Strategic Investor Update

RNS Number : 9647Z

Phoenix Group Holdings PLC

28 January 2022

 

LEI: 2138001P49OLAEU33T68

Strategic investor update

Phoenix Group Holdings plc ("Phoenix" or "the Group") notes that abrdn plc ("abrdn") has today announced the successful sale of approximately 40 million shares in Phoenix, representing approximately 4% of Phoenix's total issued share capital. The sale was effected by way of an accelerated bookbuild to a range of institutional investors ("the Placing"). abrdn has announced that it intends to return the net proceeds of the Placing to its shareholders.

Following the settlement of the transaction, abrdn's holding in Phoenix will be approximately 10.4% of Phoenix's total issued share capital. Importantly, with abrdn's holding remaining in excess of 10%, the two parties' Relationship Agreement will remain in place which entitles it to appoint a director to the Phoenix Board.

abrdn continues to be Phoenix's core strategic asset management partner and manages c.£165 billion of the Group's assets under administration.

Stephen Bird, CEO of abrdn, commented on the placing:

"Our strategic partnership with Phoenix remains very important to us. This was further evidenced by the simplified and extended relationship we announced in February 2021.

We have therefore reconfirmed our commitment to our remaining 10.4% shareholding in Phoenix which retains our right to appoint a director to the Phoenix Board."

Phoenix's other strategic investor, MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. ("MS&AD"), continues to retain a 14.5% shareholding. MS&AD highly values the strategic relationship and shareholding in Phoenix. Its holding remains a key part of MS&AD's long-term strategy to diversify its earnings internationally and MS&AD expects to remain a significant shareholder.

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Enquiries

Investors/analysts:

Claire Hawkins, Director of Corporate Affairs, Phoenix Group

[phone]

Andrew Downey, Investor Relations Director, Phoenix Group

[phone]

Media:

Douglas Campbell , Teneo

[phone]

Shell ie Wells , Corporate Communications Director, Phoenix Group

[phone]

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Legal Disclaimers

This announcement in relation to Phoenix and its subsidiaries (the "Group") contains forward-looking statements about the Group's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial events, conditions, performance, results, strategy and/or objectives. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'will', 'expects', 'may', 'should', 'plans', 'aims', 'seeks', 'continues', 'targets' and 'anticipates' or other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the Group's control. As a result, such future events and the Group's actual future financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements in this announcement. The Group undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained within this announcement.

 

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