Source - LSE Regulatory
RNS Number : 0176S
Begbies Traynor Group PLC
11 March 2021
 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.  PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICES AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

 

11 March 2021

Begbies Traynor Group plc

("Begbies Traynor", the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Proposed Acquisition

and

Proposed Vendor Placing, Cash Placing and PrimaryBid Offer to raise £22 million

 

"A further significant expansion of the Group's scale in business recovery and financial advisory"

 

Acquisition highlights

·    Acquisition of David Rubin & Partners, a long-established insolvency practice with offices in London and Guernsey.

·    Maximum consideration of £25 million (on a cash free and debt free basis with normalised working capital): 

initial consideration of £12 million, funded through a vendor placing (£10 million) and the issue of new ordinary shares (£2 million); and

deferred consideration and earn out payments in cash of up to £13 million, subject to financial performance of the acquired business over a period of up to five years.

·    Represents the largest acquisition the Group has undertaken to date.

·    Delivers a significant increase in scale of the business recovery and financial advisory business, with a material increase in the Group's size in the key London market.

·    In line with strategy to target value-accretive acquisitions and is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

 

Fundraise highlights

·    Equity fundraising to raise £22 million (before costs) to satisfy initial cash consideration for the acquisition and to fund pipeline opportunities and for general corporate purposes, comprised of:

£10 million vendor placing; and

£12 million placing for cash including a PrimaryBid offer, as separately announced today.

·    Canaccord Genuity Limited and Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the vendor and cash placings, which will be conducted through a bookbuilding process which will commence immediately following this announcement.

·    Fixed placing price of 105.50 pence.

·    The share issuance in connection with the acquisition and fundraising is within existing shareholder authorities granted at the 2020 AGM and therefore no shareholder approval is required.

·    The shares being issued will rank pari passu with the existing ordinary shares, with the right to receive future dividends, and are expected to be admitted to trading on AIM on 17 March 2021.

 

Mark Fry, Head of business recovery and advisory of Begbies Traynor Group plc, commented:

"The acquisition of David Rubin & Partners significantly increases the scale of our business recovery and financial advisory business. Combined with our recent acquisition of CVR, we have also materially increased our scale in the key London market.

"We welcome the team into the group and look forward to working with them."

 

Ric Traynor, Executive Chairman of Begbies Traynor Group plc, commented:

"This acquisition is our largest to date and is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing. It leaves the group well-positioned to increase its market share and continue to grow its business recovery and financial advisory revenues.

"With the benefit of our recent acquisitions and other organic growth initiatives the Group is well positioned to deliver material growth in the 2021-22 financial year.

 

A short video presentation of the acquisition and fundraising will be available to view on the Group's investor relations website (https://www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/investor-relations) expected to be during the course of Friday 12 March 2021, and following the announcement of the results of the fundraising.

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is John Humphrey, General Counsel and Group Company Secretary.

This announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notices" section of this announcement.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Begbies Traynor Group plc                                                                                            

Ric Traynor - Executive Chairman

Tel:             0161 837 1700

Nick Taylor - Group Finance Director

 

 

Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor, Joint Bookrunner and Joint Broker)

Emma Gabriel / Sam Lucas / Angelos Vlatakis

Tel:             020 7523 8350

Shore Capital (Joint Bookrunner and Joint Broker)

Mark Percy / Anita Ghanekar / James Thomas

Tel:             020 7408 4090

 

 

 

MHP Communications

Reg Hoare / Katie Hunt / Florence Mayo

Tel:             020 3128 8168

 

              begbies@mhpc.com

 

 

Information on Begbies Traynor Group can be accessed via the Group's website at https://www.begbies-traynorgroup.com/investor-relations.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

1.    Acquisition of David Rubin & Partners Limited

Begbies Traynor Group plc (AIM: BEG), the business recovery, financial advisory and property services consultancy, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of David Rubin & Partners Limited ("DRP"), (the "Acquisition") for a total maximum consideration of £25 million (on a cash free and debt free basis with normalised working capital), comprising a combination of cash and new ordinary shares of 5 pence each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares").

About David Rubin & Partners Ltd ("DRP")

DRP is a long-established insolvency practice with a strong reputation, which operates from offices in London and Guernsey. It has a team of 72 partners* and staff who will join the Group following the Acquisition.

The business has a strong and consistent financial track record with excellent operating margins. In the financial year ended 30 April 2020, DRP reported annual fee income** of £10.3 million and normalised pre-tax profits*** of £3.3 million when reported on the same basis as the Group. Trading has continued broadly in line with this performance in the current financial year to date. Net assets were £4.6 million**** at 30 April 2020.

This represents the largest acquisition the Group has undertaken to date and builds on the recent acquisition of CVR Global LLP ("CVR"), resulting in a significant increase in the scale of the Group's business recovery and financial advisory team, especially in the key London market.

Summarised historical financial information for DRP is as follows:

Financial year ending 30 April (£m)

Apr 20

Apr 19

Apr 18

Fee income

10.3

10.1

9.8

Normalised PBT (reported on same basis as the Group)

3.3

3.5

3.2

Net assets

4.6

4.2

3.6

 

* These persons are technically employees but their title within the business is partner

** Revenue as reported (£11.2 million) adjusted to exclude recovery of disbursements and WIP movement

*** Profit before tax as reported (£3.1 million) adjusted to align partner remuneration and exclude goodwill amortisation, interest costs and WIP movement

**** Including cash of £1.0m and debt of £2.9 million

 

Reasons for and benefits of the Acquisition

The Group's strategy is to increase the scale and quality of its businesses both organically and through value-accretive acquisitions, enabling increased shareholder value through the delivery of strong, sustainable financial performance.

This strategy has delivered a steady increase in the Group's market share* of new insolvency appointments, reaching a record high in the six months ended 30 September 2020 of 10.5%, up from 8% in calendar year 2018. The recent acquisition of CVR (announced on 18 January 2021), combined with this Acquisition, increases the Group's market share* to 12% on an aggregated basis**.

This Acquisition, together with the recent CVR acquisition, materially increases the Group's scale in the key London market. Our annual fee income from London offices will increase to c.£28 million*** from £13 million prior to these acquisitions. The enlarged team of 26 London partners**** becomes a very significant market participant.

The DRP team handles a broad mix of routine insolvency engagements together with some larger and more complex assignments. The Acquisition will result in an increased average case size handled by the Group. There are revenue synergy opportunities from leveraging the Group's panel positions and relationships and the Guernsey office enhances our growing offshore capability following the CVR acquisition.

The Acquisition is expected to be immediately earnings enhancing.

 

* Market share by volume of CVL, administration, CVA appointments as disclosed in the London, Edinburgh and Belfast Gazettes, Accountant in Bankruptcy, Companies House and excluding compulsory liquidations

** Collective CVL, administration, CVA appointments for Begbies Traynor, CVR, DRP in 12 months to December 2020

*** Pro-forma basis of current year run-rate of Begbies Traynor London offices add CVR London office income in year ended 31 March 2020 add DRP fee income in year ended 30 April 2020

****Whilst having the title 'partners', they are in fact members of Begbies Traynor (London) LLP

Integration

In common with our previous insolvency acquisitions, the DRP team will operate as Begbies Traynor moving forwards. The CVR integration is proceeding well, which will enable the integration of the DRP business to follow thereafter.

Financial effects of this and recent transactions

This Acquisition, combined with the recent acquisitions of CVR and Hargreaves Newberry Gyngell ("HNG") (announced on 18 January 2021 and 8 February 2021, respectively), results in a material increase in the scale of the Group. On a pro-forma basis, these recent acquisitions together with the acquisition of DRP add £21.3 million to revenue and £4.5 million to adjusted profit before tax.

The table below is an illustrative historical pro-forma and therefore does not reflect current expectations of growth in the financial year to 30 April 2021.

 (£m)

Group *

(Apr 20)

CVR (excl. synergies) **

HNG ***

DRP ****

Pro-forma

Revenue

70.5

9.5

1.5

10.3

91.8

Adjusted profit before tax

9.2

1.0

0.2

3.3

13.7

Adjusted basic EPS ***** (p)

5.7

-

-

-

7.3

At 31 October 2020, the Group reported net cash of £0.7 million. Following the recent acquisitions of CVR and HNG, together with deferred consideration and dividend payments, net debt for the Group as at 1 March 2021 was £12.8 million. Following the Acquisition and Fundraise (detailed below), net debt is expected to be £2.0 million******, resulting in a pro-forma leverage of 0.1x*******.

Following the Acquisition and Fundraise, the Group retains significant financial headroom in its bank facilities to finance future acquisitions and organic growth. The Group's facilities comprise a £25 million committed revolving credit facility, together with a £5 million uncommitted acquisition facility (maturing in August 2023).

 

* Group 30 April 2020 statutory accounts. Adjusted profit before tax represents statutory profit before tax of £2.9m plus transaction costs £3.2m and amortisation of intangible assets arising on acquisitions £3.1m

** CVR 31 March 2020 statutory accounts. Adjusted profit before tax represents reported profit before tax, plus exceptional items less partner remuneration, and less interest costs from borrowing on initial consideration (i.e. normalised pre-tax profits of £1.2 million less interest costs from borrowing on initial consideration of £0.2 million)

*** HNG 30 September 2020 statutory accounts. Adjusted profit before tax represents reported profit before tax adjusted for known synergy savings

**** DRP  30 April 2020 accounts. Revenue represents reported revenue less disbursement recoveries less WIP movements. Adjusted PBT represents reported PBT adjusted for goodwill amortisation, WIP movements and partner remuneration

***** Group Adjusted EPS calculated with the weighted average number of shares in the year ended on 30 April 2020. Adjusted pro-forma EPS reflecting shares issued from £22 million fundraise and £2 million consideration shares. Assumes 21% effective tax rate

****** £10.8 million estimated net proceeds to the Company as a result of the Fundraise; i.e. the Cash Placing and PrimaryBid Offer net of estimated transaction costs. Vendor placing of £10 million is directly funding the Initial Cash Consideration (as defined below).

******* Leverage calculated as pro-forma net debt following Placing and Acquisition divided by pro-forma EBITDA

 

Principal terms of the Acquisition

The Acquisition is for a maximum consideration of £25 million payable to the shareholders of DRP (the "Vendors") on a cash free and debt free basis with normalised levels of working capital (i.e. adjusted for cash, debt and working capital levels at Completion), comprising:

·    initial consideration of £12 million to be satisfied as follows:

£10 million in new Ordinary Shares at a fixed price of 105.50 pence per new Ordinary Share (the "Placing Price") (being 9,478,673 Ordinary Shares (the "Vendor Placing Shares")), which are to be placed for cash (the "Initial Cash Consideration") on behalf of the Vendors pursuant to the Vendor Placing, as defined below; and

£2 million in new Ordinary Shares calculated at the average mid-market closing price of the Company's Ordinary Shares in the five business days immediately preceding the date of this announcement, being 105.10, (being 1,902,950 Ordinary Shares) (the "Consideration Shares"), subject to a two year lock up period;

·    contingent cash consideration of up to £8 million (the "Contingent Consideration") subject to maintaining financial performance in the four years following completion of the Acquisition; and

·    earn out consideration of up to £5 million in cash subject to fee income exceeding the fee income targets required for the Contingent Consideration over the five years following completion.

The individual Vendors are joining the Group as members of Begbies Traynor (London) LLP with minimum notice periods of 5 years from completion subject to two exceptions where their notice period is 3 years.

Completion of the Acquisition is conditional upon admission of the Vendor Placing Shares and the Consideration Shares and there being no material adverse change to the business of DRP between the date of this announcement and Admission.

 

2.    Fundraise

The Company is proposing to raise gross proceeds of £22 million through:

·    a vendor placing (the "Vendor Placing"), a placing for cash (the "Cash Placing" and together with the Vendor Placing, the "Placing"), in each case to new and existing institutional investors; and

·    in conjunction with the Placing, a separate retail offer of new Ordinary Shares through the PrimaryBid platform (the "PrimaryBid Offer").

The Placing, together with the PrimaryBid Offer, being the "Fundraise".

The Placing Price is fixed at 105.50 pence per new Ordinary Share.

Canaccord Genuity Limited ("Canaccord") and Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited ("Shore Capital") are acting as joint bookrunners (the "Joint Bookrunners") in connection with the Placing. 

The Placing will be conducted through a bookbuilding process (the "Bookbuild") which will commence immediately following this announcement. The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this announcement.

The Fundraise of £22 million, comprises the following: 

 

·    Vendor Placing of 9,478,673 new Ordinary Shares at the Placing Price to raise £10 million; and

·    Cash Placing of new Ordinary Shares (the "Cash Placing Shares" and together with the Vendor Placing Shares, the "Placing Shares") and the PrimaryBid Offer of new Ordinary Shares (the "Offer Shares" and together with the Placing Shares, the "Fundraise Shares"), both at the Placing Price, to raise £12 million (before expenses).

 

The issue of the Fundraise Shares and the Consideration Shares (the "New Ordinary Shares") will be effected pursuant to the existing shareholder authorities of the Company granted at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Therefore, no shareholder approval is required to effect the Fundraise or the Acquisition.

Vendor Placing

The Vendor Placing to raise £10 million, through the issue of the Vendor Placing Shares, is being used to allow the Vendors to realise cash in respect of the Initial Cash Consideration due to them in connection with the Acquisition and, as such, the proceeds of the Vendor Placing will be payable to the Vendors.

Cash Placing and PrimaryBid Offer

The Company is seeking to raise £12 million (before expenses) through the issue of the Cash Placing Shares, by way of the Cash Placing, and through the issue of the Offer Shares, by way of the PrimaryBid Offer.

The Placing will be conducted through the Bookbuild which will commence immediately following the release of this announcement.  The Bookbuild is expected to close by 08:00 p.m. on 11 March 2021, but may be closed at such earlier or later time as the Joint Bookrunners may, in their absolute discretion (after consultation with the Company), determine. A further announcement will be made following the close of the Bookbuild detailing the number of Placing Shares placed.

Canaccord and Shore Capital are acting as Joint Bookrunners in connection with the Placing. The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this announcement. The Placing Shares are not being made available to the public.

In conjunction with the Placing, the PrimaryBid Offer will provide retail investors with an opportunity to participate in the Fundraising alongside institutional investors. PrimaryBid intends to conduct an offer for subscription on behalf of the Company. The PrimaryBid Offer is not being made subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this announcement and instead will be made on the terms outlined in the separate announcement to be made shortly regarding the PrimaryBid Offer and its terms.

The PrimaryBid Offer is conditional upon (amongst other things) the Placing Agreement not having been terminated and Admission (as defined below) occurring on or before 8.00 a.m. on 17 March 2021 (or such later date and/or time as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree, being no later than 17 April 2021).

The Joint Bookrunners are playing no role in connection with the PrimaryBid Offer.

Admission and Settlement

The Fundraise Shares and the Consideration Shares, when issued, will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with each other, and with the existing Ordinary Shares, including, without limitation, the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue.

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") for the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission").

Settlement for the New Ordinary Shares and Admission is expected to take place on or around 8.00 a.m. on 17 March 2021 (or such later date as may be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners and the Company). The Placing and the PrimaryBid Offer are conditional upon, inter alia, Admission becoming effective and the placing agreement between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners (the "Placing Agreement") not being terminated in accordance with its terms. The Appendix to this announcement sets out further information relating to the Bookbuild and the terms and conditions of the Placing.

Use of proceeds

The Vendor Placing is being used to allow the Vendors to realise cash in respect of the Initial Cash Consideration due to them in connection with the Acquisition.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Cash Placing and the PrimaryBid Offer to fund an existing pipeline of opportunities and for general corporate purposes. The Company has a strategy to increase the scale and quality of the business through value-accretive acquisitions.

 

3.    Current trading and prospects of the Group

As announced on 23 February 2021, the Group has continued its strong trading performance since the half year.

The business recovery and financial advisory business has continued to perform well, maintaining its run rate for activity levels and new appointments. This is in spite of the continuing Government economic support measures, which as previously reported have reduced the number of insolvencies in the UK since March 2020.

The property advisory and transactional services business delivered a robust performance in the third quarter with no adverse impact from the lockdown restrictions over the period, and in line with its second quarter recovery.

This performance leaves the Group confident of the outcome for the full year and delivering results at least in line with expectations for the year as a whole.

With the benefit of recent acquisitions and other organic growth initiatives the Group is also well positioned to deliver the anticipated material growth in earnings in the 2021-22 financial year.

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS "ANNOUNCEMENT") ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (1) IF IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA"), QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE "EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); (2) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 AS IT FORMS PART OF UNITED KINGDOM DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (THE "UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); WHO (A) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER") (INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS) OR (B) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.) OF THE ORDER; AND (3) OTHERWISE, PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS OTHERWISE LAWFUL TO COMMUNICATE IT TO (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION IN IT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS.  PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO.  ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN BEGBIES TRAYNOR GROUP PLC.

THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES.  THE PLACING SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD ONLY OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES IN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHERWISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS IN TRANSACTIONS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.  NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE INTO THE UNITED STATES.  THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.  NO PUBLIC OFFERING IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

The distribution of this Announcement and/or the Placing and/or issue of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law.  No action has been taken by the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.  Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This Announcement or any part of it is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia (the "United States" or the "US")), Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful.  No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in any such jurisdiction.

All offers of the Placing Shares in the United Kingdom or the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to produce a prospectus under the UK Prospectus Regulation or the EU Prospectus Regulation, as appropriate.  In the United Kingdom, this Announcement is being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) does not apply.

The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.  The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada, no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan.  Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.

Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual right or other legal obligations to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.

By participating in the Bookbuild and the Placing, each person who is invited to and who chooses to participate in the Placing (a "Placee") by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety, to be participating, making an offer and acquiring Placing Shares on the terms and conditions contained herein and to be providing the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in the Appendix.

This Announcement may contain and the Company may make verbal statements containing "forward-looking statements" with respect to certain of the Company's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance, strategic initiatives, objectives and results.  Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "seek", "may", "could", "outlook" or other words of similar meaning.  By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond the control of the Company, including amongst other things, United Kingdom domestic and global economic business conditions, market-related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, the policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, the effect of competition, inflation, deflation, the timing effect and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries, the effect of tax and other legislation and other regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate, the effect of volatility in the equity, capital and credit markets on the Company's profitability and ability to access capital and credit, a decline in the Company's credit ratings; the effect of operational risks; and the loss of key personnel.  As a result, the actual future financial condition, performance and results of the Company may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in any forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statements made in this Announcement by or on behalf of the Company speak only as of the date they are made.  Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company and the Joint Bookrunners expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to publish any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement to reflect any changes in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended, ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures in the European Economic Area and in the United Kingdom (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "Target Market Assessment"). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing.  Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, the Joint Bookrunners will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Placing Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.

Canaccord is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Bookbuild and the Placing, and Canaccord will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Bookbuild or the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.

Shore Capital is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing, and Shore Capital will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by the Joint Bookrunners or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefor is expressly disclaimed.

No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.

The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares.  Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange.

Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this Announcement.

 

Appendix

Terms and Conditions of the Placing

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY REGARDING THE PLACING.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS "ANNOUNCEMENT") ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (1) IF IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA"), QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE "EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); (2) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 AS IT FORMS PART OF UNITED KINGDOM DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (THE "UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); WHO (A) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER") (INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS) OR (B) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.) OF THE ORDER; AND (3) OTHERWISE, PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS OTHERWISE LAWFUL TO COMMUNICATE IT TO (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION IN IT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS.  PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO.  ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN BEGBIES TRAYNOR GROUP PLC.

THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE  UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES.  THE PLACING SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED AND SOLD ONLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHERWISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.  NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE INTO THE UNITED STATES.  THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.  NO PUBLIC OFFERING IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.

The distribution of this Announcement and/or the Placing and/or issue of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law.  No action has been taken by the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.  Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

This Announcement or any part of it is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful.  No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in any such jurisdiction.

All offers of the Placing Shares in the United Kingdom or the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to produce a prospectus under the UK Prospectus Regulation or the EU Prospectus Regulation, as appropriate.  In the United Kingdom, this Announcement is being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the "FSMA") does not require the approval of the relevant communication by an authorised person.

The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.  The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada, no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan.  Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.

Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual right or other legal obligations to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.

This Announcement should be read in its entirety.  In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notices" section of this Announcement.

By participating in the Bookbuild and the Placing, each Placee will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety, to be participating, making an offer and acquiring Placing Shares on the terms and conditions contained herein and to be providing the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix.

In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants, undertakes, agrees and acknowledges (amongst other things) that:

1.            it is a Relevant Person and undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business;

1.         in the case of a Relevant Person in the United Kingdom who acquires any Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing:

(a)        it is a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation; and

(b)        in the case of any Placing Shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation:

(i)         the Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in the United Kingdom other than Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners have been given to the offer or resale; or
(ii)         where Placing Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in the United Kingdom other than Qualified Investors, the offer of those Placing Shares to it is not treated under the UK Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons; and

2.            in the case of a Relevant Person in a member state of the EEA (each, a "Relevant State") who acquires any Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing:

(a)        it is a Qualified Investor within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation; and

(b)        in the case of any Placing Shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the EU Prospectus Regulation:

(i)         the Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Relevant State other than Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners have been given to the offer or resale; or
(ii)         where Placing Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant State other than Qualified Investors, the offer of those Placing Shares to it is not treated under the EU Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;

3.            it is acquiring the Placing Shares for its own account or is acquiring the Placing Shares for an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and has the authority to make and does make the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements, undertakings and agreements contained in this Announcement;

4.            it understands (or if acting for the account of another person, such person has confirmed that such person understands) the resale and transfer restrictions set out in this Appendix; and

5.            except as otherwise permitted by the Company and subject to any available exemptions from applicable securities laws, it (and any account referred to in paragraph 4 above) is outside the United States acquiring the Placing Shares in offshore transactions as defined in and in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

No prospectus

The Placing Shares are being offered to a limited number of specifically invited persons only and will not be offered in such a way as to require any prospectus or other offering document to be published.  No prospectus or other offering document has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA in relation to the Placing or the Placing Shares and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this Announcement, the announcement of the results of the Placing (the "Placing Results Announcement") and any information publicly announced through a Regulatory Information Service (as defined in the AIM Rules for Companies (the "AIM Rules")) by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date of this Announcement (the "Publicly Available Information") and subject to any further terms set forth in the contract note to be sent to individual Placees.

Each Placee, by participating in the Placing confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any information (other than the Publicly Available Information), representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of the Joint Bookrunners or the Company or any other person and none of the Joint Bookrunners, the Company nor any other person acting on such person's behalf nor any of their respective affiliates has or shall have any liability for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement.  Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing.  No Placee should consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice.  Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.

Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares

The Joint Bookrunners have today entered into a placing agreement (the "Placing Agreement") with the Company under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement, the Joint Bookrunners, as agents for and on behalf of the Company, have agreed to use their respective reasonable endeavours to procure Placees for the Placing Shares. 

The Placing Shares will, when issued, be subject to the articles of association of the Company, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing issued ordinary shares of five pence each ("Ordinary Shares") in the capital of the Company, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of such Ordinary Shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.

As part of the Placing, the Company has agreed that it will not for a period of 90 days after (but including) Admission, directly or indirectly, issue, offer, sell, lend, pledge, contract to sell or issue, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares (or any interest therein or in respect thereof) or other securities of the Company exchangeable for, convertible into or representing the right to receive Ordinary Shares or any substantially similar securities or otherwise enter into any transaction (including derivative transaction) directly or indirectly, permanently or temporarily, to dispose of any Ordinary Shares or undertake any other transaction with the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or announce an offering of Ordinary Shares or any interest therein or to announce publicly any intention to enter into any transaction described above.  This agreement is subject to certain customary exceptions and does not prevent the grant or exercise of options under any of the Company's existing share incentives and share option schemes, or following Admission the issue by the Company of any Ordinary Shares upon the exercise of any right or option or the conversion of a security already in existence.

Application for admission to trading

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM.

It is expected that Admission will take place on or before 8.00 a.m. on 17 March 2021 and that dealings in the Placing Shares on AIM will commence at the same time.

The Bookbuild

The Joint Bookrunners will today commence the Bookbuild to determine demand for participation in the Placing by Placees.  This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing.  No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares.

The Joint Bookrunners and the Company shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their sole discretion, determine.

Principal terms of the Bookbuild and Placing

1.            The Joint Bookrunners are acting as joint bookrunners to the Placing, as agents for and on behalf of the Company.

2.            Participation in the Placing will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited by the Joint Bookrunners to participate.  The Joint Bookrunners and any of their respective affiliates are entitled to enter bids in the Bookbuild.

3.            The price per Placing Share (the "Placing Price") is fixed at 105.50 pence and is payable to the Joint Bookrunners (as agents for the Company) by all Placees. The number of Placing Shares will be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners and the Company following completion of the Bookbuild.  The number of Placing Shares will be announced by the Company in the Placing Results Announcement following the completion of the Bookbuild and the entry into the Results Agreement (as defined in the Placing Agreement) by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners.

4.            Each Placee's allocation will be determined by the Joint Bookrunners in their discretion following consultation with the Company and will be confirmed orally by the Joint Bookrunners.

5.            Each Placee's allocation and commitment to acquire Placing Shares will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Appendix and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and except with the relevant Joint Bookrunner's consent will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted.  Each Placee will have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the relevant Joint Bookrunner (as agent for the Company), to pay to it (or as it may direct) in cleared funds an amount equal to the product of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares such Placee has agreed to acquire and the Company has agreed to allot and issue to that Placee.

6.            The Company will release the Placing Results Announcement following the close of the Bookbuild detailing the aggregate number of the Placing Shares to be issued.

7.            Except as required by law or regulation, no press release or other announcement will be made by the Joint Bookrunners or the Company using the name of any Placee (or its agent), in its capacity as Placee (or agent), other than with such Placee's prior written consent.

8.            Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation(s) pursuant to the Placing is/are confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Placing will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and Settlement".

9.            All obligations under the Bookbuild and Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing" and to the Placing not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Termination of the Placing".

10.          By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee will agree that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.

11.          To the fullest extent permissible by law and applicable FCA rules, neither:

(a)        the Joint Bookrunners;

(b)        any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers, consultants or employees; nor

(c)      to the extent not contained within (a) or (b), any person connected with the Joint Bookrunners as defined in the FSMA ((b) and (c) being together "affiliates" and individually an "affiliate" of the Joint Bookrunners);

shall have any liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) to Placees or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise. 

 

Registration and settlement

If Placees are allocated any Placing Shares in the Placing they will be sent a contract note or electronic confirmation which will confirm the number of Placing Shares allocated to them, the Placing Price and the aggregate amount owed by them to the relevant Joint Bookrunner.

Each Placee will be deemed to agree that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed as directed by the relevant Joint Bookrunner in accordance with either the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions which they have in place with the relevant Joint Bookrunner.

Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares (ISIN: GB00B0305S97, LEI: 21380075TB4ROF7KWK30) following Admission will take place within the CREST system, subject to certain exceptions.  Settlement through CREST will be on a T+3 basis unless otherwise notified by the Joint Bookrunners and is expected to occur on 17 March 2021 (the "Settlement Date") in accordance with the contract notes.  Settlement will be on a delivery versus payment basis.  However, in the event of any difficulties or delays in the admission of the Placing Shares to CREST or the use of CREST in relation to the Placing, the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree that the Placing Shares should be issued in certificated form.  The Joint Bookrunners reserves the right to require settlement for the Placing Shares, and to deliver the Placing Shares to Placees, by such other means as they deem necessary if delivery or settlement to Placees is not practicable within the CREST system or would not be consistent with regulatory requirements in the jurisdiction in which a Placee is located.

Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above, in respect of either CREST or certificated deliveries, at the rate of 3 percentage points above prevailing base rate of Barclays Bank plc as determined by the Joint Bookrunners.

Each Placee is deemed to agree that if it does not comply with these obligations, the Joint Bookrunners may sell any or all of their Placing Shares on their behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the relevant Joint Bookrunner's own account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due.  The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the Placing Price.

If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees must ensure that, upon receipt, the conditional contract note is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.  Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to United Kingdom stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax.  Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.

Conditions of the Placing

The Placing is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms.

The obligations of the Joint Bookrunners under the Placing Agreement are, and the Placing is, conditional upon, inter alia:

(a)        the acquisition agreement (the "Acquisition Agreement") between the Company,  the Sellers and the Warrantors (as such terms are defined in the Acquisition Agreement) relating to the acquisition of David Rubin & Partners Limited not having lapsed or been terminated and having become unconditional in all respects, subject only to Admission;

(b)        none of the representations, warranties and undertakings on the part of the Company contained in the Placing being untrue, inaccurate or misleading at the applicable time, being 5.00 p.m. on the date on which the Results Agreement is signed or such other time as is notified to the Company by the Joint Bookrunners or at Admission, by reference to the facts and circumstances then subsisting;

(c)        the Company complying with its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent that they fall to be performed on or before Admission;

(d)        the Company and the Joint Bookrunners agreeing the final number of Placing Shares and executing the Results Agreement no later than 5.00 p.m. on the day immediately following the date of this Announcement (or such later time and/or date as the Joint Bookrunners may agree with the Company);

(e)        the Company having allotted, subject only to Admission, the Placing Shares in accordance with the Placing Agreement; and

(f)         Admission having become effective at or before 8.00 a.m. on 17 March 2021 or such later time as the Joint Bookrunners may agree with the Company;

(all conditions to the obligations of the Joint Bookrunners included in the Placing Agreement being together, the "conditions").

If any of the conditions are not fulfilled or, where permitted, waived in accordance with the Placing Agreement within the stated time periods (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree), or the Placing Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the Placing will lapse and the Placee's rights and obligations shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by or on behalf of the Placee (or any person on whose behalf the Placee is acting) in respect thereof.

By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations cease and terminate only in the circumstances described above and under "Termination of the Placing" below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it.

The Joint Bookrunners may, in their absolute discretion and upon such terms as they think fit, waive fulfilment of all or any of the conditions in whole or in part, or extend the time provided for fulfilment of one or more conditions, save that certain conditions including the condition relating to Admission referred to in paragraph (f) above may not be waived.  Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Appendix.

The Joint Bookrunners may terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances, details of which are set out below.

Neither the Joint Bookrunners nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees nor the Company shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision any of them may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision any of them may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally and by participating in the Placing each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners and the Company.

Termination of the Placing

Each Joint Bookrunner may, in its absolute discretion, by notice to the Company, terminate the Placing Agreement at any time up to Admission if, inter alia:

1.         there has been a breach of any of the warranties, agreements or undertakings or other obligations on the part of any Seller or Warrantor (as such terms are defined in the Acquisition Agreement) which is material in the context of the Placing and/or the Acquisition Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms;

2.         there has, in the good faith opinion of the relevant Joint Bookrunner, been a breach of the warranties given to it;

3.         there has, in the good faith opinion of the relevant Joint Bookrunner, been a material adverse change;

4.         any statement contained in this Announcement, the Placing Results Announcement or any other document or announcement issued or published by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the Placing is or has become or has been discovered to be untrue or inaccurate in any respect or misleading in any respect; or

5.         in the good faith opinion of the relevant Joint Bookrunner, there has been a force majeure event.

Notice of termination may be communicated by the Joint Bookrunners as soon as practicable to any director of the Company orally or by fax or by email or otherwise and announced to a Regulatory News Service.

If the Placing Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the rights and obligations of each Placee in respect of the Placing as described in this Announcement shall cease and terminate at such time and no claim can be made by any Placee in respect thereof.

By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee agrees with the Company and the Joint Bookrunners that the exercise by the Company or the Joint Bookrunners of any right of termination or any other right or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of the Company or the Joint Bookrunners or for agreement between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners (as the case may be) and that neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners need make any reference to such Placee and that none of the Company, the Joint Bookrunners nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to such Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) whatsoever in connection with any such exercise.

By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations terminate only in the circumstances described above and under the "Conditions of the Placing" section above and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it after the issue by the Joint Bookrunners of a contract note confirming each Placee's allocation and commitment in the Placing.

Representations, warranties and further terms

By submitting a bid in the Bookbuild, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) represents, warrants, acknowledges and agrees (for itself and for any such prospective Placee) that (save where the Joint Bookrunners expressly agree in writing to the contrary):

1.         it has read and understood this Announcement in its entirety and that its acquisition of the Placing Shares is subject to and based upon all the terms, conditions, representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings and other information contained herein and that it has not relied on, and will not rely on, any information given or any representations, warranties or statements made at any time by any person in connection with Admission, the Placing, the Company, the Placing Shares or otherwise, other than the information contained in this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information;

2.         it has not received a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Placing and acknowledges that no prospectus or other offering document:

(a)        is required under the UK Prospectus Regulation or other applicable law; and

(b)        has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing;

3.         the Ordinary Shares are admitted to trading on AIM, and that the Company is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the AIM Rules and the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "UK MAR")), which includes a description of the nature of the Company's business and the Company's most recent balance sheet and profit and loss account and that it is able to obtain or access such information without undue difficulty, and is able to obtain access to such information or comparable information concerning any other publicly traded company, without undue difficulty;

4.         it has made its own assessment of the Placing Shares and has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing and neither the Joint Bookrunners nor the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees nor any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, and will not provide, it with any material regarding the Placing Shares or the Company or any other person other than the information in this Announcement or the Publicly Available Information; nor has it requested the Joint Bookrunners, the Company, any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, employees or officers or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;

5.         neither the Joint Bookrunners nor any person acting on behalf of them nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees has or shall have any liability for any Publicly Available Information, or any representation relating to the Company, provided that nothing in this paragraph excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;

6.        

(a)        the only information on which it is entitled to rely on and on which it has relied in committing to acquire the Placing Shares is contained in the Publicly Available Information, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares and it has made its own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the terms of the Placing based on Publicly Available Information;

(b)        neither the Joint Bookrunners, nor the Company (nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees) have made any representation or warranty to it, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Publicly Available Information;

(c)        it has conducted its own investigation of the Company, the Placing and the Placing Shares, satisfied itself that the information is still current and relied on that investigation for the purposes of its decision to participate in the Placing; and

(d)        it has not relied on any investigation that the Joint Bookrunners or any person acting on their behalf may have conducted with respect to the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares;

7.         the content of this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information has been prepared by and is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that neither the Joint Bookrunners nor any persons acting on their behalf is responsible for or has or shall have any liability for any information, representation, warranty or statement relating to the Company contained in this Announcement or the Publicly Available Information nor will they be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation, warranty or statement contained in this Announcement, the Publicly Available Information or otherwise.  Nothing in this Appendix shall exclude any liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation;

8.         the Placing Shares have not been registered or otherwise qualified, and will not be registered or otherwise qualified, for offer and sale nor will a prospectus be cleared or approved in respect of any of the Placing Shares under the securities laws of the United States, or any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, taken up, renounced or delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, within the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;

9.         it has the funds available to pay for the Placing Shares for which it has agreed to acquire and acknowledges and agrees that it will pay the total subscription amount in accordance with the terms of this Announcement on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other Placees or sold at such price as the Joint Bookrunners determine;

10.        it and/or each person on whose behalf it is participating:

(a)        is entitled to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing under the laws and regulations of all relevant jurisdictions;

(b)        has fully observed such laws and regulations;

(c)        has capacity and authority and is entitled to enter into and perform its obligations as an acquirer of Placing Shares and will honour such obligations; and

(d)        has obtained all necessary consents and authorities (including, without limitation, in the case of a person acting on behalf of a Placee, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this Appendix) under those laws or otherwise and complied with all necessary formalities to enable it to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations in relation thereto and, in particular, if it is a pension fund or investment company it is aware of and acknowledges it is required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to its acquisition of Placing Shares;

11.        it is not, and any person who it is acting on behalf of is not, and at the time the Placing Shares are acquired will not be, a resident of, or with an address in, or subject to the laws of, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan, and it acknowledges and agrees that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered or otherwise qualified under the securities legislation of Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan and may not be offered, sold, or acquired, directly or indirectly, within those jurisdictions;

12.        it and the beneficial owner of the Placing Shares is, and at the time the Placing Shares are acquired will be, outside the United States and acquiring the Placing Shares in an "offshore transaction" as defined in, and in accordance with, Regulation S under the Securities Act;

13.        it understands that the Placing Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold or resold in or into or from the United States except pursuant to an effective registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in accordance with applicable state securities laws; and no representation is being made as to the availability of any exemption under the Securities Act for the reoffer, resale, pledge or transfer of the Placing Shares;

14.        it (and any account for which it is purchasing) is not acquiring the Placing Shares with a view to any offer, sale or distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act;

15.        it understands that:

(a)        the Placing Shares are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and will be subject to restrictions on resale and transfer subject to certain exceptions under US law;

(b)        no representation is made as to the availability of the exemption provided by Rule 144 for resales or transfers of Placing Shares; and

(c)        it will not deposit the Placing Shares in an unrestricted depositary receipt programme in the United States or for US persons (as defined in the Securities Act);

16.        it will not offer, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Placing Shares except:

(a)        in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rules 903 or 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or

(b)        pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available,

and in each case in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions;

17.        no representation has been made as to the availability of the exemption provided by Rule 144, Rule 144A or any other exemption under the Securities Act for the reoffer, resale, pledge or transfer of the Placing Shares;

18.        it understands that the Placing Shares are expected to be issued to it through CREST but may be issued to it in certificated, definitive form and acknowledges and agrees that the Placing Shares will, to the extent they are delivered in certificated form, bear a legend to the following effect unless agreed otherwise with the Company:

"THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE DEPOSITED INTO ANY UNRESTRICTED DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FACILITY IN RESPECT OF THE COMPANY'S SECURITIES ESTABLISHED OR MAINTAINED BY A DEPOSITARY BANK.  EACH HOLDER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THESE SHARES, REPRESENTS THAT IT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.";

19.        it is not taking up the Placing Shares as a result of any "general solicitation" or "general advertising" efforts (as those terms are defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or any "directed selling efforts" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act);

20.        it understands that there may be certain consequences under United States and other tax laws resulting from an investment in the Placing and it has made such investigation and has consulted its own independent advisers or otherwise has satisfied itself concerning, without limitation, the effects of United States federal, state and local income tax laws and foreign tax laws generally;

21.        it understands that the Company has not undertaken to determine whether it will be treated as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") for US federal income tax purposes for the current year, or whether it is likely to be so treated for future years and neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners makes any representation or warranty with respect to the same.  Accordingly, neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners can provide any advice to US investors as to whether the Company is or is not a PFIC for the current tax year, or whether it will be in future tax years.  Accordingly, neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners undertakes to provide to US investors or shareholders any information necessary or desirable to facilitate their filing of annual information returns, and US investors and shareholders should not assume that this information will be made available to them;

22.        it will not distribute, forward, transfer or otherwise transmit this Announcement or any part of it, or any other presentational or other materials concerning the Placing in or into or from the United States (including electronic copies thereof) to any person, and it has not distributed, forwarded, transferred or otherwise transmitted any such materials to any person;

23.        none of the Joint Bookrunners, the company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees nor any person acting on behalf of any of them is making any recommendations to it or advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Placing and that participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of either Joint Bookrunner and that neither Joint Bookrunner has any duties or responsibilities to it for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right;

24.        it will make payment to the relevant Joint Bookrunner for the Placing Shares allocated to it in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Announcement on the due times and dates set out in this Announcement, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with others on such terms as the relevant Joint Bookrunner determines in its absolute discretion without liability to the Placee and it will remain liable for any shortfall below the net proceeds of such sale and the placing proceeds of such Placing Shares;

25.        its allocation (if any) of Placing Shares will represent a maximum number of Placing Shares which it will be entitled, and required, to subscribe for and/or acquire, and that the Company may call upon it to subscribe for and/or acquire a lower number of Placing Shares (if any), but in no event in aggregate more than the aforementioned maximum;

26.        no action has been or will be taken by any of the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any person acting on behalf of the Company or the Joint Bookrunners that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the Placing Shares in the United States or in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;

27.        the person who it specifies for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be:

(a)        the Placee; or

(b)        a nominee of the Placee, as the case may be,

and that the Joint Bookrunners and the Company will not be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement.  Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing and agrees to indemnify the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in respect of the same on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to a CREST stock account of the relevant Joint Bookrunner or transferred to a CREST stock account of the relevant Joint Bookrunner who will hold them as nominee on behalf of the Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions with it;

28.        the allocation, allotment, issue and delivery to it, or the person specified by it for registration as holder, of Placing Shares will not give rise to a stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax liability under (or at a rate determined under) any of sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depository receipts and clearance services) and that it is not participating in the Placing as nominee or agent for any person or persons to whom the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares would give rise to such a liability;

29.        if it is within the United Kingdom, it and any person acting on its behalf (if within the United Kingdom) falls within Article 19(5) and/or 49(2) of the Order and undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage and (if applicable) dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business only;

30.        it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the United Kingdom or a Relevant State prior to the expiry of a period of six months from Admission except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of section 85(1) of the FSMA or within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation, or an offer to the public in any member state of the EEA within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation;

31.        if it is within the United Kingdom, it is a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation and if it is within a Relevant State, it is a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation;

32.        it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and it will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) relating to Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person and it acknowledges and agrees that this Announcement has not been approved by either Joint Bookrunner in its capacity as an authorised person under section 21 of the FSMA and it may not therefore be subject to the controls which would apply if it was made or approved as financial promotion by an authorised person;

33.        it has complied and it will comply with all applicable laws with respect to anything done by it or on its behalf in relation to the Placing Shares (including all relevant provisions of the FSMA and the UK MAR in respect of anything done in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom);

34.        if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation (including any relevant implementing measure in any member state), the Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing will not be acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in the United Kingdom other than Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the express prior written consent of the Joint Bookrunners has been given to the offer or resale;

35.        if it has received any inside information (for the purposes of the UK MAR and section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 or other applicable law) about the Company in advance of the Placing, it has not:

(a)        dealt (or attempted to deal) in the securities of the Company;

(b)        encouraged, recommended or induced another person to deal in the securities of the Company; or

(c)        unlawfully disclosed such information to any person, prior to the information being made publicly available;

36.        The Joint Bookrunners and its affiliates, acting as an investor for its or their own account(s), may bid or subscribe for and/or purchase Placing Shares and, in that capacity, may retain, purchase, offer to sell or otherwise deal for its or their own account(s) in the Placing Shares, any other securities of the Company or other related investments in connection with the Placing or otherwise.  Accordingly, references in this Announcement to the Placing Shares being offered, subscribed, acquired or otherwise dealt with should be read as including any offer to, or subscription, acquisition or dealing by, the Joint Bookrunners and/or any of their respective affiliates acting as an investor for its or their own account(s).  Neither the Joint Bookrunners nor the Company intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transaction otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so;

37.        it:

(a)        has complied with its obligations in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017;

(b)        is not a person:

(i)         with whom transactions are prohibited under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any economic sanction programmes administered by, or regulations promulgated by, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury;
(ii)         named on the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by HM Treasury of the United Kingdom; or
(iii)        subject to financial sanctions imposed pursuant to a regulation of the European Union or a regulation adopted by the United Nations or other applicable law,

(together, the "Regulations") and if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations and has obtained all governmental and other consents (if any) which may be required for the purpose of, or as a consequence of, such purchase, and it will provide promptly to the Joint Bookrunners such evidence, if any, as to the identity or location or legal status of any person which they may request from it in connection with the Placing (for the purpose of complying with the Regulations or ascertaining the nationality of any person or the jurisdiction(s) to which any person is subject or otherwise) in the form and manner requested by the Joint Bookrunners on the basis that any failure by it to do so may result in the number of Placing Shares that are to be acquired by it or at its direction pursuant to the Placing being reduced to such number, or to nil, as the Joint Bookrunners may decide at their sole discretion;

38.        in order to ensure compliance with the Regulations, the Joint Bookrunners (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars may, in their absolute discretion, require verification of its identity.  Pending the provision to the relevant Joint Bookrunner or the Company's registrars, as applicable, of evidence of identity, definitive certificates in respect of the Placing Shares may be retained at the relevant Joint Bookrunner's absolute discretion or, where appropriate, delivery of the Placing Shares to it in uncertificated form may be delayed at the relevant Joint Bookrunner's or the Company's registrars', as the case may be, absolute discretion. If within a reasonable time after a request for verification of identity the relevant Joint Bookrunner (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars have not received evidence satisfactory to them, either the relevant Joint Bookrunner and/or the Company may, at its absolute discretion, terminate its commitment in respect of the Placing, in which event the monies payable on acceptance of allotment will, if already paid, be returned without interest to the account of the drawee's bank from which they were originally debited;

39.        it acknowledges that its commitment to acquire Placing Shares on the terms set out in this Announcement and in the contract note will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may in future be made to the terms and conditions of the Placing and that Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to the Company's or the Joint Bookrunners' conduct of the Placing;

40.        it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of acquiring the Placing Shares.  It further acknowledges that it is experienced in investing in securities of this nature and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of, and is able to sustain, a complete loss in connection with the Placing.  It has relied upon its own examination and due diligence of the Company and its affiliates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved;

41.        it irrevocably appoints any duly authorised officer of the Joint Bookrunners as its agent for the purpose of executing and delivering to the Company and/or its registrars any documents on its behalf necessary to enable it to be registered as the holder of any of the Placing Shares for which it agrees to acquire upon the terms of this Announcement;

42.        the Company, the Joint Bookrunners and others (including each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees) will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and agreements, which are given to The Joint Bookrunners on its own behalf and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable;

43.        it is acting as principal only in respect of the Placing or, if it is acquiring the Placing Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, it is duly authorised to do so and it has full power and authority to make, and does make, the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings on behalf of each such accounts;

44.        time is of the essence as regards its obligations under this Appendix;

45.        any document that is to be sent to it in connection with the Placing will be sent at its risk and may be sent to it at any address provided by it to the Joint Bookrunners;

46.        the Placing Shares will be issued subject to the terms and conditions of this Appendix; and

47.        the terms and conditions contained in this Appendix and all documents into which this Appendix is incorporated by reference or otherwise validly forms a part and/or any agreements entered into pursuant to these terms and conditions and all agreements to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Bookbuild and/or the Placing will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and it submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to any claim, dispute or matter arising out of such contract except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by the Company or the Joint Bookrunners in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange.

By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) agrees to indemnify and hold the Company, the Joint Bookrunners and each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings given by the Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) in this Appendix or incurred by the Joint Bookrunners, the Company or each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees arising from the performance of the Placee's obligations as set out in this Announcement, and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after the completion of the Placing.

The agreement to allot and issue Placing Shares to Placees (or the persons for whom Placees are contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax in the United Kingdom relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct by the Company.  Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service.  If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement related to any other dealings in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable.  In that event, the Placee agrees that it shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax and neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax.  If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and they should notify the Joint Bookrunners accordingly.  In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any capital duty, stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the United Kingdom by them or any other person on the acquisition by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares and each Placee, or the Placee's nominee, in respect of whom (or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares has given rise to such non-United Kingdom stamp, registration, documentary, transfer or similar taxes or duties undertakes to pay such taxes and duties, including any interest and penalties (if applicable), forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in the event that either the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners have incurred any such liability to such taxes or duties.

The representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix are given to the Joint Bookrunners for itself and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable.

Canaccord is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Bookbuild and the Placing, and Canaccord will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Bookbuild or the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.

Shore Capital is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing, and Shore Capital will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.

Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges that the Joint Bookrunners do not owe any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings, acknowledgements, agreements or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.

Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges and agrees that the Joint Bookrunners may (at its absolute discretion) satisfy its obligations to procure Placees by itself agreeing to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares or by nominating any connected or associated person to do so.

When a Placee or any person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with the Joint Bookrunners, any money held in an account with the relevant Joint Bookrunner on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the relevant rules and regulations of the FCA made under the FSMA.  Each Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules: as a consequence this money will not be segregated from the relevant Joint Bookrunner's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be held by it under a banking relationship and not as trustee.

References to time in this Announcement are to London time, unless otherwise stated.

All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment.  Placees will be notified of any changes.

No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.

The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares.  Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.

The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange.

Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this Announcement.

 

 

 

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