AGM Statement and ShareSave Scheme

RNS Number : 7486U

CVS Group plc

05 December 2013

5th December 2013

CVS Group plc

("CVS" or "the Group")

Annual General Meeting Statement and ShareSave Scheme

Annual General Meeting Statement

CVS, the UK's leading provider of veterinary services, is holding its AGM at 11:00 am today at which Richard Connell, Chairman, will provide the following update to shareholders:

"The Board is pleased to announce that, in the four month period ended 31 October 2013, the Group's like-for-like sales grew by 4.3% compared to the same period last year. This reflects continuing growth in the Practice Division at the same underlying rate as for the year ended 30 June 2013 and stronger growth in other divisions.

Profitability for that trading period is in line with the Board's expectation.

It is also pleasing to report further acquisitions since 30 June 2013, with the purchase of 10 surgeries in to our Practice Division.

Practice name	No. of surgeries	Location	Date acquired
Crescent Veterinary Clinic	1	Melton Mowbray	19th July 2013
Miller & Swan	1	Elgin	2nd September 2013
West Mount Vets	5	Halifax	23rd September 2013
Anchorage Veterinary Hospital	1	Acle	30th September 2013
Coopers Vets	1	Hastings	4th November 2013
Larwood & Kennedy	1	Dereham	11th November 2013

The aggregate historic annualised turnover of these businesses has been approximately £7.4 million generating aggregate EBITDA of approximately £1.6million.

All of these acquisitions provide a good operational and geographical fit with the Group's existing locations.

In total the Group now operates 255 surgeries, 5 diagnostic laboratories, and 2 pet crematoria across the UK, together with an online dispensary and CVS remains the largest veterinary services operator in a highly fragmented market."

ShareSave Scheme

CVS is pleased to announce the launch of a Save As You Earn scheme (the "Scheme") for its employees. 17 per cent. of the Group's employees have applied to participate in the Scheme, which will commence on 1 January 2014.

The Scheme grants to its participants options over ordinary shares at an exercise price of 215.0 pence each which, if exercised in full, would result in the issue of up to 637,319 ordinary shares following termination of the scheme on 1 January 2017. Application for admission to trading on AIM of the relevant number of new ordinary shares will be made at that time. If Scheme participants exercise their options in full, the new shares issued would represent approximately 1.1 per cent. of the current issued share capital of the Group.

The following Director has taken up the offer under the Scheme:

Director

Maximum number of shares under Scheme

Nick Perrin

4,186

Contacts:

CVS Group plc 01379 644 288

Simon Innes, Chief Executive

Nick Perrin, Finance Director

N+1 Singer 020 7496 3000

(Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Graeme Summers