UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

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Crawford & Company

 

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LOGO

LOGO

March 29, 2013April 2, 2014

Dear Shareholder:Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the Company’s 20132014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be held on Wednesday,Thursday, May 8, 2013,2014, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Company’s headquarters, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

The official Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and form of Proxy are included with this letter and contain information about the annual meeting and the various matters on which you are being asked to vote. Only shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of the close of business on March 10, 2014 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting, including any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

As is our custom, a brief report will be made immediately after the annual meeting on the Company’s 20122013 activities and the outlook for 2013.the remainder of 2014. We hope you will be able to attend the annual meeting.Whether or not you plan to attend, it is important that you sign and return your Proxy, or vote electronically by telephone or through the Internet, promptly, as your vote is important to the Company.

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

 

Sincerely,

LOGO

LOGO

Jeffrey T. Bowman

President and Chief Executive Officer


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

P.O. Box 5047

Atlanta, Georgia 30302

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

May 8, 20132014

 

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Crawford & Company (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s headquarters, 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, 30319, on Wednesday,Thursday, May 8, 2013,2014, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the following purposes:

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

2. To approve,vote on an advisory basis, the compensation paidamendment to certain of the Company’s executive officers in 2012;

3. To approve the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended, pursuantExecutive Stock Bonus Plan to whichincrease the Company will be authorized to issue an additional 1,000,000number of shares of Class A Common Stock ofavailable under the Company thereunder;Plan by 4,000,000;

4.3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 20132014 fiscal year; and

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

Information relating to the above matters is set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement dated March 29, 2013.April 2, 2014. Only shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of the close of business on March 5, 201310, 2014 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting, including any adjournment or postponement thereof. Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 8, 2013:2014:

The proxy statement and our 20122013 annual report are available at https://materials.proxyvote.com/224633. If you need directions to the annual meeting, please call (404) 300-1000.

 

By Order of The Board of Directors,

LOGOLOGO

 

Allen W. Nelson,

Secretary

Atlanta, Georgia

March 29, 2013April 2, 2014

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

This Proxy is being solicited with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company by the Board of Directors of the Company. Shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company are not entitled to vote at the annual meeting and, consequently, Proxies are not being solicited with respect to shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company.


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

P.O. Box 5047

Atlanta, Georgia 30302

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be Held on May 8, 20132014

The 20132014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Crawford & Company, and any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”), will be held at the headquarters of the Company, located at 1001 Summit Boulevard, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30319 on Wednesday, May 8, 20132014 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy are first being mailed or delivered electronically to shareholders and made available on the Internet at https://materials.proxyvote.com/224633, on or about April 5, 2013.4, 2014. Our Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013 is also being delivered with this Proxy Statement and is also being made available on the Internet at the web address above.

Why am I being furnished this Proxy Statement and Proxy?

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

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

What is the purpose of a Proxy?

If you sign and return the Proxy, you are appointing J.T. Bowman, W.B. Swain and A.W. Nelson as your representatives at the Annual Meeting. Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson will vote your shares of Class B Common Stock at the Annual Meeting as you instruct them on the Proxy. This way,Signing and returning your Proxy will ensure your shares will beare voted at your direction whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we request that you complete, sign and return your Proxy, vote by telephone or vote over the Internet in advance of the Annual Meeting so that we can ensure we have enough votes to conduct business at the Annual Meeting.

Who is furnishing the Proxy Statement and Proxy?

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

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

Only shareholders of record of our Class B Common Stock as of the close of business on March 5, 2013,10, 2014, which we refer to as the “Record Date,” are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

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

As of the Record Date, we had outstanding 24,690,172 shares of Class B Common Stock and each share is entitled to one vote for each of the director nominees to be elected at the Annual Meeting, and one vote on each other matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting.

1


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

The Company’s two classes of stock are substantially identical, except with respect to voting rights and the Company’s ability to pay greater cash dividends on the non-voting Class A Common Stock than on the voting Class B Common


Stock, subject to certain limitations. In addition, with respect to mergers or similar transactions, holders of Class A Common Stock must receive the same type and amount of consideration as holders of Class B Common Stock, unless different consideration is approved by the holders of 75% of the Class A Common Stock, voting as a class.

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

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

 

voted over the Internet or by telephone in advance of the Annual Meeting,

 

properly submitted via Proxy (even if the Proxy does not provide voting instructions) in advance of the Annual Meeting, or

 

present at the Annual Meeting and voted in person.

Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a registered holder (such as a broker or bank) holding shares in “street name” for a beneficial owner (described below) does not vote on a particular proposal because the registered holder does not have or declines to exercise discretionary voting power with respect to that particular proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Please note that registered holders which have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner may, although they are not required to, vote such shares with respect to the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor. Registered holders are not entitled to exercise discretionary voting authority with respect to any other matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

On what items am I being asked to vote?

You are being asked to vote on fourthree items:

 

the election of nine (9) directors;

 

the advisory approval of an amendment to the compensationCrawford & Company Executive Stock Bonus Plan to increase the number of certain of our executive officers;

the approval of the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended;available under such plan by 4,000,000 (the “amendment”); and

 

the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for our 20132014 fiscal year.

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

With respect to the election of directors, you may:

 

vote FOR all nominees;

 

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

 

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

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

With respect to the advisory approval of the compensation of certain of our executive officers, you may:

vote FOR the proposal;

vote AGAINST the proposal; or

ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

 

2


With respect to the approval ofother proposals to be voted at the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, you may:

vote FOR the proposal;

vote AGAINST the proposal; or

ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

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

 

vote FOR the proposal;

 

vote AGAINST the proposal; or

 

ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is required for each of the advisory approval of the compensation of certain of our executive officers and the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor. With respect to each of these items, shareholders may (1) vote “for,” (2) vote “against,” or (3) “abstain” from voting. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered to be votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on these matters.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is also required to approve of the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended. In addition,amendment. Under New York Stock Exchange or “NYSE,” rules require that the total votes cast on the proposal to approve the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended, represent greater than 50% of the shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date. Under New York Stock Exchange(“NYSE”) rules, abstentions will be treated as votes cast on this proposal, but broker non-votes will not. As a result, abstentions will be treated as a vote against the approval of the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended,amendment, but broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this matter.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast is also required for the ratification of the appointment of the Company’s independent auditor. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not considered to be votes cast and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this matter.

How do I vote?

In order for us to ensure we have sufficient votes to conduct business at the Annual Meeting, we request that you vote by one of the following methods as soon as possible. You may also thereafter attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person.

 

Voting by Mail.    If you choose to vote by mail, simply complete the enclosed Proxy, date and sign it, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your shares will be voted in accordance with the instructions on your Proxy unless it is properly revoked by you. Your Proxy must be received by May 7, 2014 to be voted at the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting by Telephone.    You may vote your shares by telephone by calling the toll-free telephone number provided on the Proxy. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day until 11:59 pm Central Time, May 7, 2013,2014, and the procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on your Proxy. The procedures allow you to give a Proxy to vote your shares and to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

 

Voting by Internet.    You also may vote your shares through the Internet by signing on to the website identified on the Proxy and following the procedures described on the website. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day until 11:59 pm Central Time, May 7, 2013,2014, and the procedures are designed to authenticate votes cast by using a personal identification number located on your Proxy. The procedures allow you to give a Proxy to vote your shares and to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

What if I change my mind after I vote by Proxy?

Any shareholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by the giving of another Proxy by mail bearing a later date or thereafter voting by phone or the Internet, or written notification of the revocation to the Corporate Secretary, Legal Department, Crawford & Company, P. O.P.O. Box 5047, Atlanta, Georgia 30302. Shareholders who are present at the Annual Meeting will have the opportunity to revoke their Proxy and vote in person if they so desire.

3


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

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

Specifically, your shares will be voted FOR the election of all director nominees, FOR the advisory approval of the compensation of certain of our executive officers, FOR the approval of the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended,amendment, and FOR the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor of the Company for the 20132014 fiscal year, as well as in the discretion of the persons named as proxies on all other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

3


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

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

We encourage shareholders who hold shares of Class B Common Stock in street name to provide instructions to that record holder on how to vote those shares. Providing voting instructions ensures that your shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting. If shares are held through a brokerage account, the brokerage firm, under certain circumstances, may vote the shares without instructions. On certain “routine” matters, such as the ratification of the appointment of auditors, brokerage firms have authority under NYSE rules to vote their beneficial holders’ shares if the beneficial holders do not provide voting instructions. WhenIf a brokerage firm votes a beneficial holder’s shares on a routine matter without receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted for or against the routine matter. At the Annual Meeting, the proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for the 20132014 fiscal year is considered a routine matter.

On “non-routine” matters, if a brokerage firm has not received voting instructions from a beneficial holder, the brokerage firm cannot vote the shares on that proposal, which is considered a “broker non-vote.” Broker non-votes are counted for purposes of establishing a quorum to conduct business at a meeting, but not for determining the number of shares voted for or against the non-routine matter. At the Annual Meeting, the proposals relating to the election of directors, the advisory approval of the compensation of certain of our executive officers and the approval of the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stock to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended,amendment, are considered non-routine matters.

How can I obtain a copy of the 20122013 Annual Report?

Our Annual Report to the Shareholders (which includes our Annual Report on Form 10-K) (“Annual(the “Annual Report”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013 is enclosed herewith. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC,” and our Annual Report are available free of charge upon written request to the Corporate Secretary, Legal Department, Crawford & Company, P. O.P.O. Box 5047, Atlanta, Georgia 30302 and on the Company’s web site www.crawfordandcompany.com.

Who is paying the expenses of this solicitation?

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

 

4


PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees and Voting

Currently, the Board of Directors is fixed at nine members and, in accordance therewith, the Board has nominated the nine persons listed below to be elected as directors, to hold office until the Company’s next annual meeting and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. EachOther than Roger A. S. Day, each nominee is a current director who was elected by the shareholders at the Company’s previous annual meeting on May 9, 2012.8, 2013. Mr. Day was appointed by the Board on July 29, 2013. If, at the time of the Annual Meeting, any of the nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve, the persons named in the Proxy may vote for substitute nominees selected by the Board of Directors or, as an alternative, the Board of Directors could reduce the size of the Board and/or the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director for his or her full term until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Nominee Information

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

 

        LOGO         

  

Harsha V. Agadi, age 50,51, is the Executive Chairman of Quiznos, LLC, a quick service sandwich chain, a position he has held since February 2012. From August 16, 2010 until February 10, 2012, Mr. Agadi was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Friendly’s Ice Cream Corp.,LLC, a restaurant chain which provides sandwiches and ice cream desserts. From December 26, 2004 until December 2, 2009, Mr. Agadi was President and Chief Executive Officer of Church’s Chicken, a franchised quick service chicken restaurant. In addition, since 2000 Mr. Agadi has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GHS Holdings, LLC, an investing and restaurant consulting business. He serves on the boards of Quiznos, LLC, The Krystal Company and Orient Express Hotels, Ltd. Each of Quiznos and Friendly’s Ice Cream has filed voluntary petitions under the Federal bankruptcy laws during the period in which Mr. Agadi was appointedserved as an executive officer of such entities. Mr. Agadi has served as a member of the Board onof Directors since August 3, 2010. The Board believes Mr. Agadi’s experience in establishing global brands and improving the operations of companies he has led qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.

LOGO

  

P. George Benson, age 66,67, is the President of the College of Charleston, a position he has held since February 2007. From June 1998 until January 2007, he was Dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson has served as a member of the Board of Directors since September 1, 2005. Dr. Benson also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Primerica, Inc. and AGCO Inc.Corporation. Dr. Benson’s distinguished professional background in academics and leadership positions at the College of Charleston and University of Georgia, together with the experience he brings to the Board as a director of the Company for more than seveneight years, led to the Board’s decision to nominate Dr. Benson for reelection to our Board.

LOGO

  

Jeffrey T. Bowman, age 59,60, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a position he has held since January 1, 2008. Prior to that, from January 1, 2006 he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer – Global Property & Casualty of the Company and was in charge of the Company’s then-existing U.S. Property & Casualty and International Operations segments, which segments have subsequently been realigned. From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2005, he was President of Crawford & Company International, Inc. managing the Company’s international operations. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 5, 2008. Mr. Bowman has a designation of Fellow of the Chartered Certified Chartered Accountants from the United Kingdom based Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The Board believes Mr. Bowman’s executive leadership, and the extensive industry expertise he has developed working in senior management, uniquely qualify Mr. Bowman to continue to serve as a director of the Company.

 

5


LOGO

  

Jesse C. Crawford, age 64,65, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Media Services, Inc., an Atlanta, Georgia based provider of electronic media services for television, film and archival clients, and was appointed to this position on January 15, 2010. Prior to that and since September 1984, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Crawford Communications, Inc., a full-service provider of teleproduction services including audio/video production and post production, multimedia title design, satellite services, animation, and special effects. Mr. Crawford has served as a member of the Board of Directors since April 22, 1986. We believe Mr. Crawford’s significant experience in senior management of a services company with both international and disaster recovery components similar to those of the Company, as well as the significant knowledge base he has acquired by having served as a director of the Company for more than 2627 years and his position as our majority shareholder, qualify him to continue to serve on the Board.

LOGO

Roger A. S. Day, age 65, is a retired executive of ACE American Insurance Company, where he most recently served as an executive vice president from November 2002 until his retirement in January 2013. Mr. Day was appointed as a member of the Board on July 29, 2013. The Board believes Mr. Day is qualified to serve as a director due to his extensive experience in the insurance industry, which includes more than 40 years of global claims experience.

LOGO

  

James D. Edwards, age 69,70, is a retired partner of Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Edwards has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 1, 2005. Mr. Edwards also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Cousins Properties, Inc. and Huron Consulting Group, Inc. Mr. Edwards’ significant financial expertise developed through 30 years’ experience in public accounting, as well as his public company board experience in varied industries, were important considerations in the Board’s belief that Mr. Edwards is highly qualified to serve on our Board.

LOGO

  

Russel L. Honoré, age 65,66, Lieutenant General (U.S. Army, Ret.), has served as a member of the Board of Directors since May 5, 2009. From 2004 through 2008, Gen. Honoré served as a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army, holding the post of Commanding General, First U.S. Army. Since his retirement in February 2008, Gen. Honoré has been self employed as a public speaker, author and consultant. Gen. Honoré has significant experience relating to disaster preparedness, particularly including his role as commander of the joint task force responsible for coordinating military relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. The Board believes Gen. Honoré is highly qualified to serve as a director as a result of his significant leadership experience, public service background and his high level management insight and experience related to catastrophes and similar large-scale operations.

LOGO

  

Joia M. Johnson, age 53,54, is the Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Hanesbrands Inc., a marketer of innerwear, outerwear and hosiery apparel based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Ms. Johnson joined Hanesbrands Inc. in January 2007. From January 2001 until January 2007 she was Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for RARE Hospitality International, Inc., a publicly traded restaurant franchise owner and operator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. Johnson serves on the H. J. Russell & Company board of directors and on several professional and civic boards. Ms. Johnson was appointed as a member of the Board onin February 1, 2011. The Board has determined that her experience establishing and leading corporate legal functions, and particularly her leadership in the area of corporate social responsibility, qualify her to serve as a director of the Company.

6


LOGO

  

Charles H. Ogburn, age 57,58, served as an Executive Director of Arcapita Inc., an international private equity firm, from March 2001 until his retirement onin July 31, 2010. Mr. Ogburn has served as a member of the Board of Directors since February 3, 2009. Mr. Ogburn also serves as trustee of The Cook & Bynum Fund, a mutual fund. Mr. Ogburn has extensive experience in international business matters as well as financial counseling to public and private companies in various life-cycle stages, which experience the Board considered in determining that it believes Mr. Ogburn remains qualified to serve on the Board.

6


        LOGO         

E. Jenner Wood, III, age 61, is the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Georgia/North Florida Division, a position he has held since January 2013. From April 2010 until January 2013, he was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Atlanta/Georgia Division. From June 2002 until April 2010, he was Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank, Central Group. Mr. Wood has served as a member of the Board of Directors since April 22, 1997. Mr. Wood also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Oxford Industries, Inc. and The Southern Company. Mr. Wood’s experience in financing matters for companies in various industries and of various sizes, as well as his experience gained from sitting as a member of the board of other publicly-traded companies and the depth of his experience with Crawford, led to the Board’s decision that Mr. Wood is highly qualified to serve on our Board.

Shareholder Vote

Holders of each share of Class B Common Stock may:

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

7


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following are the names, positions held, and ages of each of the executive officers of the Company:

 

Name

  

Office

  

Age

J. T. Bowman

  President and Chief Executive Officer  5960

W. B. Swain

  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer  4950

A. W. Nelson

  Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer  4849

K. B. Frawley

  Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, Americas  6162

D. A. Isaac

  Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, The Garden City Group, Inc.  4849

D. M. Lisenbey

  Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer & President, Broadspire Services, Inc.  4950

I. V. Muress

  Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer — Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific  5556

M. F. Reeves

  Executive Vice President, Global Markets  5960

V. E. Cole

  Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Business Performance  4344

E. V. Lauria

  Executive Vice President, Global Client and Business Development  5758

B. S. Flynn

  Executive Vice President, Global Chief Information Officer  5354

P. R. Austin

Executive Vice President, Global Human Resource Management54

W. F. Bell

  Senior Vice President and ControllerChief Accounting Officer  5253

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

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

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

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

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

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Ms. Lisenbey was appointed to her present position as Executive Vice President, President & CEO, Broadspire Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, effective March 29, 2012. Prior to that and from November 2007, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer for Medical Management Services of Broadspire Services, Inc.

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Mr. Muress was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President, CEO — Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia-Pacific, in charge of the Company’s EMEA/AP segment effective January 7, 2008. Prior to that and from January 2006 he was CEO-EMEA and from August 2002, when he joined the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, until January 2006 he was CEO — UK & Ireland, in charge of the Company’s operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

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

Mr. Cole was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Business Performance, effective July 2, 2012. Prior to that and from June 2011 he was Chief Executive Officer of Activa Medical, a medical device company. From March 2010 to June 2011 he was Chief Executive Officer of Aggio Medical, a healthcare company. From January 2006 to March 2010 he was Senior Vice President, Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer of Genworth Financial, Inc., an international financial services company.

Mr. Lauria was appointed to his present position as Executive Vice President, Global Client and Business Development, effective July 23, 2012. Prior to that and from August 2008 he was a Managing Director of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, an insurance brokerage division of Wells Fargo & Company. From November 2007 to August 2008 he was a Regional Managing Director of Wachovia Insurance Services, an insurance brokerage division of Wachovia Corporation.

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

Ms. Austin was appointed to her present position with the Company in February 2014. From April 2006 through February 2014 she was Senior Vice President, Human Resources of the Company.

Mr. Bell was appointed to his present position with the Company in February 2014. Prior to that and from December 4, 2006.2006 he was Vice President and Controller of the Company.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that a majority of our directors will be independent directors under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, as in effect from time to time. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines include certain categorical independence standards to assist the Board in determining director independence.

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

As a result of this review, the Board has determined, pursuant to the listing standards of the NYSE and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, that all director nominees are independent for purposes of serving on the Board of Directors, except Mr. Bowman, who is an employee of the Company. In addition, the Board had also determined that E. Jenner Wood, III, who served as a member of the Board through his retirement therefrom in July 2013, was an independent director. In making the independence determinations, the Board considered that Mr. Wood’s employer, SunTrust Banks, Inc., is a greater than 5% stockholder of the Company, a customer of the

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Company and, in the ordinary course of its business, provides certain banking services to the Company. The Board has determined that SunTrust’s stock ownership and the payments to or from the Company with respect to SunTrust Banks, Inc., as a percentage of either entity’s consolidated gross revenues, arewere immaterial and dodid not affect Mr. Wood’s independence. For additional information regarding this relationship, see “Information with Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions.”

Standing Committees and Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

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

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The Executive Committee.The Executive Committee currently consists of Mr. Crawford as Chairman, and Messrs. Bowman and Ogburn as members. The Executive Committee may exercise all the authority of the Board of Directors between its meetings with respect to all matters not specifically reserved by law to the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee held four6 meetings during 2012.2013.

The Audit Committee.The Audit Committee currently consists of Mr. Edwards as Chairman, Ms. Johnson and Messrs. Ogburn and WoodDay (since July 2013) as members. Mr. Wood served as a member of this Committee prior to his retirement from the Board in July 2013. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Audit Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). In addition, the Board has determined that Mr. Edwards is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by Item 407(d) of SEC Regulation S-K. In making such determination, the Board took into consideration, among other things, the express provision in Item 407(d) of SEC Regulation S-K that the determination that a person has the attributes of an audit committee financial expert shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, nor shall it affect the duties and obligations of other Audit Committee members or the Board.

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

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

The Audit Committee held six10 meetings during 2012.2013.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.    The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee currently consists of Dr. Benson as Chairman, and Mr. Crawford and Gen. Honoré as members. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee actively reviews and selects director nominees for the Board and advises and makes recommendations to the Board on all matters concerning corporate governance and directorship practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also identifies and evaluates nominees for director according to the guidelines stated in its charter, and will also consider director candidates recommended by shareholders on the same terms. Except as described below, given evolving needs and challenges of the Company, the Committee does not believe it is appropriate to specify criteria for directors, but rather believes that appropriate candidates should show evidence of leadership in their particular field, have the interest and ability to devote sufficient time to carrying out their respective duties and responsibilities, and that the Board as a whole should have diversity of experience (which may, at any one or more times, include

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differences with respect to personal, educational or professional experience, gender, ethnicity, geographic origin and location, and age) and the ability to exercise sound business judgment, possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders. Pursuant to our Bylaws, except for persons who hold shares entitled to ten percent or more of the voting power of the Company, no person shall be eligible for nomination or renomination to the Board after such person has reached the age of 70.72. In selecting directors or director candidates, the Board generally seeks a combination of active or former senior officers of businesses, academics and entrepreneurs whose backgrounds are relevant to the Company’s mission, strategy, operations and other perceived needs.

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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four5 meetings during 2012.2013.

The Compensation Committee.    The Compensation Committee currently consists of Mr. WoodAgadi as Chairman and Messrs. Agadi,Crawford (since October 2013), Edwards and Ogburn as members. Mr. Wood served as Chairman of this committee prior to his retirement in July 2013. The Board of Directors has determined that all members of the Compensation Committee are independent under the NYSE listing standards. The Compensation Committee has adopted a written charter, approved by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee formulates and approves the salary, equity compensation awards and other compensation payable to the Chief Executive Officer and, upon recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, salaries, equity compensation awards and other compensation for all other officers of the Company. This Committee held eight8 meetings in 2012.2013. For additional information about the Compensation Committee’s processes and its role, as well as the role of executive officers and compensation consultants in determining executive officer compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” below.

Executive Sessions of Non-Employee Directors

Non-employee and independent directors are required to meet regularly without management participation. During 2012,2013, there were four6 meetings of non-employee and independent directors. Mr. Ogburn, as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, presides at these meetings.

Meetings of the Board of Directors and Board Attendance

During 2012,2013, the Board of Directors held eleven6 meetings. Each of the Company’s directors attended at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and any committees thereof of which such director was a member (during the period that he or she served). The Company encourages all directors to attend each annual meeting. The Company also holds a full Board meeting the same day as the annual meeting to further encourage all directors to attend the annual meeting. At the 2012 annual meeting, allAll director nominees who were serving on the Board at the time attended with the exception of Gen. Honoré, who had a previously scheduled conflict.2013 annual meeting.

Corporate Governance Guidelines, Committee Charters and Code of Business Conduct

The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, committee charters, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on its website at www.crawfordandcompany.com under “Corporate Governance,” located under the tab “About Us,” and are also available without charge in print to any shareholder who makes a request by writing to Corporate Secretary, Legal Department, Crawford & Company, P. O.P.O. Box 5047, Atlanta, Georgia 30302.

Leadership Structure

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

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

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Risk Management

The Company takes a comprehensive approach to risk management and seeks to include risk management principles in all of its management processes. This comprehensive approach is reflected in the reporting processes pursuant to which management provides information to the Board to support the Board’s role in oversight, approval and decision-making.

The Board maintains oversight responsibility for the management of the Company’s risks, and closely monitors the information it receives from management to provide oversight and guidance to our management team concerning the assessment and management of risk. The Board approves the Company’s high level goals, strategies and policies to set the tone and direction for appropriate levels of risk taking within the business.

Our Board also periodically reviews the Company’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program to ensure that an appropriate ERM process is in place. This review includes a discussion of the major risk exposures identified by senior management, the key strategic plan assumptions considered during the assessment, and steps implemented to monitor and mitigate such exposures on an ongoing basis.

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

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

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

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

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

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Director Compensation

Each non-employee member of the Board was entitled to receive an aggregate of $60,000 in cash and stock for annual service to the Company in 2012.2013. The cash portion of the compensation was paid quarterly in $7,500 increments. The remainder of such compensation was paid in restricted shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. This restricted share grant vested in full on December 31, 2012.2013. In addition to the foregoing, each non-employee director was entitled to receive $1,000 for each Board or committee meeting attended. Further, the Chairmen of the Board and the Audit Committee were also each entitled to a retainer of $3,000 per

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quarter, and the Chairmen of each of the Executive, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees were also entitled to a retainer of $2,500 per quarter. The Chairman of the Board was also entitled to receive $90,000 in restricted shares of Class A Common Stock, paid in quarterly increments. ThisThese quarterly restricted share grantgrants vested in full on December 31, 2012.2013. Directors who also serve as employees of the Company do not receive separate compensation for their service to the Board.

The following table provides compensation information for the year ended December 31, 20122013 for each individual who served as a non-employee member of our Board of Directors during 2012.2013. See “Summary Compensation Table” for information relating to Mr. Bowman’s compensation.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name

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

Harsha V. Agadi

 $43,000   $30,909        —       $1,399   $75,308       $45,000   $29,997        —       $   $74,997      

P. George Benson

  51,000    30,909        —        1,399    83,308        52,000    29,997        —            81,997      

Jesse C. Crawford

  55,000    30,909        —        1,399    87,308        57,000    29,997        —            86,977      

Roger A. S. Day

  10,500    14,999        —            25,499      

James D. Edwards

  63,000    30,909        —   $1,591    1,399    96,899        63,000    29,997        —   $230        93,227      

Russel L. Honoré

  41,000    30,909        —        1,399    73,308        42,000    29,997        —            71,997      

Joia M. Johnson

  38,000    30,909        —        1,399    70,308        46,000    29,997        —            75,997      

Charles H. Ogburn

  55,000    122,204        —        4,917    182,121        56,000    118,676        —            174,676      

E. Jenner Wood, III

  61,000    30,909        —        1,399    93,308      

E. Jenner Wood, III (3)

  33,000            —            33,000      

 

(1)

Represents the grant date fair value of awards calculated utilizing the provisions ofin accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 “Compensation Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”). See Note 1011 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards. The stock awards were made pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. At December 31, 2012,2013, the aggregate number of stock option awards outstanding for each non-employee director was as follows: Dr. Benson 36,000; Mr. Crawford 24,000; and Mr. Edwards 39,000; and Mr. Wood 30,000.39,000.

 

(2)

For 2012, Mr. Edwards had $1,591 in preferentialPreferential earnings from the Crawford & Company Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”).

 

(3)

Represents dividends paid on restricted shares ofMr. Wood retired from the Company’s Class A Common Stock.Board in July 2013.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Non-Employee Directors

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

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Communications with our Board and Shareholder Nominees

Individuals may communicate with our Board by sending a letter to Board of Directors, Crawford & Company, P. O.P.O. Box 4632, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4632.30302. Your letter will be shared with all members of our Board and may, at the discretion of our Board, be shared with Company management, unless your letter requests otherwise. Communications that are specifically intended for non-employee directors should be addressed to “Chairman of the Board,” Board of Directors, Crawford & Company at this same address.

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Any shareholder who certifies that he or she is the continuous record owner of at least one percent (1%) of theeither class of common stock of the Company for at least one year prior to the submission of a candidate for director and who provides a written statement that he or she intends to continue ownership of the shares through the date of the applicable annual meeting of shareholders may submit a nomination for director. The candidate must meet the qualifications stated in the Company’s by-laws and the submission must be made to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at P. O. Box 4632, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-4632,30302, no more than 180 days and no less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of this Proxy Statement. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review all candidates submitted by shareholders for consideration as director nominees pursuant to its general practices and the guidelines stated in its charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines before determining whether to submit any nominee to the full Board for consideration.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following discussion and analysis of our compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices are focused primarily on our executive officers, with additional detail provided for our CEO, CFO and the other three most highly-compensated executive officers, as determined in accordance with applicable SEC rules and as set out in the “Summary Compensation Table” below, whom we collectively refer to as our “named executive officers.”

Overview

The fundamental philosophy of the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation is to ensure that our compensation programs will enable us to attract and retain key executives critical to our long-term success, through the establishment of a performance-oriented environment that rewards the achievement of both short- and long-term strategic management goals, with the attendant enhancement of shareholder value. This philosophy is implemented through the core principles of “pay for performance” and aligning management’s interests with our shareholders’ interestinterests to support long-term value creation and to encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with the Company’s long-term strategy. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews our compensation programs to ensure continued alignment with the underlying philosophy and principles, and makes adjustments as appropriate to accomplish these objectives.

For 2012,2013, the Compensation Committee worked with its compensation consultant, described in more detail below, to develop and analyze comparative data on executive compensation with a goal of setting and maintaining total executive compensation at competitive levels as comparedcompetitive to compensation paid to executives in similar positions within our comparator companies (described below). However, in determining this level, the Compensation Committee acknowledged that, as a result of the significant variable components of compensation described in more detail elsewhere in this discussion and analysis, actual payouts may be significantly above or below this level based on actual performance when compared to target performance.

Elements of Compensation

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

Elements of Compensation

In 2012,2013, there were generally three key elements in the Company’s executive compensation program: (1) base salary, (2) an annual cash incentivesincentive opportunity and (3) equity incentive awards, including a long-term performance-based equity incentives. incentive opportunity. As described below, in some instances and for some executives, other types of compensation can form the basis for a substantial portion of overall potential compensation; in such instances, the Compensation Committee adjusts these key elements for such persons in light of their overall potential compensation.

The Compensation Committee views base salary as a set reward for individual job performance and merit, which is benchmarked to the individual’s responsibility, talent and expertise, and is set at a level to provide an appropriate amount of financial certainty. Annual cash incentives are designed to incentivize toward, and reward achievement of, specified goals, and to provide market competitive total cash compensation when target level goals are met, on a company-wide or business unit level, as applicable. Annual cash incentives are also designed to pay meaningful cash awards when actual results meet or exceed target results. Long-term incentives are designed to balance the short-term nature of other components of compensation, to reward delivery of shareholder value and to encourage employee retention.

All other compensation generally consists of: amounts payable under other of the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans generally available to employees; benefits based on market competitive factors applicable to executives; and, for Mr. Isaac, commission payments based on attributable revenues in accordance with his employment agreement.

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The Compensation Committee generally does not, and in 20122013 did not, follow a precise formula for allocating between these three key elements of compensation to itsour executive officers. Each element of compensation operates independently of the other and is designed to motivate towards, and reward, a different component of behaviors and results, thus the Compensation Committee does not believe it is appropriate that payment (or lack thereof) of one element in any period generally should impact payment of any other elements. However, the Compensation Committee reviews information that compares each element of compensation, both separately and in the aggregate, to amounts paid for positions with similar duties and responsibilities at comparable or peer group companies, and believes it appropriate to target each element of compensation near the median, or midpoint, of compensation paid by such companies.

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Percentage allocations between base salary, annual incentivesincentive awards (granted under our Short-Term Incentive Plan, or “STIP”) and long-term incentivesincentive awards (granted pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive Plan or “LTIP”) at the actual payout level (as described in more detail below) for our named executive officers for 20122013 are reflectedset out in the table below. The LTIP percentage includes the value of both performance share units and stock option awards. As described in more detail below, a substantial portion of Mr. Isaac’s compensation is derived from commission payments, and his overall compensation opportunity is adjusted to reflect this fact. The final column, “All Other Compensation,” includes the value of Mr. Isaac’s commission payments.

 

  Base Salary       STIP       LTIP       Commission       Base Salary       STIP       LTIP       

All Other    

Compensation    

 

Mr. Bowman

   49.4%     23.4%     27.2%     0.0%     41.3%     18.0%     34.4%     6.3%    

Mr. Swain

   53.3     18.5     28.2     0.0     42.8        13.6        41.1        2.5       

Mr. Muress

   58.8     31.8     9.4     0.0     55.5        12.2        25.1        7.2       

Mr. Isaac

   8.0     8.6     0.3     83.1     7.7         8.1        1.5        82.7       

Mr. Nelson

   54.5     18.8     26.7     0.0     45.7        14.6        37.8        1.9       

Role of the Compensation Committee and Administration of Compensation

The role of the Compensation Committee, among other responsibilities, is to (1) to:

annually review the Company’s goals and objectives relative to CEO and other executive officer compensation, including, as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate, consideration of the Company’s performance and relative shareholder return, the value and construct of compensation packages for comparable officers at comparable companies and the cash and other compensation paid to the Company’s executive officers in past years, (2) years;

annually review, evaluate and update, as appropriate, the components of the Company’s executive compensation programs in view of those goals and objectives, and set compensation levels for the Company’s executive officers, (3) officers;

annually evaluate the CEO’s and the other executives’ performance in light of established goals and objectives, and approve compensation to be paid with respect to such performance, including certifying the degree of achievement of performance goals under the terms of performance-based compensation programs, (4) programs;

review and approve the adoption, terms and operation of the Company’s compensation plans for executives, including incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans,plans; and (5) 

in light of the foregoing, consider and grant bonuses, stock options, performance share units, restricted stock and other discretionary awards, as appropriate, under the Company’s incentive compensation and equity-based plans.

As noted above, the Compensation Committee also monitors the design and administration of the Company’s overall incentive compensation programs to ensure that they include appropriate safeguards to avoid encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by Company executives, including our named executive officers.

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Role of Certain Senior Executive Officers in Executive Compensation Matters

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

The Role of Shareholder Say-on-Pay Votes and Related Considerations

The Company believes it is important to obtain the input of shareholders with respect to the overall compensation of our named executive officers. To that end, we provide shareholders an opportunity to have an advisory vote on executive compensation (the “say-on-pay vote”) every two years. At our 20112013 Annual Meeting, approximately 92.5%99.4% of the votes cast in the say-on-pay vote were voted in favor of the compensation of our

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named executive officers. The Compensation Committee believes this favorable vote affirms our shareholders’ support of its approach to executive compensation and, as a result, the Compensation Committee has not made material changes to the implementation of our executive compensation philosophy.

In addition to consideration given to the results of the say-on-pay vote, at various times through the year the Compensation Committee considers direct and indirect input from shareholders and other stakeholders, and more general developments in executive compensation principles, in the development and implementation of the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. For additional information on the say-on-pay vote with respect to the compensation of certain of our executive officers in 2012, see “Proposal 2 – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation” elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee’s charter provides for the Compensation Committee to retain and terminate, as deemed necessary,in its discretion, any compensation consultant to assistwhich assists in the evaluation of director, CEO or other executive compensation. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to select such consultant and to approve the consultant’s fees and other retention terms. In 2012,2013, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance, LLC to advise it on executive and general compensation matters for the Company, including the design of shortshort- and long-term incentive compensation alternatives. Pay Governance, LLC does not have a relationship with, nor did it provide any services to, the Company other than the engagement by the Compensation Committee and, as a result, the Compensation Committee concluded that the work of Pay Governance, LLC did not raise any conflicts of interest that are required to be disclosed.

Benchmarking

For purposes of determining 20122013 compensation levels and opportunities, compensation of the Company’s executive officers was benchmarked against compensation paid tofor similar positions at a selected comparator group of the Company. Due to the limited number of direct competitors of the Company that are both publicly traded and ofin a similar size,line of business, a comparator group of similarly sized companies, developed from the insurance and professional services industries and with the input of the Compensation Committee’s consultant, was used, consistent with prior years. The data from this peer group was obtained from publicly disclosed compensation data contained in proxy statements, as well as proprietary surveys purchased from third-party consulting firms to acquire market compensation data for companies in the comparator group as well as broader general industry practice. These independently developed surveys generally included data from numerous organizations from across various industry groupings and specific international regions and allowed for comparisons to be made on the basis of scope measures relevant to the Company. The Compensation Committee took the findings of the market study into consideration as part of its review and development of our 20122013 executive officer compensation.compensation the compensation paid to executive officers of the comparator group.

17


2012 Comparator Group:The comparator group was as follows:

Robert Half International, Inc.

SFN Group, Inc.

Arthur J Gallagher & Company

Stewart Information Services

FTI Consulting, Inc.

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

National Financial Partners, Inc.

Brown & Brown, Inc.

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

Huron Consulting Group, Inc.

Compensation was benchmarked in five areas: (i) base salary, (ii) short-term incentives as a percentage of base salary, (iii) total cash, (iv) long-term incentives as a percentage of base salary, and (v) total direct compensation.

17


Compensation and Risk Management

The Compensation Committee does not believe that our executive compensation programs encouragephilosophy, executed through the principles of pay for performance and aligning management and shareholder interests, encourages excessive or unnecessary risk-taking. By dividing our executives’ compensation into three key elements, or otherwise adjusting compensation opportunities based on contractually mandated payout opportunities, the Compensation Committee believes it appropriately weights the performanceperformance-based compensation our executives may earn between short-term and long-term goals. Additionally, both short-term and long-term incentive compensation awardsaward opportunities are capped at a set percentage of an executive’s applicable target award, affording protection against disproportionately large incentives. Our long-term equity compensation is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, and anythe Compensation Committee may provide that such awards are both earned and vested over time. We believe multiple-year performance goals coupled with time-based vesting for equity awards further encourages our executives’ sustained focus on the long-term performance of the Company.

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

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

Base Salary Compensation

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

The Compensation Committee re-evaluates the base salary of the CEO on an annual basis. In re-evaluating the base salary for the CEO, the Compensation Committee looks primarily at the year over year performance of the Company. The Compensation Committee also performs an assessment of the personal performance of the CEO during the

18


preceding year and external circumstances which may have impacted that performance which were not within the control of the Company or the CEO. For both establishing and re-evaluating the base salary of the CEO, the Compensation Committee also looks at market conditions, both within the Company’s industry peer group and otherwise, including competitive market data to see how the CEO’s pay level compares to that of CEOs at other comparable companies. As a part of its analysis of our executive compensation, levels in light of the comparator companies, the Compensation Committee concluded that the named executive officersCEO would not receive a salary increase in 2013. Based on similar analysis, the CEO, in consultation with the Compensation Committee, concluded that Messrs. Swain, Muress and Nelson would not receive salary increases in 2012.2013. Given the recent performance of the Company’s Legal Settlement Administration segment, it was concluded that Mr. Isaac should receive a base salary increase in 2013.

Annual Cash Incentive Compensation

Annual cash incentive awards are intended to align our annual performance and results with the compensation paid to the persons who are most responsible for such performance, and to motivate and reward achievement of operational and strategic business goals. For 2012,2013, the Compensation Committee approved target

18


awards under the STIP, a component of the Crawford & Company 2007 Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan”), for our executive officers, including all of our named executives, other than Mr. Isaac. In light of the incentive compensation provisions in Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement, which function similarly to the STIP with appropriate metrics, the Compensation Committee determined it was not appropriate for Mr. Isaac to also participate in the STIP.

Under the STIP, each participating executive officer is provided advance goals that can, from year to year, include corporate, segment and individual targets, weighted appropriately for the executive’s position in the Company. Due to the Company’s significant international operations and the fact that it reports its consolidated financial results in U.S. dollars, annual performance metrics are adjusted to eliminate the impact of any movements in exchange rates so that individuals do not benefit from or are not negatively impacted by the movement in exchange rates. Accordingly, the actual results disclosed in this discussion may not agree to our published results. Final payments pursuant to the STIP are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

For 2012,2013, the Compensation Committee correlated Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson’sselected for the basis of award opportunities performance goals to corporate-wide performance (60%), performance of our Broadspire segment (30%) and personal performance (10%). The awards were subject tounder the Company achieving corporate levels of performance in variousfollowing metrics, which metrics are used by management from time to time to evaluate and analyze results and the impact on the Company of strategic decision making, and which the Compensation Committee considered as important to the Company and representative of the Company’s success in operational and performance improvements. Specifically, the Compensation Committee approved the useimprovements:

  MetricWeight

  Revenue

    30%

  Operating Earnings

25   

  Operating Margin

25   

  DSO (1)

20   

(1)

Workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable.

For each of Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson, award opportunities were allocated for each of these metrics as follows:

  Operation PerformancePercentage of Award
Opportunity

  Corporate-Wide

20%

  Americas Segment

20   

  EMEA/AP Segment

20   

  Broadspire Segment

20   

  Legal Settlement Administration Segment

10   

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In addition, 10% of the following metrics in 2012, with the corporate-wide portion of the overalltotal STIP award opportunity weighted for each metric as follows: (i) revenues (30%), (ii) operating earnings (40%), (iii) workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable (20%) and (iv) free cash flow (10%). For purposes of calculation ofwas allocated to the achievement of thesecertain personal performance metrics, in light of the recent significant positive performance of the Company’s Legal Settlement Administration segment resulting from two special projects, the Compensation Committee included a cap on the amount of revenues and operating earnings that could be derived from the Company’s Legal Settlement Administration segment based on specified percentages of the Company’s 2012 internal operating plan.

In addition, the Compensation Committee determined that the award opportunity determined by reference to Broadspire segment operating performance would be determined by specific reference to the following metrics considered representative of Broadspire’s operational success and performance improvements: (1) revenues (50%) and (2) operating earnings (50%).as described below.

Based upon his level of seniority in the Company and his specific oversight responsibilities, for 2012,2013 the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate that the STIP eligibilityopportunity for Mr. Muress be based on corporate-wide performance (20%), EMEA/AP segment performance (70%), andallocated as follows:

  Operation PerformancePercentage of Award
Opportunity

  Corporate-Wide

15%

  EMEA/AP Segment

35   

  UK Division

15   

  CEMEA Division

15   

  AP Division

10   

Mr. Muress also had 10% of the total STIP award opportunity allocated to the achievement of certain personal performance (10%). The portion of Mr. Muress’s award opportunity tied to our EMEA/AP’s segment performance were subject to this segment achieving levels of performance in the following metrics, with the specified weights: (1) revenues (30%), (2) operating earnings (50%) and (3) workdays outstanding in total billed and unbilled accounts receivable (20%).as described below.

The personal performance component of the STIP award opportunity was determined by reference tobased on certain individual performance considerations generally aligned with each individual’s overall responsibilities and taken into account in the course of making overall compensation decisions.

The Compensation Committee set threshold, target and maximum award opportunities (as a percentage of base salary) based on achievement of each metric after taking into account market-competitive factors and any contractually mandated payout levels contained in applicable employment agreements. Target goals were derived from the Company’s 2013 internal operating plan. The STIP award opportunities (set out as a percentage of each named executive officer’s 20122013 base salary) were as set out below:

 

  Threshold Award (as a
percentage of salary)
   Target Award (as a
percentage of salary)
   Maximum Award (as a
percentage of salary)
   Threshold Award (as a
percentage of salary)
   Target Award (as a
percentage of salary)
   Maximum Award (as a
percentage of salary)
 

Mr. Bowman

                            47.5%                          49.0%                          122.5%     0%     65.0%     123.5%  

Mr. Swain

   34.9     36.0     84.6     0        47.5        90.3     

Mr. Muress

   46.1     47.5     90.3     0        47.5        90.3     

Mr. Nelson

   34.9     36.0     84.6     0        47.5        90.3     

Threshold and maximum goals (other than for personal performance) were set at the percentages of the target level as set forth in the chart below. The percentages are applicable to all segments and divisions.

 

19


    Threshold Goal (as a
percentage of Target)
   Maximum Goal (as a
percentage of Target)
 

  Revenue

   95%     120%  

  Operating Earnings

   95        140     

  Operating Margin

   95        110     

  DSO

   95        110     

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the corporate-wide metrics in 2012.2013.

 

    Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenues

   $1,001,541,000     $1,032,517,000     $1,239,020,000     $1,065,756,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $68,437,000     $70,554,000     $98,776,000     $71,401,000  

  Workdays outstanding in

   65.2 days or less     63.3 days or less     57.0 days or less     62.0 days  

  Total Accounts Receivable

         

 

 

  Free Cash Flow

   $12,125,000     $12,500,000     $18,750,000     $59,677,000  
  Corporate  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $1,063,599,000     $1,119,578,000     $1,343,494,000     $1,169,819,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $93,602,000     $98,528,000     $137,939,000     $95,240,000  

  Operating Margin

   8.4%     8.8%     9.7%     8.1%  

 

 

  DSO

   59.9 days or less     57.0 days or less     51.3 days or less     63.5 days  

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The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the BroadspireAmericas segment metrics applicable to our named executive officers in 2012.2013.

 

    Threshold Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Broadspire Revenues

  $233,687,000  $243,687,000     $292,424,000     $238,960,000  

 

 

  Broadspire Operating Earnings

  ($363,000)  $    3,500,000     $    7,000,000     $         27,000  
  Americas  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $339,712,000     $357,592,000     $429,110,000     $345,469,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $25,856,000     $27,217,000     $38,104,000     $18,613,000  

  Operating Margin

   7.2%     7.6%     8.4%     5.4%  

 

 

  DSO

   54.9 days or less     52.3 days or less     47.1 days or less     56.4 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the EMEA/AP segment metrics in 2012.2013.

 

    Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  EMEA/AP Revenues

   $319,259,000     $329,133,000     $394,960,000     $362,000,000  

  EMEA/AP Operating Earnings

   $32,032,000     $33,023,000     $66,046,000     $47,279,000  

 

 

  EMEA/AP Workdays outstanding in

   85.5 days or less     83.0 days or less     74.7 days or less     88.0 days  

  Total Accounts Receivable

                    
  EMEA/AP  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $347,076,000     $365,343,000     $438,412,000     $353,309,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $42,435,000     $44,668,000     $62,535,000     $32,459,000  

  Operating Margin

   11.6%     12.2%     13.4%     9.2%  

 

 

  DSO

   81.9 days or less     78.0 days or less     70.2 days or less     77.4 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the Broadspire segment metrics in 2013.

  Broadspire  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $234,311,000     $246,643,000     $295,972,000     $252,243,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $7,568,000     $7,996,000     $11,152,000     $8,245,000  

  Operating Margin

   3.1%     3.2%     3.6%     3.3%  

 

 

  DSO

   21.0 days or less     20.0 days or less     18.0 days or less     15.2 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the Legal Settlement Administration segment metrics in 2013.

  Legal Settlement Administration  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $142,500,000     $150,000,000     $180,000,000     $218,799,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $27,550,000     $29,000,000     $40,600,000     $46,752,000  

  Operating Margin

   18.4%     19.3%     21.3%     21.4%  

 

 

  DSO

   94.5 days or less     90.0 days or less     81.0 days or less     94.1 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the UK division of the EMEA/AP segment metrics in 2013.

  UK  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $130,883,000     $137,772,000     $165,326,000     $121,567,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $14,964,000     $15,752,000     $22,053,000     $6,194,000  

  Operating Margin

   10.9%     11.4%     12.6%     5.1%  

 

 

  DSO

   73.5 days or less     70.0 days or less     63.0 days or less     67.1 days  

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The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the CEMEA division of the EMEA/AP segment metrics in 2013.

  CEMEA  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $101,799,000     $107,157,000     $128,588,000     $109,683,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $7,871,000     $8,285,000     $11,599,000     $7,882,000  

  Operating Margin

   7.3%     7.7%     8.5%     7.2%  

 

 

  DSO

   84.0 days or less     80.0 days or less     72.0 days or less     75.1 days  

The following table sets forth the threshold, target and maximum performance goals and actual performance, for each of the AP division of the EMEA/AP segment metrics in 2013.

  AP  Threshold   Target   Maximum   Actual 

  Revenue

   $114,318,000     $120,335,000     $144,402,000     $120,371,000  

  Operating Earnings

   $19,738,000     $20,777,000     $29,088,000     $18,929,000  

  Operating Margin

   16.4%     17.3%     19.0%     15.7%  

 

 

  DSO

   94.5 days or less     90.0 days or less     81.0 days or less     92.3 days  

STIP awards were deemed earned for a relevant metric only if achievement of thatactual performance metric met or exceeded the specified threshold level. If actual performance did not equal or exceed the threshold level of any metric, no payout was made under that metric. Threshold levels for the metrics (other than personal performance) were based on 97% of the target level. Target goals were derived from the Company’s 2012 internal operating plan. For the metrics applicable to Messrs. Bowman, Swain and Nelson the maximum goals were set at 250% of the target goals, with the exception of the personal performance metric, where target was the maximum. For the metrics applicable to Mr. Muress the maximum goals were set at 200% of the target goals, with the exception of the personal performance metric, where target was the maximum. If actual performance equaled target levels, participating executive officers were entitled to 100% of the target STIP award applicable to that metric. If actual performance for one or more metrics was between threshold and target levels, or target and maximum levels, the participating executive officers were entitled to a ratable portion of the STIP award based upon linear formulas.

The personal performance metriccomponent of the STIP was measured on a scale of 1-5. The STIP award related to personal performance was deemed payable at the target level if the executive received aan average rating of 3 or higher on all metrics, and any overall STIP award payable based on that metricpersonal performance was prorated bybased on the percentage of the executive’s overall average personal performance rating divided by 5. For the personal performance metric, the target was 60% of the maximum amount payable. Mr. Bowman’s personal performance rating was determined by the Board, in its discretion. For all other named executive officers, the personal performance rating was determined by Mr. Bowman, in his discretion.

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TheBased on 2013 results, the actual STIP payouts approvedcertified as payable by the Compensation Committee for Messrs. Bowman, Swain, Muress and Nelson are set forth below:

 

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

Mr. Bowman

  $345,891     47.4%     96.7%    $318,694     43.7%     67.2%  

Mr. Swain

   138,958     34.7     96.5     127,460     31.9        67.1     

Mr. Muress

   352,417     54.0     113.7     140,921     21.9        43.5     

Mr. Nelson

   146,878     34.6     96.0     135,184     31.8        67.0     

For 2012,2013, Mr. Isaac’s annual incentive compensation opportunity was determined pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Isaac’s annual incentive compensation is determined by comparing the pre-tax income of GCG in the relevant performance year to the average annual pre-tax income of GCG in the preceding five years. No amount is payable if there has been less than 10% growth in pre-tax income. If pre-tax income grows by at least 10%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $250,000; if pre-tax income grows by at least 15%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $500,000; and if pre-tax income grows by at least 20%, Mr. Isaac is entitled to a payment of $750,000. In 2012,2013, applying the formula in the employment agreement, Mr. Isaac earned $750,000.

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Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The Compensation Committee designed the Company’s long-term incentive compensation program with a goal of incentivizing management towards the long-term future success of the Company. Long-term incentive compensation is payable in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan and the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan. For 2012,2013, LTIP compensation for executive officers of the Company was awarded under the terms of the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan and was payable in shares of the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan.Company’s Class A Common Stock. With respect to certain senior executives (i.e., those potentially subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)), LTIP awards that are intended to be fully tax-deductible are also subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan. Final payments pursuant to LTIP awards are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.

Under the terms of the LTIP, each executive officer was granted an award of performance share units that were eligible to be earned based on the cumulative earnings per share of the Company for the 2012-20142013-2015 calendar years. The Compensation Committee believes performance share units are an appropriate form of award and earnings per share is an appropriate metric because they are designed to motivate toward achievement of long-term business and performance goals and to align pay with long-term shareholder value. The performance goals for the LTIP targets were derived from the Company’s internal three year strategic plan.

If the Company’s 2012-20142013-2015 cumulative earnings per share is at least $2.15,$2.75, 50% of the award of performance share units will be earned. If the Company’s 2012-20142013-2015 cumulative earnings per share is at least $2.50,$3.15, the “target” level, 100% of the award of performance share units will be earned. If the Company’s 2012-20142013-2015 cumulative earnings per share is $2.75$3.50 or greater, 150% of the award of performance share units will be earned. The percentage of performance share units earned was towill be adjusted ratably for cumulative earnings per share between $2.15$2.75 and $2.75.$3.50. None of these performance share units will be earned for cumulative earnings per share of less than $2.15.$2.75. For purposes of calculation of cumulative earnings for the 2012-20142013-2015 period, similarthe net income attributable to the Company’s shareholders is divided by the sum of Class A and for the reasons described under “- Annual Cash Incentive Compensation,”Class B weighted average shares outstanding, used to compute diluted earnings per share. All earned shares vest on December 31, 2015.

During 2013, the Compensation Committee has included a cap onalso granted stock option awards to executive officers of the amount of earnings that may be included fromCompany under the Company’s Legal Settlement Administration segment based on specified percentagesterms of the Company’s 2012 internal operatingExecutive Stock Bonus Plan. The stock option awards were granted as of March 27, 2013, and have an exercise price of $5.08 per share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, which was the fair market value of the shares as of the grant date. The awards become exercisable at a rate of 33% per year, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. In granting stock option awards, the Compensation Committee took into account (i) the shift from LTIP awards with annual performance measures to awards with three year performance measures, and (ii) the benefits of a blend of both performance share unit awards and stock option awards as part of the long term incentive compensation plan.

Other Elements of Compensation

Based on market competitive and internal factors, the Compensation Committee believes that it is appropriate that our executive officers be eligible to participate in other compensation plans offered to our employees. Mr. Swain participates in a noncontributory qualified retirement plan that was frozen as of December 31, 2002. All U.S. based named executive officers are also eligible to participate in a qualified 401(k)

21


plan and a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan. Our executive officers are also offered the opportunity to participate in a similar nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Benefits under the qualified and nonqualified retirement plans are not directly tied to Company performance. Based on market competitive factors, the Company also provides life insurance benefits, automobile allowances and reimbursement of club dues for certain of our executives, including the named executive officers, as noted in the Summary Compensation Table, below. The named executive officers are each a party to employment arrangements that provide severance and change-in-control protection.

Impact of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m)

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

23


the Compensation Committee to have incentive compensation for the Company’s named executive officers qualify for full tax deductibility for the Company to the extent feasible and consistent with our overall compensation philosophy. The Company’s Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan effective for 2008 and future years, is designed to allow the Compensation Committee to structure short-term incentive compensation (annual incentive awards) and long-term incentive compensation (equity-based awards) under that plan so that the resulting compensation will be qualified ‘performance-based compensation’“performance-based compensation” eligible for deductibility without limitation under Code Section 162(m). However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to pay appropriate compensation, even if it may result in the non-deductibility of certain amounts under federal tax law.

 

2224


SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION

The following tables provide information concerning compensation paid to, or accrued by the Company for, our named executive officers at December 31, 2012.2013.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

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

($)
 Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compen-
sation
Earnings
($)(2)
 All
Other
Compen-
sation

($)(3)
 Total
($)
 

J.T. Bowman

  2012   $730,000   $   $402,866   $   $345,891   $6,635   $108,136   $1,593,528      2013   $730,000       $472,000   $135,408   $318,694   $1,209   $110,792   $1,768,103    

President and Chief

  2011    730,000        448,165        625,013    3,814    110,115    1,917,107      2012    730,000        369,000        345,891    6,635    108,136    1,559,662    

Executive Officer

  2010    730,000        214,167        507,871    2,677    111,852    1,566,567      2011    730,000        448,165        625,013    3,814    110,115    1,917,107    

W.B. Swain

  2012    400,000        211,558        138,958    47,486    32,334    830,336      2013    400,000        283,200    101,556    127,460    1,413    23,602    937,231    

Executive Vice

President – Chief

Financial Officer

  

 

2011

2010

  

  

  

 

400,000

400,000

  

  

  

 


  

  

  

 

229,500

89,100

  

  

  

 


  

  

  

 

251,767

203,363

  

  

  

 

36,395

22,193

  

  

  

 

27,740

18,908

  

  

  

 

945,402  

733,564  

  

  

 

Executive Vice

  2012    400,000        221,400        138,958    47,486    32,334    840,178    

President – Chief

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

Financial Officer

         

I.V. Muress (4)

  2012    652,926        104,412        352,417        83,360    1,193,115      2013    642,339        188,800    101,556    140,921        82,939    1,156,555    

Executive Vice

  2011    661,522        191,283        382,712        84,457    1,319,974      2012    652,926        104,412        352,417        83,360    1,193,115    

President; Chief

Executive Officer –

EMEA/A-P

  2010    617,035        59,400        290,498        79,423    1,046,356      2011    661,522        191,283        382,712        84,457    1,319,974    

D.A. Isaac

  2012    700,000        26,775        750,000        7,296,846    8,773,621      2013    712,500        70,800    67,704    750,000        7,626,047    9,227,051    

Executive Vice

  2011    700,000        115,875        750,000        6,021,818    7,587,693      2012    700,000        55,350        750,000        7,296,846    8,802,196    

President; Chief

Executive Officer –

The Garden City

Group, Inc.

  2010    647,500        523,620        600,000        5,012,537    6,783,657      2011    700,000        115,875        750,000        6,021,818    7,587,693    

A.W. Nelson

  2012    425,000        207,809        146,878    832    21,414    801,933      2013    425,000        283,200    67,704    135,184    160    18,043    929,291    

Executive Vice

  2011    425,000        229,500        266,573    462    21,248    942,783      2012    425,000        221,400        146,878    832    21,414    815,524    

President – General

Counsel; Corporate

Secretary and Chief

Administrative Officer

  2010    425,000        89,100        216,073    420    14,188    744,781      2011    425,000        229,500        266,573    462    21,248    942,783    

 

(1)

The values of equity-based awards in this column represent the grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with ASC 718. However, pursuant to SEC rules these values are not reduced by an estimate for the probability of forfeiture. See Note 1011 of the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report for year ended December 31, 2012 regarding assumptions underlying the valuation of equity awards.

 

(2)

Represents the following amounts for 2012: (i) Mr. Bowman: $6,635For 2013, represents preferential earnings from the Deferred Compensation Plan; (ii)Plan. The actuarial present value of Mr. Swain: $8,223 preferential earnings fromSwain’s accumulated pension benefits decreased by $20,925 in 2013. As a result, no amounts related to his pension benefits in 2013 are included in the Deferred Compensation Plan and $39,263 actuarial increase in pension value; and (iii) Mr. Nelson: $832 preferential earnings from the Deferred Compensation Plan.table.

 

(3)

Represents the following amounts for 2012:2013: (i) Mr. Bowman: a $11,438$11,666 Company contribution to the Crawford & Company Savings and Investment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”); a $75,000 Company contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan; a $14,400 automobile allowance; $2,152 in country club dues; and a $7,298$7,574 premium payment on term life insurance; (ii) Mr. Swain: a $11,438$11,666 Company contribution to the 401(k) Plan; a $18,380$9,890 Company contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan; $2,336$1,770 in country club dues; and a $180$276 premium payment on term life insurance; (iii) Mr. Muress: a $65,293$64,230 Company contribution to the Company’s U.K. pension fund and a $18,067$18,709 automobile allowance; (iv) Mr. Isaac: $7,274,846$7,596,547 in commissions paid pursuant to his

23


employment agreement, and as described in more detail

25


below under “Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements;” a $10,000$17,500 Company contribution to The Garden City Group, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan; and a $12,000 automobile allowance; and (v) Mr. Nelson: a $6,750$6,885 Company contribution to the 401(k) Plan; a $11,922$8,556 Company contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan; $2,562$2,422 in country club dues; and a $180 premium payment on term life insurance.

 

(4)

Compensation for Mr. Muress is paid in British pounds sterling and converted to U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate in effect for each particular year. Amounts paid are determined based on payments in the fiscal year of the Company, and not the fiscal year of the Company’s international subsidiaries, which may differ from the fiscal year of the Company.

Grant of Plan-Based Awards

The Company maintains the Executive Stock Bonus Plan under which awards of performance share units, restricted stock or stock options may be granted to specified employees of the Company. Non-equity incentive plan cash awards are paid pursuant to the Company’s STIP. The following table sets forth certain information with respect to awards granted during or for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20122013 to each of our named executive officers.

 

Name and Position

 Grant
Date
  Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
 All
Other
Stock
Awards:

Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
  All
Other
Option
Awards:

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(#)
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
 
   Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
 Estimated Possible
Payouts Under Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(2)
 All
Other
Stock
Awards:

Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
  All
Other
Option
Awards:

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(#)
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
 

Name and Position

Grant
Date
  Minimum
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Maximum
(#)
 All
Other
Stock
Awards:

Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units (#)
  All
Other
Option
Awards:

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options(#)
  Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of Stock
and
Option
Awards
  Grant
Date
 Minimum
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
(#)
 Maximum
(#)
 
 $   $   $    50,000     100,000     150,000     2/21/13   $   $   $    50,000    100,000    150,000           $607,408  

J. T. Bowman (1)

  3/26/12    346,969    357,700    894,250                             2/4/13        474,450    901,550                          

W. B. Swain

  3/26/12                30,000     60,000     90,000            221,400  
  3/27/13                                72,800      

W. B. Swain (1)

  3/26/12    139,680    144,000    338,400                             2/21/13                30,000    60,000    90,000            384,756  

W. B. Swain (1)

  2/4/13        190,000    361,000                          
  3/27/13                                54,600      

I. V. Muress

  3/26/12                20,000     40,000     60,000            147,600    2/21/13                20,000    40,000    60,000            290,356  

I. V. Muress (1)

  3/26/12    300,836    310,140    589,271                             2/4/13        305,114    579,716                          
  3/27/13                                54,600      

D. A. Isaac

  3/26/12                7,500     15,000     22,500            55,350    2/21/13                7,500    15,000    22,500            138,504  

D. A. Isaac (3)

      250,000    500,000    750,000                                 250,000    500,000    750,000                          
  3/27/13                                36,400      

A. W. Nelson

  3/26/12                30,000     60,000     90,000            221,400    2/21/13                30,000    60,000    90,000            350,904  

A. W. Nelson (1)

  3/26/12    148,410    153,000    359,550                             2/4/13        201,875    383,563                          
  3/27/13                                36,400      

 

(1)

Represents the potential maximum payout of awards granted under the STIP. These awards were granted subject to the attainment of certain performance targets. The performance targets and target award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Analysis — Annual Cash Incentive Compensation.” Actual amounts paid under the plan to the named executive officers are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

 

(2)

Represents the potential maximum number of performance share units payable under the LTIP. These awards are subject to the attainment of certain performance targets. The performance targets and target award multiples for determining the payout are described under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Analysis — Long-Term Incentive Compensation.” The grant date fair value of awards granted under the plan to the named executive officers are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Stock Awards” column.

 

(3)

Represents the potential payout of previously approved incentive awards in accordance with the terms of Mr. Isaac’s employment agreement entered into in 2011. Actual amounts paid to Mr. Isaac are reported in the Summary Compensation Table under the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.

 

2426


Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 20122013

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the outstanding equity awards at December 31, 20122013 for each of our named executive officers.

 

Name

 Option Awards Stock Awards  Option Awards Stock Awards 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options(#)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested (#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:

Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
(#)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not Vested
($)(3)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
 Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards::
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options(#)
 Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have Not
Vested (#)
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(3)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:

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

J. T. Bowman

  15,000           $4.70    1/28/2013               $    30,000           $6.66    2/3/2014               $  
  30,000            6.66    2/3/2014                    125,200            6.36    9/15/2014                  
  125,200            6.36    9/15/2014                    240,000            4.40    5/6/2018                  
  250,000            4.40    5/6/2018                        72,800     5.08    3/27/23                  
                              37,500(1)   211,500                                100,000(1)   769,000  
                              100,000(2)   564,000                                100,000(2)   769,000  

W. B.Swain

  5,000            4.70    1/28/2013                  

W. B. Swain

  10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
  10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                        54,600        5.08    3/27/23                  
                              22,500(1)   126,900                                60,000(1)   461,400  
                              60,000(2)   338,400                                60,000(2)   461,400  

I. V. Muress

  5,000            4.70    1/28/2013                    10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                  
  10,000            6.66    2/3/2014                        54,600        5.08    3/27/23                  
                              15,000(1)   84,600                                40,000(1)   307,600  
                              40,000(2)   225,600                                40,000(2)   307,600  

D. A. Isaac

  3,000            4.70    1/28/2013                        36,400        5.08    3/27/23                  
  20,000            6.66    2/3/2014                                                15,000(1)   115,350  
                              7,500(1)   42,300                                15,000(2)   115,350  
                              15,000(2)   84,600  

A. W. Nelson

                              22,500(1)   126,900        36,400        5.08    3/27/23                  
                              60,000(2)   338,400                                60,000(1)   461,400  
                              60,000(2)   461,400  

 

(1)

Remaining shares vest on December 31, 2013, subject to satisfaction of specified performance targets.

(2)

Remaining sharesShares vest December 31, 2014, subject to satisfaction of specified cumulative performance targets for the 2012-2014 period.

(2)

Shares vest December 31, 2015, subject to satisfaction of specified cumulative performance targets for the 2013-2015 period.

 

(3)

Based on the per share closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 20122013 of $5.64.$7.69.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

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

 

   Option Awards(1)   Stock Awards 

Name

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

J. T. Bowman

             54,166    $305,496  

W. B. Swain

             32,500     183,300  

I. V. Muress

             21,666     122,196  

D. A. Isaac

             7,500     42,300  

A. W. Nelson

             32,500     183,300  

(1)

None of the named executive officers exercised stock options in 2012.

   Option Awards   Stock Awards 

Name

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

J. T. Bowman

   10,000    $21,300     37,500    $288,375  

W. B. Swain

             22,500     173,025  

I. V. Muress

             15,000     115,350  

D. A. Isaac

   20,000     17,600     7,500     57,675  

A. W. Nelson

             22,500     173,025  

 

2527


Pension Benefits at December 31, 20122013

The Company maintains a non-contributory retirement plan, the Crawford & Company Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”), for the benefit of substantially all of the U.S. employees of the Company who were employed on or before December 31, 2002. The Retirement Plan provides for annual retirement benefits at a normal retirement age of 65 (the “Normal Retirement Age”) equal to 2% of the participant’s total compensation (as defined in the Retirement Plan) for all credited years of service under the Plan. The benefits are not affected by Social Security benefits payable to the participant; however, they are actuarially reduced for retirements before the Normal Retirement Age or if the retiree selects benefits other than an individual life-time annuity. Of our named executive officers, only Mr. Swain participates in the Retirement Plan, and he has 10 years of credited service under this plan. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the Retirement Plan were frozen. In place of the accruals under the now frozen Retirement Plan, the Company may make a discretionary contribution to the 401(k) Plan for eligible employees based on years of service, compensation and the Company’s financial results. The following table provides information concerning the pension benefits at December 31, 20122013 with respect to the named executive officers.

 

Name

  

Plan Name

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

Plan Name

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

J. T. Bowman

         $                $    $  

W. B. Swain

   Crawford & Company Retirement Plan     10     196,499          Crawford & Company Retirement Plan     10     175,573       

I. V. Muress

                                  

D. A. Isaac

                                  

A. W. Nelson

                                  

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company maintains an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain executive officers to provide benefits that would otherwise be payable under the Retirement Plan and/or Defined Contribution Plan but for limitations placed on covered compensation and benefits thereunder pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Effective December 31, 2002, accruals under the SERP were also frozen as to the Retirement Plan. The SERP was amended to allowcurrently allows the Company, if it elects to make a discretionary contribution to the Defined Contribution Plan for eligible employees, to also make an additional SERP service contribution to the Deferred Compensation Plan for participants in the SERP. The following table provides information concerning the nonqualified deferred compensation with respect to the named executive officers.

 

Name

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

J. T. Bowman

  $    $75,000    $14,565    $    $368,598    $    $75,000    $16,743    $    $460,341  

W. B. Swain

   90,351     18,380     18,050     13,720     398,473     67,792     9,890     19,566     20,559     475,162  

I. V. Muress

                                                  

D. A. Isaac

                                                  

A. W. Nelson

        11,922     1,827          48,843          8,556     2,211          59,610  

 

(1)

These amounts were also included in “Salary” for 20122013 in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

(2)

These amounts were also reported in “All Other Compensation” for 20122013 in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

(3)

Of these balances, the following amounts were previously reported as compensation in summary compensation tables in previous years’ proxy statements: Mr. Bowman - $279,033,— $368,598, Mr. Swain - $285,412— $398,473 and Mr. Nelson - $35,094.— $48,843. This information is provided to clarify the extent to which these balances represent previously reported compensation (rather than additional, currently earned compensation).

 

2628


EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS

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

Employment and Severance Agreements

Mr. Bowman

On March 15, 2013, the Company entered into a restated employment agreement (the “Restated Agreement”) with Mr. Bowman, which replaced Mr. Bowman’s previous employment agreement with the Company, dated as of August 7, 2009. The Restated Agreement, which iswas effective as of January 1, 2013, has an initial term through March 31, 2014, with automatic one-year extensions unless either party gives notice to the other on or before February 1 immediately prior to the applicable expiration date. As of the date hereof, neither party had given notice to the other of the intent to terminate the Restated Agreement. The Restated Agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of $730,000 and eligibility for an annual cash incentive award opportunity payable upon the achievement of performance objectives established by the Compensation Committee. The Restated Agreement also provides that Mr. Bowman is eligible to receive equity incentive awards under the Company’s incentive compensation plans, as well as to participate in the Company’s executive benefit program, including the provision of an automobile allowance and payment of life insurance premiums. The Restated Agreement also generally provides that Mr. Bowman is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.

The Restated Agreement provides that on January 1, 2013, and each year thereafter that Mr. Bowman remains employed by the Company on January 1 of such calendar year, the Company will make a contribution to Mr. Bowman’s account under the Company’s deferred compensation planDeferred Compensation Plan that is equal to (i) the greater of (a) $75,000 or (b) 3.5% of Mr. Bowman’s cash compensation plus 2.5% of Mr. Bowman’s excess compensation (each as defined in the deferred compensation plan)Deferred Compensation Plan) for such year, reduced by (ii) the lesser of the Company’s matching contributions to the Company’s 401(k) plan on his behalf or the limit on elective deferrals under the Internal Revenue Code.

Under the Restated Agreement, if Mr. Bowman terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreement), or if the Company terminates his employment without cause (as defined in the agreement) or in connection with a change in control (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Bowman will be entitled to the following:

 

accrued compensation and benefits;

 

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

 

a pro-rata portion of his annual incentive award opportunity based on actual performance;

 

reimbursement for group health plan costs for up to 18 months following termination; and

 

in the event Mr. Bowman terminates his employment for good reason, continued vesting of all outstanding equity awards in accordance with the terms of the plan pursuant to which they were issued.

If the Company terminates Mr. Bowman’s employment due to disability, Mr. Bowman will be entitled to the following:

 

accrued compensation and benefits;

 

continued base salary for six months; and

 

in the event his employment is terminated by reason of such disability, continued vesting of all outstanding equity awards in accordance with the terms of the plan pursuant to which they were issued as if the termination was an “involuntary termination.”

In the event of Mr. Bowman’s death during the term of the Restated Agreement, the following will be due:

 

accrued compensation and benefits;

 

27


continued base salary for six months; and

 

all outstanding equity awards will immediately vest, and will be exercisable for 90 days.

29


The Restated Agreement contains non-solicitation and confidentiality covenants, as well as certain other covenants, applicable for specified periods after the termination of employment. In addition, any payments and benefits under the Restated Agreement upon a termination are subject to Mr. Bowman signing a restrictive covenant agreement and release in our favor.

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

Mr. Swain

On August 1, 2012, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Swain. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Swain’sSwain is entitled to an annual base salary isof at least $400,000, subject to annual review and increase by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Swain is eligible to participate in the STIP and the LTIP. In addition, Mr. Swain is eligible to participate in all executive-level employee benefit plans and programs, including receiptthe provision of a company car allowance.and payment of life insurance premiums.

In the event that Mr. Swain’s employment is terminated for reasons other than “cause,” or in the event of a “change-in-control” of the Company, which term is subject to the determination of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Swain will be entitled to receive: (i) eighteen months of his then-current base salary and (ii) the pro-rated amount of any bonus which would have been earned for the year in which he is terminated, provided all applicable performance conditions are met. Any payments to be made in the event of a termination without cause or in the event of a change-in-control under the agreement are subject to Mr. Swain entering into a general release of claims and executing non-competition and non-disclosure covenants in favor of the Company, among other things.

In connection with entering into the agreement, Mr. Swain also entered into a confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement in the Company’s favor. The confidentiality and non-solicitation agreement requires Mr. Swain to comply with confidentiality, non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation covenants during the term of the agreement and for specified periods after the termination of his employment.

Mr. Muress

In January 2002, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Muress, which was amended in April 2006. The agreement provides for a minimum annual base salary of £295,000, inclusive of any directors’ fees payable to him and subject to increases from time to time, as well as severance and other benefits, including a caran automobile allowance. The employment agreement also generally provides that Mr. Muress is entitled to participate in benefit and incentive plans generally offered to the Company’s executive officers.

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

Mr. Isaac

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

28


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

 

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

 

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

 

30


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

 

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

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

 

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

 

continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for twelve months.

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

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

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

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

Mr. Nelson

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

Equity Incentive Plans and Awards

Unvested, earned LTIP awards issued under the Company’s Executive Stock Bonus Plan are subject to accelerated vesting in the event of an executive’s termination of employment as a result of death, disability, retirement or separation from service in connection with a change-in-control of the Company. In the event of an executive’s termination

29


of employment as a result of death, disability or retirement, the executive’s unvested earned performance awards will continue to vest as if the executive had remained employed by the Company. In the event of an executive’s termination of employment in connection with a change-in-control of the Company, the executive’s unvested earned performance awards will vest on a pro-rata basis (based on the elapsed time of the vesting period) as of the date of such change-in-control.

31


Pension and Other Benefits

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

Termination and Change-in-Control Tables for 20122013

The following table summarizes the compensation and other benefits that would have become payable to each of our named executive officers assuming their employment had terminated on December 31, 2012, given the named executive officer’s base salary as of that date.2013. In addition, the table also summarizes the compensation that would become payable to each of our named executive officers assuming that a change in control of the Company had occurred on December 31, 2012.

As described above under “-Employment and Severance Arrangements,” on March 15, 2013 and effective as of January 1, 2013, we entered into the Amended and Restated Agreement with Mr. Bowman. The amounts set forth in the table below are the amounts that would have been payable under the Amended and Restated Agreement as if it were in effect on December 31, 2012, and not the amounts that would have been payable under Mr. Bowman’s agreement in effect as of such date.2013.

 

3032


In reviewing these tables, please note the following:

 

For amounts payable as stock awards, we assumed (i) unvested, earned performance share unit awards will fully vest; (ii) unvested restricted stock awards will fully vest; (iii) unearned performance share unit awards will be deemed earned on a pro-rata basis; and (iv) all such awards were cash valued atbasis, if the EPS targets have been reached. As of December 31, 2012.2013, the EPS targets were not yet reached for the 2012-2014 and the 2013-2015 LTIP awards; therefore, no amount are included in the table below. For additional information regarding the potential payouts, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Long-TermAnalysis — Long-term Incentive Compensation” and “Summary Compensation Table—Table — Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

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

 

No payment value was ascribed to presently vested and exercisable equity incentive awards, as such awards are not impacted by a separation from service or change in control.

 

All parties complied with any required notice provisions in the applicable agreement.

 

Each of the named executive officers complied with all restrictive and other covenants applicable to him.

 

Benefits and Payments  Change in
Control
 Termination
Without
Cause(1)
 Termination for
Good Reason(1)
 Retirement(1)  Death(1) Disability(1)    Change in
Control
   Termination
Without
Cause(1)
 Termination for
Good Reason(1)
 Death(1) Disability(1) 

J. T. Bowman

                 

Cash Severance

   $1,460,000 $1,460,000    —  $365,000 $365,000         $1,778,694   $1,778,694   $365,000   $365,000  

Stock Awards

        —                           

Health Benefits

   (2) (2)    —             (2  (2        

Life Insurance

        —  2,000,000                   2,000,000      

Disability Benefits

        —   (3)                      598,000  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

   1,460,000 1,460,000    —  2,365,000 365,000          1,778,694    1,778,694    2,365,000    963,000  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

W. B. Swain

                 

Cash Severance

   600,000     —             727,460              

Stock Awards

        —                           

Life Insurance

        —  600,000                   600,000      

Disability Benefits

        —   (3)                      1,966,500  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

   600,000     —  600,000           727,460        600,000    1,966,500  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

��

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

I.V. Muress

                 

Cash Severance

   652,926     —             642,339              

Stock Awards

        —                           

Life Insurance

        —                           

Disability Benefits

        —                           
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

   652,926     —             642,339              
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

D. A. Isaac

                 

Cash Severance

  (4) 700,000(5) 700,000(5)    —  350,000 350,000     (3   9,059,047(4)   9,059,047(4)   17,799,344(5)   17,799,344(5) 

Stock Awards

        —                           

Health Benefits

   (6) (6)    —  (7) (7)          (6  (6  (7  (7

Life Insurance

        —  1,500,000                   1,500,000      

Disability Benefits

        —   (8)                      2,964,000  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

   700,000 700,000    —  1,849,994 350,000          9,059,047    9,059,047    19,299,344    20,763,344  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

A. W. Nelson

                 

Cash Severance

  425,000 425,000     —             560,184              

Stock Awards

        —                           

Health Benefits

  (6) (6) (6)    —             (6  (6        

Life Insurance

        —  150,000                   150,000      

Disability Benefits

        —   (3)                      2,127,500  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total

  425,000 425,000     —  150,000           560,184        150,000    2,127,500  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

    

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

3133


(1)

Whether or not in connection with a change in control.

 

(2)

Mr. Bowman is entitled to reimbursement for group health plan costs for the lesser of 18 months following termination or until Mr. Bowman becomes eligible for other group health benefits.

 

(3)

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

(4)

This amount is not determinable. In the event that the Company divests all (or substantially all) of its interest in GCG, Mr. Isaac will be entitled to a special bonus payment based on 3% of the net sales price of the interest that is sold. This amount is not reasonably determinable.

 

(5)(4)

Mr. Isaac is entitled to payment of his base salary, annual incentive compensation and commissions on revenue derived from qualifying business initiated prior to the termination for twelve months following termination, which amounts are shown in the table. In the event of a termination in connection with a change in control of the Company, he would be entitled to $12,857,321, which consists of payment of his base salary, annual incentive compensation and commissions on revenue derived from qualifying business initiated prior to the termination for eighteen months following termination.

(5)

Mr. Isaac is entitled to continued payment of his base salary for a period of six months; continued payment of commissions based on qualifying business initiated prior to his death or disability for two years following his termination; payment of a pro rata portion of his annual incentive compensation for the year of death or disability; and continued payment of his annual incentive compensation for two years following his termination.

 

(6)

Continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for eighteen months.

 

(7)

Continuation of eligible medical benefits under COBRA for twelve months.

(8)

Consists of short-term disability payments of $31,500 per month for 6 months, followed by long-term disability payments of $15,000 per month, would be payable through age 65.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

                     E. JENNER WOOD, III,HARSHA V. AGADI, CHAIRMAN

                     HARSHA V. AGADIJESSE C. CRAWFORD

                     JAMES D. EDWARDS

                     CHARLES H. OGBURN

34


STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

Security Ownership of Management

The following table sets forth information, as of March 5, 2013,10, 2014, as to shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock beneficially owned by each current director, each of the named executive officers, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. As of March 5, 2013,10, 2014, there were 29,612,95030,049,592 shares of Class A Common Stock and 24,690,172 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

 

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

Name

  Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B 

Harsha V. Agadi

   101,978                 

P. George Benson (3)

   78,622                 

Jeffrey T. Bowman (4)

   805,644          2.7%       

Jesse C. Crawford (5)

   11,867,375     12,836,881     40.1     52.0%  

James D. Edwards (6)

   81,622     2,000            

Russel L. Honoré

   42,622                 

Joia M. Johnson

   24,298     8,700            

Charles H. Ogburn (7)

   243,361                 

E. Jenner Wood, III (8)(9)

   73,372                 

W. Bruce Swain (10)

   190,381                 

Ian V. Muress (10)

   129,536                 

David A. Isaac (11)

   228,326     2,038            

Allen W. Nelson

   164,847                 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (20 persons)(12)

   14,538,362     12,852,212     49.1     52.1  

32


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

Name

  Class A   Class B   Class A   Class B 

Harsha V. Agadi

   108,333                 

P. George Benson (3)

   84,977                 

Jeffrey T. Bowman (4)

   836,044          2.8%       

Jesse C. Crawford (5)

   11,873,730     12,836,881     39.5     52.0%  

Roger A. S. Day

   8,631        

James D. Edwards (6)

   87,977     2,000            

Russel L. Honoré

   48,977                 

Joia M. Johnson

   30,653     8,700            

Charles H. Ogburn (7)

   269,270                 

W. Bruce Swain (8)

   213,395                 

Ian V. Muress (8)

   145,504                 

David A. Isaac (9)

   220,370     2,038            

Allen W. Nelson (10)

   166,966                 

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (21 persons)(11)

   14,719,164     12,852,212     49.0     52.1  

 

(1)

Except as otherwise indicated in the following footnotes, the persons possessed sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares set forth opposite their names.

 

(2)

Except where a percentage is specified, the person’s ownership represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares. Shares not outstanding which are subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days by a named individual or persons in the group are deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of computing percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by such individual or the group.

 

(3)

Includes 36,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014.

 

(4)

Includes 405,200389,224 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014.

 

(5)

Includes 24,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by Jesse C. Crawford include 53,691 shares held in trust for his son over which he has sole voting and shared dispositive power, 3,892,091 shares held in the Estate of Virginia C. Crawford over which he has sole voting power and shared dispositive power, 1,970,690 shares held in three Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) over which his wife is trustee and he has no voting power, but has indirect dispositive power pursuant to a substitution power in the GRATs, 929,700 shares held in the 2012 Family Trust over which his wife is trustee, and he has no voting power, but he has indirect dispositive power pursuant to a substitution power in the trust and 275,000an unaffiliated bank has the power to add charities as beneficiaries of the trust and distribute shares to any such charities, 1,642,231 shares held in an irrevocable trusttrusts over which his wife is trustee, and he has no379,921 shares owed by Crawford Partners, L.P. (“Partners”). Mr. Crawford holds 100% of the membership units of Liverpool II, LLC (“Liverpool”), which is the general partner of Partners; Mr. Crawford is also the chief executive officer of Liverpool. Each of Partners and Liverpool report sole voting power, but has indirectand dispositive power pursuant to a substitution power in the trust.over 379,921 shares. The address of each of Liverpool and Partners is 25 Park Place, NE, Second Floor Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. See Note (2)(1) to the table set forth under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” below with respect to the Class B Common Stock.

 

(6)

Includes 39,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014.

 

35


(7)

The shares shown as beneficially owned by Mr. Ogburn include 12,00016,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held in an account in his spouse’s name over which he shares voting and dispositive power.

 

(8)

Includes 30,00018,018 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014.

 

(9)

Mr. Wood is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Georgia/North Florida Division. Mr. Wood disclaims beneficial ownership in any shares held by SunTrust Banks, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, which shares are not reflected in the table. See “Information With Respect to Certain Business Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.”

(10)

Includes 10,00012,012 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.

(11)

Includes 20,000 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014. The shares of Class A Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by David A. Isaac include 49,10045,500 shares held in four trusts for his children over which he has no voting or dispositive power and 1,464 shares over which he shares voting and dispositive power. Mr. Isaac shares voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock shown as beneficially owned.

 

(12)(10)

Includes 5,163,94612,012 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 10, 2014.

(11)

Includes 5,470,625 shares of Class A Common Stock and 51,276436,188 shares of Class B Common Stock as to which voting or dispositive power is shared and 634,200679,926 shares of Class A Common Stock subject to options exercisable within sixty (60) days of March 5, 2013.10, 2014.

33


Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

The following table sets forth certain information concerning each person (including any “group” as the term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act) known to the Company to be the “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined by the rules of the SEC, of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of March 5, 2013:10, 2014:

 

Name and Address

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

Jesse C. Crawford

Crawford Media Services, Inc.

6 West Druid Hills Drive, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30329

   12,836,881(1)   52.0   12,836,881(1)   52.0

Crawford Partners, L.P.

55 Park Place

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

   10,466,931(3)   42.4  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

303 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

   1,468,854(2)   5.9  

BlackRock, Inc.

40 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

   1,551,634(4)   6.3     1,743,685(3)   7.1  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

303 Peachtree Street, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

   1,511,627(2)   6.1  

Linda K. Crawford

57 N. Green Bay Road

Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

   1,459,977    5.9     1,459,977    5.9  

F&C Asset Management, plc

80 George Street

Edinburgh EH2 3BU

United Kingdom

   1,254,859(5)   5.1  

 

(1)

As of December 31, 2012. Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC by Jesse C. Crawford and Liverpool II, LLC (“Liverpool”) and Crawford Partners, L.P. (“Partners”), entities controlled by Mr. Crawford. Mr. Crawford holds 100% of the membership units of Liverpool, which is the general partner of Partners; Mr. Crawford is also the chief executive officer of Liverpool. According thereto,to said Schedule 13D/A, Mr. Crawford directly or indirectly has or can exercise (i) sole voting power over 12,451,96912,836,881 shares, including certain shares held by Liverpool and/or Partners;Partners, (ii) sole dispositive power over 12,402,73112,787,643 shares, including certain shares held by Liverpool and/or Partners;Partners, and (iii) shared voting power with respect to 384,912 shares held in a trust over which he serves as co-trustee; and (iv) shared dispositive power with respect to 434,15049,238 shares held in various trusts over which he serves as co-trustee. Mr. Crawford holds 100% of the membership units of Liverpool and is its chief executive officer. Liverpool is the general partner of Partners.an irrevocable trust. Each of Partners and Liverpool report sole voting and dispositive power over 10,466,931 of the above-reported shares. The address of each of Liverpool and Partners is 25 Park Place, NE, Second Floor Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

 

(2)

As of December 31, 2012. Based upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC by SunTrust Banks, Inc. (“SunTrust Bank”) on February 7, 2013.13, 2014. According thereto, the shares are held by certain subsidiaries of SunTrust Bank in various fiduciary and agency capacities. SunTrust Bank has sole voting power with respect to 1,073,9771,034,704 of such shares. SunTrust Bank has sole dispositive power with respect to 1,511,6271,468,854 of such shares. SunTrust Bank disclaims any beneficial interest in any such shares.

 

36


(3)

Mr. Crawford has sole voting and dispositive power of the shares held by Crawford Partners, LLC.

(4)

As of December 31, 2012. Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by BlackRock, Inc. on February 6, 2013.January 28, 2014. According thereto, BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 1,706,176 of the shares and sole dispositive power over all such shares.

(4)

As of December 31, 2012. Based upon a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by F&C Asset Management, plc on January 29, 2013. According thereto, F&C Asset Management, plc has sole voting and dispositive power over all such shares.

34


INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND

RELATED TRANSACTIONS

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

SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,511,6271,468,854 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of December 31, 2012.2013. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Banks, Inc. is a customer of the Company and, in the ordinary course of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, provides certain banking services to the Company. SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Banks, Inc., participates as a lender in the Company’s credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship with SunTrust Bank. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for payment of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. Jenner Wood, III, who retired from his position as a director of the Company in July 2013, is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Georgia/North Florida Division.

On December 24, 2012, in accordance with and pursuant to its previously disclosed and ongoing share repurchase program, the Company purchased 300,000 shares of Class A Common Stock from Mr. Crawford, a member of the Board of Directors and the majority shareholder of the Company, for $1,485,000 in a negotiated transaction unanimously approved by the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors (with Mr. Crawford recused from all of the Board’s deliberations with respect thereto).

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets forth certain information concerning securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012.2013. Only the Company’s Class A Common Stock is authorized for issuance under these plans. All of the Company’s equity compensation plans have been approved by the Company’s shareholders.

 

Plan Category

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

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   1,857,532(1)  $4.51(2)   7,388,698(3)    2,903,271(1)  $4.28(2)   6,891,878(3) 

 

(1)

Shares issuable pursuant to the outstanding options under the Company’s stock option plans (1,114,255(1,659,800 shares), the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (114,519(110,681 shares), and the U.K. ShareSave Scheme (628,758(1,132,790 shares).

 

(2)

Includes exercise prices for outstanding options under the Company’s stock option plans, the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, and the U.K. ShareSave Scheme.

 

(3)

Represents shares which may be issued under the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (594,830(451,777 shares), the Executive Stock Bonus Plan (4,642,042(4,359,951 shares), the Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (1,151,826)(1,090,944 shares), and the International Employee Stock Purchase Plan (1,000,000)(989,206 shares). Includes 16,134 shares that were granted and were earned but were not vested or issued at December 31, 2012. Excludes all share grants that were unearned at December 31, 2012.2013.

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

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

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Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports are required, the Company believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2012,2013, all of its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners complied with all applicable filing requirements, except for one late Form 4 filing regarding one transactionfilings for each of Mr. Bowman, Mr. Swain, Mr. Muress, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Frawley, Mr. Reeves,Crawford, relating to two transactions, and Mr. Flynn, Ms. Lisenbey, Mr. Cole, Mr. Lauria and Mr. Bell.relating to one transaction, which were each filed late due to administrative oversight.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Wood,Crawford (since October 2013), Ogburn, Edwards and Agadi.Agadi, as Chairman. Mr. Wood served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee prior to his retirement in July 2013. None of the foregoing individuals are or have been in the past officers or employees of the Company. None of the members of the Compensation Committee serve as members of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee.

SunTrust Banks, Inc. held 1,511,627 shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company as of December 31, 2012. See “Stock Ownership Information — Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners.” SunTrust Banks, Inc. is a customer of the Company and, in the ordinary course of its business and on prevailing marketplace terms, provides certain banking services to the Company. SunTrust Bank, an affiliate of SunTrust Banks, Inc., participates as a lender in the Company’s credit facility, for which it receives customary payments of interest, repayments of principal, and fees. The Company’s credit facility was entered into in the ordinary course of SunTrust Bank’s business, and we believe such loans were and are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable loans with other parties, and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. In addition, the Company also maintains a commercial banking relationship with SunTrust Bank. SunTrust Bank also processes checks relating to loss fund accounts, which are used for payment of the Company’s clients’ claims. E. Jenner Wood, III, a director of the Company, is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunTrust Bank Georgia/North Florida Division.

 

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PROPOSAL 2 — ADVISORY APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE CRAWFORD & COMPANY EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONSTOCK BONUS PLAN

General.    On February 4, 2014, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Crawford & Company Executive Stock Bonus Plan, as amended and restated, to provide that an additional 4,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock would be issuable thereunder (the “Plan”), subject to the approval by the Company’s shareholders. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) provides shareholders with the right to vote to approve, on an advisory (nonbinding) basis, the compensationfollowing description of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuantmaterial terms and provisions of the Plan is qualified by reference to the compensation disclosure rulesfull text of the SEC. This advisory votePlan, which is commonlyattached hereto asAppendix A (which does not give effect to the proposed amendment).

Under the Plan, key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries may be granted restricted stock, performance share units, and stock options, which are collectively referred to as the “say-on-pay” vote.“Awards.” The CompanyPlan currently provides its shareholdersthat we may issue Awards underlying a say-on pay vote every two years.total of 8,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, of which 3,640,049 shares of Class A Common Stock have been issued to date. If the amendment is approved, the Company will have the ability to issue Awards underlying a total of 4,000,000 additional shares of Class A Common Stock. In any calendar year, no key employee may be granted more than 250,000 shares of restricted stock, performance share units with respect to more than 250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, or options to acquire more than 250,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, under the Company’s most recent advisory say-on-pay vote atPlan.

Individuals eligible to participate in the Company’s 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, approximately 92.5% of votes cast were “for” approvalPlan are key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries as selected by the Compensation Committee. As of December 31, 2013, there were 13 executive compensation as disclosed in our proxy statement relatingofficers and approximately 80 employees other than executive officers eligible to receive Awards under the 2011 annual meetingPlan.

Administration.    The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee must consist of shareholders.two or more Directors who are “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”). The Compensation Committee determines which employees of the Company and its subsidiaries will be granted Awards and the terms of those Awards. The Compensation Committee has consideredcomplete discretionary authority to interpret and administer the outcomePlan and make changes to the terms and conditions of this voteAwards. The Board has the authority to amend the Plan, provided that, in its ongoing establishmentthe event any changes in the Plan would require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange rules, such changes shall be subject to shareholder approval, and oversightprovided further that no changes in an outstanding Award may be made without the Award holder’s consent.

The Committee may delegate to executive officers of the compensationCompany the authority, subject to such terms as the Compensation Committee shall determine, to exercise such authority and perform such functions, including, without limitation, the selection of participants and the grant of Awards, as the Compensation Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate the authority to grant Awards, perform such functions, or make any determination affecting or relating to the executive officers of the Company.

Our executive compensation programPerformance Share Units.    A performance share unit is a bookkeeping unit that has been designeda value equal to implement certain core compensation principles, namely “pay for performance”the fair market value of one share of Class A Common Stock. A key employee granted a performance share unit receives an Award agreement, which states the number of performance share units granted, the performance period, and alignment of management’s interests with our shareholders’ interests to support long-term value creationthe conditions under which performance share units will be earned and encourage an appropriate level of risk-taking behavior consistent with our long-term strategy. In the course of establishing our 2012 compensation programs and awarding compensation, our management andvest. The Compensation Committee determined what it considered appropriate levels and types of performance-based incentivesmay make performance share units subject to motivate our named executive officers to achieve short-term and long-term business goals. We believeone or more employment, performance or other vesting conditions that our executive compensation program was designed appropriately and is working to ensure management’s interests are aligned with our shareowners’ interests to support long-term value creation. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section, including the accompanying compensation tables and related narrative, of this proxy statement for additional details about our executive compensation philosophy and programs, including information about the fiscal year 2012 compensation of our named executive officers.

The say-on-pay vote gives you as a shareholder the opportunity to express your views on the compensation of our named executive officers. We currently intend to provide our shareholders an opportunity to have a say-on-on pay vote every two years until we hold our next advisory vote on the frequency of future say-on-pay votes, which will be no later than at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of shareholders. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation or our named executive officers and the compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, the Board of Directors recommends that shareholders approve the following advisory resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the shareholders of Crawford & Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and accompanying footnotes and narratives disclosed in this proxy statement.”

Because this vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Compensation Committee deems appropriate for key employees generally or for a key employee in particular, and the Board orrelated Award agreement shall set forth each vesting condition and the Company. However, it will provide information to our management and Compensation Committee regarding investor sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, objectives, policies and practices, which management anddeadline for satisfying the same. Payment of vested performance share units is made in shares of Class A Common Stock. Payment of stock is made by March 15 of the year following the year of vesting (unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement), after the Compensation Committee will be able to consider when determining executive compensation forcertifies that the remainder of fiscal 2013 and beyond.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the advisory approval of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.performance share unit is payable.

 

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PROPOSAL 3 - APPROVAL OF THE

CRAWFORD & COMPANY U.K. SHARESAVE SCHEME, AS AMENDED

Background.Restricted Stock.The Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended (the “U.K. Plan”) was originally adopted by the Board    A share of Directors on July 28, 1999. As originally adopted, 500,000 sharesrestricted stock is a share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock were availablesubject to restrictions on transferability prior to vesting. A grant of restricted stock is evidenced by an Award agreement, which states the number of shares of restricted stock granted, and the conditions under which the key employee’s interest in the underlying Class A Common Stock will become vested. Cash dividends will be paid directly to the key employee holding the restricted stock. The Award agreement will specify whether a cash dividend will be subject to the same vesting restrictions as are applicable to the underlying restricted stock or whether it will be paid to the key employee at the same time as dividends are paid to Company shareholders. The Compensation Committee may make the forfeiture of restricted stock subject to the satisfaction of any conditions that the Committee deems appropriate for issuancekey employees generally or for a key employee in particular, and the Award agreement shall describe each such condition and the deadline for satisfying each such condition. A key employee’s non-forfeitable interest in Restricted Stock shall depend on the extent he or she timely satisfies each forfeiture condition.

Options.    A stock option confers upon an option holder the right to Eligible Participants (as defined below). On February 7, 2006,purchase Class A Common Stock at a specified price, subject to such restrictions prior to vesting as the Compensation Committee may determine. The Plan authorizes grants of two types of stock options: incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. A stock option grant is evidenced by an Award agreement stating the terms and conditions under which the option will vest and be exercisable. In general, all options awarded under the Plan are awarded at fair market value as of the Board, as administrator ofgrant date, and no option granted under the U.K. Plan adopted an amendment to increase thewill have a term exceeding ten years. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance thereunder by 500,000, which amendment was approved bythat may be issued under the shareholders ofPlan pursuant to non-qualified stock options is 1,000,000, and the Company at the Company’s 2006 annual meeting of stockholders. On November 6, 2009, the Compensation Committee approved a further amendment to the U.K. Plan to extend the term of the U.K. Plan for 10 additional years and to update the U.K. Plan for statutory changes. The U.K. Plan, as further amended, was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the Company’s 2010 annual meeting of shareholders. On March 22, 2013, the Board adopted a further amendment to the U.K. Plan to further increase themaximum aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance thereunder by 1,000,000 (the “Amendment”). Pursuantthat may be issued under the Plan pursuant to the rulesincentive stock options is 1,000,000.

A key employee who is granted a stock option and regulationswho owns ten percent or more of the New York Stock Exchange, the Amendment is subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders.

The following summary of the material terms of the U.K. Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the U.K. Plan, which is attached hereto asAppendix A (as so attached, the U.K. Plan does not give effect to the Amendment).

General.    The U.K. Plan allows for Eligible Participants (as defined below) to purchase shares of our Class A Common Stock at a discount using accumulated savings from payroll deductions pursuant to a three-year, five-year or seven-year period savings program (a “Savings Contract”).

Purpose.    The purpose of the U.K. Plan is to attract, retain and motivate Eligible Participants to retain their focus on the long-term growthvoting power of the Company by providing them withwill not be granted an opportunity to purchase sharesincentive stock option unless the exercise price of such option is at least one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Company’s Class A Common Stockfair market value of the stock at a discount to the market value.

Eligibility.    To be eligible to participate indate of grant and the U.K. Plan (an “Eligible Participant”), an individual must generally be (i) an employeeoption is not exercisable after the expiration of Crawford or a Participating Company (as defined below) onfive (5) years from the grant day for an award (and has been an employee for the previous five year period or such other time period during such period as determined by the Compensation Committee), or (ii) a directordate of Crawford or a Participating Company (and has been a full-time director (as defined in the U.K. Plan) for the previous five year period or such other time period during such period as determined by the Compensation Committee, so long as such person generally was subject to tax in the U.K. with respect to his or her employment or position.grant.

The Compensation Committee is authorizedshall have no authority to determine each Participating Companymake any adjustment or amendment, and no such adjustment or amendment will be made, that reduces or would have the effect of reducing the exercise price of a stock option previously granted under the U.K. Plan. Generally, and as ofPlan whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement grants, or other means, unless the date hereof, a Participating Company is any directCompany’s shareholders have approved such adjustment or indirect subsidiary of the Company operating in the United Kingdom.

As of the date hereof, there are approximately 1,262 Eligible Participants, and 548 individuals actually participating in the U.K. Plan in the purchase period ending April 1, 2013. Mr. Muress is the only named executive officer eligible to participate in the U.K. Plan.amendment

Grants underReversion of Shares to the U.K. Plan.    Share Reserve.Eligible Participants who elect to participate in the U.K. Plan make monthly contributions (via payroll deductions) in an amount between £5 and £250 per month in connection with a three-year, five-year or seven-year period (a “Savings Period”) Savings Contract. In addition, Eligible Participants receive an option to purchase    Any shares of Class A Common Stock subject to an Award that remain unissued after the cancellation, expiration or exchange of the Award; any shares subject to an Award that are forfeited or cancelled; and any shares reflected by a performance share unit or option that are not issued due to the failure to satisfy any vesting conditions with respect to such performance share unit or option, shall be available for use in future grants under the U.K. Plan (an “Option”).Plan. In addition, any shares of Class A Company Stock tendered to satisfy a withholding obligation shall be available for use in future grants under this Plan.

Vesting and Performance Goals.    Vesting conditions for Awards may relate to employment, performance goals or other conditions. Performance goals are established by the Compensation Committee from one or more of the following business criteria that are to be achieved during a performance period: (1) revenue growth, (2) operating earnings and margin, (3) operating cash flow, (4) client satisfaction, (5) market share, (6) earnings per share, (7) return on equity, or (8) any other business criteria as may be determined by the Compensation Committee. Performance goals may be based on (i) Company wide performance, (ii) performance of a subsidiary, division, region, department, function, branch, facility, or other operational unit of the Company, (iii) individual performance or (iv) any combination of the above. The price atvesting of an Award may also be based on the key employee’s achievement of an individual performance goal. The Compensation Committee has complete discretionary authority to determine whether an Award is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder as “performance-based” compensation.

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Non-Transferability.    Awards are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. During the key employee’s lifetime, Awards may be exercised only by the key employee.

Change in Capitalization.    If there is a reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, stock consolidation or similar event, then appropriate adjustments will be made by the Compensation Committee to the number and kind of shares available for issuance as Awards and to the number and kind of shares allocated to unvested Awards granted prior to such change.

Corporate Transactions.    Unless otherwise provided in an Award agreement, upon the consummation of (a) dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (c) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations where the Company is not the surviving or resulting corporation, or (d) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger are acquiredconverted by virtue of the merger to other property (collectively, a “Terminating Event”), any Award granted prior to the Terminating Event will vest in full and the payment for a performance share unit will be made in full as if all performance goals have been achieved, but prorated for the period of time that has elapsed from the beginning of the performance period until the time of the Terminating Event.

Term of Plan.    The Plan will continue for a period of 10 years from the date of its original adoption on May 3, 2007, unless it is earlier terminated by the exercise of Options under the U.K. Plan is set by the Committee but is generally 85% of the fair market value of our ClassBoard.

Federal Income Tax Consequences.    A Common Stock (determined by reference to the price thereof on the New York Stock Exchange, if applicable) as determined prior to any grant date pursuant to section 3.5 of the U.K. Plan. In the event of any variation of the capital stock of the Company, the

38


Compensation Committee is authorized to adjust the price at which shares may be acquired before any Option is exercised or after the exercise of any Option but prior to transfer of shares pursuant to such exercise. Upon exercise, the exercise price will be paid to and retained by the Company.

The payroll deductions are kept in accounts with the bank or building society with whom the Savings Contract is made until the Eligible Participant either exercises (or declines to exercise) the Option at the end of the applicable Savings Period or earlier withdraws from participation in the U.K. Plan. The accumulated amounts and any bonus amounts are generally used to pay the exercise price at the end of the applicable Savings Period. An Eligible Participant may withdraw from participation in the U.K. Plan at any time. Once an Eligible Participant has withdrawn, there is no opportunity to resume participation for that Savings Period. The administrator of the U.K. Plan will make any repayment of savings to such Eligible Participant if so requested. As a tax-qualified plan in the United Kingdom, U.K. citizens receive a tax-free bonus amount on the payroll deductions, provided the Eligible Participant has continued to save for the full Savings Period. For withdrawals prior to such time, but after an Eligible Participant has been saving for one year and made at least 12 monthly contributions, the Eligible Participant will receive interest on his/her contributions.

Options may generally be exercised (i) within 6 months after the completion of the applicable Savings Period, (ii) within 12 months after the Eligible Participant’s death (or within 12 months if such death occurs 3 years after the maturity date), (iii) within 6 months after the Eligible Participant’s termination of employment with the Participating Company as a result of injury, disability, redundancy (within the meaningdescription of the United Kingdom Employment Rights Act of 1996) or retirement, (iv) within 6 months after the Eligible Participant’s termination of employment with the Participating Company as a result of certain changes of control of the Participating Company, or (v) within 6 months after the Eligible Participant’s termination of employment with the Participating Company for any other reason (except for misconduct) more than 3 years after the grant of the Option. Options may not be exercised at all in the event the Eligible Participant (i) ceases to be employed by the Participating Company for any reason other than death, disability, redundancy, retirement, injury or certain changes in control of the Participating Company, within 3 years after the grant of the Option or (ii) gives notice of termination before an Option has become exercisable terminating payments under the applicable Savings Contract or applies for repayment of the monthly contributions paid under the applicable Savings Contract.

Shares Available.   As of March 5, 2013 371,242 shares had been acquired under the U.K. Plan. On March 20, 2013, the closing price of the Company’s Class A Common Stock was $5.32.

For certain additional information concerning securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2012, see “Equity Compensation Plans” elsewhere in this proxy statement.

Term.  Offers to participate under the U.K. Plan can only be made until May 4, 2020.

Administration.   The Board, or a committee appointed by the Board, is authorized to administer the U.K. Plan. The administrator of the U.K. Plan is authorized to, among other things:

¡

determine the applicable grant date of any offering;

¡

determine the length of any offering;

¡

set the maximum amount of the monthly contribution under a Savings Contract (subject to applicable restrictions);

¡

provide all notices in connection with the U.K. Plan;

¡

make price adjustments in the event of any variation of the capital stock of the Company; and

¡

amend the U.K. Plan at any time, subject to any required consents of any applicable regulatory authorities.

Amendment of the U.K. Plan.  The Compensation Committee may at any time amend the U.K. Plan and shall obtain any required approvals and consents from the United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”). If HMRC approval is not required, the Compensation Committee is authorized to make any non material changes to the U.K. Plan without resubmitting the U.K. Plan to the HMRC.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any material amendment to the U.K. Plan must be approved by our stockholders in order to comply with continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

Taxation Considerations

Taxation Considerations.   The following is a brief summary of the general taxation considerations to Participants and the CompanyStates federal income tax consequences of participation in the U.K. Plan.Plan under present law is set forth below. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not describe other foreign, or state or local tax considerations, nor does it describe considerationsonly a general summary based on particular circumstances. Each Eligible Participant should refercurrent federal income tax laws, regulations, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof. The federal income tax laws and regulations are frequently amended, and such amendments may or may not be retroactive with respect to the actual text of the U.K. Plan set forth inAppendix A and should consult with a tax advisor as to specific questions relating to tax considerations in connection with participation in the U.K. Plan.transactions described herein.

US Federal Tax Considerations.Performance Share Units.    The grant of an Option under the U.K. Plan doesA key employee will not give rise to any income tax liability for an Eligible Participant subject to tax in the U.S. Generally, the recipient of an Option grant in the U.S. would be subject to income tax atupon the timegrant of exercise of the Option on the difference betweena performance share unit. The key employee will generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock obtained upon exercise ofreceived as payment on a performance share unit in the Optionyear that such shares are transferred to him or her. If the performance share unit is forfeited, the key employee will not recognize any income. The Company will withhold for any applicable federal, state and the per share exercise price. This amount would be taxed as ordinarylocal income to the Option recipient and theemployment taxes. The Company wouldwill be entitled to a correspondingdeduction equal to the amount the key employee includes in ordinary income in the year of such inclusion.

Restricted Stock.    A key employee generally will not be subject to income tax deductionupon the grant of restricted stock. When the restricted stock vests, the key employee will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount taxable to the Participant at exercise. However, due to the potential discount from fair market value of the exercise price of shares of Class A Common Stock andunderlying the other terms underrestricted stock award on the U.K. Plan, Eligible Participantsdate of vesting. If the restricted stock is forfeited, the key employee will recognize no income. Any cash dividends paid on restricted stock will be taxed as ordinary income in the year the cash dividend is received. Stock dividends that are subject to taxvesting restrictions will be taxed as ordinary income in the U.S. mayyear they vest. Stock dividends paid directly to the key employee will be taxed earlieras ordinary income in the year received by the key employee.

A key employee may elect under Section 83(b) of the Code (no later than 30 days after the date of grant) to recognize the fair market value of the shares of restricted stock as ordinary income at the time the restricted stock award is granted. A key employee who makes such an election will not recognize ordinary income when the restricted stock award vests, but if the restricted stock award is subsequently forfeited, the key employee will not be allowed a deduction. Further, if the key employee makes such an election, any dividend paid on restricted stock will be taxed as dividend income in the tax year that the dividend is received. The Company will withhold for any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes. The Company will be entitled to a deduction equal to the amount the key employee includes as ordinary income in the year of such inclusion.

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Incentive Stock Options.    A key employee generally will not be subject to income tax upon the grant or the exercise of an incentive stock option. Instead, the key employee will be subject to income tax after the employee disposes of the stock acquired by exercising the option. The tax owed will depend on the length of time the key employee has held the stock after exercise but before disposal of the stock received on exercise.

If the key employee holds stock received on exercise for at least two years from the date of the grant of the stock option, and one year from the receipt of the stock upon exercise of the Option (option, the employee will be taxed at the long-term capital gains rate on the difference between the exercise price and the disposition price. If the key employee has not held the stock received on exercise of the stock option for at least two years from the date of the grant of the option and at least one year from receipt of the stock, upon exercise of the option, the employee will be taxed at the ordinary income tax rates on the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the fair market value of the stock on the exercise date. In general, the Company will not be entitled to take a tax deduction respecting an option on which the employee satisfies the holding periods described above.

Additionally, the difference between an incentive stock option’s exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise of the stock option constitutes a preference for purposes of calculating the key employee’s alternative minimum tax liability.

e.g.,Non-Qualified Stock Options.    A key employee will generally not be subject to income tax upon the grant of a non-qualified stock option. On exercise of the non-qualified stock option, the key employee will recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise of the stock option. If the key employee continues to hold the stock following exercise of the stock option, the key employee’s tax basis in the exercised stock will generally be equal to (i) the cash paid upon exercise of the option, increased by (ii) any amount included in the key employee’s income by virtue of exercising the option. The stock received on exercise will be taxed upon subsequent disposition at vesting)capital gain rates, depending on how long after exercise the key employee holds the stock.

The Company will withhold for any applicable federal, state and maylocal income and employment taxes. The Company will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount the key employee includes in his or her ordinary income by virtue of exercising a non-qualified stock option.

Section 409A.    The Company intends for Awards to comply, to the extent applicable, with Section 409A of the Code. However, if an Award is subject to Section 409A and if such Award does not meet the requirements of Section 409A, the key employee will include in gross income in the first year of the failure, any compensation deferred with respect to the Award for that year and all previous years (and earnings), to the extent not previously included in income and not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The Company will receive a corresponding deduction for the amount included in the key employee’s income. The key employee also will be subject to an additional 20% penalty. Any bonus ortax on the amount included in income, as well as interest received under a Savings Contractat the federal income tax underpayment rate plus 1% on the amounts that would be subject to taxhave been included in income if the deferral had been included in the key employee’s income in the year received.deferred, or if later, the year the Award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

AtPlan Benefits.    The amount and timing of awards granted under the time of sale of shares of Class A Common Stock obtained upon exercise of an Option,Plan are determined in the Eligible Participant will recognize a capital gain or loss. If the Eligible Participant sells or disposessole discretion of the shares obtained upon exercise of an Option more than 12-months after purchase, the Eligible Participant will recognize long-term capital gain on any additional gain. If the Eligible Participant sells or disposes of the shares obtained upon exercise of an Option 12-months or less after purchase, then the Eligible Participant will recognize short-term capital gain on any additional gain.

U.K. Tax Considerations.  Compensation Committee and therefore, cannot be determined in advance. The grant of an Optionfuture awards that would be received under the U.K. Plan doesby key employees are discretionary and are therefore, not give rise to any income tax liability for an Eligible Participant resident and ordinarily resident in the U.K. Provided that such a Participant has held the relevant Option for more than three years (or less than three years and his or her employment with the Company or a Participating Company has ceased as a result of death, disability, injury, retirement, the attainment of age 60 or redundancy). If the Eligible Participant exercises an Option in other circumstances, however, a charge to income tax of the Eligible Participant may arise on the exercise of the Option. The income arising on exercise of such Option will form part of the Eligible Participant’s income for the tax year in which the exercise occurred, and income tax will be chargeable on the amount by which the fair market value of the common shares acquired upon exercise of the Option on the date of exercise exceeds the price paid for those shares. The income tax due will be payable by the Eligible Participant, after the Eligible Participant submits his or her annual tax return, through the U.K. “self assessment” regime. The Company will receive a corporation tax deduction for the amount of the gain made on the exercise of the Option by the Eligible Participant.

At the time of sale of the underlying shares of Class A Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option, capital gains tax will arise on any gain realized by the Eligible Participant and will be calculated by reference to the difference between the sale proceeds and the base cost of the common shares acquired upon exercise of the Option. The base cost of the common shares fordeterminable at this purpose is the price paid for such shares (plus any amount chargeable to income tax on exercise of the Option). A U.K. Eligible Participant is entitled to an annual capital gains tax exemption and the net chargeable gain is currently chargeable to tax at a flat rate of 18 or 28 percent, depending on the total amount of taxable income of the Eligible Participant. Any bonus or interest received under a Savings Contract will not give rise to any income tax or National Insurance Contributions liability to the Eligible Participant.time.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the addition of 1,000,000 authorized shares of Class A Common Stockamendment to the Crawford & Company U.K. Sharesave Scheme, as amended.Executive Stock Bonus Plan.

 

4042


PROPOSAL 43 — RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

Ernst & Young LLP has been appointed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors to serve as the independent auditor for the Company for the fiscal year 2013.2014. Ernst & Young has served as the independent auditor of the Company since the Company’s 2002 fiscal year. Although the selection and appointment of an independent auditor is not required to be submitted to a vote of shareholders, the Board of Directors has decided, as in the past, to ask the Company’s shareholders to ratify this appointment as a matter of good corporate governance. Despite the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor and the ratification by the shareholders of that selection, the Audit Committee has the power at any time to appoint another auditor for 2013,2014, without further shareholder action. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and, if present, will be given an opportunity to make a statement, if he or she desires, and to respond to appropriate questions. In addition, a report of the Audit Committee in connection with the independence of the auditor, as well as other matters, follows the Board’s recommendation on this matter below.

Fees Paid to Ernst & Young LLP

In addition to performing the audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Ernst & Young LLP provides other permitted services to the Company and its foreign and domestic subsidiaries. Ernst & Young LLP has advised the Company that it has billed or will bill the Company the below indicated amounts for the following categories of services for the years ended December 31, 20122013 and 2011:2012:

 

  

        2012        

   

        2011        

   

        2013        

   

        2012        

 

Audit fees(1)

  $3,593,131    $2,724,045        $3,480,464    $3,593,131      

Audit related fees(2)

   423,028     367,805         365,136     423,028      

Tax fees(3)

   443,780     403,676         475,695     443,780      

All other fees

        —              —      
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $4,459,939    $3,495,526        $4,321,295    $4,459,939      
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(1)

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

 

(2)

Audit related fees include: service organization control reports, accounting consultations, and attest services related to acquisitions.

 

(3)

Tax fees consist principally of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax planning and advice.

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

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditor for 2013.2014.

43


AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

In fulfilling its responsibilities to review the Company’s financial reporting process, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s management and the independent auditor the audited financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.2013. Management is responsible for the Company’s financial statements and the reporting process, including the Company’s system of internal controls. The independent auditor is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Audit Committee discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,Standard No.16, Communications with Audit Committee, as amended.Committees, issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”). In addition, the

41


Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditor the auditor’s independence from the Company and its management, including the matters in the written disclosure required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence. In determining the independence of the auditor, the Audit Committee has considered, among other matters, whether the provision of services, other than those related to the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence.

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

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20122013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                     JAMES D. EDWARDS, CHAIRMAN

                     JOIA M. JOHNSON

                     CHARLES H. OGBURN

                     E. JENNER WOOD, IIIROGER A. S. DAY

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Any shareholder proposal to be presented at the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company no later than November 29, 2013December 3, 2014 for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act, the Board of Directors may exercise discretionary voting authority at the 20142015 Annual Meeting under proxies it solicits to vote on a proposal made by a shareholder that the shareholder does not seek to have included in the Company’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8, unless the Company is notified about the proposal prior to November 29, 2013December 3, 2014 and the shareholder satisfies the other requirements of Rule 14a-4(c).

OTHER MATTERS

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

March 29, 2012April 2, 2014

 

4244


APPENDIX A

CRAWFORD & COMPANY

U.K. SHARESAVE SCHEME,EXECUTIVE STOCK BONUS PLAN

AS AMENDED

HMRC Reference: SRS2374/IGB

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1

In this Scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:

3-Year Option”, “5-Year Option” and “7-Year Option” have the meanings given in sub-rule 3.2 below; AND RESTATED MARCH 1, 2008

AssociatedSection 1.Background. The Board of Directors of Crawford & Company,” means an associated company within a Georgia corporation, adopted the meaning givenCrawford & Company Executive Stock Bonus Plan, pursuant to that expression by paragraph 47which certain of Schedule 3;

Board” means the board of directorsKey Employees of the Company and Subsidiary Corporations could be granted Restricted Stock and Performance Share Units, effective March 1, 2005 (the “Original Plan”). The Plan, as set forth in this document, is an amendment and restatement of the Original Plan, adopted by the Board as of March 1, 2008. The Plan, as so amended and restated, provides also for the grant of Options to certain Key Employees. The amended and restated Plan will be effective as of the date it is approved by the shareholders of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Option shall be granted under the Plan until shareholder approval of the Plan has been obtained; and provided further, that if shareholder approval of the Plan is not received within twelve (12) months after its adoption by the Board, the Plan, as amended and restated, shall be rescinded and the Original Plan shall continue without modification or a committee appointed by them;interruption, as if this amendment and restatement had never been adopted.

Bonus Date”,Section 2.Purpose of Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to strengthen the Company and those corporations which are or later become Subsidiary Corporations, by providing to specific Key Employees added incentives for high levels of performance and to encourage stock ownership in relation to an option, means:the Company.

Section 3.Definitions:

 

 (A)(a)

in the case of“Award” means a 3-YearRestricted Stock, Performance Share Unit or Option the earliest date on which the bonus is payable,award.

 

 (B)(b)

in“Award Agreement” means the casedocument that sets forth the terms and conditions of a 5-Year Option, the earliest date on which a bonus is payable, andan Award.

 

 (C)(c)

in“Board” means the caseBoard of a 7-Year Option,Directors of the earliest date on which the maximum bonus is payable;

and for this purpose “payable” means payable under the Savings Contract made in connection with the option;

Company” means Crawford & Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Georgia in the USA;

Control” means control within the meaning of section 995 of the Income Tax Act 2007;

Exercise Date” shall be the date on which a validly completed notice of exercise is received by the Company;

Grant Day” shall be construed in accordance with sub-rule 2.1 below;

Invitation Date” shall be the date on which an invitation is given pursuant to sub-rule 3.6 below;

ITEPA 2003” means the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003;

ITTOIA 2005” means the IT (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005;

Key Feature” means a provision of the Scheme which is necessary in order to meet the requirements of Schedule 3;

Participant” means a person who holds an option granted under this Scheme;

Participating Company” means the Company or any Subsidiary to which the Board has resolved that this Scheme shall for the time being extend;

Revenue” means Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;

A-1


Savings Body” means any bank, building society, or European authorised institution (within the meaning of section 704 ITTOIA 2005 and authorised in accordance with section 707 ITTOIA 2005) with which a Savings Contract can be made;

Savings Contract” means an agreement to pay monthly contributions under the terms of a certified contractual savings scheme, within the meaning of section 703(1) ITTOIA 2005, which has been approved by the Revenue for the purposes of Schedule 3;

Schedule 3” means Schedule 3 to ITEPA 2003;

Specified Age” means age 60;

Subsidiary” means a body corporate which is a subsidiary of the Company (within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006) and of which the Company has Control;

Taxes Act 1988” means the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988;

and expressions not otherwise defined in this Scheme have the same meanings as they have in Schedule 3.

1.2

Any reference in this Scheme to any enactment includes a reference to that enactment as from time to time modified, extended or re-enacted.

1.3

Expressions in italics are for guidance only and do not form part of this Scheme.

2.

ELIGIBILITY

2.1

Subject to sub-rule 2.5 below, an individual is eligible to be granted an option on any day (the “Grant Day”) if (and only if):Company.

 

 (A)(d)

he is on“Code” means the Grant Day an employee or directorInternal Revenue Code of a company which is a Participating Company; and1986, as amended.

 

 (B)(e)

he either satisfies“Code Section 409A” means Section 409A of the conditions specified in sub-rule 2.2 belowCode and all applicable regulations and other guidance issued under or is nominated byrelated to Section 409A of the Board for this purpose.

2.2

The conditions referred to in sub-rule 2.1(B) above are that:Code.

 

 (A)(f)

“Committee” means the individual shall at all times during the qualifying period have been an employee (but not a director) or a full-time directorNominating/Corporate Governance/Compensation Committee of the CompanyBoard, or a company which was forsuch other or successor committee as the Board may, from time being a Subsidiary; andto time, establish.

 

 (B)(g)

at the relevant time, the individual’s earnings from his employment or office meet (or would meet if there were any) the requirements set out in paragraphs 6(2)(c)“Company” means Crawford & Company, a Georgia corporation, and 6(2)(ca) of Schedule 3.

2.3

For the purposes of sub-rule 2.2 above:any successor to such corporation.

 

 (A)(h)

“Covered Employee” means, with respect to any grant of an Option or Performance Share Unit, a Key Employee who the relevant timeCommittee determines is, or may be or become, a “covered employee” as defined in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code for a year.

(i)

“Fair Market Value” means (1) the closing price for a share of Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (or if Stock is no longer traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the exchange or quotation system which reports or quotes the closing price for a share of Stock) as accurately reported for any date (or, if no shares of Stock are traded on such date, for the immediately preceding date on which shares of Stock were traded) inThe Wall Street Journal (or ifThe Wall Street Journal no longer reports such price, in a newspaper or trade journal selected by the Committee) or (2) if no such price quotation is available, the price which the Committee,

A-1


acting in good faith, determines through any invitationreasonable valuation method that a share of Stock might change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any determination of Fair Market Value shall be consistent with Code Section 409A to the extent applicable.

(j)

“Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(k)

“Individual Performance Goals” means the goal or goals, if any established by the Committee for individual performance measures, based on such objective or subjective criteria as the Committee deems appropriate.

(l)

“Key Employee” means a salaried employee of the Company or a Subsidiary Corporation, as selected by the Committee.

(m)

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(n)

“Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option awarded in accordance with Section 9 of this Plan.

(o)

“Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is given under Rule 3.6 belowgranted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other timeperson who holds an outstanding Option.

(p)

“Participant” means any Key Employee awarded an Award.

(q)

“Performance Goal” means the goal or goals, if any, established by the Committee based on one or more of the following business criteria that are to be achieved during a performance period determined by the periodCommittee: (1) revenue growth; (2) operating earnings and margin; (3) operating cash flow; (4) client satisfaction; (5) market share; (6) earnings per share; (7) return on equity; or (8) any other business criteria as may be determined by the Committee. Performance Goals may be based (as the Committee deems appropriate) on (i) Company-wide (including Subsidiary Corporations) performance, (ii) performance of 5 years endinga subsidiary, division, region, department, function, branch, facility or other operational unit of the Company, (iii) individual performance (if applicable), or (iv) any combination of the foregoing. Performance Goals may be set in any manner determined by the Committee, including looking to achievement on an absolute basis or on a relative basis to prior periods or in relation to peer group, indexes or other external measure of the selected criteria. When the Committee sets Performance Goals, the Committee shall establish the objective rules that the Committee will use to determine the extent, if any, that Performance Goals have been met. In establishing any such objective rules, the Committee may, to the extent it deems appropriate, take into account any extraordinary or one-time or other non-recurring items of income or expense or gain or loss or any events, transactions or other circumstances that the Committee deems relevant in light of the nature of the Performance Goals set for the Key Employee or the assumptions made by the Committee regarding such goals. With respect to awards to Covered Employees that are intended to comply with the Grant Day asrequirements of Section 162(m) of the Board may determine (provided that noCode for “performance-based” compensation, any such determination mayadjustments shall be made if it would havein a manner consistent with such requirements.

(r)

“Performance Share Unit” means a unit granted pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan, the effect thatvalue of which is equal to the qualifying period would not fall within that 5- year period);Fair Market Value of one share of Stock and which is payable in Stock.

 

A-2


 (B)(s)

the qualifying period is such period ending at the relevant“Plan” means this Crawford & Company Executive Stock Bonus Plan as Amended and Restated March 1, 2008, and as further amended from time but falling within the 5-year period mentioned in paragraph 2.3(A) above as the Board may determine;to time.

 

 (C)(t)

an individual shall be treated as a full-time director“Restricted Stock” means Stock granted in accordance with Section 8 of a company if he is obliged to devote to the performance of the duties of his office or employment with the company not less than 25 hours a week;this Plan.

 

 (D)(u)

Chapter I of Part XIV“Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Employment Rights Act 1996 shall have effect, with any necessary changes, for ascertaining the length of the period during which an individual shall have been an employee or a full-time director and whether he shall have been an employee or a full-time director at all times during that period.

2.4

Any determination of the Board under paragraph 2.3(A) or 2.3(B) above shall have effect in relation to every individual for the purpose of ascertaining whether he is eligible to be granted an option on the Grant Day.

2.5

An individual is not eligible to be granted an option at any time if he is at that time ineligible to participate in this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 11 of Schedule 3 (material interest in close company).

3.

GRANT OF OPTIONS

3.1

Subject to Rule 4 below, the Board may grant an option to acquire shares in the Company which satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 18 to 22 of Schedule 3 (fully paid up, unrestricted, ordinary share capital), upon the terms set out in this Scheme, to any individual who:Company.

 

 (A)(v)

“Subsidiary Corporation” means any corporation which is eligible to be granted an option in accordance with Rule 2 above, anda subsidiary corporation (within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company.

 

 (B)(w)

has applied for an option and proposed“Ten Percent Shareholder” means a person who owns (or is deemed to make a Savings Contract in connection with it (with a Savings Body approved byown pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Board) inCode) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the form and manner prescribed bytotal combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Board,

and for this purpose an option to acquire includes an option to purchase and an option to subscribe.

3.2

The typeCompany or of option to be granted to an individual, that is to say a 3-Year Option, a 5-Year Optionits parent or a 7-Year Option, shall be determined by the Board or, if the Board so permits, by the individual; and for this purpose:subsidiary corporation.

 

 (A)(x)

a 3-Year Option is“Terminating Event” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 12 of this Plan, unless otherwise provided in an option in connection with which a three year Savings Contract is to be made and in respect of which, subject to sub-rule 4.3 below, the repayment is to be taken as including the bonus;Award Agreement.

Section 4.Eligibility. Key Employees, who have been selected by the Committee as provided in Section 5, will be eligible to receive Awards.

Section 5.Administration and Grant of Awards. The Plan will be administered by the Committee consisting of two or more directors appointed by the Board who are “non-employee directors” (within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Rule 16b-3”)) and “outside directors” (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code). Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee will have complete authority to determine those Key Employees to whom the Awards may be granted and the time or times, and the price at which, Awards may be granted or exercised, the vesting periods, the number of shares subject to each Award and, with respect to Options, whether an Option will be granted as a Non-Qualified Stock Option or as an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee will also have complete authority to interpret the Plan and all Award Agreements, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations consistent with the Plan and relating to it, to determine the terms and provisions of each Award Agreement (which need not be the same), to determine the rights and obligations of Participants under the Plan and all Award Agreements, and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan. The Committee may delegate to executive officers of the Company the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to exercise such authority and perform such functions, including, without limitation, the selection of Participants and the grant of Awards, as the Committee may determine, to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3; provided, however, that the Committee may not delegate the authority to grant Awards, perform such functions or make any determination affecting or relating to the executive officers of the Company. Any action of the Committee or its delegate shall be binding on the Company, on each Subsidiary Corporation, on each affected Key Employee and on each other person directly or indirectly affected by such action.

Section 6.Shares Subject to the Plan and Award Limits.

 

 (B)(a)

Share Reserve and Award Limits. There shall be 8,000,000 shares of Stock authorized for issuance under the Original Plan and this Plan in the aggregate. The Committee will determine the number of shares of Restricted Stock, Performance Share Units and/or Options awarded to a 5-Year Option is an optionParticipant. However, no Key Employee shall be granted more than 250,000 shares of Restricted Stock in connectionany calendar year, no Key Employee shall be granted Performance Share Units with which a fiverespect to more than 250,000 shares of Stock in any calendar year, Savings Contract isand no Key Employee shall be granted in any calendar year Options to be made and in respectacquire more than 250,000 shares of which, subjectStock. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to sub-rule 4.3 below, the repayment is to be taken as including a bonus other thancontrary, the maximum bonus; and

(C)

a 7-Year Option is an option in connection with which a five year Savings Contract is to be made and in respect of which the repayment is to be taken as including the maximum bonus.

 

A-3


3.3

aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Non-Qualified Stock Options is 1,000,000 shares of Stock, and the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Incentive Stock Options is 1,000,000 shares of Stock. More than one Award may be granted to the same Key Employee. The amountnumber of shares of Stock described above shall be subject to increase or decrease pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 of the monthly contribution under the Savings Contract to be made in connection with an option granted to an individual shall, subject to sub-rule 4.5 below, be the amount which the individual shall have specified in his application for the option that he is willing to pay or, if lower, the maximum permitted amount, that is to say, the maximum amount which:Plan.

 

 (A)(b)

when aggregatedReversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. Any shares of Stock subject to an Award that remain unissued after the cancellation, expiration or exchange of the Award; any shares subject to an Award that are forfeited or cancelled; and any shares reflected by a Performance Share Unit or Option that are not issued due to the failure to satisfy any vesting conditions with respect to such Performance Share Unit or Option, shall be available for use in future grants under this Plan. In addition, any shares of Stock tendered to satisfy a withholding obligation shall be available for use in future grants under this Plan.

Section 7.Performance Share Units.

(a)

Committee Action. The Committee acting in its absolute discretion may grant Performance Share Units to Key Employees from time to time. Each such Performance Share Unit grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall set forth the amountnumber of his monthly contributions (being not less than £5)Performance Share Units granted to the Key Employee and the performance period for the Award and shall describe the conditions under any other Savings Contract linked to this Scheme or to any other savings-related share option scheme approved under Schedule 3, does not exceed £250 orwhich the Performance Share Units will vest and be paid and such other maximum amountterms and conditions of the grant as may for the time being be permitted by paragraph 25(3)(a) of Schedule 3;Committee acting in its absolute discretion deems appropriate.

 

 (B)(b)

does not exceedVesting. The Committee acting in its absolute discretion may make Performance Share Units subject to one or more employment, performance or other vesting conditions (including, without limitation, Performance Goals and Individual Performance Goals) that the maximum amountCommittee deems appropriate for Key Employees generally or for a Key Employee in particular, and the time being permitted underrelated Award Agreement shall set forth each vesting condition and the terms ofdeadline for satisfying the Savings Contract; andsame.

 

 (C)(c)

when aggregated with the amount of his monthly contributions under any other Savings Contract linked to this Scheme, does not exceed any maximum amount determinedNo Adjustment for Cash Dividends. Except for dividend equivalent adjustments made by the Board.

3.4

The number of sharesCommittee for stock dividends in respect of which an option may be granted to any individualaccordance with Section 11, there shall be the maximum number which can beno adjustment to Performance Share Units for dividends paid for, at the price determined under sub-rule 3.5 below, with monies equal to the amount of the repayment due on the Bonus Date under the Savings Contract to be made in connection with the option and for these purposes, the exchange rate to be used shall be the closing mid-point sterling/US dollar exchange rate published in the Financial Times (or such other newspaper as the Board may select from time to time) on the Exercise Date (or if not published on that day, the last preceding day of publication).

3.5

The price at which shares may be acquired by the exercise of options of a particular type granted on any day shall be a price denominated in US dollars which is determined by the Board and stated on that day, provided that:Company.

 

 (A)(d)

if sharesPayment of Performance Share Units. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, payment of the same class as those shares are quoted onentire vested Performance Share Unit or, if the New YorkAward provides for partial vesting, the entire vested portion of such Performance Share Unit, will be made in Stock Exchange,between January 1 and March 15 of the price shall not be less than 80% of:calendar year following the year in which the Performance Share Units first become vested, after the Committee certifies that such Award or portion of an Award is payable.

Section 8.Restricted Stock.

 

 (1)(a)

Committee Action. The Committee acting in its absolute discretion may grant Restricted Stock to Key Employees from time to time and may make Restricted Stock grants in exchange for the averagecancellation of an outstanding Restricted Stock grant. Each grant of Restricted Stock shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall describe the closing prices of shares of that class on the five dealing days last preceding the Invitation Date, or

(2)

if the first of those dealing days does not fall within the period of 30 days ending with the day onconditions under which the options are granted or falls prior toKey Employee’s interest in the date on which the Company last announced its results for any period, the closing price of shares of that class on the dealing day last preceding the day on which the options are granted or such other dealing day as may be agreedunderlying Stock will become nonforfeitable, consistent with the Revenue;

(B)

if paragraph (A) above does not apply, the price shall not be less than the Specified Percentage of the market value (within the meaning of Part VIII of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992) of shares of that class, as agreed in advance for the purposes of this Scheme with the Revenue Shares and Assets Valuation, on:

(1)

the Invitation Date, or

(2)

if that date does not fall within the period of 30 days ending with the day on which the options are granted, on the day on which the options are granted or such other day as may be agreed with the Revenue; andSection 8(b) below.

 

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 (C)(b)

Forfeiture Conditions. The Committee acting in its absolute discretion may make the caseforfeiture of an option to acquire shares only by subscription, the price shall not be less than the nominal value of those shares;

3.6

The Board shall ensure that, in relationRestricted Stock subject to the grantsatisfaction of optionsany conditions (including, without limitation, Performance Goals) that the Committee deems appropriate for Key Employees generally or for a Key Employee in particular, and the Award Agreement shall describe each such condition and the deadline for satisfying each such condition. A Key Employee’s nonforfeitable interest in Restricted Stock shall depend on the extent he or she timely satisfies each forfeiture condition. The Company or its agent may retain custody of the Restricted Stock pending the satisfaction of any day:forfeiture conditions applicable thereto.

 

 (A)(c)

every individual whoDividends and Voting Rights. Any cash dividend declared on Restricted Stock shall be paid directly to the Key Employee holding such Restricted Stock. The Award Agreement shall specify whether a Stock dividend shall be treated as (1) Restricted Stock, and a Key Employee’s interest in such Stock dividend shall be forfeited or shall become nonforfeitable at the same time as the Restricted Stock is eligibleforfeited or becomes nonforfeitable or (2) in the same manner as a cash dividend and shall be transferred to the Key Employee on the date(s) such dividends are payable to the Company’s shareholders generally. The disposition of each other form of dividend declared on Restricted Stock shall be granted an option on that daymade in accordance with such rules as the Committee shall adopt. A Key Employee shall have the right to vote Restricted Stock, to the extent such Restricted Stock has been given an invitation;voting rights.

 

 (B)(d)

Satisfaction of Forfeiture Conditions. Shares of Stock shall cease to be Restricted Stock at such time as provided in the invitation specifiesAward Agreement.

Section 9.Options.

(a)

Committee Action. The Committee acting in its absolute discretion may grant Options to Key Employees from time to time. Each such Option grant shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall set forth the number of shares of Stock subject to the Option and which shall describe the conditions under which the Option will vest and become exercisable and such other terms and conditions of the grant as the Committee acting in its absolute discretion deems appropriate. All options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a periodseparate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Stock purchased upon exercise of each type of Option. The provisions of separate Options need not less than 14 daysbe identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in which an application for an option may be made; andthe Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

 (C)(b)

every eligibleTerm. In the absence of a provision to the contrary in the individual who has applied for an option as mentioned in sub-rule 3.1 above is in fact granted an option on that day.

3.7

An invitationOptionholder’s Award Agreement, and subject to apply for an option may onlythe provisions of Section 9(d) of the Plan regarding grants of Incentive Stock Options to Ten Percent Shareholders, the term of the Option shall be given within the period of 10 years ending on 5 November 2019.

3.8

An option granted to any person:from the date it was granted.

 

 (A)(c)

shall not, exceptService Recipient Stock. Non-Qualified Stock Options may be granted only with respect to “service recipient stock” as providedsuch term is used in sub-rule 5.2 below, be capable of being transferred by him; andCode Section 409A.

 

 (B)

shall lapse forthwith if he is adjudged bankrupt.

4.(d)

EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

4.1

The exercise of any option shall be effected in the form and manner prescribed by the Board, provided that the monies paid for shares on such exercise shall not exceed the amount of the repayment made and any interest paid under the Savings Contract made in connection with the option.

4.2

Subject to sub-rules 4.3, 4.4 and 4.6 below and to Rule 6 below, an optionTen Percent Shareholders. A Ten Percent Shareholder shall not be capablegranted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of being exercised beforesuch Option is at least one hundred ten (110%) of the Bonus Date.

4.3

Subject to sub-rule 4.8 below:Fair Market Value of the Stock at the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

 

 (A)(e)

ifIncentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant dies before the Bonus Date,Optionholder during any option granted to him may (and must, if at all) be exercised by his personal representatives within 12 months after the date of his death, and

(B)

if he dies on or within 6 months after the Bonus Date, any option granted to him may (and must, if at all) be exercised by his personal representatives within 12 months after the Bonus Date,

provided in either case that his death occurs at a time when he either holds the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Scheme or is entitled to exercise the option by virtue of sub-rule 4.4 below.

4.4

Subject to sub-rule 4.8 below, if any Participant ceases to hold the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Scheme (otherwise than by reason of his death), the following provisions apply in relation to any option granted to him:

(A)

if he so ceases by reason of injury, disability, redundancy within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996, or retirement on reaching the Specified Age or any other age atcalendar year (under all plans

 

A-5


 

of the Company and the Subsidiary Corporations) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or such other limit as may be set by applicable law, the Options or portions thereof which he is boundexceed such limit (according to retirethe order in accordance with the terms of his contract of employment, the option may (and subject to sub-rule 4.3 above must, if at all)which they were granted) shall be exercised within 6 months of his so ceasing;treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options.

 

 (B)(f)

if he so ceases by reason only thatExercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. The exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the office or employmentFair Market Value of the Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted (or less than one hundred and ten percent (110%) in a company of which the Company ceases to have Control, or relates to a business or partcase of a business which is transferred to a person who is not an Associated Company of the Company, the option may (and subject to sub-rule 4.3 above must, if at all) be exercised within 6 months of his so ceasing;Ten Percent Shareholder).

 

 (C)(g)

if he so ceases for any other reason within 3 yearsExercise Price of a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The exercise price of each Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the grantFair Market Value of the option,Stock subject to the option may not be exercised at all;Option on the date the Option is granted.

 

 (D)(h)

if he so ceases for any other reason (except for dismissal for misconduct) more than 3 years afterMethod of Exercise. The exercise of an Option shall be made by giving notice delivered in person or by mail to the grant of the option, the option may (and subject to sub-rule 4.3 above must, if at all) be exercised within 6 months of his so ceasing.

4.5

Subject to sub-rule 4.8 below, if, at the Bonus Date, a Participant holds an office or employment with a company which is not a Participating Company but which is an Associated Company ofperson designated by the Company, any option grantedspecifying the number of shares of Stock to him may (and subject to sub-rule 4.3 above must, if at all) be exercised within 6 months of the Bonus Date.

4.6

Subject to sub-rule 4.8 below, where any Participant continues to hold the office or employmentpurchased accompanied by virtue of which hepayment therefor. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, when an Option is eligible to participate in this Scheme after the date on which he reaches the Specified Age, he may exercise any option within 6 months of that date.

4.7

Subject to sub-rule 4.3 above, an option shall not be capable of being exercised lateronly in part, not less than 6 months after the Bonus Date.

4.8

Where, before an option has become capablefifty (50) shares of being exercised, the Participant gives notice that he intends to stop paying monthly contributions under the Savings Contract made in connection with the option, or is deemed under its terms to have givenStock may be covered by any such notice, or makes an application for repayment of the monthly contributions paid under it, the option may not be exercised at all.

4.9

A Participant shall not be treated for the purposes of sub-rules 4.3 and 4.4 above as ceasing to hold the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Scheme until he ceases to hold an office or employment in the Company or any Associated Company of the Company, and a female Participant who ceases to hold the office or employment by virtue of which she is eligible to participate in this Scheme by reason of pregnancy or confinement and who exercises her right to return to work under the Employment Rights Act 1996 before exercising her option shall be treated for the purposes of sub-rule 4.4 above as not having ceased to hold that office or employment.

4.10

A Participant shall not be eligible to exercise an option at any time:partial exercise.

 

 (A)(i)

unless, subject to sub-rules 4.4 and 4.5 above, he is at that time a director or employee of a Participating Company;Consideration.

 

 (B)(i)

The purchase price of Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (a) in cash or by check at the time the Option is exercised or (b) at the discretion of the Committee (1) by delivery to the Company of other shares of Stock (subject to such requirements as may be imposed by the Committee), (2) if hethere is nota public market for the Stock at such time, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, pursuant to a “same day sale” program that results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds, (3) by any other form of consideration permitted by law, but in no event shall a promissory note or other form of deferred payment constitute a permissible form of consideration for an Option granted under the Plan, or (4) by some combination of the foregoing. In each such case, the combination of any cash and property used to pay the purchase price shall have a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the applicable exercise price.

(ii)

Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, the purchase price of Stock acquired pursuant to an Award that is paid by delivery to the Company of other Stock, which Stock was acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Stock that have been held for more than six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time eligiblerequired to participate in this Scheme by virtue of paragraph 8 of Schedule 3 (material interest in close company)avoid a supplemental charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes).

 

4.11(iii)

An optionWhenever a Participant is permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option and/or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Stock, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirements by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Stock, in which case the Company shall nottreat the Option as exercised or redeemed without further payment and shall withhold such number of shares of Stock from the Stock acquired under the Option. When necessary to avoid a supplemental charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes, any such withholding for tax purposes shall be capablemade at the statutory minimum rate of being exercised more than once.withholding.

 

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4.12

Within 30 days after an option has been exercised by any person, the Board shall allot to him (or a nominee for him) or, as appropriate, procure the transfer to him (or a nominee for him) of the number of shares in respect of which the option has been exercised, provided that:

(A)

the Board considers that the issue or transfer thereof would be lawful in all relevant jurisdictions; and

(B)(j)

in a case where a Participating Company is obliged to (or would suffer a disadvantage if it were not to) account for any tax (in any jurisdiction) for whichVesting Generally. Options granted under the person in question is liablePlan shall be exercisable at such times and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by virtuethe Committee. The vesting provisions of the exercise of the option and/or for any social security contributions recoverable from the person in question (together, the “Tax Liability”), that person has either:individual Options may vary.

 

 (1)(k)

made a payment toTermination of Options. Any Option or portion thereof that is not vested or that has not been exercised at the Participating Companyend of the term of the Option described in Section 9(d) of this Plan or at the time of termination of an amount equal toOptionholder’s employment with the Tax Liability;Company and all Subsidiary Corporations shall lapse and terminate, and shall not be exercisable by the Optionholder or any other person, unless otherwise provided for in the Award Agreement.

 

 (2)

entered into arrangements acceptable to that or another Participating Company to secure that such a payment is made (whether by authorising the sale of some or all of the shares on his behalf and the payment to the Participating Company of the relevant amount out of the proceeds of sale or otherwise).

4.13

All shares allotted under this Scheme shall rank equally in all respects with shares of the same class then in issue except for any rights attaching to such shares by reference to a record date before the date of the allotment.

4.14

If shares of the same class as those allotted under this Scheme are listed on any stock exchange, the Company shall apply to that stock exchange for any shares so allotted to be admitted thereto.

5.(l)

TAKEOVER, RECONSTRUCTION AND WINDING UP

5.1

IfNo Repricing of Options. The Committee shall have no authority to make any person obtains Control of the Companyadjustment or amendment (except as a result of making a general offer to acquire:

(A)

the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of the Company, which is made on a condition such that, if it is met, the person making the offer will have Control of the Company; or

(B)

all the sharesprovided in the Company which are of the same class as the shares in question obtained under the Scheme; and

the Board shall within 7 days of becoming aware thereof notify every Participant thereof and, subject to sub-rules 4.3, 4.4, 4.7 and 4.8 above, any option may be exercised within one month (or such longer period as the Board may permit) of the notification, but not later than 6 months after that person has obtained Control and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been satisfied.

5.2

If a compromise or arrangement is sanctioned by the court under section 899 of the Companies Act 2006 for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme for the reconstruction of the Company or its amalgamation with any other company or companies, or if the Company passes a resolution for voluntary winding up, the Board shall forthwith notify every Participant thereof and, subject to sub-rules 4.3, 4.4, 4.7 and 4.8 above, any option may be exercised within one month of the notification, but to the extent that it is not exercised within that period shall (notwithstanding any other provisionSection 11 of this Scheme) lapse on the expiration of that period.

5.3

If as a result of the events specified in sub-rules 5.1Plan), and 5.2 a company (the “acquiring company”) obtains Control of the Company, any Participant may at any time within 6 months beginning with the time, in the case of the events specified in sub-rule 5.1, the acquiring company obtains Control and any

A-7


condition subject to which the offer is made is met and, in the case of the events in sub-rule 5.2 the acquiring company obtains Control (orno such other period as specified in paragraph 38(3) of Schedule 3) by agreement with the acquiring company, release any option which has not lapsed (the “old option”) in consideration of the grant to him of an option (the “new option”) which (for the purposes of that paragraph) is equivalent to the old option but relates to shares in a different company (whether the acquiring company itselfadjustment or some other company falling within paragraph 18(b) or (c) of Schedule 3).

5.4

The new option shall not be regarded for the purposes of sub-rule 5.3 above as equivalent to the old option unless the conditions set out in paragraph 39(4) of Schedule 3 are satisfied, but so that the provisions of this Scheme shall for this purpose be construed as if:

(A)

the new option were an option granted under this Scheme at the same time as the old option;

(B)

except for the purposes of the definitions of “Participating Company” and “Subsidiary” in sub-rule 1.1, and sub-rules 4.4(B), 4.5 and 4.9 above, the expression the “Company” were defined as “a company whose shares may be acquired by the exercise of options granted under this Scheme”;

(C)

the Savings Contract made in connection with the old option had been made in connection with the new option; and

(D)

the Bonus Date in relation to the new option were the same as that in relation to the old option.

6.

VARIATION OF CAPITAL

6.1

Subject to sub-rule 6.3 below, in the event of any variation of the share capital of the Company, the Board may make such adjustments as it considers appropriate under sub-rule 6.2 below.

6.2

An adjustment made under this sub-rule shall be to one or more of the following:

(A)

the price at which shares may be acquired by the exercise of any option;

(B)

where any option has been exercised but no shares have been allotted or transferred pursuant to the exercise, the price at which they may be acquired.

6.3

At a time when this Scheme is approved by the Revenue under Schedule 3, no adjustment under sub-rule 6.2 aboveamendment shall be made, without the prior approval of the Revenue.

6.4

An adjustment under sub-rule 6.2 above maythat reduces or would have the effect of reducing the exercise price at which shares may be acquired by the exercise of an option to less than their nominal value, but only if and toOption previously granted under the extent thatPlan, whether through amendment, cancellation or replacement grants, or other means, unless the Board shall be authorised to capitalise from the reserves of the Company a sum equal to the amount by which the nominal value of the shares in respect of which the option is exercised exceeds the price at which the shares may be subscribed for and to apply that sum in paying up that amount on the shares; and so that on the exercise of any option in respect of which such a reductionCompany’s shareholders shall have been made the Board shall capitalise that sum (if any) and apply it in paying up that amount.

7.

ALTERATIONSapproved such adjustment or amendment.

Section 10.Non-Transferable. No Award will be assignable or transferable except by will or by laws of descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment or transfer, or any attempted pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of, or levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon any Award will be null and void and without effect.

Section 11.Change in Capitalization. If the outstanding shares of Stock are increased, decreased, or changed into, or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities of the Company, without receipt of consideration by the Company, through reorganization, merger, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, stock dividend, stock consolidation, or otherwise, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment will be made in the number and kind of shares as to which Awards may be granted. A corresponding adjustment changing the number or kind of shares, and the exercise price per share, allocated to unvested or unexercised Awards, or portions thereof, which will have been granted prior to any such change will likewise be made. Any such adjustment, however, in an outstanding Option will be made without change in the total price applicable to the unexercised portion of the Option, but with a corresponding adjustment in the number of shares and price for each share subject to the Option. Adjustments under this Section will be made by the Board or the Committee, whose determination as to what adjustments will be made, and to the extent thereof, will be final and conclusive. No fractional shares of Stock will be issued under the Plan on account of any such adjustment. Any actions taken under this Section 11 shall be made in accordance with any applicable provisions of Code Section 409A, including without limitation restrictions with regard to the adjustment of stock options that are considered exempt from Code Section 409A.

Section 12.Corporate Transactions. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, upon the consummation of (a) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (b) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations as a result of which the Company will not be the surviving or resulting corporation, (c) a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company to another person, or (d) a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of the Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger to other property (a “Terminating Event”), any Award granted prior to the Terminating Event will vest in full and a Performance Share Unit Award shall be paid out as if all of the Performance Goals, Individual Performance Goals or other vesting conditions had been satisfied in full, but prorated for the period of time that has elapsed from the beginning of the performance period for such Award until the consummation of the corporate transaction described in this Section 12.

Section 13.Disposition of Shares. Any Participant who acquires Stock pursuant to an Award will, so long as he or she remains an employee of the Company or Subsidiary Corporation, be obligated to advise the Company in the case of each sale or other disposition of any Stock so acquired, such advice to be given to the Company immediately upon the occurrence of any such sale or other disposition.

A-7


Section 14.Award Agreement. Each Award granted will be evidenced by a written Award Agreement executed by the Company, and will contain each of the provisions and agreements herein specifically required to be contained therein, and in addition it may contain other terms and conditions as the Committee may deem desirable and which are not inconsistent with the Plan.

Section 15.Amendment of Plan. The Board may make changes in the Plan, and the Committee may, with consent of the Participant, make changes in the terms and conditions of his or her Award, as they will deem advisable; provided, however, an Award may be amended by the Committee unilaterally to the extent the Committee deems it necessary to comply with Code Section 409A; and, provided further, in the event any changes in the Plan would require shareholder approval under applicable law or stock exchange rules, such changes shall be subject to shareholder approval.

Section 16.Termination of Plan. The Plan will continue until May 3, 2017; provided however, that the Board may terminate the Plan at any time alterwithin its absolute discretion. No such termination, other than as provided for in Section 12,Corporate Transactions, will in any way affect any Award then outstanding.

Section 17.Applicable Law; Severability; Interpretation. The Plan will be construed, administered, and governed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. If any provision of the Plan will be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Plan will continue to be fully effective. For purposes of this Scheme,Plan, references to the masculine shall include the feminine, reference to the singular shall include the plural, and references to the plural shall include the singular.

Section 18.Shares Reserved. The Company will at all times during the term of the Plan reserve and keep available the number of shares of Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan, and will pay all fees and expenses necessarily incurred by the Company in connection therewith.

Section 19.No Shareholder Rights. Except as provided that:in Section 8,Restricted Stock, no Participant shall have any rights as a shareholder of the Company as a result of the grant of an Award to him or her under this Plan or his or her exercise of such Award pending the actual delivery of Stock subject to such Award to such Participant.

Section 20.No Contract of Employment. The grant of an Award under this Plan shall not constitute a contract of employment and shall not confer on a Participant any rights in connection with the termination of his or her employment in addition to those rights, if any, expressly set forth in the Award Agreement that evidences his or her Award.

(A)

no amendment may materially affect a Participant as regards an option granted prior to the amendment being made;

Section 21.Titles. Titles are provided in this Plan for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

Section 22.Securities Registration. Each Award Agreement shall provide that, upon the receipt of Stock, the Key Employee shall, if so requested by the Company, (a) hold such Stock for investment and not with a view of resale or distribution to the public and (b) deliver to the Company a written statement satisfactory to the Company to that effect. As for Stock issued pursuant to this Plan, the Company at its expense shall take such action as it deems necessary or appropriate to register the original issuance of such Stock to a Key Employee under the 1933 Act or under any other applicable securities laws or to qualify such Stock for an exemption under any such laws prior to the issuance of such Stock to a Key Employee; however, the Company shall have no obligation whatsoever to take any such action in connection with the transfer, resale or other disposition of such Stock by a Key Employee.

Section 23.Withholding. Each Award shall be made subject to the condition that the Key Employee consents to whatever action the Committee directs to satisfy the minimum statutory federal and state tax withholding requirements, if any, that the Committee in its discretion deems applicable to the exercise of such Award or the satisfaction of any forfeiture or vesting conditions with respect to such Award. A Key Employee may elect to satisfy such minimum federal and state tax withholding requirements through a reduction in the number of shares of Stock actually transferred to him or to her under this Plan. No withholding shall be effected under this Plan that exceeds the minimum statutory federal and state withholding requirements.

(B)

no amendment to a Key Feature shall have effect until approved by the Revenue.

 

A-8


8.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 24.Other Conditions. Each Award Agreement may require that a Key Employee enter into any agreement or make such representations prepared by the Company, including any agreement that restricts the transfer of Stock acquired pursuant to such Award or provides for the repurchase of such Stock by the Company under certain circumstances.

Section 25.Rule 16b-3. The Committee shall have the right to amend any Award or to withhold or otherwise restrict the transfer of any Stock under this Plan to a Key Employee as the Committee deems appropriate in order to satisfy any condition or requirement under Rule 16b-3 to the extent Rule 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 might be applicable to such grant or transfer.

Section 26.Performance-Based Compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee shall have full and absolute discretion to determine whether an Award granted under this Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder as “performance-based” compensation. Unless otherwise expressly stated in an Award Agreement, each Option and Performance Share Unit granted to a Covered Employee under the Plan is intended to be “performance-based” compensation and the Committee shall interpret and administer the provisions of the Plan and Award Agreements in a manner consistent therewith. Furthermore, if any provision of the Plan or of any such Award Agreement does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for “performance-based” compensation, such provision shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements. With respect to any Award intended to so qualify as “performance-based” compensation, the Committee may provide that such Award shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Crawford & Company 2007 Management Team Incentive Compensation Plan, as approved by the Company’s shareholders at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.

Section 27.Code Section 409A. It is the intent of the Company that the operation and administration of the Plan and all Award Agreements under the Plan comply with Code Section 409A to the extent applicable, and not cause the acceleration of taxation, or the imposition of penalty taxes or interest, under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” as such term is used in Code Section 409A, then any payment to the Participant described in the Plan or an Award Agreement upon his or her termination of employment that is not exempt from Code Section 409A, and that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A that is payable on account of “separation from service” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A), and that is otherwise payable within 6 months after Participant’s separation from service, shall instead be made on the date 6 months after such separation from service.

8.1

The rights and obligations of any individual under the terms of his office or employment with the Company or a Subsidiary shall not be affected by his participation in this Scheme or any right which he may have to participate in it, and an individual who participates in it shall waive all and any rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the termination of his office or employment for any reason whatsoever insofar as those rights arise or may arise from his ceasing to have rights under or be entitled to exercise any option as a result of such termination.

8.2

In the event of any dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation of this Scheme, or as to any question or right arising from or related to this Scheme, the decision of the Board shall be final and binding upon all persons.

8.3

The Company and any Subsidiary may provide money to the trustees of any trust or any other person to enable them or him to acquire shares to be held for the purposes of the Scheme, or enter into any guarantee or indemnity for those purposes, to the extent permitted by any applicable laws.

8.4

Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this Scheme may be given by personal delivery or by sending it by post, in the case of a company to its registered office, and in the case of an individual to his last known address, or, where he is a director or employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, either to his last known address or to the address of the place of business at which he performs the whole or substantially the whole of the duties of his office or employment.

 

A-9


 

LOGOLOGO


LOGOLOGO  

Shareowner Services

P.O. Box 64945

St. Paul, MN 55164-0945

   
  COMPANY #

Vote by Internet, Telephone or

Vote by Internet, Telephone or Mail 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

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24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Your phone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

 

LOGOLOGO  INTERNETINTERNET/MOBILEwww.eproxy.com/crdwww.proxypush.com/crd-b

Use the Internet to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 7, 2013.2014. Scan code below for mobile voting.

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Use a touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy until 11:59 p.m. (CT) on May 7, 2013.2014.

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MAIL– Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by Telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your Proxy Card.

 

 

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

SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Each of the Director Nominees in Item 1 andLOGO   Please detach here  LOGO

FOR Items 2, 3 and 4.

1. Proposal to elect the nine (9) nominees listed below as Directors (except as indicated to the contrary below).

The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Each of the Director Nominees in Item 1 and
FOR Items 2 and 3.

 

    01  H. V. Agadi

    02  P. G. Benson

    03  J. T. Bowman

1.
  

04  J. C. Crawford

05  J. D. Edwards

06  R. L. Honoré

Proposal to elect the nine (9) nominees listed below as Directors (except as indicated to the contrary below)
  

07  J. M. Johnson

08  C. H. Ogburn

09  E. J. Wood, III

  

¨        Vote FOR

           all nominees

           (except as marked)

  

01 H.V. Agadi

04 J.C. Crawford07 R.L. Honoré¨Vote FOR¨Vote WITHHELD

02 P.G. Benson05 R.A.S. Day08 J.M. Johnsonall nomineesfrom all nominees
03 J.T. Bowman06 J.D. Edwards09 C.H. Ogburn(except as marked)

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee,
write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)

 

(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.)2. 

2.Proposal to approve on an advisory basis,amendment to the compensation paid to certain of the Company’s executive officers in 2012.

¨    For¨    Against¨     Abstain

3. Proposal to approve Crawford & Company U. K. ShareSave Scheme, as amended,Executive Stock Bonus Plan to increase the number of shares of Class A Common Stock available thereunderunder the Plan by 1,000,000.

4,000,000.
  

¨ For

  

¨ Against

  

¨ Abstain

4.3.

Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditor for the Company for the 20132014 fiscal year.

  ¨ For  ¨ Against  ¨ Abstain

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTEDFOREACH OF AS THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES IN ITEM 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.BOARD RECOMMENDS.

 

Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:¨    Date                                                             

   

Signature(s) in Box

   

Signature(s) in Box

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


CRAWFORD & COMPANY

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

May 8, 20132014

2:00 p.m.

Crawford & Company

Worldwide Headquarters

1001 Summit Boulevard

Atlanta, Georgia 30319

 

LOGO

Crawford & Company

1001 Summit Boulevard

Atlanta, Georgia 30319

  
1001 Summit Boulevard  
Atlanta, Georgia 30319proxy

 

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting on May 8, 2013.2014.

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

If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted “FOR” eachFOR Each of the Director nominees listedNominees in Item 1 and “FOR”FOR Items 2 3 and 4.3.

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

See reverse for voting instructions.

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