THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR NEW ZEALAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE APPENDICES DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES OF ACUITY RM GROUP PLC IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPENDICES INCLUDING APPENDIX III WHICH CONTAINS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING.
19 May 2025
Acuity RM Group plc
(“Acuity”, or the “Company”)
Proposed Placing and Subscription to raise approximately £0.5 million
Broker Option to raise up to £0.1 million
Acuity (AIM: ACRM), the software group focused on cybersecurity announces a fundraising, comprising a Placing, Subscription and a Directors’ Intended Subscription to raise approximately £0.5 million (before expenses) through the issue of new ordinary shares of 0.1p each in the capital of the Company (the "Ordinary Shares") at 1 pence per Ordinary Share (the "Issue Price") (the "Fundraising"). The net proceeds of the Fundraising will be used to fund investment in sales and marketing, further product development and to provide additional working capital.
The Issue Price represents a discount of approximately 31 per cent. to the closing price on AIM of 1.45 pence per Ordinary Share on 16 May 2025, being the latest practicable business day prior to the publication of this Announcement.
The Company also announces a proposal to raise up to a further £100,000 by way of a broker option through the issue of up to 10,000,000 additional new Ordinary Shares (the "Broker Option Shares") at the Issue Price in order to enable smaller shareholders in the Company and other retail and institutional investors to participate in the Fundraising.
The Company also proposes to issue warrants to Placees and subscribers in the Fundraising on the basis of one Warrant for every one New Ordinary Shares subscribed under the Fundraising (The “Warrants”). Each Warrant grants the holder the right to subscribe for one additional new Ordinary Share at 1.5 pence and is exercisable for a period of up to 12 months from Admission. Further details regarding the Warrants are set out below.
Transaction Highlights
The Placing will be effected by way of an accelerated bookbuild (the "Bookbuild") at the Issue Price. The Bookbuild will open with immediate effect following the release of this Announcement. A further announcement confirming the closing of the Bookbuild and the number of new Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing is expected to be made in due course.
The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in Appendix III to this Announcement. Zeus Capital Limited ("Zeus") and Peterhouse Capital Limited (“Peterhouse”) are acting as joint brokers (the "Joint Bookrunners") in connection with the Placing. Peterhouse is acting in respect of the Broker Option.
The following sets out the background to, and the reasons for, the Fundraising and explains why the Directors consider the Fundraising to be in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole.
Background and reasons for the Fundraising
Acuity is an established provider of risk management software and services now focused on cybersecurity risks.
2024 was a year of consolidation following the acquisition of ARM in April 2023. Revenues increased mainly because of the organic growth of business with existing customers. 2024 also saw work start on redeveloping Acuity’s software platform STREAM® to enhance its customer appeal by introducing new features and functions, technology such as AI and significant benefits for Acuity including faster and easier onboarding of customers, improved interfaces with other enterprise software, lower costs and simpler code upgrades. It will be possible to produce white label versions to be distributed by partners throughout the world which will enhance growth opportunities The new product is on target and budget for launch in June 2025. It will offer major benefits both to users and Acuity.
In November 2024, the Rizikon software product and customers were acquired and in December 2024, David Rajakovich was appointed as CEO of Acuity. David has considerable experience of successfully growing software businesses with a SaaS model.
Since his appointment David has made numerous changes to improve performance and has rejuvenated the business model with the focus now on the cybersecurity market rather than the wider GRC market. This new AI driven, Go-To-Market model is already generating sales opportunities and management expects improved and faster conversion rates. The partner programme has been reorganised for higher productivity and prices have been revised. In addition, a cost reduction plan has been put into effect.
Management’s focus is on accelerating growth in 2025 and driving the business to the next stage. The Fundraising will support this drive by facilitating increased sales and marketing, further product development and providing working capital to support increased commercial activity whilst new business opportunities are converted into orders and then sales and cash.
The Company is seeking to raise net proceeds of approximately £0.46 million through the Placing, Subscription and Directors’ Intended Subscription, which will be applied approximately as follows:
Current trading and prospects
The Company expects to announce its results for the year ended 31 December 2024 in late May. It expects to report revenue of £2.1 million and a loss before tax of £1.3 million. As at 31 December 2024, the Company had net cash of £606,000. Total cash and debtors due for payment in January 2025 amounted to £1.3 million (FY23 £1.3 million). Forwarded contracted revenue increased 17 per cent. to £3.4 million (FY23: £2.9 million).
The current financial year has started with a new CEO, a more focussed strategy centred on cybersecurity risk rather than the wider GRC market, and with the launch of its new, upgraded version of STREAM® product on budget and schedule for launch in June 2025. In addition, the Company has reduced its cost base by c. £300,000 and is expecting to be able to reduce costs further following the launch of the new STREAM® product in June which will allow the costs of services currently outsourced to be reduced. The new product should open other opportunities for growth as it will be possible to sell it via resellers as a white labelled product.
More broadly, the Company has been building a strong pipeline of opportunities. There can though be no certainty that any particular prospect will become a signed contract by a given date, or at all.
The market opportunity for management of cybersecurity risk and GRC is large and expected to grow strongly. Market awareness of cybersecurity solutions is increasing and there has been much media reporting in recent weeks about major companies and organisations being subject to cyber attacks.
With this market backdrop and the changes and prospects outlined above, the Board expects the Company to make significant progress this year and, assuming reasonable pipeline conversion, for a considerably improved performance for the current year.
The Placing
The Placing is being conducted by Zeus and Peterhouse as Joint Bookrunners in relation to the Placing ("Joint Bookrunners"). A placing agreement has been entered into between the Company, Zeus and Peterhouse in connection with the Placing (the "Placing Agreement").
The Placing will utilise the Company's existing shareholder authorities to issue the Placing Shares on a non-pre-emptive basis for cash.
The Placing Shares are being offered by way of an accelerated bookbuild (the "Bookbuild"), which will open with immediate effect following the release of this Announcement, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Appendix III to this Announcement. A further announcement confirming the closing of the Bookbuild and the number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing is expected to be made in due course.
The Placing is not being underwritten.
The timing of the closure of the Bookbuild, the number of Placing Shares and the allocation of the Placing Shares between Placees is to be determined at the discretion of the Company and the Joint Bookrunners.
Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the Placing.
The allotment and issue of the Placing Shares is conditional, inter alia, upon:
Accordingly, if any of such conditions are not satisfied or, if applicable, waived, the Placing will not proceed.
The Placing Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares then in issue, including the right to receive all future distributions, declared, paid or made in respect of the Ordinary Shares from the date of Admission. Assuming gross proceeds of £395,000 are raised pursuant to the Placing and Subscription, the Placing Shares and Subscription Shares will represent approximately 20.8 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital.
Subject to satisfaction of the relevant conditions, it is expected that Admission will become effective, and dealing in the Placing Shares will commence, at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on or around 23 May 2025.
The Joint Bookrunners have the right to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances prior to Admission, including (but not limited to): in the event that any of the warranties set out in the Placing Agreement become untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect or the Company materially fails to comply with any of its obligations prior to Admission. The Joint Bookrunners may also terminate the Placing Agreement if there has been (i) a material adverse change affecting the business or prospects of the Company or its group or (ii) any change in national or international financial, economic, political, industrial or market conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls, or any incident of terrorism or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any declaration by the UK or the US of a national emergency or war or any other calamity or crisis which, in the reasonable opinion of the Joint Bookrunners, is likely to have an adverse effect on business or prospects of the Company or its group and makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the Placing. If this termination right is exercised, or if the conditionality in the Placing Agreement is not satisfied, the Placing will not proceed.
A further announcement will be made following the closure of the Bookbuild, confirming the results of the Placing.
The expected timetable of principal events in connection with the Placing is set out in Appendix I to this Announcement.
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 Appendices) 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 Appendix III.
The Subscription
Certain investors have indicated their intention to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price pursuant to the terms and conditions of subscription letters to be entered into between the relevant parties and the Company on or about the date hereof.
The Subscription is not part of the Placing and any Subscription Shares would be subscribed pursuant to the terms of subscription agreements between the Company and the relevant subscribers.
Subject to satisfaction of the relevant conditions, it is expected that Admission will become effective, and dealing in the Subscription Shares will commence, at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on or around 23 May 2025.
Further details relating to the Subscription, including the total number of new Ordinary Shares subscribed for and the aggregate gross proceeds of the Subscription, will be announced as soon as practicable after closure of the Bookbuild.
Broker Option
In order to provide qualifying Acuity shareholders ("Existing Shareholders") with an opportunity to participate on the same basis as the Placing (under identical terms to the Placing, the Company has granted Peterhouse a broker option over 10,000,000 New Ordinary Shares (the "Broker Option Shares") at the Issue Price of 1p per share (the "Broker Option"). Full take up of the Broker Option would raise a further £100,000 for the Company, before expenses. The Broker Option Shares will be issued under the Company's existing share authorities. Participants of the Broker Option will receive one warrant for every one Broker Option Share subscribed for, exercisable at 1.5p.
Existing Shareholders who hold shares in the Company and are on the register of members as at the close of business at 4:30 p.m. on 16 May 2025, will be prioritised for participation in the Broker Option (other than at the discretion of Peterhouse) and all orders from such Existing Shareholders will be accepted and processed by Peterhouse on a strictly "First Come, First Served" basis. The Broker Option has not been underwritten. Peterhouse is entitled to participate in the Broker Option as principal.
The Broker Option may be exercisable by Peterhouse on more than one occasion, at any time from the date of this announcement to 4:30 p.m. UK time on 20 May 2025, at its absolute discretion, following consultation with the Company. There is no obligation on Peterhouse to exercise the Broker Option or to seek to procure subscribers for the Broker Option Shares. Peterhouse may also, subject to prior consent of the Company, allocate new Ordinary Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time. Depending on demand the number of Broker Option Shares subject to the Broker Option may be increased at the discretion of the Company with the written agreement of Peterhouse.
Peterhouse may choose not to accept bids and/or to accept bids, either in whole or in part, on the basis of allocations determined at their discretion (after consultation with the Company) and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as Peterhouse may determine. Peterhouse may also, subject to prior consent of the Company, allocate new Ordinary Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time.
The Broker Option Shares are not being made available to the public and none of the Broker Option Shares are being offered or sold in any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful to do so. No Prospectus will be issued in connection with the Broker Option.
If the Broker Option is fully taken up, it will raise an additional £100,000 before expenses. If the Broker Option is not fully subscribed by 4:30pm on 20 May 2025, orders from eligible investors will be satisfied in full, and the balance of the Broker Option shall lapse. The Company will announce the results of the Broker Option and the resultant shares in issue following its close.
To subscribe for Broker Option Shares, Existing Shareholders should communicate their bid to Peterhouse via their stockbroker as Peterhouse cannot take direct orders from individual private investors who are not existing clients. Existing Shareholders who wish to register their interest in participating in the Broker Option Shares should instruct their stockbroker to call Peterhouse on 020 7469 0938 or 020 7469 0936 or 020 7220 9797. Each bid should state the number of Broker Option Shares the Existing Shareholder wishes to subscribe for at the Issue Price.
The Broker Option is not being underwritten.
Conditionality
A further announcement will be made following the closure of the Broker Option and details of the admission to trading on AIM of the Broker Option Shares will be disclosed at that time.
The Warrants
The Company also proposes to issue Warrants to Placees and subscribers in the Fundraising on the basis of one Warrant for every one New Ordinary Share subscribed under the Fundraising. Each Warrant grants the holder the right to subscribe for one additional new Ordinary Share at a price of 1.5 pence per new Ordinary Share. The Warrants will not be traded on an exchange.
The Warrants have an accelerator clause. If the closing mid-market price of the Company's shares is sustained at greater than £0.02 for five consecutive trading days, the Company may choose to force execution of the Warrant. The Company is obliged to write to each Warrant holder providing seven calendar days’ notice to exercise the warrants (the "Notice"), after which each Warrant holder will have up to 21 days to pay for the exercise of their Warrants, subject to the terms of the Warrant Deed. Warrants for which notice of execution is not given within seven days from the date of Notice will be forfeited.
If the accelerator clause is not triggered, the Warrants have a life of 12 months from the date of Admission.
The Directors’ Intended Subscription
As the Company is currently in a closed period under MAR until the publication of its FY24 Results, the Directors are not permitted to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares until after announcement of the FY24 Results (and subject to each not being in possession of any other unpublished price sensitive information at such time).
All of the Directors and Simon Marvell, a co-founder of ARM, intend to subscribe for, in aggregate, £105,000 through the issue of the Directors’ Subscription Shares on the same terms as the Fundraising. Assuming that the Directors' Intended Subscription proceeds as contemplated, the Company will, therefore, apply for admission of any Directors' Subscription Shares to trading on AIM separately, to take effect following admission of the Placing Shares and Subscription Shares. Further announcements will be made in respect of the Directors' Intended Subscription in due course.
Further issue of new Ordinary Shares
In August 2024 the Company acquired a loan note for a deferred consideration payable at 50 per cent. of any monies subsequently received pursuant to the loan note payable in cash or new Ordinary Shares at the Company’s option. To date £10,000 has been received pursuant to the loan note and therefore the Company is paying consideration of £5,000 by way of the issue of 344,827 new Ordinary Shares at a price of 1.45 pence per share, being the mid-market price at close of business on 16 May 2025.
In addition, the Company agreed to a contract with one supplier to make an payment of £16,261 by way of the issue of 1,121,454 new Ordinary Shares at a price of 1.45 pence per share, being the closing mid-market price at closing of business on 16 May 2025.
| For further information please contact: |
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| Acuity RM Group plc | |
| Angus Forrest | +44 (0) 20 3582 0566 |
| Zeus (NOMAD & Broker) | https://www.zeuscapital.co.uk |
| Mike Coe / James Bavister | +44 (0) 20 3829 5000 |
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Peterhouse Capital (Joint broker) |
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| Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey | +44 (0) 20 7469 0936 |
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Note to Editors
Acuity RM Group plc
Acuity RM Group plc (AIM: ACRM), is an established provider of risk management services. Its award-winning STREAM® software platform which collects and analyses data to improve business decisions and management used by clients operating in markets including government, defence, broadcasting, utilities, manufacturing and healthcare.
The Company is focused on delivering long term, sustainable growth in shareholder value from organic growth and complementary acquisitions.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This Announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "forecasts", "plans", "prepares", "anticipates", "projects", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "seeks", "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this Announcement and include statements regarding the Company's and the Directors' intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, the Company's prospects, growth and strategy, planned work at the Company's projects and the expected results of such work, mineral grades and mineral reserve and resource estimates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual performance, achievements and financial condition may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this Announcement. In addition, even if the Company's results of operations, performance, achievements and financial condition are consistent with the forward-looking statements in this Announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this Announcement speak only as of the date of such statement and (other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations) neither the Company, nor the Joint Bookrunners nor any of their respective associates, directors, officers or advisers shall be obliged to update such statements. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
Zeus Capital Limited ("Zeus"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as nominated adviser and broker exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the contents of this Announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as its client in relation to the contents of this Announcement nor will it be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Zeus by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended ("FSMA") or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Zeus accepts no responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on behalf of it, the Company or any other person, in connection with the Company and the contents of this Announcement, whether as to the past or the future. Accordingly, Zeus disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of the contents of this Announcement or any such statement. The responsibilities of Zeus as the Company's Nominated Adviser under the AIM Rules for Companies and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or to any director or shareholder of the Company or any other person, in respect of its decision to acquire shares in the capital of the Company in reliance on any part of this Announcement, or otherwise.
Peterhouse Capital Limited ("Peterhouse"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as joint broker exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the contents of this Announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as its client in relation to the contents of this Announcement nor will it be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Peterhouse by the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Peterhouse accepts no responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on behalf of it, the Company or any other person, in connection with the Company and the contents of this Announcement, whether as to the past or the future. Accordingly, Peterhouse disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of the contents of this Announcement or any such statement.
The Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, pledged, taken up, exercised, resold, renounced, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States absent registration under the Securities Act, 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 have not been approved, disapproved or recommended by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other U.S. regulatory authority, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Placing Shares. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa.
No public offering of securities is being made 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, the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand 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, and nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa. 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 Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom or to, or for the account or benefit of any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or to any investor located or resident in Canada.
No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere. All offers of the Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the EU Prospectus Regulation, or the UK Prospectus Regulation, (as the case may be) from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply.
The information in this Announcement, which includes certain information drawn from public sources, does not purport to be comprehensive and has not been independently verified. This Announcement contains statements that are, or may be deemed forward-looking statements, which relate, inter alia, to the Company's proposed strategy, plans and objectives. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the control of the Company (including but not limited to future market conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, the actions of governmental regulators and changes in the political, social or economic framework in which the Company operates) that could cause the actual performance or achievements on the Company to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.
The content of this Announcement has not been approved by an authorised person within the meaning of the FSMA. Reliance on this Announcement for the purpose of engaging in any investment activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing all of the property or other assets invested. The price of securities 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 securities. Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an appropriate independent financial adviser.
No prospectus will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this Announcement and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published. This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein are for information purposes only and are directed only at persons who are: (a) persons in Member States who are Qualified Investors; and (b) in the United Kingdom, Qualified Investors who are persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "investment professionals" in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); (ii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc") of the Order; or (iii) are persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated; (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons").
This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein 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 and the terms and conditions set out herein relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
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 Joint Bookrunners or by any of their 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 therefore 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.
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.
APPENDIX I
Expected timetable of principal events
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| 2025 | |
| Announcement of the Fundraising
| 19 May
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| Broker Option period commences | 19 May
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| Close of Placing and Announcement of the results of the Placing and Subscription
| 19 May
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| Broker Option period closes | at 4.30p.m. on 20 May | |
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| Admission and commencement of dealing in the Placing Shares, Subscription Shares and Broker Option Shares
| at 8.00 a.m. on or around 23 May | |
| CREST accounts credited in respect of the Placing Shares in uncertificated form
| at 8.00 a.m. on or around 23 May | |
| Issue of Directors’ Subscription Shares | Following announcement of the FY24 Results
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| Despatch of definitive share certificates and Warrant certificates in respect of the Placing Shares and Subscription Shares to be issued in certificated form
| within 14 days of Admission | |
Each of the times and dates set out in the above timetable and mentioned in this Announcement are subject to change by the Company, in which event details of the new times and dates will be notified to Placees by the Joint Bookrunners or by an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service, as the case may be.
APPENDIX II
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this Announcement, unless the context otherwise requires:
| “Company” or “Acuity” | Acuity RM Group plc, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 00298654 and with its registered office at 80 (2nd Floor) Cheapside, London, United Kingdom, EC2V 6EE |
| “Admission” | the Admission of the Placing Shares and Subscription Shares to trading on AIM;
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| “AIM” | AIM, a market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange; |
| “AIM Rules” | the AIM Rules for Companies, as published by the London Stock Exchange and amended from time to time; |
| “Announcement” | this announcement (including the Appendices, which form part of this announcement);
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| “Articles” | the articles of association of the Company |
| “ARM” | Acuity Risk Management Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 12369714 and with its registered office at 80 (2nd Floor) Cheapside, London, United Kingdom, EC2V 6EE |
| “Board” or “Directors” | the directors of the Company or any duly authorised committee thereof; |
| “Bookbuild” | the accelerated bookbuild to be conducted by the Joint Bookrunners pursuant to the Placing Agreement and this Announcement; |
| “Broker Option” | the option granted by the Company to Peterhouse to procure the subscription of the Broker Option Shares, pursuant to the terms of the Placing Agreement; |
| “Broker Option Shares” | up to 10,000,000 New Ordinary Shares to be subscribed for by existing shareholders and other investors at the Issue Price, to the extent the Broker Option is exercised; |
| “certificated” or “in certificated form” | a share or other security not held in uncertificated form (that is, not in CREST); |
| “CREST”
| the computerised settlement system (as defined in the CREST Regulations) operated by Euroclear UK & International Limited, which facilitates the holding and transfer of title to shares in uncertificated form; |
| “CREST Regulations”
| the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended); |
| “Directors’ Intended Subscription” | the intended subscription by all Directors and Simon Marvell for New Ordinary Shares at the Issue Price to occur once the Company is out of a closed period under MAR; |
| “Directors’ Subscription Shares”
| the New Ordinary Shares intended to be subscribed for pursuant to the Directors’ Intended Subscription; |
| “Enlarged Share Capital” | the issued share capital of the Company as enlarged by the issue of the Placing Shares and Subscription Shares immediately following Admission; |
| “Existing Ordinary Shares” | the 150,128,159 Ordinary Shares in issue at the date of this Announcement; |
| “EU Prospectus Regulation” | Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and Council of 14 June 2017 and any relevant implementing measures in any Member State of the European Economic Area; |
| “Financial Conduct Authority” or “FCA” | the Financial Conduct Authority in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part IV of FSMA; |
| “FSMA” | the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended); |
| “Fundraising” | together the Placing and Subscription the Broker Option and the Directors’ Intended Subscription; |
| “FY24 Results” | the announcement of the Company’s final results for the year ended 31 December 2024; |
| “Issue Price” | 1 pence per Ordinary Share; |
| “Joint Bookrunners” | Zeus and Peterhouse; |
| “London Stock Exchange” | London Stock Exchange plc; |
| “New Ordinary Shares” | the Placing Shares, Subscription Shares, Broker Option Shares and the Directors’ Subscription Shares; |
| “Ordinary Shares” | ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the capital of the Company; |
| “Peterhouse” | Peterhouse Capital Limited, joint bookrunner to the Company in respect of the Placing; |
| “Placees” | subscribers for Placing Shares; |
| “Placing” | the conditional placing of the Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing Agreement; |
| “Placing Agreement” | the conditional agreement dated 16 May 2025 between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in connection with the Placing; |
| “Placing Shares” | the Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing following the conclusion of the Bookbuild; |
| “Publicly Available Information” | any information announced through a Regulatory Information Service by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date of this Announcement; |
| “Qualified Investors” | in member states of the European Economic Area, "qualified investors" within the meaning of article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation, and in the UK, "qualified investors" within the meaning of article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation; |
| “Regulatory Information Service” | one of the regulatory information services authorised by the FCA to receive, process and disseminate regulatory information; |
| “Shareholders” | the holders of Ordinary Shares; |
| “Subscription” | the proposed direct subscription with the Company by certain investors for new Ordinary Shares; |
| “Subscription Shares” | the Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Subscription following the conclusion of the Bookbuild; |
| “Subscribers” | subscribers for Subscription Shares; |
| “uncertificated” or “in uncertificated form” | recorded on the register of members of Acuity as being held in uncertificated form in CREST and title to which, by virtue of the CREST Regulations, may be transferred by means of CREST; |
| “UK or United Kingdom” | the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; |
| “UK Prospectus Regulation” | the EU Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended; |
| “Warrants” | warrants to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares to be issued to Placees and subscribers in the Fundraising on the basis of one Warrant for every one New Ordinary Share subscribed under the Fundraising; |
| “Zeus” | Zeus Capital Limited, nominated adviser to the Company and joint bookrunner to the Company in respect of the Placing; and |
| “£”, “pounds”, “penny” or “pence” | sterling, the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. |
Appendix III
Terms and conditions of the Placing
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES (TOGETHER, THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS WHO ARE IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA AND ARE, UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED BY THE JOINT BOOKRUNNERS, QUALIFIED INVESTORS; AND/OR (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, PERSONS WHO ARE (I) QUALIFIED INVESTORS; AND "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (AS AMENDED) (THE "ORDER"); (II) PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ("HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC") OF THE ORDER; OR (III) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
THIS APPENDIX, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN, IS A FINANCIAL PROMOTION AND IS EXEMPT FROM THE GENERAL RESTRICTION IN SECTION 21 OF FSMA ON THE COMMUNICATION OF INVITATIONS OR INDUCEMENTS TO ENGAGE IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS ONLY BEING DISTRIBUTED TO RELEVANT PERSONS. ACCORDINGLY, THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR AS PART OF A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. NEITHER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO THE LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED IMPLICATIONS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE PLACING SHARES AND THE INCOME FROM THEM (IF ANY) MAY GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP AND INVESTORS MAY NOT GET BACK THE FULL AMOUNT INVESTED ON A DISPOSAL OF THEIR SHARES.
The distribution of the terms and conditions and/or the Placing and/or issue of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company, the Joint Bookrunners 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 the terms and conditions 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 these terms and conditions come are required by the Company and the Joint Bookrunners to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.
These terms and conditions or any part of them are for information purposes only and do 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.
In the United Kingdom, these terms and conditions are being directed solely at persons in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply.
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 or the South African Reserve Bank; and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered or qualified for distribution, as applicable under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or South Africa. 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, Japan, New Zealand, or South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale, resale or delivery would be unlawful.
Market Abuse Regulation
Market soundings, as defined in the UK version ("UK MAR") of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 ("EU MAR"), which is part of English law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) were taken in respect of the Placing, with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by UK MAR. That inside information is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of UK MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.
Information to Distributors
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Rules"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Rules) 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 investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS"); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by the UK Product Governance Rules (the "UK Target Market Assessment").
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" and/or "distributor" (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) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (b) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "EU Target Market Assessment").
Notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Ordinary Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; such securities offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in such securities 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.
Each of the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment, the Joint Bookrunners will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties each as defined under COBS or MiFID II, as applicable.
For the avoidance of doubt, each of the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapters 9A or 10A respectively of COBS or MiFID II, as applicable; 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.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Appendix or the Announcement of which it forms part should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.
These terms and conditions apply to persons making an offer to acquire Placing Shares and should be read in their entirety. Each Placee hereby agrees with the Joint Bookrunners and the Company to be bound by these terms and conditions. A Placee shall, without limitation, become so bound if a Joint Bookrunner confirms to such Placee its allocation of Placing Shares.
Upon being notified of its allocation of Placing Shares, a Placee shall be contractually committed to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Issue Price and otherwise on the terms and conditions set out in this Announcement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will be deemed to have agreed not to exercise any rights to rescind or terminate or otherwise withdraw from such commitment.
In this Appendix, unless the context otherwise requires, "Placee" means a Relevant Person (including individuals, funds or others) on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for or acquire Placing Shares has been given.
Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares
The Joint Bookrunners and the Company have entered into a Placing Agreement, under which Joint Bookrunners have, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein, undertaken to use their reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for the Placing Shares at the Issue Price. The Placing is not being underwritten by Joint Bookrunners or any other person.
The number of the Placing Shares will be determined following completion of the Placing. The timing of the closing of the Placing and the number and allocation of Placing Shares to Placees and as between the tranches of the Placing, are at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners, following consultation with the Company. Allocations will be confirmed orally or by email by the Joint Bookrunners following the close of the Placing. A further announcement confirming these details will then be made as soon as practicable following completion of the Placing.
The Placing Shares will, when issued, be subject to the Articles, will be credited as fully paid and rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or in respect of Ordinary Shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.
Application for admission to trading on AIM
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for admission to trading on AIM of the Placing Shares. It is expected that settlement of the Placing Shares and Admission will become effective at 8.00 a.m. on 23 May 2025 and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.
Placing
The Joint Bookrunners will today commence an accelerated bookbuilding process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by potential Placees at the Issue Price. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares.
The Joint Bookrunners and the Company shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Placing as they may, in their discretion, determine.
The principal terms of the Placing are as follows:
Conditions of the Placing
The Joint Bookrunners’ obligations under the Placing Agreement in respect of the Placing Shares are conditional on, inter alia:
(a) Admission becoming effective by no later than 8.00 a.m. on 23 May 2025 or such other date and time as may be agreed between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners, not being later than 8.00 a.m. on 6 June 2025 (the "Long Stop Date"); and
(b) the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional in all respects (save for the condition relating to Admission) and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms.
If: (i) any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement, including those described above, are not fulfilled or (where applicable) waived by the Joint Bookrunners by the respective time or date where specified (or such later time or date as the Joint Bookrunners and the Company may agree, being not later than the Long Stop Date; (ii) any of such conditions becomes incapable of being fulfilled; or (iii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will not proceed and the Placees' rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.
The Joint Bookrunners may, at their sole discretion and upon such terms as they thinks fit, waive, or with the Company’s agreement, extend the period for (subject to the Long Stop Date), compliance by the Company with the whole or any part of any of the Company's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement, save that the conditions relating to either Admission taking place may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.
Neither the Joint Bookrunners nor the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees 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 they may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally and, by participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners.
Right to terminate the Placing Agreement
The Joint Bookrunners are entitled, at any time before Admission, to terminate the Placing Agreement by giving notice to the Company in certain circumstances, including, inter alia:
1. if any of the warranties given in the Placing Agreement are or become untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect in the period prior to Admission;
2. the Company has failed to comply with its material obligations under the Placing Agreement in the period prior to Admission;
4. there has been any material change in, or any development likely to involve a prospective material change in, or affecting, the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), earnings, business, management, properties, assets, rights, results of operations or prospects of any the Company or its group; or
5. there has been, any change, or development involving a prospective change, in national or international financial, economic, political, industrial or market conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls, or any incident of terrorism or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any declaration by the UK or the US of a national emergency or war or any other calamity or crisis which in the reasonable opinion of the Joint Bookrunners is likely to have an adverse effect on the business or prospects of the Company or its group or otherwise render the Placing impracticable or inadvisable.
The rights and obligations of the Placees will not be subject to termination by the Placees or any prospective Placees at any time or in any circumstances. By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by the Joint Bookrunners of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners and that the Joint Bookrunners need not make any reference to Placees in this regard and that neither Joint Bookrunners nor any of their respective affiliates shall have any liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure so to exercise.
No Admission Document or Prospectus
The Placing Shares are being offered to a limited number of specifically invited persons only and have not been nor will they be offered in such a way as to require the publication of a prospectus in the United Kingdom or in any other jurisdiction. No offering document, admission document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA or the London Stock Exchange in relation to the Placing or the Placing Shares, and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in the Announcement (including this Appendix) and the Publicly Available Information. Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has not relied on any other information (other than the Publicly Available Information), representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company or the Joint Bookrunners or any other person and neither the Joint Bookrunners, the Company nor any other person will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received and, if given or made, such information, representation, warranty or statement must not be relied upon as having been authorised by the Joint Bookrunners, the Company or their respective officers, directors, employees or agents. 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. Neither the Company nor the Joint Bookrunners are making any undertaking or warranty to any Placee regarding the legality of an investment in the Placing Shares by such Placee under any legal, investment or similar laws or regulations. Each Placee should not consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice. Each Placee should consult its own solicitor, tax adviser and financial adviser for independent legal, tax and financial advice regarding an investment in the Placing Shares. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Registration and Settlement
Following closure of the Placing, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a trade confirmation or contract note in accordance with the standing arrangements in place with the relevant Joint Bookrunner, stating the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Issue Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee (in pounds sterling) and a form of confirmation in relation to settlement instructions.
Each Placee will be deemed to agree that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed as directed by the Joint Bookrunners in accordance with the standing CREST settlement instructions which they have in place with the relevant Joint Bookrunner.
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares (ISIN: GB00BR0WHY71) following Admission will take place within CREST provided that, subject to certain exceptions, the Joint Bookrunners reserve the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the Placing Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees by such other means that it deems necessary if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within CREST within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in any Placee's jurisdiction.
It is expected that settlement will take place in accordance with the instructions set out in the contract note.
Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date(s) in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of 4 percentage points above the prevailing Bank of England base rate as determined by the Joint Bookrunners.
Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the relevant Joint Bookrunner may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for such Joint Bookrunners' account and benefit (as agent for the Company), an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable and shall indemnify the relevant Joint Bookrunners on demand for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf. By communicating a bid for Placing Shares, each Placee confers on the Joint Bookrunners such authorities and powers necessary to carry out any such sale and agrees to ratify and confirm all actions which either Joint Bookrunner may lawfully take in pursuance of such sale. Legal and/or beneficial title in and to any Placing Shares shall not pass to the relevant Placee until it has fully complied with its obligations hereunder.
If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the 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 UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax. Neither the Joint Bookrunners nor the Company will be liable in any circumstances for the payment of stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax in connection with any of the Placing Shares. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.
Representations, Warranties and Further Terms
By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably makes the following representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings (as the case may be) to the Joint Bookrunners for themselves and on behalf of the Company:
The Company, the Joint Bookrunners and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of each of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings which are given to the Joint Bookrunners for themselves and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable.
The provisions of this Appendix may be waived, varied or modified as regards specific Placees or on a general basis by the Joint Bookrunners.
The agreement to settle a Placee's subscription (and/or the subscription of a person for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to a subscription by it and/or such person direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being subscribed for 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 relates to any other subsequent dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company or the Joint Bookrunners will be responsible, and the Placee to whom (or on behalf 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 UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax undertakes to pay such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in the event that any of the Company and/or the Joint Bookrunners have incurred any such liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify the Joint Bookrunners accordingly.
In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any 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 UK by them or any other person on the subscription by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to subscribe for or purchase any Placing Shares.
All times and dates in this Announcement (including the Appendices) may be subject to amendment. The Joint Bookrunners shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.
This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility, of the Company. 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 Joint Bookrunners or by any of its respective 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 therefore is expressly disclaimed.