PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 1, 2009

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 2)

 

Filed by the Registrant  o

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  þ

Check the appropriate box:  o

 

 

IPC HOLDINGS, LTD.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.

VALIDUS LTD.

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

þ  No fee required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY COPY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 1, 2009

 

GENERAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS
OF
IPC HOLDINGS, LTD.
TO BE HELD ON          , 2009

 

PROXY STATEMENT
OF
VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
AND VALIDUS LTD.

 

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED AMALGAMATION OF IPC HOLDINGS, LTD. AND MAX CAPITAL GROUP LTD.

 

This Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are furnished by Validus Holdings, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Validus”), and Validus Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Validus (“Validus Ltd.”) (for convenience purposes, throughout this Proxy Statement, we sometimes refer to Validus as the party soliciting proxies in connection herewith), in connection with Validus’ solicitation of proxies to be used at the annual general meeting (the “Annual General Meeting”) of shareholders of IPC Holdings, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“IPC”), to be held on          , 2009, at           at      Atlantic Time, and at any adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof. Pursuant to this Proxy Statement, Validus is soliciting proxies from holders of common shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “IPC Shares”), of IPC, to vote “AGAINST” the proposal to issue IPC Shares in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation, dated as of March 1, 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation dated as of March 5, 2009, among Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”), IPC and IPC Limited (as the same may be amended, the “Max Amalgamation Agreement”) which would result in the amalgamation of Max with and into IPC Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC that was formed for the purpose of the amalgamation, with the amalgamated company remaining a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPC and the name of IPC being changed to Max Capital Group Ltd. (the “Proposed Max Amalgamation”). The specific proposal we are soliciting proxies to vote “AGAINST” is proposal #8 (“Proposal #8”) in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by IPC with the SEC on March 27, 2009, and amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 13, 2009 and further amended by Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on April 28, 2009 (the “IPC/Max S-4”). With respect to the remaining proposals we will vote your IPC Shares as instructed by you, or if you fail to instruct us, as indicated in this proxy statement. IPC has set April 28, 2009 as the record date for determining those shareholders who will be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting (the “Record Date”). The registered offices of IPC are located at American International Building, 29 Richmond Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda.

 

This Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are first being mailed to IPC’s shareholders on or about May   , 2009.

 

WE ARE SOLICITING PROXIES FROM IPC SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION. WE BELIEVE THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION IS A BAD DEAL FOR HOLDERS OF IPC SHARES AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR IPC. WE BELIEVE THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE FOR THE IPC SHAREHOLDERS.

 

On March 31, 2009, Validus publicly announced that it had delivered an offer to IPC (the “Validus Amalgamation Offer”) to acquire each outstanding IPC Share in exchange for 1.2037 Validus voting common shares, par value $0.175 per share (the “Validus Shares”). IPC announced on April 7, 2009 that its board of directors (“IPC’s Board”) determined that the Validus Amalgamation Offer does not constitute a “superior proposal” under the terms of the Max Amalgamation Agreement and reaffirmed its support of the Proposed Max Amalgamation. As of March 31, 2009 (based upon closing market prices as of March 30, 2009), the Validus Amalgamation Offer had a value of $29.98 per IPC Share, or approximately $1.68 billion in the aggregate, which represented an 18% premium to the trading value of the IPC Shares as of the market close on the day prior to the announcement, and a 24% premium over $24.26, which was the average closing price of the IPC Shares between March 2, 2009, the day IPC and Max announced the Proposed Max

Amalgamation, and March 30, 2009, the last trading day before we announced the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The premium represented by the Validus Amalgamation Offer may be larger or smaller depending on the market price of each of the IPC Shares and the Validus Shares at the effective time of the amalgamation and will fluctuate between now and then depending on the market prices upon consummation. Based upon the closing prices on May 1, 2009, the last practicable date prior to the filing of this Proxy Statement, the Validus Amalgamation Offer had a value of $27.72 per IPC Share, or $1.6 billion in the aggregate, which represented a 5.8% premium to the closing price of the IPC Shares as of such date and a premium of 9.1% over the March 30, 2009 closing price of the IPC Shares.

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO VOTE ON OR APPROVE THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER AT THIS TIME.   HOWEVER, A VOTE “AGAINST” THE ISSUANCE OF SHARES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO IPC’s BOARD THAT IPC SHAREHOLDERS REJECT THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION AND THAT THE IPC BOARD SHOULD ACCEPT THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER.

 

EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A PROXY CARD TO IPC, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE. ONLY YOUR LATEST-DATED PROXY COUNTS. VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION BY VOTING “AGAINST” PROPOSAL #8, SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. NO POSTAGE IS NECESSARY IF YOUR PROXY CARD IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. THEREFORE, WE URGE YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TO US.

 

REASONS TO VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION

 

Validus is soliciting proxies from IPC’s shareholders in opposition to the Proposed Max Amalgamation and specifically “AGAINST” the proposal to issue the IPC Shares in connection with the Max Amalgamation Agreement. Validus urges all of IPC’s shareholders to vote “AGAINST” the Proposed Max Amalgamation for the following reasons:

 

 

Based upon closing prices of IPC common shares and Validus common shares as of March 30, 2009, the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Validus Amalgamation Offer, the Validus Amalgamation Offer had a value of $29.98 per IPC Share, or approximately $1.68 billion in the aggregate, which represented an 18% premium to the trading value of the IPC Shares as of such date and a 24% premium over $24.26, which was the average closing price of the IPC Shares between March 2, 2009, the day IPC and Max announced the Proposed Max Amalgamation, and March 30, 2009, the last trading day before we announced the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The premium represented by the Validus Amalgamation Offer may be larger or smaller depending on the market price of each of the IPC Shares and the Validus Shares at the effective time of the amalgamation and will fluctuate between now and then depending on the market prices upon consummation. Based upon the closing prices on May 1, 2009, the last practicable date prior to the filing of this Proxy Statement, the Validus Amalgamation Offer had a value of $27.72 per IPC Share, or $1.6 billion in the aggregate, which represented a 5.8% premium to the closing price of the IPC Shares as of such date and a premium of 9.1% over the March 30, 2009 closing price of the IPC Shares.

 

Information with respect to the range of closing prices for the IPC Shares for certain dates and periods is set forth in the IPC/Max S-4. Validus urges shareholders to obtain a current market quotation for the IPC Shares.

 

 

We believe that the relative performance of Validus’ common shares in the market indicates that the markets view Validus as a more attractive investment than Max. From July 24, 2007 (the date of Validus’ initial public offering) through March 30, 2009 (the last trading day prior to the announcement of the Validus Amalgamation Offer), Validus common shares have appreciated 13.2% whereas Max common shares have declined 36.5% over the same period. Based on the closing prices of the Validus common shares and Max common shares on March 30,

2009, the last day of trading prior to Validus’ announcement of the Validus Amalgamation Offer, Validus common shares traded at a premium to their diluted book value and diluted tangible book value of 1.05x and 1.13x, respectively, whereas Max common shares traded at a discount, at 0.76x and 0.77x, respectively.

 

Between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2008, and notwithstanding the significant property catastrophe claim activity during this period (generated, for instance, by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav),Validus grew its book value per share (including accumulated dividends) at a 13.2% rate compared to Max’s 8.8% growth rate over the same period. In 2008, Validus grew its book value per share by 2.4% compared to Max’s decline in book value of 10.8% during the same period. Further, shareholders in a combined Validus/IPC will receive a dividend payable at an annual rate of $0.96/share (based on Validus’ current annual rate of $0.80/share multiplied by the exchange ratio of 1.2037), compared to the current IPC annual dividend of $0.88/share, in both cases based on the most recent quarterly dividends declared and paid by each company.

 

Additionally, Validus common shares are significantly less volatile than Max common shares. As measured by Bloomberg, during the 260 business day (approximately one year) period prior to the announcement of the proposed Max amalgamation, the annualized daily volatility of Max’s shares was 79.4 compared to 61.0 for Validus common shares. Volatility represents the standard deviation of the day-over-day difference in the daily share price change. Although we believe that a combination of IPC and Validus would provide IPC shareholders with a significant premium for their IPC common shares, because the Validus Amalgamation Offer provides for stock consideration with a fixed exchange ratio, the value of the Validus Amalgamation Offer will vary over time based on changes in the market price of Validus common shares, which could result in a smaller premium or no premium.

 

 

Under the Proposed Max Amalgamation, IPC will be assuming the entirety of Max’s assets and liabilities. Despite statements by IPC’s board of directors of its desire to reduce earnings volatility through a business combination, it has proposed a transaction in which IPC’s shareholders will assume an investment portfolio with a significant concentration of risky assets, including alternative investments, and inadequate property and casualty and life and annuity reserves. According to Max’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2008, its holdings of alternative investments totaled 61% of its tangible equity, indicating a significant amount of embedded risk. Despite Max’s announced plan to reduce its exposure to alternative investments to 10% to 12% of its portfolio, according to recent Max disclosures, as a result of the proposed MAX Amalgamation IPC’s investment in alternative investments would increase from 7% of its total portfolio at December 31, 2008 to 12% of its total portfolio on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Proposed Max Amalgamation, an increase of 5%. The riskiness of the Max balance sheet is evident in the fact that Max wrote down the value of its alternative assets in 2008 by $233 million, a markdown which exceeded its underwriting income. In contrast, Validus holds no alternative investments in its investment portfolio and has specific investment policies in place prohibiting it from investing in those asset classes, which it believes are unduly risky to its shareholders and policyholders. Validus believes counterparties will view the strength of Validus’ balance sheet very favorably as buyers are rethinking counterparty risk in the current environment, giving Validus a significant advantage over many of its competitors.

 

Also, according to the IPC/Max S-4, IPC will have to reflect a fair value adjustment of $130 million to Max’s property and casualty and life and annuity reserves, which directly and adversely impacts the capitalization of the combined IPC/Max. We believe that this need to adjust reserves is indicative of prior under-reserving by Max in its businesses. Validus does not expect that the combination of Validus and IPC will require additions to IPC’s or Validus’ existing insurance reserves. Although IPC discloses that the amount of the fair value adjustment will be amortized into the combined IPC/Max’s income each year and will increase the amount of net income each year during the amortization period, any amortization will be limited to the extent that losses exceed Max’s prior unadjusted reserves.

 

Additionally, an IPC/Validus combination will result in a combined entity with pro forma December 31, 2008 GAAP shareholders’ equity that totaled approximately $3.7 billion. This compares to a combined IPC/Max pro forma shareholders’ equity of approximately $3.0 billion, according to the IPC/Max S-4. Validus believes that a significant capital base provides an important competitive advantage for companies in Validus’ industry, especially given the current economic climate in which companies face limited access to new capital and the demand for reinsurance is increasing.

 

 

By entering into the Proposed Max Amalgamation, IPC’s board of directors has chosen to combine with an entity that reported a comprehensive net loss of $200.4 million, or $3.10 per Max diluted share, in 2008. While Max reported a combined ratio of 91.9% in 2008, its underwriting results benefited from $106 million in favorable reserve development. Excluding this benefit, Max’s underwriting activities in the 2008 year generated an underwriting loss and a combined ratio of 103.9%. Max’s U.S. Specialty segment, the centerpiece of its “diversified” businesses, operated in 2008 with a combined ratio of 110.6%. The combined ratio is a commonly used measure of an insurance company’s underwriting profitability. It is calculated as the sum of an insurer’s net loss ratio and its expense ratio. A combined ratio below 100% indicates profitable underwriting; a combined ratio of 100% or higher indicates that premiums are less than aggregate claims and expenses. The net loss ratio is calculated by dividing losses and loss expenses incurred (including estimates for incurred but not reported losses) by net premiums earned. The expense ratio is calculated by dividing acquisition costs combined with general and administrative expenses by net premiums earned. As evidenced by Max’s combined ratio in 2008, Max’s underwriting business was loss-making in 2008. In contrast, the combined ratio at Validus in 2008, notwithstanding the unusual concurrence of two major events giving rise to claims (Hurricanes Gustav and Ike), was 92.2%, indicating profitable underwriting results.

 

Max’s results have been significantly more volatile than those of Validus in recent years, despite statements by IPC’s board of directors and Max management alleging the reduced volatility that will result from an IPC/Max combination. For example, according to page 55 of Max’s 2008 annual report on Form 10-K, Max’s return on average shareholders’ equity has varied between -12.2% and 20.4% in the period from 2006 through 2008. In contrast, Validus’ return on average shareholders’ equity has varied between 2.7% and 26.9% in the same period, and has been higher than Max’s in each of those years.

 

The decision of IPC’s board of directors to combine with a volatile, underperforming entity “diversifies” IPC and its shareholders into businesses which have earned returns below what IPC earned on a standalone basis in the same period. In that context, we would urge you to consider that Validus earned $45.3 million, or $0.61 per Validus diluted share, in 2008.

 

Validus is one of the leading providers of short-tail insurance globally, writing over $1.0 billion of non-catastrophe business in 2008 in 134 countries around the world from offices in Bermuda, London, Dublin, Singapore, New York and Miami. Validus is a global leader in profitable business lines including marine, energy and war and terrorism. In independent forecasts conducted by Willis Re, the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers and Aon, the rate trends in business lines which accounted for approximately 86% of Validus’ 2008 non-reinsurance gross written premiums (marine, property, war and terrorism, and financial institutions) are currently positive, whereas the same independent forecasts predict negative rate changes in business lines which accounted for 58% of Max’s 2008 non-reinsurance gross written premiums. Validus believes its diverse businesses would be highly complementary with IPC’s existing operations and provide meaningful, profitable diversification. Validus’ management team has consistently articulated Validus’ business plan: to grow in profitable segments. It has taken significant steps in this direction in the last few years. Its acquisition of Talbot in 2007 gave Validus access to a premier underwriting franchise in the Lloyds’ syndicate, which has already proven a profitable investment. In addition, Validus has set the stage for further organic growth by adding market leading teams in Latin America and the energy and aviation segments. It has global licenses that will permit Validus to expand in other lines if and when the pricing presents a profitable opportunity to do so. Validus believes that the combination of IPC and Validus will bolster all of these initiatives and give the combined company a leading platform and additional opportunities for growth.

 

 

The Proposed Max Amalgamation contemplates that existing Max senior management will have senior management roles in the combined company, including as president and chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and general counsel of the combined entity. The existing Max senior management team has been in control of Max as Max has generated losses in its U.S. Specialty segment in 2008, the centerpiece of its “diversified” business strategy. The existing Max senior management has also been in control of Max’s risk

management decisions which have led to the $130 million fair value adjustment to Max’s property and casualty and life and annuity reserves disclosed in the IPC/Max S-4. In addition, Max’s existing senior management has been in control of Max as Max’s risky investment decisions necessitated significant writedowns in its alternative investment portfolio in 2008 of $233 million, an amount which exceeded Max’s underwriting income for the year. The inferior operational, risk management and investment performance of Max under the leadership of the existing senior management has not been viewed favorably by the markets, as evidenced by the fact that Max common shares traded at a discount of 0.76x and 0.77x , respectively, to Max’s diluted book value and diluted tangible book value based on the closing price of Max common shares on March 30, 2009.

 

By contrast, the Validus management team has executed a variety of growth and diversification strategies since its formation which have been value enhancing for Validus shareholders. Under the stewardship of its current management, Validus has completed the acquisition of Talbot and established a presence in energy and aviation markets. Validus management has also demonstrated its commitment to a strong balance sheet, and has implemented specific investment policies prohibiting the types of risky alternative investments which have resulted in significant losses for Max shareholders. The Validus management team has demonstrated the ability to execute growth strategies successfully, carefully manage risk and deliver enhanced shareholder value. The superior performance of the leadership of the Validus management team is evidenced by the fact that Validus common shares traded at a premium of 1.5x and 1.13x, respectively, to Validus’ diluted book value and diluted tangible book value based on the closing price of Validus common shares on March 30, 2009.

 

 

The Section entitled “The Amalgamation — Background of the Amalgamation” in the IPC/Max S-4 discloses that IPC contacted a “selected list of third parties who had been identified as potential counterparties for a business combination” prior to entering into the Max Amalgamation Agreement. However, even though IPC’s board of directors apparently decided to put IPC up for sale, IPC and its advisors specifically excluded parties (including Validus) from its sale process who might have been extremely interested in pursuing a business combination that delivers a premium to IPC shareholders. The Validus Amalgamation Offer is evidence that a premium would have been, and is, available to IPC’s shareholders. IPC’s Board announced on April 7, 2009 that the Validus Amalgamation Offer does not constitute a superior proposal under the terms of the Max Amalgamation Agreement. However, IPC is not permitted to engage in negotiations or discussions with us or any other potential bidder under the terms of the Max Amalgamation Agreement. If the Proposed Max Amalgamation is rejected, the IPC board of directors will be able to terminate the Max Amalgamation Agreement and we hope that it would choose to accept the Validus Amalgamation Offer.

 

 

Validus is pursuing a three-part plan to facilitate the expeditious closing of what it believes is a Superior Proposal for IPC shareholders:

 

First, Validus is asking IPC shareholders to vote “AGAINST” the Proposed Max Amalgamation. If, as Validus hopes, the Proposed Max Amalgamation is voted down by IPC shareholders, IPC would be able to terminate the Max Amalgamation Agreement and accept the Validus Amalgamation Offer.

 

Second, Validus intends to commence in the near future an exchange offer for all of the outstanding common shares of IPC. The exchange offer would allow Validus to complete its acquisition of IPC shortly following the IPC Annual General Meeting, if the IPC shareholders vote down the Proposed Max Amalgamation and the other conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied. Under the terms of the exchange offer, IPC shareholders would receive 1.2037 Validus common shares for each IPC common share. The exchange offer will be subject to certain conditions described in the Offer to Exchange materials filed with the SEC, including the tender of at least 90% of the total outstanding common shares (on a fully diluted basis) of IPC, termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement, and the consent of Validus’ lenders. Under Bermuda law, if Validus acquires 90% or more of IPC shares in the exchange offer, Validus will have the right to acquire the remaining IPC common shares in a second step

acquisition under Bermuda law. The exchange offer will not be conditioned on regulatory approvals or the elimination of the possible termination fee to Max.

 

Third, Validus intends to petition the Supreme Court of Bermuda to approve a Scheme of Arrangement under which Validus would acquire all of IPC’s common shares under the same economic terms as in the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The Scheme of Arrangement can be accomplished — without the approval of the IPC Board — if approved by IPC shareholders at two shareholder meetings and sanctioned by the Bermuda court. The first shareholder meeting is a court-ordered meeting at which IPC’s shareholders can vote to approve the Scheme of Arrangement. In addition, if the IPC Board continues to be uncooperative despite shareholder approval at the court-ordered meeting, IPC shareholders can call a second meeting at which IPC shareholders can require IPC to approve and be bound by the Scheme of Arrangement and to terminate the IPC-Max amalgamation agreement. Following IPC shareholder approval at both of these meetings, and approval by the Supreme Court of Bermuda, the Scheme of Arrangement would become effective and IPC would become a subsidiary of Validus. The Scheme of Arrangement would be approved with the vote of a majority in number of the holders of IPC Shares voting at the court-ordered IPC meeting, whether in person or by proxy, representing 75% or more in value of the IPC Shares voting at the court-ordered IPC meeting, whether in person or by proxy. The required vote at the second meeting is an affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of IPC shares voting at the meeting.

 

As a result of this three-part plan, if IPC shareholders vote “AGAINST” the Proposed Max Amalgamation, we will be in a position to acquire IPC common shares (i) with the cooperation of the IPC board of directors in a negotiated transaction or (ii) without the cooperation of the IPC board of directors in the Exchange Offer or the Scheme of Arrangement.

 

RETURN YOUR GOLD PROXY CARD AND VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION TODAY.

 

DO NOT RETURN ANY PROXY CARD THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM IPC. EVEN IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A PROXY CARD FURNISHED BY IPC, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE BY SIMPLY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY.

 

WE URGE YOU TO SEND IPC’s BOARD A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT IPC SHAREHOLDERS REJECT THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION AND THAT THE IPC BOARD SHOULD ACCEPT THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER. VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be Held on          , 2009:

 

The Proxy Statement and our proxy materials are available free of charge on Validus’ website at www.validusre.bm.

 

BACKGROUND OF THE SOLICITATION

 

On March 2, 2009, IPC and Max announced that they had entered into the Max Amalgamation Agreement. The IPC/Max S-4 provides a summary of the events leading to Max and IPC entering into the Max Amalgamation Agreement.

 

In the morning of March 31, 2009, Edward J. Noonan, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Validus, placed a telephone call to James P. Bryce, the Chief Executive Officer and President of IPC. Mr. Noonan spoke with Mr. Bryce and explained that Validus intended to make an offer to exchange each outstanding IPC common share for 1.2037 Validus common shares, subject to the termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement.

 

Following this telephone call, in the morning of March 31, 2009, Validus delivered a proposal letter containing the Validus Amalgamation Offer to IPC’s Board in care of Mr. Bryce and issued a press release announcing the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The letter reads as follows:

 

March 31, 2009

 

The Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd.
c/o James P. Bryce, President and Chief Executive Officer
American International Bldg.
29 Richmond Road
Pembroke, HM 08
Bermuda

 

 

Dear Sirs:

 

On behalf of Validus, I am writing to submit a binding offer¹ pursuant to which Validus and IPC would amalgamate in a share-for-share exchange valuing IPC shares at an 18.0% premium to yesterday’s closing market price. We believe that an amalgamation of Validus and IPC would represent a compelling combination and excellent strategic fit and create superior value for our respective shareholders.

 

We unquestionably would have preferred to work cooperatively with you to complete a negotiated transaction. However, it was necessary to communicate our binding offer to you by letter because of the provisions of the Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation between IPC and Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”), dated as of March 1, 2009, as amended on March 5, 2009 (the “Max Plan of Amalgamation”). We have reviewed the Max Plan of Amalgamation and see that it contemplates your receipt of acquisition proposals. Given the importance of our binding offer to our respective shareholders, we have decided to make this letter public.

 

Our binding offer involves a share-for-share exchange valuing IPC shares at an 18.0% premium to yesterday’s closing market price. Consistent with that, we are prepared to amalgamate with IPC at a fixed exchange ratio of 1.2037 Validus shares per IPC share.

 

Our board of directors has unanimously approved the submission of our binding offer and delivery of the enclosed signed amalgamation agreement, so that, upon termination of the Max Plan of Amalgamation, you will be able to sign the enclosed agreement with the certainty of an agreed transaction. Our offer is structured as a tax-free share-for-share transaction and does not require any external financing. It is not conditioned on due diligence. The only conditions to our offer are those contained in the enclosed executed amalgamation agreement.

 

Our binding offer is clearly superior to the Max transaction for your shareholders and is a Superior Proposal as defined in section 5.5(f) of the Max Plan of Amalgamation for the reasons set forth below.

 

Superior Current Value.  Our proposed transaction will provide superior current value for your shareholders. Our fixed exchange ratio of 1.2037 represents a value of $29.98 per IPC share, which is a premium of 18.0% to the closing price of IPC’s common shares on March 30, 2009.

 

 

¹ Throughout this letter we refer to our “binding offer” because, as of the date of this letter, we had indicated to IPC that our offer could not be withdrawn prior to April 15, 2009. As of the date of this proxy statement, we have not withdrawn our offer, but have reserved the right to do so.

Superior Trading Characteristics.  Validus’ common shares have superior trading characteristics to those of Max as noted in the table below.

 

 

 

 

Less Balance Sheet Risk.²  The combined investment portfolio of IPC/Validus is more stable than that of IPC/Max. Pro forma for the proposed IPC/Max combination, “alternative investments” represent 12% of investments and 29% of shareholders’ equity. In contrast, Validus does not invest in “alternatives” and pro forma for a Validus/IPC combination, “alternative investments” represent 3% of investments and 4% of shareholders’ equity, providing greater safety for shareholders and clients.

 

Superior Long-term Prospects.  A combined Validus and IPC would be a superior company to IPC/Max with greater growth prospects and synergies with:

 

 

Our superior growth prospects are evidenced by our historical track record. Between December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2008, Validus grew its book value per share (including accumulated dividends) at a 13.2% compound annual rate vs. Max’s 8.8% growth over the same period. In 2008, we grew our book value per share (including accumulated dividends) by 2.4% vs. Max’s 10.8% decline over the same period.

 

 

² The occurrence of severe catastrophic events after an amalgamation with IPC could cause Validus’ net income to be more volatile than if the amalgamation did not take place. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Validus’ gross premiums written on property catastrophe business were $328.2 million or 24.1% of total gross premiums written. For the year ended December 31, 2008, 93% of IPC’s gross premiums written (excluding reinstatement premiums) covered property catastrophe reinsurance risks. For the year ended December 31, 2008, after giving effect to the Validus amalgamation as if it had been consummated on December 31, 2008, gross premiums written on property catastrophe business would have been $661.9 million or 37.5% of total gross premiums of Validus on a pro forma basis. Because Validus after the amalgamation will, among other things, have larger aggregate exposures to natural and man-made disasters than it does today, Validus’ aggregate loss experience could have a significant influence on Validus’ net income.

 

Expedited Closing Process.  We will be able to close an amalgamation with IPC more quickly than Max because we will not require the approval of U.S. insurance regulators.³

 

Substantially the Same Contractual Terms and Conditions.  Our proposed amalgamation agreement contains substantially the same terms and conditions as those in the Max Plan of Amalgamation, and for your convenience we have included a markup of our amalgamation agreement against the Max Plan of Amalgamation.

 

Superior Outcome for Bermuda Community.  The combination of Validus and IPC creates a larger, stronger entity than a combination of Max and IPC which will benefit the Bermuda community.⁴

 

Superior Outcome for IPC Clients.  Validus has a greater commitment to the lines of business underwritten by IPC and has superior technical expertise and capacity to provide IPC customers with continuing reinsurance coverage. Max has consistently stated its intention to reduce its commitment to IPC’s business. Therefore, a combination with Validus will be less disruptive to IPC’s client base.

 

Our binding offer is clearly a Superior Proposal, within the meaning of the Max Plan of Amalgamation. We and our financial advisors, Greenhill & Co., LLC, and our legal advisors, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, are prepared to move forward immediately. We believe that our offer presents a compelling opportunity for both our companies and our respective shareholders, and look forward to your prompt response. We respectfully request that the Board of IPC reach a determination by 5:00 p.m., Bermuda time, on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, that (i) our binding offer constitutes a Superior Proposal, (ii) it is withdrawing its recommendation for the transaction contemplated by the Max Plan of Amalgamation and (iii) it is making a recommendation for the transaction contemplated by this binding offer.

 

We reserve the right to withdraw this offer if the Board of IPC has not reached a determination (i) that our binding offer constitutes a Superior Proposal, (ii) to withdraw its recommendation for the transaction contemplated by the Max Plan of Amalgamation and (iii) to make a recommendation for the transaction contemplated by this binding offer by 5:00 p.m., Bermuda time, on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. We further reserve the right to withdraw this binding offer if you subsequently withdraw your recommendation in favor of our offer or if you do not sign the enclosed amalgamation agreement within two business days after the termination of the Max Plan of Amalgamation.

 

We look forward to your prompt response.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward J. Noonan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

John J. Schuster
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

 

 

³ As of the date of this letter, our belief that we could close an amalgamation with IPC more quickly than Max was based on the observation that the Validus amalgamation with IPC would not require the approval of U.S. insurance regulators because neither IPC nor Validus operates a U.S.-regulated insurance business that would require any such approval while the Proposed Max Amalgamation requires such approvals.

⁴ We believe that a larger, stronger entity will benefit the Bermuda community because it offers greater stability.

 

In the afternoon on March 31, 2009, IPC issued a press release acknowledging receipt of the letter from Validus outlining the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The text of the press release reads as follows:

 

IPC Holdings, Ltd. (NASDAQ: IPCR) (“IPC”) acknowledges receipt of an unsolicited letter dated today, March 31, 2009, from Validus Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: VR) (“Validus”) outlining a proposed transaction.

 

On March 2, 2009, IPC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation (the “Amalgamation Agreement”) with its wholly-owned subsidiary IPC Limited and Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”) which provides that Max will amalgamate with IPC Limited. IPC continues to be bound by the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement and the parties have recently filed a joint proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

 

IPC’s Board of Directors will review the terms of the proposal submitted by Validus in a manner consistent with its obligations under the Amalgamation Agreement and applicable Bermuda law.

 

IPC will have no further comment on this matter until IPC’s Board of Directors makes a determination regarding Validus’ offer.

 

Also in the afternoon on March 31, 2009, Max issued a press release announcing that it had received from IPC a copy of the letter from Validus outlining the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The text of the press release reads as follows:

 

Max Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MXGL; BSX: MXGL BH) today announced that it has received a copy of Validus Holdings, Ltd.’s unsolicited, stock-for-stock, proposal for IPC Holdings, Ltd.

 

As previously announced on March 2, 2009, Max and IPC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation pursuant to which Max will amalgamate with IPC Limited. The Boards of both companies have previously stated that the combination of Max with IPC would create a strong company with a balanced, diversified portfolio of risk across a mix of geographies and business lines with the opportunity to generate more stable and attractive returns on capital. Max’s pending merger with IPC is expected to be completed late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of this year.

 

W. Marston (Marty) Becker, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Max Capital, said: “In today’s unprecedented business environment and cycle, we believe that diversification, in terms of global presence and both short and long-tail exposures, significantly reduces risk and provides a more solid platform for building sustained long-term value. The merger of IPC and Max was founded on a shared vision of allowing the combined group of shareholders to enjoy the benefits of a strong, diversified operating platform with a proven track record. While we have not yet had the opportunity to review Validus’ proposal carefully, we believe that combining two short-tailed property catastrophe oriented companies would appear to do little for true shareholder diversification. By contrast, Max’s track record of building a diversified platform without diluting shareholder value should lead to better long-term growth prospects and value creation following completion of the pending IPC-Max merger.”

 

In the morning on April 2, 2009, Max sent a letter to IPC’s Board of Directors purporting to outline the relative advantages of the pending IPC/Max amalgamation as well as the business and financial issues raised by the Validus Amalgamation Offer and issued a press release announcing the letter. The text of the letter reads as follows:

 

Dear Members of the Board:

 

We are writing regarding the many business and financial issues raised by the public proposal by Validus Holdings Ltd. (“Validus”) to acquire IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) in lieu of the pending IPC amalgamation with Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”). The IPC/Max amalgamation was founded on a shared vision of allowing our combined group of shareholders to enjoy the benefits of a strong, diversified operating platform with a proven track record. The Validus proposal does not offer that.

 

Rather, in light of the Validus proposal, the IPC Board faces two starkly contrasting choices:

 

A. You can agree to be taken over by Validus at a price that is below IPC’s book value. The result of this takeover for your shareholders would be a minority equity stake in an entity that offers substantially

similar product lines to those offered by IPC today, with little risk diversification, and apparently no ability by the IPC Board to steward the longer term prospects of the company.

 

OR

 

B. You can complete the planned merger of equals with Max at a price that is below Max’s book value. We believe that this transaction will create a more stable entity that will provide significant product, geographic and risk diversification and over which IPC’s Board will continue to have significant influence, which in turn will provide superior shareholder value.

 

For the reasons set forth below, and in the accompanying exhibits, we do not agree with Validus that its proposal represents a “Superior Proposal” or is a proposal that can reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal pursuant to the IPC/Max Plan of Amalgamation dated March 1, 2009 (the “IPC/Max Plan”).

 

1. A combination with Max delivers 29% more tangible book value per share to IPC. As we operate in an industry where the primary valuation driver is a multiple of book value (and tangible book value), we believe that a transaction that maximizes the book value to shareholders provides the best opportunity to generate shareholder value. The IPC combination with Max is a truly superior proposal versus the takeover proposal by Validus. The takeover proposal by Validus would result in IPC receiving only $28.35 in diluted book value per IPC share and $26.19 of diluted tangible book value per IPC share from Validus. In contrast, our combination delivers $34.93 of diluted book value per IPC share (a 23.2% premium to Validus) and $33.83 of diluted tangible book value per IPC share from Max (a 29.2% premium to Validus). A combination with Max provides greater underlying value to IPC’s shareholders, which we believe will result in greater upside for both IPC and Max shareholders.

 

2. The IPC/Max Plan creates significant value for IPC shareholders. As we indicated during our discussions, we believe that the IPC/Max Plan provides an attractive financial outcome for IPC. The IPC/Max Plan is expected to be accretive to both earnings per share and return on equity. In addition, as you consider the historical trading multiples of Max and IPC, there is significant opportunity to create substantial value for all shareholders of the combined company. We believe the Validus proposal prioritizes an immediate “premium” in the form of stock for IPC shareholders, while compromising a value creation opportunity for IPC shareholders. Importantly, the written proposal by Validus does not contemplate any participation by the IPC board of directors, whose participation remains an important consideration for Max in the amalgamation and provides continuity to shareholders and clients.

 

3. Max is a truly diversified underwriting platform. The IPC/Max Plan offers IPC’s shareholders superior current and future value by combining IPC with a truly diversified underwriting platform, with a strong and well established track record. Max enjoys a diversified portfolio of business across many dimensions — by class, geography, customers and distribution. We believe that Max’s diversified underwriting platform, with its strong emphasis on profitable longer-tail casualty business, will generate more stable returns on capital through underwriting cycles, compared to the volatility embedded in the Validus short-tail portfolio. Validus, whose 2008 gross premiums written are 94% concentrated in short- tail lines of business, claims that its portfolio represents “diversification.” Validus’ ability to deliver anything approaching true diversification seems to be constrained by its limited underwriting platforms in Bermuda and at Lloyd’s and lack of underwriting capabilities in longer-tail casualty classes.

 

Combining two short-tailed property catastrophe companies as proposed by Validus does little for shareholder diversification. Validus’ stated intention to take advantage of currently strong rates in the property market is a short-term strategy that is capital intensive, creates greater volatility for shareholders, and is one which IPC could have continued on a stand-alone basis but elected not to do so. By contrast, Max remains committed to an underwriting strategy that produces attractive results across market cycles, by continuing to expand its specialty insurance business in selected underwriting classes and limiting volatility in its underwriting results.

 

4. Max has a proven, long-term, operating history. Max’s underwriting has been tested through the tragic events of 9/11, the active 2004 hurricane season and the confluence of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005. Validus’ operating history, by contrast, does not extend beyond the past three years, during which time

the industry as a whole has experienced both strong property catastrophe pricing and limited catastrophe activity. The first test of Validus’ portfolio of business and risk management capabilities since its formation three years ago came in 2008 with Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. In our view, the results speak for themselves: the net loss reported by Validus for these events represented 12.4% of its June 30, 2008 shareholders’ equity, the largest percentage loss of its broad peer group which averaged 7.2% of shareholders’ equity. The loss was almost double the net loss incurred by IPC, which represented just 6.7% of IPC’s June 30, 2008 shareholders’ equity. The losses recorded by Validus included a 42% increase in its initial loss estimate for Hurricane Ike (from $165 million to $235 million) during the fourth quarter of 2008. By comparison, Max’s net incurred losses from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav were limited to 3.4% of June 30, 2008 shareholders’ equity, the lowest among the broader peer group, demonstrating the lower embedded volatility of Max’s underwriting results versus Validus.

 

5. IPC and Max can complete an amalgamation more quickly, and with greater certainty.

 

(a) IPC and Max can close our amalgamation expeditiously.  Max believes that the IPC/Max Plan can close as soon as June 2009. By contrast, we believe that Validus would not be in a position to close a transaction with IPC until September 2009 at the earliest, notwithstanding its public prediction of a second quarter close. As you are well aware, the IPC/Max Plan requires that shareholders have the opportunity to vote on our amalgamation before IPC’s Board can terminate our agreement and thereafter begin discussions with a bidder such as Validus. We anticipate that we will be able to hold our respective shareholder meetings in June, and only after those shareholder votes would Validus be able to pursue its proposal. Validus’ inability to close before September 2009, the middle of hurricane season, adds meaningful uncertainly to Validus’ proposal, as IPC shareholders and the transaction itself would be put at risk by the significant catastrophe exposures of Validus and Validus’ ability to terminate the transaction based upon changes in shareholders’ equity. Much has been made by Validus regarding US regulatory approvals required to complete the IPC/Max amalgamation. As you know, these approvals are well underway and we do not foresee such requisite approvals adversely impacting a possible June closing.

 

(b) IPC has conducted extensive diligence on Max.  IPC was given complete and open access to Max to afford you and your outside advisors and consultants with the ability to conduct extensive due diligence on Max. The Validus proposal seeks to have IPC enter into a transaction for which IPC has not conducted due diligence. We also note that certain of Validus’ disclosure schedules will not be provided to IPC until after IPC and Max’s shareholders have the opportunity to vote upon our amalgamation.

 

6. Max’s business is complementary to IPC. Clients seek a diversified program of reinsurers. As you were able to confirm in your due diligence, Max has very limited overlap with the customers of IPC and neither party expects a combination of IPC and Max to lead to any meaningful disruption of either business. In addition, the continuity of the underwriters at IPC will maximize the opportunity for IPC to continue to write this business in the future, assuming market conditions support it. By contrast, Validus acknowledges that it writes business with many of the same clients as IPC, which we would expect to result in a loss of business as clients seek to diversify their reinsurance placements.

 

7. Max’s complementary and diversified platform is appreciated by our ratings agencies. Max currently has a financial strength rating of A- by A.M. Best, with its outlook changed to positive in December 2008. As IPC and Max have jointly presented to our ratings agencies, IPC’s Board has the comfort of knowing that the ratings agencies view our combination, and its diversifying impact on IPC’s business, positively. In contrast, we believe that the agencies would not look as favorably on combining two short-tailed property-oriented platforms.

 

8. Max maintains less underwriting volatility through greater diversification of its portfolio of risks. Max seeks to limit its exposure to catastrophic events (probable maximum loss based on a 1 in 250 year event) to a maximum of 20% of its shareholders’ equity, often operating below this level. As part of the IPC/Max Plan, we have discussed continuing to have a significant presence in the property catastrophe market while on a combined equity basis adhering to this same 20% risk tolerance. In contrast, Validus maintains peak exposures where the probable maximum loss based on a 1 in 250 year event runs at a stated 33% of shareholders’ equity. Max believes that combining this risk profile with IPC would expose IPC shareholders to an even greater level

of volatility than at present and would not change the markets perception of IPC as being a property catastrophe company. The volatility of Validus’ results would also seem to be cause for concern, particularly when the net losses from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav (which approximated a 1 in 15 year event) was 12.4% of shareholders’ equity, the highest among its broader peer group. This compared to a net loss of 6.7% of shareholders’ equity for IPC and 3.4% for Max.

 

9. Max has a proven, long-term history of successful acquisitions without incurring goodwill. We believe IPC’s shareholders can take comfort in Max’s demonstrated history of successfully entering new business lines through acquisitions and start-ups without incurring meaningful goodwill. For example, when Max entered the Lloyds’ market, we booked intangible assets of $8 million upon closing our acquisition of Imagine Group (UK) Limited, which stands in contrast to the $154 million of intangible assets booked by Validus in their acquisition of Talbot.

 

10. Max has a diversified shareholder base. We believe having a shareholder base dominated by five private equity owners controlling 64.9% of Validus’ total beneficial ownership (as of March 13, 2009) will limit the potential upside in the value of Validus over time as these private shareholders seek to exit their investment. Max has a diversified shareholder base with an 84% public float. In addition, Max has a well diversified shareholder base of high quality institutional shareholders.

 

11. IPC and Max have compatible cultures. IPC and Max have compatible cultures that will help ease the integration of the two companies. IPC and Max share a common focus on underwriting, claims and actuarial disciplines, and on running our respective businesses as meritocracies.

 

12. Max’s higher asset leverage provides greater investment income over time. Max believes that investment leverage (invested assets as a multiple of shareholders’ equity) is a positive in driving earnings and stability of returns on capital over time. Based on 2008 figures, Max had total investment to equity of 4.2x versus 1.7x for Validus. As Validus continues to pursue a short-tail strategy, Validus will be limited in its ability to increase its asset leverage. This deprives IPC of the meaningful investment income derived from longer-tail casualty lines and continues to leave IPC shareholders exposed to increased volatility from catastrophes. Validus has commented on Max’s investment portfolio, particularly its alternative investment portfolio. Max’s year end allocation to alternative investments was 14% of total invested assets, which is expected to reduce to 10% to 12% in 2009. In looking at results, Max’s total investment return, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, during the very volatile period of 2007 / 2008 has outperformed Validus’ in 6 of the last 8 quarters.

 

We believe that the facts regarding the proposal submitted by Validus and the attempt by Validus to present a one-sided proposal to IPC shareholders make it clear that Validus has not presented a Superior Proposal, nor one that can be reasonably expected to lead to a Superior Proposal. We believe Validus has created an unnecessary and unproductive disruption for its own opportunistic purposes, which should not distract either IPC’s or Max’s employees and customers from our amalgamation, which we both believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders.

 

Lastly, Max remains both steadfast in its commitment and excited to complete its planned amalgamation with IPC. We continue to believe that the amalgamation of IPC and Max represents the best strategic and financial opportunity for our collective shareholders.

 

Very truly yours,

 

W. Marston Becker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Max Capital Group Ltd.

 

In the afternoon on April 2, 2009, Validus sent a letter to IPC’s Board of Directors addressing the claims made by Max in its letter to IPC’s Board of Directors in the morning on April 2, 2009. The text of our letter reads as follows:

 

April 2, 2009

 

The Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd.
c/o James P. Bryce, President and Chief Executive Officer
American International Bldg.
29 Richmond Road
Pembroke, HM 08
Bermuda

 

Dear Members of the Board:

 

We are writing to respond to the letter sent to you by Mr. Becker of Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”) dated April 2, 2009, regarding the purported benefits of the proposed combination of IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) with Max (pursuant to an Amalgamation Agreement between Max and IPC dated as of March 2, 2009 (the “Amalgamation Agreement”)), as compared to the benefits presented by a combination of IPC with Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) on the terms we proposed to you in our letter dated March 31, 2009 (the “Validus Proposal”).

 

First, we would like to reiterate our sincere belief that the Validus Proposal is in every respect a Superior Proposal as defined in the Amalgamation Agreement. In fact, as you have undoubtedly seen, the markets have already endorsed our proposal: the IPC share price has increased significantly since the announcement of our proposal, in recognition of the fact that our proposal delivers superior value to the IPC shareholders — an irrefutable fact. Our proposal offers the IPC shareholders superior value (an 18% premium to the value of the IPC stock on the date prior to our announcement), a currency with superior trading characteristics (Validus shares trade at a premium to book value, as opposed to the Max shares, which trade at a discount to book value), less balance sheet risk, and most importantly, superior long term prospects.

 

Max suggests that the choice you are facing is between (i) a combined company based on a shared vision in which you, the IPC Board, can continue your stewardship, and (ii) an entity which offers you few benefits over what you have today, with no ability to continue your stewardship. We view the choice quite differently: you can choose to combine with a company which, on almost every metric, is a worse choice for your shareholders, or ours, which delivers, immediately and in the long term, superior value for your shareholders. To the extent that you, the members of the IPC Board, have an interest in continuing involvement in the affairs of the combined company, we would be happy to discuss continued Board representation with you.

 

Turning now to the assertions in the Max letter, we note that Max has made a number of statements which distort the facts and present an incomplete picture. We would like to respond to each of these in turn.

 

1. “A combination with Max delivers 29% more tangible book value per share to IPC.”  Max believes book value per share is a very important measure in our industry, and we do not disagree. The relevant question for the IPC Board, however, is not, as Max suggests, the relative percentage of book value being delivered to IPC shareholders in the two proposals, but the absolute value of the shares themselves. On this measure, the Validus proposal is clearly superior, as it offers IPC shareholders a significant premium over the current value of their shares. Moreover, Max does not explain in its letter why Max’s shares are trading at such a deep discount to its book value. We can only guess that the market assigns such a discount because of Max’s stewardship of its business or because so much of Max’s investment portfolio is tied up in risky alternative assets. Indeed, of Max’s $1.2 billion of tangible common equity, $754 million is in alternative assets, which in 2008 generated mark downs of $233 million, greater than the entirety of Max’s underwriting income, and $476 million is in non-agency asset/mortgage backed securities. We believe it is a far better value proposition for the IPC shareholders to receive Validus shares, a currency which the market values at a premium to book.

 

2. “The IPC/Max Plan creates significant value for IPC shareholders.”  This statement is simply incorrect. According to data calculated from the proxy statement filed by IPC on March 27, 2009, IPC’s book

value per share would decrease from $33.00 to $32.30, or 2.1% as a result of the combination with Max (this obviously implies the deal is accretive to Max at your expense). That can hardly be described as the “best opportunity to deliver shareholders value.” Moreover, while it is true that the Validus proposal delivers an immediate premium for IPC shareholders, it wrong of Max to suggest that such a premium will compromise value creation for IPC shareholders in the longer term. We believe that receiving a better currency, in a stronger, better capitalized company, offers a more likely starting point for long term value creation than retaining shares in IPC, whose previously conservatively managed balance sheet will be negatively impacted by assets of questionable value in the IPC/Max combination.

 

3. “Max is a truly diversified underwriting platform.”  We think the relevant question for IPC is not whether its merger partner has a diversified platform, but rather the quality of that diversification. In terms of the quality of diversification, Validus offers far superior characteristics than Max, as evidenced by 2008 results for Max’s “diversified” businesses. Max’s 2008 reported 91.9% property and casualty GAAP combined ratio benefited from $107.0 million of prior-year reserve releases. The true 2008 accident-year GAAP combined ratio was 103.4%⁵Max’s “diversified” businesses represent diversification without profit. Max’s chief source of diversifying growth, Max US Specialty, generated a 138.5% combined ratio in 2008. Results such as those cannot create value for shareholders.⁶ Max is not a leader in any category of business, and moreover, it has chosen to focus on volatile lines of business which yield low margins.⁷ In contrast, Validus is a global leader in very profitable business lines, including marine, energy and war and terrorism.⁸ Furthermore, Max’s statement that Validus is constrained by its limited underwriting platforms is demonstrably untrue. Validus has the global licenses and other capabilities in place to write long tail insurance if and when it believes doing so would be profitable. In fact, today, Validus writes non-catastrophe business in 143 countries around the world.⁹ And, as demonstrated by Validus superior financial results and lower combined ratio, Validus does so profitably.

 

4. “Max has a proven, long-term, operating history.”  Max may have a longer history than Validus, but even a cursory look at the decline in Max’s book value, its weak growth, volatile results and general underperformance will quash any notion that the length of its operating history trumps the superior abilities of the deeply experienced Validus management team to generate best in class performance.

 

By focusing on the net loss reported by Validus based on hurricanes Ike and Gustav, Max is yet again ignoring the larger benefit of Validus’ conservative risk management and diversification. Validus assumed that the hurricane season in 2008 would generate a market loss of $18 to $21 billion, and we set our reserve levels accordingly. IPC, by contrast, assumed $14.5 billion of losses. Notwithstanding the severity of the events of that hurricane season, Validus was easily able to absorb the loss (yielding a combined ratio of 92.2%, with a corresponding combined ratio at Validus Re of 86.0%). As a result, Validus was profitable, notwithstanding the

 

 

⁵ Upon verification of the calculations used to prepare this letter we have determined that Max’s true 2008 accident year GAAP combined ratio is in fact 110.6% rather than 103.4% as set forth in our letter reprinted above. The combined ratio, expressed as a percentage, is a key measurement of profitability traditionally used in the property-casualty insurance business. The combined ratio, also referred to as the “calendar year combined ratio,” is the sum of the losses and loss adjustment expense ratio and the underwriting and other operating expense ratio. The losses and loss adjustment expense ratio is the percentage of net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred to net premiums earned. The underwriting and other operating expense ratio is the percentage of underwriting and other operating expenses to net premiums earned. When the calendar year combined ratio is adjusted to exclude prior period items, such as loss reserve development, it becomes the “accident year combined ratio”.

⁶ As described elsewhere in this proxy statement, a combined ratio of greater than 100% indicates that premiums are less than aggregate claims and expenses. Validus believes that unprofitable operations do not create value for shareholders.

⁷ As of the date of this proxy statement, this statement should be qualified as an expression of our opinion based on our experience and knowledge of the industry.

⁸ As of the date of this proxy statement, this statement should be qualified as an expression of our opinion based on our experience and knowledge of the industry.

⁹ Upon verification, the statement should refer to 134 countries, rather than 143.

losses associated with hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Its highly touted diversification notwithstanding, Max sustained a loss for the year in excess of $200 million, demonstrating beyond a shadow of a doubt that its “greater diversification” is not a guarantee of profitability.

 

We at Validus believe that our diversification is of a higher quality, our underwriting decisions are made more carefully, our risks are managed more prudently, and we exercise a more conservative stewardship over our capital, all of which would inure to the long term benefit of the IPC shareholders in our proposed combination.

 

5. “IPC and Max can complete an amalgamation more quickly, with greater certainty.”  Max now claims (contrary to the statements it made prior to the Validus Proposal)¹⁰ that Max and IPC will be able to close their amalgamation in June 2009. Max freely admits, however, that it does not control the time table: the SEC must clear the proxy statement/prospectus filed by IPC, it must clear the proxy statement for Max, and the parties must obtain shareholders approval (which we believe will be difficult to do while our Superior Proposal is pending). Most importantly, the closing of the IPC/Max transaction requires regulatory approvals from several different state insurance departments in the United States. Implicit in Max’s prediction of a closing date is a presumption of the receipt of regulatory approvals, which simply cannot be taken for granted given the likely timing of regulatory review and the public hearing process. Thus there is absolutely no guarantee that the IPC/Max deal can be consummated in the second quarter. Finally, it is important for the IPC Board not to lose sight of the fact that the Amalgamation Agreement cedes to Max the power to delay the closing of a Validus/IPC combination.¹¹

 

Max also tries to make an issue of the fact that IPC has not had a chance to conduct due diligence on Validus. Validus would welcome the opportunity to provide IPC with customary due diligence information. Validus stands ready to respond to any requests IPC may make on an expedited basis, and would be more than happy to meet with IPC to answer any questions IPC may have about Validus, its operations, its financial health or any other matter relevant to the Board of IPC in considering Validus’ Superior Proposal. We call upon Max to permit IPC’s Board to exercise its fiduciary duties by releasing IPC from the extraordinarily restrictive prohibition in the Amalgamation Agreement which prevents it from even talking to Validus regarding the terms of its Superior Proposal.¹²

 

6. “Max’s business is complementary to IPC.”  Max’s assertions that a combination of Validus and IPC would result in a loss of customers are without merit and are particularly surprising, given that Max has publicly stated its intention to significantly reduce IPC’s core reinsurance activities. As we are both aware, the current reinsurance market is in the midst of a capacity shortage.¹³ As a result, we do not believe that clients

 

 

¹⁰ IPC and Max may update their predictions as to timing as new information becomes available to each party. For example, in a recent letter to shareholders filed on May 1, 2008, Max discloses that it expects “the transaction to close late in the second quarter or early in the third quarter of 2009”.

¹¹ As of the date of this proxy statement, the Max Amalgamation Agreement cedes to Max the power to delay the closing of a Validus/IPC combination because IPC has no right to terminate the Max Amalgamation Agreement until after the vote of the IPC shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, even if the IPC Board changes its recommendation and recommends a vote “FOR” the Validus Amalgamation Offer. Accordingly, should the IPC Board choose to recommend a vote “FOR” the Validus Amalgamation Offer, Max would have the power to delay the closing of a Validus/IPC combination by not terminating the IPC/Max agreement until after the shareholders vote down the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

¹² The agreement governing the Validus Amalgamation Offer retained this restrictive prohibition. Validus’ board of directors determined that proposing substantially similar agreement terms with what we believed to be improved economic terms would facilitate the IPC Board’s evaluation of the Validus Amalgamation Offer.

¹³ A reinsurance industry commentator has recently stated that, taking reinsurer capital as the nearest proxy for capacity, it is estimated that reinsurer capital, which was down 8 to 10 percent from January 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008, will be down 15 to 20 percent for the year ending December 31, 2008 when reported. In addition, the same commentator observed that capital markets capacity for insurance risk has declined in similar proportions.

will actively seek to diversify their reinsurance placements away from our combined company. In fact, our combined financial strength and clout should only serve to make a combined Validus/IPC a “go-to” player for reinsurance placements.¹⁴

 

7.  “Max’s complementary and diversified platform is appreciated by our ratings agencies.”  We have been in dialogue with our ratings agencies with regard to our proposal. We encourage the Board of IPC to focus its attention on what the ratings agencies actually say, rather than on Max’s speculations.¹⁵

 

8. “Max maintains less underwriting volatility through greater diversification in its portfolio of risks.”  Due to the significant investment losses Max sustained in 2008, it is unsurprising that Max is attempting to focus on underwriting volatility alone. Selectively focusing on underwriting volatility wholly ignores the other various risks and uncertainties that IPC’s shareholders would be assuming by combining with Max and its risky balance sheet. With respect to underwriting performance, in 2008, Validus successfully weathered its exposures from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav with a combined ratio of 92.2% and net income of $63.9 million. This performance was generated despite the fact that Validus reserved for those events more conservatively than its industry peers, as discussed in paragraph 4 above. Validus’ disclosures offer the highest level of transparency with regard to its probable maximum losses, zonal aggregates and realistic disaster scenarios and we would challenge Max to provide the same level of transparency to its shareholders before presumptuously speculating on the impacts of various potential events.

 

9. “Max has a proven, long term history of successful acquisitions without incurring good will.”  Validus has a proven track record of acquiring a high quality premier business with a leading position in its market. Max’s pointing to its acquisition of Imagine Group (UK) Limited as an example of a successful acquisition is ironic, especially relative to our successful acquisition of Talbot. In that transaction, Validus acquired a strong balance sheet with excess reserves at a multiple of 3.1x earnings demonstrating Validus’ commitment to creating value for our shareholders. When we acquired Talbot, Validus booked $154 million of goodwill and intangible assets; however, from acquisition closing until December 31, 2008, we benefited from $105 million in reserve releases from the Talbot business, emanating from periods prior to the acquisition. Max’s acquisition history, on the other hand, is that of acquiring subscale small businesses that significantly lag the leaders in their respective markets.¹⁶

 

10. “Max has a diversified shareholder base.”  Max’s attempt to characterize our shareholder base as a liability is baseless. What is relevant is the relative liquidity of Max and Validus shares. As previously mentioned in our letter dated March 31, 2009, Validus’ daily average trading volume was $11.3 million vs. $6.7 million for Max for the three months prior to announcement of the IPC/Max transaction. Additionally, since our shareholder base is publicly disclosed, if the market viewed it as an “overhang,” such information would already be embedded in the market price of our common shares. The combination of our trading volume and the premium pricing of our shares compared to either Max or IPC should put to rest any concerns IPC shareholders may have regarding liquidity of the combined company.

 

11. “IPC and Max have compatible cultures.”  Max has mentioned that it has a compatible culture with IPC. If that is in fact the case, we find the paucity of IPC management that will continue in senior roles at IPC/Max curious and an indication that such cultural fit may be only skin deep. We have successfully integrated large acquisitions in the past, and believe that experience is most relevant in this regard.

 

 

¹⁴ We believe that a combined Validus/IPC would be a “go-to” player for reinsurance placements because Validus will be better capitalized (as measured by pro forma shareholders equity) than many of the members of its peer group.

¹⁵ As of the date of this proxy statement, this statement is intended to emphasize that Validus believes the statement being referred to, in the April 2, 2009 Max letter to IPC’s Board, is based upon speculation by Max, since, to Validus knowledge, the rating agencies have not made a determination in this regard.

¹⁶ As of the date of this proxy statement, we are aware of only two small acquisitions by Max and we believe, based on our experience and knowledge of the industry, that the acquired entities were not leaders in their markets.

 

12. “Max’s higher asset leverage provides greater investment income over time.”  Max’s asset leverage has been a significant liability given its risky investment strategy.¹⁷ This leverage would similarly expose a combined IPC/Max to significant volatility. Max’s alternative investments and non-agency asset/mortgage backed securities alone comprise 99% of its tangible equity, indicating a massive amount of embedded risk. Max’s $233 million loss in 2008 on their alternative investment portfolio is entirely indicative of that risk. Its so-called “outperformance in 6 of the last 8 quarters” ignores the abject underperformance it experienced in other periods.¹⁸ In 2007, when the global credit crisis began, Max’s current management had the opportunity to liquidate its alternative assets. Max chose to continue holding those risky investments, which have led to massive losses. Combined, we believe these factors highlight Max’s poor history as stewards of shareholder capital.

 

* * *

 

In closing, I would like to reiterate that we have submitted to you a proposal which we are confident the IPC Board will agree is a “Superior Proposal” as defined in your Amalgamation Agreement. We have submitted this proposal because we deeply and honestly believe that the combination of IPC and Validus will result in a far better value proposition for the IPC shareholders than the combination of IPC and Max. Validus is absolutely committed to our Superior Proposal and we simply do not understand how Max can characterize our actions as “opportunistic.” If Max truly believes its combination with IPC is superior, we call upon Max to free the IPC Board from the shackles that your Amalgamation Agreement has placed on the ability of the members of the IPC Board to exercise their fiduciary duties under Bermuda law, so as to create a level playing field on which the shareholders of IPC will be able to decide which of the two proposals is indeed superior.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward J. Noonan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

¹⁷ As of the date of this proxy statement, we believe that the investment strategy that has been employed by Max, and is expected to be employed by Max management who will control the combined IPC/Max, and that according to Max’s public information is expected to include a 10% to 12% concentration in alternative investments, should be considered a risky investment strategy that could amount to a significant liability when compared with an investment strategy, like Validus’, that does not allow for such investments in alternative investments.

¹⁸ As of the date of this proxy statement, this statement should be qualified as an expression of our opinion based on our experience and knowledge of the industry.

 

In the afternoon on April 5, 2009, Validus sent a letter to IPC’s Board of Directors regarding an error that Max had made in its calculation of pro forma tangible book value under the terms of the Validus Amalgamation Offer. The text of our letter reads as follows:

 

April 5, 2009

 

The Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd.
c/o James P. Bryce, President and Chief Executive Officer
American International Bldg.
29 Richmond Road
Pembroke, HM 08
Bermuda

 

Dear Members of the Board:

 

We are writing to call to your attention an error contained in the publicly disseminated letter sent to you by Mr. Becker of Max Capital Group Ltd. (“Max”) dated April 2, 2009 and the accompanying presentation materials, regarding the purported benefits of the proposed combination of IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) with Max (pursuant to an Amalgamation Agreement between Max and IPC dated as of March 2, 2009 (the “Amalgamation Agreement”)), as compared to the benefits presented by a combination of IPC with Validus Holdings, Ltd. (“Validus”) on the terms we proposed to you in our letter dated March 31, 2009 (the “Validus Proposal”).

 

In his letter, Mr. Becker states (and he has been widely quoted in the media stating) that “[a] combination with Max delivers 29% more tangible book value per share to IPC.”  This is not correct. We, and our financial advisors and SEC counsel, have reviewed this calculation and we would like to provide you with the correct figures. Specifically, Mr. Becker’s calculation understates the pro forma IPC share of Validus tangible book value per share by $2.74, which results in overstating the premium calculated on this basis quite significantly. We have attached some materials that illustrate the correct calculation. Our SEC counsel has advised us that this error is material and that Max will be required to amend its SEC filings to correct its error.

 

As we noted in our letter dated April 2, 2009, putting aside this error, we believe that this measure is the wrong framework on which to analyze whether the IPC/Max plan is superior to the IPC/Validus plan, and refer you to the analysis in our earlier letter. We remain confident that the IPC Board will agree the Validus Proposal is a “Superior Proposal” as defined in your Amalgamation Agreement.

 

We look forward to your response to the Validus Proposal.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward J. Noonan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

cc: Marty Dolan, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.

 

In the afternoon on April 5, 2009, Validus also posted the material referenced in the letter on its website.

 

On the morning of April 6, 2009, Max issued a press release reaffirming its prior disclosure regarding the Validus Amalgamation Offer and stating that it “continues to believe that Validus had not presented a Superior Proposal, nor one that can be reasonably expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the [Max Amalgamation Agreement])”. The text of the press release reads as follows:

 

Max Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MXGL; BSX: MXGL BH) today confirmed that the calculations of diluted book value per IPC share and diluted tangible book value per IPC share included in Max’s April 2, 2009 letter to the Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) are true and correct. Max has consulted with its financial advisors and SEC counsel.

 

In a press release dated April 5, 2009, Validus alleged that Max had made a “substantial error” in its calculation of “pro forma” tangible book value under the proposed terms of Validus’s unsolicited takeover of IPC. However, Validus’s allegation is incorrect and misleading. The calculations that Max presented accurately represent what an IPC shareholder would receive on a stand alone basis from either Max or Validus, without giving effect to what IPC itself contributes to a transaction. The Max presentation allows IPC shareholders to compare the value received under each transaction on an “apples-to-apples” basis. Max believes this is an important measure in comparing the value received today by an IPC shareholder under the agreement with Max and the proposed Validus transaction. The pro forma calculations Validus is utilizing include the additional benefit derived from issuing Validus’ shares to purchase IPC at a discount to book value.

 

“One has to question whether the IPC shareholders are being well served by the non-substantive claims being initiated by Validus. They have made certain statements that completely misrepresent and falsely characterize the information presented by Max. Since Validus initially made its below book value, unsolicited takeover offer for IPC, it has demonstrated a lack of understanding of what is important to the shareholders of IPC in allowing them to assess the relative value being delivered by Max versus Validus,” stated W. Marston (Marty) Becker, Max Chairman and CEO.

 

The facts presented in Max’s April 2, 2009 letter to IPC have not changed and are clear:

 

 

 

As noted above, these figures represent the book value per IPC share being delivered to IPC’s shareholders on a standalone basis, without giving effect to what IPC itself contributes to a transaction.

 

The conclusion remains clear — a combination with Max provides greater underlying value to IPC’s shareholders today, with true diversification of underwriting exposures and without an over-concentration in short-tail catastrophe oriented business, and will result in greater upside for IPC shareholders as compared to the hostile takeover proposal by Validus.

 

Max continues to believe that Validus has not presented a Superior Proposal, nor one that can be reasonably expected to lead to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the IPC/Max Plan of Amalgamation dated March 1, 2009).

 

Additional details on the Max calculations referred to above are posted on [Max’s] website: www.maxcapgroup.com.

 

In the afternoon on April 6, 2009, Validus sent a letter to IPC’s Board of Directors regarding the Max press release and issued a press release announcing the letter. The text of our letter reads as follows:

 

April 6, 2009

 

The Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd.

c/o James P. Bryce, President and Chief Executive Officer

American International Bldg.

29 Richmond Road

Pembroke, HM 08

Bermuda

 

Dear Members of the Board:

 

The difficulty of being unable to speak directly has lead to an exchange of press releases, which is unfortunate. In this context, we would like to respond to the Max statement issued this morning by describing the analytical framework we believe is appropriate.

In today’s press release, Max modified its description of its calculation of pro forma book value per share. In essence, the Max calculation now describes what an IPC shareholder would receive on a standalone basis from either Validus or Max. We disagree with this basis for valuation. Our approach is focused on a comparison of what an IPC shareholder would own as a result of either transaction.

 

However, if we were to follow the Max approach, we would note that there are a number of adjustments contemplated in the proposed IPC/Max Amalgamation Agreement, which would reduce the standalone value that Max delivers by $117.4 million. The joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by IPC and Max references, among other adjustments, the need to increase Max’ loss reserves for annuity claims as well as property and casualty claims by $130.0 million. As a result, the Max book value delivered would be reduced by $2.06 per Max share, resulting in a book value delivered of $20.40 per share, on the basis of Max’s calculation of diluted book value.

 

I would also note that Validus and Max use differing accounting conventions for calculating diluted book value per share. While each is valid, on the basis upon which Validus calculates diluted book value per share, the Max value delivered would be $19.68 after a $1.81 per share reduction in book value.

 

We have provided the attached schedule of our calculations in an effort to be as transparent as possible in our communication with you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward J. Noonan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

cc: Marty Dolan, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc.

Adjustments to Max Book Value Upon Combination with IPC

 

 

Source: Note 1 to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information of IPC in Form S-4 filed 3/27/2009 (“S-4”). Notes 1-6 are excerpts from the S-4.

 

 

In the afternoon on April 7, 2009, Kenneth L. Hammond, Chairman of IPC’s Board of Directors, sent a letter to Mr. Noonan indicating that IPC’s Board of Directors had reaffirmed its recommendation to combine with Max. The text of the letter reads as follows:

 

April 7, 2009

 

Edward J. Noonan
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Validus Holdings Ltd.
19 Par-La-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11
Bermuda

 

Dear Mr. Noonan:

 

I am writing to respond to your letter of March 31, 2009, submitting an offer pursuant to which Validus would combine with IPC.

 

IPC’s board of directors, after careful consultation with management and our financial and legal advisors, has unanimously concluded that the Validus proposal does not constitute a Superior Proposal as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation with Max Capital Group Ltd. dated March 1, 2009. Furthermore, IPC’s board of directors has unanimously reaffirmed its recommendation that IPC shareholders vote in favor of the transaction with Max.

 

In reaching its decision, IPC’s board of directors considered several factors, including the following:

 

 

Given these considerations and others, the board of directors unanimously determined that the Validus proposal does not constitute a Superior Proposal as defined in our amalgamation agreement with Max. IPC remains committed to completing our transaction with Max, which we believe will create a diversified and balanced platform for growth that should drive stronger performance and value for shareholders for many years.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kenneth L. Hammond
Chairman of the Board of Directors
On Behalf of the IPC Holdings Board of Directors

 

In the afternoon on April 8, 2009, Validus sent a letter to Mr. Hammond, the Chairman of IPC’s Board of Directors, regarding the IPC press release and letter and issued a press release announcing the letter. The text of our letter reads as follows:

April 8, 2009

 

Kenneth L. Hammond
Chairman
IPC Holdings, Ltd.
American International Bldg.
29 Richmond Road
Pembroke, HM 08
Bermuda

 

Dear Mr. Hammond,

 

I am writing in response to your letter of April 7, 2009, in which you confirm the continuing support of the IPC board for the Max takeover of IPC’s operations.

 

I am disappointed with the Board’s decision and respectfully disagree with your assessment of our Superior Proposal. I am confident that had your Amalgamation Agreement with Max allowed you to engage in dialogue with us, you would have instead supported the Validus Superior Proposal on behalf of your shareholders. In particular, although you cite a “robust and thorough” review of strategic alternatives, I am greatly disappointed that you never invited us to participate in that process, although you spoke with numerous potential buyers. To the extent that Max will release you from the restrictive terms of the Amalgamation Agreement, we continue to stand ready to discuss your objectives and how our business meets those objectives. Until you agree to discuss our proposal with us, we have no choice except to communicate directly with your shareholders. We believe the facts will demonstrate that our proposal is truly a Superior Proposal.

 

We hereby advise the shareholders of IPC that:

 

1. We have retained Georgeson as our proxy solicitor. We will shortly file proxy solicitation materials with the SEC and those materials will contain, among other things, the many reasons why we believe you should vote against the Max takeover. Once the proxy is effective, Georgeson will be in touch with IPC’s shareholders to solicit their votes AGAINST the Max takeover. If, as we

[hope]¹⁹, IPC’s shareholders vote down the Max takeover, you will be unencumbered by the restrictive Amalgamation Agreement and free to execute the Validus Agreement.

 

2. In our capacity as an IPC shareholder, we object to the punitive nature of the $50 million Max Termination Fee. The Termination Fee is an unenforceable penalty under Bermuda law and we are commencing litigation to reduce this penalty. If successful,²⁰ we will permit IPC to pay the amount by which such penalty is reduced as a dividend to IPC shareholders, so that IPC shareholders — and not Max or Validus shareholders — will share in the value obtained.

 

 

 

I regret that the terms of the Max takeover preclude the management teams of IPC and Validus from cooperating in delivering a superior outcome for IPC shareholders, but we are pleased to work directly with your shareholders to achieve the same end. We remain fully committed to our proposal.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward J. Noonan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

On April 9, 2009, Validus filed this preliminary proxy statement with the SEC with respect to soliciting votes against the approval of the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

 

On April 13, 2009, IPC filed Amendment No. 1 (“Amendment No. 1”) to the IPC/Max S-4, which, among other things, added to the disclosure regarding the background to the Proposed Max Amalgamation including the reasons as to why Validus was excluded from the process that resulted in the Proposed Max Amalgamation. Amendment No. 1 also contained a correction to IPC’s diluted book value for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

On April 16, 2009, Validus filed a preliminary proxy statement with respect to soliciting votes from Validus shareholders to approve the issuance of Validus Shares in connection with the acquisition of all of the outstanding IPC Shares pursuant to the amalgamation agreement delivered by Validus as part of the Validus Amalgamation Offer.

 

On April 21, 2009, Validus filed an amendment to this preliminary proxy statement with the SEC.

 

On April 28, 2009, Validus filed a claim in the Supreme Court of Bermuda against IPC, IPC Limited and Max, which we refer to as the “Bermuda claim.” The Bermuda claim challenges the validity of the Max termination fee and provisions which restrict the ability of IPC to discuss competing proposals with third parties, which we refer to as the “no-talk provisions,” in the Max Amalgamation Agreement. Further, the Bermuda claim alleges that by entering into the Max Amalgamation Agreement containing the Max termination fee and no talk provisions and continuing to act in accordance with the terms of these provisions, the directors of IPC acted in breach of their fiduciary duty and not in accordance with the constitution of IPC.

 

On April 28, 2009 IPC filed Amendment No. 2 to the IPC/Max S-4 with the SEC.

 

On April 30, 2009, Validus issued a press release outlining its three-part plan to expedite its acquisition of IPC through an exchange offer or scheme of arrangement under Bermuda law. See “Reasons to vote against the

 

 

¹⁹ As of the date of this proxy statement, the word “hope” has been inserted to replace the word “expect” in this sentence.

²⁰ As of the date of this proxy statement, the reference to “success” in this sentence relates to Validus’ success in pursuing the litigation strategy referenced in the immediately prior sentence followed by the successful consummation of the Validus Amalgamation Offer.

Proposed Max Amalgamation — A vote “AGAINST” the Proposed Max Amalgamation clears the way for completion of the Validus Amalgamation Offer.”

 

On April 30, 2009, IPC issued a press release reaffirming its belief that the Validus Amalgamation Offer does not represent a superior proposal and that the IPC Board continues to recommend IPC shareholders vote in favor of the proposed Max Amalgamation.

 

On May 1, 2009, Validus filed an amendment to this preliminary proxy statement with the SEC.

 

CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION

 

At the Annual General Meeting, IPC’s shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be voting on, among other things, whether to approve the issuance of IPC Shares in connection with the Proposed Max Amalgamation. According to the IPC/Max S-4, under the terms of the Max Amalgamation Agreement, each outstanding Max common share (the “Max Shares”), other than Max Shares held by Max as treasury shares, will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive 0.6429 IPC common shares, par value $0.01 per share (together with cash in lieu of fractional shares). IPC shareholders would continue to retain their shares after the Proposed Max Amalgamation. According to the IPC/Max S-4, as a result of the Proposed Max Amalgamation, IPC’s shareholders would end up owning approximately 58% of the combined company. The conditions to the consummation of the Proposed Max Amalgamation include the following: (1) adoption of the Max Amalgamation Agreement and approval of the Proposed Max Amalgamation by Max’s shareholders, (2) approval by IPC’s shareholders of (i) the issuance of IPC’s shares to shareholders of Max on the terms and conditions set out in the Max Amalgamation Agreement and (ii) certain amendments to IPC’s bye-laws, (3) receipt of all regulatory approvals, (4) absence of any applicable law prohibiting the Proposed Max Amalgamation, (5) effectiveness of the registration statement registering IPC common shares to be issued in the Proposed Max Amalgamation, (6) authorization of the listing of such IPC common shares on Nasdaq, (7) the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of IPC and Max set forth in the Max Amalgamation Agreement in all material respects, (8) performance by IPC and Max of their respective material obligations under the Max Amalgamation Agreement, and (9) receipt by IPC and Max of opinions of their respective legal counsel with respect to certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

 

The Max Amalgamation Agreement also provides that the termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement by either party under certain circumstances specified in the Max Amalgamation Agreement, including the termination by Max if IPC’s Board withdraws or adversely modifies its approval or recommendation to shareholders of the Proposed Max Amalgamation, will require IPC to pay Max $50 million as a termination fee.

 

The Max Amalgamation Agreement also provides for the payment by IPC to Max of the $50 million termination fee if the Max Amalgamation Agreement is terminated in the following circumstances: (i) by Max if IPC’s Board withdraws, modifies or changes its recommendation of the Proposed Max Amalgamation in a manner adverse to Max in reference to a third party acquisition proposal or (ii) by IPC or Max if (a)(x) the Max Amalgamation Agreement has not been consummated by November 30, 2009 or (y) IPC’s shareholder approval for the Proposed Max Amalgamation has not been obtained, (b) prior to the Annual General Meeting a third party acquisition proposal has been made or otherwise becomes publicly known or any person has publicly announced an intention to make a third party acquisition proposal and (c) within 12 months after termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement, IPC or any of its subsidiaries enters into a contract or agreement with respect to, or consummates, a third party acquisition proposal with the person that made such acquisition proposal.

 

WE ARE SOLICITING PROXIES FROM IPC SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE “AGAINST” THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION. WE BELIEVE THE PROPOSED MAX AMALGAMATION IS A BAD DEAL FOR HOLDERS OF IPC SHARES AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE BEST ALTERNATIVE FOR IPC. WE BELIEVE THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE FOR IPC SHAREHOLDERS.

 

CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING VALIDUS AND VALIDUS LTD.

 

Validus is a Bermuda exempted company, with its principal executive offices located at 19 Par-La-Ville Road Hamilton HM11 Bermuda. The telephone number of Validus is (441) 278-9000. Validus is a provider of reinsurance and insurance, conducting its operations worldwide through two wholly owned subsidiaries, Validus Reinsurance, Ltd. (“Validus Re”) and Talbot Holdings Ltd. (“Talbot”). Validus Re is a Bermuda-based reinsurer focused on short-tail lines or reinsurance. Talbot is the Bermuda parent of the specialty insurance group primarily operating within the Lloyd’s insurance market through Syndicate 1183. Validus’ shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “VR” and, as of the date preceding the filing of this Proxy Statement, Validus had a market capitalization of approximately $      billion. Validus has approximately 280 employees. Validus acquired 100 IPC Shares, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Validus Re, a Bermuda exempted company, in the open market. As of the date this

Proxy Statement was first mailed to IPC’s shareholders, Validus was the registered holder of 100 IPC Shares, or less than 1% of the outstanding IPC Shares, and Validus was entitled to vote as to all of the IPC Shares it owns.

 

Validus Ltd. is a recently formed Bermuda exempted company organized in connection with the acquisition of IPC’s common shares and the Validus Amalgamation Offer and has not carried on any activities other than in connection therewith.

 

The principal offices of Validus Ltd. are located at 19 Par-La-Ville Road Hamilton HM11 Bermuda. The telephone number of Validus Ltd. is (441) 278-9000. Validus Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Validus.

 

Unless Validus Ltd. exchanges IPC Shares on behalf of Validus pursuant to the Validus Amalgamation Offer, it is not anticipated that Validus Ltd. will have any significant assets or liabilities or engage in activities other than those incidental to its formation and capitalization.

 

Information for each of the directors and executive officers of Validus and Validus Ltd. who are considered to be participants in this proxy solicitation and certain other information is set forth in Schedule I hereto. Other than as set forth herein, none of Validus, Validus Ltd. or any of the participants set forth on Schedule I hereto have any interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The following unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information is intended to provide you with information about how the acquisition of IPC might have affected the historical financial statements of Validus if it had been consummated at an earlier time. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma information has been prepared using IPC’s publicly available financial statements and disclosures, without the benefit of inspection of IPC’s books and records. Therefore, certain pro forma adjustments, such as recording fair value of assets and liabilities and adjustments for consistency of accounting policy, are not reflected in these unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial statements. The following unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information does not necessarily reflect the financial position or results of operations that would have actually resulted had the acquisition occurred as of the dates indicated, nor should they be taken as necessarily indicative of the future financial position or results of operations of Validus.

 

You should read the following condensed consolidated pro forma financial information in conjunction with Validus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and IPC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The following table presents unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma balance sheet data at December 31, 2008 (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data).

 

The following table sets forth unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data):

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)

 

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information gives effect to the proposed acquisition as if it had occurred at December 31, 2008 for the purposes of the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma balance sheet and at January 1, 2008 for the purposes of the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information has been prepared by Validus’ management and is based on Validus’ historical consolidated financial statements and IPC’s historical consolidated financial statements. Certain amounts from IPC’s historical consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the Validus presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial statements have been prepared using IPC’s publicly available financial statements and disclosures, without the benefit of inspection of IPC’s books and records or discussion with the IPC management team. Therefore, certain pro forma adjustments, such as recording fair value of assets and liabilities and adjustments for consistency of accounting policy, are not reflected in these unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial statements. Additional reclassifications of IPC data to conform to the Validus presentation may also be required.

 

This unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information is prepared in conformity with US GAAP. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been prepared using the following information:

 

(a) Audited historical consolidated financial statements of Validus as of December 31, 2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2008;

 

(b) Audited historical consolidated financial statements of IPC as of December 31, 2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2008;

 

(c) Such other known supplementary information as considered necessary to reflect the acquisition in the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information.

 

The pro forma adjustments reflecting the acquisition of IPC under the purchase method of accounting are based on certain estimates and assumptions. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma adjustments may be revised as additional information becomes available. The actual adjustments upon consummation of the acquisition and the allocation of the final purchase price of IPC will depend on a number of factors, including additional financial information available at such time, changes in values and changes in IPC’s operating results between the date of preparation of this unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information and the effective date of the acquisition. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the differences may be material. Validus’ management believes that its assumptions provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the transactions contemplated based on information available to Validus at the time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information does not include any financial benefits, revenue enhancements or operating expense efficiencies arising from the acquisition. In addition, the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information does not include any additional expenses that may result from the IPC acquisition. Estimated costs of the transaction as well as the benefit of the negative goodwill have been reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma balance sheets, but have not been included on the pro forma income statement due to their non-recurring nature.

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information is not intended to reflect the results of operations or the financial position that would have resulted had the acquisition been effected on the dates indicated and if the companies had been managed as one entity. The unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

information should be read in conjunction with Validus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141(R)”) which is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. On April 1, 2009 the FASB finalized and issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1 which amended and clarified FAS 141 (R) and is effective for business combinations whose acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.

 

FSP FAS 141(R)-1 has amended FAS 141(R)’s guidance on the initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from contingencies.

 

Significant changes arising from FAS 141 (R) and FSP FAS 141(R)-1 and impacting these pro forma financial statements include the determination of the purchase price, treatment of transaction expenses, restructuring costs and negative goodwill as follows:

 

 

 

On March 31, 2009, Validus announced that it delivered an offer letter (the “Offer Letter”) to the Board of Directors of IPC Holdings, Ltd. (“IPC”) pursuant to which Validus and IPC would amalgamate (the “Amalgamation”) in a share-for-share exchange valuing IPC shares at an 18.0% premium to IPC’s closing market price on March 30, 2009, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer Letter and in an Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation (the “Amalgamation Agreement”) that was signed by Validus and delivered to IPC with the Offer Letter.

 

Validus proposed an amalgamation with IPC at an exchange ratio of 1.2037 Validus shares per outstanding IPC share, providing a value per IPC share of $29.98 or an 18.0% premium to IPC’s closing share price as of March 30, 2009 (the date immediately preceding the deliverance of the Offer Letter).

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

The Board of Directors of Validus has unanimously approved the submission of its offer and the delivery of the signed Amalgamation Agreement so that, upon a termination of IPC’s Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation with Max Capital Group Ltd., dated as of March 1, 2009 and amended as of March 5, 2009 (the “Max Plan of Amalgamation”), IPC will be able to sign the Amalgamation Agreement with the certainty of an agreed transaction. Validus’ offer is structured as a tax-free share-for-share transaction and does not require any external financing. It is not conditioned on due diligence.

 

In connection with the IPC acquisition, transaction costs currently estimated at $35,000 will be incurred and expensed. Of this amount, $15,000 relates to Validus expenses as set forth in “The Amalgamation — Sources of Funds, Fees and Expenses” and $20,000 is our estimate of IPC’s expenses based on the IPC/Max S-4. In addition, upon termination of IPC’s Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation with Max Capital Group Ltd., a break-up fee of $50,000 (the ‘‘Max Termination Fee’’) will be incurred and expensed.

 

As discussed above, these pro forma purchase adjustments are based on certain estimates and assumptions made as of the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information. The actual adjustments will depend on a number of factors, including changes in the estimated fair value of net balance sheet assets and operating results of IPC between December 31, 2008 and the effective date of the acquisition. Validus expects to make such adjustments at the effective date of the acquisition. These adjustments are likely to be different from the adjustments made to prepare the unaudited condensed consolidated pro forma financial information and such differences may be material.

 

The share prices for both Validus and IPC used in determining the preliminary estimated purchase price are based on the closing share prices on March 30, 2009 (the date immediately preceding the deliverance of the Offer Letter). The preliminary total purchase price is calculated as follows:

 

 

The allocation of the purchase price is as follows:

 

 

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the gross premiums written by Validus, IPC and pro forma combined:

 

 

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

 

Selected ratios of Validus, IPC and pro forma combined are as follows:

 

 

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

(a) Pro forma earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2008 has been calculated based on the estimated weighted average number of common shares outstanding on a pro forma basis, as described in 6(b) below. The historical weighted average number of common shares outstanding of Validus was 74,677,903 and 75,819,413 basic and diluted, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

(b) The pro forma weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2008, after giving effect to the exchange of shares as if the acquisition shares had been issued and outstanding for the whole year, is 142,016,850 and 143,756,880, basic and diluted, respectively.

 

(c) The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2008:

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

Validus calculates diluted book value per share using the “as-if-converted” method, where all proceeds received upon exercise of warrants and stock options would be retained by Validus and the resulting common shares from exercise remain outstanding. In its public records, IPC calculates diluted book value per share using the “treasury stock” method, where proceeds received upon exercise of warrants and stock options would be used by IPC to repurchase shares from the market, with the net common shares from exercise remaining outstanding. Accordingly, for the purposes of the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, IPC’s diluted book value per share has been recalculated based on the “as-if-converted” method to be consistent with Validus’ calculation.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of book value and diluted book value per share adjusted for the Amalgamation:

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

 

Notes To Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements (unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data) — (Continued)

 

 

The following table sets forth the computation of debt to total capitalization and debt (excluding debentures payable) to total capitalization, adjusted for the Amalgamation:

 

 

THE PROPOSED VALIDUS AMALGAMATION

 

In connection with the delivery of the Validus Amalgamation Offer to IPC, Validus delivered a signed amalgamation agreement that would be binding on Validus upon countersignature by IPC. The proposed Validus amalgamation agreement (the “Validus Agreement”), and a description thereof, were filed with the SEC on Form 8-K on March 31, 2009. For the full terms of the Validus Agreement we refer you to that filing. Validus has reserved the right to withdraw its offer if IPC has not signed the Validus Agreement by 5 p.m. on the second business day after the termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement.

 

The Validus Amalgamation Offer is subject to a number of conditions, including the termination of the Max Amalgamation Agreement, receipt of regulatory approvals, receipt of amendments or waivers under IPC’s and Validus’ credit facilities, approval of the Validus Amalgamation Offer by IPC’s board of directors and shareholders and the approval of the issuance of the necessary Validus shares by our shareholders. IPC has no right to terminate the Max Amalgamation Agreement until after the vote of the IPC shareholders at the Annual General Meeting, even if the IPC Board changes its recommendation and recommends a vote “FOR” the Validus Amalgamation Offer. As a result, IPC’s shareholders cannot be guaranteed that any premium will be paid to them based solely on their rejection of the Proposed Max Amalgamation. However, there are no assurances that all of the conditions to the Validus Amalgamation Offer will be satisfied. Shareholders should take all of these factors into account when determining how to vote their IPC Shares.

 

IPC’s shareholders should also consider the risks that may be associated with an investment in our common shares and with the transaction contemplated by the Validus Amalgamation Offer. These factors are set forth in the “Forward-Looking Statements” section of this proxy statement and are described in more detail in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report or Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which has been filed with the SEC and is available to IPC’s shareholders. IPC’s shareholders may obtain a copy of our annual report free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) or by directing a request to Georgeson Inc. at (888) 274-5119 or by email at validusIPC@georgeson.com.

Comparison of Terms between Max Amalgamation Agreement and Validus Agreement

 

The Validus Agreement was substantially the same as the Max Amalgamation Agreement, as Validus’ board of directors determined that proposing substantially similar agreement terms would facilitate the IPC Board’s evaluation of the Validus Amalgamation Offer and by proposing substantially similar agreement terms and what we believe to be improved economic terms to IPC, the IPC Board would be more likely to conclude that the Validus Amalgamation Offer could be reasonably likely to constitute a “Superior Proposal” pursuant to the terms of the Max Amalgamation Agreement. In addition to the modifications reflecting the different consideration Validus is offering to IPC shareholders and the shareholder votes that will be required, as well as the elimination of references to Max, the significant differences in the two agreements are described below. We encourage you to read the full text of the agreements, since the agreements, and not this summary, govern the proposed transactions. The Max Amalgamation Agreement is included as Annex A and Annex B to the IPC/Max S-4. The Validus Agreement is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Validus Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009 regarding the delivery of the Validus Amalgamation Offer to the Board of Directors of IPC.

 

Restrictions on Solicitation of Acquisition Proposals and Discussions regarding Acquisition Proposals

 

Covenants Relating to the Conduct of Business

 

 

Board Composition

 

 

Conditions to the Amalgamation

 

 

Termination

 

 

Termination Fee

 

 

Book Value Calculations

 

Each of the Max Amalgamation Agreement and the agreement contemplated by the Validus Amalgamation Offer provided each of the parties to the respective agreements the same right to request, on the first business day after the date of its shareholder meeting, that the other party to the respective agreement prepare an estimate of its book value as of one business day prior to such shareholder meeting, which we refer to as the “measurement date.” Within five calendar days of such written request, the party receiving the request must provide the other with an estimate of its book value (calculated in the manner specified in the respective amalgamation agreement, which is identical in each of the Max Amalgamation Agreement and the agreement contemplated by the Validus Amalgamation Offer) as of the measurement date (together with any reasonable supporting analysis). The party receiving the estimate of book value will then have five calendar days to review the other party’s book value estimate and supporting analysis, together with such other information it may reasonably request. Once a party has requested that the other provide an estimate of its book value as of the measurement date, the closing will be delayed until the covenants and agreements contained in the amalgamation agreement related to the book value calculations have been satisfied or waived.

 

The party that requested the book value estimates has the right to terminate the agreement if the estimates indicate that, since December 31, 2008, the other party’s book value has declined more than 50% or more than 20 percentage points greater than the decline in the requesting party’s book value (if any) over the same period (with any increase in a party’s book value since December 31, 2008, to the measurement date deemed to be no change for purposes of measuring the 20 percentage point differential).

 

The 2009 hurricane season will begin June 1, 2009 and extend into the fall. It is undetermined as to whether the respective book value calculations for Max, IPC or Validus will be impacted by events that may occur during the 2009 hurricane season.

 

OTHER MAX AMALGAMATION PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

In addition to soliciting proxies to approve Proposal #8 in connection with the Proposed Max Amalgamation, IPC’s Board is also soliciting proxies for the Annual General Meeting for certain other proposals in connection with the Proposed Max Amalgamation (the “Other Proposals”). All of these proposals are seeking shareholder approval of matters required by the Max Amalgamation Agreement.

 

IPC’s Proposals #1 through #5 is a request to approve amendments to IPC’s bye-laws to be effective as of the effective time, and are collectively referred to as the “IPC bye-law amendments”. Specifically, they are to: (1) increase the maximum number of directors on the board of directors from nine to 12, (2) modify the indemnity provisions, (3) add provisions regarding advance notice of shareholder nominees for director and other shareholder proposals, (4) remove provisions regarding alternate directors and cumulative voting in the election of directors, and (5) add certain conditions to the conduct of director meetings.

 

IPC’s Proposal #6 is a request to approve, effective as of the effective time, the increase in IPC’s authorized share capital from $1,850,000 to $2,350,000 by the creation of an additional 50,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, ranking pari passu with the existing IPC common shares.

 

IPC’s Proposal #7 is a request to approve, effective as of the effective time, a change in IPC’s name to “Max Capital Group Ltd.”

 

IPC’s Proposal #10 is a request to approve, effective as of the effective time, a revised plan of remuneration for the combined entity’s board of directors.

 

Each of these proposals is more fully described in the IPC/Max S-4. In addition to soliciting the proxies discussed above, IPC’s Board is also soliciting proxies for the Annual General Meeting for a proposal to approve any adjournment or postponement of the Annual General Meeting, including if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the adoption of the Max Amalgamation Agreement and the approval of the Proposed Max Amalgamation if there are not sufficient votes for that proposal (the “Adjournment Proposal”). Because Proposals #1 through #8 and #10 and the Adjournment Proposal are designed to facilitate the approval of the Proposed Max Amalgamation, Validus recommends voting “AGAINST” these proposals.

 

YOU CAN CAST YOUR VOTE WITH RESPECT TO ALL PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON OUR GOLD PROXY CARD. THEREFORE, THERE IS NO NEED TO VOTE ON IPC’s PROXY CARD.

 

OTHER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

In addition to soliciting proxies to approve matters related to the Max Amalgamation, IPC’s Board of Directors is also soliciting proxies for the Annual General Meeting for a proposal to elect directors and to appoint its independent auditors. IPC’s Proposal #9 is a request to elect the directors of IPC and, at the effective time, of the combined entity. Finally, IPC’s Proposal #11 is a request to appoint KPMG as IPC’s independent auditors until the close of the next annual general meeting and to authorize the audit committee of IPC’s board of directors to set the compensation of such independent auditors.

 

With respect to these Proposals, #9 and #11, we are not making any recommendation as to how you should vote. If you do not indicate your voting instructions for either of these proposals we will vote to “WITHHOLD” with respect to each of the nominees listed in Proposal #9 and to “ABSTAIN” with respect to Proposal #11.

 

YOU CAN CAST YOUR VOTE WITH RESPECT TO ALL PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON OUR GOLD PROXY CARD. THEREFORE, THERE IS NO NEED TO VOTE ON IPC’s PROXY CARD.

Other than as set forth above, Validus is not currently aware of any other proposals to be brought before the Annual General Meeting. Should other proposals be brought before the Annual General Meeting, the persons named on the GOLD proxy card will abstain from voting on such proposals unless such proposals adversely affect the interests of Validus as determined by Validus in its sole discretion, in which event such persons will vote on such proposals in their discretion.

 

VOTING PROCEDURES

 

According to the IPC/Max S-4, as of the Record Date, there were          IPC Shares entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.

 

Under IPC’s bye-laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of more than 50% of the IPC Shares outstanding as of the Record Date (without giving effect to the limitation on voting rights of 10% shareholders) and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual General Meeting. In accordance with Nasdaq rules, brokers and nominees who hold IPC Shares in street-name for customers may not exercise their voting discretion with respect to IPC’s Proposals in connection with the Proposed Max Amalgamation or the Adjournment Proposal related thereto. Thus, these IPC Shares will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. Brokers and nominees may vote such IPC Shares with respect to the Adjournment Proposal but may not vote such IPC Shares with respect to the Proposals related to the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

 

Any IPC shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it before its exercise by providing IPC’s Secretary with written notice of revocation, by voting in person at IPC’s Annual General Meeting or by executing a later-dated proxy; provided, however, that the action is taken in sufficient time to permit the necessary examination and tabulation of the subsequent proxy or revocation before the vote is taken.

 

Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted toward the presence of a quorum at, but will not be considered votes cast on any proposal brought before, IPC meeting. Because the vote required to approve the proposals is the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, assuming a quorum is present, a broker non-vote with respect to any proposal to be voted on at the shareholder meeting will not have the effect of a vote for or against the relevant proposal, but will reduce the number of votes cast needed to approve a proposal and therefore increase the relative influence of those shareholders voting.

 

A vote by a show of hands will be taken in the first instance on all matters (other than the election of directors) properly brought before the Annual General Meeting unless a poll is requested in accordance with IPC bye-laws. On a vote by show of hands, every IPC shareholder present in person and every person holding a valid proxy will be entitled to one vote, regardless of the number of shares owned or represented by that person. If a poll is requested, subject to the voting restrictions set out in IPC’s bye-laws, each shareholder present who elects to vote in person and each person holding a valid proxy is entitled to one vote for each share owned or represented. Votes for the election of directors may be cumulated, as described below.

 

The IPC Shares currently vote cumulatively in the election of directors, which means that each shareholder, including a shareholder holding Controlled Shares (as defined in IPC’s bye-laws), is entitled to the number of votes that equals the number of votes that such shareholder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors with respect to its IPC Shares multiplied by the number of persons standing for election as director, and all votes entitled to be cast may be cast for one or more of the directors being elected. If the proposal described above regarding an amendment to IPC’s bye-laws to remove cumulative voting is adopted by shareholders, the election of directors in any general meeting of shareholders after the closing date will be subject to the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the general meeting (without cumulative voting).

 

Shareholders may (but need not) indicate the distribution of their votes among the nominees in the space provided on the IPC proxy card. Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy card, the IPC proxies will cumulate votes represented by such proxy in their discretion, except to the extent that authority so to cumulate votes is expressly withheld as to any one or more of the nominees.

 

IPC’s shareholders (i) may vote “AGAINST” any or all of the proposals, other than Proposal #9 in respect of which it may “WITHHOLD”, (ii) may abstain from voting on any or all of the proposals, other than Proposal #9 in respect of which it may “WITHHOLD” or (iii) may vote for any or all of the proposals by marking the proper box on the GOLD proxy card and signing, dating and returning it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. If an IPC shareholder returns a GOLD proxy card that is signed, dated and not marked with respect to a Proposal, that shareholder will be deemed to have voted “AGAINST” Proposals #1 through #5 (IPC bye-law amendments), Proposal #6 (authorized share capital increase), Proposal #7 (name change), Proposal #8 (Authorization of Share Issuance) and Proposal #10 (director compensation plan) and the Adjournment Proposal as these Proposals are related to the Max Amalgamation which we oppose.

 

If an IPC shareholder returns a GOLD proxy card that is signed and dated but not marked with respect to Proposal #9 (election of directors) or Proposal #11 (appointment of KPMG), we will vote to “WITHHOLD” with respect to each of the nominees listed in Proposal #9 and to “ABSTAIN” with respect to Proposal #11. Also, if no instructions as to cumulation of votes are given, your votes will not be cumulated and your shares will be voted for each of the nominees as directed.

 

Only IPC’s shareholders (or their duly appointed proxies) of record on the Record Date are eligible to vote in person or submit a proxy.

 

YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND VOTING IN PERSON, BY SUBMITTING A DULY EXECUTED, LATER DATED PROXY BY ONE OF THE METHODS PROVIDED ON YOUR PROXY CARD OR BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN NOTICE OF REVOCATION TO EITHER (A) VALIDUS, CARE OF GEORGESON INC., 199 WATER STREET, 26TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10038, OR (B) THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF IPC AT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 29 RICHMOND ROAD, PEMBROKE HM 08, BERMUDA. A REVOCATION MAY BE IN ANY WRITTEN FORM VALIDLY SIGNED BY THE RECORD HOLDER AS LONG AS IT CLEARLY STATES THAT THE PROXY PREVIOUSLY GIVEN IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. SHAREHOLDERS WHO HOLD THEIR SHARES IN A BANK OR BROKERAGE ACCOUNT WILL NEED TO NOTIFY THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACCOUNT TO REVOKE OR WITHDRAW PREVIOUSLY GIVEN INSTRUCTIONS. WE REQUEST THAT A COPY OF ANY REVOCATION SENT TO IPC OR ANY REVOCATION NOTIFICATION SENT TO THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR A BANK OR BROKERAGE ACCOUNT ALSO BE SENT TO VALIDUS, CARE OF GEORGESON INC., AT THE ADDRESS BELOW SO THAT VALIDUS MAY MORE ACCURATELY DETERMINE IF AND WHEN PROXIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE HOLDERS OF RECORD ON THE RECORD DATE OF A MAJORITY OF IPC’s SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING. UNLESS REVOKED IN THE MANNER SET FORTH ABOVE, SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, DULY EXECUTED PROXIES IN THE FORM ENCLOSED WILL BE VOTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AS SET FORTH ABOVE.

BY EXECUTING THE GOLD CARD YOU ARE AUTHORIZING THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES TO REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES ON YOUR BEHALF.

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your IPC Shares, please contact:

 

 

199 Water Street

26th Floor

New York, New York 10038

Banks and Brokers should call: (212) 440-9800

or

Toll Free at (888) 274-5119

Email: validusIPC@georgeson.com

 

DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS

 

IPC’s shareholders are not entitled to dissenter’s appraisal rights in connection with the Proposed Max Amalgamation.

 

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

 

Except as set forth below, Validus will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for the solicitation of proxies in connection with this solicitation.

 

Proxies will be solicited by mail, telephone, facsimile, telegraph, the internet, e-mail, newspapers and other publications of general distribution and in person. Directors and the officers of Validus and Validus Ltd. listed on Schedule I hereto may assist in the solicitation of proxies without any additional remuneration (except as otherwise set forth in this Proxy Statement).

 

Validus has retained Georgeson Inc. (“Georgeson”) for solicitation and advisory services in connection with solicitations relating to the Annual General Meeting, for which Georgeson may receive a fee of up to $250,000 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual General Meeting. Up to 50 people may be employed by Georgeson in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual General Meeting. Validus has also agreed to reimburse Georgeson for out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify Georgeson against certain liabilities and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and related charges. Georgeson will solicit proxies for the Annual General Meeting from individuals, brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders. Directors, officers and certain employees of Validus and Validus Ltd. may assist in the solicitation of proxies without any additional remuneration. The entire expense of soliciting proxies for the Annual General Meeting by or on behalf of Validus is being borne by Validus.

 

If you have any questions concerning this Proxy Statement or the procedures to be followed to execute and deliver a proxy, please contact Georgeson at the address or phone number specified above.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Proxy Statement may include forward-looking statements, both with respect to us and our industry, that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “will,” “may” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements and, therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) uncertainty as to whether IPC or Validus will enter into and be able to consummate the proposed acquisition on the terms set forth in the Validus Amalgamation Offer and to be set forth in the Scheme of Arrangement, the Exchange Offer or otherwise; 2) uncertainty as to the actual premium that will be realized by IPC shareholders in connection with the proposed acquisition, if any; 3) uncertainty as to the long term value of Validus’ common shares; 4) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events; 5) rating agency actions; 6) adequacy of Validus’ and IPC’s risk management and loss limitation methods; 7) cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets; 8) our limited operating history; 9) Validus’ or IPC’s ability to successfully implement their respective business strategies during “soft” as well as “hard” markets; 10) adequacy of Validus’ and IPC’s loss reserves; 11) continued availability of capital and financing; 12) retention of key personnel; 13) competition; 14) potential loss of business from one or more major insurance or reinsurance brokers; 15) Validus’ or IPC’s ability to implement, successfully and on a timely basis, complex infrastructure, distribution capabilities, systems, procedures and internal controls, and to develop accurate actuarial data to support the business and regulatory and reporting requirements; 16) general economic and market conditions (including inflation, volatility in the credit and capital markets, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates); 17) the integration of Talbot or other businesses we may acquire or new business ventures we may start including, without limitation, the acquisition of IPC; 18) the effect on Validus’ and IPC’s investment portfolios of changing financial market conditions including inflation, interest rates, liquidity and other factors; 19) acts of terrorism or outbreak of war; 20) availability of reinsurance and retrocessional coverage; 21) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the proposed acquisition, including as a result of failure or delay in integrating the businesses of Validus and IPC; and 22) the outcome of litigation arising from Validus’ offer for IPC, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors.

 

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein and elsewhere, including the Risk Factors included in our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and the risk factors included in IPC’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and other documents of Validus and IPC on file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements made in this Proxy Statement are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us or our business or operations. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

The information concerning IPC and the Proposed Max Amalgamation contained herein has been taken from, or is based upon, publicly available documents on file with the SEC and other publicly available information. Although Validus has no knowledge that would indicate that statements relating to IPC or the Max Amalgamation Agreement contained in this Proxy Statement, in reliance upon publicly available information, are inaccurate or incomplete, to date it has not had access to the full books and records of IPC, was not involved in the preparation of such information and statements and is not in a position to verify any such information or statements.

 

Pursuant to Rule 14a-5 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), reference is made to the joint proxy statement/prospectus included in the IPC/Max S-4 for information concerning the Max Amalgamation Agreement, the Proposed Max Amalgamation, financial information regarding Max, IPC and the proposed combination of Max and IPC, the proposals to be voted upon at the Annual General

Meeting, the IPC Shares, the beneficial ownership of IPC Shares by the principal holders thereof, other information concerning IPC’s management, the procedures for submitting proposals for consideration at the next annual meeting of shareholders of IPC and certain other matters regarding IPC and the Annual General Meeting. See Schedule II for information regarding persons who beneficially own more than 5% of the IPC Shares and the ownership of the IPC Shares by the management of IPC Holdings, Ltd.

 

WE URGE YOU NOT TO RETURN ANY PROXY CARD YOU RECEIVE FROM IPC. EVEN IF YOU PREVIOUSLY HAVE SUBMITTED A PROXY CARD FURNISHED BY IPC, IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE BY SIMPLY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY. THEREFORE, WE URGE YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TO US.

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS IMPORTANT. MAKE YOUR VIEWS CLEAR TO IPC’s BOARD BY VOTING “AGAINST” PROPOSALS #1 THROUGH #8 AND #10 AND ANY ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL AND SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY.

 

IF A COMPANY SHAREHOLDER RETURNS A GOLD PROXY CARD THAT IS SIGNED, DATED AND NOT MARKED WITH RESPECT TO A PROPOSAL, THAT SHAREHOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE VOTED “AGAINST” PROPOSALS #1 THROUGH #5 (IPC BYE-LAW AMENDMENTS), PROPOSAL #6 (AUTHORIZED SHARE CAPITAL INCREASE), PROPOSAL #7 (NAME CHANGE), PROPOSAL #8 (AUTHORIZATION OF SHARE ISSUANCE) AND PROPOSAL #10 (DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PLAN) AND THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL AS THESE PROPOSALS ARE RELATED TO THE MAX AMALGAMATION WHICH WE OPPOSE.

 

IF A COMPANY SHAREHOLDER RETURNS A GOLD PROXY CARD THAT IS SIGNED AND DATED BUT NOT MARKED WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL #9 (ELECTION OF DIRECTORS) OR PROPOSAL #11 (APPOINTMENT OF KPMG), WE WILL VOTE TO “WITHHOLD” WITH RESPECT TO EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL #9 AND TO “ABSTAIN” WITH RESPECT TO PROPOSAL #11.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY OR HOW FEW SHARES YOU OWN.

 

VALIDUS HOLDINGS, LTD.
May 1, 2009

 

IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION

 

1. If your IPC Shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and return the enclosed GOLD proxy card to Validus Holdings, Ltd., care of Georgeson Inc., in the postage-paid envelope provided.

 

2. If your IPC Shares are held in “street-name,” only your broker or bank can vote your IPC Shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions. If your IPC Shares are held in “street-name,” deliver the enclosed GOLD proxy card to your broker or bank or contact the person responsible for your account to vote on your behalf and to ensure that a GOLD proxy card is submitted on your behalf. We urge you to confirm in writing your instructions to the person responsible for your account and to provide a copy of those instructions to Validus Holdings, Ltd., care of Georgeson Inc., 199 Water Street, 26th Floor, New York, New York 10038, at (888) 274-5119, so that Validus will be aware of all instructions given and can attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.

 

3. Do not sign or return any [     ] proxy card you may receive from IPC. If you have already submitted a [     ] proxy card, it is not too late to change your vote — simply sign, date and return the GOLD proxy card. Only your latest dated proxy will be counted.

 

4. Only IPC’s shareholders of record on          , 2009 are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting. We urge each shareholder to ensure that the holder of record of his or her IPC Share(s) signs, dates, and returns the enclosed GOLD proxy card as soon as possible.

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your IPC Shares, please contact:

 

199 Water Street

26th Floor

New York, New York 10038

Banks and Brokers should call: (212) 440-9800

or

Toll Free at (888) 274-5119

Email: validusIPC@georgeson.com

 

THE VALIDUS AMALGAMATION OFFER DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT MAY BECOME THE SUBJECT OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 FILED WITH THE SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE ADVISED TO READ SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENT, ALL OTHER APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE EACH WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF ANY DOCUMENTS FILED BY VALIDUS WITH THE SEC AT THE SEC’S WEBSITE (www.sec.gov) OR BY DIRECTING SUCH REQUESTS TO GEORGESON INC., 199 WATER STREET, 26TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10038, AT (888) 274-5119 OR BY EMAIL AT validusIPC@georgeson.com.

 

SCHEDULE I

 

INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
OF VALIDUS AND VALIDUS LTD. WHO ARE PARTICIPANTS

 

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each director and executive officer of Validus that is a participant in the solicitation. Unless otherwise indicated, the current business address of each person is 19 Par-La-Ville Road Hamilton HM11 Bermuda and the current business telephone number is (441) 278-9000. Unless otherwise indicated, each such person is a citizen of the United States, and each occupation set forth opposite an individual’s name refers to employment with Validus.

 

DIRECTORS

 

 

PARTICIPANT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to each director and executive officer of Validus Ltd. that is a participant in the solicitation. Unless otherwise indicated, the current business address of each person is 19 Par-La-Ville Road Hamilton HM11 Bermuda and the current business telephone number is (441) 278-9000. Unless otherwise indicated, each such person is a citizen of the United States.

 

DIRECTORS

 

 

PARTICIPANT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

SCHEDULE II

 

THE FOLLOWING TABLE IS REPRINTED FROM IPC’s REGISTRATION
STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 27, 2009.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The table below sets forth certain information as of March 26, 2009, (unless otherwise specified) with respect to the beneficial ownership of Company common shares by each person who is known to Company, based on filings made by such person under Section 13(d) and Section 13(g) of the Exchange Act, to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common shares, each person currently serving as a director of Company, each nominee for director, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, each of the two most highly compensated executive officers of IPC other than the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT

 

If your IPC Shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and return the enclosed GOLD proxy card today. If your shares are held in “Street-Name,” only your broker or bank can vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions. Please return the enclosed GOLD proxy card to your broker or bank and contact the person responsible for your account to ensure that a GOLD proxy card is voted on your behalf.

 

We urge you not to sign any proxy card you may receive from IPC, even in protest.

 

If you have any questions or require any assistance in voting your IPC Shares, please contact:

 

199 Water Street

26th Floor

New York, New York 10038

Banks and Brokers should call: (212) 440-9800

or

Toll Free at (888) 274-5119

Email: validusIPC@georgeson.com