Benchmark Group PLC
21 November 2001
GRANTS OF SHARE OPTIONS TO DIRECTORS AND
ACQUISITION OF SHARES
UNDER THE BENCHMARK CO-INVESTMENT PLAN
Benchmark Group PLC ('the Company') hereby gives notice of share options granted
to Mr N J Kempner ('Mr Kempner') and Mr K C Wong ('Mr Wong'), Directors of the
Company, under the Benchmark Group PLC 2001 Unapproved Executive Share Option
Plan ('the Plan').
By a deed dated 19 November 2001, options were granted to Mr Kempner and Mr Wong
to acquire 237,631 and 173,159 ordinary shares of 62.5 pence each respectively
in the Company at a price of 256.7 pence per share, in accordance with the terms
and rules of the Plan.
The options are exercisable between 19 November 2004 and 19 November 2011.
The Company also gives notice that its wholly owned subsidiary, The Benchmark
Employee Trust Company Limited ('the Trust') has acquired 7,313 ordinary shares
of 62.5 pence each in the Company at 256 pence each on 12 November 2001 ('the
Acquisition') under the Company's Co-Investment Plan ('the Plan').
Under the rules of the Plan, participants may invest a proportion of their net
of tax annual bonus to acquire ordinary shares of the Company ('Initial Shares')
through the Trust. Subject to satisfying certain conditions, participants will
receive additional free shares ('Matching Shares') which are acquired by the
Trust at the same time as the Initial Shares. The Acquisition comprised
additional Matching Shares to compensate holders of Matching Shares who were not
entitled to the special dividend of 60 pence per ordinary share of 50 pence each
paid to shareholders on the register on 9 November 2001.
Included in the Acquisition were 2,841 and 1,666 Matching Shares for Mr Kempner
and Mr Wong respectively. The Matching Shares are transferable over the next
three years under the rules of the Plan.
All employees and executive directors of the Company are potential beneficiaries
under the Trust.
DEALINGS BY DIRECTORS
1) NAME OF COMPANY
BENCHMARK GROUP PLC
2) NAME OF DIRECTOR
N J KEMPNER
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder
if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the
age of 18 or in respect of an non-beneficial interest
YES
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the
number of shares held by each of them. (If notified)
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected
with the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions
please indicate whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
7) Number of shares/amount of
stock acquired
8) (N/A %)
of issued Class
9) Number of shares/amount
of stock disposed
10) ( N/A %)
of issued Class
11) Class of security
12) Price per share
13) Date of transaction
14) Date company informed
15) Total holding following this notification
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
IF A DIRECTOR HAS BEEN GRANTED OPTIONS BY THE COMPANY PLEASE
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BOXES
17) Date of grant
19 NOVEMBER 2001
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
19 NOVEMBER 2004 TO 19 NOVEMBER 2011
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
NIL
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number.
ORDINARY 62.5P 237,631
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price
is to be fixed at time of exercise
256.7p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
715,754 & 5,253*
*SAYE OPTIONS
23) Any additional information
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
ANDREW NORMAN 020 7287 6881
25) Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for
making this notification
Date of Notification 21/11/2001
DEALINGS BY DIRECTORS
1) NAME OF COMPANY
BENCHMARK GROUP PLC
2) NAME OF DIRECTOR
K C WONG
3) Please state whether notification indicates that it is in respect of
holding of the shareholder named in 2 above or in respect of a
non-beneficial interest or in the case of an individual holder
if it is a holding of that person's spouse or children under the
age of 18 or in respect of an non-beneficial interest
YES
4) Name of the registered holder(s) and, if more than one holder, the
number of shares held by each of them. (If notified)
5) Please state whether notification relates to a person(s) connected
with the Director named in 2 above and identify the connected person(s)
6) Please state the nature of the transaction. For PEP transactions
please indicate whether general/single co PEP and if discretionary/non
discretionary
7) Number of shares/amount of
stock acquired
8) (N/A %)
of issued Class
9) Number of shares/amount
of stock disposed
10) ( N/A %)
of issued Class
11) Class of security
12) Price per share
13) Date of transaction
14) Date company informed
15) Total holding following this notification
16) Total percentage holding of issued class following this notification
IF A DIRECTOR HAS BEEN GRANTED OPTIONS BY THE COMPANY PLEASE
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BOXES
17) Date of grant
19 NOVEMBER 2001
18) Period during which or date on which exercisable
19 NOVEMBER 2004 TO 19 NOVEMBER 2011
19) Total amount paid (if any) for grant of the option
NIL
20) Description of shares or debentures involved: class, number.
ORDINARY 62.5P 173,159
21) Exercise price (if fixed at time of grant) or indication that price
is to be fixed at time of exercise
256.7p
22) Total number of shares or debentures over which options held
following this notification
569,621 & 5,253*
*SAYE OPTIONS
23) Any additional information
24) Name of contact and telephone number for queries
ANDREW NORMAN 020 7287 6881
25) Name and signature of authorised company official responsible for
making this notification
Date of Notification 21/11/2001