SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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SYNTEL, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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April 26, 2012
Dear Shareholder:
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend Syntels 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. The meeting will be held at the offices of Syntel, Inc. located at 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan. If you need directions, please contact us at (248) 619-2800.
We are pleased to provide our proxy materials to shareholders on the Internet as permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, which allow us to provide our shareholders with the information they need while lowering the cost of delivery and reducing the environmental impact. As a result, we are mailing our shareholders, on or about April 26, 2012, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, which contains instructions for accessing our on-line proxy statement and annual report, for voting your shares, and for requesting printed copies of the proxy materials.
The following pages contain the formal Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement. You will want to review this material for information concerning the business to be conducted at the meeting and the nominees for election as directors.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to complete, sign, and return your proxy as soon as possible in the envelope provided. This will ensure representation of your shares in the event you are unable to attend. You may later revoke your proxy and vote in person at the meeting if you wish.
Sincerely,
|
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Bharat Desai |
Prashant Ranade | |
Chairman | Chief Executive Officer and President |
SYNTEL, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 5, 2012
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Syntel, Inc., a Michigan corporation, will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, at Syntels offices located at 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan, to consider and act upon the following matters:
1. | The election of seven directors to serve on Syntels Board of Directors; |
2. | A non-binding resolution to ratify the appointment of Crowe Horwath LLP as Syntels independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year; and |
3. | Such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournment of the meeting. |
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2012 may receive notice of and vote at the meeting. Syntels 2011 Annual Report to Shareholders is also provided with this Proxy Statement.
By Order of the Board of Directors | ||
April 26, 2012 | Daniel M. Moore | |
Chief Administrative Officer, General | ||
Counsel, and Corporate Secretary |
Whether or not you plan to attend the 2012 Annual Meeting,
please take the time to vote your shares.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on June 5, 2012.
The annual report to shareholders and the proxy statement, including the
notice of annual meeting, are available on the Internet at:
www.envisionreports.com/SYNT2012
SYNTEL, INC.
525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300
Troy, Michigan 48083
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2012
Solicitation of Proxies
This proxy statement and the proxy are furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Syntel, Inc. (Syntel) to be used at Syntels 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The proxy is your vote as a shareholder of Syntel on the matters presented at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held at Syntels offices located at 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan, on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. We expect this proxy statement, the proxy, the annual report, and a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (Notice) to be first made available to shareholders on or about April 26, 2012.
Syntel will pay the entire cost of soliciting proxies. Syntel will arrange with brokerage houses, nominees, custodians, and other fiduciaries to send proxy soliciting materials to beneficial owners of the Syntels common stock (Common Stock) at Syntels expense.
General Voting Information
Only holders of record of Syntels Common Stock at the close of business on April 10, 2012 (the Record Date) are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 41,824,778 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The presence, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder will be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of Common Stock held in the shareholders name on the Record Date on any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and votes withheld by brokers on proposals in the absence of instructions from beneficial owners (broker non-votes) will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting to determine whether a quorum exists.
Voting by Shareholders of Record and Beneficial Owners
Shareholders whose shares are registered directly with Syntels transfer agent are considered, with respect to those shares, to be the shareholder of record. Syntels transfer agent is sending the Notice directly to shareholders of record. Shareholders of record have the right to vote online, vote by telephone, submit a proxy directly to Syntels transfer agent, or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Shareholders whose shares are held in a brokerage account, or by another nominee, are considered the beneficial owners of shares held in street name. Notices for these shareholders are being forwarded to beneficial owners, together with a voting instruction card. Beneficial owners have the right to direct their broker, trustee, or nominee as to how to vote and also are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Since a beneficial owner is not the shareholder of record, he or she may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting without a proxy from the broker, trustee, or nominee that holds the shares, giving the beneficial owner the right to vote the shares at the meeting. The broker, trustee, or nominee of each beneficial owner will provide voting instructions for use in directing the broker, trustee or nominee how to vote these shares.
Submitting Proxies or Voting Instructions
Record holders may submit proxies by following the Internet voting instructions provided in the Notice. Beneficial owners may vote by accessing the Internet website specified in the voting instructions provided by their brokers, trustee, or nominees. Record and beneficial holders who request printed proxy materials may vote by mail, online, or telephone by following the instructions in the proxy materials that will be sent to them.
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Voting of Proxies
Shares of Common Stock represented by proxies received in time for voting at the Annual Meeting will, unless such proxy has previously been revoked, be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated thereon. In the absence of specific instructions to the contrary, the persons named in the proxy intend to vote all proxies received by them FOR each of the director nominees in proposal 1 and FOR proposal 2, as set forth in the Notice and proxy.
Revoking a Proxy
Shareholders may change their vote at any time prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting. Record holders may accomplish this by granting a new proxy bearing a later date (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy), by providing a written notice of revocation to Syntels Corporate Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, in and of itself, cause a previously granted proxy to be revoked. Beneficial owners may change their vote by submitting new voting instructions to their broker, trustee, or nominee. Alternatively, if the beneficial owner has obtained a proxy from his or her broker or nominee giving the beneficial owner the right to vote the shares, he or she can do so by attending the meeting and voting in person. If you decide to send your written notice of revocation or later-dated proxy to Syntel before the Annual Meeting, please send it to the attention of the Chief Administrative Officer, Syntel, Inc., 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083 so that it will arrive before June 5, 2012.
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Under Syntels Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, all of the members of Syntels Board of Directors are elected each year to hold office for a one year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. There are currently seven members of the Board, all of whom have been nominated to be elected at this years Annual Meeting.
Each director elected will serve a one year term ending at Syntels 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The nominees named below were recommended for nomination for election at this Annual Meeting of Syntels shareholders by the Boards Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and nominated by the full Board of Directors. Except where the authority to do so has been withheld, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy provided with this proxy statement to vote to elect the nominees named below as directors.
The seven nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be elected as directors. Shares not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-votes, or otherwise) have no effect on the election. Valid proxies received by Syntel will be voted in favor of the seven director nominees listed below unless a contrary choice is indicated. In case any nominee is unable or declines to serve, proxies will be voted for another person designated by the Board of Directors to replace the nominee. However, the Board of Directors does not anticipate this will occur. For the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, each proxy may be voted for no more than seven director nominees.
Information concerning the nominees for election, with respect to age and positions with Syntel or other principal occupations for the past five years, follows. All nominees have extensive business and senior management experience and together represent a group of individuals with skills and experience in those areas Syntel considers to be the most critical to its business and prospects, including knowledge of and experience in the information technology industry, operations, finance, sales, and general enterprise management.
Paritosh K. Choksi, age 59, is Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of ATEL Capital Group, a financial services management company headquartered in San Francisco, California, and has served in those capacities since April 2001. Mr. Choksi has served as a director of Syntel since August 1997. Mr. Choksi has also been named the Lead Director of the Board of Directors and in that capacity chairs the Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairman of the Board and also chairs the
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executive sessions of the independent members of the Board of Directors. In nominating Mr. Choksi, the Board considered his significant experience in management, corporate governance, and finance as a chief financial officer with three companies, including experience with start-ups and going public. The Board believes that Mr. Choksis experience enables him to provide strength in management, corporate governance, compensation, strategy, and finance.
Bharat Desai, age 59, is a co-founder of Syntel and serves as its Chairman of the Board. He has been a director of Syntel since its formation in 1980. Mr. Desai has served as the Chairman of Syntels Board of Directors since February 1999 and also served as Syntels Chief Executive Officer from its formation in April 1980 until February 2009 and as Syntels President from its formation until December 2006. Mr. Desai is the spouse of Ms. Sethi. In nominating Mr. Desai, the Board considered that, as well as being a founder of Syntel, Mr. Desai has long term experience in the information technology industry. The Board believes that Mr. Desais experience as the Chairman and as the former Chief Executive Officer and President of Syntel enables him to provide strategic vision for Syntels growth, as he has since its establishment in 1980, as well as a wealth of institutional knowledge.
Thomas Doke, age 56, previously served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dematic Corp., USA (formerly Siemens Logistics & Assembly Systems, Inc.) from August 2004 to September 2009. Mr. Doke has served as a director of Syntel since August 2009. In nominating Mr. Doke, the Board considered his significant experience in management and corporate governance and in finance as a chief financial officer. The Board believes that Mr. Dokes extensive experience with a service and operations company enables him to provide strength in operations, strategy, corporate governance, and finance.
Rajesh Mashruwala, age 60, served as the Executive Vice President (Office of the Chief Executive Officer) of TIBCO Software Inc., a software design and implementation company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, from September 2005 until February 2008 and as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of TIBCO Software Inc. from February 2002 until September 2005. Mr. Mashruwala has served as a director of Syntel since June 2010. In nominating Mr. Mashruwala, the Board considered his sales, marketing, engineering management, and leadership experience in the software industry as well as his experience with mergers and acquisitions and research and development. Mr. Mashruwala also holds three patents. The Board believes that Mr. Mashruwalas experience enables him to provide strength and insight in brand development, sales and marketing, research and development, management, and corporate governance.
George R. Mrkonic, Jr., age 59, has served as the Non-Executive Chairman of Paperchase Products Limited, London, United Kingdom, a retailer of cards, stationery, wraps, and gifts in the UK, Europe and the Middle East since March 2005 and has been a director since 1999. Previously he was President of Borders Group, Inc., a retailer of books, music, and educational entertainment media products headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, from December 1994 until January 1997 and Vice Chairman of Borders Group, Inc. from December 1994 to January 2002. Mr. Mrkonic is also a director of Autozone, Inc., Brinker International, Inc., and Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. Mr. Mrkonic was previously a director of Borders Group, Inc., Guitar Center, Inc., and Nashua Corporation. Mr. Mrkonic has served as a director of Syntel from August 1997 through June 2007 and since June 2009. In nominating Mr. Mrkonic, the Board considered his significant experience in management and as a director of other public companies in a variety of industries, including retail and manufacturing. The Board believes that Mr. Mrkonics experience enables him to provide strength in strategy, finance, public company corporate governance, and management.
Prashant Ranade, age 59, has served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Syntel since February 2010. Previously, Mr. Ranade served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens Group Logistics and Assembly Systems, NA (currently Dematic Corp.), a company that is principally involved in material handling logistics and automation, from May 2003 to November 2006. Mr. Ranade served on the board of directors at Dematic Corp. until July 2007. Mr. Ranade has served as a director of Syntel since June 2007. In nominating Mr. Ranade, the Board considered his senior management and chief executive officer experience in
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the automation/manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and supply chain/logistics domains of global businesses. The Board believes that Mr. Ranades experience enables him to provide strength in strategy, leadership development, sales and marketing, and operations management.
Neerja Sethi, age 57, is a co-founder of Syntel and has served as Vice President, Corporate Affairs and a director since Syntels formation in 1980. Ms. Sethi is the spouse of Mr. Desai. In nominating Ms. Sethi, the Board considered her extensive experience in the information technology industry and, as a founder of Syntel, her involvement in and knowledge of Syntels development since its formation in 1980. The Board believes that Ms. Sethis experience enables her to provide strength in strategy, general management, and personnel and also a high degree of institutional knowledge.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends that you vote FOR the election of the nominees listed above.
Board Independence
The Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Choksi, Doke, Mrkonic, and Mashruwala, constituting a majority of the Board of Directors, have no material relationships with Syntel (either directly or as a partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Syntel) and that they are independent as determined in accordance with the director independence standards of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), as the director has no relationship which would interfere with his or her exercise of independent judgment in carrying out their responsibilities as a director, and as determined in accordance with the director independence standards of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees has no material relationship with Syntel (either directly or as a partner, shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Syntel) and is independent as determined under the NASD and SEC director independence standards.
In making these determinations, the Board of Directors considered a transaction between individual directors reported to the Board by the directors involved. Messrs. Ranade and Choksi have jointly invested in a parcel of real estate, a transaction entered into before Mr. Ranade was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and President of Syntel. The Board of Directors, acting outside the presence of the relevant parties, determined that the transaction would not interfere with Mr. Choksi exercising independent judgment in carrying out his responsibilities as a director.
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
Bharat Desai serves as Syntels Chairman and Prashant Ranade serves as Syntels Chief Executive Officer and President. The Board believes that this structure allows Mr. Desai to focus on Syntels strategic direction and Mr. Ranade to focus on management of Syntels day to day operations, while also allowing them to support each other in those areas. The Board also believes that independent oversight of management is an important component of corporate governance and has appointed Paritosh K. Choksi as Lead Director. Mr. Choksis responsibilities include presiding over executive sessions of the Board, where only independent directors are present, and acting as liaison between the independent directors and Messrs. Desai and Ranade. The Board believes that this structure is appropriate and in the best interests of the shareholders as it allows for both strong leadership at the highest level of management and independent oversight.
Syntels Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the major risks facing Syntel and reviewing options for their mitigation. The Board works with the leadership team to identify the significant risks to Syntels business, discusses and analyses those risks, and determines whether any action is needed to mitigate them. The Board also reviews risk management practices and certain significant risks in the course of its review of
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corporate strategy, business plans, and other presentations. The Boards oversight role in this area has not affected its approach to the Boards leadership structure at least in part due to the level of direct communication between the Board and Syntel employees involved in risk management.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets regularly, at least once each quarter. During 2011, the Board of Directors held eight meetings. The standing committees established by the Board of Directors are described below.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, appointing an independent registered accounting firm to conduct the independent audit of Syntel, periodically reviewing the qualifications of Syntels independent auditors, reviewing the scope and results of any audit, and reviewing fees charged by the independent auditors for audit service, non-audit service, and related matters. The Audit Committee met nine times during 2011. The current members of the Audit Committee are Thomas Doke (Committee Chairperson), Paritosh K. Choksi, and George R. Mrkonic, Jr. The Board of Directors has determined that Thomas Doke and Paritosh K. Choksi are audit committee financial experts and that each member of the Audit Committee is independent and qualified to serve on the Committee under the NASD listing standards. The Audit Committee is authorized to engage or consult from time to time, as appropriate, at Syntels expense, consultants, independent legal counsel, and other experts and advisors it considers necessary, appropriate or advisable in the discharge of its responsibilities. The Audit Committee charter is available on Syntels website at www.syntelinc.com on the corporate governance page in the investors section of the website.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee develops and monitors the executive compensation policies of Syntel. The Compensation Committee is responsible for the administration of all salary and incentive compensation plans, including bonuses, for the chief executive officer and other executive officers of Syntel. The Compensation Committee also administers Syntels Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee met six times during 2011. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Paritosh K. Choksi (Committee Chairperson), Rajesh Mashruwala, and George R. Mrkonic, Jr. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Committee is independent under the NASD listing standards. The Compensation Committee is authorized to engage or consult from time to time, as appropriate, at Syntels expense, consultants, independent legal counsel and other experts and advisors it considers necessary, appropriate or advisable in the discharge of its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee charter is available on Syntels website at www.syntelinc.com on the corporate governance page in the investors section of the website.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending to the Board of Directors nominees, including nominees submitted by shareholders, who are qualified to serve on Syntels Board of Directors, to develop and periodically review corporate governance principles for Syntel, and oversee the evaluation of Board members and management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met three times during 2011. The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are George R. Mrkonic, Jr. (Committee Chairperson), Paritosh K. Choksi, Thomas Doke, and Rajesh Mashruwala. The Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Committee is independent under the NASD listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is authorized to engage or consult from time to time, as appropriate, at Syntels expense, consultants, independent legal counsel and other experts and advisors it considers necessary, appropriate or advisable in the discharge of its responsibilities. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter is available on Syntels website at www.syntelinc.com on the corporate governance page in the investors section of the website.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees policy with respect to the consideration of director candidates recommended by shareholders is that it will consider such candidates on the same basis as it considers all director candidates. All director candidates must have multiple years of relevant business experience and have a history of high integrity and ethical behavior. In considering director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate
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Governance Committee will consider such factors as it deems appropriate to assist in developing a Board and committees that are comprised of experienced and qualified advisors. These factors may include judgment, skill, integrity, experience with businesses and other organizations of comparable size, the interplay of the candidates experience with the experience of other Board members, and the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees of the Board.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members and management, as well as shareholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has retained third party search firms from time to time to identify and evaluate candidates, and the Committee is authorized to continue that practice. Shareholders may propose nominees for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee by submitting the names and supporting information to: Syntel, Inc., 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083, Attn: Chief Administrative Officer. To be timely for the 2013 Annual Meeting, the names and supporting information should be received by the Chief Administrative Officer no later than February 1, 2013.
Meeting Attendance and Shareholder Communications with Directors
During 2011, all current directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which they served. In 2011, all seven director nominees attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in person or by conference line. Syntels Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted a policy requiring director attendance at annual shareholder meetings, either in person or by conference line.
Shareholders may send written communications to the Board, committees of the Board, and individual directors by mailing those communications to our Corporate Secretary at Syntel, Inc., 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083, who will forward all such communications to the addressee(s). Shareholders may also communicate with the Board of Directors, or only with the independent directors, by means of the incident reporting process at www.mysafeworkplace.com.
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are also employees of Syntel do not receive any additional compensation for their service as a Director. Directors who are not employees of Syntel are paid annual retainers for the various services they provide. All non-employee directors receive a $45,000 annual retainer as well as $10,000 for attending an annual weeklong conference in India where they visit Syntel facilities and hold in-depth meetings with management members. No other meeting fees are paid. The Lead Director receives an additional annual retainer of $5,000. The chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $15,000, the chairperson of the Compensation Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $7,500, and the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $5,000. Directors who serve on committees but are not the chairperson receive additional annual retainers of $5,000 for serving on the Audit Committee, $2,500 for serving on the Compensation Committee, and $1,500 for serving on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Each non-employee director receives an annual grant each time they are elected to the Board of Directors, under Syntels Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, of restricted stock units valued at $80,000, prorated for a partial year if the director is appointed between annual shareholder meetings. The number of shares issued to each such director is determined by dividing $80,000, or the prorated amount, by the closing price of Syntels common stock on the day of the annual shareholder meeting or the day the director was first appointed. The restrictions on these shares lapse on the date of the next annual shareholder meeting after their issuance. Each director is also entitled to receive a share of restricted stock for each share of Syntel stock purchased within 60 days of the first time they are appointed or elected to the Board of Directors, up to a maximum of 5,000 shares. The 60 day period is extended if Syntel has in place a restriction on insiders
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purchasing Syntel stock during that period. The restricted shares received upon purchasing this stock vest in their entirety on the third anniversary of the appointment or election of the director provided that the director has also retained through that third anniversary date all of the shares purchased to entitle him or her to the matching grant.
Director Compensation Table
The following table provides summary information concerning the compensation for the 2011 fiscal year of Syntels directors who are not executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table below.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Total ($) |
|||||||||
Paritosh K. Choksi |
74,000 | 79,531 | 153,531 | |||||||||
Bharat Desai (2) |
-0- | -0- | -0- | |||||||||
Thomas Doke |
71,500 | 79,531 | 151,031 | |||||||||
Rajesh Mashruwala |
59,000 | 79,531 | 138,531 | |||||||||
George R. Mrkonic, Jr. |
67,500 | 79,531 | 147,031 | |||||||||
Neerja Sethi (2) |
-0- | -0- | -0- |
(1) | These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year, computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (ASC 718). The assumptions used in this valuation are disclosed in Note 12 to Syntels audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, included in Syntels Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These amounts reflect Syntels accounting expense for these awards and do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the named director. The aggregate numbers of shares of Common Stock issued as restricted stock awards and outstanding at December 31, 2011 were: Paritosh K. Choksi, 1,541; Thomas Doke, 6,541; Rajesh Mashruwala, 6,541; and George R. Mrkonic, Jr., 1,541. |
(2) | As employee directors, Mr. Desai and Ms. Sethi do not receive compensation for serving on Syntels Board of Directors. |
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the Committee) oversees and administers executive compensation. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board of Directors and is comprised entirely of independent, non-employee directors. The Committee has the authority to engage its own independent advisors to assist in carrying out its responsibilities under its charter.
The Committee seeks to increase stockholder value by rewarding performance with cost effective compensation and at the same time ensuring that Syntel is able to attract and retain the best executive talent through adherence of the compensation program to the following core philosophy:
| Provide rewards based on Company and individual performance. |
| Provide compensation that is sufficient to attract, retain and motivate the best possible executive talent. |
| Provide an incentive to create long term shareholder value. |
At the Companys 2011 annual meeting of shareholders, the compensation of the named executive officers received advisory approval from the Companys shareholders.
Main Elements of Compensation
Base Salary
Base salary is an important part of an executives compensation, and the Committee reviews each named executive officers (NEO) base salary annually as well as at the time of a promotion or other change in responsibility. Any salary adjustments are usually approved early in the year, effective as of January 1. The specific amount for each executive officer depends on the executives role with Syntel, scope of responsibilities, experience and skills. Market practices are also considered in setting salaries. Base salaries are intended to assist us in attracting executives and recognizing differing levels of responsibility and contribution among executives.
Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP)
In addition to base salary, annual cash bonuses are another important piece of total compensation for our executives. Annual bonus opportunities are intended to support the achievement of our business strategies by tying a meaningful portion of compensation to the achievement of established objectives for the year. These objectives are discussed in more detail later in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Annual bonus opportunities also are a key tool in attracting executives due to their market prevalence, and they add a variable component to our overall compensation structure.
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The LTIP provides for the payment of equity and/or non-equity awards and is considered by the Committee on an annual basis. The LTIP is a key element of the total compensation program for our NEOs. It is intended to drive the creation of long term value for shareholders, to avoid only short term focus by our NEOs and to attract and retain executives capable of effectively executing our business strategies.
Determining Executive Compensation
Process for Evaluating Chief Executive Officer Compensation
The Committee discusses and makes all recommendations relating to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in executive session without the CEO present. The CEO has no role in determining his/her own compensation. In reviewing the compensation of the CEO, the Committee considers the performance
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of the Company and the CEOs contribution to that performance. This assessment includes a holistic review of financial metrics like revenue, earnings per share, and cash flow metrics as well as progress against non-financial initiatives such as customer service, share growth, leadership, employee engagement, values and integrity. Based on this review, the Committee makes base salary, bonus, and long-term incentive recommendations subject to approval of the full Board.
The Committee believes that the compensation for the CEO must be significantly higher than the next highest paid named executive officer in order to reflect the greater responsibilities given and demands upon the CEO and to achieve the three goals of the executive compensation program identified at the start of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
Process for Determining Executive Officer Compensation (other than CEO)
While making individual compensation decisions for NEOs, the Committee takes many factors into consideration besides Company performance. Some of these factors are the executives individual performance, the performance of the executives business unit (BU), the executives historical compensation, and individual concerns around retaining the executive.
Market Data, when referenced throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, refers to job descriptions and duties, the Committee members knowledge of the years of experience and responsibilities of the executive officers and the Committee members own perceptions of the risk of particular executive officers accepting alternative employment. For 2011, the Committee also received chief legal officer compensation survey information in the United States from Frederick W. Cook & Co. Inc.
The Committee does not adhere to strict formulas or comparisons with Market Data to determine the total compensation or mix of compensation elements. Instead, as described below, the Committee collectively considers various factors in exercising its discretion and judgment to determine overall compensation, including the experience, responsibilities and performance of individuals as well as Syntels overall financial performance. The Committee believes that each compensation package in its totality achieves the above three elements of its compensation program and that this flexibility is important in designing compensation arrangements to attract, retain and motivate executives.
Because NEOs are in a position to directly influence the overall performance of the Company, a significant portion of their compensation is delivered in the form of performance-dependent, short- and long-term incentives. The level of performance based pay varies for each executive based on level of responsibility, market practices, internal equity considerations as well as perceived risk of an individual executive officer accepting alternative employment to set executive compensation for that year
The STIP is payable based upon achievement of corporate and individual financial and non-financial goals set by the Committee.
The Committee believes that the target value of the STIP payable to the NEOs at 100% of targeted performance should be between 30% and 50% of base salaries to incent proper focus on targeted performance.
The Committee approves the awards under the STIP consistent with the achievement of the applicable goals. The Committee does on occasion make exceptions to payment in strict accordance with achievement of goals based on unusual or extraordinary circumstances. NEOs must be on the payroll of the Company at the time of disbursement of the STIP and the LTIP to be eligible for payment under these plans.
The Committee may put in place a Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) in any year. The LTIP put in place in 2011 provided for payment of equity with an objective of creating long term value for our NEOs while focusing on achieving our long term business strategies.
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The Committee approved only the grant of restricted stock awards towards LTIP in 2011. The grant size was determined based on input from the 2011 CEO, Market Data, and consideration of earnings.
Base Salary
Syntel views base salaries as a tool that provides executives with a reasonable base level of monthly income relative to the jobs they are doing. Syntels philosophy is that base salaries should meet the objectives of attracting and retaining the NEOs needed to run the business. Keeping Market Data as a reference, the Committee may exercises its judgment with respect to each executive officers responsibility, performance, experience, internal parity and perceived risk of having to replace the executive officer.
In reviewing base salaries for NEOs for 2011, the Committee considered local market conditions, Market Data, the NEOs experience and responsibilities, the perceived risk of having to replace the NEO and the fact that the NEOs had satisfactorily performed against their prior year individual objectives. Local market conditions, as used herein, refers to the market conditions in restricted geographies, for example a particular section of a country (e.g., the west coast of the U.S.), a particular state (e.g., Texas), or a particular city (e.g., Boston).
For Mr. Ranade, his individual objectives included Company revenue, Company EPS, LEAN initiatives (lower costs, improve processes, and improve quality), waste reduction, and succession planning. For Mr. Godbole, his individual objectives included Company revenue, Company EPS, tax rate reduction, LEAN initiatives, employee satisfaction, and waste reduction. For Mr. Moore, his individual objectives included Company revenue, Company EPS, LEAN initiatives, employee satisfaction, closing large transactions, and effective litigation strategies. For Mr. Khanna, his individual objectives included Company revenue, his BUs revenue, Company EPS, LEAN initiatives, waste reduction, delivery excellence within his BU, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and resource rotation. For Mr. Ray, his individual objectives included Company revenue, his BU revenue, Company EPS, delivery excellence within his BU, LEAN initiatives, waste reduction, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and resource rotation.
Other than for Mr. Desai, the Committee increased each NEOs base salary from the prior year level. Mr. Desai as Chairman had a 2009 as well as 2010 base salary of $250,000. Mr. Desai as the largest Syntel shareholder declined to accept any increase in base salary for 2011. Mr. Ranade as CEO had his base salary revised to $521,036 for 2011. Mr. Godbole as Chief Financial Officer had his base salary revised to $103,770 for 2011. Mr. Moore as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary had his base salary revised to $275,450 for 2011. Mr. Khanna as Chief Operating Officer and President, Banking and Finance Business Unit Head had his base salary revised to $200,689 for 2011. Mr. Ray as Senior Vice President, Business Unit Head for Retail, Logistics & Telecom had his base salary revised to $230,000 for 2011.
STIP
In 2011, the Committee put in place a STIP that provided for cash compensation based upon targeted performance for fiscal year 2011. The Committee believes that NEOs must work as a team and focus primarily on Company goals rather than solely on individual goals. The Committee believes that enhancing the long term value of the Company requires increased revenue, improved gross margin and increased EPS. The Committee also believes it must reward and encourage individual performance and hence assigned 20% of the STIP to individual objectives called Qualitative Goals. Therefore overall, the Committee has assigned 50% of the STIP to Company revenue and 30% to EPS goals for all NEOs other than BU heads. For NEOs that are BU heads, the Committee assigned 35% of the STIP toward BU revenue targets, 15% toward gross margin targets, 15% toward new account revenue targets, 15% toward companywide EPS goals and 20% toward individual qualitative objectives.
There are no minimum grants under Syntels STIP if none of the targets are achieved.
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The Committee considered local market conditions, Market Data, the NEOs experience and responsibilities, and the perceived risk of having to replace the named executive officer in determining the 2011 STIP for NEOs. For 2011, Mr. Desai citing the fact that he was the largest Syntel shareholder declined to accept any STIP. Mr. Ranade, Mr. Godbole, and Mr. Moore were in functions servicing the entire Company and were assigned GAAP revenue and EPS targets for the entire Company as well as individual qualitative objectives. Mr. Khanna and Mr. Ray were in functions for specific BUs and were assigned revenue, gross margin and new account revenue targets for their specific BUs, EPS targets for the entire Company as well as individual qualitative objectives.
The following tables describe the STIP performance targets for each NEO. The tables are separated by the percentage of STIP award to be received by the NEO if the listed target levels are achieved.
Weight | Target for 100% of STIP Component | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
GAAP Revenue |
Gross Margin |
New Acct Revenue |
EPS | Qualitative | Total | GAAP Revenue ($Mn) |
Gross Margin ($Mn) |
New Acct Revenue ($Mn) |
EPS | Qualitative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade |
50 | % | NA | NA | 30 | % | 20 | % | 100 | % | $600-620 | NA | NA | $2.75-2.80 | Lean Initiatives; waste reduction | |||||||||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole |
50 | % | NA | NA | 30 | % | 20 | % | 100 | % | $600-620 | NA | NA | $2.75-2.80 | Lean initiatives, waste reduction, days sales outstanding, tax rate reduction | |||||||||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
50 | % | NA | NA | 30 | % | 20 | % | 100 | % | $600-620 | NA | NA | $2.75-2.80 | Lean initiatives, employee satisfaction, closing large deals, effective litigation strategies | |||||||||||||||||||
Raja Ray |
35 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | 20 | % | 100 | % | $48.95 50.6 | $20.72 21.43 | $4.73 -$5.74 | $2.18 | Lean initiatives, waste reduction, delivery excellence, employee satisfaction, employee satisfaction | |||||||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
35 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | 15 | % | 20 | % | 100 | % | $247.42 255.76 | $89.97 -$93.07 | $6.65 -$8.08 | $2.18 | Lean initiatives, waster reduction, delivery excellence, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, resource rotation |
Target for 200% of STIP Component | Target for 300% of STIP Component | Actual Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
GAAP Revenue ($Mn) |
Gross Margin ($Mn) |
New Account Revenue ($Mn) |
EPS | GAAP Revenue ($Mn) |
Gross Margin ($Mn) |
New Customer Revenue ($Mn) |
EPS | GAAP Revenue ($Mn) |
Gross Margin ($Mn) |
New Customer Revenue ($Mn) |
EPS | Total % Achievement |
||||||||||||||
$640-660 | NA | NA | $2.88-2.96 | $675-690 | NA | NA | $3.02-3.15 | $642.4 | NA | NA | $2.94 | 180 | % | |||||||||||||
$640-660 | NA | NA | $2.88-2.96 | $675-690 | NA | NA | $3.02-3.15 | $642.4 | NA | NA | $2.94 | 131 | % | |||||||||||||
$640-660 | NA | NA | $2.88-2.96 | $675-690 | NA | NA | $3.02-3.15 | $642.4 | NA | NA | $2.94 | 179 | % | |||||||||||||
$52.25 - $53.9 | $22.62 - $23.34 | $6.75 7.76 | $2.88-2.96 | $55.0 56.65 | $23.82 24.29 | $8.76 9.79 | $3.02-3.15 | $91.3 | $22.4 | $7.1 | $2.94 | 206 | % | |||||||||||||
$264.1 272.44 | $98.25 101.35 | $9.5 10.93 | $2.88-2.96 | $278 286.34 | $103.42 105.48 | $12.35 13.78 | $3.02-3.15 | $225.7 | $88.6 | $1.2 | $2.94 | 179 | % |
Based on 2011 performance, Mr. Ranade received a STIP award of $463,997, Mr. Godbole received a STIP award of $70,238, Mr. Moore received a STIP award of $163,774, Mr. Ray received a STIP award of $226,875 and Mr. Khanna received a STIP award of $87,829.
In addition to the above STIP payout, Mr. Ray was paid an additional amount of $24,000 towards recognition for outstanding performance in the year 2011 due to the generation of new revenue accounts for Syntel in his BU as a discretionary additional STIP payment.
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LTIP
In 2011, the Committee put in place an LTIP that provided grants of restricted stock awards to the NEOs. These incentives are designed to motivate NEOs to make decisions in support of long-term Company financial interests while also serving as the primary tool for attraction and retention. The Committee strongly believes that creating long term value is the key to retention of senior talent to meet the long term goals of the organization. Mr. Desai, citing the fact that he was the largest Syntel shareholder, declined to accept the LTIP.
The individual restricted stock award for each NEO is detailed in the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table.
The Committee determined the specific long-term equity compensation granted to NEOs in fiscal year 2011 under the following process. First, the Committee determined the total dollar amount of long-term equity compensation to be available for issuance for all employees other than the CEO. The Committee arrives at this dollar amount by multiplying expected operating income for the year by a factor of between 2.5% and 2.8%. To determine the total number of restricted stock units available for all employees other than the CEO, the Committee divides the total dollar amount of long-term equity compensation to be available by the twenty day average price of Syntel stock as of the date of determining the total pool. The Committee then requested the recommendation of the CEO on the allocation of the total number of restricted stock units among employees.
The CEO then evaluated long-term equity compensation allocation on the basis of the following parameters: relationship between individuals contribution and business earnings, expected future contribution, local job market vis-à-vis retention of the individual, past performance as per the formal appraisal system, future long term potential, job complexity, job size of the respective position, job knowledge, responsibility, authority and accountability level and overall impact on the business.
The CEO noted that Mr. Godbole has eleven years of experience with Syntel and six years as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and took into account the challenging tax environment globally, the CFOs material involvement in the business and the robust job market in India. Mr. Khanna, the CEO noted Mr. Khanna has seven years of experience with Syntel as the BNFS President and the fact that Mr. Khanna handles Syntels largest vertical having material impact on Syntels overall business and the robust job market in India. Mr. Ray has two years of experience years with Syntel and two years as Retail, Logistics & Telecom BU head. The CEO noted that Mr. Ray is in charge of Syntels second largest vertical and the challenging business climate in insurance industry. Mr. Moore has 33 years of experience and 16 years with Syntel as General Counsel and took into account Mr. Moores handling of material litigation matters and the challenging global compliance environment.
The Committee then received and evaluated the judgment and allocation recommended by the CEO and approved the recommendations.
The factors considered by the Committee in determining the CEO grant in 2011 included Mr. Ranades 2011 performance and the desire to lock in Mr. Ranade for at least a four year period under the restricted stock unit vesting criteria, his years of experience and his expertise. The CEO has no input into the Committee determination of the CEO LTIP award.
Stock Ownership Requirements
The Committee encourages meaningful stock ownership by Syntels NEOs so as to align their interests more closely with the stockholders interest. In 2005, the Committee approved the Executive Stock Ownership Requirements Plan for NEOs.
Stock Ownership is defined to include all non-restricted and restricted stock owned by the officer directly. The minimum share ownership requirement for NEOs other than the President is 4,000 shares to be achieved within three years of the appointment as an executive officer. The minimum share ownership requirement for the President is stock worth three times the Presidents base salary to be achieved within three years of the appointment as President.
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Stock ownership levels must be maintained as long as the executive officer is employed by Syntel and is an executive officer. The Committee reviews the executive officers progress toward and compliance with the share ownership requirements on an annual basis.
As of December 31, 2011, all NEOs had met applicable stock ownership requirements.
Retirement Plans
The retirement plans available to NEOs are the same plans, a self-funded 401(k) plan for U.S.-based employees with no Company match and a government mandated retirement plan for India-based employees, available to all other employees.
Health and Welfare Benefits
The health and welfare plans provided to the NEOs are the same plans available to all other employees.
D&O Liability Insurance Policy
All directors and officers, including the NEOs, are covered by directors and officers liability insurance maintained by Syntel.
Certain Other Benefits
Syntel provided perquisites to certain NEOs in 2011 as summarized below.
A. A car was leased and automobile insurance fees and professional association dues were paid for Mr. Desai.
B. A car and driver were provided to Mr. Ranade and Mr. Godbole.
C. Professional association dues were paid for Mr. Moore.
D. Syntel provided housing for Mr. Ranade for a certain period.
E. Certain telephone expenses were reimbursed to Mr. Desai, Mr. Ranade, Mr. Godbole, and Mr. Khanna.
F. Syntel paid the annual insurance premiums for Mr. Ranade, Mr. Khanna, and Mr. Godbole for death coverage under a group personal accident policy and for death coverage under a group term life insurance policy and for Mr. Moore for death coverage under an individual term life policy.
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis presented in this proxy statement with management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference in Syntels Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
PARITOSH K. CHOKSI, CHAIRPERSON
RAJESH MASHRUWALA
GEORGE R. MRKONIC, JR.
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Summary Compensation Table
The following table provides summary information concerning the compensation during the last three fiscal years of those serving as Syntels Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer during the 2011 fiscal year and of the three other most highly compensated executives of Syntel for the 2011 fiscal year (named executive officers or individually named executive officer).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal Position |
Year | Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Stock Awards ($) (1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) |
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (2) |
All Other Compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bharat Desai Chairman |
2011 | 250,000 | | | | | 82,952 | (3) | 332,952 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 250,000 | | | | | | 250,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 256,602 | | | | | 1,860 | 258,462 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade Chief Executive Officer and President (4) (5) |
2011 | 521,036 | 44,749 | 691,680 | 463,997 | 11,713 | 204,580 | (6) | 1,937,755 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 424,997 | 36,424 | 3,449,000 | 708,239 | 8,956 | 152,008 | 4,779,624 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | | | 77,206 | | | 52,500 | (7) | 129,706 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Security Officer (4) |
2011 | 103,770 | 9,098 | 129,690 | 138,920 | (8) | | 17,570 | (9) | 357,884 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 89,995 | 7,952 | 344,900 | 118,004 | 14,610 | 18,252 | 631,303 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 72,596 | 6,433 | | 54,889 | | 17,055 | 154,546 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna Chief Operating Officer (4) |
2011 | 200,689 | 16,575 | 129,690 | 199,437 | (8) | | 6,746 | (10) | 486,246 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 178,110 | 14,635 | 344,900 | 202,293 | 14,610 | 6,859 | 822,490 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 146,505 | 12,071 | | 99,333 | | 6,489 | 265,640 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary |
2011 | 275,450 | | 129,690 | 227,548 | (8) | | 8,775 | (11) | 603,685 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 262,200 | | 86,225 | 261,000 | | 7,305 | 651,175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | 255,185 | | | 99,333 | | 5,350 | 363,201 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Raja Ray Senior Vice President, Retail, Logistics and Telecom Business Unit (12) |
2011 | 230,000 | | 151,305 | 250,875 | | | 632,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 215,000 | | 68,980 | 220,000 | | | 503,980 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2009 | | | | | | | |
(1) | These amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted during the year, computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (ASC 718). The assumptions used in this valuation are disclosed in Note 12 to Syntels audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, included in Syntels Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These amounts reflect Syntels accounting expense for these awards and do not necessarily correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the named executive officers. |
(2) | The amount in this column represents the aggregate change in the actuarial present values during the fiscal year of each named executive officers accumulated benefits under a pension fund for Syntels India based employees. |
(3) | Represents perquisites of $82,952 that consist of car lease expenses of $53,794, $17,372 in payments for membership in a professional organization, telephone expenses of $8,296, and $3,490 in premiums for automobile insurance coverage. |
(4) | Other than the calculation of stock awards and option awards, the amounts given for Messrs. Khanna, Godbole, and Ranade were converted from Indian rupees. For purposes of the disclosures throughout this proxy statement, Indian rupees were converted to U.S. dollars by using the quarterly income statement rate used for GAAP reporting for the applicable month. |
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(5) | Mr. Ranade was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President on February 2, 2010. Prior to that date Mr. Ranade was a director of Syntel but not an employee. The payments shown for 2009 represent fees he received from Syntel as a non-employee director. |
(6) | Represents perquisites of $204,580 that consist of providing housing costs of $168,495, providing a car and driver of $32,701, telephone expense reimbursement of $1,185, a contribution to the Provident Fund on his behalf of $200, and $1,999 in premiums for medical, accidental death, and life insurance coverage. |
(7) | Represents director fees paid in cash. |
(8) | For these three named executive officers, the 2011 amount represents a STIP award for 2011 performance as well as the accrual of a cash compensation LTIP established in 2009 where the relevant performance measures were satisfied in 2011. The amounts of STIP and LTIP included for each of the three named executive officers are: Mr. Godbole, STIP of $70,238 and LTIP of $68,682; Mr. Khanna, STIP of $87,829 and LTIP of $111,608; and Mr. Moore, STIP of $163,774 and LTIP of $63,774. Portions of the LTIP reported here for 2011 were, in the 2011 and 2010 proxy statements, reported in Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for years 2010 and 2009 for Mr. Godbole and for Mr. Khanna, but in this proxy statement have been removed from their Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for 2010 and 2009 and included in 2011, which is when the relevant performance measures were completed. |
(9) | Represents perquisites of $17,570 that consist of the cost of providing a car and driver of $15,955, telephone expense reimbursement of $543, a contribution to the Provident Fund on his behalf of $200, and $871 in premiums for medical, accidental death, and life insurance coverage. |
(10) | Represents perquisites of $6,746 that consist of the cost of providing a car and driver of $4,501, telephone expense reimbursement of $629, meal vouchers of $513, a contribution to the Provident Fund on his behalf of $200, and $903 in premiums for medical, accidental death, and life insurance coverage. |
(11) | Represents perquisites of $8,775 that consist of $7,320 in life insurance premiums and $1,455 in payments for memberships in professional organizations. |
(12) | Mr. Ray joined Syntel in February 2010. |
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GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table sets forth sets forth information for each of the named executive officers as to grants of non-equity and equity plan awards in 2011.
Name |
Grant Date |
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) (2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (3) |
Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (4) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold ($) |
Target ($) |
Maximum ($) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Bharat Desai |
| | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade |
1/1/11 | | 282,992 | 848,977 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
8/22/11 | | | | 16,000 | 691,680 | |||||||||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole |
1/1/11 | | 43,017 | 129,052 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
8/22/11 | | | | 3,000 | 129,690 | |||||||||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
1/1/11 | | 73,744 | 221,232 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
8/22/11 | | | | 3,000 | 129,690 | |||||||||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
1/1/11 | | 91,750 | 275,250 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
8/22/11 | | | | 3,000 | 129,690 | |||||||||||||||||||
Raja Ray |
1/1/11 | | 110,000 | 330,000 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
8/22/11 | | | | 3,500 | 151,305 |
(1) | Set forth are estimated future payouts under the STIP (granted effective 1/1/11). Threshold and Target amounts are the same under the STIP. |
(2) | The amounts given for Messrs. Godbole, Khanna, and Ranade were converted from Indian rupees. |
(3) | This column reports the number of shares of restricted stock units granted under Syntels Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan to each of the named executive officers on the applicable dates. The restricted stock units vest 25% on each of the first four anniversary dates of the grant. |
(4) | This column reports the grant date fair value of each equity award granted in 2011 computed in accordance with ASC 718. |
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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($) (1) |
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 ($) (1) |
|||||||||||||
Name |
||||||||||||||||
Bharat Desai |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade |
75,000 | (2) | 3,507,750 | | | |||||||||||
16,000 | (3) | 748,320 | | | ||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole |
600 | (4) | 28,062 | | | |||||||||||
1,375 | (5) | 64,309 | | | ||||||||||||
7,500 | (2) | 350,775 | | | ||||||||||||
3,000 | (3) | 140,310 | | | ||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
| | 900 | (6) | 42,093 | |||||||||||
200 | (4) | 9,354 | | | ||||||||||||
625 | (5) | 29,231 | | | ||||||||||||
7,500 | (2) | 350,775 | | | ||||||||||||
3,000 | (3) | 140,310 | | | ||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
| | 120 | (7) | 5,612 | |||||||||||
400 | (4) | 18,708 | | | ||||||||||||
750 | (5) | 35,078 | | | ||||||||||||
1,875 | (2) | 87,694 | | | ||||||||||||
3,000 | (3) | 140,310 | | | ||||||||||||
Raja Ray |
1,500 | (2) | 70,155 | | | |||||||||||
3,500 | (3) | 163,695 | | |
(1) | The dollar value of the unvested shares of restricted stock reported in the preceding column valued at the closing price of Syntel common stock on December 31, 2011, which was $46.77 per share. |
(2) | These stock unit awards were granted on May 17, 2010, and will vest in three equal installments on May 17, 2012, May 17, 2013, and May 17, 2014. |
(3) | These stock unit awards were granted on August 22, 2011, and will vest in four equal installments on August 22, 2012, August 22, 2013, August 22, 2014, and August 22, 2015. |
(4) | These stock awards were granted on August 10, 2007, and will vest on August 10, 2012. |
(5) | These stock awards were granted on August 4, 2008, and will vest on August 4, 2012. |
(6) | These restricted stock grants were granted on July 1, 2006 and are performance restricted stock grants divided in a pre-defined proportion with the vesting (lifting of restriction) of one portion based on Syntels overall annual performance and the vesting of the other portion based on the achievement of pre-defined long term goals of Syntel (Performance Restricted Stock). These stocks vest over a period of five years (at each anniversary) in equal installments, subject to meeting the pre-defined criteria of overall annual performance and achievement of the long-term goal. The restricted stock linked to overall annual performance lapses (reverts to Syntel) on non-achievement of the overall annual performance in the given |
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year. However, the stock linked to achievement of the long term goal rolls over into a common pool and lapses only on the non-achievement of the long term goal on or prior to the end of fiscal year 2012. |
(7) | These restricted stock grants were granted on October 1, 2006 and vest according to the description for Performance Restricted Stock given in footnote 6 immediately above. |
2011 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The Table below shows the number of shares of Syntel Common Stock acquired during 2011 upon the vesting of restricted shares. The named executive officers hold no Syntel stock options.
Name |
Stock Awards | |||||||
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($) (1) |
|||||||
Bharat Desai |
| | ||||||
Prashant Ranade |
25,000 | 1,362,000 | ||||||
Arvind Godbole |
4,675 | 243,431 | ||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
4,375 | 241,102 | ||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
1,915 | 97,798 | ||||||
Raja Ray |
500 | 27,240 |
(1) | Value Realized on Vesting is calculated by multiplying the shares vested times the stock closing price on the day of vesting. |
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Pension Benefits 2011
In accordance with the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 of India, Syntels Indian subsidiary provides for gratuity, a defined retirement benefit plan (the Gratuity Plan) covering eligible employees. The Gratuity Plan provides a lump sum payment to vested employees at retirement, death, incapacitation, or termination of employment, based on the respective employees salary and the term of employment.
Name |
Plan Name | Number of Years Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) (1) |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) |
||||||||||||
Bharat Desai |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade |
Gratuity Plan | 2 | 19,470 | | ||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole |
Gratuity Plan | 11 | 19,470 | | ||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
Gratuity Plan | 6 | 19,470 | | ||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Raja Ray |
| | | |
(1) | The gratuity under the Gratuity Plan is restricted to 10,00,000 Indian Rupees or $19,470. |
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control
Under the terms of Syntels Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the Plan) and the stock option agreements and restricted stock agreements (collectively the Agreements) entered into with named executive officers under the Plan, if a named executive officer has a Change in Position subsequent to a Change in Control, any unvested stock options become fully vested and exercisable in full and may be exercised within three months after the Change in Position occurs and the remaining restriction period on any restricted stock granted under the Plan immediately lapses and the shares become fully transferable.
Under the Plan a Change in Position is defined to be: (i) involuntary termination of the named executive officers employment; or (ii) a significant reduction in the duties, responsibilities, compensation and/or fringe benefits of the named executive officer, or the assignment to the named executive officer of duties inconsistent with the named executive officers position (all as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control), whether or not the named executive officer voluntarily terminates employment as a result.
Under the Plan, a Change in Control is defined to be the occurrence of any of the following events that do not involve a person or entity that was a shareholder of Syntel at the time the Plan was adopted: (i) the acquisition of ownership by a person, firm or corporation, or a group acting in concert, of fifty-one percent, or more, of Syntels outstanding Common Stock in a single transaction or a series of related transactions within a one-year period; (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of Syntels assets to any person, firm or corporation; or (iii) a merger or similar transaction between Syntel and another entity if Syntels shareholders do not own a majority of the voting stock of the corporation surviving the transaction and a majority in value of the total outstanding stock of such surviving corporation after the transaction.
The following table sets forth the estimated benefit to the respective named executive officer assuming that the noted event occurred on December 31, 2011 and, where applicable, using the closing price of Syntels common stock on December 31, 2011, which was $46.77 per share. While the amounts shown and the
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assumptions upon which they are based provide reasonable estimates of the amounts that would have been due to the named executive officers in the event that the events noted below had occurred on December 31, 2011, the actual amounts due to the named executive officers upon a triggering event will depend upon the actual circumstances and the then applicable provisions of the Plan and the Agreements.
POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL
Name |
Benefit | Before Change in Control Change in Position |
After Change in Control Change in Position |
Voluntary Termination |
Death | Disability | Change in Control |
|||||||||||||||||||
Bharat Desai |
| | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||
Prashant Ranade |
Lapsing of Restrictions on Restricted Stock |
| 4,256,070 | (1) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Arvind Godbole |
Lapsing of Restrictions on Restricted Stock |
| 583,456 | (1) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Rakesh Khanna |
Lapsing of Restrictions on Restricted Stock |
| 571,763 | (1) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Daniel M. Moore |
Lapsing of Restrictions on Restricted Stock |
| 287,402 | (1) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Raja Ray |
Lapsing of Restrictions on Restricted Stock |
| 233,850 | (1) | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Represents the aggregate intrinsic value of the lapsing of restrictions on each named executive officers restricted stock. |
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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth, with respect to Syntels equity compensation plans, (i) the number of shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights, (ii) the weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights, and (iii) the number of shares remaining available for future issuance, as of December 31, 2011.
Plan Category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants, and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants, and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excludes securities reflected in column (2)) * |
|||||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders |
| | 4,529,570 | |||||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders |
| | | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
TOTAL |
| | 4,529,570 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Includes 3,812,435 shares available for future issuance under Syntels Stock Option and Incentive Plan and 717,135 shares available for future issuance under Syntels Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Crowe Horwath LLP (Crowe Horwath) has audited Syntels financial statements since July 2004. A representative is expected to be available by conference telephone at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Fees
The following table lists the aggregate fees for professional services rendered by Crowe Horwath for all Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees, and All Other Fees which pertain to the last two fiscal years.
Fiscal Year Ended | ||||||||
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
|||||||
Audit Fees |
$ | 389,372 | $ | 375,626 | ||||
Audit Related Fees |
$ | 13,370 | $ | 11,975 | ||||
Tax Fees |
| | ||||||
All Other Fees |
$ | 2,500 | $ | 64,302 |
Audit Fees represent fees for professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements of Syntel, assistance with review of documents filed with the SEC, and the audit of managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Audit-Related Fees represent professional fees in connection with the statutory audit services relative to the 401(k) plan for Syntel, Inc. Tax Fees represent fees for services related to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. All Other Fees represent consultation on matters related to the consolidation of variable interest entity, secondary offerings, new grants of restricted stock units, and other advisory services.
Audit Committee Authorization of Audit and Non-Audit Services
The Audit Committee has the sole authority to authorize all audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent audit firm engaged to conduct the annual statutory audit of Syntels consolidated financial statements. In addition, the Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures that are detailed
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as to each particular service to be provided by the independent auditors, and such policies and procedures do not permit the Audit Committee to delegate its responsibilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to management. The Audit Committee pre-approved fees for all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent audit firm during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independent auditors independence, and has advised Syntel that, in its opinion, the activities performed by Crowe Horwath on Syntels behalf are compatible with maintaining their independence.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee is responsible for, among other things, appointing an independent registered public accounting firm to conduct the independent audit of Syntel, periodically reviewing the qualifications of Syntels independent auditors, reviewing the scope and results of any audit, and reviewing fees charged by the independent registered public accounting firm for audit services, non-audit services, and related matters. The Board of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter, which is available on Syntels website at www.syntelinc.com on the corporate governance page in the investors section of the website.
The Audit Committees job is one of oversight as set forth in its Charter. It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to prepare Syntels financial statements, to plan or conduct audits, or to determine that Syntels financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Syntels management is responsible for preparing Syntels financial statements and for maintaining internal control. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the financial statements and for expressing an opinion as to whether those audited financial statements fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Syntel in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed Syntels audited consolidated financial statements with management and with Crowe Horwath, Syntels independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2011, both with and without management present. The Audit Committee has discussed with Crowe Horwath the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T. The Audit Committee has received from Crowe Horwath the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Crowe Horwaths communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, has discussed Crowe Horwaths independence with them, and has considered the compatibility of non-audit services with the auditors independence. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements in Syntels Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
THOMAS DOKE, CHAIRPERSON |
PARITOSH K. CHOKSI |
GEORGE R. MRKONIC, JR. |
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PROPOSAL 2. RATIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF SYNTELS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Ratification of the appointment of Crowe Horwath to serve as Syntels independent registered public accountant for the 2012 fiscal year requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares casting a vote on this proposal, in person or by proxy. Syntels 2012 fiscal year began on January 1, 2012 and will end on December 31, 2012. You may vote for or against or abstain from this proposal. Valid proxies received by Syntel will be voted in favor of approval of the ratification unless a contrary choice is indicated.
In the event the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors will reconsider its selection. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee feels that such a change would be in Syntels and its shareholders best interests.
Board Recommendation
The Board recommends that you vote FOR ratification of the selection of Crowe Horwath
to serve as Syntels independent registered public accountants for the 2012 fiscal year.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table provides information about the beneficial ownership of Syntels Common Stock by (i) any person or entity known by the management of Syntel to have been the beneficial owner of more than five percent of Syntels outstanding Common Stock as of April 12, 2012, (ii) the nominees, present directors, and named executive officers of Syntel, and (iii) by all directors and executive officers of Syntel as a group. There were 41,824,778 shares of Syntel Common Stock outstanding on April 10, 2012.
NAME AND ADDRESS |
NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED (1) |
PERCENT OF CLASS |
||||||
Bharat Desai |
15,881,778 | (2) | 38.0 | % | ||||
525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300 |
||||||||
Troy, Michigan 48083 |
||||||||
Neerja Sethi |
11,340,253 | (3) | 27.1 | % | ||||
525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300 |
||||||||
Troy, Michigan 48083 |
||||||||
Rakesh Vij |
9,618,692 | (4) | 23.0 | % | ||||
5607 Hartsdale Dr. |
||||||||
Houston, Texas 77036 |
||||||||
NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 I |
4,659,346 | (5) | 11.1 | % | ||||
701 Brickell Ave., Suite 870 |
||||||||
Miami, Florida 33131 |
||||||||
NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 II |
4,659,346 | (5) | 11.1 | % | ||||
701 Brickell Ave., Suite 870 |
||||||||
Miami, Florida 33131 |
||||||||
Paritosh K. Choksi |
31,289 | (6) | * | |||||
Thomas Doke |
15,527 | (6) | * | |||||
Arvind Godbole |
17,150 | (6) | * | |||||
Rakesh Khanna |
26,375 | (6) | * | |||||
Rajesh Mashruwala |
13,843 | (6) | * | |||||
Daniel M. Moore |
10,096 | (6) | * | |||||
George R. Mrkonic, Jr |
6,478 | (6) | * | |||||
Prashant Ranade |
123,000 | (6) | * | |||||
Raja Ray |
5,000 | (6) | * | |||||
All Directors, Nominees, and Executive Officers as a group (17 persons) |
26,389,294 | (6) | 63.1 | % |
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* | Less than 1%. |
(1) | For the purpose of this table, a person or group is deemed to have beneficial ownership of any shares as of a given date over which such person has voting power, investment power, or has the right to acquire such power within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above on a given date, any security which such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership of any other person. Except as otherwise noted, each beneficial owner of more than five percent of Syntels Common Stock and each director and executive officer has sole voting and investment power over the shares reported. With respect to the restricted Common Stock of Syntel shown as owned by certain executive officers and directors, the executive officers have voting power but no investment power. |
(2) | Mr. Desai holds shared voting and dispositive power for (a) 4,659,346 shares held by the NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 I, (b) 4,659,346 shares held by the NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 II, (c) 75,000 shares held by the NS Trust dated May 17, 1997 V, (d) 75,000 shares held by the NS Trust dated May 17, 1997 VI, of which trusts Mr. Desai is a co-trustee with Rakesh Vij, (e) 1,139,195 shares held by the DS Foundation, of which Mr. Desai is a co-trustee with Ms. Sethi, and (f) 4,025 shares held in several educational trusts for the benefit of other individuals, of which trusts Mr. Desai is a trustee. Mr. Desai disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the foundation and the trusts. |
(3) | Ms. Sethi holds shared voting and dispositive power for (a) 75,000 shares held by the BD Trust dated May 17, 1997 III and (b) 75,000 shares held by the BD Trust dated May 17, 1997 IV, of which trusts Ms. Sethi is a co-trustee with Rakesh Vij, (c) 3,250 shares held in several educational trusts for the benefit of other individuals, of which trusts Ms. Sethi is a trustee, and (d) 1,139,195 shares held by the DS Foundation, of which Ms. Sethi is a co-trustee with Mr. Desai. Ms. Sethi disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the foundation and the trusts. |
(4) | Rakesh Vij holds shared voting and dispositive power for (a) 4,659,346 shares held by the NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 I, (b) 4,659,346 shares held by the NS Trust dated February 28, 1997 II, (c) 75,000 shares held by the BD Trust dated May 17, 1997 III, (d) 75,000 shares held by the BD Trust dated May 17, 1997 IV, (e) 75,000 shares held by the NS Trust dated May 17, 1997 V, and (f) 75,000 shares held by the NS Trust dated May 17, 1997 VI, of which trusts Rakesh Vij is a co-trustee. Rakesh Vij disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the trusts. |
(5) | These shares are also included under both Mr. Desais and Rakesh Vijs ownership as they are co-trustees for these trusts and share voting and dispositive power for these shares of Common Stock. |
(6) | The number of shares shown in the table includes the following number of shares which are represented by shares of restricted Common Stock which are not vested: Paritosh K. Choksi, 1,541; Thomas Doke, 6,541; Arvind Godbole, 12,475; Rakesh Khanna, 22,225; Rajesh Mashruwala, 6,541; Daniel M. Moore, 6,145; George R. Mrkonic, Jr., 1,541; Prashant Ranade, 91,000; Raja Ray, 5,000; and all directors and executive officers as a group, 188,222. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Syntels executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of Syntels equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by regulations of the SEC to furnish Syntel with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on Syntels review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were required for those persons, Syntel believes that, except for the following, its officers, directors, and greater than ten percent beneficial owners met all applicable filing requirements during the last year. The following persons filed the listed reports after their due dates: Anil Jain, one Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership reporting one transaction, Rakesh Khanna, one Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership reporting one transaction, George R. Mrkonic, Jr., one Form 4
26
Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership reporting one transaction, Murlidhar Reddy, one Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership reporting one transaction, and Avinash Salelkar, one Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership reporting one transaction.
Transactions with Related Persons
The Board of Directors has adopted written policies and procedures for the disclosure, review and approval of any transaction in which Syntel or one of its subsidiaries is a participant and in which any related person or Covered Individual (director, executive officer or their immediate family members, or shareholders owning 5% or more of Syntels outstanding stock) has a direct or indirect material interest. The policy requires that transactions involving a related person be reviewed and approved in advance by the Board of Directors. Under Syntels Code of Ethical Conduct, officers, directors, and employees of Syntel are required to report proposed related party transactions to the Board of Directors. Syntel is not aware of any transaction required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC since the beginning of 2011 where the foregoing policies and procedures did not require review, approval, or ratification of such transaction or where such policies and procedures were not followed. Since the beginning of 2011, Syntel has had no transactions, nor does it currently have any proposed transactions, in which it was or is to be a participant in which any related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Shareholder Proposals for 2013 Annual Meeting
Shareholder proposals to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by Syntel not later than December 27, 2012 if they are to be included in Syntels proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Such proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary at Syntel, Inc., 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083.
Shareholder proposals to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which are not to be included in Syntels proxy statement for that meeting must be received by Syntel not before March 7, 2013 and not later than April 8, 2013; or, for any special meeting of shareholders, no later than 10 days after the day of the public announcement of the date of the special meeting in accordance with the procedures contained in Syntels Bylaws. Such proposals should be addressed to the Corporate Secretary at Syntel, Inc., 525 East Big Beaver Road, Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083.
Other Matters
At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the shareholders voted in favor of advisory approval of the named executive officers compensation and they voted in favor of holding the advisory vote on named executive officer compensation every three years. Syntel has determined to follow the shareholders recommendation on the frequency of shareholder advisory votes on named executive compensation and will hold those advisory votes every three years, with the next vote in 2014. It is currently anticipated that the next vote on the frequency of holding advisory votes on named executive compensation will occur at Syntels Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2017.
At the date of this proxy statement, management is not aware of any matters to be presented for action at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders other than the matters described in this proxy statement. If any other matters should come before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy card intend to vote the proxy in accordance with their judgment on those matters.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
Daniel M. Moore |
Chief Administrative Officer, General |
Counsel, and Secretary |
April 26, 2012
COPIES OF SYNTELS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WILL BE PROVIDED TO SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO DANIEL M. MOORE, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, SYNTEL, INC., 525 E. BIG BEAVER ROAD, SUITE 300, TROY, MICHIGAN 48083.
28
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q
A |
Proposals The Board recommends a vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposal 2. |
1. Election of Directors:
|
For
|
Withhold
|
For
|
Withhold
|
For
|
Withhold
|
+ | |||||||||||||
01 - Paritosh K. Choksi |
¨ | ¨ | 02 - Bharat Desai | ¨ | ¨ | 03 - Thomas Doke | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||||||||
04 - Rajesh Mashruwala |
¨ | ¨ | 05 - George R. Mrkonic, Jr. | ¨ | ¨ | 06 - Prashant Ranade | ¨ | ¨ | ||||||||||||
07 - Neerja Sethi |
¨ | ¨ |
For | Against | Abstain | ||||||||||||
2. Proposal to ratify Crowe Horwath LLP as Syntels |
¨ | ¨ | ¨ |
B | Non-Voting Items | |||||||||
Change of Address Please print your new address below. | Comments Please print your comments below. | Meeting Attendance | ||||||||
Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
|
¨ | |||||||||
c |
Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below |
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears on this proxy. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian,please give full title.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. | Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box. | Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box. | ||||||
/ / |
q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q |
Proxy Syntel, Inc. |
Notice of 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
525 E. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 300, Troy, Michigan 48083 Proxy Solicited by the Board of Directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders June 5, 2012
Bharat Desai and Daniel M. Moore, or either of them, each with the power of substitution (the Proxies), are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Syntel, Inc. to be held on June 5, 2012 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof.
Shares represented by this proxy will be voted in the manner specified by the shareholder. If no directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR all nominees and FOR Proposal 2.
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
(Items to be voted appear on reverse side.) |