RM plc: Strategy timetable and closure of the Consortium business (1780881)
November 24 2023 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
RM plc (RM.)
RM plc: Strategy timetable and closure of the Consortium business
24-Nov-2023 / 07:00 GMT/BST
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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE UK VERSION OF THE MARKET ABUSE
REGULATION (EU 596/2014) WHICH IS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018.
For immediate release
24 November 2023
RM plc
Strategy timetable and closure of the Consortium business
RM plc ("RM", the "Company"), today announces in line with its strategy to be a leading global educational technology,
digital learning and assessment solution provider, that the Board has taken the decision to close its loss-making
Consortium business, part of the RM Resources division.
As announced by Mark Cook, CEO, at the half year results in August, focus in the second half has been on the
development of a strategic roadmap for RM to create a simpler, more profitable business. This included a detailed
review of RM's portfolio to identify core areas of the business which were best placed to capitalise on the substantial
EdTech opportunities. Full details of its strategic roadmap will be provided as part of RM's full year results
announcement in the New Year.
The Consortium business, the provider of education supplies and resources to schools, has experienced an extended
period of underperformance following the negative impact of the rollout of a new ecommerce platform in 2022. Today the
Company announces that it has taken the difficult decision to close this business from the end of December. The
decision to close Consortium is in line with the future strategic direction for the Company and has been made with the
full cooperation and support of its lenders. The decision will also enable RM Resources management to focus on its
successful TTS business.
In the accounts for the year ending 30 November 2023, the Board expects to make a material write off of the carrying
value of Consortium and its related assets as a non-cash item, and to make an additional provision for exit costs but
there is not expected to be any cash impact in this current financial year.
The Company plans to issue a trading update in December for its financial year ending 30 November 2023.
Mark Cook, Chief Executive of RM, said
"The decision to simplify the business will enable us to better weather the macro challenges and build a platform for
growth. Our 50-year heritage, leading market positions, IP, expertise, and deep customer knowledge, mean we are well
positioned to take advantage of the structural drivers in the growing global EdTech industry and deliver for our
stakeholders.
But, at the same time, it is with regret that we have decided to close Consortium, a business full of hugely talented
and valued colleagues. Unfortunately, its underperformance is a drag the Company can no longer afford and has clouded
the good progress made elsewhere. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues across RM for their
continued commitment and hard work throughout this time.
Looking ahead, I am confident that our new strategy, which we will unveil at the full year results, will shape RM into
a pioneer of education technology, enriching the lives of learners globally."
Contacts:
RM plc investorrelations@rm.com
Mark Cook, Chief Executive Officer
Simon Goodwin, Chief Financial Officer
Fiona O'Nolan, Investor Relations, Equitory
Headland Consultancy (Financial PR) +44 203 805 4822
Stephen Malthouse (smalthouse@headlandconsultancy.com)
Chloe Francklin (cfrancklin@headlandconsultancy.com)
Dan Mahoney (dmahoney@headlandconsultancy.com)
Notes to Editors:
RM provides market-leading products and services to educational institutions, exam bodies and international governments
which improve, simplify and support education and learning. The education sector is transforming, and RM is well
positioned to capitalise on this through its three divisions.
-- RM Resources is the established provider of education resources for early years, primary schools, and
secondary schools across the UK and to 80 countries internationally.
-- RM Assessment, trading under the Consortium and TTS brands, is a leading provider of assessment software,
supporting exam awarding bodies, universities, and governments worldwide to digitise their assessment delivery.
-- RM Technology is a market-leading supplier of ICT software, technology and services to UK schools and
colleges
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Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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ISIN: GB00BJT0FF39
Category Code: MSCM
TIDM: RM.
LEI Code: 2138005RKUCIEKLXWM61
Sequence No.: 287008
EQS News ID: 1780881
End of Announcement EQS News Service
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