida.

7.3 WITHHOLDING TAXES.    To the meaning or interpretation of the Plan.

Section 19.  SECURITIES AND STOCK EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS
(a) Restrictions on Resale.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, no person who acquires Stock pursuant to the Plan may, during any period of timeextent that such person is an affiliate of the Company (within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission), sell or otherwise transfer such Stock, unless such offer and sale or transfer is made (1) pursuantrequired to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”), which is current and includes the Stock to be sold, or (2) pursuant to an appropriate exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, such as that set forth in Rule 144 promulgated pursuant thereto.
(b) Registration, Listing and Qualification of Shares of Common Stock.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if at any time the Administrator shall determine that the registration, listing or qualification of the


A-13


Stock covered by a Plan Award upon any securities exchange or under any foreign, federal,withhold Federal, state or local law or practice, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, ortaxes in connection with any component of a Nonemployee Director’s compensation in cash or Shares, and the grantingamounts available to Company for such withholding are insufficient, it shall be a condition the receipt of any Shares that the Nonemployee Director make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the payment of the balance of such Plan Award ortaxes required to be withheld, which arrangement may include relinquishment of the purchase or receipt of Stock in connection therewith, no StockShares. The Company and a Nonemployee Director may be purchased, delivered or received pursuantalso make similar arrangements with respect to such Plan Award unless and until such registration, listing, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained freepayment of any condition not acceptableother taxes derived from or related to the Administrator. Any person receivingpayment of Shares with respect to which withholding is not required.

7.4 MISCELLANEOUS.    Headings are given to the sections of this Plan as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings, numbering and paragraphing shall not in any case be deemed in any way material or purchasing Stock pursuantrelevant to athe construction of this Plan Award shall make such representations and agreements and furnish such information as the Administrator may request to assure compliance with the foregoing or any other applicable legal requirements.provisions thereof. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Stock under the Plan prior to the Administrator’s determination that all related requirements have been fulfilled. The Company shall in no event be obligated to register any securities pursuant to the 1933 Act or applicable state or foreign law or to take any other action in order to cause the issuance and delivery of such certificates to comply with any such law, regulation, or requirement.

Section 20.  SECTION 409A OF THE CODE
(a) Section 409A.  It is the intentionuse of the Company thatsingular shall also include within its meaning the Options, Stock Appreciation Rights,plural, and Other Stock-Based Awards (and any combinationvice versa.

67


SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

Supplement to Proxy Statement, dated April 13, 2012, Relating to the

Annual Meeting of Shareholders To Be Held on May 17, 2012

The Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2012, contains a misprint of the foregoing) issued underrecord date for the Plan will be exempt from, or will comply withAnnual Meeting, which is used to determine the requirements of, section 409Ashareholders entitled to notice of the Code,Annual Meeting and to vote at the Plan and the terms and conditionsAnnual Meeting. The correct record date is March 23, 2012, not March 22, 2012. Only shareholders of all Plan Awards shall be interpreted, construed and administered consistent with such intent.

(b) No Indemnity.  Although the Company intends to administer the Plan and the Plan Awards in compliance with section 409Arecord as of the Code or an exemption thereto,close of business on the Company does not warrant that the terms of any Plan Award or the Company’s administration thereof will be exempt from, or will comply with the requirements of, section 409Arecord date are entitled to notice of the Code. The Company shall not be liableAnnual Meeting and to any Participant or any other person for any tax, interest, or penalties thatvote at the person may incur as a result of a Plan Award or the Company’s administration thereof not satisfying any of the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.Annual Meeting.

LOGO
James T. Holder
Secretary


A-14April 13, 2012


SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED

Annual Meeting of Shareholders, May 19, 2011
17, 2012

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned shareholder of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the “Company”), hereby appoints each of Charles E. Sykes, W. Michael Kipphut and James T. Holder, and each of them with authority to act without the others, as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of the common stock of the Company which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company and at all adjournments thereof, to be held at the Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel, 200 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida, on Thursday, May 19, 2011,17, 2012, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Savings Time, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, such proxies being directed to vote as specified below and in their discretion on any other business that may properly come before the Meeting.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED BELOW. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THISPROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ALL NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1, AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4 5 AND 6, AND FOR 1 YEAR IN PROPOSAL 3.

5.

¿tDETACH BELOW AND RETURN USING THE ENVELOPE PROVIDEDt¿

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED 20112012 ANNUAL MEETING

1.    
1. To elect fourtwo Directors   
(to serve for a term of three years) 1- H. Parks HelmsCharles E. Sykes o¨ FOR all nominees o¨ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
 2- Linda McClintock-Greco, M.D.William J. Meurer listed to the left (except to vote for all nominees
  3- James K. Murray, Jr. as specified below). listed to the left

4- James S. MacLeod
    
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.  Non-binding advisory vote onto approve executive compensation (“say-on-pay”)                                        o¨FOR  o¨AGAINST  o¨ABSTAIN
3.  
3. Non-binding advisory vote on the frequency of say-on-pay voteso1 Yearo2 Yearso3 YearsoABSTAIN
4. To approve the 2011 Equity IncentiveFifth Amended and Restated 2004 Non-employee Director Fee Plan  o¨FOR  o¨AGAINST  o¨ABSTAIN
5. To approve the performance criteria under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan4.  oFORoAGAINSToABSTAIN
6. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors of the Company.  o¨FOR  o¨AGAINST  o¨ABSTAIN
7.
5.  In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before this meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE

EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.

  
¨            I plan to attend the  Meeting.
 ¨            I do not plan to attend  the Meeting.
  The undersigned reserves the right to revoke this Proxy at any time prior to the Proxy being voted at the Meeting. The Proxy may be revoked by delivering a signed revocation to the Company at any time prior to the Meeting, by submitting a later-dated Proxy, or by attending the Meeting in person and casting a ballot. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given to vote such shares at the Meeting.

The undersigned reserves the right to revoke this Proxy at any time prior to the Proxy being voted at the Meeting. The Proxy may be revoked by delivering a signed revocation to the Company at any time prior to the Meeting, by submitting a later-dated Proxy, or by attending the Meeting in person and casting a ballot. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given to vote such shares at the Meeting.

 DATE: 
DATE:__________________________  NO. OF SHARES:___________________
 

Check appropriate box to indicate any changes to
name or address below: 
Address Change?  ¨    Name Change?  ¨
Name:

Address:

Signature of Shareholder
 

Address Change?oName Change?o
 
Signature of Shareholder
Name: _________________________
 
Please sign Proxyexactly as your nameappears on your stockcertificate(s). JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN PERSONALLY. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, partner or corporate officer, please give your full title as such.
Address: ________________________
               ________________________
               ________________________