Global Ship Lease, Inc 6-K, filed May 4, 2023
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL)
About this 6-K
Global Ship Lease, Inc filed this 6-K on May 4, 2023.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May 2023
Commission File Number: 001-34153
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
c/o Global Ship Lease Services Limited
25 Wilton Road
London SW1V 1LW
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐.
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐.
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K
Attached to this report on Form 6-K (this “Report”) as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the notice, proxy statement, and proxy card of Global Ship Lease, Inc. (the “Company”) for the Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2023 (the “Annual Meeting of Shareholders”).
Attached to this Report as Exhibit 99.2 is a copy of the press release of the Company, dated May 4, 2023, regarding the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. | ||||||
| (registrant) | ||||||
| Dated: May 4, 2023 | By: | /s/ Ian J. Webber | ||||
|
| ||||||
| Ian J. Webber | ||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 99.1
May 2, 2023
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
Global Ship Lease, Inc. is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. We commenced operations in December 2007, with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. As of April 30, 2023, we owned 64 containerships, ranging from 2,207 to 11,040 TEU, with an aggregate capacity of 341,230 TEU.
It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Global Ship Lease, Inc., which will be held at our office at 3-5 Menandrou Str., 14561 Kifisia, Athens, Greece on June 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. local time.
At the Meeting, our shareholders will consider and vote upon the following proposals:
| 1. | To elect three Term III Directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
| 2. | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023; and |
| 3. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
These proposals are described in detail in the proxy materials.
For the Meeting, we will use the internet as our primary means of furnishing proxy materials to shareholders. Accordingly, you will not necessarily receive paper copies of all of our proxy materials unless you request or have requested them. We have mailed the enclosed notice with instructions for accessing all of the proxy materials and for voting via the internet and information on how shareholders may obtain paper copies of our proxy materials if they so choose. The enclosed notice also explains how you can consent to receive future proxy materials by e-mail or the internet, which will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of our shareholder meetings on the environment.
You are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. Your shares may alternatively be voted via the internet, by telephone or, if you receive a paper proxy card in the mail, by mailing the completed proxy card. If you nevertheless attend the Meeting, you may vote your shares in person, even if you have previously voted by proxy.
Your vote is very important to us. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, please take a moment to review the proxy materials and vote as soon as possible to ensure that your shares will be represented and voted at the Meeting.
| Very truly yours, |
|
|
| Ian Webber |
| Chief Executive Officer |
GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 6, 2023
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of Global Ship Lease, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at 3-5 Menandrou Str., 14561 Kifisia, Athens, Greece on June 6, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. local time, for the following purposes, of which items one and two are more completely set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement:
| 1. | To elect three Term III Directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proposal One”); |
| 2. | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (“Proposal Two”); and |
| 3. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that you vote “FOR” each of Proposal One and Proposal Two.
Adoption of Proposal One requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director by shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Adoption of Proposal Two requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on April 20, 2023 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to receive notice and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
To constitute a quorum, there must be present either in person or by proxy shareholders of record holding at least a majority of the Class A common shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO VOTE. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. THE VOTE OF EVERY SHAREHOLDER IS IMPORTANT AND YOUR COOPERATION IN RETURNING YOUR EXECUTED PROXY PROMPTLY WILL BE APPRECIATED. ANY SIGNED PROXY RETURNED AND NOT COMPLETED WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF ALL THE PROPOSALS PRESENTED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT.
If you attend the Meeting in person, you will be asked to present photo identification, such as a driver’s license. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you will also be asked to present appropriate proof of ownership to be admitted to the Meeting. A recent brokerage statement or a letter from your bank or broker are examples of proof of ownership.
If you attend the Meeting and do not hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from them to vote your shares and revoke your vote, if necessary. If you want to vote your shares held in street name in person at the meeting, you must bring with you a written proxy in your name from the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares.
| BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
| Maria Danezi Secretary |
May 2, 2023
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR
THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 6, 2023
This Notice presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the internet. Shareholders who have already requested printed materials will also receive a copy of our Proxy Statement, proxy card or voting instructions form, and 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F. We encourage you to access and review all information contained in the proxy materials before voting.
You may access all of the following proxy materials at www.proxyvote.com:
| • | this Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders; |
| • | the Proxy Statement; and |
| • | the Company’s 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F. |
If you would like to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one by sending an e-mail to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com, calling +1-800-579-1639, or by making a request online at www.proxyvote.com. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. Please make your request for a copy on or before May 23, 2023 to facilitate timely delivery. If you requested printed versions of these materials by mail, these materials will also include the proxy card or voting instructions form for the Meeting.
Voting by internet. To vote your proxy via the internet, please go to www.proxyvote.com. Follow the steps outlined on the secure website. Validation information is provided in the notice card accompanying this Notice. Proxies submitted via the internet must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 5, 2023.
Consenting to electronic delivery of future proxy materials. You can help us save significant printing and mailing expenses by consenting to access proxy materials, notice of Meeting, proxy statement, and annual report to Shareholders electronically via e-mail or the internet. You can choose this option by following the instructions at www.proxyvote.com. If you choose to receive your proxy materials and annual report to Shareholders electronically, then prior to next year’s Shareholders’ meeting you will receive notification when the proxy materials and annual report to Shareholders are available for online review over the internet, as well as instructions for voting electronically over the internet. Your choice for electronic distribution will remain in effect for subsequent meetings unless you revoke such choice prior to future meetings by revoking your request online.
| BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
| Maria Danezi |
| Secretary |
May 2, 2023
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 6, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING |
1 | |||
| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE MEETING |
3 | |||
| DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
6 | |||
| COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
10 | |||
| PROPOSAL ONE – ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
14 | |||
| PROPOSAL TWO – RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM |
16 | |||
| OTHER MATTERS |
17 | |||
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Global Ship Lease, Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2023 at 3-5 Menandrou Str., 14561 Kifisia, Athens, Greece at 5:00 p.m. local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the “Meeting”), for the purposes set forth herein and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were made available to the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote at the Meeting on or about May 2, 2023 (“Shareholders”).
VOTING RIGHTS AND OUTSTANDING SHARES
On April 20, 2023 (the “Record Date”), the Company had outstanding 35,500,978 Class A common shares, par value $0.01 per share. Each shareholder of record at the close of business on the Record Date is entitled to one vote for each Class A common share then held. To constitute a quorum, there must be present either in person or by proxy, Shareholders representing at least a majority of the Class A common shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
The shares represented by any proxy in the enclosed form will be voted in accordance with the instructions given on the proxy if the proxy is properly executed and is received by the Company prior to the close of voting at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Any proxies returned without instructions will be voted “FOR” the proposals set forth on the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The Class A common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “GSL”.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
A shareholder of record giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised. A proxy may be revoked by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person. If you hold shares in street name, through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, please contact the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee to revoke your proxy.
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SOLICITATION
The cost of preparing and soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Solicitation will be made primarily by mail, but Shareholders may be solicited by telephone, e-mail or personal contact. The Board of Directors has retained Morrow Sodali as proxy solicitor in connection with the Meeting. If you have any questions or need assistance in voting, please contact Morrow Sodali at the toll-free number or email address listed below.
509 Madison Avenue, Suite 1206
New York, NY 10022, USA
Stockholders Call Toll Free: (800) 662-5200
E-mail: GSL@investor.morrowsodali.com
EFFECT OF ABSTENTIONS
An “abstention” occurs when a shareholder sends in a proxy with explicit instructions to decline to vote on a particular matter. Abstentions are counted as present for the purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted in determining whether Proposal One and Proposal Two have been approved.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE MEETING
Why am I receiving these proxy materials?
The proxy materials include our Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Notice”), this Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and our 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F (the “Annual Report”). If you requested printed versions of all of these materials by mail, these materials also include the proxy card or voting instructions form for the Meeting. The Board of Directors has made these materials available to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors. The proxies will be used at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. We made these materials available to Shareholders beginning on or about May 2, 2023.
Our Shareholders are invited to attend the Meeting and vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning a proxy card or by executing a proxy via the internet or by telephone.
How can I access the proxy materials on the Internet?
We are using the internet as the primary means of furnishing our proxy materials. Accordingly, Shareholders will not necessarily receive paper copies of all of the materials unless they have requested them. We have sent all Shareholders the Notice, which includes instructions (i) for accessing via the internet all of the proxy materials including importantly the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report and (ii) for voting via the internet. The Notice was mailed on or about May 2, 2023. The Notice also provides information on how Shareholders may obtain paper copies of the proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement and Annual Report, if they so choose. Additionally, you may access the Proxy Statement and Annual Report at www.proxyvote.com.
The Notice also provides you with instructions regarding how to instruct us to send future proxy materials to you electronically by e-mail.
Choosing to receive future proxy materials by e-mail will save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and will reduce the impact of our shareholder meetings on the environment. If you choose to receive future proxy materials by e-mail, you will receive an e-mail next year with instructions containing a link to those materials and a link to the proxy voting website. Your election to receive proxy materials by e-mail will remain in effect until you terminate it.
Who can vote?
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date, which is April 20, 2023, may vote, either in person or by proxy, at the Meeting. On the Record Date, we had 35,500,978 Class A common shares outstanding. You are entitled to one vote for each Class A common share that you owned on the Record Date.
How do I know if I am a beneficial owner of shares?
If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer, trust, or other similar organization, you are considered the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name”, and the Notice was forwarded to you by that organization. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to instruct that organization on how to vote the shares held in your account. Those instructions are contained in a “voting instructions form”.
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What am I voting on?
You will be voting on each of the following:
| 1. | To elect three Term III Directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Proposal One”); |
| 2. | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023 (“Proposal Two”); and |
| 3. | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no other matters that will be brought before the Meeting. If you return your signed and completed proxy card or vote by telephone or over the internet and other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for consideration, the persons appointed as proxies will have the discretion to vote for you.
What vote is required to adopt each of the proposals?
Adoption of Proposal One requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director by Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. This means that the number of shares voted “for” a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” that director. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” (shares held by a broker or nominee that does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter and has not received voting instructions from its client) will not affect the vote on Proposal One.
Adoption of Proposal Two requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will not affect the vote on Proposal Two.
How do I vote?
You may vote using one of the following methods:
Over the internet. If you have access to the internet, we encourage you to vote in this manner. Refer to your Notice for instructions on voting via the internet and carefully follow the directions.
By telephone. You may vote by telephone by calling the toll-free number referenced on your Notice and following the recorded instructions. Refer to the notice card accompanying your Notice for validation information. Instructions to vote by telephone are also listed on your proxy card or the voting instructions form.
By mail. For those Shareholders who request to receive a paper proxy card or voting instructions form in the mail, you may complete, sign and return the proxy card or voting instructions form by mail using the post-paid envelope provided.
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In person at the Meeting. All Shareholders of record on the Record Date, which is the close on business on April 20, 2023, may vote in person at the Meeting. If you are a beneficial owner of shares (i.e., your shares are held in “street name” in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, broker dealer or similar organization), you must obtain a legal proxy from such account holding organization and present it with your ballot to be able to vote at the Meeting. Even if you plan to be present at the Meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares prior to the Meeting date via the internet, by telephone or by mail in order to record your vote promptly, as we believe voting this way is more convenient.
Instructions for voting via the internet, by telephone or by mail are also set forth on the proxy card or voting instructions form. Please follow the directions on these materials carefully.
Can I change my mind after I vote?
You may change your vote at any time before the polls close at the Meeting. You may do this by using one of the following methods:
| • | voting again by telephone or over the internet by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 5, 2023; |
| • | giving timely written notice to the Secretary of our Company; |
| • | delivering a timely later-dated proxy; or |
| • | voting in person at the Meeting. |
If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, you may revoke any prior voting instructions by contacting that firm or by voting in person via legal proxy at the Meeting.
How many votes must be present to hold the Meeting?
In order for us to conduct the Meeting, the Shareholders representing at least a majority of the Class A common shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting as of the Record Date must be present at the Meeting in person or by proxy. This is referred to as a quorum. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. Your shares will be counted as present at the Meeting if you do one of the following:
| • | vote via the internet or by telephone; |
| • | return a properly executed proxy by mail (even if you do not provide voting instructions); or |
| • | attend the Meeting and vote in person. |
Even if a quorum is not present at the Meeting, a majority of the total number of votes represented by those shares present, in person or by proxy, at the Meeting will have the power to adjourn the meeting. If the Meeting is adjourned for reasons other than a lack of quorum, no further notice of the adjourned meeting will be required to permit further solicitation of proxies, other than an announcement at the Meeting, unless a new record date for the Meeting is set.
What if I return my proxy but do not provide voting instructions?
If you hold your shares directly in your own name, and you sign and return your proxy card, or vote by telephone or over the internet, but do not include voting instructions, your proxy will be voted as the Board of Directors recommends on each proposal.
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DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our current directors and executive officers. Members of our Board of Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds office for a three-year term. Officers are elected from time to time by vote of our board of directors and hold office until a successor is elected. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is 3-5 Menandrou Str.14561 Kifisia,Athens, Greece.
| Name |
Age | Current Position |
Director Class | |||
| George Giouroukos |
57 | Executive Chairman | Term II (term expires in 2025) | |||
| Ian J. Webber |
66 | Chief Executive Officer | ||||
| Anastasios Psaropoulos |
45 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
| Thomas A. Lister |
53 | Chief Commercial Officer and Head of ESG | ||||
| Yoram Neugeborn |
61 | Director* | Term I (term expires in 2024) | |||
| Ulrike Helfer |
63 | Director* | Term I (term expires in 2024) | |||
| Alain Pitner |
74 | Director* | Term I (term expires in 2024) | |||
| Michael Chalkias |
52 | Director* | Term II (term expires in 2025) | |||
| Michael S. Gross |
61 | Director* | Term III (term expires in 2023) | |||
| Menno van Lacum |
52 | Director* | Term III (term expires in 2023) | |||
| Alain Wils |
80 | Director* | Term III (term expires in 2023) |
| * | Independent Director |
Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and our executive officer is set forth below.
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George Giouroukos: Mr. Giouroukos has been our Executive Chairman since November 2018 when the strategic combination with Poseidon Containers was completed. He has been involved in Shipping since 1993, when he joined a major Greek shipowning company and worked in various departments. He founded Technomar, an internationally recognized ship management company, in 1994, where he has served as Managing Director. With over 25 years of experience in the sector, he has negotiated and executed over 200 secondhand and newbuilding ship transactions, creating partnerships with a number of major shipping banks resulting in co-investment of approximately $230 million in workout transactions. He has also partnered with Private Equity firms to jointly invest in container and dry bulk ships. Mr. Giouroukos serves as the Chairman of the Hellenic Advisory Committee of International classification society, RINA and holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from University College London and a Master in Engineering from Brunel University.
Ian J. Webber: Mr. Webber became our Chief Executive Officer in August 2008. From 1979 to 1996, Mr. Webber worked for PriceWaterhouse, the last five years of which he was a partner. From 1996 to 2006, Mr. Webber served as the Chief Financial Officer and a director of CP Ships Limited, a subsidiary of Canadian Pacific Limited until 2001 and thereafter a public company listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges until its acquisition by TUI A.G. in 2005. Mr. Webber is a graduate of Cambridge University.
Anastasios Psaropoulos: Mr. Psaropoulos became our Chief Financial Officer in November 2018. He has over 12 years of experience in finance in the shipping sector. He has served as Chief Financial Officer of Poseidon Containers and Technomar, which he joined in 2011, participating in more than 190 successful S&P transactions including distressed deals. Prior to Poseidon, he was financial controller in Dolphin Capital, an AIM listed real estate development fund. He has also worked as an external auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers, covering shipping and oil & gas industries. Mr. Psaropoulos holds a Master in Economics with specialization in Finance and Investments, from the Athens University of Economics and Business. He has also participated in the Program for Leadership Development (PLDA) and in the program preparing to be a Corporate Director (PCD) of Harvard Business School.
Thomas A. Lister: Mr. Lister has been our Chief Commercial Officer since August 2008 and, from April 2017 until the merger with Poseidon Containers in November 2018, was also our Chief Financial Officer. Since 2019, Mr. Lister has led our ESG initiatives to ensure close alignment of our commercial and ESG strategies. From 2005 until 2007, Mr. Lister was a Senior Vice President at DVB Bank. Before that, from 2004 to 2005, he worked for the German KG financier and ship owning group, Nordcapital & E.R.Schiffahrt, as Director of Business Development. From 1991 to 2002, Mr. Lister worked in a number of managerial, strategic and operational roles for liner shipping companies and their agents. Mr. Lister graduated from Durham University and holds an MBA from INSEAD.
Captain Yoram (Rami) Neugeborn: Mr. Neugeborn was appointed a director in 2022 and is a Master Mariner with more than 40 years of experience in the shipping industry. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Aquarii Shipping Solutions Ltd., a private shipping consultant company. Prior to joining the Board of GSL, from 2010 to 2022 he served as Manager of the Chartering and Sale and Purchase Division at ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. and from 2008 to 2010 he served as the Manager of the Shipping Commercial Division at XT Shipping Ltd. (formerly, Ofer Brothers Shipping, Haifa). Between 2002 – 2007 he served as a Managing Director of Zim-Ofer Shipbrokers. Further, from 1994 to 1998 he served as Commanding Captain onboard ocean-going vessels. Mr. Neugeborn graduated from the Israeli Maritime Institute in Acre, Israel (Haifa University) and has a Certificate of Competency, Master Mariner F.G.
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Ulrike Helfer: Ms. Helfer was appointed a director in 2022 and has more than 40 years of experience in the finance industry and more than 20 years of shipping experience. She commenced her career in international ship financing in 2000 in Vereins- und Westbank AG (merged into UniCredit). In 2005, Ms. Helfer joined DVB Bank SE in Hamburg, where she became Deputy Head of the Global Container, Car Carrier, Intermodal & Ferry Group. In 2011, Ms. Helfer became the Chief Representative of DVB Bank in Greece. She spent the preceding five years in Athens managing DVB’s local office by reporting directly to the CEO of the bank. In 2016, Ms. Helfer was asked by the Federal State of Schleswig-Holstein and the City of Hamburg to become a Member of the Board of Managing Directors of the newly established portfoliomanagement AöR. In this role Ms. Helfer and her team had the responsibility of winding down a portfolio of non-performing shipping loans with an amount of EUR 4.1 billion transferred from HSH Nordbank AG to portfoliomanagement AöR. Ms. Helfer is also a Member of the Advisory Board of Deutsche Bundesbank in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Alain Pitner: Mr. Pitner, who has 30 years of shipping experience, was appointed a director in November 2018. Mr. Pitner commenced his career in 1974 in the Risk Department of Banque Indosuez, now part of Credit Agricole Group. He held various operational and commercial responsibilities in the Bank’s French Export Credit Department. In 1987, Mr. Pitner joined the Shipping Division of the Bank’s Structured Finance Department, where he financed newbuildings and was also responsible for special projects. He then was entrusted with increasingly senior roles. In September 2017, after 42 years, Mr. Pitner retired from the bank. He graduated from Reims business school and holds a MSIA from Krannert Business School—Purdue University, USA.
Michael Chalkias: Mr. Chalkias has been a director since November 2018 when the strategic combination with Poseidon Containers was completed. He is the Co-founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Marine group, a leading global operator and manager in the seaborne oil and gas transportation space, which has managed more than 100 ships since its inception, Since March 2018, Mr. Chalkias has also served as non-executive, non-independent director of First Ship Lease Trust (“FSL Trust”), a Singapore-based business trust listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. Mr. Chalkias counts more than 25 years in the shipping industry, during which he has accumulated extensive in-depth knowledge in all aspects of the business and established strong relationships in the sector. Through Prime Marine, he has invested in many ships, primarily product tankers and gas carriers and has partnered with a number of international banks and US private equity firms. Prior to co-founding Prime Marine’s predecessor in 1999, he was employed by Tufton Oceanic Limited, a specialized shipping finance and investment firm in London, where he was actively involved with debt and equity instruments as well as structured financing. Mr. Chalkias holds an MSc with Distinction in Shipping, Trade & Finance from the Cass Business School at the City University of London and a BSc with Honors in Maritime Business and Maritime Law from the University of Plymouth.
Michael S. Gross: Mr. Gross has been a director since inception and was Chairman from September 2008 to November 2018 when the strategic combination with Poseidon Containers closed. Mr. Gross is the Chairman of the board of directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer of SLR Investment Corp. and SLR Senior Investment Corp., publicly traded BDC’s focused on private direct lending. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Gross was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Investment Corporation (“AIC”), a publicly traded business development company, and was the managing partner of Apollo Investment Management, L.P. (“AIM”), the investment adviser to AIC. From 1990 to 2006 Mr. Gross was a senior partner of Apollo Management, a leading private equity firm which he co-founded in 1990.
Menno van Lacum: Mr. van Lacum was appointed a director in November 2018. He commenced his career in 1997 by joining the Transportation Group at MeesPierson where he was responsible, in different capacities, for arranging and structuring debt capital markets and leasing products predominantly for the Transportation Equipment Leasing sector. In 2005, Mr. van Lacum became Director of the Fortis Principal Finance Group in the USA, responsible for holding equity investments and structuring debt instruments within the Transportation Sector. In 2009, Mr. van Lacum joined the Transportation Capital
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Group (“TCG”) as a Partner in the Netherlands focusing primarily on holding investments in the maritime industry. In 2019, Mr. van Lacum became CEO of Prow Capital, a private debt fund manager focusing on ESG investments in the shipping industry. Mr. van Lacum holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Alain Wils: Mr. Wils has been a director since May 2014. He is a consultant in the shipping and logistics industries, after more than 40 years of experience in the sector. Mr. Wils joined the CMA CGM group in 1996 as managing director of the previously state-owned shipping company, CGM, on its acquisition by CMA. He was appointed an executive board member of CMA CGM in 2001 on the merger of CMA and CGM until his retirement in 2008. From 1992 to 1996, he was chairman and CEO of Sceta International, later renamed Geodis International, a leading European logistics and freight forwarding company. He was the managing director of the shipping group Delmas Vieljeux, which he joined in 1971, from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Wils, who is a graduate of HEC Paris and of Paris University, was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1995 and chaired the French Shipowners’ Association from 1998 to 2000.
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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Compensation of our Executive Officers
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we expensed an aggregate of $1.66 million in compensation to our executive officers, which includes the remuneration of our Executive Chairman. Set forth below is a description of certain material terms of the employment agreements with each of our executive officers, which is qualified in its entirety by the respective agreements which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report.
George Giouroukos, Executive Chairman
Mr. Giouroukos has entered into an employment agreement with GSL Enterprises Ltd. (“GSLE”), one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Mr. Giouroukos serves as our Executive Chairman pursuant to the terms of an inter-company agreement between us and GSLE.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Giouroukos receives an annual salary and is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus payment out of the profits of GSLE.
The agreement is terminable by Mr. Giouroukos if he provides not less than six months’ advance written notice to GSLE except if such termination is for “good reason”, including a “change in control” of the Company, as such terms are defined in his employment agreement, in which case Mr. Giouroukos is able to terminate the agreement by providing not less than 14 days’ advance written notice to GSLE. GSLE is able to terminate Mr. Giouroukos’s employment agreement by providing no less than 12 months’ advance written notice to Mr. Giouroukos (subject to exceptions in the case of summary termination). If Mr. Giouroukos resigns for “good reason” or GSLE terminates his employment for any reason whatsoever other than for “cause”, Mr. Giouroukos is entitled to receive a severance payment in lieu of a salary and contractual benefits for 12 months following the termination date, together with any bonus payable in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement.
Ian Webber, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Webber has entered into an employment agreement with Global Ship Lease Services Limited (“GSLS”), one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and Mr. Webber serves as our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the terms of an inter-company agreement between us and GSLS.
Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Webber receives a salary and is eligible to receive a cash bonus payment up to an annual maximum of 60% of his salary at the discretion of GSLS. He is also eligible to receive share-based incentives.
The agreement will automatically terminate on September 20, 2025, except as otherwise agreed in writing. In addition, the agreement may be earlier terminated by Mr. Webber if he provides not less than six months advance written notice to GSLS, or by GSLS if it provides not less than 12 months advance written notice to him (subject to exceptions in the case of summary termination). GSLS has the right to terminate Mr. Webber at any time and in its absolute discretion by paying Mr. Webber a sum equal to his salary and contractual benefits for the relevant period of notice.
The agreement also provides that, during his employment or for a period of one year thereafter, Mr. Webber will not, among other actions, solicit or attempt to solicit certain employees or certain customers of ours (or one of our group companies) or be involved in any relevant business in competition with us (or one of our group companies).
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Anastasios Psaropoulos, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Psaropoulos has entered into an employment agreement with GSLE, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and serves as our Chief Financial Officer pursuant to the terms of an inter-company agreement between us and GSLE.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Psaropoulos receives an annual salary and is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus payment out of the profits of GSLE.
The agreement is terminable by Mr. Psaropoulos if he provides not less than six months’ advance written notice to GSLE except if such termination is for “good reason”, including a “change in control” of Global Ship Lease, Inc., as such terms are defined in the employment agreement, in which case Mr. Psaropoulos is able to terminate the agreement by providing not less than 14 days’ advance written notice to GSLE. GSLE is able to terminate Mr. Psaropoulos’ employment agreement by providing no less than 12 months’ advance written notice to Mr. Psaropoulos (subject to exceptions in the case of summary termination). If Mr. Psaropoulos resigns for “good reason” or GSLE terminates his employment for any reason whatsoever other than for “cause”, Mr. Psaropoulos is entitled to receive a severance payment in lieu of a salary and contractual benefits for 12 months following the termination date, together with any bonus payable in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement.
Thomas Lister, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of ESG
Mr. Lister has entered into an employment agreement with GSLE, one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and serves as our Chief Commercial Officer pursuant to the terms of an inter-company agreement between us and GSLE.
Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Lister receives an annual salary and is eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus payment out of the profits of GSLE.
The agreement is terminable by Mr. Lister if he provides not less than six months’ advance written notice to GSLE except if such termination is for “good reason”, including a “change in control” of Global Ship Lease, Inc., as such terms are defined in the employment agreement, in which case Mr. Lister is able to terminate the agreement by providing not less than 14 days’ advance written notice to GSLE. GSLE is able to terminate Mr. Lister’s employment agreement by providing no less than 12 months’ advance written notice to Mr. Lister (subject to exceptions in the case of summary termination). If Mr. Lister resigns for “good reason” or GSLE terminates his employment for any reason whatsoever other than for “cause”, Mr. Lister is entitled to receive a severance payment in lieu of a salary and contractual benefits for 12 months following the termination date, together with any bonus payable in accordance with the terms of the employment agreement.
Compensation of our Directors
Our directors (other than our Executive Chairman) receive an annual fee of $105,000. The Chairman of the audit committee receives an additional fee of $15,000 and each member of the audit committee receives an additional $7,500. The Chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee and the compensation committee each receive an additional $5,000 and each member of those committees receives an additional $2,500. In addition, each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of our Board of Directors or committees. Our Executive Chairman receives remuneration as an executive officer and does not receive director fees.
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2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan
On February 4, 2019, our Board of Directors adopted the Global Ship Lease, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”).
The purpose of the 2019 Plan is to provide directors, officers and employees, whose initiative and efforts are deemed to be important to the successful conduct of our business, with incentives to (a) enter into and remain in the service of our company or our subsidiaries and affiliates, (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of our company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of our company. The 2019 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of our Board of Directors or such other committee of our Board of Directors as may be designated by them.
Under the terms of the 2019 Plan stock options and appreciation rights granted under the 2019 Plan will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant, provided that in no event may the exercise price be less than the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at times and under conditions as determined by the plan administrator, but in no event will they be exercisable later than 10 years from the date of grant.
The plan administrator may grant restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units subject to vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as determined by the administrator of the 2019 Plan. Upon the vesting of a restricted stock unit, the award recipient will be paid an amount equal to the number of restricted stock units that then vest multiplied by the fair market value of a common share on the date of vesting, which payment may be paid in the form of cash or common shares or a combination of both, as determined by the administrator of the 2019 Plan. The 2019 Plan administrator may grant dividend equivalents with respect to grants of restricted stock units.
Adjustments may be made to outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction or change in capitalization or other extraordinary event. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the 2019 Plan), unless otherwise provided by the 2019 Plan administrator in an award agreement, awards then outstanding shall become fully vested and exercisable in full.
Our Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2019 Plan and may amend outstanding awards, provided that no such amendment or termination may be made that would materially impair the rights or materially increase any obligations, of a grantee under an outstanding award. Shareholders’ approval of 2019 Plan amendments may be required in certain circumstances if required by applicable rules of a national securities exchange or the SEC. Unless terminated earlier by our Board of Directors, the 2019 Plan will expire 10 years from the date on which the 2019 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors.
Following the adoption of the 2019 Plan, our previous plans adopted in 2015 and 2008 were terminated.
In 2019, our Board of Directors approved awards to our executive officers under the 2019 Plan, providing those executive officers with the opportunity to receive up to 1,359,375 Class A common shares in aggregate, in four tranches, subject to certain vesting criteria. On March 11, 2021, our Board of Directors approved additional awards of 61,625 of Class A common shares, in four tranches, subject to certain vesting criteria, to two other employees resulting in a total amount of awards of up to 1,421,000 shares.
In July 2021, Mr. Giouroukos received an additional 17,720 Class A common shares pursuant to the 2019 Plan as a special bonus.
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As at December 31, 2021, all of the above awards had vested as the criteria had been met. 931,874 shares were settled and issued and 506,846 remained to be issued.
On September 29, 2021, the compensation committee and the Board of Directors approved an increase in the aggregate number of Class A common shares available for issuance as awards under the 2019 Plan by 1,600,000 to 3,412,500, and approved new awards to senior management, totaling 1,500,000 shares of incentive stock, in three tranches, subject to certain vesting criteria, with a grant date October 1, 2021. The compensation committee and Board of Directors also approved an increase the maximum number of Class A common shares that each non-employee director may be granted in any one year to 25,000 and subsequently approved stock-based awards to the then seven nonexecutive directors totaling 105,000 shares of incentive stock, or 15,000 each, to vest in a similar manner to those awarded to senior management.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, 28,528 unvested share awards were cancelled on the resignation of two directors and an award of 13,780 was made to one new director to vest in a similar manner to the other awards, with the first tranche adjusted for the date of appointment of the director.
As at December 31, 2022, 3,028,972 incentive Class A common shares had been awarded under the 2019 Plan leaving 383,528 Class A common shares available to be awarded under the 2019 Plan.
As at December 31, 2022, 1,712,261 incentive Class A common shares had vested under the 2019 Plan, of which 193,569 had not been issued or settled. As at March 10, 2023, 110,625 Class A common shares remained to be issued.
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PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company has eight directors on its Board, which is divided into three classes, as provided above under the section entitled “Directors and Executive Officers.”
As provided in the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, after the initial term, each director is elected to serve for a three-year term and until such director’s successor is duly elected and qualified, except in the event of their death, resignation, removal or earlier termination of his term of office. The term of our three Term III directors expires at this Meeting. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has nominated Michael Gross, Menno van Lacum, and Alain Wils, each a current Term III director, for re-election as Term III directors whose terms would next expire at the Company’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
Unless the proxy is marked to indicate that such authorization is expressly withheld, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote the shares authorized thereby “FOR” the election of the following nominees. It is expected that each such nominee will be able to serve, but, if before the election such nominee becomes unavailable, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote for the election of such substitute nominee as the current Board may recommend.
Nominees for Election to the Company’s Board of Directors
Information concerning the nominee for directors of the Company is set forth below:
| Name |
Age | Current Position | ||
| Michael Gross |
61 | Term III Director | ||
| Menno van Lacum |
52 | Term III Director | ||
| Alain Wils |
80 | Term III Director |
Certain biographical information about Messrs. Gross, van Lacum and Wils is set forth below.
Michael S. Gross: Mr. Gross has been a director since inception and was Chairman from September 2008 to November 2018 when the strategic combination with Poseidon Containers closed. Mr. Gross is the Chairman of the board of directors and Co-Chief Executive Officer of SLR Investment Corp. and SLR Senior Investment Corp., publicly traded BDC’s focused on private direct lending. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Gross was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Investment Corporation (“AIC”), a publicly traded business development company, and was the managing partner of Apollo Investment Management, L.P. (“AIM”), the investment adviser to AIC. From 1990 to 2006 Mr. Gross was a senior partner of Apollo Management, a leading private equity firm which he co-founded in 1990.
Menno van Lacum: Mr. van Lacum was appointed a director in November 2018. He commenced his career in 1997 by joining the Transportation Group at MeesPierson where he was responsible, in different capacities, for arranging and structuring debt capital markets and leasing products predominantly for the Transportation Equipment Leasing sector. In 2005, Mr. van Lacum became Director of the Fortis Principal Finance Group in the USA, responsible for holding equity investments and structuring debt instruments within the Transportation Sector. In 2009, Mr. van Lacum joined the Transportation Capital Group (“TCG”) as a Partner in the
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Netherlands focusing primarily on holding investments in the maritime industry. In 2019, Mr. van Lacum became CEO of Prow Capital, a private debt fund manager focusing on ESG investments in the shipping industry. Mr. van Lacum holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Alain Wils: Mr. Wils has been a director since May 2014. He is a consultant in the shipping and logistics industries, after more than 40 years of experience in the sector. Mr. Wils joined the CMA CGM group in 1996 as managing director of the previously state-owned shipping company, CGM, on its acquisition by CMA. He was appointed an executive board member of CMA CGM in 2001 on the merger of CMA and CGM until his retirement in 2008. From 1992 to 1996, he was chairman and CEO of Sceta International, later renamed Geodis International, a leading European logistics and freight forwarding company. He was the managing director of the shipping group Delmas Vieljeux, which he joined in 1971, from 1982 to 1992. Mr. Wils, who is a graduate of HEC Paris and of Paris University, was appointed Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 1995 and chaired the French Shipowners’ Association from 1998 to 2000.
Required Vote. Adoption of Proposal One requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Effect of abstentions. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” will not affect the vote on Proposal One.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED DIRECTORS.
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PROPOSAL TWO
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors is submitting for ratification at the Meeting the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A has advised the Company that it does not have any direct or indirect financial interest in the Company, nor has it had any such interest in connection with the Company during the past three fiscal years other than in its capacity as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has the authority to pre-approve permissible audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and associated fees. Engagements for proposed services either may be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee or entered into pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, as long as the Audit Committee is informed on a timely basis of any engagement entered into on that basis. The Audit Committee has pre-approved services, subject to a detailed pre-approval policy and procedure established by them and also subject to a limit for all non-audit fees of $100,000 per year.
Required Vote. Adoption of Proposal Two requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Effect of abstentions. Abstentions and broker “non-votes” will not affect the vote on Proposal Two.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS S.A. AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023.
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OTHER MATTERS
No other matters are expected to be presented for action at the Meeting. Should any additional matter come before the Meeting, it is intended that proxies in the accompanying form will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons named in the proxy.
| BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
|
|
| Maria Danezi |
| Secretary |
May 2, 2023
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SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE w GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above 25 WILTON ROAD Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of LONDON SW1V 1LW information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 5, 2023. Have your proxy UNITED KINGDOM card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on June 5, 2023. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: V12236-P93767 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR each of the following nominees: 1. To elect three (3) Term III Directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Nominees: For Against Abstain 1a. Michael S. Gross ! ! ! 1b. Menno van Lacum ! ! ! 1c. Alain Wils ! ! ! The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2. For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending ! ! ! December 31, 2023. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 20-F are available at www.proxyvote.com. V12237-P93767 GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. Annual Meeting of Shareholders June 6, 2023 5:00 PM This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The shareholder(s) hereby appoint(s) George Giouroukos, Ian Webber and Anastasios Psaropoulos, or any of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint (his/her) substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Class A common stock of GLOBAL SHIP LEASE, INC. that the shareholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 5:00 PM, LST on June 6, 2023, at 3-5 Menandrou Str, 14561 Kifisia, Athens, Greece, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side
Exhibit 99.2
Investor and Media Contact:
The IGB Group
Bryan Degnan
646-673-9701
or
Leon Berman
212-477-8438
Global Ship Lease Announces Annual Meeting of Shareholders
LONDON, May 4, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) (the “Company”) has scheduled its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for June 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (the “Annual Meeting”). The record date for determining shareholders entitled to participate at the Annual Meeting is April 20, 2023. The business of the Annual Meeting is to elect three Term III Directors to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Annual Meeting documentation and instructions for voting were mailed to all shareholders of record on or about May 2, 2023, and will be furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and available on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
About Global Ship Lease
Global Ship Lease is a leading independent owner of containerships with a diversified fleet of mid-sized and smaller containerships. Incorporated in the Marshall Islands, Global Ship Lease commenced operations in December 2007 with a business of owning and chartering out containerships under fixed-rate charters to top tier container liner companies. It was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in August 2008.
As at February 28, 2023, Global Ship Lease owned 65 containerships, ranging from 1,118 to 11,040 TEU, with an aggregate capacity of 342,348 TEU. 32 ships are wide-beam Post-Panamax.
Adjusted to include all charters agreed, up to March 1, 2023, the average remaining term of the Company’s charters as at December 31, 2022, to the mid-point of redelivery, including options under the Company’s control and other than if a redelivery notice has been received, was 2.7 years on a TEU-weighted basis. Contracted revenue on the same basis was $2.09 billion. Contracted revenue was $2.50 billion, including options under charterers’ control and with latest redelivery date, representing a weighted average remaining term of 3.5 years.