Acquisition

Fiske PLC 6 June 2002 FISKE PLC 5th June 2002 Fiske plc ('Fiske') announces the completion of the acquisition of Ionian Group Limited ('Ionian') for a consideration of 1,462,000 ordinary 25p shares of Fiske and approximately £430,000 cash. This is equivalent to a total purchase consideration of £1.57 million, subject to adjustment, with a maximum payable of £1.6 million. Ionian is an investment management company acting on behalf of corporate, institutional and private investment clients with some £52 million under management. Audited profits after tax for the year to 30th April 2001 were £206,000. The net tangible assets of Ionian, which will be in cash, amount to approximately £430,000. Ionian has been operating since 1994 but the connection of the two main principals, Stephen Cockburn and Philip Lovegrove, to their clients significantly pre-dates that time. It is envisaged that Ionian will operate as a division of Fiske and that this transaction will facilitate an expansion of its fee-paying clientele. Fiske expects that there should be significant cost savings as a result of the merger mainly in property and support costs and the combined group should increase both stock broking revenues and fund management fees. Ionian will continue its relationships with other broking firms. Of the existing directors of Ionian, Stephen Cockburn, the 54% controlling shareholder, is currently a Non-Executive Director of Fiske. He is also a Director of Jove Investment Trust plc ('Jove') which owns 18.4% of Fiske. This holding will be diluted to 15.0% following this transaction. Mr. Cockburn will become an executive director and Deputy Chairman of Fiske. Philip Lovegrove, a 16.3% shareholder of Ionian, will also join the Fiske Board in an executive role. Robert Neal, the Compliance Officer and 16.3% shareholder of Ionian, and Sir David Thomson Bt., Chairman of Jove and a 4.8% shareholder of Ionian, will both retire from the Ionian Board and will not be joining Fiske. Stephen Cockburn is employed pursuant to a service agreement dated 5th June, 2002. The service agreement is terminable by either party giving to the other not less than 3 months notice in writing of termination to expire not earlier than 12 months from the commencement date being the 5th June 2002. The agreement provides for a remuneration package, including benefits, of £98,000 per annum. Philip Lovegrove is employed pursuant to a service agreement dated 5th June, 2002. The service agreement is terminable by either party giving to the other not less than 3 months notice in writing of termination to expire not earlier than 12 months from the commencement date being the 5th June 2002. The agreement provides for a remuneration package, including benefits, of £75,000 per annum. As a result of these Board changes Fiske will only have one independent Non-Executive Director, being Geoffrey Maitland Smith, the Chairman. It is the intention of the Board of Fiske to seek an additional Non-Executive Director. Fiske will continue to act as a traditional private client advisory stock broker with, in addition, institutional and corporate clients. It will continue its policy of not taking principal positions or making markets. Due to the related party nature of the above transaction the Directors, other than Stephen Cockburn, having consulted with Grant Thornton, the Company's Nominated Adviser, consider that the terms of the transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as the shareholders are concerned. Application has been made for the admission to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the 1,462,000 new ordinary shares. Dealings are expected to commence on Tuesday, 11th June, 2002. Enquiries to: Clive Harrison: 020 7448 4700 Stephen Cockburn: 020 7600 4800 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Fiske (FKE)
UK 100

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