Investee Company Update

RNS Number : 2206M

B.P. Marsh & Partners PLC

27 July 2017

 

Date:                            27 July 2017

On behalf of:                 B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc ("B.P. Marsh", the "Company" or the "Group")

B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc

Investee Company Update - LEBC Holdings Limited

B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc (AIM:  BPM), the niche venture capital provider to early stage financial services businesses, is pleased to announce that is has acquired a further 17.84% in LEBC Holdings Limited ("LEBC") for aggregate cash consideration of £7,138,000.

The shares have been purchased for cash from several sellers, including retiring employee shareholders, members of Management via LEBC's Employee Benefit Trust and Joint Share Ownership Plan and the Founder and CEO, Jack McVitie. Following the purchase, the Company has an aggregate shareholding of 60.87% in LEBC, while the balance continues to be held by Founder and CEO, Jack McVitie and LEBC Management.

LEBC is a financial advisory business with a national network of branches, working with both private and corporate clients. The business has grown strongly in recent years, boosted by investment in technology and by success in targeting the at-retirement market. Year-end results to 30^th September 2016 show turnover of £15.4m and trading profit of £2.1m. In the three-year period since 30^th September 2013 and following the introduction of the Retail Distribution Review on 31^st December 2012, turnover has increased 36% (from £11.3m) and trading profit by 184% (from £0.74m).

B.P. Marsh first invested in LEBC in April 2007, taking a 22.5% stake. In 2016 the Group increased its holding to 43.03%.

Camilla Kenyon, the Group's nominee Director on the Board of LEBC commented: "LEBC is on an exciting growth trajectory, building on solid foundations. We are pleased to increase our shareholding and continue to work with management to grow the business, which we believe occupies a desirable position in the financial advisory market."

The Group's usual strategy is to take minority positions, however in this instance the opportunity to make an additional investment in LEBC proved compelling. The increase to a majority position will not result in changes to the management of the investment, with Management continuing to run the business day-to-day. The Group's shareholder protections remain in place and Oliver Bogue, investment director at B.P. Marsh, will be appointed as an additional Non-Executive Director to the board of LEBC alongside this supplementary investment.

Brian Marsh, Chairman of the Group said: "At B.P. Marsh we invest in management teams with potential and are happy to build those relationships over the long-term. Having spent a decade partnering LEBC we are pleased to make this further investment and look forward to the years to come."

Jack McVitie, CEO of LEBC said: "LEBC has grown significantly over the past 10 years, consistently improving performance on every financial metric. Our partnership with B.P. Marsh has been the bedrock of that success. We are delighted to be able to extend that partnership and together look forward with confidence to the future."

This announcement contains inside information, disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation which came into effect on 3 July 2016 and for UK Regulatory purposes the person responsible for making the announcement is Sinead O'Haire.

For further information:

B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc                                                               www.bpmarsh.co.uk

Brian Marsh OBE / Camilla Kenyon                                                     [phone]

Nominated Adviser & Broker

Panmure Gordon

Atholl Tweedie / Adam James / Charles Leigh-Pemberton                       [phone]

Notes to Editors:

About B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc

B.P. Marsh's current portfolio contains fourteen companies. More detailed descriptions of the portfolio can be found at www.bpmarsh.co.uk.

Since formation over 25 years ago, the Company has assembled a management team with considerable experience both in the financial services sector and in managing private equity investments. Many of the directors have worked with each other in previous roles, and all have worked with each other for at least five years.

Prior to Brian Marsh's involvement in the Company, he spent many years in insurance broking and underwriting in Lloyd's as well as the London and overseas market. He has over 30 years' experience in building, buying and selling financial services businesses, particularly in the insurance sector.

Alice Foulk joined B.P. Marsh in September 2011 having started her career at a leading Life Assurance company. In 2014 she took over as Executive Assistant to the Chairman, running the Chairman's Office and established herself as a central part of the management team.

In February 2015 she was appointed as a Director of B.P. Marsh and a member of the Investment Committee. In January 2016 Alice was appointed Managing Director of B.P. Marsh.

In her position as Managing Director, Alice is responsible for the overall performance of the Company and monitoring the Company's overall progress towards achieving the objectives and goals of the Company, as set by the Board.

Dan Topping is the Chief Investment Officer of B. P. Marsh, having been appointed as a Director in 2011. He joined the Company in February 2007, following two years at an independent London accountancy practice. Dan is the Senior Executive with overall responsibility for the portfolio and investment strategy of B.P. Marsh.

Dan graduated from the University of Durham in 2005 and is a member of the Securities and Investment Institute and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.

Dan is a standing member of the B.P. Marsh Investment and Valuation Committees and currently serves as a Board Director across the portfolio.

Camilla Kenyon was appointed as Head of Investor Relations at B.P. Marsh in February 2009, having four years' prior experience with the Company. She was appointed to the main board in 2011.  Camilla is Chair of the New Business Committee evaluating new investment opportunities. She has a number of nominee directorships over two investee companies and is a standing member of the Investment Committee. She is a Member of the Investor Relations Society.

Jonathan Newman is a Chartered Management Accountant and is the Group Director of Finance and has over 17 years' experience in the financial services industry. Jon graduated from the University of Sheffield with an honours degree in Business Studies and joined the Group in November 1999, following two years at Euler Trade Indemnity and two years at a Chartered Accountants. Jon is a Member of the Chartered Global Management Accountants, the Chartered Management Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.

Jon was appointed a Director of B.P. Marsh & Company Limited in September 2001, and Group Finance Director in December 2003 and was instrumental in the admission of the Group to AIM in February 2006. Jon is a member of the B.P. Marsh Investment and Valuation Committees and currently serves as a Board Director for Walsingham Motor Insurance Limited, and provides senior financial support and advice to all companies within the Group's portfolio as well as evaluating new investment opportunities.

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