THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICES AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPENDIX.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF EU REGULATION 596/2014
For immediate release
30 April 2020
Inland Homes plc
Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise up to £9.9 million
Inland Homes plc (AIM: INL), ("Inland" or the "Company" and, together with its subsidiary undertakings the "Group"), a leading brownfield regeneration specialist and housebuilder with a focus on the South and South East of England, today announces its intention to carry out a placing (the "Placing") of new ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") (the "Placing Shares") and a separate subscription (the "Subscription"), together with the Placing, the "Capital Raising") of new Ordinary Shares (the "Subscription Shares" and, together with the Placing Shares, the "New Ordinary Shares") in each case at a price of 47.5 pence per share (the "Issue Price"). The Capital Raising will comprise up to 20,750,000 New Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 9.9 per cent of the existing issued share capital of the Company.
The Subscription will comprise a private subscription for Ordinary Shares by certain directors of the Company (the "Directors" or the "Board") and members of the Company's senior management team along with others and an offer for subscription to be conducted by PrimaryBid on behalf of the Company (the "PrimaryBid Offer") for Subscription Shares on a "first come, first served" basis.
The Placing is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions set out in this announcement and the appendix hereto (the "Appendix") (together, this "Announcement") and is being conducted by way of an accelerated bookbuild, which will be launched immediately following the publication of this Announcement. Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited ("Panmure Gordon" or the "Bookrunner") is acting as sole bookrunner in connection with the Placing.
The Issue Price represents a discount of approximately 11.2 per cent. to the closing middle market price of 53.5 pence of an Ordinary Share on 29 April 2020, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Announcement.
Reasons for the Capital Raising
The Company has today also announced a further trading update (the "Trading Update") on the impact of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the additional actions that have been taken by the Company in response thereto. Clearly, the position continues to change rapidly and there is little indication of how prolonged or severe the effect could be on the UK housing market. Consequently, the Board has concluded that the Capital Raising is in the best interests of the Company's shareholders and wider stakeholders and will help enable an early resumption of the Company's housebuilding programme once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. The Group has a broad asset base with revenue streams that continue to generate cash flow.
The net proceeds of the Capital Raising will be used:
· to strengthen the Company's balance sheet;
· where the Directors consider it appropriate, to enable the Company to structure payments to its sub-contractors and supply chain so as to facilitate their return to site and/or the provision of essential materials at the earliest opportunity; and
· to provide additional liquidity to deal with this period and ensure that the Company is better positioned when the market returns to normality.
The Placing Shares will be placed with certain institutional investors, and the allotment and issue of the New Ordinary Shares is conditional upon, amongst other things, Admission. The Company will allot and issue the New Ordinary Shares under its existing shareholder authorities on a non-pre-emptive basis.
On the basis of scenario planning that the Company has undertaken, the Directors are of the view that the measures taken (as further set out in the Trading Update), together with Inland's mix of revenue streams, mean that the Group is well placed to weather this uncertain period.
Details of the Placing
The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix.
Today, Panmure Gordon entered into a placing agreement with the Company in relation to the Placing (the "Placing Agreement"). Panmure Gordon will commence a bookbuilding process in respect of the Placing immediately following the publication of this Announcement (the "Bookbuilding Process"). The number of Placing Shares to be issued to Placees in connection with the Placing will be determined by the Company and Panmure Gordon following the close of the Bookbuilding Process.
The book will open with immediate effect following this Announcement. The timing of the closing of the Bookbuilding Process, the number of Placing Shares and allocations are to be agreed between Panmure Gordon and the Company. Details of the number of Placing Shares taken up under the Placing will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuilding Process. The Placing is not being underwritten.
Pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement, Panmure Gordon, as agent for the Company, has conditionally agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to place the Placing Shares with certain institutional investors. The Placing Agreement is conditional upon, amongst other things, Admission becoming effective on or before 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and Panmure Gordon may agree, but in any event by no later than 8.00 a.m. on 20 May 2020).
The Placing Agreement contains customary warranties from the Company in favour of Panmure Gordon relating to the Group and its business. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify Panmure Gordon and its affiliates in relation to certain liabilities they may incur in respect of the Placing. Panmure Gordon can terminate the Placing Agreement at any time prior to Admission in certain circumstances, including in the event of a breach of the warranties given in the Placing Agreement, the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations under the Placing Agreement or, the occurrence of a force majeure event or a material adverse change affecting the financial position or business or prospects of the Company. If this right is exercised by Panmure Gordon the Placing will not proceed.
Details of the Subscription
The Company also intends to conditionally raise up funds by the conditional Subscription of Subscription Shares at the Issue Price.
Each of the Directors and members of the Company's senior management team named in the table below intends to enter into subscription agreements with the Company ("Subscription Agreements") pursuant to which they will conditionally agree to subscribe, in aggregate, for 791,815 Subscription Shares. In addition, PrimaryBid intends to conduct an offer for subscription for Subscription Shares on behalf of the Company on the terms set out in a separate announcement to be made by the Company later today.
The Subscription Agreements and the PrimaryBid Offer are each conditional upon Admission becoming effective no later than 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020. The Subscription is not being underwritten and the PrimaryBid Offer may not be fully subscribed.
New Ordinary Shares
The New Ordinary Shares, when issued, will be fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares in issue, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of issue. The number of New Ordinary Shares will not exceed 20,750,000, representing approximately 9.9 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of the Company.
Admission, Settlement and Dealings
Application will be made to London Stock Exchange plc (the "Exchange") for the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on the AIM market of the Exchange ("AIM") ("Admission"). It is expected that settlement of the New Ordinary Shares and Admission will take place on or before 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020. The Placing is conditional upon, among other things, Admission becoming effective on or before 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020 or such later date (being no later than 20 May 2020 as Panmure Gordon and the Company may agree). The Placing is also conditional upon the Placing Agreement not being terminated in accordance with its terms.
Expected Timetable
Announcement of results of the Capital Raising |
By 5.00 p.m. on 30 April 2020 |
Admission and commencement of dealing in the New Ordinary Shares |
8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020 |
Each of the times and dates referred to in this Announcement is subject to change by the Company (with the agreement of Panmure Gordon), in which case the new times and dates will be notified to the Exchange and the Company will make an appropriate announcement through a Regulatory Information Service.
Directors' and other Senior Managements' Participation in the Subscription
The following Directors and members of the Company's senior management team (the "Participating Directors and Senior Managers") intend to enter into Subscription Agreements, pursuant to which each will conditionally agree to subscribe for Subscription Shares under the Subscription. The interests of those Participating Directors and Senior Managers on 29 April 2020 (being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this Announcement) are, and immediately following Admission (assuming allotment and issue of all of the New Ordinary Shares) will be as follows:
Director / senior manager |
Number of Ordinary Shares held on 29 April 2020 |
Number of Subscription Shares |
Number of Ordinary Shares held immediately following Admission |
Stephen Wicks |
17,237,256 |
526,316 |
17,763,572 |
Nishith Malde* |
10,891,529 |
105,263
|
10,996,792 |
Gary Skinner |
40,000 |
42,105 |
82,105 |
Terry Roydon |
325,000 |
32,500 |
357,500 |
Simon Bennett |
110,000 |
15,000 |
125,000 |
Chris Harrison |
- |
18,000 |
18,000 |
Des Wicks |
392,148 |
31,579 |
423,727 |
Vicki Noon |
- |
21,052 |
21,052 |
* Nishith Malde is investing through his self invested pension plan, the Nish Malde Family Pension Scheme.
The Appendix sets out further information relating to the Bookbuilding Process and the terms and conditions of the Placing. Persons who have chosen to participate in the Placing, by making an oral or written offer to acquire Placing Shares, will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including the Appendix) and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions herein, and to be providing the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in the Appendix.
The person responsible for arranging the release of this Announcement on behalf of the Company is Nishith Malde, Finance Director of the Company.
For further information, please contact:
Inland Homes plc |
Tel: +44 (0) 1494 762 450 |
Stephen Wicks, Chief Executive |
|
Nishith Malde, Finance Director |
|
|
|
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited Nominated Adviser and Broker |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2500 |
Dominic Morley (Corporate Finance) |
|
Erik Anderson (Corporate Broking) |
|
Instinctif Partners |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7 457 2020 |
Mark Garraway James Gray |
|
|
|
This Announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notices" section of this Announcement.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS "ANNOUNCEMENT") ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (1) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA"), QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE "PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); (2) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS WHO (A) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER") (INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS) OR (B) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.) OF THE ORDER; AND (3) ANY OTHER PERSON TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED; AND, IN EACH CASE, WHO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLACING BY PANMURE GORDON (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION IN IT 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 RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN INLAND HOMES PLC.
THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) (THE "UNITED STATES" OR THE "US") 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 ONLY OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES IN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHERWISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. NO PUBLIC OFFERING IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.
The distribution of this Announcement and/or the Placing and/or issue or sale of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company, the Bookrunner or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such 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 Bookrunner to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.
This Announcement or any part of it is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful. No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in any such jurisdiction.
All offers of the Placing Shares in the United Kingdom or the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus. In the United Kingdom, this Announcement is being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) does not require the approval of the relevant communication by an authorised person.
The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada, no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares; and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. 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 the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual right or other legal obligations to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any such action.
By participating in the Bookbuilding Process and the Placing, each person who is invited to and who chooses to participate in the Placing (a "Placee") by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire Placing Shares will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety, to be participating, making an offer and acquiring Placing Shares on the terms and conditions contained herein and to be providing the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in the Appendix. Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the Placing and no public offering of Placing Shares is being or will be made.
This Announcement may contain and the Company may make verbal statements containing "forward-looking statements" with respect to certain of the Company's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition, performance, strategic initiatives, objectives and results. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "aim", "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "seek", "may", "could", "outlook" or other words of similar meaning. By their nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances which are beyond the control of the Company, including amongst other things, United Kingdom domestic and global economic business conditions, market-related risks such as fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rates, the policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, the effect of competition, inflation, deflation, the timing effect and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations within relevant industries, the effect of tax and other legislation and other regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company and its affiliates operate, the effect of volatility in the equity, capital and credit markets on the Company's profitability and ability to access capital and credit, a decline in the Company's credit ratings; the effect of operational risks; and the loss of key personnel. As a result, the actual future financial condition, performance and results of the Company may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set forth in any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this Announcement by or on behalf of the Company speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publish any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement to reflect any changes in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Panmure Gordon is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Bookbuilding Process and the Placing, and Panmure Gordon will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Bookbuilding Process or the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.
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 the Bookrunner or by any of its 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 therefor is expressly disclaimed.
No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.
The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the AIM market of the Exchange.
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 within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of (a) retail investors, (b) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (c) eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (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 Bookrunner 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 MiFID II; 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.
APPENDIX
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING
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 THIS APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS "ANNOUNCEMENT") ARE ONLY DIRECTED AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE (A) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA ("EEA") "QUALIFIED INVESTORS" AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(e) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE "PROSPECTUS REGULATION"); AND (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS (I) WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE "ORDER") (INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS) OR (II) FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(a) TO (d) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC.) OF THE ORDER; AND (C) ANY OTHER PERSON TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED; AND, IN EACH CASE, WHO HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLACING BY PANMURE GORDON (UK) LIMITED (THE "BOOKRUNNER") (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION IN IT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY PERSON WHO HAS RECEIVED OR IS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY.
THE PLACING SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN 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 ONLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN "OFFSHORE TRANSACTIONS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH, REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND OTHERWISE IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE PLACING SHARES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION. NO PUBLIC OFFERING IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO THE LEGAL, REGULATORY, TAX AND BUSINESS RELATED ASPECTS OF AN ACQUISITION OF PLACING SHARES.
If a Relevant Person indicates to the Bookrunner that it wishes to participate in the Placing by making or accepting an offer to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing (each such person a "Placee") it will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety and to be making or accepting such offer subject to the terms and conditions and to be providing the representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements and acknowledgements contained in this Announcement.
The distribution of this Announcement and/or the Placing and/or issue of the Placing Shares in certain other jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Bookrunner or the Company or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees that would permit an offer of the Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to the Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Bookrunner and the Company to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.
No undertaking, representation, warranty or any other assurance, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of either the Bookrunner or any of its affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisers, or any other person, as to the accuracy, completeness, correctness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this Announcement or for any other statement made or purported to be made by any of them, or on behalf of them, in connection with the Company or the Placing and no such person shall have any responsibility or liability for any such information or opinions or for any errors or omissions. Accordingly, save to the extent permitted by law, no liability whatsoever is accepted by the Bookrunner or any of its affiliates or its directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates or any other person for any loss howsoever arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this Announcement or such information or opinions contained herein or otherwise arising in connection with it.
This Announcement does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any Placing Shares or any other securities or an inducement to enter into investment activity, nor shall this Announcement (or any part of it), nor the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any investment activity. No statement in this Announcement is intended to be nor may be construed as a profit forecast and no statement made herein should be interpreted to mean that the Company's profits or earnings per share for any future period will necessarily match or exceed historical published profits or earnings per share of the Company.
This Announcement or any part of it is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to acquire, purchase or subscribe for, any securities in the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia), Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the same would be unlawful. No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in any such jurisdiction.
All offers of the Placing Shares in the United Kingdom or the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus. In the United Kingdom, this Announcement is being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the "FSMA") does not require the approval of the relevant communication by an authorised person.
The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States. The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada, no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan. 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 the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual right or other legal obligations to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any such action.
This Announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notices" section of this Announcement.
In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants, undertakes, agrees and acknowledges (amongst other things) to the Bookrunner and the Company that:
The Company and the Bookrunner will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements.
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 any prospectus or other offering document to be published. No prospectus or other offering document has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA in relation to the Placing or the Placing Shares and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this Announcement and the announcement of the results of the Placing (the "Placing Results Announcement") and subject to any further terms set out in the contract note or electronic trade confirmation to be sent to individual Placees.
Each Placee, by participating in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any information, representation, warranty or statement made by or on behalf of the Bookrunner or the Company or any other person and none of the Bookrunner, the Company nor any other person acting on such person's behalf nor any of their respective affiliates has or shall have any liability for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement. 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. No Placee should consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Bookbuilding Process
Following this Announcement, the Bookrunner will commence the Bookbuilding Process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by Placees. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares. The book will open with immediate effect following release of this Announcement. Members of the public are not entitled to participate in the Placing. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing.
The Bookrunner and the Company shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuilding Process as they may, in their sole discretion, determine.
Placing
The Bookrunner has agreed, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement, as agent for and on behalf of the Company, to use reasonable endeavours to conditionally place the Placing Shares at the Issue Price with the Placees. The Placing is not underwritten.
The final number of Placing Shares will be decided at the close of the Bookbuilding Process following the execution of the Placing Results Agreement by the Company and the Bookrunner (the "Placing Results Agreement"). The timing of the closing of the book and allocations are at the discretion of the Company and the Bookrunner. Details of the number of Placing Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuilding Process.
The Placing Shares issued under the Placing, when issued and fully paid, will be identical to, and rank pari passu with, the existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of the Ordinary Shares after Admission and will on issue be free of all claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and equities.
Application will be made to the Exchange for admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM. Subject to the conditions below being satisfied, it is expected that Admission will become effective on 5 May 2020 and that dealings for normal settlement in the Placing Shares will commence on or around 8.00 a.m. on the same day.
The Placing is conditional, inter alia, upon:
(i) Admission becoming effective by not later than 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Bookrunner may agree, being no later than 20 May 2020); and
(ii) the Placing Agreement having become unconditional in all respects and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms.
Participation in the Placing
1. The Bookrunner is arranging the Placing as agent of the Company. Participation will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by the Bookrunner . The Bookrunner is entitled to enter bids as principal in the Bookbuilding Process.
2. The aggregate proceeds to be raised through the Placing will be agreed between the Bookrunner and the Company following completion of the Bookbuilding Process.
3. To bid in the Bookbuilding Process, Placees should communicate their bid by telephone or in writing to their usual sales contact at the Bookrunner . Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to acquire at the Issue Price. Bids may be scaled down by the Bookrunner on the basis referred to in paragraph 6 below.
4. The Bookbuilding Process is expected to close no later than 5.00 p.m. (London time) on 30 April 2020 but may be closed earlier or later, at the discretion of the Bookrunner . The Bookrunner may, in agreement with the Company, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuilding Process has closed.
5. Each Placee's allocation will be confirmed to Placees orally by the Bookrunner following the close of the Bookbuilding Process, and a contract note will be dispatched as soon as possible thereafter. The Bookrunner 's oral confirmation to such Placee will constitute an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon such person (who will at that point become a Placee) in favour of the Bookrunner and the Company, under which such Placee agrees to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it and to pay the Issue Price on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Company's corporate documents.
6. Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 above, the Bookrunner will, in effecting the Placing, agree with the Company the identity of the Placees and the basis of allocation of the Placing Shares and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as it may determine. The Bookrunner may also, notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 3 above and 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 Bookbuilding Process has closed to any person submitting a bid after that time. The acceptance of offers shall be at the absolute discretion of the Bookrunner .
7. A bid in the Bookbuilding Process will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Appendix and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and except with the Bookrunner 's 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 Bookrunner (as agent for the Company) , to pay it (or as it may direct) in cleared funds an amount equal to the product of the Issue Price and the number of Placing Shares that such Placee has agreed to acquire. Each Placee's obligations will be owed to the Bookrunner.
8. Except as required by law or regulation, no press release or other announcement will be made by the Bookrunner 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.
9. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation(s) pursuant to the Placing is/are 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".
10. All obligations under the Bookbuilding Process and Placing will be subject to fulfilment or (where applicable) waiver of the conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Placing and Placing Agreement" and to the Placing not being terminated.
11. By participating in the Bookbuilding Process, each Placee agrees 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 after confirmation (oral or otherwise) by the Bookrunner .
12. To the fullest extent permissible by law, neither the Bookrunner , nor the Company or any of their respective affiliates shall have any responsibility or liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, neither the Bookrunner or the Company , nor any of their respective affiliates shall have any responsibility or liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the Bookrunner's conduct of the Bookbuilding Process or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as the Bookrunner , its affiliates and the Company may agree.
Conditions of the Placing and Placing Agreement
The Bookrunner has the right to terminate its obligations under the Placing at any time prior to Admission in certain circumstances including, inter alia, (i) if any of the warranties contained in the Placing Agreement was untrue, inaccurate or misleading and/or would be untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at Admission or at any time prior to Admission by reference to the circumstances then existing, (ii) if any statement in this Announcement is incorrect or has become untrue, incorrect or misleading; (iii) if a material adverse change occurs in the financial position or prospects of the Group; or (iv) upon the occurrence of certain specified events of force majeure (as specified in the Placing Agreement).
If the Placing Agreement is terminated prior to Admission, the Placing will lapse and the rights and obligations of the Placees hereunder shall cease and determine at such time and no claim can be made by any Placee in respect thereof. In such event, all monies (if any) paid by the Placees to the Bookrunner at such time shall be returned to the Placees at their sole risk without any obligation on the part of the Company or the Bookrunner or any of its affiliates to account to the Placees for any interest earned on such funds. The Placees acknowledge and agree that the Company and the Bookrunner may, at their sole discretion, waive some of the conditions in the Placing Agreement or extend the time and/or date for fulfilment of any of the conditions in the Placing Agreement. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments.
Placees will only be called on to acquire Placing Shares if the obligations of the Bookrunner under the Placing Agreement have become unconditional in all respects and the Bookrunner has not terminated the Placing Agreement prior to Admission.
The Bookrunner's obligations under the Placing Agreement in respect of the Placing are conditional upon, inter alia:
1. Admission occurring not later than 8.00 a.m. on 5 May 2020 (or such later time and/or date as the Company and the Bookrunner may agree, being not later than 8.00 a.m. on 20 May 2020);
2. the Company having complied with its obligations under the Placing Agreement which fall to be performed on or prior to Admission;
3. the Placing Results Agreement having been executed by the Company and the Bookrunner;
4. the publication by the Company of the Placing Results Announcement on a Regulatory Information Service immediately following the execution of the Placing Results Agreement;
5. in the sole opinion of the Bookrunner, there not having been any material adverse change affecting the Company and which is material in the context of the Placing at any time prior to Admission; and
6. the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects, save for Admission, and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms;
(all conditions included in the Placing Agreement being together the "Conditions").
If any Condition has not been satisfied, has not been waived by the Bookrunner or has become incapable of being satisfied (and is not waived by the Bookrunner as described below) or if the Placing Agreement is terminated, all obligations under the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix will automatically terminate. By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations hereunder are conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects and that its rights and obligations will terminate only in the circumstances described above and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it.
The Bookrunner may in its absolute discretion in writing waive fulfilment of certain of the Conditions or extend the time provided for fulfilment of such Conditions. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Appendix. Neither the Bookrunner, nor the Company, shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision made by the Bookrunner as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the fulfilment of any Condition.
Termination of the Placing and Placing Agreement
The Bookrunner may terminate the Placing and the Placing Agreement, in accordance with its terms, at any time prior to Admission if, inter alia,:
1. the Bookrunner (acting in good faith) considers that any of the warranties contained in the Placing Agreement was untrue, inaccurate or misleading and/or would be untrue, inaccurate or misleading if it were to be repeated at Admission or at any time prior to Admission by reference to the circumstances then existing; or
2. a material adverse change occurs in the financial position or prospects of the Group; or
3. there should occur one or more specified force majeure events (as detailed in the Placing Agreement); or
4. the Bookrunner (acting in good faith) considers that any statement contained in this Announcement or one or more other Placing documents has become or been discovered to be untrue, inaccurate or misleading.
If the Placing Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, the rights and obligations of each Placee in respect of the Placing as described in this Announcement shall cease and terminate at such time and no claim can be made by any Placee in respect thereof.
By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees with the Company and the Bookrunner that the exercise by the Company or the Bookrunner of any right of termination or any other right or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of the Company and/or the Bookrunner and that neither the Company nor the Bookrunner need make any reference to such Placee and that neither the Bookrunner nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to such Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) whatsoever in connection with any such exercise.
By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations terminate only in the circumstances above and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it after the issue by the Bookrunner of a form of confirmation confirming each Placee's allocation and commitment in the Placing.
Registration and settlement
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place within the CREST system, subject to certain exceptions. The Bookrunner and the Company 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 possible 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. Each Placee will be deemed to agree 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 which they have in place with the Bookrunner.
It is expected that settlement of the Placing will occur on 5 May 2020, on which date each Placee must settle the full amount owed by it in respect of the Placing Shares allocated to it. The Bookrunner may (after consultation with the Company) specify a later settlement date (or dates) at its absolute discretion. The Bookrunner will notify Placees if any of the dates in the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix should change. Payment must be made in cleared funds. The payment instructions for settlement in CREST and settlement outside of CREST will be set out in the contract note issued to the Placee by the Bookrunner. Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date at the rate per annum of 2 percentage points above the Barclays Bank plc base rate. Time shall be of the essence as regards the obligations of Placees to settle payment for the Placing Shares and to comply with their other obligations under this Announcement.
Each Placee agrees that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the Bookrunner may sell, charge by way of security (to any funder of it) or otherwise deal with any or all of their Placing Shares on their behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the Bookrunner's own account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due and any costs and expenses properly incurred by it a result of the Placee's failure to comply with its obligations. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable and shall indemnify the Bookrunner on demand for any shortfall below the amount owed by it and for any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax(together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of their Placing Shares on their behalf. Legal and/or beneficial title in and to any Placing Shares shall not pass to the relevant Placee until such time as it has fully complied with its obligations hereunder. By communicating a bid for Placing Shares, each Placee confers on the Bookrunner all such authorities and powers necessary to carry out any such sale and agrees to ratify and confirm all actions which the Bookrunner lawfully takes in pursuance of such sale.
If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees must ensure that, upon receipt, the conditional form of 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 in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to United Kingdom stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.
Notwithstanding the above, the right is reserved to deliver all of the Placing Shares to which the Placee is entitled in certificated form should the Bookrunner consider this necessary or desirable.
Acceptance
By participating in the Placing, a Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably acknowledges, confirms, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) with the Bookrunner and the Company, the following:
1) it has read and understood this Announcement in its entirety and that its acquisition of the Placing Shares is subject to and based upon all the terms, conditions, representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings and other information contained herein and that it has not relied on, and will not rely on, any information given or any representations, warranties or statements made at any time by any person in connection with Admission, the Placing, the Company, the Placing Shares or otherwise, other than the information contained in this Announcement;
2) it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Placing and acknowledges that no prospectus or other offering document:
a. is required under the Prospectus Regulation or other applicable law; and
b. has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing;
3) the Ordinary Shares are admitted to trading on AIM, and that the Company is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the AIM Rules for the Companies (the "AIM Rules") and the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation No. 596/2014 (the "MAR")), which includes a description of the nature of the Company's business and the Company's most recent balance sheet and profit and loss account and that it is able to obtain or access such information without undue difficulty, and is able to obtain access to such information or comparable information concerning any other publicly traded company, without undue difficulty;
4) it has made its own assessment of the Placing Shares and has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing and neither the Bookrunner nor the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees nor any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, and will not provide, it with any material regarding the Placing Shares or the Company or any other person other than the information in this Announcement or any information publicly announced through a Regulatory Information Service (as defined in the AIM Rules) by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date of this Announcement (the "Publicly Available Information"); nor has it requested the Bookrunner, the Company, any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, employees or officers or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;
5) neither the Bookrunner nor any person acting on behalf of it nor any of its affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees has or shall have any liability for any Publicly Available Information, or any representation relating to the Company, provided that nothing in this paragraph excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;
6)
a. the only information on which it is entitled to rely on and on which it has relied in committing to acquire the Placing Shares is contained in this Announcement, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares and it has made its own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the terms of the Placing based on the information in this Announcement;
b. neither the Bookrunner, nor the Company (nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees) has made any representation or warranty to it, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Publicly Available Information, nor will it provide any material or information regarding the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares;
c. it has conducted its own investigation of the Company, the Placing (including its terms and conditions) and the Placing Shares, satisfied itself that the information is still current and relied on that investigation for the purposes of its decision to participate in the Placing; and
d. it has not relied on any investigation that the Bookrunner or any person acting on its behalf may have conducted with respect to the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares; and
e. it may not place the same degree of reliance on this Announcement as it may otherwise place on a prospectus or admission document.
7) the content of this Announcement has been prepared by and is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and that neither the Bookrunner nor any persons acting on its behalf is responsible for or has or shall have any liability for any information, representation, warranty or statement relating to the Company contained in this Announcement nor will they be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation, warranty or statement contained in this Announcement or otherwise. Nothing in this Appendix shall exclude any liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation;
8) neither it nor the beneficial owner of the Placing Shares is, nor will, at the time the Placing Shares are acquired, either of them be at resident of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan;
9) the Placing Shares have not been registered or otherwise qualified, and will not be registered or otherwise qualified, for offer and sale nor will a prospectus be cleared or approved in respect of any of the Placing Shares under the securities laws of the United States, or any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, taken up, renounced or delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, within the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;
10) it may be asked to disclose in writing or orally to the Bookrunner: (i) if he or she is an individual, his or her nationality; or (ii) if he or she is a discretionary fund manager, the jurisdiction in which the funds are managed or owned;
11) it (and any person acting on its behalf) has the funds available to pay for the Placing Shares for which it has agreed to acquire and acknowledges and agrees that it will pay the total subscription amount in accordance with the terms of this Announcement on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other Placees or sold at such price as the Bookrunner determines;
12) it and/or each person on whose behalf it is participating:
a. is entitled to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing under the laws and regulations of all relevant jurisdictions;
b. has fully observed such laws and regulations;
c. has capacity and authority and is entitled to enter into and perform its obligations as an acquirer of Placing Shares and will honour such obligations; and
d. has obtained all necessary consents and authorities (including, without limitation, in the case of a person acting on behalf of a Placee, all necessary consents and authorities to agree to the terms set out or referred to in this Appendix) under those laws or otherwise and complied with all necessary formalities to enable it to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby and to perform its obligations in relation thereto and, in particular, if it is a pension fund or investment company it is aware of and acknowledges it is required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to its acquisition of Placing Shares;
13) it is not, and any person who it is acting on behalf of is not, and at the time the Placing Shares are acquired will not be, a resident of, or with an address in, or subject to the laws of, the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan, and it acknowledges and agrees that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered or otherwise qualified under the securities legislation of the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa or Japan and may not be offered, sold, or acquired, directly or indirectly, within those jurisdictions;
14) it and the beneficial owner of the Placing Shares is, and at the time the Placing Shares are acquired will be, outside the United States and acquiring the Placing Shares in an "offshore transaction" as defined in, and in accordance with, Regulation S under the Securities Act;
15) it understands that the Placing Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered, sold or resold in or into or from the United States except pursuant to an effective registration under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in accordance with applicable state securities laws; and no representation is being made as to the availability of any exemption under the Securities Act for the reoffer, resale, pledge or transfer of the Placing Shares;
16) it (and any account for which it is purchasing) is not acquiring the Placing Shares with a view to any offer, sale or distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act;
17) it understands that:
a. the Placing Shares are "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and will be subject to restrictions on resale and transfer subject to certain exceptions under US law;
b. no representation is made as to the availability of the exemption provided by Rule 144 for re-sales or transfers of Placing Shares; and
c. it will not deposit the Placing Shares in an unrestricted depositary receipt programme in the United States or for US persons (as defined in the Securities Act);
18) it will not offer, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Placing Shares except:
a. in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rules 903 or 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or
b. pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, if available,
and in each case in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions;
19) no representation has been made as to the availability of the exemption provided by Rule 144, Rule 144A or any other exemption under the Securities Act for the reoffer, resale, pledge or transfer of the Placing Shares;
20) it understands that the Placing Shares are expected to be issued to it through CREST but may be issued to it in certificated, definitive form and acknowledges and agrees that the Placing Shares will, to the extent they are delivered in certificated form, bear a legend to the following effect unless agreed otherwise with the Company:
"THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (A) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (B) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE DEPOSITED INTO ANY UNRESTRICTED DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FACILITY IN RESPECT OF THE COMPANY'S SECURITIES ESTABLISHED OR MAINTAINED BY A DEPOSITARY BANK. EACH HOLDER, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THESE SHARES, REPRESENTS THAT IT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.";
21) it is not taking up the Placing Shares as a result of any "general solicitation" or "general advertising" efforts (as those terms are defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or any "directed selling efforts" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act);
22) it understands that there may be certain consequences under United States and other tax laws resulting from an investment in the Placing and it has made such investigation and has consulted its own independent advisers or otherwise has satisfied itself concerning, without limitation, the effects of United States federal, state and local income tax laws and foreign tax laws generally;
23) it will not distribute, forward, transfer or otherwise transmit this Announcement or any part of it, or any other presentational or other materials concerning the Placing in or into or from the United States (including electronic copies thereof) to any person, and it has not distributed, forwarded, transferred or otherwise transmitted any such materials to any person;
24) none of the Bookrunner, the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees nor any person acting on behalf of any of them is making any recommendations to it or advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Placing and that participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of the Bookrunner and that the Bookrunner has no duties or responsibilities to it for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right;
25) it will make payment to the Bookrunner for the Placing Shares allocated to it in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Announcement on the due times and dates set out in this Announcement, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with others on such terms as the Bookrunner determines in its absolute discretion without liability to the Placee and it will remain liable for any shortfall below the net proceeds of such sale and the placing proceeds of such Placing Shares and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties due pursuant to the terms set out or referred to in this Announcement) which may arise upon the sale of such Placee's Placing Shares on its behalf;
26) its allocation (if any) of Placing Shares will represent a maximum number of Placing Shares which it will be entitled, and required, to subscribe for, and that the Company may call upon it to subscribe for a lower number of Placing Shares (if any), but in no event in aggregate more than the aforementioned maximum;
27) no action has been or will be taken by any of the Company, the Bookrunner or any person acting on behalf of the Company or the Bookrunner that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the Placing Shares in the United States or in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;
28) the person who it specifies for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be:
a. the Placee; or
b. a nominee of the Placee, as the case may be,
and that the Bookrunner and the Company will not be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement. Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing and agrees to indemnify the Company and the Bookrunner in respect of the same on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to a CREST stock account of the Bookrunner or transferred to a CREST stock account of the Bookrunner who will hold them as nominee on behalf of the Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions with it;
29) the allocation, allotment, issue and delivery to it, or the person specified by it for registration as the holder, of Placing Shares will not give rise to a stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax liability under (or at a rate determined under) any of sections 67, 70, 93 or 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depository receipts and clearance services) and that it is not participating in the Placing as nominee or agent for any person or persons to whom the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares would give rise to such a liability;
30) if it is within the United Kingdom, it and any person acting on its behalf (if within the United Kingdom) falls within Article 19(5) and/or 49(2) of the Order and undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage and (if applicable) dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business only;
31) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in a Relevant State prior to the expiry of a period of six months from Admission except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of section 85(1) of the FSMA or an offer to the public in any member state of the EEA within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation;
32) if it is within a Relevant State, it is a Qualified Investor as defined in Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation;
33) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and it will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the FSMA) relating to Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person and it acknowledges and agrees that this Announcement has not been approved by the Bookrunner in its capacity as an authorised person under section 21 of the FSMA and it may not therefore be subject to the controls which would apply if it was made or approved as financial promotion by an authorised person;
34) it has complied and it will comply with all applicable laws with respect to anything done by it or on its behalf in relation to the Placing Shares (including all relevant provisions of the FSMA and the MAR in respect of anything done in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom);
35) if it is a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the Prospectus Regulation, 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 a Relevant State other than Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the express prior written consent of the Bookrunner has been given to each proposed offer or resale;
36) if it has received any inside information (for the purposes of the MAR and section 56 of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 or other applicable law) about the Company in advance of the Placing, it has not:
a) dealt (or attempted to deal) in the securities of the Company or cancelled or amended a dealing in the securities of the Company;
b) encouraged, recommended or induced another person to deal in the securities of the Company or to cancel or amend an order concerning the Company's securities; or
c) unlawfully disclosed such information to any person, prior to the information being made publicly available;
37) the Bookrunner and its affiliates, acting as an investor for its or their own account(s), may bid or subscribe for and/or purchase Placing Shares and, in that capacity, may retain, purchase, offer to sell or otherwise deal for its or their own account(s) in the Placing Shares, any other securities of the Company or other related investments in connection with the Placing or otherwise. Accordingly, references in this Announcement to the Placing Shares being offered, subscribed, acquired or otherwise dealt with should be read as including any offer to, or subscription, acquisition or dealing by, the Bookrunner and/or any of its affiliates acting as an investor for its or their own account(s). Neither the Bookrunner nor the Company intend to disclose the extent of any such investment or transaction otherwise than in accordance with any legal or regulatory obligation to do so;
38) it:
a. has complied with its obligations in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2006, the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and all related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any government agency having jurisdiction in respect thereof and the Money Laundering Sourcebook of the FCA (together, the "Money Laundering Regulations");
b. is not a person:
i. with whom transactions are prohibited under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any economic sanction programmes administered by, or regulations promulgated by, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury;
ii. named on the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by HM Treasury of the United Kingdom; or
iii. subject to financial sanctions imposed pursuant to a regulation of the European Union or a regulation adopted by the United Nations or other applicable law,
39) (together with the Money Laundering Regulations, the "Regulations") and if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations and has obtained all governmental and other consents (if any) which may be required for the purpose of, or as a consequence of, such purchase, and it will provide promptly to the Bookrunner such evidence, if any, as to the identity or location or legal status of any person which it may request from it in connection with the Placing (for the purpose of complying with the Regulations or ascertaining the nationality of any person or the jurisdiction(s) to which any person is subject or otherwise) in the form and manner requested by the Bookrunner on the basis that any failure by it to do so may result in the number of Placing Shares that are to be acquired by it or at its direction pursuant to the Placing being reduced to such number, or to nil, as the Bookrunner may decide at its sole discretion;
40) in order to ensure compliance with the Regulations, the Bookrunner (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars may, in their absolute discretion, require verification of its identity. Pending the provision to the Bookrunner or the Company's registrars, as applicable, of evidence of identity, definitive certificates in respect of the Placing Shares may be retained at the Bookrunner's absolute discretion or, where appropriate, delivery of the Placing Shares to it in uncertificated form may be delayed at the Bookrunner's or the Company's registrars', as the case may be, absolute discretion. If within a reasonable time after a request for verification of identity the Bookrunner (for itself and as agent on behalf of the Company) or the Company's registrars have not received evidence satisfactory to them, either the Bookrunner and/or the Company may, at its absolute discretion, terminate its commitment in respect of the Placing, in which event the monies payable on acceptance of allotment will, if already paid, be returned without interest to the account of the drawee's bank from which they were originally debited;
41) it acknowledges that its commitment to acquire Placing Shares on the terms set out in this Announcement and in the contract note or through the electronic trade confirmation will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may in future be made to the terms and conditions of the Placing and that Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to the Company's or the Bookrunner's conduct of the Placing;
42) it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of acquiring the Placing Shares. It further acknowledges that it is experienced in investing in securities of this nature and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of, and is able to sustain, a complete loss in connection with the Placing. It has relied upon its own examination and due diligence of the Company and its affiliates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved;
43) it irrevocably appoints any duly authorised officer of the Bookrunner as its agent for the purpose of executing and delivering to the Company and/or its registrars any documents on its behalf necessary to enable it to be registered as the holder of any of the Placing Shares for which it agrees to acquire upon the terms of this Announcement;
44) the Company, the Bookrunner and others (including each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees) will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and agreements, which are given to the Bookrunner on its own behalf and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable;
45) it is acting as principal only in respect of the Placing or, if it is acquiring the Placing Shares as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, it:
a. is duly authorised to do so and it has full power and authority to make, and does make, the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings on behalf of each such accounts; and
b. will remain liable to the Company and the Bookrunner for the performance of all its obligations as a Placee in respect of the Placing (regardless of the fact that it is acting for another person);
46) time is of the essence as regards its obligations under this Appendix;
47) any document that is to be sent to it in connection with the Placing will be sent at its risk and may be sent to it at any address provided by it to the Bookrunner;
48) the Placing Shares will be issued subject to the terms and conditions of this Appendix; and
49) the terms and conditions contained in this Appendix and all documents into which this Appendix is incorporated by reference or otherwise validly forms a part and/or any agreements entered into pursuant to these terms and conditions and all agreements to acquire Placing Shares pursuant to the Bookbuilding Process and/or the Placing and all non-contractual or other obligations arising out of or in connection with them, will be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and it submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to any claim, dispute or matter arising out of such contract (including any dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination or such contract or relating to any non-contractual or other obligation arising out of or in connection with such contract), except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by the Company or the Bookrunner in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange.
By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) agrees to indemnify and hold the Company, the Bookrunner and each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings given by the Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) in this Appendix or incurred by the Bookrunner, the Company or each of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees arising from the performance of the Placee's obligations as set out in this Announcement, and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after the completion of the Placing.
The rights and remedies of the Bookrunner and the Company under these terms and conditions are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.
The agreement to allot and issue Placing Shares to Placees (or the persons for whom Placees are contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax in the United Kingdom relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct by the Company. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement related to any other dealings in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable. In that event, the Placee agrees that it shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax and neither the Company nor the Bookrunner shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and they should notify the Bookrunner 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 United Kingdom by them or any other person on the acquisition by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to acquire any Placing Shares and each Placee, or the Placee's nominee, in respect of whom (or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares has given rise to such non-United Kingdom stamp, registration, documentary, transfer or similar taxes or duties undertakes to pay such taxes and duties, including any interest and penalties (if applicable), forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and the Bookrunner in the event that either the Company and/or the Bookrunner have incurred any such liability to such taxes or duties.
Panmure Gordon is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Bookbuilding Process and the Placing, and Panmure Gordon will not be responsible to anyone (including any Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the Bookbuilding Process or the Placing or any other matters referred to in this Announcement.
The representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings contained in this Appendix are given to the Bookrunner for itself and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable and shall not be capable of termination in any circumstances.
Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges that the Bookrunner does not owe any fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings, acknowledgements, agreements or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.
Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of the Placee acknowledges and agrees that the Bookrunner may (at its absolute discretion) satisfy its obligations to procure Placees by itself agreeing to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares or by nominating any connected or associated person to do so.
No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.
The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the AIM market of the Exchange.
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.
Set-off and Miscellaneous
The Company reserves the right to treat as invalid any application or purported application for Placing Shares that appears to the Company or its agents to have been executed, effected or dispatched from the United States or an Excluded Territory or in a manner that may involve a breach of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction or if the Company or its agents believe that the same may violate applicable legal or regulatory requirements or if it provides an address for delivery of the share certificates of Placing Shares in an Excluded Territory or the United States, or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom in which it would be unlawful to deliver such share certificates.
When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with any of the Bookrunner, any money held in an account with the 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 the Bookrunner's money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by each of the Bookrunner in the course of its own business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of the Bookrunner.
Times
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to time are to London time. All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment. The Bookrunner will notify Placees and any persons acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.