AGM Statement
Screen PLC
12 June 2003
For Release, 1:00pm, 12 June 2003
SCREEN PLC
AGM Statement
Screen Plc ('Screen' or the 'Group'), which serves the homeland security related
markets, with technology and products in security and surveillance, emergency
services and defence, is holding its Annual General Meeting today at the offices
of Solicitors, Hale & Dorr, 10 Noble Street, London, EC2V 7QJ, at 1:00 pm.
At the Annual General Meeting the Chairman, Ian Taylor, will present an update
on the state of the business subsequent to the publishing of the 2002 Annual
Report. He will make the following observations:
Marketing:
•We are determined to maintain a lead in relevant technologies while
ensuring commercial disciplines are applied to the development programmes.
•Our balance sheet has been strengthened, including the impact of the
placing of 7.7 million Screen plc shares at a price of 12p, which generated
net proceeds to the Company of £0.9 million.
•The balance sheet will be further strengthened by the conversion into
equity of £450,000 of repayable on demand loan notes, which were acquired by
the management of Screen on 28 March 2003. Subject to shareholder approval
at today's AGM the loan notes will be converted to equity to the value of
£162,500 based on a share price of 12p and resulting in the issue of
1,354,167 new ordinary shares. This will result in the Company booking a
gain of £287,500 on the transaction.
Operations:
• The Company continues to make progress in laying a firm foundation on
which a healthy growth trajectory can be established.
• While good progress has been made, we are in a continuous improvement
process. Significant work remains in terms of rationalising existing operations;
exploiting the market potential of existing products and services; the
completion of development and marketing of certain high potential products; and
the identification of products and services to complement and reinforce our
market position.
Future:
• We are creating effective teamwork across the Group, which is helping
to improve overall performance.
• We have made a positive start. The Board remains committed to
rebuilding shareholder value over the medium to long term through the organic
growth of our existing businesses and, where appropriate, making acquisitions
which complement our strengths.
Mr Taylor became executive Chairman subsequent to the suspension of Screen's
shares in September 2002, to lead the turnaround and recovery of the Company.
Now that the Group has consolidated and entered into a period of profitable
trading, he will step down to the post of Deputy Chairman on 30 June 2003. This
will enable Mr Tim Wightman, who joined the Board as a non-executive Director on
31 March 2003, to become Chairman of the Group. With the CEO, Adrian Merryman,
Tim Wightman will be well placed to lead the future growth of the Group.
Mr. Tim Wightman has had extensive business experience in the UK, Germany and
North America. He was Chief Executive of Rubicon Group plc, a leading supplier
of outsourced manufacturing services to the electronics industry, which was
quoted on the London Stock Exchange up to 1998 when it was acquired by Applied
Power Inc. He then served on APW's Executive Board with responsibility for the
world-wide development of that company's services to global customers. He is
currently non-executive Chairman of Digica Group Holdings Limited, an IT
outsourcing company backed by private equity company Bridgepoint Capital.
Mr Adrian Merryman, who became Chief Executive Officer last December, said:
'Ian Taylor took on the Chairmanship at a time when the future of Screen plc was
in doubt. It is a tribute to his leadership that he steps down as Chairman only
nine months later with the company having been restored to profitable trading,
the balance sheet having been strengthened, and a path to a brighter future
established. As the new Chairman, Tim Wightman will bring considerable business
experience and insight appropriate to the next phase in the development of
Screen.'
Mr Tim Wightman commented:
'Ian Taylor has successfully led the company through a very difficult period. We
are all now working to deliver the potential that Screen has promised for so
long.'
Contacts:
Screen plc Binns & Co PR Ltd
Adrian Merryman - CEO Peter Binns, Paul McManus
Tel: 01932 753 970 Tel: 0207 786 9600
info@screenplc.com paul.mcmanus@binnspr.co.uk
www.screenplc.com www.binnspr.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange