Britannic Global Income Trust

Terrace Hill Group PLC 22 July 2005 Terrace Hill Group plc Britannic Global Income Trust PLC Undernoted below for information purposes is a copy of an announcement released today by Britannic Global Income Trust PLC in relation to a transaction entered into with Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited and Second Park Circus Investing Limited, two companies which have Terrace Hill Group plc as their ultimate parent company. END Undernote: BRITANNIC GLOBAL INCOME TRUST PLC PROPOSALS FOR A SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT UNDER SECTION 425 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1985 PROPOSALS FOR THE WINDING UP OF BRITANNIC GLOBAL INCOME SECURITIES PLC 1. Summary The Board of Britannic Global Income Trust plc (the 'Company') announces that agreement has been reached on the terms of a proposed scheme of arrangement under section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 (the 'Scheme') under which both Ordinary and ZDP shareholders should achieve an improvement in the value of their shares by comparison to a winding up of the Company and its subsidiary, Britannic Global Income Securities plc ('BGIS'). The Scheme is subject to the conditions set out in Appendix I. These proposals (the 'Proposals') value the Ordinary shares of the Company at 0.5 pence each (approximately £360,000 in aggregate), whereas on a winding up of the Company the Ordinary shares would be worthless. The Board estimates that if the proposals are implemented ZDP shareholders will achieve a return of 14.6 pence per share, compared with a return of 11.4 pence per share on a winding up - a 28 % increase in assets attributable to ZDP shareholders. The Scheme is expected to be completed on or around 7 October 2005 and payments to Ordinary shareholders are expected to made shortly thereafter. ZDP shareholders will receive their payments following the winding up of BGIS which will begin on 30 November 2005. Your board is aware that many Ordinary shareholders have incurred very substantial losses on their investment in the Company and that the Proposals will only result in relatively small payments. However, on the basis of the current financial position of the Company, the directors do not consider that there is any realistic prospect that any funds would be available for a distribution to Ordinary shareholders in any subsequent liquidation of the Company. Against this background, the directors believe that the Scheme offers Ordinary shareholders an opportunity to realise some value from their shares where otherwise there would be none. Under the Proposals (i) Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited and Second Park Circus Investing Limited (together the 'Purchasers') will acquire the entire issued share capital of the Company and provide cash to enable the Company to pay or compromise, as appropriate, the claims of its creditors ('Scheme Creditors') and (ii) the Company will assign to its subsidiary BGIS, rights to certain compensation/ claims potentially payable to/ in favour of the Company. The Proposals to Scheme Creditors involves the distribution of the assets of the Company represented by cash on the Effective Date (net of expenses - 'Scheme Expenses') in order, as appropriate, to pay in full or to compromise the claims of the Company's creditors. As part of the arrangements, the Purchasers have agreed to increase the assets of the Company represented by cash available for distribution to its creditors under the Scheme by making a capital contribution of approximately £770,000 (from which the estimated Scheme Expenses of £407,000 will be deducted on the Effective Date) plus an amount equal to the mid-market value of the Company's portfolio of investment companies at the Effective Date which will be paid in cash on or before the Effective Date. The proposed Purchasers of the Company are two UK resident companies. Further information on the Purchasers is set out in Appendix II of this announcement. The Board, who have been so advised by Ernst & Young LLP, consider the terms of the Proposals to Shareholders to be fair and reasonable and recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme. The directors also consider the terms of the Proposals to the unsecured creditors to be fair and reasonable and recommend that they vote in favour of the Scheme. 2. Proposals The Proposals are to be implemented by way of the Scheme. The Scheme is subject to the conditions set out in Appendix I of this announcement. If the Scheme becomes effective all of the Ordinary shares will be transferred to the Purchasers and Ordinary shareholders will receive from the Purchasers for each Ordinary share 0.50 pence in cash. Ordinary shareholders (other than Overseas Shareholders) may alternatively elect to receive Loan Notes instead of all or part of the cash consideration to which they would otherwise be entitled on the basis set out in paragraph 3 below. If the Scheme becomes effective, arrangements will be implemented through the Scheme by means of which the assets of the Company represented by cash at the Effective Date net of the Scheme expenses will be distributed to the Scheme Creditors to pay or compromise, as appropriate, their claims against the Company. As part of the arrangements, the Purchasers have agreed to increase the assets of the Company represented by cash available for distribution to its creditors under the Scheme by making a capital contribution (the 'Capital Contribution') of approximately £770,000 (from which the Scheme Expenses will be deducted on the Effective Date) plus an amount equal to the mid-market value of the Company's portfolio of investment companies at the Effective Date which will be paid in cash to the Company on or before the Effective Date. It is estimated that the assets of the Company represented by cash as at the Effective Date including the Capital Contribution and net of Scheme Expenses and after repayment of the Bank Debt will be approximately £2.8 million. Subject to the Scheme becoming effective, the Company has also agreed as part of the Scheme to assign to BGIS the rights to certain compensation/claims potentially payable to/in favour of the Company. It is estimated that Scheme Expenses will be £407,000 (including irrecoverable VAT). If the Scheme does not become effective, Scheme Expenses are expected to be approximately £60,000 (including irrecoverable VAT) although Terrace Hill has agreed to make a contribution (the 'Cost Contribution') of £60,000 towards the Scheme Expenses if the Scheme does not become effective for any reason other than a failure to secure the required levels of support from shareholders and creditors. If the Scheme becomes effective then the Cost Contribution will be treated as part of the Capital Contribution. If the Scheme becomes effective, cheques in respect of the cash consideration due for the Scheme Shares and definitive certificates for any Loan Notes to which Shareholders are entitled will be despatched not later than 14 days after the date when the Scheme becomes effective (the 'Effective Date'). The Effective Date is expected to be on or around 7 October 2005. 3 The Loan Note Alternative As an alternative to all or part of the cash consideration which would otherwise be receivable by them under the Scheme, Ordinary shareholders (other than Overseas Shareholders) are entitled to elect to receive Loan Notes to be issued by one or both of the Purchasers (to be decided at their sole discretion) on the following basis: For 0.50 pence of cash consideration under the Scheme, 0.50 pence nominal value of Loan Notes. The Loan Note Alternative is conditional on the Scheme becoming effective in all respects. No Overseas Shareholder may elect for the Loan Note Alternative. A Noteholder shall have the right to require all or any part (being 1 penny nominal value or any multiple thereof) of his holding of Loan Notes to be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Loan Note Instrument on 31 December 2005 and /or any 30 June or 31 December falling thereafter. Any Loan Notes not previously repaid will be redeemed on 30 June 2012. Shareholders should be aware that the Loan Notes will not bear interest, will not be guaranteed and will not be transferable. The redemption price of the Loan Notes is calculated by reference to the quoted mid market price of a United Utilities PLC ordinary share and therefore the redemption price of the Loan Notes may well go down as well as up depending on the performance of United Utilities PLC shares. 4. Background to the board's recommendations The Company was incorporated on 30 November 2000. In December 2000, the Company allotted 71.25 million Ordinary Shares and BGIS allotted 18.75 million ZDP Shares at a subscription price of 100 pence per share pursuant to placings made at that time. The Company was established as a split capital investment trust and invested in other UK investment trusts with the objective of providing Shareholders with a high level of income together with the potential for income and capital growth. The objective of BGIS was to provide ZDP Shareholders with a predetermined final capital entitlement. The Company is geared by way of unsecured bank debt and a loan note issued to BGIS. It is proposed that the Company will repay the bank debt in full prior to the Effective Date. The management of the Company's investments is contracted out to Britannic Investment Managers Limited (the 'Manager'). The Company first breached its banking covenants in 2002 as a consequence of a sharp decline in the value of the Company's assets. Since that time, it has been necessary to sell most of the Company's assets. Dealings in the Ordinary and the ZDP shares on the London Stock Exchange were suspended on 25 July, and the suspension was lifted on 17 March 2005. The Company has significant capital losses and the board has been working with advisers with the objective of realising some value in respect of those losses for the Company. The Purchasers consider that over time it may be possible to utilise certain of these capital losses and are therefore seeking to acquire control of the Company and its losses. 5. Assignation of rights to certain compensation/ claims potentially payable to/ in favour of the Company As one of the arrangements by means of which the claims of BGIS against the Company will be paid or compromised under the Scheme, it is proposed that the Company and BGIS will enter the Assignation under which with effect from the Effective Date the Company will assign to BGIS the following: (a) the right to the claim to be advanced in Court proceedings to be raised by the Company against the Manager for repayment of approximately £240,000 of value added tax that has been paid by the Company on investment management fees it has paid to the Manager in respect of the management of the Group's portfolio of investments; (b) the right to make any claim competent to the Company against the Manager, any other member of the Manager's group or any third party in connection with matters of the type investigated by the FSA or Treasury Select Committee as part of their investigation into the split capital trust sector; and, (c) the right to receive any compensation paid to the Company in connection with matters of the type investigated by the FSA or Treasury Select Committee as part of their investigation into the split capital trust sector. There is no guarantee that the Company will obtain compensation in respect of any of these matters. 6. General A circular setting out details of the Scheme will be posted to Ordinary and ZDP shareholders as soon as it is practicable and subject to the Company obtaining an order of the Court convening the meetings of Ordinary shareholders and creditors. Recipients of the circular are advised to read the circular setting out details of the Scheme and, as appropriate, to seek independent financial advice. The availability of the Scheme to persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Overseas Shareholders should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. This announcement does not constitute an offer or an invitation to offer to purchase any securities. 7. Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the 'City Code'), any person who, alone or acting together with any other person(s) pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal) to acquire or control relevant securities of Britannic Global Income Trust plc, owns or controls, or becomes the owner or controller, directly or indirectly, of one per cent. or more of any class of securities of Britannic Global Income Trust plc is required to disclose, by not later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction, dealings in such securities of that company (or in any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, any such securities) during the period to the Effective Date of the Scheme or, if earlier, the date on which the Scheme lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the City Code, all dealings in relevant securities of Britannic Global Income Trust plc by Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited or Second Park Circus Investing Limited or Britannic Global Income Trust plc, or by any of their respective 'associates' (within the meaning of the City Code) must also be disclosed. If you are in any doubt as to the application of Rule 8 to you, please contact an independent financial advisor authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, consult the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk or contact the Panel on telephone number +44 20 7638 0129; fax +44 20 7236 7013. For further information contact: Ernst & Young LLP Peter Ames 020 7951 4315 Lough Callahan 020 7951 1561 The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement other than the information relating to the Purchasers, the directors of the Purchasers and Terrace Hill Group PLC, including, without limitation, the information set out in Appendix II of this announcement. The directors of the Purchasers accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement relating to the Purchasers, the directors of the Purchasers and Terrace Hill Group PLC including, without limitation, the information set out in Appendix II of this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Directors of the Company and the directors of the Purchasers (who have all taken reasonable care to ensure that such is the case) the information contained herein for which they respectively take responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information. Ernst & Young LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority, is acting exclusively for Britannic Global Income Trust plc in connection with the Proposals to Shareholders and will not be responsible to anyone other than Britannic Global Income Trust plc for providing the protections afforded to clients of Ernst & Young LLP or for providing advice in relation to the Proposals. APPENDIX I CONDITIONS TO THE SCHEME 1. The Proposals are conditional on the Scheme becoming unconditional and becoming effective by not later than 25 November 2005 or such later date as the Company, BGIS, the Purchasers, the Creditors Scheme Supervisor and the Court may agree. The Scheme is conditional upon: (a) the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the Ordinary shareholders on the register of members at the Voting Record Time present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Ordinary shareholder meeting; (b) the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the Ordinary Scheme Creditors present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Scheme Creditors Meeting; (c) the approval of the Scheme by a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the Subordinated Scheme Creditors present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Subordinated Scheme Creditors Meeting; (d) the approval of the implementation of the Proposals and any variation of the rights of the ZDP Shareholders under the Articles of Association of BGIS involved in the Scheme by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the ZDP shareholders present and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the ZDP shareholder meeting; (e) the sanction of the Scheme by the Court (without modification save as agreed by the Company and the Purchasers) and an office copy of the Court Order being delivered to the Registrar of Companies in Scotland. 2. The Proposals are also conditional upon: (a) there being no breach or termination of the Transaction Deed prior to the Effective Date; (b) between the date of this Announcement and the Effective Date, the Company not having: (i) issued or agreed to issue, or authorised or proposed the issue of, additional shares of any class, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or convertible securities; (ii) disposed of or having agreed to dispose of any shares in the capital of BGIS; and (iii) entered into any new or varied any existing contractual arrangements (other than the Transaction Deed and engagement letters with the Company's advisers retained for the purposes of the Scheme) with service providers which are binding on the Company. (c) between the date of this Announcement and the Effective Date, no change in tax law or practice having occurred that would result in the Company's capital losses not being available for offset against future chargeable gains which may be realised by Terrace Hill Group PLC and its subsidiaries; and, (d) no step being taken prior to the Effective Date by any Ordinary shareholder or creditor of the Company to initiate a liquidation of the Company or a winding up of the Company or to appoint an administrator, receiver or administrative receiver to the Company or all or any of its assets. The Purchasers reserve the right (but shall be under no obligation) to waive, in whole or in part, all or any of the conditions set out in paragraph 2 above. APPENDIX II Information on the Purchasers The Purchasers are Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited and Second Park Circus Investing Limited. Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited and Second Park Circus Investing Limited were incorporated as private companies limited by guarantee with no share capital under the Companies Act in Scotland on 7 June 2005. The registered number of Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited is 285846 and Second Park Circus Limited is 285847. Siobhan M Robinson and Donald R Macdonald are the only directors of Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited. The sole member of Second Terrace Hill Investing Limited is Terrace Hill Group PLC. Miranda A Kelly and Alistair B Wilson are the only directors of Second Park Circus Investing Limited. The sole member of Second Park Circus Investing Limited is Park Circus (Management) Limited, whose ultimate parent is Terrace Hill Group PLC. Since incorporation, neither of the Purchasers has traded or entered into any material negotiations other than in connection with the Proposals and the financing thereof. The Purchasers have confirmed that neither of the Purchasers nor any party connected with them nor any party acting in concert with them owns or controls shares in the Company or its Subsidiary. Terrace Hill Group PLC will on or before the Effective Date lend up to approximately £3.4 million to the Purchasers by way of an unconditional interest free unsecured loan for the purpose of funding the consideration payable by the Purchasers to Ordinary shareholders under the Scheme and the other payments payable by the Purchasers pursuant to the Proposals. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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