AGM Statement
Claims Direct PLC
19 September 2001
Claims Direct plc
('The Company')
AGM Statement
At the Company's AGM held today, the new Chief Executive,
Ronnie Henderson, made the following remarks to
shareholders:
'I find myself in an unusual, if not a unique situation.
Claims Direct was listed on the London Stock Exchange
just 14 months ago and in that short period, its business
model has collapsed and in its year to 31 March 2001, a
profit expectation of £20 million has turned to a loss of
£20 million. This has led to:
* The collapse of the share price
* The removal or resignation of all directors on the
board at the time of flotation
* Information gathering by the Department of Trade and
Industry
* and a change in the control of the business.
In addition, the Company is in contested litigation with
a number of its franchisees.
The Company is still loss making and although losses had
been falling in June and July they increased in August,
primarily as a result of the costs of litigation and the
defence of the bid from Barker Securities.
Nevertheless, the tireless efforts of the management and
staff have led to a rise in new business in July and
August, although we are still some way short of
breakeven, which is estimated to be around 2300 accepted
cases per month. June totalled 1100 accepted cases, July,
1600 and August, 2000, respectively.
As you will be aware, the Company was visited earlier
this year by representatives of the DTI. The Company co-
operated fully and provided all necessary answers to
their enquiries.
Therefore, it is clear that Claims Direct has a number of
challenges which it must address immediately:
1. To return the company to profitability
2. To repair its reputation with its customers, its
business partners, City institutions and the media.
3. To re-establish working relationships with our
franchisees and end the litigious situation which
presently exists.
Of all of these issues, it is the latter which I believe
is the one which needs to be most urgently addressed.
Franchisees
When we come to a resolution of our franchisee
arrangements, I believe that all other matters will fall
into place. There are only 2 solutions to our
franchisees' problems:
* We agree a new contract to the benefit of both
parties. I shall, after discussions with franchisees,
be preparing new terms before the intended new business
model is introduced. In the meantime, I urge those
franchisees who have not yet accepted the temporary
arrangements to do so without delay in order that the
Company can concentrate on revitalising the business.
* Earlier this year, franchisees were offered an exit
package which was open until 20th March. Some 90
franchisees took advantage of this offer and exited the
business. I sincerely hope that we can agree new terms
with all concerned but if we cannot, then we shall look
at new proposals to allow franchisees to terminate
their agreements ahead of schedule.
Litigation by its very nature is both costly and
confrontational and is not conducive to a negotiated
settlement, so every effort is being made to ensure we
return as quickly as possible to a harmonious business
partnership. I believe that when our differences are
resolved, we can go a long way to improving our image and
return the Company to profitability.
Callery vs Gray
In July 2001, the Court of Appeal gave Judgment on the
issues in the case of Callery v Gray. Although this was
not a Claims Direct case, we accepted the Court's
invitation to any interested party to give evidence.
There were three Judgements handed down and although the
Court did not go as far as we would have liked, in giving
certainty to the industry, there were a number of
positive issues decided in favour of the After The Event
insurance industry, of which Claims Direct is a leading
member.
As a result of this, we are continuing with our own test
cases which are due to be heard by the Court of Appeal
during early October.
Future of Claims Direct's business model
It was made clear in the Callery vs Gray Judgment that
our business model would have to change going forward.
The way Claims Managers are remunerated and the issue of
ring fencing particularly affected Claims Direct. The
indicators are that in order to regain our competitive
edge in the market, we will require a range of products
and not just the universal product that we have marketed
in the past.
Future of The After the Event Industry
The Court of Appeal did however provide encouraging
signals that the Defendant Insurance industry must
recognise that after the event policies are the
replacement for Legal Aid, as was intended by the
Government when it introduced the Access to Justice Act.
However, we recognise that the industry must demonstrate
that After The Event policies are the most cost effective
method of funding personal injury and non-personal injury
claims. Given that the Government will not reverse its
policy and reinstate Legal Aid, Claims Direct must strive
to be the complete solution provider in the After The
Event market.
The Future
It has been reported that we are in discussions with
Claim Line regarding the acquisition of their business.
Should this be concluded, it will give the Company a
choice of two brands and two business models. Early
indications are positive and due diligence should be
concluded in a few weeks.
Naturally we shall be announcing new board appointments
when suitable candidates are identified.
In the meantime we are making renewed efforts to return
the business to profitability as soon as possible,
building on the work undertaken by the management team in
the last six months. I look forward to reporting to
shareholders on the progress we are making at the time of
the Company's interim results for the six months to 30
September 2001, which are expected to be released in late
November.'
For further information, please contact:
Claims Direct plc 01952 284800
Ronnie Henderson, Chief Executive www.claimsdirect.com
Golin/Harris Ludgate 0207 324 8888
Reg Hoare/Trish Featherstone