Investment

RNS Number : 4099F

B.P. Marsh & Partners PLC

15 July 2019

 

15 July 2019

B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc

Investment in Agri Services Company (PTY) Limited

The Board of B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc, the specialist investor in early stage financial services intermediaries (AIM: BPM), is pleased to announce its investment into Agri Services Company (PTY) Limited ("Agri Services"), based in Sydney Australia.

This transaction has seen the Group subscribe for a 36% equity stake in Agri Services for an initial cash consideration of AU$1.47m (c.£817,000), and further consideration of up to AU$1.13m (c.£628,000) may become payable.

Agri Services is a holding company that will in turn acquire 100% of Ag Guard Pty Ltd, which provides insurance solutions for the Australian agricultural sector.

Founders, Alex Cohn (Managing Director), Martin Birch (Technical Director) and Ben Ko (Finance & Operations Director) have considerable experience in the provision of general insurance services in the Australian rural sector.      

Dan Topping, B.P. Marsh's Chief Investment Officer, who has been appointed to the Board of Agri Services commented, "The investment in Agri Services sees B.P. Marsh backing a strong and experienced management team in a business that is capable of becoming a serious market player over the next 5 years. We look forward to helping them grow their business."

Commenting on the investment, Mr. Cohn, stated "We are genuinely thrilled to have B.P. Marsh as a partner going forward.  B.P. Marsh acquiring a minority stake in the business  allows us to focus on what we do best, whilst still receiving the benefit of their invaluable experience at a board level for growing and guiding the business.  We look forward to working with Dan Topping and the team at B.P. Marsh as we enter this exciting phase of development."

For further information:

B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc	www.bpmarsh.co.uk
Brian Marsh OBE / Camilla Kenyon	[phone]
Nominated Adviser & Broker Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Atholl Tweedie / Erik Anderson / Ailsa MacMaster	[phone]

Notes to Editors:

About B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc

B.P. Marsh's current portfolio contains nineteen 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 (Millie) was appointed to the main Board in 2011, following her appointment as Head of Investor Relations in 2009. She has dual responsibilities within the Group, running both Investor Relations and the New Business Department and is Chair of the New Business Committee evaluating new investment opportunities.

Millie is nominee director of one investee company and is a member of the Investment Committee. She has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including numerous Board appointments and 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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