TIDMAVS
RNS Number : 5027P
Avesco Group PLC
17 November 2016
Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in
part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would
constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such
jurisdiction.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
17 November 2016
RECOMMED CASH ACQUISITION
of
Avesco Group plc
by
NEP Group, Inc.
(or a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Group,
Inc.)
to be effected by means of
a Scheme of Arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act
2006
Summary
-- The boards of directors of NEP and Avesco are pleased to
announce that they have reached agreement on the terms of a
recommended cash acquisition by which the entire issued share
capital of Avesco will be acquired by NEP Group Inc. (or a direct
or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Group Inc.). It is
intended that the Acquisition will be effected by means of a
Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act.
-- Under the terms of the Acquisition, each Scheme Shareholder
will receive 650 pence in cash for each Avesco Share.
-- The price of 650 pence per Avesco Share represents a premium of approximately:
-- 125 per cent. to the Closing Price per Avesco Share of 289
pence on 16 November 2016 (being the last Business Day prior to the
date of this announcement);
-- 127 per cent. to the average price per Avesco Share of 286
pence for the three-month period ended 16 November 2016 (being the
last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement); and
-- 161 per cent. to the average price per Avesco Share of 249
pence for the six-month period ended 16 November 2016 (being the
last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement).
-- The terms of the Acquisition value Avesco's existing issued
share capital at approximately GBP124 million.
-- Avesco is the parent company of Creative Technology, a
worldwide live events business specialising in display, audio and
lighting for corporate clients, and mclcreate, a UK-based event
services company. Avesco operates its business internationally,
with emphasis on the United States and Europe. NEP also engages in
the live events business internationally through its Screenworks,
Sweetwater, Mediatec Solutions and Faber Audiovisuals
divisions.
-- Both NEP and Avesco have similar service-oriented cultures,
centred on delivering exceptional client service, with experienced
management teams and crews, which have worked together for years to
support clients. The Acquisition would enable the NEP Group to
provide an improved service offering to its clients around the
globe. The addition of Avesco to NEP's existing live events
business would allow NEP to, among other benefits, add live events
capabilities in the Asia region, add scale to NEP's live events
business in the U.K., add a significant corporate client base as
well as audio and lighting capabilities in the United States, add
capabilities and a significant client base in Spain, add additional
scale in Holland and the Middle East and add new services via the
Wireless Works business and proprietary software solutions.
-- The Avesco Directors, who have been so advised by EY and
finnCap as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the
terms of the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing
its advice, EY and finnCap have each taken into account the
commercial assessments of the Avesco Directors. finnCap is acting
as the independent financial adviser to Avesco for the purposes of
providing independent advice to the Avesco Directors in connection
with the Acquisition under Rule 3 of the Code.
-- Accordingly, the Avesco Directors have unanimously approved
the Acquisition and intend to recommend that Avesco Shareholders
vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and at the
General Meeting, as they have irrevocably undertaken to do so in
respect of their own beneficial holdings of, in aggregate,
6,368,149 Avesco Shares representing approximately 33.4 per cent.
of the issued share capital of Avesco on 16 November 2016 (being
the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement). Such
irrevocable undertakings shall remain binding in the event that a
higher competing offer for Avesco is made.
-- In addition to the irrevocable undertakings from the Avesco
Directors, NEP has also received irrevocable undertakings from
Herald Investment Trust plc, Charles Stanley & Co Limited, Mr
Ian Martin and Paul Jaconelli to vote in favour of the Scheme at
the Court Meeting and the Special Resolution to be proposed at the
General Meeting in respect of, in aggregate, 4,870,779 Avesco
Shares, representing approximately 25.5 per cent. of the issued
share capital of Avesco on 16 November 2016 (being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement). Such
irrevocable undertakings shall remain binding in the event that a
higher competing offer for Avesco is made.
-- NEP has therefore received irrevocable undertakings to vote
in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Special
Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect of, in
aggregate, 11,238,928 Avesco Shares representing, in aggregate,
approximately 58.9 per cent. of the issued share capital of Avesco
on 16 November 2016 (being the last Business Day prior to the date
of this announcement).
-- The consideration payable under the terms of the Acquisition
is being funded by a new committed debt facility arranged for the
purpose.
-- It is expected that the Scheme Document, containing further
information about the Acquisition and notices of the Court Meeting
and General Meeting, together with the Forms of Proxy, will be
posted to Avesco Shareholders as soon as practicable and, in any
event, within 28 days of this announcement (unless the Panel agrees
otherwise).
Commenting on the Acquisition, Richard Murray, Founder and
Executive Chairman of Avesco, said:
"Since the first public listing of the Avesco Group in 1984,
Avesco has achieved great success developing into a global live
events business and attracting staff of the highest quality,
factors which are both reflected in the substantial cash premium
being offered to shareholders today. Avesco's recently completed
disposals have left the business in a strong position to continue
to move forwards. NEP's complementary activities and extensive
resources will provide Avesco with the platform to continue to
accelerate its ambitions and represents a positive development for
both customers and employees".
Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer of NEP, added:
"We are excited at the possibility of welcoming the Avesco
brands to the NEP Worldwide Network. Our businesses share similar
service oriented cultures focused on delivering exceptional results
for our clients. We have successfully worked together with Creative
Technology on projects in the past, and we have great respect for
Graham Andrews, David Crump, and the broader team. The addition of
Creative Technology and the other Avesco brands is consistent with
our stated strategy of becoming the worldwide live events services
leader through expansion of our geographic reach and service
offering. This is a great addition to that strategy, adding highly
complementary locations and services to our already strong NEP Live
Events brands of Screenworks, Sweetwater, Faber, and Mediatec in
addition to our worldwide NEP Broadcast Services operations.
Together, we will be even stronger in delivering for our collective
clients around the globe."
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of the following announcement (including the
Appendices). The Acquisition will be subject to the Conditions and
certain further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this announcement
and to the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the
Scheme Document. Appendix 2 contains the sources of information and
bases of certain calculations contained in this summary and the
following announcement. Appendix 3 contains a summary of the
irrevocable undertakings received by NEP. Appendix 4 contains the
definitions of certain terms used in this summary and the following
announcement.
Enquiries
Camarco (PR Advisers to Avesco)
Hazel Stevenson +44 (0) 20 3757
Billy Clegg 4989
EY (Financial Adviser to Avesco)
Justin Prichard +44 (0)20 7951
Julie Green 2000
finnCap (Rule 3 Adviser to
Avesco)
Julian Blunt +44 (0)20 7220
James Thompson 0500
NEP
Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive
Officer
Gerry Delon, Chief Financial
Officer +1 800 444 0054
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through
its Investment Bank (Financial
Adviser to NEP)
Scott Wisniewski +44 (0)20 7623
James Colburn 2323
EY, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by
the FCA, is acting as financial adviser to Avesco in connection
with the Acquisition and will not be acting for any other person or
otherwise be responsible to any other person for providing the
protections afforded to customers of EY. EY accordingly disclaims
to the fullest extent permissible by law all and any liability to
any person who is not a client of EY whether in tort, contract or
otherwise.
finnCap, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA, is acting
exclusively for Avesco and no-one else in connection with the
Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Avesco
for providing the protections afforded to clients of finnCap nor
for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other
matters referred to in this announcement.
Barclays, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the
Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for NEP and
no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be
responsible to anyone other than NEP for providing the protections
afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in
relation to the Acquisition or any other matter referred to in this
announcement.
Further information
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or
form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer
to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise
dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or
approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or
otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of
securities of Avesco in any jurisdiction in contravention of
applicable law. The Acquisition will be made solely by means of the
Scheme Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions
of the Acquisition including details of how to vote in respect of
the Scheme. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in
relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the
information contained in the Scheme Document.
Overseas jurisdictions
The availability of the Acquisition to Avesco Shareholders who
are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the
laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of
which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the UK
should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or
regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. Further details in
relation to overseas shareholders will be contained in the Scheme
Document.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law
and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any
jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves about, and
observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with
the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in
the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the
violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has
been prepared for the purposes of complying with English law, the
AIM Rules, the rules of the London Stock Exchange and the Code and
the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would
have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in
accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of England.
Copies of this announcement and the formal documentation
relating to the Scheme and the Acquisition will not be, and must
not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into
or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of
that jurisdiction.
US Holders should note that the Acquisition relates to the
securities of a UK company, is subject to UK disclosure
requirements (which are different from those of the US) and is
proposed to be implemented under a scheme of arrangement provided
for under English company law. A transaction effected by means of a
scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules
under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Scheme will be subject
to UK disclosure requirements and practices, which are different
from the disclosure requirements of the US tender offer and proxy
solicitation rules. The financial information included in this
announcement and the Scheme documentation has been or will have
been prepared in accordance with IFRS and thus may not be
comparable to financial information of US companies or companies
whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the US. If NEP
exercises its right to implement the Acquisition of the Avesco
Shares by way of a takeover offer, such offer will be made in
compliance with applicable US tender offer and securities laws and
regulations.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Acquisition by a US Holder
as consideration for the transfer of its Scheme Shares pursuant to
the Scheme may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax
purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as
foreign and other, tax laws. Each Avesco Shareholder is urged to
consult his independent professional adviser immediately regarding
the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to him.
It may be difficult for US Holders to enforce their rights and
claims arising out of the US federal securities laws, since Avesco
is located outside the US, and some or all of its officers and
directors may be residents of countries other than the US. US
Holders may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or
directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws.
Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its
affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
In accordance with the Code, normal United Kingdom market
practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, NEP or its
nominees or its brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time
make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Avesco
Shares outside of the United States, other than pursuant to the
Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition and/or Scheme
becomes effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. In addition,
in accordance with the Code, normal United Kingdom market practice
and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its
affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in
Avesco securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and
activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be
made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Code will be
reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available
on the London Stock Exchange website at
www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly
disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information
is made public in the United Kingdom.
Forward looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by
reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the
Acquisition, and other information published by NEP and Avesco
contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are
prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but
rather on current expectations and projections of the management of
NEP and Avesco about future events, and are therefore subject to
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from the future results expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement
include statements relating to the expected effects of the
Acquisition on NEP and Avesco, the expected timing and scope of the
Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts.
Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or
"does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or
"does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words
and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken,
occur or be achieved. Although NEP and Avesco believe that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, NEP and Avesco can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur
in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to
consummate the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite
shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on
the proposed terms and schedule; the ability of NEP and Avesco to
successfully integrate their respective operations and retain key
employees; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation
of the Acquisition on relationships, including with employees,
suppliers, customers and competitors; and changes in general
economic, business and political conditions. Other unknown or
unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the
light of such factors. Neither NEP nor Avesco, nor any of their
respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides
any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of
the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements
in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other
than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations
(including under the AIM Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules of the FCA, as applicable), neither NEP nor Avesco is under
any obligation, and NEP and Avesco expressly disclaim any intention
or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
No profit forecasts or estimates
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this
announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or
earnings per ordinary share, for NEP or Avesco, respectively for
the current or future financial years would necessarily match or
exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per ordinary
share for NEP or Avesco, respectively.
Dealing disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified.
An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the
person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe
for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and
(ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position
Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by
no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day
following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate,
by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day
following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange
offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position
Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a
Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A
Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned
and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the
extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule
8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies
must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business
Day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to
certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted
Jurisdictions, on NEP's website at http://www.nepinc.com and
Avesco's website at http://www.avesco.com by no later than 12 noon
(London time) on the Business Day following this announcement. For
the avoidance of doubt, the contents of these websites are not
incorporated by reference and do not form part of this
announcement.
Requesting hard copy documents
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, a person so entitled
may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting the
Company Secretary of Avesco during business hours on +44 (0) 1293
583 400 or by submitting a request in writing to the Company
Secretary of Avesco at Unit E2, Sussex Manor Business Park, Gatwick
Road, Crawley RH10 9NH. For persons who receive a copy of this
announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a
hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so
requested. You may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the
Acquisition should be in hard copy form.
Electronic Communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Avesco Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from Avesco may be provided to NEP during the offer
period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Code to
comply with Rule 2.11(c).
Rule 2.9 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, Avesco confirms that as
at the date of this announcement it has in issue and admitted to
trading on AIM 19,075,583 ordinary shares of 10 pence each. The
International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) of the
ordinary shares is GB0000653229.
Rounding
Certain figures included in this announcement have been
subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for
the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly
and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an
arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.
Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in
part, in, into or from any jurisdiction where to do so would
constitute a violation of the relevant laws of such
jurisdiction.
17 November 2016
RECOMMED CASH ACQUISITION
of
Avesco Group plc
by
NEP Group, Inc.
(or a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Group,
Inc.)
to be effected by means of
a Scheme of Arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act
2006
1. Introduction
The boards of directors of NEP and Avesco are pleased to
announce that they have reached agreement on the terms and
conditions of a recommended cash acquisition by which the entire
issued share capital of Avesco will be acquired by NEP Group, Inc.
(or a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Group,
Inc.). It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by
means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of
the Companies Act.
2. The Acquisition
Under the terms of the Acquisition, which will be subject to the
Conditions, and further terms set out in Appendix 1 to this
announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document, the Scheme
Shareholders at the Scheme Record Time will be entitled to
receive:
for each Scheme Share 650 pence in cash
The price of 650 pence per Avesco Share represents a premium of
approximately:
-- 125 per cent. to the Closing Price per Avesco Share of 289
pence on 16 November 2016 (being the last Business Day prior to the
date of this announcement);
-- 127 per cent. to the average price per Avesco Share of 286
pence for the three-month period ended 16 November 2016 (being the
last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement); and
-- 161 per cent. to the average price per Avesco Share of 249
pence for the six-month period ended 16 November 2016 (being the
last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement).
The terms of the Acquisition value the entire issued share
capital of Avesco at approximately GBP124 million.
If, after the date of this announcement, any dividend and/or
other distribution is announced, declared or paid in respect of the
Avesco Shares, NEP reserves the right to reduce the offer
consideration by an amount up to the amount of such dividend and/or
distribution so announced, declared or paid.
3. Background to and reasons for the Acquisition
Avesco is the parent company of Creative Technology, a worldwide
live events business specialising in display, audio and lighting
for corporate clients and mclcreate, a UK-based event services
company. Avesco operates its business internationally, with
emphasis in the United States and Europe. NEP also engages in the
live events business internationally through its Screenworks,
Sweetwater, Mediatec Solutions and Faber Audiovisuals
divisions.
The Acquisition is consistent with NEP's stated strategy to
become the worldwide live events leader through better geographic
reach and additional value added services, which NEP believes will
enable the enlarged NEP Group to provide an improved service
offering to its clients around the globe. The addition of Avesco to
NEP's existing live events business would allow NEP to, among other
benefits, add live events capabilities in the Asia region, add
scale to NEP's live events business in the U.K., add a significant
corporate client base as well as audio and lighting capabilities in
the United States, add capabilities and a significant client base
in Spain, add additional scale in Holland and the Middle East and
add new services via the Wireless Works business and proprietary
software solutions. Additionally, there is limited client and
geographic overlap between the two companies today, further
bolstering the strategic nature of the Acquisition.
NEP believes that there is a strong cultural fit between NEP and
Avesco. Both the NEP Group and the Avesco Group brands have similar
service-oriented cultures centred on delivering exceptional results
for clients, supported by experienced management teams and crews,
which have worked together for years to support their respective
clients. Additionally, NEP believes that the Acquisition will
strengthen NEP's ability to provide a seamless service to its
clients worldwide and provide clients with a deeper pool of
technical solutions and engineering talent. NEP's priority will be
to ensure that service remains unaffected and consistent for all of
its clients throughout the process of combining the two
companies.
4. Recommendation
The Avesco Directors, who have been so advised by EY and finnCap
as to the financial terms of the Acquisition, consider the terms of
the Acquisition to be fair and reasonable. In providing its advice,
EY and finnCap have each taken into account the commercial
assessments of the Avesco Directors. finnCap is acting as the
independent financial adviser to Avesco for the purposes of
providing independent advice to the Avesco Directors in connection
with the Acquisition under Rule 3 of the Code.
Accordingly, the Avesco Directors have unanimously approved the
Acquisition and intend to recommend that Avesco Shareholders vote
in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and at the General
Meeting as they have irrevocably undertaken to do so in respect of
their own beneficial holdings of, in aggregate, 6,368,149 Avesco
Shares representing approximately 33.4 per cent. of the issued
share capital of Avesco on 16 November 2016 (being the last
Business Day prior to the date of this announcement).
5. Background to and reasons for the recommendation
Avesco has achieved great success over a period of 30 years in
building a leading global live events business providing audio
visual services to the corporate, entertainment and sporting
sectors. Having recently realised substantial cash sums from the
sale of non-core assets in its Broadcast Division, namely the
studio premises at Fountain Studios and the plant and equipment of
Presteigne Broadcast Hire, Avesco is fully focused on growth in its
core audio visual services business, in particular its main
division, Creative Technology. Whilst Avesco has enjoyed much
success in developing its global position to date, given its status
as a relatively small AIM listed company, its future ambitions are
potentially constrained, however, both by its relative size and
lack of liquidity in its shares.
Furthermore the international media services sector has
experienced a significant level of consolidation, with customers
increasingly demanding a global footprint and an end-to-end service
solution. The Avesco Directors believe that Avesco's future
prospects would be enhanced by becoming part of a larger group and,
accordingly, believe that NEP is a highly attractive and
complementary partner well able to support Avesco's future growth
and to position the combined business to meet both the current and
future needs of its customers and employees.
The Offer price of 650 pence per share in cash for each Avesco
Share represents a premium of approximately 125 per cent. to the
Closing Price per Avesco Share of 289 pence on 16 November 2016
(being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement) and a premium of approximately 122 per cent. to the
average Closing Price per Avesco Share of 293 pence during the one
month period to 16 November 2016.
Following careful consideration of all the above factors, the
Avesco Directors believe that the Offer price of 650 pence per
Avesco Share in cash provides substantial value and certainty to
Avesco Shareholders and intend to recommend unanimously that Avesco
Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and
the Special Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting.
6. Irrevocable Undertakings
All of the Avesco Directors who hold Avesco Shares have
irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court
Meeting and the Special Resolution to be proposed at the General
Meeting in respect of their entire beneficial holdings, amounting
to, in aggregate, 6,368,149 Avesco Shares representing
approximately 33.4 per cent. of the issued share capital of Avesco
on 16 November 2016 (being the last Business Day prior to the date
of this announcement). Such irrevocable undertakings shall remain
binding in the event that a higher competing offer for Avesco is
made.
In addition to the irrevocable undertakings from the Avesco
Directors, NEP has also received an irrevocable undertaking from
each of Herald Investment Trust plc, Charles Stanley & Co
Limited, Mr Ian Martin and Paul Jaconelli to vote in favour of the
Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Special Resolution to be
proposed at the General Meeting in respect of, in aggregate,
4,870,779 Avesco Shares, representing approximately 25.5 per cent.
of the issued share capital of Avesco on 16 November 2016 (being
the last Business Day prior to the date of this announcement). Such
irrevocable undertakings shall remain binding in the event that a
higher competing offer for Avesco is made.
Further details on these irrevocable undertakings, including the
circumstances in which they cease to be binding, are included in
Appendix 3 to this announcement.
In total, therefore, NEP has received irrevocable undertakings
to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the
Special Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting in respect
of 11,238,928 Avesco Shares which represent approximately 58.9 per
cent. of the issued share capital of Avesco on 16 November 2016
(being the last Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement).
If the Acquisition is subsequently structured as a takeover
offer, all the above undertakings will take effect as irrevocable
undertakings to accept such offer.
7. Information relating to the NEP Group
NEP is a global outsourced provider of live and broadcast
production solutions, with significant operations in the United
States, Europe, Asia and Australia. NEP serves the premium sports,
entertainment and other live events production markets, where it
offers outsourced solutions, including remote production, studio
production, video display and host broadcasting. NEP's service
offering combines highly-trained technical experts with
state-of-the-art production resources to offer a platform-agnostic
solution across a wide variety of broadcasts and live events. NEP
works side-by-side with clients to design tailored solutions and
provide real-time support for their productions. NEP's diverse
capabilities offer clients the convenience of a comprehensive
solution covering technical design, video and audio content capture
through to the delivery of an integrated broadcast feed. NEP has an
experienced outsourced engineering team, delivering value through
its extensive network of remote production solutions,
fixed-location studios and control rooms, and modular video
displays.
8. Information relating to Avesco Group
Avesco was established in 1984 and is the AIM-quoted parent of
an international media services group which provides specialist
audio visual ("AV") equipment, lighting equipment and services to
the live events, broadcast and entertainment industries. Avesco has
operations in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Following the completion of the sale of the land and buildings
at Fountain Studios in February 2016 and the sale of the business
and assets of Presteigne Limited in September 2016, Avesco is now
focused on the provision of AV services through two divisions:
-- Creative Technology - Avesco's largest division, Creative
Technology, provides AV services for a wide variety of live events
in many different settings, including conventions, trade shows,
exhibitions, product and press launches, television productions,
live concerts and sporting events. Creative Technology assists
directors, designers and producers with technical advice, support
and assistance from the earliest conceptual stages of a project;
and
-- mclcreate - Avesco's full-service division, offers a
one-stop-shop for events including conferences, award ceremonies,
AGMs and media events. These events tend to be smaller in size than
those Creative Technology might supply but are often broader in the
scope of the services provided. This division operates from five
locations across the UK and mclcreate's customer base spans the
corporate, venue, agency and exhibition sectors.
9. Financing
The cash consideration payable by NEP under the terms of the
Acquisition will be funded from the proceeds of an additional debt
facility to be provided by Barclays Bank PLC under a credit
agreement originally entered into on 26 December 2012 between,
amongst others, NEP and Barclays as administrative agent. The
proceeds of the additional debt facility will be used to finance
the Acquisition, to pay the fees and transaction expenses in
connection with the Acquisition and for general corporate
purposes.
Under the terms of the agreement establishing the additional
debt facility, the borrower has agreed that, among other things,
save with the consent of Barclays Bank PLC (as lender of the
additional debt facility), it will not amend, vary, supplement or
waive the conditions of the Scheme except to the extent required by
the Code, the Panel or an English court of competent
jurisdiction.
Barclays is satisfied that sufficient resources are available to
NEP to satisfy in full the cash consideration payable under the
terms of the Acquisition.
Further information on the financing of the Acquisition will be
set out in the Scheme Document.
10. Management and employees
NEP recognises that it is critical to the success of the Avesco
business to retain the skills, knowledge and expertise of Avesco's
existing management and employee base. NEP will conduct a strategic
review of the Avesco business following completion of the
Acquisition. It is expected that Creative Technology Senior
Management will remain in place, with Graham Andrews to continue to
lead CT's US and Asia business, and David Crump to continue to lead
CT's Europe and Middle East business. Both Graham and David will
report directly to Kevin Rabbitt, NEP Chief Executive Officer,
along with NEP's current Live Events leadership team, including
Danny O'Bryen, Ron Drews, Kenneth Paterson, Cees Faber and Owen
Davison. NEP does not anticipate any significant headcount
reduction affecting the Avesco staff. However, there may be some
headcount reductions in areas of overlapping administrative and
head office functions, and duplicate facilities.
The initial perspective on integration of Avesco is that the
businesses with little or no geographic overlap (i.e., Asia, Spain,
Nordics and Australia) will continue to run separately as
decentralised sister companies under their current independent
brands. Together, the two companies will share inventory and
increase utilization where appropriate, with top-level sales
coordination and alignment to provide the best service to clients
worldwide, while working to grow their collective businesses. In
the U.S., Creative Technology will continue to run separately from
NEP's existing businesses in the Live Events segment, including
Sweetwater and Screenworks. In areas where there are overlapping
businesses (i.e., the Netherlands, Germany, UK, UAE), there will be
a plan put in place to integrate over time. Following the close of
the Acquisition, it is anticipated that Cees Faber will oversee and
manage the NEP Live Events businesses in the Netherlands and
Germany, and David Crump will oversee and manage the NEP Live
Events businesses in the UK and UAE. The above does not impact any
prior announcements made by Avesco in regards to Fountain
Studios.
In light of the significance of key management, in particular,
Graham Andrews and David Crump, there have been limited discussions
between NEP and those two individuals regarding incentivisation
arrangements, including whether they might invest in the group
going forward. No agreement has been reached on the terms on which
any such investment might be made and any such terms would be
agreed following completion of the Acquisition. Investment by key
management would be consistent with the approach taken by NEP in
relation to other acquisitions made by NEP in recent years. No firm
incentive arrangements are in place at this stage and NEP intends
to put appropriate incentives in place following closing of the
Acquisition, for key managers and others, such that the interests
of key management and the enlarged group are aligned.
While only limited discussions have taken place, finnCap
considers that it is fair and reasonable for the key management,
Graham Andrews and David Crump, to participate in an incentive
package consistent with the approach taken by NEP with the key
employees of other acquired businesses and which may include an
investment in NEP going forward.
NEP confirms that, following completion of the Acquisition, the
existing contractual and statutory employment rights, including in
relation to pensions, of Avesco's management and employees will be
fully safeguarded.
11. LTRP
The Acquisition will not have an impact on the ongoing operation
of the LTRP. The Acquisition will, however, constitute a change of
control for the purposes of the rules of the LTRP such that each
LTRP participant will be automatically allocated a share of the
LTRP fund based on the time at which a change of control occurs and
that minimum amount will be payable to LTRP participants. Such
amount will remain payable (as currently) to LTRP participants on
the original vesting dates set out in the rules of the LTRP, being
January 2018 (as to 50 per cent. of their entitlement) and January
2019 (as to the remaining 50% of their entitlement) conditional on
the LTRP participant remaining in employment by the Avesco Group
until these vesting dates.
Participants in the LTRP will be sent separate letters setting
out full details on the effect of the Acquisition on their rights
under the LTRP. Further details will be set out in the Scheme
Document.
12. Offer-related Arrangement
Confidentiality Agreement
On 13 September 2016, NEP and Avesco entered into a
confidentiality agreement in relation to the Acquisition, pursuant
to which, amongst other things, they each undertook, subject to
certain exceptions, to keep information relating to NEP and Avesco
confidential and not to disclose it to third parties.
13. Structure of the Acquisition
It is intended that the Acquisition will be effected by way of a
Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement between Avesco and the
Scheme Shareholders, under Part 26 of the Companies Act. The
procedure involves, among other things, an application by Avesco to
the Court to sanction the Scheme and the transfer of the Scheme
Shares held by Scheme Shareholders to NEP Group Inc. (or a direct
or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NEP Group Inc.), in
consideration for which the Scheme Shareholders will receive cash
on the basis described in paragraph 2 above. The purpose of the
Scheme is for NEP Group Inc. (or a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of NEP Group Inc.) to become the owner of the entire
issued share capital of Avesco.
The Scheme is subject to the Conditions and certain further
terms referred to in Appendix 1 to this announcement and to be set
out in the Scheme Document, and will only become effective if,
among other things, the following events occur on or before 1 March
2017 or such later date as NEP and Avesco may, with the consent of
the Panel, agree and, if required, the Court may approve:
-- approval of the Scheme at the Court Meeting by a majority in
number of the Scheme Shareholders present and voting (and entitled
to vote), either in person or by proxy, representing three-quarters
or more in value of the Scheme Shares held by those Scheme
Shareholders and such Court Meeting being held on or before the
22nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting to be set out
in the Scheme Document (or such later date (if any) as may be
agreed by Avesco and NEP);
-- the resolutions necessary to approve and implement the Scheme
are passed by the requisite majority of Avesco Shareholders at the
General Meeting and such General Meeting being held on or before
the 22nd day after the expected date of the General Meeting to be
set out in the Scheme Document (or such later date (if any) as may
be agreed by Avesco and NEP);
-- the sanction of the Scheme (with or without modification, on
terms agreed by NEP and Avesco) by the Court on or before the 22nd
day after the expected date of the Court Hearing to be set out in
the Scheme Document (or such later date (if any) as may be agreed
between Avesco and NEP); and
-- the delivery of an office copy of the Scheme Court Order to the Registrar of Companies.
Upon the Scheme becoming effective: (i) it will be binding on
all Scheme Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they
attended or voted at the Court Meeting or the General Meeting (and
if they attended and voted, whether or not they voted in favour);
and (ii) share certificates in respect of Scheme Shares will cease
to be valid and entitlements to Scheme Shares held within the CREST
system will be cancelled.
If the Scheme does not become effective on or before 1 March
2017 (or such later date as NEP and Avesco may, with the consent of
the Panel and, if required, the Court, agree), it will lapse and
the Acquisition will not proceed (unless the Panel otherwise
consents).
The Scheme Document will include full details of the Scheme,
together with notices of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting.
The Scheme Document will also contain the expected timetable for
the Acquisition, and will specify the necessary actions to be taken
by Avesco Shareholders. The Scheme Document will be posted to
Avesco Shareholders and, for information only, to persons with
information rights, as soon as practicable. Subject, amongst other
things, to the satisfaction or waiver of the Conditions, it is
expected that the Scheme will become effective by the end of
December 2016.
14. Delisting and re-registration
It is intended that dealings in Avesco Shares will be suspended
at 5.00 p.m. London time on the Business Day prior to the Scheme
Court Hearing. It is further intended that an application will be
made to the London Stock Exchange for the cancellation of the
admission of the Avesco Shares to trading on AIM, with effect from
shortly following the Effective Date.
It is also intended that, following the Scheme becoming
effective, Avesco will be re-registered as a private company under
the relevant provisions of the Companies Act.
15. Disclosure of interests in Avesco
As at the close of business on 16 November 2016, being the
latest practicable date prior to this Announcement, other than the
irrevocable undertakings described at paragraph 6 above, neither
NEP nor the directors of NEP nor, so far as NEP is aware, any
person acting in concert with NEP, had any interest in, right to
subscribe for, or had borrowed or lent any Avesco Shares or
securities convertible or exchangeable into Avesco Shares, nor did
any such person have any short position (whether conditional or
absolute and whether in the money or otherwise), including any
short position under a derivative, any agreement to sell or any
delivery obligation or right to require another person to take
delivery, or any dealing arrangement of the kind referred to in
Note 11 of the definition of acting in concert in the Code, in
relation to Avesco Shares or in relation to any securities
convertible or exchangeable into Avesco Shares.
In the interests of secrecy prior to releasing this
Announcement, it has not been practicable for NEP to have made any
enquiries of certain parties who may be deemed by the Panel to be
acting in concert with NEP. Enquiries of such parties will be made
as soon as practicable following the date of this Announcement and
NEP confirms that further disclosure in accordance with Rule 8.1(a)
and Note 2(a)(i) of Rule 8 of the Code will be made as soon as
possible, if required.
16. Overseas shareholders
The availability of the Acquisition or the distribution of this
announcement to Avesco Shareholders who are not resident in the
United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of their relevant
jurisdiction. Such persons should inform themselves of, and
observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements of their
jurisdiction. Avesco Shareholders who are in any doubt regarding
such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional
adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.
This announcement does not constitute an offer for sale for any
securities or an offer or an invitation to purchase any securities.
Avesco Shareholders are advised to carefully read the Scheme
Document and related Forms of Proxy once these have been
dispatched.
17. Documents published on a website
Copies of the following documents will, by no later than 12 noon
(London time) on 18 November 2016, be published on Avesco's website
at http://www.avesco.com and NEP's website at http://www.nepinc.com
until the end of the Acquisition:
-- the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 6;
-- the debt facility referred to in paragraph 9;
-- the confidentiality agreement referred to in paragraph 12; and
-- a copy of this announcement.
18. General
The Acquisition will be subject to the Conditions and certain
further terms set out in Appendix 1 and the further terms and
conditions to be set out in the Scheme Document when issued.
In deciding whether or not to vote or procure votes in favour of
the Scheme at the Court Meeting and the Special Resolution to be
proposed at the General Meeting, Avesco Shareholders should rely on
the information contained, and follow the procedures described in,
the Scheme Document.
Barclays, EY and finnCap have each given and not withdrawn their
consent to the publication of this announcement with the inclusion
herein of the references to their names in the form and context in
which they appear.
The Scheme will be governed by English law and will be subject
to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales. The Scheme
will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Code, the
Panel and the London Stock Exchange.
The bases and sources of certain financial information contained
in this announcement are set out in Appendix 2. Certain terms used
in this announcement are defined in Appendix 4.
Enquiries
Camarco (PR Advisers to Avesco)
Hazel Stevenson +44 (0) 20 3757
Billy Clegg 4989
EY (Financial Adviser to Avesco)
Justin Prichard +44 (0)20 7951
Julie Green 2000
finnCap (Rule 3 Adviser to
Avesco)
Julian Blunt +44 (0)20 7220
James Thompson 0500
NEP
Kevin Rabbitt, Chief Executive
Officer
Gerry Delon, Chief Financial
Officer +1 800 444 0054
Barclays Bank PLC, acting through
its Investment Bank (Financial
Adviser to NEP)
Scott Wisniewski +44 (0)20 7623
James Colburn 2323
EY, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by
the FCA, is acting as financial adviser to Avesco in connection
with the Acquisition and will not be acting for any other person or
otherwise be responsible to any other person for providing the
protections afforded to customers of EY. EY accordingly disclaims
to the fullest extent permissible by law all and any liability to
any person who is not a client of EY whether in tort, contract or
otherwise.
finnCap, which is authorised and regulated by the FCA, is acting
exclusively for Avesco and no-one else in connection with the
Acquisition and will not be responsible to anyone other than Avesco
for providing the protections afforded to clients of finnCap nor
for providing advice in relation to the Acquisition or any other
matters referred to in this announcement.
Barclays, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA and the
Prudential Regulation Authority, is acting exclusively for NEP and
no one else in connection with the Acquisition and will not be
responsible to anyone other than NEP for providing the protections
afforded to clients of Barclays nor for providing advice in
relation to the Acquisition or any other matter referred to in this
announcement.
Further information
This announcement is not intended to and does not constitute, or
form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer
to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise
dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or
approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the Acquisition or
otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of
securities of Avesco in any jurisdiction in contravention of
applicable law. The Acquisition will be made solely by means of the
Scheme Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions
of the Acquisition including details of how to vote in respect of
the Scheme. Any vote in respect of the Scheme or other response in
relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the
information contained in the Scheme Document.
Overseas jurisdictions
The availability of the Acquisition to Avesco Shareholders who
are not resident in and citizens of the UK may be affected by the
laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or of
which they are citizens. Persons who are not resident in the UK
should inform themselves of, and observe, any applicable legal or
regulatory requirements of their jurisdictions. Further details in
relation to overseas shareholders will be contained in the Scheme
Document.
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
or into jurisdictions other than the UK may be restricted by law
and therefore any persons who are subject to the law of any
jurisdiction other than the UK should inform themselves about, and
observe, any applicable requirements. Any failure to comply with
the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the
securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, the companies and persons involved in
the Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the
violation of such restrictions by any person. This announcement has
been prepared for the purposes of complying with English law, the
AIM Rules, the rules of the London Stock Exchange and the Code and
the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would
have been disclosed if this announcement had been prepared in
accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside of England.
Copies of this announcement and the formal documentation
relating to the Scheme and the Acquisition will not be, and must
not be, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into
or from any jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws of
that jurisdiction.
US Holders should note that the Acquisition relates to the
securities of a UK company, is subject to UK disclosure
requirements (which are different from those of the US) and is
proposed to be implemented under a scheme of arrangement provided
for under English company law. A transaction effected by means of a
scheme of arrangement is not subject to the tender offer rules
under the US Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Scheme will be subject
to UK disclosure requirements and practices, which are different
from the disclosure requirements of the US tender offer and proxy
solicitation rules. The financial information included in this
announcement and the Scheme documentation has been or will have
been prepared in accordance with IFRS and thus may not be
comparable to financial information of US companies or companies
whose financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the US. If NEP
exercises its right to implement the Acquisition of the Avesco
Shares by way of a takeover offer, such offer will be made in
compliance with applicable US tender offer and securities laws and
regulations.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Acquisition by a US Holder
as consideration for the transfer of its Scheme Shares pursuant to
the Scheme may be a taxable transaction for US federal income tax
purposes and under applicable US state and local, as well as
foreign and other, tax laws. Each Avesco Shareholder is urged to
consult his independent professional adviser immediately regarding
the tax consequences of the Acquisition applicable to him.
It may be difficult for US Holders to enforce their rights and
claims arising out of the US federal securities laws, since Avesco
is located outside the US, and some or all of its officers and
directors may be residents of countries other than the US. US
Holders may not be able to sue a non-US company or its officers or
directors in a non-US court for violations of US securities laws.
Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-US company and its
affiliates to subject themselves to a US court's judgement.
In accordance with the Code, normal United Kingdom market
practice and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, NEP or its
nominees or its brokers (acting as agents) may from time to time
make certain purchases of, or arrangements to purchase, Avesco
Shares outside of the United States, other than pursuant to the
Acquisition, until the date on which the Acquisition and/or Scheme
becomes effective, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn. In addition,
in accordance with the Code, normal United Kingdom market practice
and Rule 14e-5(b) of the US Exchange Act, Barclays and its
affiliates will continue to act as exempt principal trader in
Avesco securities on the London Stock Exchange. These purchases and
activities by exempt principal traders which are required to be
made public in the United Kingdom pursuant to the Code will be
reported to a Regulatory Information Service and will be available
on the London Stock Exchange website at
www.londonstockexchange.com. This information will also be publicly
disclosed in the United States to the extent that such information
is made public in the United Kingdom.
Forward looking statements
This announcement (including information incorporated by
reference in this announcement), oral statements made regarding the
Acquisition, and other information published by NEP and Avesco
contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be,
"forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are
prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but
rather on current expectations and projections of the management of
NEP and Avesco about future events, and are therefore subject to
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from the future results expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement
include statements relating to the expected effects of the
Acquisition on NEP and Avesco, the expected timing and scope of the
Acquisition and other statements other than historical facts.
Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as "plans", "expects" or
"does not expect", "is expected", "is subject to", "budget",
"scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or
"does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words
and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken,
occur or be achieved. Although NEP and Avesco believe that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, NEP and Avesco can give no assurance that such
expectations will prove to be correct. By their nature,
forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur
in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
These factors include, but are not limited to: the ability to
consummate the Acquisition; the ability to obtain requisite
shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other Conditions on
the proposed terms and schedule; the ability of NEP and Avesco to
successfully integrate their respective operations and retain key
employees; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation
of the Acquisition on relationships, including with employees,
suppliers, customers and competitors; and changes in general
economic, business and political conditions. Other unknown or
unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements should therefore be construed in the
light of such factors. Neither NEP nor Avesco, nor any of their
respective associates or directors, officers or advisers, provides
any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of
the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements
in this announcement will actually occur. You are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Other
than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations
(including under the AIM Rules and the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules of the FCA, as applicable), neither NEP nor Avesco is under
any obligation, and NEP and Avesco expressly disclaim any intention
or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
No profit forecasts or estimates
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or estimate for any period and no statement in this
announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or
earnings per ordinary share, for NEP or Avesco, respectively for
the current or future financial years would necessarily match or
exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per ordinary
share for NEP or Avesco, respectively.
Dealing disclosure requirements of the Code
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in
1% or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified.
An Opening Position Disclosure must contain details of the
person's interests and short positions in, and rights to subscribe
for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree company and
(ii) any securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position
Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by
no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day
following the commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate,
by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th Business Day
following the announcement in which any securities exchange offeror
is first identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant
securities of the offeree company or of a securities exchange
offeror prior to the deadline for making an Opening Position
Disclosure must instead make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1% or more of any class of relevant securities of the
offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror must make a
Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any relevant securities
of the offeree company or of any securities exchange offeror. A
Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the dealing concerned
and of the person's interests and short positions in, and rights to
subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of (i) the offeree
company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror(s), save to the
extent that these details have previously been disclosed under Rule
8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies
must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Business
Day following the date of the relevant dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement will be made available, subject to
certain restrictions relating to persons resident in Restricted
Jurisdictions, on NEP's website at http://www.nepinc.com and
Avesco's website at http://www.avesco.com by no later than 12 noon
(London time) on the Business Day following this announcement. For
the avoidance of doubt, the contents of these websites are not
incorporated by reference and do not form part of this
announcement.
Requesting hard copy documents
In accordance with Rule 30.3 of the Code, a person so entitled
may request a hard copy of this announcement by contacting the
Company Secretary of Avesco during business hours on +44 (0) 1293
583 400 or by submitting a request in writing to the Company
Secretary of Avesco at Unit E2, Sussex Manor Business Park, Gatwick
Road, Crawley RH10 9NH. For persons who receive a copy of this
announcement in electronic form or via a website notification, a
hard copy of this announcement will not be sent unless so
requested. You may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to you in relation to the
Acquisition should be in hard copy form.
Electronic Communications
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
other information provided by Avesco Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from Avesco may be provided to NEP during the offer
period as required under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the Code to
comply with Rule 2.11(c).
Rule 2.9 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.9 of the Code, Avesco confirms that as
at the date of this announcement it has in issue and admitted to
trading on AIM 19,075,583 ordinary shares of 10 pence each. The
International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) of the
ordinary shares is GB0000653229.
Rounding
Certain figures included in this announcement have been
subjected to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, figures shown for
the same category presented in different tables may vary slightly
and figures shown as totals in certain tables may not be an
arithmetic aggregation of figures that precede them.
Appendix 1: Conditions and Certain Further Terms of the Scheme
and the Acquisition
A. Conditions to the Scheme and Acquisition
1. The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming
unconditional and becoming effective, subject to the provisions of
the Code, by no later than 1 March 2017 or such later date (if any)
as NEP and Avesco may, with the consent of the Panel, agree and (if
required) the Court may approve.
2. The Scheme will be conditional upon:
(a) approval of the Scheme at the Court Meeting by a majority in
number of the Scheme Shareholders present and voting (and entitled
to vote), either in person or by proxy, representing three-quarters
or more in value of the Scheme Shares held by those Scheme
Shareholders and such Court Meeting being held on or before the
22nd day after the expected date of the Court Meeting to be set out
in the Scheme Document (or such later date (if any) as may be
agreed by Avesco and NEP);
(b) the resolutions required to approve and implement the Scheme
as set out in the notice of the General Meeting (including, without
limitation, the Special Resolution) being duly passed by the
requisite majority at the General Meeting and such General Meeting
being held on or before the 22nd day after the expected date of the
General Meeting to be set out in the Scheme Document (or such later
date (if any) as may be agreed by Avesco and NEP);
(c) the sanction of the Scheme with or without modification, on
terms agreed by NEP and Avesco by the Court on or before the 22nd
day after the expected date of the Court Hearing to be set out in
the Scheme Document (or such later date (if any) as may be agreed
between Avesco and NEP); and
(d) the delivery of an office copy of the Scheme Court Order to the Registrar of Companies.
3. In addition, NEP and Avesco have agreed that, subject as
stated in Part B below, the Acquisition will be conditional upon
the following matters and, accordingly, the necessary actions to
make the Scheme effective will not be taken unless such conditions
(as amended, if appropriate) have been satisfied or, where
relevant, waived:
(a) no Third Party having intervened (as defined below) and
there not continuing to be outstanding any statute, regulation or
order of any Third Party, in each case which would or might
reasonably be expected to:
(i) make the Acquisition or its implementation or the
acquisition or proposed acquisition by NEP or any member of the
Wider NEP Group of any shares or other securities in, or control or
management of, Avesco or any member of the Wider Avesco Group void,
illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or otherwise directly
or indirectly prevent, prohibit, or materially restrain, restrict
or delay the same or impose additional conditions or obligations
with respect to the Acquisition or such acquisition, or otherwise
materially impede, challenge or interfere with the Acquisition or
such acquisition, or require amendment to the terms of the
Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any
Avesco Shares or the acquisition of control or management of Avesco
or the Wider Avesco Group by Wider NEP or any member of the NEP
Group;
(ii) limit or delay, or impose any material limitations on, the
ability of any member of the Wider NEP Group or any member of the
Wider Avesco Group to acquire or to hold or to exercise
effectively, directly or indirectly, all or any rights of ownership
in respect of shares or other securities in, or to exercise voting
or management control over, any member of the Wider Avesco Group or
any member of the Wider NEP Group;
(iii) require, prevent or materially delay the divestiture or
materially alter the terms envisaged for any proposed divestiture
by any member of the Wider NEP Group or the Wider Avesco Group of
any shares or other securities in the Wider NEP Group or any member
of the Wider Avesco Group or of all or any portion of their
respective businesses, product lines, assets or properties or
materially limit the ability of any of them to conduct any of their
respective businesses or to own or control any of their respective
assets or properties or any part thereof;
(iv) impose any limitation on, or result in a delay in, the
ability of any member of the Wider NEP Group directly or indirectly
to acquire, hold or to exercise effectively all or any rights of
ownership in respect of shares or loans or other securities (or the
equivalent) in Avesco or on the ability of any member of the Wider
Avesco Group or any member of the Wider NEP Group directly or
indirectly to hold or exercise effectively all or any rights of
ownership in respect of shares or loans or any other securities (or
the equivalent) in, or to exercise voting or management control
over, any member of the Wider Avesco Group to an extent which is
material in the context of the Wider NEP Group taken as a whole or
the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole or material in the context
of the Acquisition (as the case may be);
(v) except pursuant to sections 974 to 991 of the Companies Act,
require any member of the Wider NEP Group or of the Wider Avesco
Group to acquire, or to offer to acquire, any shares or other
securities (or the equivalent) in any member of either group owned
by any third party;
(vi) materially limit, or result in a material delay in, the
ability of any member of the Wider NEP Group or of the Wider Avesco
Group to conduct or integrate or co--ordinate its business, or any
part of it, with the businesses or any part of the businesses of
any other member of the Wider NEP Group or of the Wider Avesco
Group;
(vii) require any member of the Wider Avesco Group to
relinquish, terminate or amend in any material way any material
contract to which any member of the Wider Avesco Group or the Wider
NEP Group is a party;
(viii) result in any member of the Wider NEP Group or Wider
Avesco Group or the Wider NEP Group ceasing to be able to carry on
business under any name under which it presently does so in any
jurisdiction; or
(ix) otherwise materially adversely affect any or all of the
business, assets, profits, liabilities, financial or trading
position of any member of the Wider Avesco Group or of the Wider
NEP Group,
and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which
any Third Party could intervene under the laws of any relevant
jurisdiction having expired, lapsed or been terminated;
(b) all Authorisations, which are necessary or are reasonably
considered necessary by NEP in any relevant jurisdiction for or in
respect of the Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed
acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control or
management of, Avesco or any other member of the Wider Avesco Group
by any member of the Wider NEP Group or the carrying on by any
member of the Wider Avesco Group of its business having been
obtained, in terms and in a form reasonably satisfactory to NEP,
from all appropriate Third Parties or from any persons or bodies
with whom any member of the Wider Avesco Group has entered into
contractual arrangements, in each case where the absence of such
Authorisation would or might reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole
and all such Authorisations remaining in full force and effect and
there being no notice or intimation of any intention to revoke,
suspend, restrict, modify or not to renew any of the same;
(c) since 30 September 2015 and except as Disclosed, there being
no provision of any arrangement, agreement, licence, permit,
franchise or other instrument to which any member of the Wider
Avesco Group is a party, or by or to which any such member or any
of its assets is or are or may be bound, entitled or subject or any
circumstance, which, in each case as a consequence of the
Acquisition or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any
shares or other securities in, or control of, Avesco or any other
member of the Wider Avesco Group by any member of the Wider NEP
Group or otherwise, might reasonably be expected to result in (in
any case to an extent which might reasonably be expected to be
material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a
whole):
(i) any monies borrowed by or any other indebtedness or
liabilities (actual or contingent) of, or any grant available to,
any member of the Wider Avesco Group being or becoming repayable or
capable of being declared repayable immediately or prior to its
stated maturity date or repayment date or the ability of any member
of the Wider Avesco Group to borrow monies or incur any
indebtedness being withdrawn or inhibited or becoming capable of
being withdrawn or inhibited;
(ii) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or
other security interest over the whole or any part of the business,
property, assets or interests of any member of the Wider Avesco
Group or any such mortgage, charge or other security interest
(wherever created, arising or having arisen) becoming
enforceable;
(iii) any such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit,
franchise or instrument, or the rights, liabilities, obligations or
interests of any member of the Wider Avesco Group thereunder,
being, or becoming capable of being, terminated or adversely
modified or affected or any adverse action being taken or any
obligation or liability arising thereunder;
(iv) any liability of any member of the Wider Avesco Group to
make any severance, termination, bonus or other payment to any
employee or key producer of the Wider Avesco Group;
(v) any asset or interest of any member of the Wider Avesco
Group being or falling to be disposed of or charged or ceasing to
be available to any member of the Wider Avesco Group or any right
arising under which any such asset or interest could be required to
be disposed of or could cease to be available to any member of the
Wider Avesco Group otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business;
(vi) any member of the Wider Avesco Group ceasing to be able to
carry on business under any name under which it presently does so
in any jurisdiction;
(vii) the creation or acceleration of any liabilities (actual or
contingent) by any member of the Wider Avesco Group other than in
the ordinary course of business;
(viii) any requirement on any such member to acquire, subscribe,
pay up or repay any shares or other securities;
(ix) the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of any
member of the Wider Avesco Group under any such arrangement,
agreement, licence, permit, franchise or other instrument or the
interests or business of any such member in or with any other
person, firm, company or body (or any arrangement or arrangements
relating to any such interests or business) being terminated or
adversely modified or affected; or
(x) the financial or trading position or the value of any member
of the Wider Avesco Group being prejudiced or adversely
affected,
and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any
such arrangement, agreement, licence, permit or other instrument,
would or might reasonably be expected to result in any of the
events or circumstances which are referred to in paragraphs (i) to
(x) of this Condition (c) in any case to an extent which would or
might reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the
Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(d) since 30 September 2015 and except as Disclosed no member of
the Wider Avesco Group having:
(i) entered into, terminated or varied the terms of or made any
offer (which remains open for acceptance) to enter into or vary the
terms of, any contract, agreement, commitment, transaction or
arrangement with any person employed by any member of the Wider
Avesco Group, including entering into any such arrangement which
would result in any liability of any member of the Wider Avesco
Group to make any severance, termination, bonus or other payments
to any of its directors or other officers, which would or might
reasonably be expected to be material in the context of the
Acquisition or which would or might reasonably be expected to have
a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Wider
Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(ii) proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any
share option scheme, incentive scheme or other benefit relating to
the employment or termination of employment of any person employed
by the Wider Avesco Group;
(iii) made or agreed or consented to:
(A) any change:
(I) to the terms of the trust deeds constituting the pension
scheme(s) established for its directors, employees or their
dependants;
(II) the contributions payable to any such scheme(s) or to the
benefits which accrue or to the pensions which are payable
thereunder;
(III) the basis on which qualification for, or accrual or
entitlement to such benefits or pensions are calculated or
determined;
(IV) the basis upon which the liabilities (including pensions)
or such pension schemes are funded, valued or made; or
(B) any change to the trustees including the appointment of a trust corporation,
in each case, which would or might reasonably be expected to
have a material effect in the context of the Wider Avesco Group
taken as a whole;
(iv) issued or agreed to issue, or authorised the issue of,
additional shares of any class, or securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for, or rights, warrants or options to
subscribe for or acquire, any such shares or convertible securities
or transferred or sold or agreed or authorised or proposed the sale
of any shares out of treasury, other than as between Avesco and
wholly--owned subsidiaries of Avesco;
(v) purchased or redeemed or repaid any of its own shares or
other securities or reduced or made any other change to any part of
its share capital to an extent which (other than in the case of
Avesco) would or might reasonably be expected to be material in the
context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(vi) recommended, declared, paid or made any dividend or other
distribution whether payable in cash or otherwise or made any bonus
issue (other than to Avesco or a wholly--owned subsidiary of
Avesco);
(vii) made or authorised any change in its loan capital;
(viii) entered into, implemented or authorised the entry into,
any joint venture, asset or profit sharing arrangement, partnership
or merged with, demerged or acquired any body corporate,
partnership or business or acquired or disposed of or transferred,
mortgaged, charged or created any security interest over any assets
or any right, title or interest in any assets (including shares in
any undertaking and trade investments) or authorised the same (in
each case to an extent which would or might reasonably be expected
to be material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a
whole);
(ix) issued or authorised the issue of, or made any change in or
to, any debentures or (except in the ordinary course of business or
except as between Avesco and its wholly-owned subsidiaries or
between such wholly-owned subsidiaries) incurred or increased any
indebtedness or liability (actual or contingent) which in any case
would or might reasonably be expected to be material in the context
of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(x) entered into, varied, or authorised any agreement,
transaction, arrangement or commitment (whether in respect of
capital expenditure or otherwise) which:
(A) is of a long term, onerous or unusual nature or magnitude or
which is reasonably likely to involve an obligation of such nature
or magnitude; or
(B) is reasonably likely to restrict the business of any member
of the Wider Avesco Group; or
(C) is other than in the ordinary course of business,
and which would reasonably be expected to be material in the
context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(xi) entered into, implemented, effected or authorised any
merger, demerger, reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme, commitment
or other transaction or arrangement in respect of itself or another
member of the Wider Avesco Group;
(xii) (except in the case of any member of the Wider Avesco
Group which is dormant and which was solvent at the relevant time)
taken any corporate action or had any legal proceedings instituted
or threatened against it or petition presented or order made for
its winding--up (voluntarily or otherwise), dissolution or
reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator,
administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of all or any
material part of its assets and revenues or any analogous
proceedings in any jurisdiction or appointed any analogous person
in any jurisdiction which in any case would or might reasonably be
expected to be material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group
taken as a whole;
(xiii) been unable, or admitted in writing that it is unable, to
pay its debts or having stopped or suspended (or threatened to stop
or suspend) payment of its debts generally or ceased or threatened
to cease carrying on all or a substantial part of its business;
(xiv) settled, waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in
the ordinary course of business which would or might reasonably be
expected to be material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group
taken as a whole;
(xv) entered into or changed the terms of, or made any offer
(which remains open for acceptance) to enter into or vary the terms
of, any contract, service agreement, commitment, transaction or
arrangement which would be materially restrictive on the business
of any member of the Wider Avesco Group or the Wider NEP Group
other than in the ordinary course of the business concerned;
(xvi) terminated or varied the terms of any agreement or
arrangement between any member of the Wider Avesco Group and any
other person in a manner which would or might reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
position of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(xvii) made any alteration to its articles of association other
than in connection with the Acquisition; or
(xviii) entered into any agreement, commitment or arrangement or
passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for
acceptance) or proposed or announced any intention with respect to
any of the transactions, matters or events referred to in this
Condition (d);
(e) since 30 September 2015 and except as Disclosed:
(i) there having been no adverse change or deterioration in the
business, assets, financial or trading positions, profit of any
member of the Wider Avesco Group which in any case is material in
the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(ii) no contingent or other liability of any member of the Wider
Avesco Group having arisen or become apparent or increased which in
any case would or would reasonably be expected to be of material
significance in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a
whole;
(iii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings to which any member of the Wider Avesco
Group is or may become a party (whether as plaintiff, defendant or
otherwise) having been threatened, announced, implemented or
instituted by or against or remaining outstanding against or in
respect of any member of the Wider Avesco Group which would or
would reasonably be expected to be of material significance in the
context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(iv) (other than as a result of the Acquisition) no enquiry or
investigation by, or complaint or reference to, any Third Party
having been threatened, announced, implemented, instituted by or
against or remaining outstanding against or in respect of any
member of the Wider Avesco Group which in any case would or would
reasonably be expected to be of material significance in the
context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole;
(v) other than with the consent of NEP, no action having been
taken or proposed by any member of the Wider Avesco Group, or
having been approved by Avesco Shareholders or consented to by the
Panel, which falls or would fall within or under Rule 21.1 of the
Code or which otherwise is or would be materially inconsistent with
the implementation by NEP of the Acquisition on the basis
contemplated as at the date of this announcement; and
(vi) no member of the Wider Avesco Group having conducted its
business in breach of any applicable laws and regulations which in
any case is material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken
as a whole;
(f) except as Disclosed, NEP not having discovered:
(i) that any financial or business or other information
concerning the Wider Avesco Group disclosed at any time by or on
behalf of any member of the Wider Avesco Group, whether publicly,
to any member of the Wider NEP Group or to any of their advisers or
otherwise, is misleading or contains any misrepresentation of fact
or omits to state a fact necessary to make any information
contained therein not misleading to an extent which in any case is
material in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a
whole;
(ii) that any member of the Wider Avesco Group is subject to any
liability (actual or contingent) which in any case is material in
the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole; or
(iii) any information which affects the import of any
information disclosed at any time by or on behalf of any member of
the Wider Avesco Group to an extent which in any case is material
in the context of the Wider Avesco Group taken as a whole; and
(g) save as Disclosed, NEP not having discovered that:
(i) any past or present member of the Wider Avesco Group has
paid or agreed to pay any bribe, including any 'inducement fee',
given or agreed to give any similar gift or benefit or paid or
agreed to pay to a concealed bank account or fund to or for the
account of, any customer, supplier, governmental official or
employee, representative of a political party, or other person for
the purpose of obtaining or retaining business or otherwise engaged
in any activity, done such things (or omitted to do such things) in
contravention of the UK Bribery Act 2010, the US Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act 1977 or any other applicable anti-corruption
legislation;
(ii) any past or present member of the Wider Avesco Group has
engaged in any business with or made any investments in, or made
any payments to, (i) any government, entity or individual with
which US or European Union persons are prohibited from engaging in
activities or doing business by US or European Union laws or
regulations, including the economic sanctions administered by the
United States Office of Foreign Assets Control or (ii) any
government, entity or individual targeted by any of the economic
sanctions of the United Nations, the European Union, or the United
Kingdom; or
(iii) any asset of any member of the Wider Avesco Group
constitutes criminal property as defined by section 340(3) of the
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (but disregarding paragraph (b) of that
definition).
For the purpose of these Conditions:
(a) "Authorisations" means authorisations, orders, grants,
recognitions, determinations, certificates, confirmations,
consents, licences, clearances, provisions and approvals;
(b) "Disclosed" means information (i) disclosed by, or on behalf
of, Avesco in: (A) Avesco's annual reports and accounts for the
year ended 30 September 2015; (B) Avesco's interim results for the
six months ended 31 March 2016; (C) as otherwise publicly announced
by Avesco no later than one Business Day prior to the date of this
announcement through a Regulatory Information Service; (D) in this
announcement; or (ii) fairly disclosed in the management diligence
sessions held between NEP and Avesco on 5 October 2016, 25 October
2016, 26 October 2016, 1 November 2016 and 2 November 2016 or
fairly disclosed in the virtual data room operated by or on behalf
of Avesco in respect of the Acquisition no later than one Business
Day prior to the date of this announcement, in each case (without
prejudice to the application of the Code) disregarding risk factor
disclosures contained under the heading "Risk Factors", or
disclosure or risks set forth in any "forward-looking statements"
disclaimer or any other statements that are similarly non-specific
or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature;
(c) a Third Party shall be regarded as having "intervened" if it
has announced or given notice in writing to take, institute,
implement or threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation,
enquiry or reference or made, proposed or enacted any statute,
regulation, decision or order (and in each case, not having
withdrawn the same) or taken any measures or other steps or
required any action to be taken or information to be provided or
otherwise having done anything and "intervene" shall be construed
accordingly; and
(d) "Third Party" means any central bank, government, government department or governmental, quasi--governmental, supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental or investigative body, authority (including any national or supranational anti--trust or merger control authority), court, trade agency, association, institution or professional or environmental body or any other person or body whatsoever in any relevant jurisdiction, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Panel.
B. Certain further terms of the Scheme and the Acquisition
1. Conditions 3(a) to 3(g) (inclusive) must be fulfilled, be
determined by NEP to be or remain satisfied or (if capable of
waiver) be waived by 11.59 p.m. on the date immediately preceding
the date of the Scheme Court Hearing, failing which the Scheme will
lapse.
2. Notwithstanding the paragraph above and subject to the
requirements of the Panel, NEP reserves the right in its sole
discretion to waive all or any of Conditions 3(a) to 3(g)
inclusive, in whole or in part and to proceed with the Scheme Court
Hearing prior to the fulfilment, satisfaction or waiver of any of
the Conditions 3(a) to 3(g) inclusive.
3. NEP shall be under no obligation to waive (if capable of
waiver), to determine to be or remain satisfied or to treat as
fulfilled any of Conditions 3(a) to 3(g) (inclusive) by a date
earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment of
that Condition, notwithstanding that the other Conditions may at
such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are,
at such earlier date, no circumstances indicating that any
Condition may not be capable of fulfilment.
4. NEP reserves the right to elect to implement the Acquisition
by way of a takeover offer (as defined in Part 28 of the Companies
Act), subject to the Panel's consent. In such event, such Offer
will be implemented on the same terms and conditions (subject to
appropriate amendments, including (without limitation) an
acceptance condition set at 75 per cent. (or such other percentage
(being more than 50 per cent.) as NEP may decide (subject to the
Panel's consent) of the shares to which such Offer relates) so far
as applicable, as those which would apply to the Scheme.
5. If the Panel requires NEP to make an offer or offers for any
Avesco Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Code, NEP may
make such alterations to the Conditions as are necessary to comply
with the provisions of that Rule.
6. The Acquisition will be subject, inter alia, to the
Conditions and certain further terms which are set out in this
Appendix 1 and those terms which will be set out in the Scheme
Document and such further terms as may be required to comply with
the AIM Rules and the provisions of the Code.
7. The Acquisition will lapse if the UK Competition Authority
refers the Acquisition to the Competition Commission or, as the
case may be, makes a reference initiating a Phase 2 investigation,
or the European Commission either initiates proceedings under
Article 6(1)(c) of the Regulation or makes a referral to a
competent authority of the United Kingdom under Article 9(1) of the
Regulation and there is then a reference to the Competition
Commission (or, as the case may be, a Phase 2 investigation) before
the date of the Court Meeting.
8. Avesco Shares will be acquired by NEP fully paid and free
from all liens, equitable interests, charges, encumbrances and
other third party rights of any nature whatsoever and together with
all rights attaching to them, including the right to receive and
retain all dividends and distributions (if any) declared, made or
payable after the date of this announcement.
9. NEP reserves the right for any other member of the Wider NEP
Group from time to time to implement the Acquisition.
10. This announcement and any rights or liabilities arising
hereunder, the Acquisition, the Scheme, and any proxies will be
governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the
courts of England and Wales. The Scheme will be subject to the
applicable requirements of the Code, the Panel, the London Stock
Exchange and the FCA.
11. Any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction
other than the United Kingdom should inform themselves about and
observe any applicable requirements. Further information in
relation to overseas shareholders will be contained in the Scheme
Document.
12. Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate
Condition and shall not be limited by reference to any other
Condition.
Appendix 2: Bases and Sources
a) The value attributed to the existing issued share capital of
Avesco is based upon 19,075,583 Avesco Shares (excluding 1,877,318
Avesco Shares held as treasury shares on such date). There are no
outstanding options over Avesco Shares.
b) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information on Avesco
is extracted (without material adjustment) from Avesco's Annual
Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2015 and from
the announcement of Avesco's interim results for the six months
ended 31 March 2016.
c) The market prices of the Avesco Shares are the closing middle
market quotations as derived from the Daily Official List.
Appendix 3: Details of Irrevocable Undertakings
The following holders of Avesco Shares have given irrevocable
undertakings to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting
and the Special Resolution to be proposed at the General Meeting in
relation to the following Avesco Shares:
Directors
Name Number of Percentage
Avesco Shares of existing
issued share
capital of
Avesco
Richard Murray 5,181,211 27.2%
Graham Andrews 570,183 3.0%
David Crump 416,384 2.2%
John Christmas 200,371 1.1%
The undertakings referred to above will remain binding if a
higher competing offer for Avesco is made. The undertakings will
cease to be binding if: (i) the Panel consents to NEP not
proceeding with the Acquisition and NEP notifies the Company of its
decision not to proceed with the Acquisition; or (ii) the Scheme
does not become effective by 1 March 2017 (other than in
circumstances where NEP has elected to proceed by way of takeover
offer and such offer has not lapsed or been withdrawn).
Institutional and Other Shareholders
Name Number of Percentage
Avesco Shares of existing
issued share
capital of
Avesco
Herald Investment Trust
plc 2,382,018 12.5%
Charles Stanley & Co
Limited 1,343,951 7.0%
Mr Ian Martin 607,687 3.2%
Paul Jaconelli 537,123 2.8%
The undertakings referred to above will remain binding if a
higher competing offer for Avesco is made. The undertakings will
cease to be binding if: (i) the Panel consents to NEP not
proceeding with the Acquisition and NEP notifies the Company of its
decision not to proceed with the Acquisition; or (ii) the Scheme
does not become effective by 1 March 2017 (other than in
circumstances where NEP has elected to proceed by way of takeover
offer and such offer has not lapsed or been withdrawn).
Appendix 4: Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise.
"GBP", "Sterling", the lawful currency of the
"pence" or "p" UK
"Acquisition" the direct or indirect acquisition
of the entire issued share
capital of Avesco by NEP
Group Inc. or any direct
or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of NEP Group
Inc. (other than Avesco
Shares already held by NEP,
if any) to be implemented
by means of the Scheme or
(should NEP so elect, subject
to the consent of the Panel
(where necessary)) by way
of an Offer
"AIM" AIM, a market operated by
the London Stock Exchange
"AIM Rules" the AIM Rules for Companies
published by the London
Stock Exchange from time
to time
"Avesco" Avesco Group plc
"Avesco Directors" the directors of Avesco
"Avesco Group" Avesco and its subsidiary
undertakings
"Avesco Shares" ordinary shares of 10 pence
each in the capital of Avesco
"Avesco Shareholders" the registered holders of
Avesco Shares from time
to time
"Barclays" Barclays Bank PLC, acting
through its Investment Bank
"Business Day" a day (other than Saturdays,
Sundays and public holidays
in the UK) on which banks
are open for business in
the City of London
"Closing Price" the closing middle market
price of a Avesco Share
on a particular trading
day and derived from the
Daily Official List;
"Code" the City Code on Takeovers
and Mergers
"Companies Act" the Companies Act 2006,
as amended from time to
time
"Conditions" the conditions to the implementation
of the Acquisition (including
the Scheme) as set out in
Appendix 1 to this announcement
and to be set out in the
Scheme Document
"Court" the High Court of Justice
of England and Wales
"Court Meeting" the meeting of the Scheme
Shareholders to be convened
by order of the Court pursuant
to section 896 of the Companies
Act, notice of which will
be set out in the Scheme
Document, for the purpose
of approving the Scheme,
including any adjournment
thereof
"CREST" the relevant system (as
defined in the Uncertificated
Securities Regulations 2001
(SI 2001/3755)) in respect
of which Euroclear UK &
Ireland Limited is the Operator
(as defined in such Regulations)
in accordance with which
securities may be held and
transferred in uncertificated
form
"Daily Official AIM appendix of the daily
List" official list of the London
Stock Exchange
"Dealing Disclosure" an announcement pursuant
to Rule 8 of the Code containing
details of dealings in interests
in relevant securities of
a party to an offer
"Effective Date" the date upon which the
Scheme becomes effective
in accordance with its terms
"Excluded Shares" (i) any Avesco Shares beneficially
owned by NEP or any other
member of the NEP Group;
(ii) any Avesco Shares held
in treasury by Avesco; and
(iii) any other Avesco Shares
which NEP and Avesco agree
will not be subject to the
Scheme
"EY" Ernst & Young LLP
"FCA" the Financial Conduct Authority
"finnCap" finnCap Limited
"Forms of Proxy" the form of proxy in connection
with each of the Court Meeting
and the General Meeting,
which shall accompany the
Scheme Document
"General Meeting" the general meeting of Avesco
to be convened in connection
with the Scheme, notice
of which will be set out
in the Scheme Document,
including any adjournment
thereof
"IFRS" International Financial
Reporting Standards
"London Stock London Stock Exchange plc
Exchange"
"LTRP" The Avesco Group plc Long
Term Retention Plan Rules
"NEP" NEP Group Inc., or, where
the context so requires,
a direct or indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of NEP Group
Inc. elected by NEP Group
Inc. and notified in writing
to Avesco to be the purchaser
of Avesco pursuant to the
Acquisition
"NEP Group" NEP Group Inc. and its subsidiary
undertakings
"Offer" if (subject to the consent
of the Panel) NEP elects
to effect the Acquisition
by way of a takeover offer,
the offer to be made by
or on behalf of NEP to acquire
the issued share capital
of Avesco on the terms and
subject to the conditions
to be set out in the related
offer document
"Panel" the Panel on Takeovers and
Mergers
"Registrar of the Registrar of Companies
Companies" in England and Wales
"Regulatory Information any information service
Service" authorised from time to
time by the FCA for the
purpose of disseminating
regulatory announcements
"Restricted Jurisdictions" any jurisdiction where the
extension or availability
of the Scheme or Offer would
breach any applicable law
"Scheme" the scheme of arrangement
proposed to be made under
Part 26 of the Companies
Act between Avesco and the
Scheme Shareholders, with
or subject to any modification,
addition or condition approved
or imposed by the Court
and agreed to by Avesco
and NEP
"Scheme Court the hearing of the Court
Hearing" to sanction the Scheme
"Scheme Court the order of the Court sanctioning
Order" the Scheme under Part 26
of the Companies Act
"Scheme Document" the document to be sent
to (among others) Avesco
Shareholders containing
and setting out, among other
things, the full terms and
conditions of the Scheme
and containing the notices
convening the Court Meeting
and General Meeting
"Scheme Record the time and date specified
Time" in the Scheme Document,
expected to be 6.00 p.m.
on the Business Day immediately
prior to the Effective Date
"Scheme Shareholders" holders of Scheme Shares
"Scheme Shares" Avesco Shares:
(a) in issue as at the date
of the Scheme Document;
(b) (if any) issued after
the date of the Scheme Document
and prior to the Scheme
Voting Record Time; and
(c) (if any) issued on or
after the Scheme Voting
Record Time and before the
Scheme Record Time, either
on terms that the original
or any subsequent holders
thereof shall be bound by
the Scheme or in respect
of which the holders thereof
shall have agreed in writing
to be bound by the Scheme,
but in each case other than
the Excluded Shares
"Scheme Voting the time and date specified
Record Time" in the Scheme Document by
reference to which entitlement
to vote on the Scheme will
be determined
"Special Resolution" the special resolution to
be proposed by Avesco at
the General Meeting in connection
with, among other things,
the approval of the Scheme,
the alteration of Avesco's
articles of association
and such other matters as
may be necessary to implement
the Scheme
"Substantial Interest" a direct or indirect interest
in 20 per cent. or more
of the voting equity capital
of an undertaking
"treasury shares" any Avesco Shares held by
Avesco as treasury shares
"UK" or "United the United Kingdom of Great
Kingdom" Britain and Northern Ireland
"US Exchange Act" the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and
the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder (as
amended)
"US Holders" holders of Avesco Shares
ordinarily resident in the
US or with a registered
address in the US, and any
custodian, nominee or trustee
holding Avesco Shares for
persons in the US or with
a registered address in
the US
"Wider Avesco Avesco and the subsidiaries
Group" and subsidiary undertakings
of Avesco and associated
undertakings (including
any joint venture, partnership,
firm or company in which
any member of the Avesco
Group is interested or any
undertaking in which Avesco
and such undertakings (aggregating
their interests) have a
Substantial Interest)
"Wider NEP Group" NEP Group Inc. and the subsidiaries
and subsidiary undertakings
of NEP Group Inc. and associated
undertakings (including
any joint venture, partnership,
firm or company in which
any member of the NEP Group
is interested or any undertaking
in which NEP and such undertakings
(aggregating their interests)
have a Substantial Interest)
For the purposes of this announcement, "subsidiary", "subsidiary
undertaking", "undertaking", and "associated undertaking" have the
meanings given by the Companies Act.
References to an enactment include references to that enactment
as amended, replaced, consolidated or re-enacted by or under any
other enactment before or after the date of this announcement. All
references to time in this announcement are to London time unless
otherwise stated.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
OFFAKODPPBDDADD
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