1 [Cott Logo] EXHIBIT 10.8 207 QUEEN'S QUAY WEST SUITE 340 TORONTO, ONTARIO M5J 1A7 TO: PAUL RICHARDSON CC: FROM: COLIN D. WALKER DATE: AUGUST 23, 1999 SUBJECT: EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Position: Executive Vice President, Cott Corporate Reporting to CEO Cott Corporate Assignment: Global Purchasing - Global Best Practices. COO. Asia & Israel - Advisory Board UK - Innovation Initiatives - Wal*Mart International - Project Assignment by CEO Location: Corporate Office (Toronto) / or Tampa US office. At Paul Richardson's discretion and expense he may relocate to Tampa. Term: Year to Year Compensation: Shall not be less than that in effect on November 1, 1998. Termination: 6 months of notice may be given at any time by either party. Termination Payment: Within 30 days of notice being delivered by either party. The aggregate of two times Paul Richardson's annual salary and bonus paid or payable plus the cash value of all benefits and perquisites and the average of any other remuneration during the two years prior to the termination notice. NB: For calendar 1998 the 11 month fiscal year shall be grossed up to 12 months. Payment shall be made subject to Paul Richardson signing the attached release and returning all Cott owned property to Cott. Stock Options: Upon termination notice being delivered by either party, all stock options granted to Paul Richardson shall fully vest and shall be exercisable for a period of 12 months. Future Option Grants: Eligibility, terms and quantity of options granted will be on the same basis as the other members of the executive council. Page 1 of 2 2 PAUL RICHARDSON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (CONT'D) Bonus: Will be expressed as a percentage of salary and will be determined on the same basis as that applicable to the other members of the corporate executive group (other than the CEO). Any Other Benefits: On the same basis as other members of the corporate executive group. Death: In the event of Paul Richardson's death, the termination payment will be treated as per Plan C.S.O. and shall be provided to his estate. Outstanding Loan: All mortgages and encumbrances placed on Paul Richardson's property to secure the loan of Canadian $220,000 will be removed and replaced by 19,500 Cott shares, which shall become the sole security and recourse for the loan. Cott Corporation will hold the share certificates. Confidentiality Agreement: Cott acknowledges that Paul Richardson has signed a confidentiality agreement. Legal Counsel Fees: If the corporation shall fail to comply with its obligation in the agreement or call into question the legal validity of this agreement, all reasonable legal counsel fees incurred by Paul Richardson in the course of seeking to enforce this agreement shall be on the account of and payable by Cott Corporation, except to the extent that a court shall determine that Paul Richardson's action in seeking to enforce this agreement was frivolous. /s/ Paul Richardson /s/ Colin D. Walker -------------------------- ------------------------- Paul Richardson Colin D. Walker Executive Vice President Senior Vice President Human Resources Page 2 of 2