THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES AND THE INFORMATION IN THEM, IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
FURTHER, THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.
NCC Group plc
13 May 2021
Proposed placing of ordinary shares to raise gross proceeds of c. £70 million
NCC Group plc ("NCC" or the "Company") today announces its intention to conduct a placing of new ordinary shares (the "Placing Shares") of 1 pence each in the Company (the "Placing").
It is intended that the Placing will result in the Company raising total gross proceeds of c. £70 million. The total number of Placing Shares is expected to represent approximately 9.9 per cent. of the Company's existing issued share capital.
The Placing is being conducted through an accelerated bookbuild which will be launched immediately following release of this announcement. Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") and Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies", and together with Peel Hunt the "Joint Bookrunners" and each a "Joint Bookrunner") are acting as Joint Global Co-ordinators and Joint Bookrunners in respect of the Placing. Lazard & Co., Limited ("Lazard") is acting as financial adviser to the Company in connection with the Acquisition.
Reasons for the Placing
As announced today, the Company has reached an agreement with Iron Mountain Inc. to acquire its Intellectual Property Management division ("IPM") (the "Acquisition") for a total consideration of $220 million (c. £156 million).
IPM is a leading software escrow provider within a large and fragmented US market - the combination will provide immediate scale-up of the core business while making the US region NCC's largest contributor of divisional revenues and profits. The directors of the Company believe the Acquisition is both strategically and financially compelling.
Further details on the Acquisition can be found in the announcement of the Acquisition published earlier today, which should be read in conjunction with this announcement.
The consideration for the Acquisition will be funded by a combination of NCC's new $70 million term loan agreement, its existing revolving credit facility, existing cash balances on the balance sheet and the gross proceeds of the Placing.
The appendix to this announcement sets out further details of and the terms and conditions of the Placing.
NCC acknowledges that it is seeking to issue new ordinary shares amounting to approximately 9.9 per cent. of its existing issued ordinary share capital on a non-pre-emptive basis. Members of the Board have consulted with the Company's major institutional shareholders ahead of the release of this announcement. These shareholders are supportive of the proposed structure, which has been chosen to minimise costs, time to completion and use of management time, as well as being most appropriate to deliver financing for the Acquisition.
Details of the Placing
The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the appendix to this announcement. The Joint Bookrunners will commence the bookbuild immediately following the release of this announcement in respect of the Placing. The price at which the Placing Shares are to be placed (the "Placing Price") will be determined at the close of the bookbuild.
The book will open with immediate effect following this Announcement. The timing of the closing of the book, pricing and allocations are at the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners and the Company. Details of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the bookbuild.
The Placing Shares, when issued, will be fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with each other and with the existing ordinary shares of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue.
Applications will be made to the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") for admission of the Placing Shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List; and to London Stock Exchange plc for admission of the Placing Shares to trading on its main market for listed securities (together, "Admission").
Settlement for the Placing Shares and Admission are expected to take place on 17 May 2021. The Placing is conditional upon, among other things, Admission becoming effective. The Placing is also conditional upon the placing agreement between the Joint Bookrunners and the Company (the "Placing Agreement") not being terminated in accordance with its terms. The appendix to this announcement sets out further details of the terms of the Placing Agreement.
The Placing is not conditional on the completion of the Acquisition. In the unlikely event the Acquisition does not complete by 28 June 2021 (being the long stop date under the Purchase Agreement), the Company may, at its option, decide to use the funds for alternative acquisitions or consider a tax efficient way to return capital to its shareholders.
Directors' participation in the Placing
It is the intention of the following Directors to participate in the Placing, to an aggregate value of approximately £176,700:
Name |
Role |
Approximate value of Placing Shares proposed to be acquired |
Chris Stone |
Non-Executive Chairman |
£100,000 |
Adam Palser |
Chief Executive Officer |
£38,775 |
Chris Batterham |
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director |
£12,925 |
Jennifer Duvalier |
Independent Non-Executive Director |
£25,000 |
This Announcement contains inside information. The person responsible for arranging and authorising the release of this announcement is Tim Kowalski, CFO of NCC Group plc.
For further information contact:
NCC Group plc Adam Palser, CEO Tim Kowalski, CFO
|
+44 (0)161 209 5432 |
Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Bookrunner) Edward Knight Charlie Batten Nick Prowting Jock Maxwell Macdonald (Syndicate)
|
+44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
Jefferies International Limited (Joint Bookrunner) Simon Hardy Will Soutar Lee Morton (Syndicate)
|
+44 (0)20 7029 8000 |
Lazard (Financial Adviser) Cyrus Kapadia Louise Campbell Simon Chambers
|
+44 (0)207 187 2000 |
Maitland / AMO Neil Bennett Sam Cartwright |
+44 (0)20 7379 5151 |
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This announcement including its Appendix (together, the "Announcement") and the information contained in it is not for publication, release or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which publication, release or distribution would be unlawful. This Announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, acquire or subscribe for shares in the capital of NCC Group plc (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or any other state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorised or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of such jurisdictions.
The Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold or transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into 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 outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.
No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in the United States, United Kingdom or elsewhere. All offers of the Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as it forms part of United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 as amended (the "UK Prospectus Regulation") from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended ("FSMA") does not apply. No prospectus will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this Announcement and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published. This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein are for information purposes only and are directed only at: (a) persons in Member States of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors (within the meaning of article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") ("Qualified Investors"); (b) in the United Kingdom, Qualified Investors within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation who are persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "investment professionals" in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order") or (ii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order; (c) in the United States, a limited number of "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and (d) persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated; (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein 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 and the terms and conditions set out herein relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
No prospectus has been prepared or filed with any securities commission or other securities regulatory authorities in any jurisdiction in Canada in connection with the offer or sale of the Placing Shares. Any offer and sale of the Placing Shares in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and pursuant to an exemption from the requirement that the Company prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. Any resale of the Placing Shares in Canada must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority. These resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the Placing Shares outside of Canada. There will be no public offering of the Placing Shares in Canada. This Announcement does not contain all of the information that would normally appear in a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this Announcement or the merits of the Placing Shares. Any representation to the contrary is an offense. This Announcement is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement, a solicitation to purchase, a public offering of the Placing Shares in Canada.
No offer and sale of Placing Shares is or will be made in Canada, except to persons who are: (a) an "accredited investor" as defined in Section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106 or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario) (the "OSA"), as applicable, and are either purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for their own account, or are deemed to be purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and not as agent for the benefit of another person or as trustee, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (b) not created or being used solely to purchase or hold the Placing Shares as an accredited investor under NI 45-106; (c) a "permitted client" as defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 - RegistrationRequirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations ("NI 31-103") that is not an individual; and (d) is resident in either the Province of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario or Quebec and entitled under applicable Canadian securities laws, including the securities laws applicable to such Province, to purchase the Placing Shares without the benefit of a prospectus.
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.
This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Company. 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 Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") or Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies" and together with Peel Hunt, the "Joint Bookrunners" and each a "Joint Bookrunner"), or by any of their 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 therefore is expressly disclaimed.
Each Joint Bookrunner is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA"). Each Joint Bookrunner is acting solely for the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the Placing and/or any other matter referred to in this Announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on the Joint Bookrunners by FSMA or by the regulatory regime established under it, neither Peel Hunt, Jefferies nor any of their affiliates accepts any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of the information contained in this Announcement or for any other statement made or purported to be made by or on behalf of any Joint Bookrunner or any of their affiliates in connection with the Company, the Placing Shares or the Placing. Peel Hunt, Jefferies and each of their affiliates accordingly disclaim all and any responsibility and liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) in respect of any statements or other information contained in this Announcement and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by any Joint Bookrunner or any of their affiliates as to the accuracy, completeness or sufficiency of the information contained in this Announcement. Each Joint Bookrunner may, at their discretion, appoint sub-agents or delegate the exercise of any of their powers, authorities or discretions to any of their respective affiliates or such persons as such Joint Bookrunner may think fit, including where required to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
Lazard & Co., Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in connection with the Acquisition. Neither Lazard & Co., Limited nor any of its affiliates owes or accepts any duty, liability or responsibility whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, whether in contract, in tort, under statute or otherwise) to any person who is not a client of Lazard & Co., Limited in connection with this announcement, any statement contained herein, the Acquisition or otherwise.
The distribution of this Announcement and the offering of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates that would, or which is intended to, permit an offering of the Placing Shares in any jurisdiction or result in the possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to 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, such restrictions.
This Announcement contains (or may contain) certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of the Company's current expectations and projections about future events. These statements, which sometimes use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and words of similar meaning, reflect the directors' beliefs and expectations and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results and performance to differ materially from any expected future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. Statements contained in this Announcement regarding past trends or activities should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. The information contained in this Announcement is subject to change without notice and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not assume any responsibility or obligation to update publicly or review any of the forward-looking statements contained in it and nor do they intend to. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Announcement. No statement in this Announcement is or is intended to be a profit forecast or profit estimate or to imply that the earnings of the Company for the current or future financial years will necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings of the Company. As a result of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the recipient should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results or otherwise.
This Announcement does not identify or suggest, or purport to identify or suggest, the risks (direct or indirect) that may be associated with an investment in the Placing Shares. Any investment decision to buy Placing Shares in the Placing must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information, which has not been independently verified by the Joint Bookrunners.
The information in this Announcement may not be forwarded or distributed to any other person and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever. Any forwarding, distribution, reproduction or disclosure of this information in whole or in part is unauthorised. Failure to comply with this directive may result in a violation of the Securities Act or the applicable laws of other jurisdictions.
This Announcement does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities in any jurisdiction. This Announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning any investor's option with respect to the Placing. Each investor or prospective investor should conduct his, her or its own investigation, analysis and evaluation of the business and data described in this Announcement and publicly available information. The price and value of securities can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
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.
Information to Distributors
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained in Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (together, the "UK Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that such securities are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in paragraph 3 of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (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 Chapter 9A or 10A respectively of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THE FOREGOING, NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE BY ANY PERSON ANYWHERE AND THE COMPANY HAS NOT AUTHORISED OR CONSENTED TO ANY SUCH OFFERING IN RELATION TO THE PLACING SHARES.
APPENDIX
FURTHER DETAILS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE SAME WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PLACING FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) (TOGETHER, THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS SELECTED BY PEEL HUNT LLP ("PEEL HUNT") AND JEFFERIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ("JEFFERIES", AND TOGETHER WITH PEEL HUNT, THE "JOINT BOOKRUNNERS" AND EACH A "JOINT BOOKRUNNER") (EACH ACTING AS AGENT FOR THE COMPANY AND AS JOINT BOOKRUNNER) AND WHO ARE: (A) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS (WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129, AS AMENDED (THE "PROSPECTUS REGULATION")) ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS"); (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129, AS IT FORMS PART OF UNITED KINGDOM LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 AS AMENDED (THE "UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION") WHO ARE PERSONS WHO (I) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS" IN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER"); OR (II) ARE PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ("HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.") OF THE ORDER; (C) IN THE UNITED STATES, A LIMITED NUMBER OF "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYERS" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT")); AND (D) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS IN (A), (B) (C) AND (D) TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN 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 (INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY OR ACQUIRE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE. THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO 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 THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM OR ELSEWHERE.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN INVESTMENT IN PLACING SHARES.
Persons who are invited to and who choose to participate in the Placing (and any person acting on such person's behalf), by making an oral or written offer to acquire Placing Shares (as defined below), will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement, including this Appendix, the announcement made on the date of this Announcement containing the terms and conditions of the Company's acquisition of the Intellectual Property Management division of Iron Mountain Inc. (the "Acquisition Announcement") in their entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, and undertakings contained in this Appendix.
This Announcement (including the Appendix) is for information only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities or investment advice in any jurisdiction, including without limitation, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. Past performance is not a good guide to future performance. Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. This Announcement and the information contained herein is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa or in any jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution is unlawful; no prospectus has been lodged with or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; and the Placing Shares have not been, and nor will they be, registered or otherwise qualified for offer and sale under the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. 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, Japan or South Africa.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Appendix or the Announcement of which it forms part should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.
In this Appendix, unless the context otherwise requires, "Placee" means a Relevant Person (including individuals, funds or others) on whose behalf a commitment to acquire Placing Shares has been given.
By participating in the Placing, Placees (including individuals, funds or otherwise) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for Placing Shares has been given will (i) be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety; and (ii) be making such offer on the terms and conditions contained in this Appendix, including being deemed to be providing (and shall only be permitted to participate in the Placing on the basis that they have provided) the representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix.
In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants and acknowledges 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;
2. 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, acknowledgments, undertakings and agreements contained in this Announcement;
3. if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation or Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation (as applicable), that 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 or a Member State of the European Economic Area or to which the Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation otherwise applies other than Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners has been given to the offer or resale;
4. that the Placing Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as defined below), in transactions not involving a public offering of securities in the United States and the Placing Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or with any State or other jurisdiction of the United States;
5. with respect to any Placing Shares offered to or purchased by it in the United States or for and on behalf of persons in the United States, it understands and agrees: (1) that it is a "qualified institutional buyer" ("QIB") within the meaning of Rule 144A ("Rule 144A") under the U.S Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"); (2) that the Placing Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, in transactions not involving a public offering of securities in the United States and the Placing Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or with any State or other jurisdiction of the United States; (3) that the Placing Shares may not be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred by it except (a) outside the United States in an offshore transaction pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S"), (b) in the United States to a person whom the seller reasonably believes is a QIB to whom notice is given that the offer, sale or transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (c) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available), (d) to the Company, (e) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (f) pursuant to another available exemption, if any, from registration under the Securities Act, in each case in compliance with all applicable laws;
6. if it is a Placee in or resident in Canada, it (i) is an "accredited investor" as defined in Section 1.1 of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106") or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario) (the "OSA"), as applicable, and it is either purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account, or it is deemed to be purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and not as agent for the benefit of another person or as trustee for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) was not created or used solely to purchase or hold the Placing Shares as an accredited investor under NI 45-106; (iii) is a "permitted client" as defined in section 1.1 of National Instrument 31-103 - Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations ("NI 31-103") that is not an individual; (iv) is resident in either the Province of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario or Quebec and entitled under applicable Canadian securities laws, including the securities laws applicable to such Province, to purchase the Placing Shares without the benefit of a prospectus; and (v) if required by applicable Canadian securities laws, it will execute, deliver and file or assist the Company in obtaining, preparing and filing such reports, undertakings and other documents relating to the purchase of the Placing Shares by it as may be required by any Canadian securities commission or other regulatory authority; and
7. the Company and the Joint Bookrunners will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and agreements. Each Placee hereby agrees with the Joint Bookrunners and the Company to be bound by these terms and conditions as being the terms and conditions upon which Placing Shares will be issued. A Placee shall, without limitation, become so bound if any of the Joint Bookrunners confirms to such Placee its allocation of Placing Shares.
Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares
The Joint Bookrunners have entered into a placing agreement dated 13 May 2021 (the "Placing Agreement") with the Company under which the Joint Bookrunners have, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein, undertaken as agent for and on behalf of the Company, to use all reasonable endeavours to procure Placees for the Placing Shares up to 27,906,400 new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company of nominal value of 1 pence each (the "Placing Shares") at a price to be determined following completion of an accelerated bookbuild process (the "Placing").
In accordance with the terms of the Placing Agreement, the Joint Bookrunners have agreed, subject to agreement with the Company as to the number and price of the Placing Shares to be placed with Placees, to underwrite the settlement risk in the event that any Placees fail to take up their allocation of the Placing Shares.
The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of the Company ("Ordinary Shares"), including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid on or in respect of such Ordinary Shares by reference to a record date falling after their issue. The Placing Shares will be issued free of any pre-emption rights, encumbrances, liens or other security interests.
Application for listing and admission to trading
Application will be made to the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") for admission of the Placing Shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List of the FCA (the "Official List") and to London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") for admission to trading of the Placing Shares on its main market for listed securities (together, "Admission"). It is expected that Admission will become effective at or around 8:00 a.m. on 17 May 2021 and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.
Bookbuild
The Joint Bookrunners will today commence the bookbuilding process in respect of the Placing (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 following consultation with the Company, determine.
Participation in, and principal terms and conditions of, the Placing
1. The Joint Bookrunners are arranging the Placing as joint bookrunners and agents of the Company.
2. Participation in the Placing will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners and their affiliates are entitled to enter bids in the Bookbuild as principals.
3. The Bookbuild, if successful, will establish a single price in respect of the Placing Shares payable to the Joint Bookrunners by all Placees whose bids are successful (the "Placing Price"). The Placing Price and the aggregate proceeds to be raised through the Placing will be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners and the Company following completion of the Bookbuild and any discount to the market price of the Ordinary Shares will be determined in accordance with the Listing Rules produced by the FCA under Part VI of FSMA. The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares to be issued will be announced on a Regulatory Information Service (as defined in the FCA's handbook of rules and guidance) following the completion of the Bookbuild (the "Pricing Announcement").
4. To bid in the Bookbuild, prospective Placees should communicate their bid orally by telephone or in writing to their usual sales contact at Peel Hunt or Jefferies. Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to acquire at either the Placing Price which is ultimately established by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners, or at prices up to a price limit specified in its bid. Bids may be scaled down by the Joint Bookrunners on the basis referred to in paragraph 8 below. The Joint Bookrunners reserve the right not to accept bids or to accept bids in part rather than in whole. The acceptance of the bids shall be at the Joint Bookrunners' absolute discretion, subject to agreement with the Company.
5. The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 5:00 p.m. (London time) on 13 May 2021 but may be closed earlier or later at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners may, in agreement with the Company, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuild has closed. The Company reserves the right (upon the agreement of the Joint Bookrunners) to reduce the number of shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing, in its absolute discretion.
6. Each Placee's allocation will be confirmed to it orally or in writing by one of the Joint Bookrunners, as agent of the Company, following the close of the Placing, and a contract note or electronic confirmation will be dispatched as soon as possible thereafter. The relevant Joint Bookrunner's oral confirmation to such Placee will constitute an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon that person (who will at that point become a Placee) in favour of such Joint Bookrunner and the Company, under which it agrees to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's articles of association.
7. The Company will make a further announcement following the close of the Bookbuild detailing the number of Placing Shares to be issued and the price at which the Placing Shares have been placed, referred to in paragraph 3 above as the "Pricing Announcement".
8. Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5 above, the Joint Bookrunners may, subject to agreement with the Company, choose to accept bids, either in whole or in part, on the basis of allocations determined at their absolute discretion and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as it may determine. The Joint Bookrunners may also, notwithstanding paragraphs 4 and 5 above, subject to the prior consent of the Company (i) allocate Placing Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time, and (ii) allocate Placing Shares after the Bookbuild has closed to any person submitting a bid after that time. The acceptance of offers shall be at the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners, subject to agreement with the Company.
9. A bid in the Bookbuild will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Announcement (including this Appendix) and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and except with the Joint Bookrunners' consent will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted. Each Placee will also have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the Joint Bookrunners, to pay them (or as they 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 such Placee.
10. 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.
11. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is 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".
12. All obligations under the Bookbuild and Placing will be subject to fulfilment or (where applicable) waiver 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 Agreement".
13. 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.
14. To the fullest extent permissible by law, none of the Joint Bookrunners or the Company or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any responsibility or liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, none of the Joint Bookrunners or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any responsibility or liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the Joint Bookrunners' conduct of the Bookbuild or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree.
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 Joint Bookrunners' obligations under the Placing Agreement are conditional on, inter alia:
If (i) any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement in relation to the Placing Shares is not fulfilled or, where permitted, waived in accordance with the Placing Agreement by the Joint Bookrunners, by the time or date specified in the Placing Agreement (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree), or (ii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will not proceed and each Placee's rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.
The Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree to extend the time for the satisfaction of any condition, or the Joint Bookrunner, at their discretion, may waive compliance by the Company with the whole or any part of any of the Company's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement, save that certain conditions in the Placing Agreement (including the condition relating to Admission taking place) may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.
None of the Joint Bookrunners, the Company nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision it may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or the date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision they 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 or, in the case of a time and/or date extension, the agreement of the Joint Bookrunners and the Company.
By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations hereunder terminate only in the circumstances described above and under "Termination of the Placing Agreement" below, and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.
Termination of the Placing Agreement
Either Joint Bookrunner may, at any time before Admission, terminate the Placing Agreement by giving notice to the Company (such Joint Bookrunner, a "Terminating Bookrunner") and the other Joint Bookrunner including, inter alia, if at any time prior to Admission:
(g) a banking moratorium has been declared by, or there has occurred a material change in currency exchange rates or exchange controls in, the United Kingdom, the United States or any member or associate member of the European Union.
If circumstances arise that would allow a Joint Bookrunner to terminate the Placing Agreement, it may nevertheless determine to allow Admission to proceed. In addition, if only one Joint Bookrunner gives notice to terminate the Placing Agreement in circumstances where each Joint Bookrunner is able to do so, the Joint Bookrunner who did not give such notice may allow Admission to proceed and will assume the obligations which remain to be performed under the Placing Agreement by the Joint Bookrunner who has given notice to terminate.
By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise or non-exercise by a Joint Bookrunner of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of such Joint Bookrunner or for the agreement between the Company and such Joint Bookrunner (as the case may be) and that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Joint Bookrunners and the Company shall have no responsibility or liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure so to exercise.
Lock-up
The Company has agreed with the Joint Bookrunners that, during the period commencing on the date of the Placing Agreement and ending 90 days after Admission, the Company will not, and will ensure that none of its subsidiaries or affiliates will, without the prior written consent of the Joint Bookrunners: (i) save for the issue of the Placing Shares or the grant of options or the issue of Ordinary Shares pursuant to the exercise of options pursuant to existing employee benefit plans of the Company as described in the Accounts, directly or indirectly, issue, offer, pledge, sell, contract to issue or sell, issue or sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to issue or sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares; or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Ordinary Shares, whether any such swap, transaction, agreement or other event described in (i) or (ii) is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
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 a prospectus in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the European Economic Area. No offering document, prospectus or admission document has been or will be published or submitted to be approved by the FCA in relation to the Placing and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of their own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the Placing based on the Company's publicly available information taken together with the information contained in this Announcement (including this Appendix), the Acquisition Announcement and the Exchange Information (as defined below) and subject to the further terms set forth in the contract note to be provided to individual prospective Placees. Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement (including this Appendix), the Company's publicly available information and the Exchange Information is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any other person and none of the Joint Bookrunners or the Company or any other person will have any responsibility or liability for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received (regardless of whether or not such information, representation, warranty or statement was given or made by or on behalf of any such persons). 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. Each Placee should not consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice. Each Placee should consult its own attorney, tax adviser and business adviser for legal, tax and business advice regarding an investment in the Placing Shares. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Registration and Settlement
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place on a delivery versus payment basis within the CREST system, subject to certain exceptions. 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 Company and the Joint Bookrunners reserve the right to require settlement for and delivery of the Placing Shares to Placees by such other means that they deem necessary if delivery or settlement is not practicable within the CREST system within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.
Following close of the Bookbuild, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a contract note or electronic confirmation in accordance with the standing arrangements in place with the relevant Joint Bookrunner stating the number of Placing Shares to be allocated to it at the Placing Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee to the relevant Joint Bookrunner and settlement instructions. Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with either the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions that it has in place with the relevant Joint Bookrunner. Payment in full for any Placing Shares so allocated at the Placing Price must be made by no later than the date of Admission (expected to be 17 May 2021). Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place within the CREST system.
It is expected that settlement will be on 17 May 2021 on a T+2 basis in accordance with the instructions set out in the contract note or electronic confirmation.
Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above LIBOR as determined by the Joint Bookrunners.
Each Placee agrees that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the Joint Bookrunners may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for each of the Joint Bookrunners' accounts 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 aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other stamp, securities, transfer, registration, execution, documentary or other similar impost, duty or tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf. By communicating a bid for Placing Shares, each Placee confers on the Joint Bookrunners all such authorities and powers necessary to carry out any such sale and agrees to ratify and confirm all actions which the Joint Bookrunners lawfully take in pursuance of such sale.
If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the contract note or electronic confirmation 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 agent, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If there are any other circumstances in which any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes or duties (including any interest and penalties relating thereto) is payable in respect of the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of the Placing Shares (or for the avoidance of doubt if any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax is payable in connection with any subsequent transfer of or agreement to transfer Placing Shares), neither the Joint Bookrunners nor the Company shall be responsible for the payment thereof. Placees (or any nominee or other agent acting on behalf of a Placee) will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.
Representations, Warranties and Further Terms
By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably acknowledges, confirms, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees in each case as a fundamental term of their application for Placing Shares as set out below:
10. if it is a Placee in or resident in Canada, it (i) is an "accredited investor" as defined in Section 1.1 of NI 45-106 or subsection 73.3(1) of the OSA, as applicable, and it is either purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account, or it is deemed to be purchasing the Placing Shares as principal for its own account in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and not as agent for the benefit of another person or as trustee, for investment only and not with a view to resale or redistribution; (ii) was not created or used solely to purchase or hold the Placing Shares as an accredited investor under NI 45-106; (iii) is a "permitted client" as defined in section 1.1 of NI 31-103 that is not an individual; (iv) is resident in either the Province of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario or Quebec and entitled under applicable Canadian securities laws, including the securities laws applicable to such Province to purchase the Placing Shares without the benefit of a prospectus; and (v) if required by applicable Canadian securities laws, it will execute, deliver and file or assist the Company in obtaining, preparing and filing such reports, undertakings and other documents relating to the purchase of the Placing Shares by it as may be required by any Canadian securities commission or other regulatory authority;
14. it understands, and each account it represents has been advised that, (i) any offer and sale of the Placing Shares in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and is exempt from the requirement that the Company prepares and files a prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws; and (ii) any resale of the Placing Shares into Canada must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which may vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with Canadian prospectus requirements, a statutory exemption from the prospectus requirements, in a transaction exempt from the prospectus requirements or otherwise under a discretionary exemption from the prospectus requirements granted by the applicable local Canadian securities regulatory authority and that these resale restrictions may under certain circumstances apply to resales of the Placing Shares outside of Canada;
The foregoing acknowledgements, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties and confirmations are given for the benefit of each of the Company and the Joint Bookrunners (for their own benefit and, where relevant, the benefit of their respective affiliates and any person acting on their behalf) and are irrevocable.
The agreement to allot and issue Placing Shares to Placees (or the persons acting on behalf of Placees as nominee or agent) free of UK stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct from the Company. Such agreement is subject to the representations, warranties and further terms above and assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. None of the Company or the Joint Bookrunners will be responsible for any UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (including any interest and penalties relating thereto) arising in relation to the Placing Shares in any other circumstances. Any Placee to whom (or on behalf of whom) Placing Shares are allocated, allotted, issued or delivered in breach of any of the representations, warranties or further terms above undertakes to pay any UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (including any interest and penalties relating thereto) arising in connection with such allocation, allotment, issue or delivery forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in the event that any of the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners has incurred any such liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and 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 UK by them or any other person on the allotment to them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares.
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 or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.
Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges and agrees that the Joint Bookrunners or any of their affiliates (acting as an investor for its own account) may, in its absolute discretion, take up Placing Shares and in that capacity may retain, purchase or sell for their own account such Placing Shares and any securities of the Company or related investments and may offer or sell such securities or other investments otherwise than in connection with the Placing. Accordingly, references in this Announcement to shares being issued, offered or placed should be read as including any issue, offering or placement of such shares in the Company to the Joint Bookrunners and any affiliate acting in such capacity. In addition, the Joint Bookrunners may enter into financing arrangements and swaps with investors in connection with which the Joint Bookrunners may from time to time acquire, hold or dispose of such securities of the Company, including the Placing Shares. Neither the Joint Bookrunners nor any affiliate intends to disclose the extent of any such investment or transactions otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so.
When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with a Joint Bookrunner, any money held in an account with such 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 rules and regulations of the FCA made under the FSMA. The 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 such Joint Bookrunner's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by such Joint Bookrunner in the course of its own business and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of such Joint Bookrunner.
Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
The rights and remedies of the Joint Bookrunners and the Company under the Terms and Conditions set out in this Appendix are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.
If a Placee is a discretionary fund manager, they may be asked to disclose, in writing or orally to the Joint Bookrunners the jurisdiction in which the funds are managed or owned.
All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment. A Joint Bookrunner shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.