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80 Mile PLC announced a proposed placing on 19 December 2024 to raise approximately £1.5 million before expenses by issuing approximately 555,555,555 new ordinary shares at 0.27 pence per share to existing shareholders and other investors. These placing shares represent a 6.90% discount to the 18 December 2024 closing price and will constitute approximately 15.96% of the Enlarged Share Capital, with admission expected around 07 January 2025. Concurrently, the company acquired an initial 5% interest in Hydrogen Valley Ltd for £200,000 via convertible loan notes, with a proposal to acquire up to a 49% stake for up to £2.0 million in cash and shares equal to 29% of 80 Mile's Issued Ordinary Share Capital, and an option to increase to 100% for £6.05 million. Robert Price will join as CEO of the newly formed industrial gas and petrochemical business unit.
| Date | 19 Dec 2024 |
| Time | 07:00:07 |
| Category | Capital structure |
| ID | 7356Q |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) NO. 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR NEW ZEALAND OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE APPENDICES DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES OF 80 MILE PLC IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. IN PARTICULAR, YOU SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPENDICES INCLUDING APPENDIX III WHICH CONTAINS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING.
80 Mile plc
("80M", the "Company" or the "Group")
Proposed Placing to raise approximately £1.5 million
Conditional acquisition of strategic stake in Hydrogen Valley Limited, enhancing biofuels and industrial gas capabilities
The Company announces it is carrying out a placing (the "Placing") to raise approximately £1.5 million, before expenses, by way of the issue of approximately 555,555,555 new ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (the "Placing Shares") to certain existing shareholders and other investors at a price of 0.27 pence per share (the "Placing Price"). The Placing Price represents a discount of approximately 6.90 per cent. to the Closing Price of 0.29 pence per Ordinary Share on 18 December 2024, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Announcement. The Placing Shares are being issued pursuant to the Company's existing share authorities.
In addition, the Company is pleased to announce the acquisition of an interest in Hydrogen Valley Ltd ('Hydrogen Valley' or 'HV') and its subsidiary Greenswitch srl ('Greenswitch' or the 'Project') (the "Acquisition").
This transformative acquisition marks a significant step in 80 Mile's strategy to become a vertically integrated exploration & production company for petrochemicals as well as industrial and natural gases. The intention is that 80 Mile will establish a new industrial gas and petrochemical business unit, which will work to diversify the Company's portfolio to include biofuels, sustainable aviation fuels ('SAF'), glycerine and green hydrogen.
The following sets out the background to, and the reasons for, the Placing and the Acquisition and explains why the Directors consider the Placing and the Acquisition to be in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole.
Capitalised terms used but not otherwise defined in this Announcement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Appendix II of this Announcement, unless the context requires otherwise.
Use of Proceeds
The Company is seeking to raise approximately £1.5 million in order to progress the Acquisition, the details of which are set out below and for working capital purposes. The Acquisition is still subject to, amongst other items, due diligence and the finalisation of legal documentation and in respect of the allotment and issue of the new 80 Mile ordinary shares pursuant to Stage 2, the passing of the Resolutions at the General Meeting. In the event that the Acquisition does not progress the monies from the Placing will be used to fund working capital, the Company's other projects and the pursuit of other acquisition opportunities.
Placing Details
· Placing of new Ordinary Shares to raise approximately £1.5 million (before expenses).
· Placing to be conducted via an accelerated bookbuild process launching today.
· The Placing Shares are being issued pursuant to the Company's existing shareholder authorities,
· The Placing Shares, assuming full take-up of the Placing, will represent approximately 15.96 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital.
Key Highlights:
· 80 Mile is proposing to acquire up to a 49% stake in Hydrogen Valley for a consideration of up to £2.0 million in cash and the issue of such number of new Ordinary Shares as is equal 29% of the Issued Ordinary Share Capital of 80 Mile (subject to shareholder approval). Further, 80 Mile would also have the option to increase to a 100% interest in HV exercisable at any time commencing on the date falling 12 months and one day from the date of exercise of the foregoing option and lapsing on the date falling 24 months from the date of exercise of such option, for an aggregate consideration of £6.05 million (to be satisfied in cash or by the issue of new Ordinary Shares in 80 Mile, the split of cash and shares to be determined at the time of exercise of the option).
· Hydrogen Valley, through its wholly owned subsidiary, owns the Greenswitch biofuels and chemical production complex in the Basilicata region of Italy (subject to certain payments, see Risk Considerations below).
· The Greenswitch refining facilities are located within a Special Economic Zone ("ZES"), which includes a free trade zone that would afford the Group numerous economic incentives and subsidies.
· Greenswitch's facilities include fully permitted plants suitable for (amongst other things) biodiesel, epoxidized soybean oil ('ESO') and glycerine, with a capacity of up to 140,000 tonnes/year.
· A fundraising of £1.5m by accelerated book build managed by Zeus Capital Ltd will be launched to support this transaction alongside the Company's existing cash resources.
· The acquisition has the potential to create a vertically integrated petrochemical division through large-scale production of biofuels and the expected introduction of SAF and hydrogen, with cash flow then available to develop the Company's other advanced petroleum exploration assets.
· Revenue generation is expected during Q1 2025, with potential for revenue growth with production being scaled up over the coming quarters and through expected expansion to include SAF and hydrogen.
· The Company's plans for the facilities align with European Union ('EU') and Italian government initiatives, and the Directors expect to position Greenswitch to attract substantial grant funding and energy transition support. Grant applications are underway.
· 80 Mile expects to be able to finalise offtake agreements for 100% of the anticipated Greenswitch production.
· Robert Price is to join the Group as CEO of the newly formed industrial gas and petrochemical business unit with Eric Sondergaard remaining 80 Mile group CEO and MD.
Short and Medium Term Targets for Greenswitch:
· Q1 2025: Restart ESO and biofuels production at expected initial capacities of 5,000 tonnes/year and 10,000 tonnes/year respectively.
· Q2 2025: Aim to ramp up biodiesel production to 50,000 tons/year following maintenance and supply chain formalisation.
· Secure approval of green hydrogen government grant of up to €10 million.
· Initiate planning for a SAF plant in conjunction with an international offtaker, with the aim to secure EU energy transition grants to support this.
Eric Sondergaard, Managing Director of 80 Mile, commented:
"This transaction could represent a transformative step for 80 Mile as we look to expand into sustainable and renewable energy markets. Hydrogen Valley and Greenswitch bring industry expertise in downstream processing, aligning perfectly with our long-term vision of building a fully vertically integrated business unit, covering Tier 1 metal and hydrocarbon exploration projects, to large-scale production of biofuels, sustainable aviation fuels, and industrial gases. If our due diligence is successful, which we have every reason to believe it will be, we expect to acquire a 49% interest in this project, following which we have the potential to increase to 100% for a further 12 to 24 months.
In the near term, the team at HV will focus on biodiesel and various distillates production, an activity that is modelled to produce significant annual revenue and will serve as a significant cash flow driver while we look to work towards scaling up the facility to produce the highly sought after Sustainable Aircraft Fuel and green hydrogen. This is not just an investment in technology but a commitment to reshaping the future of energy production and consumption across Europe. By restarting and scaling up Greenswitch's operations, we aim to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that meet both environmental goals and shareholder expectations. We are also excited to welcome Robert Price, Gino Mazziotta and Mark Frascogna to the team, whose experience and leadership will be invaluable as we build out this new gas, green fuels and petroleum strategy."
Robert Price, Incoming CEO of the newly formed 80 Mile industrial gas and petrochemical business unit, commented:
"We are thrilled to start the integration of Greenswitch into 80 Mile's portfolio, as we look to address key decarbonisation challenges in aviation and heavy industry. Our focus will be on expanding production capacity while introducing SAF and green hydrogen to future-proof the business against evolving energy demands. This marks the beginning of an exciting chapter where sustainability meets profitability, and we look forward to delivering significant value for our stakeholders".
Additional Information:
HV Transaction summary:
· 80 Mile, HV and/or the existing shareholders of HV have entered into their respective Transaction Documents;
· The HV Transaction (other than subscription by 80 Mile of the £200k Loan Notes pursuant to Stage 1) is conditional, inter alia, on 80 Mile conducting and being satisfied with the results of, legal, financial, tax and commercial due diligence on the HV group and its business, assets and liabilities and the Placing having completed and Admission having occurred (the "Conditions");
· Stage 1: With effect from today, 80 Mile has subscribed for and converted £200k of convertible loan notes ("£200k Loan Notes") constituted by HV on or around the date of this announcement. Following conversion of the £200k Loan Notes the Company now holds a 5% interest in HV;
· Stage 2: Pursuant to Stage 2, subject to the Resolutions having been passed at the General Meeting, 80 Mile will pay £800k in cash and subject to the Additional Condition having been satisfied (as defined below) as deferred consideration allot and issue 423,957,023 new ordinary shares of 80 Mile (equal to 14.5% of the Issued Ordinary Share Capital of the Company) for a further 19% interest in HV;
· Stage 3: as part of the Transaction Documents the HV Shareholders have granted to the Company the 25% Option pursuant to which 80 Mile has 90 days, from the date of the Transaction Documents, to acquire a further 25% interest in HV for £1 million in cash and the issue of an additional 423,957,023 new ordinary shares of 80 Mile equal to 14.5% of the Issued Ordinary Share Capital of 80 Mile;
· Stage 4: as part of the Transaction Documents, the HV Shareholders have granted the Company the 51% Option pursuant to which 80 Mile has an option to acquire the remaining 51% interest in HV, that it does not hold, through the payment (in either cash and/or ordinary shares of the Company) of £6.05 million. The option becomes exercisable on the date falling 12 months and one day from the date of exercise of the 25% Option and lapses on the date falling 24 months from the date of exercise of the 25% Option;
· Lock-In Agreement: Each of the HV Shareholders has undertaken to the Company, SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP and Zeus Capital Limited that, save in specified circumstances and intervals, they will not dispose of any interest in such number of shares as is equal to 80% of the shares they receive pursuant to the Transaction Documents (being the "Locked-In Shares") for a period of 16 months in respect of each tranche of Locked-In Shares (commencing on the date that the applicable tranche of Locked-In Shares are admitted to trading on AIM), with 25% being released from the lock-in every 4 months.
Greenswitch Project
Hydrogen Valley, a UK-based private company headquartered in London, operates in Italy through its subsidiary, Greenswitch (see: www.greenswitch.bio).
Located in Basilicata, a region known for its oil industry and home to major players such as Shell, Total, and ENI, Greenswitch is strategically positioned in the biofuels sector. Its facility in Ferrandina is currently undergoing final maintenance programmes to prepare for the start of production, with a focus on delivering biofuels & SAF initially, as well as green hydrogen in the future. The plant is located in a Special Economic Zones (SEZ) of ZES Ionica, which provides for the establishment of special benefits for companies located within it. ZES Ionica involves both Puglia and Basilicata, in particular the port and production area of Taranto, the airport area of Grottaglie and the industrial area of Melfi, Ferrandina and Galdo di Lauria. The SEZ (Legislative Decree "Decree of the South") can represent an opportunity to support Lucanian companies thanks to the reduction of the costs of product trade and tax breaks (tax credit up to €50 million and administrative simplification).
The Ferrandina plant is a fully integrated chemical facility, capable of producing biodiesel, biofuels, and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). It has a production capacity of 120,000 to 150,000 tonnes of biodiesel annually and can process a diverse range of feedstocks thanks to its esterification and transesterification technologies. Initial production will prioritise ESO and biofuels, with biodiesel output expected to reach 50,000 tonnes annually by the second quarter of next year. Additionally, the facility features advanced infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment plant, emission scrubbers, and a cogeneration unit for efficient energy use. These initiatives will provide cash flow from existing facilities before SAF and hydrogen production commences.
Strategically situated near the Port of Taranto, the plant enables efficient transport of raw materials and export of finished products. It also has a 16,000-cubic-metre tank farm for storage, with insulated, heated, and inerted tanks that preserve product quality. The site is expected to benefit from excellent rail connectivity, which reduces transportation costs.
In addition to existing operations, Greenswitch has ambitious plans for future development. HV hopes to secure a €10 million grant for the onsite construction of a green hydrogen production plant with an expected design capacity of 200 tonnes per annum. HV also intends to apply for further additional EU grants for the construction of a Sustainable Aircraft Fuel production facility, which would be designed with the aim to produce 40,000 tonnes per annum. A SAF facility located near key Mediterranean airports and abundant local feedstocks underscores its competitive potential in sustainable energy innovation and production.
The Ferrandina plant is the largest facility in the Valbasento valley and dwarfs nearby industrial sites in scale and storage capacity. It is fully permitted and supported by local communities eager for economic stimulus and job creation, with Greenswitch aiming to expand its workforce in the near term and contribute positively to the region's development.
Greenswitch's history of innovation is reflected in its two main production lines, which were last operational in early 2020:
· The epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) line, which was Italy's first such facility and from a technological perspective, the Directors understand it remains highly competitive for the production of ESO to the Italian and wider European markets. ESO is a key green chemistry product used as a plasticiser and stabiliser for PVC compounds. The production capacity of the plant for ESO is 10,000 tonnes annually but the maximum production authorised is 15,000 tonnes annually, and with minor modifications, it can produce high-value vegetable polyols.
· The biodiesel production line includes esterification and transesterification plants with a combined capacity of up to approximately 200,000 tonnes annually. These plants use innovative technology to process various raw materials, such as vegetable and animal oils, into biodiesel and other biofuels.
The facility also features auxiliary plants for refining vegetable crude glycerine and recovering methanol.
The laboratory is structured with research, development and innovation, and analysis, sections, all of which aim to refine the products and enable more effective and efficient production.
Greenswitch's SAF ambitions align with the European Union's goals for reduced carbon emissions and energy independence. With its integrated environmental permits, strategic location, and potential access to substantial development grants, the Directors believe Greenswitch is uniquely positioned to contribute to Europe's energy transition while generating significant economic value for the region.
Biofuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
SAF is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional jet fuel, produced from renewable resources instead of fossil fuels, thereby significantly reducing the carbon footprint of aviation. SAF closely matches conventional jet fuel in composition, yet offers a lower carbon dioxide emissions profile across its lifecycle.
The Directors believe biofuels, particularly SAF, are critical to decarbonising sectors like aviation and heavy transport, where electrification remains challenging. 80 Mile seeks to employ a blend of feedstocks, including waste oils and advanced synthetic inputs, to produce SAF that meets stringent environmental benchmarks.
The International Energy Agency estimates that biofuels will account for 10% of transport energy demand by 2030. Greenswitch can help address this demand, combining innovation with sustainable practices to create a significant impact in the European energy market. SAF is widely regarded as the aviation sector's primary path to reducing carbon emissions. In addition, Governments worldwide have established mandates for the production and use of SAF in the coming years.
Hydrogen
The Directors also believe that hydrogen is set to play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions targets globally. As both an energy carrier and a feedstock for industrial processes, hydrogen offers unmatched versatility. 80 Mile, Greenswitch and Hydrogen Valley are actively exploring green hydrogen integration into their SAF and biofuels production processes.
About the Hydrogen Valley Team
Robert Price
Robert Price has extensive experience in energy and manufacturing. He co-founded and served as CEO of Total Helium Ltd. (TSX) and was Chairman of LNEnergy Ltd. He has held senior roles, including VP and Trust Officer at First National Bank (now J.P. Morgan Chase), and founded Brooks Energy Company, focused on oil, gas, and helium exploration in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions.
Mr. Price sold a 75% stake in a hydrogen power generation business to Tallgrass Energy (backed by Blackstone) and owned S&R Compression, a natural gas compressor manufacturing and rental company. Whilst he was Chairman and CEO of Highlands Natural Resources, he led ventures in natural resources. He also founded Zeledyne, acquiring Ford's Glass division and managing 1,200 employees across three plants. Mr. Price holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a J.D. from the University of Tulsa.
Mark Frascogna
Mark is an energy professional and investor with more than 35 years of experience in the international oil industry with emphasis on Italian energy sector. His experience includes working with large public corporations such as Forest Oil and Calpine as well as startup companies in which he either served as an officer or director.
Initiatives of particular note include: serving as VP of a Nasdaq listed company; forming bid groups consisting of Enron and Intermountain Industries to bid on Hungarian gas privatization assets; first investment in the Italian gas distribution network by an American company; managing portfolios of energy assets in Europe for American companies; bidding on numerous energy assets abroad, including state owned assets in Brazil and Italy worth over $1 billion; and permitting sites in the US and abroad for renewable energy developments.
He currently serves as CEO and director of LNEnergy Ltd., a privately held UK company that holds controlling interests in the largest onshore undeveloped gas field in Western Europe. This development is currently in the process of being approved for production and conversion of natural gas to LNG, and is one of the first projects of its kind in Europe.
Mr. Frascogna holds an undergraduate degree in Business and a master's in international management; and is fluent in English and Italian. Mark will join the Group as Italian operations manager which will be a non-board role.
Gino Mazziotta
Girolamo (Gino) Mazziotta has extensive energy industry and public service experience in Italy. Prior to serving as Vice President of LNEnergy Ltd., he was most recently the CEO of Fergas srl, an Italian oilfield services company focusing on energy with an emphasis on environmental services. Previous consultant experience includes Forest Oil, Calpine Corp., Avanti Energy, UGL, CMI, TUCAM and other energy companies. He started his career in public administration as Vice Mayor of the town of Ferrandina, advisor to the Province of Matera and Director of the Development Consortium for the Province of Matera, including serving as President of commissions focused on public works, infrastructure and economic planning. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Pro Deo University. Gino is the Greenswitch biofuels and chemical production complex manager which is also a non-board role.
Figure 1. Glycerin distillation column and associated storage and extraction capacity
Figure 2. Epoxidized soybean oil storage and extraction facility
Figure 3. Partial view of biofuel plant including distillation column
Figure 4 Onsite cogeneration and backup power capacity.
Figure 5. Finished product storage park and loading area.
Risk Considerations
Hydrogen Valley's continued ownership of Greenswitch is conditional on Hydrogen Valley making payments totalling between c.€2.5m and c€4.1m up to 30 June 2027 to the previous owner of Greenswitch, (the "Previous Owner") (the "Primary Acquisition Payments") pursuant to the terms of a sale and purchase agreement. In the event that Hydrogen Valley fails to make the Primary Acquisition Payments the Previous Owner can terminate the original acquisition agreement between Hydrogen Valley and Greenswitch, at which time ownership of Greenswitch will revert to the Previous Owner and pursuant to the Italian Civil Code it is likely, but not guaranteed, that all sums paid by Hydrogen Valley to the Previous Owner would be returned to Hydrogen Valley.
The amount payable as a Primary Acquisition Payment is dependant on whether the €10m government grant, refereed to above, is granted to Greenswitch.
Hydrogen Valley does not currently have the funds to make all the Primary Acquisition Payments but in the event 80M completes the acquisition of a 100% interest in Hydrogen Valley, as set out in this announcement, the monies provided will ensure Hydrogen Valley can make all the Primary Acquisition Payments. If 80M does not acquire a 100% interest in Hydrogen Valley, and/or if Hydrogen Valley cannot source any other funding, there can be no guarantee that 80M's interest in the Greenswitch project will be maintained.
In addition, 80M does not currently have the funds, or shareholder authorities in place, to enable the completion of the proposed purchase of all of the issued share capital of Hydrogen Valley,
The Project is also subject to mortgages in excess of €12m which should have been discharged prior to Hydrogen Valley acquiring Greenswitch but due to administrative error they have not been actioned. The Directors intend that this matter will be resolved before 80M acquires a material interest in the Project. Greenswitch is the subject of various disputes before the Italian courts including the ownership of the Project. The Previous Owner has indemnified Hydrogen Valley against all associated costs, payments and legal expenses associated with these claims and Hydrogen Valley can suspend payments to the Previous Owner until such time as these payments are made. 80M will not take a material position in Hydrogen Valley until these matters are resolved.
The Placing
The Placing is being conducted by Zeus Capital as agent for the Company and as broker in relation to the Placing. A placing agreement has been entered into between the Company and Zeus in connection with the Placing (the "Placing Agreement").
The Placing Shares are being offered by way of an accelerated bookbuild (the "Bookbuild"), which will open with immediate effect following the release of this Announcement, in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Appendix III to this Announcement.
Each of Rod McIllree, Troy Whitaker and Eric Sondergaard as directors of the Company, have indicated their intention to participate in the Placing, by subscribing for Placing Shares.
A further announcement confirming the closing of the Bookbuild and the number of Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing is expected to be made in due course.
The Placing is not being underwritten.
The allotment and issue of the Placing Shares is conditional, inter alia, upon:
· Admission becoming effective by no later than 8.00 a.m. on or around 07 January 2025 (or such other time and/or date, being no later than 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025, as Zeus and the Company may agree);
· the conditions in the Placing Agreement in respect of the Placing Shares being satisfied or (if applicable) waived; and
· the Placing Agreement not having been terminated in accordance with its terms prior to Admission.
Accordingly, if any of such conditions are not satisfied or, if applicable, waived, the Placing will proceed.
The Placing Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares then in issue, including the right to receive all future distributions, declared, paid or made in respect of the Ordinary Shares from the date of Admission. Assuming full take up of the Placing, the Placing Shares will represent approximately 15.96 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital.
Subject to satisfaction of the relevant conditions, it is expected that Admission will become effective, and dealing in the Placing Shares will commence, at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on or around 07 January 2025. Zeus has the right to terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances prior to Admission, including (but not limited to): in the event that any of the warranties set out in the Placing Agreement are not true and accurate when given or the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations prior to Admission. Zeus may also terminate the Placing Agreement if there has been a material adverse change in national or international financial, political, economic, monetary or stock market conditions (primary or secondary) or an imposition of or compliance with any law or governmental or regulatory order, rule, regulation, restriction or direction which, in the opinion of Zeus, makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the Placing or Admission. If this termination right is exercised, or if the conditionality in the Placing Agreement is not satisfied, the Placing will not proceed.
The timing of the closure of the Bookbuild, the number of Placing Shares and the allocation of the Placing Shares between Placees is to be determined at the discretion of the Company and Zeus.
A further announcement will be made following the closure of the Bookbuild, confirming the results of the Placing and a circular convening the General Meeting to consider the Resolutions is expected to be despatched shortly thereafter.
The expected timetable of principal events in connection with the Placing is set out in Appendix I to this Announcement.
AIM Rule 12 Disclosure
The proposed Acquisition is deemed to be a substantial transaction pursuant to AIM Rule 10. HV acquired the Project on 15 October 2024. HV was incorporated in July 2024 and no audited accounts or management accounts have been prepared for HV.
There has been an initial investment made by the owners of HV to purchase the shares of the previous owner of the Project for Euro 100,000 and there has been approximately a further Euro 110,000 spent by HV in relation to operational, employee and consultant costs from July 2024 to the date of this announcement.
For further information, please contact:
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80 MILE PLC |
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Eric Sondergaard Managing Director |
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PR & IR Adviser - BlytheRay |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204 |
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Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren |
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Nominated Adviser and Broker - SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
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Ewan Leggat / Adam Cowl |
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Broker - Zeus Capital |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3 829 5000 |
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Harry Ansell / Katy Mitchell |
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IMPORTANT NOTICES
This Announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "estimates", "forecasts", "plans", "prepares", "anticipates", "projects", "expects", "intends", "may", "will", "seeks", "should" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this Announcement and include statements regarding the Company's and the Directors' intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, amongst other things, the Company's prospects, growth and strategy, planned work at the Company's projects and the expected results of such work, mineral grades and mineral reserve and resource estimates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company's actual performance, achievements and financial condition may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this Announcement. In addition, even if the Company's results of operations, performance, achievements and financial condition are consistent with the forward-looking statements in this Announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this Announcement speak only as of the date of such statement and (other than in accordance with their legal or regulatory obligations) neither the Company, nor Zeus Capital Limited nor any of their respective associates, directors, officers or advisers shall be obliged to update such statements. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP ("SP Angel"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as nominated adviser exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the contents of this Announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as its client in relation to the contents of this Announcement nor will it be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on SP Angel by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended ("FSMA") or the regulatory regime established thereunder, SP Angel accepts no responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on behalf of it, the Company or any other person, in connection with the Company and the contents of this Announcement, whether as to the past or the future. SP Angel accordingly disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of the contents of this Announcement or any such statement. The responsibilities of SP Angel as the Company's Nominated Adviser under the AIM Rules for Companies and the AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or to any director or shareholder of the Company or any other person, in respect of its decision to acquire shares in the capital of the Company in reliance on any part of this Announcement, or otherwise.
Zeus Capital, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FCA, is acting as broker exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the Placing and the contents of this Announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as its client in relation to the Placing nor will it be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this Announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Zeus Capital by FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Zeus Capital accepts no responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on behalf of it, the Company or any other person, in connection with the Company and the contents of this Announcement, whether as to the past or the future. Zeus Capital accordingly disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of the contents of this Announcement or any such statement.
The Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, pledged, taken up, exercised, resold, renounced, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States absent registration under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The Placing Shares have not been approved, disapproved or recommended by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission in the United States or any other U.S. regulatory authority, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Placing Shares. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa.
No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.
The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada; no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the Placing Shares; and the Placing Shares have not been, and nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into Canada, Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom or to, or for the account or benefit of any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or to any investor located or resident in Canada.
No public offering of the Placing Shares is being made in the United States, the United Kingdom or elsewhere. All offers of the Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the EU Prospectus Regulation, or the UK Prospectus Regulation, (as the case may be) from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply.
The information in this Announcement, which includes certain information drawn from public sources, does not purport to be comprehensive and has not been independently verified. This Announcement contains statements that are, or may be deemed forward-looking statements, which relate, inter alia, to the Company's proposed strategy, plans and objectives. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the control of the Company (including but not limited to future market conditions, legislative and regulatory changes, the actions of governmental regulators and changes in the political, social or economic framework in which the Company operates) that could cause the actual performance or achievements on the Company to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.
The content of this Announcement has not been approved by an authorised person within the meaning of the FSMA. Reliance on this Announcement for the purpose of engaging in any investment activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing all of the property or other assets invested. The price of securities and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the securities. Past performance is no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an appropriate independent financial adviser.
No prospectus will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this Announcement and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation) to be published. This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein are for information purposes only and are directed only at persons who are: (a) persons in Member States who are Qualified Investors; and (b) in the United Kingdom, Qualified Investors who are persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within the definition of "investment professionals" in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"); (ii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc") of the Order; or (iii) are persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated; (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons").
This Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Persons distributing this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. Any investment or investment activity to which this Announcement and the terms and conditions set out herein relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Zeus or by any of its affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.
Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this Announcement.
APPENDIX I
Expected Timetable of Principal Events
|
|
|
|
Announcement of the Placing
|
19 December 2024
|
|
Announcement of the results of the Placing
|
19 December 2024 |
|
Admission and commencement of dealing in the Placing Shares
|
at 8.00 a.m. on or around 07 January 2025 |
|
Despatch of definitive share certificates in respect of the Placing Shares to be issued in certificated form
|
within 14 days of First Admission |
|
General Meeting |
to be held in due course |
Each of the times and dates set out in the above timetable and mentioned in this Announcement are subject to change by the Company, in which event details of the new times and dates will be notified to Placees by Zeus or by an announcement through a Regulatory Information Service, as the case may be.
APPENDIX II
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this Announcement, unless the context otherwise requires:
|
25% Option |
means the option granted by the HV Shareholders to 80 Mile to acquire 3,290 ordinary shares in the capital of HV held by them on the terms and conditions of the 25% Option Agreement; |
|
25% Option Agreement |
means the option agreement between the HV Shareholders and 80 Mile, pursuant to which the HV Shareholders grant the 25% Option; |
|
51% Option |
means the option granted by the HV Shareholders to 80 Mile to acquire 6,710 ordinary shares in the capital of HV held by them on the terms and conditions of the 51% Option Agreement; |
|
£200k CLN |
means the convertible loan note instrument constituted by HV, pursuant to which it has constituted £200,000 of convertible loan notes; |
|
Act |
the Companies Act 2006 (as amended); |
|
Admission |
admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance with the AIM Rules; |
|
AIM |
AIM, a market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange; |
|
AIM Rules |
the AIM Rules for Companies, as published by the London Stock Exchange and amended from time to time; |
|
Announcement |
this announcement (including the Appendices, which form part of this announcement); |
|
Board or Directors |
the directors of the Company or any duly authorised committee thereof; |
|
Bookbuild |
the accelerated bookbuild to be conducted by Zeus pursuant to the Placing Agreement and this Announcement; |
|
certificated or in certificated form |
a share or other security not held in uncertificated form (that is, not in CREST); |
|
Closing Price |
the closing middle market price of an Existing Ordinary Share as derived from the AIM Appendix to the Daily Official List of the London Stock Exchange; |
|
Company or 80M |
80 Mile plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 05389216, whose registered office is at 6 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4BT; |
|
CREST
|
the computerised settlement system (as defined in the CREST Regulations) operated by Euroclear UK & International Limited, which facilitates the holding and transfer of title to shares in uncertificated form; |
|
CREST Regulations
|
the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended); |
|
Enlarged Share Capital |
the Issued Ordinary Share Capital of the Company as enlarged by the issue of the Placing Shares; |
|
|
|
|
EU Prospectus Regulation |
Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and Council of 14 June 2017 and any relevant implementing measures in any Member State of the European Economic Area; |
|
Financial Conduct Authority or FCA |
the Financial Conduct Authority in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part IV of FSMA; |
|
FSMA |
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended); |
|
General Meeting |
the general meeting of the Company to be convened and held in due course (or any adjournment thereof); |
|
Group |
the Company and its subsidiaries; |
|
Hydrogen Valley or HV |
means Hydrogen Valley Ltd; |
|
HV Shareholders |
means Robert Brooks Price, Steven Mark Frascogna and Girolamo Mazziotta; |
|
HV Transaction |
means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents; |
|
Implementation Agreement |
means the implementation agreement entered into between the HV Shareholders, HV and 80 Mile pursuant to which the parties have agreed to implement the HV Transaction; |
|
Issued Orindary Share Capital |
means a total of 2,924,421,332 Ordinary Shares, consisting of the 2,089,397,216 Ordinary Shares currently in issue and the 835,024,116 new Ordinary Shares which are expected to be issued in connection with the acquisition of White Flame Energy, the completion of which was notified on 19 November 2024; |
|
Lock-In Agreement |
means the lock-in agreement between, inter alia, 80 Mile and the HV Shareholders; |
|
Locked-In Shares |
means 80% of the aggregate number of the Stage 2 80 Mile Shares, the Stage 3 80 Mile Shares and the Stage 4 80 Mile Shares; |
|
London Stock Exchange |
London Stock Exchange plc; |
|
Ordinary Shares |
ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each in the capital of the Company; |
|
Placees |
subscribers for Placing Shares; |
|
Placing |
the conditional placing of the Placing Shares pursuant to the Placing Agreement; |
|
Placing Agreement |
the conditional agreement dated 19 December 2024 between the Company and Zeus Capital in connection with the Placing; |
|
Placing Price |
0.27p; |
|
Placing Shares |
the c. 555,555,555 million Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing following the conclusion of the Bookbuild; |
|
Publicly Available Information |
any information announced through a Regulatory Information Service by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date of this Announcement; |
|
Qualified Investors |
in member states of the European Economic Area, "qualified investors" within the meaning of article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation, and in the UK, "qualified investors" within the meaning of article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation; |
|
Regulatory Information Service |
one of the regulatory information services authorised by the FCA to receive, process and disseminate regulatory information; |
|
Resolutions |
the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting to grant the Directors the authority to issue the Stage 2 80 Mile Shares and the Stage 3 80 Mile Shares; |
|
Shareholders |
the holders of Ordinary Shares; |
|
Subscription Agreement |
means the subscription agreement entered into between the HV Shareholders, HV and 80 Mile pursuant to which 80 Mile agrees to pay £800k in cash (subject to the conditions in the Implementation Agreement having been satisfied on or before the long stop date set out therein) and allot and issue the Stage 2 80 Mile Shares as deferred consideration (subject to the approval of the Resolutions) in consideration for the allotment and issue by HV of such number of new ordinary shares in HV and the transfer by the HV Shareholders of such number of existing ordinary shares in the capital of HV which equals 19% of the issued share capital of HV; |
|
Stage 2 80 Mile Shares |
means 423,957,023 new ordinary shares in the capital of 80 Mile to be issued and allotted to the HV Shareholders on completion of the Subscription Agreement; |
|
Stage 3 80 Mile Shares |
means 423,957,023 new ordinary shares in the capital of 80 Mile to be issued and allotted to the HV Shareholders on exercise of the 25% Option; |
|
Stage 4 80 Mile Shares |
means such number of new ordinary shares to be issued and allotted by 80 Mile to the HV Shareholders on exercise of the 51% Option; |
|
Transaction Documents |
means the £200k CLN, the Subscription Agreement, the 25% Option, the 51% Option, the Implementation Agreement and the Lock-In Agreement; |
|
uncertificated or in uncertificated form |
recorded on the register of members of 80M as being held in uncertificated form in CREST and title to which, by virtue of the CREST Regulations, may be transferred by means of CREST; |
|
UK or United Kingdom |
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; |
|
UK Prospectus Regulation |
the EU Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended; |
|
Zeus Capital or Zeus |
Zeus Capital Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 04417845 whose registered office is situated at 82 King Street, Manchester, M2 4WQ; and |
|
£, pounds, penny or pence |
sterling, the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. |
APPENDIX III
Terms and conditions of the Placing
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES (TOGETHER, THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS WHO ARE IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA AND ARE, UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED BY ZEUS QUALIFIED INVESTORS; AND/OR (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, PERSONS WHO ARE (I) QUALIFIED INVESTORS; AND "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (AS AMENDED) (THE "ORDER"); (II) PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ("HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC") OF THE ORDER; OR (III) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
THIS APPENDIX, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN, IS A FINANCIAL PROMOTION AND IS EXEMPT FROM THE GENERAL RESTRICTION IN SECTION 21 OF FSMA ON THE COMMUNICATION OF INVITATIONS OR INDUCEMENTS TO ENGAGE IN INVESTMENT ACTIVITY, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS ONLY BEING DISTRIBUTED TO RELEVANT PERSONS. ACCORDINGLY, THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF OR SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR AS PART OF A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. NEITHER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO THE LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED IMPLICATIONS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE PLACING SHARES AND THE INCOME FROM THEM (IF ANY) MAY GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP AND INVESTORS MAY NOT GET BACK THE FULL AMOUNT INVESTED ON A DISPOSAL OF THEIR SHARES.
The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada; no prospectus has been lodged with or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance or the South African Reserve Bank; and the Placing Shares have not been, nor will they be, registered or qualified for distribution, as applicable under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the Republic of South Africa. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale, resale or delivery would be unlawful.
Market Abuse Regulation
Market soundings, as defined in the UK version ("UK MAR") of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 ("EU MAR"), which is part of English law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) were taken in respect of the Placing, with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by UK MAR. That inside information is set out in this announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of UK MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.
Information to Distributors
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the "UK Product Governance Rules"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Rules) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook ("COBS"); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by the UK Product Governance Rules (the "UK Target Market Assessment").
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" and/or "distributor" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of: (a) investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and (b) eligible counterparties (each as defined in MiFID II); and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the "EU Target Market Assessment").
Notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Ordinary Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; such securities offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in such securities is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom.
Each of the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment, Zeus will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties each as defined under COBS or MiFID II, as applicable.
For the avoidance of doubt, each of the UK Target Market Assessment and the EU Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapters 9A or 10A respectively of COBS or MiFID II, as applicable; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Placing Shares.
Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Appendix or the Announcement of which it forms part should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.
These terms and conditions apply to persons making an offer to acquire Placing Shares and should be read in their entirety. Each Placee hereby agrees with Zeus and the Company to be bound by these terms and conditions. A Placee shall, without limitation, become so bound if Zeus confirms to such Placee its allocation of Placing Shares.
Upon being notified of its allocation of Placing Shares, a Placee shall be contractually committed to acquire the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price and otherwise on the terms and conditions set out in this Announcement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will be deemed to have agreed not to exercise any rights to rescind or terminate or otherwise withdraw from such commitment.
In this Appendix, unless the context otherwise requires, "Placee" means a Relevant Person (including individuals, funds or others) on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for or acquire Placing Shares has been given.
Details of the Placing Agreement and the Placing Shares
Zeus and the Company have entered into a Placing Agreement, under which Zeus has, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein, undertaken to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for the Placing Shares at the Placing Price. The Placing is not being underwritten by Zeus or any other person.
The number of the Placing Shares will be determined following completion of the Placing. The timing of the closing of the Placing and the number and allocation of Placing Shares are at the discretion of Zeus, following consultation with the Company. Allocations will be confirmed orally or by email by Zeus following the close of the Placing. A further announcement confirming these details will then be made as soon as practicable following completion of the Placing.
The Placing Shares will, when issued, be subject to the Articles, will be credited as fully paid and rank pari passu in all respects with the Existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or in respect of Ordinary Shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.
Application for admission to trading on AIM
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for admission to trading on AIM of the Placing Shares. It is expected that settlement of the Placing Shares and Admission will become effective at 8.00 a.m. on or around 07 January 2025 and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.
Placing
Zeus will today commence an accelerated bookbuilding process to determine demand for participation in the Placing by potential Placees at the Placing Price. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares.
Zeus and the Company shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Placing as they may, in their discretion, determine.
The principal terms of the Placing are as follows:
1. Zeus is arranging the Placing as agent for, and broker of, the Company.
2. Participation in the Placing is only available to persons who are lawfully able to be, and have been, invited to participate by Zeus
3. The bookbuild, if successful, will establish the number of Placing Shares to be issued at the Placing Price, which will be determined by Zeus, in consultation with the Company, following completion of the Placing. The results of the Placing, including the number of Placing Shares, will be announced on a Regulatory Information Service following completion of the Placing.
4. To bid in the Placing, prospective Placees should communicate their bid by telephone to their usual contact at Zeus. Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to subscribe. Bids may be scaled down by Zeus on the basis referred to in paragraph 8 below.
5. The timing of the closing of the Placing will be at the discretion of Zeus. The Company reserves the right to reduce or seek to increase the amount to be raised pursuant to the Placing, in its absolute discretion.
6. Allocations of the Placing Shares will be determined by Zeus, following consultation with the Company. Each Placee's allocation will be confirmed to Placees orally, or by email, by Zeus following the close of the Placing and a trade confirmation or contract note will be dispatched as soon as possible thereafter. Oral or emailed confirmation from Zeus will give rise to an irrevocable, legally binding commitment by that person (who at that point becomes a Placee), in favour of Zeus and the Company, under which it agrees to acquire by subscription the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price and otherwise on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with the Articles. Except with Zeus's consent, such commitment will not be capable of variation or revocation.
7. The Company will make a further announcement following the close of the Placing detailing the results of the Placing and the number of Placing Shares to be issued at the Placing Price.
8. Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5 above, Zeus may choose not to accept bids and/or to accept bids, either in whole or in part, on the basis of allocations determined at its discretion (after consultation with the Company) and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as it may determine. Zeus may also, notwithstanding paragraphs 4 and 5 above, subject to the prior consent of the Company, allocate Placing Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time.
9. A bid in the Placing will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in the Announcement (including this Appendix) and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and, except with Zeus' consent, will not be capable of variation or revocation from the time at which it is submitted.
10. Except as required by law or regulation, no press release or other announcement will be made by Zeus or the Company using the name of any Placee (or its agent), in its capacity as Placee (or agent), other than with such Placee's prior written consent.
11. Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Placing will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under "Registration and Settlement".
12. All obligations of Zeus under the Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below "Conditions of the Placing" and to the Placing Agreement not being terminated on the basis referred to below under "Right to terminate the Placing Agreement".
13. By participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.
14. To the fullest extent permissible by law and the applicable rules of the FCA, neither Zeus, nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise whether or not a recipient of these terms and conditions) in respect of the Placing. In particular, neither Zeus, nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability (including to the extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of Zeus's conduct of the Placing or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as Zeus and the Company may determine.
15. The Placing is not subject to any minimum fundraising and no element of the Placing is underwritten by Zeus or any other person.
Conditions of the Placing
The Placing is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms.
Zeus 's obligations under the Placing Agreement are conditional on, inter alia:
1. the delivery by the Company to Zeus of certain documents required under the Placing Agreement;
2. the Company having fully performed its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent that such obligations fall to be performed prior to Admission;
3. the issue and allotment of the Placing Shares, conditional only upon Admission;
4. Admission becoming effective by no later than 8.00 a.m. on or around 07 January 2025 or such other date and time as may be agreed between the Company and Zeus not being later than 8.00 a.m. on 06 February 2025 (the "Long Stop Date");
5. the Placing Agreement not having been terminated by Zeus in accordance with its terms.
If: (i) any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement, including those described above, are not fulfilled or (where applicable) waived by Zeus by the respective time or date where specified (or such later time or date as Zeus may notify to the Company, being not later than the Long Stop Date; (ii) any of such conditions becomes incapable of being fulfilled; or (iii) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the Placing will not proceed and the Placees' rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.
Zeus may, at its discretion and upon such terms as it thinks fit, waive, or extend the period for (subject to the Long Stop Date), compliance by the Company with the whole or any part of any of the Company's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement, save that the conditions relating to Admission taking place may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.
Neither Zeus nor the Company nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision they may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally and, by participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of Zeus.
Right to terminate the Placing Agreement
Zeus is entitled, at any time before Admission, to terminate the Placing Agreement by giving notice to the Company in certain circumstances, including, inter alia:
1. if any of the warranties given by the Company in the Placing Agreement are not true and accurate or are misleading in any material respect when given;
2. the Company has failed to comply with its material obligations under the Placing Agreement in the period prior to Admission;
3. any significant change or new matter arises, or is likely to arise, as a result of which any of the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement will not be satisfied or (if capable of waiver) waived by the requisite time and/or date;
5. there has been any material change in, or any development likely to involve a prospective material change in, or affecting, the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), earnings, business, management, properties, assets, rights, results of operations or prospects of any Group company; or
6. there has been, or is reasonably likely to occur, a material adverse change in national or international monetary, political, financial or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or foreign exchange controls which in the opinion of Zeus has a material and adverse effect on the Placing or otherwise render the Placing temporarily or permanently impracticable or inadvisable.
The rights and obligations of the Placees will not be subject to termination by the Placees or any prospective Placees at any time or in any circumstances. By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by Zeus of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Zeus and that Zeus need not make any reference to Placees in this regard and that neither Zeus nor any of its respective affiliates shall have any liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure so to exercise.
No Admission Document or Prospectus
The Placing Shares are being offered to a limited number of specifically invited persons only and have not been nor will they be offered in such a way as to require the publication of a prospectus in the United Kingdom or in any other jurisdiction. No offering document, admission document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA or the London Stock Exchange in relation to the Placing or the Placing Shares, and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in the Announcement (including this Appendix) and the Publicly Available Information. Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms that it has not relied on any other information (other than the Publicly Available Information), representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company or Zeus or any other person and neither Zeus, the Company nor any other person will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received and, if given or made, such information, representation, warranty or statement must not be relied upon as having been authorised by Zeus, the Company or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing. Neither the Company nor Zeus are making any undertaking or warranty to any Placee regarding the legality of an investment in the Placing Shares by such Placee under any legal, investment or similar laws or regulations. Each Placee should not consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice. Each Placee should consult its own solicitor, tax adviser and financial adviser for independent legal, tax and financial advice regarding an investment in the Placing Shares. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Registration and Settlement
Following closure of the Placing, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a trade confirmation or contract note in accordance with the standing arrangements in place with Zeus stating the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee (in pounds sterling) and a form of confirmation in relation to settlement instructions.
Each Placee will be deemed to agree that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed as directed by Zeus in accordance with the standing CREST settlement instructions which they have in place with Zeus.
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares (ISIN: GB00BFD3VF20) following Admission will take place within CREST provided that, subject to certain exceptions, Zeus reserves the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the Placing Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees by such other means that it deems necessary if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within CREST within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in any Placee's jurisdiction.
It is expected that settlement will take place in accordance with the instructions set out in the contract note.
Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date(s) in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of 4 percentage points above the prevailing Bank of England base rate as determined by Zeus.
Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, Zeus may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for Zeus 's account and benefit (as agent for the Company), an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable and shall indemnify Zeus on demand for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf. By communicating a bid for Placing Shares, each Placee confers on Zeus such authorities and powers necessary to carry out any such sale and agrees to ratify and confirm all actions which Zeus lawfully takes in pursuance of such sale. Legal and/or beneficial title in and to any Placing Shares shall not pass to the relevant Placee until it has fully complied with its obligations hereunder.
If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the form of confirmation is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.
Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax. Neither Zeus nor the Company will be liable in any circumstances for the payment of stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or securities transfer tax in connection with any of the Placing Shares. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.
Representations, Warranties and Further Terms
By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) irrevocably makes the following representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings (as the case may be) to Zeus for itself and on behalf of the Company:
1. that it has read and understood this Announcement, including this Appendix, in its entirety and that its subscription for Placing Shares is subject to and based upon all the terms, conditions, representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings and other information contained herein and undertakes not to redistribute or duplicate this Announcement;
2. that its obligations are irrevocable and legally binding and shall not be capable of rescission or termination by it in any circumstances;
3. that the exercise by Zeus of any right or discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Zeus, and Zeus need not have any reference to it and shall have no liability to it whatsoever in connection with any decision to exercise or not to exercise any such right and each Placee agrees that it has no rights against Zeus or the Company, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees agents or advisers, under the Placing Agreement pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties Act) 1999;
4. that these terms and conditions represent the whole and only agreement between it, Zeus and the Company in relation to its participation in the Placing and supersedes any previous agreement between any of such parties in relation to such participation. Accordingly, each Placee, in accepting its participation in the Placing, is not relying on any information or representation or warranty in relation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of the Placing Shares other than as contained in this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares. Each Placee agrees that neither the Company, nor Zeus, nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees will have any liability for any such other information, representation or warranty, express or implied;
5. that in the case of any Placing Shares acquired by it as a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the EU Prospectus Regulation and Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation, (i) the Placing Shares acquired by it in the Placing have not been acquired on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in any Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK, respectively, other than Qualified Investors or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Zeus has been given to the offer or resale; or (ii) where Placing Shares have been acquired by it on behalf of persons in any member state of the EEA, or the UK respectively, other than Qualified Investors, the offer of those Placing Shares to it is not treated under the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;
6. that neither it nor, as the case may be, its clients expect Zeus to have any duties or responsibilities to such persons similar or comparable to the duties of "best execution" and "suitability" imposed by the FCA's Conduct of Business Source Book, and that Zeus is not acting for it or its clients, and that Zeus will not be responsible for providing the protections afforded to customers of Zeus or for providing advice in respect of the transactions described herein;
7. that it has made its own assessment of the Placing Shares and has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the Placing and that it shall not be entitled to rely upon any material regarding the Placing Shares or the Company (if any) that Zeus or the Company or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees or any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, other than the information in this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information; nor has it requested any of Zeus the Company or any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;
8. that it is: (i) located outside the United States and is not a US Person as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act ("Regulation S") and is subscribing for and/or purchasing the Placing Shares only in "offshore transactions" as defined in and pursuant to Regulation S, and (ii) it is not subscribing for and/or purchasing Placing Shares as a result of any "directed selling efforts" as defined in Regulation S or by means of any form of "general solicitation" or "general advertising" as such terms are defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act;
9. that the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, or under the securities legislation of, or with any securities regulatory authority of, any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and accordingly the Placing Shares may not be offered, sold, pledged, resold, transferred, delivered or distributed into or within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom;
10. that the only information on which it is entitled to rely on and on which it has relied in committing to subscribe for the Placing Shares is contained in this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares and it has made its own assessment of the Company, the Placing Shares and the terms of the Placing based on this Announcement and the Publicly Available Information only;
11. that neither Zeus, nor the Company, nor any of their respective affiliates, agents, directors, officers or employees has made any representation or warranty to it, express or implied, with respect to the Company, the Placing or the Placing Shares or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Publicly Available Information;
12. that, unless specifically agreed with Zeus, it is not and was not acting on a non-discretionary basis for the account or benefit of a person located within the United States or any US Person at the time the undertaking to subscribe for and/or purchase Placing Shares was given and it is not acquiring Placing Shares with a view to the offer, sale, resale, transfer, delivery or distribution, directly or indirectly, of any Placing Shares into the United States or to any US Person and it will not reoffer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Placing Shares except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and otherwise in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States;
13. that it is not a national or resident of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or a corporation, partnership or other entity organised under the laws of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa and that it will not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) offer, sell, renounce, transfer or deliver, directly or indirectly, any of the Placing Shares in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa or to or for the benefit of any person resident in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa and each Placee acknowledges that the relevant clearances or exemptions are not being obtained from the Securities Commission of any province or territory of Canada, that no prospectus has been or will be lodged with, filed with or registered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Japanese Ministry of Finance, the Securities Commission of New Zealand or the South African Reserve Bank and that the Placing Shares are not being offered for sale and may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction in which such offer, sale, resale or delivery would be unlawful;
14. that it does not have a registered address in, and is not a citizen, resident or national of, any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make or accept an offer of the Placing Shares and it is not acting on a non-discretionary basis for any such person;
15. that it has not, directly or indirectly, distributed, forwarded, transferred or otherwise transmitted, and will not, directly or indirectly, distribute, forward, transfer or otherwise transmit, any presentation or offering materials concerning the Placing or the Placing Shares to any persons within the United States or to any US Persons;
16. that it is entitled to subscribe for and/or purchase Placing Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it and that it has fully observed such laws and obtained all governmental and other consents which may be required thereunder or otherwise and complied with all necessary formalities and that it has not taken any action which will or may result in the Company or Zeus or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents acting in breach of any regulatory or legal requirements of any territory in connection with the Placing or its acceptance;
17. that it has obtained all necessary consents and authorities to enable it to give its commitment to subscribe for and/or purchase the Placing Shares and to perform its subscription and/or purchase obligations;
18. that where it is acquiring Placing Shares for one or more managed accounts, it is authorised in writing by each managed account: (a) to acquire the Placing Shares for each managed account; (b) to make on its behalf the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, undertakings and agreements in this Appendix and the Announcement of which it forms part; and (c), if applicable, to receive on its behalf any investment letter relating to the Placing in the form provided to it by Zeus;
19. that it is either: (a) a person of a kind described in paragraph 5 of Article 19 (persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments and who are investment professionals) of the Order; or (b) a person of a kind described in paragraph 2 of Article 49(2)(A) to (D) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, partnerships or trusts or their respective directors, officers or employees) of the Order; or (c) a person to whom it is otherwise lawful for this Announcement to be communicated and in the case of (a) and (b) undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business;
20. that, unless otherwise agreed by Zeus, it is a Qualified Investor;
21. that, unless otherwise agreed by Zeus, it is a "professional client" or an "eligible counterparty" within the meaning of Chapter 3 of the FCA's Conduct of Business Sourcebook and it is purchasing Placing Shares for investment only and not with a view to resale or distribution;
22. that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) relating to the Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person;
23. that any money held in an account with Zeus (or its nominee) on its behalf and/or any person acting on its behalf will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the FCA. Each Placee further acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the FCA's client money rules. As a consequence, this money will not be segregated from Zeus 's (or its nominee's) money in accordance with such client money rules and will be used by Zeus in the course of its own business and each Placee will rank only as a general creditor of Zeus;
24. that it will (or will procure that its nominee will) if applicable, make notification to the Company of the interest in its Ordinary Shares in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 5 of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA);
25. that it is not, and it is not acting on behalf of, a person falling within subsections (6), (7) or (8) of sections 67 or 70 respectively or subsections (2) and (3) of section 93 or subsection (1) of section 96 of the Finance Act 1986;
26. that it will not deal or cause or permit any other person to deal in all or any of the Placing Shares which it is subscribing for under the Placing unless and until Admission becomes effective;
27. that it appoints irrevocably any director of either of Zeus as its agent for the purpose of executing and delivering to the Company and/or its registrars any document on its behalf necessary to enable it to be registered as the holder of the Placing Shares;
28. that the Announcement does not constitute a securities recommendation or financial product advice and that neither Zeus nor the Company has considered its particular objectives, financial situation and needs;
29. that it has sufficient knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial, business and investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of subscribing for or purchasing the Placing Shares and is aware that it may be required to bear, and it, and any accounts for which it may be acting, are able to bear, the economic risk of, and is able to sustain, a complete loss in connection with the Placing;
30. that it will indemnify and hold the Company and Zeus and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings in this Appendix and further agrees that the Company and Zeus will rely on the truth and accuracy of the confirmations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings herein and, if any of the foregoing is or becomes no longer true or accurate, the Placee shall promptly notify Zeus and the Company. All confirmations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings given by the Placee, pursuant to this Announcement (including this Appendix) are given to Zeus for itself and on behalf of the Company and will survive completion of the Placing and Admission;
31. that time shall be of the essence as regards obligations pursuant to this Appendix;
32. that it is responsible for obtaining any legal, financial, tax and other advice that it deems necessary for the execution, delivery and performance of its obligations in accepting the terms and conditions of the Placing, and that it is not relying on the Company or Zeus to provide any legal, financial, tax or other advice to it;
33. that all dates and times in this Announcement (including this Appendix) may be subject to amendment and that Zeus shall notify it of such amendments;
34. that (i) it has complied with its obligations under the Criminal Justice Act 1993, FSMA and UK MAR, (ii) in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing, it has complied with its obligations under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2000 (as amended), the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended) and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any government agency having jurisdiction in respect thereof and the Money Laundering Sourcebook of the FCA and (iii) it is not a person: (a) with whom transactions are prohibited under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any economic sanction programmes administered by, or regulations promulgated by, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the United States Department of State; (b) named on the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets maintained by HM Treasury of the United Kingdom; or (c) subject to financial sanctions imposed pursuant to a regulation of the European Union or a regulation adopted by the United Nations (together, the "Regulations"); and, if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations and has obtained all governmental and other consents (if any) which may be required for the purpose of, or as a consequence of, such purchase, and it will provide promptly to Zeus such evidence, if any, as to the identity or location or legal status of any person which Zeus may request from it in connection with the Placing (for the purpose of complying with such Regulations or ascertaining the nationality of any person or the jurisdiction(s) to which any person is subject or otherwise) in the form and manner requested by Zeus on the basis that any failure by it to do so may result in the number of Placing Shares that are to be subscribed for by it or at its direction pursuant to the Placing being reduced to such number, or to nil, as Zeus may decide in its absolute discretion;
35. that it will not make any offer to the public within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation of those Placing Shares to be subscribed for and/or purchased by it;
36. that it will not distribute any document relating to the Placing Shares and it will be acquiring the Placing Shares for its own account as principal or for a discretionary account or accounts (as to which it has the authority to make the statements set out herein) for investment purposes only and it does not have any contract, understanding or arrangement with any person to sell, pledge, transfer or grant a participation therein to such person or any third person with respect of any Placing Shares; save that if it is a private client stock, broker or fund manager it confirms that in purchasing the Placing Shares it is acting under the terms of one or more discretionary mandates granted to it by private clients and it is not acting on an execution only basis or under specific instructions to purchase the Placing Shares for the account of any third party;
37. that it acknowledges that these terms and conditions and any agreements entered into by it pursuant to these terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and it submits (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any person on whose behalf it is acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract, except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with any interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by the Company or Zeus in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which its assets are located or any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange;
38. that any documents sent to Placees will be sent at the Placees' risk. They may be sent by post to such Placees at an address notified to Zeus;
39. that Zeus owes no fiduciary or other duties to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement;
40. that Zeus may, in its absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares;
41. that no prospectus or offering document has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing and it has not received and will not receive a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Placing or the Placing Shares;
42. undertakes that it (and any person acting on its behalf) will make payment in respect of the Placing Shares allocated to it in accordance with this Appendix on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other acquirers or sold as Zeus may in its sole discretion determine and without liability to such Placee, who will remain liable for any amount by which the net proceeds of such sale falls short of the product of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares allocated to it and may be required to bear any stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or other similar taxes (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placee's Placing Shares;
43. that its allocation (if any) of Placing Shares will represent a maximum number of Placing Shares which it will be entitled, and required, to acquire, and that Zeus and/or the Company may call upon it to acquire a lower number of Placing Shares (if any), but in no event in aggregate more than the aforementioned maximum; and
44. that if it has received any confidential price sensitive information concerning the Company in advance of the publication of this Announcement, it has not: (i) dealt in the securities of the Company; (ii) encouraged, required, recommended or induced another person to deal in the securities of the Company; or (iii) disclosed such information to any person, prior to such information being made publicly available.
The Company, Zeus and their respective affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of each of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings which are given to Zeus for itself and on behalf of the Company and are irrevocable.
The provisions of this Appendix may be waived, varied or modified as regards specific Placees or on a general basis by Zeus.
The agreement to settle a Placee's subscription and/or purchase (and/or the subscription of a person for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to a subscription by it and/or such person direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being subscribed for in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other subsequent dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company or Zeus will be responsible, and the Placee to whom (or on behalf of whom, or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares has given rise to such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax undertakes to pay such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and Zeus in the event that any of the Company and/or Zeus have incurred any such liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify Zeus accordingly.
In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the UK by them or any other person on the subscription or purchase by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to subscribe for or purchase any Placing Shares.
All times and dates in this Announcement (including the Appendices) may be subject to amendment. Zeus shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.
This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility, of the Company. No representation or warranty express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Zeus or by any of its respective affiliates or agents as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.