Aptitude Software Group plc has granted awards in the form of options over ordinary shares in the company under its Performance Share Plan 2016 (PSP) to several directors and persons discharging managerial responsibilities (PDMRs). The options have an exercise price per ordinary share equal to the nominal value of an ordinary share. The awards are subject to performance conditions based on the company's Total Shareholder Return (TSR) over a three-year performance period and the company's diluted earnings per share (EPS) at the end of the performance period. The TSR performance condition accounts for 75% of each award, while the EPS performance condition accounts for 25% of each award. The extent to which the awards vest will be determined following the end of the TSR performance period. The awards granted to Alex Curran and Mike Johns will be subject to a two-year holding period. The 2023 awards to Curran and Johns have been made at 125% of salary, in line with the company's Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders at the 2023 AGM. The Remuneration Committee will consider the vesting outcomes and retains discretion in relation to the total level of reward arising from the 2023 award.
The company has made the necessary notifications in accordance with the requirements of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The notifications include details of the persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them, the reason for the notification, details of the issuer, and details of the transaction. The transaction involves the grant of options under the Performance Share Plan 2016. The options have been granted over a certain number of ordinary shares, and the transaction took place on 6 September 2023 outside a trading venue.
The authorized official responsible for making the notification is Alex Campbell, the Company Secretary of Aptitude Software Group plc.